Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Birthday Week! Lace and Velvet Pirate

Hello, my friends! I went full pirate today, deploying my very favourite embroidered velvet jacket and a whole bunch of lace.
I have to wear all velvet blazers and jackets in my closet before the really cold weather comes. 

  • Embroidered silk velvet jacket - Tahari, thrifted; last worn here almost exactly a year ago, with black and burgundy
  • Lace sleeveless top - April Cornell, thrifted; last seen here in January with my teal suit (same shoes!)
  • Lace skirt - April Cornell, thrifted; first worn here a year ago in October 2025 (with this matching top)
  • Shoes - Super Fine Cardinal, Fluevog; last seen here in June with patchwork and a red skirt

You can see the detail on the jacket better in my hall mirror selfie. 
Both sides of the cuffs are embroidered - it goes under the lapels, and around the entire hem AND across the upper back! It's amazing. 

The lace cuffs are separate - they are just an elastic with a bunch of lace. I bought them in the mid-90s when I worked at LA Express, a mall clothing store. I am pretty sure I paid $2.95 for them, not including my staff discount. 
You can see the necklace layering well here. Mom bought me this Murano glass snake pendant for my 49th birthday in Venice in 2014 (here). 

I paired this top and skirt - yes! separates! - together again. I haven't worn this skirt solo yet, but I will! 
I owned the top for about 3 years before I thrifted the skirt a year ago. 

Incognito. 
Whateley plonked himself down in the doorway, very much in the way. CATS. I did not need the gloves or scarf on the way home. We had a beautiful day! 

The stuff: 
See? Cuffs! 

  • Lace cuffs - LA Express, c. 1994
  • Silk scarf - Pierre Balmain, vintage 80s, thrifted
  • Wool gloves - Parkhurst

Snaky bling: 
Yes, I wore bracelets even though I had the cuffs on all day. 

  • Snake coil bracelet - vintage 90s, consignment
  • Hinged eelskin bangle - vintage 80s, thrifted
  • Silver snake ring - BC Museum gift shop, c. 1986
  • Gold/amethyst ring - Francis Jewellers, c. 1965, Dad's
  • Brass leopard ring - thrifted
  • Earrings - Red Sky (local)
  • Crystal necklace - J. Crew, consignment
  • Glass snake pendant - Venice, gift from Mom

Last night when I finished writing, I found the boys waiting for me. 
Hey, Barnabas. Hi, Whateley boy. 

I'll be back tomorrow with Mom-Day! 

20 comments:

  1. Very funky and cool outfit! Love the snake jewellery, especially the earrings.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I cleared all my history and searched your for your blog and the view is still not good on my phone.
    I wonder if others have the same problem...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Zowie Sheila! Gorgeous! I love how you bring joy to the world with your outfits every day.

    Judith from Ottawa

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lovely velvet coat, those embroidered details are stunning, and so fabulous outfit, lots of lace and gold and luxury!. I'm (again) in love with your jewellery!. And I've gone down a rabbit hole reading about your Italian Holiday!, so cool!
    besos

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's so lovely! I'm always happy to wear it again. Ha, glad you enjoyed our trip!

      Delete
  5. Since I am commenting on Friday…HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! I have a video for you of a pirate display discovered on my walk to the dentist this morning and will send it via email. Couldn't help but think of you, so how purrrfect is it to read THIS entry as you went Golden Pirate!
    Serendipity in play on the acquiring of first the golden lace top and then several years later the golden lace skirt which is its kindred spirit, apparently. ;-) Fabulous outfit! Cheers, Laurie

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, dear Laurie! Yes, it's my birthday, woo woo! Nice, I look forward to seeing that!
      Isn't that amazing? Sometimes they come around - I had that happen with a suede jacket and skirt once. The skirt appeared a week later.

      Delete
  6. Such a gorgeous, festive outfit, totally glam!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Wow, that's one amazing outfit, Sheila! Amazing too that you've found the skirt and top on two separate occasions! I remember those kind of lace cuffs being around and might even have had a pair myself. xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Ann! I am always boggled when matching things pop up! I also have furry cuffs! Can't wait to wear those!

      Delete
  8. I love your pirate styling. Lace is so glam. Going full lace feels so fashion forward. You rock!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Murano glass! That's the world headquarters for glass art. My hero Lino lives there and a young artist I'm supporting who's from Ohio is visiting Murano right now to improve his technique. Murano glass is magical.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It is! I didn't go there when we were in Venice (we only had a couple of days), but I do treasure this pendant.

      Delete
  10. This! Be still my heart! Fabulous. How cool is it that you found the exact matching skirt 3 years after you got the top‽
    And that Tahari jacket is to die for.
    I learned how to lampwork glass years ago, and to this day, every time I make something, I appreciate Murano glass pieces that much more. Their artistry is absolutely astounding.
    ReaderRita

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Isn't that the wildest thing? And so far apart! I adore this jacket, but it's such a small window to wear it (without a coat over it).
      Murano glass is amazing. Have you watched the Netflix show "Blown Away"? It's all about glass-making.

      Delete

Comments are so incredibly special, and I love them and hug them and treasure them forever. Please feel free to tell me what you think!

I'm not currently able to respond to comments, but I will make every effort to answer questions. I do read every single one, and appreciate your comments.

Please note that comments containing affiliate links spam-y sites, spam comments and anything I deem inappropriate will be deleted.

Cheers,
Sheila