Friday Cowgirl and Casual Saturday

Friday I wore the last item from the Vintage Fair: this amazing skirt:
Yes, that is 6 inches of fringe on the bottom! Isn't that sweet?

Sorry about the lighting - it's getting dark in the mornings, and it was very gloomy and rainy on Friday. The colour of the skirt - that glorious true turquoise - is accurate there, though.

Vizzini loved the fringe. He kept trying to bite it. That's my short-sleeved red sweater I got recently, with my dark denim vest over it. Those are my dark brown Miz Mooz boots.

I couldn't get enough of the swooshiness of the fringe:

It made a lot of noise when I walked, because it hit against the top of the boots with every step. I thought it sounded like hail hitting against a roof.

For my outerwear, I did my white leather jacket:

My turquoise scarf and red fingerless gloves capped it off. I'm never worried about leather in the rain, and sure enough, my jacket was fine.

In case you can't tell from the pictures, the skirt is a really thick suede (much like this purple suede vest I have). I am sure it's from the 70s. Wanna know how much it was?

Score!

I get a huge kick out of vintage labels:

I left my finger in for scale. That is one honkin' huge label - at least 2 1/2 inches wide! Gee, I wonder where the skirt was made?

This label totally tickles me:

Ah! Check it out! The matching jacket is on sale on eBay! Would that not be an amazing outfit? Totally over the top.

The best is what's written on the label. It says, "Shell 100% top quality split cowhide, Genuine leather, Lining 100% Nylon imported from Japan. Caution: Some leather colors may crock (rub off) on light colored garments. Brushing and dry cleaning will eliminate most crocking. Clean by certified leather cleaner only. Pioneer Wear Inc. does not guarantee the work of any leather cleaner and cannot be responsible for their work. Ladies skirt."

Okay, I have a pretty big vocabulary, but I have never heard of "crocking" before, have you? I love that they don't guarantee the work of cleaners. Ha!

The stuff:

I did my "Western" accessories: my fab Shi Studio cowboy belt buckle and leather wrist wrap, as well as some silver charms on my necklace.

Vest (Bisou Bisou, consignment), sweater (Reitman's, thrifted), skirt (Pioneer Wear, vintage 70s, thrifted), boots (Miz Mooz), belt/cuff (Shi Studio), jacket (Le Chateau, consignment), scarf (Marks & Spencer, thrifted), gloves (Parkhurst).

Today, L and I went out to our favourite diner for brunch. I also mailed the last two sets of presents for Lorena and Christie from my birthday challenge! Exciting!

I went shopping after work with Lesley on Friday night. We hit the local Women in Need store, then went to Dots (I had a gift card from my Winesday gals!). I got this cute top at the WIN store:

It's got that nice rock & roll vibe that I like. I'm wearing a wine-coloured cami underneath it, since it's quite sheer and the neckline is on the cleavage-y side.

The pattern is irregular and is dark grey with silver on top. All the seaming is in black.

That's my double-slit skirt (first seen here), and my red Miz Mooz boots (good for walking to the post office).

The back:

I love when patterns carry around to the back.

I thought the top was a little pricey:

However, it's Calvin Klein Jeans, and it goes to a good cause, so I'm not going to quibble.

Tee (Calvin Klein Jean, thrifted), skirt (Bianca Nygard, thrifted), boots (Miz Mooz).

Is anyone else doing Megan's Fall Challenge: Fashion Trends? I am participating!

Dropped Waist and Floral

This has to be quick, since I have Book Club in 45 min, and I'm hosting - got to get the food ready! Our book for discussion is "Olive Kitteridge" by Elizabeth Strout, and it was excellent. Highly recommended.

I've been wanting to wear this dress again for a long time: It's wool and quite warm, despite the lack of sleeves. The top underneath is classic 1999, I think - I found it for $6.50 in a thrift store. It makes my boobs look spectacular (you'll have to take my word for it until I wear it again!), ha ha!

I am trashing these tights:

The left leg (the right side in the above pictures) is missing print on the front of my shin, the background is white, and the pattern is too big overall. If only the print was more like my shirt, then I would be happier. Ah, well.

The stuff:

My lovely Fluevog booties.

The jewelry:

I like this glass necklace - so versatile.

Dress (Club Monaco, consignment), top (Suzy Shier, thrifted), booties (Coffee Kope Tiam, Fluevog), necklace (Oscar & Libby's), earrings (don't remember).

Rockin' Robin - Lots of Yellow

I realized on my way home today that my outfit is kind of superhero-coloured, specifically Robin of Batman & Robin! Ha!

I actually pulled my inspiration from two sources. One is the gorgeous autumnal foliage that I'm seeing as the leaves turn on the maple trees and other trees lining the streets. It's starting to get dark in the mornings - I'm not going to have much light left outside soon for pictures! It's also freezing outside this early!

My green cardi has gotten lots of wear over the last couple of years - I love a big collection of coloured cardigans (almost as much as I love a bunch of coloured camis!). They work with so many things.

My yellow Megan skirt (2nd outfit), and some new textured tights in a nice rusty colour.

My outerwear was actually more colourful still, since I added a bunch of yellow and chartreuse:

This coat is such a great seasonal transition piece. I'm going to wear it until it falls apart! My fake Tod's bag makes another appearance (I actually carried these shoes to work in it).

The stuff:

These green shoes (last outfit) made the cut in my closet last time I cleaned it. They are a little high for my feet now, and not especially comfortable after a full day, but I knew I'd be in a meeting all day today and I figured they'd be fine. Who could have predicted that the meeting room would have hardwood floors and I'd be clomping around like a horse all day?

The second thing I built my outfit around was this new belt buckle that L bought me for my birthday:

The colour isn't quite right there (this picture was taken at night when I got home), but the background is a baby blue, with shades of green in the leaves and bits of orange and yellow on the flowers. It's another Shi Studio buckle (like my cowboy one).

I also wore Grandma J's wonderful leaf necklace:

Love!

And these new-to-me vintage gloves that I got at the Vintage Fair (would you believe I still have one more thing that I got there?).

They were $4.00.

Cardigan (Kersh, consignment), cami (Esprit), skirt (BB Dakota, consignment), tights (Hue), shoes (Marc Fisher, consignment), belt and buckle (Shi Studio), necklace (vintage 50s, Trifari, Grandma J), coat (Planet, consignment), bag (fake Tod's, thrifted).

Strawberry Ice Cream Skirt

Every so often, I spot something when I'm out thrifting that I'm drawn to, and I'm not really sure why. This skirt was one of those things.

A: It's a really unappealing shade of pink (to me - I generally don't like pink).
B: It's not a super flattering length.
C: It sort of makes that "rectangle of death" shape on my bottom half.

But it excited me! It made me think of what a challenge it would be to work it in my wardrobe. Instead of being all predictable with black or white, I went with cherry red shoes (2nd outfit) and a magenta blouse (yes, I last wore it for Hallowe'en 2010!). Not really pink, but pink-y/purple-y. I saved the black for the accents.

I did take the jacket (2nd outfit) off for many parts of my day, as the external temperature (as well as my internal one, thank you, peri-menopause) was unpredictable.

The skirt grew on me as the day went on. It was quite comfortable and most of the wrinkles fell out of it from my body's warmth. The composition of it is wool and silk - quality fabric.

I swear I wasn't swayed to buy it by the price:

It was half off that (that's what the red slash means), so $7.25. Yay!

The stuff:

Isn't it like the colour of strawberry ice cream? Or is it Pepto Bismol? Either way, Fluevogs go with anything!

The sparkly bits:

Both gifts from L from various Christmasses. He's so good at picking things out for me!

Jacket (Banana Republic, thrifted), blouse (Esprit, consignment), cami (Esprit), skirt (Ann Taylor, thrifted), belt (Gap), shoes (Fluevog Senscha Teapots), pin and earrings (Plum).

Bonus cat shot!

Cuddly boys!

Vintage, Leather and Thrift Finds

Happy Monday! I put today's outfit together during my birthday party this past weekend. And it's Visible Monday! Are you taking part?

One of my girlfriends wanted to know how I built an outfit, so I started grabbing things and one thing led to another...we always seem to end up in my closet with our wine, oohing and ahhing over clothes during a party!

Anyway, when I picked out my clothes last night for work today, it just seemed to make sense to wear the outfit I had already created!I started with the pin, matched it to this sweater (third outfit down), added the tough-looking Indiana Jones leather skirt (third outfit again), added copper earrings, and capped it off with the coppery shoes.

Everything I'm wearing is thrifted, except for the shoes.

I didn't plan it! I just have a lot of second-hand clothes.

In case you wondered, I don't walk in my good shoes to work:

I do love my fun Adidas runners.

That glimmer of colour with my coat is my new-to-me thrifted scarf:

It's 100% silk, and is by Remoy d'Urville, and was made in Paris, likely in the 70s. It was $8.00.

I love all the colours in it:

I believe these scarves were all hand-painted. I love the burgundy, chartreuse and other fall colours. Isn't it like a big blurry, wet autumn day?

Someone came in for a better look:

Vizzini's "not guilty" face.

You may notice that I have a little purse in one of the pictures up there. I've been enjoying looking for quality purses on my thrifting rounds now that I don't have to carry a backpack. I got this one at the Vintage Fair with Elaine for $15.00.

I was attracted to the quality. The sewing is awesome, and those are bits of leather on there. And purple flowers! I totally didn't clue into what the giant "C" logos were all over it.

The back:

It's pretty beat up, but that's part of the charm for me. I gave it a good cleaning with the Folex and it brightened it right up. This is just a little workhorse of a purse!

Lovely brass hardware and real leather strap:I was happy to see that my instinct for quality was bang-on:

"This is a Coach bag." Well, isn't that awesome! And only $15.00. Score!

The stuff:

I love the classic look of these shoes. The jewelry is all new-to-me, again purchased for very thrify prices at the Vintage Fair.

The pin caught my eye first - I love that baby blue hemisphere in the centre:

I have a bit of a copper jewelry collection, started with my Grandma J's stuff, but now I'm keeping my eye out for other unique vintage pieces. The earrings were about $8-12 at the Vintage fair.

The brooch was in my price range:

It's from the 50s, as are the earrings:

And they're stamped "Renoir"! Love!

Sweater (Plum, thrifted), skirt (no label, thrifted), shoes (Pink), earrings (Renoir, vintage 50s), pin (vintage 50s), bag (Coach, thrifted), scarf (Remoy d'Urville, thrifted).

Most Fun Saturday - Dresses

Saturday was an awesome day! First, I spent the day with my niece, Zoe, who will be 12 very soon (going on 17, you know how it is). It was a lovely sunny day, so I wore my new Desigual dress. I like looking at the search words in the Stats to see how people find my blog. Aside from the weirdness of "Yukon Cornelius," the pervy-ness of "veiny feet" and the usual "Sheila Ephemera" searches, I get a lot for "winterizing summer dresses."Well, here's a good example. This is a cotton dress, in a t-shirt material. It's skimpy-ish on top and lined in the same fabric, so it will stick to tights. This is also a tricky dress because the dominant colour is white - good thing it has some bold pattern and darker colours on it!

The weather was good - cool but sunny - so I could get away without tights since I wore boots, but I could have worn a nylon slip under this and added tights. I layered a thin long-sleeved tee under it, added a statement necklace (to hide a glue stain, hee), and worn my white leather jacket and burgundy fingerless gloves:

Zoe and I went for breakfast and then shopped till we dropped! Such fun.

The stuff:

I am a sucker for Desigual, but as with all of my clothes I am really fussy about cut, patterns and fabric (not to mention price). This dress rang all my bells, and goes into the collection along with this dress and this jacket. It's almost cool enough to wear the jacket again! I can't wait!

Fortunately, this dress was not as expensive as my other pieces - it was regular $110.00, marked down to $85.00, plus another 25% off, so I got it for $70.00 including taxes. Not too bad. I probably won't get a huge amount of wear out of it until spring, but it'll be a great summer dress next year!

Desigual always does wonderful details on their clothing. I love the pattern and colours. There are brass sequins sewn on the leaves, which are also outlined in wooly thread. Some of the flowers are embroidered in, and it's hard to see, but there is a green metallic dragon embroidered on the front:

I loved how the necklace looked with this ensemble.

Dress (Desigual), tee (Plum), jacket (Le Chateau, consignment), gloves (Parkhurst), boots (Hispanitas, consignment), necklace (Plum).

I was able to get home in time to have a nap, then I cleaned and tidied the house in preparation for my birthday party that night (I admit I did a half-assed job of it and kept the lighting low). The party was awesome, and I got lots of cards, gifts and hugs from my dear, dear friends. The evening ended at 4am, after the last 8 stragglers ordered pizza.

Anyway, I was so excited to wear my vintage 70s dress:

The colour is sort of a burgundy-coffee shade, and it's 100% polyester (double-knit!), however, this is not that thick, awfuly polyester you usually associate with the 70s. This is silky, thin and wonderfully drapey, which you can see in the top part of the dress. It's also incredibly well cut. Look at those full sleeves, tight cuffs, collar, and the buttons that go nearly to the floor!

A shot of the back:

You can see the drape well there. It came with a sash belt, but I wore that in my hair instead. I wore my mom's gold chain belt from the 60s, and my bigass cheap earrings (they only come out for parties!).

I felt like I was wearing pyjamas all night!

The dress is by Ports International, which was originally a Canadian company. I remember their stores in the malls up to the early 90s, and that they sold cruisewear and very high-end clothing. Here's an obituary about one of the founders, which talks about the quality of one of their blouses: "the fabric, the buttons, the tailoring, how the collar opened a certain way." I can certainly see that in this dress. Even the buttons are a lovely thick abalone.

It still has the original label:

And I can see by the sizing that it's pre-modern sizing, since it fits me perfectly and I'm a modern size 6. It also still has its washing instructions - I am assured that it's machine wash, tumble dry! Yay! Good news, as I spilled some food and wine on it. Heh.

And you may wonder how much was this glorious garment that I found on the vintage rack in the thrift store? Well, wonder no more:

Yup. $10.50. Score!

Speaking of scores, I have been dying to wear these amazing shoes since I got them. I'm not usually a "saver" of clothing, but this dress and these shoes required a special occasion!

Oh, nom nom nom. I could just eat them up. The rope espadrille wedge, the crackled creamy gold finish, the gold hardware. And yes, your eyes do not deceive: they are Coach. Not just handbags! They make shoes!

Check out the fabulous details:

All leather, these fit like they were made for me.

I got these at the same time as these pumps. It was a massive sale at the Bay a few weeks ago; all summer shoes on clearance for either $19.99 or $29.99.

All the proper marks and stamps.

And they were made in Spain.

Here's the receipt:

Regular $169.99 - yay! I danced the night away in my cheap ensemble. All together, my entire outfit was under $50.00.

Dress (Ports International, vintage 70s, thrifted), shoes (Coach), earrings (Aldo Accessories), belt (60s vintage, Mom's).