Ultra Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Anniversary Trip to Vancouver; Friends and Shopping!

Hello, my friends! It's been a long and exhausting - yet joyful - weekend for L and I, as I marked the resumption of one of our favourite things to do: a mini-vacation to Vancouver, where we buy each other Fluevog shoes, see our friends, eat and drink lots, and do some second-hand shopping. 

This is a massive post, so grab a cup of something warm and get settled in. 

L and I strolled downtown to the Harbour Airport on Friday morning, to catch our floatplane flights to the mainland.

Happy anniversary, love! It is our 25th this year, although not for a couple of weeks yet. 

Outfit stuff. I am a very minimal packer when it comes to travel. 

I wore a variation each day of this outfit, and only changed up the tights, underwear, socks and blouses. 

By the end of the trip, I was thoroughly sick of all of it, ha ha! 

Green blouse, and a vintage 90s wool slip dress (details will be below). 

My cowboy boots are the best for travel and lots of walking, plus we knew the weather wasn't going to be great all weekend. 

I built my outfit around my Snake Jacket (full reveal link here, from 2021), and I had loads of comments on it. 

That's always gratifying, especially when I put so much work into it.

On Saturday, I wore the outfit without my poncho - we actually had a lovely day. 

But most of the time, I looked like this, with my poncho layered over it all. 

Vizzini is "helping" L lace up his shoes. 

This is how most people saw me. 

Ross and Cat took care of Vizzini while we were gone. I hear he got into the kitty treats...

I'd originally planned on wearing this flopping green felt hat, but ditched it when I realized it would be a pain to carry. 

The bag is leather and holds a lot. The boots are awesome. 

• Purse - Banana Republic, consignment
• Boots - 1883 Lucchesse, consignment; last worn here in February with orange

This is my full wardrobe for 3 days. 

Blouses that don't wrinkle and are small for packing. 

• Green blouse - Nygard Black Label, consignment; last worn here in December 2021 with gold pleats
• Burgundy tux blouse - no label, thrifted; last seen here in January with houndstooth
• White ruffled top -Tatum & Olivia, consignment; last worn here a week ago
• Snake Jacket - Q2 Collection, customized by me, last seen here in October 2021 with leather pants
• Dress - Dolce & Gabbana, vintage 90s, thrifted; last worn here in November 2021 with stripes

Accoutrements: 

My red wool beret was much easier to deal with (I could roll it up and stash it in my purse). 

• Beret - Parkhurst, consignment
• Scarf - fake Louis (Lewis!) Vuitton, thrifted
• Gloves - Echo, consignment
• Masks - all by Mom

Although we're no longer required to wear masks in most places, some did recommend it, some suggested it, and a few venues (like on our flights) required them. 

Poncho! 

This was lovely and snuggly warm. A very good purchase! 

• Poncho - Bodybag by Jude, consignment, gift from L; last worn here in February

Gold bling: 

I wore the same jewelry every day. 

• Necklace - Givenchy, vintage 80s, vintage fair
• Earrings - gift from L, 5th anniversary
• Leather/chain wrap - local
• Chain bracelet - thrifted
• Jade/brass ring - vintage 70s, Mom's
• Brass Brutalist ring - vintage mall

As we live on Vancouver Island, the only way off is by plane or ferry. 

We chose to take Harbour Air, our local seaplane company - the green dots are our flight to downtown Vancouver. 

Here we go, we are on the way! 

Leaving Victoria behind...

Cruising over all the little islands that dot the strait between us and the mainland.

Tiny little logs washed up on the beach! 

It was very gloomy and hazy with misty rain. 

Isn't it pretty? 

I always recommend that visitors try to take the seaplane at least once so that you can see what a lovely place this is.

This island (sorry, they're not labeled from the air) has lots of habitation. I think that might be a resort down there - I see tennis courts and a pool. 

A big log boom being towed by a tugboat.

After flying over grey water in grey clouds for 30 minutes. 

And then we arrived at downtown Vancouver. 

Hello! We haven't been here in three years - we barely missed our trip in 2020, as it had to be cancelled just as the pandemic struck. This here is our last trip, in 2019. 

Just about to land in the harbour. 

See the little float planes in the lower right corner? 

We stayed at the Blue Horizon Hotel - I love this lady in the elevators. 

It's like she's saying, "Oh no, I forgot my mask!" 

We met up with Melanie of A Bag and a Beret fame (blog here, Instagram here, all links 'cause I love). 

We had brunch at Forage, and then took some pictures. 

Our serious pose. 

Look at these totally normal people. 

Now, let's get silly. 

Really silly. 

Heh. I do love people I can goof around with! 

Edited to add: pics from Melanie! 

Aw, I love this! 

And this too! 

What a dapper couple! 

I love this pic of me and L in front of John Fluevog and the lovely admirer. 

I forgot to mention: John came into the store while we were there - he said, "It's so lovely to see your face." (He said the same thing to each person, but it still felt personal).

But I'm getting ahead of myself here! Back to my crappy pics. 

We walked down to the Gastown Fluevog flagship store - this is where all the magic happens. 

Thank you to Tamera, our lovely Fluevogologist, who helped us. 

How do I pick? 

Mel and L discussing something. 

I don't know, I was busy scoping things out. 

So many beautiful shoes! 

I had over $600 in gift cards for myself  - thank you, VPs at work, Winesday Women, Mom, and L, from Christmas and my birthday last October - I know, I showed remarkable restraint!

I thought I might need a pair of shoes from the new Jimi Hendrix collection, but they didn't quite ring my bell. 

I didn't want to spend that much on something I wouldn't actually wear very often. 

These are the boots I bought for myself. They are called the Official Sabado Tall Lace-Up Boot. 

Link here - they were $649.00 plus tax - with all my gift cards, I only paid $104.00 for them. 

The laces can be adjusted - that's 16 holes, by the way - and they zip up on the inner leg. 

They are squishy and comfy, and I'm dying to wear them! 

Check out the awesome sole. 

"The Official Shoe for Every Fluevogin' Thing." Yes, they are! Note all the Fluevog "F"s incorporated into the soles. 

L and I always buy each other a pair of Fluevogs for our anniversary. 

These are the Truths Luiza, and they were $399.09. 

I have several other pairs in the Truths family (same heel, same pointy toe), and I love the colour and fancy buckles on these. 

I bought L these wonderful "skate" boots (note the ice-skate-style laces). 

These are called the Fox & Fluevog Eugene boot (Fox & Fluevog was John's first shoe venture, 50 years ago!). 

They were $429.00. Happy anniversary, love! 

They say "Live the Adventure!" So apt! 

From there, we walked back to the hotel for a nap, but stopped in at Angel, a lovely store that carries a ton of Desigual. 

Hello to Jackie! I said to L that this shirt is for when he's feeling a little crabby. Heh heh. 

We met up with our friend Craig and had a long dinner with him - the next morning, I took a selfie from our room on the 29th floor. 

It was very high up! 

What a view. 

Looking west - there's the ocean. All those cranes reminds me of Victoria.

Looking north. 

The development in Vancouver is going almost as fast as it is at home. 

On Saturday, we went to El Camino's for breakfast on Main Street, and spent some time going to all our favourite second-hand and vintage shops in a 6 block strip. We always find a few good things. 

This pink, purple and black paisley shirt is L's - great colours. 

I found myself another Alexander McQueen scarf! This one is a 60 x 60 centimeter one, with nice handrolled edges. 

I like all the skulls. 

And the proper name printed on there. 

We bought the shirt and scarf at Front & Company, where we usually do well. 

My scarf was an additional 20% off (yay), so it was $79.00, a bargain for a McQueen scarf.

As you can see, they retail for $330.00 new. 

L found this shirt at a vintage store...I can never remember the names. 

The pattern reminds me of Van Gogh's "Starry Night". 

This awesome silk tie was in another vintage store. 

It has sea shells and coral on it. 

Real Gianni Versace. 

Made in Spain. 

We were both agog over this palm frond printed blazer. 

This is L's! Isn't it fabulous?

I'm sure it's from the 80s. 

It's very "Miami Vice."

It's by Anne Pinkerton - here's a fun article about her here from 1985!

This is buttoned for a man, and there are no darts or anything indicating it's made for a woman, and it fits L perfectly. So fun! 

I found this funky printed blouse in the same store. 

I love all the animals on it! It was $25.00. 

We spent a while in the Turnabout store there - Vancouver always has interesting things. L found this Etro shirt. 

More animal prints with grey figures interspersed. There is a woman hugging a fish on it. 

I found this Zara knit dress with the asymmetrical stripes. 

Vizzini approved! 

It was $25.99. 

It'll be fun in summer. 

We cabbed back to the hotel and got dressed to meet up with our pals Tony/Anthony and Laura for dinner at Bacchus in the Wedgwood Hotel. 

We got giggly as the hours went by, and took pictures in the lobby/hall areas that are on the way to the washroom. 

I went to pick up that Wedgewood phone (oh, now I get it - the Wedgewood Hotel), and someone answered! 

My laughing-my-arse-off face! 

I showed Laura how to do the Stair Pose. 

See? It feels weird, but you look great in pictures. 

This landscape painting has...a little man in the corner. 

So very odd. 

Laura really wanted to touch the tree in this picture. 

"Touch it! Touch it!"

All four of us had a lively discussion about this painting of religious folks. 

It was quite hilarious. 

This painting is right near the washrooms and it freaked me out! 

I don't want to look at it! I don't know what's happening!

I liked how the mirrored ceiling caught Laura up and down. 

We hung out in the lounge and ate and drank and ate and drank for close to five hours, then stumbled out into the street. 

But first, pics from Laura:

Sticking my chest out in the lobby, ha ha!

The two guys engaged in lively discussion. 

Laura and I are drinking tea, which means the boys have had many, many drinks. 

I played with my wrist-wrap and stuck it on my head for a bit. 

Let me give you my good side. 

The lounge was very dim.

We hadn't been able to get a reservation anywhere, so we just plopped ourselves here and had the full pick of the menu! 

Our server loved us (and we leave big tips).

Thank you for the wonderful pics and for the lovely evening, Laura and Anthony! 

Back out into the street.

Tony, Laura and L. 

The removal of the mask mandate on Friday meant that people were out partying. 

This blurry shot as we ambled back to the hotel says it all. 

Some wise words in neon at one of the cannabis shops (it's legal in Canada). 

"Not all who wander are lost." (It's from JRR Tolkien). 

Looking up at the Blue. 

Ah, it was so good to see our friends - it's been three years. 

I went to set up the timer to take our picture. 

And missed it. Tony, Laura and L...but no me! Oops, try again, Sheila. 

There we go. 

I love this picture! 

L and I were up early - we had the stoopid Daylight Savings Time change, so "spring ahead". 

It was still a little dark, and it was definitely rainy and foggy. 

Uh-oh...Our flight was delayed...and then we boarded! I took this picture from inside the float plane, looking north.

...And then we turned around and went back to Vancouver. It was too risky to fly in the fog. 

After sitting for another hour and more, it only got more foggy, so we cabbed to the ferry...sigh.

That sunshine to the south mocked us! 

But it was still very cloudy and overcast as we slowly cruised through the Gulf Islands. 

Instead of getting home at 10:30am, we got home at 3:30pm. 

Still, it was a wonderful adventure and we had a great time seeing everyone! 

I hope you enjoyed our jaunt!