PEACE FOR ALL OF US!!! YAY!!! That's the grand hope, the dream.
You may note that I have boosted my font. I was so tired of that weeny eeny font. What was I thinking?! Of course that original font setting happened six years ago when I thought reading glasses were an option, not a requirement. Hahaha!!
I frickin' love this outfit. The dress is courtesy of my friend Shelley, Forest City Fashionista, who has graced this blog many a time for her style, humour, intelligence, and friendship. The dress is faux fur, grey, with a lightning-bolt-type overlay on the front. I call it my Flintstones meets David Bowie meets Lost in Space Dress.
The groovy tights love this shift dress. I hoisted the hem a bit to show you a little psychedelic leg action. Heh. The boots, also groovalicious, I got at Value Village a little while ago, stretch leather, made in Italy, new condition. The earrings are from a great haul I had a couple of years ago at My Sister's Closet eco thrift boutique, proceeds to the Battered Women's Shelter Services.
And next - ta dah!! This is the director's edit of my new video, slightly longer than the IG version.
My new video!
This was a fun challenge to film with a tripod - just one indoor take and two outside. I didn't have time to fark around because people were walking up and down the sidewalks.
When I was trying to get up from the bench, a couple of concerned women nearby almost came over to give me a hand. I was impressed because it meant my acting was convincing - I can in fact move in these pants, kind of. Next time, I need a sign that says, "No, it's just tight leather pants. But thanks."
When I bought these pants they had little rips in the seams by the knees from a former owner who apparently also had navigational difficulties. I put clear tape over them. Fixed!! I'll get around to a proper repair sometime.
Above, the full outfit.
And look, I'm windsurfing! In the stairwell! Seriously, who wants the fuss of annoying wind, water, wetsuits, towels, know-how, and a windsurfing board? This is the only way to do sports.
One final shot with my Partridge Family Baggies, which I also wore last week, and my Jamin Puech bag. Every time I carry this bag I whip it around. I know I should be more reserved with it, seeing as how it's a high fashion brand and all, but who says high fashion can't be whipped about with joy too, right? A good whipping-about of one's clothes is testament to it's joy factor, I say.
That's all for this time. I'll link up with Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style and Catherine at Not Dressed as Lamb for #iwillwearwhatilike.
I raise a toast to everyone. May you feast and be merry. And whether you celebrate a specific holiday or not, the sales on unsold sweets will soon be upon us, and that's definitely something to celebrate. Hurray!
I can't believe it - I'm in Europe! Or is it Asia? I can't even remember. Everything is such a whirlwind.
Texas?!
No, no, no. It's France, maybe Italy, both of which are in Europe.
Val of @muse.fondue and @constancesnow on Instagram mused that this is an Italian beatnik look, Daddy O, and that I should be riding my scooter backwards behind a ciggie-smoking boyfriend, then taking a dip in Trevi Fountain. I think I should drive the scooter backwards myself. I'd definitely end up in Trevi Fountain.
Others saw hints of Agent 99, @suzannecarillo, and Jean Seberg, @fcfashionista. Sigh. What would I do without my friends?!
And check it out: I'm so good at posing now that I look almost identical in those two previous photos. It's uncanny.
Now, just so you don't get the wrong impression - I'd never go scootering all over Europe (Asia and the US) with just this one outfit. And my life is not all fun. As you'll see in the next snapshots, there were games involved as well. Who needs yoga!?
Healthy Body - Healthy Mind
I'm not sure if I'm playing rugby or soccer. Does it matter? The point is to chase a ball, kick, tackle, and run for your life. And throw in some happy dances when you do good, preferably facing the camera. It's almost like social media.
I like the huddles most though (maybe that's in football, details) because while we're all bent over in that loving circle of friendship, I whip out my porta tea set and lace tablecloth for a hot cuppa on the field - so welcome during this cold weather, isn't it? Sometimes I bring cookies too, or Pop Tarts (TM).
I have to thank the brilliant photographers at unsplash.com for sharing these great background shots. Top to bottom: tao-xanh kim, sapan patel, jeremy bishop, marian trizuliak, and quino al.
And Margaret Manning of Sixty and Me fame has opened two articles based on previous interviews I had with her. They are HERE and HERE.
Finally, there I am for realsie below, in the stairwell dressed in used clothing - but damned fine used clothing. "Secondhand" always sounds better than used, but it is what it is.
This turtleneck and these sailor pants are from Talize Thrift in Delta, BC. Talize has a mind-boggling array of unique clothing appropriate for any style adventure. And shopping thrift is one small way I can help ease the burden on our distressed planet.
I've been wearing my hair down a bit more recently. Why not? And doing winged eyes. There are so many unexplored possibilities.
Happy travels, friends! Words of the week are hope and optimism - yeah! Or maybe you'd like to join my football team, the Mel Destroyers, for a huddle and a cuppa?
I went down to the scary storage locker where my alien pods are hibernating, pods referring of course to my clothes in their vacuum-sealed space bags. There was definitely a rustling sound, maybe even muffled giggles, as I tugged open the padlock.
The key to survival in there is to be quick and efficient and carry a big vacuum hose. It helps that I have an Excel spreadsheet now that catalogs my clothes by description and bag number.
One reason I went down is to pull out this ice-blue faux fur because I knew it would go magnificently with a new addition to my closet - a luxury bag from Jamin Puech Paris. It was a gift, a mini collaboration, but rest assured my opinions are my own: I LOVE IT!!
The next photo is what happens when I get excited by a new bag - I wave it about so much you can't really see it! Please kindly skip to the photo after this one for a calmer view.
This bag, Chair, is from their Tingshas line. Dingle bits, velvety softness, high-factor swingability, and satisfying planetary orbs that click open and shut. It is a truly unique piece of handbag art, which is why I was so happy to accept this collaboration. Even the packaging was exquisite.
And look, the cuffs of my thrifted Scotch & Soda blouse match the dingle bits perfectly. Spooky, right? Hahaha. And I didn't even plan it. I'm also wearing my fake stripper track pants that zip all the way down the sides and my brown cowboy-style booties.
No one comes between me and my Jamin Puech.
Seriously, this is a fine bag and I know I'll use it often. It was very difficult choosing which bag I want - all their designs are absolutely stunning, and I don't say that lightly. Go have a look and you'll see what I mean. Thanks, Jamin Puech.
And below is the Chair with another outfit. I like this pairing equally well, especially with the silk velvet scarf in the mix.
Now moving along. Tra-la-la, tra-la-la, lounging on the concrete steps in outdoor wear, as one does, leafing through my journal.
What am I wearing? All things from my closet, thrifted or gifted:
black-and-white graphic print vintage coat with red lining from my friend Su
heavyweight vintage jacquard pants
men's pointy brown shoes
silk velvet scarf
"Soho" glasses, gift from Vint and York in NYC in the summer
Jamin Puech Paris handbag
Just so you know, below is the kind of sketch that litters my journals. I have hundreds of them over many years, mostly featuring Turniphead (that's me), wearing the same thing I was wearing that day, and Kitty, often Royal Kitty, wearing whatever strikes my fancy. If you spot me in a downtown cafe, chances are I'll either be sketching or colouring one of these with pencil crayons.
I also wore this black-and-white pattern-mix outfit a week ago to a Uniqlo store in Burnaby, which is a 30-minute transit ride from downtown Vancouver. Uniqlo is an international fashion retailer headquartered in Japan and I went there not necessarily to shop but to hunt for a photo of me from a global print and commercial campaign I did with them earlier in the summer. And look!
My friend Elizabeth (IG and website) accompanied me and took the photo. I was featured in the stretchy pants section. Awesome! Hahaha.
I hadn't mentioned the campaign to anyone because I didn't know what happened to it. Then, cincinnata_demetria, whom I know from IG, wrote that she had seen me in the Amsterdam Uniqlo. What a surprise! When I asked, she kindly sent me a photo that I posted on my IG, HERE.
That same night, people O and I know in Japan also called, surprised to have seen me in their local Uniqlo as well.
Of course I was excited and contacted Greetje of No Fear of Fashion, who lives not too far from the Amsterdam store, and she generously went down and took a bunch more photos. Huge thanks to Greetje! And to her husband Ron, who drove the getaway car. She has a funny story about that on her blog, HERE. One of the photos she sent me is below.
That's me in the commercial above the photo too. I'm an architect. Greetje didn't even notice until she got home that I was in there and she'd captured my scene by chance. I'm not keen on the camera angle in the ad and told Greetje, DO NOT USE!!, but I'm over it now, it's life. This was an awesome shoot.
That's about it from here. I'll finish with this photo - showing the wall who's boss. ???!!!
I'm wearing a short lurex dress with sport-style neck and cuffs. Those are Zohara tights, which they sent me over a year ago. They have a great collection.
Nothing else to say really. I'll end with this little journal sketch.
It's a giant cat or a little tree. You decide. A windy autumn day.
I'll link up with Patti at Not Dead Yet Style for her Visible Monday, and Catherine at Not Dressed as Lamb for her #iwillwearwhatilike.
Thank you for visiting!!! I hope you all have a stellar week. Until next time...
It wasn't very late but already it was dark on Granville Island. My partner O and I have been heading there more regularly now that the crowds have dissipated, taking the Aquabus over in lieu of the car (or my yacht or private luxury submarine). Riding that cute boat (HERE) makes me feel like I'm on holiday.
As soon as November 1 hit, the Christmas/holiday lights came on. The mood was moony, crisp, and blue. O got some great photos. (I was always bummed when on the TV series Gilligan's Island the castaways didn't believe Ginger's prediction that they will be rescued when the moon is blue, read about it HERE.)
This next moon shot O took from our window in late July, but it reflects the feeling of this post so I asked to use it. Don't confuse this moon shot with shooting the moon; that is not my moon. Or with any rocket moon-shot attempts, although I was feeling rather spacy.
I remember going to the Vancouver Space Centre's Planetarium, a 360-degree theatre, in about 1984, to watch the Pink Floyd Dark Side of the Moon show. Trippy. Wonderful - all dreams an arm's length away. Sometimes still are, or even closer.
Still wishing on a star, even if it's only in LEDs. I'm wearing my Emporio Armani suit and man shoes from My Sister's Closet, jacket from Yuzhe Studios, a gift a couple of years ago, and a blouse from last year's flea market at West Vancouver United Church.
Then yesterday (a relative term) I dressed like the moon or a marshmallow, below. You decide. Or even Mr. Clean, a cartoon character dressed in white to advertise household cleaning products on TV. Yes, an animated version of myself is definitely required for handling household cleaning supplies.
I don't need a cartoon version of myself to handle marshmallows, although if I went all paranomal I would resemble the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man from the movie Ghostbusters HERE.
Of course, these are "autumn" whites, and then in a month or so they will be "winter" whites. In summer, they are simply whites. In every season I am Mel, Mel, Mel, and Mel or Melanie, depending on my mood. At the coffee shop, my name could be Cleo or Krissy or something else entirely; it would depend on my mood as well, not the seasons, which may in fact affect my mood.
In point of fact, I have never used a fake name at a coffee shop. I would feel like a scofflaw, like I'm walking through a crosswalk when the red hand is flashing!!! But I shall start, even though the baristas pretty much all know my real name. If they raise their brows I'll say: A) the truth is not the truth, walk away in a huff, and look back to see if their brows go even higher; or B) (shout) YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH!, like Jack Nicholson in that annoying movie, A Few Good Men.
It's amazing how much drama you can wring out of the simple act of ordering coffee.
I discovered when I got home that the faux leather has started flaking badly in the armpits. Sweat is bad enough but toxic sweat now? This aging thing sucks! And then I noticed it around the elbows too. Phew, in a way. At least I don't think I have toxic-sweating elbows. The jacket looked fine when I went out, but the stress of movement must have triggered the peeling.
The jacket was packed in a vacuum-sealed bag for a few months, as was another faux leather jacket that also started flaking. The bags do not warn against storing faux leather in them, but I suspect the packing, not simply fabric quality, played a hand in this premature deterioration. I'll roll with the flaws and try to make more flaking, like it was meant to be like this. Flaking farking or maybe even painting will be required. Just like with my face and hair.
And a final set of photos, also taken by O on Granville Island a little while ago, not posted on my blog before.
I belled those bottoms myself, bottoms as in pant legs, bell as in ding dong. The coat is by Danier, a defunct Canadian leather goods store, a generous gift from Shelley a year or so ago. I call it high-muppet, rock-star glamour.
This next shot might go on the cover of my new 8-track cassette.
And in OTHER NEWS
Nordstrom Canada has just released its national holiday-season campaign, and there I am, along with many of my cast mates from the Toronto shoot. I won't go on and on about it - I don't want to bore you with the details - but it was another grand adventure. Have a look.
And they also posted a making-of video, behind the scenes. Check out that snow. It was a hot day in August. Gotta love that movie magic.
Finally, since Bag and a Beret is kind of like my very own magazine, I have decided to finish this post with a festive, theme-related recipe. Don't feel bad if you can't replicate it in your own homes - this is not for the novice chef.
I give you Moon Egg.
The trick is in the cooking time and the temperature of the boiling water. In fact, rather than depress you with the complexities of the recipe, I shall leave you to gaze at the perfection of my own culinary skills. Also good with Swiss cheese and a cow jumping over it.
Now I don't know whether to arrive at the linkups early this time or say I was too late for the last ones. Augh. I shall link up to Patti at Not Dead Yet Style for Visible Monday and Catherine at Not Dressed as Lamb for #iwillwearwhatilike when it goes live too.
Tra-la!
Do you use fake names? Spill - your secrets, not your coffee, unless it's fruity-tasting. Pitui!
Face lift, chin and lip implants, fillers, chemical peel, botox, hair colour, and hair extensions, followed by professional makeup and a photographer with good lighting. And to think, you only saw me less than two weeks ago. That was fast, right? The miracle of modern science.
I'm glad I know photo editing so I don't have to do the makeover for real to see the AFTER because, despite the wrinkles and sags, I'm okay with my aging face, although some days much more okay than others. I still catch glimpses of myself in window reflections and mirrors and wonder, who's that? WTF?! And walk a little faster.
But I keep telling myself over and over, I'll never be as young as I am at this very second. Deal with it. Revel in it! It's not the package that counts - it's what's in the package. I repeat: IT'S WHAT'S IN THE PACKAGE. Sigh. Those frickin' mantras.
Here they are again:
So what did I do? Apart from keeping my original nose/eyes/brows and basic facial structure?
enlarged my chin
enlarged my mouth
smoothed the wrinkles
erased the shadows
coloured my eyes green
changed the tint
added glam and skin-smoother filters
blended two wigs
recoloured my faux-fur jacket
I used to have contact lenses that exact green - they caused quite a stir whenever I wore them and I stopped. Plus, they were not comfortable. I also think I might have repositioned my entire head or stretched it or tilted it (can't remember, I was lost in the moment).
My partner O and I both agree that the AFTER looks slightly creepy, no doubt due to my editing technique. There are probably apps these days that do all of these things with one tap. I know there is a skin smoother and lip plumper app. I often see the smoothing filter on IG.
It's also doubtful that these effects could be achieved even with extensive surgical/cosmetic interventions, but it was great "trying" them out.
Would I ever get a "procedure"? Never say never. I think it's important to feel good about ourselves.
But the search for perfection is pervasive! And unwinnable.
Did you know that some popular Instagrammers are simply cgi figures, not real humans at all? Their perfection has won them (their creators) millions of followers in some cases and lucrative sponsorship deals. Is this where our search for perfection ultimately leads?
The following are all examples of hugely successful non-human influencers on Instagram.
I do. You do. We all do! Why this rush to do away with ourselves? Heh.
Sigh - again. I haven't booked any procedures yet, but I suspect they will grow in both ease and frequency of application for all genders. This is a topic for another time. I just farked that photo and thought, wow, that's pretty weird. That new me probably speaks fluent French. Heh.
And because this is also a style blog, I'm sharing this next photo, something I wore yesterday, which I can also link up to Patti at Not Dead Yet Style and her Visible Monday, and Catherine at Not Dressed as Lamb and her #iwillwearwhatilike. I'll see you there!
What do you think about cgi influencers and our obsession with perfection? Another question: once you achieve perfection, what else is there? The search, the process, is where all the good stuff happens.
That's all for this week. I've responded to your comments from the last couple of posts if any of you are interested.
Leaves' last hurrah. These beautiful autumnal colours are also, unfortunately, harbingers of the scourge of urban existence - the dreaded leaf blower. Rakes, rakes! More rakes, please - the kind with prongs, not wastrel womanizers.
This oversized men's jacket is not a Marc Jacob's artful, oversized men's Power Suit $$$ for women, as sported by Lady Gaga recently, with much fanfare, at a Women in Hollywood event. No, this is simply an oversized men's jacket, a gift from a good friend.
Handmade in Italy from a cashmere/wool blend and luxurious silky-smooth lining, this jacket also boasts an impressive nine pockets cleverly concealed in the design. Pockets in pockets in pockets - it could be a Dr. Seuss book.
It's difficult enough trying to find things in a single handbag, so I can't imagine trying to remember where I put things in nine pockets.
Leaves were wafting down all around me. So beautiful.
With the jacket I am wearing a luxury oversized men's tuxedo shirt - from the same kind friend - which I farked by adding a monster truck image on the front and other things you can't see here. And that's a men's vest snatched from O's wardrobe. Heh.
The jeans I farked by adding the embroidered eyes on the knees. Then men's (maybe) cowboy-style booties. Of course there's the loupe O made me and his ring too, which is hidden by the super-long sleeves.
Dick, my tripod, worked diligently this morning. The first shoot was right in the middle of the sidewalk and I had to move my setup aside when people were coming. Thankfully, there was no fear of traffic at this woodsy location.
That's a huge honkin' maple leaf below. Canadian, eh? Except it's golden, not red like the one on our flag, which, incidentally, has recently been toppled from the apex of Canadian leaf royalty by another similarly-shaped leaf.
And preparing for my fan dance using maples leaves instead of fans in true Canadian style. That'll be the day. Hahaha!!
I love this outfit. Any ill-fitting garment suddenly feels fitting for any occasion when it's made from luxurious fabric.
That's all this time. I'll link up to Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style and Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike at Not Dressed as Lamb.
Thanks for stopping by!!! We are all in seasons of change right now. I hope you are getting the fortifications needed to combat the storms that seem to be wreaking havoc on our barometric pressures on a daily basis. Hang on!
