Weekend Wrap-Up: Plaid Brunch (and Shopping), and Sunday Shopping Scores

Oh, the weekend has just gone too fast! I don't feel like we should have to go back to work for at least another few days...

Ah, well, enough whining. I did a couple of casual outfits for the weekend, and poked around in a few stores, and went shopping with a friend - so, you ready? Here we go!

Brunch out with L - our usual Saturday thing. We walk to town, so I always wear comfy shoes. I also planned to have a little thrift shop after that, so I dressed for easy-on/easy-off.

• Cardigan - Jacob, thrifted; last seen in October over my jumpsuit
• Top - Dana Buchman, thrifted; last layered under my funky tweed blazer in October
• Skirt - Jones New York, thrifted; last worn (2nd outfit) in February with blue for brunch
• Shoes - Clarks, consignment; last seen (2nd outfit) in September with copper armour
• Grape Ape coat (below) - Forever 21, thrifted; last worn on Friday with the sleeping bag skirt

I like this skirt, but it's far too big in the waist, so never falls quite right (I have pinned it tighter with safety pins). Since I'm never going to pay to fix that, into the giveaway pile it shall go. I paid $15.95 for it and wore it three times, so $5.32 per wear. Pretty good! Less than a coffee and a muffin!

 I only had my coat off for lunch - most of the time I was walking from the St. Vincent de Paul, to the Patch, to the WIN Resale store and then walking home.

Outerwear - brr! It was cold out! I wished I'd worn a hat!

 My delightfully insane and warm Grape Ape coat was snuggly warm.

• Gloves - Parkhurst

 My wool gloves are all from the same store - Roberta's Hats, whereI tend to buy a new pair every year - and they are fingerless. I do get freezing fingertips, but I like having my fingers free when I'm out shopping. I need to touch fabrics!

The stuff:

 I've discovered that with a shoehorn, I can slip these shoes off and on - screw the buckles! So now I keep a shoehorn in my bag along with a mini tape measure for when I go shopping.

Black bling:

 Leather cuffs that don't snag, and my bird skull earrings.

• Studded cuff - vintage 80s
• Leather cuff - Guess, thrifted
• Earrings - locally made, Vancouver

No luck at the StVdeP this time, so off to the Patch I went. I only found one blouse there, but I love it.

 Such a nice mix of colours! Red, orange, pink and green. This will go with a lot in my wardrobe, and will be nice layered under my blazers.

It's by Kut from the Kloth.

 I love that it was made in the USA! Their tops range from $35 on sale, up to about $68 for a style like this, so I guess my $12.95 was not too shabby!

I wandered over to the WIN store and had a little poke around, lucking out in the accessory department.

 That top fuzzy thing is actually navy blue, and it's a velcro band that wraps around your head and keeps your ears warm. It was $2.95, and I wore it home!

The bottom thing is a bracelet, all beaded. I remember pieces like this being popular around 1999-2000. It was $3.95. It'll look good with my hematite stuff.

I really scored with this gorgeous coat. It is fabulous on, very much in the 1940s style, with a really full skirt, and a wide neckline. The waist is snug.

 I actually recognized the brand, otherwise I would have passed it by (grey tweed, yawn). Then I took a closer look.

Stop Staring! is a brand that specializes in vintage reproduction/inspired pieces. I have an insanely-flattering navy blue polka dot dress by them (3rd outfit here in April). I happen to know that their sizes fit pretty small, so a Large it is.

 All of their items are made in the USA, and a coat by them would be in the $200+ range, easily, which is what my polka dot dress cost.

 It's polyester and wool, and the lining is a polyester satin - it feels incredible. Of course it has pockets!

I might switch up the belt.

 Yes, I really did pay only $16.95 for it! Score!

Today I was up bright and early (due to the time change), and ready to go get groceries and meet a friend at My Sister's Closet for a little consignment shopping.

 It was bright and sunny - but brrrrr, very cold. Petra and I both had great luck shopping - I can't go to MSC too often! Bad for my budget!

This is my entry for "Visible Monday" over at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style! Go check it out!

• Top - Jacob, thrifted; not tracked, I just wear these tops for layering
• Dress - vintage 90s, Danier, thrifted; last seen here in March for our annual trip to Vancouver (hi, Melanie!)
• Booties - Dirty Laundry, thrifted; last worn here (3rd outfit) in October for another grocery/shopping weekend expedition
• Coat (below) - Danier Leather, thrifted; last seen here over my troubling tribble outfit for Hallowe'en

I am done with this dress, too. I paid $24.95 for it almost two years ago, and wore it 5 times.

 I still like it, but I don't love it. Thank you, purple suede dress! It was nice wearing you.

 I sometimes wonder what will happen if I don't ever get tired of pieces in my wardrobe. Nah, won't happen. I like new things too much, and I have limited room!

Outerwear - again, at this time of year, it's how most people see me, so I like to colour-coordinate it all.

 Purple beret and purple gloves! Hooray for matching!

• Beret - consignment
• Gloves - Danier Leather (with cashmere lining)
• Fur scarf - thrifted

Ever notice you never see my bags? That's because I'm just not a bag person and I never change them unless I'm going to a party and want a little bag to carry around. I bought this neutral bag over a year ago, and haven't switched it up since I bought it. I've worn it hundreds of times!

 In my world, gold metallic leather snakeskin print is a neutral!

• Bag - Danier Leather

The stuff:

 For a non-leather bootie, these are great for walking in.

• Hematite ring - thrifted
• Earrings - Glee

Oh, and what did I buy?? The first thing I found was this magnificent coat: 

 I had to photograph it in the bathroom because it's black, and it's November - it's dark out already!

The top of it is faux Persian lamb; the bottom is a wool blend.

 It has "tuxedo tails" at the back - so interesting!

And I'm happy to see that it's made in the USA as well

 I've heard of this brand: Rodarte. A little research tells me that Opening Ceremony is the studio/store it was sold at, and that this coat originally sold in 2011 for $965.00 US (and went on sale for $579.00 at Barneys NY).

 I definitely feel better about the $42.98 price tag. Here I was feeling chintzy about paying $43 for a coat when it sold for more than 20 times that! What a score! I can't wait to wear it and brag about it! Ha!

From Rodarte to...a mall brand. It's not all about the brand for me! I look for unusual pieces with a high level of quality. If they ring my bell, I don't care what the brand is.

 Sorry about the rotten colour on this - it's a dark forest green, very thin sweater, with glittery stuff on the shoulders.

Shoulders:

 Sparkle! Caw! And all the beading is intact - no repairs needed.

The sweater is reversible, with a deep-diving V on one side and a rounded neck on the other. It looks good both ways.

 I laughed when I found the label down the side seam. Smart Set! They are a Canadian mall chain that has been around for decades. I used to shop at Smart Set in the 80s. This was $20.98.

The sweater is the exact colour of this skirt - I tried them on together and was just entranced by the look.

 It's below the knee length, very ladylike (snort). It's micropleats, so again I am trying a pleated skirt. I struggle with pleats.

It's a lovely piece by Benetton.

 It was also $20.98.

I had to explain to Petra what "Danger Pants" were, since I found new ones! It's the return of Danger Pants, everyone! Grab a handrail!

 This version has an elastic paper-bag waist, pockets (yay!) and are silk.

I love the pattern.

 It is brighter and bolder than that picture, with vibrant purples and turquoise. I love them!

 They are by Pinkerton and were $22.98. Ah, Pinkerton is an Anthropologie brand, lucky me - they retailed for $88.00 new. Woot!

And lastly, a little bit of something I call PINK. Very very PINK.

 It's blindingly pink.

It has about a kazillion itty-bitty fabric-covered buttons to do up (no zipper, you have to do the buttons).

 It's a total swing/trapeze cut, something a bit new for me.

I love the long "tux" cuffs

"And I love chasing my tail."

 It feels very luxurious - no idea what size 40 is, but I tried it on and it fit really well in the shoulders.

 It's washable, awesome! The viscose lining fooled me - I thought it was silk. It also has pockets down the side that have not been opened - you know I'll be opening them!

I don't know this brand, but it's sold through Asos. This dress is from 2016 - not old at all! - and originally retailed for $300.

It was the most expensive thing I bought at $60.98, but I love it! You'll be seeing it soon, because I can't wait to wear it!

And how was YOUR weekend?