Thursday, March 10, 2022

Cream Leather and Brocade, and a Wee Shop

No Mom-Day Adventure today, unfortunately - Mom took advantage of the lovely sun yesterday and did some gardening...and...the time flew by, and before she knew it, she'd been out there longer than planned - she woke up stiff and sore today. Dr. Sheila prescribes a hot bath and some chill reading time under your heated throw, Mom! Take care of yourself.

L had the day off today, so I joined him and Nick at the Blue Fox for brunch. The "Blue Dog" (as we refer to it amongst ourselves) is tiny and always has a huge line-up on the weekends so we tend to only go there on those random weekdays when we're off.
Since the Blue Dog is near the Velvet Crease, I decided to just wear my new-to-me cream leather jacket, security tag and all, and have them remove it on the way there. 

  • Leather jacket - Danier Leather, consignment; purchased here for $37.50
  • Bodysuit - Madewell, thrifted; last seen here in January under a plaid dress
  • Skirt -Topshop, consignment; first worn here in October 2021 with a vintage Karl Lagerfeld blazer
  • Boots - Matisse, consignment; last seen here in December 2021 for an Oak Bay shop with Mom
  • Welsh cape (below) - Dafydd Snowden, vintage 60s, thrifted; last worn here in August 2021

The leather jacket is big on me - it's a size Medium, which in Danier sizing is more like a size 10 or 12. 
I usually wear a Small or XS in their jackets. The largeness of it means it'll be outerwear, not blazer-wear, as I'll be able to layer a thick sweater or top underneath it. 

That's cool - I'd love an embellished outerwear jacket.
Sneaking in another wearing of this tapestry-weave mini skirt.

My shortest minis are in my fall/winter wardrobe, as I feel more secure when wearing tights with them. 
You can see how the jacket has a lot of room in it. 

I layered my slate-grey bodysuit underneath, just to keep it simple. 
Olive green fleece-lined tights for a bit of warmth, and I'm ready for almost any weather. 

I took the jacket off briefly during brunch, as I was having a hot flash. The lovely ladies at the Velvet Crease removed the tag without me even having to disrobe.  
Note L's fabulous vintage leather (with wolf-fur-trimmed collar!) coat. His cowboy hat is from Nashville, TN. We got a few looks while we walked to town.

Masked up. As of tomorrow/Friday, masks are no longer required in indoor environments and as of April 8th, most of the vaccine card flashing will end.
That will be strange. I plan to keep wearing a mask when it feels warranted to me: big crowds indoors or any other situation that makes me feel ooky, like the bus. 

Outerwear - it's cape weather!
And now that I've figured out (duh) that if I layer a light coat under my capes they are much more wearable, I plan to wear them a lot more. I have 4-5 capes/ponchos that I can deploy! 

The difficulty with them, of course, is that bags are tricky.
I have to step into my purse, and pull it up to my shoulders. My regular backpack makes me look hunchbacked. 

Accoutrements: 
My silk horse scarf is to keep my neck warm, but also in case of rain (which started later in the evening).

  • Purse - Roots, thrifted
  • French silk scarf - vintage fair
  • Gloves - Ralph Lauren, consignment
  • Mask - by Mom

The stuff: 
I often keep these boots out for spring/summer, for the "shoulder" months, when it's still not that warm. 

Blue bling:
I played with the shades of blue in the tapestry skirt. 

  • Necklace - Stella & Dot, thrifted
  • Lace cuff - locally made, Nashville, TN
  • Eelskin bracelet - vintage 80s, mine, donated, then thrifted
  • Earrings - thrifted
  • Chain ring - Taxco, Mexico, Charmaine's
  • Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes

After brunch, I left L and Nick to hang out together for the afternoon, and wandered up to the WIN Boutique on Quadra Street for a browse. I hadn't been there in a few months, so it's been lots of time for the stock to turn over. 

I had a quick poke in their adjacent housewares store and I'm so glad I did! I found a table for the deck! 
Cat-toy left in for the Vizzini fans. The table is a reddish-brown, with brushings of gold on it. 

I turned it upside down to inspect the under-carriage, looking for any weakness. It's all strongly welded and screwed. 
Three of the felt foot-pads were missing, but I don't care, since the corner of the deck slants towards the corner. 

When our condominium was originally built in 1976, the decks were all open, and the slant is so that rain can drain out (we still have drain-holes that we have to block against bugs). 
My lovely cozy corner that I've gradually built. The benches, a snuggly throw, a bunch of pillows, and my new table in the corner. 

My collection of solar lights - it's so pretty out here at night. 
The glass inset had one tiny chip in one corner, but it's a thick piece of beveled glass, and there are four rubber suckers to ensure it stays in place. 

And how much did I pay for this? 
A whopping $19.95. I would have paid the original $24.95. I carried the table home under one arm; I removed the glass and carried it in a tote bag, along with my other little finds. 

I found two pairs of new-in-the-pack tights: one pair of brown, one of black. These would be $14.95 each new - they were $6.95 each instead. 
I've been looking for a frame with a mat and a 5 x 7" insert, and why not thrift it? This is also new in the original packaging. 

It's the Ribba frame from Ikea, and it was $3.95. I found this in the housewares store as well. 
Apparently, it's $2.99 directly from Ikea - I have never been in an Ikea store, but that seems like a "fast home fashion" price. I'm glad that Women In Need got my money instead. 

I have been wanting to frame my original screenprint since Justin gave it to me for my birthday. I used my shoe tape dispenser and thought they looked nice together, heh. 
"Gruss vom Krampus" means "Greetings from the Krampus" and he is a creepy fellow:
‘Gruß vom Krampus’ meaning ‘Greetings from the Krampus’ was a frequently seen catchphrase on Christmas cards during the Christmas season in Northern Europe. The antithesis to the well known kindly Santa Claus figure, the Krampus is a mythical creature from the European yuletide traditions, most likely pre-Christian in origin. Krampus is a half man, half beast, often portrayed with a foot of a man, and the other a cloven hoof. While well behaved children would receive presents from Santa, the unruly ones would be at the receiving end of Krampus’s birch-wood switch! Ouch…

Source here - as I worked in a year-round Christmas store from 1986 to 1997, I knew of Krampus, so I appreciated Justin thinking of me with this. It was done by a friend of his, although unfortunately it's not signed.

I thought it looked nice next to L's side of the hall coat rack.
It's in our entryway. 

Aside from the tights, which were from the main WIN boutique, they didn't have anything that really caught my eye - lots of fast fashion, which was disappointing. 
I bought this white top because it will be useful in my wardrobe (I burn through white tops). 

I also liked the back - there's a connecting piece across the back of the neck. 
My tattoos will peek out. 

The sleeves are a good length, and the bias ruffle is a nice detail. 
This is a t-shirt fine knit, but the previous owner cut the content tag out. I would guess that it's a viscose or silk blend - it has a nice weight and feel to it. 

It's by Mossimmo Dutti, a Canadian boutique brand. 
This top probably would have been around $59.99 new. 

And now, I am going to leave you with a few pictures of Vizzini. I carried him around ("Cat Tour") in the morning, and set him down on his post, where he immediately dove into his leopard house. 
"Okay, go away now."


He was very cranky that both L and were home in the morning, as he's used to sleeping all day on the bed while we're at work, or I'm out with Mom. 
"Are you leaving soon?"


I am! I'll be back on Monday with tales of adventure, as I'm taking a bit of a well-deserved break from the world. Take care, be kind and give your loved ones (including the furry fam) big hugs. 

36 comments:

  1. Love everything about your outfit! The skirt is cute, and the cape and leather jacket are beautiful layering pieces!
    xoxo
    Lovely
    www.mynameislovely.com

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  2. What a cozy sundeck/ porch. Pure napping heaven. I just love your cape and all your styles. Best to your mom. I hope her aches get better.

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    1. Isn't it nice? I spent time in 2021(??I think?) fixing it up and making it nice. Thank you, Sam!

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  3. Look at that gorgeous boy in his leopard house!
    I love your cosy corner, the flooring is lovely and that occasional table looks perfect in there. I've only been to Ikea a handful of times despite it being within a couple of miles and walkable. I'd much rather a charity had my money, too.
    Loving the Welsh cape and L's fine looking leather coat. Hope you have a wonderfully relaxing weekend and that your Mum's aches and pains soon vamoosh! xxx

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    1. Isn't he just the cutest thing, Vix?

      Thank you, me too! That's the original 1976 deck tile.

      We love our leather, ha! Thanks so much, Vix.

      Delete
  4. Love your corner! And, as Yogi Berra would say, "Nobody goes to the Blue Dog any more; it's too crowded." :)

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  5. Am also keeping a mask handy, to slap across my face when in dodgy circumstances. Right now, in north central North Carolina, tree pollen is the dodgy circumstance against which one must guard. Why did I never realize for the past 60 years of life that a mask would prevent all that sneezing and coughing every spring?

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    1. LinB, great to see you. Yes, I prefer wearing mine when I'm around people, and YES, it's great against pollen! I'll be wearing mine in allergy season for sure!

      Delete
  6. I'm not surprised you guys got quite a few looks! L.'s wolf-fur-trimmed leather coat sounds amazing, and your outfit is a stunner as usual. Your tapestry-weave mini skirt is gorgeous. I too prefer to wear my shorter skirts in Winter, although my shorter skirts are quite a bit longer than the mini skirt you're wearing here. It looks fabulous worn with those boots and your swoon-worthy Welsh wool cape.
    Our mask mandate and flashing of vaccine passports ended last Monday, but I'm still keeping a mask handy as well. It feels a bit strange indeed, although it's still mandatory to wear one on public transport, which I think is a good idea.
    Your cozy corner is looking fantastic, and the occasional table is just perfect. I'm all in awe of you carrying it home!
    Love the final photo of Vizzini peeking out from his house! xxx

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    1. We usually do, Ann! Thank you so much - I do like my minis...mini!

      Same here - and it is still mandatory in a few places (like my office).

      Oh, the table wasn't that heavy, not even 15lbs. Isn't Vizzini cute? Aw!

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  7. SO fun. I love perusing the thrift stores. Not so much for clothes as I am either out in the muck (jeans and bib overalls) or I wear Talbots. They fit short people well. But I love to look at housewares. Most of our things are either thrifted or inherited. My house is done in early attic!

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    1. I do too, Kim, thanks! Same here, nearly everything I buy is second-hand.

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  8. That table was a good buy and I've noticed some opshops here have items higher priced than they would be in stores. I think it is good to give money to charity but I do confess I shop at the cheaper opshops more often, as paying more than retail price for fast fashion is a bit iffy sometimes! I love your outfit and that beautiful cape even if it made bag wearing tricky!

    Our masks are lifted except in healthcare settings or on public transport, but I still carry and wear a mask. I'd like to avoid covid if I can!

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    1. It's annoying when you discover that the item was cheaper new than what you paid, but again, I'd still rather give my money to a charity shop. Thanks, Mica!

      Oh, how lovely! I'm the same. :)

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  9. I'll be hanging onto my masks too.
    Great find with that table.

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    1. I've enjoyed not being sick, and also not having my seasonal allergies! Masks are here to stay!

      Thanks!

      Delete
  10. The leather jacket looks really nice on you! I wish I still had that Topshop brocade skirt- it was very nice! Your cape is swoonworthy- I love the double layer and you did the bag well with it!
    The new white top is really pretty.
    I do like your conservatory area of your condo and the new table fits in really nicely.
    Lovely to see King Vizzini in his palace, even if he's a bit of a King's Cross!
    I still wear my mask on the train and in shops- just feel more comfortable doing that.x

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    1. Thanks, Kezzie!

      I love our deck area, especially since it's been fixed up and made nice. Lol, yes, Vizzini always looks cross, doesn't he?

      Good for you - we have to do what feels right for each of us.

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  11. Splendid in browns and creams! I am already smiling in anticipation of that cream jacket becoming anything other than solid cream.

    I especially like how your deck is decorated. That sense of having a special place, cozy yet roomy enough for a few folks to gather, is most inviting. In just a few weeks it will be prime deck sitting weather!

    Meanwhile, here’s to wearing your outfits before the great closet switch over and enjoying a wonderful Weekend!

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    1. I am thinking of some yellows on it, maybe butterflies, Laurie. Not sure yet.

      Thank you! It's nearly warm enough to sit out there and work on my embellishing. I love it out there.

      Thanks, Laurie!

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  12. What's bugging me is, where did you leave that glass? Or did I understand something not correctly..... which is more possible! I can't believe you have to line up for brunch. Are there so little lunchrooms? Love that white tee, I think a v-neck is always so flattering. Why do I always have a hard time finding them? Enjoy your Sunday!

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    1. I put the glass into one of my cloth bags, along with the frame and my top, to carry home, Nancy. It made it home safely.

      Lunchrooms? We do not have such a thing here. It's all restaurants or pubs - and not all of them do breakfast later (aka brunch). The good ones are always popular, so we have line-ups.

      Thank you!

      Delete
  13. I keep my shortest skirts for winter too - at this point in my life I feel much more comfortable wearing them layered over leggings or tights.
    Ikea is the fast-fashion furniture store - I went to one over the Christmas break with a friend and most of the furniture is very cheaply put together. I have pieces I bought from them 20 - 30 years ago when they were better made.

    Vizzini looks so cute in his leopard print house!

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    1. Yeah, no one needs to see my pasty, veiny legs, lol.

      I figured that - lots of particle-board junk, it seems.

      Isn't he adorable? What a cutie!

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  14. woww, so cool outfit, looking really elegant with your cape on!. Great tip on wearing capes over jackets, they make a fab layering and you look really comfy and weather appropriate!
    The tapestry mini and those boots make a fab combo!. I also wear minis only with tights (winter season), don't feel comfident to show my varicose veins!
    besos

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    1. Thank you - I felt great in it. I'm still so pleased with figuring out how to get more wear out of my capes this way!

      Yup, no one needs to see my varicose veins either! Ha!

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  15. Oooh, this is the first time I have seen your floral tattoo and I love it! My floral sleeve was my first tattoo and I am glad that it goes with everything!

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    1. Really? Well, get used to seeing my ink, Laura! I have both upper arms done, plus one lower arm, and all of my back. I always have to factor prints into how well they go with my tattoos.

      Delete
  16. You looked stunning and unique in this outfit (which is hard these days with global copying). Love your new table.
    Greetje

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    1. Thanks! That's always my goal - I have no desire to look like anybody else.

      I love my table too! :)

      Delete
  17. Tres chic!!! Nothing like a great hit of tapestry to up the elegance and beauty of any outfit.

    One approach to the poncho/cape + purse conundrum is to wear one of those flattish belt purses that aren't quite a fanny pack, but at the same time, aren't too far removed from one either (think along the lines of the Gucci one that was making the luxury fashion rounds a while back, but ideally at a much more wallet friendly price!).

    Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Autumn!

      Yes, I agree - but I have not found one worthy of my money yet! I would love to find one I could illustrate.

      Delete

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