The Return of the Day of Indolence!

Hello, my friends! Aside from one very packed day, we've had a quiet weekend over here. Friday marked the full return of the annual Day of Indolence, a day for celebrating absolutely nothing, and making the start of L's birthday week. L has been doing Days of Indolence for many years, in which any of our friends who are able to take the day off, do so, and join us for a day of wandering around, shopping, drinking, and generally carousing and basking in each others' company...and if we're lucky, the sun! 

We've been doing Days of Indolence for well over a decade. Due to the pandemic, last year we only had a partial "Training" Day of Indolence (here) followed by a proper DOI here in July 2021, and missed it altogether in 2020, with our last full one in 2019 (here). 

If you really feel like digging, here are the previous ones: 

• 2018, here, the one where it was gloomy
• 2017, here, the one with the playground
• 2016, here, the one with karaoke (which I loathe)
• 2015, here, the one with the water taxis
• 2014, here, when we used to call it the Day of Indigence before we realized our intent isn't what "indigence" means and renamed it "indolence"

I don't seem to have either attended or recorded previous Days of Indolence. 

So, here we go! As per usual lately, the weather's been entirely unpredictable. It looked like it would be nice, but you just can't tell. Better be ready for everything. 

We usually do a lot of walking on the DOI, so good shoes are essential. Once I'd decided on these boots, this outfit built itself. 

• Sweater - M&S, thrifted; last worn here in April for a Mom-Day Adventure on the Lochside Trail
• Skirt - J. Crew, thrifted; last seen here in July 2021 with citrus brights
• Boots - Official Sabado, Fluevog; last worn here (3rd outfit) a couple of weeks ago for Book Club
• Coat - Pioneer Wear, vintage 80s, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) in November 2021

This is how most of the world saw me. Rock on, baby! 

I had a lot of favourable reactions to my look all day. People appreciate bright colours and fringe! 

Once I had the boots sorted out, the vintage suede fringed jacket was a perfect match. They were made for each other! 

With a voluminous coat, I needed a slimmer skirt - this lovely lined linen one has pockets and the bold pattern rocks. 

I picked out the pinky tones for my pink turtleneck. 

It doesn't match, but it goes!

Jacket off. 

I only removed it a few times. 

Note the double side-slit action on the skirt. Good for walking! 

I added a matchy thin blue belt over the skirt's high waistband. 

Masked up. 

Also worn infrequently, when I went into shops. 

Isn't the jacket magnificent? 

You can just see the multi-coloured pony beads that are threaded onto the sleeve fringes. 

I wore a scarf for extra warmth and also in case of rain - I could cover my head. 

Fortunately, I didn't need it. 

I was happy later on that I'd remembered a pair of gloves. 

It's always windy in Victoria.

All done up. 

My bag holds a ton of stuff - handy for the wee shopping forays we tend to go on while on a DOI. 

Accoutrements: 

I ended up tying the silk scarf onto my bag's shoulder strap for most of the day. 

• Purse - customized by me
• Silk scarf - Halston, vintage 70s, thrifted; purchased here for $6.95
• Leather gloves - Echo, consignment
• Mask - by Mom

Showing off my sterling silver "Swear" rings here. 

Appropriate for the Day of Indolence! 

The bling: 

I've included my two purchases of the day there: some really funky Trasparenze tights ($40 at De Mode En Vogue on Fort Street), and a groovy metal and leather vintage belt (more pics shortly). 

• Belt - Danier Leather
• Silver hinged cuff - vintage, thrifted, Powell River
• Enamel cuff - thrifted
• Silver/turquoise pendant - Karen's
• Silver earrings - consignment
• Swear rings - Wendy Brandes
• Turquoise ring - Karen's
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes

The boots: 

After 8+ hours of walking, my feet were tired tired tired. I did feel very kick-ass all day, though. Worth it! 

Unfortunately for L, he had to work in the morning on Friday (I took the day off work), but he met us at noon at the Ruby for brunch afterwards.

Cat and Ross made him a bag of these wee buttons. The symbol is for the band Blue Oyster Cult (you probably know this song here), which is L's favourite band. The DOI is for Day of Indolence, and "Fifty-Too" since L is going to finally celebrate his 50th birthday properly...on his 52nd birthday. Get it? I'm Fifty...Too/Two!

Cat, Chris (Ali joined us later after work) and Nick outside the Ruby. Everyone's wearing their DOI pins! 

We're all layered up, but I spy sunshine! 

We were lucky to have sun for most of the day. 

Me and Ross - I'm making a silly face. I love Ross' Crown Royal cap.

We usually don't have any specific plans for the DOI - we let the day unravel as it may - but Nick discovered at brunch that he'd forgotten his glasses (he only had prescription sunnies) so he wanted to go home and get them. 

Deal - but we're wandering up Fort Street on the way, Nickers. First, a stop in at Ditch Records, where everyone enjoyed a quick shop. 

Shout out to the good folks of Ditch - they know L well, as he's an audiophile. 

Further up Fort Street, I went for a browse in another vintage store I discovered recently, Csinos (not sure if that's pronounced "casinos", but that's what I say in my head), which doesn't seem to have a website or I'd link to it. 

The rest of the gang went to Superflux, a rooftop cabana and brewery. 

I showed off my purchases - I found this vintage 80s AC/DC pin for Ross for only $10.00.

It's from their 1978 album "Powerage" featuring singer Bon Scott (my personal fave). Ross was thrilled and put it on right away. 

I showed off this amazing leather and metal belt. 

The front section is two-tone metal (brass and nickel?) attached over strips of metal. 

Leather straps are attached with these lovely embossed metal flanking pieces. 

The metal is all quite worn, and the leather is very soft and thick. 

This belt has some age and wear on it. You can see on the upper left where it had manufacturer's tags/labels, likely peeled off over time. 

You can also see where one of the metal pieces has fallen off and been replaced (the blue circle, lower right). This belt was $32.00 which was a bit high, but spending a bit more is fine with me when it's going to a local business. Csino's is moving to a new location over the summer, which is near where the Patch used to be, so I'll likely be popping in more frequently. 

As we wandered up Fort Street, Cat, Ross and I ventured into a few stores (which is when I bought the tights) while Chris, Nick and L went to Nick's place to get his glasses. 

A "Reservoir Dogs" moment. 

Since by then we were on Cook Street, we meandered down into Cook Street Village. 

Just one of many heavily-treed streets on the way. It's a gorgeous area.

Deep in the heart of the Village. I used to live a few blocks away - it's grown a TON since the early 90s. 

We're on the way to the Beagle Pub for a pint and a bit of food. 

We sat out on the patio and people-watched. 

L's hiding behind my head (in case you thought I had a massive hair-snarl). Chris and Nick enjoying the break. 

From there, we decided to head to Ye Olde Pandemic Park (aka our usual corner of Beacon Hill Park where we've had many a gathering in the past two years) to loll about and see if we could get Yvonne and Randall to join us. 

Cat, Ross and Chris in the distance; Nick and L in front of me. The boys are enjoying a "road-pop," heh.

Arriving at the park. 

You can just see the purple camas flowers on the field ahead. 

We settled on the field bleachers and enjoyed the feel of sun on our faces. 

We sent hilarious texts to prod our friends away from work. It did not succeed, unfortunately. Aw, poor working people. 

Our view across the field. 

We almost had the entire place to ourselves. 

A pic of L's "Route 66" socks and Nick's road-pop.

Those are Fluevog shoes, of course. They are grey with an iridescent finish. 

We strolled towards the Inner Harbour. 

More gorgeous nature. 

Passed St. Ann's Academy. 

It was getting windy as we got closer to the harbour. 

Passing the Royal BC Museum, soon to be torn down for a massive new build and upgrade. 

I love the architecture. And yes, that is a totem pole on the left. 

The Netherlands Carillon Bell Tower.

Our destination was Belleville's pub, where Ali joined us after work. 

The BC provincial government legislature building, aka the Parliament Buildings, aka the Rockpile. 

I thought there might have been more tourists around, as it's Memorial Day long weekend in the US. 

Looking back at the Empress Hotel and town beyond that. 

Lots of traffic! 

Looking from our outside patio table to the harbour on the other side of the street. 

We were in the shade and with the wind, it was getting rather chilly. 

After some food and more fortifying drinks, we headed off for our final destination. 

Chris and Ali, L and Nick. Cat and Ross left us a bit before as they had early plans for Saturday. 

The inner harbour. 

Loads of boats! The big Swiftsure yacht race was on Saturday. 

Looking back at where we'd been. 

What a glorious day. 

L wanted to take a picture of me standing in front of the boats. 

"Okay, but don't f**k it up."

I'm an impatient photo subject. 

"Fine, let's go - I need chocolate!"

Last stop, the world famous Rogers' Chocolates (link here, 'cause I love - you're welcome!). 

I recommend Empress Squares and Sea Salt Caramels. NOM. 

It was a different DOI than usual - we usually are more in the downtown area - but we all loved that it was spurred by Nick needing to get his glasses. We did all have a chortle when he realized that...he didn't even wear them all day! Ha! A true fruitless quest! Perfect! 

From downtown, L and I headed home and spent the rest of the evening playing board games and chilling with a little kitty who missed us. 

"Oh, you're home?"

He's been enjoying the sun on the deck and snoozing on the benches, which are now permanently out on there. 

"Do you mind? I was in the middle of a nap."

He's always up for a cuddle, though. 

"I will accept your attention."

We played Ultimate Frisbee on Saturday (cloudy/raining), followed by brunch and a long nap due to sore bodies, before more boardgames in the evening. Sunday was also a lazy kind of day. Ah...

I hope you're all enjoying your weekend. Thank you so much for dropping by!