Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Friday Studs and Beetle Blues; Cocktail Velvets and Fur; Big Finnish Brunch;

Welcome back, Gentle Reader! It's been a very busy weekend, and frankly, I'm tired and ready to crash, so let's get to 'er, shall we? 

Friday's office ensemble was built around this new-to-me blue floral mesh top.

It's got all sorts of excellent colours in it, like cobalt, turquoise and chartreuse. I knew it would go with a lot in my wardrobe. 

• Corduroy vest - Black Sheep, vintage, consignment; first worn here in September 2024
• Mesh top - Mexx, consignment; purchased here for $26.00
• Velour skirt - Sonia Rykiel, vintage 00s, thrifted; last seen here in September 2024 for a Mom-Day Adventure
• Shoes - Vogettes Pina, Fluevog; first worn here (3rd outfit) last weekend for a wee shop
• Leather coat (below) - Jeno de Paris, vintage 70s, thrifted; last seen here in November 2024

I layered a blue cami under it to bring the colours out, and paired it with this indigo blue/purple velour skirt. 

It's a long-time favourite in my wardrobe, and is comfy soft. 

Little useless pockets. Sigh.

I liked the extra layer from the corduroy vest, plus a little extra warmth. 

Blue tights because why not?

This was an easy, comfy outfit, and reminded me of my old Sunday grocery-shop-followed-by-a-wee-shop days. Flats + tights and skirt + easy top.

Outerwear, and continuing with the studs. 

I had a lovely interaction with a glittery, butterfly-clipped checkout person at the grocery store on the way home. "A fellow colourful person!"

Accoutrements: 

More matchy blues. 

• Wool scarf - Vero, vintage 80s, Mom's
• Wool beret - consignment
• Leather/studded gloves - Danier Leather

The stuff: 

I did a little more walking around in these shoes today, including a jaunt to the Post Office - they were even more comfortable. 

Beetle bling: 

My colleagues loved that the bug in my pendants is a real beetle.

• Chain/leather Talitha bracelet - Jenny Bird, consignment
• Beetle brooch - Le Chateau, c. 2006
• Silver earrings - Israeli, consignment
• Crystal/Lucite bangle - Alexis Bittar, consignment, Sidney
• Fulvia Ring/Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
• Silver/green stone ring - thrifted
• Real beetle glow-in-the-dark pendant - Heart's Content

No time to nap after work, as we'd been invited to a cocktail party (how Mad Men!) at our pals Tony and Alison's house. After my wardrobe kerfuffle on New Year's I set aside the still-perfectly-good outfit I'd created to wear another time - no sense in it going to waste. 

I wasn't feeling it that night, but I futzed around and changed up a few things until it felt like me. 

I leaned into the Ye Olde Renaissance Faire vibe. When I styled this for NYE, I didn't do a top underneath - this time I tested out a black long-sleeved turtleneck, but ended up swapping it out in favour of sheer sleeves. 

• Silk/wool sweater - Iris Setlakwe, thrifted; last worn here in October 2024 in the first 'fit of the season
• Silk long vest - Tatum & Olivia, thrifted; purchased here for $18.00
• Silk skirt - Linda Lundstrom, vintage 90s, thrifted; last seen here in October 2024 for soothing at the periodontist
• Boots - Kope Tiam Coffee, Fluevog, 2011; last worn here in October 2024 for my birthday
• Fur stole (below) - Foster's Furriers of Victoria, vintage 60s, vintage fair; last seen here (2nd outfit) in January 2023 to an exhibit at the Art Gallery

The open V at the below the mock on the sweater was perfect for my necklace, and the sheer sleeves gave me warmth and coverage without it feeling too heavy. 

The black sweater worked well, but I didn't feel like wearing black. 

Showing the splits in the vest. 

The skirt is very full and majestic and the entire outfit swooshed around as I moved. We had a blast at the party, meeting all sorts of new folks. Tony and Alison were wonderful hosts - so much food! - and have promised to make this an annual event. 

Furred up. Alison is a vintage fan, so I wore three different furs for her. 

Our dear pal Casey drove us both ways, so I didn't have go worry about Velvet Rage as I would if I wore a traditional coat and had to walk anywhere in it. 

Accoutrements: 

My funny little "Adventure in Wonderland" purse was admired. 

• Purse - vintage 1998 Hermes knock-off from Expo '98 in Paris, thrifted, Vancouver
• Fur scarf - thrifted
• Fur hat - Eaton's Import Salon, vintage 60s, thrifted
• Leather gloves - Bijenkorf Accessoires, consignment

The gloves are a dark purple, and kept my arms warm in the brief period when I wasn't in a car.

The stuff: 

My feet were tired after standing for much of the night, laughing with all of the lovely people. 

Sparkly bling: 

It was much admired - lots of pretties here, many old favourites. 

• Crystal cuff - Swarovski, consignment, gift from L
• Nu-wite bracelet - R&G Co., vintage 1920s, vintage mall
• Silver/smoky topaz ring - Anneli Neuman, Sweden, vintage mall
• Silver/amber thumb ring - consignment
• Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes
• Silver/kyanite ring - consignment
• Pinky ring - Dots
• Crystal earrings - thrifted, Seattle
• Adjustable necklace - Stella & Dot, thrifted

We got home around 1am, and fell asleep on the couch with Vizzini. After waking up late, we got ready to head out to John's Place for brunch. 

Ahoy! It was a bright and sunny day! I'm not complaining about the sunshine and warm temps though. 

• Sparkly turtleneck - Jacob, thrifted; last seen here in December 2024 under an even sparklier top
• Tunic - Fenno-Sport, vintage 70s, thrifted; purchased here for $18.00
• Leather skirt - Cynthia Steffe, vintage 90s, consignment, Seattle; last worn here
• Boots - United Nude, consignment; last seen here (2nd outfit) in September with my maxi-bomber
• Sleeveless coat (below) - Only, thrifted; last worn here in December 2024

Here you go - it's better light inside for once. I have an affinity for Finnish textiles - this is my third different brand from Finland in my closet (after Marimekko and Arola). 

I layered a long-sleeved thin sparkly turtleneck under it for warmth. 

It's a lovely tunic, a nice thick cotton weave, and a gorgeous pattern. 

I'll be moving this to my spring/summer wardrobe, as it's not really a cold-weather garment. I have a pair of wide-legged linen trousers that will be great with it. 

Showing off the silver leather skirt. 

I also have little shorts on underneath. 

Outerwear. No accoutrements needed!

After brunch, we picked up a few essentials for Winesday/MANday, which were both happening on Saturday night. 

The stuff: 

I found myself wanting a pair of tall silver boots. Um...John Fluevog...request over here! But I do love these funky boots still. 

Bold bling: 

As we waited to be seated, a woman asked me if she could take a picture of my lobster brooch. 

• Lobster brooch - Bermuda, vintage 90s, Mom's
• Silver hinged cuff - Mexican, consignment, Sidney
• Silver/Lucite hinged cuff - Alexis Bittar, consignment, Vancouver
• Silver/green stone ring - thrifted
• Silver/crystal ring - Soul Flower
• Silver earrings - consignment
• Gold-plated enamel brooch - De Passille-Sylvestre, vintage 70s, consignment

I wore the square brooch at the tunic's neckline. 

I spent Saturday afternoon working on my blog and prepping my Substack article for the week, then hosted a small and intimate Winesday evening at my house. No pictures, as Winesday's not that kind of event, usually (Marian's Pool Party is an exception, since we are in such a rare and unusual setting!). 

On Sunday, I cooked a batch of chicken jalapeno corn chowder for my week's lunches. Someone decided that climbing my leg would be a good idea. 

"I smell chicken!"

His eyesight may be dimming, but Vizzini's sense of smell is second to none! No chicken for you, bud (he's not allowed to have much protein due to the kidney disease). 

And now, off to enjoy the rest of the weekend with my fam. Thanks so much for joining me here, my friends!