Dress Week: Mental Health Shop in Silk and Sandals

No Mom-Day Adventure today, unfortunately - she's worn out from a 6-hour deep-clean of her house prior to getting cleaning service every two weeks (like L and I have). The intense first session was a huge stress on Mom, but she is fine, just tired. We had a nice long chat in the morning. 

I missed you today, Mom! But I did have to get crackin' on my shopping for a certain birthday guy, whose special day is coming up soon. Time for a Mental Health Shop! And I totally wore a dress. 

I can only wear this dress on a hot day, as it needs to swing free! No coat wanted! 

• Dress - Proenza Schouler for Barney's, thrifted; last worn here in July 2022 for Canada Day
• Sandals - Fluevog, thrifted; last seen here in September 2022 for our trip to Powell River

I did layer with my sporty shorts and a camisole under the dress - that made it super-easy to try things on (because of course I shopped for me too!). 

It wasn't too hazy out, and there was a strong wing. It was even slightly cool at times, although the temps climbed to 22. 

I sunblocked my exposed skin. 

Bare legs in May! Shocking! 

I happily showed this dress off to the appreciative employees at all the stores I visited up and down Oak Bay Avenue. 

I am still boggled that I only paid $22.95 for it. 

It would have retailed for over $2,000.00. No, I didn't add an extra zero! 

It's 100% silk, even the lining! 

Off to shop. 

What a busy life! 

The stuff: 

Nothing too fussy - I don't like my accessories to interfere when I'm shopping. The shoes are fantastically comfy - I walked/shopped for about 4 hours. 

Blue bling: 

The pendant is Miracle - Ann has a brooch by them here! 

• Pendant - Miracle, consignment
• Kyanite/silver ring - consignment
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
• Glass earrings - local

One of my stops was at Good Things Consignment Vintage, where I found this lovely silk scarf. 

It's folded in half here - it's roughly 12 x 72 inches. I like the orange stripe and the amoebas/coffee beans/not-quite-leopard-spots pattern. 

I've never heard of Janie Besner and the interwebz doesn't reveal much. 

I saw a few mid- to late-00s references to this brand, and the CA number hiding on the back of the label pinpoints it to 2003. It was $16.00.

I popped into Lazy Susan's and couldn't resist these cheery enameled metal flowers. 

They have no marks on them, but these are from the 1960s, according to my jewelry reference book. The set was $25.00. 

House of Savoy was closed, which is just as well - and it means I have to go back! - as I had a nice long leisurely shop at Turnabout. I look at every item, and I did find some things (not necessarily at Turnabout!) for L that I'm excited about.

These jeans are fantastic! I adore the groovy floral print - and it's perfectly lined up front and back. 

They are high-waisted and have slash pockets, plus patch pockets on the back.  

The brand is Sun.Deh, which is a stupid name. They originally retailed for $118.00 at Aritzia, a swanky Canadian mall chain. 

These were marked down to $25.00 from $49.99. 

I blew the light out on this picture so that you can see the seaming details on this top - it fits like a glove. I already have plans for an outfit, but it will not be worn solo like this! 

It could be, but would require a fancy bra contraption to wrangle myself into something workable. Eh, I can't be bothered with that, but it was so nice on, and the price was right. 

I giggled when I discovered...BOOB POCKETS! 

Sweet! 

I could tell by feel that it was wool, and the lining felt very slinky - I was pleased to see my own guesses confirmed. 

Yup, that's silk lining, as are the wide chiffon straps. The "trim fabric 1" is the long loops sewn in to support the garment on the hanger. 

It's by 3.1 Phillip Lim - I used to have a skirt by him (this one - that's a fabulous outfit from a few years back). 

It was also half off from the original $89.99 (so, $45.00), but would have retailed for between $400-600.00 new. 

I found a fun green dress which will also not be worn on its own due to my lack of enthusiasm for complicated bra shenanigans. 

But the style was so cute and I love the pea-green colour. 

A little gold zipper pull in back. 

It's a relaxed, loose fit, hitting just at the knee. 

It has pockets! 

You can see the nice woven fabric here. 

It's 100% polyester (washable) and is fully-lined.

Aw, it has "slip lace" trim on the lining, what a wonderful detail. 

I do believe that style number contains the year this came out - 2004. 

That seems about right. Hard to believe this dress is nearly 20 years old! 

It's by Trina Turk - I used to have another Trina Turk dress that had that same lace-trimmed lining (this one here). 

This was also $45.00 (half off the original $89.99), and would have retailed for around $300.00 new. 

L is going to loathe these shoes I bought. 

This is a chunky-heeled fisherman's sandal.

I love those nubby soles. 

That's an easy heel for me, and these are very comfy. 

Not a bit of wear on them! 

They've never been worn. They are marked a size 8 1/2 - which is not my size. I'm usually a 9 1/2 (Euro size 40). 

They are leather inside and out, with a rubber sole. 

Made in India. 

Good solid metal fixings too. They are made by Seychelles, a good brand that used to be carried by She She Shoes when they were in town (they closed 3 years ago). 

They retailed for $139.00, and I happily paid $57.99 for them. I bet someone ordered them online and they were way too big! My good luck...and also, another reason why you should shop in person! 

Vizzini, I'm home, aren't you excited to see what I bought? 

"Nope, go away."

Oh, come on, give me some love.

"Only if there's food involved."

Ah well. Enjoy the sunshine!