Visible Monday and a Peek at My Sketchbook. . .

 Visible Monday Again??!  Wow! Those weeks are rolling around quickly, aren’t they?! And the garden’s bursting with new leaves, new blooms, birdsong and fragrance complementing the colours and shapes.

Last week was the final week of classes for the term and I walked to school in my Marc Jacobs mouse shoes — gave myself a small blister on my heel, but they might be broken in enough to consider for a trip to Paris. We’ll see. . . .

 I was quite pleased with the way this BR hemp shirtdress layers over a grey Eileen Fisher silk tank and my JBrand skinny jeans. Add a linen scarf, and I almost feel Paris-ready . . .

 And to show you just how ready I’m getting, here’s a page from the sketchbook I played around with during last weekend’s Illustrated Journal class, just to get a feel for possibilities. I’m going to show-and-tell you more about that class in the next few posts.

For now, though, it’s time to check out Patti’s round-up of Visible Monday style. And we’ll get started on another week — are you ready? I’m up to my eyeballs in research papers that must be marked, but we’ve also scheduled a French lesson AND we’re picking up a certain little girl for a Nana-and-Granddad visit next weekend. What does the week hold for you?

33 Comments

  1. Mardel
    9 April 2012 / 3:57 pm

    I really like the way that dress looks with the jeans. I've grown quite fond of the dress with skinny jeans or pants look myself. This week I resume my yoga, and try to find a knitting group, aside from the continuing tasks of settling in.

    • materfamilias
      10 April 2012 / 4:10 am

      Finding a knitting group will be an important part of joining your new community . . . It's a long process, isn't it?!

  2. Patricia
    9 April 2012 / 5:11 pm

    I second the comment about the dress over jeans – it's so very wearable. Love your sketches – they remind me of the Paris Breakfasts blog. This week I'll get back into my routines after the long weekend – everything goes to pot when everyone else is off work/school! P.

    • materfamilias
      10 April 2012 / 4:11 am

      You're way too kind. Paris Breakfasts features charming watercolour sketches and my sketches feature watercolour and the word Paris. The similarity ends there, but thanks!

    • Patricia
      10 April 2012 / 10:48 pm

      :0)

  3. Patti @ NotDeadYet Style
    9 April 2012 / 5:18 pm

    You certainly *look* Paris-ready, Frances! I love this look, and your sketches are fantastique. Thanks for linking up to Visible Monday, and have a wonderful day.

    • materfamilias
      10 April 2012 / 4:11 am

      Thanks — always happy to join in! Hope your day — hey, your whole week — is wonderful as well!

  4. Anne @ The Frump Factor
    9 April 2012 / 5:32 pm

    I echo the other commenters — the dress-over-jeans (or leggings) look has only recently crossed my radar, and I'm just loving how it looks on you and others! The little flat shoes are so cute, too.

    • materfamilias
      10 April 2012 / 4:13 am

      Thanks Anne. What I like about this look is that it gets more wear out of dresses that are a little short for my daily comfort. This one isn't bad, but I need more confidence to wear it on its own. Jeans make it easier.

  5. Susan B
    9 April 2012 / 6:24 pm

    I really like this look on you, and you do indeed look Paris-ready!

    • materfamilias
      10 April 2012 / 4:13 am

      Thanks, Sue. You're almost there yourself!

  6. Raquelita
    9 April 2012 / 6:55 pm

    The mix of neutrals seems very Paris chic to me. I'm looking forward to reading more about the journal.

    This week holds lots and lots of marking, playing catch up from taking two whole days off this weekend (we went to Toronto for Passover), and hopefully some quality miles.

    • materfamilias
      10 April 2012 / 4:14 am

      I wondered about that, seeing on DailyMile that you'd been running on Yonge Street (wondered if another city has such a street).
      I know what you mean about playing catch-up. I'm almost regretting taking time off for play this weekend, but oh, I needed it!

  7. Duchesse
    9 April 2012 / 9:00 pm

    I like the sketches; I can;t really see the clothes.

    • materfamilias
      10 April 2012 / 4:15 am

      Yikes, so much for Visible Monday, if I can't quite make the clothes visible. . . the dark on dark doesn't help. Mostly, I wanted to show the proportions, though, and I think that does come across. . .

  8. Catherine, Not Dressed As Lamb
    9 April 2012 / 9:54 pm

    A weekend in Paris sounds wonderful… and I would love to see your Marc Jacobs up close, maybe on a another post…?

    Thank you for all your lovely comments on my blog btw, I'm sorry I haven't joined your blog as a follower before (don't know why?!) – all sorted now though!

    Catherine x
    notdressedaslamb.com/

    • materfamilias
      10 April 2012 / 4:16 am

      Thanks for commenting, Catherine, and for following as well! As for the shoes, I'll have to cozy the lens up to them next time. They're pretty cute, my little mice . . .

  9. Melanie
    10 April 2012 / 12:08 am

    Oh, journaling future escapades is a favourite of mine. You have done it so well! If it meant a trip to Paris, going barefooted would not be beyond my imagination! On the practical side, good walking shoes are a must. I look forward to your journaling class posts. Your look is oo-la-la!

    This week I shall dance in the fountain at the VAG, ride an Orca over to North Van, have a picnic with some squirrels and beavers, and then zip trek from Mt. Cypress to Burnaby Mtn.(Have I forgotten anything?…)

    • materfamilias
      10 April 2012 / 4:17 am

      Imagine, barefoot in Paris. . . isn't there a movie title in there somewhere?!
      I'm a bit embarrassed to have you peeking at my sketches, accomplished as you are, but I did have fun.
      As will you this week — wow!! that's some serious Vancouver revelling. Perhaps our paths will cross, as we'll be over Wednesday to Friday. . .

  10. Pam @ over50feeling40
    10 April 2012 / 12:14 am

    This is a look I am really into lately! It looks great, comfortable, professional and yet, creative!

    • materfamilias
      10 April 2012 / 4:18 am

      Thanks, Pam. I do feel it's all of those, wearable and smart!

  11. Anonymous
    10 April 2012 / 12:20 am

    You LOOK Paris ready and I cannot wait to see your sketchbook after this trip. What a wonderful way to document it.

    • materfamilias
      10 April 2012 / 4:19 am

      I've got some serious trepidation about my sketching skills, but I'm going to give it a serious try. First, sadly, I have to do something about this mountain of marking and then try to get a headstart on fall syllabi and book orders as I know the summer is going to spin away from me so quickly. . .

  12. WendyB
    10 April 2012 / 5:50 am

    The weeks go faster and faster. I'm convinced it will be 2013 in a hot minute!

    • materfamilias
      11 April 2012 / 2:40 am

      I know! Craaaaziness!

  13. Pondside
    10 April 2012 / 7:20 am

    Great look! I love my skinny jeans and find that they let me wear some things that I might otherwise pass up.
    Paris….lucky you! I'm starting to think of what to collect for Belgium and the UK in September – but it seems a long way off.

    • materfamilias
      11 April 2012 / 2:40 am

      Oh, I hope you write about Belgium. It's working it's way up my list . . .

  14. indigo16
    10 April 2012 / 12:14 pm

    Mater, I discovered this palce by accident:
    fondationarp.org/
    have you been? If not can you visit so I can live vicariously through your blog. I wanted to go on my day trip only to discover it only opens Friday- Sunday!
    I am going to paris for the day on Thursday to visit some galleries, sadly it is BITTERLY cold here so a coat will be in order.
    I love this outfit, you mention Eileen Fisher, we finally have a shop here, but the prices seem very high, that said I need to maybe pay more and shop less!
    Back to the essay now, I am the queen of procrastination!

    • materfamilias
      11 April 2012 / 2:42 am

      Can't wait to hear your report on Paris galleries — and Happy Birthday!
      I'll put that studio on our list, altho' we're only in Paris a little over a week, so might have to save it for another visit.
      As for the Eileen Fisher, I only have two pieces and so far am pleased with the quality. Sue at Une Femme swears by the silk Ts for travel, and she's pretty savvy.

  15. Lorrie
    10 April 2012 / 3:16 pm

    Your outfit looks "perfectly Paris" to me. The sketches in your journal seem like a great way to remember past trips while anticipating this next one.

    This week for me – pretty slow, and so I hope to get in some serious gardening and sewing. At the end of the week my parents arrive for 4 days.

    • materfamilias
      11 April 2012 / 2:43 am

      Oh, to get serious in the garden. . . I'm so very lucky that my guy is willing to be directed out there now that he's semi-retired. . .

  16. Debbi@SheAccessorizesWell
    10 April 2012 / 5:28 pm

    You look so effortlessly pulled together. I wish I looked like you do in clothes like this. You look as if you are walking on a street in Paris, carefree and chic.

    • materfamilias
      11 April 2012 / 2:44 am

      You are too kind! This is what I hope for, a look of easy chic, so I'm thrilled that you can see it in this photo.

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