Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Friday Denim and Sparkly Neutrals (and Shopping), and Saturday Breezy Blue Brunch (and Shopping), Plus Cat Pictures

It wasn't a busy weekend, but as you might have guessed from the title of this post, I indulged in a fair bit of retail therapy. I found some fun things, so let's get to it! 

I fully intended on blogging on Friday after work, but my plans were waylaid. 

I planned this outfit carefully - all shopped from my closet, aside from the new-to-me shoes, sneaking in a wearing before I put them away for the spring/summer wardrobe...so far away!

This is my entry for "Visible Monday" over at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style - don't forget to check it out!

• Dress - Only, thrifted; last worn here (6th outfit) in May over houndstooth pants
• Wool sweater - Banana Republic, thrifted; last seen here in December 2017 with the dragonscale skirt
• Pants - Piazza Sempione, thrifted; last worn here in February with green
• Shoes - Harpers, thrifted; purchased here for $19.95

It's been a gorgeous fall weekend - no rain! This was my view from the stairs on Friday morning.

 The Castle is all aglow from the rising sun.

I'm grooving on long layers lately. I liked this dress worn open over pants the last time I tried it (picture here, worn at the end of a long weekend post), so thought I would try it again with a more autumnal look.

 This is how I wore it most of my day at work, walking around, skirt billowing behind me like a majestic cape. Darth Sheila!

Done up - I only wore it like this when I went outside.

 I've had the brown wool sweater for at least 6 years. I find good quality sweaters while thrifting here and there - they are very useful as neutral components to balance a crazy pattern.

Like these pants! I loved these when I bought them, and while I still like the pattern and fabric, they are another instance of "dumpy butt" on me. I even had to pin the back of the waistband to keep them from looking worse. I delighted in wearing them one last time, but into the giveaway pile they go.

The fabric is metallic - I would love it in a skirt or a jacket.

I can see this denim dress having a long life with me - it's a really classic piece.

 Versatility is key! The more ways I can wear an item, the more likely it is to stay in my wardrobe.

For outerwear, I wore my grey fur boa, and long leather gloves.

 It was fine, although by the time I walked home from my post-work shopping trip, it was dark, and a jacket would have been nice.

• Fur boa - thrifted
• Leather/cashmere gloves - Club Monaco, consignment

The stuff:

 I worried all day that it would suddenly rain, and these suede shoes would get ruined in the wet and leaves that are all over the ground. Phew! It did not rain. These were lovely and comfy to wear, although after walking home I had one small blister on one heel (I wore knee high nylons with them).

Gold bling:

 First wearing of both the snake bracelet and the long dangly gold earrings. Both were awesome.

• Snake bracelet - Whiting & Davis, vintage fair; purchased here for $60.00
• Earrings - vintage fair; purchased here for $2.00
• Chain - vintage gold, Grandma J's
• Amber ring - c.. 1996
• Pearl ring - Erth, consignment

I'd intended on blogging when I got home, as L was out at his staff holiday party, but I was otherwise occupied by a kitty who needed attention. I was apparently not the only one he'd worked his wiles on, as I found these pictures on the camera from while I was out, taken by L.

"Check to see if the Man is paying attention..."

He's getting into my shopping bags and the plastic bags I carry my work shoes in. 

"I'll just dig around here, and make a lot of noise, heh heh."

He won't stop until you give him attention - he's so good at training us!

"Oh, hello there! Were you busy?" 

He's all nonchalant until you get up, and then he wants to play (be chased).

"What? I'm just making sure there are no mousies under here."

Those big eyes! He needed some chasing, and some cuddles, so we hung out on Friday. No blog for you!

I noticed that the Patch had a "Buy One, Get One at 40% off" sale - that's usually when I splurge on pieces I like but find a bit too expensive (the Patch does vintage and second-hand trendy). I spent a total of $75 on four pieces - I can't remember the original prices on any of them, but that works out to $18.75 each, so that's what I'm going with for cost-per-wear down the line.

I tried this skirt on in the summer and really liked it, but didn't buy it. I think I was having one of my shopping funks, where nothing really appeals - shopping therapy doesn't always work! Anyway, I bought it this time. 

 It is a faux wrap skirt, made of silk, side zip.

The pattern is printed, not sewn - even the border print is the way the pattern is printed. I love the kaleidoscope feel of it, and it has a useful mix of colours for my spring/summer wardrobe.

 It is lined at the above-the-knee height with purple polyester crepe. Pretty!

It's by Maeve, an Anthropologie brand. This originally retailed for $148.00 US and is called the Geoda Skirt.

 The back of the waistband is slightly elasticized, which will be nice, since there's no stretch in it. I look forward to going "Oh yeah!" when I unpack this at the end of March.

This is a vintage high-waisted pencil skirt. Look at that tweed!

 All the colours of the rainbow, practically: red, orange, yellow and lavender!

Pretty gold buttons at the back slit.

 I entertained the clerk at the Patch with imagining what the matching jacket must have looked like - you know there had to have been one!

It's by Simon Chang and is made in Hong Kong. It's 100% wool, and you can see that this actually a WOVEN pattern, not printed. Classy!

 Interestingly, it fits like a modern size 6, not a vintage size 6 (which fits like a size 2), so that tells me that this is late 80s, after the Great Size Shift.

I am very picky when it comes to vintage dresses - they have to be just right. This gorgeous 100% silk dress made the cut.

 I have always loved a big dramatic sleeve - these sleeves are so 80s!

Here's a close-up of the woven abstract "curvy slash" design, and noting the missing item where we only have loops.

 It obviously had a belt, and that extra loop where the wrap connects to the waist indicates that it was probably a big same-fabric sash that tied there. Drama!

It's by Liz Claiborne, and also from Hong Kong, and also a modern size 6.

 So, late 80s! I found little snips of thread in the shoulders where the last owner removed the shoulder pads.

I usually skim the overcrowded dress racks in the vintage section of the store, but every few months I go through every one. It paid off - look at this amazing piece.

 I am not usually a person who goes for a "cheater": a garment that looks like multiple pieces but is actually one piece. I fell in love with the bottom half, of course.

But once I tried it on, the top seduced me - it's a lovely soft viscose/rayon, and is actually quite flattering, along with being thin enough to layer well.

Some details - I love that the "belt" area is all hand-done stitching and knotting.

 The design on the side is olive, blue, caramel, yellow and deep purple - the skirt is made of silk, and is a rich chartreuse yellow.

Those are pockets!

 SOLD!

A close-up of the waistband - this carries around to the back (that's often a deal-breaker for me).

 So pretty!

I do not know this brand - Phoebe Couture - but it looks like they specialize in cocktail and fancy dresses (with pockets!).

A dress like this would probably sell for about $79.99.

On Saturday, L and I went for brunch at Floyd's and then split up to do some holiday shopping.

 Knowing myself, I did wear clothes I could shop in for stuff for me!

• Blouse - Violet & Claire, thrifted; last worn here in January with purple velvet YSL
• Skirt - Trina Turk, consignment; first worn here (3rd outfit) in September with Chinoiserie
• Shoes - Miista; last seen here in September with yellow and chrysanthemums
• Leather coat (below) - Danier Leather, thrifted; last worn here in September over an 80s blouse

I only had my jacket off while we had brunch.

 I'm done with this blouse, although I like the colours. It's not nice fabric, and the cut is...lazy. No fit to it. Buh-bye!

I love the rich navy of the skirt however. It's a keeper.

 I wore a full vintage slip under this for warmth.

The skirt is three layers of tulle, with a silk lining and waistband.

 It was windy on Saturday, so it blew about most satisfactorily.

Outerwear - leather weather!

 Easy pieces that could be packed into my purse while I shopped.

• Silk velvet scarf - consignment
• Gloves - Parkhurst

But wrapped me up snug and warm.

 Ready to shop till I drop!

The stuff:

 Only the most comfy shoes for an afternoon of shopping! I love these fun brogues. It's like some sort of shopping law, though, that you'll need to try on shoes if you wear lace-up shoes to shop in (foreshadowing!).

Simple bling:

Both of my best blue rings, for badassery.

• Earrings - Jacob
• Lapis lazuli ring/Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes

I visited some of my less-frequented second-hand stores, since I was shopping for L and these stores carry men's items. I won't be sharing the stuff I found for L (Top Secret!), but I found a few goodies for me!

At Duchess and Duke, I found this amazing cream bolero swing coat with cropped sleeves.

 I have a strange feeling that this used to be my friend Carolyn's...I seem to recall her getting this from Dots.

It's leather, by the way.

 By Kenzie.

It was $38.00, which is probably about half what it cost new.

 Pretty buttons!

Verve was my next stop, and is a dangerous place for me to shop - they always have fabulous high-end designer stuff (pricey!). But I restrained myself to just these amazing shoes.

 I see ankle straps, Oxblood croc print, copper snakeskin...?

Oh my goodness, yes.

 Let's add...lace-ups, platform, more copper!

Just lovely!

 These were marked down to $88.00.

Brand new rubber soles have been put on them, but they're barely worn.

 From the heel, I would guess maybe once or twice.

They are by Chie Mihara - one of my favourite brands!

 These would easily have been over $400.00 new - they are not cheap!

From Verve, I went to the big WIN store.

 I scored these beautiful taupe D'Orsay "cage" sandals.

They are so cute - silver ankle straps, plus little metal studs on all the straps. These aren't shopping shoes - too fussy.

 They are made of leather, I was pleased to discover, and are very padded inside. Yay, comfy shoes!

Never worn - not a bit of wear on them.

 They are by Seychelles and were only $19.95. I'm sure they were probably well over $50 new. Into the spring/summer stash you go!

I bought this belt solely for the buckle.

 The belt was $7.95 and is a horribly plastic-y feeling faux leather, with a fuzzed up soft striped fabric part.

I happily cut the buckle off and will affix it to my handmade brown or black leather belts.

 So, $7.95 for a lion belt buckle.

I will always bite on a pair of still-in-package tights or hosiery.

 These good quality nylons were labeled at $8.00, Winners price of $3.99, and I paid $1.95.

I really love the print on this nylon long-sleeved tee.

 It's a photo-realistic print of jungle-y flowers, that's been jazzed up with bits of white.

The brand is Topsy Turvy USA.

 I paid half of that $6.95 sticker, due to the heart punch on the tag, so $3.50.

Made in the US - awesome.

 I suspect this piece is from the mid- to late-90s, based on the style. It's very similar to my Jean-Paul Gaultier high-end pieces from that era.

I'm always on the hunt for a nice blouse. This one is crappy fabric, but look at the glorious colour!

 It's a gorgeous pumpkin, spice, turmeric colour.

It's by H&M, and was $6.95.

 Not bad - I can think of lots of ways to wear this in my wardrobe.

L and I have been hanging out, being chill all weekend.

"My couch."

 Vizzini lurks near us.

We all had a rousing game of "Pillow Cave" on Saturday night. Where is kitty?

"Just wait till I jump out! RAR!"

This is repeated a few times, until he gets tired of it.

"The Woman will never spot me."

He blends in really well to all of our carpets.

He also keeps the couch warm for L.

"I always get the best spot."

We spoil him with attention. 

"Curses, she caught us!"

Aw, my two best guys.