Post-Pastel Primary

After my "floral fail" of Monday (here), I ransacked my closet and put together an outfit that is adamantly NOT pastel. We are so far away from pastels here. 

 We are Post-Pastel - and right over to primary colours! Bright colours feel so good, don't they?

• Cardigan - Ports, vintage 80s, consignment; last worn here (2nd outfit) in October 2019 over a sweater dress for dinner at Mac and Petra's
• Madras plaid shirt - no label, thrifted; purchased here for $17.95
• Trousers - Banana Republic, thrifted; last seen here in August 2019 with misbehaving greens
• Shoes - Karl Lagerfeld; last worn here in September 2019...with this cardigan! They're friends.
• Coat (below) - L'Atiste, consignment, Vancouver; last seen here earlier this month

This was very comfy for my work day at the office - the cardigan is 100% wool, and luxuriously thick.

It can be worn as a dress too (as I did here) and of course, the pockets are awesome.

 This is a very 80s ensemble - those bright primary colours? Oh, yeah, I remember those!

I built the outfit around this new-to-me Madras plaid shirt. There's not a single label anywhere on this top, but you can tell it's quality by how the plaid is so perfectly lined up vertically and horizontally.

I suspect it's handmade - it does fit like it's made for me. No gaping under the arms, and perfect in the bust and waist. It feels like 100% cotton - no stretch.

There's a faint aqua/bright green line in it (picture here), so of course I had to do bright green trousers! These skinny crops have a woven texture that you can see a bit in these pictures. They also have pockets.

Outerwear - I really wanted to just wear the sweater, but it was raining, so I threw on my longest, lightest coat.

This was great in the morning, but too hot on the way home while the sun briefly shone. Spring is so mercurial!

• Gloves - Parkhurst

The stuff:

I adore these leather ballet flats. They are starting to get worn out, but still good enough.

Yellow bling:

First wearing of these earrings and I HATED them. Ugh. They hang terribly on my ears. Into the giveaway pile!

• Cuff - thrifted
• Earrings - vintage 80s, vintage fair, purchased here for $9.00
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes

Speaking of the giveaway pile, I did a little "shopping" in there yesterday, and I did a massive re-org of our library, AND built myself an Art Corner on our deck...I'll be back tomorrow with pictures of it all!

In Theory...Floral Fail

We all have them: the outfits that, for whatever reason, just don't work. This is one of mine. Enjoy...or not! 

It should have worked, in theory. Cardigan + tank + awesome floral + pink shoes. What could go wrong?

• Cardigan - Theory, thrifted; last worn here in February 2019 over drapey neutrals
• Tank - Ellen Tracy, swap from Caro; last seen here in March with my Big Lady Boss Pants
• Skirt - Alfred Sung, vintage 80s, vintage fair; first worn here as my last summer outfit in September 2019
• Shoes - Sol Sana; last seen here with pleated blossoms and pink earlier this month
• Coat (below) - Stop Staring!, thrifted; last worn here in October 2019

The cardigan is too long and drapey with this look. It's been downgraded to home attire - it's good over t-shirts and it's merino wool, and it's excellent quality. I'll wear it tons. And I can tell it's not one I reach for, since I haven't worn it in over a year.

The tank is a useful piece in my wardrobe (it's viscose and cashmere), but not the right colour or structured enough. I've worn it a zillion times, but it doesn't work well on its own.

The silk skirt is too long on me...but not long enough. A shorter length would make me look taller, and a longer hemline would make me look taller. This length makes me look short! And no, I cannot be bothered to hem this.

The floral pattern is also really challenging, especially the colours. Although I have this pink in my wardrobe, the skirt's pink is just a bit off...not quite right. So off it will go. I'm sure once I can host a giveaway again that one of my friends or coworkers will rock this. It's just not me.

Even pockets can't save it from the giveaway pile!

"Dang, I don't have time to change."

That look on my face is me starting to realize I don't like what I'm wearing. Ah! Outfit fail!

Outerwear - I picked this coat to go over the full skirt.

And there's the length that looks good on me!

• Gloves - vintage 50s, thrifted

The stuff:

The shoes were great, no issues there. Phew!

Pearly bling:

Even the pearls couldn't make it work.

• Two pearl necklaces (worn as bracelets) - Eaton's, c. 1986
• Big pearl necklace - Aldo Accessories
• Hinged bangles - thrifted, first wearing, $1.95 for the pair
• Earrings - thrifted
• Crystal/silver ring - Uffizi Gallery gift shop, Florence, Italy
• Double pearl ring - Erth, consignment
• Pearl ring - Pearl Factory, Honolulu, c. 1985

Ah, well, there's always another outfit. I'm off tomorrow, so Wednesday I will try again.

Weekend Wrap-Up: Vintage Hawaiian and House Casual

All the weeks are starting to blur into one long, strange time, aren't they? We're going into our 6th or 7th week of lock-down (I've lost track), and I'm really hoping that we'll see some changes in the next couple of weeks. 

For now, I shall continue swanning about in my maxi dress. 

I dressed up on Saturday for our Winesday/MANday Zoom call with our dear friends, as well as for my own mental health.

• Dress - Tori Richard of Honolulu for Andrade of Honolulu, vintage 70s, Joyce's; last worn here in July 2017 to the Ulti field and for brunch after

Colour therapy! I cooked breakfast in this, slurped down lots of coffee and sat in my Book Nook and read for the afternoon until it was time to Zoom.

 We chatted for just over an hour, catching up and seeing everyone. I look forward to it every week.

I am shocked that I haven't worn this dress in nearly 3 years! Isn't it amazing? Label pictures here from when I got it in June 2013. Tori Richards as a Hawaiian-based company is still around - Andrade of Honolulu was an exclusive Hawaiian boutique.

This dress was probably late 60s to early 70s (based on the original label, source here 'cause I love), although I know the owner bought it in the 70s. It belonged to Joyce (picture here), Kathy's mom - Kathy is my mom's best friend (they met in 1967 in hospital while giving birth to their daughters: me and Karlee, she of the "Treasure Island" book!).

 I think Joyce would like that I am still wearing her dress!

Toes alert! I did not bother with shoes on Saturday (I did wear my slippers off and on), and did my toenails for the first time this season, a lovely shade of lilac that matches the purple in the dress' pattern.

Stuff shot:

Just a few things.

• Brooch - gift from Mom, New Zealand
• Bracelet - Fossil, gift from L
• Silver/crystal ring - Soul Flower

And my earrings match.

Full face of make-up too!

• Earrings - Fossil, gift from L

Today/Sunday is a quiet day. More house clothes. No make-up, wet hair and coffee!

My last tour shirt from seeing The Beaches (I miss concerts!), worn under this lovely wool Banana Republic sweater, which was down-graded to house clothes when I swapped my closet over. My jeans were thrifted ages ago, and self-hemmed with scissors and left raw. They are Gap and non-stretchy but comfy for lounging in.

Mister Vizzini chilled out on a pillow yesterday like the little pasha he is.

"I get this pillow and also this whole couch." 

I got up close, but he got cranky.

"Get out of my face, Woman."

And there we go...another weekend done. I'm off to read some more and listen to music. Maybe if I'm lucky, Vizzini will sit on me!

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend!

Blue, Birds and Acid Yellow

It's Friday! And I'm making burgers and corn on the cob for dinner, to be followed with some board games, music, drinks - good times, ahoy! 

So, let's get started. Here's what I wore to my empty office today. 

I've been leaning into really bright colours lately, so I naturally reached for this bright yellow skirt. 

• Silk blouse - Tory Burch, consignment; last seen here multiple times on our trip to Portland, Oregon, in September 2019 
• Skirt - Firenze Santa Barbara, vintage 80s, thrifted; last worn here in June 2019 with a blouse that I put in the giveaway pile (not regretting it)
• Shoes - Modern Living Slant, Fluevog; first worn here in January with foxy blues
• Leather coat (below) - Danier Leather, thrifted; last seen here in February

I waffled on this blouse last year, but I love it again. It's silk and I love the pattern. It reminds me of feathers...

...which makes sense, since the pattern is birds morphing into other birds - a better look at the pattern here, from when I bought it in August 2016 for $12.50 on a shopping trip with Yvonne. Aw, I miss shopping with my friends!

The acid yellow skirt is pearlized when you see it up close - it's such a classic 80s cut, really high-waisted. I've had many 80s-vintage leather skirts over the years, but the colour on this one is so unusual.

I put my navy blue snakeskin belt over the high waist; I used to do that in the late 80s/early 90s - it was a thing, remember?

As I was poking around in my closet, building this outfit last night, I spotted these perfect shoes. I got all the blues.

We're back into Leather Weather - this cobalt blue coat looked so good with all the blues.

Great in the rain too, if that happened.

It didn't, but I wore my matching blue fedora, because you never pass up the opportunity to wear a matching fedora.

Add a leopard scarf for some pattern interest!

• Fedora - vintage, thrifted
• Scarf - thrifted
• Gloves - Parkhurst

The stuff:

Last year, I had a mission to find blue shoes - I love the funky styling of these ones. That heel is acrylic and wood, and is at the top of my comfort level at about 2.5 inches.

Blue bling:

My blue "set". The belt done up at my waist had a big floppy end, so I put an elastic on it to hold it in place. KLASSY (at least it was blue!).

• Belt - Club Monaco, vintage fair
• Cuff - thrifted
• Earrings - local, Vancouver
• Lapis lazuli ring/Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes

This morning, I found Vizzini sitting out on the deck. I could see him meowing at me.

"I see you!"

I laughed at how the play-toy on the post is resting on his back.

"My toy loves me."

And now I'm off to enjoy my evening. Have a wonderful weekend, and I'll see you on Sunday. Thanks for dropping by!

Dolphins Colours, and Vintage House-dress

And...day off today! Thursdays have become my Mental Health Walk Day as well as Grocery Day, so that's what I did! Routine is good. 

And that includes our dressing routines and make-up routines! I came across an interesting article from Cosmopolitan about wearing make-up during the pandemic (link here 'cause I love - I read Cosmo back in my 20s), and it echoes what I've found over the years when I've been feeling blue or needed a lift: putting on make-up makes me feel better.

• Sweater - Lord & Taylor, thrifted; last worn here with snakes and rainbow houndstooth in October 2019
• Skirt - LA Nights, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) in August 2019 with my Gookey lace bomber for Ulti
• Shoes - Prepare Guide, Fluevog; last worn here (3rd outfit) for weekend brunch in September 2019

The sun is back, and it's brought a cool breeze with it. I enjoyed being out this morning for my walk and even lugging home my groceries. The seagull couple spotted me as soon as I went outside - the nesting lady on top alerted her fellow who came out to look at me.

"Yes, it's her. She's spying on us!"

In addition to doing my make-up today, I also got dressed in some "good clothes" which are just as comfy as my around-the-house clothes.

Ivana at a little place to call my own has a great post today: 'Wear What Makes You Happy When You Can" (all links 'cause I love). It's an excellent reminder to have fun with your clothes and to dress up - life is short!

Today's dressy outfit (which will be worn until I start making dinner - I'm messy when I cook!) is in homage to L's beloved Miami Dolphins NFL football team, whose colours are orange and aqua. L has been missing sports badly these past few months, and the NFL Draft starts today. It's important to him, so I'm surprising him with my team-coloured outfit. Fins up!

My hair is long enough to clip up again!

This sweater is 100% merino wool, and it's heavenly soft and comfy to wear - it does have a couple of small spots on it, and a very light repair on the front hem. Those kinds of things don't really matter to me - but I will likely eventually rotate this sweater into my at home wear at some later date.

I love the swooshy skirt - it's a sheer layer over a black lining, which gives it good coverage and intensifies the colours in it.

I'm noting the weird shape of this sweater - where did my waist go?

I am a box with arms!

Model pose, hee hee!

It's such an odd cut, almost a mullet sweater - I usually wear it with a skinny bottom, but felt like being super swooshy today instead. This skirt is a Swoosh Factor 8, and must be kept out of the clutches of the Evil Computer Chair.

The stuff:

L hates these shoes, but I love them. Ha! I'm the one who has to wear them, so tough beans.

Colourful bling:

I played with the colours in the skirt and kind of went with the 1920s long necklace silhouette. I liked the mix of green and blue.

• Acrylic cuff - thrifted
• Glass bangle - thrifted
• Turquoise necklace - thrifted
• Green glass bead necklace - Mom's, 1970s?
• Brass/jade ring - Mom's, 1970s
• Turquoise ring - local
• Earrings - Mango's

I added this bracelet - it's sterling silver and loaded with semi-precious stones and pearls. The glass bangle rings on it like a spoon on a teacup - it's a pretty sound.

The cuff was handmade on Salt Spring Island, and was a gift from L many years ago. Wearing it might make up for the shoes, ha ha.


I'll be changing into my vintage house-dress for the evening.

Isn't it fabulous? It's by Mr. Robert and it's probably from the 70s. I bought it here a year ago (detail pictures there), in March 2019 for $18.95 and have worn it oodles of times. I feel very "Mrs. Roeper" in this! 

I adore the bright orangey-red, the pockets and the massive pattern. It's worn the most in spring and fall. 

And now, time for some reading in the sun.  

"On my way!"

Vizzini immediately threw himself down and lolled around for a tummy rub.

"Let's get going - we have a lot of tum to cover."

My Purr Therapist calls! I hope you are having a good day - stay safe, my friends.