Thursday, January 31, 2019

Teal Velvet, Silk Pleats and Glitter Galore

Today was a dress-up day! I'm a grown up! 
 Hee hee, being a little silly, but I did deliberately dress very classy today. I was working with a new person and didn't want to scare him with Klassy Sheila. I'll save that for another time.


  • Blazer - Jacob, thrifted; last seen here in December 2018 in my west-coast cowgirl look
  • Skirt - Marc Jacobs, thrifted; last worn here in August 2018 in a discombobulated look
  • Shoes - Channi B; last seen here earlier this month for a trip to the dentist
  • Coat (below) - Stop Staring!, thrifted; last worn here at the same time as the shoes


I'm probably more colourful (and sparklier) than than your average bear, though.
People just loved this outfit, especially this lovely soft cotton teal velvet blazer. I was petted a few times.

I just wore a black camisole under this, nothing fancy, not tracked.
 I adore this fabulous pleated silk skirt - it rustles and swings and swoops. It's old Marc Jacobs - I'm sure he no longer makes his clothes in the USA.

Action shot!
 Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!

Outerwear - brrr, bundled up for the chill. Now it feels like January...just in time for February!
 Even my coat is classier than normal.


  • Fur boa - thrifted
  • Gloves - Cejon, thrifted


The stuff:
 Easy shoes to be in for a long day. I love these.

Glittery bling:
So much glitter! It's glitter galore!


  • Cuff - Swarovski, consignment, gift from L
  • Necklace/earrings - Sherman, vintage 60s, thrifted
  • Brooch - vintage fair
  • Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes


I like to wear my sparkly stuff on a daily basis - why save it? Lovely things need to be worn!

I have one very busy weekend ahead, my friends, and I will be back on Sunday to tell y'all about it! 

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Slouchy Chartreuse and Plaid, and Morose Kitty

Continuing the loose theme of being very comfortable this week, another one of my go-to solutions is a long, slouchy cardigan. It's like wearing your bathrobe, except that it's cool to do it in public. 
Although, don't tempt me! Saying I can't wear a bathrobe in public is like a dare to me. I might just do it. I wore a nightgown to work once (proof here).


  • Cardigan - Joseph A, consignment; last seen here with swirls of colour in November 2018
  • Sweater - Sonia Rykiel, consignment; last worn here (2nd outfit) layered under another sweater in December 2018
  • Trousers - Pariscope, vintage 90s, thrifted; last seen here in November 2018 with Helmut Lang
  • Shoes - Truths Makena, Fluevog; last worn here (2nd outfit) in December 2018 - same outfit as this sweater!
  • Coat (below) - Vassali, consignment; last seen here on Monday


I had good reactions from my coworkers - the fun plaid trousers, the chartreuse green cardigan, and all the accessories.
 I felt great in it, and that's what really counts.

I love long cardigans.
 I'm topped out at four, though. In addition to this one, I have the blue one I wore as a dress earlier this week (here), a rust one from a swap with Sarah (last worn here), and a black one that's a little more cocoon-shaped (here).

All comfy, and all with pockets!
 Layers and more layers. I'm wearing a black camisole under my semi-sheer sweater.

Outerwear - long sweaters need a long coat. This is how you end up with a coat wardrobe; you keep buying coats that go with specific items in your wardrobe.
 Still chilly but clear. There are rumours of snow in our future, but it better hold off till after the weekend, 'cause I have plans, Mother Nature!


  • Fur boa - thrifted
  • Gloves - Parkhurst


The stuff:
 Low heels again - it's also Be Nice To Your Feet week here at Ephemera.

Multi-metal bling:
 Featuring three necklaces, three bracelets and three (extra) rings. Only a single pair of earrings - I'm slacking off! 

Necklaces:

  • Choker - Myka, thrifted
  • Funky square - POLY, thrifted
  • Long chain - POLY, thrifted


Bracelets:

  • Silver/gold cuff - JPA, vintage fair
  • Bracelets with gewgaws - POLY, thrifted separately


Rings (from bottom):

  • POLY - thrifted
  • Twang & Pearl
  • P. Sarpaneva - 1970s, vintage expo


Earrings - 5th anniversary gift from L

Phew, that's a lot of bling!

As I was leaving this morning, I went looking for Vizzini. I spotted him up on top of his post, gazing out the window.
"Look how sad I am. Woe is me."

L and I have not been around much this week, and he misses his playtime, brush-time and nap-time (on our laps).
"Lies. You're just a heat source to me, Woman."

Aw, Vizzini, you know I would stay home with you if I could!
"You owe me cuddles. And more kitty treats."

We sure do. Off to take care of my little morose kitty.

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Sergeant Sheila and the Brooch Brigade

We got home at 11pm last night after an awesome concert and crashed into bed. Getting up and going to work, and my cold hanging on...I needed medication this morning to face the day. And coffee, lots of coffee.
I had just a few moments last night to throw together an outfit before my body shut down. Comfort is key, so I did easy pieces that do all the work for me, including my new-to-me top and boots.


  • Top - Zara, thrifted; purchased here for $15.95
  • Skirt - Kay Unger, thrifted; last seen here in November 2018 with green rabbits
  • Boots - Cougar, thrifted; purchased here for $14.95
  • Coat (below) - Forever 21, thrifted; last seen here a few weeks ago


I enjoyed this top - it has that thick feel of those woven blankets with images on them (I have this one in my library, that we use as a rug). Nice and cozy. I wore a camisole under this for extra warmth.
 However, it's not great quality, despite the cozy factor. I shed fringe all over the office, and you can see how the shoulders don't fit quite right. It would be nice if it actually had some shape to it.

I like it, but it's not a "forever" piece. It's a good-enough-for-now piece. I will try layering a blouse under it at some point, probably.
 I'd planned on wearing a different skirt (this one), but when I put it on with this boxy, oversized top I realized it was too much fullness, so switched to this slimmer metallic leather one. I liked how the ruffled hem echoed the fringe of the top.

Real face. Want to go back to bed. Don't wanna work.
 I was a bit shaky this morning, but got better as my day went along. I do credit my lovely colleagues, who always cheer me up and make me laugh.

As you might remember, this top came pre-decorated with a bird, a crest and sergeants' chevrons. I may have added a few brooches of my own. Sergeant Sheila needs brooches!
 My tiger pin on my right shoulder, and a beetle, bee and gold heart brooches, just to jazz things up a little. Can one have too many brooches on at once? I say no!

Mr. Tiger peeking out.
 You can see his tail hanging down the back in the photo above showing the rear of the outfit.

Outerwear - brrrr, it was chilly this morning and evening! I need a Grape Ape!
 Matched my tights perfectly too.


  • Fur scarf - Danier Leather, thrifted
  • Gloves - Parkhurst


The stuff:
 Just like yesterday, I walked to and from work in these comfy boots. I think they will become a weekend pair - they'd be great for shopping. Many of my like-aged coworkers had flashbacks to our 80s suede slouch boots!

Brooch bling:
Four brooches has to be a personal record. Many of my coworkers peered at them - the tiger is of course the favourite.


  • Tiger brooch - vintage fair
  • Leather heart brooch - Smoking Lily
  • Beetle brooch - Le Chateau, c. 2001
  • Bee brooch - gift from Megan Mae
  • Amber ring - c. 1996
  • Crystal ring - Uffizi Gallery gift shop, Florence, Italy
  • Earrings - Plum


And now...off to make some stew and snuggle under a warm blanket with Vizzini.

Monday, January 28, 2019

Monday Mother Mother Two-Fer

Gah. Mondays, am I right? I spent the day doped up on cold medications, with a very froggy, creaky voice. 
 Once again, I am cocooned in fabric, a lovely buoyant blue.


  • Cardigan dress - Ports International, consignment; last worn here in December 2018 for Christmas at Mom's
  • Lace top (under) - Tangerine Jill, thrifted; purchased here on the weekend for $8.12
  • Boots - Matisse, consignment; last seen here (2nd outfit) for a shopping afternoon in December 2018
  • Coat (below) - Vassali, consignment; last worn here earlier this month


Every previous time I've worn this cardigan, it's been as...a cardigan! I love the long, lean look of a swoopy cardigan, don't you?
 But since the buttons go most of the way down, I layered my new-to-me lace top underneath, added a half-slip on the bottom and threw on some tall boots.

Bam! I'm dressed.
 Easy-peasy. Perfect for snuggling into a ball behind my desk (I didn't really do that, but I wanted to).

Although I liked the option of wearing it as a dress, overall I prefer it as a cardigan, worn open.
 Pockets for the win.

Outerwear - another very spring-like day today.
 I could have used a scarf, but the coolness on my neck did help with my internal furnace (set to "roast" currently).


  • Gloves - Parkhurst


The stuff:
 I can tell my head wasn't really in it last night when I pulled my accessories together. Those earrings don't quite work, and the shiny gold doesn't quite go with the bronze-y belt. Ah, well.


  • Belt - Sand Castle USA, thrifted
  • Necklace - vintage 80s, Givenchy, vintage fair
  • Celtic bracelet - Lia Sophia, thrifted
  • Loopy bracelet - thrifted here on the weekend for $2.95 - first wearing
  • Earrings - thrifted
  • Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes


Oops, I just realized I cropped out my boots. These boots are so comfy that I walked to and from work in them. I don't often cross over my weekend shoes to work, but this Monday called for it.

Tonight, we have tickets to see Mother Mother, a Canadian band that's been around for 10+ years (info here, linking 'cause I love). We have seen them before (here, just before a trip to Vancouver in 2017), and they are great in concert. L will have his review of the concert, along with their new album review up here, probably tomorrow night.
"Wait, you're leaving ag--- must lick my foot."

I changed out of my nylons into my "around the house" leopard jeans, opened the cardigan up, and ditched/changed some of the accessories.


  • Jeans - Mark. by Avon, thrifted; last seen here in March 2018, but I wear them around the house at least a couple of times a week. 


We're headed out soon to grab a slice of pizza before the show, and get to the merch table to see if there are any good t-shirts (or stickers for L's lunchbox).
"Did you say lunch? I could use a snack." 

Vizzini's looking a little tubby there, but it's just the angle. He's a lean, mean, eating machine!

Re-coated. Buttoning up near the top, as the lace top is quite see-through. That's the face of me not caring, though. I need to be comfortable - I'm sure the balcony at the Royal Theatre is going to be warm.
"You must pay attention to me!"
 Scarf added for warmth. Layers are always the key. Put 'em on, take 'em off.


  • Scarf - thrifted
  • Gloves - Parkhurst


Bundled up for walking - it's a clear night, so it'll be cold later.
"Does this mean that my nightly treats will be late?"

Yup, sure does, bud. Please don't eat anything in the house while we're out!

The stuff:
Necklace off, different earrings on. Better!


  • Gold earrings - 5th anniversary gift from L

Perfect timing! Off to the concert!

Sunday, January 27, 2019

Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Casual Sequins, Shopping in Lilac and Blue, Lazy Leopard

Hello, my friends! It's been a quiet here - I've been hacking up hairballs all weekend with a stupid cough that finally got its hooks in me, and I'd like to go nap more, so let's get this party started with Friday's outfit. 
Doesn't everyone wear sequins to work? I do! 

This is my entry for "Visible Monday" over at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style - all my outfits were shopped from my closet this weekend, just like Patti's!

  • Blouse - Free People, thrifted; last worn here in March 2018 with my YSL velvet
  • Dress - Esprit; last seen here in March 2017 with under-layered leopard
  • Boots - Coffee Kope Tiam, Fluevog; last worn here in a cosmic daze in December 2018
  • Coat (below) - Hilary Radley, thrifted; last seen here earlier this week


Sequins don't have to be uncomfortable. I layered this sheer and shredded ruffled blouse under the tank dress. 
 My coworkers liked how they could see my arm tattoos through the blouse, but aside from that bonus(?), this blouse is in the giveaway pile now - the fabric is pulling apart at the seams. Oh, well, I only paid $6.95 for it, and I got 4 wears out of it, so I'm happy.

I've had this lovely sequin dress for years - I got it on clearance when my favourite local BC chain, Plum, closed about 8 years ago.(purchased back in December 2010 for $20, and first worn here in January 2011).
Sequins are usually sewn so that they overlap, like shingles on a roof; these ones are sewn in long rows, end to end. This means that a) they are less scratchy/snaggy and b) they give a cool "liquid" look.

The tank dress that they are sewn to is a soft cotton t-shirt knit - all the edges are covered in this as well, so that the sequins don't scratch your skin.
AND, you can wear it backwards! I did that once, here (4th outfit) in 2011.

Outerwear - it was a lovely warm day on Friday and this coat was too heavy.
But I felt like a rock star, which is the most important part.

Done up.
Nope, too much.


  • Gloves - Danier Leather


The stuff:
I liked the unexpected taupe boot, instead of matchy black. These are super-comfy.

Brass bling:
Echoing the browny tones of the boots.


  • Earrings - thrifted
  • Ring - Fossil, thrifted
  • Crystal/silver ring - Uffizi Gallery gift shop, Florence, Italy


The lone picture of Vizzini this weekend, although he's been his usual I-love-you/I-bite-you self.
"I also scratch."

We got a new computer on Friday - kudos to L for dealing with the entire thing. I'm getting used to where everything is, and grumbling at the changes. My usual.

We also replaced our range, which is what you call your stove/oven combo, I discovered. Our previous one was over 20 years old and when a knob broke off recently, it was the last straw. New appliance needed! It's quite lovely and shiny, and I've cooked a few things (managed not to burn anything yet, yay).

It was delivered on Saturday, and I also needed to avoid all of those stressful shenanigans, so I went shopping after breakfast with L. Thank you, love, for dealing with all of it.
We went to Pluto's diner for breakfast, a local place that's in an old gas station (link here). I've been going there since the 90s. The food was yummy!


  • Shirt - Dept, consignment; last worn here (2nd outfit) in July 2018 for our trip to Powell River
  • Skirt - Talbots, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) in December with these same shoes
  • Shoes - Half Truth Veda, Fluevog; last worn here (2nd outfit) in December with this same skirt
  • Coat (below) - Danier Leather, thrifted; last seen here a few weeks ago



Finally getting around to wearing this funky shirt this season, but it's an all-year piece. It's been in my wardrobe for years because I love the mix of colours in it - it goes with a lot. The pearl snaps on the cuffs are a nice touch, and the collar and front pockets are lined with crystals.
And of course, it's got that Urban Cowgirl thing - I'm a sucker for that!

Complete with the eagle and crown on the back for that rock & roll side.
This skirt is a soft and fuzzy mohair weave. My hair's getting closer to matching it.

Coated up. Feeling tired but enough energy to shop and not deal with a Major Delivery.
I had many comments about my colourful outfit as I walked around downtown.

This is how most people saw me.
Matching purple gloves of course!


  • Gloves - Danier Leather


The stuff:
Easy walking shoes, easy shopping shoes. I walked/stood for about 4 hours in these.


  • White gold earrings - 10th anniversary gift from L


I visited Flavour Upstairs, but left disappointed after trying on about 8 things. Aw.

From there, I went to the big Women in Need (WIN) store. First, I check out the accessories.
A good score on that pretty gold bracelet - it's light and has good movement, without being loud. It was $2.95.

The silver belt with the long silver chain tassel was $4.95.

I've scoped out these booties a couple of times.
Today, they came home with me. They are a bone off-white.

Not real leather, but I love the perforated part.
I have really strong associations with high school, 1984, when I had a pair of boots like this in black suede. Gawd, they killed my feet, gave me so many blisters, but I wore them anyway!

These are much more comfortable.
They're by Cougar. Not much wear on the soles (that brownish colour is a stain, not dirt).

I'm sure they were originally more than the $14.95 I paid.
Add a zero to that, maybe.

I like to have glove/scarf sets - I recently rediscovered my turquoise gloves, and have been looking for a matching scarf.
Voila! The shopping gods have smiled upon me! Found this soft acrylic flannel scarf for $1.00.

I spent over 2 hours going through every rack of clothes. I did three sets of try-ons! In the end, only a few items made the cut, including this stretch lace top.
I've had tops like this before - they were big in the 90s, remember? - and bodysuits too! They're useful for layering under sleeveless dresses or tops.

I knew this would be quality because it's by Tangerine Jill! I have a few other pieces by them, including some of my favourite dresses.
The star-shaped punch meant this was half-price, so $8.12.

I'll be popping this linen top into the spring/summer collection.
It can be worn with the neckline either way. It fits really well.

I like the thick linen texture, which you can see here.
$14.95 seems like a bargain. No labels in it.

Pieces like this leap out at me in the sea of beige and black on the racks.
A carpet-bagger top? Oh yes!

With weird embroidered motifs of a bird, a crest and some military-looking chevrons.
Since there are three chevrons, I am ranked a Sergeant in the Army. Cool.

Fringed edges with a band of gold braid. Caw, goes my crow heart.
It's by Zara and was $15.95.

Check it out: the back of it is the fabric reversed.
I do appreciate that this pattern is not printed on but is actually thick woven fabric - it doesn't feel cheap.

Next weekend is going to be very heavy, social-wise - I have four events in three days! One of them is Disco-themed....
I could have done a dozen different disco outfits from stuff in my closet - and I had fully-planned on doing just that - but to find an authentic disco dress? Of course, I will have to wear this!

Look at the handkerchief hem!
I've tried to get the colour right on this - it's a deep blue with a touch of teal. Naturally, it's double-knit polyester. It's very simply made, with just raw cuts and single seams throughout. No extra inside finishing, aside from the front lining. No zipper - it's a pull-on over your head.

It's in really good condition, with very few signs of wear.
I love the details - these really remind me of classic 70s dresses. The shirred front and sides. The spaghetti straps. The extra set of straps to tie it as a halter! I'm sure this was meant to be worn braless, as was the fashion of many young ladies at the time. I will not be doing that.

It has a nice plastic zipper with a metal pull. There is a single hook-and-eye at the top (the eye is a loop of thread).
The skinny tie at the waist has an anchor on each side and the centre front.

The only tags in the dress were the "Dry Clean Only" and the Lot (5) and Size (14). The size 14 is a modern size 10 - this helps me date it for sure no later than 1986. Can't say for sure what year this is, but I'd put it in around 1980 or slightly earlier.
And for only $11.95. Love it! Hurray for thrifting!

Friday night and Saturday night were both spent in downtime mode. Lots of naps, cold meds. I'm finished my antibiotics - yay! Is that a light at the end of the tunnel I see?
Nope, just the Sunday morning sun. Another mild, sunny/cloudy day, and I'm geared up for my walk to town to get groceries.


  • Sweater - Banana Republic, thrifted; first worn here with plaid pants
  • Skirt - Banana Republic, thrifted; last seen here
  • Shoes - Campers, thrifted; last worn here
  • Sleeveless coat (below) - Only, thrifted; last seen here


A nice soft fuzzy sweater. I layered a black tank under it for warmth.
My shiny leopard skirt makes an appearance.

I think I should have done my blue tights with this - these black ones are too sheer.
Ah well, whatever. It's just a walk to town and back.

Coated and gloved for the great outdoors.
Buds are starting to come out on the trees - soon all this grey will be gone!


  • Gloves - Parkhurst


The stuff:
Lovely squishy shoes.


  • White gold earrings - 10th anniversary gift from L


I hope you all had a restful weekend - thanks for stopping by!