I might not go for all the Pumpkin Spice stuff, but I sure do love Halloween Season attire. Let's be honest-I wear this stuff all year, but it feels more appropriate once we cross the threshold into September. I am not able to wait until October! The Halloween candy is already in the stores, but we never get more than a few Trick or Treaters. That won't stop me decorating with the items I've acquired over the years, though I don't know if I will buy any large pumpkins to carve this year. Arthritis and pumpkin carving go together like insurance and stitches and as I've already had that experience once this year, maybe the Jack-O-Lantern will have to be a pass this year. UPDATE-I bought pumpkins but won't be carving them.
Spotted this lovely little skipper on my evening walk. In a few weeks the "butterfly bushes" (Buddleia) turn pink and attract all manner of moths, butterflies, and bees. They're planted all around the college next door and the dorms, bringing together the benefits of a plant that's drought resistant and easy for humans to care for, and late blooming pollen for the insects. We haven't had many butterflies this year, but skippers and moths have been abundant.
There's still Day Lilies blooming. That's strange as they're typically done by early July. The tiniest fly is hanging out on it.
The pines are coming along as well. They smell so good after warming in the sun.
Nearly time to harvest the sunflower seeds. Can you see them? UPDATE: the seeds were harvested, dried and after portioning out some seeds for next year's garden, I soaked, brined, drained, and roasted the rest. We came away with several pounds. This is the first year I've got to the seeds before the birds and squirrels. Not to worry, they get plenty of other things to eat.
When Dan noticed he was wearing a shell suit, sitting in a squat, and eating a plate of sunflower seeds he laughed, grabbed the Ukrainian flag, and insisted I take a photo. Note the Belgian and EU flags in the background. He's still planning to go to school abroad next year, and the application process is just starting. It is an exciting time.
There's still plenty to look at in nature during the late summer. Autumn gets all the attention, understandably (who doesn't love vivid coloured leaves?) but the end of August/start of September has much to offer on a walk.
Sorry Squashbug, I don't have anything for you this year. It was on a sunflower leaf, so maybe they can eat those as well? It was strange not having a garden this year (beyond a few perennials) but I also don't miss the frantic harvesting of tomatoes before an early frost. Watch, this year it will stay warm until December!
So...
After one too many mornings trying to deal with what's left of my hair falling out, and attempting to hide it with creative combing, I did this.
It is very short. I'm pleased with it, though when the weather gets cooler I can look at a wig as I don't expect it will grow back any better. For now though, I like it.
Rugby shirt in Dan's school colours. They don't have a rugby team. If they ever start one though, I've got the kit!
Nothing here you haven't seen before, though the haircut does make it look different. I love that beaded belt.
The jacket here is new to me-my first Armani found in the wild. It is nicely made, but worth the sort of money they demand new? I guess if I had that kind of money, I'd think about it. Someone has to buy the stuff for it to end up in the thrift stores barely worn for people like me :)
People like me that will wear it with a child's tee shirt that say's. 'K, BYEEE The skirt is vintage Gitano from the 80s (maybe late 70s?)
And my well loved Valdrome bag. I almost look "normal" until you read the shirt!
But normal is definitely not the vibe I want to project.
This silk dress has a matching jacket, but felt like a bit too much for daywear, so I kept it simple and carried a macrame handbag to dress it down a bit.
Finally getting to wear all those small earrings.
We had one cool day, so I dragged out this 80s Albert Nipon wool suit for a first wear.
The light was bad-the colours are much deeper and darker.
Autumn accessories.
Considering it was the era of giant shoulders, this is a very wearable suit. The back of the jacket has two ties to adjust the waist as desired. The front of the skirt has the tiniest cigarette hole (you can tell by the shape it wasn't a moth) but I guess that makes it even more 80s. I can't believe we used to smoke on planes, in cinemas, supermarkets, etc. Don't smoke, kids.
I was surprised to see how much money Albert Nipon pieces are selling for online. I'm going to guess that's 80s nostalgia kicking in, not scarcity. His stuff was everywhere. Leslie Fay bought the company in the 80s (after Albert was sent to prison for tax evasion) and then of course Leslie Fay went bankrupt. Still, I'd wager there's enough Albert Nipon clothing in thrift stores to outfit every woman in the US at least once or twice. Nice suit though. Not as nice as the Armani, but eh, whatever.
I would have bought this shirt if it wasn't gigantic.
I did not buy this either, as they wanted $2.98 for it. It wasn't *that* funny.
Nor did I purchase this. Colon, Nebraska (pronounced like the organ) is a tiny town of a few hundred people. Seeing the opportunity for a laugh, a cancer support organisation held a fundraising bike ride there to raise money for colon cancer research. Hence, rollin to Colon.
The thrift shopping hasn't been fruitful of late. I guess when I'm not really in need of anything, and trying to give things away, I'm more selective what I bring home.
Nice mix of eras here with a modern shirt, 90s skirt, and Victorian belt and brooch. I bought the same skirt in black when I worked at Jordan Marsh in the early 90s. Little did I know I'd still be wearing them in 2022. The sides are elastic, permitting wear at a number of different sizes. I'm certain I wore this skirt whilst expecting.
Prettiest little book chain belt. Didn't ever expect to wear it as a belt, and was thinking of converting it into a necklace and bracelet set, which might still happen. For now, I have a nice belt.
Victorian opperculum shell brooch. Of all my Victorian brooches, this gets the most wear. Whenever I can't find a suitable brooch for an outfit, this will be the one I fall back on. It almost always works. Good to have a few reliable pieces like that.
Again, nothing new here, but put together in a slightly different way.
This Alfred Dunner 90s skirt is timeless, and knows no season. Generally, Alfred Dunner clothes are for older women that aren't concerned with being stylish, but every once in a while I run across an interesting piece. My inner grandmother wants to wear it with a high collared blouse, circle brooch, and a Geiger boiled wool jacket.
More Nipon! This time in an 80s silk scarf. Looks "normal" enough...
Ha! Fooled you. Yes, the dinosaur tee changes colour when you rub a hand over the sequins. I do recognise the risks of wearing this, but anyone that's brave enough to consider reaching for my chest should expect their hand slapped away.
Slowly accepting that shoes with good tread are a worthwhile investment. It pains me to give up the towering platforms, but I don't need a broken hip. Thirty Helens Agree, you can't pay too much for a good pair of shoes
Was flipping through an old cookery magazine from 1980 and came across this ad. They really oversold the idea that natural gas was going to be cheap. I can remember my parents building their house in 1978 and going with all gas appliances because they were certain it would pay off in the long run.
Children's cardigan from Target-also indestructible.
Various accessories. Pinky ring on bottom left is Jensen. Spoon ring on right is from 1933 World's Fair in Chicago and has the city slogan (I Will) on it. Earrings were purchsed when I was expecting, cameo is from the 90s and has a matching brooch, and everything else has been picked up here and there.
Finally, here's what I was wearing Friday before being absolutely flattened by a flu vaccine (I still encourage you to take the vaccine. What I got was nothing compared to what the flu would do).
I looked so nice. Little did I know what was waiting for me. I'm still in rough shape as I type on Sunday. Given my already fragile state it isn't surprising, but wow, I really didn't expect it. It is of course possible something else got me (I had a few mosquito bites recently so it is possible I have a mild case of West Nile, though I haven't gone for a test as there's not much can be done other than wait it out). I still wear a mask everywhere and use hand sanitiser, but I guess nothing is impossible. No fever though, so it probably was the jab. I have to go for a covid updated jab next week, which I will still do, but am going to block out some time for staying home in bed if needed.
Anyway, silk top and skirt were thrifted for a couple bucks, as was the de la Renta scarf which just works so perfectly here. I went with a pink silk/linen blend jacket because I love it and felt like I didn't wear it much this summer. The vintage handbag was also thrifted.
Doesn't that scarf look like it was made for the set?
Time for butterflies.
The metal is a bit stripped. I need to purchase some gold nail varnish and give it a touch-up. The bag is otherwise in good condition.
