And because this is my blog, not the kittens', we are still doing that outfit thing. Friday's armour. I was a bundle of nerves - like Christmas (as a 10-year-old) x 1000.
A big flappy swath of heavy 100% cotton denim, some pops of pink, and actual leather. Excellent for the first outfit of the season.
- Pink mesh top - Suzy Shier, thrifted; purchased here for $9.95
- Leather top - Danier Leather, thrifted; last worn here (2nd outfit) in February for brunch
- Denim skirt - Levi Strauss, thrifted; last seen here in July to hang out with Mom at home
- Shoes - Super Fine Eminence, Fluevog; last worn here way back in May 2024 with Dries pirate
- Rain jacket (below) - Avoca; last seen here in October 2023!
That worked for me! My Fridays are usually very busy, but due to this week's holiday and next week's (Canadian) Thanksgiving, lots of folks are taking vacation.
I chatted with my coworkers in between my usual stuff, showing them kitty pictures, sharing my excitement. I have a picture of Vizzini at my desk (the one of him in a unicorn hat, this one), so I'll have to put one up of the boys.
I liked the back view of my outfit - back detail is one of those things I wish more designers thought about.
I pulled out an old favourite that I had frankly forgotten about, this cotton raincoat. The pattern is pansies, and it has a removable hood, which unbuttons.
It's a sample from Dots many years ago. It requires specific weather because it's a soft flannel weave inside - Cotton Rage ensues - but is waterproof, so good on rainy days, but it's warm due to the finish on the 100% cotton exterior so it has to be a WARM rainy day (but not too warm). No wonder I haven't worn it in two years.
The stuff:
I like that the baby blue laces match the blue in the raincoat's pattern. It's been over a year since I wore these shoes - the pattern, texture and colours make them tricky to style. But now I have a match with the pink top, so perhaps I'll wear them more.
Black bling:
Let the Goth-y season commence! Get ready for all the creepy-crawly, reptilian, and spooky jewelry and clothes.
- Necklace - J. Crew, thrifted
- Fang bangle/earrings - Alexis Bittar, consignment
- Snake bracelet - vintage 90s, consignment
- Brutalist brass rings - vintage 70s, vintage mall
- Bronze ring (not shown) - P. Sarpaneva, vintage 70s, Finnish
Oops, I forgot to take my bronze ring off.
Okay, back to the cats.
The names! Our first cat got a Shakespearean name, and the next two received names via The Princess Bride, but we felt we needed monikers that would reflect our current lives...and one of our favourite things to do is play the board game Arkham Horror together or with friends. L and I have been playing it for over 15 years (it's no longer in print) and as we enjoyed our session last weekend, we realized we had a great source for names.
The lovely fellow on the right (the black one) is Barnabas Marsh, named after a character from The Shadow Over Innsmouth, a novella by HP Lovecraft (yes, we know the author held some beliefs that don't jibe with modern sensibilities and attitudes, but we are separating the fictional characters from the writer).
We'll call him Barnabas - never Barney, ugh (we do not shorten our cats' names) - or Barnabas Marsh.
And the adorable boy on the left (the grey tabby) is Wizard Whateley, or Whateley for everyday. Whateley is a character in the short story "The Dunnwich Horror."
In our game, both characters are "monsters" who give the players special bonuses for defeating them. They're also names that don't carry any kind of pop culture reference (as in "Oh, did you name him for X celebrity?"), aren't too hard to spell, and aren't embarrassing to tell others or make vet appointments for! So complicated, right?
And now, off to enjoy our first weekend with our new family members! Just like with Vizzini and previous feline companions, they'll be featuring regularly on my blog.
Closet Swap-Over
Please pop by after Sunday and join me for my Fall/Winter Closet Swap-Over. Lots of pictures (and video!). Funeroo!
Welcome to your new home Barnabus and Whately (can you explain the pronounciation - what-lee, or wait-lee?). I look forward to watching them grow and hearing new tales of chewed shoes! Tat x.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tat! It rhymes with "motley" - we've already figured out that Whateley is the boss (it's Whateley's Crew, ha ha).
DeleteCutie pies looking very regal with the cushion behind. Congratulations on your new feline companions! Loving your outfit. Super cool skirt. I must try some layering. Rgds Lise
ReplyDeleteAren't they adorable, Lise? Thank you!!
DeleteWhateley and Barnabas look quite chill and comfortably settled in on that pick chair. I think they’ve quietly claimed it as their realm. :) I’m looking forward to seeing you and L playing Arkham Horror and hearing about any Whateley or Barnabas interventions. ;) (Not unlike Vizzini “supervising” your game play. ;))
ReplyDeleteI know you and L will enjoy these sweetie pies!
As for your closet swap over, bring it on! You thoroughly inspired me - not only did I switch over my clothes on Thursday BUT - and this is the biggie - I spent 2.5 hours trying on clothes and making outfits. I NEVER do that, but it sure paid off as it’s the best way to truly see what fits or doesn’t, what meshes with me now and what doesn’t, etc. End result, a 13 ga bag filled with donation items for Goodwill. And in another first for me, I came home with a skirt with the tags still on!
Cheers, Laurie
They are amazingly chill, but also get the "zoomies" every hour or so. They were very interested in our Ark Nova game on Friday night!
DeleteThe post is up! I did both Before and After videos, so enjoy.
I'm so proud of your swap-over, Laurie! Well done! It always seems daunting to do a session of try-ons and outfit-making but it always feels so good when I'm done and I have some great outfits ready. Good for you for letting go of a bunch of things too - and the Thrift Gawds have smiled upon you with your NWT skirt!
I do like your styling. The maxi is fabulous. The back detail on the top is very nice.
ReplyDeleteFor me those heels would be tricky to style because I would be afraid to wear them.
They look so delicate, like they belong to French kings and Versailles. They do look a lot like the type of heels that king Loui the Sun used to design and create! He was a stylish monarch.
Welcome new kittens! It took me a minute to notice Barnabas. I kept looking at Wizard Whateley on the photo, and thinking - where is the other cat? It is a bright sunny day here, so I couldn't make him out immediately. He must have blended with the dark cushion. I love black cats and Barnabas is a beauty. Wizard Whateley is adorable as well. I wish you a fantastic weekend.
The shoes are not that delicate, but I won't be wearing them in the rain or anything. I love the regal brocade and all that gold, truly Louis XIV!
DeleteYes, Whateley is the more classically attractive cat - Barnabas is more of a ninja! Thank you!
Welcome Barnabas and Whateley! What handsome fellows you are! Sheila can make out that it's her blog, but as I've indeed been waiting with bated breath, I totally skipped her outfit and went straight to your picture! I do hope you both realize how lucky you are to be living with Sheila and L. ? I'm looking forward to seeing you featured on Sheila's blog for many years to come! xxx P.S. To Sheila: your outfit is fabulous, but how could you have possibly forgotten about that raincoat?
ReplyDeleteOh, I agree, Ann, they'll be taking over the blog, I'm sure, ha ha!
DeleteI know, the raincoat slipped between two thicker coats!
What cuties! I hope they are settling in okay. I love your name inspiration, and I am impressed that you never shorten names because all my animals have about 10 names a piece at this point LOL.
ReplyDeleteThey are doing wonderfully, Charlotte, although I'll see how they did alone all day (Monday). We often create little nicknames (buddy, boo, and rhyming names, like teeny weeny Vizzini the meanie) and I'm sure that will happen as their personalities start to show.
Delete