Thursday, April 11, 2019

Salamander and the Garden

Hello, my friends, we are nearly at the weekend! I'm hungry and eager to get some couch time with Vizzini, so let's get this going. 
I sometimes save pieces that I really love, prolonging my pleasure in wearing them - this skirt was one. 


  • Sweater - Dalkeith, vintage 60s, thrifted; last seen here going to the dentist in January
  • Skirt - Ted Baker, consignment (new with tags), Vancouver; purchased here for $47.99
  • Shoes - Gentle Souls; last worn here in September 2018 with two now-gone items (I have a black skirt problem!)
  • Raincoat (below) - Avoca; purchased here for $39.99


I had many compliments on the sweater - it's a gorgeous vintage piece (older than I am!) made in England (100% wool, but so soft), that fits me perfectly. It is starting to get worn out a bit, and I'll be sad when it goes to Vintage Heaven.
 I liked how the deep green goes with the darker colours in the skirt. Everyone loved the salamander brooch; it was the star, not the skirt! I envisioned it crawling out of the garden pattern, up towards my shoulder. I pinned it to a piece of stiffer fabric on the backside to keep it from pulling the sweater.

I loved wearing this skirt today, but one thing really annoyed me, and pencil skirts in the 1980s got this right on this length of skirt: make the slit at the back higher. It should go to about mid-thigh.
"I'm just going to sit here and stare at the hallway door. I should go out there."

As you can see, my regular stride is causing the skirt to pull and bunch up. As I walked to work in my Docs, it ended up at well above my knees. It was also slightly hard to do stairs and climb ladders at work. A higher slit allows you do all those things comfortably, but still keeps that nice pencil shape. Mr. Baker, you should put one of your skirts on and walk around in it - you would make a higher slit if you did!

I love the extra-long pencil shape on this, however, and overall, thumbs up.
"You can't just going to ignore me, Woman!"

I had to pose around Vizzini for the above two pictures. He was very grumpy with me and dashed out into the hallway when I did my stair picture.

Cuddling did not help.
"I need to bite this immediately!"

He also tries to bite my earrings off. He's a devil!

Outerwear - rain calls for my new raincoat! I'm all covered in pansies!
 I had to wear it with the hood up on the way to work - the waterproofing was excellent. I did not get wet at all.

It's definitely a spring warm weather coat - it's lined in very soft cotton t-shirt fabric, which was a bit clingy on my sweater.
 I like the shaping of the back - that's a nice detail in a raincoat.

The stuff:
 These shoes are so comfortable - I love the funky heel and the rock of the sole. The suede is very soft.

Salamander bling:
I love this gorgeous Sherman set.


  • Brooch - vintage fair
  • Necklace/earrings - Sherman, vintage 60s, vintage fair
  • Bracelet - Coro, vintage 60s, Mom's

And now, my friends, I am off to enjoy my weekend - I'll be back on Sunday with tales of adventure! 

22 comments:

  1. I love the clash of prints with your fab new pansy mac and the Ted Baker skirt. The Dalkeith jumper is lovely - anything I've come across with that label is always superb quality and wonderfully soft - but yes, the salamander does steal the show (apart from Vizzini and his antics!)
    Don't encourage Mr Ted Baker to wear skirts - he's already in enough trouble https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-46489021
    Have a fab weekend! xxx

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    1. Thank you, Vix! I have had a few Dalkeith pieces over the years, and they are always the best quality.

      Ack, did not know that - let's make the head designer wear the *&^@ skirts, then!

      Delete
  2. I love your raincoat, its magnificent print can cheer up any rainy day!, and it looks lovely with the printed skirt, mixed prints rock!
    Love your salamander brooch and love even more the tip of pinning to a piece of stiffer fabric to keep your sweater safe!, I have some heavy brooches which will not be neglected anymore!
    You look particularly adorable in this outfit!
    besos
    besos

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Isn't it pretty, Monica? I love the pattern. I don't remember where I read that tip for brooches, but it works really well! Glad to pass that on.

      Aw, thank you, hon.

      Delete
  3. Psst... Sheila... there's a lizard crawling up your sweater! Have a nice weekend.

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    1. Full confession: I called it a "boob lizard" all day. :)

      Delete
  4. Love this outfit today! The dark green works so well with the skirt pattern, and the salamander is always great.

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  5. Another triumph, Sheila. Love the jumper with the salamander pinned to it. Great idea to pin a piece of stiffer fabric to the backside. I'm going to steal that from you! Awesome skirt too, but I do hear you on the inadequate slit. Indeed, Mr. Ted Baker should try to walk in a skirt like this for a whole day as punishment. I certainly wouldn't be able to wear it, as I wouldn't be able to get on/off the bus! Love that wonderful Sherman set and the pansy rain coat too. Have a fabulous and adventurous weekend! xxx

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Oh, Ann, you are so sweet. As noted, I don't remember where I read that, but I'm happy to pass along that tip to you for brooches.

      It frustrates me when I can tell from wearing a garment what kind of "fix" it needs to its design. This sort of thing should be figured out before it goes into production!

      I love the Sherman - and it's such a glorious pink! Happy weekend to you and Jos and Phoebe!

      Delete
  6. Such a beautiful combination with the top and pencil skirt, even if the skirt was a pain to wear! I do really like the brooch on your top too. This is the kind of outfit I'd love to wear more of - with a perfectly paired block colour top and a colourful statement bottom. Even if most of my basics are very basic and just tees, haha!

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    1. Much appreciated, Mica! It's an easy formula once you break it down; for me, it's about having really special and high-quality pieces when I build it. Nothing wrong with basics!

      Delete
  7. Love the sweater and brooch combination, it definitely dazzles and is the star of the show!
    Have a wonderful weekend. I wonder what cheeky-ness Vizzini will get up to. X

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    Replies
    1. I know, funny how that worked out!

      Thanks, Jess - Vizzini is always getting up to something.

      Delete
  8. I'd be inclined to open up that back seam to lengthen the slit, making for less rucking and easier walking. A stitch unpicker used carefully would do the job and then you could anchor the top with a few inside stitches... The sweater is fabulous and fits you like a dream. And what a clever idea to secure the brooch from behind - I'll remember that little trick!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Nah, I'm far too lazy for that, and I'm not going to risk it all coming undone. Thank you - I can't take credit for that, I read it somewhere.

      Delete
  9. Thumbs up indeed Sheila! I cannot believe that sweater is olde than you, this combination is outstanding :) The salamander brooch is indeed an eye catcher-

    ReplyDelete

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