Wednesday, March 22, 2017

It Was Twenty Years Ago Today...and Pink, Red and Velvet

Hello, my friends! I hope you will forgive me and indulge me in a little flashback down Memory Lane, but today is L's and my 20th wedding anniversary. Smack dab in the middle of the week!

Look what was waiting for me at work!
They're from L - many of the lilies have since opened up since I took that picture - I'm excited to see how the purple irises look once they open. Aw, he always gets me flowers.

I took a bunch of pictures of photos from back in the day, which are further down this post. But first, today's outfit.
Down to the last week and a bit of my fall/winter wardrobe, so trying to wear some of my favourite things again, like these amazing vintage velvet trousers.


  • Blouse - Hazel, thrifted; first worn here for a half day for Valentine's in February
  • Trousers - TanJay, vintage 70s, thrifted; last seen here in December with a load of glitter and shine
  • Shoes - Marc; last worn here in January with the hug from Canada
  • Coat (below) - Danier Leather 

I much prefer this blouse tucked in as it allows the ginormous sleeves to take centre stage. It's also a little less overwhelming on my frame, especially with ginormous velvet pants!
I am large and in charge. Today, L and I had to deal with our shower/tub not draining - a little teamwork and voila, I came home a bit early, the plumber fixed it, and the Prosecco is chilling in the fridge (thanks to Lois and Brent for that!). We (L and I) work well together.

Outerwear:
Wow, that hat looks completely dorky on me there. It's by Andre from Roberta's Hats, and the gloves are my studded Danier ones. I bused home to deal with the plumber, and it was just pouring rain and I got soaked, even on a little walk from the bus stop. And of course, now it's sunny.

The stuff:
Lovely red shoes. Can one every have too many pairs of red shoes and boots? I think not.

Plain ol' bling:
I've been wearing some of my "day" scarves instead of warmer, wooly ones.


  • Scarf - Ralph Lauren, consignment
  • Belt (not shown, forgot I was wearing it) - Plum
  • Bangle - local
  • Earrings - 10th anniversary gift from L


Okay, you ready? These are all of my family, all from 20 years ago. We didn't have digital cameras back then, so these are pictures of photographs.

I got ready in the morning at our apartment. I wore my mom's wedding dress (circa 1965).
Dad hated wearing a tie, so he wore the gaudiest one he could find. Very Dad. Mom looks awesome in her dark green dress with satin cuffs and collar.

At the interfaith chapel at the University of Victoria. My awesome brother Dave.
Ah, 1997, era of the collarless shirt for men!
Yes, I am a weepyass mess. I cry at everything, and I was a total mess during the entire ceremony.

My dad has just walked me up the aisle here, and we are all laughing because he stepped on the dress' train...just like he did when he and Mom got married. We had teased him mercilessly - "Don't step on the train!" but of course, he did.
L wore a vintage 60s Nehru jacket - and look at his short hair! That's my bestie Janet on the right. She wore nylons for me (a big sacrifice). I recall she took them off as soon as she could.

Leaving the chapel, and coming outside to all our friends and family.
No tattoos then!

Here we are from the front. We have a big version of this photo framed in the hall outside our bedroom.
I love how happy we look. Everyone was furiously snapping pictures.

This is my side of the family.
The time-stamp is wrong. It was the 22nd.
Aunt Lois, Dad, Mom, L, me, Dave and his then-girlfriend (and now ex-wife) Cynthia.

This is L's Mom Louise and his step-dad Lawrence.
We did our pictures in the grounds around the University. It was cloudy and rainy most of the day - just like today!

L's family.
Grandma D, L, me, L's best man Kurt, L's brother Virgil and Grandma W. Both grandmas have since died.

Mingling around outside the chapel.
Cynthia, my aunt Kathy (Mom's best friend), Dave, Kathy's youngest daughter Stacy, my dad's running buddy Marian, and Dad.

At the reception, which was at the Union Club.
Lawrence and Louise, looking happy. Lawrence has been dead now for about 4 years.

Dave and Cynthia.
Dave has always been a bit of a goofball - it runs in the family. Those of you who've met me are nodding...

Dave showing off his suspenders.
Classy dude.

Mom and Dad, having a hug.
My dad died 6 months after I got married. These are all the last pictures I have of him.

Mom with my cousin Heidi (she's Lois' daughter - Lois is my dad's sister).
Very 90s fashion in that crushed velvet dress, Heidi! She must have caught my bouquet. My whole wedding was a bit of a blur as I was rather hungover from the raucous and rowdy evening the night before.

Lois and Brent.
So smoochy! They are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary this year! I remember their wedding (I was 9), and I even remember what I wore (a long green and white polyester dress).

My dad was a very funny guy (great at puns).
I don't know if Mom is laughing at something he said, but whatever it was, it was hilarious.

My mom's parents, my Gram and Grandad, weren't able to make it to the wedding or reception due to health issues, so after the wedding, L and I went to their condo and did some pictures.
Grandad died that August, and Gram died a few months later. These are the last pictures I have of them as well.

And last, but not least, the classic "ring shot". Our wedding bands are a little less shiny now, more battered and scratched, but we're 20 years older.
And yes, those are cat scratches on my hand, from our first cat, Othello, who has also died since then. Ha, I didn't mean for this to be a litany of the dead! But it makes me happy to see all my family here, celebrating with us - and I shared all these pictures with them so that they could enjoy them too.

A very happy 20th anniversary to you, L. Thank you for being my partner on this crazy ride.

42 comments:

  1. Lovely! Wishing you many, many more anniversaries and wonderful memories.

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  2. Congratulations on your 20th with L, it's a lovely bouquet he sent you. Wonderful old family photos, a snapshot in time. So sorry you lost your dad and grandparents so soon after your wedding. My beloved grandmother passed away about 3 months after I got married (in 1970!) and I haven't gotten over it yet. Enjoy your celebration and lasting love. You guys are very cute together! Gerrilyn

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    1. Thanks so much, Gerrilyn! It was a rough year that year, but I'm so glad that I have all these pictures of them all. It's hard to lose your loved ones.

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  3. Mazel tov on your years together! Thank you for sharing your wedding pictures with us, so many happy faces for us to enjoy and you to look back on.

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    1. Thank you, Roberta! It's been an awesome week of reminiscing.

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  4. Happy Anniversary! The pictures are awesome and you look beautiful. Everyone looks so happy, I smiled the whole time I was looking at these. Thank you so much for sharing. I know your blog is mostly about fashion, (you have amazing style), but I would someday love to hear how you met L and knew he was the one.

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    1. Thank you, Pam. They made me smile too - and I got a little teary writing this, looking at all the loved ones we've lost.

      I will tell that story...maybe soon!

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  5. Happy anniversary! We will be at 15 years in a couple of months. Thanks for sharing your photos! I love your/your mom's dress.

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    1. Wow, congratulations to you, Charlotte! Doesn't the time go fast? Mom's dress is lovely - such a classic style.

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  6. The photos make me teary-eyed. A beautiful album. Here's to your 20th and to many more years ahead. xo

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    1. Me too! Thanks so much - looking forward to celebrating with you soon!

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  7. You looked absolutely beautiful in your wedding photos and how lovely to have all the family around you, too. You look so much like your mum. Congratulations on your wedding 20 years anniversary and may there be many,many more!

    I loved the pink blouse and velvet trousers outfit. I must remember that about tucking the blouse in. No, one can never have too many red shoes or boots!

    Have a great week.

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    1. Thank you, Veronica! I know, I look a lot like my mom - lucky me!

      Thanks! I totally agree - red footwear is the best.

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  8. Oh wow Sheila I loved seeing these pictures and have to say that it was fab that you got married in your mom's dress - and unless you had mentioned it I would have never known it was vintage as it looks so right on and right ON for anyone walking the aisle today. You look lovely and I certainly hope you and L have AT LEAST 20 more. Hugs and congrats.

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    1. Thanks, Lorena! It's a really classic style (you can picture her original veil - a little "Jackie O" type of pouffy thing). My mom still has it. Thank you, my dear.

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  9. Happy Anniversary ! Loved seeing your photos.

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  10. Happy Anniversary Sheila. Love the wedding pictures. I cry at everything too, so I know how it is ... xxx

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    1. It's totally overactive tear ducts (I tell myself), ha ha! Thank you!

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  11. Congratulations! I love you blog and I love these pictures. It is my 20yr. anniversary this year also!

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    1. Thank you so much, Charlotte! Congrats right back at you!

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  12. Congratulations to you and L. What wonderful photos and lovley memories. Thanks for sharing. You looked so beautiful in your stunning dress and floral wreath -- like a Rennaissance princess.

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    1. Thank you, Cynthia! It was fun going through my photos again.

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  13. What beautiful flowers, and I do love your outfit, the pants and the floral top are perfect with each other.

    Congratulations on your anniversary. WHile it's sad looking back at fun events like this and realising how many people are no longer with us, it's good you have these happy memories captured on film with them to look back on whenever :)

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    1. Aren't they lovely? Thank you, Mica! I'm so glad I have all these pictures (and many more).

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  14. Oh, how lovely. I can see the joy and good humor sparkling through the photos! And how dear to have these beautiful photos of those who have passed on. (I treasure wedding photos of my own dad, aunt, uncle, mother-in-law, and aunt- and uncle-in-law the same way, remembering special happy times with them when I see them.)

    And of course you look like a million dollars in your mum's dress! And the red hair is fantastic, too.

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    1. I treasure these too, thank you, JS. I had red hair for over 20 years!

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  15. Your wedding photos are beautiful! Congratulations to both of you. I think by 20 years, you are fully entitled to pat yourselves on the back for your excellent life choices. :-)

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  16. Congatulations on 20 wonderful years! You two look like babies don't you? We were all sooooo young when we got married! I love your dress and how deliriously happy you look all day. Thanks for sharing all of your family shots with us too. Happy, happy days x

    Anna

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    1. We do! And I was 29 there, and L was 27. Thank you so much, Anna!

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  17. Congratulations to you both, and thank you for sharing your beautiful family photos. You look gorgeous, and it's great to see the fashions of 20 years ago. Back to today, I absolutely love your outfit of velvet pants and blouse. I had some green velvet flares once and loved them. Best wishes for many more happy years. xx

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    1. Thank you, Elizabeth! Oh, the fashions...I'll be taking some more pictures of photos of our friends from the wedding so that I can share them around. You will laugh, I promise!

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  18. I LOVE these pics honey! What fun to see your wedding day come alive. I had only seen that big framed pic previously.
    You're so incredibly gorgeous.

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    1. Aw, thanks, sweetheart. It all seems so long ago - and we all seem so young!

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  19. HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!! love the purple hair!!! <3

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    1. Thanks, Holly! That purple was really hard to maintain!

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  20. I loved seeing those pictures! L's jacket is very stylish!

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Sheila