Bigass Long Weekend Wrap-Up: Friday Tough Love; ORANGE LEATHER SHORTS for Brunch, and a Wee Shop; Family Gathering in Camo, and Another Wee Shop

First of all, my apologies for leaving you hanging last week - there was no Mom-Day again (I had to be home to deal with a building contractor), and then we launched into a long weekend for Family Day in Canada! So here we are! 

Welcome back! This is my Valentine's Day outfit, with my final blast of pink in the form of this neoprene pink/red skirt. 

Both the skirt and the black denim upcycled jacket were due for a wearing (their hangers were backwards!)

• Jacket - upcycled by Kelsey T, consignment; last worn here in March 2024 to take my colleague shopping
• Top - April Cornell, vintage 90s, thrifted; last seen here in December 2024 with more black and pink
• Skirt - Richard Quinn X Debenhams, consignment; last worn here in March 2024, the day of our Tweed photoshoot
• Sneakers - Findlay, consignment; last seen here in November 2024 with painty colours
• Sleeveless coat (below) - Only, thrifted; last worn here in January

The bits of gold that have been added to the jacket led me to a gold lace top, and to add gold bling to everything. 

This was a very comfy work outfit. 

As noted the skirt is neoprene (scuba-suit material) so it never wrinkles and keeps its shape well. 

I liked the gold worn with it - I tucked the top in to show off the wide studded belt. 

See what I mean about the gold? All of the gold bits are old fabric that have been added to the original black denim. 

I freaking love that chain going across the back. I called this my Valentine's "Tough Love" outfit.

I didn't take the jacket off at all, but I like seeing all my roses on my arms. 

This is after work, when I added some socks over my nylons for extra warmth for my walk to the hairdresser. 

Incognito, and a cat who thinks the hall is warmer than the house (it's not). 

"Well, I think you're wrong, so there."

My arms were cold in my also-sleeveless coat. I walked very briskly, and L picked me up after my appointment.

Accoutrements: 

Kaitlyn admired all my lovely bits, and cackled along with me at "Lewis" Vuitton. It's totally the wrong font on the scarf - likely an Italian street souvenir from the early 00s. 

• Hat - M'sieu Andre, vintage 80s, thrifted
• Silk scarf - fake Louis (Lewis!) Vuitton, thrifted
• Long leather gloves - Echo, consignment

This scarf (and my black-and-white graffiti-writing one) are both from the Marc Jacobs/Louis Vuitton X Stephen Sprouse era, ripping off the originals. I paid $1.95 for each of my "Lewis" originals and have worn them dozens of times. 

The stuff: 

Easy sneakers for walking. I adore the little bees on them. 

Tough bling:

Lots of prickly bits (just like me!). I took this picture between feeding the cat and leaving for my appointment, and only took one earring out.

• Belt - BCBG Max Azria, consignment
• Gold/leather claw cuff - Ambush, "Holy Mountain" collection, 2012, consignment, Vancouver, gift from L
• Gold/Lucite bracelet - Alexis Bittar, consignment, gift from L
• Leopard brass ring - thrifted
• Brass Brutalist ring - vintage 70s, vintage mall
• Necklace - J. Crew, thrifted

I spotted clusters of snowdrops on my walk through Fernwood.

The snow and the bitter cold are all gone. 

This Hallowe'en skeleton is still up, though! 

All ready for V-Day, I see. 

I grabbed Mister Photobomb for a cuddle before work.

"You should stay home with me."

Believe me, buddy, I really wanted to! It's been a stressful week.

But after a quiet evening of dinner, chocolate and a bunch of board games, I was feeling more like myself again. Pink week is over, and it's time to get some of these new purchases worn. 

Enter...ORANGE LEATHER SHORTS. You might have noticed the all-caps - sorry, they insist, and they have always been this way. Very stubborn.

• Velvet duster - April Cornell, vintage 90s, thrifted; purchased here for $21.00
• Cotton sweater - Karl Lagerfeld, consignment; last worn here in October 2024 for a Mom-Day Adventure
• ORANGE LEATHER SHORTS - Danier Sport, vintage 80s, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) in October 2023 with blue fringe
• Leather boots - Stuart Weitzman, consignment; last worn here (2nd outfit) in December 2024 for red and black brunch
• Monster Vest (below) - Kensie, consignment; last seen here in January 2024 over stripes (I just sold that dress)

As I said to our server, I am here to show you that a 57-year-old woman can totally wear shorts...leather shorts...ORANGE LEATHER SHORTS. Gads, sorry, they always do that.

I had paired them up with this new-to-me thrifted silk/viscose velvet duster, and in the morning pulled out the burgundy sweater. 

I struggled (gently) to get the triple layers of knit cuffs out of the duster sleeves, but I loved how it looked. 

Only the shorts have pockets. 

Outerwear - time for Monster Vest! It usually lives on the foot of bed at this time of year.

A certain feline someone likes to sleep on it. 

Accoutrements: 

I poked around looking for an orange/burgundy scarf, then grabbed this skull scarf because it's so soft (and also badass). 

• Hat - M&S, consignment, Powell River
• Leather studded purse - Rebecca Minkoff, consignment
• Scarf - Zadig & Voltaire, consignment
• Leather gloves - consignment

The stuff: 

If you're gonna wear short shorts, then I highly recommend tall boots and thick tights for Thigh Security. These are great for walking and also keep my legs warm. I like that the back is elasticated to hold them up and make the fit snug. 

Brass bling: 

Both the new-to-me orange bracelet and the necklace were just found a week ago. The bracelet's magnetic clasp was erratic, alternately pinching my skin and failing completely, causing it to fly off at inopportune times. 

• Bird/eelskin hinged bracelet - vintage 80s, consignment
• Orange hinged bracelet - thrifted; purchased here for $1.00
• Earrings - vintage, consignment
• Brass rings - vintage 70s, vintage mall
• Necklace - thrifted; purchased here for $3.95

I knotted the necklace's chain once I had it on, to pull it up into a better chestal position. 

I had a quick browse at the Beacon Ave Thrift Shop while L stood in line at John's Place, and found this lovely woven cotton skirt. 

The colours are fantastic! I love the mustard yellow, the rich pink and the dusty blue. It looks like there is an orange band, but it's the mix of mustard/pink. 

I may just wear orange with it anyway! 

Ginormous pockets! Colour me impressed. 

Noting that it was made in the USA.

And also that the lining is sewn down to the hem of it - a mark of quality. No white peeking out the bottom! 

It has a big exposed zip down the back, and the waist is gently elasticated (love that), and it was $26.00, which I thought was rather pricey for the thrift store! They are clearly raising their prices for fancy items...

It's by Nomad Morgan Carper...which was carried at Anthropologie. I wondered when I saw it - it has that Anthro look. 

L went for a browse at Ditch Records after brunch, so I had a poke around the Csino's/Cheers Vintage Collective nearby. A bunch of vintage sellers share the space, and the primary focus is the 70s, 80s, 90s and early 00s.

I am not generally a fan of camo - I owned a pair of camo pants once (here they are in 2016) and of course we all remember my Urban Camo dress - Flashbacked here - fondly (I finally let go of it for good at the last Limbo sale...I think...can't remember, it's a blur). 

But I was attracted to the Snow Camo print - white, black and shades of grey - which will function in a good way with all the bright colours in my wardrobe. 

I counted - there are FOUR pockets! I also like the adjustable elastic hem, which dips up slightly on the sides. 

A zipper pocket to carry my phone.

And a D-ring - I could clip my keys to it! Or something else...

It's a mix of ramie/cotton with a touch of spandex, and is by Rothco.

I don't think this is THAT vintage - Rothco is still around. They specialize in military/outdoor clothing and all kinds of camo, including pink...you know, for when you're at a carnival and want to blend in. $42.00 was a little high, but eh, it's a local dealer and I was spending Limbo money. 

I found this lovely silk shirt by feel and colour (two of the main things I search for - the other two being design and pattern).

It's that gorgeous cobalt blue that I love. 

One exposed top button, and another wee one for doing that neck up good and tight. 

A single button on the one chest pocket. The rest of the front buttons are hidden behind the placket. 

Of course, it originally had shoulder pads! The Velcro is still there. 

But no shoulder pads - the owner probably pulled them out in the early 90s (I used to have a drawer of old shoulder pads!). I'll have to remember to wear my cami with the built-ins with this, to give it the proper lift and structure at the shoulders. 

It's by Evidence, a brand I remember from the early 90s when this washable silk was sold EVERYWHERE. I had a red silk skirt just like this back in the day. 

I'm sure it cost around $50.00 new (in 1990s dollars), so $35.00 was a very good price. That CA number is for Suzy Shier, an old Canadian mall chain that I used to LOVE when I was younger (I worked for their sister store, LA Express, in 1994). 

I'm a sucker for a sheer mesh top for layering. This optic print in white and brown was a big YES for me.

It's cropped, but I'm okay with that. 

No tags left at the neck, but it still had the content tag, so I looked up the CA/RN numbers. 

Ugh, it's by Ardene, once of those gross stores that reeks of plastic. 

But it was only $9.00, so I gave it a shot. 

I'll still wear it, but knowing it's Ardene is...off-putting, as they're very much a fast-fashion brand. Not sure how long this will last with me.

L and I had another round of board games on Saturday night. We laughed at this picture of Vizzini "staring" into the glass reflection, waiting for me to get up and give him treats. 

"I know you're there! Feed me!"

He's done this for years...and it's a little heartbreaking that he can't actually SEE the reflection anymore, and is just sitting there out of habit. Aw...

On Sunday, L and I futzed around in the morning, taking our time getting up, enjoying leisurely coffees, then headed to town a little early, before meeting up with our Chosen Family for a  Family Day long weekend hangout at the Garrick's Head pub.

As it was grey, chilly and spitty-raining (we're back to REAL we(s)t coast weather again), I started with the boots and went from there, opting for my Band Tee Formula. 

• Upcycled jean jacket - Ricochetjackets, consignment; last worn here (2nd outfit) for brunch in November 2024
• Sparkly turtleneck - Jessica, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) in October 2024 layered under a skull sweatshirt
• Ice Cube tour shirt - 2024, not tracked
• Skirt - Rothco, consignment; purchased above for $42.00
• Boots - Original Samedi, Fluevog; last worn here in October 2024 to the HCP with Mom

Lots and lots of layers going on here - you can barely see the sparkly purple sleeveless turtleneck sweater I'm wearing under my Ice Cube tour shirt. 

I'm also wearing thick tights and wee sporty shorts under this new-ly purchased grey camo skirt. 

Showing off the pockets. 

My friends were amazed. Four pockets in this skirt! 

I'm holding the little black felt crow that originally came attached to this upcycled jean jacket. I had that D-ring on the skirt, so may as well attach something to it, right? I'm a bit of a crow, and I even have a crow tattoo, so seems apt.

"Wait, are you going out without feeding me first?"

Reader, we did. He was not very happy with us when we got home at 7pm, but 2pm was far to early to give him his dinner. 

Without the jacket, although I didn't take it off. 

Tones of grey and purple bookends.

I added my bucket hat for the rain, and the same soft thick scarf for cold.

Add the studded gloves and I'm good. It was a bit chilly walking to town, but we cabbed home after. 

Accoutrements: 

I ended up stashing hat/gloves/scarf in my big Sonia Rykiel leather purse for most of the afternoon. 

• Leather purse - Sonia Rykiel, vintage 00s, thrifted
• Scarf - Zadig & Voltaire, consignment
• Hat - Babaton, consignment
• Studded leather gloves - Danier Leather

My clutch of keys, plus my leather studded S pouch (my bus pass lives there), are demonstrating an Awesome Feature of the purse: an attached chain! I love being able to just pull the chain out and find my keys quickly. 

The stuff: 

Super-comfy boots for all that walking and rain. 

Silver bling: 

I always forget that I have gold/white gold hoops. 

• Silver hinged cuff - vintage, thrifted, Powell River
• Lavender jadeite carved bangle - consignment
• White gold hoops - Frances Jewelers, 10th anniversary gift from L
• Silver/crystal ring - Soul Flower
• Silver/obsidian ring - consignment
• Silver chain ring - Mexican, consignment
• Pinky ring - Dots
• Silver S charm - UK, gift from Mom and Dad, c. 1995

Wait a second, I missed something! 

My belt.

• Leather belt - B-Low the Belt, thrifted

L and I had a poke in some of the local shops on lower Johnson Street: Cherry Pick Vintage, Flavour Upstairs (he found an Iron Maiden tee, nothing for me), Mango's (a pair of funny cat socks, a groovy shirt for L), and then a quick turn through the Fluevog store to drool over the new styles. It's too early for purchases, but our anniversary is in the spring, so I like to scout.

We spotted a sign for this new Vintage Loft, Relove! They're the folks who are often at the Market Square vintage fairs, link here!

Hello to Sarah - we've met a few times over the years. Thanks so much for finding this space for a bunch of Victoria's vintage sellers! 

This is similar to Csinos/Cheers that I shopped at earlier in the weekend - it's a collective of different vendors all in one physical space. L and I both enjoyed a poke through - he found a 1980s Alice Cooper tee. 

I found this gorgeous velvet buttonless jacket. 

Oh my gosh, that mustard-y yellow takes my breath away. What a gorgeous colour! 

I mused briefly over Velvet Rage, promised myself I would Take Preventive Steps.

Handed over my $44.00 for the beautiful Ann Taylor Loft blazer. from vendor Silver and Smith Vintage. Similar velvet blazers sell new starting at $52.00-160.00, so not bad. 

I'm a bit of a sucker for tulle skirts...I have pink, taupe and two black ones (and a blue tutu)...and now, a white one! 

The bottom hem has long twirled pieces that look like jellyfish legs. Uh-oh, we may have the return of Princess Jelly-deer Jellyfish! 

It's by Soho Apparel: Young Contemporary, and was only $33.00, new with tags (NWT). 

I'm going to have some fun with this! 

A quick snap of some of us at the Garrick's Head Pub (the downtown pub that the locals go to - it's been around since 1867, link here 'cause I love). 

From left: me, Ross, Randall, Chris, Vero, Justin, Brad, Greg, Nick, L, Cat and Linda. Casey came and went, then came back, and Caro and Ron showed up briefly. We missed Yvonne, Ali and Rosanna, but this is most of our Chosen Family. Mwah! Much love to you all! 

Linda and Cat are avid sewists, and are both fans of this fabulous purse pattern. Linda gifted this to me as a gesture of appreciation for my organization skills. It's made from a Fluevog Shoes shopping bag!!

I recognized the pattern immediately - all the little JFs! 

A "You Are Loved" tag - aw, I love that right back! 

This is from one of the 2020 bags, from the 50th anniversary. Linda's a 'Vog fan too (most of us are). 

The top flap unzips, revealing this brilliant orange lining - so very Linda! 

A magnetic clasp to keep the flap down, when carrying by the wrist strap.

And what's that label above the inside pocket zip? 

"Made With Love + Swear Words"

I utterly love it! Words to live by! 

And now, my friends, I'm off to enjoy the last few hours of our long weekend. Thank you so much for dropping by!