Blogger Meet-Up: Ally in Town!

Hello, my friends! I'm back following a wonderfully fun weekend. Look who I got to hang out with for three days! 

 It's Ally of Shybiker! Ah! [Kermit hands] This is my entry for "Visible Monday" over at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style.

Ally and I have met before, at the 2015 International Vancouver 40+ Blogger Meet-Up, which I wrote about here, and clicked really well then. We have known each other through blogging for almost our entire blog careers, nearly 10 years.

Ally came out to Victoria, BC, Canada, to see me and another blog-friend of hers, Dar. It's a bit of an effort to get here: not only is Victoria on the opposite coast to New York, where Ally's from, but it's on a freakin' island. I was understandably excited to be hosting Ally here, and of course, one of my big concerns was, "What will I wear??"

 I took Friday off work (Ally arrived on Thursday night), and semi-planned the full weekend for us to maximize our time together. My outfits were all driven by the weather, which promised to be...RAIN.

• Leather vest - CABi, consignment; last seen here in September 2015 (yes, you read that right!) over lace
• Sweater - Jean-Paul Gaultier, consignment; last worn here (5th outfit) in March with long leather for Winesday
• Jeans - Levi Strauss Commuter, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) in February for my office move
• Boots - Matisse, consignment; last worn here in February with a red dress and 6 pockets
• Leather trenchcoat (below) - vintage 70s, thrifted; last seen here a couple of weeks ago

I didn't want to look too "fashion-y" or be intimidating (although Dar's been reading my blog for a little while). I can be...overwhelming...in person.

 I'm shocked that I haven't worn this leather vest in 3 years! Wow, where does the time go?

As noted, it rained off and on all day, so layers were needed. My sweater is fine, but warm.

 Jeans and easy walking boots for the win!

My best rain coat is my leather trench.

I hate carrying an umbrella, so my hat was definitely needed!

• Hat - Edward Mann, vintage, thrifted
• Scarf - Smoking Lily, 1997, gift from Janet
• Wool gloves - Parkhurst

The stuff:

 I kept this pair of boots out for spring/summer just for days like this.

Simple bling:

 Rarely-worn earrings, but I like the mix of wood, silver and crystal.

• Earrings - Plum
• Amber ring - c. 1996
• Crystal ring - Uffizi Gallery gift shop, Florence, Italy

I got up early and walked to Ally's hotel. It was my first time over the new Johnson Street Bridge.

 Check out the warning sign - you don't see too many like that!

I liked the nice wide walkways. This shelter below is for waiting in when the bridge is up.

 Very thoughtful to have a couple of benches.

Always know where you're going.

 First steps on the bridge.

On the other side, there is still a little remnant of the original train tracks.

 I have walked across that a few times in my day.

Ally and I went for lunch at John's Place, an old Victoria restaurant, then we walked all over town, including up to Beacon Hill Park, where we were captivated (along with a few other tourists) by some peacocks.

 Ally getting a shot of this lovely fellow.

The females (peahens) are a muddy white colour.

 Such a gorgeous display.

We were surprised to see one way up in that tree.

 See him?

Here:

 Peacocks can't fly too far, but apparently they can get up a few branches in trees!

From Beacon Hill, we walked down to Dallas Road. That's Port Angeles, Washington, in the distance.

 We clambered over driftwood and rocks, so that we could stick our hands in the Pacific Ocean.

We were here!

 That's clear proof.

We walked back to town from there, and met up with Dar for lunch at the Tapas Bar (our original choice, Pagliacci's, was closed for renovations). After a lovely lunch and spirited conversation, Dar drove us over to My Sister's Closet for a peek around. I may have bought something...

 It's a thick black knit, covered with "tags" of acid orange and hot pink silk, trimmed in black thread.

It's a wonderful Tangerine Jill piece.

 I can't help but shimmy in it! It was $44.95. Dar and Ally didn't get anything, but I think you should go back and get that gorgeous Danier leather coat, Dar!

From there, we drove over to House of Savoy. Ally found a purple striped shirt and a chartreusey-yellow patterned Ted Baker tie. I dug around on the sale racks and in the half price shoe bins.

 My heart leaped at these

 These were $82.50 on half price, but they are in pristine condition.

The label hasn't even been removed from the sole. I bet they've been worn maybe once.

 I can't find the exact model online, but they are from the "Vog Together" family and of course, they are by Fluevog.

I also found this really interesting blue blazer.

 The odd lapels appealed to me, as did the rounded hem and angled pockets.

KL by Karl Lagerfeld.

 It has some age on it - I'd guess it's from the 90s based on the label, here (my label resource is the Vintage Fashion Guild, a wonderful site for digging up info on thrifted designer items, here).

KL on the buttons too.

 The label has aged - this is wool, cashmere and polyamide.

 Made in West Germany.

 It was marked down to $45.00. I'm excited to wear it.

From our shopping adventures, we all went back to my house, where Dar and Ally got to see the infamous stairs of my stair pose (a trip highlight, for Ally, ha!), my closet and Vizzini.

Ally, L and I went for dinner at our local pub, the Fernwood Inn, and then the three of us hung out at our place, drank scotch and listened to music until I started nodding off and called Ally a cab to go back to her hotel.

Another early morning on Saturday! It was somewhat brighter and less rainy so I risked a lighter outfit.

 This outfit features two new-to-me items: the blouse and the cardigan.

• Cardigan - Kenzo, consignment; purchased here for $26.98
• Blouse - Sanctuary, thrifted; purchased here for $5.95
• Pants - Tara Jarmon, consignment; last seen here in July 2017 with a Hawaiian shirt
• Shoes - Truths Makena, Fluevog; last worn here (4th outfit) in March for brunch
• Sleeveless coat (below) - Only, thrifted; last seen here in March

I wore Ally out on Friday - too much walking! It quickly went from 5 miles to about a hundred miles in her descriptions, lol. Yes, I walk a lot! Anyway, Saturday was the "tourist day" where we did all the best touristy things. Victoria is a tourist town (it's the main industry here), but it helps to know which things the locals recommend. We walked by the Legislature building (aka the Parliament Buildings), where I took a group shot for some tourists on the steps, then onto the Royal BC Museum. I've been going there since I was a kid - my first job was volunteering in the gift shop before it was "Royal".

 Layers and comfy shoes. This long cardigan was wonderful for warmth and coverage during the day.

Longer in front.

 I could also flip the sleeve cuffs down for extra length.

All zipped up.

 From the Museum, we strolled through the Empress Hotel, then wandered over to Johnson Street to poke in a few stores. Finally, we met up with a big group of my and L's friends (the Winesday/MANsday crew) at the Garrick's Head Pub, and people-watched, chatted and generally mingled. My friends were charmed by Ally and she with them. It was a lovely afternoon.

The new-to-me top solo.

 It was too cold to take the cardi off at any point. Stupid weather!

I do like how the underneath part shows through the top layer and creates another level of pattern.

 These polka dot pants are a favourite pair of mine.

For outerwear, I layered my sleeveless coat over the whole shebang.

 And added my studded gloves. Cuffs down on the cardi there.

• Leather gloves - Danier Leather

The stuff:

 These shoes were awesome for a day walking - this is the first time (I think) that I've worn them barefoot.

• Shield ring - Nine West
• Death Star ring - Soul Flower
• Earrings - thrifted

I'm glad that so much was in bloom while Ally was here, despite the rainy and grey weather.

 Plum trees at the Delta Hotel.

And orange and pink and yellow tulips at the Empress.

 They match the Tangerine Jill dress I bought!

Ally and I both took Saturday night off (even good friends can use time off from each other), but met up again on Sunday for brunch with L - of course, we had to go to Floyd's Diner! It's tradition!

 I decided to give Ally a "Day in the Life of Sheila" - and Floyd's is as classic as it gets for me and L.

• Shirt - Dept, consignment; last seen here in January for a mall shop with Elaine
• Skirt - Mackage, thrifted; last worn here (2nd outfit) in October 2017 for a Saturday brunch
• Boots - 1883 Lucchesse, consignment; last seen here (4th outfit)last weekend for shopping
• Leather coat (below) - Danier Leather; last worn here on Thursday

Easy walking stuff again, plus I planned to take us to a couple of thrift stores, so easy off/on things for trying on clothes.

"You can't leave. We haven't had sufficient cuddle time."

 Vizzini was quite cranky about me being gone most of the weekend.

 From brunch, Ally and I did my weekly grocery shop - I'm such a classy host, ha! I don't know, is it interesting to see a Canadian grocery store when you live in the US? I get my groceries delivered, so it was over quickly at least.

Outerwear - the rain held off for the day, fortunately. We browsed in the Patch and the WIN Store, then went for tea and macarons at Fol Epi Bakery, and chatted the afternoon away.

 Rainy gear again.

• Gloves - Parkhurst

The stuff:

 Comfiest boots ever.

Turquoise bling:

 Happy to have these pieces back in rotation.

• Earrings - vintage furniture store
• Ring - local

Ally found a couple of things at WIN and I lucked out on these fun suede and rubber runners.

 The white soles are quite thick.

I love the fun look of them.

 These are by Camper, and are called the Vintar (not available anymore).

They are hugely comfortable.

 There is some discolouration on the soles and a bit on the sides of the white platforms, but not much.

 These were only $34.95 - their runners are around 150 Euros, which is about $225 Canadian. Pretty good!

You might have noticed that I actually didn't take a lot of pictures, and if you've visited Ally's posts about her trip (here and here, so far), neither did she. Both of us really wanted to enjoy our time together and not get wrapped up in recording the entire thing.

 L took our picture while we were waiting in line at Floyd's - I'll treasure this, the memories and our time together, Ally. Thank you for everything, especially for YOU, for coming all the way out here to see me!

Vizzini also sends hugs.

"My love is like this cloth bag that smells like the Woman, that I rake when I want attention."

 He sniffed Ally's hair and let her pet him.

"There may have been some interaction."

 He was his typical self, in other words.

"I rake this bag, I -- wait, must lick my toes."

Here's to weekends with friends, new and old!

Humboldt Green and Ombre

I'll be taking a few days' vacation as of now to show a dear friend around town, so leaving you with a serious look with a fun edge. 

 I felt good in this outfit - nothing new here, all old stuff that I've had for a while - the jacket is the newest thing I own, and this is its fourth wear.

• Jacket - fake Gucci (Gookey!), thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) in March with a garbage bag skirt
• Top - Plum, thrifted; last worn here in August 2017 with a delightful leather skirt
• Skirt - Nygard, consignment; last seen here in January with cobalt cashmere
• Shoes - Half Truth Tanya, Fluevog; last worn here (2nd outfit) for St. Paddy's Day
• Coat (below) - Danier Leather; last seen here last weekend

My office did a "Show your support for Humboldt" day, following a tragic bus crash of a junior hockey team near Tisdale, Saskatchewan (I've been there) last week. My office was full of people wearing either green (the team's colour) or a sports jersey. I went with green, although I have worn a jersey to work (with this same skirt!) before.

 We pick outfits for all kinds of reasons. My lace Gookey jacket looked appropriately sportslike, but I still wanted to look professional.

I liked how the lace went with the houndstooth skirt.

It felt like a simple outfit, and was comfy for a very busy day at work, as I cleared the decks for a couple of days off.

I know, you're looking at my hair. I messed with the colour (as I do).

 I bleached the ends out to a bright pink and dyed the roots a darker purple, to give it an overall ombre effect. My hairdresser will not flip out (to my face, ha), but I felt like something different. One thing you'll notice if you ever click back in my blog, is that my hair is constantly in flux. I never keep the same style for long - and I've always been like that.

It was cool and a bit chilly in the morning, but got sunny in the afternoon.

 Leather weather! It's just perfect for my leather coats. Must wear more.

The stuff:

Gads, I love these shoes. They are such a comfortable pair.

Minimal bling: 

Sometimes you just want earrings.

• Gold hoops - 5th anniversary gift from L

Okay, my friends, have a fabulous weekend! I will be back on Monday with oodles of pictures from our weekend adventures with Ally! 

The 90s Called..

...they want their slip dress back!

I remember when that fashion of wearing a t-shirt under a slip dress or sundress first appeared in the early 90s. I bought a lovely mid-length flowy dress (cream background, taupe and pink floral), and a cream t-shirt, and I thought I was the bomb (before we said things were "the bomb"). 

 I'm tickled that this fashion has come around again, after about 25 years. Doesn't seem that long ago, does it? According to those dubious "rules", I shouldn't be wearing a fashion the second time around, but if we all followed that, we'd never be able to wear anything after 20 years!

• Sweater - Sonia Rykiel, consignment; first worn here (3rd outfit) during our March weekend in Vancouver
• Dress - Huanba, thrifted; first worn here in January over greys
• Shoes - Hispanitas; last seen here in one of my last outfits of 2017
• Coat (below) - Denny Rose, consignment; last worn here a few weeks ago

Not my most office-y outfit, but I was comfortable. I didn't even slip in a new-to-me item into this outfit.

 Second wearing of this thin, but very fine quality sweater. Loved it.

And second wearing of this lovely silk slip dress.

 I was terrified I'd get waste toner all over it from the printers, but phew, dodged that nasty bullet.

Outerwear - it was chilly, rainy and windy today, and I had to carry my hat partway home so that it didn't blow off into the middle of the street.

 I hope this weather gets better soon - if you read this post, you know I have a very special visitor coming to town tomorrow!

• Hat - vintage, thrifted, Vancouver
• Leather gloves - thrifted

The stuff:

 I had considered wearing heels to class the outfit up a bit, but then my eyes lit on these and I was all, "YES, WANT FLATS." So there you go - no choice!

POLY bling:

I love gold and grey mixed together - it's such an unusual combo.

• Bracelets - both POLY, both thrifted (different places/times)
• Earrings - local
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
• Ring - POLY, vintage fair
• Necklace - POLY, thrifted

Bad Blouse and Sumptuous Suede

I am pretty tough when it comes to weeding out my wardrobe. If an item doesn't work, it's usually gone quickly. Like this dress that I hacked in half to turn it into a blouse. 

 GONE. I liked this outfit a lot, even if I hated that blouse.

• Blouse (was a dress) - Supertrash, thrifted; purchased here for $5.00
• Skirt - Ann Taylor, thrifted; purchased here for $29.95
• Shoes - Big Presence Earhart, Fluevog; last worn here in February with a dress that's not a dress
• Coat (below) - BCBG Max Azria, thrifted; last seen here last week

I love the pattern, and that is about it. It didn't breathe and the elbow cuffs were in a weird spot and varied between being too tight and way too loose. But the worse offender was the neckline. It was all over the place! Backward, forward, this shoulder, that shoulder. Bah!

I don't stand for this sort of insubordination in my clothes.

The skirt, on the other hand, was fabulous. SO soft - like buttah! - and just quality all over the place.

 Keeper! But not for spring/summer. It'll go in the stockpile for end of September, and will be a pleasant "Oh yeah!" surprise when I rediscover it. I also need the space in my closet.

Outerwear - now, we're having those kind of days when you need all this stuff in the morning...

...but you're dying by the end of the day when the sun's glaring on you. Not complaining about finally getting some sun, though!

• Pashmina scarf - Portolano, thrifted
• Ruffled leather gloves - consignment

The stuff:

 The pattern of the bad blouse went so well with all my accessories, sigh. Any opportunity to wear these lilac and mango shoes again, though!

Pastel bling:

I always welcome an opportunity to wear that beautiful necklace and earrings set that L bought me in Venice, Italy in 2014 (here, enjoy my travel pictures. Don't feel the pigeons!).

• Murano glass necklace/earrings - gift from L, Venice, Italy
• Amber ring - c. 1996
• Gold/amethyst ring - Frances Jewelers, c. 1965, Dad's

A 70s Apartment Outfit

I'm well aware that my style is constantly evolving. Right now, I'm really feeling an inclination for draping and long, slender pieces. 

 Not my usual colour palette, noted one of my fashionable coworkers, Samantha. It's not, but it still feels like "me."

• Cardigan - Sparkle & Fade, swap from Sarah; acquired here on the weekend at a baby shower
• Top - Helmut Lang, vintage fair; first worn here in November with dragons
• Pants - Noa Noa; first worn here in March with a fuzzy top
• Shoes - Design Lab; first worn here in February with yellow and leopard
• Coat (below) - Vassali, consignment; last seen here in March

First wearing of the cardigan, just picked up this weekend at Sarah's baby shower clothing swap. It was wonderful, with a nice heft to it. The hem swooshed very dramatically. 

 I like experimenting with proportion, and the cardigan gave me an opening to wear this uber-neutral top again (totally not my colour, usually). The classic proportion "goal" here would be a shorter or tucked-in top, so that my legs look longer, I look taller, etc.

But I liked how this felt and looked - not quite classic. Klassic! That's me, the klassy chick.

I liked the very 70s colours here, with the "wallpaper" pattern of the pants. It reminds me of my Grandma and Grandpa J's apartment, ha!

 I liked that this cardi has no closing pieces for doing it up - I don't want to look like I'm ready for a nap on the couch.

 It shows my other pieces off without overpowering them.

All slouchy. I stood around like this quite a bit, alternating with hands in pockets of the cardi.

 Pants with pockets for the win!

Outerwear - of course it had to be long too! I was a little concerned that I'd have the same issue with the long cardi as I had with my kimonos and the bunching up business, but it was very well-behaved.

 I didn't need the scarf on the way home, and wore my coat open. Much satisfactory billowing of all pieces ensued.

The stuff:

 Second wearing of my 10-cent shoes - just as awesome as the first time. Vizzini went right for the pom-poms when I put them on this morning for my pics, little monster.

Gold bling:

I heavily accessorized to help keep the cardigan from looking too casual. Did you notice I had this much bling on?

• Necklace - Trifari, vintage 60s, thrifted
• Chain/leather bracelet - thrifted
• Knot bracelet - Lia Sophia, thrifted
• Clock hand earrings - Foxy
• Amber ring - c. 1996
• Crystal ring - Uffizi Gallery gift shop, Florence, Italy