Black and White Reversible Jacket

It was the style that attracted me to this knit jacket; I love the black and white plaid and when I tried it on and noticed it was reversible, it was definitly coming home with me.

One of my favourite ways to style black and white is with red. The belt belonged to my mom and I probably wear it more than she did. My vintage shoes are hand-me-downs from my daughter Jean (she bought them in the ’80s when she was a teenager) and they go great with my new red vegan purse I bought while we were on a weekend getaway on Whidbey Island, Washington.

Springtime in Ontario means one day can be pleasant and the next day cool, one day sunny and the next day raining, so I wear jackets and cardigans depending on the temperature.

Tulips and daffodils are growing, blossoms are starting to bud and we just saw our first butterfly on the weekend.

Thanks for stopping by!

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Style Challenge: In the PINK

Jean and I both bought these pretty pink spring jackets with a military vibe (made in Italy) on our day trip to Snohomish, Washington. They also came is navy blue and grey. There are buttons on both edges on the front and no buttonholes.

Jean is wearing her jacket with a grey sweater and vegan knee-high boots. I’m wearing all black with faux leather and faux suede pants. Jean has also worn hers with grey jeans and I plan to wear my jacket with white jeans. These jackets look fantastic with blue jeans. (That’s Alice the Cat)

Pink is my favourite springtime colour!

What’s your favourite colour this spring?

VIVA LA PINK!

Linking up with Patti’s VISIBLE MONDAY

SLOW FASHION: Burgundy and Black

My love affair with burgundy began when I was a teenager and I’ve had this rich colour in my wardrobe ever since. I bought this quality top in Germany in 1982 when I was 30. I wash it by hand and it still looks new. That’s what I call SLOW FASHION.

This is my first time wearing these tassel earrings, they look so cool. I had wanted a pair for ages, ever since my daughter made her own DIY tassel necklace (years ago before they came into style). They came in a dozen colours, I chose burgundy.

This wrap skirt is one of the newest items I’ve bought recently: a timeless romantic style with ruffles and a flounce hem. Made in the UK and just happens to match my top!

April 24th being Fashion Revolution Day–6 years since the tragedy in Bangladesh–support companies that are kind to people, the earth, and animals. Ask companies “who made my clothes?”

I’ve styled this outfit with my tattoo leggings, which peek through slightly on the dance floor. Black stilettos, black belt and a little black evening purse and I’m ready to go dancing tonight.

Do you have a colour you’ve been faithful to forever?

❤ carmen

Linking up with Nancy for FANCY FRIDAY

 

GOOD NEWS!!!

That’s the message of GOOD FRIDAY and RESURRECTION SUNDAY!

I’ll be celebrating the Easter season with dancing. Through the years I get invited to teach celebration dance to people from various denominations, as well as doing worship dance presentations. Just as the Bible says in Psalm 150:4 Praise Him with tambourines and dancing!

What a joy it is to know the love of God and rejoice together for what He has done for us! What a beautiful world He created for us and how marvellous are His ways!

Thanks be to our wonderful Saviour who loves us with an everlasting love! ❤️

As for Easter dinner, no animals will be on the menu. We enjoy the abundance of God’s provision that He designed for our bodies as He said in Genesis 1:29. I live a happy, healthy life without causing misery and cruelty to animals.

There’s a galore of vegan recipes on the Internet

You love dogs, you love horses. Why not show compassion to other animals who suffer needlessly? I know most people won’t watch videos of what goes on at factory farms and slaughter houses because we don’t want to be reminded of this bloodshed, it might spoil our appetites. Please consider the cruelty that goes on behind closed doors. The dear animals that are then packaged in plastic and put into the freezer section of our grocery stores.

Please don’t eat us!

Your fridge is not a cemetery. Your body is not a graveyard.

❤️ Choose life

❤️ Choose health

❤️ Choose a more compassionate world

Thank you for reading and may God bless you with the abundance of nutritious, plant-based foods to share with family and friends this blessed Easter season!! ❤️

Linking up with TURNING HEADS

Diane Von Furstenberg Two-piece Wrap Dress

This vintage dress (made in Italy) has stood the test of time with style and quality. Little did my mom know when she bought it in the ’70s that three generations will be enjoying it for 50 years!

This is not the first time I’ve shown this two-piece wrap dress on my blog, but it’s the first time showing how I can wear the skirt with a black top. I can also wear the top with a black skirt or pants.

It belonged to my mom and my daughter Jean received it first, but she is kind enough to let me have it for awhile. I’ve only worn it for special occasions and always as a set.

Recently I wore the skirt with a black top. Once to my grandson’s 13th birthday party and also to a wonderful vegan restaurant with friends.

It’s the only two-piece dress I have. I’d like to buy another one because it would be great for travelling and creating different looks.

Do you have fashion heirloom from your mom or grandmother?

Linking up with Jess TURNING HEADS and Nancy’s FANCY FRIDAY

 

Tattoos

While I was shopping in downtown Seattle I got tattoos. Not the real kind. I’ve always wished there were stockings that looked like tattoos and as I passed by a dress shop, there in the window display, my wish came true!

I was allowed to try them on because they are mesh leggings. Now the only problem was deciding which ones to buy.

Here’s the choices …

Two reasons I don’t have real tattoos: I don’t like pain and it would be like wearing the same thing everyday. I prefer to have prints, patterns and designs on my clothes rather than on my skin. 🙂

Which ones do you like best?
Which ones do you think I bought?
The answer is here.
❤ carmen

Linking up with Nancy’s FANCY FRIDAY

SAVE THE DUCK!

April Fools! It’s NO joke! This is April in Ontario. I was hoping to put away my winter coats for the season but we had another snowfall. There’s a lovely nature trail through the forest behind my house and it does look beautiful with freshly fallen snow.

My cousin and friends in Germany are sending and posting photos of spring blossoms. My fashionable blogging friends are showing off their lovely spring outfits …

 meanwhile in Canada …

I’m still wearing my SAVE THE DUCK puffer jacket. At least it’s pretty in pink and I’m wearing floral jeans and pink boots, perfect for spring, right?

Tam O’Shanter: upcycled and handmade by me
Jacket: Save the Duck (no feathers or down)
Jeans: United Colours of Benetton
Boots: faux suede (over 10 years old)

I made my Tam O’Shanter when I was a teenager. It’s upcycled from a skirt that I outgrew. My mom taught me to upcycle because they did it during the Depression and WWII (not that they used the term upcycling back then).

Jean and me in our SAVE THE DUCK puffer jackets: weightlessness and fluffiness, so warm with wind protection, drys rapidly, two-way zipper and zip pockets, machine washable.

Best part–it’s 100% ANIMAL FREE Outwear – “We replaced goose down with state-of-the-art technology, PLUMTECH®: it is warmer, more breathable and lighter. We have a daily commitment: to improve the sustainability of our company in full respect of the animals, the environment in which they live and the people who live there.”

How’s the weather in your neck of the woods?

Flea Markets, Antiques and Treasures, Oh My!

What a pleasant surprise it was to run into a fellow vegan; we noticed the badge on her coat sleeve while browsing through an antique shop and after a little chat I invited Carolyn to be a guest on my blog! She’s been busy making her own clothes from hoodies to tank tops!

I’d be a minimalist if it wasn’t for the fact that I’m an avid collector.

Whether in Seattle, San Fransisco, New York, Germany or around Southern Ontario (where I live), searching for treasures and unique things is something I’ve always enjoyed.

We have several places not far from home and with the weather being so cold and dreary in March, it’s a good time to look for treasures. I bought this red velvet jacket for $25. and the bracelet for $15. and the telephone for $15. We enjoyed lunch in the retro diner after shopping (see the two photos with the old LP records).

Jean took us to the Pacific Antique Mall in Seattle. There’s always a bear that needs to be rescued, but I left this one for someone else to rescue. Hope he got a good home!

Last time in San Francisco, we went to one of the largest antique road shows in America; vendors brought their antiques from all over the country. This show was for wealthy people who can afford tables for $5,000 and a bowl for $1,200. It was like a museum with items way out of our price range.

As soon as the weather gets warm enough for outdoor flea markets, we’ll take a trip to  Aberfoyle–Canada’s largest outdoor antique market.

Do you like antiques and flea markets?

❤ carmen

ArmedAngels – eco fashion

What’s better than an ArmedAngels skirt?

TWO ArmedAngels skirts!

I first heard about this ethical company in Germany when my daughter Jean and I were in Berlin. In the meantime, she has opened her own eco boutique in Seattle and carries ArmedAngels clothing: a brand known for their sustainable materials and fair working conditions.

While I was in Seattle I bought two skirts in the same style but different colours and patterns, both made with organic cotton.

One with bold colourful geo squares …

and the other is black with tiny polkadots.

I’ve worn them with black bamboo tights (also from Jean’s store Drizzle & Shine) and can wear them with bare legs when the weather warms up.

I’ll tell you about my wrap top in another post (I bought two, my other one is black).

Happy Spring!

❤ carmen

 

Road Trip to Lake Washington

One of the things I absolutely love and appreciate when we visit our daughter in Seattle (besides the weather and shopping) is the way Jean plans the adventures and places we go to.

The weather was like springtime in Ontario even though it’s winter. On this particular day, we took a road trip along a windy road and hilly lakeside community. The homes are gorgeous and the grass is always greener in Seattle.

We stopped at a couple of parks with a great view of Lake Washington. It’s wonderful how time spent in nature rejuvenates us. Quite a drastic change of scenery from the day we spent in downtown Seattle with the hustle and bustle of Pike Place Market.

Jean’s jacket is from a clothing exchange and she bought these $180 plaid jeans on sale for $30 at Nordstom Rack a few years ago.

My black and red houndstooth coat is from Frank Lyman (if you follow my blog you’ve seen it already) My pants (also worn before) are a mini plaid pattern.

One of the things that makes Seattle so enjoyable is that it’s a city surrounded by beautiful scenery: parks, nature, lakes, islands, mountains–just what I need after the madding crown in downtown Seattle.

Take time for a walk in nature!