Week Off Wrap-Up: Some Shopping

This is my last post of 2015! Time to reflect on some things? Nah, maybe just amuse myself. 

It was the year of purple hair for me! Other outstanding fun things included the 40+ Blogger Meet-Up, getting into Zentangling and reading a lot - all things that made me feel good and helped me stay sane. Oh, and clothes too - lots of shopping!

Making fans for my loved ones has been a really fun exercise this year. This is one that I made for Mom (guess what her name is!) for Christmas (more pics way down below if you're interested).

Although the Literary Stylings seem to have disappeared, I fulfilled my goal in 2015 to "Read More Books Than I Did Last Year." I read 34 books this year, up 2 from my record of 32 in 2014. That was a hugely fun and fulfilling goal, so I'm going to aim to "Meet or Beat" that for 2016. Making time for books is never a problem!

I have been thoroughly enjoying my days off this week, being solitary and introspective, recharging my batteries. Shopping is a zen experience for me, so on Tuesday, off I went for a wee shop.

I've enjoyed sleeping in an hour or two; however, this means sunshine on the stairs!

• Sweater - Kenneth Cole Reaction, consignment; last seen here sweating in June
• Skirt - Danier Leather, thrifted; first worn here in November vibing on the 70s
• Shoes - Down to Earth Hadfield, Fluevog; last seen here for November shopping in Sidney

I strolled down to The Velvet Crease consignment store - they had a sale on! 20% off everything, with 50% off red dot tags. Gotta love a second-hand store that puts on a sale! I'm happy to spend it there.

Easy on-easy off clothes.

Although it's been sunny out all week, it's been brrrrr! cold!

I went for fashion vs. warmth. A fuzzy coat would have been nice, but after acquiring bags of goodies at The Velvet Crease followed by a stop at the liquor store for a dozen mini bottles of bubbly, I was sweating carrying it all home. Lighter is better if you're walking a long ways and lugging bags!

The stuff:

These are quickly turning into one of my favourite pairs of shoes. How did I live before floral Oxfords?

Nature bling:

These wood earrings are fun.

• Scarf - Ralph Lauren, consignment
• Earrings - Plum

And I did indeed have good luck shopping. 

Sandals out of season! These are mis-sized, marked a size 10 but fit like a 9. Including the discount, they were $20.80.

Not a mark of wear!

These are by JustFab, which is one of those online shoe businesses. I don't expect them to last forever, but they'll be nice for a couple of summers.

I waffled over these rust-red velvet (wait, did you catch that? VELVET) trousers.

They are probably late 90s/early aughts, and are by Plum, made in Canada. They are mid-waisted, and a straight leg, with a split on the inside ankle. They were only $17.60 including the discount, so I figured, "What the heck?"

Also in the pure insanity category: my new white shirt.

It's not technically white. The base is stretchy black netting, and the white part is cotton ribbon sewn into these bizarre geometric patterns.

It feels very "Tron."

It's by Cartise and was $24.00.

I go through denim skirt phases. I buy a whole bunch, then get rid of all of them. Rinse, repeat. I currently only have one denim skirt (this one), so time for my cycle to repeat.

"It would be better with a loose thread."

This is a lovely swooshy skirt, with a high waist and a big front slit - and pockets! Its label has been removed; it was $21.60.

This suit was the only red dot 50% off item I found. I paid $22.50 for it.

It's gorgeously made; really thick material, lovely lining.

Check it out.

It has a slight vintage vibe, but I think someone made this for herself. On the lining are faint lines from the stenciling tool.

There is no label or any evidence of a label. The only clue is the clasp on the skirt.

What? A Playboy bunny? What weirdness is this? Henceforth, this shall be my Playboy suit.

On Wednesday, I hosted my 3 nieces at our place, along with my mom.

We met up with L at a restaurant near his work for lunch and did our presents with my side of the family.

• Blouse - no label/handmade, vintage late 70s/early 80s, thirfted; first worn here in November with vintage suede
• Dress - Danier, consignment; last seen here in a grey mood in March
• Booties - Sopranos Angelina, Fluevog; first worn here with mustard and black early this month

This is the last wearing of this blouse. Although I adore the style, the fabric and the quality, it has little pokey bits (I think from the interfacing around the neck) that are scratchy. I fidgeted all day in this. Gone!

I expressed doubts about keeping this dress last time I wore it, but I still love it. Staying...for now.

The stuff:

I liked the booties with the tops turned down this time!

• Ring - gift from Cindy
• Earrings - Glee 

Mom always finds me fun things for Christmas!

Let's go, Panthers, let's go! I'll wear this for Ulty in the spring.

Brush pens!

These are so fun to use! I love the extra colours Mom picked out for me.

Some awesome jewelry.

A Pandora bracelet, and Nordic Artistic Creations copper earrings. The necklace is Mom's, the last piece my dad bought for her on their cruise to Alaska just before he died in 1997. It's hematite (aka "Alaska Black Diamond" and is heavy (and cold, when I first put it on!).

And now, here we are, on the last day of the year.

A lovely sleep-in, then a stroll in the chilly sunny crisp day, down to the grocery store for some goodies for New Year's Eve.

• Dress - no label, vintage 70s, thrifted; last worn here in March with copper
• Boots - 1883 Lucchesse, consignment; last seen here earlier this month with my picador skirt

My favourite walking boots, and another favourite dress.

I look like an elf.

Got my tunes, got my bowler hat and my furry scarf.

The stuff:

Pops of red everywhere!

• Earrings - Tania Gleave

If you're interested, here are the "in progress" of Mom's fan.

My theme was "all the things I got from you" for Mom. We've been going to the theatre together forever - our first play was "Nurse Jane Goes to Hawaii", so I included a ticket stub from that (based on a Led Zepplin ticket). Cat pawprints for our mutual love of kitties. The artist's palette from all the art I learned over the years from Mom - plus my love of colour! And stamp perforations - gawd, much as I'd love to forget it, I was hugely into stamps as a kid, did the junior stamp club thing, won exhibitions, etc.

I started with a fine pencil outline (above), then inked in the main features.

An arc of pawprints, with the Hawaii theme/ticket on one side and the palette on the other.

The ticket. Not a bit of it is accurate, except that we saw that play at the Royal Theatre.

We might have sat in the balcony, but I honestly don't remember. It was probably around 1980.

A session of ink-work.

I only have small fans left, so this one went quite quickly. I also worked on it for long stretches during football games.

I used my new Zentangle book to get ideas for tangling with felt pens.

The yellow was nearly invisible when I was working on it!

I like how the ticket looks.

Another chunk of work done.

A leafy border coming out of the paintbrush, some florals behind the palette, and some colouring done on the lower border and on the name.

The last session was more colouring.

I used a grey felt pen to do some shading.

A light pattern in the background.

And more contouring to make the letters pop.

A bit of shading around the tree and the ticket.

And there we go, all done. 

I hope you like it, Mom! 

Well, my friends, time to sign off on 2015. Wishing all of you a rocking journey in 2016!

"I'll be watching you."

I'm off for a quick nap, then getting ready for a small New Year's Eve shindig at our place tonight.

Happy New Year!