Aug 29th - Outfit #29 - Floral Fooling

L and I are headed out this evening to the opening of a new whisky bar downtown. I'm going to wear the same outfit - I had planned to change, but now I don't feel like it. Besides, this is ultra-comfy.

This is my floral blouse (last worn here), and that purple skirt is actually my purple dress (last seen here, as part of my travel mini-capsule). Did I fool you? I don't think I've ever worn so many dresses as under-layering pieces before this month! I've done it at least 3 times so far.

I'm also wearing a blue sheer netting skirt under the dress to add a bit of extra length for work, as this dress is a little short/casual for work usually.

My purple-grey ballet flats (last seen here, 2nd outfit) have broken in nicely - they were awesome for shopping all day last weekend, by the way.

This outfit is pretty much a copy of this one here, only with a different dress, but you know? That doesn't bother me one iota.

Blouse (Esprit, consignment), dress (Lady Dutch, consignment), underskirt (Noa Noa), belt (Landes, thrifted), shoes (Chie Mihara), necklace (Foxy), earrings (Aldo Accessories).

Aug 28th - Outfit #28 - A Donny and Marie Moment

For those of us of a certain age, perhaps we watched "The Donny & Marie Show" back in the late 70s, featuring Donny and Marie Osmond? And maybe our neighbour had the coveted Donny & Marie dolls, in all their purple and pink splendour? My neighbour's name was Paula, and she traded me something (no idea what) for the Marie dress so that I could have it in all its zig-zag multi-layered goodness. 

Well, I'm feeling a little bit country today.

Or maybe it's a little bit rock & roll? Or perhaps I've just completely lost it? Ha!

This is my red silk shirt (last worn here), my purple silk fluttery skirt (Marie would approve, I'm sure), which I last wore here (last outfit), and my red shoes from yesterday.

I have always liked red and purple together, especially with a pop of blue and turquoise, like in this awesome Smoking Lily obi.

I'm even wearing pink and purple earrings.

And a turquoise cuff.

Blouse (Elite International, thrifted), skirt (Le Chateau, consignment), shoes (Miz Mooz, consignment), obi belt (Smoking Lily), cuff (Shi Studio), earrings (Le Chateau).

Only a few days left in this challenge...and the weather has started to turn cold (it's currently trying to rain). We have a couple of events this week, so I will have to squeeze a few more outfits out!

Aug 27th - Outfit #27 - Highly Visible Monday and a Wee Shop (and a Wack of Cat Pictures)

I had a fabulous weekend! It was entirely spent with my sweetie L, doing things like going out for dinner and brunch, shopping (with and without him), playing games (mostly Arkham Horror) and hanging out. Ahhhh...I feel like my batteries are being recharged.

I figuratively girded my loins today and wore most of what I intended to wear here last week and bailed. Thank you again to everyone who helped me "buck up" and get back on that horse.

That's the last time I wore these shoes as well.

I'm much happier with this look (I was called "pretty in pink" several times and you know I LOVE that movie). The solid pink of the dress (last worn here) helps calm down the loudness of the blazer (last seen here). I have a dark red cami (not part of the capsule) on to help make the dress less boobalicious for work.

I wore this new-to-me canvass belt, thrifted for $4.50 - it's reversible (navy on the other side).

I liked the mix of the red, pink and blue.

I was highly visible so this is perfect for Patti's "Visible Monday" at Not Dead Yet Style. Go check out the other awesome bloggers!

The stuff:

You can't get the full awesomeness of the shoes until you see them from the side.

Jacket (Tommy Hilfiger, consignment), dress (Ann Taylor, thrifted), shoes (Miz Mooz, consignment), necklace (consignment), earrings (Caracol), ring (Wendy Brandes).

I did indeed go for a wee shop after L and I did brunch on Saturday. I went to the St. Vincent de Paul thrift store. I have good luck there and it held out:

This is a lovely to-the-knee crepe pleated skirt. The waistband is wide grosgrain ribbon, with a bow on it. Swoosh Factor: 7. The brand is Limited Edition London Fog, and it was only $4.00! Score!

I went to the Victoria Hospice store, but the one piece I would have died for (a 80s marigold yellow silk trumpet mullet skirt - so much awesome) was torn at the hem, and not repairable. Aw...

I headed over to the Velvet Crease and found a couple of great pieces for fall, including another - yes, another - black leather skirt. It was $40 but it's Danier and is Italian leather (soft like buttah). It also has a zipper slit at the back for adjusting.

In my defense, compared with this, my other black leather skirt, this one is not high-waisted and is to the knee instead of upper calf. Totally different!

I also found this silky polyester blouse. I know, it's a lot of animal! (and what kind of animal IS that?)

But it fits great and I like it as a neutral pattern. It's by Spense and it was $22.00.

While I was downtown with L, I had to go check out Smoking Lily. I got myself another obi.*

The red silk is actually a really luminous ruby red, and eee! It's my chair pattern! (I have a purple silk skirt with silver chairs on it, also Smoking Lily, here). The reverse is black with blue and white hashing. I can't wait to start wearing this.

*I link because I love. Check out Smoking Lily, they rule. 

Pictures of Vizzini, because he is a silly cat.

For instance, he sits with this hind legs up by his head.

Are you making fun of me?

 I like his little black pads on his toes and his white whiskers.

He was very happy out on the deck this morning.

He's settled in very well to cuddling now.

He laid like that for approximately 2.5 hours. My legs got numb.

He's been sitting on this chair a lot lately, which makes me think of Othello. It's been two years since we lost our cranky black kitty...this was his favourite chair to sit in (Inigo wouldn't go near it).

It's my chair now.

Othello used to sit like this too. We call it "sneetching."

I sneetch like a pro.

 However, Vizzini's in a class of his own. Othello never, ever sat like this:

I can sit this way if I want.

What a silly kitty.

Aug 24th & 25th - Outfits #25 & 26 - Finally, the Weekend!

First of all, THANK YOU, to all of you who left such uplifting, kind, inspiring and soothing comments on my "crisis" post from Thursday. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. You are the best readers ever!

I am feeling much more myself and got right back on that fashionable horse with a couple of classic Sheila outfits. 

Friday:

My little vintage blouse makes its second appearance (last worn here, with the dreaded lime pants). I tucked it into the A-line denim skirt (last seen here), belted it (the skirt has a high waist), and tossed on my olive jacket (last worn here).

The lime shoes (last worn here) were a nice break for my feet and worked with the lime in the blouse.

Every clothing item I'm wearing today is thrifted or swapped! Cool.

The stuff:

The earrings are "home-grown vintage" - I bought them in the mid-90s when long broomstick skirts were worn with oversize crocheted sweaters. I worked briefly at a mall store called LA Express, an offshoot of Suzy Shier, a Canadian chain.

Jacket (Bianca Nygard Weekend, thrifted), blouse (no label, thrifted), denim skirt (Bebe, swap from Caro), shoes (Circa by Joan & David, thrifted), belt (Plum), earrings (vintage 90s), cuff (SkinZHydez), choker (vintage 60s, Mom's).

I worked through lunch yesterday, so I took a late afternoon break and went to the thrift shop around the corner. I found this fabulous navy blue cotton velvet blazer:

The tailoring on it is fabulous. It's by Armor Jeans and was $12.00.

I also went back to Dots to get a cardigan for one of my fall wardrobes:

It was just at regular price ($24.99) but it's a great cut, good quality and an excellent layering basic. It's by Press.

Today, I'm about to head off to my WW meeting (I haven't been for several weeks, due to my tattoo and travel).

I'll also be doing lunch with L and then going to a couple of thrift stores after, so I need to be wearing stuff that's good for trying things on.

My yellow strapless dress (last worn here) has been unexpectedly awesome in this capsule.

A neutral blazer is a classic - of course, I just wore this blazer yesterday. The Chie Miharas (last worn here) are getting their first shopping test. I'll see if they can make most of the day without a bandaid!

Jacket (Bianca Nygard Weekend, thrifted), dress (Jacob, consignment), shoes (Chie Mihara), earrings (Plum).

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Aug 23rd - 24th Outfit - Second Guessing

So I had a Major Wardrobe Crisis today. I had a different outfit on and I second-guessed myself and changed into this:

My white cardi (last worn here a bunch, last weekend), my green sweater tank (last worn here, and very under-utilized this month), my green linen pants (last worn here), and my red platforms (last worn here).

So. Did any of you watch "What Not to Wear" this week? With the administrative assistant (my same title!) who lost her job because she dressed too crazy for work? And one of the things Stacy and Clinton harped on was her lime green obsession (I'm wearing lime green!)?

I ended up in my closet last night, and I ripped apart my September capsule (I usually have them done well ahead of time). Now I don't know what I'm doing. I'm full of self-doubt, mixed with the desire to trash this whole challenge and wear what I want.

And I started having all these questions about my work-appropriateness. Am I dressing too wacky for my job? Should I tone it down and wear more pencil skirts, nice blouses and jackets? Do I need less colour and more basic neutrals?

The final straw was L taking a look at my original outfit and giving me a thumbs-down.

I was *this* close to completely doubting myself. Calling in sick! I actually set the timer, got into my pose and then....

Into the closet! I must change! I had on my pink sweater and (obviously) my plaid jacket, with a red buttonflower and a blue belt. I couldn't do it. It felt too crazy.

As it is, I'm not going to keep these pants. I don't like how they fit (crotch-tacular!), so after this month, they are going in the donation bag.

I'm not looking for affirmations or to have my ego soothed. I just wanted to share that I have insecurities and doubts all the time about my outfits. Sometimes I don't know what the heck I'm doing, and I take risks that don't work (but sometimes they do!). I'm not going to give up this challenge, because it really is helping me see my habits and strengths/weaknesses, and it's helping me figure out who I am, style-wise.

It's also probably partly hormonal (ha!). I went for a long power-walk down along the water tonight after work, and the waves and windsurfers, the swallows and gulls swooping and soaring in the wind, and the smell of the ocean...I feel so much better already. Now, some wine, and I'll be all back to my ol' self.

Bonus for reading all that stuff - a Vizzini picture!

He's learned that tummy rubs are good things and likes to roll around. He's in my pose spot, watching L put on his runners.

Aug 22nd - Outfit #23 - Much Craziness

Is it really only Wednesday? Feels like it should at least be Thursday.

I've wanted to do this combination since I started planning August's capsule.

Yee haw! Polka dots and floral, giddy-up! I am in love with all this pattern.

The blouse (last seen here) has a bit of purple-y blue in it as well as a nice pale pink, so the colours worked with these awesome pants (last worn here, 2nd outfit).

I knew I wanted to go a little overboard on the accessories with this, so of course only the gold platforms would do. I last wore them here. I'm really impressed with how versatile these have been this month.

Some mornings you just don't want to look at the camera.

I get a lot of comments on the pants, every time I wear them. L refers to them as my "clown pants," and I also get "pajama pants" and "interesting pants" (the people attempting to be nice, ha!).

I've been remiss in posting the stuff lately.

I am kneeling in front of the camera.

I like how the necklaces play off the vintage-y vibe of the blouse.

Stuff!

Mixed metals, including my Wendy B ring.

Blouse (Esprit, consignment), pants (Noa Noa), shoes (Coach), necklaces (Plum, and 2028), earrings (Aldo Accessories), wrist-wrap (Club Monaco), ring (Wendy Brandes).

Aug 21st - Outfit #22 - Flouncy Layers

Happy Tuesday! A quick entry before I dash off to WW.

I wanted to try out a different colour palette for this shirtdress (last time, here, I wore it with red, turquoise and brown). This time I pulled out colours form the scarf: red, gold, caramel and even a smidge of purple.

These shoes are becoming like soft slippers. I'm so glad I cut them! I last wore them here, last Tuesday - uh-oh, I usually try to wear different stuff for my group!

The scarf is a silky tie-dyed one (picture here), and the belt was thrifted a few months ago - I forgot I had it!

The red business underneath the skirt is a full vintage slip that I've had for a couple of years. It's a great layering piece - here are a bunch of times I've worn it underneath dresses. As you can see, I've got the bottom two buttons of the dress undone in this outfit, so the slip's skirt billowed out as I walked. Don't you love clothes that billow? I do.

Dress (Reitman's, consignment), slip (Suzette Lingerie, vintage, consignment), belt (thrifted), scarf (Remoy D'Urville, thrifted), brooch (Grandma W's, vintage), earrings (vintage), ring (Sarah Coventry, 70s vintage).

Aug 18th, 19th & 20th - Outfits #19, 20 & 21 - Trip Up the Coast

I'm baaaack! I took a long weekend - L and I went to visit his folks in Powell River, which is on the British Columbia west coast. It's a fair bit of travel, so I had Monday off.

Ooh, I almost forgot! It's Visible Monday at Patti's "Not Yet Dead Style"! Go!

I packed very minimally, only a cardigan, one top, one skirt, one dress and a single pair of shoes. Saturday's travel outfit:

Cardigan last worn here (2nd & 3rd outfits), top last worn here (both outfits), skirt last worn here, and sandals last worn here (2nd outfit). Layers for temperature control and length of sleeves and skirt for sun coverage.

I also only took one pair of earrings, my silver feathers.

However, we have a convertible, and the weather on Saturday was gorgeous and hot, so I knew I'd need more coverage.

Enter, the hat!

I also used the scarf to cover my chest and lower arms from the sun.

Cardgian (no label, consignment), top (Planet), skirt (Cute Options), shoes (Wild Diva, swap from Caro), hat (Delux), scarf (Chapters). 

On Sunday, we met up with our good friend Kelly, who'd moved back to PR earlier this year, for breakfast. We found the most awesome greasy spoon - I had steak and eggs! Delicious.

I wore the purple dress (last seen here), my Smoking Lily obi, and the cardgian again.

I left some of my in-laws' hideous brown velvet floral couch in. So not my style!

I wore the same shoes, but we don't wear them in the house (not even for pictures).

Dress (Lady Dutch, consignment), obi (Smoking Lily).

These are the accessory items:

Vizzini took a liking to the feather pin on the hatband. Naughty boy!

Today, we got home after a very long drive (pictures below of the travel both ways), and I changed into an outfit for going out for lunch and also to the passport office. Time to renew our passports - oh joy.

Looking away because I have no make-up on! 

My faded denim vest (last seen here), my fluttery silk maxi skirt (last worn here, last outfit), and my purple flats (last worn here). That's just a black camisole underneath - not part of the capsule.

Vest (InWear, consignment), cami (Esprit), skirt (Le Chateau, consignment), sandals (La Canadienne, consignment).

You can stop reading here if you're not interested in my travel pictures. I won't be offended.

Once we got out of town, we drove north along the highway (there is only one route), to a section called the Malahat. It starts here, at Goldstream Park, a lovely place, lots of trees, hiking and yeah, there's Goldstream River, where salmon spawn (which is quite disgusting when they start to rot).

It's very lush evergreen forest and big mountains, and the sides of the road are very steep.

This section of the highway used to be more hilly - many decades ago they blasted down through the rock to make the highway easier to drive. It's still an uphill drive - my ears always pop near the top.

We had heavy traffic until we got over the hump.

This is the Malahat lookout, at the peak.

We never stop there - that's for tourists!

Coming down off the Malahat, I can see the mountains further up-Island in the far distance. We'll skirt around those and go past them.

Lots of traffic on an August Saturday, both ways!

As we went through Duncan, I was assailed by this awful thing:

I absolutely loathe those floppy balloon people! They seriously creep me out.

Agggh!! Another one!

All the more reason to get through Duncan...fast!

As we sped past the teeny-weeny Nanaimo airport, I caught one of the small planes overhead.

It clouded up as we drove up-Island. Dang, no sunshine for us this weekend!

Once we passed Nanaimo, there's the "new highway", a lovely long straight stretch of road.

We go about 140 KM/hr here. Zoom!

And 3 hours later, we arrive at the Courtenay/Comox ferry dock (hi, Peg!). This is looking north.

The tide was way up, and the beaches were quite stinky.

We patiently waited to get our tickets.

I like this shot of L.

Looking south.

I walked along here last Christmas (go here for my travelogue in December - it's much different in the winter!).

The mighty Queen of Burnaby got us across the strait to the mainland.

Although it was cloudy, it was still very warm out, almost muggy. I went out on deck (my skirt puffed out quite majestically - very satisfying and romantic) and took some pictures.

Looking at the mainland in the far distance.

The sailing takes about 1 hour and 15 minutes.

And looking back at Vancouver Island.

You can go up and down the levels on the ferry. You can almost walk all the way around it.

Not up here, though.

At Christmas time, they put a tree up there with the radar thingy.

Up at the bow:

I always want to ring that brass bell, but you're not allowed that far forward.

L is in the forward lounge, reading his book and chillin'.

All of the seating areas have giant windows. Most people either plunk down for the trip (locals) or wander around the ferry (tourists).

Looking back along the top deck.

None of this deck is open to the public. I remember when I was a kid, this ferry (and others of this size/fleet) used to be on the big Victoria/Vancouver runs (they have much bigger and newer ferries now), and this top deck was open. Of course, you could also smoke indoors!

Looking down at the Zodiac boat.

People fall overboard sometimes. I guess this is the most efficient way to fish them out of the ocean.

There was an announcement of porpoises off the starboard side, but I couldn't see them. Aw...

The smokestack!

Even though I know the horn doesn't sound from here, I always think that it does. The horn is really loud.

Waiting in our little car as the ferry pulls into the docks at Powell River.

The walk-on passengers just walk off the ramp. Once they're all off, they unload the cars. We were lucky to be off 3rd!

We spent a quiet weekend, mostly just talking and reading. I finished "Amsterdam" by Ian McEwan and read all of Jennifer Egan's "Look at Me". I just finished her excellent novel "A Visit from the Goon Squad" (a book club pick) and loved it. All great books. It was a real pleasure to enjoy so much reading time.

My inlaws' back yard.

We got a bit of summer rain, but it was mostly just overcast.

Yesterday, we played bocce in the front yard. L's step-dad has dementia (he doesn't know who any of us are), but bocce was okay for him to play. It's simple: just aim for the white ball!

L and his brother V, fetching balls from underneath the rhododendron bush. A lot of them went under there.

Today, L and I headed for the cafeteria on the ferry for our traditional Sunshine Breakfast.

Yo, check out my breakfast, yo!

Actually, it's not called the Sunshine Breakfast anymore. But it was good!

As we pulled out from the PR dock, the clouds started to break.

The grey streakiness is the ferry window.

Driving down-Island.

See all the hazy silhouettes in the distance. Yeah, that's where we're headed. The clouds were magnificent!

Are we there yet?

Dang. Nope, a couple hours to go.

But at least I caught a fuzzy shot of the gnome!

"I'm a gnome with the biggest hands ever."

Car for scale. It's an oxymoron: a giant gnome.

The Malahat summit heading south - it's getting sunny!

And we're home. It's good to be here.