hard to keep up!

Things have gotten really busy at work again and the blog has become the ugly step child - forgotten and unloved. I will post again really really soon. I promise!

Surviving Winter with Mike

* Yay! This outfit got featured on weardrobe!

Today, I took a day off. I had a huge project before Christmas and vowed to take a few days off in the new year to relax a bit and help make Winter a bit more bearable. This will likely take the form of the occasional Monday off between now and the end of March. Winter here is very beautiful, there is no doubt about that - but the cold gets to me every year, so I save my vacation days to offer me a bit of respite in February.

The plan today was to hit a consignment shop that I've been meaning to check out for awhile. Sadly, when I got there, there was a huge "Closed Mondays" sign up.

Oh well, a book, a chai (in my favourite mug - Mike Wazowski from Monsters Inc - that my amazing husband brought me back from Disney World or Disney Land, I can never keep them straight) and catching up on the blog world it is.

I have also started a sewing project - a red suit. So far, I have bought the fabric and patterns and cut it all out (fabric, lining and interfacing). Cutting out the pattern is my least favourite part of any sewing project and the phase most likely to keep me from finishing. If I could pay someone to do it, I would seriously consider it.

The sewing phase will have to wait until next weekend since I like sewing when there's daylight and the days are currently still too short to do anything during the week. I'll start with the skirt first since the jacket has a zillion pieces and will take me alot longer to finish. At least I'll get some wear out of the skirt in the meantime. Stay tuned for progress reports!

Tomorrow is Groundhog Day, when the groundhog comes out from his burrow and, based on whether or not he sees his shadow, determines whether or not we have 6 more weeks of winter. I don't know why we bother, Winter always seems to last until mid/late March here.

I have been trying to survive winter by getting more involved in winter sports. We've been doing quite a bit of cross-country skiing, including overnight stays in cabins and yurts requiring you to pack your stuff in and out (a yurt is the structure in the picture above - it gets nice and cozy once the stove gets going) but also a bit of downhill (although I like the chalet park best) and skating.

We have a pond-hockey rink at the end of our road that is really well maintained. For those of you who don't know, "pond hockey" rinks are temporary skating rinks surrounded by wooden boards that, every winter, spring up in Canadian cities, big and small, across the country and on which many of us Canucks play shinny hockey (pick-up hockey games involving whoever happens to be at the rink at the time).

Other winter favourites? Beaver Tails (think big flat doughy goodness), caramel apples (I associate these with winter because I usually get them from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory at Mont Tremblant or Whistler), hot chocolate (especially good with a bit of Kahlua), mulled cider or mulled wine, hot tomato soup and stick to your ribs faves like shepherd's pie (I make my own version that I call "urban pie" with ground turkey and mashed sweet potato).

Only a couple more months to go until Spring... I can do this!

Gift of flowers

This dress is one of two given to me by my boss. She has two daughters so I was lucky to get my mits on them! I'm really intrigued by floral prints at the moment and don't have much in my wardrobe so was thrilled to pull this girly floral number from the bag. I can't wait to style it for summer! I'm thinking a big floppy-brimmed summer hat, a long gold cuff and delicate silvery-gold ankle-wrap sandals. This winter, I'll pair it with a sleek leather jacket, wide black belt, black tights and ankle booties.

Out with friends

Going out but not sure what we'll end up doing. I'll be meeting up with friends, one coming in from Toronto that I haven't seen in awhile, and may end up going out, may end up staying in. Best to wear something adaptable.

Recent work-wear

I'm a bit behind in the blogging - things have been super busy. Here are a few recent work outfits:

























OK. I almost never wear jeans to work. I actually feel really uncomforable doing it and doubt I'll do it again any time soon. It was a Friday though so thought I'd go for it.

Swagger 360's List of 36 Things Every Man Should Do

This was posted recently on one of my favourite blogs, Swagger 360, proving once again that style isn't just for the ladies. This is the list. For the full post, click here.

1. Travel to Paris, and New York.These cities have a certain mystic about them... it's well deserved. Plan to visit one (preferably both) and be sure to experience what makes those cities unique. Side note - Real gentlemen don't do tour buses.

2. Master the omelet.This is one of those things every man should learn. know how to create an omelet and know how to find those hidden and forgotten items in your refrigerator. Nothing goes better with that good morning kiss than that good morning breakfast.

3. Travel to a third world country.Nothing will ground and humble you more than this experience. walk down a third world street and take a moment to reflect on what's important in your life.

4. Get a manicure.A real manicure and afterwards, might as well cater to your shoes - get an old fashion shoe shine outside while people watching.

5. Throw a real party.I mean prepare every detail. from rolling the sliced turkey, to mixing the olives, to slicing the french bread, to lighting the candles. Select the right music,, chill the white and let breath the red wine. Throw a white table cloth on the table and invite the big boys.

6. Write a love letter.A high school note doesn't count. Take time to write a real love letter to someone deservant. No e-mail, no text, a hand written love letter that speaks from the soul. (keep a copy for yourself, you'll be glad that you did in the future)

7. Establish a reputationA gentleman, a scoundrel, a dandy, a lazy bum. People will perceive you a certain way and there is power in perception. Hopefully you'll choose to present yourself in a favorable way.

8. Give something away just because.One day when someone tells you they like something you have, just give it to them as a gift. it may be a book you're reading, your watch, your pen, the point is to simply give away something simply because the person complimented you on it or because they noticed it.

9. Fast for 3 days.Not a juice fast where you fill your belly with sweet stuff, go 3 days only consuming water. Take time to reflect on yourself, your life, and literally let the inner you relax.

10. Give up something you enjoy.Practice self control and decide to simply give up something you enjoy. be it soda, a certain type of meat, candy, a tv show. The point is to practice self control, you'll be fine... even a bit stronger.

11. Buy an Antique. Take a day and search through an antique shop. Find a piece that you enjoy and add it to your home. Find a piece that adds character to your home and you'll find it may become one of your favorite things at home.

12. Repair a piece of furniture.Now I don't mean go build you an elaborate cabinet with hidden compartments, or putting together an piece from Ikea. Take the time to strip down a table, buff it, refinish it. No need to make it a habit, but at least experience it once.

13. Play chess.If you don't know how, learn... if you already know how, play it more often. Chess is for the big boys, gentlemen don't play checkers.

14. Have a suit tailor made.Pick out the material, discuss the process with your tailor, enjoy he measuring process. While everyone can't afford a bespoke suit, this is one of life's guilty pleasures you should make a point on experiencing.

15. Give away a keep sake.Find an item, hold on to it for a while (maybe a coin, a token, a lucky pebble, a money clip) then give it to a friend after you've had it for a while.

16. Write a book.Now everyone may not be able to do this, but everyone should at least try. Take time to document something worth documenting.

17. Have a hobby.Every gentleman should have at least 1 hobby. be it card collecting, stamp collecting, pens, or watches. Nothing gives you as much peace of mind as sitting home relaxing looking over what you've taken time to gather.

18. Spend a quiet evening ALONE.Cheese, wine and candlelight or a cold beer and pizza - learn to enjoy your own company.

19. Vacation alone.This one needs no explanation... ALONE.

20. Have a wall full of photos.Select a section on your wall and frame photos of close friends, family and loved ones in general. A picture paints a thousand words... a wall full of photos speaks volumes of love.

21. Stay up all night working.I'm not talking about working the graveyard shift. Spend all night working on something you enjoy, something you're passionate about. Then, look out the window at day break before you go to bed.

22. Bid at an auction.Don't just bid, WIN. it may be an item you may not cherish forever, the point is the thrill of the win.

23. Strike up a conversation with someone you're not attracted to.Take the time to strike up a conversation with a woman on the merits of simply making her smile. Not because you think she's beautiful, but simply because making a stranger smile is a beautiful thing.

24. Celebrate your birthday.Celebrate your birthday by giving something back to the world. It has allowed you to see another year, why not give back... write a book, a poem, make it about what you give, not what you get.

25. Buy a painting.No litho, no generic painting, save up some money and buy an original.

26. Prepare a picnic.Plan it, surprise her, and enjoy it.

27. Custom make a piece of jewelry.Although you may think it may be too expensive, you'd be surprised. Design a piece and bring it to a jeweler. It'll have a special meaning and will be one of a kind ... like you.

28. Write yourself a note.Write about the temperature, how you feel that day, your thoughts on love, life and in general. Date it and tuck it away Come back to it a few years later (if you remember where you hid it) and reread it.

29. Dance the Waltz.At least (try it) once. You'll be surprised.... and the electric slide!

30. Write a thank you note.Write a note to a close friend, a family member simply because. Let them know what role they played in your life.

31. A Kodak moment.Capture a special event on film. Time surely flies, but memories have a way of lingering when captured.

32. Buy an Item with the intentions of giving it away.Save it for someone much younger and give it to them when they can appreciate it.

33. Volunteer for a good cause.Invest one day in something you always wanted to support. giving back is golden.

34. Buy an elderly person lunch.One day while you're buying yourself lunch, just turn around and offer... no, insist on paying for the elderly person's lunch behind you.

35. See an opera, and/or play.Dress the part.

36. Live with Swagger.

Clothes swap - stylishly sustainable

I love clothes. More than that, I love personal style. To me, one's personal style is more about creating something that reflects who you are or how you feel and less about how much something costs or whether it's from the latest designer line.

I love finding pieces with character or a story and working them into an outfit that represents me today. Some of my favourite finds have been from church bazaars, thrift shops or - maybe the most fun - from clothes swaps. I went to my second ever clothes swap last night and scored some great things! I went in with two full bags and came out with slightly less (a good thing).

Among the haul were:

- one of the ladies' actual cheerleading sweater from when she was a girl (red boiled wool)
- four bags (including a black envelope-style purse - I tucked the straps in and will use it as a clutch - and a pressed leather cross-body purse)
- pants (including these capri jeans and grey velvet pants)
- a lightweight tan cardi that will be great for work or as a summer coverup
- a black jacket/sweater with faux leather front
- blouses for work
- two pairs of shoes
- and tons of other great stuff!

If you've never been to a clothes swap, it's really quite straight forward. A bunch of girls (or guys, if they're into it) get together with clothes that they're planning on getting rid of. Round one has each lady hold up each item she brought, give a very brief description and whoever yells "mine!" first, puts it in her "try-on" pile. If nobody wants to try on the piece, it goes immediately into a pile destined for good will.

Round two has everyone try on their things and decide what they want to keep. Anything they don't want goes into the middle of the circle in case others who weren't quite quick enough in Round One want a second crack at it. Anything left in the middle at the end, joins the pile for good will.

Then, you just sip drinks and enjoy the baked goods that people usually bring or make for these events and enjoy a good chin wag with your fellow thrifty gals.

It's super fun and a great way to get new-to-you clothes absolutely free! It's also good for the environment so you can feel extra good about that.