Thursday, February 5, 2026

A Fall and a Rebound, and Yellow for Courage

My friends, it's been a crazy couple of days, so please forgive me for my absence! Mom had a fall on Tuesday and dislocated her elbow (she has a wee fracture, so her left arm is in a cast). I got the call just as I posted Tuesday's outfit, and right before Book Club - my lovelies arrived 15 minutes later, and my darling, wonderful L drove out and sat with Mom in Emergency for 4+ hours. 

The only picture I took all night.
Mom and I laughed at this. Hey, don't fall! 

My friends supported me, and helped me clean up our abbreviated Book Club, and my dear Caro drove me to the hospital, by which time Mom had been put in a bed and run through some tests. I sent L home, and stayed with Mom through more tests and a CT scan (I had to be in the waiting room for that). 

The wonderful staff at the hospital were kind and patient and even grabbed us egg salad sandwiches and cookies at 2am. Mom arrived by cab at 4am at her place and I got her into a recliner chair to sleep, and I slept on her spare bed.

I spent most of Wednesday with Mom, as we scheduled follow-up calls, and notified her doctor. Mom is surrounded by families and neighbours who know her and care about her, so I also updated them (and had been giving my brother and L updates the whole time, along with my lovely friends). Obviously, I didn't go to work. 

I had to come home mid-day on Tuesday to go to my dentist appointment. I had been in house-clothes at the hospital, and had slept in them, and I really needed a shower and to Armour Up with the best colour: YELLOW.
Ahoy! Is that sun I see out there? 

  • Cotton sweater - Ralph Lauren, vintage 80s, thrifted; last worn here in October 2025 for a Mom-Day
  • Plaid pants - H&M, consignment; last seen here (2nd outfit) in November 2025 for brunch
  • Leather boots - Doc Martens; last worn here in January for with my red leopard suit
  • Vest - B. Young; last seen here in January

After a very long night, it felt good to get outside - I walked to and from the dentist. 
Yellow is the colour I wear when I need a big boost - so yellow it shall be! All these bright colours really helped. 

The kittens are missing me terribly. According to L, they've destroyed another set of lights and pulled apart their water fountain (water everywhere!). 
"Says who?"


These plaid pants are comfy for sitting in the chair. Both my tech and my dentist appreciated all the colour and were very interested in how I was using it to "armour up."

I only took the puffer vest off while I was having my teeth cleaned. 
The weather was lovely - a few clouds, double digits and sunshine. 

Incognito! 
This fuzzy bag was like having a kitty with me. 

The stuff: 
Best comfy boots! 

  • Bum-bag - Niko and..., consignment

Minimal bling: 
David Bowie covers the Ralph Lauren logo on the sweater.

  • Bowie pin - vintage fair
  • Leather cuff - Guess, thrifted
  • Leather/steel cuff - Rimanchik
  • Earrings - Tania Gleave, Granville Island
  • Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
  • Silver/enamel ring - antique shop, Sidney

I passed Pocket Clothing on the way home, and of course, I had to reward myself for all the stress of the previous day with a wee shop. 
Isn't this amazing? It's Escada by Margaretha Ley, made in West Germany (so we know it's pre-1989). It likely had shoulder pads, but they've been removed. 

The pattern lured me in! Turquoise and black leopard with lime green leopard heads? Hold me back! 
Three little gold buttons to get it on over my head. 

Verifying that's it's 100% silk, but I could tell from the feel. 
The spare button's still there. 

I'm excited to wear this. 
$48.00 is a little on the pricey side, but I deserve it! 

I also had my eye on this suede purse, and when I saw it had been marked down, I bit. I don't have a purse in a dark brown colour range, so this is clearly something I need, hee hee.
It's a cross-body style, with lots of gold hardware, leather pulls and lovely white top-stitching. 

The best look at the colour.
I checked the bottom - almost no wear! 

In fact, the purse is almost pristine - it really doesn't look like it's been used much, if at all. 
One top zipper and one front zip. I spy a wee duck logo.

I realized that a section of the strap could be unbuckled and removed! How cool! 
This would work if I used it just as a shoulder bag - it's too short for cross-body this way. 

Let's take a peek inside, shall we? 
Oooh, it's red inside! It feels like cotton (I couldn't find a content tag anywhere). 

One of my favourite purse features is a long strap that you clip your keys to - so handy! 
You can see all the nice hardware - it shows very little wear. 

There's a zipped wallet section, a shallow pocket below that, and other pocket on the opposite side.
It was marked down to $52.00 from $76.00

A nice embroidered tag.
With a model number on the back. 
According to a few sites I looked at, this bag looks authentic. I didn't want to sign up for an app to verify the number, but I'm confident that this isn't fake.

All of the stitching is perfect, the tags all seem right - I am sure this is authentic! 
And while I thought $52 was expensive, you can add another 0 to that for retail. Score! 

A few pictures from Book Club. The kittens "helped" (although the good boys stayed away from the food). 
"Who are these people and why are they in my house?"


Of course, both cats headed straight for Ciara and Mindy, the two people who are allergic. 
"But I like them."


I recommended that the humans push the cats away. This briefly worked. 
"I love all the people!"

Barnabas had to go investigate! 

He settled down on Rosanna's lap for a cuddle. 
From left: Rosanna (with Barnabas), Cat and Yvonne. I missed getting a picture of Carolyn, who very kindly drove me out to the hospital afterwards. 

I spotted the first daffodils of the season on my walk home. 
Ah, isn't that lovely! 

And a cluster of snowdrops right near home. 
It gives me hope.  

I stayed with Mom overnight again on Wednesday, and we spent the day dealing with her assessments for assistance equipment (a wheelchair, brackets for the toilets and beds, etc.), getting those delivered. 

My friends, my posting is going to be erratic for the next while, as Mom will take priority. I'll still be around, but may not be responding to comments.

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

Based on the Scarf: Orange and Burgundy

Hello, my friends! Not much time to write, as I'm hosting Book Club, so let's go! 
I planned this outfit around the scarf, and basically just looked in my closet to see what matched it. 

  • Silk shirt - Zoe + Sam, thrifted; last worn here in December 2025 with cobalt and sparkles
  • Leather skirt - Tory Burch, consignment; last seen here in October 2025 with brown paisley bookends
  • Leather shoes - Misty Vogettes, Fluevog; last worn here (2nd outfit) in December 2025
  • Ultrasuede shearling coat (below) - Halston, vintage 70s, consignment, Sidney; last seen here in December 2025

I really liked the citrus-y neon orange silk blouse with the burgundy leather skirt. 
I would not have thought to wear these together without the scarf. 

The weather's turned very warm - it was just right for this snuggly coat. 
This overall felt very warm and comforting. 

All done up and incognito. 
It's rather gloomy out, but I prefer my sunglasses. 

The stuff: 
These shoes are properly broken in now. 

  • Copper enameled brooch - Renoir by Matisse, vintage 60s, vintage fair
  • Wool gloves - Parkhurst

Copper bling: 
Now that I've discovered that my copper goes with this scarf, I'll probably do the pairing every time. 

  • Scarf - Schiaparelli, consignment, Powell River; purchased here for $42.00
  • Copper cuff (big one) - consignment, Sidney
  • Copper bracelet - thrifted
  • Copper earrings - Renoir by Matisse, vintage 60s, vintage fair
  • Square ring - sidewalk find
  • Amber ring - c. 1996
  • Copper ring - consignment

I'm predictable that way. 

Speaking of predictable, these boys are not that. I never know what they are up to. 
"I'm just lying here."         "I love you!"

Keeping me company while I do my make-up. 

I took a couple of pictures on the way home today. I walk past a bunch of giant holes - this will be half of yet another complex of towers, matched by the two going in across the street (the red cranes).
That's pure clay down there - a stream runs underground here. 

However, I was cheered by the pink blossoms on this street. This one street always blooms way sooner than anywhere else
Do you see the Castle in the distance? 

Monday, February 2, 2026

Black and White and Brown

I have a very busy week ahead, but I'm trying to just focus on one thing at a time, like getting dressed.

We had a big meeting today (that I was part of) so I thought I'd attempt to look somewhat professional for the new people. 
I also wanted to wear this jacket again, plus the new pailletted tank. And the black skirt had a backwards hanger! Win! 

  • Jacket - FDJ; first seen here in November 2025 with more sequins and a tulle Adidas skirt
  • Paillette tank top - Esqualo, NWT, thrifted, Powell River; purchased here for $3.00
  • T-shirt - Denver Hayes, thrifted; last worn here (2nd outfit) layered under a dress for our Sidney shop in November 2025
  • Leather/mix skirt - Danier Leather, thrifted; last seen here in June 2025 with red and orange and floral shoes
  • Booties - Matisse, thrifted; last worn here (2nd outfit) in December 2025 with sequins and "roadkill" for brunch
  • Leather trenchcoat (below) - vintage 70s, thrifted; last seen here in December 2025

I liked the jacket, but the brown velour/paillettes did not ring my bell. It was far too long - it's folded under here and tucked into the waistband of my skirt here.
It's also really itchy in the armpit area, which led me to a white t-shirt under it...which led to wearing a tie over the t-shirt - and a necklace over that! I bet you thought I had a collared shirt on. 

Trenched up.  
Rain rain rain. Also, I have a million layers around my torso. 

The stuff: 
I liked the speckled shoes with the look - they went with the stripe on the jacket and the peek of the while tee. 

  • Hat - Babaton, consignment
  • Silk scarf - fake Louis (Lewis!) Vuitton, thrifted
  • Studded leather gloves - Danier Leather

Amber bling: 
Comforting warmth. 

  • Large amber/silver bracelet - consignment
  • Small amber/silver bracelet - consignment, Powell River
  • Giant amber/silver ring - consignment
  • Silver/amber thumb ring - consignment
  • Silver/amber ring - consignment
  • Silver/amber necklace - vintage 1930s, vintage mall, gift from L
  • Silver/amber earrings - vintage 1920s, vintage mall
  • Snake brooch - vintage 1986, gift from Mom & Dad

Oops, forgot the silk tie! 
I wore this tied around my bare neck, with the necklace layered over the knot. 

  • Tie - Escada by Margaretha Ley, thrifted; last worn here (3rd outfit) in September 2025 for the Bedazzled Business theme at Rifflandia 

Whateley and the bathroom gargoyle.
"You're interrupting our massage session."


Barnabas the camouflage ninja. 
"I didn't do it!"


Do...what?

Sunday, February 1, 2026

Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Safety Pins and Leather Friday; Elmo Brunch and Winesday

Hello, my friends and welcome back! I hope you had a stellar weekend, full of good times with your favourite people (furry friends included). I know I did. 

Let's get to it, shall we? We have Friday's work outfit, my brunch ensemble, and then we had Winesday in there too. And the kittens have been up to many shenanigans, can't wait to show you! 

Kicking it off is Friday's look, assembled because I wanted to wear this amazing designer jacket. 
Barnabas was in on the action, as usual. Stretchy kitty! 

  • Buffalo leather jacket - Gianfranco Ferre, Spring 2003, consignment; last worn here (2nd outfit) in February 2025 for brunch, with these same boots
  • Mesh top - Dolce & Gabbana, consignment, Powell River; last seen here (4th outfit) in November 2025 under a copper bustier
  • Leather skirt - Bagatelle, vintage 80s, consignment; last worn here in February 2025 on a snow day in brocade
  • Leather boots - Matisse, consignment; last seen here in November 2025 for a Mom-Day at her place
  • Sleeveless coat (below) - Only, thrifted; last worn here a couple of weeks ago

I paired it with this other not-yet-worn item, the red embossed leather skirt. 
I'd forgotten how lovely it is - it's thick but very soft. 

I layered a camisole under this mesh top.  
I wore my jacket in the office except for the first half hour, when I was still glowing from my walk to work.

A gander at the safety pins on the back. 
Barnabas hasn't figured out when to hold still. 

I was overly warm in this hat and sleeveless coat. 
I absolutely loved how this purse worked with the outfit - it matches my hair! It was amazingly expandable too - it holds a lot. 

The stuff: 
I'm smitten with this hat, but it's for colder days. 

  • Hat - Flag Accessories, consignment
  • Silk scarf - fake Louis (Lewis!) Vuitton, thrifted
  • Purse - Soruka, thrifted, Powell River; purchased here for $5.00
  • Leather gloves - Echo, consignment
  • Brooch - Monet, vintage, thrifted, Sidney

Brassy bling: 
I doubled up the necklace to make it hang higher. 

  • Belt - Sand Castle USA, thrifted
  • Leather/stud wrist-wrap - Kipling Leather, thrifted
  • Leather/chain wrap - local
  • Bronze ring - P. Sarpaneva, vintage 70s, vintage expo
  • Brass ring - vintage mall
  • Stone ring - thrifted
  • Brass earrings - LA Express, c. 1994
  • Brass/glass necklace/ring - Raphael of Canada, vintage 70s, consignment

Mischievous kittens. The clip-on Godzilla holds a Fluevog shoe-horn. 
"I love this toy!"


So now we know who's been leaving it on the floor. 

Deceptively cute! 
"What? I didn't do anything." 


They goad each other on.
"I'm smarter than I look!"


He's a Parkour Ninja Psycho Monkey! 

Aw, but look how cute!!
"I'm sleepy!"          "Me too."


But they are just plotting more mischief! 
"Cuddles!"          "...and stretch..."


After a busy work day, L and I chilled out in the evening, watching telly and then playing board games into the evening. On Saturday morning, we joined Nick at John's Place for brunch.

As it wasn't raining, I dared to wear two cold-dry weather only pieces, plus I busted out Elmo for its first wearing.
I looked like this all day, until 2 in the morning! I wore this for brunch, to run some errands, for hanging out in the afternoon, and then wore it to Winesday that evening!

  • Elmo coat - Maeve, consignment NWT, Powell River; purchased here for $95.00 minus a $50 gift card 
  • 100% cashmere dress - Claudia Nichole Cashmere, consignment; last worn here in November 2024 for Mom-Day at Ross Bay Cemetery
  • Boots - L'Artiste; last seen here in November 2025 with aqua and gold (and big shoulders)


I took the coat off while eating at John's and while hanging out at Winesday in the evening. 
Dear Cat hosted, and we had a massive clothing swap! This dress was great for trying things on. Don't you love the double ruffled sleeves? 

But Elmo is the star! I wore my cross-body purse under the coat so as not to crush the faux fur. 
I gave away a big bag of goodies, and took back an old pair of Fluevog boots of mine to resell, but nothing came back to go into my closet. That felt good - I'm thinking about reducing my wardrobe a bit as I start to see the retirement light at the end of the tunnel. 

All snuggled up. 
Did you notice my black/gold sparkly tights? 

The stuff: 
These boots are lined/padded with a thick plush - I can only wear them on cold, dry days. 

  • Purse - Aimee Kestenberg, thrifted, Powell River

Orange bling: 
I love these earrings - they look heavy but are not. 

  • Hinged eelskin bracelet - vintage 80s, thrifted
  • Gold-tone bangle - thrifted
  • Big amber/silver ring - consignment, Sidney
  • Sliver/amber thumb ring - consignment
  • Silver/amber ring - consignment
  • Glass tile necklace - Karen's
  • Earrings - Justine Clenquet, consignment, gift from L

One last show - Barnabas has been working hard on his poses. 
"I don't know where to look!"


Hee hee! 

I did a 5 Minute Shop but didn't find anything good. Well, at least I have this guy. 
Aw, I love this guy. 

And this guy too! 
Good to see you, Nick! 

And now, my friends, it's a quiet Sunday in the forecast (actually, a big storm is coming), so I'm going to go hang with these furry boys (and L). 
Whateley crashing on L while we watch TV. Note L's matching cat socks. 

I had to go in for a better shot. 
"You woke me for this?"


The boys looking out the window at the world.
"I'm glad I'm inside."          "These windows are dirty!"


I hope you had a weekend full of good times, and I'm so grateful to have you here.