Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Pattern-Mixing, Urbanite Shenanigans, Bright Brunch, Winesday Kimono

Hello, my friends! In the interest of me not being up till 10pm on Sunday, blogging my closet swap-over AND my full weekend of fun activities, I'm doing all my outfits separately, then I'll do a post for the closet process. 

So this is the outfit post. Here's Friday!

Another pair of pants that keeps me honest. These rose gold leather pull-on trousers have no forgiveness, and it's a relief that they fit again.

I liked how the jacket looked done up for the stair pose, so extra bonus picture.

More neutrals, but I'm anything but neutral here, ha ha!

• Jacket - Part Two suiting; last seen here with matching pants in July
• Blouse - Karl Lagerfeld, thrifted; last worn here (2nd outfit) in September 2018 with these same pants!
• Leather pants - Free People, Portland; last seen here in May with heavy metal
• Shoes - Matisse; last worn here in May when I first wore the full suit suit

Interesting things about this outfit: 3 out of 4 items are actual retail buys, and every piece has been worn with at least one of the items in this outfit before, even though they've never been worn in this combination.

The pants drive the outfit - because of the elastic at the back of the waist, I run the risk of exposing the ol' crack-a-lack if I bend over, so I have to wear a long/untucked top that covers that.

Friday was fridge clean-out day, where I toss all unlabeled and expired food items from all four office fridges. It's my least favourite part of my job, and I do it every month.

Lots of bending over and lugging around a heavy bag of old condiments and gross leftovers. Gah, people.

But I did it in style! Lots of patterns, texture and shine!

I had oodles of compliments on it, and my colleague Bryce and I fooled his young daughter, telling her that my metallic leather pants come from space cows. Fun with clothes!

It's funny to me to see this boxy style of jacket come around again in fashion.

I should really open the pockets on the jacket.

My concession to the slightly chilly mornings was this lovely silk/wool/cashmere pashmina.

 It was a gift from Mom, from Italy, I think.

• Scarf - gift from Mom

The stuff:

Comfy shoes. I've worn these a lot!

Silver and gold bling:

If I'm mixing patterns, I'm mixing my metals too.

• Gold earrings - 5th anniversary gift from L
• Silver/gold cuff - JPL, vintage fair
• Steel bracelet - POLY, thrifted
• Steel/mixed ring - POLY, vintage expo
• Silver/crystal ring - Uffizi Gallery gift shop, Florence

We had a quick dinner after work, then got ready for Urbanite at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. The theme was "Stimuli", engaging your senses. Urbanite is a 3-hour party at the Art Gallery, with a DJ, interactive exhibits, a craft table, a bar with specialty cocktails, beer and wine. It's a blast - L and I have been going for close to 20 years, since it first started.

 Yeah, I just raided my closet and went for pattern, texture and shine.

• Dress - Kimchi Blue; last worn here (2nd outfit) in May 2018 for a not so wee Afternoon Tea
• Harness - Audra Jean via Megan Mae, last worn here in October 2016 when I was Imperator Furiosa for Hallowe'en
• Shoes - Chie Mihara; last seen here in September with matching stripes
• Silk topper (below) - Nancymac, consignment; first worn here in July with yellow and browns

I like to get a little weird for Urbanite. When else am I going to get the opportunity to get my freak on? 

 This dress is black mesh, printed with small pink, brown, green and cream flowers. It has a big ruffle on one shoulder, and hip ruffles. It's very sheer, and is only lined to the top of my thigh. Scandalous!

I am wearing a copper leather harness by Mark of Audra Jean. Their Etsy page is defunct, but there's an article here from Audi's now-dormant blog from 2011, that mentions Megan Mae's "Genevieve Bronze Underbust Harness." That's this harness - I bought it off Megan Mae (blog also no longer functional).

 I mostly wear it for Hallowe'en or steampunk events. I liked how it toughened up this girly dress.

There are two front slits in the dress, which lets it billow out behind me.

 I deployed the billowing with great effect as I strolled through the Gallery with Yvonne. We had 6 of our favourite friends there as well, and a good time was had by all.

If I'm going to wear my steampunk harness, I have to wear my steampunk arm gauntlet and carry my steampunk purse!

 Bizarrely, another woman at the event had one of these purses in different colours! I've never ever seen another "in the wild".

It was too chilly to not have a topper, but few of my coats fit over that studded gauntlet.

 This silk "butterfly" topper would have to do.

I felt even more diva-ish.

 And here we are all ready to go.

It was a fun outfit to wear, and I was by no means the most dressy or whackadoo person there - Karen wore a boa with lights in it! 

The stuff: 

I would have done steampunk boots (these ones) except they are still in fall/winter storage. Sandals would have to do. At least I could walk to and from the Gallery in these.

Steampunk bling:

My arm bracer is by Skinz-n-Hydez (Etsy here), purchased at the one and only steampunk convention, back in 2012 (enjoy our awesome fun here). 

• Purse - FiveLeft, local
• Bracer - Skinz-n-Hydez
• Earrings - thrifted
• Ring - thrifted
• Amber ring - c.1996

I busted out my vintage pink crimping iron from 1986 (here) and pouffed my hair out. I fluffed it out bigger and bigger over the night - it was so fun, and I really loved it with my grey hair. 

I also played with my eyeshadow - I did a band of copper across my eyes, and nose, right to the edge of my hairline. I'm a wild woman!

L also got his freak on.

That's my man! Classic top hat, purple floral shirt, velvet purple scarf, "band leader" jacket, zipper jeans (Balmain), and a funk pair of Fluevogs.

"Look like you're having fun," I commanded.

"What is this?"

All of this bustle meant that our smart kitty figured out something was up.

"You'd better give me my treats before you go out!"

We did not; he got them when we got home at 11:30pm. He yowled quite a lot.

Aw, I love this picture.

It was an awesome evening!

Today/Saturday, we were up early to have brunch at Pluto's and run a few errands.

 What can I wear one more time? All of it!

• Coat - Paparazzi, thrifted, Vancouver; last worn here in April with circles and squares
• Sweater - Kersh decorated by Pena, thrifted; last seen here in August with green lace (and the same shoes)
• Cords - Banana Republic, thrifted; last worn here in August with double optics
• Shoes - Prepare Guide, Fluevog; last seen here with the jelly-deer sweater in August

Without the jacket, although I only took it off for brunch itself.

 The sweater is navy blue with a sparkle in it.

Our waitress at Pluto's was confounded by our dressiness.

 We get that a lot. "We just dress like this."

Coated - this wonderful (although frustratingly pocketless!) coat is black denim and is fully embroidered.

 I had to shove my hands in my pants pockets.

That's an outrage - why would you not put pockets on a coat?

 Done up for walking.

 You can see the beautiful embroidery, how it is symmetrical.

Utterly gorgeous. It's like wearing a work of art. It weighs a ton.

 Ta-dah!

The stuff:

 One more wearing of these wonderful shoes.

Turquoise bling:

 Turquoise is a summery colour for me, so nearly all of it gets packed away for the cool seasons.

• Fur pin - Catawumpus
• Earrings - Mango's
• Turquoise/silver ring - local
• Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes

Tonight is Winesday and I want to be comfortable and not dressed up.

 I shall just lean against the building in the sun for a while. I'm ready to chill with my gals!

• Kimono - thrifted, Portland; purchased and worn here for $29.00 earlier this month
• Long-sleeved tee - not tracked (house clothes)
• Sweater - Bleu & Gray, thrifted; last worn here (4th outfit) in August with the brolly skirt
• Jeans - Gap, thrifted; last seen here in December 2018 with shiny stuff
• Boots - Arnold Churgin, thrifted; last seen here (3rd outfit) for some shopping in August

Nothing too complicated.

I expect to do a fair bit of lounging about.

 Eating cheese and chocolate with my friends, enjoying wine.

 Catching up with each other's lives.

And recharging my batteries...and I'll do it in my socks!

And with that - Yvonne just called and the cab is on the way! I'll be back (maybe) tomorrow with the big closet swap-over! I hope you're all having a marvelous weekend!