Plaid Bodybag and Boots

Another late night - Tammy and I went out for our mutual Happy-Birthday-Catch-Up dinner. We've been friends for almost 25 years!

Knowing I'd be going for dinner after work, I dressed simply but stylishly.

New Jammy Dress Alert! 

• Dress - Bodybag by Jude, consignment; purchased here for $22.99
• Sweater - Zara, pass-along from Rae; last seen here in December 2021 with gold and jungle 
• Boots - 1883 Luchesse, thrifted; last worn here in October (I was totally NOT a vampire)
• Coat (below) - Halston, vintage 70s, consignment, Sidney; last seen here on the weekend

This dress is by Bodybag by Jude, a Canadian company - they make all of their clothes here in Canada. 

Showing off the big pockets  I layered the thin mustard sweater underneath for extra warmth. 

I've owned a few pieces by Bodybag by Jude over the years. This black and red poncho (pic here) is a current firm favourite, bought for me as a Christmas gift (from a consignment store) last year.

I also used to own this corduroy cowgirl dress (pic from 2013 here), which I thrifted, and my Origami dress (pic here, also 2013), bought new at a local boutique. 

One of you readers asked me to define "thrift" and "consignment" recently. This is what I have in my "My Favourite Second-Hand Stores" tab (link here):

• Consignment - The seller gets a small percentage of the cost of the item after it sells. Selection tends to be curated based on clientele. 
• Resale - The seller gets cash immediately (less) or a store credit (more) for the things the store wants. I usually call this thrift when I shop because the prices are pretty close to thrift store or cheaper.
• Thrift - Stock is received by donation. Thrift stores are run and staffed by volunteers and proceeds go to registered charities. Totally not curated, although most of them have a "boutique" section for designer brands. Also known as "op-shops" and "charity shops" in other countries.

I shop more consignment these days (Turnabout, House of Savoy, the Velvet Crease, MONA) - there is a higher proportion of good quality items, although it's more expensive than thrift. The WIN stores I shop at are thrift (stock by donation), as is Flavour Upstairs (although technically resale). The Patch was curated vintage (bought in huge lots and priced low to sell), but I called it thrift. 

Masked up:

It was a quiet day in the office, and I had a chance to get caught up on the mounds of work. 

Outerwear - we continue to miss the snow that's been dumping on Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. 

But it's still cold! Brrr! I wore my Halston to show off to Tammy - I love that she loves fashion as much as me! 

Accoutrements: 

I did subtle bits of blue to go with the slate blue of the plaid dress. 

• Toque - gift from Tammy
• Brooch - Monet, vintage fair
• Scarf - Forele, consignment
• Mask - by Mom

The stuff: 

I didn't want to carry a bag of shoes to the restaurant (we went to our favourite, Il Terrazzo), so I walked to work in my boots - we shared a cab home. 

Silver and blue bling: 

Did you notice the big brooch at the neck of the dress? 

• Mesh bracelet - Sidney
• Brooch - vintage, thrifted
• Smoky topaz ring - Anneli Neuman, Sweden, vintage mall
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
• Earrings - thrifted
• Bracelet - vintage, consignment

Tuesday Theatre Two-Fer: Jammy Dress Quick-Change

It's been a long day, and I'm tired. Y'all will forgive me for speeding through my post, and in return, you get a two-fer: Two outfits fer the price of one! 

We woke up to freezing temps and snow warnings. 

It is definitely verging into "too dark" territory for the stair pics. 

• Dress - InWear; last worn here in January for a trip to the periodontist
• Boots - F-Trip Warhol, Fluevog; last seen here a couple of weeks ago for a Mom-Day Adventure in Sidney
• Coat (below) - Mallia, consignment; last worn here two weeks ago

My view of the Castle this morning. 

That dark cloud cover boded poorly.

I knew I'd need this stripey armour dress. 

The boots cheered me considerably.

We had an all-day client meeting of 20+ people - it felt like the Before Times.

A lot of running around! The day flew by. 

I had a full vintage slip under this.

And fleece-lined tights! 

Masked up. 

I'm still being careful. There's a cough going around. 

Outerwear. 

All the warmest stuff. It snowed finely during the morning, but was gone by afternoon - it all dumped on Vancouver, according to my colleagues there. 

Accoutrements: 

I was nearly blown over in a crosswalk, the winds were so high on my walk home! 

• Hat - M&S, consignment, Powell River
• Suede gloves - Aldo, consignment
• Scarf - fake Louis (Lewis!) Vuitton, thrifted
• Mask - Lazy Susan's

The stuff: 

Such groovy boots. I loved them with the striped dress. 

Bold bling: 

A little red, a little black...

• Leather/steel cuff - Rimanchik
• Red/black Bakelite cuff - vintage, vintage mall, gift from L
• Silver Anneke-Lars ring - vintage mall
• Silver/onyx ring - Toccara, vintage fair
• Earrings - Bermuda, Mom's

I dashed home and quickly fed Vizzini and changed - the Belfry Theatre's season of in-person theatre is back! And I'm doing season tickets...with Yvonne and Randall and Nancy. Nancy is still leery of big groups of people, though, so she passed along her ticket to Cat for this showing of the two-person play, Vigil. 

I knew I wanted to wear this ginormous silk dress - for comfort and just to be a little funky. 

• Dress - Kenzo X H&M, consignment; first worn here (2nd outfit) in August for brunch
• Top - Jacob, thrifted; last seen here layered in October
• Boots - Original Sabado, Fluevog; last worn here in October with copper lace
• Coat (below) - Mallia, consignment; last seen mere minutes earlier

I layered a black top under it, and changed up my boots. 

"Gazooks, Woman, you're going back out in this weather?"

I totally wanted to snuggle up and have some kitty love. 

We had dinner beforehand at the Fernwood Inn, then enjoyed the play. Cat and I sat together, and Yvonne/Randall sat a few seats down the row (they had their season's tickets first). Belfry link here, and a summary of it here (all links 'cause I love).

I found it darkly funny, wry and profound, and welled up a little at the end. 

Outerwear.

Same coat, but switched to my beret (all my hair is tucked into it to combat the wind), and red gloves. 

Accoutrements: 

And there they are! 

• Scarf - as above
• Mask - as above
• Gloves - Echo, consignment
• Beret - Parkhurst, consignment

The stuff: 

I walked both ways - by the time the play let out at 9:30pm, it was barely raining and the wind had died down.

Quick-change bling: 

I wanted smaller earrings and a less bulky bracelet for under my gloves. 

• Belt - thrifted
• Leather/steel cuff - as above
• Rings - as above
• Rose earrings - Betsey Johnson, swap from Cat
• Chain/leather wrist-wrap - local

I have another late evening tomorrow night, too! All this feels so strange...it almost makes me miss the lock-downs! 

New Snoots and Yellow Armour

I knew this morning would be rough, so I dressed appropriately. YELLOW.

It's the colour I wear when I'm at my very lowest. I needed my Clothing as Armour to keep me calm as I powered through all 190 emails (from a mere 2 days off). 

• Dress - Lida Baday, vintage 90s, vintage fair; last worn here in November 2021
• Boots - Ivylee, consignment; purchased here for $54.95
• Coat (below) - L'Atiste, consignment, Vancouver; last seen here a couple of weeks ago

It took me most of the day to deal with everything that happened while I was off. 

It was a head-down kind of day. I was glad of the yellow. 

It was the perfect match for my new Snoots. What are Snoots? Snakeskin boots! 

I know there are a few other bloggers out there with Snoots. 

I loved wearing these, although I didn't do much standing or moving around.

I love the wide ankles - they make my legs look even more slim and shapely. 

Masked up: 

Deploying the pockets. I wore a camisole under this for warmth. 

Outerwear. This was fine in the morning, but it was a frigid -1 on the way home. 

Snow is in the forecast for the week. Ugh. 

Accoutrements:

That brooch is living on the toque. 

• Toque - gift from Tammy
• Brooch - Monet, vintage fair
• Scarf - Pierre Cardin, vintage 80s, thrifted
• Mask - by Mom
• Gloves - Parkhurst

The stuff: 

When I had sandals in this print/pattern, I could not find anything to wear with them - we shall see if these Snoots fare better. 

Brass bling: 

Bold pieces. 

• Brass/leather cuff - vintage 70s, Mom's
• Slashed brass cuff - Midzo, vintage expo
• Brutalist rings - vintage 70s, vintage mall
• Earrings - thrifted

Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Brunch Shoulders and Strapless Zebra; Winesday Clothing Swap Regret-Me-Not Flashbacks

Welcome back, my friends! I hope you're weekend has been as fun as mine! 

L and I went for brunch at the Ruby on Saturday morning. 

I've had this outfit combo waiting in the wings for a while - it was sunny and not overly chilly, so this was the day to wear it. 

• Jacket - Zara Woman, vintage 90s, consignment, Powell River; first seen here in February with a tweed mini
• Zebra jumpsuit - Sunday Best, consignment; first worn here in May with neon orange bookends
• Shoes - Marquess Swordfish Floyd, Fluevog; last seen here (3rd outfit) with white jeans in September

The shoulders on this jacket delight me. 

They are so massively "Gaga", aren't they? 

The proportions didn't feel quite right with the zebra jumpsuit.

I liked the jacket better with the short skirt that I styled it with on its first wearing. 

So, the jacket is a keeper - it's wool, and so structural. 

The zebra jumpsuit on the other hand, is not that great quality that I look for in my closet. It's off to the giveaway pile. 

Done up - I wasn't outside for long. 

I forgot to take my Accoutrements pictures for both outfits this weekend, even though I had them all laid out. Gah. 

• Scarf - Elaine Gold, consignment
• Purse - Rebecca Minkoff, consignment
• Gloves - Parkhurst
• Mask - by Mom

We grocery shopped afterwards, then came home and chilled out. 

I had Winesday that evening and L was hosting MANday at our house. 

The stuff: 

Love these shoes. 

Black and white bling: 

I do like a theme. 

• Bangles - consignment
• Zigzag cuff - Zsiska
• Earrings - vintage 80s, consignment
• Cat pin - Charmaine's
• Brutalist ring - thrifted
• Silver/onyx ring - Toccara, vintage fair

After a chill afternoon, which included a nap, I got ready to head to Yvonne's for Winesday.

I knew ahead of time that Caro would be bringing some clothes for giveaway, so I dressed for that.

• Sweater - RW & Co., consignment; last worn here in March with blues
• Flamenco skirt - consignment; last seen here (and Flashbacked) in February with cowgirl boots
• Boots - Mamzelle, thrifted; last worn here (3rd outfit) with orange last weekend for Book Club
• Coat (below) - Halston, vintage 70s, consignment; last seen here last week

And also for walking.

L drove me there, but I walked home in the wee hours with Cat. 

This is a comfy red sweater - I have a black tank on under it. 

The skirt is very swooshy. 

I showed off my Halston coat. 

Pops of red for accoutrements. 

• Beret - Parkhurst, consignment
• Gloves - Parkhurst
• Scarf - Pierre Cardin, vintage, thrifted

The stuff: 

I had thick fluffy socks on under these boots. 

Brassy bling: 

I had all my people there. 

• Poe cuff - Jezebel Charms, gift from L
• Brass/copper cuff - Karen's
• Earrings - LA Express, c. 1994
• Feather ring - Fossil, thrifted
• Brutalist ring - vintage 70s, vintage mall
• Necklace - Mexican, vintage 70s, Mom's

We had a blast going through all the giveaway clothes - I love clothing swaps. I took back two regret-me-not dresses from Caro, including this tiger beauty. She's by The 1300 Collection, Holt Renfrew, and is from the 70s. I bought her for $22.95, what a bargain.  

Carolyn removed the approximately 6,000 staples from my terrible "fix" of the hem, trimmed off a few inches from the ratty hem, and sewed the hem up properly. She also sealed the hole in the waist. 

Here I am wearing it for the first time in September 2016.

I wore it to Vero's birthday party and played with the hem, tucking it up into my belt and pretending it was pants. I remember laughing my head off over that. 

And here I am, the last time I wore it, to an Urbanite at the Art Gallery in November 2017. 

I let it go shortly after that, and Caro recently wore it (pic here) for our October party this year.

I also took back this Bottega Veneta silk dress. Caro wore it a few times but just doesn't have room in her/Ron's new (much smaller) house. 

I have loved this dress since I bought it, but I need to work hard to style it.

Here are my previous two wearings of it:

This was in April 2021 - I attempted to layer a lace top under it and wear it for work. 

And this was in August 2021, worn on a hot day.

I still like it, and I'll give it another try this summer. It was too good to go to donation! I paid $26.25 for it at the now-defunct Patch.

From Petra's pile, I snagged this lovely collared stretch lace top. 

It's by French label Blanc Nature. It will layer well under a blazer. 

Well, that was my weekend! I'm off now to enjoy a quiet day of football and kitty snuggles. Sending you all good vibes and warm wishes.