Canada: The New Vacation Destination

I am both delighted and concerned. I bought two very nice winter coats this year to help me brave the bitter cold that is inevitable during a Prairie winter. I have been able to wear them a few times, certainly (see the pictures of Banff on New Year's Eve), but for the most part, our winter has been much too warm so far this year. This makes me a little sad, because I love my new coats and don't want them to be wasted. On the other hand, yesterday was (drumroll, please) a balmy 13 degrees celcius! To really feel the impact of our good fortune, I wanted to see how much better my daughter is doing on her vacation in Cuba. It is only about 10 degrees warmer there. Oh joy! We are having it so good. I also looked up our long term forecast and found that there is really nothing less than 0 degrees during the daytime, for the next 10 days. How can I really complain about not being able to wear my coats?

Due to a combination of holiday and nice weather, it is a time for walks.

But walks with friends are always better....

And some of us, despite nice weather, still need coats.

As for the holidays, I am still working almost all day every day. However, I was able to take pictures of what I have worn on a few days, outside and without a coat. I am loving it!

blazer: Ann Taylor; bottom: Paige Denim; scarf: The Bay; shoes: Geox; purse: Michael Kors

blouse: Judith and Charles; bottom: Banana Republic; vest: Jones New York; shoes: Stuard Weitzman

Ciao for now. I have made some changes, so hopefully those of you who were wanting to comment will be able to now.

A New Year And A First Post

I have to admit that I've been addicted to reading all sorts of blogs over the past year, and I've been wanting to do one of my own for some time. I LOVE fashion blogs, but I also love blogs that document the lives and passions of their writers, sometimes daily. This is the plan for mine.

I've found myself, in the last few years, becoming more and more focused on the goals that I have for the future, and I've lost track of the little things that make me happy in the here and now. I'm hoping that by being more purposeful in documenting those moments, I will have a better sense that there is balance in my life.

So...to start, here was my New Year's Eve. Now this one was different for many reasons. My husband has an uncanny knack for spending our New Years' Eves with a terrible flue of some sort, while I while away the hours watching various television programs (seriously...this has happened at least four times in the last 10 years). When he does manage to stay healthy, we have friends over for fondue and games, but this year, everyone had other plans. Lucky for us, my mom and her husband had decided to stay at the Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel for a few days. I spotted an opportunity and invited the hubby and I out for dinner with them.

What a great idea it turned out to be!! We got to Banff about 3:00 in the afternoon. They took us for a bit of a tour, then we stopped for drinks in the Rundle Lounge. We all ordered Manhattens, which is, according to our server, the man's martini. What a beautiful place! I mean, we look ok in the picture, but take note of the scene outside the window too.

Our reservations were at the Maple Leaf Grill for 5:30. We went back up to change, and it felt really good to have an excuse to dress up for a change.

In true fashion blog style...here's what I'm wearing: blouse Banana Republic; jeans Fidelity; earrings Stella and Dot; watch Fossil (and unfortunately you can't see my great shoes!)

We met some really nice people from Chicago while waiting for the cab. We stayed warm under the outdoor heaters.

Our reservations were at the Maple Leaf Grill, and I think we got the best seat in the house. We were nestled by a toasty fire and we were watched over by the giant moose head. We ate a two tier seafood appetizer, bison prime rib, and a yummy creme brule dessert. We had a great wine and finished the meal off with coffee and a rum liquer. The company was wonderful. The location was dreamy.

I loved our New Year's Eve. Thanks mom and Richard for everything. Can't wait for next year. I'd love to hear about your New Year's Eve adventures too.