M is for May – M is for Mother’s Day

One day to celebrate Mother’s Day?

A mother is essential to life, after all, none of us would be here without our mothers.

Mothers should have a whole month,
so I propose MAY to be MOTHERS MONTH!

My mom

M is for memories

I am grateful for my wonderful mother who loved me and raised me. She had a profound influence on me and I thank God for all the sweet memories I treasure!

Not only did she inspire me in fashion and grooming, taking care of myself, but she taught me lasting, important lessons in life; her words of wisdom pop up in my mind frequently.

I have her Bible which she has underlined and highlighted verses that encouraged her and that is a blessing for me!

She wrote wise sayings and nugets of truth in a little book for me, which I keep in my bedside table. It’s like a personal blog from my mom to me!

Many ways lead to Rome,
but only ONE WAY leads to Heaven,
Jesus Christ

As a mother myself of three children, I am blessed indeed! Motherhood is not without sacrifices and sometimes suffering, but I would not change it because the joy is worth it!

And the blessing of three grandchildren.

My grandchildren 2020

What I’m wearing for Mother’s Day, a pretty wrap dress with little cherries from Jean’s eco boutique – Pink Wheels, made in California.

Pink Wheels, made in California

One thing mothers have in common, whether humans or the animal variety: they love, nurture and protect their younguns!

Sometimes we learn from our mothers and sometimes we learn from our daughters. Jean has also been an important part of my style (choosing to buy from ethical companies and cruelty-free) and lifestyle (healthy, compassionate eating – vegan).

Thank you for stopping by, please come again anytime!

Black Watch Tartan Vest and Black Velvet Jeans

You don’t have to be Scottish wear Black Watch, it’s my favourite tartan and can be worn by anyone. The history of this popular tartan is interesting to know.

While shopping at JCPenney in Flagstaff, Arizona, I bought this quilted tatan vest and black velvet jeans. I was looking for black jeans, and velvet makes it even better!

They’ve been my go-to jeans this winter and into spring. Besides the fact that Spring takes her sweet time to arrive (actually, I think it’s Winter that keeps fighting with her) Spring in Ontario means one day pleasant and the next miserable.

Case in point, we enjoyed a taste of Spring in April and then BOOM! a furious wind and rain storm arrived two weeks ago and tossed one of our porch chairs into a beautiful large pot, knocking it over and smashing it into pieces!

Back to my outfit: I like that it’s casual and so comfortable, yet classy to wear for a luncheon with friends. The vest is perfect for layering with a coat to keep extra warm during cold winter days and just the thing in spring when I might not need a jacket but a vest will do the job.

A beret and booties always make me feel chic. My beret is thrifted and my booties are faux suede. Black long sleeve top is from Northern Reflections.

Do you wear vests?

Weather update: today started out cool and raining, and now the sun is shining and it feels like SPRING!

STYLE CHALLENGE: The traveling DVF dress

When Jean came to visit last year she brought this black and white Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress. We thought it would be fun for us to share it, so the dress traveled from Seattle to Southern Ontario and I enjoyed it for a few months and now it traveled back to Seattle for Jean to wear.

Jean tells where the story begins…

I thought I was dreaming when I found this Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress in a pile of giveaway items at a clothing swap. I quickly grabbed it and took it home without trying it on. Wrap dresses are versatile and forgiving. I figured that if I couldn’t wear it, my mom could. Luckily, it fits us both. Now we each have partial custody of the dress. Sharing our DVF dress has been fun, I enjoy styling it different ways and getting ideas from how my mom styles it.

For my first look, I went casual. I paired it with Ethletic fair-trade sneakers and a Three Dots cardigan. My trusty Crystalyn Kae tote holds so much, making this outfit great for running errands or brunching with friends. I think a jersey knit dress is just as comfortable as yoga pants and looks a lot more polished.

Next, I dressed it up – with a twist. I wore it backwards! I thought I’d have to layer with a tank or cardigan, but the back overlapped nicely into a V and didn’t show my bra straps. As much as I like the wrap front, I wanted to see it I could make this more of a crewneck. I think it worked. It also allowed me to play with different jewellery. I wore a chunky Lucite chain necklace and oversized silver cuff.

The DVF for Target collection launches this Saturday, and I know the prices will be good, but free and second-hand is even better! Plus, I won’t have to fight the crowds for what’s in store. If this dress is anything like the vintage two-piece from my Oma, it will be in the family for many years to come.

How carmen styled it for summer and winter

Thank you Jean for being my guest and thanks so much for sharing this classy and versatile DVF dress!

Can’t wait till the dress travels back to my town in Southern Ontario!

❤️ Jean and carmen

Read the story about when Jean met Diane Von Furstenberg in person!

Black and Gray Colorblock Dress

My birthday snuck up on me rather quickly this year. What to wear today?

I looked in my wardrobe and decided to wear this colorblock dress that I bought in Gold Canyon, Arizona on our December holiday. If you read my last post, you’ll see what I wrote, that I didn’t buy anything in Las Vegas.

That’s true.

However, I did buy several things in Arizona, after all, I like to help the economy. And when you find an Anne Klein dress on sale for $20 (normally $120) how can you pass by and leave it on the rack?

I got this hat at a thrift shop several years ago and it just happens to go with the dress. Heart earrings are new from Arizona and I’ve had the heart necklace for a long time.

We enjoyed going to church this morning with our youngest son and in the afternoon a little stroll on Princes Street in our town. There are lovely, century-old Victorian houses. This heart-shaped purse was a gift from my daughter Jean in 2012.

No snow in February here in Southern Ontario is unusual and I was able to take my coat off for the photoshoot.

A little pattern mixing with this eternity heart scarf from my scarf collection adds warmth as well as style. I seem to be obsessed with scarves like some women collect shoes. How about you?

A Day in Las Vegas

Las Vegas was not our destination but it was part of the journey of our family vacation in Arizona. Our oldest son had made all the arrangemens and booked our flight from Toronto to Las Vegas where we would rent a car and begin our holiday to the various places he planned for us to see.

Since our first stop was Las Vegas, we stayed in a beautiful Airbnb for two nights so that we could experience one day in the city before continuing our road trip to Arizona.

It was a lovely neighbourhood: gorgeous Spanish style homes and towering palm trees, a city surrounded by majestic mountains, blue skies and sunshine. Totally different from where we live in Ontario and more beautiful than I had ever imagined.

We drove through the city and admired all the buildings and architecture. Meandered through North Premium outdoor shopping mall, I didn’t buy anything. No, seriously, nothing, nada! I was there for the sights and enjoyed every minute, every hour but a day goes by too fast!

Did you know there are automobile vending machines? Now you know. I had never seen one or even known that such a thing exsists.

Downtown by night with all the lights and people was amusing and we definitely hope to go again someday.

The next morning it was time to hit the road for another adventure, but first, breakfast on the patio–coffee and chocolate hummus on toast.

Knowing that this holiday was all about exploring nature and outdoor adventures, I chose sporty and casual outfits: blue, white and jeans. That way I could mix and match easily with a minimal amount of clothes that fit into my little route 66 carryon suitcase. All of our Airbnbs had washers and driers which was very handy.

Have you been to Las Vegas?

Joy to the World!

What a fabulous adventure in Nevada and Arizona during the Christmas season! I packed my Route 66 suitcase and wore this funky, thrifted coat made in Canada.

The highlight was seeing the spectacular Grand Canyon for the first time in my life! This wondrous sight of God’s creation was breathtaking! No camera can capture this magnificence!

It was a family vacation with our oldest son planning and organizing our trip for seven of us: including booking the flights, car rentals, accommodations in beautiful Airbnbs, and the sights we would see and places we would go to.

First stop was Las Vegas, but that’s another story.

On our way to Flagstaff, we stopped to see the amazing Hoover Dam on the border of Nevada and Arizona.

It was truly sad to know that over 100 men died during the construction which took 5 years to complete.

My husband and I rented our car at Flagstaff Enterprise: wonderful service and a friendly, helpful manager (Jordan left) and staff. Love their festive Christmas sweaters!

Next destination was Sedona surrounded by red rock mountains. The scenic drive was unforgettable! A must-see in Arizona.

We stopped at a coffee shop in this unique historic town and met Marika at the Wayside Bible Chapel.

We enjoyed a hike around Watson Lake near Prescott with large, rounded granite boulders and then drove on to Gold Canyon for a couple of days.

A leisurely hike up the mountain at Gold Canyon was exhilarating. The view was fantastic with glorious sunsets!

Always time for a little shopping…

We had a fabulous few days in Tucson. The drive to Tombstone was worth it and we had the opportunity to watch a live reenactment of Wyatt Earp, his brothers and Doc Holiday fighting the bad guys. I like how the town still feels like the days of the wild west.

Our final aventure, before heading home, was a wonderful 7 mile drive through part of the Saguaro National Park (500 square miles of desert). Saguaros are the largest cactuses in the United States. So huge, much larger than I ever imagined, some are 3 and 4 stories high, weighing up to 5 thousand pounds and can exceed 150 years!

Two exciting weeks!

🎄 Home for Christmas 🎄

Just in time to send Christmas blessings of peace and joy!

Wishing you all a blessed and wonderful New Year!

Have you been to any of these places?

Brand New Day and a New Haircut

Isn’t is good to know we have a brand new day every morning?! We don’t need to wait for New Year’s Day to start fresh!

We have all experienced disappointments, mistakes and disasters of sorts. It would be pretty difficult–actually impossible–to live a life free of any obstacles.

On this new day, I choose to put yesterday where it belongs…in the past–and focus on today which is a new day, to live in the present.

To quote my dance partner in our recent event, “The magic is in the moment.”

What a delight that my daughter Jean came to visit, so many memories to treasure!

Jean’s outfit

Sweater: Elegantees – ethically-made
Pants: Luna by Karina Potista
Shoes: non leather by Dr. Scholl’s

Carmen’s outfit

Burgundy jacket: faux suede (thrifted)
Black pants: faux suede and faux leather (gifted)
Purse: Canadian company Jeane & Jax, non leather from Drizzle and Shine, Seattle
Burgundy booties: non leather (thrifted)

Wishing everyone a brand new day everyday!

Pink is always a good idea 💗

Pink isn’t just for springtime. It’s a pretty colour and always fun to wear anytime! At first, I thought monochromatic pink might look boring, but I sure got some lovely compliments wearing this outfit.

Made in Italy but bought in different countries.

Pink jacket–made in Italy (bought in Washington, USA)
White blouse–made in Italy (bought in Germany)
Pink pants–made in Italy (bought in Ontario, Canada)

This is the first time wearing this monochromatic ensemble as you see it. I’ve worn each item many times but never in this combination. Fashion is fun when you can create various looks with what you have in your closet.

Do you like monochromatic outfits?

I’m tickled pink (pun intended) to be featured on

World News 4 Fashion over 50

One day in early autumn …

Autumn is a pleasant season yet there’s a certain sadness as the days get shorter and the leaves begin their dance to the ground. The chill in the evenings which definitely means that summer is gone.

Still there’s much to enjoy before winter arrives. It’s a lovely time to meander through the forest with the sound of crunching leaves, to breathe the fresh fragrance of the pines is invigorating.

A time to sroll along the lakeside without a single soul insight because all the tourists have gone back to the city and children are in school.

Looking up to the clear blue skies filled with seagulls–I love the sound of them and the waves.

I wore my cozy new jacket (preloved, but new for me) and paired it with these gray floral jeans I’ve had for ages. The gray sneakers were thrifted several years ago, making this another SLOW fashion outfit.

The joys of Autumn

• hikes in the forest
• colourful leaves
• walks along the beach
• bonfires on the beach (or backyard)
• hot chocolate made with almond milk
• hot apple cider
• hearty homemade soups
• cozy blankets
• fireside evenings
• pumpkins
• decorating for fall
• and best of all…thanksgiving (in Canada)

Every day is a good time to be thankful!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Time to say goodbye

Once again, it’s time to say farewell to Summer. I love her long, sunny days and warm, starry nights–her gentle breeze that caress my face–her tender kisses at sunset. I enjoy the fruit she bears and the taste of her sweet strawberries.

I miss her already and long for the day she returns; I wait impatiently. Summer’s pleasant memories will linger in my mind and bring a smile to my heart during the cold winter months.

I’d love to follow her as she travels south. Alas! I must stay here and dream of her.

Summer began with a request to do a barn dance; everyone had a good time, whether dancing or watching the fun. It’s always a pleasure to be asked to lead dances for happy occasions and summer parties!

I wore one of my favourite lacy tops that Jodie gave me and paired it with my white cropped jeans.

We had plenty of opportunities to dance at the gazebo in the park and at the Beach Pavilion with The Lighthouse Swing Band and we had a fabulous time dancing in Port Elgin with the Canadian Big Band! It’s always extra special to dance with a live band playing!

Garden parties are happy gatherings where we can enjoy the company of friends and family. Ever since we moved to this beach town, we’ve been working on our patio and garden to have a welcoming ambience for our guests. A bonfire after our last dance in the park for the season was relaxing.

Daisies have always been my favourite flowers, I remember making daisy crowns when I was a little girl. I was happy to find daisy sunglasses. The daisy cushion is from Germany.

Going to the beach is all part of the fun of summer living in Kincardine. Some mornings we go there for a picnic breakfast. In the evenings we walk along the sandy shores and watch the sunset.

What memories have you made this summer?