Rocktober Fest

 Having been around when this look was popular the first time there are people that would say I shouldn't wear it now. I don't listen to those people😀.

 I can't say I have a favourite era for vintage-I look for interesting pieces and put them together. Sometimes, as with this outfit they look period correct, but this long sleeveless coat would work equally well over a modern dress, or with jeans.

 I will always love a big medallion necklace, probably because my mum wouldn't let us wear them. There was a big scare in the early 70s about a woman being struck by lightning wearing one! I suspect it was a bit of urban folklore, but everyone insisted they either read it in the paper, or knew someone that knew someone (in folklore terms that's what's called a FOAF-Friend of a friend) and my mum wasn't risking her children to cool necklaces. If I am struck by lightning wearing one of my many pendants or large medallions, I'll apologise to her in the afterlife.

 Mum had no such fears regarding rings, thankfully.

Outfit Particulars:
Vintage sleeveless coat (is there a better term for this item of clothing?)-Goodwill
Trousers-Target, about 18 years ago
Vintage shoes-Goodwill
Blouse-Goodwill
Medallion necklace-Goodwill
Handbag-New Life Thrift
Bangles, rings-all over
Earrings-K Mart
Fragrance-I think it was vintage formulation Azuree that day. That's my favourite hippie fragrance.

 If I don't hold up this door, who will?!

 This style of dress is something I also remember well. Made to look like separates, it is a two-fabric sleeveless dress with an overshirt/jacket to match the skirt. This look stayed popular for years, and I even had some based on a similar idea when I started working in the 80s. I guess a good, practical idea resists change. With the current 70s revival in fashion I would fully expect Gucci to bring this back for F/W 2019.

 This brooch has matching earrings. I'm trying to avoid doing anything with my hair, if you were wonderinmg what the headband was about. They're hard to manage with gigantic eyeglass frames.

Outfit Particulars:
Vintage dress and shirt-Goodwill (I think)
Vintage handbag-Thrift World
Vintage shoes-Goodwill
Vintage brooch and earrings-Hand-Me-Ups
Vintage bakelite stretch bracelet-Goodwill

 So now, we have a bit of a 70s theme going, haven't we? Fine by me, if the Polyester Wilderness beckons, might as well answer.

 I would have bought this set for the buttons alone.

 I'm helpfully holding up another wall. I remember my grandmother wearing outfits like this, with slightly tamer accessories (though she loved a good handful of rings). If I wear it again, I'd stick to a solid poloneck beneath as there's just too much going on here. I like pattern mixing, but the blouse detracts from the wild pantsuit pattern.

Outfit Particulars:
Waistcoat/trouser set-A Goodwill in Council Bluffs, Iowa
Red polyester jacket-Goodwill
Blouse-Thrift World
Earrings-World Market
Handbag-New Life Thrift
Amber cha cha bracelet-Goodwill
Other bangles-mostly Goodwill and Thrift World
Scottie brooch-Etsy

 When I bring out the corduroy you know I'm really feeling the retro. And yes, the handbag is corduroy as well.

 I do have a great deal of brown in my wardrobe, but I'm one of those people that's blessed with an ability to wear it. My dark eyes, dark hair and pasty ghoul-like complexion works well with most shades of brown. I'm in my fifties-I know what works for me by now. Anyway, if brown isn't your thing, I've noticed it can still be worn successfully near your face with the addition of a bright scarf, and brown works so well with red, orange, yellow, and green.

 This acrylic cardigan was a bargain [piece of vintage (.49 cents) and it is incredibly warm. I could probably make it through early winter wearing this thing. I'm not generally a fan of belted sweaters, particularly ones that button on the hips, but this is slouchy enough that it has the "Boyfriend" look though no boyfriend of mine ever wore anything like this, even when it was contemporary. I tend to date (and marry)slobs. That's ok-don't want someone prettier than I am, do I?

Outfit Particulars:
1970s corduroy skirt-Goodwill
19709s acrylic cardigan-Goodwill
Esprit 80s handbag-Thrift World (I think)
Clog/boot hybrids-New Life Thrift
Hoop earrings-K Mart
70s bracelets and rings-all over

 Finally, this dress which longtime readers will notice makes at least one appearance each autumn. Sometimes I wear it with green, sometimes with orange. This year I've gone with mustard yellow as I have a new (to me) pair of suede shoes. Yes, sometimes I plan an outfit from the feet up!

 I had forgotten about this pale yellow snakeskin bag. I should have taken a photograph of the beautiful leather lining. They just don't make bags like this anymore and for the sake of the bag's longevity, perhaps it is best I forget I own it. I'm always torn about using really nice things, but as I could get hit by a bus tomorrow, it is probably best to just use and enjoy things.

 The 40s wood brooch is one of my favourites. I really enjoy the Thermoset Lucite earrings as well.

Outfit Particulars:
Chadwick's dress-Thrift World
Bolero-Goodwill
Shoes-Goodwill
Handbag-Hand-Me-Ups
Earrings-New Life Thrift
Brooch-Etsy
Bakelite bangles-all over

I have a busy week ahead starting with Danny seeing his allergist. We are hoping he can discontinue the last of the steroid medications, which would be good news. As we'll be so close to downtown and his appointment is midday, we'll use it as an opportunity to visit the Joslyn art museum a few blocks down the street. Going home and doing math would be my idea of fun, but I'm going to give the kid a break. I'll have to pick a painting for him to do a close study of to make it a fully educational trip. That, and I can go grab coffee while he spends an hour in front of a painting😁. I grew up around an art school, and I am now using my mother's play book. At least I'm not making him clean brushes for me!

The autumn bird migration is just barely underway, but we are continuing to visit birding hotspots anyway. Danny's group that he assists with banding birds will be resuming this month, and as these banding sessions are open to the public it gives him an opportunity to share what he knows with other young people. If you are in the Nebraska/Iowa area and would like to attend one of the bandings, you may find the information HERE.

If you like orchestral music and Halloween, The Heartland Philharmonic has the Hauntcert for you! Come in costume and join the fun. More information HERE.

If opera is your thing (it isn't mine, but Danny really loves it and I get to be sung to sleep for a minimum of three hours so everybody wins) the Metropolitan Opera simulcasts in HD at participating theatres is a great way to see a season of opera without going broke. More info HERE.

Finally, it is never to early to start planning your barmbrack recipe for Halloween. In recent years I have been making this one. Recipe HERE.

Hope your Rocktober is rockin'.