Mom-Day Adventure at Beacon Hill Park in Red, Black and Plaid; Plus Spring Closet Swap, and a Wee Shop

Welcome back to Mom-Day Adventures, my friends! 

Today, Mom and I took advantage of a sunny day to re-visit Beacon Hill Park, last seen here in October 2024 when her brother Brian visited from Australia.

I chose lots of layers for the high gusts of wind that buffeted us about! 

This plaid pencil skirt is finally getting worn. How am I feeling about it? I didn't love it the last time I wore it, and it was just...okay today.

• Thermoplastic jacket - Adidas X Fiorucci, consignment; last seen here (4th outfit) in December 2024 for brunch in a vintage mermaid skirt
• T-shirt - The Handsome Family concert tee; purchased here last weekend by L (it was probably around $40)
• Skirt - Talbots, consignment; last worn here in December 2023 with a neoprene jacket that went to Limbo
• Boots - Original Sabado, Fluevog; last seen here (3rd outfit) in February, under my Kenzo tiger dress
• Wool poncho (below) - Arola, Finland, vintage 70s, thrifted; last worn here in September 2024

No need to decide now! I did love wearing this thermoplastic jacket again - I figured it would keep my body heat in and stop the wind.

It did not. The plastic was actually cold on my arms. 

However, it did have two pockets in an otherwise pocketless outfit. 

And it's cool! 

My Handsome Family t-shirt.

That owl gave us bird luck - I hope you like peacocks because I have about 20 pictures of them! 

Add my bits and a purse.

But this is not enough! I need another layer! 

I had time before Mom picked me up, so I put away my heaviest winter coats and pulled out my "shoulder season" outerwear.

Including this gorgeous Arola Pirrko Maki vintage 1970s cape, made in Finland. 

I spotted the same one on Etsy for over $150.00 - I think I paid $14.95 for mine.  

This gave me the extra layer of warmth I needed - I retracted my arms when they got cold. 

Accoutrements: 

Did you spot my wee wooden cat pin on my beret? 

• Wool beret - Parkhurst, consignment
• Cat pin - consignment
• Purse - Rebecca Minkoff, consignment
• Leather gloves - Danier Leather
• Silk scarf - Elaine Gold, consignment

The stuff: 

It was quite muddy at the park, and I walked home from Cook Street Village (after I had a wee shop on Fort Street) in these. 

Silvery bling: 

I didn't really need the bracelets, but I like knowing they're there.

• Belt - vintage 90s, consignment
• Silver mesh cuff - consignment
• Crystal/black Lucite hinged bangle - Alexis Bittar, consignment, Sidney
• Necklace - Myka, thrifted
• Porcelain cat earrings - Winnie Tam
• Silver chain ring - consignment
• Silver/obsidian ring - consignment
• Silver/red enamel ring - antique shop, Sidney

Closet Change-Over Time! 

Before - rather crammed, as my winter coats are thicker than the rest. 

I do the same "hanger trick" whenever I change over my coats - I turn the hangers the "wrong" way, then when I wear the coat, I put it back the "right" way. 

Here's what I'm keeping out, hangers all turned backwards. 

It's still technically winter, so keeping a few warm ones out in case of a Snow Day. 

Folded up coats for packing away.

Two big bags for storage (they all fit), and off they go until next autumn. Those are all the hangers I had for my spring coats...two full bags' worth. 

After - and here are all the coats, loaded in and ready to wear again! 

I'm excited to have the rest of my leather again, and more colours.

Beacon Hill Park!

Let's get back to it - I have birds to share! 

The Petting Zoo was thankfully empty of screeching children. I always say hi to Queenie, the Clydesdale horse. I remember you! (here I am feeding her, aged 2-3 years old).

There was a rousing cock-a-doodle doo from this black rooster. 

He was encouraging his ladies to fill up on the food. 

This chicken has her fanciest feathers on her feet. 

Work it! I love a shoe-gal.

Mom and I both chortled at this sign. 

They must be very convincing! 

After checking out the chickens, Mom and I crossed the road and headed into the park.

Isn't that arched bridge so inviting? I spy a nest up in the tree on the right. 

There was some restorative maintenance going on with these duck ponds, as they'd been drained and were roped off.

Mom and I enjoyed seeing the buds of flowers coming out, like the primulas that filled the bed on either side of the path. Most of the flowers are maintained and changed out according to season - there are giant flower bed areas throughout the park - but there are also areas that are wild, like field that fills with purple camas. 

We saw squirrels bounding around, but every single one of them was game for a pose.

This girl sat there for a good 30 seconds, to make sure I got a crisp shot. Thank you! 

I dashed off to look at something, and noticed how huge these trees were as I walked back to Mom. 

Do you see her in the white coat under the big tree on the left? 

"Squirrel!" She's spotted another! 

You can see the muddy pond bottom in the distance. I wonder if they found my gold Casio watch that I lost there in 1986? It went flying off my wrist! 

The giant willow and the knot garden in the distance. 

Ducks everywhere, quack quack quacking. Lots of people over that way, let's go see what they're looking at. 

Another squirrel. 

Posing perfectly! 

Turns out the gaggle of people were taking pictures of over a dozen peafowl - the brown/white peahens and their suitors, the flamboyant peacocks. 

Much strutting and frisky bird interaction. No tail displays, though. 

This gent was very adept at posing. 

His lovely tail is spread behind him, and I see another bird in the bushes. 

Yet another, posing haughtily.

Until a peahen sauntered by! 

"Hey, pretty lady..."

The peahens had a bit of the blue/green iridescence at their throats. 

Looking back to where we started. 

They were flushing out the sprinklers - that's what the little green flags are everywhere. 

We cut through the "forest", a section of wild greenery between the roads. 

This was filled with ducks, more peacocks, chirping birds flitting from bush to bush, and squirrels scrambling up and down tree trunks. 

A stump with some birdseed laid out.

That little bird enjoyed a treat. 

A waddling of ducks.

Two of the drakes got into a scuffle over a particularly hot duck. 

A squirrel scampering across the road. 

Good thing there are speed humps to slow him down. 

This arbour is lovely in summer, all covered in leaves and flowers. 

The sun was out, and it felt so good. 

Twisty branches.

The daffodils at their bases are not quite out yet. 

Looking across the lake. This is prime heron nesting season. 

We worked our way around to where those folks are. 

A camellia so red it glowed! 

So much potential in all those tight buds. 

Another squirrel. 

This one was actually posing for a person I cropped out. 

Mom and I had a rest at a bench, took our selfie and sent it to our fam-chat. 

We kept seeing herons swooping in and out of the tall trees on the left.

This picture has a heron in the middle - that black spot in the sky.

We crossed that bridge. Isn't it lovely?

I spotted a heron nest way over on the other side of the lake, to the left in the above pics. 

My little camera is impressive at these distance shots. 

"Go get me more sticks!"

"But I just got you some sticks!" Every heron we saw swooping around was ferrying sticks to its mate's nest. 

Our "fam selfie" - you can see my cat pin well there! 

Mom always matches her sunnies to her outfit (she has a wardrobe of 5-6 pairs). Mine are prescription, always the same. 

I love this twisty tree.

Crocuses and daffodils at the base. 

Two squirrels under the bridge. 

The black squirrels are native - the grey ones are invasive species. 

I was so happy to see a turtle sunning himself on the "turtle log".

The seagull was also enjoying the warmth. 

I want to know the history of these pairs - two turtles and two seagulls. 

The turtles completely ignored the birds. 

Mom laughing at me. 

Her jacket is leather, perfect for this weather.

Another nest spotted, with a guard next to it. 

"She's probably going to make me get more sticks."

Another in a fir tree. 

"Sticks, sticks, sticks. That's all I am, is a stick-fetcher."

As we crossed a grassy area to get back to the car, we noticed a plethora of peacocks hiding under this rhododendron. 

The one on the left immediately broke off and ran across the road (they're all maintenance roads, no actual traffic). 

Look at him go! 

His feet are a blur! 

He's going for this massive tree! 

Then we saw that there was another peacock on the other side of the fence, also running in the same direction. 

Our first fellow got into a prime pose after flying up into the tree (yes, peacocks can fly - not far, mind you). 

Oh my gosh, like he was born to model! He knows his angles! 

The other one came around. 

I wonder if they're looking for their lady-love? 

This gent came right up to us. 

That's close enough! 

I have swan trauma, you know. 

Great pose! Yeah, you're really good at this. 

How close? 

That close! They are very used to people. 

They obliged with a double portrait. 

Never a bad shot! 

I like the pink blooms in the background. 

Such a gnarly old tree. 

Mom and I went for lunch at the Beagle Pub. She wore one of her new blouses from her shop at Laura a few months ago - note the lovely bell sleeves.

That was such a wonderful day, Mom, thank you! I love you! 

As noted, I walked up to Fort Street and had a scout around in all the consignment stores in the area: Charmaine's, MONA, The Velvet Crease, the Vend Collective and Botched. I tried a few things on, but when I shop consignment it has to really jump out at me, as prices are usually a bit higher.

At the Velvet Crease, they had 20% off everything. These funky-shaped earrings appealed to me. 

Shiny gold, clear matte and matte gold. Note that they are mirrored - each piece has been flipped, a good mark of quality. 

I looked at the backs - no markings, but these have some age on them. They are clip-ons and those are old clips.

I'd guess these are from the 1960s. They were $25.00, marked down to $20.80. 

I also bought this Barbie pink stretch denim jacket. 

It's a small fit (which I like), and has lower pockets which you don't usually see on jean jackets. 

Nice details.

It's good quality. 

Mostly cotton. 

That looks like a date on the bottom - 7/22. Very Barbie movie, although that came out in 2023. 

It's by Talbots, and this is their Classic Jean Jacket. It retails for $119.00.

For me, it was $36.00, marked down to to $28.80. I'm going to get a lot of wear out of this! 

At MONA, I spotted this silver lame (lah-MAY!) knit slip dress. 

Looks bad on a hanger...will probably look good on a body! 

I love the way the knit moulds the top - it's insanely flattering. 

I'll be wearing this with tops under it. 

It's very glittery, and not scratchy. 

I don't think I would wash this if I could help it. 

It's by H&M and was new-with-tags! 

I couldn't find it online, but I only paid $35.00 for it, so I'm happy! 

And now, my friends, signing off to spend some time with my little guy. 

"I would like to sleep under your electric throw, please."

Of course, buddy. Come on down.

Much coziness and good vibes to you out there! Thank you so much for stopping by, and please do pop in on Sunday for tales of adventure!