I wanted to feel springy, so I pulled out this gorgeous floral dress that I knew Mom would love to see in person.
Because after I spent the afternoon with Mom, I bused home, fed the kittens and bused back to town to go to a party hosted by our dear friend Casey.
I layered this thin wool-blend sheer sweater underneath it for coverage and warmth.
- Wool-blend sweater - Diesel, vintage 90s, consignment; last worn here in December 2025 (horrid outfit, got rid of the jeans)
- Dress - Eliza J, thrifted; first seen here (2nd outfit) for the VFF Gala
- Boots - Bond Girl, Fluevog X Anna Sui; last worn here in January with velvet leopards
- Elmo coat (below) - , consignment, Powell River; last seen here in February
Mom liked that she could sort of see my rose tattoos through it and that they matched the pattern of the dress.
It was the perfect day for my suede boots - and I had to go with the matching belt.
I needed a walkable shoe that would be easy on my feet for a long day.
Incognito.
These boots were great, but by the time I pulled them off at 9pm, my dogs were howling.
You couldn't miss me!
The stuff:
Minimal bling:
I liked how the turquoise worked with the colour mix in the dress' pattern.
- Belt - Fluevog
- Carved cinnabar bangle - consignment
- Silver/turquoise bangle - consignment
- Silver/green stone ring - thrifted
- Silver/turquoise ring - consignment
- Snake earrings - Betsey Johnson, gift from L
The boys were settled in for the day of naps.
"Do you mind?"
Yikes, sorry to bother you, Whateley!
Will you miss me, Barnabas?
"I'm sleepy."
Very well! I'm off!
Let's start with Mom-Day! 
I rode a total of 5 buses on Thursday, including the one that drops me off at Camosun College/VI Technical Park.
Cloud drama!
Looking back at Camosun (cuh-MOH-sun) College. This was all rural when I was a kid.
I passed by the track and PISE, the Pacific Institute for Sports Education.
It was a bit chilly out, but my fuzzy Elmo coat kept me warm.
A hill and the cluster of evergreens.
I'm getting used to this route.
There's the Stick Tree.
Go left!
What's this place? It's nice - there's a bench for you to sit and enjoy.
I had to wander all over to avoid the puddles.
Oops, I missed a turn-off.
That's okay, I can walk back along the usual path.
Mom's forsythia is looking lovely.
This part of the garden does more in the summer when all those blueberry bushes are full of berries.
The daffodils are still going strong.
So many varieties!
Oh, who's that?
"Oh, curses."
Hi, Rodney! He ran off - not a super-friendly cat, but he loves Mom.
Aw, happy to see the yellow and orange polyanthus blooming.
I'm so proud of how well you've handled this whole situation, Mom! I love you!
This is the original plant that was in the garden when Mom was a kid - it was originally one of her dad's plants (he loved his gardens). I remember this from the house I grew up. It's moved many times.
Mom and me selfie! Mom is almost fully recovered, and is champing at the bit to get back to her "real life."
I cooked up a couple of grilled ham and cheeses.
These are possibly my best ones ever. They were delicious.
After a lovely hour working on a puzzle - the time flew! - I realized I had to get home to feed the cats.
Club California (nightclub of my youth) was in this building. It's being turned into a hotel - they are keeping the front and back facades.
That's Casey in his jaunty red neckerchief, and three friends (none of whom I talked to).
Good to see you, man!
No sheeps today.
Home, kitttens, then back to town.
That's Casey in his jaunty red neckerchief, and three friends (none of whom I talked to).
The soiree was to celebrate the Spring Equinox. What a spread!
Hey, it's my buddy Steve!
And we sent a picture to Nick, who is in Australia.
I was exhausted when I got home, hence the lack of post. L and I both crashed, and of course, we had to work on Friday.
Me, Caro, Yvonne, Cat and Jean. Great to see you lovelies at a mid-week party! So decadent!
I was exhausted when I got home, hence the lack of post. L and I both crashed, and of course, we had to work on Friday.
I felt like getting a little funky.
- Vest - Indochino, consignment; last seen here in January with snakeprint bookends
- Mesh top - Jean Paul Gaultier, vintage 90s, consignment; last worn here in May 2025 with white and Issey
- Cotton trousers - Calvin Klein 205W39NYC by Raf Simmons, c. 2019, consignment; last seen here (4th outfit) in December 2025 to see Jake Vaadeland in concert
- Sneakers - Soul Speed Duesy, Fluevog; last worn here (2nd outfit) in February for a shop down Oak Bay Ave
- Loomed Lady coat (below) - vintage 60s, thrifted; last seen here in October 2025
I'd been wanting to wear these awesome chi-chi designer cotton pants again.
I love the super-baggy fit - it's not something I'd wear every day, but it's fun.
I'm shocked that it's been 10 months since I last wore this sheer mesh Gaultier top!
"No one cares." "I'm streeeeetttchhhy!"
I was fully kitty-bombed this morning.
Incognito.
Hooray, it's the Loomed Lady! She is a very pale yellow-cream, with blue woven threads.
The stuff:
My feet were very happy in these.
- Silk scarf - Halston, vintage 70s, thrifted
- Stick pin - Mango's, L's (I stole it)
- Wool gloves - Parkhurst
Punk bling:
Sweet Barnabas boy. He's such a little cuddle monkey.
All my red stuff!
- Belt - vintage 90s, consignment
- Bowie balsa wood pin - vintage fair
- Leather/steel cuff - Rimanchik
- Silver/gold bracelet - JLA, vintage fair
- Silver/red enamel ring - antique store, Sidney
- Silver/crystal ring - Soul Flowre
- Kilt pin - Mom's, vintage 50s
- Crystal necklace - thrifted, Vancouver
- Silver/acrylic earrings - Tania Gleave, Granville Island
You know there were a couple of cuddles in the morning.
Whateley came in for some loving too.
He's a bit less cuddly, but he likes the attention.
And now...signing off for the weekend! Enjoy yourselves, spring is here! Thank you so much for dropping by - please make sure you pop in on Sunday/Monday for tales of adventure!
Sheila the dress and accoutrements are simply stunning on you! Just had to say. :) The colors, the drape, the seasonal flair… Also, Helen I love your sweater - the red, stripes and then the black sleeves combine for a cozy vibrancy! You two look wonderful and eager to soon be out and about!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of which, was the actual Spring Equinox for you just two days ago on Thursday? Here it was a week ago on Friday, March 20. I am going to look it up! Anyway, what a wonderful idea for a party!
I love your Friday work outfit! I’m a fan of vests, the pants (such a rich blue!) have a fabulous and flattering drape (plus they look so comfortable) and the finishing touch is all of the supporting pieces. Definitely my cup of tea. :)
Yay for Elmo and the Loomed Lady! I appreciate that your outer layers are every bit a part of any given outfit. Thank you for sending me into the weekend with a reminder of the joy of dressing.
Cheers, Laurie
Five buses? I have transport envy! I think there are two long distance buses that pass through our area, probably in the middle of the night, nothing more! They took away the train years ago and took up the rails, too!
ReplyDeleteIt's good to know that your Mom is almost fully recovered and she looks great in that red.
Your thin sweater looks almost as if it is part of the dress. Friday's vest looks good with that outfit, too, as it did in January. Have a great weekend!
Hi again, it's Laurie. Duh, logic should have told me the Spring Equinox is the same date for everyone in the northern hemisphere. So Casey just chose to celebrate it one week later.
ReplyDeleteA vision of spring in your floral frock, Sheila! Those boots are perfect with it!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that your Mum's doing so well and her garden is looking fabulous. Our forsythia has just bloomed, too.
Lovely to see your stylish mates at the soiree, how very sophisticted you are.
Kittens! xxx
Lovely that you dressed up in such magnificent outfit for Mom (she's looking fab!) and partytime too. Looking fab in that floral dress and delightfully matchy boots, and I do love your coat!
ReplyDeleteAlso looking fab in those funky trousers and Fabulous Red Sneakers and cool accessorizing!, I'm a huge fan of LoomedLady coat, glad to see you rocking it!
besos