Thursday, September 24, 2020

Mom-Day: Blues, Floyd's, Masks

Unlike my usual sleep-in, today I woke up at 8am and actually got up (vs. going back to sleep). Determined to get an early start on my groceries/Mental Health Walk, I was just about to leave when Mom called. 

"Let's go for brunch, and then you can come over for a visit!"
Stellar idea, Mom! I called her when I got back, and we hung out for the afternoon, until she dropped me back home to await the grocery delivery. 

  • Cardigan - Ports, vintage 80s, consignment; last seen here in June over Etro paisley
  • Blouse - Sanctuary, thrifted; last worn here in July 2019 with reddy oranges
  • Trousers - H&M, consignment; last seen here (2nd outfit) in April for an early pandemic outing
  • Boots - Gabor; last worn here (2nd outfits) in pre-pandemic March with blue leopard

I love my blue cardigan - it's 100% wool and is so snuggly. 
And it matches my boots, which I was not surprised to see I haven't worn all season. I kept them out for these very early fall days. 

I forget about things that I can't see, like this windowpane blouse which resides in a drawer in my lingerie chest. 
My space pants are nice and stretchy, plus, duh, they're silver. Why not wear silver pants?
Although I left the cardi on all afternoon, here's the outfit without it. 
I like the layers in this top. 

Masked up. 
You may have noticed my subtle hints about needing more masks...Mom did too. 

I added another one of my scarves to the outfit for visual interest. 
A little leopard is always welcome. 

  • Scarf - thrifted

The stuff: 
I knew I'd be tromping around Mom's garden at some point. These boots were made for trompin'!

  • Earrings - local
  • Lapis lazuli ring/Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes

But first, brunch at Floyd's Diner! 
This location is too far from town for L and I to visit, but it's close to Mom's house. 

We had one of our old servers from the downtown former location, Josh. It was so good to see him. 
Mom is looking snazzy in her cropped navy trousers, striped top and red faux leather jacket. She also has a very groovy "volcano" necklace on from the 70s that I covet (it has matching earrings). 

She's having work done on her house and has been dying to show it off. 
She's getting new decks and new fascia boards around the peaks of the roof. See the dude up there behind the tree on the right?

We walked around, checking everything and looking at the garden. 
Those red coral bells are from a plant that was at the house my mom was born in, in 1942. Isn't that amazing? They have moved with Mom to every house - I remember them from the garden of the house I grew up in.

I've already forgotten the name of these flowers, but they are making a break for the lawn. 
Run! You can make it! 

Mom's snazzy new rear deck. 
Oooooh....so nice! 

So yeah, my hint about masks have unleashed a monster! Mom has gone into production! 
She let me have my pick - yay! 

I took the two rows on the left, below. 
We'll have a better look at those in a minute. 

I spotted the pictures behind Mom's head in the hallway in the above picture. These are small, only 5 x 7" canvasses. 
My brother painted the top one, and I did the bottom one - we were both in my mom's summer kids painting classes that she ran out of our house from the early 80s (she actually still does it, but for fewer kids). 

I remember that I painted it in about 3 hours, and didn't have any help doing it. I was about 12 years old - this painting won a ginormous rosette at the Saanich Fair that summer. "It was bigger than the painting," noted Mom. 

Sharing an atrocity with you that I made c. 1978 in Grade 6 in Art class, probably for Mother's Day.
I drew the pictures in clay (a bee, butterfly, dragonfly and flower), and did the macramé too. Mother, this is hideous. Get rid of it! 

Mom wanted to show me her newest clothing purchases (I approved), and I was freaked out by these dolls in her bedroom. 
The doll on the left was my grandmother's; the one in the middle was Mom's (I also played with her); and the one on the right was mine. Her name is Nancy and she is in her original "Scottish" outfit, minus her red socks (I recall being very adamant that I wanted a doll with socks). She is by the Spanish doll company Formosa, and I probably got her in 1976 or 1977. I trimmed her hair into bangs (guilty).

Gah! Nightmare fuel! 
Most creepy doll ever. 

Mom found a little something in the closet - an old vintage hat of hers.
I'm modeling it - it's mine now! 

Here it is in its 1963 glory. 
Mom says she always wore it with the brim up like this. 

She bought it with her "first real paycheque" when she became a teacher in 1963, at Miss Frith's, a swanky boutique store that was in downtown Victoria from before the 1920s up till the early 1980s. Her/my wedding dress was from their bridal boutique that was accessed via a grand staircase. 
No label, but likely made in Canada, perhaps even specifically for the store. It's lined in a minty-green polyester satin. The inner crown has a stiff rim to help the outer crown achieve its "dip". I can't wait to wear this - I have an old vintage coat of Mom's from the same shop (old pic of me showing it off here), and I should really reunite them. 

Here's a better look at the masks I selected. 
On the left, from top: a tree scene, a light version of leopard, purple with black and shiny gold, blue snakeskin, navy blue with gold pattern. 

On the right, from top: black with grey cats, black with silver snowflakes, grey snakeskin, red and white floral (fabric from France!), black/white/red stripes and zebra print.

A better look at the kitty one. 
A whole bunch of cats! I love it, and love them all. Thanks so much, Mom! 

We built another pile of fabrics that I liked for more masks (MORE MASKS). 
Mom in her studio, surrounded by fabric and paintings, art amid chaos. Yeah, sounds about right. Love you, Mom. 

32 comments:

  1. You look like Sheila From The Future in this outfit! And your mom looks healthy and happy. Great report on your life.

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  2. Wow -- your mom is amazing! Thanks for sharing her with us!

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  3. Wonderful to get an early start on the day, but even better sharing the day with your mom! Your outfit was wonderful, gotta say i'm very envious of the silver oants, sweater and the gabor boots. I stopped by Head Over Heels the other day at the tailend of her summer sale and I bought a beatutiful pair of cherry red hispanita boots for 70% off!

    Btw does your mom sell her masks? I spotted the black one on the far right with the big flowers - and like it.

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    1. Agreed, Dar! It was a lovely way to spend the day. Ooh, those boots sound wonderful! I popped in there too, but wasn't tempted.

      She does...but let me check and see if she's comfortable connecting with you. I'll reach out to her - if you could drop me an email, I can give you hers if she confirms. :)

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  4. Your mom is adorable-what a treasure! I love that she has your and your brothers art work displayed. I can see her having many good chats, morning and evenings on that snazzy deck. I think in these times, itis important to invest in our homes, family, friends, and get joy out of the simple things.

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    1. Isn't she awesome? Oh, gosh, she has always got our stuff up, even the awful things, ha ha! Yes, this was a good investment in her house and that outdoor space for her.

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  5. Love the space pants combined with the vibrant, electric blue long-line cardigan. Those boots are very cool and look comfortable to boot (sorry!). It must have been lovely having lunch with your Mum and then hang out at her house. Her new deck looks amazing, and I'm swooning over that little army of Cyclamen marching towards her lawn. Oh, and those masks! Aren't you a lucky girl! I do think that we cannot have enough of them. I love the black one with the grey cats. I have a pink one with Phoebes :-) Your Autumnal painting is gorgeous and very atmospheric, no wonder you won a rosette! I'm quite envious of your heirloom hat too, and how lovely your Mum kept those dolls, even if the middle one is very creepy indeed! xxx

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    1. Thanks, Ann! Love the pun, hee hee. It was so nice to spend the day with her. Cyclamen, thank you! They are growing into the lawn.

      I can't get enough masks - I need to make sure I have all my outfits covered! I am excited by the hat, and creeped out by Dolly.

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  6. I am very envious that you got to spend time with your mum in the way you describe. My mum died 11 years ago and I miss her everyday; we used to spend time together in the same way. Still, it's lovely to read you about you and your mum and what a very talented lady she is!

    I agree with you about the creepy doll...

    Love the hat and the masks.

    Take care
    xxx

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    1. You're so right, Vronni - I won't always have my mom, and I do treasure these times we have together.

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  7. Your mom looks like so much fun! You must have a blast togerther, and I see where you get your sense of style. Fearless!

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    1. She is awesome, Michelle! We do have a blast together, and she is on orders not to get rid of any older clothes without me looking through them first!

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  8. I love the blue and silver together and so nice you got to spend the day with your mum :) I love that she has been making masks too! My mum no longer has her sewing machine but my mother in law offered to make masks for my husband and I - after I'd just put in a very large order of masks online, ha! So I didn't take advantage of it. I haven't had to use my masks much as we have been staying away from populated places and shops and relying on online orders for everything - I went to the shops last week and that was the first time I'd been in a busy place in weeks and needed a mask!

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    1. Thank you, Mica! It was such a lovely day. I know, she's gone full production and I love being the recipient of her masks! I need a new one almost every day, and I now have close to 25 of them.

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  9. Shiela, I love hearing about your mum! Look at all those great masks she made and of course the 60s hat is very cool!

    I can't believe you and your brother created those paintings! They are AMAZING! X

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    1. She's pretty awesome, isn't she, Jess? Thank you!

      Yes, we both did Mom's painting classes as kids - I continued doing art, and my brother did not.

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  10. Silver pants are always cool. I love how you paired yours with a light top and a long blue wool cardigan. Great boots as well.
    So great you got you spend some time with your mother. The masks your mother made are amazing. She has made so many, a very talented and productive lady she is. I love the photo of her in her art room with her paintings and fabrics. Art rooms are always a bit chaotic but also inspirational.
    The paintings you and your brother painted as kids are fantastic. I can't believe you painted that one so young- and without any help. It deserved a big prize for sure.
    Have a great day Sheila!

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    1. I agree! I love silver pants! Thank you so much, Ivana!

      It was really nice - such a good idea of hers! She really has a good eye for fabric and patterns. I love that picture - so "her". :)

      They are not bad, considering I was 12 and he was 10. Mom's art classes have produced many artists over the years!

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  11. Oof, yes, the middle doll looks like she came out of Turn of the Screw or similar tale! On the other hand, your outfit is snappy and refreshing and I love the pop of color of the duster and scarf! How did you tie the scarf to get that triangular shape? Hmm, maybe can only be achieved with a specific scarf shape.
    And most of all, how very special that you and your Mom have each other and enjoy a warm and fun relationship (and a creative one, too!) yay for Moms!

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    1. Ha ha, totally, Laurie! Thank you so much - I love the two tones of blues. The scarf is a giant square, so just folded it in half to a triangle and tied it around my neck. Nothing too difficult.

      Yes, I treasure my mom. We get along well. Yay!

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  12. OK, the silver and blue outfit is very good, but now onto the paintings you and your brother made. I cannot believe two kids made these. You both so inherited your mother's talent. I am in awe. It must be nice to have a mother who excells at art.
    Good luck with your new-to-you hat. Very fashionable again.
    Greetje

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    1. Thank you, Greetje, and yes, we definitely did. Mom's art classes were set up to help kids learn to paint by copying "easy" formula-like paintings. As we got better, we needed less help from her to finish them. I didn't appreciate it when I was younger, but as I've gotten older, I realize how fortunate I've been to be surrounded by art, and to be encouraged to try all different types.

      Thanks! It might dissolve in the rain, or fall apart, but at least the hat will get worn again.

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  13. Your mum looks fab! How nice of her to give you that hat, too - it must be a real treasure.

    I love the way the blue in your boots resonates with the blue in the cardigan. They seem brighter with it.

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    1. I love the hat - it's not high quality (a pretty basic sewing job inside) but I love that it's Mom's.

      Thanks so much - I liked having a bit of blue in the shoes.

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  14. Seeing you wear your silver pants always reminds me that I should wear mine (they are the same H&M pair). I also have a long blue cardigan - we could be twins (except I don't have a windowpane check top). It's so nice you and your Mom go on outings together. Mine doesn't really go out at all, so visits consist of sitting in her apartment watching tv. I'm envious that you have a ready source of masks, and can request specific colours and patterns. I've spent a lot of money on cloth masks the past few months.

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    1. They are such fun pants, and I love that we are twins, Shelley! I am grateful that Mom is still quite mobile, so that we can do stuff together. I love having a wardrobe of masks now!

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  15. so lovely that you had lunch with your Mom and visited her home!. I'm missing my parents a lot these days!
    And Your Mom Rocks!, love her studio and love those masks she made!.
    I've recognize inmediately Nancy, mwhaha, every spanish girl had one in the 70's (and they still make this doll!). So funny to see you had a Nancy doll!
    besos

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    1. Aw, I bet you are! I'm grateful that Mom is able to get out and that we can visit safely. I adore all my new masks! so fun!

      I thought of you when I discovered that Nancy was a Spanish brand! There was only one or two stores you could get them here back then.

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  16. Seriously in love with your mom. What a great woman. I can tell that you two share a similar joie de vivre and passion for creating, be it with paint, fabric, outfit choices or most anything else.

    Autumn Zenith 🎃 Witchcrafted Life

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    1. She's pretty amazing, and has been a great role model over the years. We clash sometimes, but yes, we are very much alike.

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