Gifted and Thrifted

After the last few text heavy posts, I just wanted to bang one out that was full of eye candy and didn't require much thought or research. I had been the recipient of some wonderful gifts from friends and bloggers over the past few weeks and it was about time I showed them off....

A lovely friend from work had been thrifting one day and thought of me when she saw this dress, so she bought it for me. It parades its 80's origins in the shoulder pads and shape.

I like the D-ring detail at the bottom and the wide band adds an interesting shape to the dress. If the temperature ever gets higher than 15 degrees, it's going to be a good summer work dress; even though it's polyester, it's a polyester that feels more like cotton than plastic.

Another friend who is packing to move to New York for a new job found this Custo Barcelona t-shirt in her closet and passed it along to me. Do my friends know my colour preferences or what?

A couple of weeks ago I arrived home to find a large package stuffed in my mailbox. To my surprise and delight, it was from Krista. Knowing what is happening in her life, I was even more touched that she took the time to send me a package of blogger love. I was sure the black dress with the folded-ribbon overlay would be too small, and truthfully, it is shorter than I usually wear, and kind of clingy, but I stuck a turtleneck and leggings under it and wore it to work anyway. The Betsey Johnson skull print shoulder bag was also in the package (skulls! bows! black and red!).

She also included a couple of necklaces, including the one above that she made for me. It was a big hit when I wore it to work, where apparently I am considered overdressed most of the time.

I also received a parcel from Ariane, who has been recovering from a serious injury. The small blinged-out bag (for a cell phone maybe?) will make a cool necklace, and the gold wings will find their home on a pair of my shoes. Again, I am touched and amazed that people coping with serious emotional and physical upheavals make the time and effort to send me parcels of joy. Thank you both for your kindness, and for once again reminding me to be grateful for the wonderful people that my blog has brought into my life.

And of course, I've purchased a few things for myself. Clockwise from left: Plastic elephant necklace from the St. Vincent dePaul thrift store (I was hoping it was carved bone when I saw it in the case, but it's cool nonetheless), painted wire mobile earrings from Jackpot Vintage, and red and black metal earrings, also from Jackpot Vintage. I seem to be regressing to my 1980's, big-earring-loving self, after spending the last 20 years or so wearing nothing but small silver hoops and studs. Hmmmmm.....
I hope you all had a nice weekend. This week includes a quick trip to Toronto for the premiere of the Advanced Style documentary, which I'm excited to see. I'm sure there will be photos.