Mom-Day Adventure: Beaver Lake in Taupe Tulle and Jungle Pink, Plus a Wee Shop

Welcome back, Gentle Reader! Mom and I revisited Beaver Lake today, as the weather continues to be spitty rain and cloudy skies, and it's somewhat tree-covered there. 

We last visited "to the left" at Beaver Lake here in March 2023. 

As today's destination was a surprise until Mom called to say she was on her way, I'd dressed for pretty much any location. 

One of the things I enjoy most about a day off is being able to build an outfit organically, just playing around in my closet.

• Blazer - Zara, consignment; last seen here in March with my regret-me-not fin skirt
• T-shirt - Northern Reflections, thrifted; first worn here in October 2023 with a sparkly 90s denim pant suit
• Tulle skirt - consignment; first seen here in March with a crocheted top (now in Limbo)
• Boots - Aldo, thrifted; last worn here in December 2023 with denim and a maxi skirt

This is how I looked while out and about, walking with Mom, on the bus, and strolling through my 'hood. I started with shoes, since I always do a fair bit of walking on Mom-Days.

Then I decided to wear this taupe tulle skirt again, since I've only worn it once and didn't overall like the previous outfit. 

What goes with all that brown on the bottom? 

Colour! I liked how this jungle print regret-me-not blazer (rescued from Limbo)  looked with it. 

I layered a pink t-shirt, then realized I'd be freezing, so I added a thick camisole under it. 

I also have tights and wee shorts under the skirt for extra warmth and socks with the boots. 

Classy! 

The weather's been predicted for sunshine...sometime...soon...

Would it be today? It would not. 

This is my optimistic look and also what I looked like indoors at Floyd's Diner, and while shopping at the WIN Boutique on Cook St. later. 

But this was my destiny. Incognito! 

And a cashmere pashmina and wooly-lined gloves. Bare arms, because I suffer for fashion, ha! 

Accoutrements: 

I like a cross-body purse with lots of pockets. This gold one's been with me for 4-5 years, purchased on clearance at Turnabout. 

• Leather purse - Banana Republic, consignment
• Cashmere pashmina - Portolano, thrifted
• Leather gloves - thrifted

I paid $9.95 for the scarf several years ago - it's escaped the moths! 

The stuff: 

Comfy boots for a nice stroll around part of Beaver Lake, and for walking to the WIN Boutique after I bussed to town post-lunch. I walked home from there as well. 

Colourful bling: 

I like a mix. 

• Belt - Lady Foot Locker, vintage, thrifted
• Square link bracelet - vintage 1930s, vintage mall
• Crystal bracelet - vintage 60s, Mom's
• Necklace - thrifted
• Earrings - Kate Spade, consignment
• Fulvia Ring - Wendy Brandes
• Gold/amethyst ring - Frances Jewelers, c. 1965, Dad's
• Coral/olivine ring - Hawaii, 1977, Mom's

As I waited for Mom to pick me up, I watched all the critters in our maple trees. I saw lots of bugs, and a few little birds flitting about. 

This gentleman was fluffing himself and staring keenly at what I presume was his lady-love. 

He hung upside down! 

That always impresses the ladies. 

Vizzini wanted the deck doors open. 

"Yes, make it warm and sunny immediately, Woman!"

Sorry, bud. It's gonna be cloudy all day. 

Fortunately, the rain held off until the evening, but it was gloomy and light grey.

Beaver Lake was mostly deserted. We did see a lot of big dogs. 

We headed to the left from the parking lot, for a visit to "Dad's bench." 

The trees were full of birds, and Mom had promised me Easter lilies and trilliums. 

Here we are at the first view-point, with a glimpse of the beach on the far side. 

I like being able to see through the trees. 

View from the bench. 

The reflections were amazing. 

Look at this! 

It's so cool. 

We were disappointed that they've taken off all the plates with the names on them. 

Dad's name is gone. That's okay, this isn't the real spot where we let him go. 

He would have approved of this view though. 

More shimmering reflections. 

Sprays of blossoms, surrounded by Easter lilies. 

Everything's starting to turn green and lush. 

I knelt down for a close-up. 

I don't see any trilliums, Mom. 

What a lovely canopy. 

I see a runner in the distance. 

The line of willows on the far shore. 

That area is full of people in the summer. 

This point has another bench. 

See it? 

We're getting closer. 

I think of this one as "Dad's bench."

It's out there, bolted to some bedrock. 

Mom and I sat and chatted for a while. Swallows swooped and swirled over the water. 

Masses of Easter lilies in the background. 

Time to head back. 

Nothing but tall trees. 

Yeah, I was really attracted to the reflections. 

The rain was just starting - you can see it on the water's surface. 

We enjoyed a yummy lunch - tacos for Mom and jalapeno mac & cheese for me. 

I love you, Mom! Thank you for such a lovely day. 

As mentioned, I bussed to town and had a browse in the WIN Boutique on Quadra St. 

"Sex, Drugs and Cocoa Puffs, a Low Culture Manifesto" by Chuck Klosterman, and a couple of pairs of nylons. 

A cheap book at $3.95.

The hosiery was $1.95 and $2.95. 

I found a big wine glass by the Indiana Glass Company from the 1970s. 

Showing me holding it so you get an idea of the size - it's a goblet! 

And only $3.95? 

I've been collecting these for close to 20 years, and that's cheap. 

Some of my wine glass/goblet collection. 

This is called "Diamond Point" (on the left) and the colour is amber. I've also accumulated more amber pieces here and there. 

I have smaller glasses with the gold edging. 

I also collect the "King's Thumbprint" pattern on the left, above. 

Onto the clothes! I snatched up this perfect orange camisole. 

I love the colour. 

I still have a bunch of Mexx camisoles that are 16+ years old. 

They've worn like iron and I expect this will too - it was $8.95 and I'll definitely get my money's worth. 

I bought a bag of wool for an upcoming Crochet Adventure. It was $4.95 for the whole bag. 

This is all a good thickness for beginners. I have light blue, a variegated blue/tan/burgundy, orange, cream and blue. 

I spotted this concert tee in with the menswear. 

I remember these from the merch table at one of their concerts several years ago in March 2017 (here, although I didn't take any pics of it), at the Memorial Arena. 

Tour shirts are usually around $40.00. 

It's a voodoo doll? I don't know, but I like it. And for $9.95, I'll wear it! 

I also had to take this tee. 

If only I had some way to figure out who it's by. 

The design on the front is printed in shiny gold. 

The sunglasses are made up of leopard print! 

A familiar silhouette. 

And signature. 

If only we had some clue...

And of course, it's Karl Lagerfeld. 

For $10.95? That feels like a good deal. 

I bought this top even though I knew it wouldn't fit. 

I love the colours and the abstract swirls. The collar also stands up. 

It has a hidden zip at the back of the neck. 

It's 100% cotton. 

And it's by COS. I like their stuff and I'm sure someone I know will too. 

$8.95 for a shirt, and into the Limbo pile to sell or give away.  

I'm keeping this one for me. It's a sheer blouse that dips down at the sides. 

Very flowy. The background colour is dark green.

I spotted a...skull!? on a death's head moth. 

And wait, that stripey thing is a snake! 

A skeleton of some sort of toothy creature. 

Oh, I like this. This is my jam. 

It's by Divided, a branch of H&M. 

I couldn't find anything like this online, so it's like from the early to mid-00s. $11.95 felt like a score. 

But the REAL score is this shirt I grabbed for L. 

A black shirt with a ton of snaps, and WHAT IS ALL THAT ON THE COLLAR?

Stars? Studs? Lions RAMPANT?

And it carries around to the back! 

I approve so much, I'm swooning over here! 

Custom snaps! 

Classy! 

The lions rampant even have a matching piece on the back. 

To make sure they stay on properly. 

My heart nearly stopped. It's Just Cavalli. 

Roberto Cavalli! I have a Just Cavalli dress (this one) that I paid $279 for. 

This was only $28.95 - what a score! 

I spotted this one on a resale site for $199.00 and they run up to $400+! 

Someone is not impressed. 

"I need attention NOW."

Actually, I really need some downtime with my two guys. 

"I'm helping the Man get beaten at Ark Nova."

Ha! We're evenly matched, Vizzini, don't be mean. 

I am now going to sign off for a few days, my friends. Please pop in again soon, as I will have tales of adventure to share!