Bigass Long Weekend Wrap-Up: Blue Friday, Whale of a Shop, Another Long Cardi, Green Ramble

A mid-summer long weekend is the best! BC Day is really a holiday about nothing - hooray, we live in a province! - but hey, I will take it!

Flashback to Friday, in my long blue wool cardigan. 

 I'm making some of you sweat just by saying that, aren't I? "Wool cardigan." Ah!

This is my entry for "Visible Monday" over at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style. Are you in? Go!

• Cardigan - Ports, vintage, consignment; first seen here in May with velvet boots
• White shirt - no label, thrifted; last worn here under my firecracker dress in July
• Skirt - Nygard; last worn here (4th outfit) in January with blue cashmere
• Shoes - Camper, thrifted; last seen here in June for a shopping day with L

It was a dead day at work, so I swooshed around in this outfit for my coworkers.

 Also, I am not quite awake.

Here, let me try harder.

 Jazz hands!

I'm kind of feeling done with the skirt. It's been in my closet for a long time - and it's there now. I don't need to decide right this second whether it stays or not.

 I love the cardigan, though. Keeper (until I get tired of long cardigans!).

My coworker Lesley and I had a laugh over these shoes.

They were hers, donated to WIN, where I bought them! I don't mind giving WIN my money; it's a good cause.

The stuff:

 They aren't the most attractive shoes, but they are super-comfy! Clomp-clomp-clomp, here I come, kickin' butt and takin' names.

Gold and blue bling:

This is the first wearing of this new-to-me snakeskin belt. Conclusion: it is too long to be done up at my waist - I had to tuck it into itself awkwardly all day. Better on the hips with some trousers, I think.

• Brass torc - vintage fair
• Cuff - vintage fair
• Belt - Club Monaco, thrifted; first wearing
• Amber ring - c. 1996
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes

 Oops, where are my ear-balls?

 There they are! I had earring issues this weekend...

• Ear-balls - Dior, consignment

L and I met up for Thai food after work on Friday, then hung out and played board games for the evening. Ah, just what we needed! Chill out!

We were up early on Saturday for our usual breakfast at Floyd's -  not enough people to play Ulti this week, but hopefully next week, when my leg is better (nearly there).

Breakfast outfit:

 Another go at the whale sweater, and my first wearing of my new weekend Fluevogs.

• Sweater - C. Wonder, thrifted; last worn here just a couple of weeks ago with brollies
• Skirt - Ranna Gill, thrifted; last seen here in May layered under a denim dress
• Shoes - Rivers Tambo, Fluevog; purchased here for $93.49

The Castle is looking beautiful in the warm weather.

 My view from the stairs is full of lush Gary oak trees and blue skies.

After breakfast, L and I split up to have our own wanders around town.

 I went to the big WIN store for a wee thrift shop. L went CD shopping.

Easy stuff to take off and put back on - always essential when shopping for oneself. I have a vintage camisole on under the sweater to keep from sweating on it.

 It was really the test for the shoes, though. I got one small blister on the top of one foot, so I need to soften up the leather there.

The stuff:

 Otherwise, these shoes were lovely for walking and standing. I'm quite happy with them.

• Chain/leather bracelet - thrifted
• Yellow glass earrings (not shown) - gift from L, Venice, Italy

Oops, that is the wrong earring(s)! I was going to wear that turquoise pair in my afternoon outfit, but the other earring broke, so I hurriedly set them aside - and inadvertently included one of them in this"stuff" photo. Ah, the trials of a fashion blogger!

I did well at WIN, and as always, I'm shopping for the good stuff, regardless of season.

 Hence, a gorgeous pair of grey wool trousers.

They're by Talbots, and the Petite cut is the perfect hip/waist on me, and the length is just right. I only look tall in pictures - I am 5'4".

 What a score for $6.95! These are fully-lined too! These would have been at least $129.99 new. They'll be great for fall/winter!

I perused the 50% off rack and came away with this sheer sparkly top.

 It hangs funny, but it looks great on, with a stitched-down wrap and an uneven hemline.

It's by Linda Lundstrom (kind of like the Canadian Eileen Fisher), and was only $9.50 - it certainly would have cost at least $60-100 new. Made in Canada!

 As noted on the tag, it had some small snags, but a bit of gentle push-and-pull eased them out.

I'm always on the lookout for easy camisoles.

 This one is a great blush colour, and is by Mexx.

And brand new, with tags still attached!

 The original retail in Canada was $19.00, and looks like this one was sold at Winners for originally $13.00, then marked down to $8.99 before someone donated it. I wonder why they didn't wear it? However, I'm not complaining - I'm happy to give my $2.95 to WIN!

I fell for the colours in this lovely sheer ruffled blouse.

 I have had a long-time love of ruffles for the 10 years I've been blogging, as you have probably figured out.

This polyester (yay, washable!) blouse is by Lauren Ralph Lauren (the most casual line of RL).

 Only $12.95? Sure! That feels like a good deal.

I like a classic sweater as much as the next person. This one is a really soft green, and will be wonderful to wear in cooler weather.

 Not much to the shape, but it looks really good on.

It's by Lacoste (I'm sure you spotted the gator).

 Size 42 is about a size 8 in Canada/US. Only $6.95?

Really? For a 100% wool sweater?

 Lacoste's cotton V-neck sweaters retail for $169.00 Canadian, so I'm sure this is a score.

I'm always on the lookout for a nice cardigan/topper. Black is good - I don't have a black cardigan anymore (well, no, that's not strictly true; I do, but it's a heavier one with white detailing, here).

 This is a "ballet-style" tie-front cardigan, a very fine knit.

I recognize the Wolford name - they make tights (I have a pair of knee highs by them that I thrifted last year).

$18.95 seems like a good deal. Ulp, the only cardigan they are showing on their website now is a silk/wool blend and it's $475.00.

 The tag's there, yes, it's made in Italy.

 And silk-cotton! It's incredibly soft - can't wait to wear this!

I was really jazzed about this incredible coat/duster that was in with the dresses.

 No buttons, just a floor-length long open coat with pockets and a waist tie.

It's made of denim with a touch of stretch.

 Only $16.95?? Wow, that also feels like a score.

And it's made in Canada! Washable too - important for Madame Spillypants.

 I suspect it's got some age on it, probably from the early 00s, and I'm sure it would have been over $100 new. Also very excited about this piece.

Most of the weekend has not been overly hot. Vizzini's been making the most of it.

"Is that the sound of a camera interrupting my nap?"

 He's been very floppy the last few days.

L and I got home from our respective shopping expeditions on Satureday in time to get changed and head back to town to meet up with our best gang of friends for the inevitable long weekend hangout.

 I knew I wanted to wear these silk pants again, so let's go blue, yes, blue is a good colour, and then add a nice chartreuse-y green to the mix. Why not?

• Cardigan - Joseph A, consignment; first seen here in June with green lace and all chartreuse
• Top - Club Monaco, thrifted; last worn here in January with embroidery and pleats
• Pants - Pinkerton, consignment; first seen here in April with another duster
• Shoes - Wonders; last worn here (3rd outfit) in June for a day in town with L while on stay-cation

We met up at Bart's (aka Bartholomew's Pub), hoping to sit out on the sunny patio, but we were thwarted by the sheer size of our group (16+).

 What a curse, to have so many friends, eh? Ha!

This outfit ended up being just right. The silk pants billowed majestically and were comfy for sitting (elastic waist!).

 I took the cardigan off when I was out of the sun, but put it back on to swoosh our way home, later that evening.

The stuff:

 For a heel, these are amazing shoes - I walked both ways to and from town in these with not a bit of soreness or rubbing.

Summer bling:

 Ah, there are the gold Venetian glass earrings - this was the outfit I'd intended on wear the turquoise earrings with.

• Bracelet - Lia Sophia, thrifted
• Turquoise/silver ring - local
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
• Earrings - gift from L, Venice

I only took a few pictures and mostly just enjoyed hanging out with all of our friends.

 L on the walk down, wearing his Black Sabbath/Blue Oyster Cult "Black and Blue" vintage tour shirt, and a vintage Hawaiian shirt. Grumpy face because we're late.

Inside Bart's - raising a glass to Nick for his birthday last week.

 From left: Greg, Nick, L, and Randall.

And some of my gorgeous gals.

 From left: Yvonne, Rosanna, and Karen.

L and I got home late on Saturday night, and hung out for the evening, hiding from the heat.

Yesterday/Sunday, we'd planned a leisurely day of strolling about town together. I had a $100 gift card to Chapters, and there were a few other places we wanted to go. It's one of those days when you just play tourist in your own town. Fun!

 But first, breakfast at the Ruby. Another layered outfit for sun coverage.

• Jacket - Jacob, thrifted; last seen here in July over a jammy dress
• Blouse - Jacob, thrifted; last worn here (2nd outfit) in May for shopping for L's birthday
• Skirt - See by Chloe, consignment; last seen here in May with this same top
• Shoes - Born, consignment; last worn here (2nd outfit) one week earlier

From the Ruby, we checked out the sale at Outlooks, then went to Mango's and found L a new pair of jeans (G Star Raw)  - premium denim for my guy! They were on sale, too.

I had a shop at Flavour Upstairs while L had a beer at the Garrick's Head Pub.

 Then we spent the gift card on a huge stack of books at Chapters, and then went to see "Ant-Man and the Wasp" (good fun) in a nice air-conditioned theatre.

 A stroll home after that, and we were ready to settle in and play more board games. This is the life, my friends.

The stuff:

 Easy stuff to wear in the heat.

Round green bling:

 Some favourite pieces. First wearing of the mint-green and brass bracelet (purchased for $4.95).

• Brass bangle - thrifted; first wearing
• Glass bangle - thrifted
• Earrings - 5th anniversary gift from L
• Jade ring - Mom's, vintage 70s
• Necklace - Mom's vintage 70s

I found a couple of things at Flavour Upstairs, but their stock seemed really low.

 This is a Club Monaco piece - it's made of neoprene (squishy!) and has a V in the back. All of those little florals are beaded, and hand-sewn on the top, front and back.

A close-up:

 So pretty!

I couldn't find this top online, but it's been made since Ralph Lauren acquired them in 1999.

 I count this as "new" since it still has the little bag of replacement beads attached! It was only $12.99, and considering their summer tops start at $169.00...well, I'm going to guess that this was slightly over $12.99!

I found two cool bracelets as well.

 The one on the left is malachite green, burgundy and black interspersed with textured gold - it was $5.00. The one on the left was $7.00 and is a bright blue snakeskin...and it is VERY familiar to me...

Because I think this is my old bracelet from 1986! I had this identical bracelet back then, donated sometime in the 90s, probably. I'm sure this could have belonged to someone else...but really? It feels like my old bracelet. It feels familiar. What are the chances that someone else had this exact bracelet?

 A good quality closure on one (complete with the little security snap-loop), and a hinged closure on the other.

Vizzini, how's this weekend been for you, my little fuzz-ball?

"I just want to nap."

Aw, me too, bud!

Ruffles and Red Suede

It's cooled off considerably in the last 24 hours - it might even rain this weekend! - which gave me the opportunity today to wear something slightly less summery. 

 Silk and suede, yup. In August.

• Blouse - Emporio Armani, thrifted; purchased here for $72.95
• Skirt - Holt Renfrew, vintage 90s, thrifted; last seen here in April with black leather
• Shoes - Elegant Conversations Kendra, Fluevog; last worn here in June with creams and greens
• Jacket (below) - Holt Renfrew, vintage 90s, last worn here in the same outfit as the skirt

I built the outfit around this new-to-me super-swanky Emporio Armani (KLASSY) blouse that I bought on the weekend. 

 It was lovely to wear all day, but I had to safety-pin the front placket due to buttons wanting to gape. It's not just the cheap brands - the chi-chi brands do it too! Jeez! Put a snap on it for us, would ya?

If you're having trouble figuring out what colour this is, here you go:

It's pale grey with burgundy dots - they look like bricks in the picture due to how they're spaced.

My nearly-menopausal right armpit (never the left one, oddly) decided to gush near the end of the day - thankfully, it did not turn the blouse dark. I hate when that happens to wet fabric.

 Anyways, despite the "dry clean only" on the tag, I washed it by hand in cold water with a bit of foamy handsoap and it's drying on the deck now. It will be fine, I'm sure. I need to be able to wash my blouses.

The colour is distorting here - these really are matching reds!

 Because if I'm going to wear a jacket with my red suede skirt, it's got to be the matching jacket. You know I am all about the matchy.

The stuff:

 My sore calf is nearly healed - it doesn't seem to mind heels. These are great if I don't walk too much in them. I have tired feet now, after a long day.

White bling:

I felt like the blouse needed something at the neck. Pearls will do.

• Belt - vintage 60s, Mom's
• Necklace - vintage 80s, Grandma J's
• Earrings - thrifted

This coming weekend is a long one for us in BC - we have Monday off, woo hoo! I will be back then with tales of adventure and a bigass weekend wrap-up for you. Have a wonderful weekend, my friends! 

Lipstick Red and Patterns Galore

Did I wear my new red shoes today? 

 You bet I did! I had fun last night putting together today's outfit - it is one of the best parts of every day, playing around in my closet and getting my "art" on.

• Jacket - Kenzo Jungle, vintage 90s, thrifted; last seen here (3rd outfit) in late September 2017 for the big Vintage Expo
• Baby blue blouse - no label, vintage 80s, thrifted; last worn here in July with Marimekko
• Skirt - Sandra Angelozzi, consignment; last seen here in April with a touch of blue
• Shoes - Truths Pilgrim, Fluevog; purchased here for $237.99

Reader Cynthia alerted me to this great post called "How to Listen Your Way to Great Style" and commented that I have learned to listen to myself when it comes to fashion.

 This is my brain on Wednesday (har har). But seriously, yes, I do listen to myself - I want to feel that "EEE!" excited feeling when I get dressed, every single time. Thanks, Cynthia! Please do check the article out (here, again, and linking 'cause I love, of course).

Okay, back to outfit talk. I have been wanting to wear this lovely linen/viscose Kenzo jacket for a while - the pinky-reds in it went so well with the bright shoes. I had to sit up straight in order to keep the jacket done up all day. I know I could have worn it unbuttoned, but I was all about the shape today.

 I love this funky skirt. Such a cool pattern.

The stuff:

 We had oodles of clients in the office today, so I got to show off my shoes to everyone. These were so comfy, as I expected they would be.

Simple bling:

With all that pattern and colour, I didn't need much else!

• Earrings - vintage fair
• Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes