Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Friday Fireworks, Blue and Bronze for Brunch (and a Baby Shower), Sunday Shopping

Ah, what a lovely weekend it's been. Just the right amount of social, quiet, shopping, games and chillin'. Perfect. 

Here's Friday's outfit - it was a gloomy and rainy day. I'm thinking springy thoughts though, made easier by this fabulous dress.

 The dress is new-to-me and is a heavy linen. It has good weight and moves nicely when I walk.

• Dress - JG Hook, thrifted; purchased here for $28.95
• Shoes - Asos, consignment, Vancouver; last seen here in September 2017 with peasant florals
• Coat (below) - Stop Staring!, thrifted; last worn here in March 

I wore a red vintage slip under this for an extra bit of warmth but this was a wonderful dress to wear overall.

 The spiky-painted floral pattern reminds me of fireworks.

 And so many colours! Will I ever run out of of shoes to wear with this?

The "swoosh" picture.

 Not a full circle skirt, but that was plenty of fabric for swooshing about the office. It twirls well.

Outerwear - bundled up for the rain and chilly day.

 I went shopping with a coworker after work (found her some shoes), and went out for dinner with her afterwards. I ran for the bus in this, skirts flying everywhere!

• Silk scarf - thrifted
• Leather gloves - consignment

The stuff:

 While these are a very comfy shoe for a day at the office, they were not a good standing-for-hours shopping shoe. My feet were very happy to have these off after 11 hours!

Multi-coloured bling:

 I went rather mad with matching colours in the dress! Peach, pink, green and blue.

• Earrings - Kenneth Lane, Lazy Susan's, first wearing
• Glass bangle - thrifted
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes

L and I got up bright and early Saturday morning so that we could have our breakfast together at Floyd's Diner. We both have busy schedules - separate and together - and hadn't seen each other much for a few days.

 So I dressed up for breakfast. As one does!

• Top - Jean-Paul Gaultier, vintage 90s, consignment; last seen here in January under a denim wrap dress
• Dress - Dolce & Gabbana, vintage 90s, thrifted; last worn here in December with lace and magenta
• Boots - Prepare Guide, Fluevog; last seen here (2nd outfit) in March with baby blue denim
• Jacket (below) - Burberry, consignment, Vancouver; purchased here for $220.80

I admit, I might have been a tad overdressed for the pajama crowd.

 But screw it! I felt awesome and L loved my outfit (he also dressed up...as we do!).

I got a giggle out of wearing high-end designer duds to a diner.

 Walking boots for our stroll to town in the pouring rain.

Outerwear - gotta wear my leathers! Saturday was all about wearing this bronze metallic leather jacket as much as possible.

 I liked the contrast of the blue in the top with the bronze of the jacket.

Done up - I felt like Wonder Woman!

 I'm so glad L talked me into buying this.

This is my entry for "Visible Monday" over at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style. I'm not dead, not by a long shot.

It's just a dream of a fit.

 I'm warning you now, I'll be wearing this to death!

The stuff: 

 I don't have too many "good" shoes that I wear in the rain, but the moths are slowly wreaking havoc on these wool boots (they are lined in butter-soft leather), so any further damage I can't get too upset about.

Round bling:

 Favourite pieces.

• Silver/sodalite ring - Scotland, 1996
• Silver/lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
• Silver/crystal ring - Soul Flower
• Venetian glass and silver earrings - local

After breakfast we walked home where I changed my outfit slightly.

 Nylons and blue shoes. I had a baby shower for our dear friend Sarah to go to!

• Top - as above
• Dress - as above
• Shoes - Garden of Enjoyment Rita, Fluevog - last seen here in June 2017 with mint green

A bunch of the Winesday Women descended on Sarah's place and met all her wonderful family and Calgary friends. They were a lovely group of ladies!

 Sarah invited all of us to bring a bag of clothes for a clothing swap - it was the perfect ice-breaker to introduce her groups to each other. I took a ginormous bag of clothes and jewelry and had a blast bossing everyone around and making them try stuff on. I love doing that kind of activity at a gathering where you don't know people. It's so much better than awkwardly sitting around. And so many of my pieces went to great homes - very satisfying.

The stuff: 

 I'd forgotten how darned comfortable these shoes are - I should really wear them more than once a year! After the shower, the Winesday contingent headed down to Canoe Club and met up with our gents for some appies and bevvies. L and I walked to town from there and caught a bus home - these shoes were champs!

Same ol' bling:

I only had half an hour to get ready.

While I was standing outside our condo, waiting for my ride to the shower, I looked up at our balcony and saw something.  

"Wait, where did the Woman go?"

 It's Vizzini, slouching on his post, looking at L and keeping an eye on the seagulls that are trying to nest on our roof.

He's also logging all suspicious squirrel activity.

 Caught him mid-leap!

As I watched, Vizzini stirred, hearing the gulls clattering around above him.

"What's going on up there? Gulls, move along!" 

 Then...he spotted me.

"Red alert! The Woman!"

 It was a little unnerving, seeing him watching me through the screen.

"Watching..." 

 I could feel his eyes...

"...you!"

I am always thrilled to find a piece or two at a swap - I'm very fussy about what I take home to add to my closet. This wonderful long drapey sweater was Sarah's.

 It's a lovely rusty orange/brown.

The label is Sparkle & Fade, which I've seen around in boutiques.

 This will be a nice fall topper, although I'll try to get one wear in soon before I pack it away. No room!

This is another piece that will be worn once, maybe, then bundled in with my cold weather accessories.

 It's a lovely soft faux leopard scarf. It was Vero's.

L and I hung out on Saturday night, and slept in a bit today/Sunday. Where is the sun?

 I looked in vain. No sun.

• Dress - Desigual by Christian Lacroix, consignment; purchased here for $25.00
• Coat - Danier Leather; last seen here
• Boots - 1883 Lucchesse, consignment; last worn here (2nd outfit) in March for a movie outing

 I walked to the grocery store, did my shop (for later delivery), then strolled over to the WIN Store on Pandora. I didn't wear the dress at all without the jacket, but here it is so you can see how it looks.

I liked it for trying stuff on (it pulls off and on over my head), but it's a little low-cut in the front for my taste.

 I probably won't wear it on its own - I loathe the lazy all-black back.

I liked it much better when it was covered up by my red leather coat.

 It got a little nicer as my afternoon wore on - I wore it like this while I was shopping.

But all bundled up for the walking outside.

 Easy scarf and gloves for tucking into my purse while I shopped.

• Scarf - fake Louis (Lewis!) Vuitton, thrifted
• Wool gloves - Parkhurst

The stuff:

 Best boots for walking! And my mismatched gold hoops.

• Gold earrings - mismatched gifts from L

I had good luck! I started out in the shoes, looking through the summery stock.

 These lovely soft black leather shoes are by Michael Kors.

I love the ballet profile, and the soft strap that wraps around the ankle.

 I like a small peeptoe, too. We don't need to see all the toes.

These were $24.95, which felt like a good price.

 Even the buckle is logo'd.

I found a beautiful deep purple scarf with fringe.

 It called to me! It is velvet on one side and satin on the other. It feels like silk, and for $2.95 it was mine, all mine!

I don't usually buy purses. I just don't use them, but I promise I will use this sweet leather and cloth purse.

 The backside of it is plain black leather, and yes, all that pattern is cut-out silhouetted leather!

It's by BCBG Paris, and was only $9.95.

The sticker under that read $19.95. Score! I think this bag is probably from the early 00s - I remember knock-off styles like this in mall stores.

I found this belt in the vintage accessories section. The three front pieces are mirroring crystals - you can see they're reflecting the poster on the wall above this table.

 The braided part is metal mesh.

This is the back of the buckle.

Only $4.95. Nice. 

I've seen this dress at WIN many times. It was in the half-price section today, so I bit. 

 I hate the slinky material of the cheap-looking bottom half of it, but I love the pattern and fit of the top half (I had tried this on at least once before).

The brand is Supertrash, and it was $5.00.

 See? Cool pattern, right? Flowers and cherubs!

You know I didn't hesitate - I cut the skirt off!

Vizzini helped, and yes, I wielded scissors barefooted, just asking for trouble.

 Now I have a nice blouse (good colours), with a long piece for tucking it in.

"Bored now."

 Ha ha!

Yes, I know I have a thin sweater just like this (this one, just worn last weekend).

 But this one is black and white (the other one is navy/white), and the neckline is different.

And it was only $7.00, half price.

 It's by Bellessa, a mall chain.

I also finally bit on this piece that I'd seen/tried on before.

 Weird, isn't it? I'm drawn to the weird. It was in the half price section due to having come apart,where that curve is on the left side, above.

I pinned it up, like so.

 Don't even think about suggesting I sew this. That's too much effort. This will do.

And now we have a totally workable fine cotton t-shirt dress with a fabulous feather pattern.

 It might only stay in my closet for a season, but I like it now.

It's by Helmut Lang, made in the USA, and was $12.50.

This piece originally retailed for $400.00 new. I'm happy with my $12.50!

I have reined in my leather purchases somewhat, but I still find it hard to pass up a beautiful piece like this brown suede and leather trim skirt. 

 It has a front slit, and that suede is incredibly soft, like a chamois cloth.

It's fully lined and fits beautifully.

For $29.95? I can't be expected to put it back!

From WIN, I walked down to Flavour Upstairs, but nothing really rang my bell. But I did find my "walking to and from work" shoes for this spring/summer season there.

 The Sex Pistols by Converse!

These are from 2016 and are still being sold at Baggins (linking here, 'cause I love), which is a store across the street from Flavour - they carry the largest selection of Converse in the world!

They originally retailed for $75.00 and they're on sale for $56.25 Canadian, if you want to match me!

 Pretty sweet, aren't they?

A little bit of anarchy on my feet.

 They look brand new.

 Not a lick of wear on the soles. I paid $24.99 for them.

I think the size 8 is wrong - I'm a 9.5-10 usually, and these fit me perfectly. A good thing for me!

And how was your weekend, my friends? Get up to any shenanigans?

Spring White and the Whale

It was rainy and gloomy for most of today, so what the heck, I'm wearing white! 

 There are summer whites and winter whites, but no autumn or spring whites. Why is that?

• Sweater - C. Wonder, thrifted; last seen here in August 2017 for a trip to the dentist
• Skirt - Angel Eye, consignment, Vancouver; purchased here for $23.99 (and it was new with tags on!)
• Shoes - Zoomies Ishshoes, Fluevog; purchased here in March for our anniversary
• Coat (below) - Danier Leather; last seen here on Tuesday

I had positive comments on this outfit, with several fans of the skirt.

 It's a whale of a skirt; the pattern, texture and bright optic white really make a statement. From the bottom down, I look a bit bridal, ha!

A playful sweater makes it less so (I hope).

 The skirt was lovely to wear, although it's a fairly stiff polyester (it's washable, very important with light colours). No pockets, though.

All bundled up for the rain and chill again.

 I felt very springy in this, in spite of the rain.

• Fedora - Edward Mann, vintage, thrifted
• Scarf - Story of Shanghai, thrifted
• Gloves - Danier Leather

The stuff:

 When I bought these white shoes and the white skirt (one day apart, in Vancouver), I knew I would put them together. I'm excited to do more outfits with these shoes - they were fabulously comfy and there's not a mark on them from the sole - yay!

Silver bling:

Some of my favourite steel pieces back!

• Cage cuff - Bauxo
• Steel cuff - thrifted
• Earrings - gift from Megan Mae
• Shield ring - Nine West
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes

I'm out after work tomorrow, and I have many plans this weekend (including a baby shower - ack!), so swing by in a few days for my Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up! Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

Green and Orange Jungle, and the Forgotten Cat

I'm getting more colourful as the week goes on, it seems. 

 I built this outfit around the new-to-me skirt, pulling out colours in it for basics and for pops of brightness. Guess which is which!

• Blazer - GIEFFEFFE by Gianfranco Ferre, vintage 90s; first worn here in March with glitter shoes
• Sleeveless sweater - Eileen Fisher, thrifted; first seen here in February with stripes
• Skirt - Linea Domani, thrifted; purchased here for $8.00
• Shoes - Big Presence Desmond, Fluevog; last seen here in March with a matchy belt
• Leather trenchcoat, vintage 70s, thrifted; last worn here in March

I like that my outfit was cheap: the jacket ($4.50), the sweater ($6.00), the skirt ($8.00) and the necklace ($5.00) totals $23.50.

 Naturally, the shoes and the jewelry cost the most. Spend money on shoes and jewelry!

I loved wearing this lovely bottle-green jacket again.

 A longer-length blazer feels fresh to me now.

I really liked the skirt. Win!

 It has great colours in it - I chose to highlight the greens in the jungle pattern, and pop the oranges. It's not quite a spring/summer look, but then, it's been raining all day. I'm not feeling very summery.

Outerwear - this is my rain gear. I got soaked on my 20-minute walk home, but my hat held up well, and this fab leather trenchcoat can take anything I throw at it.

Gloves (impractically thin, but matched so well), and a wooly warm scarf (needed). 

• Gloves - vintage, thrifted
• Scarf - Smoking Lily

The stuff: 

John Fluevog, please bring this colour of waxed canvas back! These shoes are getting worn out, and I'd like another pair. I do have these in yellow, copper and lilac/mango too. When I like a shoe, I really like a shoe!

Bright bling:

 My "jello-shot" necklace is back. Are big statement necklaces still a thing or is that "so 2015"? Do I care?

• Necklace - Banana Republic, consignment
• Ear-balls - Dior
• Amber ring - c. 1996
• Jade/bronze ring - vintage 70s, Mom's

I realized yesterday that I'd missed adding two pictures to my closet swap-over post! So here there are. This is what Vizzini does when the vacuum cleaner is out.

"I'm keeping warm, Woman."

 He's burrowed under our duvet on the bed, and is a warm little furry lump under there.

"You better keep your shoes safe from me."

He's been very cranky the last few days - the warmer temps means time to shed his winter fur. I brush him frequently, which he loves.

A Touch of Blue

I swear, I am not giving up on colour! Two days in a row of neutrals is purely a coincidence. 

 Look, I have blue in my shoes. Colour!

• Top - Zara Woman, thrifted, Vancouver; purchased here for $18.00
• Skirt - Sandra Angelozzi, consignment; last seen here in August 2017 with green peplum
• Shoes - Marc Jacobs, thrifted; last seen here in January with blue and houndstooth
• Coat (below) - Danier Leather; last worn here last week

I built the outfit around this grey wool top. It's a really odd piece, what with the draping, but I like it.

 I liked this length of skirt with it - I was worried about the proportion with that big zhoozh of fabric on the side. I think this could have gone dowdy with a longer skirt.

Such a pretty skirt. I'm happy to have it back.

It's a cotton/silk blend and wrinkles pretty easily, but oh, that pattern. So fab. 

Outerwear - it's definitely still leather weather. 

I wore my thickest gloves. No cold hands today!

• Scarf - Louis ("Lewis") Vuitton, fake, thrifted
• Gloves - consignment

The stuff: 

 These shoes are a great height, and very comfy.

Silver bling:

My "teeth" necklace and my "Death Star" ring are back! The ring reminds me of the Death Star powered up and ready explode a planet, because I am dorky that way.

• Necklace - the Bay
• Earrings - local
• Death Star ring - Soul Flower
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes

Draped at Work

I really did not want to be at work today - I was sorely tempted to bounce around on the bed and wake up L so that he could feel bad for me. 

 I wasn't in a colourful mood today, so I did all neutrals, including metallic copper in this new-to-me skirt.

• Jacket - Helmut Lang, thrifted; last seen here in September 2017 with my circus skirt
• Sleeveless sweater - Ellen Tracy, thrifted; last worn here in February under another Helmut jacket
• Skirt - LAMB, consignment, Vancouver; purchased here for $15.00
• Shoes - Elegant Conversations Kendra, Fluevog; last worn here in November 2017 with "nope" taupe
• Coat (below) - BCBG Max Azria, thrifted; last seen here in March for our jaunt to Vancouver

This draped skirt was tricky to style. It sits quite low on the hips (I safety-pinned it tighter, because I am Klassy like that!).

 But it's quite tight in the leg area, and the slit at the front (mostly covered here by that curtain swag) is pulling apart.

The fabric is very delicate and it's showing signs of separating on one seam. Jeez, I'm annoyed that this isn't better made!

 I consoled myself with the colour, the aforementioned curtain swag on the front that hides the slit, and this lovely Helmut Lang leather mix jacket. Drape, baby, it's the next new thing.

Outerwear - it's still darned chilly out there!

 Didn't need a scarf, and I wanted warmer gloves than these unlined thin ones by the end of the day.

• Gloves - vintage, thrifted

The stuff:

 I assembled three giant recycling stations in these today. My clothes have to work, just like me!

Copper bling:

I always keep a few copper pieces out for warm weather, to wear with my turquoise pieces. I was happy to be reacquainted with this lovely ring.

• Necklace - consignment
• Earrings - vintage fair
• Ring - local

Did you get today off work? I'm so jealous!