Mom-Day Adventure: Autumn Colours on the Lochside Trail at Swan Lake, and a Wee Shop

Welcome back to another Mom-Daughter Adventure Day! Mom and I visited another section of the Lochside Trail, one I'd never been to. We also had lunch, and then I bussed to town and had a wee shop in the WIN Thrift Boutique. 

Let's begin with the traditional selfie: 

"It's so cold out!" I said to Mom as we hugged. We had a bit of a gloomy day, but we spent it surrounded in gorgeous autumn colours. 

But before I get to that, the outfit.

I pulled one of my almost-ready-made outfits from a bunch hanging in my closet. All I had to do was pick the shoes and jewelry.

• Sweater - Scotch & Soda, consignment; first seen here in September with peach leopard
• Skirt - INC Stretch by International Concepts, vintage 90s, thrifted; purchased here for $24.99
• Shoes - Matisse, Sidney; last worn here in July with a neglected suit
• Coat (below) - Halston, vintage 70s, consignment, Sidney; last seen here in October

Showing off the deep pockets on this skirt. 

I have nylons on, in case you're worried about my cold legs (they were still chilled). 

I took inspiration from Greetje's outfit here (all links in this post 'cause I love - I've met Greetje, she's a friend).

She tucked her longer sweater/jumper in at the front, then added a belt over her skirt. It looked so cute, I had to steal borrow her trick.

The sweater is so pretty - I love the knit pattern (not a print). 

I had a cami layered under it, but could have used a long-sleeved top. 

Outerwear. Better bundle up! 

I steamed all the horrendous wrinkles out of my coat. 

Showing off my poppy for Remembrance Day. 

I always wear it, although it's not in my photos (I usually forget, and then put it on after). 

Accoutrements: 

My toque was lovely and snuggly, as were the gloves. 

• Purse - Ted Lapidus, vintage 90s, vintage fair
• Silk scarf - Celine, thrifted
• Gloves - thrifted
• Mohair toque - thrifted

The scarf was just right.

The stuff: 

My shoes are still wet - the toes and heels - from walking home in the rain. 

Amber bling: 

Some favourites. 

• Belt - Notes du Nord, thrifted
• Bangle - vintage 1920s, vintage mall
• Amber/silver bracelet - consignment, Powell River
• Silver/amber earrings - thrifted
• Silver/amber necklace - vintage 1920s, vintage mall, gift from L
• Silver/amber ring - consignment
• Anneke & Lars silver ring - vintage mall
• Silver chain ring - Mexican, consignment

I only had my coat off at the Monkey Tree Pub afterwards, but I knew all this stuff was there. Mom always scopes out my bling. 

Mom and I last visited a section of the Lochside Trail, at Mattick's Farm, here in September. This time, we parked at the Saanich Municipal Hall, and walked to the start of the section at the south of Swan Lake (last visited here in July).

I hope you like leaves turning colour. 

Looking across to the north side of Swan Lake. 

Of course, we're at Swan Street. 

The yellows and oranges are so vivid. 

We strolled along slowly and breathed in the crisp air. 

These blackberries are mummified now.

Their leaves turn too. 

Christmas Hill in the distance across the lake. 

Every so often as we ambled along, we got glimpses of the water. 

I did not know that this the First Auspicious Feng Shui Site in Canada! 

Don't squint, Gentle Reader - I have the text for you here. 

We could just see the observatory dome in the distance, to the left of Christmas Hill. 

The arrows are pointing to the floating boardwalk and the Nature House. 

More gorgeous colour. 

Yellows, and oranges and greens, oh my. 

Dramatic maple leaves. 

Stark branches. 

This would be very sheltered in spring/summer. 

It's a busy path - bikes, runners and walkers flowed around us. 

I bet we were the only ones who saw all the birds, though. 

This bird is a variety of thrush. 

A peek at the west side of the lake

Mom lives over that-away. 

More dramatic glimpses. 

Such a vivid orange on those leaves. 

"Squirrel!" I shouted (as I do). "Whoa!" said Mom. 

It was really close to us, trying to camouflage itself against the tree. See it? 

Treetops full of birds. 

They were flitting about. 

I liked these two maples with the intertwined stems. 

Just like me and Mom. 

Mom had asked me if I wanted these earrings she found in her jewelry box, stuck behind a necklace spinner. They're the Eye of Horus, as you can clearly see. 

Never worn, still in the packaging! They are Egyptian silver, which means it's 900 parts silver, versus 925 of Sterling silver. Shinier and doesn't tarnish, basically. 

Mom bought this at the Royal Museum Shop, the gift shop at the Royal BC Museum. Both Mom and I worked as volunteers at the gift shop in the early/mid-80s, as did both of her parents. "Before it was Royal," we always say. 

The earrings were $34.00 - they were parted of the themed gifts to go with the 2018 "Egypt: The Time of the Pharaohs" exhibit (news link here; museum link here). Thank you so much, Mom, I love them! 

And I love you! Thank you for such a wonderful day. Here she is, looking resplendent in her Wedgewood blue sweater. 

"What is this brooch?" I asked - I don't ever remember seeing Mom wear it. "You bought it for me!" chortled Mom. Oops! 

After lunch, I hopped the bus to town and had a leisurely browse in the WIN Boutique on Cook Street. 

A book ($3.95) for me, and a couple of CDs ($1.00 each) for L. 

I plucked this amber glass split candy dish out of the window. 

It's not my Indiana Glass Company moulded glass, but I also have quite a few pieces of this cheaper line. It'll be useful for something, possible rings or earrings. 

It was only $4.95. 

In my basket you go! 

I had a bunch of stuff in my basket after an hour of browsing, and pared it down to only the things I really liked and fit.

This is a ginormous long rectangular scarf (it's folded in half here). I like that half of the length is a pink and cream printed on the ribbon weave. 

And the other half is a vintage-y botanical print. The fabric feels like viscose.

I see wild roses, a bird and...is that a PINEAPPLE??

I spied a Banana Republic label - this wasn't cheap originally, probably retailing around $60-75.00. 

For $6.95, I shall take you home. 

This is a really good quality pink/red/coral tank. 

It's longer than a cami, and has enough coverage to be worn as a top. 

A nice split on the sides. 

Nicely sewn of a thick polyester.

Made in Canada! This would also not have been cheap. 

This is the Go To Tank Tunic, and it's on sale for $109.00 on their site, regular retail $129.00. 

We used to have a shop downtown that sold a lot of this brand. 

All mine for $14.95. 

I really like the oversized chain/coin pattern on this top. 

It's a thick jersey that will be great for layering. 

It's by...

And was a bargain price of...

We'll never know! 

Okay, it was $11.95. 

This was the most expensive item, a skirt I saw last time I was here, and put back. 

Now that I have green boots that colour, I am watching for green things. 

The knit is deeply ribbed so that it's VERY stretchy and reveals hiding colour when it's on. 

Black and white and green. I like those colours! 

Even if it didn't have a single tag or label, I knew this had silk in it. 

It's a modal (processed plant fibre), silk and poly blend. 

It's from the Lauren line of Ralph Lauren. 

At $34.95 it was a little pricey. But as they note, "NWT!" 

I know, I'm excited too! New With Tags! 

I guess $35 is a bargain when it starts at $180.00! Gayle King wore it on TV in 2022 with a matching top, so it's not very old (link here). I'll be watching for that top! 

This sweater caught my hand - it felt much better quality than the majority of the stuff in the thrift section of the boutique. 

I pulled it out. I like the asymmetrical bits of knit. 

Some interesting details. I think the wool is a cotton/poly mix. 

Why have a plain sweater? 

It has a logo. 

That is...a praying skeleton. 

I recognized the label - I have a Religion vest (last seen here) that I bought for $47 at Turnabout a few years ago. 

The content tags inside had been washed to a plain black satin, so this has been pre-loved. When I started poking up inside the sweater, I found this giant label inside. Yeah, I can't read it either - it's probably pretentious. 

The Kneeling Skeleton is a specialty line by Religion, but regular sweaters by them run $175.00-$200.00 new. I think this is a men's sweater, by the way (it has extra-long arms and wide shoulders and is snug in the hips). 

Yet another bargainous price - $11.95. I might keep this for wearing around the house (L has already informed me he hates it, ha ha). 

And on that note, my friends, I'm off for the weekend. As it's Remembrance Day on Saturday, Monday's observed as a statutory holiday, so I'll be back with tales of adventure in a few days. Wishing you all peace, thankfulness, and snuggly sweaters.