Weekend Wrap-Up: Thousand-Dollar Sweater and Tulle Twig-Magnet; Brunch in Jeans and Warhol, a Wee Shop, and Back With Betty

Welcome back, my friends! It's been a lovely and chill (and chilly!) weekend here, and we have outfits to discuss.

For Friday, I carried Meera's inspiration over to my big flouncy twig-magnet skirt. 

I adore this skirt, even though I have to pick sticks, bark and other sidewalk detritus from the hem, and work with it piled in my lap so that it doesn't snarl in my chair wheels.

• Sleeveless shirt - Denver Hayes, consignment; last worn here in October 2024 under a leather tee
• Beaded wool sweater - J. Crew Collection, Fall 2013, thrifted; last seen here in January 2024 with a quilted skirt 
• Skirt - Twinset, consignment; last worn here (3rd outfit) in October 2024 as part of my Nadia (part 1) costume at our Hallowe'en party
• Boots - Super Fine Countess, Fluevog; last seen here in September 2024 with pink leopard
• Down-filled coat (below) - Donna Karan, consignment; last worn here earlier this week

I don't have a lot of oversized sweaters, but this one is very heavy and is long-ish, so why not? I've never worn these pieces together before! 

As it says in the title, this is a thousand-dollar sweater. Actually, it retailed for $1,900.00 - here's what I wrote back in 2021:

I kid you not, it retailed for $1,900, and yes, you read that right - check out this article here [this link is now broken, boo], noting:

a short-sleeve sweater made with 35,000 crystals, sequins, beads and paillettes that costs a whopping $1,900.

Link to the Vogue.com slideshow of this runway collection here [this link still works] - this sweater is the first slide.

I wear it at least once a year - it's so lovely and heavy. I layered my sleeveless pink shirt under it for Fanciness and a little extra warmth.  

I love this big full skirt, but it's starting to show wear around the hem from all the twigs it's encountered. I've trimmed it with scissors a couple of times. 

Even the back of the sweater is beautiful. So much embroidery and decoration - you can take a gander at close-ups here from when I bought it in 2018 (scroll down, you'll probably recognize a few things!).

My colleague Nisha was entranced by it. "So much sewing!"

I couldn't resist wearing my puffer again - it's so nice and warm. 

And is that a skull scarf I see peeking out? It might be! 

Accoutrements: 

I discovered that I'd missed spotting the "Zadig & Voltaire" emblazoned across one corner. D'oh! 

• Viscose scarf - Zadig & Voltaire, consignment; purchased here last night for $55.00
• Velour gloves - thrifted

The stuff: 

I was very happy with these boots - they are super comfortable, and that's a very easy heel for me. I ran some errands after work and hopped the bus home. 

Silver bling: 

I carried Karen with me today. 

• Silver "S" bracelet - Mexican, consignment, Sidney
• Silver grapes cuff - Karen's
• Silver chain ring - Mexican, consignment
• Silver/crystal ring - Soul Flower
• Silver earrings - Brenda Schoenfeld, 1992, vintage mall 

I also made adjustments to the clips on these hollow sterling earrings so that they don't slip off. 

L and I enjoyed a fun evening of listening to old records and playing board games, and were up early to meet up with Chris for brunch at John's Place. 

Hey, my boys! As you can see, it was a sunny and crisp day out. I can handle this kind of winter! 

As I had made plans to meet up with ex-colleague and friend Betty after brunch, I dressed for the occasion. 

Betty had not yet seen the "From Warhol to Banksy" exhibit at the Art Gallery (as checked out by Rosanna and me back here in December 2024). 

• Cardigan - Desigual, consignment; last seen here in November 2024 with orange pants and blue shoes
• Merino wool sweater - Tabi, thrifted; last worn here in November 2024 with black and white (and wings)
• Jeans - Scotch & Soda, thrifted here for $24.95
• Boots - Warhol F-Trip, Fluevog; last seen here in October 2024 with an orange dress
• Puffer cocoon vest (below) - B. Young; last worn here in November 2024

A bright picture of the Castle. 

I can see little clusters at the tips of the Garry Oak branches - a few more weeks of this weather, and we'll have leaves popping open.

Since I wore my soup can tee last time, I realized I actually have boots called Warhols! 

From there, I matched this Lichtenstein-inspired cardigan, with its sequined mouth/teeth and a lipstick. 

I wore the cardigan partly zipped, as above, so that my groovy necklace would show. 

But I zipped up for walking around. Brr! Chilly in the shade! 

Womp-womp, what a boring back! 

All black...yawn...

Although I didn't take the cardigan off at all, I did ensure I COULD if I wanted to. The outfit must look good if I strip the layers off! 

I felt quite clever for rolling these jeans a few times so that they showed off the boots. It felt odd wearing jeans, but these were fabulous and stretchy and very comfy to wear. 

Deploy outerwear! I am laughing at something L's saying here. 

I wore the cocoon unzipped when indoors, shedding it entirely in the Art Gallery (a very well-heated venue!). 

Zipped up and incognito.

The London-themed purse matched the Banksy side of the exhibit. I love dressing to a theme! 

Accoutrements: 

I stuffed my gloves in the purse (which is quite voluminous). 

• Purse - Le SportSac, consignment, Sidney
• Leather gloves - Picabo, Powell River

The stuff: 

My boots got gasps of admiration wherever I went. They are very comfortable for walking - that's not a high heel, and it's very stable.

Bold bling:

The necklace and earrings are looking at you...

• Eelskin belt - Yves Saint Laurent, vintage 80s, thrifted
• Bakelite stretch bangle - vintage mall, gift from L
• Leather/steel cuff - Rimanchik
• Earrings - vintage 80s, vintage fair
• Necklace - Monet, vintage 80s, vintage fair
• Silver/onyx ring - Tocara, vintage fair
• Kyanite/silver ring - consignment
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes

After brunch, I had an hour and a half before I had to meet Betty, so I had a quick browse in the Beacon Ave Thrift Shop next to John's Place. 

I found this wide-ribbed knit skirt by feel (ugh, so much plasticky polyester).

I admired the side slit. 

Good for walking!

Then I noticed the little button - I recognize that! 

It's Scotch & Soda! The previous owner had cut the tags out (all of them!), but I know that would have been around $200 new. Red tags were half price, so I paid $7.00. This was a little snug so it's going straight into Limbo to be sold at my next sale (which is happening next weekend!). 

I always step back and look up at the walls, which is where they hang the unusual or pricier items. This gorgeous Southwest-inspired skirt definitely stood out among the big-shoulder-padded black leather jackets that are usually up there. 

Yes, please, may I look at her? I love the wide wooly fringe! 

Intarsia knit, in shades of cream, brown and rust. 

Kind of like a snowflake. 

There is a hole on the front/back on one side, no doubt from some dastardly moths! 

I don't mind that, and I plan to ignore it. 

This was $25.00, which felt good for a handmade (not a single tag anywhere, or evidence of tags) skirt, likely from the 1970s.  

It is fully-lined, and pulls on (even though the waist is not elastic). It fits perfectly, so expect to see this soon! 

From there, I walked up Fort Street, thinking I'd have a quick poke in a couple of stores. I popped into Brightside Vintage (Insta link here, as always, linking 'cause I love!) for a poke around. They carry all kinds of vintage, from black velvet paintings to rusty doorknobs, and have a small selection of jewelry and clothes. 

In a basket of vintage purses, I spied this black velvet number with Bakelite handle. 

"Vintage Art Deco velvet purse with Bakelite handle, 1940s." 

It's a tall skinny purse, and opens on both sides to reveal V-shaped pockets. On this side is the brand - Lewis - and I discovered the original glass mirror tucked into one of the very flat pockets. 

I see you! Enjoy this excellent blog article here about Nat Lewis' purses. The crown logo was first filed for trademark in 1947. 

I couldn't find anything similar to this purse online, but I think it's probably 1940s/50s. 

The pretty clasp on the front. 

I dug down to the bottom of the flap and felt a crinkly presence. 

My purse had a purple tissue crown in it, from a Christmas cracker! I took a picture but tossed it. 

Although the purse was marked at $60.00, the lovely proprietor gave it to me for $50.00 as I bought another item.

Thank you, kind sir! 

This is the other item that I fell in love with.

Oh. My. Gosh. It's a long pinstriped coat! It has reinforced structured shoulders (but not heavily padded), and based on the fabric and style, I'd guess this is from the 1970s. 

Opened up - it has a soft taupe-y brown lining, and does up via two giant buttons at the waist. 

There are pockets (nice and low, where your hands actually are!).

And a slit up the back for walking. 

I like that all the chalk stripes are lined up perfectly. That's good quality and attention to detail. 

A close-up of the buttons, which I think are horn/antler? They are not plastic. 

You can also see that there's a faint orange stripe as well. I like the points at the closure - the inside/opposite side waistband also has a point. 

I found this Value Village price tag in a pocket and showed it to the owner with a grin. "Not bloody likely," he retorted. 

He quoted me $80.00 and I was happy with that. Wish I'd been that VV finder, though!

I pretty much had to buy this, though. After all, it's "Hand Made by Sheila"! These tags were available to order as of the 1970s (my grandmother used to put them in the sweaters she knit). 

Calling all readers! I'll need a name for this coat so that I can hunt for it on my blog. It needs to be a word that isn't common. And...go! 

As I then had two big bags full of purchases, I quickly dropped them off at home and then walked back to the Art Gallery. 

It was busy! It was good to see so many people patronizing the exhibits. 

That's Betty on the left, gazing at the Banksy pictures. 

I enjoyed showing her my favourite things in the gallery, plus the accompanying exhibits. 

A young girl and I both loved this case the best. 

I love that turquoise egg! The spikes are blackberry thorns. 

Betty and I also explored this side gallery, which Rosanna and I had missed on our trip! 

I was entranced by this case of glowing amber objects. 

Amber is the soul of a tiger! 

No wonder I like it so much. 

We also had a look at some mid-century Canadian art. 

This Brutalist sculpture caught my eye - it reminds me of my Robert Larin jewelry! It's called "Princess," I believe. I forgot to take a close-up of the label. 

And here's to spending time with my friends! Betty and I had a coffee and chat at Bubby Rose's Bakery afterwards, catching up on each other's lives. Thanks so much, Betty! So good to see you! 

On my way home, a woman spotted me crossing the road, and chased after me. A shout-out to longtime reader Julie, who told me she's been reading my little blog "for years!" and that she really appreciates my "You do you!" philosophy. Aw, I am totally honoured, Julie, thank you so much for reading! 

And to my lovely friends out there in the world, my thanks to all of you for being here! 

L took this pic of me in my Computer Poncho, a consignment Ralph Lauren piece from years ago, that I used as a blanket at Ye Old Pandemic Parke. Vizzini is under it...with his little head poking out with me! So utterly cute.