Stained Glass and New Counters

I only worked a half day today, so that I could be home in the morning for a visit from the plumber. 

He was here for 3.5 hours, and then I walked to work for the afternoon. I picked an easy outfit that I've worn before. Nothing wrong with an old favourite!

• Baby blue blouse - no label, vintage 80s, thrifted; last worn here in March with a fine skirt
• Dress - Tangerine Jill, consignment; last seen here in February before the VFF Gala
• Shoes - Half Truth Veda, Fluevog; last worn here in April with a lovely skirt

As always when I wear this dress, I get comments like, "Partridge Family bus! Stained glass! A painter!" [they mean Piet Mondrian]

I've always called it my stained glass dress. It's a sheer black silk organza with all of those squares of silk shantung sewn on individually.

It's really quite amazing - I have had it for years!

I bought it in 2011 for $42.00 at The Velvet Crease and I've worn it 13 times (this is the 3rd time with this blouse!), so my cost-per-wear is going well at just over $3 per outing.

Today, I discovered a rip in the black silk right where my hand is, below, on my hip.

 This would be a good instance where iron-on interfacing could save it from tearing further - it would be invisible once mended, so I'll definitely be doing that. It's sad when clothes start to wear out!

The stuff:

Speaking of wearing out, these shoes have taken a beating in the 5 years that I've had them. I've worn them a LOT. They'll be replaced eventually, when I find another pair of amazing black kitten heels!

• Earrings - Stella & Dot, consignment, Vancouver
• Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes

So! L and I have been in a state of renovation for just over a week - and it's been very stressful. Other people do massive renos, but we do fairly little ones, as both of us hate having our space disrupted and our routines discombobulated.

When we bought our condo - which was built in the mid-70s - it was painted blackboard green throughout, with thick white/cream carpet. Instead of tile in the hall/kitchen/bathroom, it had carpet with patches of ugly, original laminated flooring.

I found this very old picture of L (from back when I hid his face!) feeding our first kitty Othello some tuna:

The counters were yellow, we had glitter "stone" floors, the original brown wood cupboards were pale yellow with giant original hardware. The kitchen walls were covered with puffy wallpaper. It was truly...hideous.

We lived with it for a few years, and then painted the cupboards bright orange, put in malachite green laminate countertops, and scraped all the wallpaper off and painted the walls terra cotta. What can I say? It was the early 00s. We thought it looked great at the time!

We last did renos to our kitchen about 15 years ago, when we replaced our cupboard and drawer fronts and hardware, trimmed out the swoopy wood over the sink, and painted all but the facing walls cream to match the new fronts. It's not as yellow as it looks here - it's all cream.

"Why do you keep taking pictures of the kitchen? I'm right here!"

We couldn't afford to do the counters, so again, we just lived with them, until this year, when we'd saved up enough to replace the counters and the old, not-working-properly taps (our cat-sitting friends Cat and Ross were ready to rebel!).

Last Friday, we were all set to have our new counters installed...except the guy who measured it all, and noted that the long counter on the right wouldn't fit in our building's elevator...forgot to note that to the guys who cut the counter. This was the state of our kitchen.

Fridge in the dining room, sink gone. No counter. Unhappy L and Sheila!

The stove was in the dining room too.

Good thing we don't have a dining room table. We've been eating out a lot this past week!

We had to wait till Monday to have the 500 lb slab cut, and then it was all installed yesterday:

Look at our lovely creamy-white counters! The sink/faucet is still not hooked up, though - that had to wait till today.

We opted for quartz countertops, and chose a cream to match the cupboards/walls, with a slight brown fleck/veining in it.

It lasts forever, doesn't have to be sealed and doesn't stain. Perfect for us!

So pretty! The piece of wood with the clamp is to hold the slab in place until all the adhesives/caulking are fully dry.

They definitely make our kitchen look bigger, until we cram all our crap back onto the counters, heh heh. 

Our big issue was with the sink. We'd ordered an "over-mount" sink, which sits on top of the counter, but due to some (more) mix-ups, we got under-mount. Not a terrible thing - it does look really nice - but the extra depth (modern sinks are really deep), it didn't line up with our drain pipe! 

We were terrified we'd be without a kitchen sink (it's been a pain only having our bathroom sink), or that we'd have to tear a hole in the common area stairwell to reposition our ancient plumbing, but this morning, our awesome plumber was able to make it work.  

Tah-dah! What a nice sink! And a faucet that works! Ooh...swanky!

We are cautiously optimistic that there won't be any leaks, and that the dishwasher will run properly. Please send good vibes!

Pink, Bows and Polka Dots

This has turned into an unexpectedly stressful week: work stuff for L, sickness, renovations not going the way they are supposed to! 

In these kinds of stressful situations, I always cope better if I feel good about what I'm wearing. 

• Top - H&M, thrifted; last worn here in September 2018 with red polka dots
• Skirt - J Studio, vintage 80s, thrifted; last seen here in July 2018 with leopard
• Shoes - Lola Ramona; last worn here in June with yellow and daisies
• Jacket (below) - Stella McCartney for Adidas, consignment, Vancouver; last seen here with these shoes in June

There are many things in this world we can't control, but I can control my style! I felt fab all day.

Due to my renewed interest in trousers over the last year, they are taking up more space in my closet, and I've had to fold/stack some of my light tops, like this lovely printed cotton one. It was on the bottom and I totally couldn't see it - I'd forgotten all about it (obviously, I need a bigger closet).

I fell in love with it anew - such a great pattern! The ribbon belt is removable but I've always worn it like this.

Bows on the heels too!

This vintage skirt is summer-weight wool, fully-lined, and beautifully made in Vancouver.

And it has pockets! It's really vivid, almost a neon pink. Well, it IS from the 80s, duh, of course, it's neon.

Don't you love this just-below-the-knee length? My knees are covered in (battle)scars from various accidents, mishaps, falls and bangs over the years.

It was cloudy and very windy today, but it's warm out.

This light nylon jacket was perfect for walking to and from work.

The stuff:

Doing a little black and white colour-mixing for visual interest - polka dots are always a win. These shoes are wonderful to wear, very comfortable. Eee, the bows on the heels! The striped rubber soles!

Black and white bling:

Some favourite pieces.

• Cuff - vintage fair
• Silver/onyx ring - Tocara, vintage fair
• Earrings - thrifted

The Return of the Jammy Suit, Plus Cat Pictures

It was very hard to get going this morning. Poor L was sick all day yesterday, and still in bed this morning. I wanted to stay home too.

But Monday calls. Must go to work.

• Jacket and pants suit - Part Two; both pieces first worn here in May with more cream
• Top - Jones New York, vintage, thrifted; last worn here in June 2018 with green trousers and Armani
• Shoes - Wonders, consignment; last seen here (3rd outfit) just a couple of days ago with a Giant Vest

My usual stair pose doesn't always work with trousers, so the above one is filling in.

See, my legs look short, and the top doesn't sit right with the jacket when I'm leaning over to the side.

Without the jacket.

 The top is silk and beaded front and back. Very delicate

It is lovely on, but tends to look odd under jackets. It's actually a really good fit.

 At least my butt looks good.

I had issues getting Vizzini out of the way this morning.

"Cuddle time!"

I tried to explain that I had no time to cuddle, but he just lay there like a lump until I rubbed his tum.

Jacket on.

My coworkers raved about this outfit. I spotted at least two other women wearing a very similar colour combo.

I must be on trend in my jammy suit right now.

I do like suits are "in" - I've always enjoyed wearing a good suit. I got my first suit in 1985, when I was in high school. It was a black and white plaid, with a similar jacket to this, worn with a pencil skirt. I was styling when I was 17!

Hands in pockets. Yessss.

 The fabric is very swingy and swooshy.

I mean business in my pajama-style suit.

 Some days you just don't want to wear colour. It's all good, though.

The stuff:

 Awesome shoes - too comfy not to wear them again so quickly! I actually had them planned with this suit from the day I bought them.

POLY bling:

Some of my Christophe Poly collection.

• Silver/gold cuff - JPL, vintage fair
• Bracelet - POLY, thrifted
• Ring w/green - POLY, Art Gallery of Hamilton gift shop
• Ring w/grey - POLY, vintage fair
• Earrings - vintage mall

Last night, Vizzini crept up behind me on the couch, and took over one of my pillows.

"Do you mind? I'm napping here." 

His tail drifted down and rested on the top of my head. AW.

This morning, after I chased him off, he curled up on the deck.

"Oh, wonderful, you found me."

I need to give him some attention. And I'm off to do just that!

Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Psychedelic Bubbles; Chartreuse Morning; B-Day Vest; Vintage for 'Vogs

Hello! My friends! Where did that weekend go? The days have just gone by way too fast! 

 Friday only feels like a few hours ago, but this is what I wore to work.

Linking up to "Visible Monday" over at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style!

• Dress - Marjorie Hamilton, vintage 60s, thrifted; first worn here (3rd outfit) in May with different pink shoes
• Shoes - Arnold Churgin, thrifted; purchased here for $22.99
• Lace duster (below) - Lysse; last worn here several times in Hamilton in early July

Barely anyone in the office - we are into vacation season - but everyone there saw me coming.

 Much love for this gorgeous vintage dress. The pattern reminds me of bubbles - it's a rather psychedelic print!

My colleagues were boggled that this is as old as me - over 50 years on this planet.

 And it's still as good as new.

I can't say the same about me!

 Things are getting creaky.

Covered up for the sun - we've had a hot and sunny (and windy - it's always windy here) weekend, with temps in the mid-to-high 20s.

 After work, L and I went out for dinner, since we are still missing a kitchen sink. Things have been delayed, due to a miscommunication with the manufacturers (not our fault!), so our new counters/sink will be installed (hopefully) on Tuesday/Wednesday.

The stuff:

These shoes were great in the office all day, but I did a lot of walking on Friday (out for a lunch date, and much running around in the office, walking to/from the bus stops), so I swapped to easier shoes for strolling to the pub for dinner.

Simple bling:

 With a pattern like that dress, you don't need much!

• Turquoise/silver ring - local
• Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes
• Earrings - vintage fair

On Saturday, we had our Ultimate Frisbee game - it was very windy!

 Getting a seasonal wearing out of this lovely silk chartreuse dress.

• Dress - Mary Jo Bruno, consignment; last worn here in June 2018
• Shoes - Born, consignment; last seen here (2nd outfit) last weekend post-Ulti again

I wore it to work last year, and then washed it and stored it away. It washed fine (phew!), apparently!

 I gave it a good steaming, and it came out beautifully.

I like the long sleeves for sun coverage. And it's such a great colour.

 I am always on the lookout for summer dresses with sleeves.

Why are they so hard to find?

I was bummed when my usual Saturday sunglasses snapped and broke in the morning. I switched over to my heart-shaped ones, but will on the lookout for new bigass shades.

The stuff:

I wore these shoes to the pub the night before; they are one of the most comfy pairs I own. I needed them after playing for 2 hours in cleats (soccer boots), which are very tight.

Gold bling:

 I was the dressiest person in the diner at lunch afterwards!

• Belt - thrifted, Powell River
• Sunglasses - the Patch
• Top bracelet - Butler Fifth Avenue Collection, consignment
• Chain bracelet - thrifted
• Gold hoops - 5th anniversary gift from L

Not even time for a nap after we got home - must shower and get ready to go to Ross' 50th birthday bash!

 His theme was "Grateful (to not be) Dead" so I hauled out this never-worn-on-the blog vintage vest and built an outfit around it.

• Vest - vintage 70s, thrifted c. 1998; modeled once here for my "What the Hell? Never Seen Closet Archives series that I did in 2010 (link here to the full series, and a walk down Memory Lane!)
• Sweater - Twik, thrifted; first worn here (3rd outfit) a couple of weeks ago to Winesday
• Trousers - Lady Dutch, thrifted; last seen here earlier this month with green Miu Miu
• Shoes - Wonders, consignment; purchased here for $22.50

Since I knew that the vest would be the star of the outfit, I picked simple items to go with it.

 A plain sleeveless black mock-neck sweater makes a good showcase for a funky necklace.

Not that anyone noticed that - all you see is the vest!

 Amazing pattern, isn't it? I bought this at Value Village 20 years ago!

I've worn it twice - once to two weddings in one day (really!), and once to a local wine festival - but both of those events were 18-20 years ago. I'd put this vest into the giveaway pile about a year ago, and my Winesday women convinced me to haul it back out and wear it.

 Good call, I'd say! I've never seen anything like it in a vintage store, thrift store or any of the vintage fairs since.

Instead of a short skirt, I did my khaki harem trousers.

 They picked up one of the colours in the pattern, and were comfy for sitting on high chairs on the rooftop patio where Ross' party was.

L and I walked to town (and home, much later) - the vest billowed out behind me in the wind!

"What on earth are you wearing, Woman?"

It's very dramatic.

"I can't be associated with these shenanigans."

 One big swoosh!

The stuff:

 First wearing of my new-to-me Wonders - and I walked to and from the b-day party in them. They were awesome to wear - completely comfy! Hooray!

Gold bling:

 I had fun showing off my "claw" jewelry to my friends. Rar!

• Leather purse - Club Monaco, thrifted
• Snake bracelet - Whiting & Davis, vintage 70s, vintage fair
• Leather/gold cuff and necklace - Ambush, consignment, gifts from L
• Amber ring - c. 1996
• Silver/onyx ring - Tocara, vintage fair
• Gold hoops - 5th anniversary gift from L

It was a late night, but poor L has come down with something (not a hangover) and has been in bed sick all day.

Hoping I don't get it!

I dashed to town to do the grocery shopping...and another expedition...

• Dress - D'Allairds, vintage 60s, thrifted; last worn here (3rd outfit) in September 2018
• Shoes - Born, consignment; last worn twice this weekend!

I have decided that I'm done with this dress.

 I've worn it six times since I bought it 2014 for $13.97 - that's just over $2 per wear, and I am fine with that. It will go to a good home, I am sure.

I have so many other dresses, and this one has had its time.

 A random woman commented, "I love your dress," as I was walking to town.

Another man muttered, "That's ridiculous," as I left the grocery store.

 Not that I care (much) what other people think!

• Hat - thrifted

The stuff:

 As you can see, I babied my feet all weekend! Same shoes every day!

• Earrings - Aldo Accessories

L gave me $100 the other day, so I popped into Fluevog and bought myself a pair of shoes that I've been lusting after since they came out. I know, it's Slow Fashion Season - I shouldn't be buying new things - but Fluevogs are slow fashion! They are ethically and environmentally made by people who make a living wage, not in sweatshops.

And Fluevog is a Canadian company, and I bought them at a brick-and-mortar store in my downtown. If you're gonna buy new, that is how you do it! Besides, it was L's money, not mine. Hee!

These are the Tudor Prysten (link here, 'cause I love!), and they are two different brocade fabrics.

 They are on sale for $139.99 plus an extra 15% off, so $119.00.

L and I had planned to go down to the store together, as he had a birthday gift card from me to spend, but he was/is still in bed.

"Be Bold, Be Strong."

But I knew which shoes he wanted: the same ones! 

 So I bought him a pair too! I promise we won't wear them at the same time!

We've been out a lot this weekend, and now I need to chill out a bit before another work week is upon us.

"This is how I do it."

You have the right idea, buddy.

Aw, that face. He has 3 white eyebrows on one side, and none on the other right now.

"Camera out of my face, Woman! It's nap time." 

It sure is!

Thank you so much for visiting my little corner of the blogosphere, my friends. I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!