Mom-Day Adventure at Colquitz Creek in Mixed Blue and Red; Plus a Wee Shop

Mom and I returned to Colquitz Creek (aka Colquitz River Park) for a stroll, almost exactly a year after our last visit here in June 2023.

Due to the wild weather - wind! sun! heat! rain! - my outfit was accordingly also mixed. One has to be prepared for anything! 

So...sandals, palazzo pants and a long wool cardigan? Sure! 

• Wool cardigan - Ports, vintage 80s, consignment; last worn here in September 2023 with leopard pants
• Top - Beechers Brook, vintage 90s, thrifted; last seen here in May with velvet and painty pattern
• Pants - Soho Apparel, consignment, Powell River; purchased here for $22.00
• Sandals - Doc Martens, consignment; last worn here in July 2023 with vintage Hawaiian

I bought these new-to-me trousers when we were last in Powell River way back in February, and it's taken me this long to style them. 

To be fair, that's solidly a summer print. Not something I would wear in winter or any other season. 

The long 100% wool cardigan is one of the vintage treasures in my wardrobe. 

I paid $28.00 for it back in 2018 - six years is a long time for something to hang around in my wardrobe.

Without the cardigan - II never took it off, but I always plan my outfits so I can.

Had it been a hotter day, I would have been temped to just sunblock up and wear this solo. 

But alas, that was not meant to be. 

The shopping version. 

The Incognito version. 

Jauntily positioning my scarf so you can see the "Halston" label. 

Accoutrements: 

I love red and orange together! Navy is not a closet staple for me, but I like how it pairs with cobalt blue. 

• Puffy purse - consignment
• Silk scarf - Halston, vintage 70s, thrifted

The stuff: 

I quickly painted my toenails before Mom picked me up. These sandals are Doc Martens, and they are comfy as heck.

Bold bling: 

Just a couple of favourite things. 

• Blue/white cuff - consignment
• Orange cuff/ring - Italian, vintage 60s, vintage mall
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
• Wooden earrings - vintage fair

Good to see you, Mom! 

What a lovely day we had! 

We both wore cobalt blue, but we had different shades of red on. 

I thrifted those pants - they look great on you, Mom! 

We parked closer to the Silver City Cinemas, so that we could walk further than we did last time. 

We were quite sheltered amongst all the trees. 

When we were out in the open, it still felt warm, even though the sunny never fully came out all day. 

I like the stark branches of this tall tree. 

Checking out the growth in the area that's being restored. 

It looks awesome! Everything is so lush and green. 

The skies were full of swallows and hummingbirds, and raptors circling up high. But scampering here and there were...

Lizards! This one is such a good poser. 

She skittered off under the fence, and I looked over the edge. 

Hey, buddy! I won't hurt you. 

And then there were two!

"Is she gone yet?" "No, she's still there, don't move."

I was surprised to see a couple of apple trees here and there, with tiny apples starting to fill out. 

How did they get here? 

Looking up the hill. 

I loved all the daisies and clover. 

Bee flowers! 

The air was buzzing with insects. 

A little bird up high, singing away. 

I see you! 

I loved how the orange fencing complemented the daisies and the orange/yellow flowers. 

The fencing is to keep people and their dogs out of the wild areas. 

An inviting canopy of green ahead. 

And...could it be...sun?

Of course, it comes out for a bit while we are under the trees and can barely see the sky! 

Such a pretty play of light and shadow. 

Tiny blackberries. 

They were sour! 

A sturdy bridge going over the creek. 

There were a few people out walking, some with dogs. Very few cyclists. 

Looking to the left. 

The water was moving slowly, and very low. 

From the centre of the bridge. 

Ah...we just basked in the warmth. 

Looking to the right. 

No signs of wildlife. 

A robin grooming. 

See the little bird on the right? 

A green vista that made us gasp. 

The smell was earthy and fresh. 

We rested on a bench for a while, sending video pics by text to my brother, aunt and nieces. 

Then our growling stomachs said, "Lunchtime!"

Back over the bridge. 

And before we knew it...

...we were back at the theatre. 

I haven't been to a movie there in years. 

We did the red section - out and back.

We're going to try the approach from the opposite side of the park (the left side of the map) next time we visit. 

We had a yummy lunch at Montana's and then I bused back to town. I walked up to the WIN Boutique on Cook Street for a browse, where a few things grabbed me. 

I always need nylons and I refuse to pay $15+ a pair retail. The "Vampire Bite Me Tights" were $1.95 (retailed for $12.00 - marked on the back), and the support hosiery were $2.95.

I found a copper leather belt - how awesome! Thank you, Oh, Mighty Fashion Gawds! 

It's so rare to find anything copper.

It was $3.95 and marked as leather. 

It's a large size, but I'll poke new holes in it as I require and trim the excess off. 

It's by Lands' End - similar ones are $42.00-35.00 new.

Excellent! I am happy. 

I was rather taken with this pale peachy-pink plastic purse. 

I like the colour, the shape and the nice thick chain. 

It has no scratches or damage or any wear that I could see. 

I tested it - it can be worn cross-body or one-shoulder. 

I like the puffy quilted shape and that the "stitches" are defined.

Good hardware, no scratches or marks.

The inside has a moulded-in divider - nice! There is a tiny fabric tag, noting that it's PVC and made in China, but no CA or RN number. 

$9.95 was a very good price - it's a solid little purse. 

I was disappointed with the clothes in general, which were decidedly not boutique-y. This black dress leapt out from the plasticky slip dresses littering the racks. 

I love the rounded shape of it, and that the front hem comes up in a point. The front buttons up, with an open section and one button at the neck. It looks great on! 

Big, perfectly positioned pockets. 

I feel so seen! 

Oh, I know this brand - I have this (here) not-yet-worn caftan by them.

The fabric is nice and thick with lots of stretch. The nylon content will keep it from fading as black cotton often does. 

Yep, it's by Ayrtight Clothing and it was made in Canada! It is from a few years back, and is called the "Perla Stance" dress - it retailed for $240.00. 

$24.95 was good, but I cashed in my WIN points, which knocked $15 off my purchase, so $9.95. Even better! 

What a wonderful day, and the best part of all was spending it with you, Mom! 

I love you! 

And my friends, this is a long weekend - it's Canada Day, woo! - so I'll be back on Monday with my Bigass Long Weekend Wrap-Up. Many tales of adventure! Take care and thank you so much for dropping by!