Mid-Break Wrap-Up: Bark Shop, Stretchy Cat, Dots Marathon

Just popping in mid-way through my break to say hi, and check that everyone's having a good time. I've been relaxing, reading, napping, and generally hiding from the world, but I have made a few brief forays into the real world. 

I even got dressed a couple of times! This is from last week, when I went to Turnabout and House of Savoy in Oak Bay for a browse.

• Cashmere sweater - Talbots, thrifted; first worn here in November with shades of w(h)ine
• Skirt - Gunex, thrifted; last seen here (3rd outfit) for a shopping trip in January
• Shoes - Seychelles; last worn here earlier this month with sequins and velvet
• Leather coat (below) - Danier Leather, consignment; last seen here on Christmas Eve

I have a full vintage slip on under this for warmth.

 Easy clothes for trying stuff on. I lovingly refer to this skirt as my "bark" skirt, as it stands up on its own (see here) and looks like cedar tree bark.

I didn't make much effort. A sweater with a pattern can totally fool people.

I have dialed it way down while on vacation.

Outerwear - being warm is priority.

It's been a mix of slightly chilly, grey, rain, wind and flashes of blue sky. So, winter.

• Scarf - thrifted
• Gloves - Parkhurst
• Purse - Roots, thrifted

The stuff:

Comfy shoes for walking.

• Ear-balls - Dior, consignment

I actually had ZERO luck at both Turnabout and House of Savoy. Nothing leaped out at me. So I hopped a bus to town and spent an hour in the big WIN (Women in Need) store, where I found this lovely silk blouse.

I have a weakness for yellow blouses. I like the side zip on this silk one, plus the bigass sleeves (which are not too twee/2007).

It's by Girls From Savoy which I see is an Anthropologie brand. This explains the whimsical owls on it.

This blouse is from around 2013-4 and retailed for around $60 US - mine was half off the tagged price, so $7.50.

I also spotted this purse and waffled over it.

It's knitted from gold thread, and heavily beaded.

Even the back is decorated.

Why waffle? Well, it's not something I'm going to use a lot.

But so beautiful! I couldn't leave it there.

When I do wear it, it will be special.

And it was only $6.95! Made in Italy, for The Bay department store, probably in the late 50s.

It looks pristine, probably never used, or maybe only once.

Vizzini was trying to get my attention while I took pictures.

"Your purse looks tasty and matches my eyes."

Such a big stretchy cat! Have you forgiven me for the unicorn horn, Vizzini?

"I'd forgotten about that...until now."

I guess extra tummy rubs are in order!

I booked a lunch and shopping date with dear friends Yvonne and Cat this week - we went to Dots, which is not a second-hand store, but sells salesman's samples of clothing brands at discounted prices. It's a warren of clothes, and we spent 4 hours going through the entire store. Near the end, my gals were flagging, so I mostly went through the dresses (which we did last) on my own and just told them what to try on.

Dressed to shop - I was chilly outside in this (the end of the year continues to be grey, gloomy and wet) - but I was able to change in and out of stuff easily, including some try-ons in the aisles when all the rooms were full.

• Sweater - Bossini, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) early this month, layered under the teddy sweater
• Skirt - Kenzo, thrifted; last worn here (3rd outfit) in February for brunch the day after the VFF Disco Gala
• Boots - BCBG Max Azria; last seen here (3rd outfit) for a velvet brunch in October
• Leather jacket - Danier; last worn here in October

We met up first for brunch at Pagliacci's - I felt very virtuous for forgoing their famous bread. I've been subsisting on chocolate for the last two weeks (no guilt!), but it's time for me to eat my veggies again.

This is a rather dull outfit, but it does allow the amazing puffy-textured skirt to shine. I tend to only wear this skirt in the cold months, as it's very short and full and I need the coverage from tights. I also have a snug half-slip under there so that none of my assets are in view!

We'll jazz it up with yellow!

I love leather jackets for shopping, as they aren't bulky and not too sweaty when you're bogged down with a load of clothes to try on. Shopping is hard work!

This jacket is going on its 10th year with me - I bought it new for $149.00 in May 2010 (first worn here) when we returned from London/Paris.

I've worn it more times than I've tracked it - easily 10 times a year, so I'm down to less than $1.50 per wear.

Done up and accessorized. I like a big cross-body purse that can carry all my shopping bags, as well as small purchases.

A silk scarf for warmth, and insulated gloves.

• Scarf - fake Louis (Lewis!) Vuitton, thrifted
• Gloves - Cejon, thrifted
• Leather purse - vintage 80s, vintage mall

The stuff:

Easy walking shoes - we met up with some of our guys and more friends after our shop and had dinner at the Garrick's Head Pub with the gang. L and I walked home and finished our TV binge of the second season of "Castle Rock" (verdict: better than the first season), and generally chilled out for the evening.

• Leather cuff - Guess, thrifted
• Earrings - vintage fair

Although I was focused on helping Yvonne and Cat shop, I also found a couple of things for me. I enjoyed trying on some really whackadoo stuff, just for fun - you never know! - and encouraged both of my besties to try things outside their comfort zones. Both came away with happy purchases, as did I!

This has "Jammy Dress" written all over it, doesn't it? It's a rust-black deconstructed check pattern, with screen-printed flowers in taupe and little cream flowers scattered.

It has pockets!

The fabric is cotton with stretch, and is a fine-wale corduroy; it's fabulously comfy and flattering.

It's by White Stuff and was $29.99 with an extra 25% off, so $22.50.

That's a UK brand, and this is called the Hazel Jersey Dress (link here 'cause I love) - it's 59.99 Euros, which as you can see is $150.00 Canadian.

I was looking for a fitted top to go with a full bottom (an additional reason for wearing that Kenzo skirt), and really loved this velvet top. Technically, it's velour since it's a velvet weave on a knit, but whatever.

I obviously have not learned my lesson when it comes to velvet (clingy!), but I keep buying it because I love it.

This top is a poly mix, but not very stretchy. It has a zip at the back of the neck vs. being a pullover.

It's by InWear, and is called the Omaiw top, in "Olive Irregular Leaf" pattern. InWear's site has this in a dress (here, link 'cause I love) - which Dots also had in this colourway - but the top only in bright pink (here), so this salesman's sample is likely one of the only tops made in these colours. This was $24.99 with an extra 25% off, so $18.75. I may be wearing this very soon!

And now, my friends, this is the last post of the year for me - I'll be back tomorrow with our New Year's Eve outfits. Wishing everyone one of you a safe and happy evening, and all the best to you for the new decade!

Vizzini, do you have anything to add?

"Nope, here's the tail end of me."

I'll have an update tomorrow on my "Meet or Beat" reading challenge from 2019, and a list of all the books I read last year, as well.

And again, thank you, my friends, for being here on this journey with me. Happy 2020!