Non-Mom Day: Art Project Update: L's BOC Jacket

Hello, my friends! No Mom-Day today, as the whiplash changes in temperatures in this late winter/pre-spring season are wreaking havoc on Mom's poor muscles. 

We had a lovely chat to catch up and then I spent the day puttering around, and finally got to working on L's Blue Oyster Cult jacket. It is with not a little guilt that I note it's been over a year since I last did the sleeves on it, back here in January 2024. If you want to seem my progress from the beginning (I've actually gotten most of the back and sleeves done!), just keep clicking on the "last here" links. 

Well, L has given me a deadline - it's been taking too damned long (I started it in September 2022!) and he wants to wear it for his birthday in June. That seems like a long way, but in order to get anything done on it, I need to commit to at least 2-hour interludes of working on it. I don't have a lot of time in my week, so I have to take the windows of opportunity when I have them.

So, let's go! I decided to work in the living room, while the afternoon sun was pouring in - I need natural light to work on it, as the felt-tip pens are hard to see in dimmer light. I stretched it out on the coffee table, dumped all my pens out, reviewed my planning pages from 2.5 years ago (oh yeah!) and decided to do the two upper chest sections. 

I used a rubber coaster to make circles in the same spot on each side. 

Based on my notes, which were in turn based on chunks of lyrics from L's favourite Blue Oyster Cult songs, I picked lyrics I thought would look cool with a graphic. 

As I've worked on this, I have learned to pare those lyrics down! The top patch will have a BOC symbol and the words "I'm the joker of the universe" from song "The Great Sun Jester." The bottom patch...I ended up not being inspired by that circle, and copied the "BOC" letters from the cover of the Fire of Unknown Origin CD.

I find it very funny that under the B is "LUE", under the O is "YSTER" and the C has "ULT." Just a very odd and silly decision that I love. The little swirly in the O is actually a tiny moon. Must use this! 

Starting with the symbol patch, I used a water-based pen to sketch out an  inner ring, and the BOC symbol. 

I've started going over it with a thick permanent pen here - I can wipe the water-based pen off with a damp paper towel (the darker black stays), much like pencil erasing. 

I based this off the patch on the jacket of Buck Dharma (I think) in this picture:

I coloured in the background, and then added the lyrics in the light ring around the outside. 

Pretty much done here. 

It's a bit hard to see, but the trim on the outside is zigzaged and has red in it. I also did a grey fade around the outside edge to give it a bit of depth.

Next, the other side. I chose to array the letters in a triangle, with the BOC symbol at the bottom. 

I had the movie "Armageddon" playing in the background, and Vizzini poked around and visited while I worked. Time flies! 

I added a Zentangle-style background but I think I need to amp up the black and add some more blue on this to make it stand out a bit more. 

However, it's one more piece done! Or nearly done. I was getting tired (my hands hurt after a while).

Here's a shot I sent L when I was partway through. I switched back and forth, resting from one side while working on the other. 

I must say, it felt really good to be doing this again! 

Vizzini, for most of the day. 

"Leave me and George alone!"

Okay, okay, you can go back to sleeping under my robe, you old blind kitty. I can't deny him. 

And there we go, that was my very exciting day! I'm off for the weekend now, so thank you so much for dropping in, and please do swing by on Sunday for tales of adventure. 

Pink Leopard Shirt Day, Black Tulip

Today was Pink Shirt Day, a day to stand up against bullying. It's something I support, so I promote it at work. Of course, I have to be the pinkest! 

I was PANK last year (and wiped out here). 

• Wool/cashmere jacket - Proportion Petite by Conrad C, thrifted; first seen here in a PANK "suit" in November 2024
• Mesh tee - Culture, consignment; last worn here in September 2024 under my parachute dress
• Suede skirt - Guillaume, vintage 00s, consignment, Powell River; last seen here (3rd outfit) in October 2024 with blues and a now-gone blouse
• Boots - Biblio Austen, Fluevog; last worn here in November 2024 in an avian-influenced outfit
• Sleeveless coat (below) - Only, thrifted; last seen here a week ago

It was a "white" day today - the sun was out, but we didn't really have blue sky. 

These are my favourite days. The trees were full of birds on my walk to work - I saw tiny juncos, giant seagulls, crows and a big surprise! A Cooper's hawk only a block from town - it was lurking around with a bunch of crows staring at it. 

Everything in this outfit has already been worn this season, but I actually don't have that many pink tops. 

This pink jacket was lovely in the office, nice and warm with big pockets. 

I look so profesh! I ended up rolling the sleeves up for a bit more attitude. 

The skirt was excellent - I have always liked this tulip shape and it's a very soft suede. 

I took the jacket off briefly after doing the stairs on the way in. Sweaty! 

A missed belt opportunity! 

I could have belted the blazer. 

I hear that's a thing again. *snort*

Too warm for a full coat.

Some of the plum trees are starting to bloom - spring is on the way! 

Accoutrements: 

We're in that shoulder season now - Leather Weather! - where I'll be going back to silk scarves instead of fur and wooly ones. 

• Silk scarf - Roberto Cavalli, thrifted, Vancouver
• Leather gloves - Roeckl, consignment

The stuff: 

Not a chance of rain today, so I walked to and from work in these velvet and leather beauties.

Silver bling: 

I'd actually pulled another bracelet out but then I checked my "new" area and there's my new silver mesh cuff. Oh, yeah! 

• Necklace - Myka, thrifted
• Silver/crystal ring - Soul Flower
• Silver chain ring - Mexican, consignment
• Umbrella brooch - vintage mall, gift from L
• Feather brooch - Boucher, vintage 60s, thrifted
• Silver S bracelet - Mexican, consignment, Sidney
• Silver links bracelet - Mexican, consignment; purchased here for $70.00
• Silver earrings - Israeli, consignment

Sending you all cool ocean breezes and hawk sightings! 

Black and Blue at the Belfry, and Coworkers In My Clothes

Hello, my friends, please forgive my lateness in getting today's outfit to you, but I've been out gallivanting with my Theatre Buddies! I had to wear something that would do double duty of all day at the office, followed by dinner out, and then a 2-hour play. No time to change! 

I know, right? I'm tired just thinking about it. 

• Long-sleeved mesh top - Jean Paul Gaultier, vintage 80s, consignment; last worn here (3rd outfit), in September 2024, layered in a skater look
• Tunic dress - Junya Watanabe for Comme des Garcons, consignment; purchased here for $225 (less a $100 gift card)
• Skirt - Lord & Taylor, thrifted; last seen here in November 2024 for a Mom-Day at home in a tiger
• Shoes - MJUS, consignment; last worn here earlier this month with funky green Adidas
• Suede coat (below) - Tadmor, vintage 60s, vintage mall; last seen here in January

I haven't done any outfit planning in a while, and I was just staring at this Comme des Garcons thing, thinking, "When am I gonna wear this?" and realized...I should just do it! 

"Or, you could let me sleep on it."

What would make it work for the office? Layers! I have a blue camisole on under my "space" mesh shirt.

I added this long viscose t-shirt fabric skirt for a stretchy layer. 

But I know you want to see the amazing construction of this thing! 

Look how it's gathered, and how it drapes, dips and twists.

It was very comfortable to wear, considering all the walking, sitting, stairs, lugging around boxes, bus-riding, more walking, more sitting and more walking (I certainly deserved 1/6th of the yummy white chocolate cheesecake later!).

My coworkers were impressed with all of this construction. 

It was a busy day with an office full of people, so I got to show it off and interact with lots of folks. I love that! 

However, people = busy, and I had to get out on time to hop the bus home, feed Vizzini and walk down to the Fernwood Inn to meet my Theatre Buds, Nancy, Yvonne, Randall, Cat and Caro. 

This play was "Behind the Moon," by a local playwright (about it here, local review here, all links 'cause I love, of course). Our first of the year! I walked home with Cat afterwards.

Accoutrements: 

I was in a blue kind of mood. 

• Scarf - Givenchy, consignment, gift from L
• Wool beret - consignment
• Leather gloves - Danier

The stuff: 

I missed taking the bling pic as I was in a hurry! These shoes were great for all the walking.

• Crystal cuff - Swarovski, consignment, gift from L
• Silver/Lucite bangle - Alexis Bittar, consignment, Vancouver
• Necklace - thrifted
• Crystal/pear ear-ball - Swarovski, consignment
• Single silver earring - consignment
• Silver/kyanite ring - consignment
• Lapis lazuli ring/Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes

I lost one of the pearls from the earrings during the pandemic - I liked the asymmetrical look of one dangling earring. 

Bonus pictures of Coworkers In My Clothes!

I am absolutely tickled when someone wears something they got from me (Cat was wearing a pair of my Fluevogs too!). 

Gentle Readers, this is Leah. She's wearing this beaded snake blouse from Topshop that y'all might remember.

She got this at my Limbo sale, but has picked up things of mine in years past (her mom is a fan - hi, Leah's mom!).

This is my wonderful coworker Camille, who loves bright colours. This vintage Lady Manhattan blouse looks fantastic with her blazer.

She killed it! 

And Carol, who I spotted near the end of the day.

Showing off this awesome striped knit skirt (love the red tights!). Thank you, my dear friends, for getting into slow fashion with me. 

And finally, here's our theatre crew, getting ready to order dinner, many drinks and that yummy cheesecake at the Fernwood Inn pub before we go enjoy the play.

From left: Caro, Randall, Nancy, Cat, Yvonne and me! I love you guys. Mwah! 

Velvet Rage and a Grumpy Goldfish

Hello, my friends! I was a vision in gold today, showing off a bunch of glorious amber tones.

I'm debuting both the gold fish belt and the golden velvet blazer. I had mixed reactions to them, but both are staying with me. 

• Velvet blazer - Loft, consignment; purchased here for $44.00
• Cashmere sweater - Prada, consignment; last worn here earlier this month with velvet and Dame Viv
• Silk skirt - Strawberry Jill, thrifted; last seen here in January 2024 with mustard
• Boots - Clarks, thrifted; last worn here (2nd outfit) in October 2024 for bronzy brunch
• Leather trenchcoat - vintage 70s, thrifted; last seen here in January

My skirt usually gets a lot of attention - I've had it since 2017 and I also have a newer-to-me version of it in a different size and colourway (last seen here). 

I have owned many, many velvet blazers and jackets over the years, and one thing I have learned is that you can't wear coats over them without inducing Velvet Rage. 

Velvet blazers turn into Velcro when they touch other fabrics. I know this, but I have never quite LEARNED this lesson, and my mind says, "Oh, this time it will be fine!" 

I enjoyed wearing it like this, layered over a cashmere sweater. I'd wear it just like this plus a scarf/hat on a warmer day. 

I love the cut of it. 

My colleague Lesley's eyes lit up and she asked to touch it. Such a great colour! 

Without the jacket, which I did not take off. 

The elastic belt, the sweater and the skirt (which sits high on me) all had discussions and disagreements over the day. I was constantly fussing with everything. 

I lasted about two blocks in my coat before the velvet blazer started working its evil spell.

The rain held off until late afternoon, but I was ready for it. 

Accoutrements: 
It was very windy on the way home, but my fedora stayed on! 

• Hat - Edward Mann, vintage 60s, thrifted
• Horse scarf - vintage, thrifted
• Leather/fur gloves - thrifted

I was not enamoured of the scarf, so it's off to Limbo. 

The stuff: 

These boots are good basics. 

Yellow bling: 

The fish belt was good, but I think it will be better over a more structured waist. My coworker Glenn said the tail looked like a pineapple. I'm seeing it! Maybe that's why the fish looks so grumpy?

• Fish belt - consignment; purchased here for $48.00
• Eelskin bangle - fake Gucci, Italy, vintage c. 1990, gift from Mom & Dad
• Crystal/chain bracelet - thrifted
• Gold/amber ant brooch - Russian, consignment
• Wide bracelet - thrifted, Sidney
• Necklace - thrifted
• Silver/crystal ring - Uffizi Gallery gift shop, Florence
• Amber ring - c. 1996
• Ear-balls - Dior, consignment

Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Fancy Friday in Bronze and Brocade; Safety-Pins and Tan Brunch; Birthday Party in the Wet Foliage

Welcome back, my friends! My weekend was far too short, and I'm eager to claim what's left of it, so let's get to this! I have a very Fancy Friday 'fit to share, plus my usual quirky brunch ensemble, and we went to Greg and Cat's Shared Birthday party, so I got my swank on.

Here's Friday's sparkly attire. No Stair Picture as we had another incident of People Sleeping Where They Shouldn't. It was resolved, all is well, but it's rather rattling. 

So let's put on our armour and face the damned world, shall we? Look at all this shine - I'm Armoured UP! 

• Brocade blazer - Devil's Advocate, thrifted; purchased here for $28.95
• T-shirt - Denver Hayes, thrifted; first seen here in May 2024 with my Peacock Jacket
• Skirt - Ralph Lauren, consignment; last worn here in November 2024 with teal and cream
• Shoes - Vogettes Pina, Fluevog; first seen here in January with beetle blues
• Sleeveless coat (below) - Only, thrifted; last worn here a week ago

My colleagues loved this outfit, especially when I twirled for them, as the skirt is ultra-swooshy (Swoosh Factor 9).

I showed off the blazer. "How can you tell it's a men's blazer?" my coworkers asked. 

"Because it has FIVE pockets! Including two inside." Can you imagine?

I did a simple white tee underneath to let the jacket shine. My one small area of restraint, heh heh. 

Blurry, but still discernable. 

I rolled the blazer's cuffs while at work to show off my bracelets, but pulled them down for walking to and from work. 

Outerwear! It was grey and dry on the way to work, but rained all the way home.

I liked how my skirt billowed out from under the coat.

Accoutrements: 

Should have worn a fedora, or done the Movie Star Wrap to keep my hair dry, but I didn't care that much. 

• Toque - gift from Tammy
• Brooch - Monet, vintage 80s, thrifted
• Silk scarf - Forele, vintage 60s, consignment
• Leather gloves - Roeckl, consignment

The stuff: 

I considered doing sneakers with the outfit, but my urge to be a Soft Goth won out. Spikes! These shoes are like wearing slippers with slightly more support. 

Snaky bling: 

I forgot to pick out rings, but I would have worn my Wendy Brandes lapis lazuli and Fulvia Ring, an aquamarine stone, to match the jacket. 

• Metal/glass flower brooch - vintage 60s, Mom's
• Leather heart brooch - Smoking Lily
• Leather/chains cuff - Jenny Bird, consignment
• Crystal chain bracelet - thrifted
• Spiral snake bracelet - Whiting & Davis, vintage 70s, vintage fair
• Snake necklace/belt - vintage 80s, vintage expo
• Earrings - Biko, consignment

I layered the thinner link bracelet with the bunch-o-chains one. 

When I get home from work, I have a routine: I take the pictures of the Stuff/Bling, and deal with my work outfit, putting things away or in the laundry. Vizzini always begs to be picked up while I'm doing this - he climbs my leg and digs his claws in if I don't pick him up right away (this has caused some yelling and laddered tights).

"You know you love it."

I have to get my accessories off quickly as the little monster always dives for whatever he can reach and chomps on it. 

He's lunging for the camera cord here. I can barely contain him! 

"Entertain me!"

Okay, down you go, buddy. 

After a fun evening of kicking L's arse at board games, we woke to grey skies and headed to John's Place to meet up with Nick for brunch. 

Let's see, what shall I wear? I built the outfit around the new-to-me bone bangle that I picked up yesterday. 

• Chain and medallion top - no label, thrifted; last seen here in December 2024 under my tabard
• Leather tee - Danier, thrifted; last worn here in October 2024 with big pink plaid pants
• Skirt - Rena Rowan, vintage 90s, thrifted; last seen here in October 2023(!) with Christmas boots (I sold them recently)
• Leather boots - Matisse, consignment; last worn here with the Jedi dress in January (gone to Limbo)
• Buffalo leather coat (below) - Gianfranco Ferre, Spring 2003, consignment; last seen here in March 2024 with leopard and peach

I had a jacket in mind to wear with the outfit, so I selected clothes that would work with that.

My chain and medallions top is a warm layer under the leather tee. 

See? There's the cuff.

The leopard skirt is plush with peaks and waves in it, like real fur. It's a lovely tactile thing to wear. 

The folks at John's were very impressed with all the tones of tan. 

I don't do boring neutrals! 

But here's the star of the show - my 2003 runway safety-pin jacket by chi-chi designer Gianfranco Ferre. I even found the Vogue link (here) and the slide of this jacket and matching skirt here.

I've had this jacket for six years now and have worn it 10 times.

It's a little snug in the front to zip up (it's always been tight), but I'm keeping it. 

Good enough! 

A bajillion custom brass safety pins. I spotted Gianfranco Ferre jackets from his 2002-2003 collections online for over $2,000-5,000! 

The back is held together by the safety pins. 

Ready to brunch and grocery shop. 

Gloves, a silk scarf and a handmade locally leather clutch. 

Purse! I bought this many years ago with Winesday Women gift money.

I didn't need the scarf, and ended up tying it to the purse's wrist strap. 

Accoutrements: 

A field of galloping horses, for your pleasure. 

• Leather purse - Fiveleft
• Silk scarf - France, vintage 60s, vintage fair
• Leather/fur gloves - thrifted

The stuff: 

Old favourite boots - I've worn these so much! 

Brassy bling: 

It warms me to wear this brass/glass necklace and brass/wood earrings now that Yvonne and Randall have borrowed and worn them. It makes me feel like my friends are with me. Aw! 

• Bone/brass/stone cuff - consignment; purchased here for $35.00
• Agate bangle - consignment
• Brass/glass necklace and ring - Raphael of Canada, vintage 70s, consignment
• Brass Brutalist ring - vintage 70s, vintage mall
• Bronze ring - P. Sarpaneva, vintage 70s, vintage expo
• Brass/wood earrings - LA Express, c. 1994

I had a Five Minute Shop at the Beacon Avenue Thrift Shop next door and spotted one item that had to come with me. 

How could I miss it? 

I love this vibrant yellow, and was attracted to the giant pleated bell cuffs.

Not just a ruffle but sculped into a bell. Very cool. 

To my surprise it's 100% cotton. 

And made in Spain! You don't see that very often. 

I was shocked to see it's by Zara Woman. I admired the nicely finished neckline.

I saw it in black and red online as well as yellow. It was $15.00.

Saturday night was a Birthday Party for our dear pals Greg and Cat. I've been saving this outfit for a special occasion, and in case you were wondering, this was just a house party, and yes, I'm ridiculously overdressed. My friends expect nothing less! 

I got dressed early and mucked about with the outfit, trying different shoe and belt and accessory options. 

• Turtleneck sweater - Contemporaine, thrifted; last seen here in November 2024, layered under a sequined cardi
• Dress - Ted Baker, thrifted; purchased here for $34.95
• Shoes - Summertime Moonbeams, Fluevog, consignment; last worn here in January with coat-dress armour
• Fringy kimono (below) - Forever 21, thrifted; first seen here in December 2024 with black and tweed

I have been layering tops under strapless dresses almost since I started my blog in 2008 - the painting by Megan Mae behind my head (the top one, first printed and put up here on NYE 2011), is of me in my old Club Monaco grey wool bubble-hem strapless dress 14 years ago. I wore that dress to death! 

So the idea of layering a top under a strapless dress was nothing new, just pulling out an oldie from my bag of tricks. Instead of bare skin, I much preferred a sleeveless turtleneck to show off my ink.

My friends loved this dress and its optic watery landscape print. It's a lot of damp-looking foliage, perfect for this time of year.

They particularly liked how the necklace framed the little scoop in the front. 

I also demonstrated that I have two belts on! The chain belt is hiding the obi's front knot. Belting pulled the length up slightly, plus I am not a fan of high Empire waists. 

My old black leather obi has been with me - I found the day I bought it, here - since July 2012, when I bought it for $14.00! Wow, that's a good price.

I added my burgundy fringed robe as a topper in case I got cold at Greg and Rosanna's.

It ended up so warm, we needed to open windows, so I just wore it as my outerwear. 

I packed some essentials in an old sequined purse. 

It's from when Victoria had an Accessorize store in Mayfair Mall (old post from 2010 here - I went to the theatre with Mom and the nieces! - where I'm carrying it ).

My outerwear consisted of a giant hat and a furry scarf.

Plus long plummy leather gloves. 

Accoutrements: 

We cabbed there with Nick and back home with him plus Cat. It rained a little, but we are in double-digits, a true Victoria winter. 

• Hat - M&S, consignment, Powell River
• Fur scarf - thrifted
• Leather gloves - Bijenkorf Accessoires, consignment
• Purse - Accessorize, c. 2006

The stuff: 

I still had to wear heels to keep the dress from dragging on the ground - these are the kindest to my feet. Even so, my feet were tired on Sunday! 

• Crystal belt - Zara, consignment
• Leather obi - consignment

Spiky bling: 

The 3-way convertible necklace intrigued partygoers - they were boggled when I told them it was only $3.95 in the thrift store last June.

• Black Lucite/crystal bangle - Alexis Bittar, consignment, Sidney
• Gold/Lucite hinged bangle/earrings - Alexis Bittar, consignment, gift from L
• Necklace - Stella & Dot, thrifted
• Silver/aquamarine Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes
• Silver/obsidian ring - consignment
• Silver/crystal ring - Soul Flower

After doing my pictures, I clipped my skirt up,  pulled on a wooly housedress, and kept my outfit on. I had a short nap, then hung out with L until it was time to go. 

"So, I hear you're going out."

He's cruising to get his evening treats early. 

"Hey, Woman, how about now?"

That's a big no. He got them when we arrived home at 12:30pm. He was rather surly about it! 

"It was worth a shot."

And now, my friends, I'm off to enjoy the waning hours of the weekend. I hope you enjoyed the tales of adventures! Thanks so much for stopping by!