Mom-Day at Home in the Blues (and Neon), and Cat Scrap

Welcome back to Mom-Day, my friends! We last enjoyed a day together here, last week. 

We did some Mom-business, then had a leisurely lunch and chatted and caught up. 

The weather report was doom and gloom with loads of rain in the forecast, so I dressed appropriately. 

I had this outfit waiting in the wings for a funky Friday, but realized that my waterproof boots would work well with it. Why not for Mom?

• Mesh top - Mexx, thrifted; last seen here in January with this same cardi
• Silk leopard top - Escada by Margaretha Ley, consignment; purchased here for $48.00
• Denim skirt - Levi Strauss, thrifted; last worn here in October 2025 on the day we got our kittens
• Cardigan - Forever 21, thrifted; last seen here in January with this mesh top
• Boots - Soul Speed Fury, Fluevog; last worn here (4th outfit) in December 2025 to see Jake Vaadeland in concert

I'd pulled the cardigan, new-to-me teal leopard top and denim skirt a few weeks ago.

My Sweetheart Week put it on hold. 

I layered a match mesh top under the silk top for extra warmth. 

I loved how my 100% cotton skirt flapped and cracked like sails when I walked. 

Incognito.

"I love YOU!"

Barnabas is learning when to pause for the shutter. 

The stuff: 

This bag doesn't get enough use - I easily carried our soup in it, plus a book to return to Mom. 

• Leather purse - Perlina Studio, thrifted
• Quilted gloves - consignment, Powell River
• Wool beret - Parkhurst, thrifted
• Leather heart brooch - Smoking Lily 
• Warhol banana pin - Art Gallery swag
• Love button - a friend's birthday party many years ago
• Heart pin - consignment

Cat and fish bling: 

In addition to hearts and love, I also wore three cats (two earrings and a ring) and two fish (the necklace and cuff). 

• Belt - consignment
• Brass/crystal/pearl cuff - Myka, consignment
• Gold shark jaw cuff - Tom Binns, 2012, consignment
• Brass/glass ring - Raphael of Canada, vintage 70s, consignment
• Brass leopard ring - thrifted
• Bug brooch - Le Chateau, c. 2000
• Fish necklace - Roberto for RLM, consignment
• Cat earrings - British Museum gift shop, gift to Mom, then back to me

And a bug. Because spring is coming! 

I missed my bus to town, so walked to town...which caused me to miss the closer bus, so I had a longer trek to Mom's 'hood. 

SHEEPS! And I see geese over there on the left. 

It was crazy windy out - my beret was nearly blown off a few times. 

A flapping flag and mountains in the distance in Washington State. 

Mom's garden doesn't look too different, but it feels...

...waiting.

More green shoots are out. 

I think that's a cluster of irises on the left side, if I remember. 

This will be verdant and lush soon. 

Mom spotted the cyclamen hiding under this bush. "Better tell your gardener!" She hates it - it must be gone! 

The snowdrops are starting to fade. 

Pink primulas and clusters of green shoots. 

"My exotic daffodils!" said Mom. 

She'd bought a whole bunch of them last year and told her gardener to surprise her. How exciting! 

Not much going on here. 

A couple of sad purple crocuses and a few more purple primulas. 

This bunch of daffs is looking good. 

We did Mom's banking and bill payments, and took steps towards making her home more accessible, as it has several steps and stairs, although it's a one-level home.

Mom did her exercises and stretches while I was there and I was really impressed with her strength, although she did tire quickly after lunch. 

I wanted a nap after the hearty potato-beef soup! 

I cut some of the blooming and almost out daffodils and put them in a crystal vase. 

This was the flower vase for tall blooms when I was a kid - we always had flowers from the garden in the house. I hope it casts rainbows all over when the sun hits it! 

Thanks so much for the lovely day, Mom! 

I love you! 

Back to the bus stop...where again, I JUST missed my bus. 

"Sucks to be you."

Ah, well, my bus karma was just off. 

And now, signing off for the weekend with some pics of the kittens having a bit of a scrap in the morning. 

"Are you going out?"          "Don't leave me!"

And then...fight! 

They're pretty equal, even thought Whateley is a bit larger.

Barnabas is not afraid to give Whateley a smack! 

Whateley looks startled. 

Look at his tongue! 

I'm glad I keep their claws clipped so they can't actually hurt each other. 

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend full of good times and melting snow! I'll be back on Sunday with tales of adventure, so do pop in! Thank you for being here. 

Pink Shirt Day: the Thousand Dollar Sweater

Today was Pink Shirt Day (link here 'cause I love), which I've promoted for many years.

Here's last year's - the moths destroyed that jacket.

• Sleeveless shirt - Denver Hayes, consignment; last seen here (3rd outfit) in December 2025 with plaid and a ginormous velvet vest
• Beaded wool sweater - J. Crew, Fall 2013 RTW, thrifted; last worn here in January 2025 (same shirt) for a funky Friday outfit
• Skirt - Oska, consignment; last seen here (2nd outfit) as a copper backdrop in December 2025
• Shoes - Wonders Ayers, Fluevog; last worn here
• Fuzzy Flamingo coat (below) - Auckie Sanft, vintage 60s, vintage fair

A gorgeous view of the Castle this morning.

That kind of golden light usually means rain on the west coast. 

I landed on my Thousand Dollar Sweater and pink collared sleeveless shirt.

This big crinkly skirt is neither grey nor green, but something in between. 

I had an absolutely crazy day, non-stop busy.

I interacted with a ton of people, many of whom were enthusiastic about my outfit. 

Regarding the sweater, I will always share this with y'all: 

I kid you not, it retailed for $1,900, and yes, you read that right - check out this article here [this link is now broken, boo], noting:

a short-sleeve sweater made with 35,000 crystals, sequins, beads and paillettes that costs a whopping $1,900.

Link to the Vogue.com slideshow of this runway collection here [this link still works] - this sweater is the first slide.

I don't pay to view Vogue.com so this is all I could grab with a screenshot. Beautiful gloves, but not a fan of the rest of it. 

Incognito: 

The Fuzzy Flamingo rules! It's cold in the wind, but fine in the rain.

The stuff: 

Good office shoes, excellent for running around. 

• Silk scarf - Fluevog
• Wool gloves - Parkhurst
• Brooch - Sarah Coventry, vintage fair

Gold-tone bling: 

The necklace is real Givenchy, but it's still costume. 

• Collar points - vintage 80s, consignment
• Necklace - Givenchy, vintage 80s, vintage fair
• Gold-tone bracelet - D'Orlan, vintage, vintage mall, gift from L
• Gold-tone bangle - thrifted
• Brass ring - vintage mall
• Gold/amethyst ring - Frances Jewelers, c. 1965, Dad's
• Earrings - vintage mall

The kitties have been practicing their synchronized napping. 

Aw! 

Degraded Fake Leather

Another jacket and a different outcome! Although I loaned this embroidered and studded motorcycle jacket to Yvonne for the VFF Gala, I hadn't yet worn it myself. 

It's always been a favourite in my wardrobe, but I was in for a big disappointment today. 

• Silk blouse - Evidence, vintage 80s, consignment; last seen here in July 2025 bookending sequins
• PVC embroidered jacket - Frank Lyman; last worn here (2nd outfit) to the Fluevog sample sale in November 2024
• Suede skirt - Kelco Leather, vintage 70s, thrifted; last seen here in January for our trip to Powell River
• Shoes - Swordfish Marquis, Fluevog; last worn here (but not seen) in November 2025 for our Hallowe'en party
• Cocoon vest (below) - B. Young; last seen here in January, although I often wear it for grocery shopping

I layered a long-sleeved cobalt blue silk shirt under it - I shoved the jacket sleeves up so that the blue cuffs peeked out. 

This rose-pink suede skirt is one of my favourites. So soft. 

If you're wondering if I had company for my pictures...

"Who's that?"

Barnabas is definitely a cuddler - and he emulate anything his brother does. Whateley is the one we have to keep off the curtains/table/dresser/computer desk. 

Whateley is not the sharpest cat we've ever had...he's clever, but not as intellectual as I make him out to be. 

"I resemble these remarks."      "I hear beeping!"

My little cuddly ninja psycho monkey is not a brain trust either, and is a bit of a terror if he is denied something. 

I appreciate the cuddles every morning! He's so funny.

So, back to the jacket which is just everything I've ever wanted in a moto jacket...except that it's not real leather. I bought it in January 2018 for $177.00 (minus a bunch of gift cards from Mom), and wore it 16 times - that pleased me. 

And now, it's peeling off at the nape of the neck (probably from sweating in it) in great chunks. DISAPPOINTING. Fake leather degrades over time, sigh. 

I was amused at all the hair caught in the (real) metal disco ball studs.

Some of that's my mine, some is Yvonne's! 

Since the peeling is only on the rear collar right now, I'm going to keep this jacket for the time being. It's just so cool - I don't want to get rid of it just for that relatively small amount of disintegration. If it starts peeling on more visible areas, then I'll have a decision to make. 

Incognito - the weather was grey with some sun. 

By the time I walked home, it was a beautiful warm light.

The stuff: 

I walked to and from work in these shoes - they're totally comfortable. 

• Silk scarf - Fluevog
• Leather gloves - consignment

I thought you might find this amusing. 

The first attempt at the bling picture! That's Whateley's paw and he bumped the camera. 

Let's try that again! Spring bling.

A bug for the roses.

• Belt - Madewell, consignment
• Faux carved cinnabar bangle - consignment
• Silver/lapis lazuli bracelet - Nepalese, consignment
• Silver/lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
• Silver/kyanite ring - consignment
• Green stone/silver ring - thrifted
• Metal rose earrings - Betsey Johnson, swap from Cat
• Glow-in-the-dark bug pendant - Heart's Content

Two little kittens and I looked out the window at the lovely sunset.

No caption needed. 

I am looking forward to them discovering spring with us. 

They're already loving the random sunbeams.

So Long, Suede Jacket

Another week, and I'm eyeing all those backwards hangers - not a ton of them, but still a few. I built this outfit around this suede jacket, which has been languishing in the closet.

As you probably guessed from the post title, I'm letting go of it. I have lots of good memories, but it doesn't ring my bell anymore. 

• Suede jacket - Danier Leather, vintage 80s, consignment; last worn way back here (3rd outfit) in October 2024 for our Hallowe'en party
• Sweater - Papillon, thrifted; last seen here in January with leopard
• Velvet skirt - Rachel Roy, thrifted; last worn here in November 2025 with gold and brocade
• Boots - F-Trip Warhol, Fluevog; last seen here in November 2025 with a red sweater dress
• Sleeveless coat (below) - Only, thrifted; last worn here earlier this month

It's snug, has no pockets and I just never reach for it. 

"Reach for meeeeee...."

I did my best to give it a good work outfit send-off - I like this outfit overall. 

"I love you!"

The sweater is just a boring cream one but the velvet skirt is gorgeous. And the boots! 

Incognito! 

I liked the orange bookends.

The stuff: 

Great wavy grooviness! So awesome. 

• Hat - gift from Tammy
• Brooch - Monet, vintage 80s, vintage fair
• Fur scarf - thrifted
• Leather gloves - Roeckl, consignment

Gold and black bling: 

Barnabas photobombs me in the morning, but Whateley is my constant companion at night. 

• Necklace - Monet, vintage 80s, vintage fair
• Earrings - vintage fair
• Gold-tone bracelet - thrifted
• Lucite/gold bracelet - Alexis Bittar, consignment, Sidney
• Brass rings - vintage mall