Welcome back, dear friends! It was one of those weekends where it was quiet in the middle but busy at the end. We have the usual Friday work outfit and my brunch ensemble, but then I went to the theatre with friends, followed by a concert at a local club on Sunday! And of course, I have kitten pictures, although I wasn't home all day Sunday.
Grab a cup and let's get going.
Friday's work outfit was one I'd had waiting in the wings, pulling out this embroidered denim jacket for its seasonal wearing, although I keep it out year-round.
I like it best with Boss Pants, and just went from there.
- Embroidered denim coat - Paparazzi, thrifted, Vancouver; last worn here in September over a black cocoon
- Sweater - Intimates, vintage 60s, thrifted; last seen here layered in January (I moved both the jacket and suede pants to Limbo)
- Trousers - Joie, consignment; last worn here with cerise and a shrug in July
- Shoes - Big Presence Desmond, Fluevog; last seen here bookending my flocked tulle skirt
I did take the jacket off at a few points, and the bold blue and hot pink looked marvelous together.
Colleague Nour gasped when she saw me. "Sheila, I love this outfit!"
The jacket is...well, what more can I say?
I treated the folks on the bus home to this festive look.
The stuff:
Sparkly bling:
These two bracelets match so well.
We hung out in the evening, playing board games.
I'm having a love affair with this deep blue lately.
- Cashmere scarf - Portolano, thrifted
- Hat - thrifted, Sidney
- Gloves - thrifted
- Belt - H&M, consignment
- Green cuff - consignment, Sidney
- Green stone bracelet - vintage mall
- Silver/obsidian ring - consignment
- Silver loopy ring - consignment, Sidney
- Silver/kyanite ring - consignment
- Silver/lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
- Sparkly brooch - Eaton's, c. 1999
- Necklace - Heidi Daus, thrifted
- Earrings - thrifted
The kittens have been more mischievous - especially Whateley!
"Barnabas, come help me with this." "Nuh-uh, the Woman is here."
Little monster! Whateley is a paper-kitty - he goes after receipts, paper towels, and his newest favourite, toilet paper. That stuff's expensive! After multiple incidents, including whacking my lipsticks into the garbage (!!), the bathroom door is now being kept closed.
"I'm in a box!"
Both kittens had the zoomies for hours...we gave them play-time and I attempted to brush them (lots of biting of the brush and mitt).
It was exhausting to patiently shoo them away over and over from the curtains, the mini-lights, and the bar, which "someone" has discovered. We have to stop them calmly and without fanfare or they learn, "Aha, this gets their attention! I should do it more!"
"They don't want you up there, Whateley!" "Where is that bat? I know I saw it!"
See Barnabas on the lower left? I had a Hallowe'en bat still out, and Whateley knocked it off once, and then would not give up going after it again, even though I moved it out of his way.
They finally crashed.
Dreaming of climbing everything and shredding all the paper, no doubt!
I liked the blouse overall - I layered my sparkly turtleneck under it for extra warmth.
L and I were up early for our usual brunch at John's Place, followed by a grocery shop, as we wouldn't be able to do it on Sunday.
As always, I love playing around in the morning, and free-associating with whatever takes my fancy in in my closet. I decided to style up this new-to-me silk cropped shirt right away
- Silk shirt- Radio Tubes, vintage 90s, consignment; purchased here for $38.95
- Sparkly turtleneck - Jacob, thrifted; last worn here (3rd outfit) layered under a pink tee for Winesday in November
- Cotton denim skirt - Ganni, consignment; last seen here (2nd outfit) in May for a cowgirl brunch look
- Boots - Bond Girl, Fluevog x Anna Sui; last worn here in September for a Mom-Day at Cadboro Bay Beach
- Baby alpaca coat (below) - Mallia, consignment; last seen here in February
I picked the denim skirt as it has the same caramel tones in the leopard - I ended up tucking in the front and back of the top into the high paper-bag waistband as it was too loose otherwise.
Showing off the pockets in the skirt. I layered a black slip to hide the white back-side of the denim fabric. Clever me!
Black boots/belt would have been the expected mix, but I took advantage of a very windy and dry day to wear my green suede boots.
Outerwear - this is how I looked in the grocery store.
I love this big long coat - it's woven from baby alpaca wool, and is incredibly soft and snuggly warm.
Incognito. I never needed to do the coat up!
As I was crossing the street to the diner, a woman hollered out her car window, "You look amazing!" Aw, thank you, kind stranger!
The stuff:
I'm a massive fan of this ultra-fuzzy hat.
- Leather purse - Allibelle, consignment
- Hat - Flag Accessories, consignment
- Fringed/beaded scarf - Fairweather, 1999
- Studded leather gloves - Danier Leather
There was a sudden rain squall while we ate our brunch, but it had blown over by the time we were done. Hooray!
Green bling:
- Belt - Fluevog
- Amber/silver thumb ring - consignment
- Silver Anneke & Lars ring - vintage mall
- Silver/green stone ring - thrifted
- Silver/amber ring - consignment
- Lucite/crystal bangle - Alexis Bittar, consignment, Sidney
- Nu-white bangle with amber glass - R&G Co., vintage 1920s, vintage mall
- Necklace - Stella & Dot, thrifted
- Marcasite/glass earrings - vintage 1920s, vintage fair
Saturday was a quiet afternoon, spent writing, napping, outfit-planning, and making a big batch of stew for the upcoming week's lunches.
"Sleeping on the Man's pillow, dreaming of rolls of paper towels and toilet paper."
That sounds about right. And you, Barnabas?
"I'm contemplating the mysteries of the universe!"
He's actually looking at the popcorn ceiling (he's obsessed).
Our quiet Saturday continued with more board games, music and kittens getting into everything - I think they must be in their "Terrible Twos" phase!
And then it was Sunday.
Sunday's double-shot of events meant that I had to do a bunch of outfit planning in advance: an outfit to see a matinee performance of "Irving Berlin's White Christmas" musical at the MacPherson Theatre with Cat, Marg, Yvonne and her pal Kate, followed by Jake Vaadeland and the Sturgeon River Boys (seen on the 3rd day at Rifflandia here in September) that night, and Monday's office outfit so that I wouldn't have to think about it when I got home late.
This outfit felt exactly right for walking to town, meeting Yvonne for lunch at John's Place (two days in a row!), and then enjoying 3 hours of festive singing, tap-dancing and general cheesy good times!
- Sleeveless shirt - Denver Hayes, consignment; last worn here under an Italian dress in September
- Sweater - J. Crew Collection, Fall 2013, thrifted; last seen here in January with a floofy black skirt
- Skirt - Papillon; last worn here in the same outfit as the pink shirt, in September
- Boots - Truths Teah, Fluevog; last seen here in November with a black dress
- Coat (below) - L'Atiste, consignment, Vancouver; last worn here in November
I loved this embroidery and bead encrusted sweater with the pink tulle skirt - I've never worn the two pieces together, unlike the pink shirt/sweater, which I've worn under the sweater multiple times.
The sweater is HEAVY and a very thick wool - it was both warm (in the body) and cool (on the arms).
Even the back is covered in beading, crystals and embroidery!
As I never tired of reminding myself and readers, this sweater retailed for $1,900!
Showing off my "knight" boots - I also wore an extra pink half-slip under the tulle.
I walked to town in these - L picked me up after the show.
I wasn't sure if it was going to rain, or be cold, or be windy, but I was ready for everything!
It ended up being windy, which made it feel colder than it was.
I stuffed my gloves and beret into my coat pocket during the daytime.
The theatre had the AC blowing, so I draped the coat over my shoulders during the show.
Accoutrements:
I'm still eking out a few wearings with my silk scarves, but it's getting to a little chilly for that.
- Leather purse - Rebecca Minkoff, thrifted
- Mulberry silk F-This, F-That scarf - Fluevog
- Wool beret - thrifted
- Gloves - Dots, purchased here for $19.99
The stuff:
Silver bling:
I went much more casual for this event, which was Jake Vaadeland and the Sturgeon River Boys at the Capital Ballroom (an old venue, and I think its carpet is easily 30+ years old, very sticky - I saw GWAR there in the early 90s!).
I don't need much with all the built-in bling on the sweater!
- Silver S cuff - Mexican, consignment, Sidney
- Grapes silver cuff - Karen's
- Silver/crystal ring - Soul Flower
- Silver chain ring - Mexican, consignment
- Earrings - Glee, local
I captured the chaos of John's Place Diner on a Sunday at noon - there goes our favourite server Deb in the yellow behind Yvonne!
Yvonne's wearing an old felted wool Ralph Lauren blazer that used to be mine, many years ago, along with one of my old leather cuffs. Aw! I love that she often picks out a "Sheila piece" to wear when she sees me.
And here's me.
A good shot of the details on the sweater.
And here's all of us, in our excellent seats at the MacPherson Playhouse.
From left: Me, Kate, Yvonne, Cat and Marg, Cat's mom.
Of course, I had my phone in "airplane mode" during the show, but I did enjoy the big curtain. So grand!
I performed onstage at the Mac when I was a tiny child of 5-ish? I recall throwing fake snowballs into the orchestra pit, and also being a "Swiss girl" during "It's a Small World."
Centennial Square was lit with "Lights of Wonder."
OOOH, so pretty, let's go do a picture before we all head our separate ways!
A very happy holidays to my wonderful friends!
Trying to do these selfies while people are streaming around you is tricky! From left: Marg, Cat, me, Yvonne and Kate.
I walked through this lovely rainbow tunnel to meet up with L and get my ride home.
Much as I could have used a nap, there was no rest for me!
I made a quick dinner, and changed into my concert outfit, appropriate for walking to and from town, and standing/sitting for a few hours at a nightclub.
- Mesh top - Mexx, vintage 90s, consignment; last worn here in November under my green cocoon dress
- Over-top - Sun Kim, consignment; last seen here in July with a pouffy skirt
- Trousers - Calvin Klein 205W39NYC by Raf Simmons, c. 2019, consignment; last worn here in July with the peacock duster
- Boots - Soul Speed Fury, Fluevog; last seen here for the Beaches' concert in October
- Coat (below) - Banana Republic, consignment; purchased and first worn here in March
I'd been wanting to wear these trousers again, and this presented a good opportunity, since they have ginormous pockets and I didn't want to carry a purse. Go look at the "last worn" to see the true royal blue colour! It was dark out when I did my pictures, unfortunately.
I've layered a nylon top with a wired neckline over a mesh shirt for the top half. It was a little chilly!
I'd only worn this new-ish-to-me coat once since I bought it last winter, so this was the perfect time to break it out.
It matches my boots! I wore it over my shoulders off and on at the club. I need to wear it more!
Ready to go!
I was ready for rain - and sticky club carpet - with my bold neon yellow boots.
It was fiercely windy out - we walked briskly, but I wished for a warmer top and woolier scarf!
I didn't realize I had company until I uploaded this picture!
"I'd like access to the Toilet Paper Palace, please!"
No chance, buddy! The bathroom door remains closed, since you can't seem to resist destroying a roll! He's also been pushing my lipsticks into the garbage. Exasperating!
The stuff:
- Angora beret - thrifted
- Silk scarf - Yves Saint Laurent, vintage 80s, thrifted
- Wooly gloves - thrifted
- Sparkly round brooch - Eaton's, c. 1999
- Star brooch - consignment
Blue and neon bling:
Just a few things.
- Belt - consignment
- Silver/lapis lazuli bracelet - Nepalese, consignment
- Striped plastic ring - thrifted; purchased here for $2.99
- Silver/turquoise bangle - consignment
- Fulvia Ring/silver/lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
- Venetian glass earrings - local
L and I got to Capital Ballroom early, and I took a picture of the stage. Very festive!
A Christmas tree, some presents, a working grandfather clock and a big "JV" (for Jake Vaadeland). We were unaware when we bought the tickets that the band was touring a Christmas album ("Good Gracious, It's Christmas!"), and yes, we were treated to many Christmas songs and carols.
While I'm not a huge fan of holiday tunes (working in a year-round Christmas store for 11 years will do that to you), I LOVED the carols and songs in the show.
The band has plenty of banjo-picking, fast guitar and a very homey-old-timey harmony sound, which melded so well with Christmas songs.
After two sets and a quick encore (Jake played another show later in the evening, right after this one), L and I headed home and straight to bed!
While I'm not a huge fan of holiday tunes (working in a year-round Christmas store for 11 years will do that to you), I LOVED the carols and songs in the show.
There always has to be one REALLY tall guy who blocks the view...
A look at our view - we moved up to the table that's in view when its occupants decided to relocated closer to the stage.
I just gave up and sang along (of course, I know all the words). Enjoy a very accurate review here from a similar concert from last year in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.
Much love to my partner-in-crime, L. Rock on!
I'll be doing Monday's work outfit with Tuesday's, as a Two-Fer - you'll see that tomorrow at the usual time. I hope you enjoyed my bigass weekend!
