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?

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. 

Mom-Day at Home With Kittens, in Elevated Adidas

Hello, my friends, and welcome to Mom-Day, in which Mom and I hang out, often visiting local parks for a walk, but sometimes I go to her house, and once in a while she comes over to visit me. 

I had to be at home for whenever the plumber would show up to fix our broken toilet handle (arg), so I twisted Mom's rubber arm to come over and play with the kittens. Folks, you asked for action shots, and you got 'em! (Yes, I forgive you if you scroll down to look at them first). 

I had to wear something nicer than my usual house clothes for Mom (and the plumber), so I pulled out these new floral Adidas track pants and paired them up with the mint green striped Adidas jacket. 

So elevated! I may wear these two pieces again together very soon - I love how well they go! 

• Cotton jacket with mint stripes - Adidas, consignment; last worn here earlier this month with my Panthers colours for brunch
• Merino wool sweater - Lord & Taylor, consignment; last seen here in December 2025 layered under a swooshy dress
• "Firebird" floral trackpants - Adidas, consignment, Powell River; purchased here for $59.00

I didn't wear shoes, just my black slippers, which I took off for the pictures.

I loved these giant swooshy pants! They were a delight to wear! 

If you're thinking something about me looks different, I didn't bother wearing make-up. 

Nothing, not even moisturizer. 

Snake bling: 

All old, all meaningful.

• White gold earrings - Frances Jewelers, 2007/10th anniversary gift from L
• Snake pin - c. 1986, gift from Mom and Dad
• Glass snake pendant - Venice, 2014, gift from Mom
• Silver snake ring - BC Museum Gift Shop, c. 1986
• Silver/sodalite ring - Scotland, 1996

I liked seeing my moth-hole repair job on this wool sweater. 

It's not a perfect job, but I did it. 

The intercom buzzed, and the boys excited headed for the front door. 

"I can't see!"         "Who's here?"

The eagerly circled, sniffing everything.

"I remember you."          "I want to play with her!"

Mom first met them here on my birthday, October 2025, which was our last "home" Mom-Day. 

I pulled out their favourite toy, a retractable rod with a floof of feathers on the end of a long elastic cord.

These are a bit blurry - kittens are hard to capture! 

Barnabas' best moment.

Cats are so rubbery at this age! 

This one of Whateley is the real action shot. 

HA! 

Mom gave them a good run-around and leaping session, tuckering them right out. 

Barnabas supervising from the side table, while Whateley gets a tummy rub. 

They retreated to their post while Mom and I had lunch. We had a hearty soup, grilled cheese with banana peppers, strawberry/apple pie (locally made!), and chocolate, plus tea. So good! 

Well, I certainly like this mom-lady."        "I love her!"

Boys, you've been so good, with the cleaners, the plumber and mom, thank you. 

"We will expect extra play-time tonight."         "And cuddles!"

I laughed at Barnabas looming over Mom. 

Love the pink hoodie top (Sleeve Drama!) and those rhinestone buttons. Thanks so much for coming over, Mom, I love you!

Whateley retreated to the couch to sleep. 

"Go 'way."

Well, folks, I'm off now for the weekend. Wishing you all soft fur, warm snuggles and play-time. 

"What she said."            "I love the people in the camera!"

I'll be back on Sunday with tales of adventure, so do stop in! Thank you so much for being here. 

Tiger and Double Klimt

I've been wanting to wear this wonderful embroidered tiger sweater for a while now. 

I worked out my outfit last night before bed - I find that relaxing. 

• Shirt - Denver Hayes, consignment; last worn here (3rd outfit) in October 2025 for the Fluevog Flummunity Fest
• Sweater - Kenzo, thrifted; last seen here in September 2025 for a Mom-Day at Cadboro Bay Beach
• Trousers - FRNCH, thrifted; last worn here in November 2025 with spring floral
• Sneakers - James Harden X Adidas, consignment; last seen here with my wavy jeans and tux hoodie in December 2025
• Suede coat - Tadmor, Israeli, vintage 60s, vintage mall; last worn here a few weeks ago

This is the first time I've layered a shirt under the sweater and I liked the effect. 

These mock-croc pants have been a good purchase - no boring black pants here! 

Ready for anything! 

"Who's that?"

Well, not rain - and it did start spitting on the way home.

And I hear we're in for lots of it, oh, joy. 

You might have noticed a little someone in the corners of the pictures above. 

"Who are you talking to?"

It's your fans, Barnabas! They're watching you grow up and get big! 

Nearly forgot my purse. 

Since I walked to work in my sneakers, I had to do the matching purse! 

The stuff: 

Right? I think they are now friends for life. 

• Silk Klimt scarf - consignment, Powell River; purchased here for $6.00
• Leather gloves - Picabo, Powell River
• Leather purse - vintage 80s, thrifted

The silk scarf was lovely - it's a very good quality silk. 

I realized when I picked out my accessories, "Oh, yeah! I have another Klimt piece!" It's called "Woman Friends" (link here), which is very appropriate.

I bought two of these identical rings at the Velvet Crease, when they were in their old location, so 2009, as I gave the other one to Daisy for her birthday (outfit post here, with guest star, Karen!). 

Golden bling: 

I felt like wearing giant hoops! 

• Gold bangle - thrifted
• Hinged eelskin bangle - vintage 80s, thrifted
• Gold hoop earrings - 2002/5th anniversary gift from L 
• Necklace - Givenchy, vintage 80s, vintage fair
• Wooden Klimt ring - consignment
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes

Whateley likes to steal our spots as soon as we get up.

"I sleep on the blanket!"      "This is my spot now."

They still respond to odd noises ("made you look!") - I'll enjoy that while it lasts. They'll grow to ignore them as they get older.