From Sunny to Snow: A Wee Shop in Yellow and Blue

Welcome back, my friends! No Mom-Day today - danged winter! - as the temps were supposed to drop rapidly, and Mom really feels the cold. Dr. Sheila prescribes dark chocolate and your heated throw, Mom! 

I took the opportunity to dash out for a couple of hours and have a browse at the WIN Boutique, which I haven't visited in since last November (here). I had sunshine when I left! 

• Cotton sweater - Ralph Lauren, vintage 80s, thrifted; last worn here in March 2023 with loud leopard pants
• Skirt - Ports International, vintage 80s, consignment; last seen here in December 2022 with PANK
• Boots - Doc Martens; last worn here (2nd outfit) in November 2023 for Game Night at Cat/Ross'
• Puffer wrap coat (below) - Donna Karan, consignment; last seen here a week ago

I love bright yellow and this is a very good quality cotton sweater - an early Ralph Lauren. 

I usually cover up the orange Polo logo with a brooch, but since I didn't take my coat off at all during my shop...*shrug* 

I chose the big blue wool skirt - such a nice cheery colour - not knowing if Mom would be up for our day. 

I like wearing bright colours for her. And for me! 

I layered a silk thermal top under the sweater - I hid the longer sleeves for the coatless photos. 

Brrr! I'm cold! 

But I'm ready to shop! 

After much perusal of the coat closet, I chose this burgundy down-filled puffer coat for my outing. 

I even wore my sunnies on the walk to the store. 

I did not wear them on the way home...

Accoutrements: 

I didn't wear a hat or a warm scarf. This one belonged to my Dad in the 60s. 

• Purse - Danier Leather, thrifted
• Scarf - vintage 60s, Dad's
• Gloves - Parkhurst

A warmer scarf would have been welcome, in retrospect.

The stuff: 

These Docs are a lighter shade of yellow than the brighter sweater, but eh, whatever. They're super comfy and that's the best sole for rain and snow. Laurie, if you want a pair of badass boots, go for Doc Martens (cheaper than Fluevogs!) - they come in oodles of colours, fabrics (these are unlined leather) and patterns. I buy a half-size larger and put a sport/full support insert in mine for extra walking comfort. 

Minimal bling: 

Anything else would get in the way. 

• Earrings - Israeli, consignment
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
• Silver/kyanite ring - consignment

Vizzini did not like me taking pictures of him with my phone, which decided FLASH was in order. 

"DEAR GAWD, WOMAN, put that thing away!"

Sorry, bud! Go back to sleep with George under the robes. 

I always walk down the "cat street" on my way to the WIN Boutique. This ginger kitty was heading home.

"Sun's not going to last."

Poor guy, he looks cold. 

"You're so observant."

A very sarcastic cat.

I did very well, and enjoyed a thorough browse through the small store, finding a few things. 

I always look for CDs for L - even if he doesn't like them or want them, they are only a dollar each! I bought a Barbara Mandrell, a 90s Paul Simon album, the "Philadelphia" soundtrack (I used to own this on cassette and liked it), Heart's "Brigade" (1990), and "Millennium" by the Backstreet Boys, which we pooh-poohed back when it was originally out, but now I find myself liking all the songs! Go figure. \

I picked up another book by Markus Zusak, "I am the Messenger." 

I rated "The Book Thief" 5 stars last year, so I have high hopes. It was $2.95.

"Want this?" I texted L.

"Yes!" It's black lace over red satin, for a whopping $5.95. I noted the red flower on the side didn't really seem right. Flowers belong on the hat band, everyone knows this. 

It's by Kenny K. 

This would have retailed for around $28.95. L has a huge head - this will fit him! 

I discovered that the red fabric flower was actually a separate stick-pin. 

They sell these at Mango's for $15-20.00. Nice! A freebie! 

I picked up these silky burgundy viscose trousers for Mom.

Elastic waist, pockets, machine wash, and cropped so she doesn't have to hem them. 

Only $8.95.

Aerie is an American Eagle brand - these would have retailed for around $30.00 new. I hope they work for her, but if not - it's only 9 bucks.

I bought these patterned pants for myself, but I'm not sure if I'll keep them. 

I love the silky fabric, but it doesn't photograph well. I see...mould! Like when old silver-backed mirrors age...something like that.

But look, it's actually really pretty! 

Paisleys and botanical elements. Plus pockets! 

The brand is Chelsea28, a Nordstrom brand.

They were worth the risk at $11.95 - they would have sold for between $35-65.00. 

The fabric drew me to this skirt...and then I was immediately hooked on the design. Much folding, tucking and oversized pleating! 

I'm...not sure how to wear this! This is with the zip on the right...

And this is with the zip on the left...

That big flattened section...can't be the front? 

And this is with the zip in the middle of the back. 

And after I tried it on and rotated it multiple times, I've concluded that THIS is correct. It does look interesting in other configurations (much like my Vivienne Westwood skirt), so I'll have to play with it a bit.

I knew the fabric would be wool (I can tell by feel, as many of my fellow ace thrifters can).

That's a mark of quality. Look for real fabric! 

I also knew that the size was incorrect - Australian sizing is different than North American - this is a size 8 Canadian/US. 

Woman I Love is one of the brands created by Megan Salmon, a Perth, Australia designer since 2000 (link here, and all links 'cause I love). I actually found the collection online at her site (here, lovely clothes!) - it's from the "Fountainhead" collection for Winter 2020, and you can find this exact skirt on page 7 of the lookbook here (I think I want that bunny headpiece!).

A pic of it taken off my monitor's screen: 

It's called the Somersault Sculpted Pleat Skirt - mine is in Stone (a very dark grey). Her skirts start around $185.00 Canadian for a basic pencil skirt - more complicated styles are between $200-350.00. I knew the $11.95 I paid was a steal! 

I loved the rusty colour of this top. 

It has open sleeves with a single button cuff. 

See? Elbow windows! 

I found those annoying when I tried it on at home, but it looks very avant-garde worn with the cuffs not around my wrists, but hanging down. I'll have to experiment with the styling. 

It's the newer version of Halston, sold at the Bay (aka the Hudson's Bay Company) department store. 

It still has those annoying ribbons on the neckline (see them strangling the hanger above), which I'll be removing. $14.95 seems like a good price - it was likely around $50-65 new.

I really liked the details of this top.

The pattern is a lovely toile-ish floral. 

Note the three small rows of raw-edged ruffles at the shoulder. I can handle this level of ruffle.

I also saw that the blouse was fully-lined and that the seams are all double-bound. 

Cute two-tone rust/orange-red tassels. 

The background is cream, and the flowers are in tones of olive, burgundy and orange in a slightly faded palette. 

I did not know Rebecca Minkoff made clothes - I've only ever been aware of her purses! She has a long-sleeved printed blouse on her site (this one here) that is on sale from $325.00 for $165.00 Canadian, so I imagine a sleeveless version of my find would have been around $250.00 new. 

But for me? Only $14.95! Score! 

I recognized this colour from the turn of the century (gads, that makes me feel old, ha ha) when I worked at Fairweather women's clothing store in the downtown mall for a couple of years in 1998-99.

It has no labels, content tags...and it only has two seams, at the shoulders, as it's knitted "in the round" as a tube. 

I think the wool is a cotton/viscose or rayon blend. 

It was only $8.95. It looks best with the slightly lower neckline in back, although it can be worn both ways. 

As the WIN Boutique is a smaller store, I actually go through the t-shirts to see if there's anything interesting. 

I fell for this "Rocket Man"-era Elton John tee - I saw him in concert back in 2017 here in Victoria, but didn't bother buying a $100 tour shirt. This will do! I only like wearing band tees if I've seen the band live (I make an exception for my Clash tee).

We know this is from 2021 because of the copyright date under the E-star logo.

I discovered that this logo is Sir Elton's website's brand (link here if you're so inclined) and tees range from $35-50.00. I'm very happy with my $9.95 - and the colours in the tee will work well in my summer wardrobe! It's a VERY small XL, more like a medium. 

The most expensive thing I bought was this necklace. 

It's rather spectacular, isn't it? I also found those copper earrings. 

Let's take a closer look, earrings first. I popped these in my basket as soon as I saw the stamp on the back (plus copper jewelry is not very common).

A classic Southwest design - this will go well with Vix's necklace (last seen here). For only $7.95! - I found these exact earring (and a matching necklace) on Poshmart for $129, marked down to $69 (link here).

They're by WM Wheeler and Co., a jewelry manufacturer since the 40s. I think these are probably from the 1950s or early 60s - around the same time as my Bell Trading Post copper jewelry. 

They're in pristine condition - it doesn't look like they've been worn much if at all (copper has a tendency to get pocked from oils in the skin). 

The necklace was attached to a stand, which I wrangled so that I could get a good look at it. 

No missing crystals, amazing Art Deco-inspired design! The pendant sits up high on the chest - it's not quite a choker, but close. 

Ah, I know that name - Heidi Daus! I just got this scarab ring by here for Christmas from L! 

All of the joins, links and the back detailing are very well done. Always examine the back! 

The beads are glass, I think, and they're knotted between each bead. And yes, this was $58.95! which is very pricey for a thrift store. However, I knew from my ring that this is a good quality piece of costume jewelry. 

Similar necklaces by her (link here) run between $159.99 and $349.99. That $58.95 doesn't seem so bad now! 

The last thing I found was the most practical. 

It's a toque with a ginormous faux fur pompom on top. 

The marled wool is a good colour mix for the pink/purple/burgundy side of my outerwear.

What's this little bunny? 

The other side of the leather tab says "DEB."

A ginormous wooden button secures the pom pom from falling off. I couldn't find anything with Deb or that bunny image, but this was only $5.95. 

And it's already been worn once! By the time I finished shopping, little bits of snow were coming down.

It matches my hair really well! 

I'm going to sign off now for the weekend, Gentle Reader. Temps have dropped from -1 to -4 since I started this post, so I'm going to go huddle under my own electric throw with Vizzini! 

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! Stay warm!