I bought this sweatshirt (by Leon and Harper, the label whispers Hello I Love You Can You Tell Me Your Name each time I shrug my head through it) in Paris last month (total coup de foudre!), but our weather since we’ve been back has (unusually for June-July here) not been cool enough to coax it out of the drawer. But as we packed for our getaway last week, the forecast was for at least one overcast day and even the possibility of rain.
Honestly, we get so much rain here on the West Coast that you wouldn’t think I’d be excited about it, but the slightest dampening of the forest fires which have evacuated so many in our province was very welcome. Gardeners were sure to be happy with some rain along with anyone thinking about those salmon trying to spawn upstream during a drought. And yes, some of us are superficial enough to be pleased because cooler temps and a dripping sky means breaking out the new sweatshirt.
Pictured here in a hotel mirror selfie, closeup below so that you can see the graphic (which includes embroidery and beadwork). The collar underneath the sweatshirt is attached to a J Crew cotton popover (in case the weather warmed); the white jeans are last year’s (a brand I’d never heard of, called One Teaspoon); and the golden Onitsuka Tiger sneakers you might be getting tired of seeing here. . .
It’s back in the drawer again, and I’m not sad about the returned and continuing sunshine, although I must admit I’m getting anxious. The rain we got last week wasn’t significant enough to help fill reservoirs and definitely not enough to put out big fires, and there’s none at all in the forecast for at least the next week. . . .
Heading into a weekend, though, I’m embracing the good weather, and planning a few activities to take advantage of it. For now, I’m sneaking in a few more photos taken at that island retreat last week. Hope you don’t mind too much — I did try to balance the profusion of outdoor photos with those What I Wore shots. . .
 |
| Somehow, I hadn’t realised until now how sweetly, gently pink a Queen Anne’s lace flower is before it opens to white. Pretty as it is, however, it’s an Invasive plant here. . . |
 |
| I love the sandstone as it’s been sculpted by water — this tidal pool carved at the top of this domed rock (see below), for example |
Back in the garden, at the retreat centre, this gorgeous cabbage — truly, as beautiful as any rose for texture, shape, colours, if not for fragrance. . .
And let’s say good-bye with daisies today. . . . Frankly, they’re way down the list of flowers I’d choose for my own garden (I don’t like their fragrance, which is slight, but unpleasant to my nose), and they can get sloppy too quickly. But if you’re looking for a floral expression of “Cheery,” Daisies do the trick.
So these daisies and I wish you all a cheery weekend. . . Comments, as always, very welcome. And if anyone is thinking they might volunteer their garden for a future post in that Series I hope to continue, please let me know by email to fsproutATgmailDOTcom. . .
What a great looking sweatshirt, especially with the popped collar underneath. Rain would be more than welcome! You captured some lovely vignettes of the island.
Instead of rain, apparently it's going to heat up this week! Yikes!
Yep love that sweatshirt. Fancy sweatshirts are the ultimate retirement gear IMO. Also that rock that has made itself into a basin (with water's help). Wonderful.
And this one is so light and drapey — you'd love wearing it!
Isn't that a clever rock? Or is it the water that's made a comfy container for itself?
Love the sweatshirt ! Would you mind sharing where in Paris you bought it? I'm always looking for new places to visit when I get to go over there.
I think it might have been on Rue Cherche-Midi, but I'm not sure. The shop might be called Hello I Love You. . . sorry, that's the best I can do. . . not too far from a La Fée Maraboutée shop; also nearby is an Anthology shop….
Thanks! There are some cute, quirky shops on Rue Cherche Midi. I've never bought anything at the two shops you mentioned, but I've done some fun browsing ! Maybe next trip …
Always a good read. Eye candy in your photos do stir my desire to grab the sketchbook and paints. A guaranteed smile at several points along the way , and I'm now ready for the weekend . You never disappoint. Love the outfit .
Thanks! So much eye candy out there if we just open our peepers, right?
I've been enjoying all the texture in your beach pictures! I wish some of the 3 inches and counting of rain we have had today was falling on your forest fires instead…..
ceci
Yes, it seems as if there are a few places that would happily switch weather with us — or we could switch weather with ourselves from only a couple of months ago — spread it out, please?! 😉
Your new sweatshirt is lovely and very special-we've had a two or three days of lower temperatures (about 25°C) and some rain,but it was only a little refreshment. This weekend will be very hot again although you could smell a faint hint of fall today,but we'll have to wait for September
I'm very sorry for the forest fires and evacuations,poor people. We had a lot of fires along the coast last month,too,even very near Split.
I've been once camping when fire started a couple of hundreds metres away,luckily during the day-we've run at once,but I could still imagine the fear
Your photos are very pensive and athmospheric
Dottoressa
It's terrifying being close to a forest/wildfire, isn't it? Even just the threat of it, as we felt on the island a few summers ago… Temperatures are supposed to climb to the low 30s here this week, and you know how I feel about that. Still, I should make the most of sunshine, because I'm sure eventually I'll be complaining about rain again. . . Hope you get a bit more, and soon.
I love a post that combines a new top, a great walk, and a lovely cabbage:) The sweatshirt is lovely, Frances. That's two wonderful sweatshirts you've found. I'm jealous. I've been looking for one for a year at least… I must be looking in all the wrong places.
Funny in reply to Lisa's comment above…when I saw your shirt…I thought, "I'll bet Lisa would love that."
When you put it like that — top, walk, and cabbage! — I can see that I've achieved an impressive trifecta! 😉
It's true, I'm really pleased with my two sweatshirts, both of which work better for my short-waistedness than the more classic cut and fabric used to.
Lisa? Are you listening? Susan knows you pretty well… 😉
Yes! I saw that:). We are all compadres in each other's style sometimes. xox.
Great outfit! I do hope for rain for you all because those fires are wretched. But, in the safety of the city, I hope you are able to enjoy the sunshine on your lovely terasse.
Thanks for the hope, at least — unfortunately, this being the summer of the big, noisy construction across the lane, the terrace-sitting (oh, terasse sounds so much more elegant, thank you!) has been rather limited….But I'm doing my best.
Catching up…I love your photos! Especially the textures of stone and metal and rust. And that stunning cabbage…
Great sweatshirt, and a label I need to keep an eye out for next time I'm in Paris. I picked up a t-shirt from them a couple of years back, and wore it frequently.
I hope you have some rain in the forecast to get some relief from all of the fires soon.
I remember you mentioning that t-shirt. It's a fun label, just enough. . .
I love your photos and your sweatshirt. The Daisies are pretty but not my thing. I have some at my new house, everyone admires them and I itch to pull them out. But I am practicing restraint….at least for the moment.
I think that restraint is the best approach for the first year or so, at least. But I'm with you re the daisies, even though I like their fresh appearance in other gardens.