Glam Mom at the Castle, Blue and Pink Plaid and Cat Pictures

Hello, my friends! I had a lovely adventure today with my mom! We still aren't permitted to have social gatherings, but the one thing we can do is go for a walk (distanced, of course). Mom has Post-Polio Syndrome, so she can't walk too far or on hard surfaces like sidewalks. Fortunately, Mom's still able to drive and I'm close enough to Craigdarroch Castle to walk there and meet her. Why have we not done this before?

We strolled around the periphery of the field for a while, and then I convinced Mom to get her glam on! Exciting pics following...

My outfit! Of course I dressed up. A date with Mom? Duh! 

It was sunny and slightly warmer when I ventured out this morning on my Mental Health Walk, but by the afternoon, it was a bit chillier.

• Jacket - Marc Cain, consignment; last seen here in September 2020 with a short pink skirt
• Mohair sweater - unknown, thrifted; last worn here in November 2020 with burgundy and houndstooth
• Skirt - Trina Turk, consignment; last seen here in November 2020 with teal t-straps
• Shoes - Gadea, consignment; last worn here in November with grey and plaid

I re-purpled my hair in the shower and it's uneven, as usual. Most of it will fade out over the next couple of days. Don't care! 

I started out with this thin pink mohair sweater (I have a pale pink cami under it), tucked into the skirt, with the belt over the waistband. 

I knew I wanted to wear this jacket with both pieces. 

This easily would have been a work look in any other year! 

But then I thought, "I don't want to hide the belt when I do up the jacket."

"Hey, why don't I belt the jacket?"

So I did. 

I like this look much better. 

I had considered putting this jacket away until spring/summer but kept it out. 

I am nearly always craving spring and bright flowery colours by now, so I'm glad I was able to squeeze in a wearing of it. 

Masked up and outerwear - all of my accessories are hot pink. 

I carried my bag for the camera, my wallet and my keys. 

• Purse - Danier Leather, thrifted

Outerwear stuff: 

The last time I wore the jacket, I pinned this brooch to the front of it and it snagged like mad. I felt very clever, thinking of the pink beret. 

• Mask - by Mom
• Cashmere beret - Club Monaco, thrifted
• Gloves - consignment

The stuff: 

I needed comfy easy shoes for walking on grass. It's still a bit muddy from the recent rain and snow. 

Blue bling: 

Getting my sparkle on! 

• Necklace/earrings - Sherman, vintage 60s, thrifted
• Brooch - vintage 60s, vintage fair
• Belt - Danier Leather
• Lapis lazuli ring/Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes

The belt was bought new at Danier Leather before they closed all their stores years ago - it also came in pink, green, yellow, purple. I am always watching for them in the thrift stores! 

A close-up of some of my bling, including the embroidery and beadwork on the jacket. 

It's hard to see in the pictures. 

Vizzini was nowhere to be found. 

"Hee hee, the Woman will never find me."

It's the first time he's snoozed in that corner since we redid the living room (I know, I have yet to show you). 

I strolled up to the Castle and waved at the folks in the office. They poked their heads out, thinking I was someone named Fern, but did tell me how much they liked my outfit. 

The classic "tourist" view. Link here to our Book Club tour of the Castle in September of last year (loads of pictures and links to history, etc.). 

I was a little early, so I walked around. I spotted this squirrel chilling out. 

"Num, num, num, just eating my acorn and laying back on my tail."

He dashed onto the wall, giving me a quick glare before taking off. 

"It's that bothersome person again!"

I sat on a bench and looked up.

Such a cool place. We mostly had it to ourselves (it's only open Fri, Sat, Sun right now). 

Mom grew up in this neighbourhood, in a Samuel Maclure house a few streets away - he was a prolific architect in Canada (link here). Her house was torn down (dangerously faulty/old wiring) and there's a condo there now.

But we'll always have the Castle. 

We both took a picture of this view. 

I wanted a picture of us together, even though we kept apart, and those stairs looked like a promising spot. 

I whipped off my mask at the last second - I wore it the entire time, even though we were outside and kept distanced. 

A great picture of us both! 

But I had even more fun in store for Mom. 

Way back in January, Ally of Shybiker posted a picture of herself here in a PANK robe. Anyone else interested in glamming it up, she asked?? Heck, yes, I was!

And I have had this marabou-trimmed robe for two months, trying to think of how to do a photo-shoot with it. I tried it on and it swamped me (I'm much shorter than Ally), and I just wasn't feeling inspired. As I thought about our outing today, I remembered the robe! 

Well, you might know I have a slight flair for the dramatic (*snort*). Guess where I get it from!?

"The delicate blossoms of spring! Won't someone free them from this iron prison?"

Look at that jawline! SO GLAM. 

Hamming it up is in the blood, apparently. 

"They can't just free themselves! Think of the flowers!"

That picture totally cracks me up. 

We were under a giant Gary Oak, with its gnarled branches, stark against the white sky. "Rail at winter! Where is the spring?" I encouraged her. 

"I see...a bud...a wee bud...it's so very far away..."

Reach for hope! For the future! 

Mom has always loved to dance - she trained when she was younger, and would be going to line-dance classes now, if they were permitted. You can see it in her hands and the way she holds herself - she knows the moves. 

"Let there be spring!"

I was down on the grass, shooting up at her. 

I played with the contrast and pulled the colour out to emphasize some details. Same pictures, just changed up a bit. 

I like how the pink robe's feathers look here. 

I love all the textures in these pics.

I like the composition of this one. 

But this is my favourite. The DRAMA. 

"Leave me be! It's all too much!"

Mom, you are a Glamour Girl! Thanks for being game for this! 

We sat and chatted for a while on some benches after that, and then went our separate ways. I was happy to see this plum tree nearly in full bloom on my walk home. 

That's one of the classic Arts & Crafts houses in the neighbourhood. Victoria is filled with these. 

I laughed out loud when I realized I was being watched. 

"Just move along, ma'am, nothing to see here."

What a funny face! He means business. 

Speaking of...here's my little kitty, snoozing on the couch. 

"Wait, you were gone?"

I'm home now - get ready for some snuggles!