I still have so much I want to share about our month in Paris and in several Italian cities, but here we are in the week before Christmas, and you’re surely as distracted as I’ve been. And my carry-on travel wardrobe worn in front of various European backgrounds has surely lost any interest it might have had. My Harris tweed coat, for example, in front of a familiar Paris landmark. . . accessorized less effectively than if I’d had a bigger suitcase, but the trade-off worth it for me. (I bought that hat — plush cotton corduroy — in Siena where I had a long and delightful and philosophical conversation in Italian with the hat-maker.)
But if I imagine you wearying of photos of my carry-on wardrobe in action,
I also know that many of you enjoy the What I Wore posts. So I’m going to use that Harris tweed coat to pivot firmly back to Vancouver where — almost a month after our return home — I’ve recovered from Covid (although I still need ample sleep) so that last week I managed a session with my trainer (ouch! she was judicious and thoughtful but sitting made me wince for a few days, as did standing back up afterward).
As well, we went to a concert of contemporary piano music by female Canadian composers — cleverly chosen program played brilliantly. The weather got colder, there was some rain, but I was happy to be getting out and about again, speaking to people other than my stalwart travel and Covid companion, counting steps on my iPhone again. We had an easy Christmas-shopping date: two small independent bookstores and a delicious ramen lunch. I fit in a few good long walks, popped into a few shops; at home, I wrote some Christmas cards, knit and mended, read, sketched a bit, made bread and a big batch of muesli. . .
And this happened . . .
Such weather indubitably requires cozy clothing, right?
And these corduroy pants with their elastic waist and their pockets and their wide legs with the interesting cuffs are cozy. Especially when I wear them with a thick cashmere turtleneck.
And for heading out to the library? that coat, a felted wool hat I’ve had forever, my Blundstones,
and, always, a pair of gloves which I pulled on after I snapped the selfie. I can’t bear cold hands!
Full disclosure: the next two OOTDs (Outfits of the Day, in Social Media parlance ;-)) were worn on damp, cold days, some frost on the ground, but not yet any snow. . .
Another pair of corduroy pants with elasticated waist and pocket. Toddler chic, I’ve heard this called, and I am happy to embrace it. That coat, of course, and you can see my latest handknit sweater under it, layered over a white cotton turtleneck. The beret-with-a-twist was an impulse buy earlier this Fall — I couldn’t resist its whimsical shape nor its colour — which echoes my yellow boots nicely without matching them exactly. The fingerless wool gloves I picked up in Paris — they’re almost warm enough for a moderately cold day, although I still prefer a full wool-lined leather glove. (I told you: I’m a baby about cold hands!)
Same coat, boots, hat, etc., but jeans and that black turtleneck underneath . . .
But this week, Winter got pushy: Snow and temperatures at the freezing mark (colder with the windchill factored in). The kids loved it, of course; our in-town Seven and Ten, especially, were out sliding, and their Momma sent us photos and videos of rosy cheeks and big grins as plastic discs were ridden down hillsides, squeals all the way.
We had those same two here yesterday. It had got colder again outside, too cold for walks to appeal. Harder to entertain them inside the condo, but the Ten settled down with her new fountain pen (belated birthday gift from Nana) to draw contentedly and the Seven surprised and delighted me by requesting that I play Christmas carols for him to sing along with. And further surprised and delighted me by knowing all the words. To seemingly all the carols.
They helped their Granddad cut vegetables for their lunch of Power Bowls, and they helped me mix up a batch of cinnamon rolls. And 20 minutes after we set those rolls to rise, the power went out! (a car accident several blocks away apparently knocked out power to 1900 customers!) And stayed out. No lights, no heat, no Internet except by phone, and definitely no oven. So Granddad drove them home and hung out with them until Momma got home from work (I stayed home and had a nap. . . er, I mean, waited vigilantly for the electricity so that I could bake the goodies as soon as possible). The power came back just before he did, almost four hours later. You might have seen how well those cinnamon buns turned out — the kids haven’t been able to sample them yet, but they got the seal of approval from Granddad.
This morning, we woke to even more snow, and reports that SkyTrain wasn’t running, that flights and ferries are cancelled, and that we’re all asked to keep cars off the road and stay home if that’s at all possible (see my view of this morning’s snow on Instagram.
So I’m going to hunker down with the last pages of a very good book — Minette Walters’ The Swift and the Harrier (I’ll tell you more in my December book report, in this space by mid-January; meanwhile, if you’re looking for reading recommendations, check out the Reading box at the top of the Home page here) — and when I’m done that, I’m going to make grocery lists for the tourtières I have to make for Christmas Eve at my sister’s and Christmas trifle at our daughter’s (I’d planned to bring the Christmas pudding I’d made and Paul was going to flame it with brandy, serve it with brandy butter and/or ice cream . . . but nope, she requested I make a trifle and since she’s hosting and cooking Christmas dinner for 13 of us, I will honour that request — you know how it goes!)
And we’re spending the day with the same Seven and Ten tomorrow; a Four and another Seven arrive with their parents on Thursday; and that’s us launched right into Christmas . . . Apparently, we’ll have sunny, cold days and perhaps another light snowfall through the rest of the week, with warming and probably rain on Christmas Day (a Wet Christmas rather than a White Christmas!)
So I’m bringing out my “serious coat” — which is more whimsical or romantic or dramatic (a little bit Little Women; a little bit steampunk, I’ve been told) than you might imagine a serious coat could be. . . But this one keeps me as warm and dry as I need to be whenever we have serious weather. That collar zips up to the neck; the top is a blend of felted wool and some kind of technical material; the “skirt” also made of technical, weatherproof fabric, and the zipper up the middle is a two-way zipper. Inside the zippered pockets you can see at my hip, there is the snuggliest fleece lining, and there’s also a (light, rain/snow resistant) hood. I love it!
And as you can see from this early post, I’ve worn it for over 15 years now. Read that post to see the best mixed metaphor I’ve ever heard describing any of my OOTDs. . . comes from my son-in-law one windy Christmas Eve one teen-ager ago (before my granddaughter was born, in other words, another era).
Through two coats, it seems, I’ve connected my time in Paris with my settling-in back home, and I’ve connected a Christmas Eve a decade-and-a-half ago with this Christmas season. And I’ve meandered through and past a bit of this and a bit of that. I won’t be posting again until the New Year (unless, perhaps, I find time to put together links to earlier Christmas posts), but I’m still posting on Instagram where my Advent Calendar of Paris Windows has a few days to go. As well I’ll probably post on IG sporadically through the lovely quiet week that closes out the year.
May you all find Joy and Peace, Festivity and Tranquility through this Christmas* season as we bring light to the darkness (without yet abandoning the calming quiet of the year’s longest nights).
*or whatever Feast or Special Day you observe; so many cultures and religions have found ways to mark the spiritual potential of the Winter Solstice
xo,
f
Merry Christmas, Frances. Totally love that non- serious-looking serious coat. That skirt… the zippers… love, love.
Except for cat sitting the two furry neighbours next door… we will be celebrating with just us two this year. No big family “do”… which suits me fine. Alone but not lonely. I’ve had enough family drama this fall. We have snow for skiing, and sufficient treats for hunkering by the fire with our books post- ski… so we’re all set.
Hope you and yours have a wonderful holiday. xo
Author
And I totally love your new green coat!
I’m happy to have so many of us together here at Christmas, but I could also be happy with a Christmas like yours. Skiing, treats, books by the fire, Enjoy!
Yikes! I do hope the weather out there settles down a bit in the next 48 hours or so before we arrive! It’s beastly cold here on the other side of the mountains, but the snow has stopped and the sun is shining.
Author
Beastly cold on our side of the mountains as well, but further north — my sister and husband in Northern BC were waiting for the thermometer to warm up to -30 before they’d take the dog for his walk! Way too cold for me but at least they can be sure the ice on the lake is safe 😉
We’ll be warming up by the end of the week and expect more precipitation on the weekend — and it’s the question of degrees, as you know, whether that falls as snow or rain. Crossed fingers . . .
Your. style and clothes are Too cool for school. Enjoy your blog very much. Have a wonderful holiday with your family.
Judy in Arizona.
Author
Wow, “Too cool for school” is high praise indeed 😉
Thanks for the kind words!
I love your “Ninja” coat, Frances. I flipped back to the 2010 blog for a closer look at all the details on it. It really is a work of art & a treasure ( I am a retired seamstress). Thank you for posting all the beautiful winter scenes, your OOTD pics and for taking the time to write a new blog during a busy Christmas season. Often a small detail from your OOTD will give me a new way to wear something from my closet. Wishing you and your family a wonderful time together.
Author
Thanks, Carolyn! You have an eye well-trained to see what went into a coat like this (by a Dutch company, Creenstone).
And I’m so pleased to know that you enjoy the blog!
That gun toting ninja coat is really something, and steampunk does come to mind in the best meaning of the word. (Speaking of steampunk, have you read the Parasol Protectorate Series?)
I love those cream colored corduroy pants and would love to find a pair like that. They look so comfy.
I have become a wimp about cold hands. It’s crept up on me over the last few years. I’ve noticed it earlier each fall when I head out for my walks. By this time of year, I’ve shunned gloves for mittens. Heavy duty mittens. I am currently wearing a pair of ski mittens that have gloves inside and I’ve been thinking that they need to be put away for plain mittens. There’s something about the glove separating my digits that keeps my fingers a little chilled.
I have been enjoying your advent calendar windows on Instagram, although I have missed a few. I need to go back and view them all.
The photo of snow-covered red berries (or are they decorative apples of some sort?) is lovely. It perfectly represents the season.
Enjoy your holiday preparations and your celebrations with your family and friends. Happy New Year! I look forward to your posts in 2023.
Author
Thanks, Dottie!
No, I haven’t read the Parasol Protectorate Series (not really my genre, but I’ll have to ask my nephew about it)
The cord pants are by a small Danish company, McVerdi (my favourite local shop carries them) — they’re as comfy as pjs!
I hear you on the preference for mittens when it comes to real warmth — luckily, my climate doesn’t have too many days that demand that.
Those are red berries — I loved the image of them with the green leaves and snow. Glad you do as well.
You look great in your coats & hats . Hats make me look so gormless ! I like the look of fingerless gloves too but , like Dottie , it has to be mittens for me now when it’s really cold . We are just we two on Christmas Day for a change & will be spending it like Sue – no skiing though , just walking . Joining family on Boxing Day . Hope you enjoy your family get togethers & have a very merry Christmas.
Author
Ha! I love that you used one of my dad’s favourite words, “gormless.” I scarcely ever hear it now that he’s gone.
I’m never sure about hats on me, but Paul says that I suit them and now you as well, thanks! For me the problem is that they flatten the curls they cover and the ones below get even springier if it’s damp — so that taking the hat off can often reveal a funny-looking effect.
I think there’s much to recommend a quiet Christmas Day — enjoy!
Hello Frances – a long time since I’ve commented tho I have been a regular reader. Somehow I’ve become more Instagram than blog. But popping in to say how much I love your styling in this post. Perhaps all the more so since I never “dress up” at the moment – 3 years of house renovating doesn’t lend itself to that! The first photo immediately made me think of “street style” blogs, such as The Sartorialist https://www.thesartorialist.com/category/women/?tag=paris
I am now coveting a pair or corduroy trousers like yours. Some serious searching online in the New Year sales, I think.
Likewise wishing you Joy in this midwinter season.
We may be passing through Vancouver in the next 18 months, en route to NZ to see our daughter. Will let you know if that’s the case in the hope of meeting this time!
Author
I’m glad to see you here, Linda, but I know what you mean about IG — it’s so much easier (although they’ve really mucked it up lately, imho!)
I mentioned in my comment to Dottie that those cords are by a small Danish company, McVerdi. I imagine there must be stockists closer to you.
It would be fun to meet up, should that work out. Do let me know. . .
that second coat is wonderful. Here in New York it is getting colder as Christmas approaches. managing to get a few walks in but it is supposed to be single digits over the next few days so may have to be content with inside activities. The zoo does a holiday light show which I planned to go to tomorrow with my daughter but that may be on hold. altogether a different holiday this year, what with family being away. I do look forward to New years Eve when we will all get together. wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas and New Year.
Author
You get much colder temperatures than we do, and I’d be staying home too if I were you! I hope you didn’t have to miss your light show — or that, if you did, you had a pleasant evening home with a good book! (honestly, my first choice 😉
I love your gold beret and the semi-matching boots – they are of rays of sunshine! I’ve really enjoyed reading your blog since I found it a couple of months ago, and want to thank you for the great posts, and wish you very Happy Holidays.
Author
Thanks for the kind and encouraging posts, Donna! I’m glad you found your way here.
Lovely outfits Frances!
I didn’t know about toddler chic but I love corduroy pants (Mine are winter white/ beige-y and brown ones now) -yours look so cozy and plush
Your “The coat” is so special and you are apsolutely ready for all kind of situations
One of our best young pianists,Aljosa Jurinic,lives now in Canada. I went to his concert last summer, when he was in Zagreb,love him very much
Joyful,merry and peaceful Christmas!
Happy holidays!
Dottoressa
Author
I just looked your pianist up and it turns out I missed a chance to see him (performing an impressive program) here in Vancouver this past spring. I’ll have to watch carefully for a future appearance. Happy New Year! (well, almost 😉
Happy New Year!
Actually here🤗
Aljoša is excellent pianist and a wonderful young man (and a big fan of various quizzes)
D.
an excellent pianist,sorry
D.
Frances I find those elastic waist corduroys completely brilliant! I hope you have a wonderful 2023 <3