Murphy and I went on a little road trip to experience a delicious “Retired Day.” (I was a Monday to Friday worker bee for so long that a weekday off still feels like a novelty.)
We went to Qualicum Beach, one of my favourite places and just about the prettiest little town anywhere. FYI: Qualicum Beach is also where O and I had our first two dates, so it’s got a special place in my heart for that reason.
We stuck to the forest and the village on our most recent visit, but the nearby beach is amazing, too.
Ye olde English-style buildings downtown.Don’t you want to see what’s behind door #13? With a silver lame wing back chair and a rainbow on the outside, I’m sure the inside is stylin!Murphy living his best life in the forest!Nachos and wine at Lefty’s Restaurant–the perfect lunch!This little cottage on the main street is my dream house!
Yes, you read that correctly. A small company called Wooland (Wool&) came up with an intriguing marketing idea. They challenged their customers to wear one of their merino blend dresses for 100 days straight.
What’s the catch, you ask? There isn’t one.
Once the challenge is completed and 100 photos documenting your dress journey are submitted to Wool&, they send successful participants a coupon code to order another one of their merino dresses.
I’m doing my challenge in their Maggie dress. It’s a short sleeved scoop neck in a fine woolen knit, so it lends itself to a variety of looks. Since it’s been super cold this last little while, I was relieved to discover that my dress is a layering champ. I’ve been wearing shirts under it and sweaters over it all along.
Since it’s often layered and not next to my skin, I don’t need to wash it every day. It’s machine washable and dries nicely overnight when it does need to be freshened up. My Maggie gets bonus points because dog hair doesn’t stick to it.
I’m on day 35, and I’m not going to lie–I’m looking forward to day 101, and a return to the rest of my neglected wardrobe. But I’ve got my eye on the prize, so I’m not ready to give up.
My obsession with small living spaces continues, so this tiny, Tiffany blue trailer made my day. I wasn’t able to get a better picture as the door was open and I didn’t want the occupants to think I’m a creepy stalker.
Cookie dough that’s meant to be eaten raw! What more can I say to make this better? Cookie dough is one of the best things on the planet, so learning I can now indulge without making myself sick is truly a blessing.
Frankie the tortoise! She lives in the school library (along with three small frogs and an aquarium full of stick insects.) Normally, I favor fluffy, cuddly creatures, but there’s something about Frankie’s dinosaur-like demeanor that has won me over.
I spent about five hours at the mall in Nanaimo, and I didn’t leave empty handed.
As well as a book in Chapters, I bought an entire bag full of clothes at Reitmans (a dress, a pair of pants and bright pink floral blouse unlike anything else in my closet.) Then I went to Pier 1, and got lost in their world of perfect homes. I bought four mugs I don’t need, a table runner I don’t need, tea towels I don’t need (anyone sensing a theme here?) and a “garden flag.”
My Boy took one look at the flag and said, “Don’t put that in the front yard!”
When did he become the voice of reason to my wild decorating ideas? Oh, I remember–when he refused to paint the garden shed hot pink last spring.
Ever noticed that most problems don’t seem so big after some time has passed?
These goblets at the thrift store reminded me of a similar pair my mother-in-law presented to me mere weeks before my cursed wedding.
“Aren’t they gorgeous?” she asked, praising her own gift. “They’re for you and the Sailor to use at the reception!”
I went into panic mode. I’m not hugely bothered about small décor details, but these Flintstone-style cups were way out of my stylistic comfort zone.
I agonized over what to do, torn between not wanting to offend my future mother-in-law and the horror of incorporating these hideous babies into my wedding.
I’d forgotten about this “huge” problem until I saw the replica glasses. It was a reminder that most issues truly aren’t worth the emotional space we give them.
Oh, in case you’re wondering how the wedding glass fiasco resolved itself: my brother broke one just before the big day. He claimed it was an accident, but he also suggested the breakage should count as his wedding gift to me, so I’m not so sure.
Probably because I grew up in a house with unobstructed ocean views. I had no idea how special this was until I moved away–and lived in a succession of homes with less than stellar views.
I don’t have ocean views at my new place, but the view I have is pretty wonderful–I see mountains!
I find myself wandering to the window to look at “my” mountains throughout the day. (They’re constantly changing.) I’m even looking forward to seeing them dusted with snow come winter. I’ve never anticipated winter with anything other than dread, so this is huge!
When you haven’t even removed the tag from your new chesterfield, and someone has already rearranged the throw cushions to make herself more comfortable.
The Grey Divorcee 