Thursday, June 11, 2026

Mom-Day at Home in Tropical Red and White

Welcome back to Mom-Day, Gentle Readers! I had a feeling when I planned this outfit today that Mom and I would be in synch. 
Somehow I knew she'd be wearing this awesome blue and white tropical blouse! The mind-meld is scary sometimes! We had a lovely day hanging out, checking out Mom's new computer (so fast!), having lunch on the back deck and working on a new puzzle. I had a great day, thank you, Mom! I love you! 

Now, to the clothes, and then some pictures of my journey there and back again. Settle in! 
This red and white embroidered top is just amazing and was a real pleasure to wear. 

  • Cotton shirt - Talbots, thrifted, Sidney; purchased here for $10.00
  • Jeans - Ralph Lauren, thrifted; last seen here in April with a water buffalo and yellow shoes
  • Sandals - Via Spiga, consignment; last worn here (2nd outfit) in August 2025 with that Hawaiian dress I wore last week

But while I love it, it's really not my style - it is Zero Badass. I have put it in the Limbo pile for now, and I can always change my mind.
I had company - hello, Barnabas! 

I'm on the fence with these white jeans now that I've found a wide-legged pair. 
However, white jeans are very much a spring/summer staple for me, and styles change. They're a keeper for now. 

Incognito. 
And now I'm just laughing at this silly kitty. 

Accoutrements: 
I take my stuff pictures when I get home, and it's Whateley's time to "help." 

  • Purse - Le SportSac, thrifted, Sidney
  • Silk scarf - fake Louis (Lewis!) Vuitton, thrifted

The stuff: 
I wore these sandals around the house, added one preventive bandaid wrap on a toe, and took them out on their first all-day wearing. They were great! 

  • Black and white cuff - vintage fair
  • Black and white bangle set - consignment
  • Silver/crystal ring - Soul Flower
  • Silver pinkie ring - consignment, Sidney
  • Silver/obsidian ring - c. 1986, gift from Mom & Dad
  • Loopy silver ring - Mexican, consignment, Sidney
  • Clip-on earrings - vintage fair

Barnabas greeted me with his ball when I got out of the shower in the morning. 
We played fetch when I got home, while I wrote this post. 

Whateley was in the bathroom right away, looking to see if the toilet paper had been left down. 
The sign says, "Put TP back here. The grey one is a TP bandit." And there's a little cartoon of him that I drew. 

I took the slowest bus ever to town (construction). I could have gotten there faster walking but I was worried about the sandals rubbing. 
As I waited for the bus out to Mom's, I noticed this Old Dutch Potato Chips delivery truck. This is my personal favourite chip brand - I remember it from when I was a kid (about them here, link 'cause I love).

I was thrilled to spot a Northern Flicker on top of this tree when I got off the bus.
How exciting! 

This lovely dog was hanging out in the shade.
Her owner was in a training session with an athlete on the track nearby. 

This butterfly landed on the path in front of me. 
So pretty! I also saw dragonflies and yellow swallowtails. 

A gorgeous warm day, with a slightly chilly wind.
I take out my ear-buds and listen to the birds all through this stretch. 

Hello, stick tree! 
The clouds looked fake all day. Weird whispies. Fat puffs.

Little sparse blobs. 
This field was so pretty, full of buttercups and daisies and tall grasses, with insects buzzing. 

I arrived at Mom's and checked out her garden. 
This is the same mock orange bush that we had in our house that I grew up in (Mom took it with her when she and Dad moved). It smells outrageously good. 

A gorgeous peony. 
SWOON. 

Mom showed me the pen-and-ink and watercolour paintings she's doing of her neighbours' houses. 
They're gifts to thank all of her caring people on the street for helping her after her fall. 

When you make friends with an artist, you get art! 
See what I mean about the top? We laughed when we saw each other. "You got the memo!"

Mom's been stealthily taking pictures of the houses to use as reference. 
She's even adding little details like a cat ladder, and her furry buddy Rodney peeking out of one window. 

I found this Sears Portrait Studio picture of me and my brother Dave on the table. 
Oh, gosh. I look the same, ha ha! I'm around 7 years old there - I remember that shirt/overdress combo from my Grade 2 first day of school in 1974.

While we waited for our lunch to melt (bagels with turkey and cheese), we munched veggies on the back deck and enjoyed the birds and the warmth. Check out this suspicious giant cloud. 
Do you see the bald eagle in the bottom? Right? That's a big cloud! 

After lunch, we started a new puzzle. It's one of those murder mystery ones, set on the Orient Express, and there's no picture to go by.
It was a pretty easy puzzle, and the time FLEW. Before we knew it, two hours had gone by. 

Time to head home! 
Thankful for all of it. 

I spotted this young lady. 
There are fauns around, and she eyed me warily. 

Our little boys have been enjoying the slightly warmer weather. 
It's supposed to get up to the mid-20s this weekend! 

Barnabas all cozy between two pillows.
Such a sweet boy. They both purred loudly while I took these pictures. 

And now, my friends, I'm off for the weekend. I'll be back on Sunday, so do pop back in for tales of adventure (or at least brunch). Thanks so much for being here. 

Wednesday, June 10, 2026

Sleeeeves, Patchwork and Red Skirt

Today's outfit made me smile - it tapped right into that joy that I seek when I get dressed. 
The red skirt is that vivid, and the purple silk on the bottom of the vest is iridescent. 

  • Cotton blouse - Recollections, thrifted; last seen here (3rd outfit) in February for a party at Greg and Rosanna's
  • Vest - Times Seven Todd Oldham, vintage 90s, thrifted, Sidney; purchased here for $9.00
  • Skirt - Marni, consignment; last worn here in February for Sweethearts Week
  • Shoes - Super Fine Cardinal, Fluevog; last seen here in May with brick red and tulle
  • Leather jacket (below) - Danier Leather, thrifted; last worn here in November 2025

I loved showing my Todd Oldham patchwork vest off to my colleagues - not many had heard of him, but when I mentioned that he dressed Fran Drescher in "The Nanny" TV show back in the 90s, I could see the light bulb come on. 
Check out this awesome database (here) for her character Fran Fine's fashion - it's searchable by designer! You can look at all the Todd Oldham vests she wore here - lots in the first season! 

I knew I wanted to wear this big sleeeeeved blouse (Anne Shirley would be proud) with my lovely treasure. 
I loved how the red shirt looked with it. And at this point, Barnabas came trotting into the room and threw himself in front of me. 

I mean, of course, I had to pick him up! 
You can appreciate the cool uneven hem of the skirt here. 

I remembered to pull up the extra-long hem with a bulldog clip while walking to and from work. 
Aw, my sweet cuddly boy. 

Incognito. It was not a very warm morning - cold and windy.
This royal blue leather blazer gave me pockets and warmth. 

The stuff: 
I kept the shoes "simple" - gold always works! 

  • Necklace - gift from Mom & Dad, c. 1984
  • Coin earrings - Mom's, vintage 70s
  • Amber ring - c. 1996
  • Gold/amethyst ring - Frances Jewelers, c. 1965

I liked how the necklace looked over the vintage repro blouse. 

Ruffles at the Periodontist

Sorry for the late post, my friends - I had my biannual periodontist appointment, which of course, knocked me for a loop. I slept for most of the early evening. 
The office is empty while a bunch of our management is at a meeting, so I took advantage of it with a more casual outfit. 

  • Blouse - Nicole Benisti, consignment; purchased here for $34.99
  • Cotton trousers - Calvin Klein 205W39NYC by Raf Simmons, c. 2019, consignment; last seen here (2nd outfit) in March in a funky-chunky Friday outfit
  • Creeper shoes - Call It Spring, consignment; last worn here (3rd outfit) in May to see "Joseph"
  • Leather coat (below) - Maison Rabih Kayrouz, consignment, Vancouver; last seen here in March

The clouds looming over the Castle looked foreboding. 
I really hoped it wouldn't rain again. I mean, we need rain, but I really prefer not getting soaked on the way to work. 

First wearing of this blouse, and I liked it enough to keep it. I can't resist a rock & roll ruffle! 
The cotton pants (very chi-chi designer) are shiny and deep blue - not jeans, but definitely a more casual vibe. Perfect for sitting upside-down in a dental chair! 

I had company while I did my pictures. Barnabas wants to play! 
He's brought me his ball to throw for him. 

I wore the scarf at my neck on the way to my appointment. 
Barnabas brings back the ball again. 

And I wore my scarf in my hair to keep the wind from snarling it up, on the way to work in the morning. No rain, yay! 
And a kitty who is happy to have had a tiny bit of playtime before I left.

The stuff: 
I briefly considered wearing a heel, but couldn't muster the effort in the morning. 

  • Silk scarf - Fluevog
  • Belt - B-Lo the Belt, thrifted

Silvery bling: 
My colleague Keagan admired the brooch at my neck, and was boggled when I told her how old it was. Some things you just keep! 

  • Brooch - c. 1999, Eaton's
  • Carved jadeite bangle - consignment
  • Steel/purple stone bracelet - Moda, vintage 70s, Malta
  • Lapis lazuli and Fulvia Rings - Wendy Brandes
  • Silver earrings - gift from Petra

And now, off to bed. 

Monday, June 8, 2026

Neon, Leopard and Black Pleats


Ugh, back to work is so difficult after a week and a half off! Don't make me go! 
That was a VERY EARLY morning. 

  • Cardigan - Forever 21, thrifted; last seen here in February with this same top for a Mom-Day at home
  • Silk top - Escada by Margaretha Ley, vintage 80s, thrifted; first worn here in February
  • Skirt - Theory X Uniqlo, thrifted; purchased here for $14.95
  • Shoes - Classy Bach, Fluevog; last seen here in May with lime and white

I styled up this pleated black skirt that I found while shopping for L's birthday presents a couple of weeks ago. 
I tossed on my usual colourful bits - this leopard blouse is a favourite. 

Showing the faux-wrap front of the skirt. 
A happy surprise: it did NOT swoosh open on me at all! 

I mostly wore the neon cardigan in the office as I slogged through the 300 emails in my inbox. 
It took me all day. 

Incognito. 
This was fine on the way to work. 

But I was dismayed at the rain pelting down on the way home. 
I deployed the Movie Star Wrap to keep from getting soaked. I only had wet bangs/fringe, and slight dampness on the top. Silk scarves for the win! 

The stuff: 
Such a great colour. 

  • Silk scarf - Krizia, thrifted
  • Belt - consignment
  • Bug pin - consignment

The scarf is very damp there. 

Gold-tone bling: 
That malachite ring ripped a chunk of my hair out! Shocking! Ow!

  • Hinged eelskin bangles - both vintage 80s, both thrifted
  • Turquoise ring - consignment
  • Malachite ring - vintage fair
  • Earrings - Martha Sturdy, vintage fair
  • Necklace - Givenchy, vintage 80s, vintage fair

Whateley and a nearly-invisible Barnabas playing on the deck. 
They are a constant delight!