Welcome back, my friends! I hope your weekend went well, with lots of good times with the best people! I had a fairly people-less one myself, with a haircut and dinner out with L after work on Friday, and a solo shopping trip at a holiday Vintage Fair (yay!).
Here's Friday's colourful outfit, featuring a new-to-me piece that won't be staying with me.
Yes, I matched my boots and tights to my hair. Most people went "woo!" when they saw my orange sweater - it really is that bright, despite the indoor pics below saying otherwise.
- Cotton sweater - J. Crew, thrifted; last worn here (2nd outfit) in September with a blue skirt and tall boots
- Sparkly turtleneck - Jacob, thrifted; last seen here in April under a velvet shirt
- Suede/leather skirt - Hallhuber, thrifted; purchased here for $19.50
- Boots - Prepare Map, Fluevog; last worn here in February (same sweater!) for dinner out with L
- Leather jacket (below) - Banana Republic, consignment; last seen here in October
I won't be keeping the dark grey leather and suede Hallhuber miniskirt - it's cool and funky, but felt a bit TOO mini, even for my adventurous taste.
I'll ensure it gets to a good home.
I layered my standard sparkly black turtleneck underneath this cotton J. Crew cableknit sweater.
The purple also kept the outfit from being overtly Hallowe'en.
The orange wooden balls are the ends of the very long leather laces. They clack and clatter and pop on the backs of the boots as I walk.
No sneaking around in these!
Outerwear - I added the toque for my walk to the hairdresser as it was very chilly once it got dark.
All lumpy from my wallet, keys, phone and mp3 player in my pockets, tsk. I didn't want to carry a purse.
Accoutrements:
This scarf is going into L's collection - but I'll probably borrow it a few times. We share scarves and wooly gloves.
- Silk/wool scarf - Perry Ellis, vintage, thrifted; purchased here for $12.95
- Studded leather gloves - Danier Leather
- Toque - Deb, thrifted
The stuff:
I've had these boots for nearly 11 years - I've worn them 24 times! They're super comfy - I walked to work in them (bussed home), walked to my hair appointment, and then walked to the pub and back. Most of that heel is platform.
Rattling bling:
In addition to my clacking of the wooden beads on my boots, this necklace also made me rattle like Marley's Ghost. You could hear me coming in the office!
- Necklace - All Saints, gift from Dominique
- Silver/Lucite bracelet - Alexis Bittar, consignment, Vancouver
- Silver/gold cuff - JPL, vintage fair
- Silver/red stone ring - consignment
- Silver/crystal ring - Soul Flower
- Silver/red enamel ring - antique shop, Sidney
- White gold fingerprint earrings - Daisung Kim, MoMA, thrifted
After our dinner at Christie's Pub, L and I spent a lovely evening playing boardgames and listening to music.
"You should prepare your lap for me!"
Vizzini's all over us in the evenings, now that it's "Electric Throw Season." He loves that extra warmth.
L was out for breakfast with pal Steve, and I needed to get a start on my Christmas shopping, so I was up early on Saturday to hop the bus to Vic West to check out the holiday Vintage Fair at the DaVinci Centre. The last time I went to a vintage fair at this venue was just before the pandemic lock-down
here in March 2020 - wow, nearly 5 years!
I debated inviting a bunch of friends and making an afternoon of it, complete with gathering at the pub after...but I only learned about the fair a couple of days before, and really felt like having a day on my own.
Easy walking shoes (also quickly removeable), and light layers. Rain was in the forecast!
- Dress - Little Moon, consignment; last worn here (2nd outfit) in May to the Belfry Theatre
- Boots - Mamzelle, thrifted; last seen here in October for Mom-Day at Beacon Hill Park
- Ultrasuede coat (below) - Halston, vintage 70s, consignment, Sidney; last worn here in March
As it was chilly and I wouldn't be taking my coat off while at the vintage fair, I dressed for "coat open."
My Eyes Without a Face dress (there are random eyes all over it) is lovely and easy to wear all year round.
Pockets! Always important.
I layered another camisole under the dress, plus a pair of sporty shorts over the tights, and I also wore socks with my boots.
This is how I looked at the vintage fair - I had a lot of compliments on my coat.
Which is no surprise, as it's honest-to-gawd real vintage Halston!
Done up.
I did not have the luxury of wearing my scarf at my neck like this - it rained the entire day.
Rear view of this gorgeous Ultrasuede coat.
Several of the vendors at the show asked to touch it - it's just gorgeous. It dried out quickly from the rain, with not even a mark.
With the recent cold snap, I pulled out all my winter/cold weather coats and put away my thin "Leather Weather" ones.
Look at that faux shearling! Note the satin ties for securing the closure inside - such a wonderful detail.
This is how I looked when outdoors - is that sunshine I see?
No, it was rain, and lots of it. The silk scarf kept my hair completely dry - those 1960s ladies knew how to do it!
Accoutrements:
I bought this Ted Lapidus purse at that March 2020 vintage fair for $31.00. It's been an awesome bag - I use it frequently.
- Purse - Ted Lapidus, vintage 90s, vintage fair
- Silk scarf - Pierre Balmain, vintage 60s, consignment; purchased here for $32.00
- Leather/fur gloves - Thinsulate, thrifted
The scarf performed magnificently, as noted - I love the colour mix.
The stuff:
Such comfy boots. After the fair, I bussed to town and met up with L, who drove us home.
Bronzy bling:
My snake earrings had a lot of admirers too.
- Agate bangle - consignment; purchased here for $48.00
- Eelskin bangle - fake Gucci, Italy, c. 1987, gift from Mom & Dad
- Brass/jade ring - vintage 70s, Mom's
- Jade ring - thrifted
- Bronze ring - P. Sarpaneva, vintage 70s, Sweden, vintage expo
- Brass ring - vintage 70s, vintage mall
- Earrings - local
Here's what I bought for myself - I'm not going to spoil anyone's Christmas!
I'm working on a project, transforming one of my jackets that has some damage. I love the Ruth Bader Ginsberg quote, "
Not fragile like a flower; fragile like a bomb." These were $5.00 each.
I bought a mix of odds and ends of jewelry. This is what
isn't a gift.
I forgot to take a close-up of the copper leaves brooch, but it was $5.00. It's unmarked but undoubtedly from the 1960s.
The bracelet is a mix of enamel and crystals and is by Banana Republic.
I'm good with $12.00 - I know their jewelry is expensive. A quick glance at the Interwebz tells me this still sells secondhand for $22.00-29.00.
I paid $30.00 for these malachite and sterling silver earrings.
I thought that was a little high, but I seldom see malachite earrings that I like. These are similar to a pair of turquoise earrings I thrifted for a few dollars, but I spotted the same malachite ones on a resale site for over $100, so I still got a deal! These will work well with my growing green "set."
I noticed the stamp on the pyramid ring - K.L. China.
That's Kenneth Lane - I had a blue enamel dome ring by him at one point.
For only $2.00?
I saw this same ring on an Etsy site for $103!! I'll resell this, as it's too big for my skinny fingers - it doesn't even fit my thumb.
In addition to those, I found some excellent presents for my nieces and L...and I also texted L to ask him to buy "something special" for me that I'd spotted (he agreed, no more peeking at it till Christmas). We used to tour Vanity Fair vintage mall for goodies, but since it's closed there are fewer options.
I headed for the bus stop...then noticed that there was a WIN Boutique in the nearby shopping plaza! Of course, I had a look around, and picked up a couple more presents for folks on my gift list. And I also found a new wool-blend blazer for myself, an upgrade from my PANK motorcycle jacket.
After 6 years, it is time to let go of my PANK motorcycle jacket. It's always been a smidge too tight to do up properly, and it's starting to get worn out, including a couple of small moth-holes. I've worn it 24 times after paying $22.49 for it, so I achieved under a dollar per wear. I know someone else will love the PANK jacket!
This blazer fits beautifully, and has a few things that tick all the boxes on my "Always Be Upgrading" checklist.
Good quality dark steel hardware, and adequate-sized pockets with zippers.
65% wool, 20% cashmere, and a touch of nylon to keep it from getting stretched out or ball-y. Very soft and snuggly, definitely a textile upgrade from the PANK moto.
Made in Canada! This means it's got to be 90s or 00s, and likely produced in small quantities.
This is by Proportion Petite Conrad C, a brand I recognize from the early 00s.
$24.95 for a wool and cashmere blazer that fits me perfectly? Twist my rubber arm!
This skirt caught my eye. For one, it has a weird shape, and I think you know how I feel about that!
I love that high waist and bell curve! The black stripes are actually long pieces of a non-fuzzy knit material.
The grey sections are wooly and soft.
It's very cool on, and I'm excited to wear it.
I have seen Kokomarina clothes in Turnabout; I used to have a silver linen tank by them (
this one), which I resold at my July Limbo Sale.
A cotton/wool/viscose blend, lovely.
Antoine Coelenbier is the creator of the brand.
Skirts by him retail for over $300.00.
Looks like WIN hasn't heard of this label, though.
Only $19.95 for me!
Although I am a proponent of shopping secondhand, one of things I do buy new is bedding. L and I were in dire need! I went to the Hudson's Bay Company after work last week and happened upon the "Two Day" sale, one of those jumps on Black Friday (ugh).
A new set of high-count sheets for spring/summer were 75% off, plus I found a treat for us both - flannel sheets. The flannel sheets were on spot-sale for half off - I snapped them up.
And they're plaid! How marvelous!
They are heavenly soft, and we've enjoyed being swathed in flannel.
Vizzini likes them too.
"I appreciate my new bedding. Thank you."
Caught him mid-stretch!
Sending everyone good vibes, snuggly thoughts and thanks and gratitude for stopping by!
Cheers,
Sheila
Why wear a black sweater when you can wear a SPARKLY black sweater? 
I tucked the front of the top in to show that, and to match the white for the boots - I also wore a white t-shirt underneath, for a pop at the neck...which you can't see because of my hair, ha! 
Good sized pockets! Do you see the giant brooch on the lapel? I forgot it was there, so missed taking its picture. 
More warm bits.
My boots had many admirers in the office. Jessica liked the mirrored inner heel, and Flavia liked the reflective stripes. 
I started with the necklace, and expanded from there. 
