Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Bigass Long Weekend Wrap-Up: Neon and Flouncy Green Flashback; Found Things and Vintage Hawaiian Dress in the Park; Non-Zoom Doilies, Plus Cat Pictures!

Hello, my friends! I'm back after a deliciously-long Victoria Day weekend, and have much to share! Most of it was quiet - things are loosening up locally but not till after this long weekend - but we still managed to have a quick jaunt to town and got together with our friends at the Park. In addition to everyone else getting Monday off, I also enjoyed a day to myself on Tuesday (a regular non-work day for me). 

Did I dress up for pretty much everything? Well, of course I did! I have three outfits to share, two Flashbacks, a couple of surprise purchases, and pictures of Vizzini being cute. 

On Saturday morning, L and I drove to town to run a couple of errands. This called for something bright! 
I love my neon green blouse and that it matches my shoes. Bookends! 

  • Blouse - Rock & Republic, thrifted; last seen here in September 2020 for a Book Club adventure at the Castle
  • Skirt - See By Chloe, consignment; last worn here in May 2020 to hang out at the Castle!
  • Shoes - Eject; last seen here in August 2020 with my Big Boss Lady Red Pants

Having seen this skirt in a recent Flashback, I was inspired to feature it in an outfit again. 
It's a lovely skirt with some fantastic details.
See the pretty loops in the hem? 
There are two layers with a solid cotton section - it's very flouncy. We're going to have a wee Flashback on it in a bit. 

I wore extra underlovelies for non-thigh-chaffing. 
I'm also wearing contacts, which I have but rarely wear. I have a small collection of sunglasses; I increased my stash by one that day! 
I snuck in a first outing for my new-to-me woven purse. 

Masked up. 
And I require a scarf for being in a convertible. 
Enter my Movie Star Wrap. 

I tied the scarf around my bag strap when I was walking around. 
A woman hollered at me, "Oh my god, I love your shoes!"

The stuff: 
They are pretty sweet shoes! Not very high either - that's only a 1-inch heel after you do the Shoe Math with the platform.

Spring bling: 
The purse was functionally good. It doesn't hold much more than my wallet, keys and shopping bags, but that's all I really need most days anyway.

  • Purse - Street Level, thrifted; purchased here for $19.99
  • Sunglasses - thrifted
  • Earrings - consignment
  • Silver/aventurine ring - consignment
  • Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes
  • Scarf - thrifted


Flashback: See By Chloe Skirt

Ah, another reason to bemoan the loss of My Sister's Closet consignment store: great deals on quality pieces, like this skirt, which I purchased here in April 2017 for $10.50. It originally retailed for $545.00. 
It has an elastic waistband, but it's quite snug. It's a dark green, printed with paisleys. 

The fabric is pre-crinkled, and as noted before, it has these lovely sewn loops in the hem. 
Anything that's time-consuming to create is a good indication of quality! 

I was not surprised to see a high-end label. 
I have a few pieces of See By Chloe that I've found over the years. 

Let's see how I wore it, shall we? 

I love this look - that big belt is such a stunner. 
This was in May 2017, and was a work outfit. I miss that vintage sweater (it wore out). 

A more casual look in June 2017 - I'm likely going to play Ultimate Frisbee, followed by brunch and shopping (the sunglasses are a dead giveaway). 
Only the skirt is left from this outfit. 

Another Ulti outfit in September 2017. 
All comfy clothes. 

Same green top, in May 2018. 
The paisleys have little bits of chartreuse-green/yellow in them, so I often do yellows with this skirt. 

I loved this beaded snake blouse, but it was so difficult to put on (no zipper!) that I gave it up this past year. 
This is a very warm-looking August 2018 outfit, even in an air-conditioned office!

Another weekend outfit, also in August 2018. 
I still have those gold sandals, but they're only worn on really hot days. 

Loads of yellow and chartreuse here in May 2019. 
I need to find another yellow top to replace this one - the moths got it. 

With my acid-wash studded denim vest in September 2019.
I recall that I went shopping in this. 

And here's the last time I wore it, with that ballet wrap cardigan that inspired the current outfit, in <ay 2020.
Seeing those shoes inspired another outfit this weekend! These Flashbacks are so useful. 


Mathy stuff: As expected with a skirt that only cost $10.50, my average is already very low with 10 outfits: a very impressive $1.05 per wear!


L and I split up: while he did his stuff, I had a quick browse in the Patch. 
I picked up these no-name sunglasses for $19.99. I had black ones like this in the 80s (didn't we all?). 

While L was buying cat food, I had a quick peek at the $10 rack at Rich Rags. I found this amazing black knit dress.  
It's one of those pieces that looks terrible on a hanger. Blergh. Black dress. 

But look at this lovely knit lace yoke - so trendy right now! 
I also noted lace cuffs on the sleeves. 
With more on the hem. 
When I pulled the skirt up to look for labels, I noted that the lining is also the same knit, not a cheaper fabric. This is not a modern dress! 

I found one tiny label inside, down the seam. It's by Nina, and it's made in Spain, out of 80% nylon and 20% Poliamide. It's very soft and stretchy, but also thick - definitely not a modern fabric.
When I searched around online, I found a few other knits with this label (same font on the 'Nina'). 

I stretched it out across my body, shrugged and paid my $10.00. I hoped for the best!
I tried it on when I got home, and hooray! It fits! I've put it in the fall/winter pile, for me to rediscover in October. It's quite va-va-voom, so I can't wait to style it up with some boots and a big belt. 

On Saturday afternoon, L and I headed out to Beacon Hill Park to hang out with our best friends. 
Time to break out one of my favourite vintage dresses. 

  • Dress - Tori Richard of Honolulu, for Andrade of Honolulu, vintage70s, Joyce's; last seen here in April 2020 for a day at home
  • Shoes - Born, consignment; last worn here in August 2020 with green lace

My park outfits need to be walkable (it's about 30 minutes each way), easy for sitting on the ground, and colourful and fun! 
That last part is easy in this amazing gown. 

"I love your dress!" a young man shouted at me while we were dashing across the road to quickly use the washroom at Yvonne and Randall's. Why, thank you!
I've had this dress for years - it was a pass-along from my mom's best friend's mother. We shall give it a little Flashback shortly as well. 

I kept my underlovelies/long shorts on with this. It felt good to have bare legs! 
I had L sunblock my back - it hasn't been deliberately exposed to sun in decades. 

Masked up.
I'm still wearing my mask around people when I'm in close quarters, but we're fine to be maskless outdoors now if we distance. 

The stuff: 
These are one of my easy, comfy pairs of Born walking shoes; I have a similar pair in gold and my gold leather thong sandals. 

Round bling: 
The earrings and Fulvia Ring were still sitting out from the morning's outfit. 

  • Lucite/silver cuff - Alexis Bittar, consignment, Vancouver
  • Glass bangle - thrifted
  • Earrings - consignment
  • Fulvia Ring/lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes

Before we get into the Flashback on the dress, a Kitty Interlude. 
"You're going out?"


Vizzini is often on the deck these days. 
"Cat + sun = Happy Cat. It's basic math, Woman."


I can never resist giving him a rub. 
"I may as well get up now that you've disturbed me."


Ha! I caught him mid-yawn AND mid-stretch! 
"Rar! I am very fierce!"


You sure are, my silly boy. 


Flashback: Tori Richard of Honolulu, for Andrade of Honolulu Dress

My mom's best friend, my "Aunt" Kathy, had to move her mom Joyce into a care-home here in June 2013. Kathy offered to let me have a look at her things to see if there was anything I liked. I spotted this dress in her closet, along with this pink one (overdue for a wearing!), and after modeling them, Kathy kindly gave this one to me, along with a card holder and a pair of earrings. I got the pink dress months later - it was a bit tight, so I originally declined it but Kathy just loved seeing in on me and passed it along. 
The cut of this dress is excellent - the back is low, but not too low for a regular bra. 
It's pleated at the small of the back, with a buttoned tab over the zipper.

Wonderful labels. Joyce lived in Hawaii during the 1960s, and this was purchased then (label backup here, linking 'cause I love).
Tori Richard is still around! 

I wore the dress right away here in July 2013 for Canada Day. 
In most of these outfits, the only difference is the shoes and accessories. 

September 2013. 
I mostly wore it to the Ulti field, and for brunch afterward. 

I wore it to work once, here in July 2014. 
I played Frisbee in this at our company quarterly meeting. 

I've gone purple! 
July 2015.

Every July, it's like clockwork. 
This is July 2016.

July 2017. 
I moved the dress to my Archive closet after this season, to make more room in my regular closet for my dresses. 

And of course, I promptly forgot about it until last year when I rediscovered it. 
This was April 2020. 


Mathy stuff: Well, let's see, 8 outfits divided by Free, equals...still free! 


And now, back to our weekend! L and I loaded up our backpacks with blankets and drinks and strolled down to the park. 
This lovely boy checked us out. Hello, Cat of Rockland! 

We had a glorious sunny day, although it was breezy (we are only a few blocks from the ocean). 
Nick on the left, and Ross and Cat on the right. Those are my toes! 

There were tons of people on this field enjoying the sun. 
From right: L's hand, Nancy, Randall, Yvonne (sweet cowboy hat!) and Casey. 

L is on his Boston Bruins blanket and is wearing his Bruins tee. 
It's playoff time! 

Chris and Ali showed up a bit later, so we split up our group to stay under the approved numbers. 
I loved that Ali wore an old top of mine - I dropped off a bag of clothes at her place a few weeks ago. 

When we arrived, I noticed someone having a fabric/sewn items yard sale across the street. I picked up a set of 3 handmade cushions for only $15.00! 
Another surprise found thing! 

The bag had two regular square pillows, and one bolster. 
I have plans for our benches, and these were exactly what I'd been looking for. 

It's beautiful woven fabric. 
The covers are all removeable and washable. Nice! I got a bargain. 

Someone approved of them right away. 
"I appreciate this wonderful gift."


He's been very happy with us.
"Well, of course, these are mine."


This picture makes me laugh. 
"Hey, I was napping here!"


Vizzini has been sleeping on the new pillows all weekend. 

After a couple of quiet days, full of boardgames, movies and telly, L was back to work on Tuesday. I just had my Zoom call with Mom, so I got dressed up.
Unfortunately, Mom was having internet issues, so we just had a call to catch up. She's all good now - and we're celebrating that we can go to restaurants together again now! Hooray! 

  • Dress - White Stuff; last seen here in September 2020 with acid wash
  • Shoes - Sorel; last worn here in August 2020 with floral and dots

The Doily dress is best for hanging out at home. 
It clings to everything: it's unlined cotton and is a fine-wale corduroy.
I like it, but I might move it into my house wardrobe. 
The tiger-weave tights popped a huge hole while I was fussing with the dress. Grrr. 

The stuff: 
L hates these, but I like their clunky shape. Too bad, they're my shoes! 

Black bling: 
I always wear these earrings with this necklace - I bought them together at the same vintage fair. 

  • Necklace - Monet, vintage 1980s, vintage fair
  • Earrings - vintage 80s, vintage fair
  • Silver/onyx ring - Toccara, vintage fair
  • Lucite bangle - Alexis Bittar, Sidney

And now, I'm going to go give my little kitty some more attention. 
"Oh, do we really have to?"

Yes, as long as you keep waking me up at 4:30am. 
"But that's when I'm hungry!"


Thanks so much for dropping by, my friends! I hope you're all having a great weekend! Don't forget to check out all my favourite link-ups at the Link Parties in my right sidebar. 

33 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh what a fashion packed weekend! I love the flouncy skirt and green shirt & shoes. My favourite is tge kong vintage gown. I checked out the pink one in the flashback, lovely. Glad you had a great weekend,

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    1. Thanks so much, Dar! I loved those outfits too (I'll have to find an excuse for the pink one!).

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  2. What a wonderful weekend, full of great shopping finds and fabulous outfits. Sheila, you know how to do weekends in the best way.

    Rena
    www.finewhateverblog.com

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    1. I like a mix of things (events, shopping, seeing people) and nothing (reading, watching TV/movies, playing boardgames) for my weekends. Thanks, Rena!

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  3. You have THE BEST clothes!!! I love everything that you've shown here, especially that stunning Hawaiian green dress! And what a find, that black knitted dress - it's absolutely gorgeous! I'm very envious of your wardrobe, Sheila!
    Hugs
    Suzy xx

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    1. Aw, thank you, Suzy! It's taken years to build up my wardrobe into a fun collection. I adore the Hawaiian dress too. I'm really excited to wear the black dress in the fall.

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  4. I love each and every outfit and it's so nice to see two flashbacks on such beautiful pieces! I'm glad you had a fun weekend and you really scored with that black knit dress - it looks so good on you!

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    1. Thank you so much, Mica! It was a lovely weekend...and now I need another one!

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  5. You have to be the best dressed couple on Victoria when you go out. Vizzini sure loves being photo'd and is a natural. That first skirt may be my favorite bargain find of yours.

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    1. I don't see many people dressier than us, that's for sure, Sam!

      Vizzini is so used to the camera and he's such a ham!

      I love that skirt - what a score it was!

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  6. Glad you had a great long weekend! I love your skirt with the paisley design; funny, it looked grey in the photos until one in the flashback where you wore it with a green top and then you could see it was actually green.

    I loved your Hawaiian maxi dress; it fits you beautifully and the colours are wonderful. That's the beauty of dresses; add shoes and accessories and you're done! I also loved your 'White Stuff' dress; the black lace trimmed dress is a stunner - and what a fabulous fit.

    I'm so glad Vizzini approved of your new cushions!

    Have a great week
    xxx

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    1. Thanks so much, Vronni! It does look grey in certain lights, doesn't it? but it is green!

      Dresses are the best, so easy to wear! I don't know why people don't wear them more. I'm excited about the black knit one - I can picture it with boots for fall.

      He was so taken with them!

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  7. That black dress on you is WONDERFUL! Fitted just right, just the right length, with just the right flourishes!

    Working backwards, the skirt is quite special with its hem and lining. I especially like the outfit towards the beginning of the flashback, the one with the short sleeve green top (that you no longer have) and wide belt. Highlights both the color of the skirt and your figure.

    The dress in the flashback is bold and flamboyant. It is no surprise that you both wear it and love it! I'd be the person who yells across the road "great dress!" but not the woman who would wear it. I always fear bold patterns on long dresses will overwhelm me. Ha ha, because this means I never try them, so really, I have no idea if they'd overwhelm me!

    Yay for park time with friends, petting time with Vizzini, conversation with your Mom (and that her connection is resolved), and chilling with L. Not sure if I've ever mentioned in a prior comment, but I like how you have "at home" clothes that are often quite nice but just no longer okay for wearing out. On the days I get myself dressed in "real" clothing, I feel so much better than when I resort to sweatpants.

    Here's to more jaunts as Victoria opens up, sunshine and cool breezes for outings, and just plain relief that being outdoors always brings. :-)

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    1. Thanks so much, Laurie! I'm looking forward to wearing it in the fall.

      Yes, I like that outfit too - that skirt looks best with a polished top, I think. I should do another outfit like that one.

      It's a really fun dress to wear (and have people holler at you). It's so comfy and colourful! If you ever want to "disappear", then wear something bold - no one will look at YOU, just at the dress!

      Yay for all those things, and now we are even okayed to hug a friend or relative if they've had their first shot. I like to look good even when I'm lounging around - it makes me feel better about myself, as you've discovered.

      Yay! More things will start happening!

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    2. I am smiling at your comment..if you ever want to disappear...I hadn’t thought of bold in this way but it reminds me of a very short video designed to show people the power of selective attention. Maybe you are familiar with it? There are some people playing basketball and the viewer is asked to count the passes or something to that effect. I won’t say anymore lest I spoil it!

      So, here’s to selective attention on the bold outfit! (And the courage it will take to test this out! ;))

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  8. What a fabulously stylish weekend you have had! The See By Chloe skirt is gorgeous, I love when an item is this intricate. It was great seeing your fashion flash back and your outfit of the day is so lovely...the green sandals are gorgeous.

    You look fabulous in that vintage maxi dress with the open back-the pattern of that dress is so pretty.
    Great to hear you had a nice time in the park. The 15 dollar cushions were a steal. Vizzini with his claiming of them instantly is being his usual adorable self.

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    1. It was really so much fun, Ivana. I'm glad I got to see my friends, and get dressed up.

      I know, for brand new, homemade cushions? I was looking in stores on Friday and would have paid over $100 for ones like these.

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  9. What a fun-filled weekend you've had, and such good news about things loosening up. We are expecting our next level of relaxations on June 9 which, among other things, will allow us to have 4 people inside our homes!
    I'm loving Saturday's shopping outfit, that gorgeous flouncy skirt looks wonderful book-ended by neon green. You look very glam in your Movie Star Wrap! That dress you found is amazing indeed, but I'm hearing you on some clothes looking terrible on a hanger.
    I guess you won't be surprised when I tell you that maxi dress is my favourite of your weekend outfits? The pattern, the cut, the colours: it ticks all my boxes!
    The White Stuff dress is gorgeous too, shame about the clinging, which would drive me absolutely mad.
    The cushions you found at that yard sale are a great score, and I'm sure I cannot blame Vizzini for laying claim to them. In the meantime, I can more than relate to the horrors of the 4.30 am wake up calls. Are you sure Vizzini and Bess haven't been conspiring? xxx

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    1. It was so much fun, Ann! And such a relief to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Fingers crossed for you! We can have up to 6 people inside (so 4 guests) too! So exciting!

      Thank you! I liked the bright neon with that skirt. Isn't it funny how bad some clothes look on a hanger? I'm sure that's why this one was marked down so far.

      No, that's not a shocker in the slightest! Ha! It's a wonderful dress.

      I hate the clinging, which is why it's likely to go into the house-clothes.

      I am so happy with my new cushions, as is Vizzini. He's so funny. I read about Bess waking you up! What a naughty girl!

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  10. Wow! What a fun weekend! Lots of fabulous neon green; both the blouse and in that amazing Honolulu dress. Such an energetic vibe! Lucky you that things are loosening up a bit - enjoy!

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    1. Thank you, Nana! It felt like change was coming...and it is! I'm so excited that things may be getting back to normal soon.

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  11. What an epic weekend! I think I might have to start celebrating my namesake's birthday, it's so unfair that we don't have a holiday for dear old Queen Victoria!
    As you know I've got a few Tori Richard dresses in my collection and I love yours! The See by Chloe skirt is one of those things that wouldn't look very exciting on the hanger but is brilliant on. No wonder those sandals got a shout-out, they're amazing.
    Great finds, I don't blame Vizzini for claiming the cushions, they look lovely and squishy! I'd have been tempted to stick cat of Rockland in my bag, what a chunky monkey!
    Lovely to see you hanging out with your pals. xxx

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    1. I find it funny that Canada is such a big celebrator of it, but not the UK, Vix. You need a holiday for your name, at the very least!

      Yes, you're the only person I know who has another! Exactly, I recognized the quality of that skirt the minute I saw it. Thank you!

      Vizzini has barely left them alone! I love seeing cats in the 'hood. Even better when we can see our friends, right?

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  12. So many kitty pictures!

    Your hair is really rockin.

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    1. I love to share the kitty pics! Thank you, darlin' - you know I love to play with it.

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  13. That was so sweet of you to buy new cushions for Vizzini ;) The purple and green maxi is such a fabulous dress. I thrifted an Andrade of Honolulu maxi dress earlier this year but the cut is not nearly as flattering as yours.

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    1. Yes, he's always first in my mind when shopping (*snort*). Thank you, Shelley! There are a lot of very unflattering Hawaiian dresses out there!

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  14. I swear, I've never seen anyone look better or more stylish in neon green than you, my dear friend. What a sensational ensemble! It's bright, happy, and beyond perfect for these vibrant days of late spring.

    Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

    PS: Totally OT, but at long last, I have a date (in mid-June) for my first Covid vaccine. Happy dances all around over that!!!

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    1. I've been a fan of neon green since 1985! It's always been my favourite neon, Autumn. Thank you so much!

      Woo, that's great news! Yay!

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  15. woww, lots of fabulousness!. I love your swooshy skirt, its beautiful details and it looks so stunning with any dark green top!, and love the way you bookended it with chartreuse sandals and neon blouse, so brilliant ensemble!.
    And I'm loving your Honolulu Dress, it's so gorgeous!, and you look fabulous in it!, love a dress which needs just a pair of earrings and sunnies to Rock!. Lovely flashback on it too!
    Also lovely photos of Vizzini being cute!, mwhaha!
    besos

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    1. Thank you so much! I so appreciate your kind words, Monica!

      It's an amazing dress, and I'm so honoured that Kathy let me have it.

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  16. Beautiful outfits! That vintage dress is stunning! Your cat is gorgeous, such a handsome kitty. Thanks for joining in the #stylewithasmile link up!

    Emma xxx
    www.style-splash.com

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    1. Thanks so much, Emma! Vizzini is such a lovely boy. Thanks for hosting!

      Delete

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