Mom-Day Adventure: Finnerty Gardens in Bold Patterns, and a Wee Shop

Welcome back to Mom-Day, Gentle Reader! We headed back to our firm favourite, Finnerty Gardens. 

We last visited here in April, when we both got the pink memo.

I was not wearing pink this time! I played around in the closet in the morning. 

And landed on this Marimekko skirt that I've only worn once. 

• Completely Impractical Raincoat - Animale, thrifted; last worn here in June over my pleated teal dress
• T-shirt - Adidas, thrifted; last seen here (3rd outfit) in April for brunch (after the Urbanite pics)
• Skirt - Marimekko, consignment; first seen here in May with complementary colours
• Leather sandals - Geox, thrifted; last worn here (5th outfit) in June for a striped grocery shop

As I was taking my stair picture, I spotted neighbour Emma on her way to work and called out to her. She pointed out Kes snoozing on the deck. 

"Yes, I see you, Evil Person."

Aw, he'll warm up to me eventually. 

I picked my outfit for pure fun, plus I wanted to wear this Marimekko skirt again. 

Nice pockets! I approve! 

The Completely Impractical Raincoat was also deployed for partial sunblock and half-arsed pocketry. 

Rock on! 

I took the jacket off while Mom and I had lunch at Christie's Pub afterwards. 

One of my favourite pattern mixes - this is why I have three black and white skirts! 

Incognito.

I walked over to Pocket Clothing on the way home and had a wee browse. 

Accoutrements and stuff: 

• Purse - Roots 73, thrifted
• Belt - Fluevog

The stuff:

These sandals were lovely to wear and just what my tired feet needed. 

Bold bling: 

I had to wear sunblock, but at least I can wipe it off my plastic jewelry. 

• Black and white cuff - vintage fair
• Plastic cuff/ring - Italian, vintage 60s, vintage mall
• Steel/Lucite ring - Calvin Klein, thrifted
• Plastic earrings - Western Germany, vintage 80s, vintage fair

Ready? Lots of pictures coming, so settle in. 

We've arrived! As you can tell, it was hot and sunny. 

Which way shall we go? Let's do the reverse! 

Everything looks different when you turn left instead of right. 

So much green! Most of the rhodos and azaleas are long done, but the summer blooms were plentiful. 

Mom rattled off a bunch of names, but nope, did not retain a single one. 

I liked these spiky balls. Some sort of thistle? 

The red flowers attracted lots of hummingbirds. 

A giant pink hydrangea. 

So vivid! 

A teeny bird hanging upside down from a branch. 

I am starting to recognize birds. I know this one! 

It's a Chestnut-Backed Chickadee. 

We're fairly close to a main road, so there weren't a ton of birds.

One big spindly tree.

Reaching for the sun! 

Let's take this path.

We welcomed the shady parts. 

This azalea is pale pink and was easily over 25 feet tall. 

Every plant in the gardens is on a massive scale. 

Oh, it's the Twisty Trees! 

I like this area. 

Some sort of modern dance going on here.

It's amazing that plants grow like this. 

A swath of bright green, newly mown. 

These areas were roped off to keep people from cutting through and wearing a path.

Some new growth on this pine? fir? 

Such a bright green! 

Wild strawberries! 

Full confession: we ate those two. Yummy! So sweet! 

Which way? 

The shady way, of course. 

I was very taken with the bright red edging these green leaves. 

That's so cool. 

We found a shady bench and rested for a while, watching the little birds hopping around.

All the brightest colour is the new growth. It looks so soft.

Squirrel! 

Do you see it? 

Allow me. 

It was skittering around very quickly, and bounded across the path before I could get a clearer shot. 

We headed back, passing the pond. 

No ducks this time, boo.  

Such a serene place. 

Our stomachs rumbling, we headed back.

Tiny maple leaves in the sun. 

I love watching the seasons change in the gardens. 

We went to Christie's Pub for lunch, having our usual salmon burgers and salad.

Looking lovely in your bold blue and white top, and New York City necklace from 2007 (when we went together). That was such a wonderful day, Mom! I love you! 

I popped into Pocket at Oak Bay Junction for a browse, giving owner Annie a big hug. I've known her for nearly 20 years! 

I really liked this sterling (stamped) silver ring with the three turquoise stones. I spotted similar rings marked as Navajo online for over $175 - this was $48.00. 

I never mind paying in that range for silver jewelry. 

It looks good on. You know I'll wear it a lot! 

After going to the Pop Art exhibit at the Art Gallery three times this past year, I appreciate Banksy's perspective.

I admit, the magenta pink "Stop me before I paint again." really appealed to me. This was a 36 x 36" piece done in 2004.

The branding associated with "The Art of Banksy: Without Limits" which is a world-wide traveling exhibition.

It was recently in Vancouver and this is likely a piece of merch someone bought after seeing the show. 

It's 100% cotton and was made in the USA. I noted that there are no side seams.

It was $38.00 but probably sold for $50.00 at the exhibit. 

I texted a picture of this t-shirt to L, but I already knew I would buy this for him. 

We both love Townes, and L's had "To Live Is to Fly" lyrics in his email signature forever.

It's not vintage, not even close. Merch from the early 70s (when this song came out) was non-existant. 

$28.00 is good. He'll wear it a bunch.

I bit on this top because it's cropped (which I like), and it's a neutral colour I don't have in a small top right now.

I like square necks too. 

It's cotton and linen and it's fully lined. 

Made in India. 

Abercrombie & Fitch. 

I have never been in one of their stores. But $28.00 seemed good. I plan to layer tops under it.

I hemmed and hawed over this skirt (and I nearly tried on another tulle skirt, but it was black so I was strong).

I really liked the full pleats and how swooshy it is on. 

The plaid is grey, darker grey and olive so it'll go with a lot of olive and neutral pieces in my closet. 

We shall see! 

It was NWT (new with tags), so never worn. I approve of the thick black elastic waistband and that the back of the fabric is nearly the same as the front side. 

Uniqlo:C is their Clare Waight Keller collaboration (I also have this dress here, same collaboration). $30 seemed good. 

And that's it! I'm signing off and will be back on Monday with tales of adventure! But I'll leave you with this last picture of Mom. 

Show me your sleeves, Mom! 

Triple-Duty Warm Leopard at Work, Dentist and Theatre

Another booked evening, with me joining a dozen of my closest friends to see "The Book of Mormon," a Broadway Comes to Victoria production (about it here, warning, it's by the South Park guys, so foul language ahoy).

I also had a dentist appointment - just a quick half-hour check-up, thank goodness, and all is good. I know, so much in one day! 

Fortunately, it was fairly quiet at work, as we're in the vacation daze of summer, and going into a long weekend.

• Blazer - InWear; last seen here in April with a different leopard skirt and black top
• Silk/cotton sweater - Nygard, thrifted; last worn here in January for Mom-Day at Beaver Lake
• Skirt - Esqualo; last seen here in April in the photo-fail outfit
• Shoes - Groovy Aubrey, Fluevog; last worn here in June with teal and the Completely Impractical Raincoat

So I had to do triple duty for my outfit to last from 7am until I arrived home, likely sometime after midnight, as I also went out for a drink and a social afterwards with my lovely pal Linda. No work for me on Thursdays, so why not? 

In retrospect, a silk cotton sweater - even though it's thin! - was too heavy. SWEATY.

In the office I had my blazer on, and was comfortable. 

This silky bias-cut leopard skirt is another item worn in my "WTF happened to my pictures post" a few months ago, when all my pictures went POOF. 

I popped out mid-day to bus to my dentist appointment, and realized how hot it was. 

I was never going to survive sitting in a crowded theatre in this! 

I bussed home to give myself more time to change, write and eat dinner.

And then I walked back to town to meet up with the other 5 folks on my ticket bundle.

The stuff: 

My feet were tired of these shoes by the end of the day - I walked to work in them (they are really comfy!) and assorted walking getting to and from my appointment.  

When I got home, I stripped off the sweater and changed to this feather-light crinkle top. Sleeveless, yes! 

In case I want my hands free! As one does! I can still access the pockets too.

• Top - Baden Baden, consignment; last worn here in June for a Mental Health Shop
• Sneakers - Findlay, consignment; last seen here in July with Viv and Agnes

Ready to walk to town! 

I'll add pictures of the evening's shenanigans in the morning, so if you don't see them, do check back! Edit: scroll down! Edit 2: More pictures!

I needed a purse.

It looks grumpy. 

• Leather purse - Fiveleft, thrifted

Shoes! 

Ah, feet happy. 

Boho bling: 

I was thinking of Mom and how going to the theatre together was "our thing" all through my life. She can't attend big shows anymore, so I'm wearing some of her jewelry - at least a bit of her will be there!

• Metal/glass flower brooch - vintage 60s, Mom's
• Amber/brass/sandalwood choker - vintage 70s, Mom's
• Eelskin bangle - fake Gucci, vintage 90s, gift from Mom & Dad
• Cinnabar bangle - consignment
• Klimt wooden ring - Dots
• Square amber ring - sidewalk find
• Brass leopard ring - thrifted
• Stone ring - thrifted

She also bought me that fake Gucci bracelet, a tourist product from a street vendor in Italy. I have always loved it, thanks, Mom. 

And now, thanks for indulging me, some pictures of our fun evening. Nancy and I arrived right on time, quickly followed by Rosanna's family (Greg is absent from the pics - he was trying to find parking). 

Meika, Rosanna and Emmie - all in "Mormon-core" - there were lots of folks dressed up, which was a nice surprise. 

With me, thanks, Nancy! 

Rosanna always looks amazing. I look like a hot, sweaty, rumpled mess - this was a long day, but well worth it.

Cat and her mom, Marg arrived next!

Mom, Marg says hi - she was sad that you couldn't join us! The four of us often did the "Broadway Comes to Victoria" in the pre-pandemic days. 

Yvonne and Randall strolled up. Looking so good, kids! 

And there's Nancy too! 

We headed in and got settled in our amazing seats. We'd had the most hilarious text exchange while we were all simultaneously buying tickets in the pre-sale, to try to get all of us in the same row/area. 

No pictures during the show, of course, but a shot of the main "frame" of it, plus our gorgeous Royal Theatre, a city treasure. I've been coming here since I was a toddler (I saw Disney movies here back in the early 70s!). 

I pointed out the loges to Randall (he's very tall, always looking for leg-room), as they have individual chairs that can be moved around.

They're hard to snag when it's a flurry of ticket-buying.

Rosanna and family were only 5-ish rows behind us. Hi, kids! 

I spy Greg, Emme and Rosanna, with Meika coming down the aisle. 

Yvonne hauled out her opera glasses! 

Such a classy lady! Do you recognize her caramel duster cardigan? It used to belong to Winesday Woman Sarah, who gave it away to me, and I wore it for years (last time here in 2020), before giving it away. I'd forgotten that Yvonne acquired it. 

Caro and her mom Hazel managed to get seats right next to us! Hazel is an artist - she painted the picture of the woman with the "Perfect Pink Shoes" that's always at my shoulder in my pics (the lower one), and that was a birthday gift from Caro many years ago. 

So wonderful to see you, Hazel! Much love to you both.

Pictures from Yvonne: 

Rockin' on! Yvonne, Randall, Nancy, me, Marg, Cat.

These three have been friends for decades. 

Yvonne, Randall (looking very spiffy, sir!) and Nancy.

From Caro: 

Hee hee, Yvonne, your opera glasses are hilarious! 

The whole row (Caro took the picture, obviously).

Hazel, Yvonne, Randall, Nancy, me, Marg, Cat.

Pics from Rosanna: 

The view from Row Q. I see our heads.

Some of my favourite people! I've known Greg and Rosanna as long as I've known L (30+ years).

Rosanna, Meika, Emme and Greg.

Thanks so much for the pics, dear friends. Love you so much.

The show was raunchy, raucous and loads of fun - very much typical of the "South Park" vibe. It ended at 10pm, so Linda, Yvonne and Randall and I headed across the street to Tourist (link here 'cause I love).

We decompressed, caught up on each other's lives, and quaffed some beverages. I also had a snack of potato chips layered with thinly sliced cheese and salami with olives. Kind of a nacho bowl? I was starving and it was yummy!