Sunday, September 16, 2018

Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Friday Patterns Ahoy, Shiny Shopping, Cat Pictures

Hello, my friends! Before we get started on this Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up (which is a regular-sized Bigass this time and not a super-sized one, like I've been having lately), another shout-out to Ms. Wendy Brandes for the reciprocal post about my F#@! ring purchase and other awesome women who bought sets. No sponsorship or favours here - we're just fangirling out over each other. 

Here's Friday's look - getting another wear out of a few summer pieces that are going to be packed away soon. 
 The entire outfit, actually!


  • Cardigan - Wolford, thrifted; first worn here in August with a brolly skirt
  • Cami - not tracked, gift from Ruth
  • Skirt - A Tribute to Marimekko by H&M, thrifted; last worn here in July for Pride Week
  • Shubooties - Sorel; first worn here (2nd outfit) in August with a pouffy skirt
  • Jacket (below) - Frank Lyman; last seen here in February to see the Wailin' Jennys


I love this fine-quality silk cardigan - however, it's far too light for the cold months.
 The skirt is cotton and silk, and also screams summer to me.

 My hair-dryer blew up on Friday morning (it was smoking!), so I had to clip my hair back to keep it from going full-on wispy.
 Such a wonderful billowy skirt! I felt like a bright spot in the gloomy day, although it got sunnier as the day went on.

I took the opportunity to wear this awesome faux leather jacket again.
 Open, hands in skirt pockets.

Done up  - I like it this way best.
 I'm looking at Vizzini, out of frame, licking his butt. What a goofball.

And with my third pattern, my bag!
 Patterns ahoy! In person, these worked very harmoniously. The pink and red floral of the jacket's embroidery, went really well with the skirt. The golden bag picked up the gold in my accessories, and also has pink and red flowers on it.

The stuff:
 My toes didn't like the rain in these shubooties, and I also plan to pack these away - I have a "no bare toes" policy for myself in cold weather. I have other black boots in my fall/winter shoe wardrobe that need some lovin'.

Golden bling:
 This is the first wearing of the black crystal earrings - everything else is vintage.


  • Bag - Aldo
  • Necklace - vintage 60s/70s, thrifted
  • Bracelet - Trifari, vintage 60s, vintage fair
  • Earrings - thrifted here for $1.00
  • Amber ring - c. 1996
  • Amethyst ring - Francis Jewelers, c. 1965, Dad's


L and I met for dinner (Thai food) after work on Friday, then hung out at home, playing board games, which is what we've done all weekend. My favourite! We had no Ulti on Saturday, so I got my badass on for our usual breakfast at Floyd's Diner.
 Okay, I may be slightly overdressed - and SHINY - for brunch, but I buy these things to wear them, and wear them I shall!

This is my look for "Visible Monday" over at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style - go check out some fabulousness there!


  • Leather jacket - Burberry, consignment, Vancouver; last seen here in June
  • Sweater - Jean-Paul Gaultier, consignment; last worn here in April for Ally's visit
  • Skirt - Kenzo, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) in March with green lace Gookey
  • Boots - Matisse, consignment; last worn here in June with a forest green dress
  • Hat - Delux, Saanich Fair

It was chilly and rainy when we walked to town, and got warmer as the day went on. I eventually regretted my fall-ish outfit - but I still love this outfit overall. 

 I'm all super-klassy in my high-end designer brands! My Jean-Paul Gaultier wool sweater is a favourite piece.

I hadn't gotten a wear in yet of this incredible skirt. It's quite a statement piece, and because it requires tights (it's SHORT) I knew it would either be worn in early spring or late summer.
 First tights sighting of the season! These are dark brown with a textured diamond pattern.

Leather jacket open, and hands in skirt pockets.
 I picked up a new hair-dryer after work on Friday. Hurray! My hair is styled again.

Ready for the rain. My hat is now close to 10 years old. I picked it up in a booth at an agricultural fair (really!) many years back.
 I felt like a movie star in this outfit.

The stuff:
 Boots that I can walk in all day.


  • Bracelet - faux Gucci, gift from Mom & Dad, c. 1986, Italy
  • Gold earrings - 5th anniversary gift from L


After breakfast, I went to the WIN Boutique for a browse. I was happy to see that they are starting to get more fall stock in.
 I spotted this pretty pendant and chain in the jewelry case. There's a stone under that gold "cage" - the design reminds me of Islamic art and mosques.

It's stamped "Kiam Family". I found the same one online listed at $110 (but marked down to $17).
 So my $5.25 price is not so bad. It's good quality costume jewelry. This brand seems be related to the founder of the Lia Sophia line of jewelry.

I also fell in love with this gorgeous acid yellow squared circle cuff.
 It came with its own bag, and is by Materia Design, an Italian company.

Check it out - it's made of silicon!
 Squishy! This was $21.25 - not bad, considering they retail for $60.

I rummaged through a bunch of belts and pulled out this leather and elastic one.
 All different shades and textures of grey, black and brushed silver leather.

It was $7.25, a deal for BCBG Max Azria.
 The cheapest belt on their website is on sale for $70 so this is a score!

I always dig though the lingerie and nightwear. I found this beautiful vintage black slip.
 It's slit up both sides, and fully trimmed with lace. It's in good condition although the label has a bit of wear.

No size marked, but I found it - it's a 34 (bust), which is what I am - this is also a Tall. I don't know when bilingual English/French labels became law in Canada, but this is probably from the 60s or 70s.
 Van Raalte is the brand, and it was made in Canada. This slip was only $4.95, which is cheaper than what their slips sold for in 1949. Check out this old ad here - $7.00 to $11.00 back then is (with inflation) around $75.00 to $116.00  now. A slip then was an investment piece (and you wore one every day!). 

In my lackadaisical quest to stop using the same handbag every day, I am now looking carefully at the bag sections in the thrift stores.
 Since I got rid of my one-shoulder red Danier bag a while ago (one-shoulder bags are bad for my back), I've been missing having a red bag. I love the shape of this one.

It's meant to be cross-body, but I fully intend to wear it around my waist at some point. It's leather, by Derek Alexander.
 It has lots of pockets inside and out, and the strap is adjustable. I like that the zipper pulls on the front are covered by little leather sleeves.

A zip on the back. Good for keys or my bus ticket.
 It has a bit of wear on the corners, but it's nice and soft.

The lining is stamped. This was $19.25.
 This would have been around $200 new. Yay!

Oh, look a black sweater, how very exciting.
 This is 100% cotton, has a nice "popcorn" nubby knit and the back is longer than the front. None of this is perceptible in pictures. 

But it's by Dex, it was $6.95 and it looked good on. Note the back zip detail. Dex sweaters sell for about $59.00 new.
 This might go straight into the "wear around the house" wardrobe.

As this gorgeous red cashmere sweater most certainly will. 
 I love wearing cashmere!

It's by Michael Kors and it was $16.95.
 And it has a couple of small moth-holes in the front. I do not care - it's a $265 sweater and I'll get it down to pennies per wear!

I have to rein myself in around black skirts, but this one was so different that I went for it.
 It's high-waisted, with a separate swath of shinier fabric down the front, that then attaches to the hem. It has a single pocket - bonus! The shape of it is really interesting on, and it's very good quality.

I think it's German - "futter" means "lining".
 The brand is Moncara, and I'm pretty sure it's from the 80s, as all the other clothing that I found online from that brand has massive shoulder pads.

It's a size 40 and I found it buried in with the plus size items.
Size 40 is about size 6 Canadian/US. This was $16.25.

Mister Vizzini has been very happy to have us home and chilling out with him all weekend.
"Your lap is a good source of heat, Woman."
 He never stays still for long.
"I'm a seething ball of fury! Feed me!"
 His moods change on a dime too.

And he's down!
"Banzai!"
 All this jumping around has worn him out.
"If I can't sleep on you, I will snooze on my benches."
I hope you all had a fabulous weekend!

22 comments:

  1. I love the Marimekko-esque skirt -- truly gorgeous!

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  2. I love that maxi skirt as you know! I will enjoy seeing it again next spring/summer! I really like your brunch outfit too, so true that we need to wear our pieces and enjoy them! :) You got some nice purchases as well.

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    1. It's a favourite - I'm already looking forward to hauling it out next year, Mica! Thanks so much.

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  3. So many gorgeous outfits, Sheila! I love the first colourful outfit. That skirt is fabulous! It looks great with your faux leather jacket too. Some great new purchases too and am loving the latest pics of Vizzini! So cute! Hope you have a great week ahead, Sheila. XXX

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    1. Thank you, Sasha! Vizzini thanks you for your kind words.

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  4. I loved the accessories you bought - especially a squishy bracelet; that seems so weird but it looked fabulous.

    Loved your outfits; that maxi skirt is so summery and colourful and I love the yellow handbag. The JPG sweater was very unusual and those boots are gorgeous. They look so stylish but comfortable.

    You've broken through the tights barrier, I see. I'm holding out as we're having another burst of warm weather this week!

    Hope the rest of your week goes well.

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    Replies
    1. The squishy bracelet really called to me - I love weird pieces! Thanks, Vronni! It was fun picking out a weekend outfit - I can go a bit more "out there".

      I'm holding out on tights as much as I can - it's chilly in the mornings! Thank you, happy week to you!

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  5. So in love with those 2 skirts. Seriously.

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  6. I never realized that maxi skirt is from A Tribute to Marimekko by H&M! I used to have a top from that range. How can I have missed the skirt? I'm once again drooling over that floral handbag too. I'm always on the lookout for vintage slips, so that black one is getting my full approval. Much love for the belt and handbag, and I'm intrigued by that squishy bangle! Have a great week, Sheila! xxx

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    1. Oh, how cool! I am fond of big bold patterns, and we didn't see much of this line here (no H&M until very recently). Thanks, Ann! Happy week to you!

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  7. Sheila, I apologise if this is out of place, but someone on one of my other networks is trying to signal-boost this

    https://twitter.com/a_house_for_pie/status/1042153745029718016?s=20

    A nearly-blind, slightly arthritic 16 year old cat needs either a home or a reputable rescue organisation in the Victoria-Vancouver area.

    I'm a long-time reader who loves your outfits and is in awe of your thrifting superpowers.

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  8. Long time no see sweetie, and my don't you look lovely! That floral skirt is truly awesome, so well done you for giving it a final outing before getting packed away. And I'm delighted to see that fabulous leather jacket being styled. Great outfit to create a very individual look - I'm almost over that jacket now as I found a very inexpensive version recently.
    Love
    Anna x

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    Replies
    1. Hey, Ms. Anna! Thank you so much. I saw your amazing jacket - will be over to rave about it shortly!

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  9. The Marimekko skirt worn with that top looks like its a dress!
    Your consignment store finds are always a treat. I am in awe, I had no idea slips were that expensive.

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    Replies
    1. Oh, thank you! I used to find slips like this for $2.95, but they've become more desirable lately for some reason.

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  10. I love it when you share what you've bought! The metallic outfit is quite simply STUNNING on you- seriously stylish! Reminds me (in a good way) of lots of 60's sci-fi movies! The maxi skirt is so, so beautiful!

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    1. Thank you so much, Kezzie! I felt awesome in those outfits. I like photographing and recording my purchases - it helps me see how I do with their cost-per-wear.

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  11. Adore the bad-ass brunch outfit!! I love seeing you bring out the metallics. Of course, photos of Vizzini are always much appreciated.

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    Replies
    1. That's my favourite too - thanks! Yes, people get quite upset when I don't put enough pics of him in a post.

      Delete

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