I'm not Atomic Blonde; I'm Atomic Grey

I wore this lightweight snuggly-soft Yuzhe Studios coat on my inspiration walk today, inside-out because I was in the mood for the lighter grey colour of the inside. The pockets stick out like little hip wings, and we know how flattering a look that is. And I wore my man shoes and other stuff. 

On my way home, a young woman breathlessly ran up behind me, seeking my attention. I thought:

Why, look! A fan eager to prostrate herself at my feet after my recent media triumph. And so it begins - celebrity is mine! Bwahaha! Soon I'll need to buy a hideaway in a dormant volcano and hire a team of minions.

I slowed, put on my humble face, and smiled at her with benevolence.

Then she said in a breathless confidential voice:

Excuse me, but I think you have put your coat on inside-out.

[sound of vinyl record scratching] 

"Wrong line!" was scribbled in my thought bubble.

I said, "Oh, thank you for telling me. Actually, I know it's inside-out, but I prefer it like this today." Then I thought we'd exchange laughs. But no. She said, "Oh, okay. Sorry, I'm sorry," and power-walked away, red face blazing. I felt bad. How could she have known?

Perhaps the next time I wear this inside-out I need to affix a little label on the back that says, "This inside-out is right-side-out today," to spare awkward feelings all around.

And yesterday I wore this: Jacqueline Conoir suit jacket, altered with additional repositioned buttons, Anne Klein crepe wool, lined palazzo pants courtesy of Dross Into Gold, black glitter booties, and -

The Device 

scratch-built by my partner O 

(his art is here, Etsy here).

As for the glasses, Charlise Theron wore aviator sunglassses in her role as a British spy in the period action movie Atomic Blonde, so when Nordstrom wardrobe handed me these glasses on set, BAM, I was -

No longer mere Mel - 

I was Atomic Grey! 

I decided to recreate that badass state of mind with this outfit.

There's the Yuzhe Studios coat again, right-side-out. They sent it to me a couple of years ago.

Speaking of atomic, time now to switch gears for a little spacy tripping with this psychedelic vintage '70s outfit that Suzanne, suzannecarillo.com, gave me when I was in Toronto. I almost fainted with surprise and delight. 

The outfit is seductively soft, velveteen I believe. The unstructured midi-length jacket has lapels, slits up both sides, and a single hook/eye closure at the waist. The front is meant to overlap for a fitted silhouette, but I preferred it a bit looser to enhance that tux feeling, so I pinned it closed. The slacks (love that word) zip up the back.

To top it off, I wore my blue velvety platform sandals with studded heels from Nordstorm and a satin sleeveless ruffle-front orange blouse with a super-high collar from many years ago.

I took these photos with my tripod on Granville Island.

The grand exit, tux tails flapping.

That's all for this week. I'll link something up with Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style and Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike at Not Dressed as Lamb. See you there.

New favourite handbag alert!

It's not possible! No way! My lunchbag handbag has been usurped by a sneaky handbag interloper?! Oh yes, yes, and yes!!

Introducing my new absolute favouritist new handbag. I didn't know it was possible to have such a handbag crush. I'd sponsor myself if I weren't already doing it. But, really, I should ask for more - I egregiously undervalue my services. Heh.

This is a vintage shiny handbag, vinyl I'm pretty sure, "A handcrafted Bernard Original, Made in Canada, Montreal," probably late '50s/early '60s. That's handcrafted vinyl, everyone. I've had this bag in my collection for several decades (yes, you read that right, from Value Village back in the day), but it never really sang to me until now. Until I wrote on it. Yesss.

One side says: "I'm not the accessory - she is!" And the other side says: "Handbag attitude." Indeed.

Below is the genuine handcrafted vinyl interior, which features two sleeve pockets, one on each side, and a zippered pocket in which to squirrel away flat, totally top-secret stuff.

I have to say, this bag was the most fun bag I've ever carried around town, and I've carried a few. I couldn't get more than a couple of blocks without someone smiling and stopping and asking about my bag. Of course, one might expect that reaction when carrying one's bag out front like a cross against a vampire or a stiff-armed Frankenstein with a dribbling baby, in a happy way of course, not a horror show way, to show it off.

No, I just swung my bag at my side, all lah-ti-dah, going about my business, but the bag cried out for attention even when I shushed her. She made me feel like a million bucks.

Speaking of a million bucks, I adore the co-star of this shoot, the Jacqueline Conoir suit - she is a local designer. It's a shame I didn't get better photos of it - I was obsessed with the bag. The black fabric has a circle motif, which you can only see in certain light.

I bought the suit a couple of years ago at My Sister's Closet and only wore it once. In fact, it was in my donate pile, but by taking in the pantlegs by about 3 inches on each side, and adding buttons, one black, one blue, a couple of inches over on the front, I've decided I love it. You can see it pre-upcycled here. It was definitely a more feminine styling.

But now guess what? I'm selling this bag! Gaaaa!!! It freaks me out! You must all know that saying: if you love something, set it free, if it comes back, it was obviously preprogrammed. Heh.

No, what I mean is, I'm ready to set this free for real. I am not kidding when I say this is my most favourite bag ever. The bag itself has been with me for decades, not an easy feat, and the upcycle has made it come alive, but letting it go will be part of a letting-go process in general in terms of my closet.

AND, I want a new camera, one that will do bokeh backgrounds. I adore my point-and-shoot, but I'm ready for something new, not a replacement, but a DSLR with a super-fast lens, which makes this purchase an extravagance I'm willing to sell things for. If I didn't want a new camera, I might not sell this, but letting-go is a good thing, right? I keep telling myself that.

I may undervalue my other services, but the bag, non! I am selling it for US$150. If you are interested in being an Accessory to my plans, heh, please email me and we can work out the details.

As my friend Mr. Wonder says, Signed, Sealed, Delivered, it's yours. Own a piece of Bag! Heh.

I'll link up with Patti at Not Dead Yet Style for her Visible Monday, thanks, Patti, and Catherine at Not Dressed as Lamb for her #iwillwearwhatilike. Thanks to you as well for hosting. See you there!

Yellow Skirt Freak Show Update!! And a power suit and arty video

Choppity chop chop - the hair came off.

So I wanted to wear a power suit yesterday. This one is by Vancouver-based designer Jacqueline Conoir. I loved the subtle circle pattern in the fabric, which is more visible in the third photo. It was cool when I went out, but by the time I got home my belt was in my bag and the jacket was flapping open - an in-between season.

The next photo is aspirational.

AND...

Freakish Yellow Skirt Update!!

a desert island & naught to sustain LIFE

but the Freakish Yellow Skirt

and the artful talents of her fellow castaways

URGENT CALLS to NASA with blips of YELLOW orbs

spotted by boats buzzing the ISLAND and the freakish delights

dips twirls whoops hollers 

not for rescue - for life

tremendous applause to

ANNA of 

ANNA'S ISLAND STYLE

GO GO NOW!!!!

Such a fun, fun styling of the Freakish Yellow Skirt!! Anna, skirt, ocean - a perfect storm of joy, especially knowing how Anna is a strong woman of art, style, and the sea. Thanks to her husband for his stunning photography. Plus, blogger Kezzie also dropped by to join in the celebration later on and her mum took the best photo. You can see it all on Anna's blog here. Thank you, Anna!

AND...
An arty video. Like most fellow bloggers, I wonder from time to time why I keep blogging. So I made a video. If you come here expecting just style or a chuckle, now you'll be even more confused. My world. I filmed most of this last November, by myself, somewhat awkwardly.

AND some upcycling...
I did a post a while ago here about a men's tuxedo shirt I was given and upcycled with basic downsizing and a little redesigning, and thought I may not be done with it; I wasn't. It was missing a monster truck. I cherish this shirt now. The horizontal flaps under the truck transfer are double layers of fabric removed from the side seams.

And these are my upcycled overalls worn with my gold spangles and Fluevog booties. This was a fun project.

PLUS, I met up with Vancouver Barbara and posted her photo on my street style blog here.

I'm going to link up with Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style and Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike at Not Dressed as Lamb. Maybe I'll see you there!

Brain sexy

Ooo-eee, isn't she some sexay biatch in those crazy-ass earth tones? Yeeeah baby, the sweet neutral boxiness of straight-cut vintage with baggy-butt high-waters. And whoa, don't look now - nubbly knee socks. Holy hot non-mama, I'm faint! Can she just stop ramping up the heat? 

It's a brainporn outfit. I felt androgynous and sweetly outside the fray-for-pretty on the streets, partly because the glasses were a physical shield between my head, which is my primary residence, and Out There, where everyone else runs around. And while not hot, the cool oddity of the clothing mix still felt attractive and empowering, especially with the Einstein hair and ruby red lipstick. 

For me, this look says, I'm outside the market but you can still gape and be confounded. 

I wielded my toolbox handbag with the fierce abandon that comes from knowing I'm in charge. Of what, I don't really know. I  need staff when I wear this so I can order them around.

Wearing brown: boxy vintage wool suit jacket; high-waisted, short wool trousers by local designer Jacqueline Conoir; men's shoes, miraculously narrow, so pointy they have upturned toes; blue T-shirt; vintage men's tie knotted '70s style; magic loupe; brown knee socks. Except the socks, everything was thrifted or gifted, including the Firmoo prescription glasses, which sit low like reading glasses. 

I read an article about a psychological study done at the University of Minnesota, which said women use their luxury handbags as a signal to other women to back off their man.* Yeah, if a rival saw my toolbox handbag she'd be afraid I have a hammer inside. See? O, who gave me the bag, is all about the mind games: I win before the game is even on at a fraction of the price. Hahaha!

There are so many things wrong with the handbag finding - don't get me started - although sadly I don't doubt the result or their other conclusions.

*I found the link at Inside Out Style by Imogen Lamport, her Weekend Reading Sep. 12, but the link destination is persnickety. She always has cool links.

____________________________________________

That's all. Happy weekend!

I'm linking this up to Patti's Visible Monday, of course, at Not Dead Yet Style when it goes live on Sunday. 

PS I've linked this up to TARDIS Tuesday as well because Kezzie thinks this is a very David Tennant Dr. Who look. Although I haven't watched the show, I'm happy to join the party! The more the merrier. You'll find me and the gang at KezzieAG and Maricel's My Closet Catalogue.

Executive look takes a detour

I am a tropical flower, blooming madly atop a stalk of pinstripes and animal shoes. My satiny petals stretch to the sky in vain in search of sunshine and nourishment.

New Fashion Rules: 

1. All political leaders must wear neon colours (and paisley) to important summit meetings to set the right tone for peace and conciliation. 
2. Male political leaders must wear mod side-zip ankle boots, in white or black, and bell bottoms.
3. Female leaders must wear go-go boots and maxi dresses. 

This is the new law.

Smiles bloomed all around me as I sashayed down my route, my corolla bobbing in herbaceous splendour. Black and white turned to technicolour in a fleeting trail of sparklets that twinkled in the gloom and wet of another rainy day.

Details

• sleeveless neon orange satin blouse with ruffles, thrifted
• neon pink satin blouse, Jacqueline Conoir, thrifted
• elastic stomacher-style orange belt with rear velcro closure, thrifted
• pinstriped executive skirt, thrifted
• D&G animal-print shoes, thrifted
• red beret, thrifted
• Betsey Johnson coat, and tights, retail

Also, I hope you all get out there, elbows cocked, wallets bulging, to gorge on Black Friday, which in North America (yes, Canada too) has become the official kick-off day for Holiday Shopping Season!!!! I dislike this day and what it stands for with intensity. Holt Renfrew, a high-end fashion retailer which I frequent for sensory inspiration, had a sign out today, "Thursday is the New Black Friday" - I just found out that there IS such a thing as Black Friday and already it's extended to Thursday. I wonder how long it will take to morph into Black Week, Black Month...

Rain seems to be the weather du jour everywhere right now. I hope you are all finding ways to cope. Maybe shopping will help. After all that venting, who knows? Maybe I'll hit a few thrift stores... I'll use my flower power to knock those shopping suckers outta my way. Okay, so I'm a Venus Fly Trap, not a benign tropical bloom after all...

AND

Bella at Citizen Rosebud has drawn up a pledge which affirms one's intent to shop second-hand first. I'm glad she said "first" because I do still have a weakness for retail from time to time. I have already been living according to this credo, but now I have a beautiful new colourful widget for my sidebar.

Floral pants to summon summer

When a man passing me on the sidewalk said, "Wild pants!" I should have said, "Yeah, baby, they match my wild heart," and winked. Instead I shyly laughed, "Yeah." When another guy yelled, "Great pants!" I SHOULD have shot my imaginary finger pistol and twirled it around before reholstering it with a grin and a wink and a couple of clucks like the sound you use for horses to giddy-up. Instead I quietly said, "Oh, thanks." Why, oh why, do these saucy come-backs materialize AFTER the fact?

I thrifted these gems (pants) the day I was coming home from taking photos at orchestra rehearsal in late April. I was still recovering from my cold at the time and I thought they would be good medicine. Indeed. The saleswoman in the shop assured me that they were REAL Versace - but it wasn't until she raised the point that I questioned their authenticity. Frankly, I didn't care who made them - I was in love.

This fantastic Cirque du Soleil tank has all the colours in it and my satin blouse provides a perfect neon pink ground. I tried to look like a punk in some of my photos but my expressions looked angry and bewildered. My friend also gave me a little sample jar of Product for my hair the other day which helped me achieve this case of bed head. It's an amazing substance, powder blue and stringy like candy. Instead of my hair feeling like soft grass blowing in the wind, my hair felt like gyrating stalks of broccoli. 

Details of the outfit

• floral pants by Versace (or not), $29, a new thrift shop, forget the name
• Cirque du Soleil tank, hand-me-over
• pink satin blouse by Jacqueline Conoir, Wildlife Thrift Store
• crackle brown Miu Miu boots, Wildlife Thrift Store

My main inspiration for buying these pants came from Debbi over at She Accessorizes Well. I had seen her in floral pants a while ago and they were great! I'd never worn floral pants before, so when I saw these I thought of her and bought them. Thanks, Debbi!

I am wearing this visible outfit over to Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style. See you all there.

Follow the tangerine road...

I've been playing with the backdrop in my studio again...uh oh. This is my tangerine road, and like the yellow brick road I hope it will take me to magical places, not necessarily home, if I click my thrifted D&G heels together three times! If I say "there's no place like Paris, there's no place like Paris, there's no place like Paris" and little sparklies start drifting down from the ceiling and the floor gets tilted like in those Batman shows, I'll know I'm onto something (or perhaps that I'm ON something!).

I bought this neon pink satin blouse last week at a local thrift shop. Spookily it happens to be by Jacqueline Conoir, a local designer I had never heard of until a few days ago when I style-eyed a woman who is devoted to the label. The seafoam skirt is one I sometimes wear as a petticoat.

Details of the ensemble:

• thrifted seafoam skirt, Value Village
• thrifted D&G shoes, Value Village
• thrifted fitted Jacqueline Conoir satin top with snap front closure, Wildlife Thrift Shop
• ultramarine textured tights
• thrifted rhinestone necklace, Wildlife Thrift Shop

This outfit looks great with my patterned coat, all that slap-me-in-the-face pink jumping out alarmingly at the front, but I forgot to lug my coat into the studio with me.

I was SO DISAPPOINTED about the blurriness of the photo - the effect takes years off my face and I would never ever want anyone to think I am younger than I am! Goodness, no! Actually, I was twirling in many of the photos so most of them came out making me look younger (and often like a dunderhead). And I adjusted the lights so that's why my eyes are glazed. Honestly!

This is my piece for the fabulous Patti and her Visible Monday party. See you there?!