First Mom-Day of the Year in Cerulean Suede, and the Socks Must Die

Hello, my friends, and welcome back to Mom-Days! I bussed out to Mom's place with lunch and did some tech support for her. Our last Mom-Day at home was here in November 2025.

Looking lovely in blue and showing off her happy-making glass bowl and fairy star lights. You light up the gloomy days, Mom! I love you! 

And here's what I wore. The weather forecast was for SLEET, so I layered up.

I have a camisole on under the sweater and shorts on the bottom, plus extra socks. Must be warm! 

• Cotton sweater - Tabi, thrifted; last seen here in September 2025 with my picador skirt
• Suede studded dress - Danier Leather, vintage 80s, consignment; first worn here in September 2025 with leggings and sneakers
• Boots - Original Sabado, Fluevog; last seen here in a swooshy pirate outfit in December 2025
• Wool/cashmere coat (below) - Sarmite Wearable Art, consignment; last worn here in February 2025

It's been a while since we saw the Castle. 

I can confirm it is still there. 

I loved wearing this studded (metal!) suede dress again. It's such a great colour.

A vibrant green sweater under it, and then practical boots for all the walking and potential sleet. 

Lots of fluffy warm pieces were required. 

I also decided to use my new-to-me purse for the first time. It was excellent! The back pocket was perfect for my phone and it held a lot inside. 

All bundled up. 

I only wear this coat when it's really cold, as it's cashmere and wool and therefore sweaty-making if the temps aren't hovering around 0. 

Isn't it amazing? 

So pretty! 

Accoutrements: 

The blue gloves have little slits for your finger/thumbs so that you can use your phone. 

• Hat - M&S, consignment, Sidney
• Gloves - thrifted
• Leather purse - vintage 70s, thrifted; purchased here for $17.21
• Fur scarf - thrifted

Unfortunately, I'd neglected to charge my phone, so there will be fewer "in the wild" pictures, sorry.

The stuff: 

These boots are just awesome. 

Peacock bling: 

I really liked the pendant with this outfit - Mom admired it. 

• Hinged eelskin cuff - vintage 80s, thrifted
• Gold-tone bangle - thrifted
• Silver/green stone ring - thrifted
• Silver/kyanite ring - consignment
• Gold-plated pewter pendant - Robert Larin, vintage 70s, consignment
• Sterling peacock ring - vintage, Mom's
• Lapis lazuli ring - Wendy Brandes
• Earrings - thrifted

It's been a long time since I wore the peacock ring - this is probably one of the oldest things I own. 

Family lore has it as being a woman's wedding ring, and it may well have been, but it's stamped sheet silver. It's likely Victorian era, maybe edging into the Art Nouveau period? 

Sheeps! 

That's not a sleet-y sky - it was merely cold and slightly windy.

Spooky trees! 

My phone started to die, so no Merlin-ing but there were birds all over the place. I heard red-winged blackbirds - they have a very distinctive call. 

As I walked up to Mom's door, I spotted our old friend, Rodney. 

"Oh, it's you."

He's got his winter coat on. 

"I was just seeing if the lady was okay."

He probably misses the brushings Mom used to give him. 

The mid-century glass bowl, full of brass stars with fairy lights. 

I bet this is pretty at night! 

Post-lunch (I bought Mystery Soup - it was Mexican Tortilla with sausage - and oranges, and Mom supplied the yummy crackers and some veggies and dip) I headed back to the bus stop. 

Bye, sheeps! 

Mom gave me a little leather wallet she found when she was cleaning out a drawer. She bought it in Mexico in 1985-86.

A swordfish, a palm tree, a small house. 

Guess where it's from! Mazatlan! 

With a sunset/rise on this side. 

It's a coin purse, sort of a mini-wallet. 

It had Mom's US currency in it - a whopping $6.70 plus a bunch of pennies. There were also some pence from the UK, French coins, and Netherlands coins, which I added to my coin box. I love this little pocket purse, thanks, Mom.

Finally, kitten pictures! 

Why don't you just lie there, Barnabas? 

"I didn't steal your socks!"

My socks??

And I found THIS situation in the bathroom. 

"I didn't do it!"          "These are mine now."

Whateley! What are you doing with those socks? I haven't even worn them yet - they're a pair that Mom gave me for Christmas. 

"They do smell good!"        "Buzz off, Barnabas." 

He had a bee in his bonnet over these socks! 

"Mind your own business."

Excuse me, buddy, but I need those now. 

"I don't think so. The socks must die!"

Ooh, angry kitten face! Uh-oh, I'd better hide...everything I love! 

My friends, I'm signing off now for the weekend, but please do stop by on Sunday night for tales of adventure! Thank you so much for being here!

Periodontal Armour - Neons and Grey Bell

Whoo, another visit to the periodontist is now in the rear-view mirror. As always, it's a bit of a blur due to the "happy pill" and I have enough energy now to finish up a quick post for y'all. 

Blogging dedication! Also, I wanted to get this done, as Mom-Day is tomorrow, and do you think there might be pictures? (I do!). 

• Cropped blazer - Only, consignment; last seen here (2nd outfit) in October 2025 with a black and white pouffy skirt
• Cotton sweater - Zara, consignment; last worn here in November 2025 for Mom-Day at Beaver Lake
• Skirt - Kokomarina, thrifted; last seen here in March 2025 with orange angels
• Boots - Slacker Vagabond, Fluevog; last worn here in November 2025 with this cotton sweater
• Coat (below) - Banana Republic, consignment; last seen here (way down) in December 2025

I dressed with comfort in mind, plus armour, and for walking. This grey woolly bell skirt appealed to me for sitting in the chair for an hour and a half. 

And the neon green with hits of bright pink really helped me (and my tech Michelle, hi!) feel a bit more cheery. It is a wool/cotton blend, and feels like fleece. 

"I wore this for you!" I said to her. Well, in part. 

I did really like the mix of colours here, though.

Even more neon brights for my outerwear. 

The people at the bus stop really enjoyed this - a lovely person on the bus told me how much she liked all my colour. 

Accoutrements: 

I bought this bag on my pre-Christmas shopping at Value Village, intending to give it to one of my nieces, but I gave her something else instead and kept it for myself! More pics below. 

• "Paris" bag - Robin Ruth, thrifted; purchased in December for $7.95
• Silk scarf - Fluevog
• Wool beret - thrifted
• Heart pin - consignment
• Suede gloves - Dots

The stuff: 

Comfy boots for walking to the bus stop, then to the periodontist office. 

• Belt - Ralph Lauren, thrifted
• Metal/glass flower brooch - vintage 60s, Mom's
• Gold-tone bangle - thrifted
• Pink stone/gold cuff - D'Orlans, vintage 70s, vintage mall, gift from L
• Necklace - Anne Klein, vintage 80s, Grandma J's
• Gold/amethyst ring - Frances Jewelers, c. 1965, Dad's 
• Silver/crystal ring - Uffizi Gallery gift shop, Florence, Italy
• Enameled metal earrings - thrifted

Gold bling: 

I wore the flower pin on my coat. 

The 100% cotton bag is by Robin Ruth, and I saw bags similar on their site for $78 on sale for $39. Not bad for $7.99!

The design is very "Stephen Sprouse X Marc Jacobs for Louis Vuitton" (like my Lewis Vuitton scarves), so I think this has a bit of age on it. This exact style isn't made anymore (their straps are now adjustable), but I saw plenty of these online with other city's names on them. 

It came with the original rubber hang-tag. 

It really is good quality! 

It has a beautiful striped cotton lining, with pockets for stuff, and a zipped pocket for my wallet. 

I suspect this was an airport gift shop purchase by someone who went to...Paris! 

I nearly forgot! Kitten pictures! As I was writing my blog/Substack last night, I realized I had company. 

"I'm helping!"

I lay out all of my clothes and accessories the night before so that I don't have to think in the morning. "Where's your brother?" I asked Barnabas. 

"This is all so droll."

Such a big yawn from Whateley! 

Then they both "guarded" my sweater and boots. Thanks, guys. 

"You're welcome."     "I can't see!"

They are nearly all healed up, and feeling frisky, as always.

Orange and the Denim Fin

I managed to get the office tree down today - it only took 40 minutes, but that's a big chunk of time!

Showing off my lobster pin, one of my favourite possessions. 

• Dress - H&M, consignment; last worn here in October 2024 with groovy boots
• Fin top - 3.1 Phillip Lim, consignment; last seen here in April 2025in an extra-profesh look
• Leather boots - 1883 Lucchese, thrifted; last worn here in November 2024 with a plaid dress
• Suede coat (below) - Tadmor, vintage 70s, vintage mall; last seen here in November 2025

I was looking for non-snaggable clothes and my eyes alit on this orange sweater dress, which I've had for 5 years now. This is its 12th wearing, so I'm down to just under $3 per wear. 

I've always worn it on its own or with a jacket or vest. 

I liked my denim and brocade "fin" vest over it.

It's a little different.

I went matchy with the denim blue shade.

Steel blue boots and a jeans-blue suede coat. I got soaked on the way to work, and damp on the way home. 

The stuff: 

I haven't worn these boots in over a year, but I still like them - they were very comfy for walking to and from the office. 

• Bucket hat - Picabo, vintage fair
• Fur scarf/headband - Danier Leather, thrifted
• Gloves - Dots

Silver bling: 

I carried the rings in my coat pocket as they don't fit well under leather gloves. 

• Silver S bracelet - Mexican, consignment, Sidney
• Silver/Lucite bracelet - Alexis Bittar, consignment, Vancouver
• Silver "wings" ring - consignment; purchased here for $65.00
• Silver/smoky topaz ring - Anneli Neuman, Sweden, vintage mall
• Silver earrings - Israeli, consignment
• Steel lobster brooch - Bermuda, Mom's

Easing Back in Leopard and Black

Oh, Monday, my old foe - it was really hard getting up early again today! But I was cheered to see that it's definitely lighter in the morning. 

We're still a few weeks from the Return of the Stair Picture, though. 

• Cotton-blend jacket - Royal Underground, consignment, Powell River; last seen here in October 2025 as outerwear with black and red
• Sweater - Papillon, thrifted; last worn here in November 2025, layered under a plaid dress
• Skirt - Esqualo, Dots sample; last seen here for triple duty in July 2025
• Shoes - Mini QTees, Fluevog, consignment; last worn here way back here in January 2025 with a now-Limbo'd orange suit
• Puffer coat (below) - Donna Karan, consignment; last seen here in December 2025

To ease myself back into the routine, I set one goal today: to take down the office Christmas tree. Did I get this done? No. I was bogged down in finance stuff for most of the day. Maybe tomorrow. 

I knew I'd need a stretchy and comfortable outfit for the first day back. The ruffled jacket is my favourite piece in this outfit and deserved a re-wear. Pockets! 

It ended up being dry today, although still cold. 

I reached for my down-filled puffer to keep me warm. 

I was ready for anything.

Rain is on the way! 

The stuff: 

I was surprised to see that I haven't worn these shoes in almost a full year. Even though they are only out for 6 months, that's not very much. It might be time to move these along... 

• Beret - Parkhurst, vintage, thrifted
• Mink rose pin - thrifted
• Fur scarf - Danier Leather, thrifted
• Leather gloves - vintage, thrifted

Red bling:

I made some small adjustments to the bracelet's slide lock - it fell off twice during the day, so I fiddled with it a bit more when I got home. Otherwise, I loved it. 

• Bracelet - vintage 60s, consignment; purchased here for $24.00
• Eelskin bird bracelet - vintage 80s, consignment
• Stone ring - thrifted
• Brass leopard ring - thrifted
• Brass Brutalist ring - vintage 70s, vintage mall
• Bronze ring - P. Sarpaneva, Finland, vintage 70s, vintage expo
• Metal earrings - Betsey Johnson, swap from Cat

Wait a second, something's missing. 

Ah, the brooch! 

• Brooch - Monet, vintage 80s, thrifted, Sidney