Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Fancy Friday Memorial; Requested Rainbow and Band Tee, Plus Mental Health Shop; and Winesday Greetje Dress Request and Returned Snake

Welcome back, my friends. This is indeed a Bigass weekend wrap-up, so please grab a cup of something delicious, and settle in. We've got my outfit from Karen's memorial, a band tee look for Nancy/Shelbee's Good Buy/Good-Bye book (links here and here, 'cause I love), some shopping treasures, and my Winesday outfit from Saturday night - all featuring Reader Requests. And there may be a few kitty pics in there as well.

Here we go with Friday's work outfit, which I wore to the memorial in the late afternoon/evening.

Unknown Reader requested a repeat of my Escada/gold skirt outfit from here, but as that was only two weeks ago, I'm not going the wear the same thing again so soon. I will be restyling the skirt, but hopefully, UR, you'll accept a different piece of Escada in place of the top. If not, well, too bad. 

• Dress - Escada, consignment; last seen here in October 2021 for a Mom-Day visit
• Shoes - Summertime Moonbeams, Fluevog, consignment; last worn here (2nd outfit) earlier this month for brunch

This gorgeous silk Escada coat-dress also falls under the Jammy Dress category, so reader Laurie, you get another one! 

I hugely needed Clothing As Armour during the work day, plus this rich green makes me feel strong and confident. 

Vizzini decided to join me in my pictures in the morning. 

"I could tell you needed me."

It was a quiet day at work, as it was the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation (aka Orange Shirt Day, link here). 

It was a federal government holiday/provincial government day off, but I don't work for either of those entities, so no day off for me. 

I brought my green feather fascinator to work to wear during the memorial.

My extra black one went to Yvonne for the evening. 

Masked up. 

There was a crowd of well over 100 people there, so I kept my mask on most of the time - there were a few other relieved-looking people who were also masked. 

• Mask - by Mom

Incognito.

Will I be able to hold my sh*t together? I sure hope so. 

• Pashmina - gift from Mom, Italy

The stuff: 

Although I had my walking shoes for getting to work and for walking to the hotel after work with L, by the end of the evening (close to midnight), my poor dogs were howling. Hours of standing will do that! 

Somber bling: 

I also armoured up in my accessories. 

• Belt - BCBG Max Azria, consignment
• Fascinator - Heart's Content
• Bangle - Alexis Bittar, consignment, Sidney
• Open bracelet/earrings - Alexis Bittar, consignment, gift from L
• Turquoise ring - Karen's
• Silver/aventurine ring - consignment
• Crystal ring - Uffizi Gallery gift shop, Florence, Italy
• Silver/malachite ring - consignment

Vizzini was fed before L left to meet me, but we were greeted with yowls of fury when we arrived home so late. 

"I need my kitty treats on time!"

We indulged in Purr Therapy - after the treats, of course. 

Yvonne sent some pics from the memorial. The Winesday Women spoke as a group, as pics of Karen and us were shared on the screen (that's Ali and Karen at our 70s party - here).

Cat got cut out of the pic, but Vero's speaking there, with me behind her, then Caro, Yvonne and Ali. 

Only Caro, Vero and I spoke - I did the most. 

I kept it together until the end when I read the lyrics from Frank Turner's "Polaroid Picture." 

After another speaker, I read the e.e. cummings poem, which was very difficult.

I had to take it slow, but I made it. L also gave an amazing speech, and we all grabbed the Kleenex. We did our girl proud, and it was an emotional but much-needed evening of connecting with her friends, family and former colleagues

On Saturday morning, L and I went for brunch at the Ruby, so I took the opportunity to do both a Reader Request and create an outfit for the Good Buy/Good-Bye book post to wear a band tee.

Fellow blogger and friend Ann requested a repeat of this rainbow skirt. It's a Two-Fer! 

• Jacket - Gap, consignment, Vancouver; last worn here in June with my rainbow skirt!
• Lydia Loveless tee - not tracked; purchased here in Oregon for $20.00 US
• Skirt - J. Crew, consignment; last seen here in June
• Shoes - Homers; last worn here in September with my ABBA jumpsuit

L and I grocery shopped afterward, then split up in the afternoon to each do our own thing. 

He met up with Spence (he and Kim were in town for Karen's memorial) and I had a little round of retail therapy on my own - a Mental Health Shop! 

My bright colours were very much appreciated "in the wild." 

I had comments and compliments all day. 

I've never worn this band tee in public before. This is from our fall 2019 trip to Portland and is from Lydia Loveless' opening act for the Mountain Goats.

Like  most of my band/concert tees, I sleep in it. Guess what I wore to bed on Sat night?

Masked up. 

Ready to shop! I had a browse through the excellent selection of shops on Fort Street near Cook St.

Purse at the ready.

More colour! 

Incognito.

You'd never know it's me! 

Accoutrements: 

This Aldo purse has been a good buy over the years - I love the colour and pattern, and that big bejeweled ornament. 

• Purse - Aldo
• Mask - by Mom
• Mug - gift from former colleague George, full of delicious "be nice" coffee

The stuff: 

These shoes were lovely for walking to the shops, browsing for a few hours, and then walking home. 

• Bowie pin - vintage fair
• Balls ring - Sidney
• Crystal/silver ring - Soul Flower
• White gold hoops - 10th anniversary gift from L

The Bowie pin had a lot of fans - I wore it on the lapel of my jacket.

When I got home, Vizzini immediately attacked my shopping bag. 

"I smell something intriguing!"

Well, let's see what we've got, shall we, bud? 

My first stop was MONA, where I grabbed these Converse All-Stars off the shelf. 

Sparkly gold leopard high-tops? 

MINE! These are Chuck Taylors, and are called the "Authentic Glam." Bonus: they have moulded foot-beds, so actually have support! 

These retailed for close to $150 new - mine were $50 and don't have a lick of wear on them. Can't wait to incorporate these into an outfit! 

I also snatched up this gorgeous yellow wooly long cardigan. 

With pockets, yes! 

It's only a few years old - November 2019 for Spring 2020. Hmmm, Spring 2020 - it's like there was some kind of global event that stopped its original owner from wearing it...

It's called the "Open Front Duster" and it's a wool/nylon/spandex blend (which means it will wash well and not shrink or get attacked by moths). 

It's by Banana Republic. It was $49.00, having been marked down at MONA multiple times from the original $75.00.

It retailed for $190.00 new. I am so stoked about this - it's going to get a lot of wear! 

Fresh from my success, I popped in next door to the Velvet Crease for a thorough browse. 

I always take a really good look at all the accessories - I found brand new tights, still in the packaging! They were $5.00 each, plus an extra 20% off, so $4.00 a pair. the wide-band striped pair are navy and olive green, but they read black/grey.

The Simmons tights still have the original price on them - $18.00.

The stripe is bright yellow/black, but looks green. 

I found this amazing knit dress - note the black turtleneck and wide belled sleeves. It's a very "body-con" shape. 

"And the handsome cat, don't forget."

Is this the piece you were going after, Vizzini? I modeled this for the shop employee, and she was wowed. "Am I allowed to say that looks sexy on you?" 

"Hell, yeah, I'll take it!" I said. 

The previous owner had cut out all of the content and identification labels except the main one, but I have seen the Sportmax brand at Turnabout and I know it's a pricey line. I love the pixelated brown/black/white knit - the sleeves are a smaller-scale version of the same pattern.

This was $54.00, but would have retailed for around $900.00. Yes, you read that right - this is not a cheap brand! Sportmax has been around since the 60s, and I was pleased to note that Jean Charles de Castelbajac (of my ABBA jumpsuit) was their designer in the 70s (about them here, link 'cause I love). I I dug around in the Vogue runway archives, but wasn't able to find this design - I suspect this dress is from the early-to-mid 00s.

I've seen this odd dress at Velvet Crease many times but this time, I thought, "I'm going to try it on."

The straps are velvet, and that's denim. Two pockets in the front (one says "Up"), and bit slits at the upper thigh (I'll be wearing something under it!). 

This pocket has a waving person. Hello!

The "Magic" is embroidered on a skateboard design. 

The back.

"To my best Friend...Next." Sure! 

I laughed when I found the Salvation Army sales tag inside it for $49.99.

It was only $36.00 for me, Velvet Crease price. 

It's by Emoji, the Iconic Brand x Peacebird Women. I see that it's a Large (otherwise a size 165 or 88A. Sizing...am I right? Wacky! 

Emoji seems to just be a site for licensing emojis onto things; Peacebird was a South Asian clothing company that closed its doors in 2022. However, I can see that there's a copyright of 2015-2017 on the label, so that dates it pretty accurately. I get zero hits for anything from this collaboration online. 

From the Velvet Crease, I had a good browse through Vanity Fair Antique Mall - I found myself a pair of gold (coloured) Brutalist-ish earrings! Goal accomplished.

I love the abstract (very 60s) shapes - they remind me of Joan Miro's art. They're clip-ons and are very very light and easy to wear. Not bad for $8.00! 

I also found this amazing (and heavy) silver belt. I don't think it's real silver, more likely some sort of nickel alloy. 

The belt has been reinforced (all handstitched) with a padded backing and a velvet lining. 

The clasp is a simple hook and loop. Remnants of a paper label on one buckle. 

I suspect it's from India. This was a mere $18.00. 

After a nap, I roused myself to get ready for Winesday at Linda's - yes, another Winesday already! We wanted to get one in for her to host in her lovely backyard (gazebo, lights, firepit) before the weather got too cold. 

We all wore layers, and this was the perfect opportunity to fulfill Vix's Reader Request: a re-wear of the Greetje Dress. 

• Dress - Boden, pass-along from Greetje; last worn here in August to Fort Rodd Hill with Mom
• Boots - Jubilee Gladstone, Fluevog; first worn (2nd outfit) and purchased here in April for Mac's birthday
• Sweetums cape (below) - vintage 70s, consignment; last seen here in May

A ginormous dress is perfect for a warm afternoon/mild evening. 

"Are you sure you don't want to nap some more with me?"

Vizzini did nap with me - aw! 

I had to be careful to keep my dress away from the fire pit. 

A rare sighting - this is the full-length slip/vintage nightgown that I wore underneath! 

"That is completely inappropriate."

You can also see my socks that I had on with my boots. KLASSY.

I also wore leggings for extra warmth. 

"Seriously, you should just stay home with me."

I loved how well the boots went with the outfit. They are tricky to style! 

Outerwear. 

"I can't believe you won't listen to me, Woman."

I didn't need my cape until late in the evening when it finally started to get chilly. 

And I didn't wear the gloves at all (and I think I may have left them in the cape's pockets). 

Accoutrements: 

You can't say I don't like matchy! 

• Gloves - consignment
• Scarf - Alexander McQueen, consignment
• Mask - by Mom

The stuff: 

These boots have been languishing - they are not really summery. I hope to wear them more in the colder months. 

Mixed bling: 

I wore the gold earrings right away. 

• Belt - vintage 80s, thrifted
• Earrings - vintage mall, purchased above for $8.00
• Turquoise ring - Karen's
• Flower ring - Sidney
• Gold/amethyst ring - Frances Jewelers, Dad's, c. 1965

Linda surprised me - she finished altering this top for me! 

This is a synthetic satin blouse, with a beautiful beaded snake on it...

See? 

Even better, is that the snake continues onto the back! 

I last wore this thrifted Topshop blouse here in February 2019, then put it in the giveaway pile in frustration. Why? Despite the zip at the back of the neck, it has a non-stretchy waistband, so you have to wrestle it on over your head/shoulders/boobs - I often felt like I was going to be trapped in it. "Cut me out!!"

I gave to Vero, then she brought it back to my last big giveaway, and I complained about the poor design. Linda, who is an amazing sewist, volunteered to put a side zip in it for me, cutting through the restrictive waistband. 

And she did! She hand-sewed a hidden zip on the side! I can't wait to wear this again! Thank you so much! 

After an evening of soothing, comforting and healing vibes with my wonderful women, I'm now ready for a quiet day of football and kitty naps and cuddles. 

"About freaking time!"

You'll be happy to know our little monster can see well enough to leap on top of our kitchen counters - he stole a slice of tomato from some burgers I was making the other night (why, Vizzini? Why a tomato?). That tells us he can see well enough to judge a big leap to an unseen surface, and is really good news. 

And now my friends, off to enjoy some of that kitty-love. How's your weekend been? Tell me all about it.