A very long short month

February 28, 2022February 27, 2022 / edebock / 2 Comments

Winter in Canada is long and cold with short hours of daylight. I always start to feel very confined by this time of year and the pandemic has definitely added to that. February might be the shortest month of the year, but this one has felt very long!

The recent rebellion in our capital city and at border crossings across the nation followed almost immediately by Russia’s attack on Ukraine have added to my gloom. The so-called Freedom Convoy in Ottawa and blockades at the border so disgusted me that I pretty much avoided the news for awhile. I blocked so many sources and unfollowed so many people on Facebook that my newsfeed became almost boring! Believe it or not, one person posted something yesterday suggesting that news about the invasion of Ukraine is just meant to distract us from the injustices happening in our own country and we need to be alert! What? Are you kidding me? With that kind of thinking swirling around me, is it any wonder that I feel like burying my head under a blanket and ignoring the whole wide world?

Unfortunately, at least in my opinion, in spite of the fact that Covid is far from over, our provincial government has decided to give in to the protesters and as of tomorrow almost all health restrictions will be lifted. Many are celebrating and I understand the feeling, but for some of us, that means less freedom, not more. I’m not immunocompromised and I’m triple vaxxed, but I’ve fought too hard for the past eight and a half years to stay alive and well to put my health at unnecessary risk, so I’ll still be wearing a mask and avoiding close contact, especially with the unvaccinated.

Not being able to travel has definitely added to my frustration. At our age, we definitely feel like our time clock is ticking and opportunities are passing us by. In their retirement, my parents visited 66 countries. Earlier this month, I spent some time reading through the journals that my father kept when they traveled; everything from short two or three day trips to nineteen months wandering Asia, Europe, and the Middle East, living most of that time in their Volkswagen camper van. Reading about their adventures was the next best thing to traveling myself and took my mind off current events, but it also reignited my wanderlust thus adding to my frustration.

A few days ago, realizing that my current state of mind was not a healthy one, I looked back at two of my earlier posts, one written in September 2020 about hitting the Covid-19 wall and the other, written seven months later, about languishing.

hitting-the-wall-resize-1

I realized that my feelings of frustration and discouragement weren’t entirely new. I’d been there before. I got over the wall on those occasions and I would again. In the meantime, I decided to look back over the very long shortest month and think about the positives. What were some good things that happened this month?

I read eight books; three novels, three memoirs, and two non-fiction books. That’s double the number that I usually read in a month.
I may not be able to visit yet, but I started chatting online with our friend, Richard M, who lives in Mexico in Spanish! My daily online language lessons are beginning to pay off.
I edited 53 Kiva loans, significantly more than the 40 a month that I committed to when I took on the volunteer position.
After seeing a physiotherapist on February 1, I’ve revamped my morning exercise routine, started a new lifting program, and I’m back on the treadmill regularly.
Walking in town is treacherous due to icy conditions, but we discovered a mostly unused road not far from town where we can walk safely and enjoy a breath of fresh air when the weather isn’t too cold.
I’ve tried several new and delicious recipes using the InstantPot that I received for Christmas.

Mental stimulation, learning something new, doing something for someone else, physical exercise, fresh air, eating well… all of these are key to getting through the doldrums that may, at times, seem overwhelming. The fact that the days are becoming noticeably longer also reminds me that spring is coming and better days are ahead!

The next little while will be busy with another whirlwind of medical appointments. Hospitals and clinics aren’t my favourite places to hang out, but at least they’ll still be following Covid precautions! Sometimes you just have to look at the bright side!

Stripes for spring!

February 25, 2022February 22, 2022 / edebock / 1 Comment

I used to write a blog post twice a year about the trends for spring/summer and fall/winter based on the looks that ruled the runways for that season. I’ve quit doing that because they were a lot of work and amongst the women who read this blog, who actually dresses like a runway model? Probably no one! I know I don’t. Real women do, however, want to know how some of those looks translate into the clothes that we’ll actually see in our favourite retailers; things that we would actually wear.

That leads me to one of the biggest trends for the upcoming season… stripes! That’s right, though some of us have been wearing stripes forever, they’re going to be especially popular this season!

A classic Breton top, first introduced in 1858 as part of the uniform for navy seamen in Northern France, is an easy pattern to wear and a favourite of mine. The original design had long sleeves and featured 21 horizontal stripes, one for each of Napoleon Bonaparte’s victories. Apparently, the distinctive navy and white stripes made it easy for rescuers to spot sailors who fell overboard!

breton-stripes-frances-horizontal-contribution-to-workwear.jpg

Nowadays, Breton striped t-shirts are available in both long and short-sleeved versions and a myriad of colours. Since they never really go out of style and can be worn year round, I’d like to add a couple more to my wardrobe this season while they’re easy to find. I much prefer to shop in person, but I’ve been doing some looking around online and thought I’d share a bit of what I’ve found with you. Please keep in mind that I’m not affiliated with any of the companies represented here and I don’t benefit in any way if you choose to order something. Since I have readers in wide variety of locations, I’m showing retailers from the UK and US as well as Canada.

The Original Breton Shirt – The Breton Shirt Co

Screen Shot 2022-02-19 at 11.34.06 AM

In addition to the traditional Breton top shown here, The Breton Shirt Co offers a variety of colours and styles.

Striped Oversized Long Sleeve T-shirt – Uniqlo

This one is also available in several colours.

Three-Quarter Sleeve Criss-Cross Sailor Top – Blair

Screen Shot 2022-02-19 at 12.50.36 PM

I really like the sleeve detail on this one. Though it also comes in a variety of colours, teal is a colour that flatters every skin tone.

This is just a small sampling of the Breton type tees that are available this season, but stripes are not limited to this one style.

Square Neck Button Front Tank – Cleo

Stripes aren’t always horizontal!

Prep School Shirt – Cabi

This cropped shirt is a cute and casual look for summer.

Washable Linen Pull-On Pants – L.L.Bean

These look a lot like pyjamas to me, but they would be light and breezy on a hot summer’s day.

24/7 Sweats, Dress Stripe – L.L.Bean

Screen Shot 2022-02-19 at 3.19.38 PM

I had just about finished writing this post when this dress popped up on my Facebook newsfeed. Isn’t it interesting how Facebook knows exactly where we’ve been on the internet? Not always a good thing, but in this case I didn’t mind!

Trend or not, stripes may not be your thing. If that’s the case and you really can’t see yourself wearing any of these, why not add a just a touch of the trend in a scarf or a handbag?

Colour Joy Floral Striped Scarf – The Bay

Screen Shot 2022-02-19 at 1.44.27 PM

Stripe Shopper Bag – Nordstrom

Screen Shot 2022-02-19 at 1.51.52 PM

We’ve just come through another incredibly cold snap and it looks like winter will be with us for awhile longer, but it’s nice to start thinking about spring and about what we might be wearing when the weather finally does warm up. What about you? Will you be wearing stripes?

Young artists in the family

February 20, 2022February 20, 2022 / edebock / 8 Comments

My mother was a gifted artist. Unfortunately, a frightening incident in her early 30s caused her to put down her brushes and refuse to pick them up again. Though I wasn’t more than four at the time, I clearly remember the day it happened. I was playing with some of the neighbourhood children in the yard across the street from our house when my mother flew out the door with my toddler sister in her arms and ran across the street. Never in my life had I seen my mother run anywhere, so it was obvious that something was very wrong. Then, she barged into the neighbour’s house without even stopping to knock. Even at my young age, I knew that that was something you just didn’t do! What I and the other wide eyed children didn’t know was what had just happened. Mom had been painting at the kitchen table while I was outside playing and my sister napped. When the baby woke, Mom left her painting and went to lift her out of the crib, stopping to do something in the bedroom while the little one toddled out to the kitchen. The next thing Mom heard was choking and gagging. My sister had reached for the glass of turpentine that Mom used to clean her brushes and, thinking that it was juice, had drank it! Mom rushed her across the street because the neighbour was a nurse and would know what to do. Fortunately, our doctor’s wife happened to be visiting and, unlike many people in our small isolated town, she had a car! She rushed Mom and the baby to the hospital where a stomach was pumped and everything turned out fine. Everything, that is, except Mom’s love of painting. She blamed herself and didn’t paint again for many decades. Even then, though she dabbled at it a bit, the passion was gone.

I think Mom would have been thrilled to know that some of her great grandchildren have inherited her gift. This week, 12-year-old Sam was honoured as Young Artist of the Week by North Vancouver’s Artists for Kids and Gordon Smith Gallery.

Sam - Young Artist of the Week

Sam painted the picture that he’s holding while we were visiting in October and it was a delight to watch it unfold layer by layer. If you’re familiar with Vancouver, and look closely, you’ll know that you’re looking toward the north shore and will see the Lions Gate Bridge on the left.

Sam’s teacher had this to say, “Sam finds peace and joy through drawing. He loves adding his own unique flair and extra details into his class art projects. He is inspired by his surroundings, as well as his imagination. He is constantly trying new techniques to achieve a desired effect in his art. He adds incredible details into his creations that are admired by his teacher and peers.”

Yes, Great Grandma would be very proud!

On our way home from Vancouver in October, we stopped in Calgary to visit more grandchildren. On a trip to Goodwill, our daughter and I found a hoodie for 7-year-old Simon. As soon as he saw it, his response was, “I want to paint that!”

I watched in awe as his picture took shape. Simon had recently been diagnosed with ADHD, but he was completely focused! I held my breath as he added more and more details fearing that he was going to ruin the painting and become frustrated, but he knew exactly what he was doing! When he finished, he told me that it was for me and that he wanted me to hang it in my bathroom! I thought that was an odd request, but I followed his wishes and I’m so glad I did. I see it multiple times a day and it warms my heart every time! I only wish my Mom could see it too. She would be so proud!

Sam and Simon aren’t the only young artists in the family. We have several grandchildren who seem to have inherited some of Great Grandma’s talent! Whether this becomes a passion that stays with them throughout their lives or whether they pursue other interests as they get older, art has so many benefits for children. It promotes creativity, encourages neural connections, and builds fine motor skills. It helps develop problem-solving abilities and helps kids understand themselves and their world. Most of all, I think Sam and Simon would tell you that art is fun!

Clemens-Art's role in education

Date night

February 18, 2022February 16, 2022 / edebock / 3 Comments

In many parts of the world, Monday was Valentine’s Day, a celebration of love and romance. In past years, that might have meant going out for a special dinner for hubby and I, but our province recently lifted the public health restrictions that would have assured us that we were eating in the company of people who have chosen to protect themselves and others by being vaccinated against Covid. As a result, we aren’t eating out these days. Instead, we decided to celebrate with an at-home date night.

Preparing in advance, we ordered a special Valentine’s meal to be picked up at The Wooden Spoon, a local bistro that’s a favourite of ours. We also put a bottle of wine in the fridge to chill. The table was set with tablecloth and candles and we sat down to enjoy a fabulous dinner. Afterward, we enjoyed a romantic comedy in the comfort of our own living room.

Since this was a date, we dressed as though we were going out. I chose a favourite dress from cabi that I haven’t had occasion to wear since the beginning of the pandemic. It was a little snugger than I remember it being, but thankfully, it still fit!

The lighting wasn’t great for getting good photos, but if you want to see some great pictures of the dress, which is a deep midnight blue, check out this post by Dutch blogger, Greetje, who writes No Fear of Fashion. It was fun to discover not too long ago that she has the same dress as I do!

You might also notice that I had my hair cut recently. It’s not quite what I had in mind when I went to the hairdresser, but it was time for a change!

25 style tips that every woman should know

February 11, 2022February 10, 2022 / edebock / 2 Comments

Have you ever noticed that some women always look polished and put-together? What is it that makes them look that way? Who doesn’t want to look fabulous every time she steps out of the house? Today I’m sharing 25 style tips that every woman should know. Tips that work regardless of size, age, budget, or taste.

1. Use a lint roller to remove lint, hair, and other small fibres from your clothes. This is especially important if you have pets!

2. Similarly, make sure you have a fabric shaver to remove fuzz and pills from sweaters.

3. Invest in a good quality iron with a range of settings; one that can get out the toughest wrinkles but is also gentle enough to use on delicate fabrics.

4. Even if you’re not a seamstress, have a basic sewing kit on hand and know how to use it to sew on a button, tack up a hem, or do a minor repair.

mending-main

5. Make sure that your shoes and boots are clean and/or polished.

6. Use empty wine bottles or rolled up newspapers to keep tall boots standing upright when you’re not wearing them.

7. Declutter and organize your closet. Hang what needs to be hung in neat categories and fold the rest. You won’t wear what you can’t see.

8. Read labels when you shop. Pay particular attention to washing or cleaning instructions. If an item requires hand-washing or dry-cleaning, don’t buy it unless you know that you’ll give it the care it needs.

9. Be a strategic shopper. Keep a wish list of specific gaps in your wardrobe to prevent impulse buys that you’ll regret later.

10. Remember that a bargain is only a bargain if you’re actually going to wear it. Don’t buy it unless you love it.

11. Dress up a little when you go shopping. This tends to result in better customer service.

12. Put the majority of your fashion dollars into good quality basics. Have fun with trends, but don’t fill your closet with them as most won’t last long.

13. Check the rear view. Use a 3 way mirror when you’re shopping for clothes and check your back before you leave home. Every angle matters!

14. Wearing white? Check it in the light. White clothes tend to look more see-through in daylight, so check in bright light to make sure you’re not revealing something that you’d rather keep hidden.

15. Make sure your clothes fit properly.

16. Don’t prioritize fashion over comfort. If you feel uncomfortable, you’ll probably look uncomfortable.

17. Don’t be afraid to mix patterns. For tips on how to do that successfully, check out this post.

18. Think about balance. Your top and bottom should complement one another. Pair a loose skirt or wide-legged pants with a fitted or cropped top. Wear skinny jeans or leggings with a looser, longer top.

19. Remember, leggings are not pants! Unless you’re wearing them strictly as exercise wear, pair them with longer tops, tunics and oversized cardigans that cover your butt.

20. Accessorize! Accessories are the finishing touches that can take an outfit from drab to dramatic.

21. Don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and try something new.

22. Know which colours suit your skin tone. Wear those colours close to your face.

seasonal-color-analysis-vector-23457568 2

23. Know your personal style. This post explains how to use Pinterest to help you identify yours.

24. Think about what you want your outfit to say about you. For help in choosing and using your own style adjectives, read this post.

25. Remember, age is just a number! Regardless of how young or old you are, embrace the styles that make you feel good.

If you have questions about any of these tips or would like to add some of your own, please use the comment section below.

From dressy to casual

February 4, 2022February 3, 2022 / edebock / 6 Comments

About this time of year, I begin to get very tired of my winter wardrobe. When you aren’t going shopping and haven’t bought anything new for quite awhile, the only solution to this wardrobe weariness is to try to create some new combinations using items that you already have. That’s what I did this week.

Ever since wide-legged pants came back into vogue, I’ve been thinking about pulling out a pair that have been in storage for several years. I remember exactly when and where I bought them. It was a rainy day in March of 2008. Hubby and I had been in Japan for about three weeks. We were over the jet lag and had settled into our teaching jobs and our tiny apartment. It was a national holiday and because of the inclement weather, we decided to spend the afternoon exploring a mall that we’d often passed on the train on our way to work. This was years before Uniqlo came to Canada, but we’d been introduce to the brand on a previous trip to Japan and were delighted to find a Uniqlo store in the mall that day. Before leaving Canada, I had looked everywhere for a pair of navy blue dress pants to add to my teaching wardrobe, but hadn’t been able to find what I was looking for. Amazingly, there they were waiting for me in Japan and I hadn’t even had to fit them into my suitcase!

The pants, which have a subtle pinstripe that doesn’t show in the photos unless you zoom in closer, served me well that year in Japan and again a few years later when we spent some time teaching in China. Once we were home to stay, however, I didn’t need a working wardrobe. I wore them to church occasionally, but eventually they were put away in storage. I didn’t get rid of them because I really liked them, they fit well, and they reminded me of our wonderful experiences teaching in Asia.

When I decided to bring them out this week I wanted to see if I could style this old pair of dress pants in a more casual, sporty way. Inspired by this post published by Greetje who writes the blog, No Fear of Fashion, and others I’ve seen wearing dressier pants with sneakers, I started pulling pieces from my closet. In no time, I had come up with four very similar but different looks.

I started with a basic Breton stripe tee. I don’t think you can ever go wrong with Breton stripes! I very seldom tuck a t-shirt in, but in this case I wanted to highlight the pants, so I tucked it all around and added a black belt. Without a topper of some kind, this would have emphasized the thickness at my waist, so I added my Uniqlo ultra light down vest. I finished the outfit with white sneakers and a pair of silver earrings. Suddenly, the pants that were previously part of a career wardrobe fit my more casual retirement lifestyle. A quick switch from vest to lightweight hoodie resulted in another outfit that I would definitely wear today.

Next, I put away the Breton stripes and brought out a more colourful t-shirt. I also exchanged the white sneakers for navy blue ones.

Finally, I switched back to the vest for one last look.

Now that I’ve seen how easily I can work these pants back into my present wardrobe, my mind goes to another pair from the same era that are still in storage. That pair is black and even wider in the leg. Perhaps I’ll pull them out too and see what I can do with them.