Hat Attack, Mega Blogger Meetup, Turnip Head

HAT ATTACK 18, graciously hosted by Judith at Style Crone. My humble submission: the red beret.

The bulb is out, not the one in my head, the one on the ceiling in my concrete-box-of-a-photo studio, which made for some interesting shots today. My head bulb is flickering as well from power surges which creates a rather distinctive disco ball luminescence.

Everything I am wearing is thrifted, from the Steve Madden army boots to the red wool beret. And look, there's my fake smile up there! [Edit: I have just joined Sacramento's fabulous Share-in-Style: Masculine Look at Mis Papelicos. I figured the army boots would fit. See you there!] 

Yesterday I saw the Advanced Style documentary by Lina Plioplyte and Ari Cohen when I scored one of the last tickets of a sold-out screening. The audience, mainly women over 50, clapped enthusiastically at the end of the movie, then, after casting more than a few side-eyes at my highly suspicious attire, trundled home in their winter parkas and jeans. I loved the movie but the lobby ambiance was a shock.

TURNIP HEAD NEWS:

Shelley of Forest City Fashionista wore the Turnip Head in her recent post HERE. The Vegetable was thrilled to be part of such a stupendous outfit.

And...

...this Turnip Head on a Banksy image was in fact the first email submission I received on the Turnip Head Tour, sent from my friend TT, whom you may remember from his provocative comment which sparked the Travelling Yellow Skirt Freak Show. I didn't put this image up until now because I didn't realize Banksy artwork was copyright-free.

And MEGA BLOGGER MEETUP!

Yes, it's true. This summer in Vancouver, July 24~26. Suzanne of Suzanne Carillo: Style, Smiles and Stories, made this awesome poster. Go to her page HERE and read more about it, and make sure you grab a sidebar image too. We hatched the plan during the meetup with Sue of A Colourful Canvas: Stitch, Style, Smile. I know that you will bring more style to Vancouver than this city has EVER seen, than CANADA has ever seen. More details will be available as the date nears. Suzanne is our Official Liaison Executive.

Whew. That's all. Greetings to everyone! Life resumes to normal or what passes as normal for most of us. Let's get on with it, shall we?

Trouble posting my face

Edit Update: (Mon. Oct 13, Miz Bagg HQ) I am featured in an interview HERE on Imogen Lamport's "Stylish Thoughts" column in her dynamic blog Inside Out Style. If you want to know more about me, "Yesh, secrets of the schtars!!" have a look. Imogen has had some life changes lately, well worth the read, and she believes in breaking style rules.

This is my face when I wake up (minus lipstick and eyeliner).

All thrifted except the tights: shiny satin summery dress with attached lemony underskirt, pink tulle petticoat, yellow zig-zag coat, red beret, D&G pony shoes, striped delicate cotton T, and magic loupe and toolbox hand bag from O. 

I have trouble posting my face lately; I have trouble posting any photo I like lately. If I like it too much I must defile it somehow, say, by dropping in a different background or a fake head or both. I guess that's my reaction to seeing Everybody Everywhere turning into models, especially kids who are adept at striking a pose-and-grimace within photo target range. 

Do you ever think your outfit or photo is too settled, too nicey nice, too model-wannabe, so you just want to wreck it up? Of course it's hard to get away from when the goal of an outfit post is to show people what you're wearing, but still, the desire to bust out is always just under the surface. The thing that usually creates harmony in what I wear is that little something that's "off." What's off in this outfit? It's not the pattern mixing but the red of the beret being repelled by the reds in my shirt. Brrr! (frisson of delight)

Maybe I need props... Or a cat head and a sideways background.

All thrifted except the tights: Karen Millen dress, floral linen coat with satiny lining, D&G pony shoes, vintage sunglasses. This is what I wore the day before, same tights (laundered between wears) and shoes. What's off in this outfit? The hemline - too short! I liked the selfie I took, hence the cat head and sideways backdrop. So, have you wrecked any good photos lately? Or bad photos? 

Do you favour beauty or the beast?

Maxi quilted floral robe-coat and 52 Pick-me-up

Yesterday:

I almost blew away yesterday - not because of what I had on but because of the wind. Fierce! In fact, I had to cut short my inspiration walk. I'm wearing my quilted Orientalesque oversized floral maxi robe-coat, overwrapped and secured with a wide man's vintage leather belt. My red beret and vintage sunglasses top it off. I'm undecided as to whether I'll downsize the robe or keep doing the overlap wrapping.

Below: Today

Spy Girl Anne's 52 Pick-me-up post prompt, Trend Salad, was on my mind before dressing this morning.  This is what I tossed together as my official "trend" items: my (thrifted) Steve Madden houndstooth stovepipe pants and (thrifted) pastel-nicotine faux fur. (I also have layering and a "cute hat" as trends. They count too. Anne said so.) That's my oversized DIY "middle-aged kitteh" T-shirt over my (thrifted) graphic turtleneck, topped by my (thrifted) fuzzy paisley top hat. (Help! I'm floundering in adjectives and parentheticals.)

I was (leaning) against my favourite white concrete (wall) in that photo (which I removed, the wall that is) and (love) the perspective with (the) Lost in Space hand. My favourite Lost in Space quote by Will Robinson: "It must be preprogrammed to swallow visitors." (The Jupiter 2 was caught in the tractor beam of a large alien spaceship.)

Okay, must work now. Bye.

P.S. My Biba brand from the previous post is busted!! Thanks for the feedback. Ah well, I still love the dress. I had hoped it might just be a poor cousin...
And why can't my spellchecker just write my whole fricking post FOR me?

Yellow Skirt Freak Show Update!! and more...

Thar She Blows! The Freakish Yellow Skirt

Steampunking her way across the seven seas

to her castle on the coast

Ruled by Mistress of Mystery

Sheila of

Ephemera

Dominatrix of sunshine and dastardly 

dungeon frolics

Hoisting sails and bunching ye hatches

What ho! Arrrg. Eyes spy ye 

brassy lass's blooming goodness

You must see this Piratical Ruler of FYS

Go!  G O  N O W!!!!

____________________________________________

I am gobsmacked by everyone's manipulations of this yellow skirt! You HAVE TO see Sheila's incredible styling. Thanks Shelley at Forest City Fashionista for your ongoing scheduling feats, and to Sarah of Misfits Vintage for the idea in the first place.

In other news...

Raining and dark. Thank goodness that dang sixties soundtrack of maddeningly mod swinging swellness wouldn't shut off. There was nothing to do but throw on this old rainbow from Value Village, my thrifted YOGA PANTS!! (only worn in emergencies such as when I feel like it), and my screaming sheep faux fur body casing. Capping it off was my rrrrred beret. I grooved my way to my doctor's appointment and sprayed my colour action indiscriminately around the waiting room. No surgical mask could protect you from my viral groove-oozation.

After discharge, I grooved over to a different coffee shop, where I was treated to a steaming cup of brew from a favourite barista I hadn't seen for a while. Her smile lights up the universe, 'tis true. And I journaled, as usual.

Wearing:
thrifted faux fur nicotine-coloured hooded coat
thrifted stretch rainbow dress
thrifted bell-bottom YOGA PANTS!
thrifted crackle leather Miu Miu boots with side zip
under T, sample sale
thrifted red wool beret
DIY mantis pendant
thrifted lucky charm beaded bag pendant
magic loupe from O

Of course these awesome boots are for Bella of The Citizen Rosebud and her Shoe Shine.

I feel ever so much better after lolling around the floor doing body contortions while running frantically back and forth trying to beat the frickin' self-timer without knocking over the whole friggin' tripod and all that stuff. Above all, it was essential that I be eloquent and elegant in ALL THINGS.

How is everyone managing out there? Of course you're looking fabulous but I hope your hearts and heads are feeling that maddeningly mod vibe as well.

Successful meh wear

This is a meh outfit. Had it not been for the positive feedback I got when I wore it out, I would not have posted these photos. Why is it that when I sometimes wear things that don't seem to sit right, I meet so many cool people? Could it be that the dampened spirit that a meh outfit causes (or reflects) makes me more approachable by blunting my invisible prickly exterior? Nah.

I won't wear this again though, no matter the response it gets; simply, it bugs me. And I certainly won't wear that red number from a previous post again. Hideous! I like the separates but not together - I HAD to wear it 'cause I knew what was good for me, Missy. It was like putting a huge flaw in a satisfying painting.

Wearing:

• Metalicus wool-blend tunic/dress
• mustard tights
• Geisha socks
• frump shoes
• brown wool cape
• red wool beret
• brown leather gloves
• black DIY cropped mohair sweater 
• magic loupe
• vintage sunglasses

Only the sunglasses, beret, and a long-sleeved under-top, not visible, were thrifted. Everything else was sample sale or discount bin.

I think I'm going through a style transition. I'm picking things out of my closet and wearing them because, why not? Sometimes I feel like I'm rolling around in a clothes pile like a slobbering dog in dirty autumn leaves and throwing on whatever sticks, which I enjoy, but maybe now that I have explored such an undefined breadth of clothing expression, I'm looking for what's next. Of course I can't imagine a life without dressing up, but I wonder how I will define that... Ah. Enough navel-gazing...

I'm linking up with freshly-New-Yorked Patti at her fabulous Visible Monday, Not Dead Yet Style. I'll see you there. Hugs, all.
Do you ever punish yourself with clothing?

Yellow Skirt Freak Show Update!! and more...

The Mystical Freakish Yellow Skirt

F R E A K S   O U T!!!   fer realZ 

Each teensy glitter bit gets its groove on when

SULTRY  JEAN of

Dross into (Disco) Gold 

struts into town....

See her freakishly fabulous FREAK-out in this 

magic spectral yellow skirt

Complete with S O U N D T R A C K!

We KNOW you wanna dance...

G O!   G O   N O W !!!

________________________________________________________________
Thank you, Jean. You look awesome!! Great timing for this post, for both of us...

AND -
Today is Visible Monday over at Patti's - which means it's time for Excruciating Elegance.

This outfit was soooo excruciatingly elegant that I wore it TWICE last week, yesterday and the day before that. I don't know if anyone noticed. I am currently in a video phase so I had to capture this look in a kinetic-wise counter-clockwise-like fashion. If the video looks blurry (and you are not ill after the first few seconds), lock and reload - it should be high-def.

This look is called "Bonjour Gung Haggis Fat Choy" for the French, Chinese, and Scottish elements it incorporates. Gung Haggis Fat Choy is a Vancouver cross-cultural event which celebrates Chinese New Year and Scottish Robert Burns Day. Haggis is a dish made of sheep heart, liver, and lungs; I've never had it.

The T-shirt is upcycled from a rag of a crap shirt. I lopped off the sleeves and transplanted one of them onto the bodice in elephant trunk-like fashion for supreme practicality. Naturally, I used black glitter yarn as thread. The robe was last worn here inside out. Everything is thrifted, ah, I mean purchased at the finest boutiques in Paris, New York, and Milan.

Let's raise a glass to silly celebrations and come up with our very own. I'm curious - what nonsensical celebration would you invent? Hugs, all!

I feel groggy...

...because that's the label of my coat.

My coat is a lovely shag carpet of delight by Groggy, very good for telling wind direction and as camouflage wear when stalking small cartoon prey. When I bought it the man behind me at the checkout said it looked like a Sesame Street massacre. Bwa-ha-ha.

Then today, an afterthought was expressed on-the-moment, which seldom happens. On my morning inspiration walk, strolling through a group of upscale, edgy, twenty-something men and women, I was suddenly bombarded by compliments on my style. Approbation from young people is very uplifting, so I smiled broadly and thanked them. Then, ten steps past, still hearing them in my wake, I stopped, spun around, and struck a pose. "How's that?" I asked. They laughed, I laughed. I thanked them again for their great energy, and continued on my way. It was a Moment.

The photo above shows my tool box for cosmetic and financial emergencies, my ghost-on-a swing pendant, and the magic loupe that O made me. You've seen the playsuit before, here.

Oh spring, oh spring... how I long for thee. Today was a wonderful harbinger of warmer days to come, sunny, bright, but still nippy, and downtown was crowded with festive St. Patrick's Day parade-goers.

Details

• shag carpet green Groggy coat, thrifted, $20!
• playsuit, thrifted
• ghost-on-a-swing pendant, from friend Monique of little lamp sculptures
• ankle boots, retail long ago
• magic loupe, O made it for me
• tool box, swiped from O
• red beret, thrifted

Thanks for your feedback on helping to date the outfit in my last post. 

I hope you are having (had) a grand weekend full of pleasant surprises. I'm skipping over to Patti's at Not Dead Yet Style for some Visible Monday joy. I hope to see you there looking fabulous as usual.

Have you seen this woman lately?

Bwa-ha-ha!

I'm never more at home than I am in my painted world, which had been spinning beyond my orbit for too, too long. With the help of booster rockets, I at last achieved reentry.

I've worn the above a couple of times in the last three weeks, in variations. It also looks good with flats. I must give credit to Thorne Garnet for the inspiration here - she sent me this amazing blouse in her site giveaway. I can't think of a better top for these pants.

Details

• awesome florally, paisley-ish blouse, Thorne Garnet
• blue vintage Versace stretch pants, front zip closure, striped side-stitch detailing in blue thread, inner ankle zips - $9.99!, Wildlife Thrift Store
• orange platform Steve Madden sandals, thrifted
• crazy turquoise socks, retail
• red beret, thrifted
• handbag, from O, the case that his Starrett height gauge came in
• insect pendant with mantis, made it
• gloves, Canadian Tire, de-capped and hemmed by me

I forgot to throw on my chunky multicolour beads, which leaves this re-creation somewhat lacking... Next time.

Here are all the treasures from Thorne Garnet, which came wrapped in lovely pattern tissue...

Isn't the hat amazing? She made it! You'll definitely see it in a future post. I had been looking for exactly this kind of blouse and hat. Perfect timing.  And the "fake French hair" - I'm thinking of something special for that too. And who could live without beautiful heart candles in a lovely snowman box? She also tied everything with a knitted string. Thank you.

I took the photos of the first outfit this evening, but below is what I wore this morning, photos taken in the detestable concrete box with the epoxified floor...

I guess I have been craving colour lately. I wore my "R" coat on top for more patterny madness. The socks send this over the edge, which is where I'm most comfortable lately.

Details

• hideous yellowy-green bow-tie blouse with ruffley bits, thrifted
• zigzaggy weird top with gaping peekaboo opening in front and single neck button, thrifted
• accordion pleated chiffony skirt, hiked up, thrifted (unhiked it is almost as long as my sock tops)
• unisuspender for hiking up skirt, slightly visible under zigzag top, made it
• teal tights, retail
• crazy turquoise socks, retail
• D&G leopard shoes, thrifted, Value Village

I'm definitely linking up with radiant Patti at Visible Monday, Not Dead Yet Style, just barely making it in time. It's been a while. I'm submitting the first look because...well, because. I look forward to seeing everyone there! ("this morning" means Monday) Thank you, everyone, for being patient and supportive during my absence. Hugs all round.

Promise of spring skress

What I'm wearing was originally snowy white, but as soon as I stepped outside all the shy spring flowers in the ground instantly bloomed and hurled themselves with vigor onto my dress. What a shock!

When I found this garment in my local thrift shop I thought it was a strapless dress. When I got it home and tried it on, it was apparent I had purchased a skirt. No mind. I hauled out my trusty uni-suspender and MADE it be a strapless dress - so now it's a skress, wearable as a skirt or a dress. 

Details of the outfit

• skirt (skress) called "Modern Day Geisha" in "Watercolour Print," Spring 2012 sample, Debbie Shuchat design, with tags, retail $195. Moi? $15
• black boat-neck under T, thrifted
• uni-suspender worn halter style, made it
• quilted cotton biker jacket, sample sale
• red wool beret, thrifted
• black tights, retail
• ankle boots, retail way back
• magic loupe and pendant, O made them for me

This skirt feels all silky wonderful and it was made in Canada. I love the bias cut and twirliness. Swish, swish, swish, oooh, feeel my legs! Even the earthworms came crawling out to see this promise-of-spring skress.

This outfit will just squeak in for Patti's fantastic Visible Monday. Yay!

I have been invisible in the blogging world recently. I'll be in and out for the next month or so as well...duty calls. Also, I just realized that a couple of days ago marked one year of exposure on my blog. What a scary step it was starting Bag and a Beret. Tremendous hugs to all of you for making this such a rewarding experience!! You guys are the BEST! I'd like to do a Thoughtful post, but it must wait...Still you all shine and shine and shine. Stay warm or cool, as the case may be... And stay GORGEOUS!

Jumpin' jacquard, luscious lurex, and twirling tulips

I have some special pieces I've been longing to show you in real life, but since that hasn't happened yet I decided to do a photo shoot last night. How much fun was that? - especially with these garments...

First up is a maxi skirt which I received from gorgeous Curtise of The Secondhand Years who got it from Terri from Rags Against the Machine in a circuitous transcontinental effort. (In this same package of love I also received a fabulous velvet maxi dress with a lacy sewn-in blouse featuring leg-of-mutton sleeves, here. Can you believe its amazingness?) Here is the skirt, first in closeup and then how I styled it.

Details

• vintage maxi jacquard skirt with rear zip/button enclosure, gift from Curtise and Terri
• jacquard vest, hand-me-over, downsized three sizes
• vintage jacquard jacket, thrifted, home-made (the price tag said "Mad Hatter at the Tea Party")
• aubergine silk blouse, hand-me-over, many sizes too big
• red wool beret, thrifted
• brown crackle leather Miu Miu boots, thrifted
• blue brooch, craft fair, sold as hat adornment

I wore a variation of this outfit a couple of weeks ago but was unable to photograph it that day even though I felt bee-yoo-ti-ful in it. The jacket is heavy like upholstery fabric - it can almost stand up on its own - and the skirt doesn't have any vents in the bottom which meant I had to take feminine steps thereby enhancing my wearing pleasure. My approach to this outfit was, if I'm going to wear one piece of jacquard, why not wear all my pieces at once? I call this "Runaway Chesterfield." (I always get confused between brocade and jacquard - I hope my use here is correct...)

The next piece I received in the same package. It is an absolutely delicious lurex capelet, special from Curtise. Oooh, she knows my heart well.

Details:

• crappy dreamy shoes, retail, with vintage kimono-strip laces, gift from my friend Sharron
• glitter bronze tights, retail
• lurex dress, thrifted
• lurex capelet, Curtise
• red wool beret, thrifted
• black long-sleeve under-T, thrifted

I haven't worn this ensemble out yet because the shoes, worn only once, already need sole reinforcement, hence the "crappy" descriptor, but this outfit is DEFINITELY an incentive to get that done. The capelet is very cool because it has little sleeve openings sewn into it. I would  need to wear a wrap or shawl of some kind over it for outdoors, thus adding to the drama and glamour of the sparkles.

And the finale, ta-dah, this is a gorgeous maxi dress with a tulip motif and beret which I received from awesome Ariane of Style Sud-Est.

Isn't this dress divine? At first I wasn't sure how to style it - the bodice is attached to the skirt in a zig-zag line you can barely make out in the first photo - but when I added the belt everything fell magically into place. This dress is so filmy and dreamy; it's the most fun to twirl in. You should hear the swishy sound. And the green beret, I have to thank Ariane for reintroducing me to this beautiful colour! I love it now with my white hair. The denim jacket turns this into daywear but the delicate hemline requires dry sidewalks. Thank you, Ariane!

That's all. Sorry for such a long post. I have woken up every day wondering if this is THEE day for any of these outfits and I'm glad I have finally photographed them to share with you. So hugs to Curtise and Terri and Ariane for making possible this post and my happiness wearing these amazing pieces.

When you're stumped by how to style an outfit where does you mind go first: scissors? scarves? belts? donation bin? I was tempted to shorten the dress and I'm so GLAD I resisted!!

Rain defiance outfit

I was a slug until I put this on. Colour. How else could I possibly face the day? How else could I channel the magnificence flowing through the cosmos? This is my Rain Defiance outfit.

You've probably seen all these outfit pieces before in other mixes... But today I'm wearing my glasses for a little retro smackage. And when I wear them outside, I almost ALWAYS wear the matching magnetic clip-on shades (even at night), which are of course ultra-cool in their geek factor.

And below, I am checking the tastiness of the air... not so sweet. This photo was taken at about 1:30 p.m. just to give you an idea of how dark the days get here at this time of year when it's raining. 

I am linking this up with Patti's fabulous Visible Monday at Not Dead Yet Style. I'll see you all there in fits and starts this week. Let's raise a glass to Patti too, who is in the middle of a big move. Cheers, Patti!! Have a great week everyone, rain or shine.

PS. I wanted to wear a maxi today but rain is not a good friend to it hemline. I must wait for sunshine.

Deep Floral Haze

Fabulous Sarah at Misfits Vintage declared this FLORAL WEEK, rather "arbitrarily" and only lasting as long as she felt like it - that's my kind of Floral Week. Doesn't she look fabulous in that floral-splashed coat that Vix gave her?

Today was dark and dreary so I decided that perhaps a little floral therapy would be good medicine. I stumbled to my closet - think of me here as Pig-Pen in Charlie Brown both in my state of mind and dress - and tugged out this maxi dress, praying for floral healing powers. Then, SHAZAM, POOF!

Suddenly I awoke and the world embraced me, it drew me to her bosom and whispered, "My pet, we are one again." Aglow, I skipped downtown with beatific joy until a smiling gentle soul greeted me with, "Snap out of it, biotch!" Bwa-ha-ha. No, that didn't happen at all. But the florals did pick up my mood. I'd say those sneaky flowers reduced my grumbling by, oh, 50 percent, which is pretty darned good.

Details of the ensemble:

• vintage homemade maxi dress, thrifted
• ankle boots, retail
• white maxi slip, thrifted
• black coat, retail
• red wool beret, thrifted
• oversized aubergine silk blouse, hand-me-over

I always look like that photo above when I'm cold, my collar turned up as high as possible, as if that's going to make the cold go away.

So happy florals! I found a few other florals growing in my closet while I was rooting around. I never know what I'll turn up. I hope you're all having a great week. I love that song Deep Purple. Bring it on!

Must we all be sexy and wicked sick?

I am so tired of the word sexy I want to scream!! Sexy's rightful home is in the brain and so far they don't make lacy push-up brain bras, although Dear Helen Hartman has made a lovely "bullet-bra bonnet" from a bisected football. Must I wear lingerie in public (although I sometimes do that), swan about with my eyes half-closed (I do that too), and talk with a husky voice, which I only do when I'm coming down with something nasty ("Oh, Doctor, she has a bad case of wicked sick Sexy") or when I'm trying my hardest to be uber-cool and end up sounding uber-stupid, to qualify as sexy by mainstream standards?

So I surrender to sexiness. My Visible Monday outfit today at Patti's Not Dead Yet Style, as below, is not only uber-sexy, but it's also a wickedly-ill seasick ensemble of red, purple, pink, and orange.

Whose heart would not beat faster at the sight of this bright floral-patterned maxi dress with clashing pantyhose-fabric neon-pink top and hat? Of course my amour-red beret is keeping a lid on all that exploding brain sexiness - I wouldn't want it just spewing out at innocent bystanders on the sidewalk. And the wickedest sick part of today's outfit is the Heart bag, which I have had for a while but don't often use because the shape is very inconvenient and I have to carry a shopping bag to hold most of my sexy accoutrements, like pencil crayons and my reading glasses. I was going to wear something conservative, but then my overwhelmingly ill outfit compelled me to enter this forbidden Garden-of-Eden post-apple sinscape of sexiness.

Details of the outfit

• thrifted maxi dress with ruffles removed, Wildlife Thrift Store
• thrifted red beret, Community Thrift Shop
• thrifted red shoes, Hush Puppies, Value Village
• thrifted heart bag, Community Thrift Shop
• thrifted vintage neon-orange/pink sunglasses, Gastown shop

So a big Heart from Ms. Bag to everyone. Happy Visible Monday. Patti, you rock as hostess of your wonderful weekly party. This week I'm spiking the punch (more than usual). Of course I had a head schtart...hiccup.

My next post will (re)introduce you to 11 fabulous bloggers as part of my Liebster Award from Lovely Lyosha at Inside and Outside.

Hieroglyphs and Fluevogs

I casually strolled by Fluevog's Water Street shoe store last week on my way home from the art opening, stupidly forgetting the supernatural powers of the maxi cheongsam dress (as seen in last post) that I was wearing at the time. And look what happened!

I walked out with green shag-carpet boots. I circled the table they were on like a cat purring. Daintily I picked up said boot and peered into its sole until my hair stood on end - it was a cosmic connection: the sticker said $269 down to $99. I had to pounce! Considering I wore these boots TWICE already last week, I figure I'm practically making money from this investment.

These boots have an open toe AND an open heel - the heel is difficult to see with all the shag bits - and an inside seam zip and stacked wood platforms. I justified this purchase as a reward for winding up my art gallery activities.

Of course I was feeling very hieroglyphic in this shagariffic footwear. The blues and greens are like Fight Club on my legs. These new boots definitely are appropriate for Patti's Visible Monday gathering. I'll see you all there!

Details of the outfit:

• Fluevog brand boots, The Jericho, $99 new
• satin neon orange sleeveless blouse, thrifted
• satin dark blue top, hand-me-over
• red beret, thrifted
• blue stretch skirt, sample sale, $10?
• gold bag, hand-me-over
• inspiration: Egypt and Fluevogs

I'm wondering if you ever buy things that make you squeamish. These boots are like that for me - gross green, suede, and deliciously, naughtily out of bounds! 

I'll have some fries and an ice cream sundae with this dress

This has got to be one of my favourite outfits ever - and I'm linking it to Patti's fantastic Visible Monday. I thrifted this beautiful maxi cheongsam-style dress a couple of days ago for $11. It was made in the UK, Monsoon label, which I have seen before on other blogs. The fabric stretches so there are no zips and the dress has great give.


I chose these patent leather vintage shoes to enhance the old-world vibe humming from the dress, and I wore an Indian-motif blue top underneath against the chill. I love the blue clash between the top and my turquoise tights. For another twist I added the blue beaded brooch which I bought at a craft sale from the hat lady who had intended it as a hat accent. And I topped the outfit with my bright red head bangle to jangle with the crimson. Youch. Feelin' good.

You can see how this dress might move below. There's a wickedly daring slit up one side, which, apart from the chill, was another reason for the tights. Click, click, click - I traipsed clear across town in these kitten heels.

Do I look like I'm walking?

Details of the outfit

• Monsoon dress, thrifted, Community Thrift Store, $11
• patent leather shoes, vintage, $10?, True Value Vintage (gone now)
• turquoise tights, sample sale
• blue India-print top, thrifted, Value Village about 8 years ago
• bag, gift from Singapore for plant-sitting

I wore this to the art opening of SPLASH at Baron Gallery, the exhibit of the work done by my action painting workshop participants, although it would be equally appropriate for a picnic or moon dance. What a great turnout we had. Positive energy was bouncing off the walls - so I pocketed the leftovers and carried it home to snack on later, or rather, it carried me home...

Have a great week, everyone. Don't forget to breathe...

My bloomin' floral dress

Summer is here! Really - today is the first day that I could go on my inspiration walk without a jacket or cardigan, although tights are still comfortable at 18C (64.4F). I wore this cheongsam-style light cotton dress on May 25 and posted the sketch here. Today I opted for my dove-blue tights instead of the mustard tights in the sketch. I also think my black beret would have grounded this look better, but I didn't care - I was craving bright red on my head. I also like the analogous smack-down between the red beret and the pink top.

Details of the outfit:

• cheongsam-style cotton dress, Wildlife Thrift Store
• Dorothy shoes, Hush Puppies, Value Village
• dove-blue tights, sample sale
• red beret, Community Thrift Store
• pink top, sample sale

And below is what I wore to my artist talk at Baron Gallery last Saturday, minus the vest and the ankle boots, taken from my post of January 27. The day was rainy so I changed into my thrifted Dolce and Gabanna leopard-print shoes when I got indoors. While the severe pencil skirt and Grushenka, my magic wand, projected the image of a strict school teacher, my voice was much too twee to pull off that persona. Maybe next time, July 8...

My action painting workshop is on Saturday and I am fluttering around to prepare, so this is my last post till next week. See you soon!