Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Blue, Black and White Flashback

This is a weird week for me. I'll be working 3 days in a row, which I haven't done since March! I have to work tomorrow/Thursday, and I'll be doing a half-day on Friday to make up for the BC Day long weekend that's in my very near future.
I'm fine with all of these shenanigans, as it means I'll have 4.5 days off in a row without having to use a lick of vacation time. But enough of work, check out my outfit!


  • Top - H&M, consignment; last seen here in July 2019 with pink, bows and polka dots
  • Skirt - LS, consignment; last worn here in August 2019 with a silver fox
  • Shoes - Sol Sana; last seen here in June with Dries and ruffles
  • Jacket (below) - Club Monaco, thrifted; last worn here earlier this month


Both this top and this skirt get worn infrequently - this is only the 4th wearing of the top, and the 3rd wearing of the skirt - but both were only purchased a couple of years ago.
The top is a surprise - H&M! It has a side zip, it's cotton with a touch of stretch, and it came with a lovely black grossgrain tie, which matches the black grossgrain trim on the skirt.

Isn't the skirt cool, though?
I love the bold blocks of colour - very Mondrian-ish. It's a bit limiting for wear: white, black, blue and combinations thereof.

I felt great in this all day, and was able to do my (physical) work in the office in comfort.
And it continues to be hot and sunny, so I continue to cover up.
I'm sure a few people looked aghast at me when I was walking home - all this black! On a hot summer day!

The stuff:
My feet are feeling much better, but I'm not going to push myself into heels or tight shoes just yet. These are fabulous to wear - and although I have only had them for 3 years, we'll have a wee Flashback below.

Black, white and blue bling:
Simple matchy stuff.


  • Black and white cuff - vintage fair
  • Acrylic/silver cuff - Alexis Bittar, consignment, Vancouver
  • Glass/silver earrings - local
  • Onyx/silver ring - Tocarra, vintage fair
  • Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes


Vizzini was lurking around while I was doing my pictures this morning. We did a massive clean of our bedroom last night, and he was quite disgruntled about it.
"You disturbed my room, AND now you're leaving me?"

Just wait till I leave tomorrow, when he's used to me being around. I'd better hide my shoes.
"Damn straight, Woman."

Silly boy. And now...


Flashback! 

These lovely shoes are by Sol Sana, and are my 3rd pair by this brand, all purchased at Footloose Shoes in downtown Victoria, a locally-owned and operated shoe store. It's often hard to find good quality shoes second-hand (my first choice for shopping), and sometimes Fluevogs (my second choice) are too over-the-top for a "regular" shoe. 
I bought them here in May 2018 for $120.00. They are leather, super comfortable, and I love that very walkable block heel. I was attracted to the speckled black and white pattern, which is printed onto a raised snakeskin pattern. And who doesn't love an ankle strap?

I wore them immediately in May 2018.
Keeping it simple with a black leather mini-skirt and a big teal silk blouse.

They are an excellent choice when I want a neutral or white shoe, but don't want it to be TOO white or want to bring in just a touch of black.
This is from June 2018. I always forget about that top, but I still have it and the pink leather skirt.

A casual look in July 2018.
Due to having to buckle and unbuckle them, I don't wear them for shopping on the weekends, so they get worn to work more than anywhere else.

A Christmassy look from...September 2018.
I pack these shoes away during the chillier months. Although I don't believe in "rules" like wearing white after Labour Day (seriously, so silly), I don't have much use for white shoes in the winter.

Hey, that skirt looks familiar! This was its first outing, in April 2019.
That's the same top as above with the pink leather, only tucked in. I'm even wearing the same cuff, lapis lazuli ring and earrings!

After I saw Corey Hart in concert with Ali in June 2019, I wore my concert tee to work the next day.
Prim and proper...but also badass.

That white top again in July 2019.
I made a "suit" out of separates.

I keep most of my very-short minis in my cold-weather wardrobe (so that I can wear tights with them), so when I see a mini worn in the summer, I know I've just acquired it.
This was in August 2019.

Three patterns together in September 2019.
And a peeved kitty who won't look at the camera. I have yet to wear both that blouse and those dotty pants yet this season. Soon!

I dressed up for Easter in April 2020, but didn't go anywhere.
Counting the shoes, that's 3 separate dotted items in one outfit.

And here's the last time I wore them, in June 2020.
I love this classy look.

Mathy stuff: Counting today's outfit, I have now worn these shoes 12 times, so I'm down to $10.00 per wear, which I'm really pleased with. I'm always willing to pay for good quality shoes, because they last so much longer - I'll be wearing these for years! Imagine what my cost-per-wear will be then.


I have to go placate our little monster now.
"I will accept kitty treats, lap time and more kitty treats."

He made himself a bed in L's closet, on top of his football jerseys.

20 comments:

  1. You have an astonishing collection of astounding shoes and the polka dot shoes are no exception. I love that the black/white dotted pattern can stand out or become neutral depending on what you wear with them. Very multi-talented shoes!

    Is the three day work week a one off or will this be your new normal for a while?

    Poor Vizzini; extra treats are definitely in order. My cat does not handle change very well and spends a lot of time inspecting things when changes are made and becomes quite indignant - like I was supposed to ask his opinion first or something, lol.

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    1. Yes, exactly, Nana! I love that versatility. Sometimes I want a bright white, but when I just need a low-key white (these are big differences!) these work better.

      I've been on a 3-day work week since March: Monday/Wednesday/Friday. This is an additional full day (Thursday) plus a short Friday, so 3 days in a ROW. It feels so difficult! Ha ha! I've been spoiled. :)

      No extra treats, ever, for Vizzini! He just gets attention, maybe a brushing, but lots of cuddling instead. Oh, yes, Vizzini does that indignant thing so well too!

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  2. Three days of work in a row? You Canadians... :)

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    1. Nah, it's just me, Ally! :) In a ROW!! That's so hard!

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  3. Oh my gosh Sheila. I was thinking, let me check out how I can reach our to Sheila as I was not getting any mails about new posts from you. And here you are, just blogging as usual! I'm sorry I've missed a few but I subscribed again!

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    1. Nancy! I was wondering what happened to you! I think that dropped subscription must be from the changes to the new blogging template that Blogger is rolling out this month. sigh.

      Glad to see you, my dear!

      Delete
  4. You've got so much wear from those shoes! :) I really like the skirt with them too I can see why you've done that twice :) I have some black and white shoes I really need to wear more - it's tricky as they are not the easiest to keep clean, haha!

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    1. I know I'll get more out of them. I love them with the skirt, so I'll probably do that again, ha ha! Thanks, Mica!

      Oh, yes, that can be an issue for me too, for sure. All my light-coloured shoes start to show scuffs after a while.

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  5. My friend Liz would go wild for your skirt, I wore a 1970s maxi in a similar Mondrian colour-blocked style when we went out last year and she insisted I sold it to her.
    4.5 days without using holidays up! Excellent stuff. Vizzini is going to love seeing more of you, all those cuddles! xxx

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    1. Oh no, she bought your skirt right off you! Ha! I know, it's been a lovely long stretch!

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  6. I'm not sure I'll get used to working full-time again, ever! I've worked two days in a row a couple of times and even that was hard. But obviously, if I could see 4,5 days off dangling in front of me - and without using up holidays - I'd be willing to do it. I even haven't used up my whole holiday quota of last year. If it were at all possible, I'd send you some :-) I'm loving your blue, black and white outfit. That skirt is marvellous and I can't get over the fact that the top is H&M. The shoes are a pair I wouldn't mind having in my wardrobe, and I loved seeing the flashback on them. Hope you were able to placate Vizzini! xxx

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    1. I know, I'm not sure I will either, and yes, even two days in a row feels like a LOT now. It was worth it to have all these days off, for sure. Every so often, H&M comes through!

      Vizzini has loved having us around.

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  7. What an interesting skirt! It makes me think of art deco for some reason. The combo of white, black and blue is delightful. I love how you styled it. Nice to see the flash back outfits as well. Those pointy shoes are gorgeous!!!!!!!!!!

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    1. Yes, the bold lines and arcs, I can see that. Thanks, Ivana!

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  8. I don't know how I will ever adjust when we have to return to the office full-time. I have only gone to the office twice since the lockdown in March.
    You look very fancy in the colour block skirt and b&W top. Those shoes really do go with so many different outfits.

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    1. I don't know if they will put me back at full time, Shelley - people are coming back to the office soon, though!

      Thank you so much!

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  9. Lovely outfit, looking fab in these bold blocks of color!, love the geometric design and how nicely it goes with your top!, everything rocks together!.
    These shoes are so cool and they look comfy too!, love that they can work as white shoes but can also look like an animal print, this is amazing!
    besos

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    1. Thank you! I love a nice cohesive outfit! The shoes are awesome - a very solid purchase.

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  10. Wow, that skirt is glorious and that outfit I'd wear to a wedding !
    You're looking amazing Sheila :)
    It's great you got to work 3 days in a row.

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    1. It's a really lovely skirt, thanks! Eh, I'm somewhat used to my 1 on/1 off/1 on/1 off/1 on schedule. It felt weird to be working so many days in a row!

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