Wednesday, September 19, 2018

Firecrackers and Officially Royal

Another "one more wear!" item today - this time, it's a dress. 
This lovely linen dress in "firecracker" pattern. I think it's supposed to be abstract flowers, but it reminds me more of fireworks.


  • Dress - JG Hook, thrifted; last seen here in June
  • Shoes - Marc Jacobs, thrifted; last worn here with yesterday's top in April (look how dark my hair is!)
  • Leather jacket (below) - Danier Leather, thrifted; first worn here for a rock & roll weekend earlier this month


For our cooler days, I wore a full vintage slip under this. I'm wearing fishnet tights every day now, too.
 One of my best finds in the WIN store this year - this dress is just wonderful. The only thing it lacks is... (everybody!) POCKETS!

It's another example of the "jammy dress" - very little needed to make one look polished and on her game.
 Today was an exhausting day, starting with an early dental appointment, followed by a completely chaotic day at work. And that is when you need a firecracker dress.

Coated up. I love Leather Weather while it lasts.
 I had to match the blue in the dress' pattern and in the shoes.

The stuff:
 These are very comfy shoes, despite the complete lack of padding. They're just perfectly balanced and just the right heel height. I do find them challenging to style due to the "lines" of black, and that very specific blue colour (rrrr...must match...). I laughed when they exactly matched my coworker Dale's sweater (I don't think he was quite as impressed).

Round bling:
 Just things I really like. Isn't that what all our accessories should be?


  • Leather/steel cuff - Rimanchik
  • Shield ring - Nine West
  • Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
  • Earrings - local


Royal, you wonder? Yes! Because I have a crown! Ha! I crack me up.
There we go, my new front tooth is officially installed. Now, please (prays to the tooth gods) let this be my last dental work for a long while.

I have a really busy weekend coming up - wishing you all the peace and quiet that I will not be experiencing! - but I'll be back on Sunday with tales of adventure!

Tuesday, September 18, 2018

Smuggling Squirrels and/or Marshmallows

Don't be scared, I'm just wearing neutrals! I'll be back to colour tomorrow! 
 Besides getting in a quick first wearing of this new-to-me skirt, I wanted to wear this grey top again, and these shoes one more time before they get stored away for the season.


  • Top - Zara, thrifted, Vancouver; first worn here in April with a touch of blue
  • Skirt - Moncara, vintage 80s, thrifted; purchased here on the weekend for $16.25
  • Shoes - Gentle Souls; last seen here for a vintage fair in June with lots of dots


Despite the very interesting construction of this top, it is leaving my closet. Several reasons: it's too big in the shoulders.
 It's unlined (thank you, Zara) but it's wool, so it has scratchiness. I'm pretty tolerant of some slight scratchiness from fabric, but over a day, this became more pronounced. And I'm wearing a camisole under it!

It also looks like I'm smuggling squirrels in the back! The top zips up there, and it does not lay flat. I was constantly pulling it and tweaking it. Too annoying. So...into the giveaway pile it goes.
"Did you say squirrels?" 

This new-to-me skirt, on the other hand, is magnificent. It felt awesome on, swooshed nicely, and check it out: marshmallow storage!
 I've pulled the black front swoosh together there, but it's very big and dances to its own beat. I could fit about 6 bags of marshmallows in there! And yes, I'm using "units of marshmallows" to exemplify how much room there is in my shirt. It's not like I haven't done that before...


  • Here (3rd outfit) in May 2017, estimating 16 bags in a pair of harem pants;
  • Here in September 2010, again 16 bags of marshmallows in that skirt!


I was tempted to stuff Vizzini in there and see if I could carry him around in it...but then my self-preservation for my skin vs. claws kicked in. Saved by common sense. Phew!

The stuff:
 I adore these shoes, but the light grey colour feels more early spring/fall for me so I prefer them in my spring/summer wardrobe.

Silver bling:
I really liked the belt layered over the top - it's a good quality piece.


  • Belt - BCBG Max Azria, thrifted - first wearing, purchased on the weekend for $7.25 here
  • Loop cuff - thrifted
  • Steel cuff - thrifted
  • Earrings - gift from Megan Mae
  • Shield ring - Nine West
  • Crystal ring - Soul Flower


I'm weeding out some of my accessories too - both these earrings and the loop cuff are showing edges of copper, which feels cheap and they smell like pennies (ick!). Nope, I need better quality stuff, even in my everyday jewelry. The cuff, on the other hand is steel and is in perfect condition, even after years of wear.

Monday, September 17, 2018

Dress Over Pants - Ten Years Later.

Although I'm not a slavish follower of fashion trends, I'm always interested in what the "cool kids" are wearing. I hear dresses over pants are making (another) comeback. 
 I first tried this trend in January 2009 (here) with a short velvet dress over flared jeans. It doesn't feel like nearly 10 years ago! And yet, here I am, doing it again.

  • Cardigan - Sparkle & Fade, swap from Sarah; last seen here just a couple of weeks ago with teal
  • Dress - Derek Lam for DesignNation, thrifted; first worn here in July just plain on its own
  • Trousers - Banana Republic, thrifted; last seen here two weeks ago for a trip to the dentist
  • Shoes - Chie Mihara; last worn here with these same pants in July

Here's the only picture I took of that first, "daring" outfit:
I find it odd now that my arms look so blank! I don't think I had any tattoos at all then!
I still have those glasses (they're the pair I use when I'm dyeing my hair), and I still have those white-gold hoop earrings.

The vision I had of this outfit didn't quite come to fruition. I'll be packing this thin cotton/linen dress away for the fall/winter - it's not lined, and it clung to the trousers and to the cardigan, causing it to ride up and not sit properly. I felt rumpled all day and kept trying to adjust the dress.
I will also be putting the green trousers into storage. They feel more like warm months to me. The colour story was all good, though. Green, plus black and grey and white and rust. Yes!

It was freezing in the morning, and I wished I'd had something warmer on than this cardi, which is fairly thin - you can see the white stripe of the dress through it here. It was fine by the time I walked home from yet another trip to the dentist.
And I'm back to the dentist again on Wednesday - time to get my permanent crown! I'll be royalty...hee!

The tunic-length mini-dress over pants is a look I like, but I won't be repeating this particular one.
 I'm far more likely to do something like this outfit (that was back in May here, down at the bottom). I find it funny that I was so nervous to do a dress with pants when I was new to blogging - that was such a big deal to me! Now, it's just another tool in my kit for me to use/play with/mess around with.

The stuff:
These were one of my best shoe purchases this past 6 months. They're incredibly comfortable, and are practically flats!  I'm really grooving on the colour rust right now - I'll miss these shoes being packed away, but imagine the rejoicing when they come out to play again at end of March 2019.

Green bling:
Bring out the green! And then put it all away - I store my green pieces for the cold months too. Nearly time for all my rhinestone glitter and copper jewelry collections to reappear!


  • Glass bangle - thrifted
  • Earrings - Stella & Dot, consignment, Vancouver
  • Jade/brass ring - vintage 70s, Mom's
  • Amber ring - c. 1996

Sunday, September 16, 2018

Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Friday Patterns Ahoy, Shiny Shopping, Cat Pictures

Hello, my friends! Before we get started on this Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up (which is a regular-sized Bigass this time and not a super-sized one, like I've been having lately), another shout-out to Ms. Wendy Brandes for the reciprocal post about my F#@! ring purchase and other awesome women who bought sets. No sponsorship or favours here - we're just fangirling out over each other. 

Here's Friday's look - getting another wear out of a few summer pieces that are going to be packed away soon. 
 The entire outfit, actually!


  • Cardigan - Wolford, thrifted; first worn here in August with a brolly skirt
  • Cami - not tracked, gift from Ruth
  • Skirt - A Tribute to Marimekko by H&M, thrifted; last worn here in July for Pride Week
  • Shubooties - Sorel; first worn here (2nd outfit) in August with a pouffy skirt
  • Jacket (below) - Frank Lyman; last seen here in February to see the Wailin' Jennys


I love this fine-quality silk cardigan - however, it's far too light for the cold months.
 The skirt is cotton and silk, and also screams summer to me.

 My hair-dryer blew up on Friday morning (it was smoking!), so I had to clip my hair back to keep it from going full-on wispy.
 Such a wonderful billowy skirt! I felt like a bright spot in the gloomy day, although it got sunnier as the day went on.

I took the opportunity to wear this awesome faux leather jacket again.
 Open, hands in skirt pockets.

Done up  - I like it this way best.
 I'm looking at Vizzini, out of frame, licking his butt. What a goofball.

And with my third pattern, my bag!
 Patterns ahoy! In person, these worked very harmoniously. The pink and red floral of the jacket's embroidery, went really well with the skirt. The golden bag picked up the gold in my accessories, and also has pink and red flowers on it.

The stuff:
 My toes didn't like the rain in these shubooties, and I also plan to pack these away - I have a "no bare toes" policy for myself in cold weather. I have other black boots in my fall/winter shoe wardrobe that need some lovin'.

Golden bling:
 This is the first wearing of the black crystal earrings - everything else is vintage.


  • Bag - Aldo
  • Necklace - vintage 60s/70s, thrifted
  • Bracelet - Trifari, vintage 60s, vintage fair
  • Earrings - thrifted here for $1.00
  • Amber ring - c. 1996
  • Amethyst ring - Francis Jewelers, c. 1965, Dad's


L and I met for dinner (Thai food) after work on Friday, then hung out at home, playing board games, which is what we've done all weekend. My favourite! We had no Ulti on Saturday, so I got my badass on for our usual breakfast at Floyd's Diner.
 Okay, I may be slightly overdressed - and SHINY - for brunch, but I buy these things to wear them, and wear them I shall!

This is my look for "Visible Monday" over at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style - go check out some fabulousness there!


  • Leather jacket - Burberry, consignment, Vancouver; last seen here in June
  • Sweater - Jean-Paul Gaultier, consignment; last worn here in April for Ally's visit
  • Skirt - Kenzo, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) in March with green lace Gookey
  • Boots - Matisse, consignment; last worn here in June with a forest green dress
  • Hat - Delux, Saanich Fair

It was chilly and rainy when we walked to town, and got warmer as the day went on. I eventually regretted my fall-ish outfit - but I still love this outfit overall. 

 I'm all super-klassy in my high-end designer brands! My Jean-Paul Gaultier wool sweater is a favourite piece.

I hadn't gotten a wear in yet of this incredible skirt. It's quite a statement piece, and because it requires tights (it's SHORT) I knew it would either be worn in early spring or late summer.
 First tights sighting of the season! These are dark brown with a textured diamond pattern.

Leather jacket open, and hands in skirt pockets.
 I picked up a new hair-dryer after work on Friday. Hurray! My hair is styled again.

Ready for the rain. My hat is now close to 10 years old. I picked it up in a booth at an agricultural fair (really!) many years back.
 I felt like a movie star in this outfit.

The stuff:
 Boots that I can walk in all day.


  • Bracelet - faux Gucci, gift from Mom & Dad, c. 1986, Italy
  • Gold earrings - 5th anniversary gift from L


After breakfast, I went to the WIN Boutique for a browse. I was happy to see that they are starting to get more fall stock in.
 I spotted this pretty pendant and chain in the jewelry case. There's a stone under that gold "cage" - the design reminds me of Islamic art and mosques.

It's stamped "Kiam Family". I found the same one online listed at $110 (but marked down to $17).
 So my $5.25 price is not so bad. It's good quality costume jewelry. This brand seems be related to the founder of the Lia Sophia line of jewelry.

I also fell in love with this gorgeous acid yellow squared circle cuff.
 It came with its own bag, and is by Materia Design, an Italian company.

Check it out - it's made of silicon!
 Squishy! This was $21.25 - not bad, considering they retail for $60.

I rummaged through a bunch of belts and pulled out this leather and elastic one.
 All different shades and textures of grey, black and brushed silver leather.

It was $7.25, a deal for BCBG Max Azria.
 The cheapest belt on their website is on sale for $70 so this is a score!

I always dig though the lingerie and nightwear. I found this beautiful vintage black slip.
 It's slit up both sides, and fully trimmed with lace. It's in good condition although the label has a bit of wear.

No size marked, but I found it - it's a 34 (bust), which is what I am - this is also a Tall. I don't know when bilingual English/French labels became law in Canada, but this is probably from the 60s or 70s.
 Van Raalte is the brand, and it was made in Canada. This slip was only $4.95, which is cheaper than what their slips sold for in 1949. Check out this old ad here - $7.00 to $11.00 back then is (with inflation) around $75.00 to $116.00  now. A slip then was an investment piece (and you wore one every day!). 

In my lackadaisical quest to stop using the same handbag every day, I am now looking carefully at the bag sections in the thrift stores.
 Since I got rid of my one-shoulder red Danier bag a while ago (one-shoulder bags are bad for my back), I've been missing having a red bag. I love the shape of this one.

It's meant to be cross-body, but I fully intend to wear it around my waist at some point. It's leather, by Derek Alexander.
 It has lots of pockets inside and out, and the strap is adjustable. I like that the zipper pulls on the front are covered by little leather sleeves.

A zip on the back. Good for keys or my bus ticket.
 It has a bit of wear on the corners, but it's nice and soft.

The lining is stamped. This was $19.25.
 This would have been around $200 new. Yay!

Oh, look a black sweater, how very exciting.
 This is 100% cotton, has a nice "popcorn" nubby knit and the back is longer than the front. None of this is perceptible in pictures. 

But it's by Dex, it was $6.95 and it looked good on. Note the back zip detail. Dex sweaters sell for about $59.00 new.
 This might go straight into the "wear around the house" wardrobe.

As this gorgeous red cashmere sweater most certainly will. 
 I love wearing cashmere!

It's by Michael Kors and it was $16.95.
 And it has a couple of small moth-holes in the front. I do not care - it's a $265 sweater and I'll get it down to pennies per wear!

I have to rein myself in around black skirts, but this one was so different that I went for it.
 It's high-waisted, with a separate swath of shinier fabric down the front, that then attaches to the hem. It has a single pocket - bonus! The shape of it is really interesting on, and it's very good quality.

I think it's German - "futter" means "lining".
 The brand is Moncara, and I'm pretty sure it's from the 80s, as all the other clothing that I found online from that brand has massive shoulder pads.

It's a size 40 and I found it buried in with the plus size items.
Size 40 is about size 6 Canadian/US. This was $16.25.

Mister Vizzini has been very happy to have us home and chilling out with him all weekend.
"Your lap is a good source of heat, Woman."
 He never stays still for long.
"I'm a seething ball of fury! Feed me!"
 His moods change on a dime too.

And he's down!
"Banzai!"
 All this jumping around has worn him out.
"If I can't sleep on you, I will snooze on my benches."
I hope you all had a fabulous weekend!