Mom-Day Adventure at Colquitz Creek in Vintage and Adidas, and a Wee Shop

Welcome back to Mom-Day Adventures, Gentle Readers! Mom and I walked along Colquitz Creek, on the Admirals Road side (a new approach!). 

We last visited the creek here in July, from the mall side. 

Getting in my annual wearing of this fabulous vintage skirt - I paired it with my new-to-me Adidas X Stella McCartney jacket that I picked up in Powell River.

We also had Vizzini's 6-month check-up at the vet, so I wore this there as well (with most of the accoutrements and jewelry off - he likes to bite them). 

• Jacket - Stella McCartney X Adidas, consignment, Powell River; purchased here for $36.00
• T-shirt - Northern Reflections, thrifted; last worn here (2nd outfit) in July, layered under a green dress
• Skirt - Alex Coleman, vintage 70s, consignment; last seen here (2nd outfit) in September 2023 with black for brunch
• Sneakers - Findlay, consignment; last worn here (2nd outfit) in June with velvet cropped pants

I wore the outfit like this the entire time - didn't take the jacket off, nor did I do it up.

Mom and I had a lovely stroll along some gorgeous pathways, then had lunch after. 

I bussed back to town, had a 30-minute shop at the big WIN (Women In Need) store on Pandora Ave, then bussed home.

Showing off my earrings, which are large! 

Incognito. 

We are having some beautiful weather, with temps in the mid-20s, and it's expected to last for a week! Woo! 

Accoutrements:

I didn't need a scarf, but I like the extra "zhuzh".

• Purse - Banana Republic, consignment
• Silk scarf - vintage 80s, thrifted

The stuff: 

I wore little pink socks with my sneakers, which worked with the bits of gold jewelry - there's also gold in the skirt's pattern. 

Gold bling: 

Mom recognized her belt - I've had it since the 80s. 

• Belt - Mom's, vintage 70s
• Necklace - Robert Larin, vintage 70s, vintage mall, gift from L 
• Shark cuff - Tom Binns, 2012, consignment
• Hinged eelskin bracelet - thrifted
• Enameled ring - Sidney
• Gold/amethyst ring - Frances Jewelers, c. 1965, Dad's
• Earrings - thrifted

Oops, missed the brooch off my jacket.

I got it at one of the last vintage fairs I went to pre-pandemic. 

And here we go, pictures of our walk. We parked in a wee, unmarked lot just off Admirals Road, near McKenzie Avenue - I grew up in this area.

To the left in this picture is a ginormous highway interchange - we could hear construction and roaring traffic at times. 

A small creek ran beside us.

There were many dragonflies buzzing around here. 

Some stumps in the water. 

Most of this area has been cleared (very old bleached stumps) and replanted with native flora to help restore it to its natural wetland state. 

Only with a path and benches. 

The creek is to the right, noisy traffic to the above left. 

Little bits of colour amongst the green.

Tiny red berries and purple flowers. 

Looking up the hill of scree.

Alien...

Which way shall we go? 

Mom and I didn't have a map - we just chose the direction based on what looked good. We headed to the left.

This way!

Inviting paths.

Throngs of blackberry thickets.

We're in peak season - someone's been picking here regularly. Most of the berries we found were a bit sour still, but that didn't stop us! Our hands were stained quickly.

This critter was parked on a leaf, startling me when I reached for a ripe berry.

He's a good guy, though - a banded alder borer (link here, all links 'cause I love, as always). 

Another alluring path. 

The wooded areas were quiet - no deer, a few tiny lizards, and some bird-call.

The trees towered above us, swaying in the light wind.

Some of the leaves are starting to turn a deeper colour.

There were plums on the ground, so I looked up.

Too far to reach! How did a plum tree get out here? 

Finally! A map! 

We started at the P (for parking) on the upper left, and went clockwise.

Of course, we have to go to the Point and look at the Mud Flats!

A wide path lined with split-rail fences. There were more people around here.

"Look a bridge you can pose on," quipped Mom. 

I don't pose on EVERY bridge! 

But I did go have a look! 

I like the shadows, very soothing.

To the south.

The water is really low, even after all the rain we had last weekend (a LOT). 

Looking north.

I was pleased to see ducks in the distance. 

She's coming right at me! 

I wonder if people feed them. 

A heron was fishing under a tree.

Another duck watches.

That's a rather tatty-looking heron. 

Maybe it's moulting or a young one.

Another "look up!" shot.

My favourite way to enjoy nature. 

The view from the Point. 

Houses on the other side of the creek. The arrow points to the Admirals Bridge, which is the official start to Colquitz Creek (according to ace local source Mom, and I'm not even going to fact-check that). 

A small tributary in the Mud Flat (as advertised, muddy and flat).

One Garry Oak, just chilling by itself. 

What a perfect arch! 

Why, yes, I would like to walk under it, thank you for asking. 

Lizard! 

Oh, she's a crafty one, hiding in the shade. 

She scampered off in an undulating frenzy.

Thanks for letting us look around your home! 

Mom and I enjoyed a yummy lunch at Montana's.

She looked amazing in this new top, purchased on our last Mom-Day. I should have taken a full 'fit picture - she had green trousers on! Thanks so much for such a lovely day, Mom - I love you! 

As noted, I had a whirlwind shop at WIN to soothe my nerves about taking Vizzini to the vet. 

This earring and brooch set were in the case - they're unmarked but obviously vintage, probably from the early 60s or late 50s. Can you believe they were $1.95 for the brooch and$1.95 for the earrings?? Me neither! 

I found my longed-for Adidas track pants on a "to be put out" rack, and grabbed them right away.

They fit perfectly. 

From May 2019.

We just bought L a pair of these new for $50. 

"So mine are 3 times better," he boasted. 

I think you have that backwards, my love. I only paid $14.95.

I quickly combed the vintage rack and grabbed this gorgeous chevron skirt. 

"I know something's going on..."

He was a little trooper at the vet, by the way. We'll get the results for Vizz early next week, but we know he has limited time - it's been two years since he lost his sight (and regained it!). Kidney disease and cats...sigh.

Back to the skirt! It's stripes sewn into chevrons. 

The fabric feels like classic 1970s double-knit polyester, and there are no tags on it. The side zipper is a oval-shaped nylon Talon brand, which actually helps us date the skirt - it's likely from the late 60s to 1970s. 

Based on the style of the skirt, I'd say 1970s. 

For only $21.95! I can't wait to wear it with some brown boots and a fitted jacket...or a thick sweater!

I went to skirts next, and spotted a black twin to this for $19.95...and then further down the rack was the red one! 

Longtime readers will recognize this as Tangerine Jill - I have a dress sewn like this in my archives  (it's starting to deteriorate, is a little snug and I can't bear to part with her). Enjoy an old post from 2018 her.

It's a thin silk with squares of raw iridescent silk sewn over top. You can see my hand through it.

It also has a silk lining. 

Surprise! It's 100% silk.

This was a local Victoria company in the early 2010s - they used a small factory in Vietnam to make all their clothes. 

And there we go. Tangerine Jill, like I said.

For $9.95! I'm just shaking my head. It is a perfect fit - yay! 

I pawed at the lower half of the dress racks, feeling for good fabric and looking for interesting patterns. 

Well, hello! Ring-a-ding-ding! That's a mix of different fabrics sewn together in a classic sheath pattern. The back carries the blocks around. 

OMG, it has pockets! 

Won't this look good with about a dozen of my shoes? I love the vintage-inspired fabrics and big overblown roses.

Here's a high mark of quality - the lining is attached loosely to the hem.

And seam-binding tape along all the edges, ooh, FANCY. 

I dug around until I found the tags - it's 57% wool and 43% silk. and it's by Ne Von Rstenberg, a very famous designer (being silly, but I think you can recognize it). 

Yes, only $28.95! What! It's from 2017-2018 (I found an old blog post with a picture of it, not linking), and since her dresses sell new for $500-$700, I'm sure I'm getting a deal. 

For Diane Von Furstenberg! 

Although the lining has stretch, the wool/silk main fabric does not, so I took a risk with a 12 (sizes are wacky). And it fits perfectly! 

Okay, Vizzini, time to get in your travel box.

"Wait, what?"

Once again, I'm signing off for a bit - it's a long weekend, and L and I have some fun shenanigans planned, so please do stop in every couple of days and see what's new! Have a fabulous weekend, my friends!