I had Mom-Day on Thursday, which was a rainy one - I really wanted to wear my red and black Bodybag by Jude poncho, so I got up early and did my coat closet change-over.
After that, I realized I had to rush to make it to Mom's when I'd promised, so there are fewer outfit pics, sorry! I wore this base layer at Mom's and while at home before the show.
I buttoned the coat and wore it under the poncho for the walking/bus journey to and from Mom's place.
This is how most of the world saw me during the day.
It was just right and I loved wearing this again.
I also had a concert to go to in the evening with L and Casey in Sidney, so I knew my outfit would need to do double-duty.
- T-shirt - Sheer Mag concert, 2025, not tracked
- Acid-wash denim vest - Chiqle, thrifted; last worn here in my Ruffled Cowgirl outfit for Rifflandia in September 2025
- Suede skirt - Guillaume, vintage 90s, consignment, Powell River; last seen here (2nd outfit) in December 2025 for some holiday shopping
- Leather boots - Stuart Weisman, consignment; last worn here in February for Sweetheart Week
- Leather coat (below) - Danier Leather, thrifted; last seen here with this poncho in November 2025
- Poncho (below) - Bodybag by Jude, consignment, gift from L; last worn here in November 2025 with the red coat!
I layered the red leather coat over the vest and wore just this for the concert. Casey drove us both ways, aw, what a guy!
This is how most of the world saw me during the day.
Showing my purse, which is cross-bodied under the poncho.
And also the pouch where I kept my sun/glasses and my keys and bus pass.
The stuff:
I walked along muddy paths, wet sidewalks and squelched through wet, mossy grass in these boots. My feet didn't even get wet!
- Fake leather bucket hat - Babaton, consignment
- Leather purse - Rebecca Minkoff, consignment
- Wool gloves - Parkhurst
- Lobster brooch - Mom's, Bermuda
Bold bling:
I had two bags of "spring-y" outerwear, and a bunch of leftover hangers from the last change-over.
I wore my metal all day.
- Leather belt - Mudd, vintage 90s, consignment
- Leather/steel cuff - Rimanchik
- Silver S bracelet - Mexican, consignment, Sidney
- Frank Turner tape deck pin - 2024 tour
- Silver/crystal ring - Soul Flower
- Silver/red enamel ring - antique shop, Sidney
- Silver/carnelian ring - thrifted
- Rose earrings - Betsey Johnson, swap from Cat
- S Celtic pendant - gift from Mom & Dad, c. 1996
I took a bunch of pictures of the coat closet change-out, as I want the kittens to get used to the chaos of bags of clothes - my Spring-Summer Closet Swap-Over is coming in a few weeks!
Whateley was wondering where all these bags were stored (in our library, behind the bookcase).
A Before shot of my side of the hall closet - L has the right side for his coats and jackets (it's stuffed). You'll note all my hangers are turned around the "right way", meaning I wore them all since I last did a change-over.
I ended up removing a few pieces of vintage clothing I had on the far right, moving a couple pieces to the Dress Collection, a few into the archives, and one or two into the Limbo pile for sale. More space!
I'm always charmed by this hanger.
Phone Fitzroy 3580 for Diamond Cleaners in LA.
The boys were very well-behaved, although something spooked Barnabas and he puffed his tail up.
"He's a timid little thing." "I don't know what's happening!"
Heavy, warm and thick coats get roughly bundled up and stored - three large bags of them. And that's the pile of capes, leather and lighter coats, ready to be hung up.
This is what's left from the winter season - I'll thin down a few more wooly/thick ones once the weather is truly warmer. We've been known to have snow in April, so I want to make sure I have enough for chilly days.
I turned all the hangers backwards at this point.
And then I shook out all the stored coats and hung them back up.
Such a lovely rainbow of colour!
Barnabas watched me do my pictures.
I literally ran for the bus to town - and made it! - only to see the "good" bus to Mom's glide by. Damn!
"Rub my tum!"
All right, I will!
Gotta dash!
However, I checked the transit app...and I could take another bus out to the VI Technical College (it was Camosun College when I was a kid) and walk the paths behind Mom's house to make it there.
Let's set off on our journey! I've just gotten off the bus on the left, there's a bunch of cars parked up there, and my map tells me this path is the one.
Towers and wires - this is a high elevation area.
The sun is trying to break through.
Some of the path is paved and some is gravel.
Lots of puddles!
I climbed higher and higher.
Through a big patch of evergreens.
I recognize this big bare branch tree from a walk Mom and I did a few years ago, when we explored around here.
Teachers wrangling students. There must be a school around here.
This dog did not want to be out in the pouring rain.
The forsythia is starting to bloom.
I'm headed for those very spooky trees.
And before I knew it, I was at Mom's.
These lone tulips look a little sad.
I think deer have been eating the leaves.
Still lots of daffs coming out.
The primulas are persistently blooming.
A pretty purple hyacinth is out!
Exciting!
And here's Mom!
She had the stairs rebuilt to have a top landing and to make them safer as well.
So good to see you again!
She showed off her new chair lift.
I picked some fresh flowers after lunch.
We had my homemade chili, crackers and some warmed up cherry pie. Yum!
Time to head home!
Up more hills.
And hello to the SHEEPS!
Just eating grass.
This brown one was watching me.
That's the lamb in the back - it's gotten so big.
I quickly fed the kitties when I got home.
"I'm in a box!"
The boys missed us, but we had a show to get to!
We went to see Josh Ritter - me, L and Casey, who drove us out to the Mary Winspear Centre in Sidney.
Thanks so much, Casey!
We got there early to scope out the merch, and because I've never been there before, so had some anxiety about what it would be like.
Although I look skeptical, this was a lovely theatre, not a bad seat.
We were four rows from the front, smack dab in the middle.
I had listened to this amazing song (here, YouTube) before leaving home, but was otherwise unprepared for the show.
It was just Josh Ritter and his guitar.
Phew, after that, I needed a simple but punchy outfit for Friday, as five of my favourite VPs took me out to lunch to celebrate my 15th anniversary. I saved this jacket just for them.
A little blurry Barnabas coming in for some tummy rubs.
He sang for two hours straight with no break. It was an incredibly moving and uplifting show, and he was charming and humble and brilliant. One of the best shows I've ever seen. Check out L's album and concert review here.
Phew, after that, I needed a simple but punchy outfit for Friday, as five of my favourite VPs took me out to lunch to celebrate my 15th anniversary. I saved this jacket just for them.
Another rainy day...but warm!
- Embroidered jacket - Nygard, thrifted; purchased here for $8.00
- Blouse - COS, thrifted; last seen here in November 2025
- Trousers - Joie, consignment; last worn here in December 2025 with a different embroidered jacket
- Shoes - Marquis Swordfish, Fluevog; last seen here in February with yet another embroidered jacket
I loved wearing this gorgeous jacket and adored the match with the pink trousers, but the white top let me down.
It has a longer peplum back and it's actual shirting weave, which is nice, but it's also getting very worn. Time to let it go.
White tops are pretty common, so I'll keep my eye out for something better.
I opened the pockets last night. These were big enough for my phones.
Wow, I love how the vines look on the arm.
It was the perfect day for...the Rain Pickle!
Fully waterproof, windproof and light (big pockets too).
I had to wear it with the hood up due to the torrential rain.
The extra-long hem actually kept my pants and shoes dry.
The stuff:
As you might guess from the light, it was sunny on the way home.
- Silk scarf - Fluevog
- Leather gloves - consignment
Minimal bling:
Totally not guilty of anything...
I needed a necklace but nothing felt right, so I skipped it.
- Jadeite bangle - consignment
- Studded cuff - consignment, gift from L
- Silver poison ring - Karen's
- Silver/green stone ring - thrifted
- Jade ring - thrifted
- Pearl earrings - consignment
The studded band isn't great quality - it's not leather, as I'd originally thought - so I'm letting that go as well.
And now...signing off for the weekend.
Barnabas getting a cuddle. He's so floppy.
He and Whateley enjoyed playing with my Rain Pickle while I ate breakfast.
That face!
I'm looking forward to some quality time with them this weekend.
Wishing you all happiness, blue skies and furry tums! Thanks for being here - please tune back in on Sunday for tales of adventure!
Whateley’s eyes and the Rain Pickle are colorfully meant for each other!
ReplyDeleteHi Helen! Yay for the chair lift in making going up and down steps a whole lot easier! You and Sheila are, once again, coordinated in your outfit colors. :-)
Sheila, do you try on your coats or other clothes when you switch them over or do you wait till you are ready to wear them? Two days ago I piled all my spring and summer clothes onto a table in anticipation of warmer days. (Heavens knows how long they will sit there! Maybe till Fred says something, ;-)) Anyway, I’m debating whether I should try on pieces (mostly bottoms and dresses) before repopulating shelves. I’m trying to avoid last minute discoveries that an item no longer works for my body or style.
Speaking of outfits, I love your entire Mom Day outfit including the outer wear, boots, the whole shebang! It’s my cup of tea - comfortable, has a put-together feel, splashes of color and fun, and practical for your outings. Marveling at the “rainbows of color” of your coats and the flower colors in your Mom’s garden. Tulips! Hazaah, Victoria paves the way for Spring to come!
After I post this will follow your links for the concert and L’s review.
Sweet that VPs celebrated you and your 15 years with the company! It’s not in your DNA to let them down style-wise and I bet that beauty of a jacket had them smiling. It truly was an amazing find! Happy weekend one and all! Cheers, Laurie
I don't try on my coats when I swap them over, because it's usually only been a few months. With the season main closet clothing swap-over, I do try things on, 'cause sometimes it's been close to a year since I've worn a few of them, and I know my body has changed. If it's been more than a year, you should try them on!
DeleteThank you as always for your lovely comments, Laurie! Logan was tickled that you commented on his post!
I have to chuckle at the "sad" tulips. Ours are still underground and blanketed by a lot of snow, including some that arrived day after day during the week, still clinging to the trees but starting to fall off, due to above zero temperatures. You had some healthy exercise by missing the good bus. Your Mom-day outfit looks great (I wonder what my own mother would have thought of the tee-shirt, though!). The stair lift is a great way for your Mom to stay in her home. She looks well and attractive as usual (Hi there Helen!).
ReplyDeleteI like the song, I hadn't heard of Josh Ritter before. You did well to end up in such great seats. I love the Friday ensemble, that is one super jacket.
The address from your hanger appears now to be a Salvadorian bakery. :)
ReplyDeleteYou wore a SUEDE skirt in the rain?! **Shudder**
ReplyDeleteI never knew the plural of sheep is "sheeps". Learn something new every day. :)
Of course, it's just leather, it's fine to get it wet.
DeleteIt is NOT the plural - I'm making a joke. Sheep is the plural of sheep.
Any time a child at school says 'Sheeps', it makes me smile!
DeleteI knew you'd rock that embroidered coat and you did! nailed it, my love!
ReplyDeleteWhat an action packed post. It's great to see your Mum doing so well and always a joy to see the beasts.
I've heard of Josh Ritter but shall go and consult YouTube to see if I recognise anything he's released. The venue loos very cosy and comfy, I struggle with seated gigs, even at my great age I need to be in a mosh pit!
Good luck with the wardrobe reshuffle. I'm glad I'm not the only oe who adores a vintage coathanger! xxx
Ah, the embroidered coat and the pink trousers are a formidable combination!
ReplyDeleteI always enjoy your wardrobe reshuffle!
Why do I not recall the Rain Pickle??? That is a delightful moniker!