Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Friday Fringe Flashback; Kimono Dress; A Wee Shop; Eyeball Dress; Kitty Shenanigans

 Hello! I hope you've all been having a lovely weekend! Mine's been thoroughly enjoyable, with just the right combination of activities.

Here's Friday's casual outfit. The office was like a ghost-town, as we cruise into prime vacation time.

 Although the heat is pounding down on us, my office is chilly and this cardi was perfect.

• Cardigan - Kenzo, consignment; last seen here (4th outfit) earlier this month for Canada Day
• Sleeveless sweater - Gap, thrifted; last worn here (4th outfit) in that same Canada Day outfit!
• Skirt - Les Filles Des Neaux, thrifted; last seen here in June on my stay-cation
• Shoes - Sol Sana; last worn here in June with pink leather

After work, I hopped the bus to get my hair cut - by the time I got home it was around 7pm, and it had cooled off considerably.

 As Victoria is a waterfront city, those evening ocean breezes are always welcome.

I had a lot of positive reactions to this outfit at work (from the few people who were there!) even though it's low on my creativity scale.

 I like all the pieces and I didn't have to think about it too much. Done.

Vizzini did not want to be in the pictures.

"I have no use for you right now, Woman."

 I like that the cardi's zip is silver on one side and gold on the other.

Vizzini did enjoy a little cuddle from me.

"I am tolerating you."

 He's had lots of attention this weekend.

The stuff:

 I love these shoes! The more ancient I become (hee), the more comfy I demand my shoes be.

Silver bling:

 Simple pieces. No fuss.

• Earrings - Fossil, gift from L
• Turquoise/silver ring - local
• Silver/crystal ring - Soul Flower

And so, yes, I got my hair cut! I got bangs, aka "fringe" for the first time in a long time! It's probably been at least 11 or 12 years.

 Bangs change the shape of my face quite a lot - when Vizzini saw me, his tail puffed up! It's still me!

This haircut takes me back a ways - I dug out this old photobooth strip from one of my childhood photo albums to show you:

 I am pretty sure this is from a trip to Vancouver with my mom and my Aunt Sheila - that's a yellow windbreaker I am wearing. Groovy giant spectacles too!

Still looks like me, though, doesn't it?

 My cheeks are not as chubby - gravity's had her wicked way with me!

I was pleasantly surprised to find that I'd dated the photo-strip!

 "Sat, June 10/78 Sheila J."

That's just over 40 years ago - I am 10 years old in those photos, going on 11.

And here's the 50-year-old, rockin' her fringe. L absolutely LOVES me in bangs. It's his "type" even though he doesn't really care how I style/colour/cut my hair.

I took the week off from playing Ultimate Frisbee - my calf is still tender and I didn't want to stress it further. I wore this outfit to stroll down to the WIN Boutique on Cook (link here 'cause I love, and you can check out my reviews of local second-hand stores here) before meeting up with L after the game and going to Floyd's Diner for brunch with Chris, Ali and Nick afterwards.  I also wore this identical outfit (without the hat) to Winesday on Saturday night.

This is my entry for "Visible Monday" over at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style. Go, go, go!

• Dress - Hale Bob, Century 21, NYC, 2007; last seen here in August 2017
• Cami - not tracked
• Shoes - Born, consignment; last seen here (2nd outfit+) a couple of weekends ago for our trip to Powell River

Although I bought this dress in 2007 (with Mom in NYC!), I didn't wear it until here in May 2009, two full years later!

 I had a lot more challenges styling clothes back then in the early days of my blog.

It's an incredibly beautiful dress: sheer silk with silk burn-out velvet flowers, edged in lace and silk bands.

 I am wearing a thrifted white half-slip under the bottom half - you can see how sheer the dress is there.

I'm sunblocked and hatted for a hot, bright day!

The dress' sash/tie is supposed to thread through a seam under the boobs, but I prefer it just tied at my waist.

• Hat - thrifted

Here's a better look at the fabric.

 All those dots are little seed beads, all hand-sewn.

I tried this on in the aisle at Century 21 - the line-up for change rooms was silly long. I recall it was $49.95, as was the other Hale Bob dress I bought at the same time, this one here (June 2008 - 10 years ago!), which was given away some years ago. The proportions and style were never quite right on me.

 It's so luxurious! I actually "loaned" this dress to my dear friend Caro for a few years - she returned it to me when she had worn it enough - and it's been in my closet again for several years since. It's a keeper piece.

The stuff:

 My go-to shoes for really hot weather. I'm dreading these wearing out!

Delicate bling:

 I've had this necklace for a long time, probably close to 10 years.

• Necklace - 2028, The Bay - first noted here in 2010, but I like this outfit in 2012 because it reminds me that I used to have navy polka dot silk pants!
• Earrings - Lazy Susan's
• Amber ring - c. 1996
• Gold/amethyst ring - Frances Jewelers, c. 1965, Dad's

I did very well at the WIN Boutique and a shout-out to the lovely staff there and a thank you to them for their work for the good cause of Women In Need (WIN).

Here's what I got.

 A nice small enameled brass bangle for my skinny wrists for only $4.95.

This necklace excited me - I knew who it was by as soon as I saw it.

 The pendant (which is anchored to the chain) is totally like my other POLY pieces by Canadian jeweler Christophe Poly. Pic here of my two bracelets, ring and pendant by him, all found in thrift stores/vintage fairs.

This is an older design by him - most of his necklaces are now sold on rubber or steel/silver cords.

 A necklace with this type of chain would likely have been around $75.00. Not a bad score for $7.95!

I was thrilled to find a POLY tag near the clasp.

 It makes the detective work a bit easier.

I scoped out the belt/scarf wall, and spotted this butter-soft leather/snakeskin belt.

 It's navy blue - I do not own a navy blue belt. I like the self-covered buckle.

Subtly stamped "Club Monaco" on the inside - the content tag has been cut off, but I have no doubt this is leather.

 And only $7.95? Steal! Their leather belts start at $150.00, easy.

It's hard to see the colour/texture here, but these are another pair of cute cropped dress pants.

 They are navy blue as well and have a textured checkered pattern.

They are Banana Republic's "Hampton" pant.

For $19.95, I'm happy - I really like them, and they fit great. These would have been around $120.00 new.

As with all Gap, J. Crew and Banana Republic items, I checked the hidden tag to see how old they were.

 Spring 2014 (stock arrival is November 2013). Only 4 years old. I guess I'm not "on trend", ha ha! Like I care! Wee! Look at me not caring.

I'm always shopping out of season, and starting to think about fall/winter. I fell for this wonderful marled light grey sweater.

 It's thick,and soft merino wool, and has a very pretty knit pattern.

It's a Banana Republic piece again. You can see the nice texture here.

 I did a double-take on the price (only $11.95??), then noted the "as is - shrunken" comment on the tag. This was probably around $95.00 new.

I think it's supposed to be like this...

There are no puckered seams or evidence that this has been shrunk - it fits like a medium.

And I  know exactly how old it is!

 Fall 2015 for delivery in July 2015. Three years old.

This blouse needs a steaming, so forgive the wrinkles. What colour is this?

 Is it ashy pink? Note the high ruffled neck and cuffs and the larger ruffles down the front.

Is it pink with purple bars?

 Lovely bias-cut ruffles! I need ruffles!

No, it's actually grey with burgundy micro-dots. Oh, and it's Emporio Armani.

 Not to be confused with Armani Exchange, which is the lowest "grade" of fashion made by Armani - I see a lot of that in the thrift stores. Emporio Armani is runway and ready-to-wear, and is one of two of the Armani brands that are actually designed by Giorgio Armani himself (info here on Wiki).

I have a few other Emporio Armani pieces, all thrifted:

• A light grey blazer from the 90s: last worn here, purchased for $38.95
• My silk/velvet burnout duster: last worn here, purchased for $7.00

I glanced at the Vogue runway shows, but I just don't have the energy to go through them (so many!) all right now. However, a quick perusal around some of the vintage and designer resale sites, as well as a poke into the Emporio Armani website, tells me that this blouse would have been around $475 US new.

The size is 42, which is about a size 8 US

I truly hesitated at $72.95, my friends. That's a lot of money for a blouse in a thrift store, even a silk, made in Italy, Emporio Armani blouse. But I remembered L's advice, and when I saw how it fit me, I realized it was true. If you love it, it's worth it. 

I didn't have any kind of internal debate whatsoever over this spectacular dress!

 As you can see, it's a fabulous, bright citrus orange. Those huge patches of gold are actual METAL - that's lame, darlings (lah-MAY!).

I strongly suspect that the fabric is from India and is traditional sari fabric.

 I love the thigh zhoozh of fabric. So pretty!

It's by David Meister and was $29.95.

 It's fully lined in orange satin.

And it's made in the US! Nice.

 I just get a kick out of this dress being 35% metal. I also got a kick out of seeing it in this article from 2012, which tells me that this dress was made for the Spring 2012 collection.

 Silk is always nicer than polyester. Hmm...maybe I'll wear this dress to the wedding in September...?

While I was photographing my new-to-me items, Vizzini was getting busy with my shopping bag.

"Well, hello there, shopping bag..."

 I'm not sure why he does this. I carry the bag rolled up in my purse and use it several times a week. Maybe it smells like me, or groceries?

"This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship..."

 He rolled around frantically and tried to rub the bag all over his head.

"Must...be...one...with...bag..."

 Silly thing! I rolled it back up and stashed it away from Mr. Drooly there.

I quickly changed when I got home from brunch - time for the theatre at the Belfry with Mom!

 I have a stash of favourite dresses that I love to throw on for these occasions.

• Dress - Tangerine Jill, thrifted; last worn here in October 2017 with baby blue
• Shoes - Effortless Bebe, Fluevog; last seen here for July Pride Week with another Tangerine Jill dress
• Capelet (below) - Floating Gold Iceberg, thrifted; last worn here in June

I affectionately refer to this as the Eyeball Dress. It's looking at you.

 It's silk taffeta with big "eyeballs" of silk sewn on the edges. There are simple stitches (which would had to have been done by hand) going around each bottom circle and then connecting the top of the dress in lines.

And the back has one big circle, with more hand-sewn lines of coloured floss.

 It's an amazing piece, like all of Tangerine Jill's dresses. I have three of them total, along with the Stained Glass Dress and the Firecracker Dress.

Capelet for sun coverage.

 It was just right for a late afternoon stroll to the theatre. We enjoyed the play, "Mom's the Word 3: Nest 1/2 Empty" (link here, 'cause I love), and went for dinner after.

The stuff:

 I love these shiny pink shoes. I may have bought some Fluevogs in their latest sale...

Simple bling:

 I don't like to do too much jewelry with such a detailed dress.

• Shield ring - Nine West
• Turquoise/silver ring - local
• Earrings - gift from Lise
• Purse - Club Monaco, thrifted

After dinner, I popped in on a raucous MANday music gathering (hosted by L at our house), changed back into my kimono dress, and skedaddled for Winesday at Cat's! Woo, a busy day and night!

Vizzini's been happy to have us around.

"Do you mind? I'm trying to nap."

I hope you're all having a lovely lazy weekend!