I accidentally slept in on Saturday morning, so L and I had a late start. There was also a moving truck in the driveway, so we ended up walking to and from town.
No problem! These boots were made for walkin'!
As you might have guessed from my lack of coat listed, the weather has finally turned summer and we were treated to a warm breezy day.
I still wore a pink camisole and nude cotton shorts underneath this silk dress, which is also lined in viscose t-shirt material top and bottom.
Once we realized we'd have to walk, I sunblocked up my back and chestal regions.
Incognito.
I had the silk scarf for extra coverage if I needed it, but instead it wafted in the wind as we walked and talked.
Accoutrements:
My little disco purse!
- Leather purse - Julia Sanchez by Vendome, vintage 80s, consignment
- Silk scarf - Marc Rozier, Paris, consignment
The stuff:
I wore short socks with the boots. Contrary to what I said above, these were not comfortable - they never added foot cushioning in the 80s - but my feet weren't in any pain. I need to put a pair of insoles in these.
Bold bling:
My lunch was SO yummy: The Canadiana Benny. Smoked salmon on a potato pancake, poached egg and hollandaise, with fried capers, a sprig of dill and a salmon rose. I also got L's avocado and I subbed a side of fruit. He had the Hudson Mack (named after a local news anchor), which is a breakfast burrito with scrambled egg, chicken, enchilada sauce and melted cheese, with avocado, sour cream, tomato and green onion, plus a side of turkey sausage. L skips the sour cream and avo. That's my default brunch if the specials don't appeal to me.
I liked picked out the greens in the dress for my accessories.
- Belt - vintage, thrifted
- Cuff - thrifted
- Silver/green stone ring - thrifted
- Glass bangle - thrifted
- Silver/aventurine ring - consignment
- Silver/malachite ring - consignment
- Earrings - thrifted
"You'd better not be taking a picture of MY breakfast," said L. Of course, not, just getting a shot of you in your lovely Hawaiian shirt and your Alice Cooper tee.
We had a quick browse together in the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Shop next door after brunch - L found 3 classical CDs for a dollar apiece, and I found a few things for myself.
A beautiful black unlined linen blazer. Two buttons, two unopened pockets, shoulder pads and a three-button sleeve cuff. But what's that on the back I see?
I blew the colour out so you could see it properly - it's a design done in Battenburg lace, which is a "tape lace", where a long strip of tape is sewn into patterns (link here, all links 'cause I love). The loopy bits exemplify this. I first learned about this when I worked in the Christmas store in the 90s - we often got angel treetops with beautiful Battenburg lace, and my boss Ev told me what it was.
It's a centre cut out panel, with rays coming out. It was likely made in India.
I was surprised to see that the three buttons on the cuff all undo!
And the seams are bound. This is well-made.
I was SHOCKED to see an H&M tag, but I think this might be vintage H&M (see the repeated logos on the label?).
It has large daisies at the cuffs and hem (on the back too, woo!) that get sparser as they move up.
According to the Vintage Fashion Guild, this is early 00s (link here). $11.00 is a great deal for this - it's much higher quality than modern H&M (a linen-blend blazer runs to $75 new).
The quality of this top leapt out at me. Ooh, look at all that lacy detail.
The cuffs are lovely. Again, this is all hand-done.
Probably made in India again (someone's cut the content tags out, but it is washable).
The elastic loop on the top button had popped out.
You can see the nice quality of (I assume) cotton there.
What's this? A label stuck inside it. $1399.00? That seems high. Baba Papa Garments (link here) are from Lundhiana, Punjab, India.
In rupees, 1399 is about $22 in CAD.
The actual brand name is Ninaa Bonita.
$12.00 seemed like a good price. I can fix that button loop.
This wonderful acrylic beaded necklace caught my eye - there are 6 different coloured beads, strung on a satin cord that's knotted between each bead.
Zsiska! That's an expensive boutique brand that makes all their jewelry in Thailand. This is an older design, but the more beads their necklaces have, the more expensive they run - this would be over $200 new!
I have my phone, my mini scissors, white thread and a needle and a card of snap-fasteners (made in Birmingham, UK!) from Sears, which cost 80 cents. This is likely a remnant of Mom buying me a sewing box that was populated with sewing notions back in the 80s.
I love a pretty necklace and $8.00 was the right price.
Each of the beads has a sparkly shimmer on the colour inside - they look like nail polish to me - and I was excited to spot a stamp when I got home.
Since I had some time before Saturday night's Winesday at Tracy's, I decided to tackle two of my fixes, the white pencil skirt I wore a couple of weeks ago, and the cotton blouse.
First the snap on the zip of the skirt.
Look at my nice neat stitches! Go, me!
That zips not going to fall down now!
And even if I pass this skirt on, it's ready for its next owner.
Next was the elastic loop, which was a bit more challenging.
It looks good from the front...heh heh. I pull this shirt on over my head instead of unbuttoning anyway.
I decided to wear it for Winesday right away, pairing it with my magenta Adidas track pants.
Ready to hop in a cab with Yvonne and Cat.
I've got my Winesday supplies ready to go!
I decided to wear it for Winesday right away, pairing it with my magenta Adidas track pants.
I left my pink camisole on under it, so that the pink showed through the eyelet.
- Blouse - Ninaa Bonita, thrifted; purchased above for $12.00
- Acid wash vest - Chiqle, thrifted; last seen here with my Ringmaster Jacket at Mattick's Farm with Mom in April
- Nylon track pants - Adidas, consignment, Vancouver; last worn here (2nd outfit) in August 2024 to Book Club
- Sneakers - Ryka, consignment; last seen here (4th outfit) for boardgames last weekend
I really loved the top, and will use it for coverage with some of my summer dresses.
I like that it's a little weird in this outfit. That's how Weird Adidas rolls!
Who has two thumbs and remembered NOT to wear black underwear with these slightly see-through nylon track pants?
This girl!
Ready to hop in a cab with Yvonne and Cat.
I use this giant Ed Hardy bag to carry it all.
Easy shoes worn only to and from the cab!
I loaded it with:
- A cereal box full of freshly-made popcorn
- Two vintage plates elastic-banded together (one with a Boursin/fig and apple spread/pistachio dip, the other side for crackers)
- Crackers
- A little bag of cookies
- Two bars of chocolate
- My fizzy drinks
- Boots for Cat to try on (before I illustrate them). They're going to Yvonne!
The stuff:
Minimal bling:
My phone didn't take great pictures.
Happy colours for Pride season!
- Crystal heart cuff - Juicy Couture, consignment
- Steel/purple stone cuff - Malta, vintage 70s, vintage mall
- Buttons - freebies from Fluevog
- Steel/Lucite ring - Calvin Klein, thrifted
- Silver/amethyst ring - vintage mall
- Flocked earrings - DollsKill, consignment
I was completely stoked to spot a couple of quail in Tracy's front yard.
But it was very exciting!
Alison and I nerded out over birds.
The hideous view from Tracy and Martin's deck.
L and I spent Sunday doing a whole lot of NOTHING, hanging out and playing boardgames. As we'd both taken Monday off work, we decided to walk to town for lunch then each of us would have a wee shop in the stores we prefer (thrift shop for me, record shop for him) afterwards.
While I was shopping at WIN, a person dragged her friend over to admire it (they also complimented me, which was very sweet).
I could see the Big Dipper later in the evening!
L and I spent Sunday doing a whole lot of NOTHING, hanging out and playing boardgames. As we'd both taken Monday off work, we decided to walk to town for lunch then each of us would have a wee shop in the stores we prefer (thrift shop for me, record shop for him) afterwards.
We had an utterly lovely sunny day, with the temps soaring up to 27o later in the day.
I sunblocked up and once again, we walked to town.
I originally had a red belt on, then realized since I had my goldfish bluefish skirt on, I was missing the chance to add more fish to my outfit.
Such an awesome pattern.
All gold accessories.
My Halston scarf goes so well with the skirt!
I was not too warm in this (I also wore a vintage camisole and wee cotton shorts underneath), but by the time I finished my shop, it was substantially hotter out, so I hopped a bus home.
Accoutrements:
- Leather purse - Banana Republic, consignment
- Silk scarf - Halston, vintage 70s, thrifted
The stuff:
These shoes are getting more comfortable - this is their second summer with me, so the goal is to have them gradually get more soft each wearing. After three hours of shopping, however, my feet were tired.
Gold fish bling:
A scarf and a dish!
The belt, the necklace and the earrings look like bubbles!
- Hinged eelskin bracelet - vintage 80s, thrifted
- Fish belt - consignment
- Chain/crystal bracelet - thrifted
- Silver/red enamel ring - antique shop, Sidney
- Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
- Silver/kyanite ring - consignment
- Stone ring - thrifted
- Earrings - thrifted
- Fish necklace - Roberto for RFM, consignment
And here's what I found after 3 hours of browsing and going through everything.
You've probably heard me mention how hard it is to find purple scarves - now I have one with leopard! I could tell this was silk right away, even though it doesn't have any tags on it. I also know that LRL is Ralph Lauren.
Note the hand-rolled edges! Not bad for $6.95. This is a long skinny scarf.
This is a pressed glass dish from the 1970s. I have a wine glass in amber in this same pattern.
Only $2.95. I'll either use it for gaming or for jewelry. Or food, I guess!
I bought this pale grey skirt even though it doesn't fit.
This is the kind of thing that will sell at my next Limbo Sale (coming soon).
It's by Gianfranco Ferre Studio and $14.95 is a very good price.
This was probably made in France or Italy, and it feels like wool. The style is early 00s, and it was probably part of a suit.
This crazy top made me catch my breath.
A mock-neck and a wild pattern.
The top is handmade - lovey lace trim under the hem and hand-stitching on the armholes.
I was feeling through the mass of icky synthetic black tops, and my hand felt the wool immediately. Of course, I held it up to the light, looking for moth-holes. None!
The top is handmade - lovey lace trim under the hem and hand-stitching on the armholes.
The pattern is so fun. All the colours!
It's clearly from the 70s.
For $14.95? Get in my cart!
I gasped when I saw the "Arola" label on this black cardigan.
It can be washed by Superwash!
Made in Finland!
Note that the button-holes are horizontal.
This is a high mark of quality - it's harder to do them this way, but it prevents the buttons from popping open.
Only $11.95?
Be still, my heart!
I bit on this black silk skirt, although I do not need a black skirt.
I liked the rows of ruffles on it, and it fit well.
It's older Ralph Lauren - the Vintage Fashion Guild notes this label is late 90s (here, all links 'cause I love), but I would have guessed that due to it being 100% silk.
Again, only $14.95. I will probably wear this once and move it along.
This skirt made me giggle - I spotted it on the "to be put out" rack and snagged it right away.
It's a long pencil skirt covered with threads/plastic strings. It's furry!
It has grosgrain ribbon for a waistband, and the back zip is outlined with it, to keep the threads from getting caught (smart design choice).
It fits perfectly.
I found the tag down the side, right where I expected it.
It's called the Eyelash Pencil and it's from Holiday 2017.
It's by Banana Republic, so we know it started out expensive. Their pencil skirts start at $190.00.
I love the black and white woven textile - it's 100% cotton and is very soft.
$16.95 is a good price, and I'm looking forward to styling this.
The last thing I found is this long flannel...I guess it's a dress?
Missing its belt.
That's okay. I don't intend on belting it, plus no one tells me where my waist is.
It has words embroidered on the lower back hem!
A very Happy Canada Day to my wonderful Canadian readers! Thanks to everyone - all countries! - for being here.
It has words embroidered on the lower back hem!
Yeah, I can't read it either. Here's what it says, including matching ALLCAPS and lack of puncuation:
Maybe if you close YOUR EYES
You might see the day passing by with ALL ITS COLORS
IT IS ALMOST LIKE A FAIRYTALE where everything is BEAUTIFUL and CLEAR
An overall impression of PURE SOPHISTICATION
This will take us to the stars. It will blow you away INTO THE SKY.
At least they spelled it all correctly, and it's the right "its".
It's by NU, which I know is a pricey Danish brand.
Their dresses start at $200 new, so $22.95 is a bargain. I plan on wearing this open like a duster (it's an XS, and doesn't do up over my hips).
And lastly, here's me and L on our walk to town.
