Thursday, January 23, 2020

Year of the Rat and Regrets

Ah, we made it to Thursday. Except it's my Friday, as I'm taking a couple of days off. 
 I spy an early - and long! - weekend in my future!


  • Jacket - Tian Art, thrifted; last worn here in November 2018 on a discombobulated day
  • Turtleneck sweater - M&S Collection, consignment; first seen here in December 2019 with red and denim
  • Trousers - Zara, thrifted; first worn here in November 2019 with a vintage shirt
  • Shoes - Shoe the Bear, consignment; first worn here in December 2019 when they fooled me
  • Leather trenchcoat (below) - vintage 70s, thrifted; last worn here yesterday


Isn't this jacket amazing? I've had it for 7 years and this is its 9th wear. I paid $8.00 for it.
I have worn it open, done up and belted, and paired it with long and short skirts, wide and skinny trousers, and over a dress. It's always worn with red, burgundy, pink, blue, white or black.

Today I wore it with pink and blue. If this is your first time meeting this jacket, you may be wondering why.
Bwah! Because it's entirely lined in hot pink satin! Isn't it fabulous?

I love all the embroidered details - the thread is variegated pink/blue/white with a sparkle thread trimming the whole thing, and red embroidered shapes over that, and it trims the collar, cuffs and hem (close-up here).
It is split up both sides, and the embroidery extends up along the edges. The frog-style knotted "buttons" up the front are completely hand-stitched.

I knew I'd have a really busy day today, just dealing with my regular work-day as well as prepping for being off for two whole days.
This outfit was awesome for all the running around I did (with one exception) and as a bonus I was themed to all the Chinese New Year/Lunar New Year decorations in my office. It's the Year of the Rat!

Done up. This is my preferred mode of wearing the jacket, but it is a wee bit snug right now and it has no stretch.
I had originally planned a different pair of shoes (these ones), and instead decided to wear my navy blue loafers. And how did those shoes repay me? By killing my foot. The first time I wore them, they were fantastic, but this time, I had severe pain between my toes. I suspect Morton's neuroma (link to the Mayo Clinic here) as I have Morton's toe (my second toe is longer than all the rest) and the cause is often bad shoes.

Sigh, shoes will be the death of me. I have very few regrets in my life, my friends, but wearing ill-fitting cheap shoes that were too high, for too far long (including walking and standing for hours in them) when I was younger is the one thing I would change if I could go back.

I've had several pairs of shoes over the years that hit that one bad spot on my left foot, and they just can't stay.

Outerwear - pink to go with the jacket. I like the clash with the caramel brown.
Rain, rain, and more rain.


  • Toque - Club Monaco, thrifted
  • Fur boa - thrifted
  • Leather gloves - consignment


The stuff:
I gave my shoes to my coworker Christina before I even left work - she was thrilled. Bye, shoes! I didn't really like how they looked on, anyway, so no regrets there.


  • Silver earrings - Brenda Schoenfeld, 1992, vintage mall
  • Lapis lazuli/Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes


Signing off and wishing you all a fabulous weekend. May all your shoes be comfy and all your cats be cuddly.
"Woman, stop hogging my picture."

I'll be back on Monday with tales of adventure!

28 comments:

  1. Your jacket is mind blowingly incredible! I am amazed that anyone would have let it go, but how lucky for you that they did! What a find!

    I have long admired your collection of shoes (you have some wonderful shoes and boots!) but I can completely understand why the bad shoes had to go. I managed to inflict myself with a bunion by wearing the wrong shoes when I was younger and now, sadly, only certain shoes aren't complete agony. My daughter says all my shoes look the same, which is too true - only a certain fit works for my feet. Live and learn I guess.

    Enjoy your days off! I hope you have fun things planned.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Aw, thank you, Nana! It's a lovely jacket - I was boggled too. Not everyone likes to be bright and bold though.

      Ugh, feet regrets, I hear ya. I love shoes, and am really feeling the pain of both wearing some of my older shoes and regretting the poor foot choices I made back in the day.

      Thanks!

      Delete
  2. Such a perfect jacket for lunar new year eve! :) We won't be celebrating this year as my father in law is visiting family back home instead of cooking a massive banquet for us all here, haha!

    So sorry to hear about the shoes but good you could let them go onto a new home right away! Enjoy your long weekend :)

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    1. Thanks, Mica! I wish more people at work had seen it. Ooh, a massive banquet sounds amazing.

      I know, I was glad to give them away, though.

      Delete
  3. What an amazing jacket, and of course you had to show off that gorgeous pink lining! The embroidery, the frog style buttons: I love it all, and what a lovely nod to Chinese New Year it is. Plus, those Zara trousers, what a wonderful shape and colour they are! Ha, I'm also wearing my pink boa in my current post, although mine is more of a bubble gum pink ;-) So, that's where our rain got to, I thought I'd sent it to Australia! Our weather's been very grey and drizzly these last few days. And cold! Ouch about those shoes, but it's nice you've already found them another owner. Wishing you a fabulous extended weekend, Sheila! Lucky you! xxx

    ReplyDelete
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    1. That pink lining was a good omen to my shopping on Saturday, Ann! How weird that I found another outfit with pink satin lining, right? The shopping gods smiled upon me. I love the Zara trousers, and pink fur boas for the win, my twin!

      Yeah, your rain stopped here on the way to Australia. The weather is all over the place here.

      I know, I am sad about the shoes, but happy they've gone to a good home right away.

      Delete
  4. you had me at royal blue and bubble gum pink!
    xo eva
    www.CostumeTakeOut.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. A totally fabulous jacket! Sorry about your shoes but if they're not comfortable off they go! Have a great break.
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thanks, Vronni! Agreed, and happy to give the shoes away to a good home.

      Delete
  6. Oh, how I adore your eyeglasses! Those frames are stunning - so vibrant, eye-catching (fittingly, one might say :) ), classic and chic.

    Many hugs & joyful weekend wishes coming your way,
    ♥ Autumn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Autumn! I'm nearly due for a new pair - what colour shall I pick??

      Delete
  7. OH Vizzini has such a soulful face!!! And so many whiskers- he is intelligent!
    I like your hot pink lining- it looks really cool and the details on the back.
    Oh yes, I feel ya on the uncomfortable shoes- way too much pain to be allowed!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He is very smart, that kitty!

      Thanks, Kezzie! I am always into the details.

      Forget the painful shoes - they're gone!

      Delete
  8. A perfect outfit for the Chinese Year Celebration. I really like your blue pants and your Chinese jacket. The coat you wore over is fabulous. Sorry the hear the blue shoes weren't comfy, glad to hear you got rid of them.

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    1. Thanks so much, Ivana! My leather trenchcoat is a staple in rainy weather. Yup, those bad shoes are gone!

      Delete
  9. Eight dollars?! Wow. Shopping is your super-power. Love the last photo.

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  10. That is a beautiful jacket, inside and out! I have shoe regrets from my youth as well - I didn't wear heels much but I did wear very pointy-toed flats and boots, and I think that may have contributed to the bunions I have now. Sigh. Yes, all shoes must be comfortable, and of course, our cats cuddly!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup, the pointy toed shoes did me in as well. Here's to comfy shoes and cuddly cats.

      Delete
  11. What a jacket! Embroidery makes everything fabulous, in my eyes.

    What a shame about your shoes, but life’s too short to wear shoes that don’t make you feel and look great. X

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    1. I so agree, Jess! I know, I'm kind of sad that they didn't work out as I'd hoped, but I'm really happy that Christina loved them.

      Delete
  12. Boo to foot pain! My second toe is longer than my others too and I can't wear heels any more. Glad your shoe culprits are already off to a new home and can't cause you any more pain.

    That jacket is fab!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Boo! Yes, let us boo the bad shoes. Danged things, why must they hurt?

      Thanks, Mim!

      Delete
  13. No wonder that this jacket has been enjoyed for such a long time, it's a fantastic piece and love its lining particularly!, and it looks so cool with those blue trousers, such a lovely ensemble.
    Sorry that your shoes were not comfy!, totally understand that you got rid of them asap!
    besos

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    1. I just love it - it's a classic, Monica.

      You bet - I will not keep uncomfortable shoes.

      Delete

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