Double Flashback: Zoom Italian Dress and Purple Posers, Switched Shoes and Cat Pictures

I'm not quite on vacation yet - it starts on Thursday - but thank you all for the good wishes. I'm still on my on-off-on-off-on work schedule for the foreseeable future, and enjoyed a quiet day at home today. 

I started poking around in my closet this morning and checking what I haven't worn yet (loads of fun!), and before you know it, I was getting dressed. 

I had my Zoom call with Mom, so I thought I'd show off of my favourite dresses that hasn't been worn in two years! An egregious oversight, you will agree.

• Dress - Corolla dress, Max and Co., Florence, Italy; last worn here in March 2019 as a purple fairy
• Shoes - Poser Ioni, Fluevog; last seen here in December 2019 (2nd outfit) when I met John Fluevog the second time

I was feeling a little blah when I got up today, but getting dressed in something so shiny and happy made me feel better. 

I've had this dress for nearly seven years, and we'll be having a little Flashback on its progress so far. 

Isn't the solid purple back cool? 

It's a fun, girly shape. 

Easy to sit in while I chatted with Mom - I had Vizzini on my lap for much of our visit. 

The stuff: 

Getting a wearing in of these since also I haven't worn these shoes in over a year. We'll have a wee Flashback on them too - but these are leaving my closet. 

Matchy bling: 

I wore the brooch for Mom, as it used to be hers. It was a Christmas gift from her landlady Mrs. Schroyer, in 1964. Mom was 19 and a teacher, and I was 3 years in the future. 

• Brooch - vintage 60s, Mom's
• Belt - Karen Millen, thrifted
• Earrings - Kate Spade, consignment
• Brutalist brass ring - vintage 70s, vintage mall
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
• Silver/amethyst ring - vintage mall

With the time change, we're seeing more afternoon light. We face east, so we get the sun as it sets - it's beautiful light. Last night, I discovered Vizzini checking out some sunny spots. 

"This spot has nap written all over it."

As I moved in closer, he came down to visit and ask for a rub. 

"Incoming! Prepare for tummy rubs, Woman!"

He's getting bushy - I have to start giving him lots of brushings as he begins shedding his winter fur. Good thing he enjoys being brushed! 

Flashback #1: Max and Co. "Corolla" Dress

L and I took our moms on vacation to Italy in October 2014 - it was a Big Trip, covering Venice (here), Florence (here), Cinque Terre (here) and Rome (here). I did most of my spending in Florence, which is where I bought this dress, at the Max and Co. store (they are a sister store to Max Mara). 

It's called the Corolla dress, and its fabric was made in Italy, as was the dress itself. They had them in multiple patterns. 

This one called to me. The other patterns were a bit more sedate, I recall. 

A better look at the woven fabric. 

A thick purple knit, and woven purple with turquoise and gold. 

No stretch. This was I think around $165 Euros or $240 Canadian. I don't mind spending more for good quality, non-fast-fashion. 

I wore in November 2014 - recognize the tights? They are the same ones I wore today. 

I tend to wear some of the same colours over and over again with it: usually gold, blue, purple. Shoe Flashback here. 

This was in March 2015. 

I'm surprised that this is the only time I've worn it with my Trout shoes (Flashback here). 

This is also the only time I've ever worn turquoise accessories with it. 

This was in April 2015 - I kept it out with my spring/summer stuff, so that's probably why (most of my turquoise things are spring/summer). Shoe Flashback here. 

Here we are in August 2015.

Kind of bland styling there. 

There are those tights again - this was in October 2015. 

Those were fun shoes that I had for many years.

I believe this is the first wearing of my over-the-knee black leather boots, in February 2016.

I like the bigass belt with this. Boots Flashback here. 

This is only the first time I've worn the dress with purple tights? Amazing. This is in October 2016.

I do miss those gold shoes - I wore them to death. 

Tall boots again in December 2016.

I like to indulge my nerdy side and wear my Star Trek communicator badge with this dress - it has a futuristic vibe with all that shiny space fabric. 

This looks like a weekend outfit - it's from December 2017.

Minimal accessories. 

This was a bad outfit - and I had a bad day in it - from February 2018. I was in the middle of our ginormous office move, and was totally stressed. 

Ah, I see I did wear those those more than once. I don't regret getting rid of them. Even Fluevogs can be misses. 

I like this all-gold look from December 2018. 

Totally a sparkly Christmas outfit. 

And this is the last time I wore this dress, in March 2019. 

I probably had it lined up to wear in my fall/winter 2019/2020 season, but then...pandemic. Missed it! 

Mathy stuff: I have worn this dress 13 times, which brings my cost-per-wear to $18.46. I'm totally fine with that. 

Flashback #2: Poser Ioni, Fluevog Purple Wool Shoes

I bought these shoes online in June 2019 (here) for $149.99. They were an impulse and although I'd tried on a different colour in my local Fluevog store to get the sizing right, these have always been a half size too big on me (I've tried inserts). 

I also find them rather uninspiring - I just do not reach for them. 

They are lovely and I know someone will want them, so I'm putting them into my Swap & Shop bag, for when the Victoria Fluevog store can host an event again. 

Time for them to go to a good home. Plus, I have oodles of Fluevog gift cards that I'm planning on spending on my upcoming vacation - I'm sure I can find something that will make my heart go pitter-patter! 

Let's have a boo at the very few ways I've worn these shoes, shall we? Starting with my PANK dress, in June 2019. 

It's all so fabulous, and then you get to the BLERG of the shoes. Dress Flashback here. 

I do like the dark purple of the shoes with this dress. 

This was in October 2019. 

And here's the last time I wore them, with this sparkly purple dress and polka-dotted tights, in December 2019. 

L's in the background, and Vizzini is blurrily coming in for a crash against my legs. We went to the John Fluevog book signing, our whole gang of Fluevog-lovers - it was such a good time. 

Mathy stuff: Well, they can't all be winners, kids. At only 4 wears, these sad Fluevogs have averaged out at $37.50 per wear. 

I put them into my Swap & Shop bag in the library, and these Fluevogs called out to me. 

Re-meet the Faith Lo Reumah, sandals I bought in May 2013 (here). I have been thinking about these off and on for the past few months. No regrets, so they're getting a reprieve. We'll see how they are for spring/summer this year. 

While I was getting ready for my call with Mom (making tea, taking pictures, checking my hair), Vizzini had woken up from his main nap and wanted some attention. 

"You've been quite neglectful of me."

I'm always happy to give him attention. We have hugs, and dance around, looking out the windows.

"You should let me out on the deck, Woman."

It's a little too cold still, bud. How about your post? 

"I do not approve!"

Look at those white toes! Hee! 

Now, off to play in my closet and figure out what to wear for St. Patrick's Day to work tomorrow!