Bigass Week Off Round-Up: Chillin', Shoppin' and Cat

Well, this is it, my time off is nearly over. I really needed the full week off work this past week, and although it feels like I missed October altogether (seriously, I feel like I've been in a fugue state), it's time to get into fall! 

Even though we were severely jet-lagged coming home - it took all week to shake it off - L and I headed off to the diner for brunch the day after we returned. 

We met up with Nick and Elaine, and Elaine and I went for a little shop - I had a big fat shoe gift certificate to spend.

• Jacket - Findlay, thrifted; last seen here back in February for a blogger tea
• Sweater cami - Ellen Tracy, thrifted; last seen here in April with sheer neutrals
• Skirt - Danier Leather, thrifted; last seen here (3rd outfit) in March for another casual weekend
• Shoes - Fly girl, consignment); last worn here (2nd outfit) in March for a weekend with friends
• Scarf - Vera, thrifted
• Earrings - homegrown vintage 90s, LA Express

Lots of layers! It was warm and sunny (hence my lack of socks).

The scarf was useful for keeping the sun off my tattoos.

This skirt has always been good for my bum, hee.

The stuff:

Still need to wear these shoes with a shorter skirt.

Vintage bling:

I bought these earrings when I worked in a mall store called LA Express (not to be confused with Express, which is a different, US, store), the sister store of Suzy Shier, back in 1994. Homegrown!

I did find a pair of shoes to spend my birthday gift certificate on:

Aren't they pretty?

The spotty parts are pony hair, and the black part is suede.

One of my favourite brands, Poetic Licence. Note the pretty green brocade-printed interiors.

And of course, the ribbon on the sole.

I had a bit of change left from the gift certificate, so picked up these purple-on-purple tights by Look From London.

Hurray for fun tights!

I also bought a couple of books, and was so happy to find this awesome suede and PVC purse at the Velvet Crease:

I've been wanting to replace my black cross-body bag (it's wearing out), and this fits the bill perfectly.

Suede, studs, rhinestones and more studs! It's by Bebe and was $35.00.

I also spotted this sweet little shiny goldy-green brocade skirt.

It was $30 and is by Club Monaco - and it's got pockets!

I enjoyed my days to myself while L went back to work on Monday (poor guy). I ventured out again for some zen thrift shopping.

Will it stay sunny?

• Sweater - Expression, consignment; last seen here (way down) under my red plaid dress over the Christmas holidays last year
• Jeans - Ralph Lauren, consignment; last seen here in August on a casual Friday
• Boots - Aldo, consignment; last seen here (2nd/3rd outfits) just before my break
• Belt - gift from Ruth
• Mixed earrings - local

I didn't even need a coat! It's like we brought all the nice weather home with us.

I didn't feel like making much of an effort with my outfits.

I need to replace these boots, but didn't find anything I liked better.

The stuff:

They are awfully comfy boots.

Badass bling:

Grommets! And a bird skull. It is October, after all.

I did find some things on my shopping expedition. Everyone is wearing little short boots with studs/buckles in Italy with everything from dresses to leggings to midi skirts - everything!

These are by Ash and were on sale for about $165.00.

Good leather boots are like gold.

Also, I like studs. Did I mention I like studs?

With the departure of my bad brown boots, I had a boot gap. I've been wanting a caramel pair.

And voila! These are Clark's Indigo, and were $199.00.

Why didn't I buy shoes/boots in Italy? I didn't find any that I liked! They were either super-cheap plastic crap, or really overpriced. I knew I could get what I really wanted here at home, and I'd rather give both Footloose (the black boots) and the Cobbler (the caramel boots) my money.

Oh, so pretty. Happiness!

I met up with my girlfriend Janet for drinks one night. I poured on the crazy for her.

She and I have been friends since 1981 (wow!), and although we don't see each other daily, like we did back when we were teens/in our 20s, we still like to get together and catch up. It's like no time has passed.

• Dress - I'M Isola Marras; purchased here in Florence
• Booties - Ash; new, as above
• Necklace - gift from Mom
• Purple cuff - thrifted
• Studded cuff - homegrown vintage
• Mixed earrings - local
• Rings - homegrown vintage
• Leather coat - Danier Couture, consignment; last seen here for Tie Thursday earlier this month 

Janet was suitably impressed with my hair.

She's probably the only person who I still see who knows me before I dyed my hair red (my natural colour is brown).

I did wear a black vintage half-slip under the dress, as it was a little chilly out.

And my new bag!

The stuff:

Must wear all the studs!

Studly bling:

I usually break out all my creepy-crawly jewelry for all of October. I've missed a significant portion of the month so I'm trying to cram it all in for the last week.

One of my minor chores while I was off was to get L's and my costumes put together for Hallowe'en. We're also throwing a Hallowe'en party that night, so I had to make sure I had enough decor for the house. It'll be pretty low-key - I don't want Vizzini to eat everything.

So many new things, and I haven't had time to wear them all!

• Jacket - Ralph Lauren, thrifted; purchased here in September
• Skirt - Jones New York, thrifted; last seen here in January
• Boots - Clark's Indigo; new, as above
• Belt - Club Monaco
• Scarf - vintage 60s, Dad's
• Cuff - SkinZnHydez
• Bracelet - fake Gucci, gift from Mom and Dad; vintage 80s
• Rings - various vintage and local
• Earrings - Plum?

I liked the equestrian vibe of this outfit.

"I want to go too!"

The scarf worked well with the plaid of the jacket, and I liked how the caramel of the boots and the belt worked with the whole outfit, to keep it from being too dark.

I shopped for about 4 hours, and my feet were rather tired by then. However, the boots felt great.

I like how the heel and toe are slightly darker than the rest.

Vintage bling.

I have been wearing that scarf since I was 15 years old, when I first snagged it out of my Dad's stuff in the 80s.

I popped into one of my favourite downtown thrift stores, Flavour Upstairs.

OMG, I need a lavender vintage ultrasuede dress, right? Right?

The brand is Casual Unlimited, which is a silly name.

I thought $27.99 was a good price. It feels like thick suede, but it's butter soft. Made in Canada too! This is probably from the late 70s/early 80s.

I blew out the colour on this shirt - it's a very dark green - to show the diamond pattern in the pleating of the front.

I liked the fit, and for only $5.00, I'll give it a shot.

The brand is B. Altman & Co., which I've never heard of, but here's a cool article about the original 5th Avenue New York City landmark building. The store itself closed in 1989.

Underneath that tag is another one that says "Hal Ferman", a designer of the 70s/early 80s who seems to have specialized in accordion pleats in polyester dresses, blouses and skirts.

I had to have this circle skirt.

 Why? Because it's got a BULLFIGHTER on it!

Cat approved.

I'm not sure why the horse and fighter are in a...um...quilted life jacket? around the legs? Are there two people on the horse? What the hell is going on there? This skirt was $22.99.

This is an H&M skirt - it was cheap ($5.00 rack), and is cheaply made, but what if I need a really short ruffled skirt?

Now I'm covered. We can all relax.

These just screamed 90s! at me.

Classic late 90s shape and style.

I love the multiple straps over the vamp.

They were Jeffrey Campbell and only $14.99! Score!

I met up with Elaine for drinks on Friday.

More new clothes! This time, the skirt from Florence gets an outing.

• Sweater - August Silk, thrifted; last seen here way back in January
• Skirt - Lui Jo; purchased here in Florence
• Shoes - Poetic Licence; last seen here for Shoe Shine! Are you there? Go there! Post your shoes!
• Coat - Vassali, consignment; last seen here (2nd outfit) in March
• Cuffs - one from St. Paul's Cathedral, two thrifted, one local
• Earrings - local
• Rings - Uffizi Gallery; Wendy Brandes; homegrown vintage snake

I was actually pretty chilly in this outfit - the weather has been pretty mixed all week.

 The skirt was lovely to wear - good swoosh!

 Blurry kitty doing leg bumps while the camera's beeping.

Such an awesome coat.

The stuff:

 I love these shoes! They are so fun and funky.

Silver bling:

After seeing Murano glass in Venice, I realized that these earrings (made and bought locally) are actually made with Murano glass beads. Who knew?

On Saturday, L and I went to our favourite diner...twice!

Floyd's is celebrating their 10th anniversary, so we went back in the evening to enjoy free burgers and fries, and have a drink with the owner and staff.

• Sweater - Smart Set, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) in May
• Skirt - no label, thrifted; as above
• Boots - Adrian Agnes, Fluevog; last seen here (2nd outfit) in February
• Cuff - Rimanchik
• Earrings - local
• Rings - Uffizi Gallery; Oscar & Libby's; Wendy Brandes

It's so much skirt!

L and I did some chores after brunch; by the time we were ready to walk to town, it was pouring rain.

That's a lot of skirt

 My yellow leather jacket is always fine in the rain, except this was a lot of rain.

I was fully soaked - and the skirt was just sopping!

The stuff:

I only wore these boots for the morning part of my outfit. The black ones below were what I wore for the rain.

Red bling:

Mostly red!

While L was getting a guitar stand, I quickly popped into the WIN Boutique. I found an awesome dress!

You so seldom find them with sleeves! I love the crazy colours in it, and that it's a weave, not a knit.

This was slotted in with the non-boutique dresses, for only $8.00

It's by Dept - aside from the neck tag, it says "Dept" in the pattern of the dress, as well as on a seam tag on the side. They really don't want you to forget!

Today, I got up at the crack of 9am and walked to town to get groceries.

I don't know why my right leg is in a black hole...

• Coat - Smoking Lily; last photographed in January here (but I know I've worn it since)
• Sweatshirt - Silence + Noise, consignment; last seen here in April
• T-shirt - Alice Cooper tour shirt
• Jeans - Ralph Lauren; as above
• Boots - Aldo, consignment; as above
• Earrings - local

And there we have an easy outfit for today, Sunday.

Just hanging out, watching football, enjoying my last day off with my wonderful husband.

It was pouring rain in the morning, but it's sunny now!

Hood up!

The stuff:

Good black boots.

Officer Vizzini has been on patrol. It's been windy and the oak and maple trees around our house are losing their leaves.

"I see Terry's cat!"

 He's been very vigilant.

"Maple leaf at 12 o'clock!"

Nothing escapes his notice!

"That better not be a leaf on my deck!"

However, with the change in the weather, it's gotten a lot colder. I let him keep his post out on the deck during the day when it was sunny.

"I'm lounging here!"

The mystery of what cats do all day has been solved.

"Get out of my face, woman!"

The answer is nothing. Vizzini doesn't move all day. What a lazy bum.

"This is doing! I'm posing!"

So cute though! I forgive him.

And that's it, all caught up! This is going to be a very busy week, so see ya when I see you!