Two-Fer: Cranes and Disco Dutch, Plus Mermaid Inspiration

Miss me? My company had its quarterly meeting last night, and after a few glasses of wine and lounging around on a rooftop patio until it got dark, I tumbled into bed when I got home. So you get a two-fer the price of one today! 

Here's Wednesday's outfit, full of things I love. 

Whoosh! I caught a breeze on the stairs in the morning.

 This top always elicits gasps when I reveal it's H&M. I know, right?

• Top - H&M, consignment; last seen here in April with goldenrod
• Skirt - Tribal, consignment; last worn here in June with backwards floral
• Shoes - Prepare Hi Steady, Fluevog; last seen here in September 2016 with zigzags
• Coat (below) - Lord & Taylor, thrifted; last worn here in June

 This was a very popular outfit with my work crew.

 Except for the shoes (nicknamed "Disco Dutch" by my coworker many years ago when I first got them). They always get mixed reactions.

It has been chilly and windy over the last two days, although it's still sunny out. I needed the coat early in the morning, and again late at night as I tottered home.

 I was glad I had it.

The stuff:

 You love these or you hate these. There is no in between. It is impossible to be neutral or "meh" about them.

Yellow and white bling:

 First wearing of these white "are they or aren't they plastic or Bakelite?" earrings. I bought them in Sidney for $2.00. I think they are, but without testing I can't be sure.

• Cuff - thrifted
• Earrings - thrifted
• Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes

Shout out to my awesome co-worker Lada who commented that the outfit today reminded her of a mermaid.

 I was so excited! Yes! That's exactly what I was going for!

• Top - Scotch and Soda by Maison Scotch, vintage store in Vancouver; first worn here in April with houndstooth
• Skirt - Alfred Sung, vintage 80s, consignment; last seen here in February with a satin blouse (I need to wear those shoes again!)
• Shoes - Ecco, vintage store in Vancouver; last worn here in April (way down past the closet pics) with a fabulous dress, that I also need to wear again
• Coat (below) - Lord & Taylor, thrifted; last worn yesterday!

 I wore a full-length vintage slip under this (you can see a bit of it peeking out of the hem of my skirt in the stair picture) to compensate for the sheer back of the blouse.

 That's my ink showing through!

Same coat as yesterday.

 I am appreciating that this summer is not as hot as last year's. Our province (BC) is being ravaged by forest fires, and I was thankful that we had some rain overnight. Send more to the interior, please!

The stuff:

 Probably the most boring shoes I own, but they were a useful neutral in this outfit. I'm okay with that.

Scaly bling:

I love wearing this set.

• Cuff/earrings - Fossil, gifts from L
• Bracelet - thrifted

I'll be back on Sunday with my Friday, Saturday and Sunday outfits. I'm hosting Winesday on Saturday, and am giving away oodles of stuff from my closet, so I'll be sure to take some pictures of my girlfriends and our mad try-ons! Have a fabulous weekend!

Grey Geometry and Ruffles

Another dentist appointment today, and I'm frozen up to my eyeballs. What I thought would be my last appointment for a while turns out to be the penultimate instead. One more go-round of antimicrobial goop sealed up in my tooth, and then I get it filled and a new back on my existing cap. 

 And in other news, I'm wearing all grey! I felt pretty grey today (even though this outfit has very shiny elements).

• Blouse - Jones New York, thrifted; last worn here in June with neoprene
• Skirt - Nygard; last seen here in December 2016 with that cool white top I have 
• Shoes - Gentle Souls; last worn here in April with cranes and goldenrod

"Na na na...CAT BOMB!"

 The shiny blouse was layered over a mustard yellow cami this time, and I totally nervous-sweated through the blouse, so it's in the wash.

 I'm going to go have a nap when I'm done blogging, but first, lots of ibuprofen and extra-strength Tylenol.

"And a warm cat to cuddle with!"

I love this skirt - it's a piece I bought new at the Bay way back in my early blogging days. It's stood the test of time, mostly because of all the colours in the pattern (white, gold/yellow, blue/navy on a grey background) and because the pattern goes all the way around the skirt! I always rail about this - I loathe when the back of any garment is just left black or blah. We can be seen from all sides! Designers, decorate us accordingly, pleas!

Outerwear, aka hat. I walked home from the dentist.

 Not in these shoes, of course. I switched to my runners.

The stuff:

 These really are a heavenly pair of shoes - they are incredibly comfy, but look dangerously high (they really aren't).

Simple bling:

My balls and chain. Heh.

• Ear-balls - Dior
• Chain - thrifted

Statement Skirt and Shiny Things, Plus Cat Pics

For it being a Monday, I actually felt quite chipper today. We're coming into my slow time of year, which I always treasure. 

 I also treasure this skirt - it's a keeper!

• Top - Gap, thrifted; last worn here (3rd outfit) in April for a downtown jaunt
• Skirt - Maeve, thrifted; last seen here in April with the jelly-deer sweater
• Shoes - Portia, thrifted; first worn here in June with a backwards top

 I have been going through my closet in anticipation of clearing out a bunch of stuff I haven't been wearing much/at all, and it's causing to me to want to wear the stuff I really love, like this gorgeous skirt.

I like how it went with the sparkly top.

 And because I wanted to wear these comfy shoes again, I needed a lot of bright shiny bling up at my face.

And a hat for the sun!

 I forgot to take my hat picture until I was just about to leave, so you're treated to my everyday runners.

The stuff:

 So. Much. Shiny!! These shoes were even better on their second wear.

Silver bling:

 Lots of vintage. I pinned the three brooches askew at my neckline instead of wearing a necklace. Why wear a necklace when three brooches will do?

• Pinwheel brooch (centre) - Sarah Coventry, vintage fair
• All silver brooch (left) - Pastelli, vintage 60s, Grandma J's
• Blue stone brooch (right) and earring (centre) - vintage 60s, vintage fair
• Leaf bracelet - some junky store in PR
• Silver/stone bracelet - Coro, vintage 70s?, Mom's
• Pearl earring - thrifted
• Lapis lazuli ring/Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes

It was a lot of bling, but sometimes you just have to pile it on. 

Last night, while I was writing my weekend post, Vizzini hopped up on my lap. 

"I'll just sit right here. You go ahead and try to use the keyboard."

 He doesn't stay for long, but I treasure his visits.

"Ah, yes, that's the spot. Less typing, more petting."

Such a pretty boy!

Weekend Wrap-Up: Pleather Wander, Black/White, and Cat Pictures

It's been a lovely quiet weekend, full of hanging out with my two guys, L and Vizzini. On Saturday, L and I had to run an errand in Oak Bay (the rich-people municipality that we do not live in), so we went for brunch early, then bussed there. 

In my defense, it was cloudy earlier and very windy out. Yes, I wore a pleather dress!

• Dress - no label, thrifted; last seen here in May with florals and purple boots
• Shoes - Michael Kors, thrifted; last worn here (4th outfit) in June for a walk to town

 After our errand, we wandered back up Oak Bay Ave - it's very pretty and full of interesting shops, including House of Savoy, a great consignment shop that's very dangerous to go into. I only pop in about once a year, or I'd spend way too much money!

 Although I'm wearing pleather, this dress is fully lined in black and white gingham, so it didn't stick to me. I was actually "just right" temperature-wise due to the wind.

 Added my shades, and of course, I am fully sunblocked, head to toe!

The stuff:

 Comfy shoes - I even wore them barefoot!

Nerdy bling:

 A few people spotted my Star Trek communicator badge.

• Dragon bangle - Lazy Susan's
• Silver bangle - Glee
• Earrings - gift from Megan Mae
• Star Trek magnetic pin - MoPop gift shop

I tried on lots of stuff at House of Savoy, but only bought two things. I love this crazy thin sweater.

 Skeletons, a spider and ladies' heads. Yes, sure, why not?

I've definitely heard to Jean Paul Gaultier! I couldn't find anything similar to this online, but I think this is a vintage piece, guessing the mid- to late 90s based on the design, which is very typical of that era!

Made in Italy, this is 100% merino wool. It feels lovely on, and is a really nice fit. I want to wear it with my leather pants! Maybe my grey tulle skirt just for a fun contrast.

I liked the label explaining the care.

 I will probably just wash it by hand, but notice the wear on the label. This piece is old and has been worn a lot - however, it feels like new! Very nice quality. This was $38.00.

Also for $38.00, I found these fabulous booties.

 Dark burgundy velvet booties! I used to have nearly identical (cheap) black booties like these in the early 00s.

 All the way around, these are right in style again. They look brand new!

They were marked size 8.5, but they fit like a 9.5.

 Not a mark of wear on the bottom - I don't think they've ever been worn. They are called the Ellena by Mia, and the original retail was around $65 for these. A good deal for me!

Both of these items have been put into the "not till Fall" pile in the closet - I'm excited to wear them in cooler weather!

Last night, L and I chilled out playing boardgames.

"I'm just watching for dropped food."

 Vizzini chills near us, occasionally stopping by for a visit, but mostly doing his own thing.

"Kitty treats or Mousie gets it."

 He's ever-hopeful that we will give him more kitty treats.

Today I slept in, had my coffee and strolled to town for groceries.

 Really didn't put in much effort. No make-up, nothing done to my hair. The bare minimum to be in public!

• Shirt - Banana Republic, consignment; first worn here in May with grids
• Capris - Contrast, thrifted; last seen here for our trip to PR last August 2016
• Runners - Dunlop, thrifted; not tracked - I wear them every day to walk to and from work

 I am tossing the shirt in the giveaway pile, as well as these capris. Eh, I don't wear 'em enough to keep them.

With my hat.

 Mission: groceries!

Vizzini has been flopping in the sun.

"Curses, you found me, Woman!"

 His moustachios look very impressive, don't they?

"My best side for my fans."

Such a little cutie!

All the Fringe, Plus WTF Jeans

Woo! Friday! I have dinner to eat, cider to drink and games to play, so without further ado, here's today's outfit.

 It's a whole lotta fringe! I had much fun swooping and fringing about the office today.

• Duster - Design Lab by Lord & Taylor; last worn here (2nd outfit) in March for another casual Friday look
• Blouse - Banana Republic, thrifted; first worn here in June with pink
• Jeans - Levi Strauss 510, thrifted; purchased here for $22.99
• Sandals - Ecote, consignment; last seen here (6th outfit, way down) for a shopping trip with a coworker

 That's a lot fringey badassery there, my friends. I had many agog coworkers, and heard several variations of, "You're wearing JEANS!"

It has been a while. Here - in December 2013! - is the last time I wore blue denim jeans.

 I enjoyed wearing them - they did feel a little odd to me, but I've had variations on jeans (my Versace mom jeans, leopard skinny jeans, purple velvet jeans, pinstriped red/black jeans, to name a few) in my wardrobe off and on over the years. Just not blue jeans.

Here we are without the duster. I had to take it off every time I went to the bathroom, as the fringe is tricky to manage.

 Nice dark denim. But I have more things to say about the jeans in a minute.

The stuff:

 Assembling this picture made me realize how little I wear belts lately. I go in phases. I love belts! I hate belts! Bring on the belts! No more belts!

I love those fringey sandals. I struggled this morning getting them done up and had to whine at L to do it for me. I couldn't see the holes on the strap for the buckle.

Silver bling:

 My "teeth" necklace is always popular, especially with Vizzini, who likes to bite it.

• Belt - from Ruth
• Hinged cuff - thrifted
• Cage cuff - Bauxo
• Necklace - The Bay c. 2008
• Earrings - Lazy Susan's

So. The jeans. These are not your standard jeans. They have weird WTF thing about them. Witness:

 I turned them inside out to show this. It's a reinforcement of extra fabric up the back of the bum (and a little bit in the front too!). They don't look like they've been altered (the gold/original stitching on the bum seam goes over the darker stitching of the gusset), but what the heck? Why is that there?

And when I turned them inside out, I found this. I didn't even know this was there!

 What is going on here?? Why is there reflective tape inside the pant leg? Again, this looks original, not added. This boggles me. Is this supposed to show?

When I bought them, I noticed that one pocket was green.

 Again, all original, not altered. All the rivets say "LS 510" on them. They are really long pockets - I have to flatten them out or they bunch up.

And I noticed this when I bought them too. What is this for?

That's the back left of the jeans, opposite the green pocket. It's an extra piece of fabric only on that one side (!!). Am I supposed to put my handkerchief there? It's sewn down with green thread (just visible under the belt loop near my pinky, and again, that's original, not an alteration.

I did some searching around online to try to figure out the green pocket and weird back loop thing when I bought them, but adding the search of "reflective tape" paid off! They were issued by Levi Strauss in 2012 specifically for commuter cyclists! Check out this blog article here*, which explains what all this weirdness is for. Mystery solved!
*linking 'cause I love