Mom-Day at the Lochside Trail at Mattick's Farm, in Red Leopard Suiting, and a Wee Shop

Mom-Day today was at the Lochside Trail portion near Mattick's Farm, where Mom and I last visited here in April.

It was a cloudy, rainy and warm day, and very humid. Mom and I were both sticky and dripping after our walk.

The temps have dropped quite a bit, and I ended up passing on the dress I'd planned to wear. It'll get worn soon, as those temps are predicted to go back up in time for the long weekend! 

Instead, I pulled out this easy red denim suit, and added an easy tee and shoes. 

• Suit - Smashed Lemon; jacket last seen here in April with faux croc and flowers; full suit last worn here (2nd outfit) in March to go see The Handsome Family in concert
• Rifflandia t-shirt merch - thrifted, not tracked
• Sneakers - Converse; last seen here in July for a Mom-Day at home in denim

I walked to town and hopped on a bus out to Mom's neck of the woods. 

I love wearing this suit - I always feel amazing in it. 

What a good purchase it's been. 

I finally added some insoles to these sneakers, and they were even more comfy! 

I had my sunglasses on most of the time, as I could see my shadow here and there. 

The t-shirt depicts a snake choking the Legislature building that Victoria is known for.

I took it off while we enjoyed a yummy mushroom/bacon/swiss burger and side salad at the tea room for lunch, along with a pot of Rooibos vanilla tea. 

The next Rifflandia festival is coming up, and L and I are going for three days! I love local festivals - no travel! 

Accoutrements and stuff:

This is like comfort food for me. No thinking required. 

• Purse - Roots 73, thrifted
• Belt - gift from Ruth, c. 2007

Silver bling: 

I wore the snake pin on my blazer lapel. 

• Snake pin - thrifted
• Multi-stone/silver bracelet - Salt Spring Island, gift from L, c. 1999
• Steel cuff - Lakeland Art Metal Work, thrifted
• Silver chain ring - Taxco, Mexican, consignment
• Anneke & Lars silver ring - vintage mall
• Silver earrings - consignment

I saw this cool car on my way to town. 

I don't know what it is, but it's very compact. 

And now, many pictures of tunnels through towering trees. Enjoy! 

There are always tiny cyclists in the distance.

They zoomed past us - a few rang bells or alerted us to their presence. 

And we saw some cute dogs. 

Isn't it lovely? 

A few leaves are starting to fall. 

It's still very green, though.

The maples are looking beautiful. 

A tree had been cut down here, on the right.

It looked like part of it had fallen, and then it all had to come down. There were branches on both sides of the path. 

We didn't hear many birds. 

Just the usual chirpers.

I did hear a Northern Flicker, which is a bird I've only gotten once before. 

The air was heavy with the smell of greenery. 

I love this big old Dougie, aka a Douglas Fir. 

They are trees I've known my whole life. 

As are the maples, which formed a canopy overhead.

We could hear light rain pattering down on the leaves. 

A squirrel paused in its scampering. 

Just long enough for me to snap a picture. 

Mom was feeling good.

We walked to the first crossroad and did the turn, going around the stiles (an old habit from out-and-back races). 

Time for lunch! 

It's even prettier on the return. 

I picked blackberries along the way. 

These will sustain us until lunch. 

I forgot to take Mom's portrait, so you'll have to suffer another one of the both of us.

"Mom, look at the camera."

"I'm looking at the trees."

Well, okay. 

The afternoon was waning as I had a quick peek around at the WIN Boutique. I poked into the housewares, finding us some new shower curtain hooks ($4.95) and a new soap dish ($2.95), plus a brand new pack of cotton wipes ($.95). Amazing what you can find! 

Some winter stuff was out - I had a choice of berets, but settled on this marled grey one.

I know I'll wear it a lot! I also picked up this pack of what I hoped were short anklets. 

I was right! 

They were $1.95. 

The beret is by Wardrobe la Mode and it was $9.95.

A great price for a wool beret! 

Oh, maybe the brand is Wardrobe Essentials. That won't be hard to search for (sarcasm). 

It has a CA number, so I looked it up. It's by Emanuel Geraldo Accessoires Inc. which has been around since 1982. They are importers based in Montreal. 

No idea how old this is, but at least it's 100% wool! 

I found a bin of Hallowe'en stuff and picked up this Blood Drip Jewel Kit. 

I might have to wear this for a special occasion...

It's from Claire's and sold for $8.50.

Only $3.95 for me. 

These rust-orange corduroys caught my eye. 

The fabric is thick and the corduroy soft. 

Nice slash pockets and tab button.

As I looked at them, I noticed more and more marks of quality. 

The waistband has an inner button, a slide-hook, AND an outer button. The label hidden, and says StudioSuits Handcrafted. 

There's the size: 32R. 

I couldn't try them on, but they seemed like they would fit me, so I risked it. When I looked at them at home, I was astounded at some of the details and quickly turned them inside out.

Look at the size of those pockets! They almost reach my knees! 

And the back pockets are reinforced onto the waistband, and LOOK HOW HUGE. 

There's even extra fabric near the waistband to let it out. 

I started to become very suspicious at all these details, and noted the "Bespoke" ribbon all the way around the waist. 

They are meant to be MEN'S trousers. All those pockets, all that quality. Of course! The made-to-measure pants on the StudioSuits site are $158.00. I paid $19.95 - and they fit me perfectly! 

I recognized this beautiful dark plum sweater as quality immediately. 

It's a crew neck with ribbing detail around the neck and cuffs. 

Found a tag down the side. 

It's the Merino Crew in Plum Heather, from Fall 2015 (shipped in April), from...

The Gap! 

I like older Gap, it's really nice quality often. $34.95 is a bit pricey, but it was still New With Tags (NWT). They retail for $69.99 now. 

This t-shirt caught my eye. 

That's a great image.

A bunny, looking at the stars...in a desert? It reminds me of Le Petit Prince. 

I noted the Paul Smith signature - I recognize that name. He's a British fashion designer, famous for men's suits and striped shirts (about him here, all links 'cause I love). 

It's 100% cotton, that's a plus. Although highly flammable? Really? 

I like the note about washing: "If it's not dirty wash at 25." 

I noted that Whatever It Takes.org on the neckline (note the velvet reinforcing trim! so fancy!), and again on the front hem. Well, this has to be SOMETHING. I discovered it's some sort of UK fundraising charity for raising money for various things, tapping into the power of celebrity to raise money (read about it here).

Only $9.95! I found this article here from 2009 listing this image, along with Stella McCartney and Alexander McQueen's designs! I spotted one on UK Ebay for over $45.00 Canadian. Only $9.95 for me! 

And there you have it, my friends, week over! I'll be back on Monday - as it's a long weekend - with tales of adventure! Thanks so much for dropping by!