Here's Friday's work outfit. I'd had something more Gothy Vampire in mind, then remembered we were doing a Diwali potluck at the office, so I thought I ought to tone down the creepy/spooky and amp up the colourful.
I pulled out the velvet blazer I just thrifted on Thursday and paired it with my velvet trousers from Powell River. It's still warm enough not to need a coat, and I have to take advantage of that so that I avoid Velvet Rage.
- Velvet blazer - Molly Bracken, thrifted; purchased here for $24.95
- Sheer top - Noisy May, consignment; last worn here in August under Etro
- Camisole - Club Monaco, thrifted; not tracked
- Velvet trousers - Anthropologie, consignment, Powell River; first seen here in September
- Suede shoes - Chanii B, last worn here in March for St. Patrick's Day
- Creepers (below) - Call it Spring, consignment; first worn here in September with these same pants
Neighbour cat Kes was out on patrol again in the morning.
"Oh, you again."
Kes, you know me!
"Oh, yeah, I do. What do you want?"
He's a very handsome boy, but not a very good patrol cat. He didn't even see the squirrel engaged in flagrant acorn-gathering.
"Squirrel?"
Kes, she's right there!
*ahem* Back to the outfit!
I pulled out colours from the trousers, layering a plain black camisole over my sheer lavender top.
Teal shoes to give me a bit of height so I don't step on the hems.
The blazer is...fine. I've had better quality, but I do love the colour.
Incognito.
I felt like a rockstar. Swagger!
After work, I bussed home, fed the kittens and dashed off to a hair appointment.
I enjoyed the crisp weather and a brisk walk through the Fernwood 'hood.
The stuff:
My shoes had many admirers. They are such a lovely colour, although they're getting old and worn.
- Velvet scarf - thrifted
- Leather purse - Sonia Rykiel, thrifted
- Leather gloves - Danier Leather
- Cat pin - Aarikka "Katti", consignment
More shoes.
Matchy bling:
I threw a little amber in the mix for my accessories.
I like how the skeletons are peeking in the windows (see the one on the roof?).
- Belt - Leather World
- Buckle - Shi Studio, thrifted
- Carved jadeite bangle - consignment
- Bead/crystal necklace - thrifted
- Bangle with glass - NuWite R&G Co., vintage 1920s, vintage mall
- Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes
- Silver/amethyst ring - vintage mall
- Amber/silver earrings - vintage 1920s, vintage mall
I took a few pictures of houses in the 'hood with good Hallowe'en décor.
My favourite big skeleton is up all year.
Her owners haven't switched to spooky yet.
This skeleton on a bike amused me.
He has a kitty on the back!
Speaking of...
And caught in the act of sleeping on the bed.
"Is that okay?"
Totally! Please feel free.
Saturday was a crazy-busy day - I had both my pop-up sale at Botched, AND a party at the Fluevog store!
I planned a comfy outfit of all secondhand items, with ultra-comfy shoes. I arrived at the store at 11am to hang up and display all my stuff, and I packed up and was out the door 6 hours later at 5pm.
It was exhilarating, helping folks, chatting with my fellow vendors and matching up clothes to their new owners. It was just as successful as one of my Limbo sales, and I would totally do it again on a regular basis.
- Brocade blazer - Devil's Advocate, thrifted; first seen here in February with a bronze skirt
- Eames chair tee - SPRZNY, thrifted; last worn here for our trip to Powell River in August
- Quilted skirt - Ilse Jacobsen, consignment; last seen here (2nd outfit) in October 2024
- Sneakers - Adidas X James Harden, consignment; last worn here in December
I wasn't sure how warm the rear side room at the long-skinny store would be, so I layered a blazer over my t-shirt.
I ended up shucking it off, as the radiators blasted away to stave off the cold damp from the torrential downpour that started in the morning.
I worked like this mostly - the skirt was handy for the zippered pockets. I had my phone in one (to verify e-Transfers) and cash in the other.
The stuff:
- Spider earring - can't remember
- Salamander brooch - vintage, gift from Cat
- Leather heart pin - Smoking Lily
I wore the pins/earring clustered on my blazer's lapel.
Bold bling;
Lots of armour! Talking and interacting with strangers all day really takes it out of me. I'm good at it, but it's draining.
- Bracelet - Jenny Bird, consignment
- Hinged eelskin bracelet - vintage 80s, thrifted
- Brass/glass ring - Raphael of Canada, vintage 70s, consignment
- Brass Brutalist ring - vintage 70s, vintage mall
- Bug pendant - Heart's Content
- Necklace - Givenchy, vintage 80s, vintage fair
- Porcelain cat earrings - Winnie Tam
I customized the earrings when I got them to look like Vizzini. Aw...
Pictures from the sale.
Madyson, the owner of Botched had come over a couple of weekends ago to help me sort out what she thought her clientele would like. I had a maximum of 50 items on my rolling rack, plus shoes and accessories.
50 items is about a quarter of my Limbo pile. Don't worry, my friends, I have plenty left!
I sold half of the accessories too.
The scarf went to a lovely person named Ocean.
My fellow seller Juliana, who was clearing out of some of her mom's things from the late 90s/early 00s.
OMG, love the jeans! Her outfit was all from her mom's collection. Of course, I helped sell for my cohorts!
Gina tried on my Dries Van Noten blazer and fell in love with it.
A picture of me and L from the photobooth, being our usual badass rock & roll selves.
...but I could have!
Me in the mirror taking her picture. It was busy off and on, but pretty much a constant stream of customers. L picked me up at 5pm, and we had a quick dinner.
I redid my make-up and we hopped a bus to town to attend the Flummunity Fest Formal 2025! Three other cities also participated the same night: Halifax, New Brunswick, and Brooklyn, New York, representing the east coast, Denver, Colorado, and our city, Victoria, BC, partying last on the west coast.
I did a full test-drive of my outfit on Friday night, trying on everything and making sure I felt comfortable, and was fully accessorized, ready to get dressed with no fuss.
My inspiration was the late great Diane Keaton...plus a little Mad Hatter energy for the spooky season. I felt awesome in this.
- Cotton frock coat - Noa Noa; last worn here in July 2024 in a Summer Goth outfit
- Shirt - Eddie Bauer, consignment; last seen here (2nd outfit) in September in my Rifflandia Bedazzled Business outfit
- Wool bustier - 3.1 Philip Lim, consignment; last worn here in June with pinks and dark wool
- Trousers - Long Tall Sally, consignment; last seen here in May with Sarah's blouse
- Shoes - Mellow Bossa Nova, Fluevog, customized by me; last worn here in June when I finished embellishing them
I didn't take the frock coat off at all...
The official Fluevog media/photographer asked me to give a rundown on video of my outfit, and I was sure to turn around for the back view.
My bug scarf hanging down, cross-stitch embroidery on the coat and the extra pleating in back.
I had planned to carry everything in my many pockets, but then my eyes alit on the purse that dear friend Linda made for me from one a Fluevog shopping bag.
It was the hit of my outfit!
The stuff:
My shoes got much love - people were boggled when I told them it was all drawn and coloured free-hand.
The stuff:
- Purse - made with love and swear words by Linda
- Wool top hat - Le Chateau, vintage 80s, L's former boss' former wife
- Silk bug scarf - Smoking Lily
- Snake brooch - vintage 1985, gift from Mom & Dad
- Skeleton earring - Winners
- Spider earring - can't remember
Matchy bling:
A view of lower Johnson Street (great shops here). As we waited, Ruth and John Fluevog passed us and handing off their umbrellas. What a kind thing to do. Of course, we returned them.
My VIP wristband was on the table.
- Leather tie - vintage 80s, thrifted
- Carved cinnabar bangle - consignment
- Lucite/silver bangle - Alexis Bittar, consignment, Vancouver
- Metal roses earrings - Betsey Johnson, gift from Cat
- Silver snake ring - vintage 1985, BC Museum Gift Shop
- Silver/onyx spider ring - vintage 1986, gift from Mom & Dad
L picked out his outfit while I was at Botched, mixing a pair of blue suit pants with his dark green bespoke Dolce & Gabbana velvet blazer.
A gorgeous pair of patent blue/floral Fluevogs.
It rained all day...and was still pouring by the time we got off the bus and walked to the store. We stood in line for about 20 minutes.
L and our pal Rae-Ann, who works at the store.
Every guest got a goody bag full of...goodies (I'll get to that shortly).
There was a spread of meat/cheese/nuts/figs/crackers, plus macarons, fizzy water and a bar.
And if you had a spare hour, they were giving free "flash" (pre-set designs) tattoos! I was tempted by the dagger, but nahhhhhhhh....I did not get one!
As I was standing around, John came out from the back.
He was smitten with my shoes and bent down for a good look.
He wanted to show me something on his phone, but Ruth took it from him after he scrolled fruitlessly ("Too distracting," she said).
I admit, I fangirled a wee bit.
I asked if I might take a selfie - not a terrible imposition, as John was signing shoes and things all night.
Thank you!
Pals Cat and Ross were there!
Looking fly, kids! I'm so mad that I forgot to take a picture of our dear Casey. Sorry, my friend!
I was highly distracted myself, with all the amazing shoes and outfits!
This lovely person found her dress in a thrift store. I left these pictures uncropped so you can peek at all the fabulous looks.
The gent in the red jacket (dragons!) and amazing Fluevogs is Pat, the photographer/media guy.
His shoes are gorgeous. That's John in the crown, stolen from the photobooth. Ruth is in the gold shoes on the far right (yes, I have the same ones!), and we chatted briefly.
Awarding the Best Dressed $250 gift certificate, which went to a woman who made/accessorized her outfit with pieces of Fluevog dust-bags, shopping bags and other odds and ends. I didn't take a picture of her, but I did chat with her.
I couldn't be bothered to vote, as I was too busy people-watching.
Speaking of...here's Linda!
Looking amazing, honey!
Linda, Cat and I went to the photobooth to preserve the occasion. We all noted that it felt weird not to be the people who stood out in the crowd! Everyone was so dressed up, we barely made a ripple.
L and I at the "magic corner" waiting for one of many possible buses to take us home at 10pm.
I had crashed from mental exhaustion by this point!
And lastly, the rest of our photobooth pics.
Me and my guy.
Forever Badass.
Here's what came in the goody bag:
A print of one of the current season shoes, the cotton tote bag, a ballot for voting, a pair of purple socks, a shoe charm and I also put our physical print-out of our pictures in there.
Rock on, my love! May we always be fabulous!
The prints were made specially for this year's event.
Suitable for framing (mine's just shoved between a couple of fashion books).
There were two different shoe charms: a Derby Swirl boot and a Truths Pilgrim shoe.
L and I both got the boot (he gave me his). I put the photo-strip on the fridge, naturally.
L also gave me his socks as they were too small for him. Yay, two pairs of purple socks!
Also custom for the Flummunity Fest 2025. Cool.
The last item in the goody bag was a gift card for $40.00...and this weekend was 20% off all regular price shoes...and I had $500 in gift cards from my recent birthday.
I gasped when I saw these British racing green boots! I must have them!
The last item in the goody bag was a gift card for $40.00...and this weekend was 20% off all regular price shoes...and I had $500 in gift cards from my recent birthday.
You'll note that they do NOT have an inside zip, so it's a real commitment to wear them.
I love the two-tone leather and suede, and the sole stripe is neon green.
They are from the Angel family.
As demonstrated by an angel on the heel.
And the soles are also full of angels.
After all the discounts, and multiple gift cards, that $799.00 ended up costing me $200, which I'd just earned through the Limbo sale that day! Link here if you want to be twins (they come in black too).
I can't wait to wear them, and that will happen soon...but I'm going to leave you now and go enjoy the rest of my weekend.
We had previously "cat-proofed" all hidey-hole areas, like the area behind our desk, with boxes and stored items. Whateley and Barnabas like to chill here when I'm on the computer.
The Angelic Sole. Resists: water, fatigue, Satan. Walking in peace since 1970.
They are called the 7th Heaven Tall Lace Sport Boot Mega Racer, and are a re-issue of a boot first produced in 1995.
That's a mouthful, so I'll be calling them the 7th Heaven Mega Racer. I sized up half a size to allow a pair of sport inserts.
Brace yourselves, my friends, they are EXPENSIVE. Thank goodness for my 7 loved ones (Mom, L, Cat, Caro, Yvonne, Ali and Vero) who helped pay for them.
I can't wait to wear them, and that will happen soon...but I'm going to leave you now and go enjoy the rest of my weekend.
Barnabas has turned out to be a "fetch" cat. We throw the squishy ball and he brings it back and drops it for us to throw again.
He dropped the ball into L's palm seconds later. It's very cute, but is wearying after a couple of HOURS. Barnabas doesn't seem to get tired of it!
He briefly rested on L's lap while we played board games late on Friday night.
"Gotta go find my ball! I'll bring it right back and you can throw it again and again!"
After midnight, they finally settled a bit.
Barnabas is Up To No Good, but Whateley crashed on the pillows.
Thanks so much for being here, my friends!
Fab outfits! Love the colour of your creepers. Interesting to wear a cami over the mesh top instead of under. Have a great week, Lise
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