Thursday, March 20, 2025

Mom-Day at Home in Spring Greens, and a Wee Shop

Welcome back, my friends! Mom was feeling a bit stiff and the erratic weather doesn't help, so instead of an Adventure in the Wild, I bused out to her house and we made lunch, worked on a puzzle and checked out her garden.
A lovely visit! The last time I visited Mom at home was here in January.

Still chipping away at some not-yet-worn things in my closet, like this swirly suede skirt. 
I wanted to wear this neon green cardigan too, and it was raining in the morning, so...the boots were a natural pick.

  • Cardigan - Forever 21, thrifted; purchased here for $15.50
  • Sweater - Intimate, vintage 60s, thrifted; last worn here (3rd outfit) in November 2024 for Winesday
  • Suede skirt - Nine West, thrifted; last seen here (3rd outfit) in January 2024 with red and blue
  • Boots - Soul Speed Fury, Fluevog; last worn here in January for a Mom-Day at Elk Lake
  • Leather coat (below) - Jeno de Paris, vintage 70s, thrifted; last seen here in January

I didn't take the cardigan off or unbutton it, but it's very comfy. I shall wear it again! 
The blue sweater is a vintage one I've had forever. This skirt is tricky to style because of the grey on grey swirl - I usually do two solid colours with it. 

This time I added cobalt blue, which looks awesome with neon green.
Blue lacy tights! 

The green leather coat grounded it all - this is how most people saw me. I like the peek of neon at the cuffs. 
I changed up the belt to grey from my usual black, and added some shoe clips to the leather collar. Why not more? I never wear them! 

Accoutrements: 
All my blues! I have the perfect scarf for this outfit...in my spring/summer stuff! So I made do with my navy/cream ripple scarf, which echoes the waves in the skirt. 

  • Purse - Danier Leather, thrifted
  • Wool beret - Parkhurst, consignment
  • Belt - B-Low the Belt, thrifted
  • Silk scarf - Bill Blass, vintage 80s, consignment
  • Gloves - Dots; purchased here for $7.50

The stuff: 
I did a lot of walking: to the bus stop, to the next bus stop, from Mom's stop to her house, and back to the bus stop. Then to WIN for a browse, plus an errand and a final walk home. Tired feet! 

Mixed bling:
Oops, photographed the belt twice.

  • Shoe clips (worn on the coat) - vintage 1920s, burlesque shoe
  • Bracelet - Jenny Bird, consignment
  • Necklace - Stella & Dot, thrifted
  • Silver chain ring - Mexican, consignment
  • Silver/kyanite ring - consignment
  • Silver/lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
  • Spike earrings - Glee
  • Bracelet - thrifted

I ran back to get my sunglasses. 
Bus stop selfie. 

The sheep were back! 
Hello, sheep! Note the pink and white trees in bloom behind them. 

Their coats look very warm. 
Almost time for the spring shear! 

Same fat robin that I saw last time? 
She must be the gatekeeper. 

Mom had started this puzzle of two wolves howling at the Northern Lights. 
She did all the easy stuff already. 

We worked for over and hour, and got all the edges connected, and more filled in.
Time flies when doing a puzzle! I didn't want to stop! 

We had a yummy lunch of bagels topped with shaved chicken and melted cheese, and fresh fruit. 
Mom's wearing a turquoise top I found for her (replacing a Christmas present that didn't fit), and a pendant that was a gift from a friend. 

Time to go check out the garden - this is near the front door.
A clump of red and yellow tulips, white hellebore and a wine-pink hellebore behind that. 

The tulips were so pretty.
I like using my phone in "portrait" mode to blur the back ground. 

Some stunning purple primulas and the first of many stands of daffodils.
I have fond memories of all the flowers at the house I grew up in. My family loves gardening (I am a brown thumb, however).

A close-up of one of Mom's fancy daffs.
All curly inside, so cool! 

This one's orange inside. 
Very cheesey.

A couple of sunny days and this will be a riot of colour. 
More hellebores in back.

Mom has a gardener who keeps her beds clean and works with her to showcase her favourites. 
It is a gift she gives herself, as she should! 

Heritage primroses. 
These are from our old house...and before that, from Mom's dad, my grandad's garden. 

And some more tall white and yellow daffodils.
Just lovely! 

This hyacinth had toppled over in the heavy rains.
Do you see the bee sitting on it? 

Thanks so much for such a wonderful day, Mom. 
So fun hanging out with you. Love you!

A portrait shot.
Classic.

As noted, I bused to town and had a poke around in the WIN Warehouse Store. I found a few things, but am only keeping two of them. 
I've been low-key looking for a dressy utility pant, like a cargo pant only fancier. I liked that this pair has pockets, one on the leg, and the D-Ring belt. 

Until I discovered how stingy that pocket is. I can't even fit my whole hand in it! 
And that flap below? It's not a real pocket! Totally bogus! 

Slits at the ankle. 
And the fabric is soft and silky - it's viscose.

Judith & Charles, and made in Canada? These would have been very expensive new! Confirmed here (link 'cause I love), their Made in Canada line pants average $425.00 new.
For me, $19.95. But I'm going to pass them along, as they look atrociously bad on me (my bum looks flat as a pancake in them), and I will not abide that pocket situation. 

These were pants that made me gasp. Oh wow! 
They are olive stretch nylon (feels like denim) that's printed with lace. There is a an extra horizontal seam 2/3 of the way down the leg. 

Now that's what I call a pocket! My whole hand, and part of my wrist! 
Isn't the pattern amazing? 

I was shocked to see "Made in the USA" - simply because they are newer pants, and you just don't see much that is made in North America anymore. 
Dry clean? Pfft! I'll wash them carefully. They still feel like cotton to me - I think that label might be wrong...

I recognized the brand, By Malene Birger, because I've seen it in Turnabout. I knew these would be worth the $24.95 - their denim and plain trousers start at $300.00 US.
$24.95 - and these are called the "Heliah Trouser". 

I always spot the interesting skirts with patterns. This reminds me of a patchwork sewn to the waistband of a pair of jeans. 
Pretty blues and yellows, with a touch of red. 

I thought the hem was sewn poorly until I realized it's a handkerchief hem. 
There are four inserts of more "hanky" shapes. It's lined with a straight nylon tube skirt. 

I like that waistband. No pockets, sigh.
The button was stamped with the brand, but the inside label had been removed, so this got slotted in with the thrift prices.

But I'd recognize Desigual anywhere. 
I spotted the same fabric on an old blog article about their 2016 collection, so there you go. And for only $8.95! 

I had to give this wonderful vintage 1960s dress a shot, but unfortunately it is boob-smashingly tight up top.
It fits well everywhere else, so I'll be making sure it goes to a good home. 

It's clearly handmade (lots of hand-stitching), in a fun printed cotton, and fully lined in candy pink.
Two big slits on the sides for walking. 

A lovely bow at the neck.
I cashed in my WIN points so saved $17.00 off the $38.95 price, making it a more reasonable $21.95.

As I walked home I passed under a plum tree that was coming into bloom.
I love these ones - they smell so sweet. 

Vizzini was hoping it was warm enough for the deck, but that is winter sunshine, buddy.
"I want to go out there."


It was indeed too cold for him, so he sat in the sun. 
"At least I have sunshine."


Sending sunshine to all of you out there! Thank you so much for dropping by, and please do check back in on Sunday for tales of adventure. 

Wednesday, March 19, 2025

Yellow Floral Velvet

After two busy days in the office, I really needed some colour and comfort - yellow velvet to the rescue!
Daffodils and dirt? It's Spring-adjacent.

  • Dress - French Connection, consignment; first seen here for New Year's Eve 2024
  • Boots - Mini Babycakes, Fluevog; last worn here in October 2024 with spiders and tulle
  • Eclipse wool coat (below) - Welsh, consignment; last seen here in February

Just because I wore this dress for New Year's Eve is no reason not to wear it to work. It's a Jammy Dress! 
I waved the giant balloon sleeves at my colleague Dana. 

And I showed her the pockets - lots of room in them. 
I layered a cami and shorts under this as well as the tights, plus socks. 

Isn't the floral pattern lovely? Some of the sections have no velvet at all and are slightly sheer.
But the dress is fully lined in yellow, so no worries. 

I got a thumbs up from a bus passenger, as it turned in front of me while walking home. Thank you, kind stranger!
I did have a wee bit of Velvet Rage under my backpack, but made it without getting cranky.

Accoutrements:
It was blustery winds but my hat stayed on. Brrr! 

  • Silk scarf - Jay Sutton, vintage, consignment
  • Bucket hat - Picabo, vintage fair
  • Leather gloves - consignment

The stuff: 
Getting in one more wearing of these lovely boots for the season. See you in September!

Mossy bling: 
I liked how all these warm golds, greys and greens work together. 

  • Metal/glass flower brooch - vintage 60s, Mom's
  • Bone/stone cuff - consignment
  • Agate bangle - consignment
  • Necklace - Anne Klein, vintage 80s, Grandma J's
  • Silver/green stone ring - thrifted
  • Silver/smoky topaz ring - Anneli Neuman, Sweden, vintage mall
  • Ear-balls - Dior, consignment