Hello, my friends, and welcome back! I'm enjoying my Monday off - it has been a very relaxing and chill weekend so far, and I'm looking forward to doing some reading on the couch, so let's dive in!
Here's Friday's outfit - the Friday before a long weekend is always rather dead in the office.
I organized a paper airplane contest in the lunchroom, which ended with all of my coworkers hurling their airplanes at me! Yes, they really do love me, ha ha!
- Sweater - Kersh, printed by Pina, thrifted; last worn here in April with creamsicle dots
- Skirt - LA Hearts, thrifted; last seen here (5th outfit) for theatre with Mom, back in September 2018
- Cowboy boots - 1883 Lucchesse, consignment; last worn here (2nd outfit) in April with my picador skirt
- Suede coat (below) - Pioneer Wear, vintage 80s, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) in December 2018 as a pastel cowgirl
I swooshed about the office most of the day.
I had to roll the waistband of the skirt a few times - there are a lot of stairs in my office!
I love the painty colour in this skirt, and that it has a black lining for complete opacity.
Mostly, I was just happy for it to be the weekend.
The jelly-deer (not a jelly-fish!) is a favourite sweater of mine - the sweater itself is a glittery navy blue.
I wore the cowboy boots bare-footed - that's how comfy they are!
Outerwear - it was chilly enough in the morning to wear a ginormous fringed suede jacket.
It picked up the deep blue flecks in the skirt.
And because I already had cowboy boots on...
...well, thematically, this was on the nose, right? Full-on cowgirl!
The stuff:
These are the most comfy boots ever. I'm still boggled that whoever broke them in so perfectly for me had the same feet as me.
Gemstone bling:
Any opportunity to wear some of my favourite pieces!
- White gold earrings - 10th anniversary gift from L
- Cuff - gift from L
- Lapis lazuli ring/Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes
For all the Vizzini fans, there will be lots of pictures of him in this post.
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| "As it should be." |
As you can see, I'm doing well with reading my new fashion book - it's fascinating to read about all these designers, and the pictures are gorgeous.
Speaking of gorgeous, look at that roly-poly kitty!
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| "I just want a brushing!" |
He's been shedding his winter fur like mad, so I have been brushing him almost daily. He has very thick fur, and has always enjoyed a wire brush (not so much the rubber pad for getting all that under-fur).
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| "The rubber pad is the enemy!" |
I even brush his tum (carefully), under and around his head (he loves between the ears), his legs and tail. When he's done with the brush, he attacks it.
On Saturday, we were short players for Ulti, so L and I went for brunch and then headed off to do our own thing for the afternoon.
It was sunny but chilly in the morning, so I wore thicker clothes and a pair of my new-ish sheer tights.
- Wool cardigan - Ports, vintage 80s, consignment; last worn here (2nd outfit) in March for Book Club
- Sleeveless sweater - Bellessa, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) in June 2018 for the annual Day of Indolence
- Skirt - Sonia Rykiel, thrifted; last worn here in August 2018 with yellow tigers
- Star Wars "I Know" shoes - Poetic Licence, gift from Louise; last seen here in July 2018 with navy blues
After several hours of shopping, and the tights falling down in the crotchal region, I took them off and crammed them in my purse.
They'll be fine for work in cooler weather, but I just didn't need them on anymore.
Temperature-wise, I was quite comfy in my wool cardi.
It's such a lovely colour,. and it has pockets.
The top is a basic, handy piece (I have two that are similar), and the indigo velour skirt had a funny coincidence. Noting that it is by designer Sonia Rykiel for future reference below.
The stuff:
Han and Leia! Considering how much these shoes cost (they were a lot, thank you, mother-in-law Louise!), I should wear them more! They were good for walking to and from town, and for a 4-hour shop.
- Glass/silver earrings - local
- Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
I enjoyed some excellent alone-time and retail therapy. I walked through the growing throngs of tourists to Flavour Upstairs for a nice browse.
I lucked out with this gorgeous cobalt blue leather belt right as I entered the shop! Love the gold buckle.
It's by Karen Millen.
Size 2 is a size Medium in Canada.
Lovely hardware, and only $8.00!
Her belts start at $80 - this one retailed for $115.00 new.
I found the matching bracelet to the grey metal one I found a couple of years ago.
This one's gold, and was $6.00. It's lovely and heavy and fits my small wrist well.
I could not resist this vintage 80s scarf. Look at that pattern!
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| "It doesn't smell very tasty." |
It's 100% silk, with hand-rolled edges.
It was $9.95. I am all about that pattern!
Even if I'd just found those accessories, I would have been happy, but as luck would have it, Flavour Upstairs finally had marked down this wonderful wool coat and I finally bought it.
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| "Wait, where did the scarf go?" |
I've tried this coat on about 4 times, never quite going for it. It started at $49.99, then was marked down to $39.99, then $29.99.
At $19.99, I had to! It's unlined, very full, no tags, nothing but the nice black braid trim and vintage black buttons. I figure it is 80s, probably German.
This item had my heart thumping! It's a jumpsuit!
With huge, long, tiered, flounced legs! And check out that Hawaiian hibiscus and leaf print!
It has adjustable straps (nice gold hardware), and is elasticated at the top, with a drawstring waist.
Two little beads (red and blue) on each tie.
The legs are truly "ABBA-esque" and massively full - they are gathered and tiered three times down the leg for extra fullness. It is miles too long on me, so I will have to actually pay to shorten it.
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| "I approve of this jumpsuit." |
I might have gasped out loud - it's by JC (Jean Charles) de Castelbajac!!
I know of this designer through blogger buddy Wendy Brandes (link
here to all her gloriously fun Castelbajac pieces! and linking 'cause I love, of course).
Never heard of him? Here's a little history about him:
link. If you peeked through the pictures in that chronology, you'll see that my jumpsuit's top is very similar to his Cloud Dress in 2009 (as is the vivid blue/white pattern) - you know how designers love to revisit their own collections!
I found a couple of pictures of garments by him in this same fabric, but no links available - so I suspect that this is pre- or early Internet era, probably from the late 90s or early 00s.
This is 100% linen (it is like wearing ginormous sails on the legs!), and was made in China.
And yes, that is the price: $37.99! I happy handed over my money! 1stdibs has a jumpsuit by him for $1400, so I am happy with my wonderful find!
Oh, and that coincidence with my Sonia Rykiel skirt? De Castelbajac and her were friends until her death in 2016; she worked as his assistant before starting her own label.
Flush with my JC/DC score, I spent a few hours going through the big WIN store on Pandora Ave. Orange seemed to be on my radar, as I ended up with three orange tops!
This one is a 50/50 cotton/modal tee - it will be good for layering or wearing around the house in winter.
WIN had 75% off all punched tags.
So this was $1.73. Not bad for Lord & Taylor!
I liked the rounded shape of this sweater, with its skinny sleeves.
It's longer in the back, and hung nicely.
Also Lord & Taylor, and only $6.95.
100% merino wool! What a deal!
And then I spotted this long-line orange cardi.
Pockets, buttons.
J. Crew 100% linen!
For $4.48 with the 75% off. It was $89.00 new!
I'm not a leggings gal at all, but these dark brown wool ones just felt amazing.
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| "What? As soft as me?" |
Vizzini is even softer! But these have leather patches between the knees.
I'm really not sure why...?
But I know that these would have been insanely expensive new - over $100, for sure.
They were $4.74 with the discount.
And check it out - they were probably never worn, since the original hang tag plastic is still on there!
These will be lovely in the winter for around the house.
I already have a houndstooth skirt that I love.
But this one is so mod! It's a little hip-hugger, with a zippered front, and two faux leather buckles!
It's by Tribal, and the fabric (with is wool/polyester) is made in Italy.
And I couldn't believe $6.95! It would have been about $80 new.
Here's my other houndstooth skirt for comparison. Should I keep it as well?? Here's the last time I wore it:
link.
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| "I can't decide. Let's cuddle." |
They are so different! I'll wear the new one this week so that you get the full picture.
I also already have a green pencil skirt (
this one).
But this one is wool!
It's by J.Crew and was only $6.95.
I am boggled that someone put this in the Thrift section! These are $128.00 new!
Totally not complaining, of course.
This is from Fall 2013. Nearly 6 years old, and barely worn.
No question that this blazer was coming home with me. Look at that colour!
That is one stunning magenta! Remember
when my hair was that colour?
It's by Tahari - a good quality brand - and dig that satin lining!
For only $4.99? Their blazers are $398.00 new!
And one last new thing that we bought this weekend - a camera! It's the black beauty I'm holding in the mirror and is a Canon.
Why the sad face? As you may know, neither L or I has any kind of phone/tablet/laptop; we just have our desktop computer, and both of us have taken all of our photos with this little blue Lumix camera that has stood up
amazingly over the past 12 years. It's been dropped (at a Winesday), and got left on the train from London to Paris in 2010 (recovery story
here), but recently, the battery has started to swell and split. That's dangerous, so time for a new camera.
Thank you, little Lumix!
I spent a while getting used to the new camera - it's a bit more challenging, but I think my photos will look a little better. They are bigger now, at least - if you click any of them, you will get a larger image.
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| "Must you bother me, Woman?" |
Yes, I always have to bug Vizzini. He bugs me at 4 in the morning! It's totally fair!
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| "Hmph. I see your point." |
I definitely noticed that my pictures are clearer! On Sunday, L and I strolled to town in the lovely warm breeze and (mostly) sunny skies, to meet up with a group of our friends. Our usual long weekend gathering.
I finally had the chance to wear this amazing vintage 60s dress.
This is my entry for "
Visible Monday" over at Patti's
Not Dead Yet Style. Move it!
- Dress - Marjorie Hamilton, vintage 60s, thrifted; purchased here for $38.95
- Shoes - Bebe Effortless, Fluevog; last worn here earlier this month with double tweed
- Lace topper - Lysse; last worn here (2nd outfit) last weekend
Getting used to the new camera - the timer is a little hard to find, and the camera itself is narrower than the old one, so doesn't balance as well on the stucco ledge opposite the stairs.
And...that's what happens! Well, you get a really good look at this glorious pattern!
I loved wearing this, and it was well-received by my friends.
Such a great cut and length!
There's a cut-out in the back - the top connector piece isn't visible here, nor is the lovely giant vintage button.
I'm going to get a lot of wear out of this! I have at least 3 pairs of shoes I can wear with it.
It doesn't have pockets, but otherwise, A+, dress!
Covered up for a bit of warmth and sunblock.
The topper flowed around me in the breeze - it has big slits up the sides, and I felt like I had wings!
Ready to go, with my rainbow embroidered bag.
First wearing of the purse, purchased
here on consignment at House of Savoy for $28.00.
The stuff:
Good ol' pink metallic shoes! I walked to and from town in these.
Mod bling:
Love the white earrings - so era-appropriate!
- Earrings - vintage 60s, vintage fair
- Turquoise/silver ring - local
- Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes
And now, time to go bug the cat some more.
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| "Seriously? But I'm busy napping." |
He's grabbed my spot on the couch, little monster.
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| "My spot now." |
I don't think there is any budging him.
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| "Not likely." |
Thank you so much for stopping by, my friends!
