Sunday, December 20, 2020

Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Brunch Sequins and Flashback; Cat Pictures; and Big Tree: Characters, Cutesy, and Nautical

I'm back, and it's time to recap the weekend. L and I had our last brunch out of the year and I did it in sequins, Vizzini's been super-cute, and speaking of, I have some characters and cuteness from my big Christmas tree, with just a touch of nautical to cleanse your palate.

So, here we go, sequins for brunch. 
When else am I going to wear all this sparkle? I also wore this outfit in the evening for our all-friends Zoom call.

  • Top - M by Missoni, thrifted; last seen here in July with wide trousers
  • Dress - Esprit; last worn here with a psychedelic blouse in December 2019
  • Boots - Prepare Map, Fluevog; last seen here in September with my Florence dress
  • Coat (below) - Apparence, vintage 80s, thrifted; last worn here in March

I love the liquid look of the sequins on this dress. 
Instead of being sewn overlapping like fish-scales, the sequins are sewn end-to-end in a row.

The stripy top is also sparkly.
It has loads of colours in it. 
My fleece-lined tights kept my legs warm for the walk to and from town. 

Masked up - black with gold stars (from Mom). 
We briefly ventured near town for an errand, but fled quickly when we saw the hordes of shoppers (happy for the local businesses though!). 

Outerwear - it's the return of the Unsafe Polar Bear! 
So-named because when I first had her, I was staggering across a road late at night, encouraging others to follow, and Yvonne or Cat (can't remember) yelled, "Don't follow the Unsafe Polar Bear!"

Will it rain? I'm not sure. 
But just to be safe, I brought my cashmere beret. 
Good thing I did - it poured and we both got soaked. But at least my hair was mostly dry. 

  • Beret - Club Monaco, thrifted
  • Gloves - consignment
  • Purse - Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac, thrifted

The stuff: 
These boots are fine in the rain. It's leather, it'll dry. 

Silver/amber bling: 
Lots of gifts from L!

  • Leather cuff - thrifted
  • Pewter cuff - Robert Larin, vintage 70s, vintage mall, gift from L
  • Silver/smoky topaz ring - Anneli Neuman, Sweden, vintage mall
  • Silver/amethyst ring - vintage mall
  • Silver/amber pendant - vintage mall, gift from L
  • Silver/amber earrings - vintage mall, gift from L

There's my guy, and my kitty too.
"I don't want you to go out."


We'll be home soon, bud. Try not to eat anything off the Christmas tree, okay? 


Flashback: Esprit Sequin Tank Dress

I bought this dress in early January 2011, as mentioned here the first time I wore it, when the local boutique Plum closed down. I used to buy SO much clothing from them over the previous 5-6 years - they had awesome annual sales. Most of the stuff I got then is long gone, but this dress has lasted. 
It's a simple viscose t-shirt type of fabric, with a small bit of extra lining at the top. It's by Esprit and was regular price $129.00 on final clearance for $20.00. 

The first time I wore it in January 2011, I layered a cobalt blue tee under it.
I wore this to a movie with Elaine. 

I next wore it in July 2011, and as you can see, I wore it backwards. There are no darts or seaming, so aside from the label, it can be worn either way.
Hee hee, I had to include this picture because Inigo is stretching in the sun and making a turkey leg there. 

Same outfit, but the back view. 
Before my entire back was tattooed. This remains the only time I wore it back-to-front. 

I didn't wear it again until April 2013, and again I wore it bare. 
This was for Karen's birthday party (aw, my dear Karen...), and those boots are amazing. 

I went back to layering shirts under it again in December 2014.
Shoe Flashback here

This was a rock & roll look also from December 2014 - the Johnny Marr concert we were all going to got cancelled at the last minute, so I partied on the town in this. 
I still have those boots, although I don't wear them much anymore. You might also recognize the necklace. 

There's the blouse I just wore the other day - this is from September 2015. 
Shoe Flashback here; blouse Flashback here

You know what happens once I figure out a formula! I repeat it! 
I love this leopard-centric outfit from March 2017. I'd wear this again; I still have that blouse. Boots Flashbacked here

This is a great look from January 2019 - too bad that sheer olive blouse fell apart. 
Boots Flashbacked here

And this is the last time I wore the dress, in December 2019, with these same boots. 
That blouse is waiting in the wings. 


Mathy stuff: That's 10 outfits, so we are at $2.00 per wear. Excellent! 


One more picture of my boys 
"This is my best side."


Aw, so much love!


The Big Tree: Characters, Cutesy and Nautical

Moving on, I have a lot of "personalities" on my Christmas tree. I don't remember who gave me this Betty Boop on a moon ornament. 
Maybe I bought her for myself? I have no idea. My Grandma J (she of the copper jewelry) used to do a killer "boop-oop-de-do" Betty impression. 

I am a superhero fan, from comic books to graphic novels and yes, all those movies. 
I loved The Incredible Hulk TV show back in the 70s. 
I kinda wish this guy looked more like Lou Ferrigno. This was a Hallmark ornament from 1997, so he was probably around $19.99. 

I also have Batman - I've been a fan since Adam West and Burt Ward! 
He's also Hallmark, from 1994, and again, probably around $19.99.
I like a more colourful Batman, not all that solid black. 

I also have a Catwoman miniature decoration, also a Hallmark. 
Oops, a bit blurry. She's from 2000, and was around $12.95. I need a Wonder Woman ornament! 

I am a huge fan of The Nightmare Before Christmas, the 1993 movie.
Jack Skellington and Zero the ghost dog. 

I also have a pumpkin-headed angel. 
I have no idea where I got these. 
They are more recent, though, probably around the early 2000s. 

"The Frog Prince" is one of my favourite fairy tales. 
This frog prince is riding a dragonfly. 
I like the ruff around his neck and the semi-translucent wings on the dragonfly. This was $14.95.

How about the cow jumping over the moon? 
I love the look on the cow's face. 

"Ho-di-do, just jumping over this mooooooon!"
And that is one awesome moon. I recall this was about $15.95. 

I have a set of four characters from the Nutcracker ballet. I have always loved that they are in dynamic poses, like actual dancers. 
The soaring nutcracker armed with his sword. 

The pirouetting Clara with her nutcracker. 
Purple ballet shoes to match her sash. 

The fierce Mouse King. 
Also in a fine pose, sword at the ready. 

And here's Herr Drosselmeyer.
His leaping pose is my favourite. 
Although his face is dour. These were $14.95 each. 

I have a set of pinecone mice. This one is looking into a large black pipe. 
[Psst! There's the pickle!]

Their bodies are pinecones and their heads and feet are gold. 
These struck my fancy when we got them in. 
This mouse is sitting on a spool of gold thread. 
And one solo mouse, looking up. 
These were $9.95 for the smaller ones, $19.95 for the pipe. 

And one gold-dipped actual pinecone. 
It was $7.95. 

We're firmly in cutesy territory now. These next ornaments are by Enesco, who were known for cute little mice and other animals in their ornaments. 
These two mice in their adorable winter sweaters are checking the nice list (my name's not on it!), which is unscrolled over a pair of glasses. 
I used to wear glasses like this when I got this ornament. This was around $24.95. 

I have always loved this snoozing mouse in the champagne glass. 
Aw, the strings of lights wrapped around it. This was $14.95.

I had to have the chipmunk trying to crack the walnut. 
I have two different kinds of nutcrackers on my tree! 
Great detail on these. This was $12.95.

These two mice are having tea in a hot air balloon made of a tea ball and teabags. This was $24.95.
See the one mouse inside the ball in his plaid robe? 
She's pouring it through the flames to heat it...
And the fellow in the gondola catches the tea in his cup. He's got a nice selection of cakes to go with it. 

The "tea ball" half is metal. 
I love the teabags as ballast. So cute! 

I have another spoon ornament like this with two mice in it celebrating "our first Christmas", but this one is a solo mouse enjoying her bubble bath. 
One of her arms has come unglued. Must fix that. 
She was $14.95. 

I really love this little mouse, giving herself a squirt of perfume. 
She standing on the ball/tassel to make the perfume come out. 
Hee, love the petticoats. This was $14.95. 

Okay, enough cuteness! How about some incredible miniature ships? 
These are tiny (note my hand behind them), and were $5.95 each. They are wood, string and cloth, and the amount of work in them is boggling. 
They came out in 1992 for the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus' landing, so they are technically the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria. 
We had a very big section of the store with a 10' tree devoted to nautical themed ornaments - as Victoria is a seaside town, the tourists loved these. 
I often wrote "Victoria, B.C." on them in gold pen for people. 
Amazing, aren't they? So much detail. 
These are one of L's favourite ornaments. Mine too! 

I also love this antique globe ornament. 
North America is looking a bit blobby - apparently, we are blended with Asia. 

I have some questions about this geography.
We seem to be missing some land? Some countries are getting short shrift! 

Sorry, Australia, you don't fare much better. 
You're "terra inconnu" (unknown land). This ball was $5.95. 

This weekend, L and I finally got around to adding people to our Christmas village (after a few drinks).  I use this paintbrush to dust off the figures as they haven't been touched in...a while. 
"What is this fascinating object?"

Vizzini goes after anything like this, including our pens while we're trying to write. 
"You obviously wish to amuse me."

I love his "sea lion" whiskers - they all move forward when he is focused, and then...

LUNGE!
"Missed again! You are not playing fair, Woman!"

He's very good at standing on his back legs. We did this for a bit.

Finally, he helped me photograph my childhood ornaments. 
"I'm only helping if you let me chew on them."


And since that's not going to happen, we're done here! 

I hope you enjoyed my sparkle and fun ornaments. Did you have a favourite? How was your weekend? Be merry, be bright. 

30 comments:

  1. I love the dress. It's fab that you can wear it backwards. Practically you have 2 dresses instead of one and there is such a difference between the front and the back. I love it!
    Aww, the cat is so cute. He looks so serious at that brush.

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    1. Thanks, Anca! I don't actually like it backwards, as the neck is a bit too high at the "front" then.

      He was very keen on eating the brush, ha ha.

      Delete
  2. Sequins! Betty Boop! Super-heroes! You've got a great collection of ornaments.

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  3. I miss going out for brunch. ONe of the simple pleasures tat will be tops on my list. I also miss my figure being able to wear a sheath and sparkly one at that.

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    1. It's a weekend ritual I really love and I cherish the time with L and friends (when we're allowed to see them!).

      The secret to this sheath is stretch, Sam!

      Delete
  4. I was trying to think of a word to describe that seriously sequinned dress, but liquid does sum it up nicely! Stunning! The stripey sparkly top is gorgeous too. And oh goody, the Unsafe Polar bear returns! Can't believe the hordes of shoppers, though. I just had to negotiate them when I returned from work, and I fear it will be even worse on Wednesday :-(
    The diversity of ornaments you have in your tree(s) is really unbelievable. Is there a theme you haven't covered? I must admit I've got a soft spot for those pine cone mice. So cute!
    And talking of cute, what about your helper's little face? But oh, you are taunting him! No wonder your name's not on that list, Sheila ;-) xxx

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    1. It's so pretty, isn't it, Ann? It definitely looks liquid in certain lights. I was happy to be cocooned in the Unsafe Polar Bear! Yes, it's a little nutty out there. I want to hide for the next week!

      Yes, I still have lots to go - my animals, the birds, Noah's ark, the moons, and the totally random stuff.

      I am taunting him a little, but he likes the game. Really! We play with Vizzini a lot.

      Delete
  5. "Be merry, be bright. (And, if you cannot be bright, you can at least dress brightly.)"

    Your blog is among the bright spots in a dark world -- thank you, Miz Sheila, honey.

    Merry Christmas to you and yours, and a right happy new year!

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    1. Aw, thank you, Lin! That's really the nicest thing to say! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you!

      Delete
  6. How could one possibly choose a favourite from among those wonderful ornaments? What a totally fabulous collection!

    LOved the sparkly dress dress outfit and the fabulous accessories. It was good to see the unsafe polar bear coat again, too!

    Take care
    xxx

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    Replies
    1. It's hard to chose, I know! I love most of them.

      Thanks, Vronni!

      Delete
  7. Awww...lovely photos of your boys especially Vizzini on his hind legs looking like a teddy bear!
    So good to see the Unsafe Polar Bear coat - do you have one of those on the tree? Please say you do! The sequin dress looks great and the boots - I love them more each time I see them.
    Favourite ornament has to be the globe - Jon would love that! xxx

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    1. Thanks, Vix! I'm glad I was able to capture Vizzini like that - he often stands on his hind legs but he's so fast it's hard to get anything but a blur.

      I do have a polar bear on the tree, but a miniature of my actual coat would be sweet! I adore the boots, thank you!

      Nice, good choice!

      Delete
  8. Oh I love Wonder Womans boots! And your dress of course! And the photos of L with Vizzinni. I am amazed that you don't ,,need,, a huge house with all your clothing, shoes and Christmas ornaments! Fabulous!

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    1. Are these WW boots? Thanks, Nancy! Nope, we have a fairly small 1400 sf condo with lots of closet space! Thank you!

      Delete
  9. I love how much wear you have gotten from that sequin dress! I really need to actually wear and enjoy the few sequin pieces I have in my wardrobe! With working from home or with the kids as my only 2 activities everything is really casual and most importantly machine washable right now, ha!

    Really liked seeing your variety of decorations even just in this one post - it really is a treat to look through and I love that you were able to get all your decorations out this year.

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    1. It's been a good piece over the years, thanks, Mica! Wear those sequins - don't save them! This dress is washable - check your pieces!

      Thanks so much - I don't know if I'll do this next year, but it's sure been fun.

      Delete
  10. love that sequin dress, suits you so well. It was great seeing all the different ways you wore it.

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    1. Yes, I remember seeing it before...and these Christmas decorations are getting me into the right spirit.

      Delete
  11. Sheila, that sequined dress is quite the find! Absolutely gorgeous. I love all the ways you have styled it. I am swooning over your purple boots and polar bear coat! And your guys are both such handsome fellas! I really enjoyed looking at all of your fun ornaments. The pine cone squirrels are super cute. I have a bunch of different pine cone animal ornaments, too. Thanks for sharing and linking with me, my friend!

    Shelbee
    www.shelbeeontheedge.com

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    1. Thanks so much, Shelbee! It's so comfy too. Thanks! The Polar Bear is very dear to me. Glad you enjoyed the ornaments!

      Delete
  12. That sequinned dress is one to hang on to forever. Just never change size haha.
    You have two adorable guys living with you, showing you with love.
    And masses and masses of Christmas ornaments. Unbelievable.
    Greetje

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    Replies
    1. I'm trying my hardest NOT to, Greetje! Ha!

      I know, I love my guys! It's a lot of decorations.

      Delete
  13. What an awesome take on the classic LBD. Not gonna lie, I kind want (need? :D) a black sequins frock of my own now. I think it would become my default New Year's outfit.

    And speaking of the holidays, I really hope that yours are going marvellously, my sweet friend.

    Big hugs & tons of festive wishes!
    Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

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    1. You definitely need a sequined black dress - I love this one. Thank you so much, Autumn - Happy New Year to you! I hope you had a very festive Yule!

      Delete
  14. Love your sequins for brunch (this is a fab dress and fits you like a dream) and your boots! and welcoming back the Unsafe Polar Bear!
    I'm in love with those Nutcrackers characters, the cow jumping over the moon and cute mice!, everything is so fab!
    And Vizzini!
    besos

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    1. Thanks so much, Monica! I love that dress so much, and the weather has not been right till now for the Unsafe Polar Bear. She is starting to get worn, though, so that's a good thing.

      Thank you - I love those too! Even Vizzini! Ha!

      Delete
  15. I am so in love with all the sparkle! And yes, you can absolutely wear this one two ways!! xx

    ReplyDelete

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