Two 'new' tapestry coats - quelle indulgence!

Col des Araviz, La Clusaz.

Jeepers, it's been a busy time. With four or five weeks ago, we're in the final stages of baby prep: the crib is set up, the baby clothes are clean and ready, and the hospital bag is packed. We've also gone out for dinner with friends almost every night for the past week and a bit - gotta get our social ya-yas out while we can, right? The other day we drove up to the mountains and sunned ourselves on a huge patio, admiring Mont Blanc in the distance (not the mountain pictured above), while eating crepes and quaffing chocolat chaud. The weather has ranged from 24 degrees C and sunny to cooler rainy days, but the flowers and trees have exploded with popping blossoms and leaves - it is truly beautiful spring in Haute Savoie!

Last week: 35 weeks

For cooler days, I've upgraded my standard black maternity tights and generic black top look by adding a second-hand tapestry coat I picked up at the local consignment shop where I've left some of my 1970s frocks. I LOVE this baby. It's contemporary and likely only a few seasons old, made by Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti. I've seen a few listings for this exact coat online and apparently it sold for over $1,400 US new. Yeeps. The price tag on my coat was 75 Euro, a little under $100 USD.

I'm wearing it with green suede slouchy booties bought new in Canada and a humongous vintage 1980s carpet bag by UK maker Carpet Bags, bought on Etsy. I can't get the buttons on the coat closed at the mo, but no matter: that will come. I'll say it again: I just love this coat! It's sleek and stylish and will rock my neutrals, everything from jeans and wedge booties to dresses and wideleg pants.

Last week: 35 weeks

This blue beaut is a definite vintage 1970s find, stalked several months ago on Etsy by moi before I finally broke down and hit the "buy" button. I'm wearing it with thrifted Italian-made blue suede boots and a new wool dress that has served my expanding girth very well of late. It's slightly less fitted than the other coat but no less amazing, in my humble opin.

When I can fit back into my denim, I can see myself wearing this with a simple white tee, slightly flared blue jeans, strappy sandals and ethnic silver bling. Ironically I find both of these coats incredibly versatile - you wouldn't think so with the patterns, but I guess the key is not going overboard with stripes and polka dots underneath.

The silver filigre flower ring is slightly blurry but I wanted to show you the bling I accessorized the coat with - I was thinking Morocco for some reason, and this ring, found in a Toronto thrift shop and given to me by the owner, seemed to fit the bill. The silver tone and Lucite necklace is a fave Goodwill find from Toronto - I think it was $6 CAD.

I'll leave you with a shot from the patio that we were having dinner at the other night in the old town. The street looks deserted but don't be fooled: tourists were thronging that night but we managed to find a resto on a quiet side of the canal. Soon Annecy will be absolutely teeming with people and it will be impossible to push a stroller down our cobblestone street. I'm not looking forward to it!

I've been oh so slowly catching up with your blogs, leaving the odd comment here and there and sometimes just enjoying reading your posts sans commenting. I really hope to stay connected with you all but can already feel myself slipping away from blogging, as exhaustion takes over and I become increasingly preoccupied with our imminent arrival! Hope you're all well. xoxo

Just realized I've missed this fabulous link up for the last little bit, so I'm popping in to minglewith my fave style pals at Patti's Visible Monday.

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Ethnic pink accessories jazz up boring black mat outfit

Vintage ikat bag, Etsy; new Moroccan-made flats; thrifted denim jacket; vintage 1970s necklace.
Leggings and top, H&M maternity.
(end of week 34).

A flu last week has quelled my energy and nesting instinct somewhat, but I'm on the mend - just in time for gloriously sunny skies and 20-plus C temps in Annecy this week, double yay!

All of my thoughtful maternity style solutions have devolved into a standard uni of late: H&M tights and some generic top to go with them. My style solution, to pep things up a bit: accessories, natch. And given my penchant for all bits and bobs ethnic these days, it's not surprising I tarted up this outfit with my latest acquisitions: one, a gorg pink, white and black vintage ikat tote found on Etsy.

Two, leather ballerina flats from Morocco, bought from the willowy hippy-dippy gal who owns a shop just a few doors over from where I live, most of it comprising amazing Moroccan wares. These were on sale as they were last season.

Aren't they pretty? They make my size 10 feet look like flippers, but, after the initial-wear blisters fade away and the leather gives a wee bit, they'll be comfy as as a pair of old slippers.

Speaking of great accessories, I have to show off my latest 1970s necklace, purchased* at a local second-hand shop where I recently consigned some of my beloved 1970s frocks (goodbye tribute coming soon). It's 70s-chic, but with those dangly bits, it has a semi-tribal feel to it, methinks.

*I actually bought it with the proceeds of two pieces that have already sold!

It perfectly matches the style of the ring I bought in the same shop on Christmas Eve. Love!

I was still feeling a bit tired on Sunday, when this pic was snapped, but it was so beautiful out that hubby and I met friends around the lake. Needless to say, the place was thronging with peeps. This pic was snapped at 8pm, when everyone had gone home to dinner. I love the lake **sans** humans!

Linking up with Bella at Citizen Rosebud's Shoe Shine series, which starts its second installment tomorrow!

EDIT: Crazy pregnant lady got it wrong - no Shoe Shine series today, my bad (see Bella's comment below). But still linking to the fabulous Bella 'cos she shines every day!

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Matchy-matchy double-sided Gemini

I match the lake!

Quelle week: hubby's been away so I've tasked myself with various administrative to-dos, along with washing and organizing all the baby clothes we've been lucky enough to have given to us; buy the remaining baby stuff we needed; organize some clothing for the local consignment shop; socialize a little; and generally do all the running around I won't feel like in the weeks to come! I feel good, but tired. Thankfully I've had some good friends helping me.

I love this outfit - you can see I'm still groovin' on the tribal theme. I found this microfibre ruffle skirt in the old town new and fell in love with the pattern. Remember this style of skirt? I wore them as a teen in the early 80s.

33 Weeks!

The skirt just happens to go remarkably well with the tribal-esque scarf I bought at a December market in Annecy, also new. I threw in a Guatamalan bag I found for 5 Euros in Geneva. The sweater is new and accommodates my growing belly. Only the boots, ring and necklace are second-hand.

Ignore the bad hair and focus on the sparkly gem-like pendant (matched up with a vintage chain found in my box), found for a few Euro at the monthly brocante market here in Annecy. Normally the vintage bling pickings are slim at this market, but I happened upon a vendor this time with a few nifty pieces (one that I'll show you another time).

Check it out: it's two-sided, perfect for the Gemini in me!

Now, who would have thought that, before I even found this necklace, I went back and bought the same skirt as the one above, except in red hues? And who would have ever imagined that I also bought the red version of the above scarf because I loved the blue one so well?

Scarves and skirts, all matchy-matchy

Normally I don't plan things this well, nor am I really the person to buy TWO of one thing in different colours (I thought only men did that!). But these pieces and outfits they comprise seem to have been fated by the Style Gods. Not that I'm into matchy-matchy, as a rule, but I like the way everything has come together, and how the necklace, bought after the scarves and the skirts, just happens to complement their colour schemes! Yes, little things such as this excite me.

You can see I'm experimenting with collaging my finds. Anyone know a free program that doesn't have its name on the photos? I'm all for attribution, but in a caption. :)

The ring, part of the outfit, was found in the thrift shop for a Euro. I love the dome-like structure and green glass.

Thrifted at the same shop: huge handmade (and signed, but can't make it out) brass pendant with figure on it. I need to find a cord or chain worthy of it.

I replace my beat up wallets every season or so, and they're always thrifted, like this cute fabric David Jones one. And I couldn't resist the pink rhinestone brooch. It has such an Art Deco or Nouveau feel to it. It'll look cool on a jean jacket.

Speaking of cool, don't you just love the onsie our good friends, who've just had their baby, customized for us? It's perfect, considering I've found some great baby clothing at the thrift shop. No doubt, the thrift shop will be a place where the little guy will grow up!

Linking up, in advance, to the gorgeous gals over at Patti's Visible Monday.

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Tribal, a la mass market

32 weeks - and running out of pants!

I often feel guilty the odd time I buy mass market clothing; then, when it falls apart, I feel cheated. But desperate needs call for desperate measures. I have only one pair of maternity leggings - my only pair of pants these days - so a quick trip to my local H&M yielded several pair of inexpensive maternity bottoms that`ll hopefully hold together long enough to see me through the next couple months and post-baby.

On the sale (non-maternity rack), I found this cotton tribal-esque oversize cardi for a song. True, its threads catch on everything as I walk by, and it`ll likely unravel off my body one day, but I just thought it was so cute for spring, when the weather is still chill but doesn`t quite warrant a full on winter coat.

I`m wearing it here with the new leggings, along with thrifted boots, turtleneck and pendant necklace. Vintage handbag courtesy of Etsy; hat bought new in Toronto years ago and leather ruched gloves were $5 in a Toronto end-of-the-line retailer.

The cardi would have perfectly matched this ethnic bag I found at a vide grenier in the fall for just a few Euros - but it was almost too perfect a match, if you know what I mean. The outfit was already starting to feel pretty matchy-matchy, and the bag may have created a pattern overload.

I am ever so slowly starting to run out of tops to fit my expanding stomach. Good thing the seasons are changing. I`m now starting to amass a small collection of spring and summer tops that`ll do for the next few months and post-baby. My local second-hand shop, and Etsy, have proved invaluable in helping me find stylish, affordable and practical options comprised of mainly cotton button-down empire waisted blouses or oversize blouses, to hide a post-baby pooch and for easy breast-feeding action.

As for the bottom half, well, I think unimaginative black leggings will have to do as they`re the only comfy options that fit around a non-waist. I`ll be jazzing them up with great accessories though - stay tuned! And Happy Easter to you! I`m a bad girl and haven`t yet responded to your kind comments from my last post, but I will, promise (hopefully someone reads them).

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Thrifted goodies I wouldn't have bought new (partial part deux of vide grenier haul)

Leather jacket: 2 Euros, Annecy vide grenier.
Worn with gifted maternity top, cheapie leggings, new patchwork purse;
Handmade and hand-dyed fringed shawl made from vintage fabric (not by me);
Vintage elasticized velvet and rhinestone belt.

I'm showing off my two-Euros leather jacket, a buttery soft European-label found at the vide grenier from a few weeks ago. Along with a statement-piece shawl and handbag, it jazzes up an otherwise boring black outfit.

Vintage 1990s booties found in Toronto, Canada.
Bracelet snagged for 5 Euros at Annecy thrift shop.
(31 weeks).

It's burgundy, not a colour I'm hugely attracted to and in truth I wouldn't have bought it it were any more than a few Euros. But that's the amazing thing about thrifting: because it can be so inexpensive, it gives you freedom to experiment with new colours and styles that you typically wouldn't if you were to pay full price.

Flashback to 2010, to another thrifted leather jacket find
(to when I had thighs).

Ditto for this slightly sheeny bubble-gum pink cropped leather I found in Toronto in 2010 at a half-off thrift sale. If it were 20-plus bucks, I very likely would have turned my nose up at it. But for about $10 (if memory serves), I snatched it up. The jacket spruces up denim, black or a relatively neutral outfit. And the wacky pink makes me smile. :)

Wearing the same vintage booties, along with a vintage leather bag, thrifted sweater, designer jeans
and purple Coach sunnies.
(Scarf bought new and worth every penny of the exorbitant price I paid for it at Anthropologie).

I kept most of the pieces comprising this outfit when I moved overseas, save for the designer Angel jeans found for a few bucks in a Toronto thrift shop. I was super super teeny back then, as a single girl. Marriage and general happiness (and not eating crackers and cheese for dinner) automatically put a couple pounds on me. But sadly, that meant I had to part ways with these, my favourite, jeans.

A look I've long admired in jewellery but wouldn't necessarily have paid retail for.

I'll quit moaning now. My new and expanding body is a blessing, even though I do sometimes mourn my former uber-svelte self. On another note, check out this bracelet I found at the thrift shop the same day as the vide grenier for 5 Euros. I've always loved this look but never wanted to pay full-price for it. It's got a slightly '90s vibe crossed with a tribal feel. I've been wearing it endlessly.

Does thrifting allow you to try on new or different looks, or acquire pieces you'd never buy new?

Linking up with the lovely ladies at Pattie's Visible Monday - the 90th installment! Thanks to Patti for continuing to host this fun linkup!

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French style: thrifted Weill coat

Made in France Weill coat for 30 Euros, a steal for the label.
Worn with thrifted Italian-made booties, thrifted wool pashmina scarf and handmade bag from Montreal.

All I can say is, can I sleep with my latest thrifted coat? I love it sooo much.

I bought it at the thrift shop where the vide grenier was, on the same day as the vide grenier (see post below), except it was full price in the boutique (30 Euros). But when my eagle-thrifting eye landed on it, even though I didn't know the label, I loved it on sight and knew it was a quality piece. Plus the swing shape perfectly accommodates wee Bobo (AKA the bump - surely I'm not the only preggo attach a name to it?).

The label is Weill, a Paris-based fashion-house that's always been, and still is, family-owned. According to the website, the label pioneered ready-to-wear in France. Established in 1892, it's apparently the oldest French fashion house (though Lanvin, founded seven years later, claims it's the oldest French fashion house still operating).

It's a crepe wool, and has obviously been crumpled for a while as it's a tad wrinkled. Just look at the detailing - those buttons with the "W" on them! The sleeves are three-quarters, but the coat doesn't feel vintage. The corded detailing and shape have a too-contemporary look to me.

A quick peep at the website reveals a spring wool trench-style coat a little shorter than this to be 745 Euros.

And the coolest thing? The collections are made in the company's factory on Laon, which isn't far from Annecy.

It's definitely not an everyday coat, but I'm hoping I can glam up my not-so-glam maternity wear to wear this often, as it's just the perfect spring-weight coat!

Linking up with all the fabulously stylish chickie-boos at Patti's Visible Monday and Lakota's Ta-dah! Tuesday. It's been a busy few days, so I look forward to catching up with you all soon. xo

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Vide Grenier Haul, part one

Wool-mohair blend coat with Paris label and great buttons, 2 Euros at a Vide Grenier

Cripes, talk about baby prep. Sleepless nights characterized by frequent bathroom trips and tossing and turning to find a comfy position, topped off by hubby snoring and cat crying at all hours, has pretty much set the tone this last week for an overwhelming tetchiness that makes me want to hip-check every dawdle-poke or generally annoying person who gets in my way.

Good thing a master haul at my local thrift shop's spring vide grenier (rummage sale, basically) this past Saturday is helping my zzzz-deprived brain manufacture some happy hormones when I think of all the great stuff I found there - two (huge) bags full of clothing for between 1-2 Euros each - including this wool-mohair blend coat from Paris (2 Euros).

The lining is thin so it was the perfect coat to don earlier this week, when temps soared to the teens.

Wool-blend sweater: a Euro at the same sale

I'm not great at this style of vide grenier - basically a big table with stuff tossed on it for all to fight over - but surprisingly there weren't too many pushy peeps. I was able to dig up this red wool-blend floppy turtleneck sweater, again with a Paris label, without any major incident (and for a Euro). I don't wear red often but I can do this shade, and I just loved the dart-like detailing on the sides.

Thyme maternity skirt, thrifted in Canada; Benetton patent leather brogues, thrifted in Annecy;
Scarf, Annecy market; Vintage bracelet, UK auction house;
leather purse, new and handmade by Montreal, Canada artisan.

30 weeks: POP!

As you can see, I've really popped out in the last week. I'm still going strong with the support hose, and comfy shoes that highlight my flipper feet ... funny how I'm trying my best to be stylish but won't compromise when it comes to sensible - and safe - footwear. I wouldn't want to topple over wearing heels, now would I?

I have heaps more to show you from the vide grenier. Must snap some pics one of these mornings, when I have more oomph. Now if you'll excuse me, but I'm off to beddie-by.

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