Mom-Day Adventure in Sidney, in Floral Patchwork, Plus a Wee Shop

Welcome to our Mom-Day Adventure! Today, Mom and I went to an art exhibit in Sidney (I might have bought something), had lunch and then I bussed to town and had a wee shop at the WIN Boutique.

We last went to Sidney together here in June 2022 - over two years ago! 

We were expecting hot temps - up in the low 30s - so I dressed for brightness.

The neon orange blouse is silk and is good sunblock, but the star is this new-to-me dress thrifted just a week ago.

• Dress - Diane Von Furstenberg, thrifted; purchased here for $28.95
• Blouse - Zoe + Sam, thrifted; last seen here in August with black, white and silver
• Shoes - Prepare Guide, Fluevog; last worn here in June with an 80s jumpsuit

I always factor in how a dress works with my ink.

The pattern just continues onto my arms!

Isn't it a cool dress? 

I wore it without the shirt while we were having lunch at the Surly Mermaid Pub. 

Look at those pockets! 

Big enough to hold my glasses/sunnies, and my cell phone. 

I loved wearing the dress and might keep it out for fall.

The old turtleneck + tights trick would work well with it, and y'all know I have kickass blue boots that would go with it.

Accoutrements and stuff: 

I stared at my purses for a while before settling on this golden brocade one. 

• Purse - Aldo

The stuff: 

These shoes have been with me for 12 years and I'm working towards 75 wears. Due to inner platforms and Shoe Math, these are comfy to walk in.

• Winged bug brooch - vintage fair
• Bee brooch - gift from Megan Mae
• Orange cuff/ring - Italian, vintage 60s, vintage mall
• Blue bangle - vintage, thrifted
• Turquoise/silver ring - Glee
• Pinky ring - Dots, purchased here for $2.99 (for 2 rings, so $1.50 for one)

Mom and I parked near ArtSea Gallery. 

She's looking spiffy in her dotted palazzo pants, a new green t-shirt top with ruffled sleeves and a hat for the sun. 

There's the Gallery.

The current show is Four Friends Having Fun (link here, all links 'cause I love).

Mom is in another art group with all of the ladies in Four Friends, so she wanted to support them by visiting.

I fell in love with a few things...I supported them by buying art! 

The poppy painting is called "Big, Bold & Beautiful" and it's just stunning. I'm not surprised that Linda Butcher (gallery profile here) used it in the ad for their show.

I am fond of poppies and just kept coming back to it. Yup, that means I need to have it.

This crow attracted me - she's looking at me. Something's ruffled her feathers!

My second tattoo was of a crow - they are my favourite birds. 

This is called "I See the Writing on the Wall," and is by Karen Wilk. It's a multi-media piece.

Her profile from Studio 30 can be found here. 

There was a table of these light wooden earrings by Lois Kissinger (profile here) - these ones were $20.00 - I've turned one over so that you can see the different sides. Lois was working on these while we were there. 

When pieces of art grab me, I buy. The poppy painting was $155.00 and the crow picture was $45.00. Worth every penny! 

I had to have a picture of all of the artists, since they were all there! 

From left: Linda Butcher, Karen Wilk, Lois Kissinger and Shirley Sarens (link here, sorry I didn't buy one of your pieces!). Thank you so much for letting me share your picture.

Mom and I did a stroll along the waterfront.

If you look just past the dock on the left, you can see the ghostly image of Mt. Baker appear.

Looking south, towards Victoria.

The sun was beaming down on us, and a lovely light breeze blew.

The tide was out.

We could smell the distinctive odour of kelp in the sun. Very much a west coast thing! 

Sidney is close to the Victoria airport.

Every so often we had to pause in our conversation as a jet roared overhead.

This little dog was enjoying the cold water. 

There were flocks of birds digging around in the seaweed and we saw several lizards skitter across the path. 

Looking back, as we paused on a bench for a rest.

We took a live selfie and I texted it to my nieces, Aunt Lois and my brother Dave. We love seeing the hearts and comments come in, as we connect with our family.

A close-up of Mt. Baker.

Such a hideous place - who would want to live here? Hee!

Big fat rose-hips.

And a brave bird who chirped at me.

We had salmon burgers and salad at the Surly Mermaid Pub and watched the boats at the marina.

The food was delicious - I've been here with Cat and L before. We'll be back! 

A good shot of Mom in her new top. Thanks so much for a lovely day, Mom! I love you!

I also love that silver Mexican necklace (it's pinned to her top to keep it from bouncing around). Mom bought this in Tijuana, Mexico in 1976 - a quick over-the-border trip when I was 9 years old.

I liked this mechanical fish on the wall at the pub.

Cool art! 

By the time my bus got to town, it was over 30 degrees out - I took refuge in the A/C'ed WIN Boutique where things just leaped into my shopping basket. Hmmm, how does that happen? 

These Just Cozy slipper-socks will get lots of wear this winter, and I can always use a pair of black tights - these Calvin Klein tights were $6.95 (marked at $20 retail!) and have a white "seam" on the back. 

The slipper-socks were $5.95.

They retail for $40.00.

I hemmed and hawed over this lime green satin skirt. I love the colour but satin...if it doesn't fit just right, it can be very...demoralizing, shall we say? 

It has a big slit at the front thigh.

It's by H&M and was $11.95. 

It did not fit, so off to Limbo it goes! I know someone will like it, and the money's to a good cause.

These herringbone tweed trousers caught my eye. 

I've been noticing that I need more "cake" in my wardrobe - I have a lot of "icing"! 

Pockets, elastic waist, drawstring...

Please, I'm going to swoon! 

They're the Easy Fit Ronda pant by Part Two, a Danish designer brand. 

New with tags, and there's the retail price - $98.00. 

For me, only $24.95.

These are lined to the knee - that's wool-poly blend (and they're washable). These are going to be awesome in cold weather.

This thing intrigued me. It's like a dress/tunic - it has a zip on the side - but it's slit up both front sides to the waist.

Could be fun with a pair of wide trousers underneath? I'm gonna try something with it! It's a bit big in the top so maybe I need to layer a top or sweater under it.

It's a linen blend. 

Ha, I looked up the CA number - this is a Reitman's brand! 

The brand name is Willow &...oops, I blocked it with the price tag. It says "Thread."

Looks the Willow & Thread line still exists - it's aimed at "professional" women and seems to have been around since 2016ish. It was $24.95 as well. 

I'm a sucker for interesting clothes, what can I say? Another piece of herringbone woven wool came home with me.

The lapels and long ties are black cotton velvet. It's slit on both side seams too. It would be good over a skirt.

Two big pockets on the front. The waistband is accentuated with a dark brown trim with a ragged edge.

I like how the herringbone is rotated to match the waist - a great detail. 

Two little knot buttons hold it closed in front.

They are hidden when the velvet ties are done up. 

It's fully lined in a navy blue viscose I think - there are no content tags, so I'm just going by my educated hand.

Tai Chiu Kuei is a Taipei designer (Facebook link here). Her clothes are described as "creative" and they are made in Taiwan - she has a small studio/shop.

The vest was $26.95 which feels like a bargain. 

I'm excited to wear this, but off to the Fall/Winter stash it goes as well. 

Back to melting in the heat for us now, right, buddy?

"You're disturbing my slumber, Woman."

I hope you enjoyed our adventure! Are you ready for fall? It seems pretty far away today...

I'm signing off for the weekend, my friends! I'll be back on Sunday with tales of adventure, so please do pop in and say hello! Thanks so much for reading!