To Xico for lunch

February 13, 2017 / edebock / 1 Comment

After starting my day with a zumba class, I was ready for a hearty lunch. We caught a taxi in Coatepec and headed for Xico, a smaller town about 9 km away. Here’s the sight that greeted my eye as I stepped out of the car!

Turning around, we crossed the street and headed down the newly restored pedestrian avenue lined with colourful homes and shops. It felt a bit like a step back in time.

Toward the end, road construction was still underway.

The restaurant that was our destination was located near the end of the street. Fortunately, shortly after we arrived, it was time for the construction crew to take their afternoon siesta. The machines shut down and the workers gathered in the shade across the street from where we sat in the sunshine on the outdoor patio. Again, I had to remind myself that it’s the middle of February!

There’s very little English in use in this part of Mexico. Richard M and Colleen function fairly well in Spanish and are able to help us order from the Spanish only menus. There have been a couple of surprises, but they’ve both turned out rather well! On our first morning in Coatepec we went out for breakfast. I thought I’d ordered an omelette, but it was actually fried eggs in a very tasty sauce. Today, I was expecting a shrimp sandwich, but it turned out to be an absolutely delicious omelette! If the surprises continue to be this yummy, I hope there are a few more of them!

Welcome to Coatepec!

February 12, 2017 / edebock / 2 Comments

great-wall When we climbed the Great Wall of China with fellow Liaoning Normal University English teacher, Richard M, and his wife, Colleen, almost four years ago, we had no idea that someday we’d walk the streets of Coatepec, Mexico with them! Richard and Colleen are now enjoying retirement in this colourful town of approximately 50 000 people located about 300 km east of Mexico City. We arrived the day before yesterday and after talking until almost one o’clock in the morning, decided that we didn’t have to do all our catching up in one night!

After being out and about exploring Coatepec yesterday and then again today, we can easily see why Richard and Colleen love it here! Dressed in shorts and t-shirts, I have to keep reminding myself that it’s still February, but climate isn’t the only reason to like this place.

The people are warm, friendly and very welcoming; the food is fresh and delicious; and the architecture is gorgeous. A beautiful park at the centre of town is a vibrant gathering place.

Come take a look around with me…

Introducing Ella and Silvan!

February 10, 2017March 31, 2020 / edebock / 4 Comments

As a wearer of prescription eyeglasses since the tender age of two, I’m delighted to introduce the newest collection of glasses by American brand Warby Parker!

In collaboration with fashion and portrait photographer and TV host, Amanda de Cadenet, Warby Parker designed two new gender neutral frames named after Amanda’s twins, Ella and Silvan.

Warby Parker, a company that strives to offer quality, on-trend eyewear at affordable prices, was pleased to have the opportunity to team up with Amanda on the new frames in support of her latest venture, #GirlGaze. #GirlGaze is a multi-media project that showcases the ways in which young women view the world as shown through their photographs. It also generates visibility and support for the next generation of female photographers.

Silvan

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That’s Amanda herself modelling my favourites, the Peony pink Silvan frames. They pair beautifully with this spring’s most popular colour and look at how they make her blue eyes pop! Silvan is available as either prescription eyeglasses or sunglasses with silver reflective lenses.

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Ella

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Ella is an optical frame with the same modern oversized silhouette as Silvan, but it comes in Jet Black with gold accents on the temples. Though I’m afraid that this bold look would overwhelm my face, black is a very popular look in eyewear for 2017 and it looks great on lots of people.

Each of these frames is crafted from a single sheet of cellulose acetate to maintain colour parity throughout. Warby Parker lenses are made from polycarbonate, the most impact-resistant material for eyeglasses, and offer 100% UV protection. Anti-scratch and anti-reflective coating is included with every pair.

This is definitely a company with a social conscience. Not only is Warby Parker partnering with Amanda de Cadenet to promote #GirlGaze, but through their Buy a Pair, Give a Pair program, they work with nonprofit organizations to train individuals in developing countries to give basic eye exams and to bring affordable glasses to their communities.

You can purchase your own Ella and Silvan eyewear online or at Warby Parker showrooms across the United States or in Toronto, Canada.

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Disclaimer: This is not a paid endorsement. Information and images were provided by Warby Parker, but the words are my own.

Favourite fashion blogs for women of a certain age

February 3, 2017November 22, 2021 / edebock / 15 Comments

As a woman of a certain age, most of the fashion blogs that I follow are written for women over the age of 40. Though I also like to look at what the younger set has to offer, women of my generation tend to look at fashion differently. We aren’t trying to look younger. In fact, we want to celebrate who we have become. We’re interested in expressing our unique personalities through how we dress, but at the same time, we face the reality of living in older bodies.

Today I’m going to introduce 4 of my favourite fashion blogs written by and for more mature women.

Over 50 Feeling 40

I’ve been following Pam Lutrell at Over 50 Feeling 40 for several years. Shortly after turning 50, Pam received her new drivers license in the mail and was shocked by the appearance of the woman in the picture. That moment inspired a determination to reinvent herself, something that she has done with great success. Through her blog she carries out her mission “to inspire women over 50 to look and feel their best… to strive to be women of strength and dignity…and to enjoy every single day of life…one day at a time.” Since turning 60, Pam has reinvented herself yet again, leaving her job as a high school journalism teacher and more recently, taking on the role of editor of San Antonio Woman magazine. Though Pam and I lead very different lives, have different body shapes, and different personal styles, I have learned a great deal from her.

A Well Styled Life

After a successful career as principal buyer and manager for several independent women’s boutiques in Northern California, Jennifer Connolly of A Well Styled Life trained to be a professional image consultant and personal stylist. She brings that expertise to her blog where she strives to help midlife women look their best while confronting the challenges that accompany this stage of life. Jennifer loves to travel and in the past year, she and her hubby have purchased a travel trailer, so we have more in common than just our passion for fashion.

That’s Not My Age

British freelance journalist and former fashion editor, Alyson Walsh, has been writing That’s Not My Age since 2008. Her motto is “you don’t have to have youth to have style.” She is the author of Style Forever: The Grown-Up Guide to Looking Fabulous and is presently working on a second book. Alyson’s creative, but casual style is quite similar to my own and I have found lots to inspire me on her blog. After all, I have to love a woman who spends most of her life in jeans, as I do, and yet is as glamorous as Alyson!

High Heels in the Wilderness

Like me, fellow Canadian Susan Burpee of Ottawa, Ontario writes about much more than fashion on her blog, High Heels in the Wilderness. In fact, Sue and I have a lot in common. Also a retired school teacher, her passions include books, fashion, travel, and staying fit. When she’s not writing about fashion, she might be writing a book review, an intelligent opinion piece or telling about a recent hike or a trip she’s been on. If we ever had the opportunity to sit down together over a cup of tea, I’m sure we’d have no end of things to talk about!

While those four are my favourites and I follow them faithfully, here some links to a few other fashion blogs for the mature woman that I’ve been reading lately and that might also interest you:

Do you have any favourites that aren’t listed here?