Thursday, June 1, 2023

Mom-Day Adventure: Blenkinsop Boyfriend in Stripes, and a Wee Shop

Mom expressed a desire to visit her boyfriend Roy, so off we went to Blenkinsop Lake for a stroll in the trees and sun. 
We were also hoping for ducks and ducklings. We last visited Blenkinsop Lake here in January in the pouring rain. It was much nicer today, as you can tell by the glaring sun! 

Outfit first! 
I've worn this dress with Mom before but it's been over a year (here). 

  • Dress - Zara, consignment, Vancouver; last seen here in January with a boring white shirt
  • Cardigan - Wolford, thrifted; last worn here in May 2022 with a swooshy mustard skirt
  • Sandals - Doc Martens, consignment; first seen here in May to see mushrooms at the Art Gallery

One of my goals when I first got this dress was to wear it without a layer under it. 
So of course, I wore a cardigan over it. 

I usually tie this wrap cardigan in the back when I wear it. 
But I liked it better tied in the front this time. 

Here's the dress on its own. 
It has very big armholes which expose my bra - I won't be wearing it like this. 

Incognito. 
I used my black leather work backpack for the day, as I had to run some errands after lunch. I wished for a white cross-body purse...

The stuff: 
This was my second wearing of these, wearing them for over 6 hours, and walking home from town in them. They were fantastic, although my feet are tired. 

Bold bling: 
Favourites! 

  • Lucite/silver cuff - Alexis Bittar, consignment, Vancouver
  • Silver/malachite bangle - Mexican, thrifted, Sidney
  • Earrings - Brenda Schoenfeld, 1992, vintage mall
  • Silver/aventurine ring - consignment
  • Silver/malachite ring - consignment

And now, pictures from our walk. Everything was green green green. 
Wild roses. 

Birds chittered and chirped and screeched. 
This crow watched us enter the park. 

The early part of the walk is in an industrial area, but close to Galey Farms, where the giant gnome lives. 
And who's that I see? 

It's Howard the Gnome! 
Looking very dapper and happy to greet visitors. 

I mark the start of the park as this steel sculpture. 
I just want to sit in it! 

Then we entered the canopy of trees. 
We had balmy temps around 18-20, with a light wind. 

Many of these tall trees are cottonwoods, which are shedding their fluff now. The path was covered in it. 
Mom was taken back to her dating days (pre-Dad) and was singing "Tammy" by Debbie Reynolds from the movie Tammy. Enjoy this YouTube video here of her singing it in the movie, which L and I watched recently (all links 'cause I love). 

Two lone purple flowers. 
This isn't a really floral-heavy park, though. 

Just trees, birds and the buzz of insects.
A lizard skittered across the trail near here. People, dogs and very fast-traveling cyclists on electric bikes whizzed past us. 

But we lingered when we heard birds near us, or stopped and looked for movement. 
I see you, butterfly! 

Hearing the robins calling, we stood until we found them. 
I see you too! 

This robin was a reluctant subject. 
Clusters of tent caterpillars were on most of the trees. 

We approached the lake, with PKOLS (Mt. Doug) in the distance. 
The boardwalk over the lake widens here, so that you can enjoy the view and scenery. 

The lake's covered in green algae, but we could see trails through it where ducks had been. 
Loads of lily pads too, but they weren't in bloom yet. 

Hey, Mom, there's your boyfriend! 
He's been waiting for you! 

This was such a beautiful day. 
Just enjoying ourselves, having a giggle or three. 

"Surprise!" 
"I'd know those hands anywhere, Helen, you scamp."

We could see a bald eagle in the far distance, and a few mallard ducks. 
But no ducklings. 

The distinctive call of the redwing blackbird sounded. 
He was sitting on a lily pad, taking in the sun. 

Time to turn around. 
I'm hungry, let's have lunch! 

One more little bird. 
Not a robin, but with red. 

And here we are back at the dish. 
It's glowing! 

As are we. Thank you so much for that wonderful day, Mom! 
I love you! 

We had lunch at the Monkey Tree Pub (quesadillas for Mom, chicken burger for me), and then I bussed to town to do my errands. Of course, I had to have a quick peek through all my favourite stores in the area - only a quick browse. 

I spotted this lovely white and black bag at Rich Rags - imagine that, I just wished for a white bag, and I found it! 
The black faux leather tassel is removable, and the edges are bonded with black on the seams and on the adjustable strap. The front pocket has a magnet closure, and there's a zipper pocket on the back. 

Gee, I wonder who it's by. Roots? 
Roots is a Canadian company; Roots 73 is their more casual line - the bags are sold in Bentley, a mall chain that sells bags and luggage. 

There's the Roots logo, a beaver, for Canada, get it? 
Roots bags (vs. Roots 73) are leather and very expensive ($200-300). I paid $20 for this. It has a few marks on it that look like they'll wipe off (and I can always draw on it if I get tired of it!). 

I also found this gorgeous soft pink velour dress at the Vend Collective (no website, Instagram here), which is a storefront business, but also sells online.
I modeled this for the owner, as I felt magnificent in it, and she told me it was purchased for a special occasion by her friend, who then sold it to someone who got married in it(!), and now, it's mine. 

It's by Holly Stalder (link here), a Portland, Oregon designer who specializes in unique one-of-a-kind gowns and "make you feel special" wear. There's an excellent interview/article here
I happily paid $125.00 for this. It likely would have been around $200 new. Now, wherever shall I wear this?? 


Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Blue Dress and Mixed Metals

I don't know what motivated me to wear this dress today. 
I just spotted it in the closet last night and I knew. This blue dress! 

  • Dress - No. 6 Store, consignment; last seen here in September 2022 for a trip to the periodontist
  • Shoes - Pegabo, consignment; last worn here in September 2022 with gold and chevrons
  • Leather coat (below) - Danier, consignment; last seen here in February

I adore the rich colour and the unusual brown flowers (there's also some dusty pink in there). 
Pockets! 

It's a lovely swooshy silk. 
I layered a dusty pink vintage slip under it. 

I like the double V neckline. 
Especially one that doesn't slide around. 

I was putting my outerwear on to actually leave when I realized I hadn't taken my picture. 
Stocking feet! 

Must have my shades, and now I have my walking shoes on. 
"And I'm about to give you 5 minutes of panic."


I did not know Vizzini was there until I uploaded my photos! As he's done before, he hid deep inside L's closet. He loves his hidey-holes. 

Accoutrements: 
My coworker Jessica gasped at my Celine scarf and admired all the equestrian details. 

  • Silk scarf - Celine, thrifted
  • Leather gloves - vintage, thrifted

The stuff: 
I wanted a flat dressy shoe today. 

Mixed metal bling: 
I've had this ginormous leather belt for years. Those flat pyramid studs are all metal, a mix of gold and silver. 

  • Belt - BCBG Max Azria, consignment
  • Steel cuff - thrifted
  • Silver/gold cuff - JPA, vintage fair
  • Earrings - Biko, consignment
  • Lapis lazuli/Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes

Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Alaska Murder Blouse and Cowboy-Adjacent Boots

I had an office full of people today for a lunch meeting. 
Time to debut the Alaskan Murder Blouse! 

  • Top - Irving Nadler, vintage 70s, thrifted; purchased here for $16.95
  • Skirt - Mexx, thrifted; last worn here in December 2022 with business leopard on top
  • Boots - Coach, consignment; last seen here in April, with my PANK dress
  • Cape (below) - Arola, vintage 60s, thrifted; last worn here in March

A lovely view of the Castle today. 
Windy, though, which is why my hair is bouffed out in the Stair Picture. 

As I was browsing through my wardrobe on the weekend, planning outfits, I discovered two things. 
One is that the red in this skirt is actually orange. Blood orange? Maybe! 

The other thing is that this top is one big square of fabric.
 There's no shoulder seam, just black trim around the hole in the middle, aka the neck. 

A proper look. 
Dark skies, blood red clouds outlining the mountains, spiky icebergs, blood ocean. Right??

Angry skies on the back. I enjoyed seeing my coworkers' reactions to this blouse - most of them saw mountains and icebergs. 
This dark orange skirt is excellent quality: thick fabric, fully-lined, little pockets. 

I needed outerwear due to that pesky wind. It's cape weather!
Showing my little bag - my daily knapsack doesn't fit or look right under any of my capes. They are really meant for handbags or small cross-body bags. I carried my boots in a cloth bag. 

Fully incognito. 
I put my bracelets over my long leather gloves. That always feels extra Klassy to me, although some find it tacky (don't care, haha!). 

Accoutrements:
This purse has been such a good buy - I have easily worn it 20+ times since I bought it.

  • Silk scarf - Smoking Lily, vintage 90s, consignment
  • Leather gloves - Echo, consignment

The stuff:
I had a lot of comments on my "cowboy" boots. They're cowboy-adjacent, I'll give you that, but they're not full-on cowboy like these boots here.

Round bling: 
Some of that looks murderous! A snake, prison stripes, chain, circles of blood and some rather sharp blade earrings.

  • Striped bracelets - consignment
  • Snake bracelet - vintage mall
  • Silver chain ring - Mexican, consignment
  • Silver/enamel ring - antique store, Sidney
  • Silver earrings - Israeli, consignment