Triple Patterned Black and Cream (and Cat Pics)

Another item that I pulled as a regret-me-not from the giveaway pile was this skirt. 

 I know, I know, what was I thinking?

• Sweater - Alice + Olivia, consignment; last worn here (3rd outfit) in April with a ginormous tie-dye skirt
• Bustier - Le Chateau, consignment; last seen here in June 2017 with ruffles and leopard
• Skirt - All Saints, gift from Dominique; last worn here (4th outfit) in September with boots and a green sweater
• Shoes - Hispanitas; last seen here (3rd outfit) with this same sweater (weird) in April
• Coat (below) - Lord & Taylor, thrifted; last worn here on Tuesday

There are so few really interesting skirts out in the world (really, most skirts are not that interesting), so why I would pull this fabulous, pouf-tastic, neutral-patterned skirt from my closet and put it in the giveaway...?

 I blame sunspots and brain-fog. Obviously.

This was a pretty "out there" outfit for me, even though everything's neutral.

 The bustier is very stretchy cotton and I've had it for ages.

I liked how the plaid went with the snaky-looking pattern of the skirt (which is actually little lilies-of-the-valley and stripes). Pattern mixing!

 Pockets for the win!

It was at about this point this morning that Vizzini and I had a cuddle.

"This is between you and me."

The camera was handy from taking pictures of him last night.

"It'll ruin my reputation if these are published."

Reputation ruined! Vizzini has turned into quite the cuddle-monster.

Back to the outfit. Covered up from the sun, and for the slightly cool morning.

 Tired...need a weekend.

The stuff:

 I love these shoes so much. I needed to wear flats after yesterday's honkin' heels. And there's my third black and cream pattern - it's a triple pattern mix!

Old bling:

 I've had all of these pieces for several years.

• Belt - gift from Ruth
• Necklace - the Bay
• Steel cuff - thrifted
• Bracelet - Fossil, gift from L
• Earrings - Fossil, thrifted

These are the pictures I took of Vizzini last night while L and I watched a movie.

"Is this really necessary, Woman?"

Both of his back feet (both white) are curled forward, with one arm hanging down. That is one chilled-out kitty.

 Aw, there's my guys.

One more for the road. I left Vizzini snoozing on the "cuddle chair" with his crown pillow.

"I'd rather sleep on your lap."

Time to go fulfill that wish!

I will be back on Sunday with tales of adventure! Thank you - as always - for stopping by.

Listen Up Regret-Me-Nots and Circus Stripes

Today's item that I'd put in the giveaway pile but then retrieved (seriously, this needs a word!) is a pair of those that I've had for 8 years. 

 I was rushed for time this morning - one crappy stair picture comin' up! Isn't that always the way? When you're in a hurry, the pictures don't quite work.

• Coat - Club Monaco, thrifted; last worn here (2nd outfit) earlier this month
• Sweater - no label, consignment; not tracked
• Skirt - Dries Van Noten, consignment, San Francisco; last seen here in September 2018 with lemon yellow
• Shoes - Listen Up O'Hara, Fluevog; last worn here in February 2015 in a horrendous mish-mash of an outfit (go ahead and look - they can't all be winners!)

I was flustered over what top to wear with this skirt and ended up with this plain cream sweater. It was fine, nothing special - sometimes we need basic pieces to make everything else work.

I'd also forgotten that this skirt - which is wonderful! - is very low on the hips.

I had intended just to wear this light lined jacket as outerwear, but I ended up wearing it all day.

 It is a gorgeous piece, and worth wearing just like this.

Without the jacket.

"Let me in the hallway, Woman!"

I like this look, but yeah - from behind I was exposing a lot of bare lower back (and the top of my underwear!).

"Fine, I'm leaving."

But you do get to see how well this amazing skirt fits. It's Dries Van Noten and it's a wool blend (with pockets) and a lovely silky lining - don't you love the circus stripes?

Jacket done up. I put my little S pin on after these photos and wore this as my outfit for most of the day.

 More pockets!

The stuff:

I had to stuff the ankles of these shoes to make them stand up for the photos! These are the first pair of Listen Up shoes that Fluevog made with their "new" heel (these shoes - my very first pair of Fluevogs! - are the old heel).

I fell in love with these when I tried them on with coloured tights, when L and I went to Vancouver on our annual anniversary "pilgrimage" to Fluevog in 2011; I first wore them here in March 2011. I loved them in the outfit I wore to my company holiday party here (3rd outfit) in December 2013, and just before that (in a slight variation) for my nomination in the local 'Unlimited Woman Awards' (here, in November 2013). I wore them a few times for work as well, for about 8-9 wears total (click here and scroll for a walk through memory lane circa 2011 to 2015). And then they languished in my closet for 4 years.

It's hard to face the fact that a 4" heel won't cut it for me anymore - I'm getting older and my feet are too. However, I just love these shoes (especially with tights), and they feel special. My review of them is still posted in Fluevog's archives (here, linking 'cause I love), and they are even in the Fluevog "museum" (here).

So - obviously I wasn't wearing them, and they went into the giveaway pile, but then I couldn't stop thinking about them. They are a "regret-me-not"! And I wore them today, and they were good for about 5 hours of working, running around and some standing, before I took them off around 3pm and switched back to my runners.

They are staying in my closet, and in my heart, as a true work of art. I may not wear them much, but they are special and definitely keepers.

The stuff:

I hated that pin. Gone!

• Yellow cuff - thrifted
• Cage cuff - Bauxo
• Earrings - vintage fair
• Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes
• Crystal/silver ring - Soul Flower
• Pin - vintage fair

Orange You Glad I Kept These?

Continuing my week-long theme of "things I tossed, but then had second thoughts about" (I know, catchy, right?), today's outfit features two items that I reclaimed. 

Windy!

Actually, only one. The other item came back to me from someone else.

• Dress - Sacony, vintage 60s, thrifted; last worn here in July 2018 for my once-annual wearing
• Shoes - Pearl Hart Bellevue, Fluevog; last seen way here back in August 2015!
• Jacket (below) - Lord & Taylor, thrifted; last worn here a couple of weeks ago

All of my friends tried this dress on during Saturday's clothing giveaway, and it didn't work on any of them. They talked me into it!

 Ir's such a cool dress, and it's really a "one and done" piece - not much needed to look good.

It's quite warm, even though it's sleeveless. The fabric is Ciella (it's on the label!) which is a "special acetate jersey that never sags, doesn't retain wrinkles and stays unwilted even in sweltering temperatures"!

I bought it here in July 2017 for $18.95 (good detail pictures of the label and the pattern there) and wore it 3 times. Basically once a year.

However, it's back in my closet.

 I like it, and it works with my style. So I'm keeping it. Again.

Coated up for sun protection.

 This lovely fluffy coat is machine wash, tumble dry (delicate settings), so I don't mind sweating in it.

The stuff:

I bought these shoes off Elaine in 2012 - I first wore them here in April 2012 - she had picked them up locally for $99.00 (a great price!) but had buyer's regret, so I bought them off her.

I wore them 15 times (just over $6.00 per wear), then in a fit of giveaway, passed them along to my dear friend Cat, who brought them to the swap/giveaway last Saturday. She didn't really wear them much, and thought I might want them back.

Aw, just seeing them again...I put them on, and they felt familiar and comfortable. Yes, they are going back into the closet. They were fabulous to wear today! Thank you, Cat!

Bright bling:

I loved the bright gold, the vivid pearlized orange and that deep, deep indigo purple together. Colour!

• Gold cuff - vintage fair
• Orange cuff/ring - Italian, 1960s vintage, vintage mall
• Amber ring - c. 1996
• Earrings - thrifted

Black, Pink and Versace Revisited, and Sweater Gone

All this week, I'll be revisiting some of the pieces I'd put in the giveaway pile, and re-evaluating them. In the heat of the (giveaway) moment, I pulled them back - I wasn't quite ready to let them go. 

Today, I'm featuring this patterned pink and black skirt (it also has a bit of blue-grey in the pattern), and the shoes.

• Sweater - Maggie, vintage, swapped; swapped here on the weekend
• Skirt - H&M, consignment; last worn here (2nd outfit) on a December 2018 weekend for brunch out
• Shoes - Versace, vintage 80s, vintage fair; last seen here (2nd outfit) in January 2018 
• Linen coat (below) - Tangerine Jill, thrifted; last worn here a couple of weeks ago

I wanted to wear this sweater right away - and the verdict: not keeping it. It's too baggy and oversized on me. Into the giveaway bag! Gone!

The skirt - why did I put it in the giveaway bag? It's a good length, good colours (although I am pretty limited to wearing black, white or grey with it). Sometimes I get carried away!

It's nice and full, as you can see.

 Still not the right settings for my morning pictures. What's up with that graininess? Gah.

It's got pockets! The skirt, I mean.

 Yeah, I'll keep it for now. I didn't pay much for it ($9.50 on consignment a couple of years ago), so I still don't feel bad about getting rid of it, but I do like it and I have room (and a hanger!) for it, so it can stay. For now!

Outerwear - not really needed so much today, as it was back to hot temps of 24!

 This coat is light, and a good sunblock.

The stuff:

I'd put these shoes in the giveaway too. Seeing them in the pile of shoes made me feel regretful. Again, I didn't pay much for them ($25.00 at a vintage fair ages ago), but I don't wear them often. They were quite comfy today, so I may just put them back into rotation. They are rather badass, aren't they? Shame to not wear them, especially since I don't currently have a black heel in my collection.

Pink bling:

I still love my Sherman set!

• Necklace and earrings - Sherman, vintage 60s, vintage fair
• Crystal/silver ring - Soul Flower
• Crystal ring - Uffizi Gallery gift shop, Florence, Italy

Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Amazing Jumpsuit, Etro Dress, Velvet Rain, and Winesday Swap

Hello, my friends, I'm back! I hope you are having/had a fabulous weekend! 

Here's Friday's outfit - in your face! 

I was in a state of constant delight, showing this off to my colleagues at work all day!

This is my entry for "Visible Monday" over at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style. I was certainly visible!

• Cardigan - no label, thrifted; not tracked 
• Linen jumpsuit - JC de Castelbajac, vintage 90s, thrifted; purchased here for $37.99
• Shoes - Zoomies Ishshoes, Fluevog; last worn here (3rd outfit) in April for tea at the Abkhazi Gardens

I did a lot of this:

 Woo! Look at my ginormous flounced legs!

No, really! It's not a dress?

 What?? These giant legs swooshed around in the most "Goes to Eleven!" way - Swoosh Factor 10!

Okay, here it is all normal.

 It's somewhere around this point where I noticed that I didn't have any of my accessories on!

I rolled my hair and pinned it while I put my make-up on.

 It didn't stay curly all day, but it looks nice for pictures.

With the cardigan on, which is how I wore it all day.

 It picks up the red beads on the waist draw-string.

I'm so glad I had this professionally hemmed (thank you, Vlad the Tailor!).

 These cost $25 to have 6 inches cut off - this jumpsuit was made for a very tall woman!

The stuff:

 I liked the white shoes with the outfit, but by the end of the day (I did a lot of standing) my feet were pretty tired.

Silver bling:

 All silver except for the cuff, which is steel.

• Cuff - thrifted
• Earrings - Brenda Schoenfeld, 1992, vintage mall
• Silver/crystal ring - Soul Flower
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes

I bused home after work to feel Vizzini and change my outfit before heading back to town to meet up with L, Mom and her brother/my uncle from Australia. When he didn't come running to greet me, I was quite worried about Mr. Kitty, but he'd spotted an intruder!

"Woman! Fetch me that bird!"

I don't know what kind of bird that is, but his claws were hooked through the bedroom window screen, and he was cheeping away at Vizzini, who was VERY agitated by the whole thing. When I opened the window to help the bird escape, he flew away. Was he clinging there just to taunt Vizzini?

I changed outfits for dinner - I wanted something comfy for sitting and for walking partway home after.

 My Etro dress was just right.

• Dress - Etro, vintage 90s, thrifted; last worn here (4th outfit) for Winesday in September 2018
• Shoes - Karl Lagerfeld; last seen here (3rd outfit) a few weeks ago with lots of greens
• Jacket (below) - Dolce & Gabbana, vintage 90s, thrifted; last worn here (3rd outfit) a couple of weeks ago to hang out at my brother's

See how straight my hair got over the day?

 I wore a navy blue vintage slip under this - I was glad of the extra warmth as it was quite chilly down near the water.

I'm still boggled that I only paid $6.00 for this silk stretch jersey Etro dress!

 It's really love to wear.

 Added this little studded jacket for warmth.

As I walked down the restaurant, I passed tourists complaining about it being "freezing!"

 It was probably around 12 degrees.

The stuff:

 No change to the jewelry from the day-time outfit, just the shoes.

On Saturday, we had enough to play Ultimate Frisbee, but had a last-minute "I'm sick!" cancellation. L and I walked to the field (in the pouring rain!) to send home anyone who missed the email, and then we went to the pub for breakfast.

 A lace tee for warmth, velvet for VELVET, and over-the-knee boots for rain.

• Top - Tangerine Jill, thrifted; first worn here in January in two outfits in one day
• Dress - BCBG Max Azria, thrifted; last seen here in September 2018 with different boots (same necklace)
• Boots - Matisse, consignment; last worn here in March with a fine skirt
• Coat (below) - Avoca; last seen here over a scribble dress

I'm still trying to work out all the settings on my camera.

 Too close!!

I can't quite get a handle on the indoor shots yet.

 And since I don't take very many, and I don't have a lot of time to play with them, forgive me that they are slightly dark.

I love this silk velvet dress.

 Perfect for a rainy breakfast at the pub.

It was totally pouring. Need my raincoat!

L is always silly! 

Hood up!

 I also carried my brolly.

The stuff:

 You can see how wet my boots got!

• Necklace - local
• Earrings - thrifted

We had to wait a few minutes for the pub to open, so we browsed in Luna, where I spotted this magnificent felt hat. It has no label but it's made in China. I love the dark green colour.

 It's wet from walking home with it on. I dried it on the deck on our glass-topped table and carefully blocked it back into shape (it was squished on the crown when I got it). It was $26.00 - L bought it for me. Thank you, my love!

I also spotted a snake hair barrette for $14.00.

 It matches my earrings! I must have it! It's by Red Sky.

After a nap in the afternoon, I hosted a giant swap/clothing giveaway at our place, and gave away a ton of clothes. I still have a giant mound, so I'm going to sort it and start taking the leftovers to work for my colleagues. Anything not given away will be donated to charity.

I reclaimed a few of my own items that I decided I had to keep (and I'm going to feature some this week to make sure I really want them!).

 This is the only item I took from the stuff my Winesday women brought. It's a lovely acrylic/angora blend vintage 80s sweater from Vero that she thrifted.

I found a label in the shoulder - it's by Maggie by Jana.

I like the little embellishment at the V. Wonderful!

Well, my friends, I'm off to enjoy what's left of this fine Sunday. Thank you so much for stopping by!