Cape-Blouse and Space Pants

I didn't feel like making much of an effort last night when I was planning my outfit, so I did a near-copy of an outfit I've worn before.

 I changed the shoes and the accessories, but otherwise, same as here in March 2018.

• Cape blouse - Lord & Taylor, consignment; last seen here in October 2018 with purple and another cape!
• Leather pants - Free People, Portland; last worn here in September 2018 for the Vintage Expo (Space Leopard!)
• Shoes - Down to Earth Hadfield, Fluevog men's; last seen here hanging with my coworker in January
• Coat (below) - Zara, gift from Dominique; last worn here last week

Sorry about the crappy colour - it's been very bright in the mornings lately.

 I enjoyed swooshing my cape-blouse about the office today. It's a cape! It's a blouse! It's a cape-blouse!

The leather metallic Space Pants (made from real space cows) always elicit "Whoa!" reactions from my coworkers.

 They get more comfy every time I wear them.

I tend to slouch around when I talk, hands in pockets, leaning on something, standing like this.

 I move around a lot. I'm fidgety. L says I'm "fussing about."

Outerwear - brrr, it's too darned cold out.

I picked style over warmth with today's coat.

• Fur scarf - thrifted
• Gloves - Club Monaco, consignment

The stuff:

 I love my floral brogues. They are marvelously broken-in now, like slippers.

Copper bling:

I see myself in the balls!

• Ball necklace/cuff - vintage 70s, vintage expo
• Cuff - Renoir, vintage 60s, Grandma J's
• Earrings - vintage expo
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes

Flowers, Dots and Chains

It's still really cold out, but at least we've seen some sun lately. Can you tell I am ready for spring? 

 Yes, I know, it's still February. Le sigh.

• Coat - Paparazzi, thrifted in Vancouver; last seen here in December 2018 with a red shirt and blue velvet boots
• Shirt - J. Crew, thrifted; purchased here for $19.99
• Skirt - handmade, vintage; thrifted; last worn here in January with black and white ruffles
• Shoes - Pilgrim Truths, Fluevog; last seen here in December 2018 with a super-shiny brocade jacket
• Sleeveless coat (below) - Only, thrifted; last worn here a week ago

I planned this outfit around the new-to-me polka dot shirt - it's fairly thin and slightly see-through, so I wanted to layer it under a jacket.

 However, I started by wondering which skirt should I wear with it? I wanted to tuck in the shirt (it wrinkles), and I wanted to bounce it off a bright colour. On a Monday? No brainer! Yellow! This lovely wool goldenrod yellow skirt was perfect.

I actually added the accessories next - I really wanted to wear my bow-tie with the shirt - then picked this luscious embroidered black denim jacket next.

 It's heavy - that's a lot of embroidery.

The shoes were chosen last - I would have worn red heels, but my toe said, "Nope, not yet, please!"

"Stop blathering and let me in the hall, Woman!"

I'm coughing after telling Vizzini to shut up - he is a yowler, that one!

Outerwear - it was frigidly windy all day.

"What's in this bag that I can eat?"

I was happy to have my cashmere beret and furry scarf.

• Beret - Club Monaco, thrifted
• Fur scarf - thrifted
• Gloves - consignment

When I got home from work, I thought I'd take a picture of my necklace layered over my bow-tie, which I was quite taken with (but no one at work mentioned).

"You should feed me. NOW."

Cats are so helpful.

The stuff:

 I love these shoes so much. LOVE.

Bold bling:

I'd almost forgotten about this massive double-chain necklace. I saw a woman wearing a giant clear chain necklace at Urbanite and it reminded me - I have one of those!

• Bow-tie - John Comfort for Harry Rosen, vintage, thrifted
• Necklace - Club Monaco
• Earrings - Tania Gleave, Vancouver
• Lapis lazuli ring/Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes

Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Red and Rainbow, Futurist Urbanite, Mini Morning, Party Lily

What a fun weekend we've had, and I'm eager to watch the red carpet and the Oscars tonight, so let's see what I've been up to, shall we? 

Here's Friday's work outfit - red booties time! 

 A good excuse to wear this fabulous rainbow plaid skirt again.

• Shirt - Cleo, thrifted; last seen here in December 2018 with black and white houndstooth
• Skirt - Simon Chang, vintage 80s, thrifted; first worn here in November 2018 with turmeric
• Booties - Zara, consignment; purchased here for $38.40
• Coat (below) - Danier Leather; last worn here last weekend

Again using black to let the skirt pop.

 I like the tux detailing on the front of the shirt.

The skirt has 3 gold buttons on the back slit.

 In order to actually walk, I unbutton two of them.

Is that the weekend I see?

 It totally is!

Outerwear - I'm ready for chilly variable weather: snow, rain, wind, clouds, sun.

 First wearing of the orange leather gloves - not very warm, but otherwise good.

• Scarf - thrifted
• Gloves - consignment; purchased here for $17.99

The stuff:

 It was also the first wearing of these faux leather booties. Ugh, I'm reminded why I prefer leather. These rubbed my lower legs - I had to put band-aids on.

[Oops, forgot the bling pic:

• Belt - thrifted
• Bracelet - thrifted
• Earrings - vintage fair]

They also developed lighter red areas where they creased from wearing them all day.

 I might wear these one more time, but they are not going to last long with me. I demand quality and comfort in addition to cuteness!

After work on Friday, L and I got dressed up for Urbanite (link), the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria's "pop-up party". Nick joined us, and we ran into tons of people we knew.

 The theme was "Futurisms: Imagining Other Worlds, New Realities" and lots of participants got on board with the theme - I was not the most dressed up person there (for once)! I love when people get into a theme; there were space-inspired looks, lots of tinfoil, fiberoptics, lights, shiny fabric, and futuristic makeup.

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

• Dress - Kenzo, purchased here for $68.00
• Boots - Teah Truths, Fluevog; last worn here (2nd outfit) last weekend for dinner out in pink velvet
• Coat (below) - Le Chateau, vintage 90s, thrifted; last worn here (2nd outfit) in October 2016 to see Alice Cooper in concert

My future is dystopian post-apocalyptic with a dash of steampunk.

I loved wearing this fun Kenzo dress which I am calling Cinderella's Rags. No slight to the dress - it was a pleasure to wear, very soft and comfortable. It's cotton, very finely woven.

The skirt is actually quite full and moves when I walk.

 About a Swoosh Factor 5. I was pleasantly surprised.

The major folds in the dress are held together by buttons.

 Although it looks like I have pockets, these pass through. They were fun to play with when when standing around or dancing.

I loved wearing this giant furry top-hat. It was magnificent.

As you can see, I had fun with my liquid eyeliner marker! I shaded the lines with grey shadow, and coloured in the two triangles on each apple of my cheeks with gold and silver eyeshadow.

I also had gold and silver on my upper eyelids.

I was happy that it turned out nice and (sort of) straight!

I had to wear this wonderful satin duster, even though it was cold to wear outdoors.

Worth it! I made an entrance.

Boo-yah! Action shot of the swoosh action of the coat.

I love getting dressed up!

The stuff:

 The accessories make the outfit.

• Hat - vintage, thrifted; purchased here for $4.95
• Purse - Fiveleft
• Stomacher - InWear
• Belt - BCBG Max Azria, consignment
• Gloves - Danier Leather
• Cuff - Guess, thrifted
• Studded cuff - vintage
• Earrings - Brenda Schoenfeld, 1992, vintage mall
• "I am the future" button - AGGV

Boots! I'd originally wanted to wear these boots, but my damaged pinkie toe said, No no no."

 I ended up much happier over the evening in these - good choice, pinkie toe.

L went with a "Space Cowboy" look.

 The vest and jacket are second-hand; jeans are Balmain; boots by Fluevog; L's stepdad's vintage bolo. I thrifted the belt buckle, and bought L the vintage pocket watch 20 years ago.

I was up early on Saturday morning - I had to go to work!

 I had some mandatory training at my WW job, but it was short, and I met L for brunch afterwards. Win!

• Dress - Desigual by Christian Lacroix, thrifted; last worn here (2nd outfit) for a rainy shop in December 2018
• Booties, Arnold Chirgin, thrifted; purchased here for $44.99
• Coat (below) - Danier Leather; last seen here in November 2018

Another wearing of this fun printed dress.

 I walked to the meeting and home after with L - it was a lovely sunny day.

We went to the Beagle Pub in Cook Street Village (I lived there in the 90s).

 The old neighbourhood has changed a lot - so much development.

Outerwear - wearing my own sunshine, just in case.

 Another wearing of the orange accessories.

• Scarf - thrifted
• Gloves - consignment

The stuff:

 In contrast to the other pair of booties, these were magnificent. I love that zipper detail, and they were great for all the walking we did. 

Red and gold bling:

 I've had this lovely leather obi for several years.

• Obi - local, gift from L
• Bangle - thrifted
• Spinner ring - Twang & Pearl
• Earrings - thrifted

 After some reading, napping and cuddle time with Vizzini, L and I went to our friend Greg's 50th birthday party.

 This calls for a jammy dress! I need no excuse to break out this gorgeous lily print beauty.

• Dress - no label, thrifted; last worn here (3rd outfit) for Andrew's birthday in April 2018
• Boots - Libby Smith Bellevue, Fluevog; last seen here (3rd outfit) in November 2018
• Coat (below) - Apparence, vintage, thrifted; last worn here last weekend

I knew I'd have to take my shoes off for the house party, so I wore knee-high black socks over my tights to keep my legs warm.

"You're going out again?"

The dress is a stretchy fine synthetic knit and is great for lounging around. I wore a vintage slip under this for an extra layer.

I noticed that the pattern on the arms is symmetrical - an indicator of quality.

"I do not approve - you should stay home with me."

 I love that the lilies, leaves and berries pattern is one neck to hem print - so unusual!

Showing the boots. 

I just wore them between cab and door.

Outerwear: again, only worn briefly, the Unsafe Polar Bear.

 Snuggly!

• Pashmina - Portolano, thrifted
• Gloves - consignment

The stuff:

 Such a fun colour combination: caramel, purple and rust.

Pearly bling:

The dress doesn't require a lot of bling - pearls always look good. 

• Pearl ring - Erth, consignment
• Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes
• Earrings - thrifted

Vizzini's been needy all weekend, requiring lots of cuddles. 

"You're just a warm lap to me."

That's probably true!

I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Snakes, Sequins and Scritches

I'm excited to share today's outfit with you - I loved it, and got tons of positive comments on it today. 

 Snakes! Sequins! Green! Gold!

• Blouse - Topshop, thrifted; last seen here in November 2018 with brown suede and my snake belt
• Skirt - Banana Republic, consignment; purchased here (with original tags still on!) for $40.00
• Boots - Matisse, consignment; last worn here in January while cocooned in blue
• Coat (below) - Zara, gift from Dominique; last seen here in January

Although I could have gone with a white, cream or black top or sweater to pop this new-to-me sequinned miniskirt (and will probably do all of those at some point), while I was holding it up to things in my closet, I saw this green snake blouse and it clicked.

 It makes the sequinned pattern kind of look like scales, right?

Note that the beaded snake on the blouse goes all the way over to the back. I also enjoy the full sleeves, and long, buttoned cuffs. Drama!

 The skirt was wonderful to wear all day - I am wearing sheer nylons, and not a single snag from the sequins.

I noticed a nice quality detail in the skirt too: the lining is quite generous - it's cut fuller and roomier than the sequinned outer part. This lets me sit, climb stepladders, and go up and down stairs without straining the outer part. It means my skirt will last longer.

It is, however, a rather SHORT skirt. I get a kick out of this old post here from October 2010 (nine years ago!) from when I got my first ever pair of over-the-knee boots and was feeling a little "Oooh, am I too old to wear this? Is this age-appropriate" about them with a mini.

 Now, I'm all, "Yeah, whatever, I feel great, that's all that matters."

Outerwear - still chilly out there, but I did not want to sweat in that blouse, so I went with a lighter coat.

This coat has touches of olive green, so I wore my velvet olive scarf.

• Scarf - Dolce & Gabbana, thrifted
• Gloves - Danier Leather

The stuff:

 Comfy boots! I've worn them so much since I got them, that I need them re-heeled.

Gold bling:

 If I'm gonna wear the snake blouse, then I HAD to wear the snake bracelet! It had many fans.

• Bracelet - Whiting & Davis, vintage fair
• Amber ring - c. 1996
• Crystal/silver ring - Uffizi Gallery gift shop, Florence, Italy
• Earrings - vintage fair

I always check the house in the morning for Vizzini, so that he doesn't accidentally get trapped in a closet. Today, I found him up on top of his post.

"It would be nice if the deck door was open."

It is too cold for that right now, bud, sorry. All I can give you is the view.

"Oh, we're going to do this now, are we?"

He's so cute, though! I have to pet him.

"Well, I am rather dashing, it's true."

He does actually like the attention.

"Mmm...yes. You should stay home and we will have cuddles."

Very tempting, but I had to go to work. He had to settle for scritches behind the ear.

"I'll accept that. This time."

My friends, I am off now to enjoy my weekend, and I'll be back with tales of adventure on Sunday. Peace!