New handbag and painted jumpsuit

My new handbag. But it only holds water. Sometimes I spend money like water, so it will feel right at home in my handbag family with my lunch bag and tool box.

I found this one in the cupboard, under a down-comforter's worth of dust and cobwebs. At first I didn't know what it was, but the handle clued me in. You can hold it as a clutch or use the cord as a strap. So convenient.

O must have secretly placed the bag in the cupboard a couple of decades ago as a gift. It's sweet touches like this that really make a marriage work.

Definitely this is my new "it" bag. It's attractive, matches everything, and is compact with enough heft to use as a lethal weapon of self-defense. Open carry. Pepper spray is illegal in Canada. We can use bear spray, but it just doesn't cut it fashion-wise compared to this clutch.

I just can't figure out how to open it. There's the teeniest tiny hole in the top; coins won't fit in there. Maybe rolled up bills, but then how would I get them out? But that's okay - we all need water. It's essential for life. And I suppose I could just tape my credit cards to the bottom and carry everything else in my pockets like it seems you have to do with many of the cute little bags out there today.

But wait a minute. Something's wrong!

I am having horrific flashbacks. I feel dizzy. I'm sensing a huge wrinkle in time. Disgusting thoughts are pressing on my brain.

There is something oddly...familiar...? 

GAAAA~!!!! What's happening to me? I'm possessed!

Psssss!!! Stay back!!

WOW. That was close!! I don't know what happened there. This handbag brings out my inner Iron Maiden! Suddenly I knew a bunch of moves I didn't even know I had!

Don't worry though. I ironed everything out. Time to chill and blow off some steam with my new bag.

Fight scenes are always hot. Hot flashes are always hot, too.

No irony here. No, really - none.

I'm wearing my JLo cap-sleeve velour jumpsuit, which I painted on. The armlets are socks. I cut the toe part open so they wouldn't be useless mittens. I bought two pairs at one time knowing I would do this. See what I mean about shopping and water? Don't worry. I have mended my ways in a very Iron Lady Thatcherish fashion.

That's all for this week. I'm going to link up with Patti at Not Dead Yet Style and her Visible Monday and Catherine at Not Dressed as Lamb for her #iwillwearwhatilike. Have a stellar week everyone. I'll ask O where he bought this bag in case any of you want one too!

Exploring Femininity with Attitude

When I was a kid, I thought ballerinas were the epitome of grace and femininity. If I hurt myself, I would try to imagine ballerinas to take my mind off the pain - it never worked. I still like the image of ballerinas, such feather-light flitters, but at heart, as you know, I am more of the Martha Graham school. And ballerina-ing is a brutal sport/artform.

Below, some photos I took when I got home from wearing my tutu for photos downtown. There was no way I was going to wrestle that tutu back into its itsy-bitsy space bag in a public restroom. You can see the lurex threads next to the fuzzy yarn stripes. And the men's shoes.

One of the most moving ballet performances I have ever seen was by Editta Sherman, a photographer and dancer who lived in Carnegie Hall in New York, in a clip included in the Bill Cunningham documentary. She danced with the moon in her home studio.

I can't give you details offhand, except to say that I remember how wonderful I felt watching her. There is a silent version of her dancing posted on YouTube. A true artist, she sadly passed in November 2013.

Trying out my tough version of an off-duty non-ballerina.

Below, does this tutu make my ass look big?

Have you got a tulle skirt? Dress? A tutu? I always wanted a tutu and finally found this one at My Sister's Closet, not $5, but still a good deal. What was most fun about this tutu was the feeling that I don't have to be graceful when I'm wearing it with my man shoes and man coat and man shirt. Plus, people don't squish you out of your seat in the coffee shop when you're wearing a tutu. Heh.

Have a great week!

Exploring Elegance

Below is my Vegas jumpsuit, vintage, crepe wool, rear zip, which has been featured several times on Bag'n'B, worn with my super puffed-sleeved silk blouse bought retail in Shimokitazawa in Tokyo a vintage-age ago.

I call it this because it's always ready for a night of brat-packing, martinis, bubblegum cigarettes with sugar-puff smoke, and jackpotting, or faffing about downtown. Or for gardening, below, for the post, "What to wear for gardening," in March 2017. This photo is called "The Rake's Progress - In a Good Way," named after the opera, which ended badly for the rake.

And below, a photo taken by Vancouver Barbara at the Little Black Dress Gala in Vancouver in May 2017. See this post, "Trotting to a gala like a little pony." You know that if I'm instructed to wear black, I must include a colour breakout somewhere. Note the glitter black platform booties. Those floors are definitely marble.

I also styled it in December 2013 in my post, "I wore this for Mis Papelicos," who was having a linkup party. Below is an ultra-short video of the outfit. I still have the cape, which I still adore. Fake ermine, dahlings. Or some other speckled animal. And platform booties again.

Finally, I made a mini-me cutout with this jumpsuit on and put it in a cardboard box for my post "Thinking in the forest in the box," also December 2013. Check the link for a look.