Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Always Be Upgrading: Best Brown Blazer and Leopard

I had some good news yesterday - it is my time to get the booster vaccine! I went online and booked it...for TODAY! I had to wear something that would expose my upper arm, but also be Clothing As Armour (I am always nervous about such things).
I also had a small collection of as-yet-unworn "stuff," so I built my outfit around my accessories. 

  • Blazer - Talbots, thrifted; last worn here in February 2021 for Cat's 50th birthday
  • Sweater - Tatyana, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) in August 2021 with my picador skirt
  • Skirt - Rena Rowan, thrifted; last worn here in October 2020 with orange to vote
  • Shoes - Half Truth Tanya, Fluevog; last seen here in July 2021 for a Mental Health shop
  • Coat (below) - Jeno de Paris, vintage 70s, thrifted; last worn here in December 2021

As I have a rather large jewelry collection, sometimes I don't get around to wearing my new-to-me things right away. I do reach for the same things over and over, like everyone else, but I noticed that my trio of new pieces all kind of went together, so I built the outfit around them. 
I have a few of what I consider basics in my wardrobe. This green sweater is one - I bought it, along with a matching same-brand black sweater in 2017 for a mere $6.95 each, and I've worn it close to 20 times. It will be hard to replace - this is the Best Green Sweater! 

This lovely cotton and silk velvet blazer is another basic - it was $16.95 around 4 years ago, and I'm just under 10 outfits with it. 
It is the pinnacle of brown blazers: the Best Brown Blazer Perfect fit, great fabric (it's so soft - I love a silk/cotton velvet), amazing quality. The same goes for this plush vintage leopard skirt. I've followed the "Always Be Upgrading" rule with leopard skirts (I think I have had 4 or 5 over the course of my blogging career) and this one is the Best Leopard Skirt I've ever found.

For my jab, I just pulled my sleeve up over my shoulder. I was in and out of the pharmacy in about 15 minutes. 
The sweater is a true vivid emerald green (I will be happy when we get daylight in the mornings again).

Masked up. Leopard - matchy! 
I wore the blazer all day over the sweater. 

Outerwear - we're in for more "atmospheric rivers" (this is a thing now!) this week. 
I am mostly waterproof! I swapped out my new usual black grommet belt for my brown leather belt - the buckle is removeable/interchangeable. 

Accoutrements: 
Look at all that matchy! That just makes me happy. So harmonious. 

  • Fedora - Edward Mann, vintage 60s, thrifted
  • Silk scarf - vintage, vintage fair
  • Belt - Leather World
  • Buckle - Zara (cut from existing ugly belt), thrifted
  • Gloves - Parkhurst
  • Mask - Lazy Susan's

The stuff: 
Heavenly shoes. After work, I swung by the Fluevog store (they have a massive sale on and I have gift cards practically burning a hole in my pocket!) and picked up their spring/summer newsletter with previews of next season's shoes. I'm drooling...but I resisted! 

Green bling: 
There are my three pieces of jewelry, all getting worn today: the necklace, the brooch and the earrings. 

  • Necklace - vintage 50s, Lazy Susan's; purchased here for $32.00
  • Brooch - Continental, vintage 60s, swap from Caro (acquired here)
  • Earrings - gift from Mom (here)
  • Celluloid snake bracelet - vintage 1930s, antique store, Sidney
  • Leopard bangle - vintage, Lazy Susan's
  • Nuwite bangle - R&G Co., vintage 1920s, antique mall

I gave the necklace a scrub with a soft toothbrush and soap and water, and cleaned it up. The beads are glass and plastic, and it's threaded with a thick floss, so the water didn't hurt it. And the gentle cleaning removed the iridescent coating from the "pearls" (which I'd hoped for, as it was flaking off and gross), so now I'm much happier with it. 

I had a haircut after work (hence the dangerous side-trip to Fluevog while I killed time), and Kaitlyn remembered our previous chat about me drawing on jackets and brought and old one of hers in for me to play with.  
It's a lovely aqua blue, flap pockets, front zip, nice seaming details. It's by Guess and probably wasn't cheap. 

Due to the dark colour, I won't be able to do anything other than black, maybe some gold or silver, but not much due to the "dusting" issue of the metallics gradually sloughing off. 
I noticed that the shoulder had some damage - Kaitlyn wasn't aware of it, but this is why leather is better than PVC, kids. 
It will only get worse over time, sadly. I'm going to pop into Lazy Susan's or the Patch and check out their selection of embroidered fabric patches (like what the cool kids wore on their jeans back in the 70s/80s) and see if something catches my eye that I can sew over that. The design could come from that patch - I'd like to find either a rose or maybe an animal (a tiger would be cool!). 

"Do whatever you want," she said. Heh...be careful what you ask for, Kaitlyn! I promised it would be done by my next haircut in early March, so I have a deadline to work towards. Fun! 

And now, I'm going to rest - my arm is getting a bit sore and the couch (and a furry kitty) calls. 

32 comments:

  1. Good morning Sheila, hope you are recovring ok from your booster. Wow the greens and blues in this post brightened up my morning. You excelled yourself and your green beads etc are match made in heaven for those gorgeous shoes. I am impressed that the "burning" gift cards didn't get used yet.... wander what you will get up to with your friend's jacket? You looked fab for your booster and I bet you were the best dressed in the pharmacy. Take it easy and look after yourself Shazxx

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    1. Hello, Shaz! I'm getting there, thanks - just a sore arm.

      Glad you enjoyed the outfit - thank you! Nope, I am being strong over my gift cards, especially since I know there is another big Fluevog collection coming in the next couple of months, and I'd rather use my "free" money on the new designs.

      I am not sure what I will do with the jacket - kind of waiting to see what I can do with the shoulder, as that will drive the rest.

      Thanks so much, m'dear! I was the best-dressed! Ha!

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  2. Yay for having had the booster! Hoping you had a sound night's sleep and awoke with a comfy arm, ready and raring to go! (After all, it is Thursday :-))

    Your outfit came together so wonderfully - the colors, patterns, proportions, accessories; makes me smile. I may be sitting here in pjs but am still imagining dressing nicely. Your posts always result in vicarious pleasure. :-) (Although it's not just vicarious; I have been wearing dresses and heattech leggings and discovered it's really not that difficult to be warm. Knee high boots, knee length down jacket, my Mom's fur hat, my Aunt's leather lined gloves, and winter walks are a-okay!)

    I look forward to seeing how you mend the rip in the jacket sleeve, and of course what design you come up with for the jacket. Here's to a creative project keeping winter funk at bay. (I need to take that to heart, as well.)

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    1. Hooray indeed, Laurie! I was very tired and a bit groggy/out of sorts on Thurs, and still tired on Fri, but it's better than getting Covid!

      Thank you so much. I'm so glad you've been expanding your own style to dresses and leggings - it is a surprisingly warm combo, isn't it? Good for you!

      I am excited with the possibilities. I love a good project!

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  3. Oh that coat is so gorgeous(yours). And I'm looking forward to see what you do with that jacket. I hope you won't feel I'm from the booster, haven't had mine yet.

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    1. I love that green leather trenchcoat - it's incredible quality.

      I hope you get your booster soon!

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  4. Yay! I'm so pleased that you've been boosted and I hope you don't get anything worse than an achey arm - we didn't!
    Loving the colour scheme in your outfit and I'm now wondering why I've relegated my vintage turquoise coat to the Kinky Shed, I might have to retrieve it!
    Oh yes, leather is always better but I'm sure you'll transform that jacket. You have skillz! xxx

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    1. I've been a little foggy/tired, but otherwise just a sore arm, Vix.

      Thank you so much! Ha, I do that too - better get your turquoise coat out, and at least give it one more shot before you sell it.

      I am excited to work on the jacket...but I have to finish the Peacock Jacket first!

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  5. Yay for your booster. I had mine last week, and I had a bit of a sore arm for a day or two, then on day two I felt utterly exhausted. I had the same with my second jab. Jos had absolutely no side effects, not even a sore arm this time.
    Talk of clothing as armour. That plush leopard skirt just looks like quality and I do wish I ever meet the emerald jumper of my dreams.
    Shame about the damage on the jacket, but if anyone can make it better, then it has got to be you. Can't wait to see what you'll do, and I bet Kaitlyn cannot either! xxx

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    1. Yes, same, Ann - I'm so tired, but it's better than getting Covid.

      It's a gorgeous quality skirt - and I'm keeping my eyes peeled for a replacement for my green jumper, as it's starting to get a bit worn (I've worn it a LOT).

      I know, stoopid fake leather! I'll figure out something to make it work.

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  6. I'm really looking forward to seeing what you do with the jacket! Also, your outfit is fab as always. With the jacket you look like you might be a glamorous espionage agent in a Parisian film.

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    1. Me too, Katrina! Thanks so much. Ooh, I love that - I'm a spy!

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  7. Congrats on your jab! We got ours in October, but now with Omicron, Nigel is loathe to go anywhere. I love matchy matchy, too! Love the leopard skirt! I have one that is done in greys. I can’t wait to see what you do with this jacket!

    http://marshainthemiddle.com/

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    1. Well, we can't hide from the world forever, Marsha. I'm ready to get back to normal, which will hopefully be soon-ish.

      Thank you!

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  8. That emerald green sweater is beautiful. I love the 3/4 sleeves. I see why it will be a difficult item to replace, perfect green sweaters aren't easy to find. I do like the blazer you wore it with...and the accessories...and that coat! How fabulous that you have a leopard mask to match the leopard skirt.
    It's nice you have a new painting on jacket project. I'm sure your friend will like the end result. Leather is always better than PVC, especially with jackets. When a faux leather item begins to tear away, it quickly gets worse. I've been experimenting with fixing up faux leather items but haven't found anything that really works.

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    1. I do too, Ivana - the company (Tatyana) specializes in vintage-inspired designs. I actually have three different leopard masks!

      I love having a project lined up and I hope I can do something good with this jacket. Leather is ALWAYS better!

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  9. Glad you were able to get your booster. That green sweater is beautiful, I'm sure it helped armor you for the vaccine.

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    1. Thanks, Goody! Yup, Clothing As Armour is in full effect here.

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  10. I like your green and leopard outfit and it's so good that you got your booster! My parents were booked in for theirs this week but it was cancelled as there was a lack of supply which is sadly happening quite often here. I'm booked in for the end of January and I'm hoping it's not cancelled! The kids have their first shot this weekend, although so many people have had the kids appointments cancelled I'm a bit nervous about that!

    I can't wait to see what you do for your friends jacket - I notice the same problem with PVC it peels so easily with the heat and humidity here - leather holds up much better.

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    1. Thanks, Mica! Oh no, I hope you don't get your booster cancelled, but glad your kids are getting their jabs.

      Ugh, PVC is horrible stuff. I'm not sure if I can do something spectacular with this jacket, but I'm going to try!

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  11. Lucky you. When I became eligible for a booster, the wait-time was four weeks. I'm getting it next week.

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    1. Hooray for you! They opened up pharmacies for booking shots, so I was able to get into a geographically close one really quickly.

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  12. I must say you looked far more glamorous than I did when I got my booster. I think brown tones are very soothing and calming so a perfect choice. I hope you felt OK afterwards. I think everyone gets a sore arm for a day. My husband has had no after effects following all three jabs, but the last two gave me a day of feeling achey/tired. No big deal it was gone by day two.

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    1. Aw, thank you, Nana. I love browns - always have. I was the same: achy and tired, but it's getting better.

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  13. I got my booster last weekend and was pretty tired for a couple of days afterwards, but otherwise no negative side effects. This is such a flattering outfit - all the pieces fit you perfectly and the green sweater looks great with the leopard skirt.

    I avoid faux leather pieces no matter how nice they are because inevitably they will start to peel. I had an amazing pair of faux leather cropped trousers that I loved until the "leather" started to peel off. Hopefully you can find a cool patch to sew on Kaitlyn's jacket.

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    1. I'll happily take a day or two of feeling tired. Thanks, Shelley!

      I know - ugh - they always end up peeling.

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  14. Glad that you had your booster!, great news!
    Love your 'always be upgrading' rule, and have it on my mind when rummaging!. Your leopard skirt and green pullover combo is Fabulous, and love your delightfully matchy accessories!, You Rock It!
    besos

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  15. The emerald worthy colour of those shoes is turning my knees to jelly. What an elegant, memorable pair of heels.

    Three huge cheers about getting your booster. In theory, I should get my invite in February (as I received my second shot back in August). It cannot come soon enough in my books.

    Autumn Zenith 🎃 Witchcrafted Life

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    1. They are pretty cute, I agree! Thanks, Autumn, I hope you can get yours booked soon!

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  16. Hoorah for being boosted! That's excellent news.

    I look forward to seeing how you decorate the blue jacket. I've stuck to leather, not vinyl, for bags ever since I took a vinyl one on holiday and the 'leather' reacted with my sunblock and I ended up covered in little speckles! Leather just wears well.

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    1. Agreed! I feel such relief, Mim. :)

      Thanks - I'm still pondering, but need to get working on it. I do not like working with PVC - it's so gross. Ugh.

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