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.