Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Friday Whites; Ulti Lettuce and Shopping: Reader Meet-Her Visit

This weekend has flown by, packed full of things! I need another weekend to recover, please - would someone please arrange that, stat? Thank you.

This is Friday's outfit. As you can see, I'm really not doing Casual Friday. 

 I built this outfit around the very casual velour skirt, so that kind of counts.

This is my entry for "Visible Monday" over at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style - what are you waiting for? Go!

• Jacket - Brooks Brothers, thrifted; last worn here in January with a butterfly skirt
• Top - Jones New York, thrifted; last seen here (3rd outfit, after the closet pictures) with JPG sailor pants in March
• Skirt - Sonia Rykiel, thrifted; purchased here for $6.95
• Shoes - Zoomies Ishshoes, Fluevog; last seen here with pink pants in April

I met Elaine for dinner after work, and I wanted to look classy too.

 I loved how this soft pink blazer looked with the indigo blue of the velour skirt; from there, it was, "Hmm, I wonder how white shoes would look with this?" And because I had the new white belt still waiting to be worn, voila! An outfit was born.

 I wrestled with boxes at work and did end up taking the jacket off for a bit.

The stuff: 

 Such comfy shoes! They really are!

White and gold bling:

 The leather belt softened up quite a lot over the course of the day - it's really nice quality.

• Belt - Banana Republic, consignment - first wear, $6.50
• Cuff - thrifted
• Earrings - Biko, consignment
• Textured bracelet - Mom's, 60s?

I've owned that lower bracelet since around 1984 when I "liberated" it from Mom's jewelry box.

Last time I wore these earrings, some of you wanted to see them on me to see how they looked.

 Here you go. I like this above picture because my hand with the camera is visible.

Other side.

Cool, eh?

On Saturday, L and I hauled our gear to the field for a game of Ultimate Frisbee!

 It's been a really hot weekend, with temperatures around 25 degrees (very hot for us). I'm in eyelet cotton, and fully sunblocked.

• Dress - Simply Taylor, consignment; last seen here (2nd outfit) in July 2017 for...a game of Ulti!
• Sandals, Born, consignment; last worn here (2nd outfit) in September 2017 for Ulti again!
• Linen jacket (below) - Club Monaco, thrifted; last seen here

I have a small wardrobe of weekend-only items, which includes this lovely "lettuce" dress, so named for the amass of ruffles around the hem.

 It's a little on the short side for work, but perfect for a hot weekend day.

L and I had lunch after the game, I had a wee shop and then walked home and had a nap.

 I wear contacts for the game so that I can wear my sunglasses. I take them out at lunch.

White linen for sun coverage.

 Oh, and my hat.

 I'm an incognito movie star!

The stuff:

 These are such comfy weekend shoes. They're the only pair of thong sandals I have been able to stand in the last several years.

• Gold earrings - mismatched anniversary gifts from L

We had our friends Cat and Ross over for board games on Saturday night. Vizzini is always happy to see them (they visit/feed him when we are away).

"What? This isn't a good place to sit?"

 He decided to climb into this bookshelf while we were setting up the game that usually lives there.

I did find a few things on my brief shop - I stopped in at the WIN Store on Pandora.

 This cuff is hinged but still small enough for my wrists - the stones are not real turquoise, but they are stone (that's been dyed). Still, for $5.95, I am not complaining!

I'm always on the lookout for washable "soft" tops to wear under blazers/sweaters in plain colours.

 Yes! Pink!

It's by INC, and was half price of the marked $12.95, so 6.50.

 I'll be wearing this soon!

I've been having good luck with pants lately, and spotted these funky beauties.

 That's a navy, turquoise and camel plaid. They are cut full (one pleat!), and have tapered cuffed hems. Very retro.

I didn't know the brand - Cartonnier - and this was half off the marked $29.95 (so, $15.00).

 The fact that someone made a little "Caronnier <3 -="" according="" an="" anthropologie="" around="" brand="" content="" for="" further="" inside="" investigate="" it="" made="" me="" nbsp="" new.="" note="" on="" originally="" p="" retailed="" s="" tag="" the="" these="" to="">
I like this back detail of the high divoted waist. Those are real pockets on the back too.

 I'm excited to wear these!

I waffled over these shoes a couple of times. Not because of the price, but because of the heel height.

 But they are balanced really well, and I have been looking for a fancy black shoe for party outfits or gala looks. I probably won't wear these for a while (December holiday season?).

They are by Ted Baker, and I adore the ginormous satin roses on the peep toes.

 The gold lining is leather, which is a nice treat.

The soles say, "Ted say's [sic], "It's all about the sole".

 I guess he likes the gold sole?

These were $26.95, which is the exact price of a party shoe I don't plan to wear a lot.

 Under the $26.95 price tag was WIN's previous price: $56.95.

These were probably well over $150.00 new, which is too much to pay for a shoe that doesn't get worn much. I bet these were worn only once!

This morning, I was up very early. I found Vizzini sitting out on the deck, enjoying the early sun. 

"I chose to sit here."

 We call that his "Blanket of Shame" - when he's bothering us at 4am to be fed, we shut him on the deck (totally safe - he's fine out there). We put the blanket out there for him in the winter, but he seems to like sitting there all year round, so we've just left it.

Looks rather grumpy, doesn't he?

"Are the noisy roof sounds coming back?"

Yes, sorry, bud! The roofers will be back tomorrow. 

I walked to town and did my grocery shop.  

 Doesn't everyone shop for groceries in lame (lah-MAY, darling!)?

• Dress - no label, vintage, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) in June 2017 to the Ulti field (I'm sensing a theme here)
• Shoes - Born, consignment; last worn here (5th outfit) in May with a red dress

I've been emailing with blog reader Laurie for several months, and had made plans to meet up with her, her husband Fred, and grown son Robin while they visited Victoria for a few days. 

 I had to look classy! Blog reader to impress!

I love this dress - it's so easy to wear, although when I am hoofing it and walking at my faster pace, I have to gather up the skirts so that I can take my proper strides.

 While strolling, it's totally fine.

I sunblocked up my arms, but carried my parasol. It was the perfect day for it.

 I've had this parasol for several years.

It's made of paper and bamboo.

 I bought it in Chinatown for $10.00.

The stuff:

 I went with gold shoes, even though I am wearing all copper accessories. We did a lot of walking today!

Copper bling:

 Any opportunity to wear this magnificent belt. Yes, it is solid copper!

• Belt - Renoir, vintage 60s, vintage fair
• Cuff - vintage 70s, vintage fair
• Earrings - vintage fair

I took a few pictures of my day, but generally the four of us just enjoyed taking in the city and chatting. Being in the moment is always more fun.

Laurie and her family came in on the Coho ferry from Port Angeles in Washington State, south of Victoria.

 That's the ferry with the red stripe on the lower hull.

Looking across the Inner Harbour as the Clipper passenger catamaran comes in from Seattle's harbour.

 Still early (around 10am), and not too many people around.

Looking back at the Empress Hotel.

 Such a grand old building.

And looking at the Parliament Buildings behind me.

 Ah, love that blue sky!

I met the family at their B&B in James Bay, where Fred took a picture of Laurie and I.

 What a lovely bunch of people they were/are! This was their first time in Victoria (they are from New York, although Robin is living/working in Washington State).

While they settled in - fresh off the boat! - I looked around the wee cottage.

 Very cosy.

I'm a maximalist - I love spaces that are crammed full of things.

 I could poke around in there all day.

We walked to the waterfront at Dallas Road, along to Beacon Hill Park. We climbed to the top of the hill, then walked down through the park itself, admiring the flowers, ducks and greenery. It's a lovely park.

From there, we strolled through the Empress Hotel, where I took a picture of Fred in front of the High Tea Crowd.

 It's very expensive to have High Tea there - I recommended tea and a sweet baked treat at Murchie's instead.

We meandered up Government Street, poking our heads into Roger's Chocolates, Munro's Books, and EA Morris Tobacconists, where I sat in the chair where the Queen once sat! YES, me and Queen Elizabeth II now have something in common.

A royal wave for the commoners

 Our bums have been in the same chair. We're besties now, of course.

We had lunch on the patio at the Garrick's Head, then walked down to Wharf Street, to Johnson Street. Of course, we popped into Fluevog - and to Flavour Upstairs, where both Laurie and Robin found something. Laurie bought a lovely Club Monaco silk skirt that I'd been eyeing, and Robin found a fabulous Club Monaco sweater for his girlfriend.

Over to Chinatown, and then I had to get home to receive the groceries. Time for one last picture.

Laurie and I in front of the Gate of Harmonious Interest. Thank you so much for sharing a bit of your vacation with me, Laurie, Fred and Robin! It was so fun to meet you, and I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip! 

All the Colours - Fireworks Dress

I can already tell by the second wear that this dress is a keeper for my spring/summer wardrobe. 

 Why? It's a "one and done" dress - throw on a pair of shoes and you're dressed. Easy!

• Dress - JG Hook, thrifted; first worn here in April with pink shoes
• Shoes - Half Truth Tanya, Fluevog; last seen here in April with houndstooth and green lace
• Linen coat (below) - Club Monaco, thrifted; last worn here in May

It also has a great allover pattern of abstract flowers but I think it also looks like fireworks, hence the name.

 It's a classic "fit and flare" shape, and it's a faux wrap (so no worrying about the skirt opening up). It also covers the cleavage without gaping or having to pin it closed.

It's a Swoosh Factor 7 (twirls well). Fiona and I compared our swoosh today in the office (hers billowed in the stairwells, so Swoosh Factor 8).

 I wore a full vintage slip under it for a bit of warmth, but was sweaty by afternoon.

Outerwear worn for sun coverage vs. warmth. This jacket is wonderful in the sun!

 The shapes are not quite right together, but I don't really care that much. This jacket has double pockets which makes it awesome.

The stuff:

 These shoes always get love, but the dress overshadowed them this time. Much love for the dress at both my regular work and my WW meeting tonight.

Multicoloured bling:

I wore red, green, orange and blue - and I wore magenta pink lipstick! And every colour was in the dress pattern. That's one great dress, and that's why it's a keeper.

• Leather/steel cuff - Bauxo
• Glass bangle - thrifted
• Earrings - Mom's, 80s, first wear
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes

I'll be back on Sunday with tales of excitement and adventure! Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!