Mom-Day Adventure: Hallowe'en Hang-Out in Red and Black, Plus a Wee Shop

Hello, my friends! Welcome back to another Mom-Day Adventure. 

The weather was inclement today, so we hung out together at Mom's house, and I helped Mom get ready for her trick-or-treaters this weekend. 

It was a lovely relaxing day. Thank you, Mom! I love you! 

Outfit-wise, I fell back on a duplicate outfit.

This is the same shirt, vest and suit as this outfit here, from December 2020, but I wore different shoes and accessories today, including an extra piece of outerwear. 

• Denim suit - Smashed Lemon; last worn here together (4th outfit) in July to go to the movies
• Shirt - Yest; last seen here in September with my black suit
• Paillette vest - Bianca Nygard, thrifted; last worn here in December 2021 in a disco outfit with boss pants
• Booties - Go Groovy Husymans, Fluevog; last seen here (2nd outfit) in September for brunch
• Poncho (below) - Bodybag by Jude, consignment, gift from L; last worn here (2nd outfit) for an outdoor Winesday in June

That was an excellent outfit that was well worth repeating. 

It was sunny in the morning, cold (still hovering around 8 degrees!), and was supposed to rain all afternoon - which it did! 

I have lots of layers on: a long-sleeved plain white shirt, the knit pailletted vest, and the denim suit jacket. 

Funnily enough, most of my outfit is store-bought retail - so unusual for me! 

I bought the suit at Dots, as well as the white shirt (a bear to find second-hand in good condition) - both are sales samples. 

As noted the suit is red denim - so nice and thick - printed with red leopard. 

The pants have deep pockets, and the suit's pockets are real too. The small hook-and-eye closure on the front of the jacket fell off, and I haven't gotten around to re-sewing it. 

Without the jacket, although I never took it off. 

The back of this sparkly sweater vest is plain black, which I usually loathe - it's such a fun piece, though. I forgive it. 

Outerwear - the "hat off" version. 

I love this poncho - it has a ginormous pocket in the front, where I stashed my sunglasses. 

Masked up and incognito. 

Ooh, I'm looking a little scary here! No wonder people were looking at me on the bus. 

Oh well, this is me and it's nearly Hallowe'en. 

Deal with it. 

Accoutrements: 

The hat is a little big on me, but it kept the rain off. 

• Hat - Zara, consignment
• Purse - Rebecca Minkoff, consignment
• Leather gloves - Echo, consignment
• Scarf - Metrowear, San Francisco, 2006

The stuff: 

Good walking shoes - it's about a kilometer to the bus stop from Mom's, then I bussed to town and walked home from there. Did you notice my Fluevog socks that I wore under them? 

Black bling: 

Mom bought me this Venetian blown glass snake pendant in Venice for my 49th birthday. 

• Belt - gift from Ruth
• Pendant - Venice, gift from Mom
• Snake pin - c. 1985, gift from Mom & Dad
• Spider ring - c. 1986, gift from Mom & Dad
• Silver/onyx ring - Toccara, vintage fair
• Cat earrings - Winnie Tam

Mom and I were not on the same wavelength for our outfits this week. 

She hasn't fully transitioned to fall clothes yet. This sudden change in weather has shocked us all.

We picked up three of her paintings from a local retirement home, where she and other members of her art club exhibited for the past month.

Mom's are the blue-arrow ones. This show's over...

But now Mom has to prep for her next show! 

She's been painting madly to have new ones ready in time. The ones on the studio walls behind her are from over the years, just ones that have stuck around. 

A redo on this scene. 

Vibrant! 

The cedar tree painting behind this photo is an oil painting in progress.

Mom's explaining her plans for the next painting, which will be a cropped version of the water lilies in the centre. 

This painting will be in the show. 

I like this one - the light is so good. 

Mom wanted to show me how she'd cleaned out her coat closet. 

"I have a lot of coats!" said Mom, pretending her to be ashamed. Heh heh, like mother, like daughter. 

We had bagels and cream cheese for lunch, followed by "dessert." 

What's that you've got up in that high cupboard, Mom? 

Holy smokes, that is a STASH of chocolate. 

Ha! I count 15 bars! I guess you'll be laughing if there's a shortage! *snort*

After lunch, we put up Mom's Hallowe'en decorations at her front door. 

A ginormous spider web and some massive spiders! 

This one's fuzzy and purple. 

Eek! Its eyes are glowing red! 

This spider was really realistic. 

That's going to traumatize some kids, for sure. 

We decorated the little fake trees on either side of the front door. 

Spooky! 

Throw it all on there! 

That's a sad ghost. 

Oh my GAWD, Mother, what the heck are you doing? 

"Come and get some candy," she cackled. Oh yes, there will be shrieking children this Hallowe'en.

I was shocked to see that Mom's Hallowe'en scarf is actually Pierre Balmain! 

Hand-rolled edges, 100% silk, made in France, and you have it crumped in your bin of Hallowe'en decorations. You should give it to me.

We made up goodie bags for the trick-or-treaters.

Mom gives out fun things like jewelry and pencils instead of candy. She also gives out Hawkins Cheezies (link here 'cause I love), which are Canadian classics (you can only get them here!)

We both like our bling.

I would have loved to get shiny beads, big rings or sparkly pencils instead of candy when I was a kid. 

As I got ready to go catch my bus, I discovered someone had found my hat! "It fits me perfectly!" she crowed. 

Fine. I'll trade you the hat for the Balmain scarf! 

After such a hilarious afternoon, I strolled through the woods behind Mom's house to get back to civilization. 

It was quiet and smelled like fall. 

Another Woolly Bear Caterpillar! 

Uh-oh, this one has a lot more black...that means a harsh winter. 

The trees are turning. 

That vivid yellow took my breath away. 

I like this farm. 

I see sheep! 

I zoomed in and caught this sheep having a chat with a raven under the grapevines. 

They must be gossiping. 

My bus dropped me off in town and I walked past the big WIN (Women In Need) store on the way home. Well, of course I had to go in! I did a really fast look around, just running my hands along the racks and looking for good stuff. 

I was thrilled to find a replacement for my long-gone grey pleated Marc Jacobs skirt (last worn here, when I spilled oil all over it). I washed that skirt but never got the stain all the way out; I later donated it and actually saw it for sale at this same store! 

This is a dark heathered grey with pleats. It's very swingy.

It's by Babaton, a chi-chi brand sold at Aritzia, a chi-chi Canadian store. Note the nice thick elastic waistband.

I knew this would have sold for around $120+ new, so didn't mind paying $24.95 for it. 

I took a risk on these teal dress pants. 

They are a skinny pant, but I still have room in my closet for those - this will be good with longer tops, jackets or sweaters. 

I like this detail at the ankle. 

The fabric is very thick (woven, not knit) and feels like quality. 

They're by Jacques Vert Collection, which has been sold at the Hudson's Bay Company stores locally for at least 20 years. 

Note the side zip with button (and there's a full placket covering the zip inside), plus the finishing on the waistband. And they're washable! That's quality! You could add another 0 to that for the retail price. $19.95 is a steal for these!

I also bought another item, but since it's a Christmas present, I can't show you!

"Is it a present for me?"

No, Vizzini, you don't get presents, remember? Click here for the funniest present Vizzini every got! 

Well, my friends, I'm off for the weekend, so be sure to drop by on Sunday for tales of spooky adventures! Thank you so much for stopping by!