Black, White, Red for Shopping, and Cat Pictures

I still had today/Tuesday off so I planned to meet up with my coworker's teen daughter, Izabella, for some pre-prom scouting/shopping at two of my favourite consignment shops. 

Of course, I had to wear my new-to-me black and white skirt - it's made for shopping. 

• Cardigan - no label, thrifted; not tracked, but last worn with these shoes
• Sweater tank - INC, thrifted; last seen here in August with mustard
• Skirt - Zand Amsterdam, consignment; purchased here for $20.00
• Shoes - Truths Pilgrim, Fluevog; last worn here in August with a blue bird dress

And what am I going to wear with black and white multiple prints? Red! It was an easy choice - I love these colours together. 

Izabella tried on a bunch of things, but we still have months to find something for her - today was more about introducing her to these stores and seeing what kinds of things she could expect to find, and getting ideas (like separates, wearing Converse with a gown - she loved that idea). 

We didn't find anything this trip for her, so we'll touch base again in a couple of months. After she was picked up by her parents, I shopped for me. 

My skirt was initially tricky: it took a few tries to get the waist exactly where I wanted it (higher), versus where it wanted to fit (lower). I suspect that it's from the early 00s - when I finally got it right, it sat very low on the waist. 

I added the tights due to the shortness of the skirt. 

Zebra seemed appropriate. I found these in the clearance bin at the Bay the last time I bought underwear. The clearance bin is where all the kooky tights end up.

Here's the skirt without the cardi, so you can get a good look at it and the little bag clipped on the side. 

I only took the cardigan off when I was trying on clothes. 

A fellow shopper really admired the skirt, so I showed it off to her a bit. 

I had some Tight Creep issues with the inside layer of the skirt while walking to and from our expedition, but not too bad - it was offset by the usefulness of having my hands totally free with the little purse clipped on the side. It perfectly held my wallet, mini hand sanitizer, keys, business cards, shopping bag and mp3 player. 

Of course, I wore a mask. Wonder Woman! 

Victoria is experiencing a very high haze/air quality rating, due to drifting smoke from forest fires in Washington State to the south. I kept my mask on the entire time I was outside to also protect from that (and 100% while indoors too). It was very smoky! 

The stuff: 

Love these shoes - I had several compliments on them from the Turnabout staff. 

Minimal bling: 

Nothing to get in the way of shopping! 

• Cuff - vintage fair
• Earrings - thrifted

Vizzini has been lounging about in the sun for the last few days. 

"Just soaking up some rays."

I like how he just puts his paws in the sun. 

"Cold paws, warm heart."

When he gets too warm, he comes inside and flops. 

"No...energy...must...nap..."

I can't resist him - tummy rub time! 

"You know what to do, Woman."

Here's what I found at Turnabout - I also went through House of Savoy, but had no luck there today. 

OMG Big Presence Desmond Fluevogs in snakeskin print! 

They are in amazingly good condition. 

I like that the pattern on the toes and up the sides are matched. 

You know I <3 quality! (See the heart?)

I was very surprised to see so much wear on the heel - that's very high density plastic. My Desmonds (these) don't have anywhere near that much wear. 

The front leather soles have been replaced with Topys, so they won't be slippery at all. Excellent. These were $142.99. It might seem expensive, but I plan to wear them a lot, so I expect that the cost-per-wear will be very good over the next several years. 

I also fell hard for these slip-on D'Orsay shoes. 

Another black and white print - these are ponyhair finish leather. The black strap across the vamp is leather. 

The brand is Wittner, an Australian brand. 

Looks like these would have been $170.00-190.00 regular retail. These were $47.99.

Not a lick of wear on the soles or on the back of the heel. I bet the person who bought them found them too big.

They are a size 39 (I'm usually a 40), but I like this style to be a little bit snug so that the heel doesn't slip off. These are going to get a lot of wear, as I'll be able to walk to and from town and shop in them. 

I spotted this skirt while Izabella and I were looking around. PINK. 

Such a pretty colour!

It's very swooshy and wide. 

See? Lots of swoosh. 

I like the hem. 

That's a pretty finish, without adding visual bulk to the delicate skirt. 

It's by Wilfred, an Aritzia brand (high-end Canadian mall store). 

The lining is the same colour. It was $32.99 and retailed originally for $98.00.

Turnabout still had their final summer clearance stuff out, with slashed prices. I bit on this amazing black, white, grey and red skirt. 

It looked great with what I had on - it's like I planned it.

Look at this detail! The lines are all woven and sewn to the front layer. 

Oh, that makes me just ecstatic. 

The whole skirt, including the lining is 100% silk. 

Would you believe this was $12.00? It would have well over $200 new. 

It's by Tatum & Olivia, which was a local boutique in Sidney (now closed, sadly). Article about them here, linking 'cause I love. 

The structure of this skirt seemed so familiar - 100% silk, interesting sewn details, made in Vietnam - it's because one of the designers used to be part of Tangerine Jill (this dress, this dress). Many thanks to the shopper who told me! How cool! 

I also bought this dress - it was also marked way down to $12.00. How could I leave it behind?

It has two snakes on it! In rhinestones! 

The back. 

The top part is dotted mesh, and the main/body is velvet dots on a stretch cotton. And yes, it is VERY short. I might actually layer a skirt under it to make it something I could sit in. 

Detail. 

Those rhinestones are actually beads, so that's all sewn on by hand. 

I usually will pitch a hissy-fit and stomp out reconsider garments when the decoration doesn't continue around to the back, but for twelve bucks? 

And a perfect fit? It was totally going home with me. 

The brand is People's Market, but I couldn't find much about them online. 

Anyway, it's a cool dress. Must find/make an occasion to wear it soon! 

We had very high winds last night, and the Gary Oaks and maples were thrashing around. Officer Vizzini was on patrol! 

"So much going on! Must see everything!"

He's very agile, jumping up on the ledge. 

"I'll have a lengthy report to make on all this commotion."

But he opted for some heaving sunning after that. 

"Ah! Time to rest again."

One big stretch...and then...

"Complete and total relaxation."

Exactly!