Monday, January 31, 2022

Cat-Bombed, Houndstooth and Tuxedo Shirt Flashback

Ah, Monday. I didn't feel like making much of an effort today, so I shamelessly copied an older version of this outfit. 
Nothing wrong with that! When you find a good combination, you stick with it. 

  • Leather cropped jacket - Danier Couture, consignment; last worn here in October 2021 with velour pleats
  • Tuxedo blouse - no label, consignment; last seen here in November 2020 layered under a pink sweater
  • Skirt - Talbots, consignment; purchased here for $29.65
  • Shoes - Queen of Prussia Louise, Fluevog; last worn here in March 2021 with pink and a brown cord suit
  • Coat (below) - Donna Karan, consignment; last seen here a couple of weeks ago

This outfit is a duplicate of this one from October 2017 - same blouse, jacket and shoes, but a different skirt.
"We need to talk."

We'll do a little Flashback of the blouse shortly and there's a pic of that linked outfit, if clicking a link is just too much for a Monday (I get it). 

First wearing of this new-to-me houndstooth skirt...and I fell on the way to work and ripped the stitching at the slit. A good six inches will need to be stitched up again. 
"Not about your skirt, Woman! About me!"

I'm fine (thanks for asking!), but will probably have a bruise on my hip. I just lost my balance and down I went. I'm usually more embarrassed than damaged when I fall (which I do frequently - Mom and I are alike in this!), and tend to collapse slowly in a dramatic swoon. I did manage to maintain my coffee mug upright and did not spill a drop! 
"But you spilled my kitty treats and one went under here."

Anyway, I'll need to do a bit of stitching on the skirt to restore it to its proper slit-itude. 

Masked up:
"I insist you dig the missing treat out!"


I'd intended on doing gold jewelry to match the buttons on the skirt, but the mask is the only thing left from that former decision. 

Outerwear:
"I'm waiting..."

I'm tired of being cold all the time. This is a warm snuggly coat. 

Accoutrements: 
I'd forgotten about this lovely burnout velvet burgundy scarf (thrifted many years ago). 

  • Scarf - thrifted
  • Gloves - Parkhurst
  • Mask - by Mom

The stuff: 
I wear these shoes very infrequently these days - I tend to reach for lower heels. However, it's still dead in the office and I don't need to walk around that much. 

Simple bling: 
Once I chose this crystal starburst brooch, I went with black/silver accessories. 

  • Brooch - c. 1999, Eaton's
  • Earrings - thrifted
  • Silver/onyx ring - Toccara, vintage fair
  • Silver/amethyst ring - vintage mall

And Vizzini did get the extra treat that had skittered under our hall bench...from L, long before he cat-bombed me in these pics and was begging me for another! Sneaky little monster! 




Flashback: Stretch Silk Tux Shirt

I bought this stretch woven silk blouse here in September 2017, when L and I returned from a big three-city vacation. I always take an extra day or two after being away to recover, blog and indulge in a little Mental Health shop.

I'd forgotten that I'd bought this at My Sister's Closet (now gone, sad), and I think I've been listing it as a thrifted item for a couple of years. Oops. 
It's a classic shirt, with the buttons hiding behind a placket and tux ruffles down the front (I have a strategic safety-pin mid-chest). The cuffs are long and flip back. 

The previous owner had cut every single tag out of it, but it has that slightly dusty look of silk, plus a bit of stretch. 
It's always fit me perfectly, and it washes well, so it's been a stalwart for going on five years. I paid $19.98 for it. 

I wore it right away in October 2017, with my Emporio Armani blazer (Flashbacked here). 
Those were strange trousers that didn't last long with me, but I loved this entire outfit - I felt like a million bucks in it. I gave those too-tight gold Fluevog shoes to Cat a couple of years ago. 

Does this look familiar? I also wore this in October 2017, and it was my inspiration for today's look.
I loved that vintage German wool skirt, but it was ravaged by moths, and full of holes. 

Most of my blouses are layered under other things, like dresses, as seen here in January 2019. 
I let go of that velvet dress this past year - it had no stretch, and it just didn't feel like me anymore. I still have the boots (Flashback here). 

A monochromatic look from November 2019.
Those are "house" pants now, but I still have the shoes (Flashback here) and the cardigan, which I don't wear that often (but still Flashbacked, here). 

I did just wear this brocade blazer last week, though. And I think that skirt and those shoes are overdue for a wearing. 
I wore this in December 2019.

And this is the last time I featured this blouse, in November 2020, layered under a pink mohair sweater (which is also in the giveaway pile). 
Same boots as above, and that skirt was another attempt to find the Perfect Houndstooth Skirt (the pattern was too small for my taste - it looks grey here). That skirt's in the giveaway pile too! 


Mathy stuff: I thought I'd worn this blouse a lot more than I had! Today's look is only the 7th outfit I've done with it, which brings us to a respectable $2.85 per wear. It's still holding up well (check the armpits!), so I know I can do better than that. 

What's your favourite outfit? What do you think I should wear with this blouse? Can a cat have too many kitty treats?

Sunday, January 30, 2022

Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Brocade Brunch Boots; Winesday Rare Cape and Camo in the Park

Welcome back, my friends! I hope you've had a fun weekend. Things are still very chill in this part of the world - it feels like people are just hunkering down, waiting for the Covid cases to drop and we can resume our lives. 

However, L and I are still going out for brunch, although Nick was in Vancouver this weekend visiting Spence, so we were on our own. 
I chose this ensemble out of my pre-planned outfits. No real reason - it's just what I felt like wearing. It features two of my new-to-me purchases from my recent shop-a-paloozas. 

  • Crocheted tank - Active USA; purchased here for $12.00
  • Suede dress - Margaret Godfrey for Bagatelle, vintage 80s, thrifted; last worn here in March 2021 with these same boots
  • Sweater - Tatyana, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) in December 2021 for Christmas Day
  • Boots - L'Artiste by Spring Step; last worn here in October 2021 hidden under a big skirt
  • Coat (below) - Mallia, consignment; last seen here a few weeks ago

I bought this crocheted tank with the intention of layering over other garments - I like the big wide neckline and the waist-disguising properties (thank you, chocolate and menopause). 
I've layered a black sweater underneath a suede slip dress. 
It makes the dress look like a skirt, but it's not. 
See?
Saucy! 

A better look at how the colour shows through the tank. 
Brown or copper + teal is one of my favourite combinations. 

Masked up. 
Only a few people saw me without my coat on, while we were having brunch at the Ruby. 

Outerwear - it's still cold out, so a big coat was needed. 
I see I'm being photobombed! L and I both wore our long coats. "Like a couple of vampires," I noted. 

Et voila! 
I wore the coat done up most of the time we were out - we did our weekly grocery shop after brunch. 

Accoutrements:
Browns and blues. 

  • Scarf - thrifted
  • Gloves - Ralph Lauren
  • Mask - Lazy Susan's

The stuff: 
Time flies - I meant to wear these fabulous fleece-lined brocade boots sooner after hiding them in my last outfit back in October (!!). 

Copper bling: 
The other new-to-me thing in my outfit is this copper/turquoise cuff. Love!

  • Copper hinged cuff - Renoir, vintage 60s, consignment
  • Necklace - vintage 60s, Grandma J's
  • Copper/turquoise cuff - Bell Trading Post, vintage 60s, consignment, Powell River; purchased here for $20.00
  • Bronze ring - P. Sarpaneva, vintage 70s, vintage expo
  • Earrings - vintage expo
  • Copper brooch - thrifted

Bonus blooper picture. 
I'd forgotten to do up my coat before setting the camera timer. 

After our grocery shop, L worked on a job application at his office, and I got dressed for Winesday in the Park. Sadly, due to the general sh*tstorm in the world at this time, our group chose not to meet up indoors, and opted instead for the safety of our park of the last two years. 
No one saw me like this - standing around outside in January is not conducive to opening one's coat. 

  • Sweater - Wanko, thrifted; last worn here in December under a winterized kimono
  • Skirt - McQ by Alexander McQueen, 2013, consignment; first worn here in December 2020 with this same sweater
  • Shoes - Vince Camuto, consignment, Powell River; purchased here for $50.00
  • Coat - Danier Leather, consignment; last worn here for our trip to Powell River last weekend
  • Cape (below) - vintage, vintage shop c. 1997; last seen here in 2010 in a "Never Seen" feature

Most definitely no one saw me with my coat off. 
It's just layers to keep warm: a wool turtleneck and fleece-lined tights. I wore this still-a-bit-snug McQ skirt as I wouldn't have to sit in it! It's fine for standing! 

My insulated leather coat is a great under-layer for other outerwear pieces. 
Added a fur scarf and wool gloves. 

All done up - but wait! 
It occurred to me: I have a cape that I have never worn on this blog. Not once from 2008 when I started this blog, until now. 

NEVER.
It's that rare. 

I have my arms akimbo here to show the lovely velvet. This is a heavy piece - several pounds, at least. 
When we did our trip to London and Paris in 2010, I did a series of posts to show the "Never Worn" items in my wardrobe - this was one of two capes I owned (I still have the burgundy velvet one too) that I showed off here

I bought this on layaway at a long-gone vintage store on Johnson Street - the owner wouldn't even let customers try it on unless they were "serious". As this was back in the late 1990s, I was still working in retail, and I could not afford to buy it in one go. 
L and I were very recently married in 1997 - I put $50 down on layaway to buy this $250.00 cape.

One day, I came home from work and it was spread out on the bed - L had paid it off for me. What a guy!
I adore the thick chartreuse velvet and the heavy black satin lining. It feels like amazing quality fabric. It's surprisingly warm. 

I have only worn it a handful of times. The first was to a private Christmas party at Craigdarroch Castle in December 1997. I remember that because my dad had just died that September and I was still feeling very sad. Nick and Karen (who'd only been dating for a few months by then) and L and I walked there and I wore this over a vintage black dress. It was a magical evening of dancing, bagpipes and kilts, and singing carols around the piano at the Castle. 
I think I wore it once to my current company's Christmas party, back in 2012, but I didn't take pictures of my outerwear or note what I wore back then. 

I think it is handmade - the inside seams are simply serged, and it has that lovely big button, but there are no clues as to its real age. 
But it was vintage when I bought it in 1997. Any ideas how old it might be? I do know that I ought to wear this more! I am going to move it into rotation for special events, for sure - it's a shame to leave it hanging in my coat closet.

Accoutrements: 
I was thankful for the fur scarf - it was COLD out! 

  • Scarf - thrifted
  • Gloves - Parkhurst
  • Mask - by Mom

Cat gave me a ride home, so I wore the mask in her car (her mom is elderly and immune-compromised, so she is extra-careful with her potential exposures, and I respect that). 

The stuff: 
Only my shoes and earrings were visible, but the shoes had many admirers. My feet were practically blocks of ice after standing around in the park for two hours. 

Green bling: 
I loved the earrings - don't they go well with my green jewelry? 

  • Necklace - Plum, c. 2009
  • Chain bracelet - thrifted
  • Bangle bracelet - faux Gucci, c. 1986, gift from Mom & Dad, Italy
  • Jade/brass ring - vintage 70s, Mom's
  • Brass ring - vintage mall
  • Earrings - consignment, Powell River; purchased here for $10.00

I only took a few pictures, as there were just five of us who were able to show up. 
Cat in her awesome Fluevogs. 

Greg and Rosanna. 
Happy 50th, Rosanna! Her birthday was a couple of weeks ago, but she's a low-key person, not given to bouts of partying. 

Randall and Yvonne. 
As you can tell by the lines on the grass, we were set up on the corner of a soccer pitch. We moved up onto a nearby hill when a group of players started edging towards us. 

After a couple of hours, it was getting late and slightly dark, so we all headed home. Of course, minutes later, Caro and Ron showed up! 
Ron sent these pictures later - sorry we missed you, honey! I know, you brought drinks and everything! 

Yvonne and Randall gamely sat out in the dark for a quick visit. 
What a bunch of troopers! 

I hope you all had a lovely weekend - I'm off to watch football playoffs and enjoy the rest of my Sunday! Thank you so much for dropping by! 

Friday, January 28, 2022

Fancy Friday: Monster Vest Two Ways, Plus New Plaid

Happy Friday, my friends! We're still experiencing cold temps (2-5 degrees) and the fog was back today, but at least it's not raining, snowing or windy. I've been chilled in the office this week, so I planned an outfit to keep me warm, as well as being stylish. 
Monster Vest! I really like the warmth near my core, but having my arms uncovered helps regulate my temperature. 

  • Vest - Kensie, consignment; last worn here in July 2021 for the Winesday pool party
  • Sweater - Club Monaco, thrifted; last seen here in November 2021 with red plaid
  • Skirt - Talbots, consignment; purchased here for $28.00
  • Shoes - Wittner, consignment; last worn here in November 2021 with my red leopard suit
  • Coat (below) - Danier Leather; last seen here in November 2021

I can't resist the Castle when it's aglow in the morning light. 
Spooky! It got sunny and the sky was a searing blue by the time I walked home - in daylight! That cheered me so much. 

A black, white and red mix is one of my favourite combinations. It always matches (yay!) and allows for many different variations with other black/white/red pieces.
I just wore this sweater not too long ago (two months is recent for me!), but it's a useful piece and I like the peplum trim at the hem and the wings on the shoulders. I layered a black tank under it for extra warmth. 

The skirt is one of my new-to-me purchases of last week, and it's a keeper. I found myself stroking the lovely fabric throughout the day. 
Such a great woven pattern.

Now with 100% more Monster Vest! 
These days, I mostly wear Monster Vest around the house for an extra bit of warmth. Vizzini also likes to sleep on it occasionally.

Masked up. 
More red and white pattern.

A shot of my new-to-me suede gloves. Tip: always put your elbow-length leather gloves on before your coat. 
I stashed my black and red bracelet in my bag - big jewelry doesn't fit under leather gloves. Today's rings were low enough to not need removing, but I often have to remove the bigger knuckle-dusters.

Outerwear: Monster Vest also goes over a coat! 
It was a welcome extra layer over my leather coat, which isn't that warm.

Accoutrements:
First wearing of these suede gloves, and they were lovely. Don't they match the hat well? 

  • Gloves - Aldo, consignment; purchased here for $27.00
  • Scarf - Elaine Gold, vintage, Lazy Susan's
  • Hat - M&S, consignment, Powell River
  • Mask - by Mom

The stuff:
I had several selections for footwear, but I liked how these speckled shoes looked. More pattern!

Black and red bling: 
Some old and new faves. 

  • Black and white Bakelite bracelet - vintage, vintage mall, gift from L
  • Leather/steel cuff - Rimanchik
  • Necklace - thrifted
  • Earrings - Tania Gleave, Vancouver
  • Silver/onyx ring - Toccara, vintage fair
  • Silver chain ring - Taxco, Mexico, Charmaine's

And now, time to sign off, and go chill out with my little furry guy here. 
Wishing you all a fabulous weekend - I'll be back on Sunday with tales of adventure!