Mom-Day Adventure: A Wee Shop in Sidney

Mom and I had originally planned on doing another section of Elk Lake (past Mom-Day Adventure here in December 2021), but then Mom suggested checking out an art gallery that she's displayed at in the past, out in Sidney.

Unfortunately, the gallery was closed when we arrived, so we just ended up wandering around in Sidney, and popping into a few shops before we had lunch at the Rum Runner Pub. 

• Sweater - Artisan de Luxe, consignment; last seen here in December 2020 with gold velvet
• Leather skirt - Mackage, thrifted; last worn and Flashbacked here in February 2021 for a shop
• Boots - Gabor; last seen here in October 2021, same outfit as this jacket
• Jacket - Danier Leather, thrifted; last worn here (2nd outfit) in October 2021

I dressed for a walk, but didn't change for going to an art gallery. 

I love this silly sweater - it has tassels on it. It's a good neckline.

I've had the skirt for over five years - this is its 11th wearing. 

I have worn the skirt and sweater together three times now, but always with different shoes. 

These blue tights are ancient. 

I have a full vintage slip on under this, as the skirt has a tendency to pop open while I'm wearing it. 

It does up with snaps, see? 

I had to super-glue the lower two snaps shut when I bought it - it liked to just fall off. 

Masked up. 

This is how most people saw me - it started out quite chilly, but got sunnier as the day went on. 

All done up. 

The jacket is such a great colour - it's likely from the early 00s. 

Accoutrements: 

I was pleased by how everything went together. 

• Purse - Roots, thrifted
• Scarf - Forele, consignment
• Gloves - Ralph Lauren, consignment
• Mask - by Mom

The stuff: 

Comfy shoes for walking. More snakeskin!

Brown bling: 

Some faves. 

• Chain bracelet - thrifted
• Bangle - vintage, Lazy Susan's
• Silver/wood earrings - consignment, Powell River
• Brass ring - vintage mall
• Spinner ring - Twang & Pearl

Mom showed up in the most fabulous wool coat, complete with gold star brooch on the lapel.

Yay, I'm glad you love your Christmas present so much, Mom! 

The clouds breaking up as we walked up to the pub. 

Mom's getting a handicapped sticker for her car (she has Post-Polio Syndrome, as a childhood survivor of polio, about it here, link 'cause I love),so soon that Handicap spot will be hers! No more walking two blocks from the parking. 

Doesn't Mom look amazing in this blue? 

She's wearing one of her mother's (my Gram!) pendants, that Gram bought directly from the artists. 

Mom's parents, her and eventually me, all worked in the BC Museum Gift Shop (before it was the Royal BC Museum) over the years, all as volunteers - it was my first job! 

The shop bought directly from local First Nations artists, and many of the staff of volunteers bought pieces either from the shop or through the artists. 

This is a killer whale (aka orca), and it's carved by L. Wadhams, who is Lloyd Wadhams Sr. Kwakiutl refers to the band or first nation group (about them here). 

He died in 1992, and his pieces are quite rare and sought-after. There's a piece here for $1200 and here's another if you have a spare $1900. The British Museum has a cuff here!

It got so much sunnier by the time we finished lunch. 

The marina, islands to the north. 

Looking across to the mainland (not visible) to the east. 

More little islands. 

Mom and I both had luck shopping. She found an adorable pair of Miz Mooz black booties and a pair of cute stretchy denim-look pants (for $5!). 

I found a silver and enamel ring. 

Dog's Breath Antiques is where I bought a vintage snake bracelet last time we were out. I paid by weight (never had that before!) for the silver, so this was $45.00. 

I love the oval shape and the red oval and offset rings. 

I have been on the lookout for a red ring for a while. 

I like the slightly squared shape of it. 

It's stamped .925 with no other marks. I'll wear this a ton. 

At the House of Lily Koi (link here 'cause I love), I spotted these boots. 

They look rather sad, like a floppy-eared dog. Someone stored them like this unworn for years. 

But OOOOH, they took my breath away! And they are my size!! They just need a little TLC and they will be perfect. 

They are leather except for the cream colour, which is a thick rough-woven canvas. What looks like dirt flecks on that is actually the fabric. 

These parts on the sides were bent out from being flopped over. 

My Zap-A-Gap will glue anything! 

There's that little curly bit.

A bit of glue and these were perfect. 

Inside each boot, this leather strap had fallen inside the shoe - it's the covering inside the boot for the seam up the back. The old glue has dried up.

A little bit of super-glue and it was back in place. I stuck it to the leather inner lining at the top of the boot so that it won't budge.

The fronts will need to be re-soled with a cap put on the toe. 

I'll be dropping them off at the cobbler on Saturday. 

I like the logo on the heel, but these heels are plastic and feel slippy. 

I'll have them replaced with high-density rubber so I don't fall. It'll be a bit pricy, but worth it.

Speaking of heels, look at that! 

That is inset mother-of-pearl! I am seriously swooning over here! 

Found some stamps inside. 

12 JULI 9 (my size) M (the width). 

I recognized the name, Donald J Pliner. 

It's expensive. 

I had to use the camera flash to get a picture of the label inside. 

Donald J Pliner "Western Couture Collection" Made in Italy. 

Donald J Pliner boots retail now for over $300 and I highly doubt they are made in Italy. 

A quick online search showed tons of elaborate over-the-top pointy-toe cowboy boot styles from this line/era, which I am pretty sure is around the mid-90s, when cowboy boots were a massive trend (including really short ones, and mule styles). I found a pair of these boots with the reverse caramel/turquoise for $375 on a re-sale site! I am very happy with paying $128.00 for these! 

I did some minor maintenance on them, including my two glue jobs. I trimmed up the loose threads.

And gave them a polish with clear WOLY (a protector and softener). 

I also stuffed them with a bunch of sport socks to make them stand up. 

Oh sweet mother of pearl, I can't wait to wear these! 

Just jaw-droppingly gorgeous. 

They just arrived at the store one day earlier, and they were quick to point out the damage on them. My mind is racing with the outfits I'll be creating! 

My Mom-Day Adventures may be ending in a couple of months, when I finally - after two years! - go back to work full-time, so I am savouring each and every one of them. My time with my mom has been the best part of the pandemic. 

Our mom-daughter selfie after lunch, with the sun in our faces. Aw, love you, Mom!