Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Reader Requests for St. Paddy's Green; Tsarina in Ruffles; Kitty Update

Welcome back, my friends! Doesn't it feel like spring is just around the corner? We've had sunshine and double-digit temps (our deck is up to 20 in the sun!), which almost feels like a shock. I'd better get wearings in of my winter stuff before it's too warm

Happy St. Patrick's Day, if you have any Irish blood. I have a great-grandmother on my dad's side who was Irish - and I have green eyes.

I liked the added nod to the history (#2 listed at the link here, 'cause I love), with some snakes in my outfit. 

• Blouse - Topshop, thrifted; last worn here in October 2022 with this same skirt
• Skirt - Ralph Lauren, consignment; last seen here in November 2022 with a passed-along coat
• Shoes - Banana Republic, consignment; last worn here in February with Halston and corduroy
• Cape (below) - Welsh, Dafydd Snowden, vintage 70s; last seen here in October 2022

I have a Vizzini health update - we finally got the results from his bloodwork. Quick version: he's fine! Stable. 

"You forgot handsome and regal."

He was very active on Friday morning, photo-bombing me and wanting to go out in the hall. I'm on the way out to do my stair pic here. 

I basically repeated the outfit from the last time I wore this blouse, although I wore different shoes this time. 

I adore this skirt and it seems to be one of the only bottoms that works well with this blouse. I'm not complaining! I love a quick formula.

Isn't the blouse amazing? The hand-beaded snake on the front carries over to the back. 

And it's so much easier to wear it now that adored sewist friend Linda put a side zip in for me. 

Outerwear - this lovely crisp clear weather is perfect for capes. 

"No one wants to hear about your clothes, Woman."

L and I met up with friends Missie and Dave after work and played boardgames (and had beverages, grilled cheese, chips and candy) at the Interactivity Board Game Café (about them here) We've been fans of them for decades, before they had the Stay-and-Play model. It's an awesome group, date or family hangout activity! 

We taught them how to play Ark Nova (the store also has game teachers, so you can learn to play a game before you buy it), and 5 hours later(!) we finished. The time just flew by. 

L and I walked home. 

"Where have you been??"

Someone wanted his kitty treats! 

Incognito. 

"This is more like it."

Accoutrements:

I was glad of the scarf - it's lovely quality.

• Purse - Ted Lapidus, vintage 90s, vintage fair
• Scarf - Daniel LaForet, vintage mall, gift from L
• Gloves - vintage, thrifted

The stuff: 

Good office shoes. I switched to walking shoes for the jaunt home.

Snaky bling:

Two more snakes! 

• Snake bracelet - Whiting & Davis, vintage 70s, vintage fair
• Big links bracelet - J. Crew, consignment
• Snake double ring - consignment
• Jade/brass ring - vintage 70s, Mom's
• Earrings - thrifted

L and I slept in a bit (Nick is away) then got ready to go to Tapas on Oak for brunch. Vizzini's vet called with the results of his bloodwork. 

"I'm sleeping, do you mind?"

His kidney function is stable (good), he's mildly anemic (normal for him), his blood pressure is normal, and he has low potassium (will be going on a supplement). The vet agreed that he should go off one of his current meds (good). So all good for now - we'll have him checked out again in few months. 

Life is short! Wear the clothes! And keep the requests coming - I welcome them. Saturday's brunch and grocery shop outfit is by request from the lovely Vix (link here), for my "vest/waistcoat/gilet with the fake fur and the clasp fasteners," aka my Tsarina vest.

I'm so glad you asked for this, Vix - it's a very snuggly piece. 

• Sweater - Ralph Lauren, consignment; last worn here in January with wine suede at Elk Lake with Mom
• Plush Tsarina vest - Buffalo by David Bitton, consignment, Powell River; last seen here (3rd outfit) a couple of weeks ago
• Flamenco skirt - handmade, no label, consignment; last worn here (2nd outfit) in November 2022 for Winesday at Yvonne's
• Boots - Baroque Velasquez, Fluevog; last seen here (3rd outfit) with this same vest! 

Without the vest, which I took off while sitting in the sun at the restaurant. 

One last wearing of this mohair sweater. 

It's far too warm to keep out for spring. 

But I really liked it with this outfit. So, a keeper. 

In-vested (har har).

The Flamenco skirt is immensely swooshy. I'm sure it was made for someone who actually danced in it. 

You know I love back detail. 

The skirt is almost maxi-length in the back. 

This how most people saw me. 

I always get smiles in the grocery store. 

Today was the inaugural Top Down for Vlad the Jaguar convertible today! 

The Movie-Star Wrap returns! It keeps my hair from sticking to my lipstick and snarling into knots. 

Accoutrements: 

This silk scarf is one of the first Important Designer scarves I ever purchased. I bought it here in January 2015 for $16.50 at WIN. Wow, I've had it for 8 years! 

• Purse - Ted Lapidus, vintage 90s, vintage fair
• Silk scarf - Pierre Balmain, vintage 80s, thrifted
• Gloves - Parkhurst

The stuff: 

This is likely the last appearance of these ruffled suede/leather boots, as the colour and style are more fall/winter. I'm pleased that I wore them 3 times this season. 

Orange bling: 

These warm tones just seemed to work with the ensemble. I bought this necklace and earrings together - I miss the BC-owned Plum, which closed in 2011ish. 

• Copper/brass cuff - Karen's
• Copper/enamel cuff - Matisse by Renoir, vintage 50s, vintage expo
• Klimt ring - consignment
• Spinner ring - Twang & Pearl
• Bronze ring (not shown) - P. Sarpaneva, vintage 70s, vintage expo
• Earrings/necklace - Plum, c. 2010

I always forget to remove my bronze ring for the picture. 

L and I hung out together on Saturday night, playing "Arkham Horror" and listening to music. 

"I prefer lap-time."

Vizzini is always lurking around, hinting that we should sit back so that he can sleep on us. 

Thanks so much for popping into my wee corner of the interwebz! 

Mom-Day Adventure at Beaver Lake in Reader Request Pink Boss Pants, and a Wee Shop

Hello, my friends! Before I get started on our Mom-Daughter Day, and show you what I bought on my thrift-shop after (hint: PIRATE jacket!), just a reminder to drop me a comment with your Reader Requests! 

Inspire me with a re-wear, a challenge or just ask to see one of your favourite fall-winter outfits again! Today's post features reader Susan M's request for my pink Boss Lady Pants, worn with a pink or light-coloured shoe. Thanks, Susan! 

So, let's get this started, shall we? 

Mom and I went back to Beaver Lake again - last visited here in June 2022 when we got soaked! 

Susan, here's your request: Pink Boss Lady Pants! 

I usually keep these out for spring/summer - I love them! 

• Muppet sweater - handknit by Mom, mid-80s; first worn here in February for work and theatre
• Shirt - Eddie Bauer, consignment; first seen here in January with floral toes
• Pants - H&M, consignment, Vancouver; last worn here in January with bits of black
• Shoes - 5Ymedio; last seen here in February with cashmere, wings and floral
• Cape - Coracle Clothes, Welsh, vintage 60s, pass-along from Sheila A; last worn here in December 2022 for a Mom-Day lunch
  

This will be the last wearing of Mom's hand-knit sweater for the season - it's too big and bulky to keep out. 

I layered a white shirt under it, and added a rolled scarf at my neck.

I liked the sweater with the pink pants. 

White shoes were a gimme, an easy choice. 

I remembered the ginormous sausage arms I had from shoving these massive sleeves into a coat. 

So I wore a cape instead! 

It layered easily over the bulk. 

New gloves at the ready! You can see a peek of my bag there. 

All done up and incognito. 

See? New gloves. 

Accoutrements: 

Matchy purples! 

• Purse - Danier, thrifted
• Gloves - Bijenkorf, consignment; purchased here for $28.00

The stuff: 

These shoes were comfy enough for an hour's walk. After brunch at Floyd's I bussed to town and had a wee shop in the Pandora Ave thrift stores. By the time I was done, I was too tired to walk home, so I caught another bus. 

Minimal bling: 

So many favourites. 

• Scarf - Fluevog
• Earrings - local
• Pink ring - vintage mall, gift from L
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes

I took a picture of my brooch cluster while they wer still on my vintage cape. 

A beetle for spring! 

• Beetle brooch - Le Chateau, c. 2005
• Large square brooch - thrifted
• Small square brooch - Eaton's c. 2000

We arrived at Beaver Lake. There were oodles of people around: cyclists, runners, dog walkers. 

See the people? Everyone's so friendly and says hello. 

Our path. 

It's getting greener! 

The last time we planned to visit Beaver Lake, it snowed, and our Mom-Daughter Day was cancelled. 

That was on my Dad's birthday in February. Time to go wish Dad a belated Happy Birthday! 

There's the Prairie Inn Harriers "gone too soon" plaques. 

They've added another one, catching up the memorials from 2012 to 2022. Mom and Dad's friend Al Howie is on there (about him here - Dad met him through the Ultramarathons). 

The view from the bench.

It was very windy and cold. 

We just sat and remembered for a while. 

Miss you, Dad. 

We crossed this small bridge and the wind hit us. 

Woo! Cold! 

A peek of the lake. 

Once all the blooms and leaves are out, we won't be able to see this. 

Lovely big trees, and winter sunlight. 

So pretty. 

Although we "visit" Dad at the bench, we actually scattered his ashes here. 

His DNA is in this view. 

In the trees. 

In the dirt. 

Between these rocks.

In the water. 

In the grasses. 

And in the moss. 

He knew we were there. 

We could feel his love in the sun on our faces. 

Take it easy, big guy.

We'll be back. 

Had to share this furry creature with you. 

It's an ROUS! (YouTube clip here, link 'cause I love).  If you haven't seen the movie The Princess Bride, do yourself a favour! 

And we're back at the car. 

Time for lunch! 

Thank you for a lovely day, Mom! 

I love you! 

As noted, I went shopping. I popped into the Beacon Avenue Thrift Store (not on Beacon Avenue - it's related to the Sidney store) for a quick browse and found this skirt. 

I already have a nice plaid wool skirt (this one), but this is more of a pencil shape. 

I noticed the good quality right away. 

Fully-lined, little strings holding the lining in place, and seam tape on the hem seam. 

The buttons have seen some battles. 

But I recognize that logo.

Even the inside button on the waist (this is a wrap skirt) has been stamped with "Brooks Brothers."

"AHEM."

I think Vizzini wants to be fed. 

And indeed it is a 100% wool skirt, with a cupro lining. The fabric is woven in England. 

Yup, only $9.50! I didn't realize until I got home that one of the front buttons is missing, but I can find a replacement. 

From there, I went to the big WIN Warehouse store. 

Scored on "off black" nylons (these are a trend) for $3.95 a pair. The regular price is $7.50 a pair. 

I also bit on this big wide stretchy yellow fake leather belt. 

Wide belts are also trendy right now, but I've always liked them. 

It's by Papillon, as you can see from the tag - NWT (New With Tags)! 

And it retailed for $26.00. I paid $5.95.

This was tucked on the end of one of the rails in the sale section but wasn't on sale. 

It's a VELVET PIRATE JACKET! 

That's all embroidery on it, front and back. 

Someone's cut the content tags out, but it feels like silk or viscose velvet. 

Look at the lapels! 

I am so in love with this. And yes, it has pockets! 

I can't wait to wear it, and I'll have to squish it in as I don't really do much velvet in spring/summer.

I could be convinced otherwise! 

It's by Tahari and was $32.95, the second-most expensive thing I bought. 

It's likely from the late 90s/early 00s, when we loved All Things Embroidered. There are similar ones online re-selling for $65-125.00, so this was a deal! 

I have always liked vests, and this one called to me. 

It's a natural cream shade with pinstriped and a double row of buttons. All of those are REAL pockets! 

It's by Denim & Supply, a Ralph Lauren casual line. 

It's 100% cotton and was made in India. $12.95 seemed like a great deal. The Bay department store has carried this line forever. I think it's probably from around 2010. 

This casual little blazer appealed to me. 

I'll trim up the ratty ends - it's deliberately distressed with raw edges. 

My Adidas collection grows! I love the crest (and that's a real pocket, as are the two front ones). 

I like the pale pink/grey striped grosgrain ribbon trim.  

It was $19.95, which also felt like a solid deal. 

I couldn't find anything like it online, so it's likely early to mid-00s. 

I also bit on this t-shirt. Guess who it's by!

I love the colour mix and the black and white print. I have tops, skirts, shoes and all kinds of things that will go with this. 

It's by Adidas (of course), but it also has a little "Farm" logo. 

That's a diffusion line - their new Adidas Farm tank tops retail for $60. I got a bargain - this was half off, so $6.47.

This is the last thing I put in my basket. I watch for the neon green tags as that's the "designer" stuff that they recognize. 

It is...not a skirt. 

Not a full one, anyway! 

It's a skirt...for pants? for over a dress? I won't be wearing it on its own! 

The two pockets on the front are actually real pockets. 

It's unlined and the content tags have been cut out, but it feels like 100% wool. 

I know that name! It's Derek Lam 10 Crosby - Derek is an American designer.

Actually, his skirts start at $350.00. This was half off at $34.47.

Do you have a favourite? You can request an outfit around one of these too, if you like! 

And now, my friends, I am off for the weekend! Enjoy yourself, stay out of trouble, and be at peace.