Wednesday, May 31, 2017

Double Necklace and Yellow with Roses

Wearing some of my favourite things today: yellow, pattern, great shoes. 
 No special occasion, just another day at the office.


  • Jacket - Guess; last worn here in August 2016 with pows of yellow
  • Top - Violet + Claire, thrifted; last seen here in April with a pagoda jacket (must wear that again soon)
  • Skirt - Mister Leonard, vintage 80s, thrifted; last worn here in August 2016 with birds and plastic shoes
  • Shoes - Fly London; last seen here in February with green and grape

I wanted to wear this lovely jacket again - I like all the reds, greens and yellows in it. I wish it had pockets but they can't all be winners.
I adore this skirt - I bought it years ago for only $8.50. However, due to the nature of my job, it has all kinds of marks down the front of it. I've laid it out and sprayed it with Folex stain remover, and...I plan to wash it! I'll be hand-washing it, very carefully, with some shampoo (it's wool, i.e. hair, so I figure shampoo will be gentle). I'm willing to risk it - it's just not worth the $15+ to dry clean it, when I'm down to less than a dollar per wear. Wish me luck!

The stuff:
Love these shoes. My dear bestie Caro has the same ones.

Black bling:
I wore double necklaces today. I liked how all the black "stones" went together.


  • "Pocketwatch" necklace - Fossil, thrifted
  • Black 5-stone necklace - EllandEm, thrifted
  • Earrings - thrifted (first wearing)

Tuesday, May 30, 2017

Deja Jelly-Deer

Funny how some clothing pieces can be favourites one year and then suddenly snubbed the next. 
 Like this skirt! I loved it last year...until the end of April, then never wore it again. What?


  • Sweater - Kersh modified by Pina, thrifted; first worn here in April with a poufy skirt
  • Skirt - no label, thrifted; last seen here in April with many oranges
  • Shoes - Prepare Guide, Fluevog; last worn here earlier in May with aqua accents
  • Coat (below) - Lord & Taylor, thrifted; last seen here over my sack dress

 The Jelly-Deer (like a jelly-fish, but a deer) got lots of love, but I also love this lavender skirt, which was purchased in April last year (only $6.00), then worn twice that month, then...not at all for the rest of the summer. Maybe I overdid it, maybe it was just too hot last year to contemplate wearing it. Either way, it's a great cut and a lovely colour.
 I loved it with aqua - I felt very clever to break out of the "must wear it with a neutral" rut. Aqua is a neutral in MY wardrobe!

Today was cold, and rainy (we had thunder and lightning!), so I wore a coat.
 I also have a little soft t-shirt fabric capelet (this) on under it to keep my neck warm - it functioned as a hood on the way to work when it was trying to rain.

The stuff:
 I love these shoes. If I ever have to whittle down my shoe collection, these would make the cut.

Aqua bling:
Real turquoise!


  • Earrings - Mango's
  • Ring - Glee


I nearly forgot to do my nails last night, so I did them in a rush before bed. This colour is Sally Hansen's Insta-Dri in "Go For the Gold."
I love the sparkly colour, although you can see that it's bubbled from putting the second coat on too soon. Eh, no one looks that closely!

Monday, May 29, 2017

I Should Know This...About Poppies

Being a highly visible person, complete strangers often feel moved to share odds and ends of things with me. Today, I was in an office supply store, ordering a fan for our party this weekend, when a woman (another customer) informed me that, "Poppies are the national flower of Bhutan."
 "You should know that if you're going to be wearing poppies," she said. I felt like saying I was wearing poppies for the US Memorial Day (happy holiday, US peeps!) since the Canadian military holiday (Remembrance Day) uses poppies as its symbol, but sometimes you just don't want to engage that far with strangers. They can get...stranger.


  • Cardigan - Gap, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) a week or so ago over Spanish ladies
  • Sweater tank - INC, consignment; last worn here in September 2016 under my grey/purple kimono for a tattoo session
  • Skirt - Premise, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) in September 2016 for a Saturday brunch
  • Shoes - Half Truth Veda, Fluevog; last worn here (4th outfit) in March with my velvet cheongsam for our anniversary dinner


Also, Bhutan's national flower is the BLUE poppy, and my skirt is red poppies. So there, strange lady!
 Aside from that startling exchange, it was just another Monday. Busy, then quiet, busy, then quiet.
 I just swooshed serenely about the office in my Swoosh Factor 9 skirt, twirling and whooshing (yes, I also make sound effects).

The skirt is a little big in the waist, so I fixed it.
 There is very little a safety pin won't fix.

The stuff:
 Hooray for comfy shoes! These are one of my favourite pairs, but they are starting to get worn out (especially around the toes). I had to touch up the point with a felt pen this morning (I'm so classy).

Silver bling:
Things I like.


  • Necklace - thrifted
  • Bangle - Glee
  • Earrings - Tanya Gleave


Do you ever get "helpful" comments from strangers? Or is it just me?

Sunday, May 28, 2017

Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Pajama Versace, Denim and Bronze, Birthday Shopping for L (and Me)

Hello, my friends! Welcome back - how's your weekend going? I'm enjoying a lovely, lazy Sunday. Let's get caught up!

Jeans Week ends with casual Friday, so obviously, my 80s Versace mom jeans are required. 
 These are the closest thing I have to actual jeans.


  • Blouse - Tabi, consignment; last seen here in February with green lace
  • Jeans - Versace, vintage 80s, thrifted; last worn here (2nd outfit) in April for spectacle shopping
  • Shoes - Aldo, thrifted; purchased here for $20.65

 I'm done with this blouse. I love the fabric and the drape of it, but it's not the greatest shape on me - I always feel droopy!

Let's say farewell with a flashback of our time with the pajama top:


  • As above, here with green lame (lah-MAY!) lace in Feb 2017
  • August 2016 here with the same skirt
  • With another green skirt here in May 2016
  • Over a very long weekend (here, 5th outfit) with my outlaws, also May 2016
  • With purple leather, here (2nd outfit) in April 2016


It was purchased here in April 2016 for $18.98, and I've worn it 6 times, so $3.16 per wear. Pretty good - and I'm fine with letting it go, regardless.
 Still happy with these jeans (and what they do for my butt), although their non-Lycra content is always a challenge. I stood a lot at work on Friday!

The stuff:
 First wearing of these thin turquoise suede loafers - they were great for a day at work, and I even walked home in them with minimal discomfort. I might throw some inserts in these to comfy them up.

Minimal bling:
 I am glad that Jeans Week is over! It's a good challenge for me to step outside my comfort zone, but aside from my leopard outfit, the rest didn't feel like me, at least not for work outfits.


  • Earrings - Stella & Dot, consignment, Vancouver
  • Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes


And yeah, you'll be seeing some skirts and dresses this coming week!


I'd had plans to go shopping with a girlfriend after work, but they fell through. What's a girl to do? Go shopping anyway! My excuse is that L's birthday is coming up, and I needed to look for stuff for him. Not that I need an excuse.

I found this lovely feather ring at the WIN Warehouse.
 It's very nice quality, and only $2.95.

I spotted the stamp inside:
 I have several Fossil pieces, and really like them. A quick peek on the Interwebz and looks like it sold for $38.00 new. Score!

I also strolled over to the Patch for a peek around. I found another pair of sunglasses that I needed.
 Bigassed drama - yes! These were $16.98.

L and I hung out and played boardgames for the evening, then got up and walked to town for brunch. Not enough people for an Ulti game this weekend, unfortuately. It's probably just as well - I dyed my hair on Thursday night and I don't like sweating pink!
 Ha, I am doing a jeans DRESS, instead of jeans! Get it? Get it?

I'm linking up with "Visible Monday" over at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style. I had so many comments on my hair all weekend - I was very visible!


  • Dress - Armani Exchange, thrifted; last seen here in September 2016 with pearls
  • Shoes - Miista; last worn here in March with paisley and lavender (now, that's an awesome version of a pajama shirt)

 This full weekend has been lovely and hot! Blue skies, light breeze, just wonderful. I am fully sunblocked up, and reapplied all afternoon while I was out shopping.
 This was my big chance to get all of L's birthday shopping done, so after brunch the 5+ hour marathon started. I went to about a dozen stores and spent much calming time going through things and thinking happy thoughts about my wonderful husband. Now all I have to do is wrap it all!

I love being able to wear contacts and sunglasses on sunny days. These glamourous shades feel very me.
 I knew I'd be shopping for myself as well as for L, and this was a great one-zipper dress for that. It's a little short to wear for work, but it was awesome for just walking around.

The stuff:
These shoes were great for such a prolonged wear (I walked home afterwards with my giant bag of loot too!), but my feet were tired all evening.

Bronze bling:
 Bigass pieces of bronze-y goodness. I feel like bronze is going to have a 90s renaissance soon.


  • Brass cuff - vintage 70s, Mom's
  • Earrings - Aldo Accessories
  • Ring - Fossil, thrifted, first wear



I always shop second-hand first for birthdays and Christmas - you can find some amazing things. My first stop was the St. Vincent de Paul. No luck for L, but I found a couple of things for me.

These are small sherry glasses in a pattern called King's Crown.
 I'd seen this set before at the StVdeP but at $4.00 a glass it was a little high for me. I mostly collect amber glass, all from the 70s, in a few specific patterns, with only a few pieces of this olive colour. Still, I like having a set of them.
 They were on sale half price, so for $8.00 total, they were mine.

I also found a plain black Club Monaco stretch cami for only $3.00, so I got that too.
Shopping while wearing contact lenses is a challenge, because I can't see anything close up, and I need to be able to look at patterns, seams and labels, so my next stop was to check out the collection of reading glasses at Oscar & Libby's (link here 'cause I love), a wonderful local giftware boutique.

I may have purchased that pair of "Bad Ass" underwear up there for $11.00.

And I found a pair of reading glasses.
 They were $21.95 and I used them all afternoon with great success! I can see!

I can't resist a sale section in any store. I usually love the stuff that other people don't.
 Like this wonderful singed fabric and bead and feather clip-on accessory. It looks awesome on a couple of my hats! It's by Singed Exquisite and was marked down to $6.99.

I had a browse in Flavour Upstairs - they have a good men's department, but of course, I had a look around for me.
 These earrings are really sparkly and look like good quality, although there are no marks on them. They were $8.00.

This skirt has been put into the Fall/Winter pile - I shop for all seasons, all year round.
 I love the mid-calf length and the chevron pattern. Hypno-skirt!

Little grey bricks!
 There are three pleats at the front and three in the back.

It's by Hucke, and was made in West Germany, so it can't be later than 1990, when West Germany ceased to be. It's probably from the late 80s, I'd guess.
 It's 100% wool with an acetate lining, and was $17.99. The wool is in excellent shape with no holes, but the lining is in really rough condition, with several holes, thin spots and a few repairs to it. I'll probably remove it altogether and just wear this with a slip. Won't it look great with one of my pairs of red boots?

I've seen this shirt a few times at Flavour. Today, it was marked down enough for me to buy it.
 It's another pajama blouse! This is a soft drapey acrylic, and is probably from the early 00s.
 It's by Lucky Brand, and was only $9.99.

I've also seen this kimono a few times. I was feeling it this time (it was also on sale).
 It's a lovely loose cocoon of a jacket, with sequins and beads on ever bit of pattern on the front.
 Super sparkly!

Part of the label's been hacked off, but I'm sure this is Diane Gilman, who sells clothing on the Home Shopping Network (my purple velvet stretch jeans are by her DG2 line, also thrifted).
 $17.99 feels fine. I steamed it and then wore it around the house on Saturday night when I felt chilled from the fan and it was lovely. I felt positively luxurious, gaming in my silk beaded kimono!

I spotted this cool brass clutch as I was leaving. I've been on the lookout for a gold fancy purse.
 The chain was tucked inside it, so it can be used either way. The shell is a little bit dented, but not too noticeable.

It was only $9.99. Whoever owned it didn't even take the plastic protector off the label inside.
 The name Reiss rings a bell. Looks like a UK brand - similar clutches are around $100 new, so yay! Good deal.

I wandered farther afield, and slightly out of town to Verve, a high-end consignment shop that has an okay men's section. I didn't find anything for L, but I found this awesome skirt for me.
 It's neoprene aka "scuba suit" material, but quite thin. It's a snug, almost wiggle skirt, but still good for walking. I hope.

I've never heard of Clover Canyon, but the salesladies squeed over it. It was $40.95, and  I see it listed online as $50-240, so a good deal for me!
I really like the green, purple and orange in the pattern.

And that it's made in the US.
 I'm looking forward to wearing this.

Today, Vizzini is enjoying the sun.
"Quiet, Woman, I'm spying on the seagulls."
 He's a blur of action and then just flops.
"You've blown my cover! Off to nap."
I hope you've all had a lovely weekend!