Whew, this week has been a stressful ride for folks in the US and those of us adjacent to it, hasn’t it? I think it’s safe to say that my current mood is cautiously optimistic but I will need a long time to come down from the anxiety rollercoaster. Let’s throw it back to a simpler time for a moment: Halloween 2020.

I’ve never been super into seasonal decorating. Or dressing up for Halloween — not since my early 20s anyway. But as with so many other things, 2020 ended up different. This year, I felt an inexplicable impulse to fill my front porch with pumpkins:

Look how jolly they look! Is “jolly” not what we go for when it comes to Halloween? Oh well.

I also sprinkled some “Mini Boos” (seriously, that’s what they’re called, I die) inside my house:

I knew that stockpiling thrifted candlesticks would pay off some day — I was able to assemble a “Halloweeny” candle display in 3 seconds flat. Now, admittedly, that was the extent of my seasonal decorating efforts which, for some, might seem like barely an effort at all. But it was a pretty big step for yours truly. My husband also got into the spirit, and built this candy chute for socially distanced trick-or-treating.

To claim credit where it is due (if I say so myself), he built it and I decorated it. We both stole our ideas from others in the neighbourhood.

And I also got dressed up for Halloween. In fairness, it only happened because I stumbled on the perfect dress a few weeks ago. It’s a dress that puzzled me a lot. The material feels pretty cheap, but the construction and finishing details are fantastic. There are no labels anywhere on the dress. I can only assume that it was either a sample of some kind, or a theatre costume. Either way, it was pretty perfect:

I live the witchy vibezzz all year round, so it seemed only fitting to let my witch flag fly this Halloween:

Hope you had a safe and spooky Halloween, and survived the rollercoaster that was Election Week. Onwards and upwards!

City Lights

Marc Cain is a pretty underrated brand here, and it’s a shame because they put out some cool pieces. Like this top. The front is silk, the back is cotton (black contrast panel). But it was the print that drew me to it when I saw it on the rack at Goodwill. I love the colours, but also the fact it’s not a typical print. It’s almost abstract but not quite. I had lots of plans for this top when I bought it, none of them involving this Dries Van Noten skirt. Later, when I was thinking about how to style the skirt for Skirtober, a lightbulb went off. Here is my pro-tip (not really) about how to mix patterns like a boss: pick a unifying colour that is featured in both prints. For this outfit, that was the cobalt blue. This is definitely a bold take on pattern-mixing and not for everyone, but I think it has a pleasing harmony because of the colour palette. Dare I say it, I think Mr. Van Noten would approve?

Second Chance Floral

I saw, and passed, on this Vince skirt at Nordstrom Rack 2 or 3 times before I eventually caved and bought it. The push came one day when I thought that all sale items were an extra 40% off; it turned out, only tops were on additional sale, but by then I had committed to the till line-up and didn’t feel like walking the skirt back to the rack. It still came out to less than $50 which I guess is maybe not too expensive, except that my price expectations have been re-set by thrifting. Anyway, I’m glad I got it because it’s actually really lovely and well-constructed. The mauve matches my old Moth sweater perfectly so I did a whole matchy-matchy thing again. The end.

That’s a Wrap

Ok, I lied: one more. I had to show you guys this amazing vintage Jean Claude Poitras jacket I thrifted. Poitras is a famous Quebecois designer, and while there isn’t enough information out there for me to decide whether his aesthetic as a whole is my cup of tea, which particular jacket — YES. It has all sort of interesting angles, I adore the overall silhouette, and did I mention that it’s made from a silk-wool blend fabric. I am obsessed with silk-wool blends right now (like the Shirin Guild jacket I thrifted a while back). They are cozier than wool, but smooth and not itchy at all. Luxe to the max. It’s what pampering at home is all about these days.

Colourblocked

I love this Wilfred sweater so much. It’s like being wrapped in a fluffy cloud. I “fancied” it up with a pencil skirt (and chose a leather one why because why not add some textural contrast), but it was definitely my favourite part of the outfit. Eight months into the pandemic, I am past the point where I want to wear pyjamas everyday, but this sweater is making me reconsider. Except, I’m not sure even my pyjamas are that soft. Maybe what I really want is to just go back to bed, hah!

Purple Waves

This Zara skirt is exuberant and so much fun, but the purple is taking some getting used to. Don’t get me wrong; it’s a lovely shade. I’m simply not used to it, and more importantly, still trying to figure out what colours work well with it. Black is always safe, but you can’t wear something as bold as this skirt and always play it safe. When I thrifted this Barbara Bui jacket, I was really taken with the sleeve and lapel contrast lining. Looking at the orange-brown colours, I thought “hmmm, I wonder if this would pop next to purple?” And you know what? It does. I also like how the long line of the blazer works with cut and length of the skirt – it’s a different silhouette from my usual.

Whimsical Friday

These days, by the time I get to Friday, I am mentally spent. Last week, to inject some fun into my day, I decided to wear this ridiculous Moschino tee I thrifted a while back. 2020 has been a bonker balls year, and it’s started to affect my sartorial preferences. Surreal, ridiculous, kitschy stuff? Sign me up. Working from home has its ups and downs, but at least I can look in the mirror and see a teddy bear in a hard hat staring back at me, and smile.