Vintage Velour

I can tell you exactly when this velour top is from as I had one just like it in a brighter colourway. 1978!

Unlike so many items in my wardrobe, I didn't purchase this top out of nostalgia or even because I like it (I don't). I bought it because it was practically free, and such a good example of the fashion of the time I knew it deserved a place in my collection. I will be packing this away, and don't expect to wear it again. Perhaps when menopause is well and truly over, but as it stands now, velour+hot flashes=not happy. 

I have a funny story about buying this top. The young woman in the thrift store held it to her face as she was ringing me out and murmured, "Oh it is so soft." 

I feel it is my role as a mother to step in when people do stupid things like rub clothes at a thrift store on their faces. I'm so allergic to cats, I have to wash everything I purchase several times just to be certain no wayward dander is still clinging to the fabric. Watching someone rub their face on the unlaundered fabric is like watching a two year old running into the street.

"Don't do that!" I shouted at the poor kid. "Who knows where that thing has been?!"

Strangely, she remembers me now when I visit the shop. 

Outfit Particulars:

Vintage Sasson skirt-Goodwill

1970's velour top-New Life Thrift

Clarks shoes-Hand-Me-Ups

Vintage bag-Thrift World

Fragrance-Vintage Avon Moonwind (because a 1978 velour top deserves classic 70's Avon)

Excuse me, I just passed some Moonwind.

How fun are the side snaps on the skirt? 

Who'd like a cocktail?

Today's drink is a

Florida Special:

1 1/2 oz. light rum

1 teaspoon dry vermouth

1 teaspoon sweet vermouth

1 oz. grapefruit juice

Stir with shaved ice, strain into a glass...or if you're sporting a velour top, leave the ice in as you'll need it to cool down. 

I recently had the opportunity to do a bit of trail running at Schramm State Park while Danny was bird banding at the Aksarben Aquarium (two hours of screaming birds isn't my idea of relaxation, so I try to stay nearby without being, "Right there"). I'd never really explored the place beyond the main building even after more than a decade of taking Danny there for bird watching. 

 It was 27 degrees F when I set out. Being overcast, it never grew warmer, but I kept moving which helps. Turns out, that was the warm day-we've been plunged into single digits since.

As the weather had been unseasonably warm until recently, the water still hasn't frozen over. 

 I thought this display of rock outcroppings was interesting. Years ago, when I was back in Chicago on a visit with my husband, I pointed out some Silurian Dolomite by the side of the highway so he could see the bedrock of Chicago. It was met first with silence, and then something to the effect of, "That's very interesting honey" except that he probably didn't call me," Honey." Anyway, I find this sort of thing fascinating and now that I know it is there, I can drag Danny along to go see it.

I took a look around the outside of the fish hatchery museum, but it was closed for the season.

 Another place to visit in the spring.

 Isn't it beautiful? I saw a few other runners out on the trail, but otherwise it was very quiet for an early Saturday morning.

Some things ought to be obvious but...

...if you don't post a sight specifically prohibiting fishing at a fishery, someone will go ahead and do it!

 Turkey feather fungus and...

 ...a turkey feather. Fun coincidence. 

 Eventually, it was time to go inside and warm up. The aquarium is small, but well maintained and has an interesting selection of local fish to learn about.

Next time, I'll take you to Chalco Hills where a recent kill of invasive fish has brought out all the birds. Really, all of them-I've never seen anything like it.