Thursday, November 13, 2025

Mom-Day in the Rain With Mr. Darcy, and a Wee Shop

Welcome back to Mom-Day, my friends! Due to inclement weather, I bused out to Mom's place and we had some fun with fabric, then had lunch.
Mom and I both got the Blue Memo! We last spent the day at her place back here a couple of weeks ago in October. 

I dressed for the weather, which was RAINY. 
I went with a bunch of wool, plus my tulle skirt.

  • Sweater - Missoni Sport, vintage 90s, consignment; purchased here for $63.00
  • Taupe tulle skirt - no label, consignment; last worn here (2nd outfit) in July for a wee shop
  • Leather boots - Matisse, consignment; last seen here (2nd outfit) in February for brunch
  • Mr. Darcy wool coat (below) - "Handmade by Sheila" (not me), consignment; first worn here in February with orange trousers

I remembered that this new-to-me wool/mohair sweater was going to be itchy and layered a vintage 100% silk thermal top underneath it. Not a bit of itch! 
I love the cut of it - it's a great fit. 

Any day that I wear a tulle skirt is a good day.
I also figured it would dry quickly when it got wet. 

I fished the Mr. Darcy Coat out of my cold-weather coats. I am way overdue to swap my outerwear! 
The coat was awesome in the rain - barely opening in the front (it has a big walking slit in the back). Some of the tulle got a bit bunchy in there, but not too bad. 

It started pouring just as I left the house, so I ended up tucking my hair under my beret to keep it dry. Only my bangs got wet.
On my walk out to Mom's after getting off the bus. I see the SHEEPS farm back there! 

Accoutrements: 
A horse scarf...and a horseshoe nail pin! 

  • Purse - Ted Lapidus, vintage 90s, vintage fair
  • Silk scarf - French, vintage, vintage fair
  • Leather gloves - Ralph Lauren, thrifted
  • Wool beret - Parkhurst, vintage, thrifted
  • Gold/amber spider brooch - Russian, consignment
  • Horseshoe nail pin - vintage, gift from Alison

The stuff: 
These are great walking boots - I've had them forever and have worn them in the rain so many times! 

Amber bling: 
More amber rings, please, Thrift Gawds! 

  • Amber/silver bracelet - consignment, Powell River
  • Glass necklace - vintage 1920s, vintage mall, gift from L
  • Amber/silver earrings - thrifted
  • Silver/amber thumb ring - consignment
  • Silver Anneke & Lars ring - vintage mall 
  • Silver/amber pinky ring - consignment
  • Silver chain ring - Mexican, consignment
  • Silver/amber bracelet - consignment

I walked to town in the rain. 
A few trees are still bold and bright. 

After a wet wait at the bus stop, and about a 40-minute ride, I was near Mom's. 
It's the farm...but where are the SHEEPS?

A path of yellow.
Lots of puddles too.

More puddles. 
I listened for birds here - lots of the usual, including a bald eagle soaring overhead. 

The red tree on Mom's street was empty of leaves, but this orange tree is still glorious. 
I have to take the colour where I can find it! 

I helped pick out some fabric backings for quilted coasters Mom is making (she sells them). 
I did some cutting for a while but it is not my forte. Sorry in advance for the poor work, Mom. 

I made up for it by bringing lunch! It's a curried chickpea chicken chowder, crackers, homemade banana bread and an orange each. 
It was very yummy. We just hung out after that, but when the rain started to let up, I thought I'd better make a dash for it. Thank you so much for having me, Mom! I love you! 

Back the way I came! 
I really enjoyed not getting soaked. 

Finally! 
SHEEPS! There were a bunch of them, but this one was closest. 

I had a browse in the Beacon Ave Thrift Shop, where I found two things, including these glorious gold velour lounge pants. 
They have giant pockets and are so slinky! 

They're by Rouie Dress, so I guess they are supposed to be worn as Real Clothes. 
I bet this had a fabulous matching jacket at some point! This is probably from the early 90s - not bad for $12.00. I plan to wear them around the house! 

I couldn't NOT buy this vintage corduroy dress - it's nearly identical to my "Today's Woman" burgundy corduroy dress (this one). 
I love the gorgeous shade of French blue. It has four pockets on the front, buttons from the neck almost to the hem, and has buttoned cuffs. 

It came with a surprise in the pocket - the original matching corduroy tie belt! 
The boys were circling, looking for their dinner. Buzz off, Whateley! 

One of the cuff buttons was broken. 
I can probably replace that...or ignore it. Note that the sleeve is lined right to the cuff. 

No label - it's been cut out. 
You can see the fine-wale corduroy there. 

It's been washed A LOT.
That is one well-worn label! This is probably 100% cotton corduroy, with nylon lining. 

I compared it to my other cord dress and the burgundy one is better quality. This is probably the Sears version to the burgundy Eaton's.
Still...for $12.00? I paid $46.95 for the other one! 

From there, I walked up the block to the big WIN store, where I had a good browse. I finally found a replacement for the pink turtleneck sweater I used to have that wore out. 
It's the perfect weight and colour. 

And 100% organic cotton.  
The Bangladesh part's not so great, but at least I'm supporting a local charity.

It's by Northern Reflections, a once stalwart mall store. 
Only $11.95! Awesome! 

I realized that I posted duplicates of the same kitten pictures two days in a row! My apologies - it's been a busy few weeks and my brain is tired. To make it up to you, here are a bunch of pictures to enjoy, as I'm signing off for the weekend. 

Whateley attacking my foot in bed, while Barnabas watches. 
They are both avid hunters of "bed mice."

Looking at me from the post. 
They love watching the birds and squirrels in the Garry Oaks. 

Barnabas sleeping on the stool in my closet. 
"I want to cuddle!"


Today, as I was getting the soup and other food together. 
So very helpful. 

Whateley flopped down in the bathroom doorway. 
He just flops wherever he is. 

Barnabas, are you going to flop too? 
"No...I want to cuddle!"


He ALWAYS wants to cuddle! 

Or play.
"I know you're there, Barnabas."       "Play with meeeeeeeee!"


Okay, I gotta go! 
"We'll survive."        "I'm going to hide all your lip balms!"


Thank you so much for being here, my friends! Please do pop back in on Sunday for tales of adventure!

Wednesday, November 12, 2025

Many Studs, Viv Plaid and a Boucle Cape

I knew that today would be busy, but I didn't anticipate the absolute crazy day that I ended up having. I'm so happy that I'm off tomorrow! 
I always "armour up" for just these kinds of times. 


  • Leather jacket - Michael Kors, consignment; last worn here in March with my Tweed Cover skirt
  • Sweater - Bellissima, thrifted; last seen here in February layered under Prada, with this same skirt
  • Skirt - Vivienne Westwood Anglomania F/W 2011, consignment, consignment; last worn here in July with an Agnes B cardigan
  • Shoes - Vogettes Pina, Fluevog; last seen here in September with my cotton Kenzo dress
  • Wool cape (below) - Arola, vintage 70s, thrifted; last worn here in April

I had many admirers of all of my studs - I waggled my feet at my colleague Christopher.
My amazingly contorted Vivienne Westwood skirt continues to delight me - it shifts around and moves in interesting ways when I walk. 

Such fun twists and swoops. 
I pointed out the back studs of the leather jacket to another coworker - these are what sold me on this jacket! 

I didn't take the jacket off at all, but I could have! 
More opportunity to look at the cool skirt. 

Outerwear - it's getting too dark to go incognito! 
Getting in a wearing of my boucle (boo-CLAY) cape. It needs some TLC - the arm openings have come unstitched. 

The stuff: 
I didn't need this thick scarf - it was far too warm. 

  • Cashmere scarf - consignment, Seattle
  • Leather gloves - Roeckl, consignment

Black bling: 
Note my classy broccoli elastic, to keep the end of my belt from flopping around. 

  • Leather belt - Madewell, consignment
  • Crystal/Lucite bangle - Alexis Bittar, consignment, Sidney
  • Gold/Lucite hinged bracelet - Alexis Bittar, consignment, gift from L
  • Earrings - thrifted
  • Silver/obsidian ring - consignment
  • Crystal/silver ring - Soul Flower, c. 2007
  • Silver/kyanite ring - consignment
  • Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
  • Necklace - Heidi Daus, thrifted

Someone was lurking around while I was taking pictures. It's Whateley! 
He prefers to be held upright and rubs his face on mine. 

He was also my morning Bathroom Helper. 
"I hope she turns the tap on!"

He's a funny thing - loves water and tearing up bits of paper. 

This little snuggle-by was flopped by the den scratching post. 
"I could use a tummy rub."

They both love those! 

Monday, November 10, 2025

Black Dress, Plaid Poncho and a Lobster

I got my Covid booster today, so my outfit was based around having my upper arm available. 
I wore this leather blazer as both outerwear and in the office when I got chilled. 

  • Dress - Spanner, vintage 90s, thrifted; last seen here in February with bronze leather
  • Boots - Truths Teah, Fluevog; last worn here in December 2024 with purple popcorn
  • Leather jacket - Danier Leather, thrifted; last seen here (3rd outfit) in May for Mom's birthday party
  • Plaid poncho (below) - Bodybag by Jude, consignment, gift from L; last worn here (2nd outfit) in December 2024 for brunch and a wee shop

My poppy pin is hiding under the lapel. 
One of my VPs took me for lunch today - what a lovely treat. 

This dress is a cozy acrylic/wool blend, with a high neck. It has a zip from the shoulder to the side of the neck! You never see that. 
It gave easy exposure for the Nurse Practitioner. "Jab it in the rose!"

Incognito. I had a visitor this morning. 
"What are you doing?"


I layered my soft fleece-backed poncho over the leather coat for extra snuggliness. 

The stuff: 
As I had to walk several blocks for my shot (in addition to my usual to/from work), I picked these steampunk boots as they are excellent for navigating the city sidewalks. 

  • Leather purse - Ipso, thrifted
  • Silk scarf - fake Louis (Lewis!) Vuitton, thrifted
  • Leather gloves - Danier Leather

Silver bling: 
Big, heavy, bold pieces. The lobster had many admirers.

  • Lobster brooch - Bermuda, vintage 90s, gift from Mom
  • Silver grape cuff bracelet - Karen's
  • Silver S bracelet - Mexican, thrifted, Sidney
  • Silver/obsidian ring - consignment
  • Silver Anneke & Lars ring - vintage mall
  • Silver chain ring - Mexican, consignment
  • Silver earrings - Israeli, consignment

Barnabas showed up! 
He's always happy to cuddle. 

Whateley kept me company while I did my make-up. 
"Don't leave!"

This one was up to mischief. 
"As soon as you leave, we're gonna shred some paper."

Little monsters! 

My friends, I'll be back on Wednesday!