Bigass Christmas Catch-Up: Snow and Muppet Skirt, Shiny Paisleys, Shopping, Pink and P/Leather for More Shopping, and Of Course, Cat Pictures

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year for 2018! I'll be back after New Year's Eve for an outfit recap, but that will be a short post and then I'm back to my daily-ish schedule. It's been nice, being away from the computer, but it's also good to reconnect and respond to all your comments and visit all your blogs. I hope you're all enjoying your time off and having a good time. 

Let's get caught up now, shall we? Got a mug of tea, and a cat on your lap? Me too! 

Merry Christmas! L and I spent Christmas Eve day watching football and playing board games into the evening. We were up bright and early for our stockings! 

I dressed for warmth, the kooky factor, and to be comfortable. This calls for a Muppet skirt!

• Sweater - Tatyana, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) earlier this month with shiny taffeta and gold for "A Christmas Carol" with Mom
• Skirt - Joy Nilsson, vintage 70s, thrifted; last worn here in December 2016 with blue cashmere for shopping and drinking
• Boots - Lucky Brand, swap from Cat; last seen here (3rd outfit) a few weeks ago for a trek to town for groceries
• Coat (below) - Apparence, vintage 80s, thrifted; last worn here (2nd outfit) last week

We were invited to my brother's ex-wife's house for Christmas afternoon and dinner, but we woke up to a real treat...

Craigdarroch Castle: I see wreaths around the tower!

 Victoria had a White Christmas! It snowed about 4 inches overnight - just enough to feel Christmassy, but not enough to hamper getting around during the day and evening. It was gone in less than two days.

L and I took the bus to Cynthia's, where we hung out with my brother Dave, his four kids, my eldest niece Zoe's two friends from university, and my mom. It was a lovely day! We played "Cards Against Humanity" which was hilarious.

 I wore a full vintage slip under this for extra warmth - it was a very chilly day. The Muppet skirt is one of those pieces that can only be worn when it's really cold - it is about an inch thick!

I wore gold accessories for extra seasonal sparkle.

 I love this wonderful skirt - it's like wearing a sleeping bag.

Dig that colour.

 I only wore the boots for busing to and from Cynthia's, so I busted out my new cat socks for the day.

 They have funny little cats on them and say "CATS!!!!!" all over.

Outerwear: I bundled up with the Unsafe Polar Bear. Strictly speaking, I should be wearing the Unsafe Polar Bear when it's NOT snowy out, as it provides camouflage.

I sprinted for the bus home in this (I rolled the waist of the skirt so that the hem wouldn't get wet), and the bus driver stopped, so I guess I was visible enough!

• Beret - consignment
• Scarf - gift from L
• Gloves - Danier Leather

The stuff:

 I don't think you can have too much bling on at Christmas. It's practically a law.

• Belt - vintage 80s, thrifted
• Cuff - Lia Sophia, thrifted
• Christmas tree pins - gifts from Ev, 90s
• Amber ring - c. 1996
• Gold amethyst ring - Dad's, c. 1965, Frances Jewellers
• Earrings - Metropolitan Museum of Art gift shop

When L and I did our stockings on Christmas morning, we looked and looked for Mr. Vizzini - he was nowhere to be found!

"Right under your nose, Woman."

 He was curled up on L's t-shirts in the closet! But he joined us on the bed to romp through our presents, and to wuffle down some catnip and rip tissue.

"Are these all mine?"

My wonderful generous husband spoils me. So many books! And chocolates (which have all been eaten). I also got funny oven mitts, a mug, a black lace parasol, and a Fluevog gift card - woo hoo!

One of my favourite gifts is this Wonder Woman mug.

"When you add hot water, mighty Wonder Woman appears!" This is going to work as my new mug on my desk.

L and I spent Boxing Day holed up at home, reading and listening to music. I am in the middle of a monstrous novel (Dan Simmons' "The Abominable"), which I'm hoping to finish by the end of the year. Then I have to dive into our next Book Club book, but then...

 So many books! I have already read the graphic novel, but so excited to dig into these books in 2018. I'll be listing my books read in 2017 list soon - I didn't quite make last year's high point, but I still made a good showing.

On Wednesday, we spent the entire day out and about, being social. And so I dressed up - why not!?

 This is the skirt I'd intended to wear with this outfit here, and I think you will agree that I made the right call with going with the acid yellow skirt instead.

• Sweater - Lacoste, thrifted; last seen here (4th outfit, way down) in February with red, blue and Lacroix
• Skirt - Club Monaco, consignment; last worn here in November 2016 with burgundy and lame (lah-MAY!)
• Shoes - Half Truth Veda, Fluevog; last seen here (2nd outfit) a couple of weeks ago with a real green dress (with feathers!)
• Coat (below) - Danier Leather, thrifted; last worn here in November over PANK

L and I were up early (we've mostly avoided sleeping in, giving us extra chill time), and walked to town to visit the Fluevog store. With me having two gift certificates, and L's much-desired cowboy boots on sale (here, all forthcoming Fluevogs links are because I love - I get nothing from them, and pay them for all my purchases!), we just had to go!

 Knowing that my other plans for the day would involve walking back home from town, going to brunch with friends, then some shopping for myself, and followed by a movie after that, I dressed in comfort from head to toe. This thick sweater is pure wool and is a dream to wear (I have a vintage cami under it for additional warmth).

The skirt just delights me. I should wear it more!

 I hereby resolve to wear it at least one more time before I put it away at the end of March. That's lots of time - lowered expectations!

This is how most people saw me while we were out and about.

 I changed into my Unsafe Ocelot coat for the final social event: we went to see "The Shape of Water", so the Ocelot worked as a blanket on me during the movie.

• Fur scarf - Danier, thrifted
• Gloves - Parkhurst

The stuff:

I walked in these shoes for nearly 12 hours solid. My feet were very tired by the end of the day!

Copper bling:

 The bracelets ended up being a nuisance while I was trying clothes on. The pin hides the little Lacoste alligator on the sweater.

• Pin - thrifted
• Both bracelets - Renoir, vintage 60s, vintage fair and thrifted
• Earrings - vintage fair

I had the Fluevog gift card from my boss and the VPs, plus a card from L, so I had quite a bit of credit to play with at the Fluevog store. I bought these...

 Deep blue velvet boots! Here's the page if you want to treat yourself! They are the Ishshoes Chatterbox and they are truly gorgeous on. I can't wait to wear them (but not in the rain!).

The sole is shaped like an iron and says, "Iron out your Ishshoes". Ha!

 They're lovely and comfy, and are on sale for $199.99. I love that the calf is pure stretchy velvet, but the shoe part is more rigid. I bought a size 9 in these and they were just right (I wear anywhere from an 8.5 to a 10 in Fluevogs - I have to try them on).

I also bought myself another pair of shoes from the Big Presence family, the Earhart, in papaya and lilac (link here - a steal at $169.99!). You may recall that I also have the Big Presence Desmond in three colours (waxed yellow, waxed orange, and copper).

 I am in total lurve with this colour combo! I can't wait to add these to an outfit. They will probably live as a spring/summer shoe, but I will be wearing them soon!

The amoeba shapes are embossed and have red brushed on the raised parts.

 The lilac colour is patent leather.

And as you can see from the attached sale tag, I got the last pair in my size.

 Boo-yah! That was fun! I still have about $85 left for more fun purchases (I think I'll wait till we go to Vancouver in March, though).

Vizzini, what do you think of my new shoes and boots?

"Bored. Nothing to chew on."

 We met up with friends for brunch after our brief trip to town, and then I headed down to My Sister's Closet with Cat and Yvonne for a wee shop. They have all green tags on half price, so if you're local, head down there!

I found a few things, but we have the most fun trying all the wacky stuff on (a 70s cossack-y jumpsuit, green lame (lah-MAY!) knit pants). I wish the distressed waist brand-new Helmut Lang pants had fit but no such luck!

I did find this cool thick red t-shirt knit top. I like the quilted faux leather sleeves.

 It was half price at $9.50 and is by Dex.

I like the zippers on the cuffs.

 More badassery on the hem!

 It'll either be awesome or a total snag-monster. We shall see.

I recognized the brand of this top, so had to try it on. It was insanely flattering, so I had to have it!

 I've blown out the colour so you can see the navy blue squares and rectangles on the black background. The top is 100% wool and fully lined.

 The bottom hem hangs down a bit lower than the back (a reverse mullet!), which helps the boobage not look like it's creating a pregnancy belly.

Obakki is an excellent brand (read about them here, linking 'cause I love) - I used to have a coat (this one) by them.

 This was made in Canada, and was $18.98 - a score for sure!

MSC had a deal on - buy a regular price item, get a scarf for half price. This silk fringed one caught my eye.

 I love the painty flowers on it. The colours are cream, rust, brown, pink and white, outlined in black.

I have to store it away from Vizzini.

 Fringe, plus strings of beads - that is some cat-bait right there.

My Sister's Closet doesn't sell menswear, but every so often they have something. I saw this and snagged it right away for L.

 Ho hum, a white striped shirt.

But no - it's by Etro!

 Etro Milano, made in Italy. And look at the colours in the stripes: yellow, orange, navy and light blue, with a touch of brown in there.

And all the buttons are Etro too.

 There is also a lovely texture on the wider bands of white.

And because I am generous like this, here's the armpit. You sewers out there will be gasping.

 No raw seams, anywhere, even in the armpit. Go turn one of your own shirts inside out. Tell me if you own a single shirt that doesn't have a serged edge on it. That is quality, my friends. There is a reason why Etro shirts cost over $400 new - quality! Of course, I don't pay that much - this shirt was $22.98, a real bargain. And it fit L just right - he was very happy with it.

I went for drinks after shopping, then when I got home, L and I dashed to town to meet more friends for the movie. I loved it - if a love story between a merman and a mute woman sounds good, then go see it. It's visually stunning (as all Guilermo del Toro movies are). We walked home under clear skies.

On Thursday, I needed a non-social day. Nope, don't want to talk to anyone for a while. Time to go shopping. Forget Boxing Day sales - I'm going to the second-hand stores!

 I dressed for a cold, rainy day. Nothing that could get ruined in the rain.

• Top - Edit by Jeanne Bekker, consignment; last seen here in November with more leather
• Skirt - Danier Leather, thrifted in Powell River; last worn here in October with pink suede
• Shoes - Sperry, thrifted; last seen here in October with jeans and velvet
• Rain coat - Thermal-Slicks, consignment; last worn here in November

I went to a ton of stores, and had some good luck. I got soaked (it rained a lot), and my feet were very tired by the time I walked home in the dark, but I felt nicely restored.

 I quickly realized that the necklace was a poor choice for trying on clothes, and zipped it into my purse after the first store.

The pleather top helped keep me warm (I had another camisole on under it), and the grey tights kept my legs from getting too wet.

 The big plastic zipper on the skirt made it super easy to take off and put back on. I did a LOT of trying on.

In my rain gear.

 I'm loving this new purple scarf that L bought me. Snuggly and warm!

• Scarf - gift from L
• Gloves - Parkhurst

The stuff:

 My Sperrys are fabulous for a rainy day. The water doesn't affect them at all, and the lug rubber soles keep me from slipping and sliding.

Pewter bling:

 Simple stuff.

• Earrings - Glee
• Necklace - Robert Larin, vintage 70s, gift from L

I stopped in at the Velvet Crease, a consignment store I used to frequent; however, since they've moved, I find that their selection is not as good, and the prices are higher. That didn't stop me from finding a couple of things that I loved, though!

 This is a thick very stretchy knit skirt (makes my butt look good). The patterns on the sides are butterfly wings.

It's by BCBG Max Azria, and was $20.00.

 I like the baby blue and the pink in the pattern.

I also found this brand new pair of hot pink leather gloves for $20.00.

 Ooh, I love the ruffled cuffs! So pretty!

Real, genuine leather.

 I suspect that these are Danier, but we'll never know.

From there, I went to the St. Vincent de Paul and found a couple of things.

 This is a classic pencil skirt shape - I love a painty floral, as many of you know! This one has deep greens, olive, orange, yellow and purple in it.

The brand is Linea Domani, and this skirt was sold at Melanie Lyne (a now-gone mall store). Looks like it was never worn.

 I like that it's lined, but I do not like the craptastic belt that it came with.

 For $8.00 I don't mind, though - belt goes into the giveaway pile! And the skirt goes into the spring/summer pile.

I also found this great wool tank sweater.

 It's olive green, and will be a good layering piece.

Only $6.00 for Eileen Fisher.

 Italian yarn...so you know it's klassy! It is 100% wool.

After the St V de P, I walked to the Patch - they have a "Buy 2, get 1 free" deal on, so time for a good rummage through everything. I spotted this fabulous jacket pretty quickly.

 It's got that semi-deconstructed look, with extra tucks and pleats at the hem, on the sleeves and in the back. The black slashes above are pockets, outlined in the same black/shiny fabric as the two buttons at the front hem.

It's by Kenzo! I don't know what a size 36 is.

 But I like that beautiful lining.

And check out the striped lining in the sleeves! I love that gorgeous detail.

 This is a made in France piece - most of Kenzo's stuff isn't made there anymore, so I believe this is a pre-internet jacket, probably from the early 00s or late 90s. It was $36.95.

This jacket caught my eye in a sea of boring jean jackets. Baby blue! Studs! I am in love!

 I noticed that there were a few studs missing, but I'm okay with it. That happens - and all the other studs seem to be very well secured. There's one missing on the back of the neck, two on the seams down the back, one above one of the front pickets, and one on a sleeve cuff.

 But when it's on, you really don't notice the missing ones.

Ooh, it's a Dolce & Gabbana jacket! And the tag is still attached, so this was likely never worn! It was $32.95, so as my cheapest thing of the 3 items I found, this was FREE.

 I love the sheer leopard lining. It's a size 26/40 - again, no idea what that equates to for North America, but I'd say a size 4 (since I can't do it up!). I plan to wear it open.

 And there are all the proper holograms and security markings. Note that this was made in Italy as well - I think it's also from the late 90s/early 00s, pre-internet. Like the Kenzo jacket, I couldn't even find a single picture of this online.

I spotted my third and most expensive item near the end of my Patch expedition. I've been looking for a puffer jacket for a while. Our winters have been getting colder (or I'm less tolerant of the same ol' cold??), and I wanted it for warmth. I didn't want black, so I was excited to see this lovely T Tahari down-filled coat in a nice taupe.

 L hates it, unequivocally. Loathes it. But I like it and that's what matters!

 The coat is sized a large, which is good for layering underneath it - I want to be able to wear blazers to work and have my coats fit over them.

 I wore it today to go out briefly and get things from the drug store and the liquor store. It rained a lot so I wore the puffer collar up as a hood (there's a strap for securing it in back so that it doesn't get all up your grill when you don't want a hood).

Strap securing the hood. This coat was $69.95, but it originally sold for $370.00, so I'm happy with my deal.

 We have friends coming over tonight (after previous plans were cancelled and/or fell through), so note the lack of make-up, camo pants (good for reminding me not to eat too much chocolate!), and my Doc Martens for rain. I'm happy to report that my coat was snuggly warm - the pockets are even lined in faux fur!

One last stop on my shopping trip before I walked home - the WIN store.

 I spotted these Tsubo flats and tried them on - such a great colour, might be fun for summer. And indeed, they fit!

Only $9.95, marked down from $19.95 - still a score, as these sold for over $125.00 new!

 Into the spring/summer pile these go. They'll be a nice surprise in April!

L and I have been hunkered down, staying indoors, playing games, watching movies, and giving Vizzini lots of love. I adore this picture of my two guys.

That's our favourite board game, Arkham Horror, in the foreground

 Vizzini "helps" but mostly gets in the way, and tries to bat pieces on the board, and steal elastic bands.

He also tried to check out our stockings. Sorry his face is a blur - he is a quick cat!

"Are the humans looking??"

 My mom made us those stockings years ago. I kept my chocolates in mine until I'd eaten them all, hence the interest from the cat.

"I spy my biteable target."

 He's sitting on our bar (where the scotch collection lives). We tend to put stuff on there to keep it out of his reach, but...

*chomp!* "Mmm...a fine vintage of whatever this thing is that I'm eating."

 I don't know what he actually got - he's usually trying to get our attention more than anything.

But, like me, he needs to be alone sometimes too.

"I'm totally safe here under this pillow."

And there you have it, this is it, the last post of 2017 from me. Wishing everyone one of you a very Happy New Year! Thanks for reading, commenting, lurking and generally taking the time to visit my little corner of the world.