Wednesday, November 20, 2024

Bronze Pleats, Vintage Cream and Turquoise

Hello, my friends! Would you believe I built this entire outfit around a ring?
It's true! And it was a good excuse to wear this stunning bronze lame (lah-MAY, darlings!) pleated silk skirt. Phew, that's a lot of adjectives. 

  • Wool jacket - Pims, consignment; first seen here in November 2023 with Boss Pants and teal
  • Sweater - Bellissima, thrifted; last worn here in May with Ed Hardy and Vivienne Westwood
  • Skirt - Ralph Lauren, consignment; last seen here in June, layered under a dress
  • Cowboy boots - Donald J. Pliner, consignment, Sidney; last worn here in September
  • Cocoon puffer (below) - B. Young; last seen here a couple of days ago

The Castle was breathtaking this morning. What light! 
It was windy all day and lots of people in the southern parts of the Island have no power - one of my coworkers said there were five trees that had fallen across her driveway. Luckily we didn't loose any of these beautiful Garry Oaks. Lots of twigs on the ground, though. 

Back to the outfit, and I have to share - and Carol witnessed it! - the most awesome compliment that I received today. The FedEx guy knocked, and as I opened the door to take the box, he said, "Wow, you're gorgeous!" Why thank you, kind person! And that was that, interaction over. 
"You're wearing the skirt I like to chew on."


Anyway, I was left with a happy boost, which I tried to pass along to others throughout the day. 

I've had this beautiful skirt for four years and have worn it 15 times, which is a LOT for me. When I clicked back, I loved every outfit - it's Peak Gold Skirt. 
"I photobombed you the last time you wore it."


He did! That's so funny. 

I loved wearing this vintage wool jacket again - I paired it with teal on its first outing too. 
"Why aren't you paying attention to meeee?"


Teal's one of my Fall/Winter accent colours - I have shoes, a belt and a top in teal, which makes creating an outfit easy. Pick a skirt/bottom. Wear all the things. Put on a jacket that goes. Voila! 

I searched for a long time before finding this short-sleeved teal thin sweater. I have it tucked in here - it's quite long. 
I didn't take the jacket off all day, as it would have been A Production, but I know you like to see these things, Gentle Reader. 

Both Glenn and Carole were surprised that I owned a puffy cocoon coat. 
But this is part of my sporty vibe that I've been feeling for a few years. It will be cool with my sporty sneakers, and my Weird Adidas.

I was snuggly warm, even with no sleeves. 
I love the colour - it makes me so happy. 

Accoutrements: 
I pulled my velvet-gloved hands out of the fleece pockets, after taking my Outerwear pics, the pockets turned inside out! Velvet Rage! Ah! Swap to leather gloves now! Fleece and velvet are not friends.

  • Toque - gift from Tammy
  • Brooch - Monet, vintage 80s, thrifted
  • Silk scarf - Banana Republic, consignment
  • Leather gloves - Roeckl, consignment

The stuff: 
And I have boots with turquoise on them! Aren't they amazing? I love the mother-of-pearl inlay on the heels. They're leather and canvas, so I tote them to and from work. 

It's All About the Ring Bling: 
And there she is, the ring that started it all! I loved wearing it and it was roundly admired. 

  • Belt - Emmanuel, vintage 80s, thrifted
  • Brass link bracelet - vintage, consignment
  • Brass cuff with turquoise, crystals and pearls - Myka, consignment
  • Turquoise ring - consignment; purchased here for $26.00
  • Amber ring - c. 1996
  • Pinky ring - Dots
  • Bee brooch - consignment; purchased here for $18.00
  • "Chiclet" necklace - vintage 1920s, vintage mall, gift from L
  • Amber/silver earrings - thrifted

Despite buying them on the same day, the bee brooch was not chosen until I started to hunt for something to wear on my jacket lapel. 

After all that cat-bombing, I had to pick up Vizzini and give him some love.
"How did you know?"


A bit blurry as I kiss his fuzzy head. 

Tuesday, November 19, 2024

Mixed Metals, Sparkly Knits and Woven Eclipse

Colour? What's that? I went with a mix of metals in this outfit instead.
I built this outfit in a recent bout of Closet Playtime, pulling out this honeycomb-knitted skirt. It's a favourite.

  • Top - Levi's, thrifted; last worn here (2nd outfit) in October 2023(!) with ORANGE LEATHER SHORTS
  • Skirt - GP & J Baker X H&M, consignment; last seen here (2nd outfit) in April with an Adidas jacket and these same boots
  • Boots - United Nude, consignment; last worn here in October with a bunch of neutrals
  • Eclipse Coat (below) - no label, Welsh, consignment; last seen here in February

It helps that I had a huge compliment on my outfit the last time I wore it (also with these boots). That kind of pleasure becomes baked into a garment's history. 
As the skirt is bronze, black and silver sparkle I default to matching up more neutrals to it. 

I always enjoy extra glitz and glam at this time of year - Sparkle in the Darkness! - so reached for this black/silver sparkly knit top.
Why wear a black sweater when you can wear a SPARKLY black sweater? 

The skirt is very comfy, and I like the white/black waistband.
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! 

Outerwear! The Eclipse Coat is back - she is THICK Welsh wool, woven in orange and brown. It is snuggly and warm and eye-catching (all my favourite qualities in a coat).
Good sized pockets! Do you see the giant brooch on the lapel? I forgot it was there, so missed taking its picture. 

  • Brooch - vintage, thrifted

We're expecting a "bomb cyclone" in the weather very soon. Link here, 'cause I love.
I've never heard that term before, but doesn't sound good, does it? I worry about our Garry Oaks crashing down - we lost two in a big storm several years ago. 

Accoutrements: 
More warm bits.

  • Silk/cashmere pashmina - Italy, gift from Mom
  • Velour gloves - Thinsulate, thrifted
  • Fuzzy toque - thrifted

The stuff: 
My boots had many admirers in the office. Jessica liked the mirrored inner heel, and Flavia liked the reflective stripes. 

Mixed bling: 
I started with the necklace, and expanded from there. 

  • Necklace - All Saints, gift from Dominique
  • Earrings - Glee
  • Silver hinged cuff - Mexican, consignment, Sidney
  • Brass cuff - Midzo, vintage expo
  • Silver crystal ring - Soul Flower
  • Brass ring - vintage 70s, vintage mall
  • Bronze ring - P. Sarpaneva, Finland, vintage expo

Do you mix metals? Or are you a "one metal at a time" person?

Monday, November 18, 2024

Sequined Cardigan, Orange Boss Pants and Blue Cocoon

There was a Covid/flu clinic offered in our building today, so I dressed for...getting a jab! 
Absolutely nothing new in the outfit - just playing with stuff I already have and love. 

  • Cardigan - Desigual, consignment; last worn here in September with a squares skirt
  • Sleeveless turtleneck - Contemporaine, thrifted; last seen here in October for my birthday lunch with Mom
  • Trousers - Long Tall Sally, consignment; last worn here in October with a beaded yellow vintage top
  • Shoes - Modern Living Slant, Fluevog; last seen here in August with stripes and goldfish
  • Cocoon coat (below) - B. Young; last seen here in February

I had to plan for exposing my upper arm, so layered a sleeveless turtleneck and a cardigan.
I didn't wear the cardigan unzipped like this - it doesn't show the pattern properly unless it's semi- or fully-zipped. 

Without the cardigan. I like showing my ink.
I was pleased with the addition of the red plastic grommet belt to the orange Boss Lady trousers. 

But the cardigan is the star! 
I pulled colours from it to build the outfit.

Black, red, white, orange, bright blue - I have all of these colours in my closet. I could build 10 different outfits with it, easy.
I've liked every outfit I've done with this cardigan - it's a winner. Not to mention the sequined mouth! How amazing is that? 

One arm has swirls and/or tiger stripes in blue. 
The other arm says "Desigual" in a bunch of backward letters. 

I even matched my outerwear to the cardigan.
The Blue Cocoon returns! 

And yes, my arms were cold (which actually felt good on the jabbed side), but not that bad. I walk fast.
This is a very snuggly coat - and I'm gonna be seen, that's for sure! 

Accoutrements: 
More reds to play off that cardigan. It's really working hard in this outfit. 

  • Silk scarf - Elaine Gold, vintage, consignment
  • Leather gloves - Echo, consignment

The stuff: 
I didn't do a ton of walking, just my usual rounds of the office to check in on my colleagues. These are a pretty good heel, though. 

  • Belt - vintage 90s, consignment
  • Bakelite cuff - vintage 60s, vintage mall, gift from L
  • Silver/Lucite bracelet - Alexis Bittar, consignment, Vancouver
  • Silver/Lucite earrings - Tania Gleave, Granville Island studio
  • Silver/onyx ring - Tocara, vintage fair
  • Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes

I forgot to take the separate picture of the bling, oops! 

Sunday, November 17, 2024

Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Too Mini and Clacking and Rattling; Vintage Fair and Shopping in Halston Ultrasuede

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