Mom-Day Birthday Lunch at Oak Bay Beach Hotel, and a Wee Shop

Welcome back to Mom-Day, Gentle Readers! Uncle Brian is still in town, and joined us today for the traditional Birthday Lunch at the Oak Bay Beach Hotel.

Yay! So lovely to spend some time with my fam! 

I had fun playing around in my closet in the morning, pairing up this new-to-me leopard-print blazer with my paprika pouf skirt. 

Today is World Mental Health Day, a good reminder to take action to do what makes your brain go, "Ahhh...I need to do that more." Playing in my closet is so soothing for me. 

• Velvet blazer - Nygard, thrifted; purchased here for $24.95
• Sleeveless sweater - Contemporaine, thrifted; purchased here for $7.48
• Skirt - Kaliyana, consignment; first seen here in May with snake bookends
• Boots - Matisse, consignment; last worn here (2nd outfit) in September with blue and orange

We're still having warm enough temps that I can get away with wearing a blazer as outerwear.

And because this is a VELVET blazer, I prefer to wear it now to avoid future Velvet Rage. No coat will work over a velvet blazer, telling you that now, my friends. 

This ginormous paprika pouf skirt is thick cotton, so also runs the risk of creeping up tights and clothes. I wore a vintage slip under it to prevent Cotton Rage.

I love the fitted cut of the blazer, but it's hard to see the pattern - it's a very dark black on brown.

Done up, it has a corset-y vibe (a vibe I am always in for).

Two nice splits at the back to work over a giant skirt. 

Without the jacket to show my new-to-me thrifted top. Nothing fancy here, just a good quality sleeveless black turtleneck for layering under pretty much everything. I was glad I had this on as it was a much warmer day than expected.

As I took my pics I was grumbling about lack of pockets in the skirt...completely forgetting that it has massive ones! I stored my sunglasses/glasses and my phone in them. 

Done up. After lunch, I had a wee wander down Oak Bay Avenue. 

Not a major shop, just looking around. I only bought one thing - and it's something I went back for.

Incognito. 

I felt very chic wandering around in this. 

Scarf tied up.

It was cold in the shade, but I soon got warm walking in the sun (I'm a fast walker).

Accoutrements: 

When I spotted this scarf in my collection (after a good swishing around in the boxes for colours), I knew it was perfect. I love the crowns and golden horses. 

• Purse - Rebecca Minkoff, consignment
• Scarf - Daniel La Foret, vintage mall, gift from L
• Wool gloves - Parkhurst

The stuff: 

Tall boots! I walked home from the Oak Bay Beach Hotel in these. 

Brass bling: 

Featuring Mom's horoscope necklace, a gift from my dad to her in the early 70s, likely purchased at the Mexican Gift Shop which used to be on Douglas Street.

Mom matched the table flowers so nicely.

Looking very Chanel in her pale pink sweater. The necklace is made from 100+ year old beads, old family ones. 

Brian laughing. 

We had a lovely lunch - I devoured my Portobello mushroom burger.

With a gorgeous view. 

Windy, but sunny. 

Mount Baker is hiding behind those clouds in the middle. 

We'll have to suffer with this miserable view, hee hee. 

We all shared the cheesecake with berry coulis.

Bonus birthday macarons, aw! I found enough room for these. The green was pistachio; the pink was berry. 

Thanks for taking my picture, Mom! 

And thank you for buying lunch! I love you! 

By the time we left, Mt. Baker was visible. 

I walked along the water to Oak Bay Avenue, popping into House of Savoy to say hi. 

I was on a mission, though - to Pocket Clothing! This black lace dress had been stuck in my mind from last week's Wee Shop and I went back for it. 

When a piece haunts me like that, I know I have to have it. I'd put it back last week due to a small snag on the front, plus...what does one wear under it? It's completely sheer!

It has no tags, but it does have a zipper in the back and the lace is in long wide panels. 

The seams are done well and it has good weight to it - it's a full swooshy skirt with a very deep V front.

I was in luck - not only was it still in the store but it was marked down! I'd made my peace with it being gone, but that was a relief.

This Gothic lace dress was $60.00, marked down from $76 and $68. Done! 

And now, my friends, I'm signing off the long weekend. It's Thanksgiving in Canada, and I'm thankful for every one of you for visiting, reading and commenting. Have an awesome weekend and pop by on Monday for tales of adventure.

Happy Birthday To Me, In Gaultier and DVF, With Presents

Hello, my friends! As you may have intuited from the post title, today is my birthday! Wee! I am 57 years old - or 19 for the 3rd time, heh heh.

I put together an outfit based around my newly-thrifted Jean Paul Gaultier jacket. How could I not?

• Jacket - Jean's by Jean Paul Gaultier, vintage 00s, thrifted; purchased here for $24.95
• Camisole - Molly Bracken, consignment; purchased here for $14.00
• Wool-blend skirt - Diane Von Furstenberg, thrifted; last worn here in May with Missoni
• Boots - Kope TiamTeapots, Fluevog; last seen here in February with a drapey outfit

As part of my morning routine, I pick up Vizzini and carry him around the house, looking at things ("don't look at the bear!" is a favourite). 

"I would like to chew on that scarf."

Here we are, captured in the hall mirror. He sits outside the bathroom door (next to the mirror) and waits for me to notice him and pick him up. Aw, what a sweet boy. He did drool on my shoulder. 

I wanted to wear this jacket for my birthday, so I played around with it on the weekend and matched it up to this lace-trimmed leopard camisole, picked up a couple of weeks ago on a Mental Health Shop. 

I adjusted the straps to make it work-appropriate (i.e. no cleavage). Not that I needed to bother - the office was empty! 

The skirt is a much more vivid grape-y purple (gah, the light this time of year sucks).

I matched my tights to it (my little matchy heart was happy). 

Isn't the jacket the coolest? 

I showed this off to my few colleagues who cared, ha ha. 

Done up - fits perfectly! 

I didn't wear it like this at all, but nice to know I can. 

Incognito. Who is that 57-year-old person?

After work, I bought a few things at the Dollar Store for Hallowe'en - I can't resist all the glitter! - and then met up with L for dinner at Baan Thai. 

Accoutrements: 

Sometimes you just want a field of galloping horses, you know? 

• Silk scarf - France, vintage, vintage fair
• Gloves - Principles, vintage 90s, thrifted

The stuff: 

I waffled over the shoes - these boots are a little on the tall side for me these days, but they are still comfortable enough for a few blocks' walk. 

Bold bling: 

Only the classiest things for my birthday! 

• Necklace - Givenchy, vintage 80s, vintage fair
• Eelskin bracelet - fake Gucci, Italy, c. 1988, gift from Mom & Dad
• Chain/leather wrap - local
• Glitter double snake ring - consignment
• Gold/amethyst ring - Frances Jewelers, c. 1965, Dad's
• Earrings - vintage 80s, consignment, Powell River

My work-friend Carol-Anne bought me this glorious dahlia: 

So sweet! It has a light delicate scent. 

And bestie (since I was 14!) Janet sent on this goofy pic of me from several years back: 

Once a goofy gal, always a goofy gal.

I had all kinds of texts and emails from family and loved ones during the day, plus pings from my coworkers. I felt very special. And when I got home from dinner - after talking to Mom and my brother Dave - I unwrapped my presents from L. 

As usual, the man spoils me! Two books, chocolate truffles ("the gross kind you like," said L), gift cards to Fluevog and Turnabout, "Big Ol' Word Nerd" socks, Fluevog socks and an amazing scarf. 

"I had help from the Turnabout House of Savoy people," confessed L.*

      *updated as L misspoke, per comment

"I also supervised."

Look at that amazing scarf! The pattern is abstract...fighter jets?? Jet engines? Definitely has a military vibe about it.

"Oh, you spent too much!" I protested weakly.

I'm going to go out on a limb here and guess that this is from 2012. 

It's a silk/cotton/modal scarf, made in Italy.

And it's by Givenchy. It feels like my Alexander McQueen skull scarf - same fine texture, like cobweb. 

Cat-approved. 

"Wait, I think I should chew on it a bit first."

And...cat OFF the Givenchy scarf! 

"Well, at least let me sit on your lap..."

I can do that. My actual present from Vizzini - some drool and a sleeping cat on my lap. What I always wanted! Best birthday ever! 

Darth Vest, Blue Suede Trousers and Enraging Coat

Another closet play-time outfit incorporating not one but TWO new-to-me items. 

I usually do not allow such shenanigans, as I believe my clothes have to learn to get along with the ones already in my wardrobe. 

• Vest - Marla Wynne, consignment; purchased here for $62.00
• Silk blouse - Wilfred, consignment; last seen here in November 2023 with black leather
• Suede pants - Neto, vintage 90s, thrifted; purchased here for $49.99
• Shoes - Super Fine Cardinal, Fluevog; last worn here in June with mixed metals

But I made an exception to add my newest "Darth" piece of clothing, this long crinkly-textured black vest.

If you search on my blog for "Darth" you'll find a mix of vests, long dusters and swooshy things. 
Darth Sheila probably started with my old Armani silk duster - enjoy a glorious Darth moment here from July 2019 - which I moved along in the last year. 

When I spotted this long vest, it called to me - I could think of so many ways to wear it! 

I'd already paired up my mustard silk blouse with its swooping and swirling abstract murmurations with these thrifted suede trousers. 

But the outfit needed a topper, something to tie it all together. 

Ergo, vest. I did swoosh this around at my colleagues and took great glee in feeling it billow out behind me while I went downstairs. 

Without - I took it off to go to the bathroom! It's no fun dunking your Darth garments in the toilet. 

I absolutely loved the suede pants. They were soft and I love the rich blue colour. The hems are a little long, so I tucked them into my socks for my walk home in the misty rain. So KLASSY, Sheila! 

Coated. I became enraged with this PVC snakeskin coat over the day. It looks great like this.

I'm so cool, right? But I carry a backpack and I walk fast. I have no time for this louche poser stuff in real life. 

Incognito. 

The coat also DOES NOT HAVE BUTTONS. No zipper, no snaps, NOTHING. It relies on sheer force of will to hold it closed. As I strode, it worked its way open - arg! It's also very sweaty-making but also not warm to wear at all. Off to Limbo - BEGONE!

The stuff: 

These have been one of my best shoe purchases of the past 5 years - they are comfy as heck and go with everything! 

Brass bling: 

I am so happy to have all these wonderful pieces back in my accessory wardrobe. 

• Belt - thrifted
• Brass/glass necklace/Ring - Rafael Canada, vintage 70s, consignment
• Leather/brass cuff - vintage 70s, Mom's
• Brass ring bracelet - consignment
• Brass Brutalist ring - vintage mall
• Earrings - vintage mall

Soothed at the Periodontist in Velvet and Yohji

Ah, Monday again, and wouldn't you know it, that's the perfect day to go to the periodontist! 

Knowing I would need a substantial amount of Clothing as Armour, I dressed in things that made me feel strong and confident and fabulous (always fabulous!), plus soothing textures that I could touch. 

• Bomber jacket - Yohji Yamamoto Y3 x Adidas, early 00s, consignment; purchased here for $120.00
• T-shirt - O-Gen, thrifted; last worn here (2nd outfit) with plaid and tulle in August
• Skirt - Linda Lundstrom, vintage 90s, thrifted; last seen here in November 2023 with a blue hair earworm
• Booties - Ecco, thrifted; last worn here in March with gone burgundy lace

It was very foggy when I woke up this morning - you can just see the Castle. 

I swear, it's there! 

This is my first wearing of this unusual Yohji Yamamoto Y3 x Adidas bomber jacket. I forgot I had to pull it on over my head - the zippers are only there to play with, they don't actually separate.

I liked the casual vibe of the top with the formality of a full-length velvet skirt - a little high-low styling provides contrast and makes an outfit more interesting.

And I took my cues for accompanying pieces from the pale blue of the sheer back panel, and from the purple-brown of the cuffs, hem and collar. 

This silk velvet skirt is one of my favourite pieces - it's like stroking a kitten. The pale teal blue is such a 90s colour. 

I layered one of my plain t-shirts under it to let the back shine. 

So unusual! 

By the time I walked to work in the morning, all the fog had lifted and we had a glorious sunny day, with temps up to the high teens.

I worked the morning, then bused to my appointment for the early afternoon, and L picked me up afterwards - I was very groggy from the "happy pill." 

I didn't need a coat, just my fabulous Halston scarf and soft velour gloves (more soft textures). 

Unfortunately, when I pulled the bomber over my head to take it off, the entire top of the back panel...

RIPPED! I'm just gutted! I might be able to do a bit of visible mending to fix it, but it tore right through the fabric. SO SAD.

Accoutrements: 

This scarf goes so perfectly with the skirt. 

• Silk scarf - Halston, vintage 90s, thrifted
• Velour gloves - Principles, vintage 90s, thrifted

The stuff: 

These booties are a dark purple, and are super comfortable. I walked to work in them. 

Sparkly bling:

The new-to-me cuff wanted to hang heavy side down, but it didn't fall off. 

• Necklace - Stella & Dot, thrifted
• Sparkle cuff/earrings - J. Crew, thrifted; purchased here for $10.00
• Crystal cuff - Swarovski, consignment, gift from L
• Silver/crystal ring - Soul Flower
• Smoky topaz/silver ring - Anneli Neuman, Sweden, vintage mall

And now...back to have some more nap-time.