I Can See You...

It's a bit dusty around here isn't it? I guess it's high time to get back into blogging again now I think...

I should wear glasses all the time and do most of the time but I always tend not to when doing outfit photos or when I'm going out with friends for some reason.

I recently got these new frames that I'm rather enamoured by though - I had been looking for some cat-eye frames but had never found the right ones (most of the vintage ones are a bit too much cat-eye for me, and the modern versions cost way too much than I think they should) so when I found these ones, I got both a black and a red pair - who could resist?

XX
Jen

Where's a Time Machine When You Need One?

The weeks seem to have disappeared in a blur of work lately. The last few Fridays I've woken up and realised it's Friday again and have gone on to wonder where on earth my time has gone (not that I'm complaining that it's Friday, it is Friday after all!!). I was given a mini payrise at work and walked away with more stuff on my plate than I know what to do with - how does that happen anyway?

It seems summer has come early to Sydney this last week - we've had beautiful days of sunshine (to make up for the weeks of torrential rain perhaps?) and it's been too hot to wear a cardigan or a scarf or even a pair of stockings during the day (not that I would really know, I've spent the best parts of the day in my office with my computer and only getting quick glances of the lovely day outside from breaks between emails).

I have commissioned David to write a guest post on the Vancouver part of our trip because I'm sure he'll do it much more justice than I would, and then after that I'll write about a few more bits and pieces on specific things we did and then I'll stop boring you all with my (what seems like an age or two ago now) holiday.

I've not only spent my time being busy with work though, I've been working on something rather large that isn't quite ready to share with the world just yet - it's a few months away - but I do want to thank all of the amazing people who are helping me with it. You know who you are and I owe you all cupcakes!! Or maybe macarons - I've decided that they are the next thing I need to master in the baking department (Adriano Zumbo, eat your heart out!!).

This is really just a quick hello as it was high time to pop in, say hi and give you an outfit post (inspired by Orla Kiely and her happy mixes of polka dots and bright colours from a few weekends ago).

Have a great weekend all,

XX
Jen

Cherished Collections...

I'm sure we all have collections of some sort, and when Casey put the word out about a little blog feature she was putting together of other people's collections, I couldn't resist putting my hand up to take part in the fun!

I have numerous collections, some are big and some are small, some I've been collecting for a while and others are new collections waiting to be added too. Here is just a small sample of some of my collections, I hope you enjoy...

Vintage dresses:
Collecting vintage dresses is really what got me started on this whole bloggy thing which means I treasure every single one. My first vintage dress is shown below, a light blue cotton summer dress. I have a few that need some minor adjustments before I can wear them, and there are lots that haven't quite made it onto the blog yet. Oops!

You can see me wearing some of my dresses on my flickr.

Vintage Home Journals:
I started collecting these about three years ago and I never really looked back! They are such sweet (if not a little sexist) reminders of a time gone by. Most of the magazines I have (some 30 or so I think) have come with the original patterns to make the garments on the front too.

I have some scans from particular magazines on my flickr if you are interested in seeing the insides. More to come at later dates.

Vintage Patterns:
I have many many vintage patterns and I'm in the process of making the 40's peplum blouse and skirt set. I have a lot of dresses but am working on building up my blouse collection and I have a pant pattern on the way which I'm itching to try out for summer (but making pants does makes me nervous!).

Vintage Knitting Patterns:
I'm a novice knitter - I only just started knitting at the beginning of the year, and while I'm still working on the scarf I started at the same time, I'm sure I'll be making these patterns in no time! Well, fingers crossed anyway because I have several stacks of these patterns!

And that's it, just a tiny taste of some of my favourite collections. Make sure you check out Casey's blog for all the others taking part in the Cherished Collections Series.

XX
Jen

The Butchardt Gardens...

On a Sunday, our last full day in Victoria before boarding the ferry for Vancouver the next day, David and I spent the afternoon in The Butchardt Gardens.

They are absolutely stunning and I would recommend anyone go there in a heartbeat (yes, it's a wee bit expensive but so so worth it!!). And hey look, an outfit post all at the same time...

This is a beautiful vintage dress that I had hanging in my closet for a little while - it was originally a terrible coffee colour that made me look sick when I wore it. I eventually got round to buying some navy blue dye because I really wanted to wear it. I didn't leave the dress in the dye bath for too long though because I was worred about the flowers dyeing out, but it turned out a beautiful blue-grey colour and the flowers look perfectly pretty against it.

Wish I was back there...

XX
Jen

Victoria, BC

Hi Everyone,

Thanks so much for all your comments on my Beijing post! I didn't really convey how much of a culture shock it was when we got out of the airport though.

David and I landed in Vancouver later on Saturday night and had booked a night in a hotel before we jumped on the ferry over to Victoria (and boy oh boy was a shower and a comfy bed welcome!).

We spent a week on the island and while David had a conference to attend during the week, I was free to amuse myself as I saw fit. And I must say, I really really loved the time we spent in Victoria. It was such a pretty little place and I would love to go back there and explore up the coast line. As it was we spent the bulk of our time in Downtown where we were staying, except when we spent a Sunday afternoon exploring the Butchardt Gardens (which I've decided needs it's own post). Victoria had a great vibe and I could certainly see myself setting up camp there for a while if the opportunity ever arose.

Exploring Victoria via horse drawn carriage one evening. The thing I loved about being here during summer time was that it didn't get dark until around 9pm which meant there was plenty of time explore with David when he had finished for the day.

I didn't eat all of this by myself, promise!! Ruby slippers ice cream float and muddy shoes (?) sundae at Rogers Ice Cream Shoppe. Expensive but worth it for a little touristy treat!

Where we stayed, right on the water (not the ugly apartment block behind it!). We had afternoon tea at in the 'mansion' part of the hotel aptly named the Gatsby Mansion that you can see to the right with the turret.

Just along from where we stayed were the stunning Parliament buildings.

And just along from that, the impressive Fairmont Empress Hotel. I did want to do high tea there but decided that it was maybe just a wee bit too expensive for tea, so I just stared longingly at it everytime we passed (which was pretty much every day). And don't you think this would be a perfect setting for a Poirot mystery?

The next set of photos are from inside Craigdarroch Castle. I went here by myself for the afternoon (stopping of at Origins Gluten Free Bakery for lunch before hand (Oh my goodness, go there and buy the pepita loaf!!)). If you've been reading my blog for a little while, you'll know that it's no secret I love old houses and so a castle is really just the cherry on top...

This beautiful wooden clock greets you as you walk inside...

Drawn by one of the daughters of the Dunsmuirs who built the place when she was seven I believe - how amazing!

I loved this random little guy at the top of one of the staircases...

Even the heating is pretty!

A beautiful model of the castle inside one of the rooms.

Up next my post on the Butchardt gardens.

XX
Jen