Ephemera

Welcome back, my friends! Did you miss me? It's been a busy couple of days, so let's get started!

I had Mom-Day on Thursday, which was a rainy one - I really wanted to wear my red and black Bodybag by Jude poncho, so I got up early and did my coat closet change-over.

After that, I realized I had to rush to make it to Mom's when I'd promised, so there are fewer outfit pics, sorry! I wore this base layer at Mom's and while at home before the show.

I also had a concert to go to in the evening with L and Casey in Sidney, so I knew my outfit would need to do double-duty.

T-shirt - Sheer Mag concert, 2025, not tracked
Acid-wash denim vest - Chiqle, thrifted; last worn here in my Ruffled Cowgirl outfit for Rifflandia in September 2025
Suede skirt - Guillaume, vintage 90s, consignment, Powell River; last seen here (2nd outfit) in December 2025 for some holiday shopping
Leather boots - Stuart Weisman, consignment; last worn here in February for Sweetheart Week
Leather coat (below) - Danier Leather, thrifted; last seen here with this poncho in November 2025
Poncho (below) - Bodybag by Jude, consignment, gift from L; last worn here in November 2025 with the red coat!

I layered the red leather coat over the vest and wore just this for the concert. Casey drove us both ways, aw, what a guy!

I buttoned the coat and wore it under the poncho for the walking/bus journey to and from Mom's place.

This is how most of the world saw me during the day.

It was just right and I loved wearing this again.

Showing my purse, which is cross-bodied under the poncho.

And also the pouch where I kept my sun/glasses and my keys and bus pass.

The stuff:

I walked along muddy paths, wet sidewalks and squelched through wet, mossy grass in these boots. My feet didn't even get wet!

Fake leather bucket hat - Babaton, consignment
Leather purse - Rebecca Minkoff, consignment
Wool gloves - Parkhurst
Lobster brooch - Mom's, Bermuda

Bold bling:

I wore my metal all day.

Leather belt - Mudd, vintage 90s, consignment
Leather/steel cuff - Rimanchik
Silver S bracelet - Mexican, consignment, Sidney
Frank Turner tape deck pin - 2024 tour
Silver/crystal ring - Soul Flower
Silver/red enamel ring - antique shop, Sidney
Silver/carnelian ring - thrifted
Rose earrings - Betsey Johnson, swap from Cat
S Celtic pendant - gift from Mom & Dad, c. 1996

I took a bunch of pictures of the coat closet change-out, as I want the kittens to get used to the chaos of bags of clothes - my Spring-Summer Closet Swap-Over is coming in a few weeks!

Whateley was wondering where all these bags were stored (in our library, behind the bookcase).

I had two bags of "spring-y" outerwear, and a bunch of leftover hangers from the last change-over.

A Before shot of my side of the hall closet - L has the right side for his coats and jackets (it's stuffed). You'll note all my hangers are turned around the "right way", meaning I wore them all since I last did a change-over.

I ended up removing a few pieces of vintage clothing I had on the far right, moving a couple pieces to the Dress Collection, a few into the archives, and one or two into the Limbo pile for sale. More space!

I'm always charmed by this hanger.

Phone Fitzroy 3580 for Diamond Cleaners in LA.

The boys were very well-behaved, although something spooked Barnabas and he puffed his tail up.

"He's a timid little thing." "I don't know what's happening!"

Heavy, warm and thick coats get roughly bundled up and stored - three large bags of them. And that's the pile of capes, leather and lighter coats, ready to be hung up.

This is what's left from the winter season - I'll thin down a few more wooly/thick ones once the weather is truly warmer. We've been known to have snow in April, so I want to make sure I have enough for chilly days.

I turned all the hangers backwards at this point.

And then I shook out all the stored coats and hung them back up.

Such a lovely rainbow of colour!

Barnabas watched me do my pictures.

"Rub my tum!"

All right, I will!

Gotta dash!

I literally ran for the bus to town - and made it! - only to see the "good" bus to Mom's glide by. Damn!

However, I checked the transit app...and I could take another bus out to the VI Technical College (it was Camosun College when I was a kid) and walk the paths behind Mom's house to make it there.

Let's set off on our journey! I've just gotten off the bus on the left, there's a bunch of cars parked up there, and my map tells me this path is the one.

Towers and wires - this is a high elevation area.

The sun is trying to break through.

Some of the path is paved and some is gravel.

Lots of puddles!

I climbed higher and higher.

Through a big patch of evergreens.

I recognize this big bare branch tree from a walk Mom and I did a few years ago, when we explored around here.

Teachers wrangling students. There must be a school around here.

This dog did not want to be out in the pouring rain.

I'm headed for those very spooky trees.

And before I knew it, I was at Mom's.

The forsythia is starting to bloom.

These lone tulips look a little sad.

I think deer have been eating the leaves.

Still lots of daffs coming out.

The primulas are persistently blooming.

A pretty purple hyacinth is out!

Exciting!

And here's Mom!

So good to see you again!

She showed off her new chair lift.

She had the stairs rebuilt to have a top landing and to make them safer as well.

I picked some fresh flowers after lunch.

We had my homemade chili, crackers and some warmed up cherry pie. Yum!

Time to head home!

Up more hills.

And hello to the SHEEPS!

Just eating grass.

This brown one was watching me.

That's the lamb in the back - it's gotten so big.

I quickly fed the kitties when I got home.

"I'm in a box!"

The boys missed us, but we had a show to get to!

We went to see Josh Ritter - me, L and Casey, who drove us out to the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney.

Thanks so much, Casey!

We got there early to scope out the merch, and because I've never been there before, so had some anxiety about what it would be like.

Although I look skeptical, this was a lovely theatre, not a bad seat.

We were four rows from the front, smack dab in the middle.

I had listened to this amazing song (here, YouTube) before leaving home, but was otherwise unprepared for the show.

It was just Josh Ritter and his guitar.

He sang for two hours straight with no break. It was an incredibly moving and uplifting show, and he was charming and humble and brilliant. One of the best shows I've ever seen. Check out L's album and concert review here.

Phew, after that, I needed a simple but punchy outfit for Friday, as five of my favourite VPs took me out to lunch to celebrate my 15th anniversary. I saved this jacket just for them.

Another rainy day...but warm!

Embroidered jacket - Nygard, thrifted; purchased here for $8.00
Blouse - COS, thrifted; last seen here in November 2025
Trousers - Joie, consignment; last worn here in December 2025 with a different embroidered jacket
Shoes - Marquis Swordfish, Fluevog; last seen here in February with yet another embroidered jacket

I loved wearing this gorgeous jacket and adored the match with the pink trousers, but the white top let me down.

It has a longer peplum back and it's actual shirting weave, which is nice, but it's also getting very worn. Time to let it go.

White tops are pretty common, so I'll keep my eye out for something better.

I opened the pockets last night. These were big enough for my phones.

Wow, I love how the vines look on the arm.

A little blurry Barnabas coming in for some tummy rubs.

It was the perfect day for...the Rain Pickle!

Fully waterproof, windproof and light (big pockets too).

I had to wear it with the hood up due to the torrential rain.

The extra-long hem actually kept my pants and shoes dry.

The stuff:

As you might guess from the light, it was sunny on the way home.

Silk scarf - Fluevog
Leather gloves - consignment

Minimal bling:

I needed a necklace but nothing felt right, so I skipped it.

Jadeite bangle - consignment
Studded cuff - consignment, gift from L
Silver poison ring - Karen's
Silver/green stone ring - thrifted
Jade ring - thrifted
Pearl earrings - consignment

The studded band isn't great quality - it's not leather, as I'd originally thought - so I'm letting that go as well.

And now...signing off for the weekend.

Barnabas getting a cuddle. He's so floppy.

He and Whateley enjoyed playing with my Rain Pickle while I ate breakfast.

Totally not guilty of anything...

That face!

I'm looking forward to some quality time with them this weekend.

Wishing you all happiness, blue skies and furry tums! Thanks for being here - please tune back in on Sunday for tales of adventure!

When I did my outfit planning last night, I had this all ready to go for today's work day, followed by a concert later in Sidney.

The concert is tomorrow. Sigh. I'm sure I'll be able to come up with something else!

Denim suit - Smashed Lemon; last worn here as a full suit in January for Mom-Day at Blenkinsop Lake
Sweater - Scotch & Soda by Maison Scotch, consignment; last seen here in October 2025 to see Sarah McLachlan in concert
Booties - Matisse, thrifted; last worn here in February with black and brown
Sleeveless coat - Only, thrifted; last seen here on Friday

Why I look shocked in the Stair Pic:

That's RAIN. I walked to work in that.

I remind myself that it's just water.

It was very warm and the cotton sweater was too much on the way home.

I always love wearing this suit - it's denim, 100% cotton.

Excellent pockets! I liked the two patterns of black and white with it.

Barnabas was lurking around and meowing while I did my pics.

Sorry it's blurry. The feet! Ha, and his bum.

I tucked all my hair into my beret to keep it dry on the way to work - it was the only part of me that arrived not soaking wet at the office 20 minutes later. Everything was dry by the time I left work and the ground was dry - it's that warm!

Barnabas always does this stretch when he wants to cuddle.