Hello, my friends! Today, Mom and I drove to Esquimalt Lagoon and walked along the water. Mom and I did stop there briefly at the end of our last visit to Hatley Castle/Royal Roads back in August 2021 here. 
When I read that fashion pioneer Mary Quant had died (excellent tribute here, link 'cause I love), I knew I had to wear a mini skirt in her honour.
It was the perfect time to break out this hot pink faux leather mini that I picked up second-hand in Vancouver recently.
- Top - M by Missoni, thrifted; last worn here in February on a very Funky Friday
- Skirt - Vero Moda, consignment, Vancouver; purchased here for $32.99
- Boots - Effortless Sophia, Fluevog; last seen here in September 2022 with the last of an orange dress
- Sweetums cape (below) - vintage, consignment; last worn here for another Mom-Day Adventure in February
I layered a tank under this sparkly thin sweater.
Not gonna lie, that skirt's short!
I leaned into the mod vibe of it.
I would have loved to have walked about like this.
But I needed a coat. Brrr, the wind blows right through!
Sweetums to the rescue!
I was a little cold while we were out in the whipping wind, but this was perfect while running errands in town on the way home.
Incognito.
The proprietor of a local bike shop admired my cape as did the staff in the WIN Boutique.
Accoutrements:
I'm sure I'll wear these boots with the cape again. That's a very good heel for walking.
First wearing of this purse - verdict, good, lots of room.
- Purse - Michael Kors, consignment; purchased here for $70.00
- Scarf - Missoni for Target, thrifted
- Gloves - Bijenkorf, consignment
The scarf was very snuggly.
The stuff:
Mod bling:
Welcome back, spring jewelry! I missed you!
- Cuff - Guess, thrifted
- Cuff/ring - Italy, vintage 60s, vintage mall
- Flower ring - Sidney
- Earrings - consignment
I went looking for Vizzini before I left.
"Go away. Sleeping."
Aw, give me some love, buddy.
"I have all the pillows."
As you should, little pasha.
Mom and I parked at Esquimalt Lagoon (about it here), a bird sanctuary, and were greeted by the cooing of pigeons and quacking of ducks.
The lagoon is enclosed by a long spit, connected at one end by a bridge.
We walked on the lagoon side first.
The buildings on the right far shore are the docks for Hatley Castle/Royal Roads.
The path is covered with debris from the clams that the seagulls and crows drop here to get at the tasty meat.
Cars cruised past us on the left, lagoon on the right.
There's the docks.
This seagull swam along after us for a while.
Uh-oh, there's a Canada goose sitting in the middle of the path.
She's tolerating those two ducks, but she did not like us very much.
There was some hissing and dirty looks, but eventually she moved away.
You keep going, missy.
This crash of driftwood is the west coast version of a stumpery (check out Vix's just-started stumpery here)
That must have been a massive storm for these to be up so far.
This hawk? osprey? was cruising the thermals up and down the shore.
He passed back and forth over our heads several times.
What a day.
My face was salty from the wind!
Our seagull friend was still trailing along with us.
But some more birds have joined us...
These are very fancy ducks.
They were trying to stay out of the way of...
This crowd of cormorants.
They alternated diving (all together, very disconcerting) and swimming like this.
Suddenly, one had a silver flash of a fish and they all took off after him.
Our seagull friend looks on.
Had enough of the water?
Maybe he knows Bert and Ethel, my Castle birds. Maybe he IS Bert. Hi, Bert!
The osprey glided overhead.
And then it was time to cross the busy road and check out the ocean side.
I see freighters, tankers and a Coast Guard ship.
And a...giant crow?
Oh, it's a driftwood sculpture!
The roadside above the beach was dotted with them.
They're by local fixture Paul Lewis (enjoy a feel-good read about him here).
Canada geese and little yellow goslings.
Try not to get blown over, Mom!
The day blew the cobwebs right out - we both felt invigorated.
Aw, I love this mama racoon.
See her babies in the trunk?
That's too freakin' adorable.
Across the bay is Fort Rodd Hill on the far left and Fisgard Lighthouse on the far right.
Lots of stuff going on in the shipyards, including a giant tanker parked in there.
Just as Mom and I were getting close to the car, I saw two swans angling towards us.
We were so excited - Mom had been hoping to see swans.
These two really seemed in a hurry.
That's the pen (the female) being followed by the cob. He was struggling to keep up with her!
They came ashore near the ducks and pigeons.
Mom and I got closer to the car.
And she came nearer.
And then...
She spotted me!
And she did not like what she saw!
Ack, she's coming right at me!
There's my shadow at the bottom - that is close enough!
That is a BIG bird.
I noted how unconcerned the ducks were. Maybe she's done this before?
Mom! Get in the car!
She got her door closed just in time!
Jiminy crickets!
Let's get out of here! I've had enough adventure!
We had a lovely lunch afterward at Montana's and laughed about our adventure.
I really needed that time - I love you, Mom!
I did my errands, then popped into the WIN Boutique for a quick browse. I may have found a couple of treasures.
These bright blue twill cotton pants immediately caught my eye.
There was also a cropped clam-digger pair that I did not buy. Not a clam-digger gal.
What is that gaudy decoration on the back I see? That's not in the right place - Versace puts their patches on the upper waistband.
Oh, Versace, plastering their label all over their clothes.
The studs are classic.
They're little medusa heads.
These pants reminded me very much of my vintage late 80s Versace mom jeans that I thrifted from the Patch in 2015 (post here, scroll down for detail pics). Those are far too small for me now, and are living in my archives.
My mom jeans are far more elaborate (they have crystals!), but that just shows their older vintage. These pants are likely from 90s. Check out this lack of waistband.
A brass zipper, same as my mom jeans. Look at all the stitches holding the hook and eye on!
I really questioned why this patch was on the pocket and not up on the waist where Versace always put them.
I think the former owner moved it so it could be better seen! It's a status symbol, baby.
There are the stitches at the waistband.
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Right where I expected the patch to be.
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Lots of labels inside - these all match my mom jeans.
That's from the manufacturing company, denoting the quality of this piece.
And this is cautioning me to make sure the hologriffe? is there.
Uh-oh, no hologriffe.
I can just see the line on the left and bottom where the hologram probably was. Maybe it wore off in the wash?
A classic little label.
$19.95! That's amazing. They are made in Italy and are 100% cotton - the fabric is gorgeous.
You can't look up the number - I tried!
And what did I pay?
You can't try clothes on at WIN, so I took a risk on these trousers.
I giggled at the zipper fly going right to the minimal waistband. I'm sure those two big grommets used to be connected with a big leather or ribbon tie.
Nothing exciting back here.
They do fit (a bit big) and that's a flattering booty.
They are grey and are 100% cotton. The external finish almost looks like leather - the inside is fleecy!
The hips have these gathered seams.
With a zippered pocket.
And a personalized zipper pull.
Versace Sport on the grommets.
I'll have dig around for something to tie here!
A missing tag.
This was likely removed by the former owner.
I'm sure it was the same person who donated the other two pairs of Versace pants!
I kind of love the fake pockets with the mesh lining.
And the unzippable hems!
"I'm not impressed."
No shock here, they are also Versace. I think they are also 90s - later in the decade.
And only $19.95? You see, right? I had to buy them! Versace trousers sell new $900-1,300.
I immediately saw the quality in this mini skirt. I liked the grommet details and pockets too!
This is also likely from the 90s and the same owner. Wow, thanks for the bonanza!
Escada Sport?
Beautiful snaps and finishes.
This skirt is also 100% cotton, and was $29.95.
Bargain!
I loved this long burgundy knit cardigan.
The pattern in the knit is really interesting.
Very pretty.
I'll be sure to try and snag my office chair on it!
Ha, they put the label in upside-down.
On my way home, I stopped and chatted with this fellow. What a handsome cat you are!
My own kitty was determined to wreak havoc on my shopping bag.
"I will savage it!"
He's on potassium medication and he's gotten more energetic.
"I feel like fighting!"
As long as you're happy, my little furry boy.
And now, my friends, I'm going to sign off for the weekend. I'll leave you with these images of my neighbourhood.
My favourite street. The magnolia's in full bloom.
Someone's been writing poetry on the sidewalk.
"Everything I need, I already have."
Thank you all so much for visiting, and for commenting. May your days be full of joy and wonder.
I love that driftwood art! I just love everything some people make with what they find at the beach. And what a lovely wildfowl, and even a seal. How amazing. Isn't it energising to walk in such a area! Enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteA fabulous tribute to MQ and always a joy to revisit that glorious cape!
ReplyDeleteEsquimalt Lagoon looks wonderful, I love the stumpery (thanks for the shout-out). I can't get over how many birds there are and that photo of the swan peeping over the dashboard is hilarious.
The sky looks glorious and the wood sculptures are incredible. Love the pavement graffiti, too.
That cat you encountered looks like William - very glossy and handsome - just like Vizzini!
All that work to move that Versace label! aren't alterations a fascinating insight into the minds of strangers?
Love that longline cardi, it's got a Free People vibe about it (and I bet it was equally as pricey!)
Have a wonderful weekend, Sheila, L, Vizzini and Sheila's Mum! xxx
The hot pink faux leather mini is the perfect tribute the late Mary Quant. The only item by her I ever owned was a black lipstick, which my friend Ingrid and I - the local punks! - bought in a long-gone shop when we were 17.
ReplyDeleteAs always, I love tagging along on your Mom day adventures, and your avian encounters at Esquimalt Lagoon are no exception, even if you had a narrow escape :-) Those driftwood sculptures are magical!
I had a good chuckle at the fact the previous owner moved that Versace label. Some people!
The long burgundy cardigan is a stunner!
Have a great weekend, Sheila! xxx
A perfect homage to Mary Quant! And a delightfully wonderful outing with your Mom. ❤️ I, too, like the raccoon sculpture, complete with babies. I followed your link to the article about the artist. He has an interesting and somewhat surprising background and I appreciated learning how he found his drawing spark.
ReplyDeleteCoupled with the magnolias (yay Spring!) you are all set for the weekend!
Cheers, Laurie
Sounds like such a wonderful day! You look fabulous in that pink skirt, I like the patterned top and the pink cape with it too :) Even if you did get chased by a swan, you made up for that with the haul! So funny the previous owner moved and removed some of the patches! Such good deals you got though, looking forward to seeing how you wear everything, especially that awesome longline cardigan! :) My go-to local opshop is quick to put pieces out so when i see a few things I love that look similar (like the same necklace in different colours, or a bunch of kimonos) I always wonder if I'm shopping with the same person who donated them! Once we were checking out the books and a lady came up to the kids to offer them a new book that just came in. It was from the pile of books we had just donated before walking into the shop! I told her to please just put them on the shelves, she was right the boys would love the book but it was one that annoyed me and to please not show them it so we could leave without it, haha!
ReplyDeleteIt seems you had a great day. Wonderful photos! Love the seagulls.
ReplyDeleteThe faux mini is fabulous. A perfect tribute to Mary.
Those driftwood sculptures are amazing! I love seeing evidence of people's creativity in public places. (Very wise words on the footpath too!) I think that is an Osprey you photographed. Fantastic capture!
ReplyDeleteThe Versace jeans are a gorgeous shade of blue. Look forward to seeing how you style them. x
Aarrgghh... I just wrote a LONG comment and it got eaten before I could send it. I congratulated you on your in-depth writing on clothing and shopping, pieces that always educate and entertain us. I also asked you a question triggered by the Versace discussion here -- i.e., if you've encountered counterfeit designer clothing in your travels. Given the low prices in thrift stores they wouldn't be very common there but I wonder what you think. Perhaps this would be a good topic for a separate discussion if you're interested or have experience to relate.
ReplyDeleteDang, sorry about that, Ally. I have seen and bought a few counterfeits over the years: my Alexander McGueen (the Dress of a Thousand Nipples), my fake Gucci green lace bomber jacket (no longer in my closet), and a fake Miu Miu jacket several years ago. I also have two fake Louis Vuitton silk scarves. I actually don't see that many fakes here - I live in a "rich" city with a high proportion of people who actually buy authentic designer items. In every case where I bought a fake, I always knew it. I did get a pair of shoes that were labeled "fake" but they ended up being real!
DeleteMost people will never really need to know if what they bought in person is real designer or a fake - however, stuff bought online is OFTEN fake (which is reason #46 of why I don't shop online).