Pre-Christmas Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Brocade and Jeans; Pink and Grey Punk; Party Platforms

One last weekend before Christmas - and oh, what a lovely time I've had. 

Let's start with Friday, my last day of work for the year. Nothing says holidays like shiny and bright colours. 

But it's the last day, so let's also throw in some jeans, shall we?

• Brocade jacket - Aldo, thrifted; last worn here in March with red and gold
• White shirt - no label, thrifted; last seen here a couple of weeks ago when I was a cowgirl
• Jeans - Gap, thrifted (hemmed by me); last worn here in May with purple tigers, but I wear them around the house frequently
• Shoes - Truths Pilgrim, Fluevog; last seen here in November with rainbow plaid
• Sleeveless coat - Only, thrifted; last worn here in November

Thursday night/Friday was horrendously stormy, knocking out power all over.

 Pink skies casting a glow over the Castle, my view from the stairs.

Not very many people in the office, and even less as the day wore on. My jacket got a lot of love.

 I went out for a leisurely lunch with our HR recruiter, and then wrapped up a lot of loose ends, preparing for a crazy first week of 2019.

Shiny!

 Near the end of the day, I walked around each floor of the office, doling out hugs and good wishes to my colleagues. It's the only time I offer hugs - I am SO not a huggy person - and I always check to make sure my coworkers consent (not all do, which I'm totally cool with - we fist-bump instead).

One little guy who always gets hugs, is Mr. Vizzini.

"Stop this mawkish display at once, Woman!"

He actually likes it, despite the mortified look on his little fuzzy face.

I've never worn this jacket with just a plain white shirt and jeans before.

"Are you still blathering on? What happened to hugs for all?"

I am on the look for another white shirt now - this one's been sweated through and the underarms have gone grey. I am hard on white shirts. Thank goodness I only paid $6.95 for this - I've worn it 15 times since I bought it here in June 2017, and I'll probably eke a few more wears out of it before it gets replaced.

How do I feel about being off for over a week?

"Like you should let me in the hallway?"

My pumped fist says, "YES!!"

As my jacket looks nearly solid gold in some of these pictures, here's a look at the gorgeous colour.

 Pink and red and gold. It's getting fuzzed out near the hem, because "someone" likes to lick it.

Outerwear - although stormy, it's still not really that cold out, so I could wear my sleeveless coat over this and not be too bulky.

"Speaking of licking, your bag looks tasty." 

Accents of red and pink. A woman on the bus complimented me on my ensemble.

• Hat - vintage, thrifted, Vancouver
• Silk/cashmere pashmina - Portolano, thrifted
• Fingerless gloves - Parkhurst

The stuff:

 I had to run a couple of errands on the way home, as well as do a lot of running around up and down between floors at work - these shoes were fabulous.

Gold bling:

That necklace is heavy! 

• Necklace - D'Orlan, vintage 60s, thrifted
• Gold hoops - 5th anniversary gift from L
• Amber ring - c. 1996

As I was leaving to go in the morning, Vizzini was lounging on the "cuddle benches".  

"I would like you to stay home today."

I really wanted to! But we'll have lots of cuddle time over the holidays, bud.

After a lovely evening of board games with L, we were up on Saturday to go to Floyd's Diner for brunch.

 I liked the punk vibe of this outfit, from the thorn shapes on the skirt, to the grommet belt, to the alien necklace.

• Sweater - Nor, consignment; first worn here (4th outfit) for Thanksgiving at Mom's in October
• Sweater (underneath) - Sonia Rykiel, consignment; last worn here in October with lavender
• Skirt - H&M, thrifted; last seen here (5th outfit) in November for a shopping trip
• Shoes - Truth Makena, Fluevog; last worn here (3rd outfit) for theatre with Mom last weekend
• Coat (below) - Rodarte for Opening Ceremony, consignment; last seen here in October

Layers for warmth. I have on a half-slip under the unlined skirt.

 I love the groovy pattern of this skirt.

The sweater is a lovely handknit piece. I'm pretty sure it came from Dots, which is the only place in town I've seen this brand.

 Plain ol' black tights. I go though a couple of pairs a year.

Pockets!

 Tired there, need more coffee!

Here's a better look at the skirt's pattern and texture.

 The light-coloured bits on the black pattern are a dark steel-grey/blue.

Outerwear - fully bundled up for a walk to and from town.

 I even changed up my purse - Klassy!

• Purse - Steve Madden, consignment
• Fur boa - thrifted
• Studded leather gloves - Danier Leather

I was going to wear a hat but it was too windy. Besides, I wanted my hair to fluff up for the parties I went to that night.

 I call this my Ringmaster coat. Guess why!

The stuff:

Note that both pairs of shoes so far are the same shape of toe and heel - they are both from the Truths family. Super-comfy and easy for walking.

Alien bling:

 I love this fun necklace - it's looking at you!

• Belt - gift from Ruth
• Necklace - All Saints, gift from Dominique
• Earrings - Glee
• Hematite ring - thrifted
• Crystal ring - Soul Flower

My colleague Terry had a party starting early in the evening, and then our friends Nick and Karen had their annual holiday party later.

 I went to Terry's on my own, then met L at Nick and Karen's later. I took these pictures early in the afternoon when I still had light...but I had to edit this post to add a small change I made to my party outfit.

This is my entry for "Visible Monday" over at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style - go wish her some cheer!

• Dress - Part Two; first worn here (4th outfit) for theatre with Mom in November (with matchy hat!)
• Boots - LA Malibu, Fluevog; last seen here (3rd outfit) for L's birthday party in June 2017
• Coat (below) - Hilary Radley, thrifted; last worn here

I'd planned to wear another dress and set of accessories, but when I put them on for my pictures (which I did earlier in the day, before it got dark out), they didn't look right.

 I needed a less work-y dress and more dramatic shoes.

I love the bright colour of this dress, the fun fringe and that it's nice and comfy in the middle.

 Plus it lets these spectacular boots shine! Look at those boots!!

Another fist, this one with "F#@!"-itude!

 I notice that Fluevog has taken this same boot pattern, removed the platform, changed up the heel, and put the black "stained glass" leather over bronze. Check 'em out here - I don't think I'll be dropping $999 on them any time soon, though!

Arrive like a rock star!

 Of course, I walked to Terry's, then to Nick and Karen's, then home in my Doc Martens. Let's be real here.

Outerwear - bundled up for the chilly wind.

 Party animal, in the Unsafe Ocelot.

• Faux fur scarf - swap from Vero
• Gloves - Parkhurst

The stuff:

 I don't wear these boots often, as they are rather high. That's a full 6" heel including the 2" platform under the toe. I lasted for 3 hours at Terry's, then another 3 hours at the next party, until I had to take them off.

I bought these here back in 2014, on sale for $399, and including this outfit, I have worn them 10 times:

• As noted, in June 2017 here (3rd outfit) for L's birthday;
• For Urbanite (here, 2nd outfit) in November 2015;
• In September 2015 for Vero's birthday, here; 
• In March 2015 here (3rd outfit) with leather and fringe;
• In June 2013 here (4th outfit) for another one of L's birthday parties;
• Twice in one weekend here in April 2013 (2nd and 4th outfits);
• In April 2013 here (2nd outfit) with my lovely green satin dress (and I have blonde hair!);
• And I first wore them out here in Vancouver the weekend I bought them.

That's $39.99 per wear - cheaper than a new pair of boots. You can still see them here on the Fluevog site, including my original comment at the bottom!

F#@! bling:

Sparkly party things!

• Bracelet - Swarovski, consignment - gift from L
• Swear rings - Wendy Brandes
• Crystal ring - Soul Flower
• Earrings - vintage fair

So, once I had chilled out for a while, watching football and had dinner, I redid my make-up and changed a small thing.

 Matching teal lipstick!

I felt super badass, as you can tell.

 At the first party, a gaggle of young girls were checking me out - I was the most dressed up person there. I enjoyed winking at them and pointing at my lipstick, to their giggled glee.

True confession outerwear - it was a blustery night!

 That woman is staying warm! I walked to and from each party, tumbling home at nearly 3am with L, arm in arm.

Don't ever forget to be badass!

Or your swear rings!

I'll be off for a few days, doing my holiday thang, as I expect y'all will also be doing. 

Merry Catmas! 

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas, Season's Greetings, and Happy Holidays, from me (and Vizzini) to you!