Not Dead Yet

Poor kitty has seen some shit. Not sure where they lost the whiskers and really, didn't want to be rude and ask. Feel free to consider it a writing prompt.

Update: a week later and kitty is still there. I'm getting tempted. Must not bring home.  We'll see what happens next week.

The pre-fast meal at Yom Kippur is complicated as it shouldn't be too heavy, nor too seasoned because no one wants to suffer through thirst and/or heartburn when they're atoning their sins. Kreplach is a traditional soup (think dumpling). Most years I roll out my own dough, but that wasn't happening this year so I bought a packet of won-ton wrappers at the supermarket and gave it a go. I figured the worst case scenario would be a meatball soup. They worked! Ignoring my lack of shaping skills, this was *almost* picture perfect. Further confession-the broth was purchased from Aldi, and the carrots came from a tin. I did chop some celery and onion to dress up the broth a bit, though that was the extent of it. I'm going to think of this as working smarter, not cutting corners. I have to budget my energy these days. The bowls were my mother's and there's only four of them left. No idea what became of the plates either, but they matched my Royal Doulton Tumbling Leaves china, so I went with that. The bowls are made by Prestige China (made in Japan) but there's not much about this pattern online. I think it was inexpensive. They're getting packed away again as I will be switching out to my Friendly Village dishes for the remainder of autumn and winter. I have a few of the Christmas pieces as well, so that carries us through. I've been parting with quite a lot of my china, but also making a determined effort to use what I have. 

One of the ways I make life easier is by cooking ahead when possible. I poached these salmon fillets early in the day and served them cold as salads hours later. There was a dressing in the spirit of tartar sauce (lemon juice, capers, mayo) as well. Anyway, no one's starving. Well, almost no one 😬. 

 
 Oh Beet Poot, why don't you pucker up and plant one on me?

Fine, I'll go first...

Been there, got the tee shirt

Perfectly normal. Absolutely. 

This was all brought about by the desire to wear an over-sized 80s Jaeger blazer without looking too serious about it. Well that's sorted then.

I have a few of these blazers. They really do make a fashion lover wonder what the hell we were thinking back then, but also appreciate the superb craftsmanship. RIP Jaeger, you were fabulous.

The "J" is for Jenifer, but if you want to think I deliberately wore it for Jaeger, you wouldn't be entirely incorrect. 

Must have woke up thinking about British heritage brands. The absurdity of someone like me carrying a Barbour bag makes it all the more fun. Bought it for a buck. Do I look posh? 

BOO! 

You have no idea how gigantic this lamp is. I didn't purchase it, leaving it instead for someone that can really appreciate a vintage giant jack-o-lantern lamp. I'm not really acquiring things now, but I do wish L  would stop trying to sell my things out from under me. He keeps reminding me that I'm sitting on a vintage collection goldmine, even offering to helpfully photograph and list it for me, which I understand but...I'd kinda like to appreciate the stuff while I'm here? I've left instructions for after my demise, but I don't know, it just feels impolite to try to sell my carefully collected over a lifetime things before that lifetime is over. We aren't skint, at least not at the moment so there's really no need to act with any urgency. 

 If I were acquiring things, this pair of lamps would have come home with me. Aren't they wonderful?

Even the shades were in good conditions.

So very, Wedgewood. They were too big for bedside lamps but wouldn't they be lovely in a white living room? Either end of a white sofa? Anyway, I restrained myself.

The same store had this skirt made from African wax print fabric featuring Opaapapa, a brand of tomato products from Ghana. I desperately wanted it, but it wouldn't fit, and I probably would never get around to re-working the fabric, but it would have made adorable kitchen curtains for our small window.

Maybe that's what's missing in my cooking! I usually just buy the Aldi own brand.

We have a market that carries loads of African and Caribbean grocery items. I'll have to look for the Obaapapa tomatoes and give them a try. 

I didn't bring home this art for anthropologists either, but I will say it was beautifully done albeit on plywood rather than stone. So basically, I've been out and about but not bringing much home. I did purchase an Ungaro suit because it was too good to leave, and I will wear the pieces this winter as separates. I can't say no to herringbone wool. No, I won't be letting L list it on eBay. 

Silly pose time! 

 

Not silly enough?! Wow, you guys are a tough audience. How's this?

Earrings I got in trouble for wearing to school because they were, "Distracting."

Speaking of causing a disruption, Dan earned himself a two day suspension from school for defending his bullied friend. The school said he was causing a disruption by bringing attention to the fact they did absolutely nothing to stop the bullying, but punished the kid for fighting back. Yeah, yeah, stupid public school administrator stuff. I'm proud of both kids and I hope they both continue doing the right thing even when the adults in charge clearly won't. 

Does this count as a bucket bag if it has a zip rather than a drawstring? Not that it matters, but I'm not sure what to call it. Etienne Aigner bags aren't as coveted these days as they were when I was young, but they should be. Want a beautifully constructed bag that will last forever at a fraction of the price the popular brands fetch? Well there's your answer. I linked to the site, but also avoided looking in the sale to avoid temptation-maybe you can go have a look for me.

Eccentric? You don't say!

In what way, exactly?

Is this better? I found this vintage dress (60s? I think?) on a rail of Halloween costumes at Goodwill and priced like a cheap costume. Works for me!

Went with purple accessories for no particular reason other than I wanted to wear some neglected items to justify their continued existence in my wardrobe.

I hate that I now feel like I have to wear it immediately or justify not selling it. It is a collection, not a business. I mean, people collect things they enjoy. Does everyone with a pottery collection use all the pieces?! Gah. Anyway, I guess the dress will move on as I don't have much use for a green lace dress these days. 

The navy silk shift dress from a few posts back had a matching jacket that I've pressed into service here for layering over a long blouse.

The ties in front are fiddly. I don't think they add anything, but the blouse is so good on me otherwise, I'll overlook it.

Not unlike wearing a giant silk tie-at least that's what it reminds me of. The skirt is a cheap, polyester piece from the 70s that I think cost about a dollar.

Slightly on the low-cut side but not in a gaping way so I didn't need to pin it shut for decency.


Vintage leather bag from the 70s.

Neglected accessories.

After the outfit above, my blue shoes decided to come away from the sole, and I was forced to dig out another pair of navy shoes. This 80s pair will fill the gap until I can get my blue Clark's fixed.

More neglected accessories brought to you by vintage Triffari.

Do you love old labels?

Until I started this post I hadn't noticed just how shabby this Made in France vintage bag was getting. Definitely time for a clean and polish. It is otherwise in good condition, just needs a bit of cleaning up. I have some navy blue boots that could also use some polish, so that's on next week's agenda.

I was certain this 80s skirt with red button details was blue when I got dressed. Outside daylight proved me wrong, but it was such a pale black that I doubt anyone else noticed. Sometimes I just cannot tell.

The buttons aren't operable, rather sewn on as decoration.

There's the polyester vintage Koret jacket in action. The poloneck is from H&M. I don't purchase much new aside from underwear, but for basics like this, they do make very nice pieces at a good price. I was wary of viscose thinking it might be uncomfortable, but it was just perfect. I do wish I could find one in navy blue, but thus far that search has been fruitless. Anyway, won't be needing blue for this skirt as it turned out to be black, so that's sorted!

Ghost dress and kitty legwarmers.

Act my age?! Ha! 

Act normal? I'll try. Will this do?

Vintage Gitano denim skirt

Thrifted linen blouse.

That fancy bag again.

Not my sign. My sign is, "Vacant". Ha ha ha, ain't I a laugh a minit?!

You look hungry. Here, have a pastry made with non-dairy cream cheese and sugarless jam and chocolate. Perfect for the diabetic and lactose intolerant in your life.

Chicken thighs baked with olives, lemons, and artichoke hearts.

Stir fry, anyone? I have some bargain broccoli.

 No, don't worry about the washing up-I'll get it. Here's some more outfits to look at until I get back.

Old jacket, thrifted around 2014. Vintage skirt is (I think?) 80s. I'm enjoying longer lengths now.

Close up of the print on the jacket. Darker in real life, but the light in my house is crap.

Brought out the vintage Gucci handbag.

And a pair of shoes I've had since the 80s. I don't wear them much, which is likely how they've survived this long.

Had a friend that wanted to paint the inside of the heel black on these so they would look, "More expensive". She was funny about stuff like that. Obviously, I didn't let her.

You've seen it all before, but not together.

There's a tiny jingle bell in the bat's mouth that makes it look like it is speaking when I move my head.

Detail of the skirt. Only on the front-the back is plain.

What?! You're still hungry? Here, have some green beans. I over-toasted the almonds, but they taste fine.

Those were frozen beans. .98 cents a bag. Well, now I'm out of food so I guess I'll leave you with another outfit to look at until I get back.

Wait a while, there's a call...

Some pervert wants to talk dirty. Here, you take it.

First and likely last wear for this padded bra. I spent so much time worrying if my boobs were dented in, it wasn't worth it. I guess requiring a padded bra can be added to the list of things I never thought I'd need to concern myself with. In the old days, we'd just stuff a bunch of tissues in there. Added amusement when multi-coloured Kleenex would start slipping out the top of a tee shirt. They stopped making coloured tissues and toilet roll-probably gave everyone cancer or something.

Skirt is by Phool, and made in India. I had no idea they did stuff like this as I associate Phool with block prints and cotton. No idea when it is from but if I had to guess I'd say late 80s/early 90s. I know I had similar lacy stuff back then, but it is such a timeless thing, who knows?

The more I look at 80s clothing from a distance, the more I  appreciate it. I've had this Outback Red cardigan since the early 80s (purchased I believe at The Limited) and it is still going strong.

This blouse is a bit of an extreme 80s example (it also has a matching skirt, but that was definitely too much) but I like the collar. I'm less in love with the buttons down the back, given my crooked spine, but as the years pass I'm more willing to wear something that draws attention to my deformity. After more than 50 years, there's little point trying to hide it. It is as much a part of me as anything else.

See what I mean? I'd stand up straight if I could, but I can't so that's that.

The sleeves are rather lovely. No proper shoulder pads, just a bit of gathered interfacing sewn in to make the shoulders stand out a bit. Just enough, to my mind.

The skirt is Sassoon. I have it in a larger size and was so happy to find this one so I didn't need to be parted from my favourite denim skirt.

Bass Wejuns penny loafers. Of course I put pennies in them. That's how I keep track of their age.

Those aren't real agates, but plastic doing a very nice impersonation. I have a slightly different version of the same set. I keep thinking I should get rid of one, but they're different enough that I can't decide! The tiny diamond and sapphire lightning bolt ring was my mother's. The pin was thrifted.

This Royal Tapisserie bag wouldn't typically be my thing, but I liked the colours, and it seemed well made. I'd seen it several weeks earlier and as it was still in the shop when I returned, I decided to splash out five dollars for it. The cashier looked at it, thought it was marked to high, and charged me three. Hard to argue with that. For a somewhat small bag, it holds all my essentials and there are times I am happy to have a cross body bag. 

There's the label from the blouse. I suppose it could have been late 70s-that font is definitely of the era, but I really think, based on the collar that the set came later. Not that  it matters, really.

Not much to say about this dress other than it was comfortable and looked nice. Every wardrobe needs those items.

This corduroy pinafore isn't my usual look, but was fun for a day.

Sorry, bad light, but it did capture the details.

More buttons down the back. I really liked the colour scheme of this outfit and might try it with something else that doesn't scream, "1970s primary school teacher".

I wore this to go to the Spirit Halloween store. To people outside the US: We have stores that are devoted to Halloween and only open one month a year. We didn't buy anything, but it is fun to spend time with Dan.

He's going as the "Spectre of Communism" this year. No, not really, but when the Halloween store provides you a hammer and a sickle, might as well take  photo.

And on that note, I'm out of here. See you next time.