Weekend Wrap-Up: Brief Outing in Teal; Cat Pictures; Adieu Joan

Welcome back, my friends! It's been a quiet weekend - L and I laid low and nursed our blerg illness by laying on the couch and watching football all weekend, as well as a few evenings of board games. We're both feeling better, but still very tired - these blergs really sap one's energy.

We also had some sad news from my uncle Brian in Melbourne, Australia - my aunt Joan has passed away after a long battle with cancer. It's rained all weekend, which has felt appropriate. 

Despite all this, I still got dressed once, to go out and get groceries and run a couple of errands, and Vizzini has been a furry comfort.

I built the outfit around my new-to-me basic teal turtleneck. 

• Cardigan - Kenzo, consignment; last worn here in October 2022 with leopard trousers
• Sweater - Bellissima, consignment; purchased here for $30.00
• Skirt - Anna Sui, thrifted; last seen here (3rd outfit) in May 2022 for Book Club
• Boots - BCBG Max Azria; last worn here in December 2022 with a mini on the bottom

Giving y'all the full outfit treatment and suite of pics, although I was only in the grocery store for 20 minutes, and otherwise in public for less than 10 minutes. 

I'd steamed this Kenzo cardigan to go with last week's stripe-y dress (here), but then didn't wear it, so it was still sitting out, nicely smooth. 

I would totally wear this as a work - or anywhere - outfit. 

Pockets! 

I've been feeling very "hiding from the world" lately, and have been wearing a lot of black. 

Must make an effort to wear more colour! 

Will this be the Perfect Teal Top? I've been searching for years. 

I am fond of these thin-gauge sweaters that were popular in the early 00s - they are great for layering and last forever. 

Showing off my vintage belt, which is done up backwards (to show the medallions) and secured with a hair elastic, as it's missing the extra loop.

Stay Klassy, Sheila! 

Outerwear gear - that face is most indicative of my state of mind this week. 

Blerg. 

Masked up - yup, looks like this is the new way of the world. I never stopped wearing my mask around crowds of people. 

You might be feeling envious of my lack of coat - we are back to our usual mild winter temps. 

Accoutrements: 

A few favourites. 

• Purse - Danier, thrifted
• Gloves - consignment
• Scarf - thrifted
• Mask - by Mom

The scarf isn't a practical size and doesn't inspire me - off the to the giveaway pile she goes! 

The stuff: 

I couldn't muster enough energy to pick more interesting shoes. These will do. 

Black bling: 

I did some rearranging and shuffling around of my jewelry and rediscovered a silver/obsidian set from Grandma J I'd forgotten about. 

• Belt - Mudd, vintage, thrifted
• Stone cuff - consignment, Powell River
• Necklace - Dots
• Bracelet/earrings - Mexican, vintage 60s, Grandma J's
• Silver/amethyst ring - vintage mall
• Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes

A better look. Some of you may recognize this design from vintage resellers - it was a popular tourist design in the 1960s. L actually has a similar bracelet, but mine is still the most detailed and elaborate one I've spotted on my shopping expeditions. 

The metal is crisply stamped, and there is a lot of extra detail and elevation in it, plus the stones in the settings are large and deeply carved. Every one of the heads on the bracelet still has at least one earring. I have never seen a matching pair of earrings like mine - and the heads still have both dangly ball earrings. The earrings themselves are screw-on and I live in fear of losing one. 

Everything (including the earrings) is stamped "Hecho en Mexico" (made in Mexico), and the bracelet has this eagle head and JPR, along with DF (Federal District). This is not the correct eagle head for the Mexican standard for silver, so this is likely a fancy mark for the tourist trade in the 1950s/60s. Supporting info on this discussion thread here (all links 'cause I love).

I was somewhat surprised to discover that this is not a silver piece, but is called "alpaca" (aka "white copper") and is a mix of nickel and zinc (link here). Now it makes sense that this has never tarnished! These bracelets were likely sold as tourist souvenirs, which lines up with my Grampa/Grandma J's trips to Mexico in the 60s. 

One of my quick errands was to pop into The Good Planet store to pick up more alpaca (the animal variety of alpaca this time!) dryer balls and a couple more steel straws for my coffee/drinks. I spotted these lovely fingerless gloves on sale. 

That's a lovely crochet design and a very useful colour since my last grey gloves died on me.

The Good Planet only carries fair trade goods, so I know these are an earth-friendly and fair-trade purchase. 

100% wool and made in Nepal, for only $16.00. 

And now, some cat pictures from our quiet weekend, including L pontificating on something while we played Arkham Horror. 

"He never sits still."

Vizzini is on the lookout for elastic bands. 

"I am - they are so delicious and chewy!"

But he won't get any! Here, have another catnip mousie, bud. 

"Stop looking! We're having a moment!"

I love watching him go to town on the mousie. He flips it all over and pounces on it. 

"I also rake with my fearsome back claws!"

The mousie ended up inside his tunnel. 

"I may have to rid the house of this menace!"

What a funny kitty! 

I awoke to a sad email from Mom - my aunt Joan died over the weekend. She battled cancer for a long time, and was the love of my uncle Brian's life - they were together for over 30 years. That's her in the upper left corner with Brian (my mom's older brother). 

This is the last pic I have of her, from our Christmas 2020 Zoom call. That's me in the upper middle, niece Zoe in the upper right, brother Dave (Zoe's dad) in the lower left and Mom in the lower right. 

She and Brian came up to Victoria from Melbourne in June 2016, which was the last time we saw her in person.

Mom, Joan and Brian. Sending much love to Brian and Mom. Rest in peace, Joan. 

Vizzini is ready to give some kitty love and Purr Therapy. 

"Come on, Woman, I know you need a cuddle."

Thanks, I'll be right there. 

I hope you all had good weekends! Thank you for stopping by!