Autumn Bliss

Autumn is whispering through the trees, gently but persistently, reminding me that summer is only a memory now.

Usually, I write an Autumn Lament at this time of year, but I’m going to reverse it this time. You see, I don’t actually have anything against autumn per se. In fact, I really do love autumn: Thanksgiving, harvest, colourful leaves and fresh, crisp air, walks in the woods and pumpkin patches, picking apples on an orchard, hay rides and sunflower fields, and the aroma of apple crisp baking in the oven. Time to make hearty soups, delicious vegetable stews.

So why am I always feeling a little melancholy? It’s not just because I can’t wear my summer clothes anymore; it’s not just because the days are getting shorter. But it means winter will be next and that is the season I dread more than the dentist. Winter always overstays its welcome.

But for now, I’ll enjoy the good things I mentioned about autumn and wear my new autumn clothes. My first sweater for the season: a beige, high-low, knit pullover with large grommets and laces at both sides. Worn with my white cargo pants keeps things light and cheerful. My necklace was a gift from my husband for our anniversary.

House for Sale

I’m sitting on a roof patio of a gorgeous new house. Take a peek inside this futuristic home, a blend of ultra-modern and old-fashioned charm!

 

What do you like about autumn?

Happy October!

 

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Summer Magic

Summer has left us once again, but has given us many happy  memories to cherish.

My BEST surprise when my daughter Jean came to visit in June.

Canada Day with our grandchildren.

Car shows with my family

Visitors from Germany, it was wonderful seeing my cousin Ingo and his family.

Maple Syrup Museum

Dancing in the park every month and crashing weddings! Actually it was the Bride and Groom who came out of the pavilion to join us when they saw us dancing, which happened on two occasions. What a delight to celebrate their special day with them!

These guests wore matching Pac-Man outfits, so cute!

My granddaughter is a dancer too.

My grandson’s first drive in my car (in an empty parking lot).

My youngest son’s (yellow shirt) Company Picnic in Victoria Park.

Dinner in the woods at a trailer park with friends.

We enjoyed going to Lake Huron and Lake Erie several times this summer and taking our grandchildren swimming at Kiwanis Park.

Fun times at our neighbour’s pool.

Enjoying Barn Dances at Marilyn’s with a different theme every month.

Flower Power ’60s – Maggie and me

Hawaiian Party

And there’s always time for our grandchildren!

Summertime is magical!

 ❤ carmen

Fifteen Favourites for Summer

Five favourite casual outfits for summer

Peep toe shoes from Jean’s eco boutique Drizzle and Shine

Five favourite summer tops

Top from Jean’s eco boutique Drizzle and Shine

Mesh top from Jodie

Five favourite summer dresses

Thank you Terri for featuring me in Dress of the Week

Red dress from my dear cousin Marion

Looking back, it was a warm and fashionable summer filled with happy days of sunshine and flowers!

As usual, summer is too short to wear all my summer clothes.

Goodbye Summer! I miss you already and can’t wait till I see you again!

 

Turquoise and White for the Beach

It rained the last time we went to the lake earlier this month, so we decided to go again on a sunny day. Turquoise and white is cool for the beach. I wore my daisy sunglasses that I found at a thrift shop recently!

Wiggins wanted to go to the beach and wore his little red and white striped bathing suit. Wiggins was born in Germany in the Steiff factory. He travelled to Florida where he became famous and was featured in a Teddy Bear magazine. Then he was off to Seattle to spend some time with Jean before immigrating to Canada. Now he lives with me.

An elderly gentleman on the beach asked if he was Paddington. Wiggins was flattered because Paddington is one of his favourite movie stars, a real celebrity in bear circles.

Here’s Dempster sunbathing on his favourite ladybug beach towel. He was too shy to go bear naked and he doesn’t have a bathing suit. However, he did enjoy soaking up some sunshine and didn’t forget his sunscreen. Dempster is Canadian, born right here in Ontario in the workshop of Lorraine Chien, teddy bear artist. Her creations are lovable and I have been to her home several times to adopt new bears.

Both bears are excited to be in my blog and are hoping for some likes and nice comments. 🙂

Walking along the beach at sunset is refreshing for the soul and rejuvenating for the body!

 

The Big Yellow House

I pass by this 19th century Victorian house on my way to work every Tuesday and Thursday. So when I saw the FOR SALE sign, naturally, I was intrigued and wanted to see what it looked like inside. It’s the sort of house you imagine stepping back in time and entertaining your guests with a garden party on a hot summer afternoon, serving lemonade and fancy little sandwiches. My mom used to live right around the corner.

The Garden Party

A spacious back yard with a patio and hot tub, something you wouldn’t have seen a hundred years ago.

back porch

Welcome and take a peek inside this gorgeous home.

It’s been beautifully renovated and updated, yet they have kept the charm of the time period. The owners have exquisite taste and I absolutely love this house!

Come on upstairs …

One more flight up to a huge fantastic master bedroom.

Unfortunately, the cellar is like a dungeon which is typical in most of these century-old houses, something I don’t like at all.

OPEN HOUSE Sunday!

Drop by if you’re in the area.

310 Queen Street, Cambridge, Ontario

❤ carmen

 

In the Mood for Mauve

Nostalgia has a big influence on why I’m drawn to certain clothes. My bedroom was mauve when I was a teenager. I had a bedspread with mauve roses. Mauve, lavender, lilac, violet–these pale shades of purple bring back happy memories of my younger years. That’s why I fell in love with this tunic.

It’s a high-low style with a chiffon yolk and hem to give it a layered look. I paired it with my mauve and dusty rose floral jeans. I’ve had these mauve flats for over  10 years, comfortable and perfect for a stroll in the park.

Rockway Gardens

Rockway Gardens is an amazing park in the heart of our city, managed by the Kitchener Horticultural Society. There are so many picture-perfect backdrops for photoshoots. People take photos for various occasions: everything from weddings to photos with their dogs.

I’ve lived in Kitchener since 1979 and I’ve been blogging for almost seven years, yet this is the first time we’ve gone there for a photoshoot! I had to wait my turn at the pedestrian bridge while someone had a professional photographer take pictures of their dog.

There’s so much more to see, so we’ll go back again soon to enjoy the ambience of this beautiful park!

Colours affect our mood and mauve is one of those tranquil shades that makes me feel happy.

Wishing you a happy day! 

 

Twice as Nice: shawls in beach colours

I bought these shawls in two colours. One is sandy beige that I wore over black and added turquoise jewellery.

This sea-breeze blue one worn over white makes a totally different look. My tank top has fake pearls, so I went a little crazy and added more pearl jewellery.

Both colours remind me of the beach.

We made a last minute decision to go to the beach on a sizzling hot afternoon this week, only to arrive when it started to rain. It was too windy and drizzly for photos on the beach.

Every time we go to Port Dover I get sidetracked with a little shopping, in fact, the necklace I’m wearing with the beige shawl is from Grand Trunk Station purchased last time we were in Port Dover. Grand Trunk Station has lovely beach decor for a lake house, cottage and home.

Happy Friday!

Thanks for stopping by!

❤ carmen

 

White Bell Sleeve Cardigan and a Pop of Orange

I’m feeling the same joy as when peplum made its debut on the fashion scene–bell sleeves are so feminine and I’ve bought several tops this summer including this lovely white cardigan.

Shopping malls and restaurants always have air-conditioning, so it’s a perfect summer cardigan. Evenings can get cool, especially now that it’s September.

I’ve added a pop of orange, a top I bought several years ago and I always wear it with white. I never wore orange before I started blogging, but since then I’ve got quite a few things in various shades from peachy-pink, salmon and coral to vibrant tangerine, pumpkin and burnt orange.

My collection started when I saw this bell-sleeve dress at Jean’s eco boutique DRIZZLE and SHINE.

Have a lovely Labour Day weekend!

Happy September dear friends!

❤ click the photo and see what happens ❤

❤ carmen

Whistle River: Shenandoah Tapestry Jacket

You’ll notice a new widget on my sidebar. I’m so pleased to be an affiliate of Whistle River Trading Company, quality women’s apparel made in Guatemala.

This beautiful tapestry jacket is lightweight and machine washable. I fell in love with the wildflowers and it’s the perfect little jacket to add elegance to jeans. It’s a classic style and very comfortable. The quality of the fabric and workmanship is superb!

Whistle River Trading is an ethical company

“We believe in Quality. We take pride in everything we do. Starting with only the finest materials, we work with our family of skilled artisans to bring you our very best products and our very best service. Every day.”

“We believe in Integrity.  We always strive to do what’s right. We honor our commitments and stand behind our products. If you’re not completely satisfied, you can easily return your order for a full refund or exchange.”

“We believe in Loyalty. To people and their families, not quarterly profit. We provide a safe and pleasant working environment, we pay competitive wages, and we believe that everyone should be treated with respect.”

We had a rainy day this weekend and things cooled off enough to wear this lightweight jacket. It will be great for layering in the fall, I’ll able to wear a sweater underneath. With autumn approaching, flowers will fade as leaves fall, but these pretty wildflowers will never wilt. And after the long cold winter, this floral jacket will be perfect for springtime!

“Our company was founded in 1996 by a second-generation veteran of the apparel industry, with our headquarters and fulfillment center in the small town of Moundville, Alabama. Each of our products is crafted in our own factory in Guatemala by our team of experienced artisans, who have spent years developing and honing their skills.”

“We Make Shopping Easy – so give us a try!”

“Everything ships for FREE, every day!  Don’t love it?  Send it back for FREE and get a 100% Refund!”

Happy shopping!

❤ carmen

Linkup: VISIBLE MONDAY TURNING HEADS TUESDAY

Road Trip: Elora

Since we are not going away for our holidays this summer, that means we’ve been doing road trips and this time we took a country drive to the charming little town of Elora. It’s a tourist town with a river view.

We usually park before we get into town and then walk across the bridge. We often take our grandchildren as we did this time.

I bought a new rug for our entrance way (made in Belgium).

It’s always a delight at this time of year with flowers everywhere. Glad I decided to wear my maxi floral wrap dress. It’s cooler than wearing pants or capris. The wonderful thing about dresses is that you don’t have to find something that matches, just add accessories and shoes and you’re good to go.

If the shoe fits!

I bought these cute pink sandals online (my first time buying footwear online). I always need to try on shoes to see how they fit and feel because I don’t always wear the same size, depending on the manufacturer. These are non-leather with little zippers at the back and very comfortable. I walked all afternoon without any pain.

Hope you’re enjoying the summer of 2018, only 4 months till Christmas!

Have a fabulous Friday!