Colour Story: Montreal

Tweed skirt, old JCrew, Hermes scarf.

 We'll be heading to Union Station in Toronto next week to hop on a train to Montreal.  It's a girls trip with my best girlfriends The Lauras and all of our daughters.  We'll be doing some shopping, hitting restaurants and pubs... and maybe even a night club for the younger set.

It will most certainly be cold.  Do you know that song 'Montreal' by Raine Maida?  The chorus goes something like "the cold winds of Montreal... the cold winds of Montreal", which bears repeating because this is the thing I remember best about Montreal in the middle of winter: damn but the winds are cold.

I'll be bringing out my best cold weather armour, the things I wear if it's -20 and I need to take Scout for a long walk.  Those things are layers, of course, and more specifically layers of tweed and wool and fur.

 It's true that I stopped consuming meat entirely almost three years ago, not for any particular health reason but because I love pigs and logically not eating other animals follows that line of thinking.  I do however wear recycled fur.

My mother-in-law, who I loved dearly and miss very much, left me her dark brown mink coat.  I stared at it for a couple of years trying to figure out what to do with it and finally I decided to have it reworked so I could wear it during our coldest months.  I had it made into a reversible coat, with the fur on the inside and a dark brown water and windproof taffeta fabric on the outside.  Though it is reversible I never, ever wear it with the fur on the outside, it's not as warm for one, but it's also too much of a fur look.  I prefer the taffeta exterior with the fur trim, and of course the warmth.

 I'll be bringing my trusty LV dark brown bag and a recycled brown mink fur hat.

Train travel can be a bit challenging for me with the hauling of luggage up and down the stairs.  I'll be bringing my Dubarry of Ireland brown duffle bag, which isn't particularly large by any means.  My colour story will need to be fairly streamlined.

Travel gear.

 I'll bring my two J.Crew tweed skirt suits from 2006.  Does this qualify as vintage?  I'm not sure but what I do know is that these outfits are my favourite things to wear in the winter.  They fit beautifully, are so warm with just a silk camisole, tights and boots, and because of their neat fit they slide under the slightly oversized fur coat without issue.  The combination of wool and fur is like trapping myself inside a furnace.

These tweed skirt suits are the base of the story, one in green and one in red.

 I always add a scarf to the neck of these suits to warm up and cover the neck.

Dark brown boots will be worn with every outfit.

 To get a more casual look out of these suits I'll bring my Bosie of Scotland fair isle sweaters, a pink one for the green skirt of course:

 My red suit is a real favourite, in part because I pair it with my Hermes Metamorphosis scarf:

 I'll bring a third tweed skirt which doesn't have a jacket pairing, but which does pair well with the yellow Bosie fair isle and my yellow-toned scarf.

Third tweed skirt.
Old JCrew, 2005.

I've worn this yellow fair isle so much this winter, it's lovely warm and surprisingly versatile, really bringing out the warm tones in the red tweed.

 This was a favourite look around Christmas this year:

Other additions to the duffle will be some warm pyjamas and a bathing suit for the hotel pool.  I'll just bring the one pair of boots but lots of tights and some warm socks to layer as well.

  I'm so looking forward to spending this time with my girlfriends and all of our girls- who grew up together and are now amazing and fun young adult women.
I'll be sure to take lots of pictures and hopefully return with some good restaurant recommendations.
Have you been to Montreal?
xoxDani

Brora and Harris Tweed

 As you know if you've been keeping up with the Great Coat Meltdown 2018 I purchased two coat-and-skirt outfits from Brora last week in a fit of dissatisfaction with my poorly fitted, papery thin, cheapie "wool" coats.

Today let's discuss the Brora coat and skirt tailored from this really amazing Harris Tweed wool.

If you're not familiar with Harris Tweed you can read about it here,  and I can tell you that maintaining the integrity of Harris Tweed is a serious business.

You can see that the interior of my coat, above, is stamped with the Harris Tweed Authority and their Orb Mark.  This Authority (established by an act of Parliament in 1993) protects and maintains the industry, inspecting the cloth in 50m lots in order to maintain its authenticity.

I first came across Harris Tweed as menswear.  MrBP owns several Harris Tweed jackets and it is the most sturdy, hard-wearing, rain-repelling, cozy warm, long-lasting fabric ever.

The wool is sourced in Scotland from Cheviot and Scottish Blackface sheep.  The process of finishing the wool is a careful one, inspected along the way and resulting in purity of the fabric, a 100% virgin wool.
It is so tightly woven and warm, it can stand up to winters in Northern Scotland as well as Canada.  It is perfectly suited to an outdoor lifestyle.  So for it then to be made up into charming coat and skirt outfits?  Dream come true.  THANK YOU BRORA.

Brora tailors their coats and skirts/trousers in England, as you can see from this interior stamp:

 How about some details?  I love the sturdy little metal loops sewn inside the coats so they can be hung up on hooks if needed:

 The interior has a lovely warm lining of cupro and viscose, and you can see a detail of the interior pocket and the surrounding structured piping.

 Here is the website photo of the coat worn rather casually with a simple outfit underneath.

 I'll be wearing mine with the co-ordinating skirt and a plain black sweater, it's such a warm and easy outfit.  I wore this all day Thursday when it hovered around the freezing mark:

 The coat has a perfect structured fit throughout the shoulders, a lovely lapel which can be buttoned to the top if needed and a perfect length to match the skirt:

 The skirt itself has a zipper and button fastening at the back and these cute front pockets.  It is a straight skirt but not constricting.  This is important for me because I do a lot of walking and I'm often in a hurry, no tight pencil-type skirts thank you.

 I really love this outfit with this bright Hermes scarf in various shades of red, accented by blues.  The tweed itself has flecks of mustard gold, red and a distinctive blue.  It is a neutral black yet colourful at the same time.

 I have another scarf in shades of mustard, white and black which suits it perfectly.  On a really cold day it can be paired with a cashmere or wool scarf, and a turtleneck, to up the warm factor.

The Harris Tweed complimented by a Hermes Maxi Twilly.

I'll hardly be taking this outfit off my back for the remainder of the winter, except of course to wear the second coat-and-skirt outfit I purchased from Brora, which I'll show you tomorrow.

I'll be wearing this one today, it is a lovely sunny day, and at just above freezing it feels balmy.  We're planning to walk several kilometres by the river with Scout and maybe have a pub lunch.
Have a fun Saturday, I hope you can make the most of it.
xoxDani

Accessorizing With Scarves

Hermes Maxi Twilly
May 2017 Cinque Terre, Italy

 One of my favourite Pinterest boards is one I named Accessorizing With Scarves.

I like to pin not just beautiful scarves but really the way they are worn.  I like scarves loosely tied with a casual feeling... partly due to the fact that I'm terrible at forming intricate knots myself.

But it's also because I wear scarves most of the time and I quite literally just throw them on, it's a great way to get away with wearing an all-black outfit.

The long Maxi twilly shape from Hermes might be one of the easiest scarves to wear, it can simply be looped around the neck or just simply tied and left to fill the front of a coat.

Maxi Twilly
JCrew boxy jacket.

I think a square silk scarf can even take the place of a silk blouse.

We attended a memorial this past week for our dear Uncle Hugh, and of course I wore my black skirt suit.
I have a very simple stretchy tank in black that I wear under this suit, it's not something I'd ever wear on its own, it's just a foundation piece.
It allows for a smooth fit of the jacket but it is the scarf that provides the finish (and most of the interest) to the outfit.

Hermes scarf "Jungle Love" 90cm square
Theory skirt suit and foundation tank.

Wearing a scarf under a jacket like this, there is no need to tie it or loop it around, I just lay it flat and button the jacket over it.  It provides lots of coverage and a bit of colour.

For me, this is the perfect easy and appropriate outfit.  It's serious looking but comfortable, as much of a uniform as a man's suit and tie.

Are you a frequent scarf wearer like I am?  What's your favourite way to wear yours?
xoxDani

Mop Philosophy Monday

 Have you been doing any mending lately?
I sure have, mostly just loose buttons.  So many that my mending basket has taken up permanent residence in the dining room.

I sure wish it was warm enough to wear this light blue coat... outside.

I guess I can always wear it inside. 

 I don't think there's any harm in keeping treats around for the kids, do you?

 I'm not talking a full candy store, just a jar of peanut M&M's.

I prefer to get these sorts of snacks into the Rascals:

Avocado's are so healthy.

 We had a few friends around yesterday for afternoon drinks.  I was craving lots of fresh vegetables, so that's what I served.

This time of year I think a large platter of fresh, bright vegetables looks like pure luxury:

Have you ever added Marsala to your marinara sauce?

 Try it, it's delicious.  After sautéing the vegetables (zucchini, peppers, garlic) and adding in the dried herbs (basil, thyme, rosemary) I poured in about a half cup of dry Marsala, then added two large tins of tomatoes and two tablespoons of tomato paste, along with a bay leaf.

Simmer for 10 minutes or so, then turn the heat off while you have drinks with your friends.  Turn it back on to simmer for about 20 minutes or so before serving with pasta... a perfect tomato sauce!

Today is the first real Monday of the new year, let's get to it.
Hope yours is a good one,
xoxDani

Paris Can Wait

 The Rascals and MrBP cleared out of here at about 7am yesterday, leaving behind the quietest house imaginable in comparison!
It was an absolutely freezing day too, so good on them to get out and ski in it.
I had a day to putter around and sort things in the house.  I took a day that felt like the luxury of Christmas week to a tee, putting away Christmas presents and sorting out my beauty supplies for the new year.
MrBP gifted me a new scarf for Christmas, the "Fleur de Giverny", and he even themed the gift with a book about Claude Monet's garden at Giverny.
 Have you ever been to see Monet's Water Lilies at Musee de l'Orangerie in Paris?  We've been a couple of times, it will definitely change the way you think about the paintings.  I can't wait to get into the book!

Organized my nail polish.
Looks like it will be a pastel-ish year.

 After getting my kitchen organized and running to the market for a few things for dinner I decided to tuck into the family room with a fire on and watch a movie (perhaps a fluffy one).  I'd noticed Paris Can Wait on Netflix and it looked like the sort of movie no one else in the family would ever agree to watch with me, and it takes place in France, what could be better?
It was quite an engaging movie and it surprised me a bit, I have to say.  I really liked it.  Interesting too, it was written and directed by Eleanor Coppola, and here's a little interview with her in Vogue about the movie if you're interested.

I cooked up a huge dinner for the skiers including a little apres ski snack with some good red wine for their arrival home.  Those Rascals were all hungry and I managed to sneak so many vegetables into them!
After dinner we watched what will probably be the end of the Christmas movies for this year: the movie Love Actually.  I have to say there were many droopy eyelids after being out in that cold air all day.
Today we'll be going to visit Poppa to bring him some supplies and to meet the newest member of the clan, his puppy Sophie!  She came home with him on Boxing Day and we've all been so excited about her.  Hopefully I'll get some good pictures.
Have a wonderful day,
xoxDani

The Day After the Migraine

 On Friday evening I attempted to brighten up my black outfit with this Hermes scarf and some bright blue nail polish (on my toes).  I was just coming off a 24 hour migraine, and while the pain and nausea were gone I had that wobbly feeling of being slightly disconnected from my body.  It's a difficult feeling to explain to someone who's never had migraine before, but if you have (and I'm sorry you have) you'll know what I mean.
You might think I should have stayed home for a full recovery but we were visiting with friends at their home a few blocks away, friends who are quite literally world travellers and aren't here in Guelph with us very often.  I was so looking forward to seeing them.  Two of our other best friends were attending as well, and we ended up having the most interesting conversation.
Is started with this question: "what is the moment or activity when you are aware that you are experiencing bliss, the sheer joy of being alive?"  The answers were varied and interesting, from the obvious to the more philosophical and difficult to describe.  Strangely I had a hard time finding an answer immediately.  I often go through the world with a veil of anxiety clouding my perceptions, throwing off that veil can at times be blindingly good, shocking even.  But I have to allow myself to do it!
A day of productive work domestically, followed by dinner with my favourite people can bring the feeling.  MrBP calls it "an unusual feeling of well-being".  I often have the joy when I'm out walking and I'm just looking at the sky, the trees, feeling the breeze.  Winter weather gives me the feeling, oddly, as long as I've got the right gear so I'm not distracted by freezing my ta-ta's off.
Immersion in a great book can give me the feeling and always has.
I found the timing of this discussion interesting because even as I was sitting in the beautiful living room of my friends I was thinking ahead to the next morning with anticipation.  The day after a migraine is always one, for me at least, that brings clarity and joy.  It's like the cobwebs have been cleared away and I have a new appreciation for light, sounds, smells and just the joy of being free of pain.

 Experiencing the thrill of a new place can give me that feeling, especially when I'm with MrBP and some or all of the rascals.  I find the thrill of travel most beautiful when shared.

The Golem from Prague

 Just being cozy at home in the light of the afternoon, looking forward to dinner or seeing friends or heading out to a movie... it all brings the feeling.
When are you able to recognize the beauty of the world? Do you often get a glimpse of it?

In other news, MrBP's book club and my "serious" book club are both reading Jane Austen next month.

 I belong to two book clubs, one "serious" and one "fun".  One is comprised mostly of doctors and psychotherapists (and then oddly, me).  Surprisingly, that's the fun one!  Sometimes we hardly discuss the book for the chatting and laughing.

 I'm really enjoying my home this month, it's time to tuck in, clean up, de-clutter every cupboard and closet and generally prepare for the year ahead.

Speaking of joy, how about this picture of my rascals taken about a decade ago?  From tall to small:

Rock City, New York State

 These wooly dusters, one for ceiling mouldings and one for the wooden floors, are so effective and also pleasing to look at.  Not everyone finds joy in domestic tasks but I certainly do.  I'm not talking about piercing moments of bliss, rather it's a feeling of general satisfaction.

Wool duster things.

 This is the time of year to get into some major art appreciation, especially on a grey day.  My friend Pat painted this olive grove in France in such exuberant colours, it's one of my favourites.  It's in the kitchen so I get to see it often:

Painting by Patricia MacDonald

Pat is such a talented artist but don't take my word for it, you could check out her latest work on her blog right here.

xoxDani

Palm Beach Style

 If you are craving warm balmy air, fresh ocean breezes, superior window-shopping and people-watching I highly recommend a few days in Palm Beach Florida.

 Worth Avenue is definitely, well, worthy of a stroll.  All of the beautiful things are there.

Nice yellow and pink combo.

Somehow seems over-the-top fabulous and Palm Beach-ish.

This makes me want to go to a Blue and White Ball.

Jen I thought of you when I snapped these!

Superior car-spotting as well.

A few knick-knacks for the home.

Yes thanks.

World's most gorgeous and elegant Italian paper shop.

Even the outdoor lanterns are stunning.

One of each please.

Through the garden gate.

I hope you've been well and staying out of mischief.
Have a lovely Monday,
xoxDani