Erm, that's a little blurry, sorry! But Mom and I had a lovely afternoon, which I'll get to shortly.
First the outfit! My non-office days are always my favourite for building outfits - I just browse in my closet for what I feel like wearing. I knew I'd have to walk a fair bit and that it might rain, so dressing for the weather is also a factor.
- Tiger sweater - Kenzo, thrifted; first worn here in February with yesterday's bronze skirt
- Skirt - Lord & Taylor, thrifted; last seen here (2nd outfit) in February in sneaky Adidas
- Boots - Doc Martens; last worn here (2nd outfit) for brunch with Run DMC
- Puffer coat (below) - Stormtech, thrifted; last seen here in February
I like putting primary colours together. Let's add yellow!
The butter yellow Docs go with all the gold thread in the sweater's embroidery, and they're good for walking (and rain).
The skirt is a really stretchy tube shape.
Good for walking, getting on and off the bus, shopping at the WIN Boutique on Cook Street.
Rock on - I have a tiger on my back!
I looked like this while shopping - and I was HOT.
It was a little too warm for a down-filled coat, even though the chartreuse colour worked really well as a yellow variant with the rest of the ensemble.
I needed to be fully bundled up when outside.
I was also patting myself on the back for layering these thrifted red lace knee-highs over my black tights, to mimic the marled red yarn of the sweater. I'm so darned clever!
I had oodles of comments on my colours as I moved through the world.
Accoutrements:
Blues and reds, lots of faves here.
- Leather purse - Danier Leather, thrifted
- Silk scarf - Halston, vintage 70s, thrifted
- Wool beret - consignment
- Wool gloves - Parkhurst
- Tiger brooch - consignment, gift from L
Here's a better look at the tiger brooch as worn pinned to my beret.
She was a little heavy, causing the beret to slide around a bit, but I did LOVE her on there. Must do that again!
It was a day of being clever with my accoutrements; I had a lightbulb moment recently for saving my tights from popping their toes - I wear a pair of thin socks UNDER them.
You can see the hole in my black tights here (klassy!), with my pink sock showing. The tights help the socks stay put, so they don't slide off my heels, and the socks protect my tights from popping holes.
The stuff:
I swear by Docs for any weather! I love the soft leather of these.
Gold bling:
Sheep! Hello, sheep!
I had another bracelet on, but had an unpleasant surprise.
- Bird/eelskin hinged bracelet - vintage, consignment
- Earrings - thrifted
- Gold-plated sterling ear-cuffs - consignment
- Necklace - Givenchy, vintage 80s, vintage fair
- Silver/green stone ring - consignment, Sidney
- Silver/red stone ring - thrifted
- Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
- Silver/kyanite ring - consignment
When I arrived at Mom's and took my gloves and coat off, my other bracelet fell out of the sleeve.
Dammit, one of the links snapped in half! Boo!
- Bracelet - Banana Republic, vintage fair; purchased here for $12.00
Oh, well. it was only $12.00. Sigh, into the Free pile - someone might want to turn it into a purse charm or something.
I hopped off the bus and walked to Mom's house - she lives in a semi-rural area out of town.
The one in the middle spotted me!
I'd better move along...he doesn't look very friendly...
Bare branches and crows overhead.
It was a crisp, quiet walk.
Muddy paths (glad I had my Docs!)
Most of the trees have been de-leaved by the recent storms. Another is on the way for Friday, oh yay.
Mom was resplendent in her shades of teal.
She's showing off her new velour cords (with pockets!). Looking spiffy, Mom!
She showed me her latest works of art - she's been painting and drawing like mad lately.
As we were talking, she said suddenly, "SQUIRREL!" Oh, that's where I get that from...
There are a total of 8 paintings and pen and ink plus watercolours here. Many of them are from pictures I took.
My dad is number 1207, right in the middle of the picture between the two pylons, in the navy blue tank. Mom framed the poster for him, and it's always been displayed with his actual race number. I noticed for the first time that there are only men in the photo! And this is the middle of the pack, not the elite runners (Dad specialized in Ultras). Weird.
Mom "steals" my pictures off the blog, what a thief, heh heh.
I took a picture of this Royal Victoria Marathon poster from 1984. The picture was of runners on Dallas Road from the previous year, 1983.
Mom at Floyd's, showing off her cool necklace (another that I covet). It's made of horseshoe nails and she's had it since the 70s.
That was a wonderful, relaxing day, thank you, Mom! I love you!
I spent about an hour in the WIN Boutique, looking for Christmas presents - I have my nieces' gifts all done now! I still have more to pick up for L and for Mom, but I'm getting there. Of course I did find a few things for me...
This is a short burnout velvet (or Devoré if you're classy!) duster/open robe.
I gave the fringe a haircut as it was rather ratty-looking. I love the plummy burgundy shade of it.
I was surprised that it was Forever 21! But I think it's OLD F21, by that label, probably from the early 00s, as I got zero hits for it online.
I thought $11.95 was a good price.
I grabbed this viscose dress right away! I LOVE this colour mix and that bold leafy pattern.
The colours are black, cream, taupe, burgundy and lavender (yes, it matches my hair).
Luisa Cerano for only $19.95?? What?
It's from Autumn/Winter 2023, so it's not even old! It's called "Purple Rain" and retailed for over $600.00! I knew that $19.95 was a deal.
This plaid peplum top appealed to me - it will look good over a shirt or turtleneck, as a layering piece.
The plaid is obviously Burberry-inspired, with two lines of dark purple instead of red. I like the rotated plaid on the peplum, a nice detail.
It's by InWear and is a wool blend (and fully-lined).
The decoration is an acanthus leaf.
$14.95 was my price.
I found a few accessories for myself.
A pewter candleholder, a ring and a cream beret.
The candleholder is marked Norsk Tinn Pewter and it's probably from the 70s. It holds two different sized candles, which is handy - both taper and short/stubby.
It was $8.95 - I spotted a few online for over $25.00.
I might give it away, as I am not much into candles.
The beret feels like wool.
It was only $9.95 - I have paid up to $25.00 for berets.
I fell hard for this brass leopard ring.
She's chomping my finger!
I like the carved out "spots".
This was $7.95. I saw one online for over $65.00.
And - saving the best for last - this sweater made me catch my breath.
Check the design...yes, it's very symmetrical.
The colour is a soft teal with darker teal, purple, black, white and mustard yellow.
I have all those colours in my closet! This will go with lots of stuff and hopefully make many friends.
Oh, that's an exciting label. Etro, Milano, Italia, 85% silk!
And of course, it is Etro! Um, WIN taggers, this is a fail. There is zero cashmere in this sweater.
While $46.95 is a very high price for a thrift store, I know that Etro's pieces are gorgeously made and not cheap. On Ebay, similar ones range between $69-200.00.
The real "best for last" is, of course, Vizzini.
"Sending everyone cuddly vibes."
I'm off for the weekend now, Gentle Readers - please do check back in on Sunday and I'll regale you with tales of adventure. Thank you so much for stopping by!
Loving those photos of you and your mum and you and Vizzini, you're a great selfie taker!
ReplyDeleteThat's a great sporty Sheila look, the idea of socks under tights is ingenious, I always do it the other way around and end up with sock rage (a bit like your velvet rage!)
Your mum's art is fabulous and so's the vintage horseshoe nail pendant, I've acquired four in the last year at various chazzas, one is identical to hers!
I thought the Etro was Ed Hardy, it's very similar, I can see you wearing that a lot. I love the Norwegian candle holder.
Have a fantastic weekend, my friend! We've got snow and have a weather warning for a storm, it looks like we'll be battening down the hatches! xxx
Aw, thanks, Vix! I'm getting the hang of this phone...
DeleteI know, right? My own mind was blown when I first tried it, and now I do it all the time. I have had Sock Rage too, it's the worst.
Mom will love your kind compliments, thank you! How wild you have found them - I've never seen any in thrift shops or at vintage fairs.
Yes, Etro has that same kind of tattoo-inspired design, doesn't it? I hope to wear it soon - so many clothes, so few days! Good luck, I hope you missed the snow!
Love all the primary colors in your 'fit! And, that trick with the tights and thin socks...genius! I'm always poking holes through my tights at the toes! But, I'll have to work with it a bit to make it work...I hate having my toes being pulled by socks or tights (does that make sense). I am so impressed by your mom's work. She was an art instructor, right? Or, a professional artist? I hope you have a fab weekend!
ReplyDeletehttps://marshainthemiddle.com/
Thanks, Marsha! I also don't like my toes pulled by socks, but this is so much easier than socks over tights. Mom taught art as a specialist at elementary school (she was a substitute teacher/teacher on call for most of her teaching career), and has been doing art for over 4 decades.
DeleteSoaking up the luscious deep colors and the knowledge that you were cozy, comfy and warm, plus it all looks perfect on you. I would absolutely wear this entire ensemble, it seeks to create upbeat spirits in spite of anything and everything else!
ReplyDeleteYou and your Mom inspire one another! While it was the owl that caught my eye, I especially like the two paintings of the trees from one of your Mom Day Adventures and can picture the two of you walking the paths. Did you or your brother ever get the urge to run the way your Dad did? I have a recollection that your Mom may have run a little.
Nice finds on your wee shop! Each piece has appeal (to me) for the colors or shapes except for the ring. ;) I like artsy rings but am not so much a fan of the bulky animal rings. Still, I appreciate the ring for your delight in finding it. :)
Happy weekend to you, L and Vizzini, with his lovely long whiskers and beautiful eyes.
Cheers, Laurie
Thanks so much, Laurie! This is how my style is veering these days, more of a sporty, comfy vibe. I can see myself dressing like this in retirement, for sure.
DeleteAren't her paintings lovely? So glad you enjoyed seeing them.
No, my brother played soccer for years, but yes, I did take up running a bit when I was in high school and did a couple of runs with Dad. When he (and Mom) switched to racewalking, I got into that and went to training sessions with them. After he died, I got back into racewalking and competed in the local 10K (I won a bunch of medals over the years) and racewalked the Victoria Marathon in Dad's honour the year I turned 40.
Heh, the ring is my favourite of all the purchases, actually.
Hope you and Fred had a good weekend! Thanks so much.
I found your response about taking up running and then race walking inspirational. ❤️ I tried running back in the late 1990s/early 2000s but only as a way to participate in the Danskin Half Triathlon, which I did for four years. Otherwise would much rather walk, so your race walking gives me food for thought…
DeleteLove, love, love the outfit, Sheila! I too love playing around in my closet on my non-working days.
ReplyDeleteI'm loving the extra pop of colour from your chartreuse puffer, and adding the tiger brooch to your beret is genius. As is the layering of black tights under the red lacy ones!
Swooning over the Devoré duster you found, which has definite flapper vibes.
Hope you're having a fun-filled weekend! xxx
Thank you so much, Ann! Playing in my closet is such a rewarding experience - I always feel good after.
DeleteThanks - I was pleased with all of those choices, and hope my sock/tight trick works for you! I've been doing it constantly!
Hope you had a good weekend, my friend!
Your mum is a great artist.
ReplyDeleteAlways a pleasure to see her on the blog.
Great shopping finds.
That leopard ring is a keeper for sure.
She will love that comment, thank you, Ivana!
DeleteWhat a cool outfit and finding that big cat ring around the same time was serendipity!
ReplyDeleteI love that you can hop off the bus and walk the rest of the way to your Mom's house - it looks like an idyllic spot. I'm always fascinated by your black squirrel pics too; we're overrun by grey squirrels here now.
What a beautiful memento from your Dad's running career (Gosh, the 80s don't feel like that long ago do they?) and your Mom's pendant is spectacular! x
Thanks, Claire - I know, what timing!
DeleteIt's about a 20 minute walk, which is not too bad. We're overrun by grey squirrels here too - the black ones are being crowded out.
It's such a cool thing - I remember Dad being so surprised when Mom had it framed for him.