Monday, September 8, 2014

Packing, Anniversaries, and the unfortunate incident of the chipmunk.....


We are off for a few days to visit my brother and his wonderful family in the mountains.

It is a big trip for Barry and I. The first time we drove through the rocky mountains was in 1986 en route to a new life in British Columbia.

British Columbia proved not to be for us, but the few times I have been through the Rockies have always been a treat.

one of the things I am expecting to see!
The weather has been brilliant here - hot and sunny - but we are going into cooler weather out west, so I began to dig out some fall clothing.   Then it turned to snow and I bought some new, heavier, fall boots, the Blundstone:

Junior (10C-9) Blunnies (Rustic Brown)

It is a truth universally unacknowledged that every trip requires the purchase of some thing that until almost the day before you leave you did not realize was lacking in your closet.

Fortunately for me, it turns out I fit into child-sized Blundstones, which are half the price of their grown-up compatriots.

Then I needed a new fleece.  Mustn't be cold...  Say hello to the Royal Robbins Snow Wonder fleece jacket:

Snow Wonder Fleece Jacket


I recently purged again and my closet is now only filled with "me" things.

I thought of you Blue Booby, when I found this much cheaper knock-off that reminded me of your Emerson Fry coat:



I am taking a page from Jennifer's book and packing mostly black and denim.



The top above is the most flattering blouse from Canadian Designer Robert Kitchen, paired with a bamboo camisole.

I liked the look so much - and it was half-price - that I bought it in a neutral shade as well:



The thing for me is always my footwear.  And coats.

We will be casual and likely walking a lot.  We are planning one really fancy dinner out at Chateau Lake Louise next Saturday night, so a fancy pair will be required.  Sneakers, boots and a pair of black satin kitten heels are the order of the day.

The rest of my packing is very simple - one dress, jeans, t shirts, a sweater, and two cardigans.   All black or ivory.

Free People cowl-neck sweater

Everything will work with everything else and there is no need to take a lot with me.  And if I didn't have to take the bloody boots and extra jacket, I would be grand....

The key is always comfort on long flights, coupled with nice fabrics.  Adornments will be limited to red lipstick and funky silver earrings.

And as always, one must always leave room in one's suitcase to bring home a treasure or two...


Yesterday was our 29th wedding anniversary.  For those of you not on Facebook, I posted these photos from 1985:




hmmm - not sure my dress is coming back in style...

On rather sad news, there was a serious "hum" in our laundry room this week.

It seems a chipmunk decided to sleep with the angels in the Dryer out-take hose (or whatever the hell you call that thing).  Not nice.  For him (her? it?) or us!  It has gone to be with Baby Jesus, our laundry room has been febreezed....

And finally, in the you didn't ask, but we tell anyway, category, we replaced the slip-covered couch in the dining room with this gorgeous blue linen love seat:




This picture makes it seem bluish-grey, but in fact, it is a lovely sky blue.  We were not looking for one when we found it, but decided that it was looking for us and thus it is home with us in all its glory.

You will likely not hear from me here till next Tuesday, as I imagine we will be quite preoccupied with our adventures, but I will be posting the odd pic to Facebook and perhaps even to instagram if I can drag myself into the 21st century!  Have the loveliest of weeks and stay safe out there!

Oh wait!!!

Kate is pregnant again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I shouldn't be this excited, but I am!  We will have to have a WHOLE conversation about THAT next week!!!!

xoxo wendy


43 comments:

  1. I don't even know you in person, but I thought of you when I saw Kate's announcement! How funny is that. I was pretty excited too. Have a great trip! Love your purchases (couch too!) and it seems like you have done well packing. Sorry about the chippy, we have had birds do this. Makes you sad, but the covers we've tried have not kept the critters out.
    Bon voyage!

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    1. Cate - you probably do know me in person by now!!

      The great thing about all of those purchases is that they were all inexpensive AND chic. The two Robert Kitchen tops were more than half off and the material and drape are divine - much better on than on the hanger.

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  2. Little Rascal and I were just saying we hope it's a girl!
    Have a wonderful trip. Love love the blue linen sofa, how pretty! Love love the picture of you and Barry my gosh how sweet and I think your dress was perfect. Safe travels my friend xox

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    1. I wonder about the sex. I hope for a girl too, but Philip mostly made boys and Charles, so I am not hopeful! The blue linen sofa was a steal and a surprise - Homesense opened here last week and it was so exactly like what we had always been looking for that we jumped on it and sold the old couch on Kijiji the next day.

      My dress looks very 80s and cakey now. I would go with something so much simpler now! Thanks for the kind words!

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  3. I hope you have a wonderful holiday. I love your new pieces and the love seat is darling. Hoping Kate has an easier time with this one.

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    1. thanks julie! i feel for kate - i was never that sick during my pregnancies, can't imagine!

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  4. Happy anniversary! And here's to a great trip!

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  5. Have a great holiday! Love your new clothes and your wedding photo.

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  6. Enjoy your trip out west.
    It is warm here today in Victoria but it was snowing in Calgary!
    Those Blundstones are great boots and will provide comfort and a shield against the elements. I like that linen love seat too and think it interesting that it popped up on your radar when you were not even looking. I love how we can be totally oblivious to what is out there until it is right in front of our eyes.
    Have a safe trip.

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    1. Thanks! in the case of the sofa, it was on a pedestal in the new Homesense that just opened. It was so perfect in the dining room we could not pass it up. another couple tried to purchase it as the two clerks carried it to the check-out, so I don't think it was going to last!

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  7. See, you don't always get what you pay for. Your coat looks so much better than the returned one I purchased. Love the wedding pictures and the linen sofa. Happy Anniversary. Safe travels and much love.

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    1. BB - as soon as I saw it and tried it on I thought of you, because the drape of the boiled wool is exactly what you are looking for I think. Now waiting for the cape update!

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  8. Hi Wendy, congratulations to you and Barry on your wedding anniversary! I envy you your trip to the Rockies. We took 2 trips to Jasper and Banff when we lived in Alberta - if we ever go again I'd love to go to Chateau Lake Louise. Look forward to hearing all about it.

    I've also got packing on my mind - we leave for Scotland and Germany at the end of the month. I have a new hooded raincoat and comfortable shoes for city walking - we'll have 3 full days in Berlin and there is so much to see.

    I LOVE your sofa slipcover!

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    1. Thanks Patricia! How is your packing coming???? I am especially jealous of the Scotland leg - am so keen to see the Isle of Skye where my people came from. The Chateau Lake Louise night is a decadent treat and a real anniversary present - we have a room overlooking the lake. Lots of pics to come!

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    2. Wendy, I haven't started yet! Our time in Scotland will mostly be for visiting family and friends, although I believe that we may be driving up to Glenshee with one friend. Germany is also for friends, except for the 4 nights in Berlin.

      Would definitely like to hear about the Chateau - that IS a treat!

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  9. Have a safe trip. I'm a western girl with much time logged in the Rockies. So beautiful!! Enjoy and happy anniversary.

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  10. Love the wedding pix. Happy Anniversary!

    Have fun. Have never been to The Rockies myself.

    But might go on your recommendation.

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  11. Safe travels, Wendy! Lovely tops and couch!

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  12. Hello Wendy,

    This all sounds wonderful. We wish you safe travelling and happy times with your brother and his family.

    And, how marvellous to combine it with your wedding anniversary. It will all be jolly,of that we have no doubt, and we look forward to seeing pictures of those kitten heels in action!

    Your new sofa looks perfect. Pretty shape and lovely colour. We could steal it!

    Enjoy, enjoy!

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    1. Jane and Lance - you aren't the only ones re: the sofa, As we were having it brought to the front of the store to pay for it, a couple jumped out and wanted to buy it. At least 6 people mentioned how much they loved it as I waited for Barry to bring the truck around. I was lucky I got out with it! Barry said we should have sold it out front for twice the price, but I wanted it!

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  13. Love the drapey tops Wendy - they look comfortable and chic, win/win! Sad about the chipmunk - we get parrots down the chimneys occasionally (or did, before we blocked off the chimney. Sad and very stinky.
    Enjoy the Rockies - I remember Banff and Lake Louise well from when I visited 30 years ago. Cannot believe it's been that long (and that I'm now that old!). Love the wedding photo - such a height difference between you and Barry

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    1. Parrots down the chimney!

      It is sure beautiful out west and I am very much looking forward to seeing my brother!

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  14. Have a wonderful trip Wendy and Happy Anniversary!

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  15. I am jealous of your half price Blundstones, never happen for my feet! Looking forward to a cup of tea on that new sofa. Looks lovely.
    Safe trip.

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  16. Have a safe, fun and memories filled trip! Looks like a great pack job...I really like that draped top. Bravo on having a closet filled with "me" clothes!!! It makes life so much easier in the morning. Happy Anniversary...love the crown! xoxo

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  17. Such thoughtful packing! Are you prepared for snow? Have a good trip.

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  18. Love the wedding pic! Have a great holiday and safe travels!

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  19. I love the weeding photos. Thank you so much for sharing them with us. You look like you are really getting this packing thing down. Your choices look perfect and you will be quote chic while having a fabulous time. Enjoy every bit of your vacation.

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  20. Howling at the height difference!
    Enjoy your trip.

    Tabitha

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  21. Oh, I just adore your new love seat - gorgeous. And I did laugh about not knowing you needed a particular item for a trip until just the day before - I still do exactly the same EVERY time!!

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  22. Happy anniversary! Have a wonderful, wonderful time!

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  23. Hi Wendy, firstly a belated thank you for your lovely response to my email.

    Blundstones another great Aust. product, it is really nice to see some Canadian fashion as well , I'm all for more cross cultural activity between us.

    Haven't really seen the Rockies only Vancouver, most of my time in Canada has been spent in Ontario visiting the family .

    Have a lovely trip and congrats on the NEWS

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  24. Hi Wendy! A belated Happy Anniversary to you and Barry! The pics are adorable, and the height difference between you two is a lot like my hubby and I. I hope you have been having a wonderful time on your trip! You are actually out in my neck of the woods...hasn't the weather been gorgeous? I'm looking forward to hearing more about your stay in the mountains once you get back. :)

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    1. Forgot to add that I am very excited for the news about Kate and the baby...I'm actually hoping for another boy.

      Your new love seat is gorgeous, btw! I'm so glad that it finally found you! :)

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  25. Wow, 29 years is a long time. That's such an accomplishment. Happy belated anniversary. I'd love to hear your secrets to a long marriage.

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  26. Geez, just noticed that even my second attempt at commenting failed!

    Love that wedding photo! So darling and you look so thrilled.

    I'm looking forward to seeing your photos of that part of Canada, yet another area I've not visited. Enjoy the celebration and lots of hiking.

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