Weekend Wrap-Up: Deja Blue Boot Brunch, and a Wee Thrift Shop With Caro

Hello, my friends, I'm back - I hope the weekend is treating you right! 

L and I returned to our Saturday routine, and met up with Nick for brunch at the Ruby. 

I couldn't resist wearing my new blue boots again - deja blue! 

• Coat - Desigual by Christian Lacroix, consignment; last worn here in November 2021 for a weekend shop
• Sweater - RW & Co, consignment; last seen here in December 2021 with my Christmas Tree Skirt
• Skirt - Mexx, consignment; last worn here in November 2021 with this same coat
• Boots - Official Sabado, Fluevog; first seen here on Friday with Dalmatian spots

I was up early to do my Mini Mental Health Walk.

It was sunny but with a very cold wind, so I dressed accordingly for morning/early afternoon.

Warm for standing in line outside. 

I got loads of "I love your look!" comments - thank you, kind strangers. 

Without the coat, but I only took it off for brunch. 

I like red and orange together - they're so cheery. 

Rest assured, I never drag my coat. 

I had to quickly sew one of the buttons on though. 

Masked up - after brunch, I met up with Caro for a wee shop at the big Women In Need (WIN) store. 

I wore my mask most of the time, but took it off periodically while it was just the two of us, giggling away at some fashion monstrosity. 

Incognito. 

These are Blue Boots of Badassitude! 

The stuff: 

I am keeping these stuffed with tissue when I'm not wearing them, to ensure that the leather doesn't crease around the ankles. After all the walking/standing/shopping today, I think I will pick up a sport insole for them, just for a bit of extra comfort. 

• Silver/enamel ring - antique store, Sidney
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
• Earrings - thrifted

We finished brunch early, so I strolled over to the Beacon Ave Thrift Store on the same street at the WIN store, and had a bit of a rummage. 

I fell in love with this belt - it matches a pair of my Fluevogs almost exactly - but as it was only $2.00 and I didn't have any change on me, I quickly found something else to buy so that I could use my debit card. 

I spotted this asymmetrical blouse. 

It's by Halston! Not vintage Halston, but the modern label. 

Still, I see this stuff in consignment stores for 10 times this price!

Only $9.00. However, it didn't fit, so it's into the giveaway bag to go to a new home. I consider the cost a donation to a worthy charity. 

From there, I spent some time doing the accessories section at WIN before Caro arrived. 

I found two new-in-the-packaging pairs of Spanx workout socks for $4.95 a pair (regular retail $12.00 a pair), a pair of nylons for $1.95 (regular retail $9.00), and a pair of socks for L that say "The Coolest Guy on the Conference Call" for $4.95 (regular retail $18.95). You can really save on new hosiery in the thrift store, and it's not even worn!

In addition to the socks, I also bought these trousers for L. 

They are by Club Monaco, the Davis Slim Fit, in a dark navy blue.

That punch in the tag means it was half price. 

So, $9.95 for a pair of Club Monaco pants? They retail for $198.00!! And they fit L perfectly.

I did well in the purse section, although I really don't need any more...

I couldn't resist - they're so pretty! 

The chainmail bag is likely from the early 00s - the beaded handle is a dead giveaway.

It's by Nicci and was $4.95. 

This flat bag has a cord string, and only the front is beaded. 

But such pretty beading it is! It has no label, but was also $4.95. It's a party bag, for sure. 

I did well in the belts too. 

I'm going to draw on the pink belt - it perfectly matches my soon-to-be Pink Lady jacket. 

It's from the 80s, and is leather. 

Not bad for only $4.95. 

I gasped at this belt - it's a snake! 

And it's all metal on leather! 

This belt was stamped "Rodier" and was made in Italy. It's also likely from the 80s. 

It was $4.95, which felt like a steal.

I fell for this silk scarf. 

Floral AND leopard? 

Be still my heart! 

It was $16.95, and is by Careta. Note the hand-rolled edges (something I always look for). 

I spotted this very sparkly long necklace on a display. 

Long necklaces are trendy right now, as are unusual pearls. 

Bam, two trends in one! 

This is probably from the late 90s/early 00s - it was $7.95. The crystals are actually glass (crystal?) and the "string" is metal. 

I found a nice teal camisole to add to my collection. 

It's from Reitmans, a Canadian mall chain. 

$3.95 is a good price - these retail for around $15.00.

I'd already done the vintage section by the time Caro arrived, but we went through it again, and she pulled out this swimsuit. 

A classic cut and print. 

Love the little cleavage detail. 

It's by Christina, and was made in Canada. Swimsuit sizing is still "old school" - this is a size 12, so equivalent to a clothing size 8. 

For $9.95, I went for it. Swimsuits are expensive! This is actually not vintage, either - the Bay department store sells this line. It would have retailed for around $55.00 new. And it fit perfectly! 

I had looked at this ruffled brown and black plaid shirt during my last shop at WIN.

This time, it was punched half price, so for $9.95 I risked it (there are no changerooms at WIN anymore). 

It's by Gerry Weber. Wow, blouses by them are over $100 US! Unfortunately, this was too big on me, so into the giveaway it went. Another donation to a good cause.

I had to buy this skirt. 

It's a lovely coral red colour, fully lined. 

Look at that pretty edging on the lining. 

It's by Marc Cain, which I know from my consignment shopping is a very pricy brand.

I have a jacket that I paid $45.00 for second-hand (this one here). 

I like that the size is "N 3" - well, that's very helpful, isn't it? "Do you have size N? What about N 3?"

It's 90% wool, 10% cashmere. 

You don't see skirts made of wool and cashmere very often. 

Why I had to buy it. 

$7.95?? Are you kidding me? It's current and retails for over $125.00! How on earth did they price it so low? Not that I'm complaining.

But here is the crowing glory. I found a vintage dress. 

A beautiful creamy background, with big flowers (some of them have butterflies in the centre) in shades of brown and olive. 

A keyhole neckline. 

I wonder if there is a little missing piece to connect those grommets? I might make something out of some spare ribbon and snap-fastener for it. 

Each sleeve has three oval openings starting at the shoulder, and those grommets are connected with small strips of the same fabric (all hand-sewn). 

The sleeves bell towards the cuff. Drama!

There is a walking slit on either side. 

It's fully lined in what feels like a nylon or acetate. Cat-approved. 

The outer fabric is silky with a slubbed finish, and I suspect it is raw silk or a silk-cotton blend.

I found a label sewn right above one of the slits (an unusual spot). There is no content tag. 

Same label at the neckline. Elle L'Exclusif of Milano Paris New York. I discovered that this company issued catalogues with fabric swatches inside - you picked the fabric, chose your design and they mailed it all to you, and you created the garment yourself! Check out this auction listing for a 1973/4 catalogue here (link 'cause I love, of course). 

I guess they included labels too! This dress has an incredible amount of hand-sewing - kudos to its creator. $24.95 felt like a great deal for this. I'm sure it's from the 70s, with that psychedelic fabric. 

I was so happy - it fits me perfectly! Caro and I used a tape-measure for a lot of the garments (she bought two pairs of jeans for under $17) to make sure they would fit. 

I feel like a million bucks in this. 

I swanned about for L (and Vizzini).

"You bought nothing for me?"

I am excited to wear this! Bring on the events! 

Thanks so much for stopping by! I so appreciate every one of you.