Sunday, May 31, 2020

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! 

30 comments:

  1. I love your colourful book club outfit, that is such a great jacket! :) I really like the lights too - we want to fix up our outdoor patio, but once our little doggy friend is gone. We are looking after her until her family return from overseas, which as you know is all up in the air at the moment, haha! All her things (kennel, cage, water bottle, toys..) are out there.

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    1. Thanks, Mica - I loved the fringe on it! Aw, I hope your dog gets back to its family soon!

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  2. Love these weekend outfits! I would love to own those striped pants. The tie-dye top looks great with your green jacket, that outfit is very funky. Lise

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    1. Thanks, Lise! I love the pants - they are so fun. Much appreciated!

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  3. I love those little lanterns! We're lucky to have outlets on my screen in porch so we have fun string lights out there, it makes everything fel so cozy!

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    1. I love having lights out there, so glad I picked those up.

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  4. The striped pants are wonderful and look extremely comfy. The fringed jacket is beyond amazing! Absolutely stunning!

    I have always been interested in joining a book club and thought that after retiring I would, however that seems to be, like so many things, sidelined by covid. What a great way to spend an afternoon - with friends in the park on a beautiful day discussing books! I read The Paris Wife last year. I learned a lot and it was a great read.

    Your hair is so pretty; very soft and very flattering.

    Very glad you had such a good weekend!

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    1. Thanks, Nana! Aw, thank you - I loved wearing that fringe-y jacket.

      I love my book club - we've been going for close to 17 years! I'm so happy we've been able to change up how we meet so that we can keep going.

      Aw, thank you!

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  5. Hello, lovely lady! Those striped trousers are fantastic on you, your legs look so long! The green fringed beast looks even better than I thought it would. I would happily give those cowboy boots of yours a home, I've searched in vain for the right pair for decades, the colour of yours is perfect.
    Loving your hair, the colour is gorgeous and it looks like it's in brilliant condition.
    Those solar powered lanterns are magical, I bet Vizzini loves them. Our lads are always impressed by pretty lights (or we like to tell ourselves that they are to justify buying them!) Talking of V, how cute does he look snuggled up to his Dad?
    Your zentagle is a work of art.
    So good to see you meeting up with friends. We're allowed to meet up to six people from today, as long as we maintain social distancing. Vetry exciting! xxxx

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    1. Aw, thanks so much, Vix! I adore my cowboy boots - they were an amazing find years ago, and were perfectly broken-in for my feet. I can even wear them barefoot with not even a single rub.
      Thank you! This will fade out to a more silvery shade...until I colour it again!
      I love them - Vizzini really couldn't care less about them. He does look so cute with L, doesn't he? AW, my boys.
      Thanks - I like doing them for friends. It keeps my "art muscle" limber!
      It is keeping me sane right now, for sure. Our guidelines are for up to 6 people in our houses! But still distanced. I'm excited for you!!

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  6. Saturday's outfit is fun! I love those stripey trousers, and the colour of that silk blouse works really well with it. Such a shame about the stains, but I'm sure it will earn its keep as a stay-at-home piece. I actually love the blue tinge in your hair! How typical that Vizzini has taken over your Art Corner. Don't tell me you didn't expect that to happen ;-) The Zentangle you did for Yvonne is gorgeous and obviously, I'm loving the solar powered lanterns!
    That photo of Vizzini mid-yawn made me chuckle. He does look rather fierce! Your outfit for book club is gorgeous. Well, of course you had to wear that divine fringed jacket. And windy or not, you were lucky the weather was dry and sunny, weren't you? What would you have done if it had rained? Hope your week went off to a good start. We had a bank holiday today, so tomorrow is my Monday :-( xxx

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    1. Thanks so much, Ann! I love the silk blouse and was really disappointed that it stained even more. It was one of the newer things I'd acquired to go with those tri-tone boots! Thanks, I like my blue-ish hair. It's fun to play with.

      Sigh, yes, I should have suspected that once I put a soft cushion on there that I would lose the spot to Vizzini. I love the lanterns too - and thanks for your kind words on the Zentangle.
      He does look fierce with his mouth wide open, doesn't he? Ha!
      I was so happy it didn't rain - we probably would have tried to shelter under the trees, or venture into Yvonne's place (not all of us though).

      Enjoy your holiday!!

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  7. And what's with that fabulous cat bag?? So nice that you met up with your friends in that park. We had my parents in law this afternoon! So good to see them again, they are over 80 and doing so well!

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    1. Oh, that was a cheap thing I bought at Indigo Books last summer. It's nice and sturdy. Isn't it the best, to finally see people, Nancy? I'm so glad you got to see your in-laws!

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  8. Those striped flares are wonderful. The silk blouse is lovely, I can understand why you decided to keep it. It is a nice outfit and it has the added bonus of being comfy.
    The second outfit is fabulous as well, love that fringed jacket.
    The zentangle is beautiful, you did a great job, the inscription and the handwriting are both perfect.

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    1. Thanks, Ivana! I did consider turfing the blouse, but it'll be useful in summer.

      Thank you - the fringe is so fun!

      Much appreciated - I like doing these as little gifts for friends.

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  9. Your Zentangle is mesmerizingly gorgeous. You are so creative and talented, my sweet friend. Thank you for sharing the beauty of your artistry with us.

    Autumn Zenith 🧡 Witchcrafted Life

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  10. Great pants! Very bold design. They look a lot like a pair I plan to wear tomorrow for my first outfit post in months.

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  11. I chuckled at the addition of the 'klassy' bulldog clip to your jacket, but I too hate having to hold non-fastening jackets closed.
    Your zentangle is beautiful: do you sketch them out first or is it all drawn forehand?
    I think that you should name those trousers 'the barcode trousers'! They make your legs look really slim, which can be difficult with horizontal stripes.

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    1. I know, ha, I needed some sort of clip, and it wasn't really noticeable in the fringe! Thank you - you can do a very light outline in pencil, but it's all freehand otherwise.

      That's an awesome name, thanks, Helen!

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  12. I so love those stripey trousers, and the acid green fringed jacket (I bet you could wear them together). How nice that you are still able to enjoy your book club, even if it is subject to weather conditions.

    Sylvester is ALL about the treats since I've been working from home. He knows exactly when it's treat time and will always try to get a few more out of me. I like the porch additions. Since my porch is probably going to be where I spend most of my "outside" time this summer I've made it as inviting as possible with a rocking chair, hanging basket of flowers, etc.

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    1. Thank you - ooh, yes, they would look awesome together, wouldn't they?? I'm so glad Book Club is carrying on. Winesday too!

      Oh, nice, they certainly figure it out quickly, don't they? I want more lights on my balcony!

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  13. Love those fabulous stripey trousers, totally agree that they are awesome, and you rock them!. And it's so lovely that you could met your Club and have fun with the girls!
    And the fringed jacket looks Fabulous, such a groovy piece!, love the way you've styled it, so cool!
    besos

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    1. Thank you - I'm so glad we've been able to meet up, even at a distance. We've been very lucky on the Island.

      Thanks! I loved it.

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  14. Your Zentangle is wonderful!

    I also love your new lights - very pretty.

    The new jacket looks gorgeous on you. I'm thinking that your giveaway pile has now shrunk considerably as you keep rescuing things from it! Such a shame about the stains on that beautiful blouse but at least you look classy in your house wear!

    It's great you've been able to reconvene Book Club - in the park. It sounds like a fab weekend was had.
    xxx

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    1. Aw, thank you, Vronni! I enjoyed the jacket. No, the giveaway pile has not shrunk - I'm still shopping here and there! I got a bargain on the blouse regardless, so I'm not too upset. It'll be great in the hot weather, and is good for layering in cooler temps.

      It was lots of fun!

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