Friday, May 17, 2024

Funky Friday in Jammy Critters and Fringe

Welcome back, my friends! I hope you weren't worried about the absence of a post yesterday - Mom had a rough go at the dentist and needed to rest, and instead of shopping, I had a "nothing" day and lazed about the house, napping and reading and cuddling with Vizzini. I felt much refreshed after my vacay day! 

L is watching hockey and I can't let y'all languish without an outfit to look at over the weekend, so I'm dashing off a quick note to show you my Funky Friday outfit.
My Just Cavalli "critter" dress makes an appearance. I was looking forward to showing it off to my colleagues, but the office was empty. 

  • Dress - Just Cavalli, consignment; last worn here (2nd outfit) last May 2023 to see Jean in roller derby
  • Boots - Matisse, consignment; last seen here in March for shopping with Ariana
  • Coat (below) - Mangoon, thrifted; purchased here for $69.99

It's the Friday before a long weekend, as we roll into Victoria Day celebrations. When I was a kid, we were allowed to wear shorts after Victoria Day, and I recall the sing-song, "The 24th of May is the Queen's birthday," in reference to Queen Victoria, whom my city is named after. Hence, many celebrations. 
I'll be avoiding the parade, the little festivals all over, and the massive influx of 10,000 people off the cruise ships in the downtown area. Been there, done that, would prefer to avoid. 

I have delightful plans for the weekend, and this dress is just the start. 
It's covered in desert-themed creatures, like snakes, chameleons, cow skulls and scorpions. 

I am fond of creepy-crawlies on my clothes and in my jewelry. 
This is a Jammy dress, in case you didn't notice the pockets. It also goes with a lot of shoes and accessories in my closet. Easy to style, super-comfy, looks great - yup, it's a Jammy dress. 

It was blustery with gusty winds all day. Sunny...then grey...then sunny...then grey. 
I knew it would be the perfect day for a fringed jacket! Swoosh, swoosh! 

Done up and incognito. 
I did a little snack shop after work, and discovered that the fringe around the cuffs really gets in the way when you're trying to work a bank card or scan things. 

Must remember to only wear this when I'm going to stride about in the wind, looking like I'm running my own Wild West Show. 
Such a good fit, and I actually loved wearing it. The inside pockets were handy! 

The stuff: 
I basically just matched the boots and jacket and put a printed dress between them.

  • Purse - Michael Kors, consignment

Bold bling: 
The earrings perfectly match the big snake on the back of the dress. 

  • Earrings - vintage, consignment
  • Bird/eelskin bangle - consignment
  • Two bangles - thrifted
  • Olivine/coral ring - Hawaii, vintage 1977ish, Mom's
  • Silver poison ring - Karen's

Have a great weekend, my friends! Please do pop in on Monday as I'll have tales of adventure! Thank you so much for stopping by. 

Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Ed and Viv, Together For the First Time

I was supposed to go for dinner after work tonight, so I dressed up for decades-long bestie Janet. 
Unfortunately, she was under the weather and canceled. At least I still had the outfit, which I loved wearing. 

  • Jacket - Ed Hardy, consignment; purchased here for $75.00
  • Sweater - Bellissima, thrifted; last worn here in January, layered under a tunic
  • Skirt - Vivienne Westwood Anglomania F/W 2011, consignment; last seen here in October 2023 for my birthday lunch with Mom
  • Sneakers - Findlay, consignment; last worn here for our trip to Vancouver in April

Mr. Ed Hardy, meet Dame Vivienne Westwood. 
Worn together for the first time, but I doubt the last. 

They just felt like a good fit. 
My coworkers greatly admired all of the pieces of my 'fit, right down to the jewelry. 

Viz (my coworker, Vix, not Vizzini the cat) was a big fan of the skirt. 
If only I'd remembered the right way to wear it. Zipper in the back, right? Wrong. 

I'm wearing it backwards - it looks much better with all this criss-cross business in the back. 
I took the jacket off a few times - I always plan for an ensemble to still work without the topper. 

I went out into the wild near the end of my day to run a couple of errands. 
Folks in stores were enthusiastic. "You always look so nice!"

Good pockets. 
I liked the zip done up - the jacket has a tendency to disappear on the sides when open. 

The stuff: 
Comfy sneakers! I matched the bees on them with a bee pin on my jacket. 

Snaky bling: 
There's my snake bling for you, Ann! 

  • Necklace - vintage 90s, vintage fair
  • Stretchy belt - vintage 90s, Powell River, consignment
  • Shark jaw cuff - Tom Binns, 2012, consignment
  • Snake bracelet - Whiting & Davis, vintage 70s, vintage fair
  • Bee pin - can't remember
  • Silver/kyanite ring - consignment
  • Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes
  • Rose earrings - Betsey Johnson, swap from Cat
  • Silver/aventurine ring - consignment
  • Silver/malachite ring - consignment

I made myself a reminder for the next time I wear my Viv skirt, as it stays out in my closet all year round. 
It's one of my blog business cards with a hole punched in it, connected to the hanger with a large paperclip. Go, me! 

Tuesday, May 14, 2024

Snake Bookends and a Paprika Pouf

Another week, more outfits! Today, I'm bookending my ginormous pouf skirt with snakeskin.
Someone told me I looked "sharp" today - a complete stranger! 

  • Top - Diane Von Furstenberg, thrifted; last worn here in August 2023 where I bookended it around yellow
  • Cami - thrifted, not tracked
  • Skirt - Kaliyana, consignment; purchased here for $114.99
  • Shoes - Big Presence Desmond, Fluevog, consignment; last seen here in February with purple velvet

Many of my colleagues admired the skirt. 
Viz thought I should wear green with it. 

I think I could wear pretty much everything with it, from a t-shirt to Doc Martens.
What would you wear?

I adored the humongous pockets, and it was easy to wear for work (the back did not wrinkle!).
I did find it was clingy on my nylons, as it's lined with the same fabric. That tells me it will not be in my fall/winter wardrobe - I don't want any Cling Rage developing. 

My outerwear was a mere wisp of a scarf. 
Protecting my chest from the sun. 

The stuff: 
My brain...I put it all away as soon as I finished this pic - oops! 

  • Scarf - Metropolitan Museum of Art, thrifted
  • Silver/onyx necklace - Mexican, consignment, Powell River
  • Enameled cuff - consignment
  • Silver/onyx ring - Tocara, vintage mall
  • Silver/obsidian ring - consignment
  • Red/silver bracelet - vintage mall
  • Enamel/silver ring - antique shop, Sidney
  • Silver earrings - Israeli, consignment

I love these shoes. So snaky! 

Monday, May 13, 2024

A Painty Skirt and Velvet Military Jacket

I couldn't wait any longer to wear this gorgeous velvet military-inspired jacket.
This is completely in my wheelhouse. I might have to dress up as a pirate again! 

  • Velvet jacked - Zara, consignment; purchased here for $30.00
  • Top - Beechers Brook, vintage 90s, thrifted; last worn here (3rd outfit) in September 2023 
  • Skirt - Soaked in Luxury; last seen here for a Mom-Day at Lochside Trail in February
  • Shoes - Summertime Moonbeams, Fluevog, consignment; last worn here with some staid plaid in March

I was really careful with the gold cording, but I did stroke the soft velvet. It's so lovely, and so well made (it's made in India). 
Hard to believe it's Zara! I feel like it's going to be a classic for me. 

I paired it up with my painty skirt, a Dots find from a while back. 
It's just the right length not to get caught on things. 

Without the jacket - I wore red to match the lining. 
I took it off after doing the stairs. 

Done up - it does look very band-leader-esque or My Chemical Romance, doesn't it?
I'm saying that in a good way - I like that look! 

Incognito. 
No one will know it's me. 

The stuff: 
Clompy shoes. I enjoy stomping around in them. 

Gold bling: 
Wait, something's missing...

  • Bangle - thrifted
  • Mesh bracelet - vintage 70s, Mom's
  • Earrings - vintage 70s, consignment
  • Gold/amethyst ring - Frances Jewelers, c. 1965, Dad's
  • Amber ring - c. 1996

I still had my belt on! 
Such a good match for the earrings. 

  • Belt - Sangiorgio, vintage, consignment

Sunday, May 12, 2024

Weekend Wrap-Up: Friday in Sweltering Suede and Two Peacocks; Brunch in Marimekko and Neon Flatforms, Plus a Shop

Welcome back, Gentle Reader! How are you? Are you ready for some outfits? Let's go! 

Once again, I've whiffed on a pic, and this time it's the Stair Picture. Heavens! I think you'll still be able to get an idea of the 'fit regardless. This was my Friday ensemble and I am not keeping the skirt. Let's just get that out of the way now. 
It's too big on me and does zero for me - although I adored the massive pockets and carried a lot of stuff in them. Off to Limbo you go, lovely vintage skirt! 

  • Leather jacket - /id, thrifted, illustrated by me; last worn here in September 2023 in a toughed-up outfit
  • Tee - Denver Hayes, thrifted; purchased here for $3.95
  • Skirt - Marquis, thrifted; purchased here for $22.95
  • Shoes - Effortless Vivian, Fluevog; last seen here in September 2023 with flamingos and windowpane plaid

Horrendous rear view - tsk! Please enjoy my Peacock Jacket instead. 
I drew all that! It was fun showing it off to my colleagues - Nour admired it. 

I took my jacket off several times due to the sweltering 24 degree temperatures. 
Suddenly, it's summer! I had to get our fan out! 

The coolest version of me is Incognito.  
Such excellent giant pockets - I want all my skirts to have them. 

The stuff: 
Classic shoes, but am I still feeling them? That's a very pointy toe and rigid patent leather. Things to ponder, don't need to make a decision now. 

Blue and gold bling: 
My second peacock is the ring on the far right. 

  • Bangle - thrifted
  • Silver/sodalite ring - Scotland, 1996
  • Fulvia Ring/lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
  • Sterling peacock ring with emeralds and sapphires - c. 1890-1910, great-something (Mom? I should know this)
  • Gold hoops - gift from L, 2002
  • Gold/crystal necklace/earrings - Swarovski, CA's mom's

A close-up of the ring - I see copies of this all over the Interwebz without the same delicate detail, but mine's the real deal. 
I know it's an old family piece, and I know the age from an antiques site that had an identical ring (here, link 'cause I love). The neck on mine has been bent backwards at some point in its history.

After a long day, I came to home to find Vizzini sprawled out on the groovy 1970s tiles of the deck.
"What? I always sleep here."


Most cats have favourite spots - Vizzini is an equal opportunity visitor to every flat (and sometimes not) surface in our house. He will sleep anywhere. 

After a fun evening of board games, L and I slept in for a bit before rousing ourselves to go to have brunch at John's Place. 
This hot weather won't last - time to wear these new pink flatform sandals! 

  • T-shirt - Karl Lagerfeld, consignment; first seen here in March for our Tweed Magazine photo-shoot
  • Skirt - A Tribute to Marimekko by H&M, thrifted; last worn here (2nd outfit) in July 2023 for a grocery shop and brunch
  • Flatform sandals - Skyhigh F Razzle, Fluevog; bought here for $249.99 with gift cards
  • Velour hoodie (below) - Juicy Couture, thrifted; last seen here (3rd outfit) in April for dinner out with L

Following the formula of Interesting Skirt + graphic tee. 
I adore this cotton/silk tissue thin skirt - it's got massive pockets. 

And it's very wide. 
It makes for wondrous billowing when I go down stairs. 

The waist is tiny (it's a size 2), so I don't zip it all the way, and I hide the waistband under a belt. 
I always try all sizes! You never know. 

I sunblocked my arms - it was even hotter on Saturday, up to 24! - and layered this velour hoodie over my tee. 
All shades of pink and orange - this outfit had a lot of admirers while we were out. 

Incognito - it was a very bright day!
After brunch, we drove out to Turnabout so that I could pick up gift cards for two of our friends' birthdays (not a surprise, not ruining anything). 

I may have had a bit of a splurge, spending some of my tax return. 
Everyone loved the sandals - they took a little bit of getting used to walking in that high platform but they were really comfortable overall. 

The stuff: 
The flat platforms ("flatforms," get it?) are much more neon in person. I loved them and can't wait to wear them again! 

Orange bling: 
All the bracelets and belt were a pain while I tried things on, but Turnabout's a dressier place - I always make more of an effort for them. 

  • Purse - Michael Kors, consignment
  • Belt - vintage 80s, thrifted
  • Plastic cuff/ring - Italian, vintage mall
  • Orange bangle - consignment, Sidney
  • Steel/Lucite ring - Calvin Klein, thrifted
  • Earrings - vintage fair

Before we headed out, we went looking for Vizzini. 
"What? I always sleep here."


Gentle Reader, he hasn't slept here in MONTHS. Such a liar! 

I took a picture of L at John's Place. 
So hung over and yet still so cool. 

Our wonderful server Deborah.
Aw, thank you for all the wonderful service, honey. 

After brunch, I bought my gift cards, and did a tour of the menswear section of Turnabout with L, where he found a Jaws-themed shirt, and then settled in for a long browse for myself. L sat outside in the sun and read a book.

He did hang around long enough to encourage me to get these wonderful patent leather over-the-knee boots. 
I thrashed my last pair of OTK boots, and have been on the lookout for another pair for over a year. 

These have elastic backs, which make them a perfect slim fit. 
That's a very comfy heel for me, and there's enough room inside for me to wear socks. Yay! 

The other boot says, "Stuart" on the sole - these are by Stuart Weitzman, and their OTK boots range between $795-850. 
These were marked down from $289.99 to $130.50, a bargain. They hardly have any wear on them. 

I found this wonderful pleated, poufy, and fold-y skirt. 
I love the paprika red shade, and the bubble hem, which is elasticated like the waist. 

It has pockets! 
Nice big ones! 

It's by Kaliyana, a boutique on Sussex Drive in Ottawa, and they specialized in this baggy, folded, layered aesthetic. 
This is similar to their Tessa or Kyoto skirts, which retail for $269.00 (link here, all links 'cause I love). I paid $114.99. 

Only things that REALLY ring my bell (or are really cheap, ha ha) get to come home with me - this shop, I bought fewer items, but really love what I found. 
What a pretty mix of colours - I have all of these in my closet! 

This is a linen-rayon blend tie-front cover-up, with a gorgeous tropical leaf pattern. 
It's by Maison d'Amelie, a brand that seems to be a Marshalls/Winners one. 

It was New With Tags. 
I paid $42.99. I think the set was a pair of wide-legged trousers (I saw a similar set online). 

This was in with the athletic wear. 
Is it a dress? Maybe...? 

Or is it a really long bomber jacket? 
I knew I loved the print and the colours, and the sporty cuff/hem trim. 

It's a coat...although it doesn't have any pockets (grrrr). 
Wonderful purple satin lining! 

It's just polyester. 
But it feels very silky. 

It's by AMT (Above Mediocre Taste). Ha, I like that - my taste is not mediocre. 
I got zero hits for this company, and zero matches for anything similar. It was $79.99 and I can't wait to wear it! 

I gasped when I saw this studded suede jacket. Chocolate brown! 
So many studs! 

OMG, the back is fringed! 
Oh, my heart! 

And there are more studs under the fringe! 
And all the different studs - what great detail. 

More fringe! 
The sleeves! Note also the little side lace-ups. 

Nice big zipped pockets. 
Thick brass zippers. 

Wait, why are there no studs on one side of the collar?
That's so odd - someone must have spaced out at the factory. The studs aren't missing (no holes). 

It's made of goat leather. 
Sorry, goats, but you are creepy anyway. 

No goats were sacrificed, you'll be happy to know. Just in case you were worried. 
However, they did get eaten (!). This is by Zara, it's New With (some) Tags, and I saw the same one on the Interwebz ranging between $189 to $258 (and one site claiming this was from the 80s - it is NOT). I paid $85.00 - it was marked down from $229.99. 

When we got home, Vizzini threw himself down at my feet. 
"What? I always flop here."


That's true, actually - this is where I stand to pose, so he knows he's in my way. 

He seemed happy to see me. 
"What's that you're dangling...?"


Uh-oh, the camera cord has caught his...
*CHOMP*


...attention! 

Someone's feeling frisky! 

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! Much love to my mom and all the moms (and children of moms) out there!