Sick Day Casual, and Therapy

I took a planned sick day today to deal with some medical stuff - nothing serious, but I knew I'd need to get to a clinic early (like, 7:30am, yawn) and that I'd probably have to go for blood tests after that. 

I haven't had a doctor since ours retired 13 years ago and closed his practice. Despite what you've maybe heard about Canada's health care, there aren't enough doctors and it's hard to get to see one unless you have a pressing issue. I pay a small medical premium through my paycheque, and never pay at any clinic or for any doctor visit, though. That part's awesome. The waiting and lack of doctors...not so much.

• Sweater - Artisan de Luxe, consignment; last worn here (2nd outfit) on a Raging January day
• Jeans - L'Wren Scott, thrifted; last seen here in January for a Snow Day
• Boots - Arnold Churgin, thrifted; last worn here (2nd outfit) in December 2019 for brunch
• Coat (below) - Donna Karan, consignment; last seen here last weekend

I had to get my name down on the list at the clinic, noting the urgency of my issue (low), and then wait for hours until a doctor was available.  Please don't worry about me - I am fine, just getting old (ha ha). Personally, I am outraged that I'm not immortal!

I dressed for warmth and comfort - this is a very casual look for me. I took my current book and got about 100 pages read - that's never a waste of time.

I love this fun patchwork sweater, especially the tassels on the front. I'll be wearing this same outfit for Book Club tonight, as well. I'm hosting!

My jeans are flocked velvet, very stretchy. Good for sitting and hanging out with my gals.

If you're looking at these pictures and wondering what's different, I'm not wearing any make-up, and these are an older pair of glasses that I often wear at home.

I love my turquoise specs, but they push on the bridge of my nose, so I like to rest from them when I'm not at work.

Outerwear - I missed the rain that started in the afternoon. I felt very incognito in this - it's such a "normal" look.

 This was just right for a chilly, sort-of overcast early morning. Down puffers are great for hot flashes.

• Gloves - Parkhurst

The stuff:

Good walking shoes. After my appointment, I walked down Oak Bay Avenue to get a few groceries I needed for Book Club dinner. We're having chili, bread, veggies/dip and birthday cake/fruit/chocolate. I made the chili last night.

• White gold earrings - Frances Jewelers, 10th anniversary gift from L

As I'd anticipated, I had to go for a full blood work-up. My plan was to kill a few hours, blog at home, and then go to a nearby lab to get my blood drawn. I popped into my friend Janet's office to visit and then meandered back up the Avenue, briefly stopping in at House of Savoy and Turnabout for a little retail therapy. Uh-oh, those places are dangerous!

I found this lovely dark green sheer blouse at House of Savoy on the sale rack for $15.00.

I love a good blouse with a pussy bow.

This one's by Nygard Black Label.

I'm sure it's polyester, which is good, because I'll likely sweat in it!

I hemmed and hawed over this coat.

 It's rather "ringmaster-y", but so dramatic! The two buttons do up just under the boobs (it's a titch snug - I doubt I'll wear it done up much) and it's very cool on.

And it's covered in embroidered roses. Mmm...embroidery!

The tweed itself is nubby - it's just black and white although it fools my eye into seeing olive green/cream.

More embroidery on the back. And look at those seams - GORGEOUS. Look how the tweed is lined up at the back of the neck.

It's a wool/linen/viscose/elastane blend, very soft and snuggly.

It's McQ by Alexander McQueen from when he had a licencing, manufacture and distribution agreement with Italian company SINV SpA, from 2006 to just after his death in 2010, when his protege Sarah Burton took the label back. Link here to the Wiki history of the brand.

How do I know this is from 2006-2010? Because the inside label says "SINV SpA" and I researched it (I always look for a style number and search that too). Also, this type of embroidered coat was all over the place in 2006-2007 - do you remember that? I do! Now that I see this McQ coat, I'm realizing all those coats I saw back then (including a few Nygard ones) were probably ripping off inspired by this one.

McQueen still did the designing for McQ during that period, so this is still "real" McQueen, just a higher-produced/distributed line than the high-end stuff.

There's nothing online (eg. runway shows or pictures of the collections) from the McQ designs prior to it going back to the brand's control in 2010, but checking out designer re-sell sites, even the SINV coats are listed in the $500-750 range. Compare with the Alexander McQueen line, however: those coats are $6,000+ (yes, SIX THOUSAND dollars).

The lovely proprietor of the House of Savoy knocked $100 off the marked price of this for me - I paid $185.00, which I think is very good. I do not regret biting on this and I'll be wearing it soon.

Flush with my purchases, I crossed the street to Turnabout where I found two dresses.

Isn't that a fun print? It reminds me of a kaleidoscope. It has inset pieces of lime green silk down the sides and the neckline is bound in neon orange. Hmmm...I wonder what I might have in neon orange?? I actually have a lot of shoes that will go with this dress.

Lime green around the zipper.

I like that instead of a walking slit at the back, that there's a little kick-pleat there with more fabric. If this had pockets it would be an A+ jammy dress (it's still an A).

The entire lining is neon green - it's silk! (with a touch of stretch).

This is by Elie Tahari for 5F Bergdorf Goodman and it retailed for $350.00 - I paid $59.99. This is totally going in my spring/summer wardrobe, but I'll sneak in a wearing of it soon.

I have been on the lookout for a new red dress since I ruined my last one (here, 3rd outfit, scroll down), when I caught a butter-covered potato in the skirt and was never able to get that butter out, and I tried everything.

This one feels much more modern than the previous red dress. It has ruffles down the front from shoulder to hem (same on the back), and in between the ruffles, it's pleated on the front (and back) of the skirt. The bottom is fully-lined (with pockets!), and the top and sleeves are sheer. I'll be breaking out my red vintage slip to wear under this.

It's by Little Moon, and it's 100% polyester. The back has two self-covered buttons at the neck and a 6" cutout below that. The sleeves also have a small button closure at the cuff.

It's an Aritzia brand; Turnabout does a whole rack of Artizia brands which I usually find snoozy/boring (full of beige, black and grey, no fun details) and quickly skim through. This jumped right out at me, as you can imagine.

And I don't think this has ever been worn! It still has the fold creases from shipping from the factory - I've circled them below (they will steam out, and this dress is washable).

I bet someone ordered this online and then never wore it. Aritzia has a floral version (sold out) on their site; this retailed for $185.00, and I paid $49.99 for it. I'm excited to wear it, so expect to see it soon!

From my bout of retail therapy I walked home, ready to starve for the day so that I could get my blood tests in the afternoon. However, when I double-checked the form from the doctor, I realized I have to fast for 10 hours, not the 8 hours I would have been able to manage before Book Club. Arg! I'll have to be late for work next week and do it then.

And now, my friends, I'm off to have a good nap before my gals show up for Book Club. Thank you all for visiting - I'll be back on Sunday with tales of adventure!