Unfussy Friday: Spring Green and Boots - and I Painted the Deck!

Happy Friday, my friends! I am excited, as I just found out I should be able to book my first vaccine shot this Sunday. Now that's a great way to end my week. 

I wore this dress for the first time today and every person I spoke to admired it. 

Sorry, Milind, it's still not olive. I would call this colour celery.

• Dress - Sig Zane, consignment; purchased here for $40.00
• Boots - Rockport, thrifted; last worn here (Flashback there too) in October 2020 with brown corduroy
• Raincoat (below) - Avoca, consignment; last seen here in February 2020

I'm wearing a full vintage slip under this and I have nylons on, plus the boots kept my legs warm. It's still a bit chilly here (mid-teens), but I was comfortable being sleeveless in the office. 

This was a lovely dress to wear - very comfy, love those big pockets. 

It wrinkled quite a lot, as it is nearly half linen. I don't mind - the colour hid it pretty well. It also picked up cat hair, but that's easily dealt with. 

I had to meet up with three different coworkers today: handing over a gift card to Linda (hi!), getting a prize to Jess (both from office contests), and to get a laptop from one of my favourite now-ex-coworkers. It felt so good to chat to each of them for a few minutes - I miss all the connections I have with my coworkers! 

I liked how the chocolate brown boots and belt contrasted with the green. Very spring-y.

Masked up: 

I read that the colour brown is experiencing a renaissance - remember, around 5 years ago, when you didn't see brown AT ALL in stores? I've always been a fan, and of course, every colour is available second-hand! 

Outerwear - although it sprinkled rain all morning, it was warmer out. 

I didn't want to be too hot, so this t-shirt lined waxed cotton raincoat was perfect. 

Plus, I'm in my spring floral! Pansies!

I did not need the hood - it was ferociously windy on the way home. 

Outerwear stuff: 

Do you see the trees? I liked how this subtly echoed the scribbly trees on the dress. 

The stuff: 

These boots are so comfy - remember, that's only a net 1-inch heel! 

Mixed bling: 

I used to wear hip belts in 1986-1993-ish, when they were all the rage - I still have two of them! I liked doing a nod to that style with this new-to-me belt. I had no issues with it popping open or falling off - I'd had visions of fishing it out of the toilet, ha! 

• Leather belt - thrifted here for $5.00, first wearing
• Silver cuff - St. Paul's Cathedral gift shop, London
• Wooden ring - Dot's
• Silver/amber pendant and chain - vintage mall, gift from L
• Glass bangle - thrifted
• Silver/aventurine ring - thrifted
• Earrings - vintage, vintage fair

I Painted the Deck! 

You might have noticed that I haven't posted about the changes/updates to our living space that I mused about after Christmas. It's not that I haven't done anything (which mostly I haven't), but that I want to post it all from start to end, when I'm done. I'm not fast at doing this sort of stuff. I have to live with changes, then take action. It's how I roll. 

But when I decide to DO something, I do it. And I get it done. 

Like so! I have insulated our deck! Behold! 

I have sprayed foam insulation (purchased months ago) into the gaps between the roof glass and the wall glass. Due to our deck basically being open to the outside, it is really cold out there in winter, and therefore very cold in our main living area (our deck doors are also very old and have gaps). This spray can only be done when the temperature is over 15 degrees - which it was! 

Look at this amazing job! 

I did this yesterday after I got home from my grocery shop and Mental Health Walk - as you can see, we had a gorgeous sunny day. It was very pleasant to work out here, with the maples and oaks towering over me. Those are massive trees - we are on the 4th floor! 

When I finished insulating, I got out our painting tray. L and I had cleaned out some of the stuff from our laundry room, ready for the plumber to replace our hot water tank on Tuesday, and when we pulled this down, I noticed how much leftover paint we had from when we did our main space many years ago. I shook a few of the cans - yup, still liquid! I figured I'd have a good shot at having enough to paint the inside of our deck. 

I lucked out: there was a full, unopened can, along with a roll of painters tape. I taped near the floor, above the tile. I had a few splatters but I got more on me than on the floor. It's latex, so easily scratches off the tile. 

I've shown our deck before, a full year ago here in April 2020 (I told you, I don't do things quickly) when I first set up my reading area, and here (scroll down a bit), a few weeks after that, when I created my art corner. It was all mostly unused space before that, aside from junk storage and a corner table and chairs. 

This is my art corner area. The ugly chalky green on the left is what's going away for good. Can you believe our entire house was that colour when we first moved in? It's a matte finish, so showed every fingerprint, and was starting to flake off in places. 

We also had a box of drop-cloths in the laundry room, so I just covered up all the furniture, moving some stuff inside temporarily. 

At one point, I heard a squawk and found a furious Vizzini, hiding under a blanket that was draped over his post. 

"You must stop all this disruption at once, Woman!"

He raced off, yowled, coughed up a hairball, then sat and glared at me from a distance. 

I edged twice, and did three coats of paint with a roller - that green was pernicious! But look how bright and sunny it is now! 

My reading area - it gets a lot of early afternoon sun. The jar on the table has a battery-operated flickering tealight in it. I'm gradually adding more lighting out here, so that it's a chill evening space (anticipating parties in the future!), and will take some nighttime pictures once it's done to my satisfaction. 

This is looking past Vizzini's post to our corner table and chairs. I have plans for this area: a new square corner table, some comfier seating with pillows and throws, plus rugs on the tile. I really want to make it cozy.

The yellow balls and black squares are solar-powered lights. It's really cool at night. 

And this is my art area, aka Vizzini's afternoon nap chair. I move the stool currently in the reading area over here, and do my Zentangles - my supplies live inside the stool. 

I am so happy with how my painting turned out! It matches our external building colour really well, and makes it so much brighter. I surprised L with it when he got home - he was impressed, but is somewhat used to my shenanigans (heh). Go, me! 

Vizzini, everything is back in its place now, you can come out. 

"Are you sure?"

I would not kid on such an important matter, little bud. 

And now, my friends, I'm off to enjoy my weekend and wish you all good times, laughs and relaxation. I'll be back on Sunday with tales of adventure (an Event!). Thanks so much for dropping by. 

Blue Lace Legs, New Floral and PANK Moto Flashback

Today was a busy day in the office, for a nice change. The day just flew by! I had a Teams meeting with some of my coworkers, who loved my bright outfit. 

Most of them only saw my top half, but I did stand up at my desk and waggle my feet for a few of them. 

• Jacket - Gap, consignment, Vancouver; last seen here in May 2020 over a second-chance blue dress
• Tank sweater - Ellen Tracy, swap from Caro; last worn here (3rd outfit) with a kimono for a party in the park in August 2020
• Skirt - Anna Sui, thrifted; purchased here for $16.95
• Shoes - Prepare Guide, Fluevog; last worn here in September 2020 for brunch

I am a big fan of this bright pink (aka PANK, as in "so pink...it's PANK!") colour - it makes me feel cheery.

I liked how well it went with this new-to-me skirt. 

I played with the colours of the skirt and brought out my blue lace tights. 

They looked so cool with the turquoise shoes. 

Masked up. 

I wore my jacket in the office all day - didn't take it off at all. We'll have a little Flashback on it shortly. 

Outerwear - I just added gloves and a scarf for warmth in the morning. 

It was supposed to rain today, but it held off until I got home. 

Outerwear stuff: 

I didn't need the scarf or gloves on the walk home. 

• Silk scarf - vintage, thrifted
• Leather/cashmere gloves - consignment
• Mask - by Mom

The stuff: 

These shoes are so comfortable - I actually wore them home as I had a couple of errands to run, and frankly, I wanted to show off my full outfit. I hope I brightened someone's day. 

Turquoise bling: 

A bunch of favourites, including Karen's pendant. 

• Turquoise/silver ring - local
• Fulvia Ring/lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
• Earrings - used furniture store
• Pendant - Karen's 

Flashback: Gap Wool Moto Jacket

Yet another excellent item bought here in March 2019 on our last anniversary trip to Vancouver - that was a very fruitful shopping trip! I was drawn to the bright colour, duh. 

So sweet! I love all the pockets - they are all real (I found Linda's address in one this morning from a Winesday back in 2019). 

And yes, it is by the Gap, from their Holiday 2013 collection. I bought it second-hand for $22.49 - it originally retailed for $195.00. 

Excuse me, Gap people, you got the colour wrong - it's not "Vibrant Fuchsia"! It's PANK! 

I wore it right away that evening, out for dinner, so this is March 2019.

All bundled up with my matching fur boa. Shoes Flashbacked here. 

I mostly wear it as outerwear, so you'll recognize many of these outfits from Flashbacks...but here they are with my jacket over them. 

Also in March 2019, showing off my new jewelry and shoes from that Vancouver trip to my coworkers. Dress Flashback here. 

It goes really well with my little pink slippers (same Vancouver trip!), so I had to pair them. 

This was in April 2019. Pants Flashbacked here; shirt Flashbacked here. Hey, where is that scarf? That's the one I should have worn today! 

Matching to my tights, also in April 2019. 

That vest-y/dress thing was Flashbacked here, and the shoes here. 

I wore this outfit out for lunch for L's birthday with Mom. 

I'm showing off my pretty sequined Union Jack flag purse. I gave up both the dress and the sandals after 2019.

Ah, this is the Winesday outfit that I wore to Linda's, back in July 2019. 

That skirt is calling to me - Flashback here - I can't wait for hot weather to wear it again! 

I love the mix of PANK and orange here in September 2019. 

Those shoes again. Trousers Flashbacked here. 

And here's the last time I wore it, back in May 2020. 

With today's shoes (Flashback here)! 

Mathy stuff: Including today's outfit, I've now worn my PANK jacket 9 times, which brings me to $2.50 per wear. I'm shocked and a bit sad that I only wore it once all of last spring/summer, but it's not our usual world, is it? Hopefully, I'll manage to sneak in a few more wearings out of it this season. 

Are you a moto(rcycle) jacket fan? Would you ever wear a coloured one? 

Zoom Gown Flashback, Hemming and Mending

Today, I was up at the crack of dawn to greet the plumber, who disassembled our old hot water tank, and installed a new one. Being in a condominium, we're responsible for our own hot water tanks and their expiry, and believe me, it is No Fun to be awakened at 3am because the ground floor neighbour's place is flooding. We've had it happen to our wall-share neighbours (we had to check to see if it was ours or theirs), and so L and I always replace ours when it's due. 

What on earth does this have to do with wearing a gown? Well, I had a shower (go, me!) in case something catastrophic happened with the water. I have our weekly Zoom call with Mom, which I get dressed for. And I dove into my mending while I waited for the plumber to be done, and I was reminded of this dress - it needed some TLC. 

I have a collection of gowns that I rotate for dressy parties, and this is one I'd rescued from the giveaway pile, put there last year as it was looking a little tattered. But it's such a beautiful gown, so I gave it another chance. 

• Dress - thrifted; last worn here (3rd outfit) in October 2017 for a collective $149th birthday celebration
• Shoes - Big Presence Desmond, Fluevog; last seen here in February with big orange plaid

I am a big fan of this cheongsam style of dress - it's been in the fashion lexicon for close to 100 years, with the most recent trendy era for it being the late 90s/early 00s. 

It's a classic shape, characterized by the fitted cut, the side fastening, the stand-up collar and the fabric frogs that button across the chest seam. 

Also by the ginormous slit up the side so that I can walk and sit. 

We'll have a very small Flashback on it below - this is only the 3rd time I've worn it. 

I am happy it still fits, although it's a little boob-mashy and I have to pull it up to sit in it. It's a Standing Dress!

It has zero stretch - it's a woven polyester brocade. 

The stuff: 

I no longer have the silver party platforms that I've previously worn with the dress, so I wore these blue pumps (Mom approved!). 

Silver bling: 

Actually, two of these are steel: the solid cuff and the earrings. 

• Steel cuff - thrifted
• Cage cuff - Bauxo
• Earrings - gift from Lise
• Silver/crystal ring - Soul Flower
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes

Flashback: Brocade Cheongsam Gown

I purchased this gown for $12.95 here in July 2016, found in the vintage section at WIN and looking little sad. 

I loved the cherry blossom pattern, the rich blue colour and the silver satin trim. 

As noted, it has zero stretch...and also no label, no manufacturer's marks or evidence of factory assembly. It is unlined, and has serged finishing on the fabric edges, so I think it might be handmade, and from the late 90s/early 00s, likely for a special occasion and only worn once. 

I was so excited about it, I modeled it as soon as I got home from my Sunday shopping trip. It was a perfect fit. 

Gratitude to the person who donated it. I feel like a movie star in it. 

I wore it in November 2016 to my company's Christmas party, showing off my then-new arm tattoos. 

Vizzini barging in. Our big holiday party is usually around 300 people - can you imagine? That feels so weird now. 

You can see here that the hem is looking a little dubious. 

It needed to be completely redone, but I just threw a few safety pins on there because I am lazy an efficient problem-solver that way.

I last wore it in October 2017 for Randall's and my 50th birthdays, and Chris' 49th. Big party! 

I danced the night away in this and felt so fabulous. 

I wore my little cropped blue fur jacket with it. 

Classy! However, all these party shenanigans wreaked havoc on the hem of the dress, as the skinny heels kept catching on the loose stitches. 

Mathy stuff: See, this is why I always look for gowns second-hand. I've now worn it three times, which is a mere $4.32 per wear. You can't say that about too many gowns! 

Now that I've worn it - and fixed it! - again, I will put this beauty back into rotation for a party (when we can have parties again). It's also in my collection available as a loaner to my friends who need a gown (I've done this a few times). 

Here's the mending I did. It felt good to accomplish this, which inspired me to play in my closet - I test-drove an outfit I had in my head (and made a course correction), tried other stuff on and put outfits together. It felt good. 

This is the front hem of one of my around-the-house sweaters; it was coming apart with the potential for ladders/runs and a bigger hole. I keep my home clothes presentable too. 

This recently thrifted silk blouse needed a bit of care. It has matching shoulder pads, which I've chosen to keep. 

I used to hate it when my shoulder pads folded themselves in half or slid around, so I redid one of the shoulder stitches, and loosely tacked the corners onto the side seam to hold it in place (but not too tight). 

I also reinforced the bottom of the loop at the back of the neck, as it was starting to tear. 

It looks messy, but those are tiny stitches. 

And here's the hem of the cheongsam gown. It had evidence of a hasty hemming over the original serged/invisible hem when I bought it, and that ripped further when I wore it from my heel catching on loose stitches. 

I did tiny fairly close together stitches to make it secure. That silver is the back side of the blue fabric - it's really nice material. 

Here's the front side of the hem. 

Not bad, eh? I fixed my gown!

Vizzini, aren't you impressed? 

"I'm still traumatized from the plumber, Woman."

Aw, poor little guy. It was stressful, but it's all over now. Time for some cuddles!