shopping in victoria

Victoria isn't renowned for its shopping but.... it has some of the best little cute boutiques around. You have to stay in a small little corridor but there you'll find stores that carry Lifetime Collective, small american designers and some classics... But my favourite store is Smoking Lily.

A small store and subsequent studio creates loving creations that are sewn and silk-screened in-house. They try to source locally (Victoria, BC then Canada) and their stuff is just drool worthy beautiful. You can follow them on their blog!

I picked up a black cotton scarf with leaf and bird print for the pending outdoor family photograph!

I wanted this skirt but they didn't have any left....

adjusting

so after a few days in travel, L2 and I had a period of adjustment mainly with the cold and the snow. Growing up in the Pacific northwest, snow was on the mountains - not in my backyard and never in Victoria. People are laughing at the palm trees that are covered in snow (number 9).

Needless to say after one of the snowiest months on record, we have a foot of snow, there is decidely no golfing this year and rolling luggage in unpaved snow is like putting three grown men onto a sled and saying of course I can carry you all up the hill. HA

But the snow brings some wonderful pictures for later including snow on the beach, snow on the evergreens, a border collie romping around and the best of all - senior citizen driving is at an all-time low.

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plane day!

Oh tomorrow is plane day and that means planning the perfect 10 hour plane ride outfits. Mandatory: layers, comfy shoes, even comfier pants, and reading material. I've planned the outfit out and I'm going with:

Long sleeve grey uniqlo heat warmer tee underneath a black lux v-neck loose cami and on top a black cardigan. Pants are my skinny uniqlo jeans that are just a bit too loose with my uggs. (I know they make me fashion road kill but I want pillows for my feet), and comfy sweat socks. To add some punch, I wish I was wearing a super large owl necklace that I saw at Spitalfields but was too foolish to impulse buy - instead I'm wearing a simple silver ruffle necklace. (it's easy to take off at security while still wearing jewelery) and GAP black printed different styles of plaid scarf

In the bag I've packed my contact case (with a bit of liquid inside....) glasses, sunglasses, Gulliver's travels, an extra elastic, lip balm, all relevant documentation, a light blanket and my 'travel kit', laptop, a small longchamp bag and travel hairbrush.

I'm ready to go!

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reasons to visit Copenhagen at Christmas

L2 and I recently went to Copenhagen to get in the Christmas mood. It was such a beautiful city (even without the dreamy snow). We rented an apt (the most amazing stylish studio ever) in a little neighbourhood just off the centre. I need to see the rest of Denmark...
- an amusement park has a twinkly large garden- because it's romantic. and despite cyncism ruling the day, we all need a little romance - christmas markets and Danish design stores have great presents (for you and others)- studio apartments are the cheapest accommodation (besides sleeping on a friend's couch...). It's a nice touch- amazing grocery stores with good cheese and bread (a personal love)- less crowds than london. but the pedestrian shopping street was still a bit interesting.- while it's chilly outside, it means showing off your new bright yellow scarf- no queues for the swings roller coaster in the middle of the city- orange hedges- rivals any city that says they are the 'design capital'- everywhere you look is another christmas tree- a hilarious light show is amazing on a brisk night- day birger et mikkleson and by malene birger stores decked in holiday attire and pretty clothing