Vacation Week Round-Up: Much Red, Shopping, Chilling, and Visibly Victorian in the Unsafe Ocelot

Hello, my friends! Vacation is nearly over, and I can't say I'm excited to go back to work, but eh, it pays the bills and supports my real life, am I right?

Despite being sick (gah) and my ear still blocked up, I've managed the very important job of doing Not Much Of Anything on my time off, aside from hanging out with assorted fun people, shopping and taking many naps. Ah...naps.

Here we are at last Wednesday. I met up with Mom for brunch out and a wee shop in Oak Bay. 

I am having such fun delving into my fall/winter wardrobe again! I forgot I had so many of these pieces!

• Top - Jeanne Bekker, consignment; last seen here (4th outfit) back in March for a Grand Limo Adventure with my Winesday women
• Skirt - Gunex, thrifted; last worn here in August with modness
• Shoes - Down-to-Earth Hadfield, Fluevog; last seen here earlier this month with yellow and a chunky sweater

I love this comfy top. It was one of the things I was excited to see again - oh, yeah, I forgot about it!

It was a little grey out, but I didn't wear a jacket.

The stuff:

I was trying on shoes in a store, and someone tried to nab my Hadfields away from me! Back off, sister, those are not for sale!

• Scarf - Ralph Lauren, consignment
• Cuff - thrifted
• Earrings - local

I got a gift certificate from my Winesday gals for my birthday, so I had to spend it right away. It'd be rude not to, right?

I have missed my ear cuff that went missing last week, so I was thrilled to replace it with two new ones, both locally made. They were $19 and $21.

I also stocked up on some hosiery.

Plaid tights, sparkly ankle socks and some over-the-knee black/burgundy socks. Hurray!

I dragged Mom to a twee consignment store that I don't visit very often (expensive) - she found two gorgeous blouses for less than half what they would cost new.

I found these Dior double-pearl earrings for $28.00.

The big part hangs down on the back of the lobe. They had them in mint, white and pearl.

Marked Dior

I liked this marigold yellow colour - it's just a little different, you know?

The store had some shoes marked down from summer still:

What a fabulous colour! I love this minty green shade. There's a hidden heel, wrapped in the suede.

They're by Franco Sarto.

And as you can see, they're barely worn. Not bad for $24.00!

I hemmed and hawed over this red dress.

Eventually, I gave in. It is just above the ankle, swooshes beautifully and it has pockets! I'm in!

And never worn! Tags still on.

Regular $178, marked down twice - I paid $40.00 for it on consignment.

I like the textured fabric.

I might sew up the keyhole at the back of the neck. Those shoelaces aren't very classy.

A mark of good quality:

That's a bra strap holder! Gotta love that.

The belt was very shoddy.

Considering that this dress has never been worn, that belt is in rough condition. I tossed it into the giveaway pile immediately. I have way better belts.

On Wednesday, L and I were waiting for our cleaner to show up, but we'd missed a message that she needed to switch days. I was all dressed to go out for dinner anyway, so we headed down to the pub after sorting out the new cleaning time.

Red is always good.

• Sweater - Lord & Taylor, thrifted; last seen here in September with classic black 
• Skirt - MNG, consignment; last worn here (3rd outfit) in March with plain black
• Boots - Marc; last seen here a couple of weeks ago with D&G and black leather

I just thrifted this sweater in the summer (always shop off-season!), and I adore the classic cut of it. Merino wool, too!

The skirt is so fun - it's been in my wardrobe for several years, due to its cool "ribbon" texture and uneven hemline.

Outerwear? Outer-there! (that joke never gets old).

Orange and red are awesome together! This is a Danier Leather jacket that I bought on consignment a few years ago.

The stuff:

Magnificent boots.

• Earrings - Glee

I don't make much effort on accessories when I'm on vacation. Heh.

L returned to work on Thursday, so I had two lovely "me" days where I slept in and then did whatever the heck I wanted.

That usually means shopping!

• Blouse - no label, thrifted; last seen here in August with the bark skirt
• Dress - The Limited, thrifted; last worn here in January for Team Spirit day for our stair challenge
• Boots - Ash; last worn here (3rd outfit) in September for grocery shopping

I planned to meet up with Elaine after work for a shop and dinner - she'd missed my birthday party, so I wanted to connect with her.

I strolled to town and had a little shop around before meeting her.

Mr. Vizzini was being cuddly - very rare for him.

"If you stay home, I won't eat your shoes."

He loves when we're off - he turns into a total snuggle-boy.

The stuff:

I love these boots - I just want to clomp around in them.

Plain bling:

Scarf for warmth under my leather coat.

• Scarf - thrifted
• Necklace - thrifted
• Earrings - local

I found this awesome bow-front silk blouse at the WIN Warehouse store.

Yup, more red! I need to stop buying tie-front blouses now.

However, at only $6.95, how can I resist?

I like that it's sized, vs. a medium.

It's by Levante (never heard of them), so it's probably an old 80s brand, long gone. I will probably machine wash this (as opposed to dry clean, ugh), since many 100% silk items are fine on delicate.

Elaine and I went to Flavour Upstairs, one of my favourite places for vintage clothes. I found an amazing faux fur ocelot coat...that I put back. Do I really need another faux fur coat?

"I am all the fur you need, woman."

I did find the above chartreuse paint-splattered shirt for L for $14.95, though. Not bad.

On Friday, it was sunny, so I made myself leave the house and get a walk in.

It will soon be too cold to wear these thin pants.

• Sweater - Talbots, thrifted; last seen here in August for my pre/post-Ulty outfit
• Pants - Zara, consignment; last worn here in July for the amazing 40+ Blogger Meet-up
• Shoes - Two Lips, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) in January for a casual weekend look

I was wearing this sweater when I originally bought these pants, and loved how well the blues matched. I love me some matchy!

I am on the lookout for some good flat black tall boots - I have limited shoes for walking all day.

Outerwear? There!

Another one of my fabulous Danier Leather coats. This one was made in Canada.

The stuff:

I freakin' love these shoes. I still giggle to myself that I only paid $2.00 for them!

• Earrings - 10th anniversary gift from L

I browsed through a few other stores. Didn't see much that I had to have, but I did find a replacement pair of runners for walking to and from work.

Hooray for purple and pink hearts! These are by AirWalk and were $24.00 on consignment.

Vizzini has been very cranky this week (when he's not being lovey).

"I'm pretending this is your shin."

We've brought his post in for the season - it's too cold to have the deck doors open.

"This is outrageous! I need to patrol!"

He's been attacking the curtains, leaping from his post to a nearby chair, and raking our ankles (sometimes with claws, little bugger) when we go by one of his Secret Lairs.

On Saturday morning, L and I went out for our usual brunch.

Um, sure, let's wear all of these things!

• Jacket - Dex, thrifted; last worn here in October with leopard and granny shoes
• Top - Ellen Tracy, swap; last seen here layered in March
• Skirt - Jones New York, vintage 80s, thrifted; last worn here in March with a purple jerkin
• Shoes - Cydwoq; last seen here in March with my given-away purple brocade

L is coordinated in his purple plaid - it's like we planned it!

I didn't really have any reason for wearing any of these items. I'm iffy on the jacket - such a great colour, but the fit is not that good on me.

I love this black wool skirt (I have a vintage half-slip on under it - it's not lined). It has pockets and swirls most deliciously.

The stuff:

The last time I wore these I said that I didn't like them with bare legs. Ha, take that! I had bare legs!

Spectacular bling:

I love these pieces.

• Necklace/earrings - Myka, gift from L

So...that faux fur ocelot coat? I told L about it...I couldn't stop thinking about it! We walked back to Flavour Upstairs after lunch and he bought it for me. Whatta guy!

Yes! Isn't it amazing? It's by Hilary Radley, who is apparently known for her coats. I've never actually seen any coats by her on consignment or in thrift stores, but I have two pairs of her shoes: these green ones and these red ones.

The back:

The belt is faux leather, and it's trimmed with it on the pockets and under the collar as well.

Check out the lining!

Her name is woven into the fabric! You never see that! The interior is fully quilted and so soft.

Seriously, how did I pass this up the first time - it was only $34.99!

As a bonus, the original tags and a spare button were in the pocket. I don't think it was ever worn! These coats sell for about $300 new, so I think this was a good score! 

On Saturday afternoon, Elaine and I went to the Belfry Theatre to see their production of "Chelsea Hotel - The Songs of Leonard Cohen" (link, 'cause I love). I had these tickets as part of my season tickets; Mom doesn't like Leonard Cohen, so I asked Elaine to go. It was a great show - the artists were incredible at singing, dancing and playing a multitude of instruments. I found it a little too literal in interpreting some of the poetry/lyrics, but otherwise it was a fab show. (local review here)

I decided that I must wear All The Ruffles!

• Lace top - no label, Vintage Expo; first worn here in September with a bit of steampunk
• Corset top - Betsey Johnson, vintage 90s; last seen here (2nd outfit) for a Valentine's tea with Mom (another steampunk look!)
• Skirt - Kay Unger, thrifted; first worn here in July with mustard and leopard
• Boots - Velazquez Baroque, Fluevog; last seen here in November 2014 with grey

I know, so many ruffles! After the theatre, Elaine and I bussed to town and met up with a bunch of friends for drinks and dinner.

My outfit got a lot of comments, both from theatre-goers (the layered necklaces, the boots and the outfit overall) and from my friends, one of whom actually unzipped my corset top to check it out! Hey, stop that!

I really loved this outfit, so this is my entry for "Visible Monday" over at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style. Get yourself over there!

I couldn't resist - I had to christen the "Unsafe Ocelot" coat! Can you tell I'm feeling totally badass in this?

I see a suspicious tail!

This joins the Unsafe Polar Bear and the Unsafe Grizzly (hmm...I haven't featured that one previously) coats in my wardrobe. I'm apt to do rash things when wearing them! Follow me at your peril (or risk it and have fun!).

I felt like a crazy diva in this! Love!

The stuff:

It's a crime that I haven't worn these gorgeous boots more often! I resolve to wear them many more times this fall/winter!

Layered bling:

I tried the white disc/crystal necklace with the outfit first, then the pearl necklace...and then I realized how awesome they looked together. Nothing exceeds like excess!

• Pearl necklace - Aldo Accessories
• Necklace - Banana Republic, consignment
• Earrings - all local

Today is the last chillin' day before I'm back to work tomorrow. I'm dreading it - why can't I be a woman of leisure?

I hope you're having a great weekend!