Bigass Long Weekend Wrap-Up: Issey, Lace and Jacko; Regret-Me-Notted Pink Crop and a Pouff; and Many Kitten Pictures

Welcome back, my friends! It's been a long weekend filled with so much love - I can't wait to share it with you. 

Here's my Friday work outfit, seen by very few people as the office was empty. Shocking, on a long weekend! 

That I've found the matching top and bottom in gold lace makes me happy. Of course I had to wear them together! 

• Pleated cardigan - Issey Miyake, consignment, Sidney; first seen here in May with a space top and white skirt
• Lace top - April Cornell, thrifted; last worn here in February with pink and black
• Lace skirt - April Cornell, consignment; purchased here for $12.00
• Boots - Go Groovy Huysmans, Fluevog; last seen here in December 2024 for a Mom-Day at Finnerty Gardens
• Jacko - Junya Watanabe X Levi Strauss, consignment, gift from L; first worn here in September (when I bought this skirt!)

Styling up my Issey Miyake pleated cardigan by belting it, which worked better and stayed in place. 

The lace top is a favourite that I've had for a few years. 

Seeing its mate in a different store made me laugh. And when it ended up in the sale section, I had to give it a shot. 

I like the cut of the skirt - it sits low on the hips, so I was glad of the longer cardi. 

A planned rewearing of Jacko, my half-poncho, half jean jacket. 

It's still warm enough not to need a heavier piece of outerwear. I hopped the bus home so that I could start my weekend as soon as possible. 

Accoutrements: 

Wearing these pieces again - the gloves and scarf - was like seeing an old friend. 

• Hat - Babaton, consignment
• Leather purse - Steve Madden, vintage 00s, thrifted
• Wool scarf - Metropolitan Museum of Art "Eagle Wing" scarf, King Tut exhibit, 1970s, thrifted, Seattle
• Leather gloves - Echo, consignment

Ha, I forgot to take picture of my shoes - I left them on so I was ready to walk to Zambri's with L for my birthday dinner. 

Gold bling: 

I had a light Egyptian theme going. Snake, an eye and regal cats.

• Snake bracelet - vintage 90s, consignment
• Eelskin hinged bangle - vintage 80s, thrifted
• Belt - Deborah Marinoff, Charmant, vintage 70s, thrifted
• Brass leopard ring - thrifted
• Double snake ring - consignment
• Brass/glass necklace - Raphael of Canada, vintage 70s, consignment
• Gold cat earrings - British Museum gift shop, London, gift for Mom, 2010, along with the Egyptian cartouche box; given back to me by Mom

The earrings were a birthday present from Mom, and are a full circle - I bought them for her birthday, celebrated in London (here) in May 2010 (I didn't share as many pictures back then). 

I might have bought them at the Victoria & Albert Museum, or maybe the British Museum - I suspect the latter, as we saw the famous cat statue and duh, we both love cats. I bought the box separately, but at the same time. 

There's an M stamp on the lid of the box. 

I think the box itself is brass. 

There's stamps on the base of the earrings. The triangular thing could be seen to have V A M, if you squint at it. 

The O is probably a copyright.

Oh, and here are my presents from my very generous and wonderful guy. 

Gift cards galore (my favourite), some unicorn skeleton/butterfly wing earrings, a winged heart stud, a beetle juice box pin, some mango chili chocolate, and a beautiful pair of floral Fluevog socks. Not seen, a giant box of chocolates. I wonder why?

Even though we have kittens, there is still external wildlife.

Squirrel! 

Someone's been stuffing leaves into that part of the tree again. 

"It was Maple!"

Sure, I believe you. 

Barnabas and Whateley have been bonding with us. I think Barnabas likes me. 

"I crazy love you."

Aw! He slept there for an hour while I wrote on Thursday.

When I finally turned around, I found Whateley chilling out in the other chair. 

"Oh, you figured it out."

L and I played board games in the evening, then slept in on Saturday. Well, I slept in, while L worked on the computer...with a little help from a certain Barnabas kitten:

"I'm helping!"

Such a little cuddle-bun! 

We're both amazed at how well they've both settled in...in just a week! 

We had much to do on Saturday, but were feeling the allure of the long weekend. 

I pulled a few things out of Limbo in the last couple of weeks, as I've been prepping for my sale at Botched, and also helping out my friends with some styling dilemmas. 

• Cropped jacket - Only, consignment; last worn here in June 2024 with acid wash
• Silk/cotton mock-neck sweater - Nygard, thrifted; last seen here (3rd outfit) in December 2024 for a shop at Turnabout with Yvonne
• Cotton lilies-of-the-valley skirt - All Saints, vintage 00s, gift from Dominque; last worn here in June 2023 with bare legs (error)
• Boots - Mellow Bebop, Fluevog; last seen here (2nd outfit) in May to see Legally Blonde with my wonderful friends

I'd had second thoughts about this cropped pink blazer, even buying a pink jean jacket instead as an "upgrade" (it wasn't; I didn't like it). 

It's a useful colour and I love a cropped length on me. 

The skirt is one that's been off on adventures - it was in Vero's closet for a while! 

But I keep coming around to it - it's best worn with either tall boots or dark tights to ameliorate the very short length. I also have a pair of black shorts on here. 

We enjoyed a delish brunch at John's Place, then had a little time at home with the boys before heading down to Christie's Pub for a rare Thanksgiving long weekend Gathering. 

Rare, because most people are doing the Thanksgiving thing. It was such a treat! I wore the same thing, didn't feel like changing. 

The stuff: 

I dashed down to the Fluevog store to pick up a birthday gift card from Mom (thank you!), and walked to and from Christie's. I laced these boots on at 11am and didn't take them off until 7:30pm. 

• Leather purse - Steve Madden, vintage 00s, thrifted
• Scarf - Zadig & Voltaire, consignment, vintage 00s

Scary bling: 

I'm fully committed to the spooky stuff! 

• Spider brooch - vintage mall, gift from L
• Leather studded cuff - vintage 90s
• Silver snake ring - BC Museum gift shop, 1985
• Silver/onyx spider ring - gift from Mom & Dad, 1986
• Lucite/crystal bangle - Alexis Bittar, consignment, Sidney
• Unicorn skeleton/butterfly wing earrings - gift from L 

Sorry, a bit blurry. 

Lapel bling: 

I poked the earrings through gently. 

• Wooden cat pin - consignment
• Skeleton earring - Winners
• Spider earring - don't remember

When we got home from brunch, there was much cuddling. 

"I like the view from here."

Barnabas, you are such a goofy kitty.

"I am!"

I see L in the mirror! 

Some pics of my awesome friends aka, our Chosen Family.

Yvonne, Cat and Alison. 

Grace, Vero, me and Caro.

Thanks for the Fluevog gift card, my lovelies! 

L and Justin. 

Rocking on and peacing out. 

Caro and Casey. 

Aw, love you guys!

Nick in the back, then Chris. 

Caught you with your eyes closed, Ross! Randall is ever-thoughtful (and my near-birthday twin!). 

We had our neighbours over for a movie in the evening and Whateley and Barnabas were endearingly cute, snuggled right between Emma and Daylan. 

"We love this game!"

Daylan, we warned you not to put your feet down near them! They have sharp teeth! 

Some more cute pictures.

"I like the squirrels."     "I like the birds!"

Checking out the 'hood. I suspect we will have some very vigilant officers when the warm weather comes around again. 

"Officers? Do we get badges?"

The deck is closed now for the season, and I'll have to redo the lights (someone likes to chew on them) so that they can walk the perimeter and patrol. 

And then there was biting and fighting. 

"I get the top spot!"

It's true - Whateley needs to be on the highest perch.

"I like you!"

Aw, thanks, Whateley, I like you too! In fact, I love both kittens dearly. What a week it's been.

And thank you, my friends, for your good wishes! I'm so appreciative of you all being here. 

Birthday With Mom and the Kitties in Bomblazer and the Cover Skirt, and a Wee Shop

Happy Birthday to me! It was a treat to have the day off and to be able to spend it with Mom...and the kittens! 

Mom gave me a Fluevog gift card, some fluffy warm socks with cats on them and a bag of chocolates - all of my favourite things! Thank you so much, Mom! I especially liked the card, which was perfect. 

My day started with our cleaners, who were greeted with curiosity and friendly sniffs of the cleaners. Michael and Ashley fell in love with Whateley and Barnabas, of course. 

And then I played around in my closet, creating an outfit suitable for the day. This skirt had to be part of it! 

• Bomblazer - Zara, consignment; first worn here in September with wacky pants
• Tee - Banksy 2005 exhibit merch, consignment; first seen here in August with jeans at the office
• Skirt - Erdem, consignment; last worn here in March with cowgirl vibes
• Boots - Prepare 2.0 Tracker, Fluevog; last seen here in January with a lot of blue and red

I always think fondly of our Tweed photoshoot (link here if you missed it) whenever I wear this skirt. 

I like the mix of luxe fabric - the brocade is practically 3D on this, and note the sheer Swiss dot fabric in those box pleats. 

Still pushing boundaries at 58! 

I went with double the belts, because...why not? 

The bomblazer worked much better this time - I enjoyed the ultra-cropped oversized fit.

I had rapturous reactions to my outfit at Christie's and Pocket Clothing, where I stopped for a wee shop on the way home ('twouldn't be my birthday without a wee shop!). 

My outerwear ensemble includes a big velvet ruffled scarf and leather driving gloves. 

And a giant 80s eelskin purse. 

I felt totally cool. 

This outfit ticked all the boxes for me! Happy! 

The stuff: 

I had a 3-brooch cluster on my bomblazer's lapel. 

• Eelskin purse - vintage 80s, thrifted
• Leather gloves - Danier, c. 2008
• Zipper rose - V&A Museum gift shop, 2011
• Frank Turner cassette pin - tour merch, 2024
• Fabric rose stick-pin - Mango's boutique, gift for L he didn't want

Love those boots. Very comfy. 

Black bling: 

Favourite things. 

• Grommet belt - gift from Ruth
• Leather/medallion belt - Mudd, vintage 90s, thrifted
• Silver/Lucite bracelet - Alexis Bittar, consignment, Vancouver
• Black Lucite/crystal bracelet - Alexis Bittar, consignment, Sidney
• Jet/crystal choker - vintage 1960s, Grandma J's 
• Silver snake ring - BC Museum Gift Shop, 1986
• Silver/onyx spider ring - gift from Mom & Dad, 1986
• Crystal earrings - thrifted

Mom arrived and I positioned the chair for her so she could get to see and play with the cats. 

They both greeted her at the door (many sniffs), then buzzed around the living room area. Whateley checked her out from atop the scratching post house.

Playing coy. 

They're full of beans, and did much chasing and fighting and rolling around. 

Mom teased them with an old robe sash, a favourite toy.

They both wacked and clawed, scampering away and coming back for more. 

Mom's a pro at entertaining kitties! 

They were both very interested in her walking poles, chewing on the rubber feet. Little monsters! 

But of course, they are kittens and easily distracted. 

Whateley looking out the window and Barnabas batting at a spinning ball toy.

After laughing and tracking them around (seriously, Kitten TV should be a thing), we went for lunch at Christie's Pub. 

"Happy Birthday!"

Thank you so much for the wonderful lunch, Mom! I love you! 

I splurged on a salmon burger with onion rings; Mom had a salad, but I see that onion ring hiding on the side! 

It was SO yummy. I haven't had onion rings in over a year! 

I walked home and of course I stopped in at Pocket to say hi to Annie and have a look around. Staff Mimi and Nate were lovely, thank you, hi! 

I recognized this gorgeous sheer brown ruffle-front blouse for amazing quality and design. 

Ruffles at the cuffs and what's that at the bottom? 

A ruffled peplum! So I can wear it tucked or out.

The design is paisley in shades of brown. 

The buttons say RL Ralph Lauren. Guess who it's by! 

Showing the faint gold line on some of the design. The texture of the blouse is slightly wrinkly all over. 

I noticed that there was a store address on the back of the tag - that should help date it. 

Yup, they vacated the lease in 2018, as noted in this WWD article here (very interesting read), so it's no later than that. The style is heavily reminiscent of the early 00s.

It probably came with a camisole, and this is likely where it was secured, removable for washing.

So much hand-done detail. 

Of course, it's Lauren Ralph Lauren, and it was $42.00. Not cheap but this is a consignment store - they have so much good stuff!

Worth every penny. I can't wait to wear it!

I definitely had to have this amazing hip-bag/cross-body bag.

It's very soft fuzzy faux-fur. The bottom pocket is huge (fits my phone). 

And inside the main section, there's another zip pocket. The big industrial zippers are very well-made. 

It's by Niko and..., a brand I've never heard of. It says, " to be pure and natural, old and new, warm and cool, classic and trendy, simple and sophisticated, to be myself...it's 25% combination. Est. 2007. Cool & Slow Life. www.nikoand.jp" 

It's a Japanese brand, still around. It was $28.00.

I've been eyeing this silver and turquoise bracelet for months, and finally decided, what the heck, it's my birthday, I'm buying it. 

$68.00 is a bit, but I know I'll wear this a bunch. 

.925 Mexico stamp. 

It's had a bit of wear already, but I like that - it's got a history. So do I! 

And now, my friends, I am signing off both the long weekend! I'll be back on Monday with tales of adventure (and more kitten pictures). 

The peanut butter fudge caramel cheesecake that Mom and I shared. YUM!