Ephemera: Bigass Long Weekend Wrap-Up: WINsider Pop-up Booty; Friday Neuts; Brunch Swoosh and Adidas; Boomtown Burrito Birthday Bash, and Angus' New Home

Welcome back, Gentle Readers! We have a lot to cover, and I'm eager to get back to what's left of my long weekend.

We're starting with the extra event from Thursday night - were you on tenterhooks wondering what that was?

My beloved thrift stores, Women In Need (aka WIN), now have a WINsiders membership, with all kinds of deals, extra discounts and special events for a small membership of $25. They hosted the first pop-up in the Boutique on Cook Street, after hours on Thursday night, and Cat, Rosanna and I had a blast.

Cat and I stood in the rain waiting for the store to open, so I'm a bit bedraggled. We all found some treasures! The store had 3 extra racks of vintage clothing and two tables of extra accessories, plus the regular stock of the store, which is generally a higher-quality selection than the bigger stores.

We all found treasures! In addition to what I'll show you here, I found a couple of things for L's birthday next month, but of course, those will have to wait!

I hesitated over this fish necklace, but it's gorgeous cloisonné and fully articulated. The cord is silk, and as you can see, it was $6.95. I remember these in the early 80s - you could buy them in Chinatown, all hung from cords like this.

Look how bendy it is!

I searched online and did not find a single example with this same silk cord. If you look below, you'll see that the clasp had to be put on the cord after it was strung through the small loop on the fish pendant.

I got a giggle out of "coy fish."

And I was surprised to see markings on the clasp.

They're on the hook too. I see "Pat.P" which is of course Patent Pending.

The other side says c? [? - I don't know what that first letter/symbol is, but it definitely says "silver." Would you believe these sell for between $29 and $200? They're very trendy.

I snatched up these bluey-green leather gloves immediately! What a fabulous colour - they match my suede Fluevog boots!

They look unworn. Love that woven detailing on he back.

The 100% viscose is the lining. I have zero doubt that the exterior is leather.

It's unusual to see things made in Hungary! The CA number yields "Aris Isotoner." I've heard of Isotoner.

But the label says Martin Ria's.

CA numbers started in the early/mid-70s, and that's a very early number, so I'd guess these are from the 70s/early 80s, based on that groovy label.

For $9.95, there was no question.

It's hard to find leather gloves in colours other than black, red or browns.

I spotted this long beautiful scarf on a display. Dragonflies! And so much colour.

It has handrolled edges, silk fringe, and sequined decoration on the dragonflies near the ends.

I spotted a signature in one corner.

Looks like...Laurel Burch - ah, it is! She has a site (here, all links 'cause I love). She has a poly-rayon dragonfly scarf for $63.00 - this one had no tag, and I checked the receipt when I got home. It was $2.95.

I only found one thing on the extra vintage racks, but it's a good one.

It's a cotton camisole with nylon lace trim.

It's probably from the 80s.

Only $5.95!

I liked the rock and roll vibe of this long pencil skirt.

There's a hint of olive in the teal and black. It's a polyester crepe and is washable.

It's by Cleo, which used to be a mall store - this is probably from the early 00s. Jeez, hard to think of this mall stuff as vintage, but you'd never see a tab and button at the top of a zipper now, much less full lining.

Only $12.95? Awesome.

I was taken with this long black crinkly skirt. It's very Issey Miyake (but it's not, don't get excited).

I know it looks like just a big black block, but it's very flapper-ish on.

It has long vertical pleats to the hem, plus horizontal ones - you can see the bumps along the sides.

It feels nice - I have a piece of Issey Miyake, so I know what his stuff feels like.

I made an "Issey or isn't he?" (say it out loud) joke.

A very cool texture, with a lot of stretch from the deep pleating.

You can see the shinier back side of the textile.

Very complicated washing instructions!

Made in the USA! Cool. I like seeing that.

That's a small? Could have fooled me - it's a very generous small. Always ignore sizes!

Let's go see if babette.com still exists. It does not!

But when I looked up Babette San Francisco...she is Babette Pinsky and she has a Wikipedia page! Read about her here. She started creating pleated clothing in 1968 and she - along with Issey Miyake! - are credited with bringing the Fortuny pleats of the early 20th century to vogue again in the 80s.

Because this tag has a ".com" label, it's probably from the mid-00s - the label folded in 2016 (a good article about her here from 2008. This probably would have sold new for around $250.00 - I spied various pieces for $50-$200+ online.

And then home!

"Join us."

Barnabas, just chilling out and watching TV with us.

"You're home!"

Yes, I'll require my couch back, sir!

The Friday before a long weekend always feels eternal. I joined a couple of colleagues and clients for lunch, as one of my coworkers has retired. She was so excited to see me! Aw!

I built this outfit around the brooch.

Cotton Madras blazer - Esprit, vintage 80s, consignment, Powell River; last seen here in April 2025 on the saddest day
Cotton sweater - Sonia Rykiel, consignment; last worn here layered in April
Drapey skirt - Zara, consignment; last seen here (2nd outfit) in March for brunch
Boots - United Nude, consignment; last worn here in June with olive and white
Rain Pickle (below) - Ilse Jacobsen, Dots sample; last seen here in April

I'd planned to just wear this - no coat. This thin, unlined blazer will be fine!

I had a camisole and a very thin sweater on.

I like this twisty taupe skirt.

All these neutrals! Who is this person?

I was foiled by the rain and wind. Better go Incognito.

I actually had to pull my hood over my hat on the way to work, but it cleared up by the time I left in the evening.

The stuff:

It felt weird to be wearing a thick scarf and gloves again, but I was glad I had them, even though I had to carry them - and the Rain Pickle - home.

Silk-blend scarf - Italy, gift from Mom
Leather studded gloves - Danier Leather

I waved my feet at my colleague Lisset on a Teams call so she could see my boots.

Black and white bling:

I liked all these big bold pieces. There's the new brooch, which I loved.

Striped bangles - consignment
Silver snake ring - BC Museum gift shop, 1986
Silver/obsidian spider ring - gift from Mom & Dad, c. 1987
Hex bangle - vintage 80s, vintage fair
Earrings - West Germany, vintage 70s, vintage fair
Brooch - Aarikka, Finnish, consignment; purchased here for $18.00

L and I hung out and played boardgames and the kittens until the wee hours. The setting sun hit my fizzy drink in my amber glass and lit it up.

Magic!

Ah, nothing like a long weekend.

I reached for this long skirt as it was windy out - I planned to swoosh, and swoosh I did!

Jacket - Adidas, consignment; last worn here in March with the Eiffel Tower and stripes
Camisole - thrifted; purchased above for $5.95
Skirt - LA Hearts, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) for L's birthday dinner in June 2025 (same jacket!)
Shoes - Prepare Guide, Fluevog; last worn here (2nd outfit) in August 2025 with a caftan for brunch

I've worn it with this cropped Adidas before.

We enjoyed brunch with Nick at John's Place, then did a grocery shop in preparation for days off and a short week.

The weather remained rather erratic, with wind, and threatening grey clouds.

I went bare-legged but had my sporty-shorts on. I was a little chilly.

I certainly did not take my jacket off.

But I thought y'all would like to see it. May as well wear that new-to-me camisole right away! It was lovely.

Incognito.

I was the swooshiest in the grocery store.

The stuff:

I pinned one of my fur brooches to the purse zipper.

Leather purse - Coach, thrifted
Belt - Fluevog
Fur brooch - Catawumpus Fudge & Funk
Brooch - vintage, thrifted

Red and turquoise bling:

I liked wearing this necklace again - it has good weight.

Carved faux cinnabar bangle - consignment
Silver/turquoise bangle - consignment
Big silver/turquoise ring - consignment
Silver/turquoise thumb ring - consignment
Silver/red enamel ring - antique shop, Sidney
Silver/turquoise/coral necklace - Nepalese, consignment
Earrings - Tanya Gleave, Granville Island

Whateley's been sleeping here lately.

"It smells like your feet."

Now that's just rude.

This is definitely Barnabas' favourite spot, my Grandma J's chair. Vizzini scratched it a bit, so it has a blanket over it to keep it from being further ravaged.

"It's my sun cave!"

I love to pet his warm fur.

L and I enjoyed a quiet evening, hanging out with music, games and the kittens, the best kind of recharging there is. We had a leisurely morning before getting ready to be out for the afternoon.

Sunday afternoon was our annual Spring birthday celebration for our three birthday women: Caro, Ali and Yvo (Marian also celebrates then, and Karen did too).

Mesh top - Dolce & Gabbana, consignment, Powell River; last seen here in February with safety pins and leather
Denim top - Poster Grl, thrifted; last worn here in January with velvet and denim
Skirt - Attitude, vintage 90s, consignment; first seen here twice in June 2025, with snakeprint and Weird Adidas (and three pairs of shoes!)
Leather/canvas boots - Donald J. Pliner, consignment, Sidney; last worn here in April with denim and a mummy jacket
Suede jacket (below) - Zara, consignment; last seen here (3rd outfit) for an Arting Outing with Rosanna in January

Dressy, but comfortable, with layers for the weather, which has been erratic - from hot to mild, sunny to cloudy, windy to rainy.

Getting in a wearing of this corset-y stretch denim top - it's very "locked and loaded."

The mesh leopard top helps calm it all down, and gave me warmth and sun coverage.

I loved wearing this swooshy crinkled pleated skirt again. Having just done a bunch of reading on that Babette skirt on the art of pleating, I appreciated how intricate this is.

I wanted to wear this studded suede jacket. It's old Zara - real goat leather!

It's definitely Leather Weather - I was so glad I'd pulled this out.

Incognito, and excited to see my lovely friends.

The six core Winesday Women met up first and hung out and did our birthday celebration, and then our menfolks and friends joined us for another couple of hours at Boomtown, a burrito joint near town.

L being a clown while I show off my fringe.

His outfit was excellent as always.

Another pose?

Fringe all over the back too!

The stuff:

Walking to and from our meet-up was just right for these boots. That's a very pointy toe.

Leather purse - Margot New York, thrifted; purchased here for $26.95
Silk scarf - Banana Republic, consignment

Mixed bling:

I liked all of these pieces.

Belt - vintage 70s, consignment
Turquoise/pearl/crystal cuff - Myka, consignment
Hinged eelskin bangle - vintage 80s, thrifted
Gold-tone/turquoise ring - consigment
Silver/smoky topaz ring - Anneli Neumann, Sweden, vintage mall
Silver/turquoise thumb ring - consignment
Earrings - thrifted, Seattle

The Winesday "Thick 6" - we're thick as thieves! These women have been my friends for 15-20 years.

Me, Yvonne, Cat, Caro, Vero, Ali.

And with food! The burritos were fantastic.

I had a breakfast burrito with eggs, cheese, tots (little fried potato nuggets), chili-fried Brussel sprouts and cauliflower. It was immense. I also had 3 homemade donut balls with salted caramel sauce. DEELISH.

After a couple of hours, our men joined us.

From left: Ronnie, Randall, Vero, Yvonne, Cat and me, with my Axl Rose headscarf.

From left: Ross, Zeb, Nick and L, with Ronnie taking the picture.

I appreciate the extra pics, thank you, Ron! It's always so good to see our dear Chosen Family.

Time to head home - we all have ravenous feline beasts at home.

Bye, Boomtown!

Galivanting down the street on the way home.

Silly people!

Cat and I laughing at our devil-may-care husbands.

Such a fun and wonderful day!

L and I hung out and had a third - rare! - night in a row of just chilling out with each other and our kittens.

They basically ignored us.

Then woke up and demanded we play with them.

Playtime is their favourite! Much running and leaping.

Whateley always startles me by lurking outside the bathroom.

"I need to inspect."

On Monday, Yvonne and Randall dropped this off for me. It's Angus, their former cowhide that they use to cover their large table/stool. They decided to get a new, lighter one, and asked if anyone wanted it.

I did!