Ruffles, Leaves and Spring Colours (and Scenery)

My spirits are up with the weekend in sight. 

I really liked my outfit today - that always helps. It's a whole bunch of new-to-me things.

• Sweater - Karl Lagerfeld, consignment; purchased here for $13.50
• Skirt - Mica, vintage 90s, thrifted; purchased here for $19.99
• Shoes - Leith, consignment; purchased here for $26.95
• Coat (below) - L'Atiste, consignment, Vancouver; last worn here in January

I had a lot of fans of the sweater - the colour is really nice, and the ruffles are big and swooshy.

Yes, I totally dragged them through water on the counters. I did check to see if the sweater is washable before I bought it!

The skirt was lovely - L liked how it fit my bum (thank you, love!).

It was a snug fit, but comfortable. The bead trim on the hemline totally destroyed my nylons. This skirt requires bare legs! I did enjoy shimmying the beads for my colleagues, and I was entranced by the sparkle as I walked.

I liked the two pieces together - it makes an almost 1920s silhouette.

 You can see how floppy the cuffs are there.

Outerwear - I learned my lesson from yesterday's too-hot accoutrements.

I also had to consider which of my coats would actually fit those ginormous cuffs! Note my sausage-like Popeye arms.

• Gloves - Parkhurst

The stuff:

I am really pleased with these shoes - they were great to wear, and didn't try to flee my foot once, even on the stairs. That's a comfy heel for me.

Thematic bling:

I knew these earrings would go perfectly with the colours in the skirt, which also has a touch of lavender in it (hence these shoes). I echoed the spring colour theme with a leaf brooch (like the pattern in the skirt) to represent the leaves' imminent unfurling.

• Brooch - Grandma W
• Earrings - consignment
• Amethyst/gold ring - Frances Jewelers, c. 1965, Dad's
• Crystal ring - Uffizi Gallery gift shop, Florence, Italy

Before I show you my blossoming neighbourhood, I must thank my colleague Kristy for the pictures she took of me yesterday, working at my desk in my safety vest and hardhat, waiting for the fire alarm to ring for our drill.

 My nice face.

This is my "I'm watching you, and you'd better go to the right Muster Point" face.

 Arms akimbo too! I mean business!

I took my camera with me on my walk to work today (I don't have a cell phone).

This street is planted with two kinds of flowering plum trees, alternating. Right now these white blossomed plums are in bloom; in a few weeks, the fat pink flowers will be out on the other trees.

This is View Street, downtown - it's known as the first street to be in full bloom, with these wonderful Japanese plum trees.

Appropriate that the tiled version of Hokusai's "Wave" (link here 'cause I love) is on the apartment building behind it.

Looking back up View Street.

 Just seeing all the trees in bloom made me feel so peaceful.

And now, on the way home.

 Another few days of sun and this tree will be solid white flowers.

The evening light on this Victorian mansion is so gorgeous.

Wouldn't you love to live in that house? It's all split up into apartments now, but originally, it would have been a single residence.

I arrived home to my little monster Vizzini. He does this every day when we get home (it greatly amuses our cat-sitters, Ross and Cat).

Yes, I have a gargoyle in my bathroom.

He's in the bathroom, biting L's towel. He bites it over and over. What a weird cat.

And now, my friends, I'm off for the weekend! I will be back on Sunday with tales of adventure. Have a wonderful weekend, and thank you so much for coming by!