Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Zoom Stripes, Distanced Book Club, and Cat Pictures

Hello, my friends! I hope you all had a lovely weekend! These days, any kind of meet-up or event feels like a Big Deal, so although I only did a Zoom call on Saturday, I also had Book Club (the first one since the Old Days, pre-pandemic). So busy!

First, we have Saturday's outfit. Our Saturdays used to be brunch, followed by shopping (for me), then either some sort of gathering or L and I would stay home and play boardgames all night. Instead, I make us a Big Breakfast, we have our group Zoom call to see all our friends, and then L and I hang out with Vizzini and play boardgames. Not too much has changed, really. 

I like to have a fun Zoom outfit that I can wear around the house all day.

• Silk blouse - Eileen Fisher, thrifted; first worn here in November 2019 with matching mauve
• Trousers - INC, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) in August 2019 for brunch and a shop
• Sandals - Sorel; last worn here in May for hanging out at the Castle

I had put this blouse in the giveaway pile - although it's washable, the stains on it didn't come out in the wash, and seemed to have spread. They aren't noticeable in pictures, but very much in real life.

However, it's a beautiful silk blouse (really long, check out the first time I wore it at the link above), and will work just fine in my "around the house" wardrobe, so I decided to keep it after all. I knotted the front of it for wearing with these fabulous stripey trousers.

 And aren't they awesome? I love that the stripes line up all the way around.

They are comfy as heck too, since they are pull-on and a nice thick jersey knit. I also love the flared hems.

The stuff:

The legs on the trousers are quite long, so I do need a heel/platform in order not to tread on them. I knew there was a reason I needed to keep these sandals!

Bold bling:

 Some usual suspects in the Bold category.

• Black and white cuff - vintage fair
• Steel cuff - thrifted
• Silver earrings - Brenda Schoenfeld, 1992, vintage mall
• Silver/amethyst ring - vintage mall
• Silver/onyx ring - vintage fair

You might have noticed that my hair is a slightly different colour. I had a bunch of odds and ends of stains (non-permanent colours), and used up two lilac/purples. They give my hair a boost without frying the ends, which are starting to get a little crispy after 4 months of not being cut or trimmed.

I'd forgotten that one of the lilacs actually comes out pale blue, so my hair has a blue-y tinge. It'll fade out, I'm not worried.

I spent a couple of hours working on a Zentangle in my Art Corner...however, when I went outside, I saw my area was already occupied.

"What do you mean, "YOUR area"?"

I had to shove Vizzini out of the way (he was not pleased).

I finished this little 3.5" square for Yvonne, who has been "hosting" all kinds of physically-distancing get-togethers in the park and opening her bathroom to us.

Just a little thank you to her. It says, "She held the world like a bubble in her heart. A lone pearl that grew with each soul she touched. When it became too large, she let it go with a laugh, knowing she would grow with them." Do you see her name spelled out in black?

I am also showing off a new addition to our deck:

Lights! We don't have any outlets there, but I found this set of lanterns at the drugstore that are solar-powered. The little solar panel is tucked up against the glass, and I stuck push-pins into the wooden edge of the overhead windows and loosely hung the lights from them.

When it gets darker, the lights come on!

I see L's reflection.

They don't give off a ton of light, but are better than nothing. They last for about 8 hours, long after we've gone to bed.

Vizzini was dubious - he sniffed them, but left them alone.

"They show off my post well."

He was lurking around, waiting for his treats.

"Give me my treats nnn...YAWN..."

I laughed when I saw that I'd captured him mid-yawn.

Look at that beautiful sunset!

It was very stormy and blustery, with lashings of rain all evening on Saturday.

The noise of the rain and the blowing branches were audible above our music.

"I'm not worried, who's worried?"

Vizzini sat on the bar, hoping for a second round of treats (nope, never happens).

Finally, he cuddled up with L.

"Really? All this couch and you need to sit right there."

After a fun evening of games, I was up early to get ready for our afternoon Book Club.

Uh-oh, it's still windy out. I hope it's nice for our gathering in Beacon Hill Park! Fortunately, it was mostly sunny out, but it was a bit chilly from the very stiff breeze.

• Jacket - Ruby Cho, consignment; purchased here for $49.00
• Top - Topsy Turvy USA, thrifted; last seen here in March under a wooly slip dress
• Skirt - Sonia Rykiel, thrifted; last worn here (3rd outfit) for a casual weekend in August 2019
• Boots - 1883 Lucchesse, consignment; last seen here (3rd outfit) in December 2019 with plaid

Of course, I had to wear my new-to-me suede fringed jacket!

I had to factor in sitting on the ground (although Yvonne ended up bringing a chair for me), as well as walking to the park, so comfy boots, and stretchy top and skirt. The top is a sheer mesh with an abstract tie-dye floral pattern.

The jacket is a fairly boxy cut - I tried belting it, but it felt a bit too fussy, at least for this occasion.

The skirt is navy blue velour (klassy!), and is old (early 00s?) Sonia Rykiel - a designer piece! Cool!

No pockets in anything. Sigh. There are never enough pockets for my liking.

For walking to the usual meet-up spot at Beacon Hill Park, I unrolled the sleeves of the jacket, and added my dad's old scarf (which I've had since I was a teenager).

I held the front of the jacket together with a bulldog clip, a good use of office supplies.

• Scarf - vintage 60s, Dad's
• Leather gloves - consignment
• Leather US-made purse - consignment

The stuff:

I wore my cowgirl boots - they are fantastic for walking. I walked home with Cat.

Simple bling:

Easy stuff.

• Leather/steel cuff - Rimanchik
• Blue cuff - thrifted
• Earrings - consignment
• Lapis lazuli ring/Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes

Caro was waiting on the field for me when I arrived.

 Yvonne parked beside me with her cooler.

We enjoyed the sun. Just being outside is so wonderful.

We have a new member in Book Club: Janaki! Welcome!

Cat was on the right side of me. We each brought our own drinks and picnic.

Caro moved over for Mindy, who brought our next book, "A Gentleman in Moscow" by Amor Towles.

We discussed "The Paris Wife" by Paula McLain, which was Caro's pick and was a wonderful book. I've started digging into the Hemingway in our library to get a better background on his writing.

Oh, for some fun, Cat forwarded the movie of the classic car "parade" that we had last weekend for Winesday:

I'm in it, right at the end. Check out that car with the shocks! We are hootin' and hollerin' at them - I'm sure the neighbours loved it, ha ha!

Vizzini, how are you after all this weekend excitement?

"Ready for a nap."

Me too, buddy! Thanks for stopping by, everyone!