Monday Mental Health Shop

L and I always book an extra day's vacation after we travel, just to unwind and not have to go straight back to work. He planned a meet-up with some of the guys, so I decided to clear my head from all of the crowds and have a stroll down Oak Bay Ave and visit my favourite consignment stores there. 

I didn't find too many things for myself in Vancouver, and I've been saving my spending money for a splurge. 

• Top - Jean-Paul Gaultier, vintage 90s, consignment; last worn here in March 2021 with a grey vest and trousers
• Skirt - Danier Leather, vintage 00s, thrifted, Powell River; last seen here (2nd outfit) in a brocade brunch look
• Boots - 1883 Lucchesse, thrifted; last worn here in December 2021, on our failed attempt to travel at Christmas
• Jacket - Elizabeth & James, consignment; last seen here in February

I'm just as happy giving my money to local businesses. Anyway, onto the clothes. 

This is just a boring shopping outfit, put together for trying on clothes. Everything is easy off/on. 

I'm also dressed for rain and for walking, so no fancy new boots just yet! 

It's leather weather and I needed a nice shot of colour. 

I wore a mask while I shopped - there were quite a few people around - but took it off for trying on clothes. 

Baby steps! 

Outerwear - it started to rain on my way home.

I completely love this blue jacket. 

Accoutrements:

You can see the droplets of water on my hat. 

• Scarf - fake Louis (Lewis!) Vuitton, thrifted
• Gloves - Parkhurst
• Hat - gift from Tammy
• Mask - by Mom

The stuff: 

Comfy walking boots. 

• Cuff - Guess, thrifted
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
• Earrings - Glee

I'd planned on a nice leisurely browse in Good Things, House of Savoy and Turnabout, but only Turnabout was open on a Monday.

As usual, they have a bunch of markdowns, but I just look for the good stuff - the things that really appeal to me. 

It doesn't look like much on the hanger, but this crushed velvet jacket is very New Wave romantic. It's really lovely on. 

A close up of the buttons and the texture of the fabric. 

They went very heavy on the branding - the button says "Jeans Gianfranco Ferre". 

Inside there are tags. The jacket is a cotton/viscose blend with some stretch. It's made in Italy.

Look for the hologram! 

There it is! 

ITJ is the name of the factory where it was made. 

Another tag in the lining. 

Yes, we get it, ITJ. 

Made in Italy. 

Yes, yes, we know, we saw it on the other tag. 

Another tag on the side of one of the two button-flap front lower pockets. 

This says JGF on one side...

And FERRE on the other. 

You can see that the lining is also woven with the words "JEANS" and "GIANFRANCO FERRE."

I wonder who it's by?? Tee hee! 

It was $45.00, marked down from $149.99. It's vintage 90s; comparable velvet jackets are listed on chi-chi designer resale sites for around $300-500. 

I always go through every rack, and I look at every size. 

This 100% cotton dress leapt out at me, due to the fabulous print. 

It has big round pockets. 

And they are right at perfect arm-length. 

This is a Marimekko print, one of their collaboration with Uniqlo. 

You might recall I also have this dress (here) from the same collection. 

It was $89.99, which is more than what Uniqlo sold it for ($49.99). 

I think Turnabout mislabeled this as real Marimekko - which would have been $300+. Ah well. I really like the dress and am excited to wear it! 

I modelled this piece for the person helping me - she was so excited to see it on.

"I'm excited to chew on it."

It's a jumpsuit! A very sparkly jumpsuit, with wide swooshy legs. 

And pockets! And look at that sparkly woven blue/red/gold fabric! 

Be still, my heart! I felt like a Disco Goddess in this. 

New with tags - always a bonus! 

The brand is Eva Franco, and it was sold at Anthropologie for $218.00. It was half that at Turnabout, at $109.00.

Fresh from buying new Fluevogs on the weekend, I found...

...more almost-new Fluevogs! 

These are a leather ankle boot, and they are the same family as my new magenta suede shoes (these), as well as my red Pilgrims (here), my Teah boots (here). and my pewter Makenas (here).

These are the Truths Suzie (here are the white ones, from the Fluevog site, link 'cause I love). 

There's the signature on the heel. 

You can see the grommets and holes in the upper softer leather. 

These are barely worn. 

That's an excellent rubber sole; all the shoes in the Truths family have the same heels and sole. 

They are marked a size 10.5, but they fit very small - I usually wear a 9.5 in this family, but these are perfect on me.

I suspect that these were ordered online and didn't fit (and Fluevog doesn't do returns). They originally sold for $369.00 - these were $169.99, which is a bargain. 

When I got home, Vizzini was cruising around for some early dinner. 

"Feed me or this towel gets it!"

He is an odd cat - he likes to grab L's bath-towel and bite the edge of it. When he was a wee kitten, he used to pull the towel down on top of himself. 

"Grrr! Death to this towel!"

And yes, I do have a gargoyle in my bathroom. I've had it since the 90s - it was a gift from L. 

And now, I'm off to enjoy my last few hours before real life descends again. I hope you're all doing well and indulging in things that make you happy.