The weather's been tumultuous the last week or so, so Mom and I delayed our trip back to the Horticulture Centre of the Pacific and re-visited the Lochside Trail near Mattick's Farm. We first went there together in September 2014 (
here).
I always keep a few chilly-weather things in my spring/summer closet, like these tall boots and a turtleneck or two.
- Jacket - Only, consignment; purchased here for $38.00
- Turtleneck - M&S, thrifted; last worn here in February, layered under leather
- Skirt - Kate Spade, thrifted; first seen here in April 2021 with pink angora
- Boots - BCBG Max Azria; last worn here in September 2021 with a different pink moto jacket
I also wanted to wear this houndstooth wrap-around skirt again, after retrieving it from the giveaway pile during the recent Winesday clothing swap (
here). It's a regret-me-not!
This is the final look, and how most people saw me.
The skirt is a thick wool weave and a pain to put on (a button, a slide clasp and three buckles and loops).
It's a terrible skirt for shopping - but despite this, I popped into Rich Rags on the way home.
I love the vibrant pink of this sweater.
I'm wearing plain black tights and black athletic shorts under this for warmth and in case the skirt decided to open. Once again, I was pleased to note it stayed closed. Why did I put this in the giveaway pile?
Because it's on the girly side, and that's just not me. However, today I leaned into it with a few badass pieces, and I'm happy to report, it's a keeper.
Like this faux leather jacket, which has been languishing in my "Someday I Will Decorate You" pile. I wore the white leather jacket (bought for the same purpose), so why not this one?
I loved the two-tone pink of the sweater and the jacket together.
The motorcycle jacket style kept the sweetness at bay.
Masked up, and adding some bits.
I was freezing most of the day, although it was sunny off and on. I was really glad to have had a scarf and gloves!
And a hat!
This is also how most people saw me.
Accoutrements:
I loved how my Badass Bag worked with the outfit.
- Badass Bag - thrifted, decorated by me
- Scarf - fake Louis (Lewis!) Vuitton, thrifted
- Gloves - consignment
- Beret - Club Monaco, thrifted
- Mask - by Mom
The stuff:
These OTK (over-the-knee) boots are so much better since I had the soles replaced.
Pearly bling:
Pearls are trendy now, but I just like wearing them - the bigger the better.
- Necklace - consignment; purchased here for $12.00
- Cuff - found
- Chain bracelet - thrifted, Powell River
- Silver/crystal ring - Soul Flower
- Earrings - thrifted
- Pearl ring - Pearl Factory, Oahu, Hawaii, 1985
Mom and I had a reminisce about the Pearl Factory ring, which she bought for me in 1985 when I was 17.
Here we are, midway through our walk along a corridor of greenery.
Good thing I didn't wear my white leather coat again! Love this picture.
We parked in a different spot and walked north for a while.
There's our path, through a canopy of trees.
If you are a fan of arching greenery and paths, this post is for you!
Isn't it lovely? It smelled divine.
The golf course on the right.
The trees were alive with robins and thrushes.
There's a robin.
He's got some bits in his beak, building a nest, I bet.
A thrush way up in this tree.
He was trilling away.
More tunnels of green.
There were a few people and bikes, and once or twice a service vehicle or car.
Although we didn't see any horses, we did see evidence of them.
Lots of horse poop on the path.
More arching branches.
I had considered wearing Sweetums today, and at this point I was wishing I had. So cold! Brrr.
And then the sun poked through.
Mom and I stopped and let the rays warm our faces.
What is that glowing ball in the sky?
A star, you say?
Another verdant canopy.
Time to back and head to Mattick's Farm for lunch.
Okay, another tunnel of greenery.
"There's a light at the end of the tunnel," chortled Mom.
Mom had forgotten the name of this bush but remembered that her dad loved the yellow flowers (he loved bright colours, period).
It's a Japanese Rose (kerria japonica), about it
here (all links 'cause I love). Looking very sporty, Mom!
We went to Adrienne's Tea Garden for lunch again.
No massive tea for us this time, though - that was too much.
I love this picture of Mom.
That's a great blouse - love the bell sleeves. Red is your colour, Mom!
I didn't recognize her pendant - it's not one she wears much.
It's by local First Nations artist Paddy Seaweed (about him
here) - lots of examples of his work there. He was one of the artists who sold to the BC Museum Gift Shop (before it was Royal) back in the late 70s/early 80s when Mom (and her mom and dad) volunteered there, and she chatted with him many times.
Mom had seafood crepes and a salad, and I had smoked salmon on a bagel with cream of tomato soup.
We both ate every crumb!
As mentioned earlier, I stopped in at Rich Rags on the way home to see if anything caught my eye.
I love the shape of this top, and of course, polka dots are classic.
And it's completely reversible! I like the larger-scale print better.
No label on it, but it's good quality stretchy polyester-type fabric (it will wash well). It was $23.00.
I am a sucker for stripes, as well as polka dots. I bought this for wearing around the house, not as part of my regular wardrobe.
I like wearing my band shirts under a dress with leggings when I'm hanging out, and my house clothes also get periodically upgraded when they get worn out.
Classy! A French address!
This is a dark navy and white, but it looks black in some lights.
What? This is an XXS? No way.
It's a slim fit - it isn't baggy, but not skin-tight either.
It's polyamide/elastane and the stripes are woven, not printed. It's by Saint James and it was indeed made in France.
I like the zip neckline too. This was $39.00. Dresses (with less detail) on their site sell for $199 US, so I'm happy with that. I'll wear it a hundred times, easy.
One last picture of Mom and me.
Love you, Mom! Thank you so much for our wonderful day!
Even though the pattern on it is shades of brown and tan, it's easy to just treat it as a black suit. 
I like it best with the jacket done up, but I undid it when I was seated. 
Two embroidered Es back to back, for Escada. Fancy! 
Tones of red. 
It's so chilly in the mornings, but roasty-toasty on the way home. I could have taken this sleeveless coat off. I certainly did not need the scarf and gloves! 
I've been looking for a black-and-red patterned scarf for ages - so glad I have this one. 
My shoes had a bunch of admirers today, including one of my VPs - I sent her a "Non-Work-Related" email with a link to the black pair. I love my fashionable colleagues! 
My snake belt doesn't really match - the bronze metal on it vs. all this silver and steel - but I let it go. It's such a cool belt! 
