Bigass Long Weekend Wrap-Up: Giveaway Gone; Shop Day in Oak Bay; Brunch Puzzle

Hello, my friends, I'm back - and it's been a whirlwind of fun times, and I've much to show you, so let's get this going. 

Just a teaser - I liked this picture of my Friday day on the town outfit. 

Clothing as Armour, Colour Therapy! 

But before we get to that, on Thursday I invited new-ish Book Club member Ciara over in the morning to go through my giveaway pile. She responded to my offer of a personal "shopping trip" in my Giveaway Pile. I always offer this to people who are fashionably inclined and so few ever take me up on it!

Here are the accessories up for grabs. My concrete gargoyle Smaug (from the mid-90s) is watching over everything. 

Lots of things that I'm just not feeling anymore. I did pull a few things out as regret-me-nots. "Wait, not THAT!"

I sorted the chaos into piles. These are the dresses. 

There's a few that you might recognize. Some of these are too tight or just not my style anymore. 

Piles of coats, trousers, blouses.

A ginormous pile of skirts. 

No regrets, I don't miss any of those.

Suiting, small tops and jackets. 

Yes, my beloved "Gookey" lace jacket went to a new home. I'd worn it plenty. 

Vizzini came out near the end, as we were making outfits out of the tops and bottoms that Ciara was taking home. She took pictures as we created potential looks, so that she would remember what can go with what. All of these tops work with that black skirt. 

"But these belong to the Woman!"

It's so rewarding to help someone reclaim themselves and discover their identity through clothes. It's an emotional experience when you look in the mirror and you love what you see. We spent three hours going through every piece of clothing, really focusing on making sure Ciara got pieces she loved and will wear. 

Four big bags (and I still have tons left over) going to their new home. I recommended playing dress-up with her daughters! 

Ciara sent me an email later in the weekend to show me her elevated look, saying, "[I] felt like a million dollars in my green lacy jacket! I got so many compliments on it. I’m not used to being noticed for my clothing and it felt really good. I felt cool and beautiful in it."

You ARE cool and beautiful, hon. Rock on! 

I love giving my clothes away to appreciative homes - and it's Clothing Karma for me. When I give quality things to friends and coworkers, I'm putting good out into the world. And I believe that comes back to me when I shop, and leads me to pieces that make my heart sing. 

[yes, that was totally foreshadowing]

I spent the afternoon working on my next Art Project, the Tammy Jacket, but I'm holding off until it's done to share it as it's a birthday present for my dear friend. Secret! No peeking until it's done. Okay, maybe one peek:

It isn't really foul, but you'll have to wait and see - I still have colour to do and the sleeves...and the front of the jacket! 

After a lovely evening chilling with L over board games, we were ready for our Friday adventure: a day in Oak Bay, and then a movie with Nick, IN A REAL THEATRE. *ahem* It's been a while. 

We did our usual trifecta of House of Savoy, Good Things, and Turnabout - yay for a wee shop! 

• Jacket - Christian Lacroix for Desigual, consignment; last worn here in August for a Mental Health Shop
• Sweater - Banana Republic, thrifted; last seen here in October while bounding for brunch
• Skirt - Mexx, consignment; last worn here (3rd outfit) in October 2020 for my birthday stand-around in the Park 
• Shoes - Gadea, consignment; last seen here October with vintage Karl

I dressed for trying on clothes, but I barely tried on anything - nothing was really ringing my bell. That happens. 

I'm still really working at wearing a lot of colour - it has really been helping me stay out of the greys (not to mention the mean reds). 

I later wished I'd had something warmer on, as after sitting in a theatre for over two hours (Dune is a long movie, but I enjoyed it), I was in dire need of a snuggly blanket. 

Outerwear - this is one of my favourite light coats. 

It was fine while we were walking around. 

Masked up. 

All ready to go. Jazz hands! 

We got soaked in the rain at a bus stop at one point. 

All this pattern and colour makes me happy. 

This jacket is so much better since I moved all the buttons! 

Accoutrements: 

The hat is excellent in the rain - my hair stayed dry. 

• Hat - vintage 80s, thrifted, Vancouver
• Scarf - Elaine Gold, Lazy Susan's
• Gloves - consignment
• Mask - by Mom

The stuff:

These are good walking and shopping shoes, but by the end of the long day my feet were so tired. 

Blue bling: 

I've gotten adept at working big earrings around my mask loops. 

• Lapis lazuli ring/Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes
• Earrings - thrifted

I bought a few things at House of Savoy, including something I have been yearning after for nearly ten years. 

When clothes aren't ringing my bell in the shops, I make sure I check all the accessories. This lovely red wool beret fills a need in my accoutrements wardrobe. 

It was $20.00 - they retail new for $28.00. 

And it's by Parkhurst, made in Canada. It's the "Basque Beret". Link here if you want to match (they come in other colours)! 

I also bought a pair of gold ear-cuffs for $6.00 for both. That seemed like a good deal, especially when I spotted this 925 mark. 

That actually means that this is gold-plated silver; this is a very good article here about this mark on gold jewelry and what it means. The ear-cuffs probably would have been about $60 new. 

So, about 10 years ago, I saw an Alexander McQueen skull scarf in pink with turquoise skulls while we were in Vancouver for one of our anniversary weekends, and I didn't get it. I have regretted it ever since - but it was $125.00 which is a LOT to pay for a scarf... but considering I would have worn it about 50 times in 10 years, as time worn on that didn't seem so bad. Why didn't I buy that? Regret regret regret…

I've vowed since then that when I see something I really LOVE to buy it, and I've been looking for another McQueen scarf ever since. And look what came around! 

"This smells expensive. I should chew on it."

Yes, I finally found another Alexander McQueen skull scarf! Mica, I thought of you! This is the Classic Silk Skull Scarf (120 x 108 cm) - it retails for $345.00 USD or $433.00 CAD (link here 'cause I love).

I paid $125.00, which is a very good price for this, even second-hand - I see them around on the interwebz for over $300! 

All properly tagged. 

Hand-rolled edges. Made in Italy.

There are no snags, but it has been used. The silk is a very fine chiffon weave, so even though this is a big scarf, it's not too bulky.

I am thrilled to finally acquire one of my "bucket list" secondhand items. Hooray for Clothing Karma! 

After a late evening of board games after the movie, L and I slept in a bit before heading to town to meet up with Nick for brunch at the Ruby. 

Carrying on with my Colour Therapy - it was a very gloomy and rainy day, and I had a few very enthusiastic comments appreciating "all this" (as one person said). 

• Puzzle dress - vintage, thrifted; last worn here in January with these same boots
• Boots - Clarks; last seen here in October for brunch
• Suede jacket - Pioneer Wear, vintage 80s, last worn here in May

This is such a fun jammy dress. It is a homemade dress - I love the puzzle-type pattern. So many good colours. 

I layered a camisole and a half-slip under this for extra warmth, and have nylons on (I could have used a pair of thick socks!). 

We had to stand in line for close to an hour for brunch - the Ruby was hoppin'! This waiting is specifically a brunch thing in Victoria - we are very big on brunching, and most brunch places are small, so you have to line up and wait to get in. This doesn't happen at non-brunch restaurants (most regular places take reservations or walk-ins).

"If you don't have to wait, it's not worth waiting for," noted Nick. 

Masked up. 

Still, we were so hungry by the time we ate! Good thing the service is fast. 

Outerwear. 

Although it was gloomy, it isn't quite at the frosty stage yet, so I'm still able to wear most of my leather coats. 

Can you see why this is a favourite? 

Be still my heart! 

All that fringe! 

You know it's a special occasion when I actually wear a real purse. 

Accoutrements:

I've been wearing a lot of red lately. It's a powerful colour for lifting one's spirits.

• Purse - Danier Leather, thrifted
• Scarf - Elaine Gold, vintage, Lazy Susan's
• Gloves - Echo, consignment
• Mask - Lazy Susan's

The stuff: 

These are a very comfortable boot, even just for standing around. 

Blue bling: 

I love that belt. 

• Rohesia Belt - Fluevog; last worn here (2nd outfit) in October
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
• Earrings - can't remember

And now, back to the last bits of weekend. Here's a bonus pic of L and I, being silly very late in the evening. 

We're in disguise! Hee hee! 

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend. Thank you so much for visiting my little corner of the blogosphere!