Monday, August 31, 2026

The Last PANK - and a Final Flashback

Another week - but there's a long weekend in sight! I finally got around to wearing my PANK dress again. We love the PANK! It's so pink...it's PANK. 
We do not love this PANK anymore, sadly. But we're going to have one last goodbye Flashback on it! 

  • PANK dress - Essentiel Antwerp, consignment; last worn here (3rd outfit) in February with neon greens
  • Orange mesh top (not visible) - AWear, vintage 90s, thrifted; last seen here in August when I met reader Judith
  • Boots - Original Samedi, Fluevog; last worn here (2nd outfit) in July for brunch

Oh, I can hear you exclaiming! It's a great dress! That colour! It's so cool! Whyyyyyy??? 
It just doesn't feel like ME anymore. I have never liked this "babydoll"/swing cut on me, but made an exception for this dress when I bought it. It's always been rather short, and I'm also done with that. I don't want to wear it with pants (but I could, I know!).

Anyway, it's a good enough outfit for a Monday full of brain-taxing work. 
And it does still look good on - the pictures don't lie. 

Incognito. 
Showing off the pockets! I know someone will grab this at my next Limbo sale. 

The stuff: 
It's just slightly cooler in the morning, but these boots were warm on the walk home. 

  • Silk scarf - thrifted

Bold bling: 
I've certainly gotten my money's worth on all of these things. 

  • Plastic cuff/ring - Italian, vintage 60s, vintage mall
  • Jadeite bangle - consignment
  • Silver/amethyst ring - vintage mall
  • Necklace - Banana Republic, consignment
  • Earrings - thrifted

And now, let's a have a look at how I've worn this dress since the first Flashback. 


Essential Antwerp PANK Dress - Flashback #2

It's been a while since I did a Flashback (they take a long time!), but I felt it was worth it to properly say goodbye to this most excellent dress. 

To remind you: I paid $60.98 for it in November 2017 (it's from 2016 and retailed for $300).

I did an initial Flashback here in February 2021 - hard to believe it's been 5.5 years! - where I showed the previous 8 outfits, so here we are, starting with that 9th outfit. 
February 2021 - and why not do brown with this glorious PANK? I still have these boots, but the cardigan became more moth-hole than cashmere. I still wear it around the house sometimes. 

Here it is again in November 2021, with familiar tights (I nearly wore these today!), and my mullet hairdo that I played with for a while. 
The silver boots were far too high, so they are long-gone. I also sold the "teeth" necklace last year. 

I love this colour mix from March 2022, although I gave those shoes to my colleague. I never wore them. 
I still have the tights (they are over 10 years old), but I let go of that vintage necklace. 

November 2022 saw me pairing up the PANK with these lime green Fluevog Slacker boots. 
And there are today's tights, which are also over 10 years old. I'm wearing my Myka set of jewelry, a long-ago gift from L. 

I like this cowgirl-inspired look from April 2023: 
My boots are still going strong - that's one of L's bolo ties that I borrowed. 

It's an easy pairing with these luxurious brocade/velvet boots (which don't go with much!), seen here in September 2023. 
I nearly wore that necklace today! 

My Truths Teah boots are a remnant from my steampunk days and are probably a pair I will sell at some point - they are very tight. 
This outfit is from February 2024. 

Those brocade boots made another appearance in September 2024. 
I'm wearing my "droopy leopard" brooch at the neck and faux leather leggings (I sold them, didn't like them on me). 

And here we are, styled up in 60s-inspired items for the Victoria Film Festival opening night gala in February 2025. 
Those floral tights again, plus my green suede Anna Sui X Fluevog boots, a blue wig and little cat ears headband. 

And here's the last outfit prior to today, from February 2026. 
I still have that reversible Stella & Dot necklace, and of course, those are my lime green boots again. 

I notice that my later wearings of this are in September...that backwards hanger staring at me in the face. I was probably done with this three years ago, but was in denial. 

Mathy stuff: With the 8 previous outfits, and these 10 since, that brings us to 18 total outfits over a period of 9 years, for a cost-per-wear of $3.39. 

I am totally happy with that, and it eases my mind about letting the dress go. Goodbye, PANK! 

Cat pictures! Cuteness from the weekend: 
The box is so much more intriguing when it's on its side. 

There is much fighting back and forth in the window and "door."
Hee hee, Whateley's face! 

Sunday, August 30, 2026

Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Maximalist Friday (The Pants!); Queen at the Theatre;

Hello, my friends, and welcome back! We front-loaded all our weekend activity, so by early Saturday afternoon, we were done. 

First up is Friday's office outfit. Yes, I saved "the best" for last.
I hemmed and hawed over what top to put with it, then realized there's a large-scale leopard print block on the pants. 

  • Nylon wired crop top - Sun Kim, thrifted; last seen here in June in a neutral pirate outfit
  • Leopard top - Gilmour, vintage 00s, thrifted; last worn here in April with my big red pouffy skirt
  • Brocade pants - Engineered Garments, consignment; purchased here for $189.45
  • Leather ballet flats - Karl Lagerfeld; last seen here in June with a daisy bomber

I have a top that matches! This leopard thin turtleneck was a regret-me-not, and I'm definitely not regretting it now. It's perfect with the pants. 
Which are quite funny, aren't they? I had fun playing around with the waistal region, which had to be readjusted every time I went to the bathroom. 

I liked the nylon top over it all - it just calms it all down, doesn't it? 
My coworkers were enamoured of the whole outfit! 

Incognito. 
And the green leather pack is such a good match! 

Would wear this whole outfit again. 
The pants are like wearing a really big stiff skirt - they move around on their own, and barely touch me. 

The stuff: 
These poor shoes. Every year I think will be the last, but maybe one more...? 

  • Leather backpack - no label, thrifted

Bold bling: 
I liked how the necklace layered under the stand-up collar.

  • Yellow cuff - thrifted
  • Hinged eelskin bird bracelet - vintage 80s, consignment
  • Hinged eelskin teal bracelet - vintage 80s, thrifted
  • Olivine/coral ring - vintage 70s, Honolulu, Mom's
  • Malachite ring - consignment
  • Gold-plated pewter necklace - Robert Larin, vintage 70s, vintage mall, gift from L
  • Earrings - Martha Sturdy, vintage fair

The boys have been snuggling up together. 
Caught you! 

They can't even be bothered to open their eyes.
"Go away."


And then denial. 
"We were not cuddling!"     "I was!"


My awesome boss let me leave a bit early on Friday after work so that I could get home, change and dash back to town to meet up with L, Yvonne and Randall for dinner at Zambri's.

Three of us (Y, R and me) went to see the Broadway touring production of "Monty Python's Spamalot" at the Royal Theatre. 
I figured I may as well wear my tiara! 

  • Silk/crystal studded dress - Camilla, consignment; last seen here (3rd outfit) in June 2025 for L's birthday party
  • Linen lined trousers - Nine West, thrifted; last worn here in June with my zebra/butterfly blazer
  • Dragon kimono topper - Golden Bee, thrifted; first seen here in June over a patchwork dress
  • Sneakers - Adidas Superstars, thrifted; last worn here in June 2025 for shopping with Emma

As you can tell by the Stair Picture, it was rather windy, slightly chilly but also sunny out. I had to wear layers, be cool in the heated theatre, but be warm enough by the time we were all done just before midnight. 
This dress was due for a wearing, but since it's a single layer of silk, it needed something else to keep me warm. The blue kimono topper worked perfectly. 

The sleeves were exactly the right width and length. 
And who doesn't love a dragon (and two extra pockets)? 

I also wore my lined linen white pants under the dress! 
I really loved that look, and leaned into the sporty/casual vibe with my Adidas Superstars. 

The stuff: 
I'm shocked that I haven't worn these shoes in over a year! 

  • Chainmail purse - vintage 1920s, gift from Megan Mae
  • Crystal belt - Zara, consignment
  • Tiara - Icing, 2020

Sparkly bling: 
I used the crown/angel brooch to hold the kimono closed. 

  • Crown/angel brooch - consignment
  • Jadeite bangle - consignment
  • Steel/purple stone bracelet - Malta, vintage 70s, vintage mall
  • Ball/crystal earrings - vintage fair
  • Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes
  • Silver/amethyst ring - vintage mall

A look at the tiara and my up-close jewelry. 
Two crowns! Arthur isn't king - I am! 

Boys, we are going out, so be good, okay? 
"I am headed straight to the deck."    "I want your robe!"

The box has been getting more love lately. 

Yvonne and Randall. 
Love you both! Mwah! 

Me and L. 
People kept thinking it was my birthday due to the tiara. 

In line to get into the theatre (we all line up like good Canadians). 
I was pleased to see so many people dressed up! I see you, pink and green lady in the Fluevogs (that's a Fluevog purse too). 

I checked out the merch, but didn't buy any. 
I was tempted by the "Run Away" socks, but for $35? Nope! 

I thought the "Horse Parking" display was cute. 
I have no need of coconuts. 

Me, Mieka and Rosanna. Thanks to Greg for taking the picture, and I missed Emmi altogether, as well as Rosanna's mum. 
In my defense, there was a lot of people gaggling around and I was getting antsy. Don't like crowds! 

Rosanna was dressed thematically as a can of Spam! 
Her fleshy-pink dress was the "meat." Well done! 

A great backdrop - all digital. 
We were in the lower balcony and had a fabulous view. 

Rosanna, Greg, Emmi and Mieka were four rows behind us. I see Emmi, Mieka and Rosanna getting seated! 
Me, Yvonne and Randall. L went to a movie (musicals are not his bag). 

The show was a hoot, with loads of energy, silliness and great singing and costumes. I thoroughly enjoyed it. L got out of his movie earlier than us and secured us a table at Clive's Lounge.
In deep discussion with Randall. 

We had a few drinks, so parmesan fries and a chocolate mousse and then headed our separate ways. 
Love you all! Thank you for being part of it! 

A big ol' full moon as we arrived at home.
Cool. 

We crashed on the couches while the boys fought over the box.
"What's the Man doing, Whateley?"  "I don't know, Barnabas."


We were up early on Saturday to meet up with Nick for brunch. 
Time to get in a wearing of this dress! I've done this outfit before, but why not again? 

  • Dress - Guess by Marciano, consignment; last worn here in July 2025 with the same boots
  • Leather boots - Bandolino, vintage 80s, thrifted; last seen here in July for a Mom-Day
  • Elmo faux fur (below) - Maeve, consignment, Powell River; last worn here in February

I like a good Jammy Dress. 
Just throw on a belt and boots, and I'm done. 

Except it's a little chilly out there, with that wind...
I needed some sort of loose topper. 

Elmo! 
I wore this coat off my shoulders while we were out afterwards. I had a quick browse in the big WIN store, then we did a grocery shop after that. 

The stuff: 
I had loads of comments from folks on my colour and items. Bright colours - people love 'em! 

  • Leather purse - Julia Sanchez by Vendome, vintage 70s, consignment
  • Belt - thrifted

Green bling: 
And one yellow. 

  • Yellow bangle - thrifted
  • Silver/green stone ring - thrifted
  • Silver poison ring - Karen's
  • Silver/malachite bangle - thrifted, Sidney
  • Silver/malachite ring - consignment
  • Plastic earrings - vintage 60s, consignment

There's my guys. 
Great to see Nick again! We had a lovely brunch at John's Place.

As noted, I had a wee shop in WIN while L went to Ditch Records. 
I'll always take a $1.95 pair of tights. 

I really loved the colours in this plaid skirt. 
I also love a rotated plaid. 

And big pockets. 
Pink, red, orange, tan and black. 

It's by Next Tailoring and I was fine not trying it on...and then I got home and realized that it's not a Canadian/US size 12 - it's a UK 12...which is more like an 8. It's too tight, so off to the resale it goes. 
Oh, well, it was only $14.95. 

I also found these fabulous silky polyester pajamas. 
The top has black lace on the collar and at the cuffs. 

It's by Linda for The Bay (which no longer exists) and it was new with tags (NWT). 
Only $16.95 for both pieces? YES! I'm wearing them as I type! 

And now, off to chill out for the rest of the weekend. 
I suspect lots of cuddles, board games, music, good times...and did I mention cuddles? 

I hope you had a wonderful weekend, and thank you so much for being here!