Thursday, February 20, 2020

Ruffles, Leaves and Spring Colours (and Scenery)

My spirits are up with the weekend in sight. 
I really liked my outfit today - that always helps. It's a whole bunch of new-to-me things.


  • Sweater - Karl Lagerfeld, consignment; purchased here for $13.50
  • Skirt - Mica, vintage 90s, thrifted; purchased here for $19.99
  • Shoes - Leith, consignment; purchased here for $26.95
  • Coat (below) - L'Atiste, consignment, Vancouver; last worn here in January


I had a lot of fans of the sweater - the colour is really nice, and the ruffles are big and swooshy.
Yes, I totally dragged them through water on the counters. I did check to see if the sweater is washable before I bought it!

The skirt was lovely - L liked how it fit my bum (thank you, love!).
It was a snug fit, but comfortable. The bead trim on the hemline totally destroyed my nylons. This skirt requires bare legs! I did enjoy shimmying the beads for my colleagues, and I was entranced by the sparkle as I walked.

I liked the two pieces together - it makes an almost 1920s silhouette.
 You can see how floppy the cuffs are there.

Outerwear - I learned my lesson from yesterday's too-hot accoutrements.
I also had to consider which of my coats would actually fit those ginormous cuffs! Note my sausage-like Popeye arms.


  • Gloves - Parkhurst


The stuff:
I am really pleased with these shoes - they were great to wear, and didn't try to flee my foot once, even on the stairs. That's a comfy heel for me.

Thematic bling:
I knew these earrings would go perfectly with the colours in the skirt, which also has a touch of lavender in it (hence these shoes). I echoed the spring colour theme with a leaf brooch (like the pattern in the skirt) to represent the leaves' imminent unfurling.


  • Brooch - Grandma W
  • Earrings - consignment
  • Amethyst/gold ring - Frances Jewelers, c. 1965, Dad's
  • Crystal ring - Uffizi Gallery gift shop, Florence, Italy


Before I show you my blossoming neighbourhood, I must thank my colleague Kristy for the pictures she took of me yesterday, working at my desk in my safety vest and hardhat, waiting for the fire alarm to ring for our drill.
 My nice face.

This is my "I'm watching you, and you'd better go to the right Muster Point" face.
 Arms akimbo too! I mean business!

I took my camera with me on my walk to work today (I don't have a cell phone).
This street is planted with two kinds of flowering plum trees, alternating. Right now these white blossomed plums are in bloom; in a few weeks, the fat pink flowers will be out on the other trees.

This is View Street, downtown - it's known as the first street to be in full bloom, with these wonderful Japanese plum trees.
Appropriate that the tiled version of Hokusai's "Wave" (link here 'cause I love) is on the apartment building behind it.

Looking back up View Street.
 Just seeing all the trees in bloom made me feel so peaceful.

And now, on the way home.
 Another few days of sun and this tree will be solid white flowers.

The evening light on this Victorian mansion is so gorgeous.
Wouldn't you love to live in that house? It's all split up into apartments now, but originally, it would have been a single residence.

I arrived home to my little monster Vizzini. He does this every day when we get home (it greatly amuses our cat-sitters, Ross and Cat).
Yes, I have a gargoyle in my bathroom.

He's in the bathroom, biting L's towel. He bites it over and over. What a weird cat.

And now, my friends, I'm off for the weekend! I will be back on Sunday with tales of adventure. Have a wonderful weekend, and thank you so much for coming by!

38 comments:

  1. This knit and the skirt look great together - ti's a shame the skirt wasn't kind to your tights as it's so pretty, I like the beaded hem! The statement sleeves are nice too - but yet they get in the way! I have a dress with similar sleeves and I really need to be considerate each time I wear it as the sleeves do get int he way a bit, haha! Yey for machine washable clothes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Mica! I know, I was shocked when I got to work and saw the giant holes/ladders in my nylons! Lesson learned. I know, darn these giant sleeves! They look so good, but are such a pain. Hooray for washables!

      Delete
  2. What a wonderful outfit! I really like the layered sleeves. The ensemble does have a 1920's silhouette and nothing beats the 20's for glamour in my book.

    How lucky you are to see things in bloom. It is minus 10 here, but at least it's been bright and sunny.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, thank you, Nana! The sleeves are so fun. I agree, bring on the glamour! Wow, I can't imagine that level of cold, but happy it's sunny for you!

      Delete
  3. Oooh! Love the sleeves on the sweater. The whole outfit rocks.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Loving the hair, Sheila! The sleeves on your jumper and the fringe on your skirt are pretty damned fabulous, too.
    I'd love to live in that house and for the cherry blossom to be out, it feels ridiculously wintery here at the moment.
    Vizzini, he's such a character. I've never had a towel biting cat.
    Have a fantastic weekend. xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Vix! I am all about the fabulousness! I hope you get some warm weather soon! Vizzini is so weird. He snuffles and snarls at the towel too - when he was tiny, he'd pull it down on top of himself.

      Happy weekend!

      Delete
  5. That jumper and skirt were just made for each other, it seems. Those sleeves! That fringe! I'm also loving those lavender shoes, and your bling, especially that divine leaf brooch! And don't you look the business in that safety vest and hard hat :-) Thank you for taking me along your way to and from work. Those blossoming trees and the sunshine - something we've got a definite lack of - are a sight for sore eyes. Wishing you a fabulous weekend, Sheila xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. They go so well together, don't they? I'm all about the detail (as you know). I'm glad you liked the leaf - I felt it was a good nod to the pattern in the skirt. Ha, you get my "work face" there - I have to be stern with this crew at times.

      I know, isn't it a lovely place? Don't be fooled, though - it's COLD here for us! Happy weekend, my dear!

      Delete
  6. You did well with this outfit. Too bad the beads ruined your nylons.
    Your neighbourhood looks wonderful. Love the pink trees. It looks like spring in your neck of the woods. Here it is rain, sunshine, rain, wind, wind, fierce wind. COLD
    Greetje

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, I wasn't too thrilled about losing my nylons (which is why I buy them second-hand when I can! they are so expensive!), but it's good to know for future wearing. It's a lovely place here, Greetje - but it's still winter and it's COLD (for us) out still. Happy weekend!

      Delete
  7. Fab outfit; beautiful neighbourhood and very weird cat. Did he try to attack your beaded hem at all?
    xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Vronni! He is such a weird cat. Of COURSE he did, little rotter!

      Delete
  8. what Im still processing that you said you dont have a cell phone? Really? there must be a story there??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is correct, really! I have never had one. I am super-organized and use email (we have a desktop computer at home). L doesn't have a cell phone either.

      Delete
  9. Castor bites me every morning in my chin. To wake me up. At 6 o clock! Ha ha, cats are so funny! What a gorgeous blossom and so soon! We have to wait a month or so, however the magnolia is in full swing now!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ha! They are so funny, aren't they, Nancy? Thank you! I love it when the trees bloom.

      Delete
  10. I love the fringed hem of that pretty vintage floral skirt and the tiered bell cuffs on the sleeves of that jumper!
    I also love that strict no-nonsense facial expression in the second photo of you wearing the hard-hat and Floor Warden vest outfit!
    Those tree-lined streets look pretty.
    I love the views into and out of the windows both on the third floor of the bay windows on the second floor of the house in the second to last photo.
    Vizzini's personality looks large.
    I can't even imagine how he'd behave under the influence of catnip! :D

    my blog
    my YouTube
    my Twitter

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much! I have to do that stern face pretty frequently! I'm lucky to live in such a lovely place. Yes, that cat is a very BIG cat! Catnip settles him down.

      Delete
  11. Gloriously gorgeous early spring sights! Swoon! It's almost hard for to believe that we live just a few hours (and a ferry ride) away. Up here in Armstrong, our landscape could still pass for the North Pole! :D

    Wishing you a sunny, fun filled weekend, my friend!

    Autumn Zenith 🎃 Witchcrafted Life

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Autumna! I know, so close, but so far! I hope you get some sun soon!

      Delete
  12. Shiela, you’ve brightened my day with your fab outfit! I love the sleeves and colour of your sweater and the leaf brooch – such a perfect combination. And oh the skirt with the bead trim!

    Your walk to work is so beautiful with all those blossoms.

    Vizzini sure is funny biting L’s towel. X


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, thank you so much, Jess! I love seeing all the blossoms. Isn't Vizzini the strangest kitty?

      Delete
  13. That first outfit immediately made me think of the roaring twenties and not just because of its silhouette. The print on the skirt makes me think of art deco and the beading is definitely in the spirit of 1920s. You look fabulous in this combo. That skirt is such a great piece and the sweater your paired it with you is lovely. The heels are so classy and it's great they are as comfy as they are chic. I do like a comfy heel. The accessories you opted for are very pretty, I especially like the rings. The tartan coat is a great piece as well.

    I admire you for not having a cellphone. I sometimes wish I didn't own one either. It would save me from 11.30 p.m whatsapp/viber calls from relatives asking me to help their kid with homework. One solution is to turn the volume down, I sometimes do that when I'm at home and really need to relax.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Ivana - me too! Yes, the beads remind me of 20s headdresses, and the fabric of the skirt is like some fabulous wallpaper. I am all about low heels now, sadly, as my feet are now paying for all the years of torture I've put them through. Those are two of my favourite rings.

      I do not miss not having a cell phone. If you call me, it had better be an emergency! I can't imaging people expecting me to answer the phone that late.

      Delete
  14. You took some lovely photographs on your walk. That house looks so surreal, I would love to stay in a house like that for the weekend. Maybe there is such an option somewhere.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! Yes, I'm sure there is - we have a lot of B&Bs in vintage homes here.

      Delete
  15. woww, looking fabulously flapperish in this outfit!
    Love your sleeves and the bead trim of your delightful skirt (so lovely print and colors!). Totally agree that wearing something you like makes a difference! You Rock!
    Thanks for sharing these blooming trees pics, they're magnificent!
    besos

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Monica! Aren't the trees lovely? I love their blossoms.

      Delete
  16. Vizzini, you are strange!!!!! But adorable!
    I love your sleevessssss!!! Aren't they gorgeous! Not surprised about the fans!!!
    Love your health and safety photos- what a giggle!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't he just the weirdest cat? He's always done that!

      Thanks so much, Kezzie! Glad you enjoyed my Floor Warden outfit - safety first, kids!

      Delete
  17. Vinizzi you are adorable. All the Photographs are Amazing, this dress is looking so gorgeous on You. and i love your confidence and styling to wear Vintage.

    vintage clothing uk

    ReplyDelete
  18. That is so strange that Vizzini bites L's towel! Sylvester likes to go into the bathroom and lift the lid of the toilet up with his paw and let it drop. He'll do this a few times in a row if it's close to snack time.

    This sweater and skirt pairing is gorgeous!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you! I really liked this mix.

      Vizzini is a bit of a neurotic and compulsive cat. He does some really weird stuff. Oh, that toilet seat thing would drive me nuts!

      Delete
  19. Oh Vizzini is truly a cat with an odd personality - biting a towel?!
    I love the blooming trees, here we are in the midst of summer and there are certain species that lose all of their leaves and bloom in pink and yellow, a true spectacle.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. He's a very fierce towel-biter!

      Aren't they lovely? Your trees sounds amazing!

      Delete

Comments are so incredibly special, and I love them and hug them and treasure them forever. Please feel free to tell me what you think!

I'm not currently able to respond to comments, but I will make every effort to answer questions. I do read every single one, and appreciate your comments.

Please note that comments containing affiliate links spam-y sites, spam comments and anything I deem inappropriate will be deleted.

Cheers,
Sheila