Non-Mom Day Wee Shop in Oranges

Hello, my friends! No Mom-Day today, as I had to stay home for whenever the workers showed up to put our crown moulding back. 

On the plus side, it's all done! Yay! On the negative side, I miss seeing Mom this week. Boo! 

• Silk blouse - Zoe + Sam, thrifted; last worn here (2nd outfit) in July tied over the cheese curl dress 
• T-shirt - Paul Smith for WhateverItTakes.org, 2009, thrifted; not tracked
• Skirt - Scotch & Soda by Maison Scotch, consignment; last seen here (2nd outfit) for brunch in June (same shoes!)
• Sandals - Los Cabos; first worn here (2nd outfit) in that June brunch outfit

I didn't bother with much make-up and barely wore accessories. I just piled on a bunch of orange things. 

The silk blouse was my sunblock.

Incognito. 

Whateley just barged in and smelled my feet. Weirdo! 

The stuff: 

This is only the second time I've worn the hat - not sure that it's worth keeping. 

• Leather purse - Fossil, consignment, Powell River
• Earrings - thrifted
• Straw hat - thrifted

We had to clear out the hall again, move the CD rack, take all the pictures down. 

The boys hid while the loud nail-gunning was going on, and didn't come out until they finished caulking. 

Barnabas was much braver. 

He was the first to come out from under the bed. 

Once the work in our condo was done, I headed down Oak Bay Avenue to pick up Vero's birthday gift card - she requested one from Turnabout. Well, twist my rubber arm! I have to visit all my favourite Oak Bay shops! 

I popped into Good Things Consignment Vintage and forced myself to just do a very quick sweep. 

These blue-shaded snake-print leather-lined sandals caught my eye. 

They zip up the heel. 

I wore them around the house when I got home - very comfy! 

The brand is Bussola.

Their sandals seem to run around the $149.00 mark - but for me, they were $30.00. 

I popped into House of Savoy for another quick look around. I was devastated when a pair of furry green and pink Adidas sneakers did not fit (sigh), but thrilled to find this cool white top.

I like the big collar, and those are two POCKETS hanging down in front. 

I like the design on the back as well. 

Abstract! This was $34.00 and is by Luukaa. You could add $100 to that for retail. 

From there, I had a quick peek in A La Mode Vintage, and on to Turnabout! I bought the gift card first, then rewarded myself with a quick-ish shop. I didn't go through every item, just quickly looked for what leapt out at me. 

I never skip the menswear department, not just for L, but for me! This is a gorgeous cotton/poly Adidas jacket with a two-way zipper, zipped pockets, and a gorgeous royal blue colour. 

Aw, it belonged to Fred! 

I wonder how he would feel about me wearing this? It was only $39.60 (there was a sale on - extra 10% off on all the older items). Thanks, Fred! 

I spotted these pants on a rack of Boho-flavoured dresses - I was running my hand over the fabrics, looking for good quality textiles. 

I mean, what the heck is going on here? Whateley is giving them a good inspection. 

The fabric and textiles are gorgeous - all brocades, and these are all blocks of fabric sewn together. 

I have all these colours in my closet! 

When you tie the waist, they look like this.

Well, there we got, that's pretty nice, isn't it? 

They are super fun to play with - I spent some time in the fitting room futzing around with flipping the extra-long waist from paper-bag to peplum. 

Big pockets too! 

A big label inside. 

 

These were made in New York, cool. I'm going to have to spend some time on their website (here, link 'cause I love) and see if I can figure out what season these are from. I spotted some cropped patchwork pants for them over $500, so the $189.45 that I paid feels better. 

And now, I'm off for the weekend, but will be back on Monday (taking an extra day) with tale of adventure. 

The kittens wish you a happy weekend! Thank you for being here! 

A Backdrop for Grandma's Copper

Today's outfit was based around my original set of copper jewelry that my Grandma J gave me back in 1986. 

I wanted to wear this copper belt as well, and built the outfit around that.

• Hemp blouse - Sure 1032, consignment; last seen here (2nd outfit) in June for brunch and Winesday
• Skirt - Attitude, vintage 90s, consignment; last worn here (3rd outfit) in May for our Spring Burrito Birthday Bash
• Canvas/leather boots - Donald J. Pliner, consignment, Sidney; last seen here (3rd outfit) with the same skirt in May

I was interviewed by a jewelry writer about Grandma's jewelry (link here, totally safe, no ads!), isn't that cool? I had to show it off, and needed a backdrop.

This hemp top has the perfect neckline for her necklace, and the skirt has an orange iridescence that goes with all of my copper. 

Incognito. 

I loved wearing this skirt again - I play with the creases and folds in it. 

The stuff: 

I last wore the boots and skirt together, along with this scarf. When you have a winning combo, wear it again! 

• Silk scarf - Banana Republic, consignment
• Copper belt - Renoir, vintage 50s, vintage fair

The copper belt made me sit up straight! 

Copper bling: 

It's always good to wear my copper. It warms up and is very comforting to wear. 

• Copper/enamel cuff - Matisse by Renoir, vintage 60s, vintage fair
• Copper cuff - Renoir, vintage 50s, Grandma J's
• Copper necklace - vintage 50s, Grandma J's
• Copper/enamel earrings - Matisse by Renoir, vintage 60s, Grandma J's
• Copper ball ring and copper/glass ring - both vintage, consignment
• Copper/turquoise ring - vintage, Grandma J's

Speaking of comforting...

Whateley's lurking in the background. 

I found this picture on the camera when I uploaded my photos. 

L took it before I was up. Aw, cute kittens! 

Black and White Optic, and Special Guest Kitty

In addition to monitoring those backwards hangers, I'm also poking around and making sure all my little bits - like this mesh cardigan - get worn. 

This is a piece I tend to forget about, but it's great for layering. 

• Mesh cardigan - Jean Paul Gaultier Soleil, consignment; last worn here in July 2025 for a Mom-Day at home
• Tank top - FDJ French Dressing, thrifted; first seen here in June with my tiger/butterfly/floral Escada blazer
• Wool skirt - Megan Salmon Somersault Sculpted Pleat Skirt, Fountainhead collection, Winter 2020; last worn here in April with yellow and daisies
• Leather "pony hair" booties - Matisse, thrifted; last seen here in March with my red leopard denim suit

I also hadn't worn these booties yet this season, so why not together? 

Black and white prints always work together. 

The cardigan has mesh pockets, which stretch WAY down when I carry things like a phone in them.

I like the big full sleeves, with the wide mesh cuffs. 

Incognito. 

The skirt is a favourite - my coworkers were boggled that it was wool, like men's suiting material. 

The stuff: 

These boots don't fit in my spring/summer wardrobe, but they are still very cool. 

• Paper hat - thrifted

Black and white bling.

All awesome pieces. 

• Black and white elastic cuff - vintage fair
• Black and white bangles - consignment
• Silver chain ring - Mexican, consignment
• Silver/crystal ring - Soul Flower, c. 2007
• Earrings - Western Germany, vintage fair

L and I took care of our neighbours' cats, Kes and Tooks. We saw nothing of Tooks (L got a hiss), but Kes was cautiously friendly. 

Isn't he a handsome boy? The markings around his mouth are so unusual. 

He had a faintly outraged look on his face while I tried to pet him. 

And then he hid under a table. 

My boys, in comparison, are very chill. 

Barnabas' favourite spot. 

Whateley is always nearby. 

Making sure he gets some of my attention too! 

Weird Adidas Over Pleats

 Monday again? I wore one of my backwards hangers dresses, layering it with a Weird Adidas piece.

I enjoyed the clash of patterns. 

• Dress - Uniqlo X Claire Waight Keller, thrifted; last worn here in January with a bad black blouse
• Nylon bomber jacket - Adidas X Farm Rio, consignment; last seen here in April with tulle and Marimekko
• Shoes - Sol Sana; last worn here in June with a Bad Blouse

I layered a plain black cami under the dress, and wore the jacket over it all day. 

The jacket's leafy jungle pattern includes a dark green that worked well with the blue and green pattern of the dress. 

The "leopard" is actually the letters of Adidas. Clever! 

I enjoyed deploying all these swooshy pleats again.

Incognito.

I actually wore it zipped up like this for most of the day - the office was chilly! 

The stuff: 

Good heels - they are completely comfortable. 

• Amber/gold ant brooch - consignment

The brooch covered the Adidas logo on the jacket! 

Orange bling: 

Some favourites. 

• Orange triangle bangle - consignment, Sidney
• Steel/Lucite ring - Calvin Klein, thrifted
• Orange plastic cuff/ring - Italian, vintage mall
• Earrings - Justine Clenquet, consignment, gift from L 

I was reminded anew that I like these earrings. Oh, yeah! 

Random kitty pictures. Whateley looking out the bedroom window. Is it a deer?

"No, people shouting."

I could hear Barnabas before I saw him. The boys like to whack at this when they're hungry. 

"Feed me! Or the ball gets it!"

Better feed the beasts! 

Bigass Weekend Wrap-Up: Friday Office Pajamas; Snaky Patchwork Brunch; Suede Mermaid and a Long Bomber for Nick's Party

Welcome back, my friends! I hope you've had a wonderful weekend, full of good times! I know I certainly have, and I can't wait to show you.

Second wearing of this silk double-breasted blouse, and I treated it like a topper layer, instead of a shirt.

• Silk blouse - Alfred Sung Sport, vintage 80s, thrifted; first seen here in July with a denim mermaid skirt
• Tie-neck sweater - Anne Klein, vintage 90s, thrifted; last worn here in April with a dragonscale skirt
• Pants - Cambio, consignment; last seen here (2nd outfit) in April for hosting Winesday
• Leather shoes - Chloe, consignment; last worn here in July with my Darth duster (aka Halston Ultrasuede shirtdress)

I liked it with the casual nylon cargo pants (there's a giant pocket on one leg).

I added my matching cream loafers to keep it office-appropriate. 

Incognito: 

Done up and sleeves down for walking to and from work. 

The stuff: 

I love these shoes, which surprises me, since I dislike loafers. They're just a little weird, you know? 

• Hat - Babaton, consignment

Gold-tone bling:

Only Grandma's necklace (worn as a bracelet) is real gold. 

• Gold-by-the-inch chain - vintage 80s, Grandma J's
• Crystal bracelet - thrifted
• Wooden Klimt ring - consignment
• Amber ring - c. 1996
• Earrings - thrifted

I let go of the earrings - off to Limbo! - as I never wear them, and actually forgot all about them.

L and I had takeout Thai food for dinner after work, then chilled with the boys for the evening, playing board games. 

They can never get enough playtime, and there was much tearing about! 

We all slept in on Saturday, then met up with Nick for brunch at John's Place. I missed a week, and it felt like forever! 

I'd hoped to wear my new-to-me faux-fur-trimmed jacket, but it was too warm out. I would have worn it with this outfit, though! 

• Mesh top - Soya Concept; last worn here in June as a funky pirate
• Denim patchwork skirt - Free the People, consignment; last seen here in April with the mummy jacket
• Sandals - Lucky Brand; last worn here in June with this same mesh top

I layered an olive green camisole under the top, and wee shorts under the denim skirt. 

I realized I had a theme going: snake belt, snake print shoes...

Snake print purse! 

We had a lovely big lunch, then L and I did our weekly grocery shop. 

The stuff: 

What was that theme again? 

• Leather purse - Margot New York, thrifted
• Leather belt - Notes du Nord, thrifted
• Leather sandals - Lucky Brand, The Bay

Snaky bling: 

The more, the merrier! 

• Snake coil bracelet - Whiting & Davis, vintage 70s, vintage fair
• Leather/chain bracelet - Jenny Bird, consignment
• Snake necklace - vintage 90s, vintage expo
• Silver snake ring - BC Museum gift shop, 1985
• Silver/gold/amethyst snake ring - vintage fair
• Earrings - thrifted, Seattle

I had a nice long nap on Saturday afternoon (I am not a good sleeper in general). 

Looks like Barnabas could use one too. 

Whateley is almost asleep. 

I see you sneaking a peek at me, buddy. 

Aw, that face.

Such a sweet boy. He slept on the bed with me while I napped. 

And then it was time to get ready for Nick's birthday party! You might remember the Party Boy action from last year here, from August 2025.

While I still had my "Party Boy" t-shirt, I decided this was the perfect opportunity to wear this new-to-me suede dress that I found back in June. 

• Suede dress - Kitsch Boutique, vintage 00s, consignment; purchased here for $62.00
• Long bomber jacket - AMT (Above Mediocre Taste), consignment; last worn here in April with sequined sneakers
• Sandals - Via Spiga, consignment; last seen here in July with chartreuse and brown for Mom-Day

I thought it might be too warm for it, but it cooled off quite a lot while I was sleeping.

I played around with my shoes until I landed on the right ones. 

It's still August - I didn't want a visually heavy or closed shoe. 

Whateley "helping." Showing off the pockets! 

I wore the dress around the house for a while, and felt chilled, so I added this long bomber.

It has no pockets (outrageous!) but it's perfect for wearing on a summer night at a party. 

I swanked around in it once the sun went down. 

I explained to a lot of people what it actually was. It's a bomber jacket. 

Only REALLY long. 

My purse was basically abandoned at the door once we arrived at Greg and Rosanna's house. Much gratitude to our pal Casey for driving us there and back!

The stuff: 

The sandals were perfect for standing around till 1am scarfing down chocolate and cheese and chatting. 

Bold bling: 

The usual suspects. 

We'd noticed what we thought was a roof ornament when we arrived, only to quickly discover...it was a real owl! 

Me, Ali, Shelley and Rosanna with the camera. 

Wait, I want to take some pics too.

Getting my phone out of my pocket. 

I was more transfixed by watching the owl than taking pictures. 

I hope Rosanna got some good ones. 

We went to the front yard after this to get a better shot. 

See how close she is to the party on the deck? 

Look over here, please! 

She ruffled her feathers and soared off over the yard, landing on a distant Garry Oak. So very cool. 

And now, off to enjoy my Sunday with my fam.

These two have been racing around and wrestling. 

All tuckered out. 

Whateley, perhaps a little LESS relaxed? 

Wishing you all a lovely weekend! Thank you so much for being here.