Mom-Day Adventure at the HCP; Reader Request Double Persian, a Missing Kitty Found, and a Wee Shop

Hello, my friends! Today, we had the most wonderful weather (which, even as I type this, is getting cloudy and leaning to rain, sigh) for our Mom-Daughter Adventure Day. Mom and I went back to the Horticultural Centre of the Pacific - you can check out the last time we visited here in December 2022.

I also had some mild panic when I couldn't find Vizzini AT ALL (I discovered his hidey-hole, phew), and had a wee shop at the WIN Boutique on the way home. So many tales to tell! 

I'm finally getting to Reader Merren's request for the Ringmaster jacket and my Dolce & Gabbana skirt with the lambswool trim. She wanted to see both my Persian lambs in one outfit. 

I wasn't sure these would work together, but I ended up really liking this look. Thanks, Merren!

• Sweater - M&S, thrifted; last worn here in February, layered under grey
• Skirt - Dolce & Gabbana, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) in December 2021 for a shopping trip with Yvonne
• Boots - Doc Martens, consignment; last worn here (2nd outfit) in February with my Muppet skirt on a shopping expedition
• Ringmaster coat - Rodarte for Opening Ceremony, consignment; last seen here (3rd outfit) in December 2022 for yet another shopping trip!

I knew it would be a mixed bag, weather-wise, plus I'm always cold. Layers!

I've got a t-shirt under my thin sweater, and both the jacket and the skirt are quite warm. 

Isn't the jacket amazing? The top half is faux Persian lamb, and the bottom is thick wool. 

No freakin' pockets, though. I will never cease ranting about a COAT that doesn't having pockets. Bah! 

Without the jacket, although I only took it off while we had lunch at Floyd's after our walk. 

This is a useful sweater, just for the colour. 

Showing my wee shorts, so that I didn't have to think about that deep front slit. 

I also have socks on with my Docs. 

By the end of the day, I was unsnapped and de-gloved. 

I did have my sunglasses on most of the day. 

I really liked this jacket and skirt together - I'll probably pair them again at some point (I do love a good formula!). 

Accoutrements: 

I needed the gloves - my hands were freezing. 

• Purse - Rebecca Minkoff, consignment
• Gloves - Parkhurst

The stuff: 

I bought some "lower back pain" inserts for my Docs. I don't have lower back pain, but I like the slightly raised heel and the extra squish. Speaking of formulae - I've worn these boots with the floral necklace before.

Floral bling: 

Oops, missed my leather cuff. 

• Floral necklace - local, She She Shoes, c. 2009
• Floral pin - Le Chateau
• Silver/amethyst earrings/necklace - gifts from Mom & Dad, c. 1987
• Silver/onyx ring - Tocara, vintage fair
• Silver/amethyst ring - vintage mall
• Leather/metal cuff (not shown) - Rimanchik, thrifted

Mom was on her way over, so I went looking to find Vizzini to make sure he wasn't too traumatized from the cleaners who'd been here for our bi-weekly house-clean. I called and called, checked all the closets, under the bed, and even shook his treat bag vigorously, and...nothing! 

And then I spotted...

"You rang, Woman?"

That ear! 

Vizzini, you never sleep in here! 

"I felt like a change of scene."

Aw, enjoy the view of the birds in the trees, little bud. 

"There are birds out there?"

You didn't even notice?

"I have some urgent napping to do."

I laughed - Mom and I both wore black and pink. 

You look fabulous, Mom! Love the shoes with this. 

We drove out to the HCP, and could hear the shrieking and giggling of a gaggle of kids. 

Mom loves kids. I...tolerate them at best. Heh. We avoided them.

Mom's a member and had a free pass, so it cost us nothing to have a leisurely wander. 

I need to bring L out here - I'll buy my own membership then. 

You might want to grab a drink or a blanket, Gentle Readers...

Get ready for lots of pictures of nature! Like these sweet daffodils! 

Some woodsy scenery.

You can just see the water/marsh and lower fields in the distance. We are up quite high above. 

An alluring path. 

There are so many paths, we got turned around and stymied by non-Mom-accessible sections a couple of times. 

I love these trees, until the petals fall off. 

And then they are gross and brown and sticky. 

Mom and her hellebores. 

That one IS really pretty, Mom. 

I love the Japanese gardens.

So calm. 

There are pink blossoms here and there. 

We crossed this pond...

...this is looking the other way. 

The stream trickles downhill.

This is a good crossing area.

There was a crossing with big stepping stones, and Mom was adamant. "NO."

We came downhill to the lower pond. 

I see the mermaid! She's on the right, see?

She's often hard to discern. 

The water was very still and clear. 

Looking back up the creek. 

Calm reflections. 

I love this walkway.

It looks out over the lower fields and a Zen garden. 

A waxy camellia. 

The bush beside it was a mass of blooms. 

Another alluring path, with views of the lower fields and marsh.

I went this way while Mom took the upper route. 

What a view! 

We laughed at the archway on the right - it's sprouting shoots that are growing straight up. 

My favourite couple. 

With daffodils! 

I liked this furry flower. 

Pretty purple asters. 

Hi, Mom! 

I'll be right with you. 

There are so many spots where you can just sit and take it all in. 

I spy the folly in the field - close to Mom's head in the distance. 

Next to the willow. 

So cool. Please put that in my front yard. 

I was giddy at spotting rock lizards. 

They were scurrying around, soaking in the warm sun. 

The heather in the Winter Garden is still in glorious bloom. 

See the face? 

It's like a giant Chia Pet. 

I walked to the end of the "wedding area" to see this side of the lower fields and marsh. 

There was a mum with two kids sitting on the lawn. I moved so that the tree hid them. 

Turn around...

I see Mom in her white leather coat, right in the centre. 

The giant eucalyptus tree. 

My stomach was growling. I need lunch!

One last deep breath of the fresh clean air. 

We were serenaded by birdsong constantly, and saw many different types of birds flitting about. 

English primroses. Love that colour - is it red or pink?

And one aster. 

A last look before we head off. 

What a wonderful day! 

Thanks so much, Mom. 

I love you! 

I bused to town and had a browse in the WIN Boutique on Quadra St. 

These pink tights will get lots of wear - they're control top, so they won't fall down. They were $6.95, regular retail $15.95. 

I liked the colours and the image on this tank top. 

I'll likely wear this layered with my white jeans in the summer. 

Or I might just sleep in it. 

It's the Republic of Vancouver Island! Totally NOT a thing. We're part of the province of BC. I do like the octopus, though! 

The top was made for the store Republic of Vancouver Island (the store IS totally a thing). Designs here - they have hoodies! All links 'cause I love, of course.

This probably would have been around $20.00; I paid $6.95 which felt good. 

I waffled over this dress as I thought it might be too tight - however, it fits! 

"Ahem, now that you are home again..."

I love the pink colour - it's 100% cotton, and the skirt bottom is lined. 

"How about dinner? I could eat."

I steamed it before taking these pics as it was a wrinkled mess. 

It's by Jones & Co, and was $14.95. 

No idea how old it is or how much it might have retailed for, but $15 is not bad for a nice dress. 

I snatched this one off the rails pretty quickly. 

The fabric is a light flowy viscose. 

It's blue with lavender, and there's even some yellow in there. These are likely flowers, but they look more like croissants to me! 

Showing off the pockets! Woo! 

What wasn't "woo!" - finding a rip at the top of the zipper. 

I think I can patch that up without too much trouble. It's under the armpit and isn't noticeable, and it's not a spot at risk for re-ripping. 

It's by See By Chloe, which is the spin-off of Chloe that was started by Stella McCartney early in her career (press release here from 2000). 

See By Chloe started being phased out in 2022, although they are still selling it on the Chloe website. This style reminds me of the 00s, so I think it's fairly early - couldn't find it anywhere on the internet. Anyway, $24.95 is a very good price for a See By Chloe piece - short dresses retail between $500-700! 

And now, my friends, I am taking a small break from the blog for a bit. Everything's good, just having a wee hiatus - I will return! 

"Promise?"

Yes, I promise! I'll be back on Monday, never fear.