Sunday, March 1, 2020

Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Cobalt and Swoosh; Blue and Booted; Picador Brunch; Bark Walk; Cat Love

I'm back! I hope you're all having a wonderful and relaxing weekend. 
This is Friday's outfit - most of my outfits this weekend were based around easy shoes, as I twisted my ankle badly on Thursday and it's slightly swollen. I have walking ability, but I'm being really careful.


  • Sweater - Beechers Brook, vintage 90s, thrifted; purchased here for $7.95
  • Skirt - Zara, consignment; first worn here in December 2019 with teal bookends
  • Shoes - Seychelles; last seen here (3rd outfit) with black and cream in February
  • Leather trenchcoat (below) - vintage 70s, thrifted; last worn here in February


I wanted to wear this swooshy wrap skirt again, and since my teal vintage sweater that I wore with it last time recently hit the dust, I just repeated the formula (print + solid) only with cobalt blue.
 Not much to it, really.
 It was another busy day - seems like they all are, lately! - but it went fast.
Yeah, I am ready for a weekend.

Outerwear - I was ready for rain, and it ended up pouring by the end of the day.
I was actually prepared for it!


  • Hat - vintage 60s, thrifted
  • Scarf - gift from Mom, Italy
  • Gloves - Danier Leather


The stuff:
These are comfy shoes - good for running around.


  • Necklace - vintage, thrifted
  • Gold hoops - 5th anniversary gift from L
  • Amber ring - c. 1996
  • Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
  • Ball bracelet - Butler Fifth Avenue Collection
  • Leather/chain bracelet - local


While I was getting ready in the morning, Vizzini kept trying to lead me off for cuddles.
"just stay home and let me sleep on you all day."

I'd love to, bud, but work calls!

After work, L and I chilled out for a bit a home, and then headed back to town to meet up with our Vancouver friends, Anthony and Laura, for dinner at Zambri's.
I left the same sweater on, but changed up the rest of the outfit.


  • Dress - Desigual, London, 2010; last worn here in September 2019 - this is my 25th wearing of it!
  • Sweater - Beechers Brook, thrifted; first worn above
  • Boots - Ishshoes Chatterbox, Fluevog; last seen here in November 2019 with sunset colours
  • Coat (below) - Jeno de Paris, vintage 70s, thrifted; last worn here in January


I haven't worn this dress yet this fall/winter season, and this seemed as good a time as any.
 I added sheer blue tights.

I've got my eye on you.
 That never gets old.

I've got a bird on my hip.
See it?

Looking louche.
 And all done up for the rain.
 Lots of colour!


  • Hat - vintage 60s, thrifted
  • Pashmina - Portolano, thrifted
  • Gloves - consignment


The stuff:
Not flats! But we only walked a total of 4 blocks for getting to/from the bus and the restaurant. These boots are a velvet sock style, so there is lots of stretch and support - they're really comfortable, and that inset heel is very squishy rubber.

Mixed bling:
Just some things I like.


  • Orange cuff - thrifted
  • Resin/silver cuff - Alexis Bittar, consignment, Vancouver
  • Lapis lazuli ring/Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes
  • Earrings - vintage fair


On Sunday, Land I went for brunch at Pluto's and then made a few stops in town.
Another item I haven't worn yet this season: my picador skirt! Are you ready for blood and cruelty to animals, 50s-style? Warning: this skirt is "of its time."


  • Sweater - Sonia Rykiel, consignment; last seen here (3rd outfit) in December 2019 for my Christmas shopping
  • Skirt - handmade, vintage 50s, thrifted; last worn here in April 2019 for a weekend brunch and shop
  • Shoes - Aldo, thrifted; last seen here in December 2019 with my Christmas tree skirt
  • Coat (below) - Danier Leather; last worn here in December 2019


I usually do a very simple top with this skirt, because it's a LOT.
The skirt has no zipper; the back of it does up with hooks and eyes in the front, and the front of it is knotted in the back.

I grabbed Vizzini for some Forced Lovin'.
"You're warm, that's all, Woman."

I wore a full vintage navy blue slip under this for warmth and to keep the sweater from being fully see-through.
You can see the knot in the back, here below, above the belt.
But you're just dying to see the full print, right?

Are you ready for gore? Here's the picador, bending over his horse. He's in a fine blue suit with red epaulets, and the horse is in padded armour. The picador's staff has poked the bull and made it bleed. Picadors are the guys who rile the bull up for the matadors. Very Hemingway.
This is the 10th wearing of this skirt since I bought it (and first wore it) here in October 2014. I paid $22.99, so I'm at $2.29 per wear on it! I'm really happy with that.

I've been mindful of "Visible Monday" at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style for almost 10 years. This is Patti's last one (no link-up), and I send out thanks to her for hosting these for all this time. What an inspiration!

Outerwear - it was bright and sunny, but still cold and windy.
Should have worn a scarf.


  • Gloves - Parkhurst
  • Purse - Danier Leather, thrifted


The stuff:
Easy shoes for some slow walking.

Simple bling:
I usually wear primary colours with the skirt.


  • Belt - Emmanuel, vintage 80s, thrifted
  • Earrings - Tania Gleave, Vancouver
  • Lapis lazuli ring/Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes


While L browsed around in the CD store, I had a poke through Dots, which had an extra 25% off all sale prices going on.
I couldn't resist these awesome rust-coloured leopard cropped wide-leg pants.

They were $11.24 with the discount.
Dots original price was $49.99, with the original retail being $89.99.

They also had a ton of tights on sale.
Beige fishnets and soft blue lace, for only $2.24 each. Score!


After a quiet evening at home on Saturday, I was up early for my grocery shopping, and then I met up with my old friend Troy, who is a successful children's book writer - link here 'cause I love.
We walked to the waterfront and along the coastline for a ways, then worked our way back to town and finished with lunch out.


  • Sweater - Wanko, thrifted; last seen here in December 2019 with velvet and sparkle
  • Skirt - Gunex, thrifted; last worn here in December 2019 with floral cashmere
  • Boots - Doc Martens, consignment; last seen here (4th outfit) way back in January 2017!
  • Coat (below) - Donna Karen, consignment; last worn here in February


I had my coat on the whole time, except for our quick lunch at the diner.
It was cold and windy, especially on the water, so I was glad of my tights, vintage slip (a cream one this time), and this wool sweater.
I wanted to wear these boots, which I recently rescued from the giveaway pile, where they've been living for the past 6-ish months, after they languished unworn for about a year.
I came around to them again, after resting them for a bit, and I've been wearing them daily walking to and from work (I alternate them with my white floral leather Docs, which are for rainy days).
I chose not to wear a scarf, as I've been hot flashing all weekend. No regrets.


  • Gloves - Parkhurst
  • Purse - Roots, thrifted


The stuff:
My white leather Docs are getting really worn, but these canvas ones are still holding up well - I've had these since December 2013 (here) and paid $60.98 for them. I've easily worn them a hundred times - I wore them 5 times this past week alone! - walking to and from work over the years.


  • Earrings - thrifted

I was a bit early to meet Troy, so I popped into Vanity Fair Antique Mall for a quick browse. Danger, danger! 

I found this amethyst and silver ring - it's the exact same setting as my amber/gold ring up there ^^^ that I wore on Friday.
There's the 925 mark for silver. This was $25.00 - considering how much I wear my amber ring (weekly, at least), I'll get this ring down to pennies per wear in no time.

I also lucked out and found another articulated animal brooch to go with my tiger (here) and my pink salamander (here).
This one was $39.00 and it was labeled an alligator, but after digging around that snout definitely makes this a crocodile.

FYI, the bottom jaw isn't longer than the top jaw; it's just the angle of the picture.
This critter has 12 articulated parts, which are faintly numbered on the back (1-10), with the last two tail pieces not marked. Some poking around leads me to think that this is from the 90s and is a QVC (shopping channel) item.

It has a green stone eye, and dozens of crystals all over it. There are two clasps on the back. Cool!

Vizzini's been hanging about all weekend. I caught him napping on the back of the pillows.
"Just let me sleep, Woman!"

I sit here to watch TV - he's basically sleeping behind my head.
"Your head radiates heat."

I guess it does! Another menopause bonus.

And with that, my friends, it's time for me to go enjoy a few more hours with my family. Thank you so much for stopping by!

22 comments:

  1. Very sorry to hear you've injured your ankle. I hope that you are on the mend.

    The vintage necklace in your Friday outfit is such a great statement piece and the crocodile will be stunning. The picador skirt is outstanding and truly one of a kind; love it!

    Isn't menopause a trip, lol. My doctor, who normally isn't very pro-natural cures, recommended Evening of Primrose oil for the flashes. It did provide relief for me (or I'm susceptible to suggestion). You might want to check it out and see "if it's right for you" as they say in the commercials.

    And lastly - glad you kept the boots :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Nana, yes, the swelling is going down, and I had a bit of side-to-side mobility today.

      Thank you so much - I love these unique pieces too.

      Oh, hell, menopause is just so annoying. I appreciate the recommendation.

      Ha! Yes, me too. What was I thinking!?

      Delete
  2. I love the jewellery you find - so looking forward to seeing how you wear the brooch! :) I really like the leopard print pants too! :)

    Hope your ankle is better and all healed up now!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love bold pieces like these. Thanks, Mica! I'll have to put a good outfit together to showcase the croc brooch.

      I'm wearing the pants today, so you'll see them later.

      It's getting there - still slightly swollen, but the range of motion is getting better. Thanks so much, Mica.

      Delete
  3. Hope your ankle is feeling better, Shiela!

    What a busy weekend you’ve had. I’ve enjoyed looking at all your outfit posts.

    A crocodile brooch- how interesting! I always thought crocodiles and alligators were the same animal except for the fact that Australians say crocodile? X

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Jess! It's getting there.

      Well, I appreciate that, thank you. No, crocs and gators are two different animals. They have different snouts - look it up!

      Delete
  4. That's some skirt! Hope your ankle heals quickly.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh, your poor ankle, hope it heals quickly! I'm loving both of Friday's outfits. The swooshy skirt and cobalt blue jumper are a delight together and made even better with that stunning pedant. Friday night's riot of colour definitely put a smile on my face, as I'm sure it did on your friends' faces. As if the explosion of colour provided by your dress and blue jumper and boots, you've added even more delicious colour with your outerwear. That picador skirt certainly is "of its time" and I admit I love it, in spite of its gory subject matter. I'm loving the black jumper and all the primary coloured accoutrements you added to it. Those tights were a great find and so, of course, is that awesome alligator brooch! xxx

    ReplyDelete
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    1. It's better than it was, Ann, and I have greater range of motion now than I did on Friday. I so appreciate your thoughtful comments. I love the picador skirt too, even though it's rather horrifying by today's standards! I'm tempted to go back for more tights. The crocodile (he's not an alligator) brooch is so cool. I'm getting a nice collection of these articulated pins.

      Delete
  6. What a great outfits, always of course! That skirt with the Pica Dor is quite something. And although I'm not a fan of Desigual, I love how you styled the dress. I like that outfit a lot and the coat is so gorgeous.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Nancy! I don't like Desigual's modern/new things - they are cheaply made - but this is an amazingly gorgeous dress, very high quality.

      Delete
  7. Ouch - your poor ankle; hope it's recovered by now.

    Lovely outfits. My favourites were the Desigual dress with the amazing boots. The plain blue sweater is both cool and so useful! The other favourite outfit was the Picador skirt ensemble - so 50s! Even the shoes had a 50s vibes and I just loved the yellow leather jacket with it - fabulous!

    Great tights bargains and the ring and articulated brooch are wonderful. I also loved the cropped flared trousers in the lovely rust print. I just don't look or feel right in this type of trouser - cropped. I think it must be because I have short legs; it's a shame because we have so many fab pairs coming through my charity shop!

    Have you tried using Vizzini as a headrest yet?
    xxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's nearly better, Vronni - I think I'll have full range of motion in a week or so.

      Thank you so much! I love making outfits, and it's no pressure on the weekends - I can let my imagination run wild!

      I also have short legs, but at some point, you just stop caring about whether a thing is flattering and wear it because you love it. You'll see them on me later, as I wore them on Monday.

      Ha, yes, I have! It's very nice. :)

      Delete
  8. Hope your poor ankle's feeling better now.
    Loving that crocodile, it reminds me of something Wallis Simpson would have owned (she had fantastic taste!)
    I always enjoy seeing you wear that fab Picador skirt and the turquoise leather coat, they look different in each incarnation.
    Great find with those tights.
    Our boys love the cushions on the back of the chairs, too - they make us laugh when they get too comfy and roll off them! xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's nearly there, thanks, Vix!

      Yes, very much so - I think all these articulated brooches were inspired by the sale of her jewelry when she died. Love her taste!

      Thanks so much - I love wearing that skirt and the green leather jacket.

      Aw, I can just imagine that, them falling off the chairs, ha!

      Delete
  9. So many sensationally awesome outfits - where does one even begin?

    I think that the item I'm swooning the absolute most over (and it had some fierce competition, let me tell you!) is the pair of midnight blue velvet boots. They are something really, really special. Wow!

    Autumn Zenith 🎃 Witchcrafted Life

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    1. Aren't they gorgeous boots? I prefer wearing them in daytime as the blue can then be properly seen, but they are so gorgeous. They also came in black velvet - check Fluevog to see if there are any in your size, as I know they got marked waaay down.

      Delete
  10. Ouch! Sorry to hear you twisted your ankle; hope it heals quickly. Sylvester has gone back to sleeping on the blanket on the back of the couch instead of on the couch itself. I wonder if it's something to do with the change of seasons? Love the blue sweater with the silky skirt, and your Desigual dress and boots outfit has such a great 60's mod vibe.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's nearly all better now. Vizzini's been sleeping on the pillows lately. I'm sure their sleep habits change with the seasons. Thanks!

      Delete
  11. sorry to hear that you twisted your ankle, hope it heals quickly!
    Love every outfit, such a magnificent style!, love your satiny skirt and its interesting shape, love your Desigual dress with the Fabulous green leather jacket and also Fabulous boots, and love your 'picador' skirt, so picturesque and colorful!, it looks stunning with your red shoes and yellow jacket (a very spanish color combo!)
    And totally in love with your new crocodile brooch!
    besos

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's all better now, hon, thank you so much, Monica! I so appreciate that you commented on every outfit! I must wear that croc soon!

      Delete

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