Thursday, June 28, 2018

Shiny in Chartreuse

A monochrome outfit always gets a strong reaction from people. Do any of you remember when I did a "Monochromania" week back in September 2013? Flashback!
 I don't think I've ever worn this silk chartreuse dress to work before!


  • Dress - Mary Jo Bruno, consignment; last seen here in August 2017 with gold accessories (and a lot of cat pictures)
  • Shoes - Big Presence Desmond, Fluevog; last worn here in May with the Lady Garden of Delight skirt
  • Jacket (below) - Club Monaco, thrifted; last seen here a couple of weeks ago


Nope, a quick click-through of all my "last worn here" links reveals that I have never worn it to work.
 I thought it was too short. Silly me! Funny how I really don't care about that as much as I used to.

It's a wonderful silk dress - I've had it for years, and only paid $10.00 for it!
 It was the perfect showcase for all of my new gold bling that I picked up last weekend at the vintage fair. Shiny, so much shiny!

Outerwear - it's gloomy and cloudy out right now. Feels muggy. We had thunder and lightning the other night (a very rare thing for us) - maybe we'll get more tonight!
 Such dangerous light-coloured fabrics. I'm always getting lipstick, make-up and assorted marks and spills on my clothes from work. The dress is now in the wash. I will wash it VERY delicately and lay it flat to dry - fingers crossed!

The stuff:
 My copper/rose-gold shoes were close enough to gold to work with the outfit. My feet are tired now after a long and late WW session.

Gold bling:
As promised! I loved showing off the Dior belt to everyone.


  • Leather belt - Christian Dior, vintage 80s, vintage fair for $9.95 - first wear
  • Torc - vintage fair for $5.00 - first wear
  • Cuff - vintage fair for $5.00 - first wear
  • Earrings - thrifted


Wednesday, June 27, 2018

Abstract Birds, Space Pants and Glitter Shoes

Today's outfit is built out of nothing at all new-to-me; it's all just pieces that I wanted to wear again. 
 I think it's also first time this season for most of them - good thing they worked together in an outfit!


  • Blouse - Tory Burch, consignment; last worn here in September 2017 with pink and yellow
  • Pants - Free People; last seen here in March with a blue cape
  • Shoes - Seychelles; last worn here in March with glittery culottes
  • Jacket (below) - Lord & Taylor, thrifted; last seen here earlier this month


First, let me get it out of the way for those of you who have not met my Space Pants before - YES, they are leather. I had a giggle with one of my coworkers today that I'm the only person who treats metallic rose-gold leather pants as a neutral.
 Whenever I wear these pants, I have to make sure I wear a long top to cover my bum.

At least, the top of my bum. No plumbers' crack-a-lackin' here!
 The blouse is silk, so it's both warm in the AC'd office and cool in the warm outside breeze. The pattern is abstract birds when you look at it close-up; from a distance, it reminds me of feathers.

Yeah, I like to jam my hands in my pockets, any opportunity I can get.
 Comfy and not too dressy. Perfect for summer.

It was a bit cloudy this morning, so I wore a jacket.
 Even though it looks very wooly and thick, this jacket is light as a feather.

The stuff:
 Glitter shoes! These were wonderfully comfortable.

Glitter bling:
I had to wear glittery earrings to go with the shoes.


  • Earrings - Weiss, vintage 60s, vintage fair
  • Ring - c. 1996

Tuesday, June 26, 2018

Pink Leather and Geometrics

Building outfits around single items - even a piece of jewelry - is a good exercise for stimulating creativity. 
 You end up with things you'd never think to put together otherwise. Win!


  • Top - Sanctuary, thrifted; first worn here (2nd outfit) on Ally's visit in April with polka dot pants
  • Skirt - Evan Davies, vintage 80s, thrifted; last seen here in May 2017 for Star Wars Day
  • Shoes - Sol Sana; first worn here in May with teal silk
  • Jacket (below) - Club Monaco, thrifted; last seen here in June in the same outfit as the shoes, but I actually wore it during my week off to see "Deadpool 2" - I found the ticket in the pocket!


The outfit was built around the new-to-me steel cuff, but it also combined an item I wanted to wear to work (the top), and an item I hadn't worn yet this season (the skirt).
 I'm a little shocked that I haven't worn this gorgeous butter-soft leather skirt in over a year, but I'm not getting rid of it. You never know when you'll need pink leather. Besides, when will I find another skirt this nice?  I still love it!

The top was really nice to wear in the office. I like how the under-layer of squares shows through the top layer.
 It was a very comfy outfit.

Outerwear - I didn't really need the jacket. We are back to normal early summer temps here, in the mid-20s/low-80s.
 It's always cool in the morning too.

The stuff:
 I like the blocky heels of these shoes, which echo the squares in the top. This was my first time wearing them barefoot, and they were excellent - no rubbing anywhere.

Round bling:
I like simple, geometric shapes, but I like detail. These all work well for me.


  • Perforated cuff - thrifted
  • Oval cuff - vintage fair - first wearing - it was $5!
  • Earrings - gift from Lise
  • Shield ring - Nine West
  • Crystal ring - Soul Flower


Monday, June 25, 2018

In the Pink...For a Monday

Two new-to-me items in today's outfit, and both of them are pink! 
 Why, yes, that is a salamander on my shoulder!


  • Cardigan - Theory, thrifted; last worn here (2nd outfit) in May with swooshy greens
  • Top - INC, thrifted; purchased here for $6.50
  • Skirt - Club Monaco, thrifted; last worn here in May with blue velvet boots and a long sweater
  • Shoes - Effortless Vivian, Fluevog; last seen here in April in a winning combo


This was a good outfit for Monday. Nothing too fussy, lots of bling to distract from me being tired.
 I like the pink top. It's fine - I have a collection of tops like this, purchased specifically for layering and ease of washing.

I'm very fond of the skirt - I like the crackly pattern.
 The cardigan is wool and is not white, even though there's white in the skirt and the shoes.

Eh, close enough.
 Just give me another coffee.

The stuff:
 I love these shoes - very comfy!

Sparkly bling:
I pinned the salamander brooch up quite high, so that it would look like it was climbing my shoulder. I took the recommendation from the lady who sold it to me, to pin it through both garments (or use a scrap of fabric under the topmost item) so that it doesn't pull the fabric from the weight of the brooch. What a good tip!


  • Salamander pin - vintage fair, first wear, purchased for $35.00
  • Earrings/necklace - Sherman, vintage 60s, thrifted
  • Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes

Sunday, June 24, 2018

Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Dotty for Vintage; Last Velvet; Cat Pictures

Don't the weekends just fly by? Here we are at Sunday already. But I know you're agog over this dress. 
 Bam! Vintage-inspired outfit. Cat, Elaine and I attended the Victoria Vintage Fair this past Friday night - the fair was polka dot themed, so I was one of many people going dotty for vintage!

Linking up to "Visible Monday" at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style - go!

This is what I actually wore to work all day.
The roofers are still there...nearly done!

  • Glitter shrug - Le Chateau, thrifted; first seen here in March with pleats
  • Dress - Stop Staring; last worn here (3rd outfit) in April 2017 for Justin's birthday
  • Shoes - Gentle Souls; last seen here in April with a big blue blazer


It ended up being too chilly all day/evening to take the shrug off, so this was my complete look.
 I usually do a bright colour to pop off the navy blue and white pattern, but I really liked how the grey played with it.

My feather fascinator (which I wore on the bus to work, to the side-eye of many a fellow bus patron) has a gold vintage brooch glued in the centre, so that pushed me to do gold jewelry instead of the expected silver. I still get pushed outside of my own comfort zone, even after 10 years of blogging!
 You can sort of see my "butt bow" there - this is a fabulous dress.

It looks great without the shrug too, but I didn't wear it like this at all.
 The dress is really stretchy cotton/Lycra blend - lots of ruching around the stomach area too. It's very forgiving, and very flattering!

I did a trick with my hair with a rubberized headband and a mini clip (pic from my fancy tea outfit, here, 2nd outfit). The headband hides in my hair - I clip the fascinator to it so that it doesn't slide around, or pull on my hair - it has some weight to it!
 The headband hides in my hair - I clip the fascinator to it so that it doesn't slide around, or pull on my hair - it has some weight to it!

Carrying my bag, this is how I looked walking around town, riding the bus and shopping at the vintage fair.
 So, you know, the typical Casual Friday outfit.

The stuff:
 I could have done a plain ol' gold metal purse, but needed to be able to carry my wallet, keys, access card and some shopping bags with me. Why not go brocade?

The shoes were pretty comfy for my day at work, but after a couple of hours of standing, my dogs were howlin'. I was smart and changed into my gold Born flats (these ones) for walking to Spinnakers Pub for dinner afterwards, and jogging for the bus after that.

Grey and gold bling:
 The only vintage item in my entire outfit was my mom's flower brooch.


  • Purse - Aldo
  • Feather fascinator - Lazy Susan's
  • Brooch - vintage, 1964, Mom's
  • Bracelet - Lia Sophia
  • Earrings - Biko, consignment


I was encouraged by one of the fair volunteers to compete in the fashion show! Thanks to Cat for these pictures!
 I'm attempting to show off my butt bow, ha ha!

Everyone was very impressed by my glasses - also not vintage.
 One of the singing group The Millies gave each of us a little spiel while the audience cheered.

The line-up:
 We had a "cheer off" for each contestant, narrowing it down to the finalists. I'm "WOO!"ing for each of them (I'm klassy like that).

Cheers for me!
 The lovely lady in the red dress won! Congratulations! I loved the outfit on the gal in the green tights - it was really sweet and she was wearing more vintage than any of us.

Here's what I bought at the fair.
 I recently broke my salt cow. I used to have a pepper cow as well, but he broke years ago (they were an Otagiri set purchased in 1986ish), so I've been on the lookout for a quirky set to replace both of them.

These funny fat bluebirds were only $3.00.
 Perfect. I like how they feel in my hand.

On my wish list is an articulated leopard brooch - I saw one at a vintage fair once have regretted not buying it. One of the first things I spotted at this fair was this funny pink crystal salamander.
 He's articulated - he's meant to be pinned at the shoulder. He was $35.00, and was the most expensive thing I bought. I'm excited to wear this.

The WIN shops had the whole downstairs set up with their curated vintage. I found this golden-olive leather and brass belt.
 It's so 80s, but I love the colours and the bold design.

It was only $9.95, and I noticed that when the light hit the leather backing at the perfect angle, you can see the maker's stamp (which was probably in gold) which has otherwise worn off.
 Yes, that says "Christian Dior"! I wasn't sure about the word below that until I started searching online - it's "Cientures" (it means a belt or sash for the waist).

I also found this pretty little copper and turquoise brooch.
 The centre doesn't seem like a stone, but the edging stones do.

Only $5.95.
 It's about an inch and a half wide.

Once I had that Dior belt, it felt like matching items came out to find me! I found these two items in different stalls later on.
 First I spotted the brass torc necklace - it was only $5.00. Then the hinged brass cuff, also $5.00.

This stone and steel belt buckle came home with me.
 It was only $10.00.

And lastly, I'm always on the lookout for a cool piece of steel.
 This hinged cuff was only $5.00.

I'm all ready for the next show in September - it's the big one we go to every year.
 I have my little pin as a souvenir from the show.

On Saturday, L and I walked to town to go to Floyd's for breakfast. Another semi-cloudy but warm day.
 I really liked the summery look of this outfit, but this is the last wearing of the pink velvet tee.


  • Tee - Maccs, consignment; first worn here (4th outfit) in May with a ballet skirt
  • Skirt - Angel Eye, consignment, Vancouver; first worn here in April with a whale
  • Shoes - Joe Fresh, thrifted; last seen here in August 2017 with another white skirt (which didn't survive storage - it picked up colour from another garment, boo!)


I love the colour of this tee. I love that it's velvet.
 But it clings to itself, and rode up all over the place and generally annoyed the heck out of me. My hunt for the Perfect Pink Top shall continue.

I love the skirt, though.
 It billowed nicely in the breeze. I wandered down to the Patch for a thorough look through the racks.

I wore this hat, but the breeze and it did not get along.
 I liked that I could fold it up and stash it in my purse!


  • Hat - Nygard, thrifted


The stuff:
 These fun jungle print shoes were great for shopping in. I've been waiting for warmer weather to wear them.

Green bling:
 I've been on a green groove lately, what can I say?


  • Necklace - vintage 70s?, Mom's
  • Glass bangle - thrifted
  • Earrings - Stella & Dot, consignment, Vancouver


Vizzini disappeared on us on Saturday morning - I finally found him.
"Seriously, Woman? You needed to use the flash for this?"
 He was hiding in a corner under the bed.

Oh, yes, I did buy one thing at the Patch, this fabulous skirt!
 It's from H&M's 'Tribute to Marimekko", from spring 2008.

H&M licenced the prints from Marimekko, so the pieces didn't sell for outrageous amounts in the first place. This skirt is a silk/cotton blend - and it's not lined, so I'll need to wear something under it.
 But isn't that a wonderful print? The skirt is lovely and swooshy - and only $19.99.

On Saturday night, Vizzini lounged on the deck, soaking in the heat (our deck goes up to 30-40 degrees when the sun hits it).
"More paparazzi?"
 He's watching shadows of the oak leaves.
"They move so enticingly!"
 I couldn't resist patting him and giving him some love.
"Very well, I accept a pat."
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!