Tuesday, December 31, 2019

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!

33 comments:

  1. Happy new year! Glad to see Vizzini forgave you. Always love to see that Kenzo skirt!

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  2. Today my favorite hockey team (the New Jersey Devils, with the worst record in hockey) BEAT L's favorite team (the Boston Bruins, with the best record) at "the Rock" (the Devils' home arena, which I visited last month). Sorry to invade your fashion blog with sports news but I'm SOOO SOOO happy!

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    1. Umm... I just got busted for CWI (commenting while intoxicated). Sorry! By the way, can you post my bail? :)

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    2. I LOL'd at your comment - L was bemoaning that outcome! No worries, bail is on the way, ha ha!

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  3. I love that yellow shirt with the owls! That yellow is one of my favourite colours, even though it makes me look like a tomato when I wear it (seriously).

    One of my 2020 goals is to work on my thrift shopping skills and take advantage of your great roundup of local stores. :)

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    1. Thanks so much, Rachel, isn't it cool? Aw, wear it in skirts, then. Are you local? We should go shopping!

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  4. I like the owl print shirt you got and I like your first outfit - your casual "didn't try a lot" outfits look so much better than mine! :)

    Hope that you have a happy new year and 2020 is off to a great start! :)

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    1. Thank you so much, Mica! It helps to have a lot of interesting pieces to choose from. Happy 2020 to you and your family, my dear!

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  5. Hi Sheila, I'm a longtime reader and have never commented here before. I thought you might be interested in the history of the Hudson's Bay logos (here is a link from their website: http://www3.hbc.com/press-release-container/hudsons-bay-celebrates-its-past-present-and-future-with-modern-new-logo/). 'The Bay' was adopted in 1965 so that should help you in dating that beautiful little bag.

    Thanks for everything you do and happy new year to you all!

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    1. Georgia, thank you so much!! Both for the comment and for the link - that is so cool. I was too lazy to look it up, but yes, such a great way to figure out the date of the bag - I think it must be pretty close to 1965 for the bag.

      Aw, thank you!

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  6. Love that Kenzo skirt and the yellow jacket! Cool outfit for sure! I've been living on chocolate for the past two weeks too. We still have 2 cinnamon rolls to eat up on Saturday morning, but other than that it's back to the veggies,fruits,beans and nuts....with a few small treats thrown in so I don't lose my mind.
    Happy New Year to you, L and Vizzini!!

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    1. I know, I need to get back on that healthy eating train, Cheryene! Too much chocolate, ha ha! Happy New Year to you!

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  7. Hello there! Like you, I've been having a quiet and relaxing time, spent reading, resting, doing some light charity shopping and going for a couple of walks. Unfortunately time is up: I have to go back to work tomorrow and I'm NOT looking forward to it. I am swooning over that yellow silk blouse and beaded purse you found at WIN. I also love your shopping outfit, what do you mean: dull? Surely not! Your finds from Dots both really speak to me too. That jammy dress has such a gorgeous print, and how fabulous is that fitted top? Can't wait to see your new finds in action! Happy 2020, Sheila! xxx

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    1. Happy New Year, Ann! Light relaxation has been the name of the game here too, and I'm dreading going back. Thank you - I know, aren't they lovely pieces? Ha, dull for me is not dull for others, I guess! Thank you for your friendship, my dear! Happy 2020!

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  8. That first outfit is so lovely and feminine. The floral blouse and the skirt are fabulous together. I also really like the second look. That skirt is so dramatic and fashion forward. You look smoking hot in that look. I also really like your yellow jacket!

    https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thank you so much, Ivana! The Kenzo skirt is pretty amazing in person too!

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  9. I'm glad Vizzini forgave you in the end. You found some great pieces there - the owl blouse and vintage bag are especially lovely.

    When I wore a cardi with my velvet dress and the sleeves rode up and got really annoying, I thought 'THIS IS WHAT SHEILA WAS TALKING ABOUT.'

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    1. He has a short memory, at least when it comes to the horn, lol. Ha, sorry that you had to go through Velvet Creep - isn't it annoying??

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  10. Oh dear, Vizzini's going to need a lot of treats and fuss to make up for the unicorn horn. I hope you haven't told him that you've shared his photos on the world wide web!
    That yellow jacket is fab, no wonder it's been in your wardrobe for years. Shopping outfits demand a lot of thought, you often need to whip your kit off in the aisles and not want to be arrested for public indecency!
    Great finds. In Wear used to be quite pricey here and the UK yummy mummies go wild for White Stuff. I went in Anthropology when I met Vronni, Monica and Fig in London back in the summer, their prices are mental! xxx

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    1. Vizzini is more popular than me, I'm pretty sure - he loves the camera, the little ham.

      I love the yellow jacket - it's so soft and nice to wear. Oh, definitely - I always pick stuff I can either try things on over, or that I'm not embarrassed for people seeing.

      Yes, there's a local boutique that sells full-price InWear. Anthro is ridiculously expensive!

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  11. Happy new year Sheila and for L and Vizzini. You might think the black outfit is dull, I adore it! And I love the Hazel dress, gorgeous print.

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  12. OBSESSING over that beautiful vintage purse!! gorgeous!

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  13. That green beaded bag is special. Italian made and from the 50s- how gorgeous.

    I can just imagine you picking out some fantastic items for your besties to try on. You’d be a fun shopping buddy. Happy 2020. X

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    1. It's likely the 50s, but thank you! I love shopping with friends - if you ever end up on the west coast of Canada, I'll take you shopping!

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  14. Lovely comfy&cool outfits!, love the floral top with your 'bark skirt' and love the puffy skirt with the yellow jacket, you totally rock these sensible ensembles and they look really comfy for your shopping adventures!
    Totally in love with the luxurious purse, so cute!
    besos

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    1. Thank you! It just goes to show that you don't have to be sloppy to be comfortable and practical with your clothes.

      I know, that purse is amazing!

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  15. The vintage beaded bag is outstanding and in such an amazing shape. You sound like me, lately i feel i cannot leave anything behind.
    On Saturday i tried out a new second hand shop that opened and you will not believe found vintage Givenchy earrings for one dollar! I almost fainted.

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    1. It's so hard to leave something so lovely in the store. OMG, that's amazing!

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  16. The black skirt is sweet and I do so love the yellow jacket too. It's another fab outfit. This is why we all keep coming back, Your Awesomeness x

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