Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: 90s Friday; Saturday Tour and Party; Sunday Shop

Welcome back, my friends! It's been a busy and stressful weekend, and I'm in need of some purr therapy and couch-time, so let's get 'er going. 

Here's Friday's outfit. 

I attended a gathering of many of the women in my office that night, so I dressed both for the office and to socialize after work.

• Jacket - Pierre Balmain, vintage 90s, thrifted; purchased here for $22.99
• Sparkly turtleneck - Jacob, thrifted; last worn here layered in October
• Jeans - Jean's by Jean Paul Gaultier, vintage 90s, vintage store, Vancouver; last seen here in September with cashmere and slippers
• Shoes - Napoleoni, thrifted; last worn here earlier this month with shades of wine
• Leather coat (below) - Danier Leather; last seen here in October

Sadly, I found out early Friday morning that one of my favourite coworkers was let go. I'll really miss her - I've worked with her for many years. She's also my coverage for lunch and vacations, so I was immediately beset with anxiety about that.

It will work out, I'm sure. I just hate change.

Anyway, enough about that, except to say that it weighed on my mind somewhat. I loved this fun ode to the 90s and so did my colleagues.

My jeans were especially popular, but I did enjoy showing off this fun vintage Balmain jacket.

The fabric is stretchy, but it doesn't do up well, so I just did the link at the top and let it hang open to show off the cool copper snaps on the jeans.

 There are a total of nine snaps, all of which have to be undone to get them off.

Bundled up - it's been raining off and on...and on...and on...all weekend.

 Of course, I forgot my umbrella at the event - I'll get it back on Monday, but what bad timing!

• Scarf - Roots, thrifted
• Wool gloves - Parkhurst

The stuff:

I bused to and from the event, which was in an unfamiliar neighbourhood. I knew that walking shoes would be useful, but fortunately, buses came. I wore lace socks with these dark browny-burgundy shoes. I liked how the metal snaps went with the snaps on my pants and the slide clasps on the jacket.

Simple bling:

I just kept things minimal.

• White gold earrings - 10th anniversary gift from L
• Silver/crystal ring - Soul Flower
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes

L and I hung out and played board games when I got home on Friday night, and I was up early for my Mental Health Walk... in the rain. It was good to be out in the elements, not too many people around, and let my brain process things. It calmed me down quite a bit.

I also indulged in a bit of retail therapy this weekend! Due to lack of umbrella, I had to dressed to be exposed to the weather.

L and I went for brunch at Pluto's Diner, and then I had a wee shop.

• Leather jacket - Burberry, consignment, Vancouver; last seen here in October over a cheater
• Sweater - Tatyana, thrifted; last worn here in April with a vintage maxi skirt
• Skirt - Rena Rowland, thrifted; purchased here for $19.95
• Boots - Matisse, consignment; last seen here (2nd outfit) in October for another brunch out

Pigtails with the hat so that my hair can't get ruined in the rain. Note as my pigtails get progressively wavier as the photos continue!

First wearing of this plush-textured leopard skirt - it was excellent for walking and shopping.

I just did a simple black sweater with this - I have a small collection of good black sweaters for all my crazy patterned bottoms.

The boots are often worn on the weekend because they are good for walking in.

I had this gorgeous bronze patent leather jacket on for most of the time I was out.

 And here I am ready to face the rain!

A small scarf and gloves that I can easily slip into my purse.

• Hat - Delux
• Fur scarf - Danier, thrifted
• Leather studded gloves - Danier Leather

Rock and roll, baby!

Can you tell I felt badass in this? This is my entry for "Visible Monday" over at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style. Go check her out!

The stuff:

I keep my bling to a minimum when I plan to shop but these earrings still caught on things.

• Earrings - local, Hamilton

I went to the Velvet Crease, followed by Flavour Upstairs.

At the Velvet Crease, I found two dresses. I seem to have some sort of fixation on sparkly things right now!

 This is a very sparkly violet stretchy viscose blend light sweater dress. The bottom hugs the bum and it's a mid-thigh length.

Very sexy! Not at all what I normally associate with Planet.

This was 20% off $50.00, so $40.00. There's a Planet boutique in the Hudson's Bay department store here (for at least 20 years), so I know that this would have been well over $100 new.

I am always on the lookout for glamourous gowns that I can add to my party dress rotation. This goddess gown is such a gorgeous rich cobalt blue.

It's polyester and has two knee-high slits in the front, one on each leg.

Pretty gathering details on the shoulders and below the bustline/on the waist.

It's by Banana Republic and was new with tags.

More ruffles/gathers on the back.

It's from Summer 2016, and cost about $100 new. This was 20% off $25.00, so only $20! That felt like a steal.

I am looking forward to swanning about in this. It has a very high Swoosh Factor.

At Flavour, it was a crush of teens and young folk, getting in out of the pouring rain. I managed to find these utterly bizarre two-tone jeans.

"These look delicious! I approve!"

They are a cropped length on me, with a raw edge at the hems and at the high-waisted...waist.

"Like I said, very tasty."

Vizzini would not leave these alone, the little monster!

They are by Ray Beams (in gold under that it says, "The way of chic"), and are marked a size 0. *snort* I'm so not a size zero. This is why I try everything on!

A little poking around online revealed that this is a Japanese boutique brand and these sell for over 8,000 Yen - but don't get too excited, that is only $100 Canadian. I paid $29.99.

This jacket was at Flavour the last time I popped in, but to my amazement, had still not sold. This style is very 2006-2007, isn't it?

However, I loved the mauve colour and the great details.

The buttons are metal and are marked, and every seam inside (it's not lined) is nicely covered.

My sewing friend Linda says those are French seams (KLASSY) - Update: commenter STashworth has informed me that these are Hong Kong seams (also KLASSY). Note that some of the seams are a very classic, familiar plaid.

It is indeed Burberry!

For only $44.99? Get out of town! Add at least one 0 to that for the original price.

I hopped a bus home from town to avoid more of the downpour - most of my new-to-me finds got wet just walking from the store to the bus stop.

Home to change for an evening outside! Oh, good, more time in the rain!

I always enter my name in the draw prizes when I got to the Vintage Fairs - and I actually won something! My prize was $80 of credit for walking tours from Discover the Past Walking Tours (link here, 'cause I love).

• Leather coat - as above
• Dress - Chetta B, thrifted; purchased here for $26.95
• Turtleneck - Jacob, thrifted; last worn above on Friday
• Shoes - Half Truth Veda, Fluevog; last worn here (2nd outfit) in October with a striped sweater dress

The $80 credit was good for 4 adults, so L and I booked four tickets for one of their Spooky Walks several weeks ago, and then asked which of our friends were interested in joining us. Yvonne and Randall were excited to go, so we made an evening of it, and met up for dinner at Milestones, followed by the 90-minute tour.

"Seriously? You're going out in that rain?"

Following THAT, we four went for a couple of rounds at the (haunted) Garrick's Head Pub, and then we met up with a bunch of folks at the Courtney Room to celebrate our dear friend (and sewist) Linda's birthday. So I had to factor that event into my outfit as well.

I knew Linda would appreciate the fabric of this dress - the pattern is woven, not printed (see here and here).

"Never mind me, just trying to get your attention." 

I just wore my same outerwear as I'd had on in the morning.

L had an umbrella, as did Randall and Yvonne and nearly everyone else on the 20+ person tour, and although I huddled under them, everyone got soaked, including the poor guide. It RAINED.

However, totally worth it! It was such a fun tour, and I learned a bunch of ghost stories about my city that I did NOT know (and I know a lot of them!), and we all had a great time. Have you ever gone on a walking tour of a city? L and I did the "Underground City" walking tour of Edinburgh, and we've also an "Underground Tour" in Seattle, both many years ago. I would totally recommend this for a fun and different thing to do!

My jacket is now hung up to dry (it's fine, leather is great in the rain), and my hat is dry a day later, as are the gloves.

L and I headed home at midnight instead of continuing on with the birthday party crowd. We were wet and cold and tired. We needed to dry out!

• Hat, gloves, scarf - as above

The stuff: 

My shoes have taken a beating in the 5 years that I've had them - this is not the first time I have worn them in the rain. You can see that the lining is still wet a day later.

Round bling:

I loved how this necklace and earrings went with the dress - what cool pieces these are!

• Necklace - Monet, vintage 80s, vintage fair; purchased here for $11.00
• Earrings - vintage 80s, vintage fair; purchased here for $6.00

On Sunday, I also did a little shop, stopping by the WIN Boutique on my way home from getting groceries. I wasn't dressed for shopping, so no outfit shot - I was bundled up and hidden under my pansy raincoat. 

I did spot a couple of local cats on my way home. Please note that it is now sunny out.

"You may pass."

This furry gent is enjoying a nap on his porch in the sun, amidst dead leaves, some rocks and a decomposing pumpkin.

And this fellow keeps a watch on the traffic zooming by.

"I see a bus coming!"

 I'm a fan of urban art.

And here's what I found at the WIN Boutique. This is a nice simple white cotton sleeveless sweater.

I go through these regularly and wear them to death as layering pieces under jackets. I have sweaters like this in all sorts of colours (mostly neutrals).

And a nice Talbots one for only $6.95?

It probably was around $50.00 new.

I've come back around on turtlenecks, as I love the swinging 70s vibe of them.

 This is another 100% cotton, in a nice dark grey.

It's by Bossini and was $7.95.

Looks like it would have been around $25.00 new, so I'm good with that. It'll be a useful piece for layering.

This polka-dotted cardigan is going into the spring/summer pile, to be rediscovered in late March 2020 (the future!).

It is hip-length with bracelet-length sleeves, and will be really nice in warmer weather.

It's by the Gap and was $14.95.

 It was $14.95, and probably was around $59.95 new.

It's from Summer 2013.

 Nearly 7 years old, but still as classic as ever!

Cropped, high-waisted, wide-legged pants are a thing now, did you know? I've actually seen them on people on the streets.

So they haven't hit over-saturation yet, and I quite liked these vibrant blue ones. The exposed zip is a nice detail, and they have pockets!

They're by Zara Woman, and were $16.95, which felt about right for a trendy thing I might not own forever. Thrifting is so good for experimenting with trends!

These will be a good basic for some of my wacky tops and jackets.

This lovely top is also going straight into the spring/summer pile. I'm going to be so excited when I pull this out!

It's turquoise hand-milled cotton lace over a more sheer cobalt blue polyester tank.

Club Monaco = $$$. Only $12.95?

 It retailed for 10 times that: $130! What a steal!

I was astounded to find this fine viscose-blend sweater.

I immediately noticed that the striped fabric on the sleeves matches all the way down - look at the shoulders then look at the cuffs. They match! That's a mark of quality.

And here's the side seam - they have also lined up the stripes so that they are the same on the front and back. These are the kinds of things I look for!

I also adore the colour mix of black, dark grey, light grey, pink, magenta and orange - and yes, did I mention a fixation on sparkly things??

And yes, it was $14.95...for Missoni! This is from their cheaper M line.

Conservatively, this was probably around $400 new. Zoiks!

Vizzini, what do you think of my purchases?

"I get these ones."

Good choices, buddy! Do y'all agree with Vizzini? What are your faves?

And thank you all so much for stopping by! I'm off to enjoy that purr-time.