Corporate pyjama daywear, leopard style

Another sponsored post written in 100% Mel-o-vision.

Today I feature alluuuuring, not-quite-lurid, languid bedroom attire as corporate pyjama daywear, or, as I shall call it, Bed to Boardroom. "Oh James, bring me the latest numbers so I can calculate how bad I am at math. On second thought, skip the math and let's go straight to drama, English literature. Bring me another martini and wheel in the divan."

all outdoor photos snapped by Su Bennett (aka Fairy Thrift Sister)

Of course I could actually sleep in these leopard-print pyjamas, but why limit the fun? As soon as I saw them online at NK iMODE, I grinned like a Cheshire cat. They are super soft 100% silk charmeuse. And slippery, as in slidey, not wily. I don't have many slippery clothes. Why not have this feeling all day long? It's like walking with a sexay secret all over my frigging body.

I added a vintage Calvin Klein tie with a full Windsor knot as a neckpiece, thrifted Miu Miu boots, and a long black velvet opera coat. The bag, for my huge, extremely important board meeting sandwiches, I bought in Tokyo back in the day when I cared about briefcases.

To showcase the extreme, gobsmacking fabulousness of these PJs, I have blurred my backgrounds. Nothing says sexay more than blur, don't you agree? Now I think about it, is that what they mean by bedroom eyes? - you can't see a damned thing because you're not wearing your glasses? I'm sure it is.

Let's talk about pyjamas. Simply, they are a top with matching pants. So here is the silk blouse part paired with my farked "NOT PLAID" overalls. I love the contrast of the extreme silky sexay-ness of the blouse with the sturdy denim. Ouch, my brain is overwhelmed by sizzling hot sexay-ness.

And this time, the blouse and overalls with a whack-ton of necklaces tied together so I can put them on all at once, I guess because I'm a slacker. The blouse would look good with jeans too or a pencil skirt. If you try something and don't like it, try looking again with bedroom eyes. It works every time!

I agreed to this sponsorship offer from NK iMODE not just because I love these PJs (their Bettina line), but also because it was founded in Vancouver, does all its design work here, and adheres to fair and sustainable production practices. Their pyjamas are here.

Some of you might like that most of their their silk lingerie and nightwear also feature "lightweight bust support." NK iMODE retails at Selfridges and other high-end department stores around the world. 

A mood shot below. I was cold. But I had to show you the full corporate pyjama-y goodness. You can see that these PJs don't have piping. Nothing screams PYJAMAS (say that like screamy Frau Farbissina here) more than piping. What's up with that? 

And next are the bottoms with a black wool tunic on top, and my pointy black booties. These bottoms flutter when I walk. They also have an elastic and tie waist so you can really pig out in comfort at the all-you-can-eat buffet any time of day. I'm thinking of that culinary scene in the movie Fargo HERE. So good. 

Of course you can wear the top and bottom together as non-pyjamas too. Below the blouse is unbuttoned and worn over the tunic. And I added the black opera coat. A long cardigan would work, not necessarily in black. 

Naturally, I'm wearing O's rings and the loupe he made me. 

And the next photo is what it is, the ending to the story. But before you jump to conclusions, that's a condiment glass for pickles and the mini "wine bottle" is for a citrusy Japanese sauce called ponzu. Yes, things are far worse than you may have feared. Heh.

That's all for now. NK iMODE offers free standard shipping to Canada and the US if you'd care to have a look at their stuff. Quite beautiful and, seriously, they felt dreamy. These PJs arrived at my home just one day after I agreed to post on them. Shockingly fast, even for shipment within the same city.

I'll link up to Patti at Visible Monday, Not Dead Yet Style, and Catherine at #iwillwearwhatilike, Not Dressed as Lamb.

I raise a glass of, uh, ponzu, to you all this week. And while we're at it, let's toast to my new private jumbo submarine, which got approved at my latest board meeting, inspired by the ferocity of these corporate PJs. Nothing screams mogul quite like a private jumbo sub, don't you agree? Pickup will be ready when I can find it in the bay. So excited.

I hope you had a good week!

Geriatric vagina and '80s power suit

I needed to go to the financial district last week and thought I should dress accordingly. So I wore a suit. This one has dots instead of pinstripes, it's bright orange instead of grey, vintage not new, and it's silky, pyjama style, and has linebacker shoulder pads. Other than that, I fit right in and was ready to address the board of directors.

When walking with these shoulder pads, my shoulders start gyrating like a washing machine, which has all kinds of personal '80s associations in terms of style and female empowerment. (I just realized that this woman/power image involves a home appliance! How wrong is that?!)

Interlude:

For something different, I made a cartoon in response to a comment I read on someone's blog which said that a doctor told her friend she has a geriatric vagina. Oh, really? This rant has been wanting to explode for several weeks now. Here it is. (Warning: If you hate this topic, you'd best leave now.)

I probably laughed more drawing this than you will reading it. You should see the stuff I deleted. Hahaha!

Back to the outfit:

And below, a closeup of my '80s power suit. I'm linking this up to Patti's Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style, Catherine's #iwillwearwhatilike at Not Dressed as Lamb, and Anne at SpyGirl for 52 Pick-me-up: Completion. It's the last week of her latest year-long colour theme project. Why not join us?

You can see the neon yellow lace blouse that united this jacket and pants for the first time since I bought the suit over two years ago. The tie is made of vintage fabric, and I'm wearing my orange elastic, front-lace corset belt. This is a new favourite outfit.

Finally, heartfelt thanks to Susan at une femme d'un certain âge for mentioning me in her recent thoughtful post THINKING ABOUT: THE MEANING OF PERSONAL STYLE.

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Bill Cunningham (1929-2016)

[Edit: I was interviewed on JUNE 27 by Lisa Christiansen of CBC Radio One about Bill Cunningham and his impact on my life for the show On The Coast. You can listen to it HERE.]

I just found out that Bill Cunningham has died. I didn't know him personally, but this renowned NY artist/photographer had a direct and unlikely impact on the life of this middle-aged woman in Vancouver, Canada.

I remember clearly heading out alone to the theatre to watch a discount matinee of the documentary Bill Cunningham New York. Before the show started, in my seat in the dark, I furtively pulled my pink Munster Fluevog shoes from the plastic bag I had been clutching and slipped them on my feet. I had read up a bit about Mr. Cunningham beforehand, and properly shod I was ready to be swept away. I was.

Bill Cunningham. Bill Cunningham - his name rang in my head for weeks after the movie. When he saw the beauty of a woman in a wet blowing garbage bag, I fell in love. His unpretentious heartfelt drive and vision gave me hope. And confidence.

Soon after, I started a street style blog in Vancouver under the guiding force of his saying that if you look for beauty you will find it. This philosophy sustained me during the long, dark months of Vancouver's wet winters.

From these beginnings, this blog, Bag and a Beret, was born, and my own style confidence took off. While I have not thought of Mr. Cunningham specifically throughout this evolution, he was the star of the critical moment that launched it all and the person whose positive outlook buoyed me when I felt abandoned by beauty. I owe him tremendous thanks.

Bill Cunningham is an irreplaceable man. I am sad he is gone and rejoice in what he has shared.

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