Bigass Weekend, Part 1: Friday Tilt! in Silk, Purple Boots and Crimped Hair, Plus Pink and Orange Brunch and Present From L

Hello, Gentle Readers! I've split my usual Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up into two parts, as there is just too much FUN for one post (plus writing, editing and stuff takes ages). 

Part 1 is the kickoff of our weekend, including Friday evening at Tilt! at Phillips Backyard Weekender series of concerts, and Saturday brunch. 

L and I both took Friday off, but it turned out to be one of those stressful sorts of days (the Insta drama, other computer-related un-fun stuff) and we basically turtled at home until it was time to join our friends in the great outdoors, downtown at Phillips Brewery. You might recall, last year in July 2022 (here) was my first "fest" adventure in the sort-of post-Pandemic times. I was able to handle it then, so I took a big, deep breath and said, "YES" to it again this year. 

Big thanks to my guy L, for keeping close to me and making sure I was doing okay at all times. I'm REALLY not good at crowds.

L and I had compliments all day from folks, including one very tipsy woman who eyed me earlier, then came up later to gush over how "authentically cool" we were. I think "authentic" is code for "old, as we were definitely in the minority of people over 50. It's all good, though - gotta show the young'uns how it's done, right? 

The weather was hot, but very windy, and the venue is the wide-open parking lot of Phillips Brewery, which is a block from the ocean/inner harbour. 

 I knew it would be cold later, so I layered up. First wearing of my new Fluevog boots! 

• Dress/tunic - Sympli, thrifted; last worn here in December 2022 over tartan trousers
• Boots - Original Samedi, Fluevog; purchased here for $399.99

In case you're wondering, I crimped my hair with my pink crimping iron, purchased at Eaton's back in 1986! I still have it - there's a picture of The Crimper (it's PINK) here from New Year's Eve 2012, when I crimped my shorter red hair. 

I had a lot of fans of my look overall - but it's a pretty simple ensemble. 

I wore a black tank under the silk tunic, plus floral tights.

You can see my black sport shorts underneath. It's a good thing I wore them, as the wind lifted my tunic over my waist several times! 

Incognito. 

I wore my shades until the sun went down. 

I tied a colourful scarf around my neck, and let it waft around behind me. 

I bet I was the only concert-goer wearing Alexander McQueen! I wrapped it around front later and snugged my hands inside the silk to keep them warm. 

Accoutrements: 

A good concert purse - I had a shopping bag in there for merch, and also carried a CD that L bought. 

• Purse - Roots, thrifted
• Silk scarf - Alexander McQueen, consignment

The stuff: 

Aren't the boots magnificent? I wore thick socks with them, and was very glad for it (standing on concrete for over 5 hours is a lot). I need a pair of sports insoles for extra support - I put these in all of my sh*tkicker boots.  

F#@! bling: 

My earrings blinded everyone (they are very shiny) and the rings reflected my state of mind. Crowds! Gah!

• Swear rings - Wendy Brandes
• Earrings - consignment
• Gold/amethyst ring - Frances Jewelers, c. 1965, Dad's

We arrived around 5:30pm, after scarfing down a slice of pizza from the Brickyard on the way to town. 

L, Caro and Cat. 

Caro, me and Cat. 

My gals let me clamp onto their arms while I nervously navigated the crowd. Thank you, my sweets, seriously. You saved me. 

Dear friend Linda was there too! 

She was also happy to be my crowd-companion. 

They raised the stage this year so that we could see the performers better. We were there to see JJ Wilde and Lord Huron. 

Check out L's concert review here, plus his reckoning of Lord Huron's latest album. 

The blue arrow is pointing at JJ Wilde. 

L took some of these, as I had to move back, out of the crowds. 

She's a Canadian artist and worth checking out! 

"Running Off the Rails" (link here 'cause I love) is my current favourite song by her. 

I like to people-watch and look around when I'm at a gig. The ginormous Blue Buck is quite something. 

And nothing says "festival" like a "URINALS" sign. 

This sign amused all of us. 

So I guess it's cool to smoke, if no smoking causes removal, right? Grammar, people! Punctuation matters! 

I seem to have missed taking any pictures of Nick, but he was up there in the mosh pit all day (the day's performers started just before 3pm). 

L with Jacquie and Casey (J is C's daughter). Rock on, peeps! 

DJ Boitano spun some discs while Lord Huron set up. 

We were amused by the Spinal Tap-esque "Stonehenge" stage prop. 

The sun started to go down around 8pm. A big beautiful sky. 

They expanded the venue from last year, so it was MUCH less crowded. This section was 2 blocks roped off to traffic, and was just drink tickets and drink tents. 

Looking towards the water. 

Gorgeous light. 

Caro and I went on a mission for mini-donuts, and checked out the food truck area. 

Giant Jenga, chess and cornhole in the middle, port-a-pottys on the left and a smoking area straight ahead. 

We heard Lord Huron starting, and dashed back to find our crew and share the fresh, hot donuts (they were so good - I think I ate 6!). 

L and I had been concerned that the atmospheric music wouldn't translate well to a live show, but Lord Huron was excellent. 

More sunset over the tents. 

Back to the concert! 

So. Many. People. The blue "Believe" shirt has the classic "Bigfoot" image on it. 

Lights! 

The crowd was getting a little rowdy by this time. 

And it was getting windier! 

Blurry but happy. 

And then it was dark. 

Yup, that's a blurry stage! L and I didn't stick around for the "one more song!" that the crowd was chanting for, and hoofed it home where we fell asleep on the couch. What an exhausting - but fun! - day. 

Vizzini found L's two band tees and my shopping bag. 

"I see you bought me some gifts, thank you."

L bought me a JJ Wilde tee. 

I like the design. I'll be sleeping in this. 

On Saturday, we skipped Day 2 of the Tilt! Weekend - we've seen Snotty Nosed Rez Kids before and DJ Pee .Wee (aka Anderson .Paak) is not to our tastes. Instead, we headed to the Ruby for brunch. 

Oops, forgot to change my settings for not-in-a-blue-room. 

However, my next pic caught all the wind! 

Whoosh! 

• Bodysuit - Escada, vintage 80s, thrifted; last worn here (2nd outfit) in June with plaid
• Skirt - A Tribute to Marimekko by H&M, thrifted; last seen here in July 2022 with Marimekko stripes
• Shoes - Groovy Aubrey, Fluevog; last worn here in June with chevrons

Mostly pink and orange. The bodysuit is a tomato-y red - I liked how it went with the skirt. 

POCKETS. This is one of my all-time favourite skirts.

And it's swooshy too. 

The skirt fabric is a cotton-silk mix - very flowy. 

It's tiny in the waist, so I zip it as far as it will go, and cover the waistband with a belt. 

We enjoyed a quick brunch, then grocery-shopped. 

Incognito.

These colours make me happy. 

Ready to be driven in a convertible. 

Blurry as I try to balance. 

Accoutrements: 

Happy to have my repaired scarf back in rotation. 

• Purse - consignment
• Silk scarf - Marc Rozier, thrifted

The stuff: 

These shoes are very good with Toe, which is nearly healed. 

Orange bling: 

Must wear all the orange! 

• Belt - vintage 80s, thrifted
• Orange bangle - consignment, Sidney
• Steel/Lucite ring - Calvin Klein, thrifted
• Wooden earrings - vintage, vintage expo
• Plastic bracelet/ring - Italian, vintage 60s, vintage mall
• Venetian glass pendant - Karen's, bought by me in Venice. 

While I grocery-shopped, L picked up cat food, and then asked me to come and look at a robe he'd found for himself at Rich Rags consignment.

Red and covered in yellow tiger heads! 

Buy it, man! 

RAR! The fabric is utter crap, but it's very fun and L will rock it. 

Julia had a bunch of amazing jean jackets, all upcycled and sewn by a local artist. I fell in love, and examined all of them before settling on this one. 

I adore the purple fringe on the hem and cuffs. 

So pretty! 

I love the eyes on the shoulders, the lip on the back, that amazing vase. 

It came with a wee crow/raven pinned to the collar (where horses frolic). 

I'll probably remove that and pin it to something else. 

It's by Ricochetjackets (IG handle here - I see my jacket there!). 

It was $199.00, and L bought it for me - thank you, my love! 

We're headed to Tilt! again tomorrow/Sunday, so please check back for another fest-y ensemble. 

Again, thanks to my amazing friends and my Chosen Family for your love and support!