Chanel and shopping...

Lovely daughter in law and I tripped the light fantastic and went to the shopping mall to buy some Christmas clothes and toys for the adorable Miss Isla, grand baby extraordinaire.

Our expedition started out at Starbucks for some yuletide lattes...

We found many cute things for her at The Gap
and then we traipsed into the big toy store...
Toys R Us and found a couple of board books and an educational toy.

We also checked out some boots, shoes and lingerie at The Bay...
our very own Canadian store which has been sold to an American conglomerate!

I found some new lip gloss from Chanel...

Rouge Allure Extrait De Gloss

#517  Triomphal

which is

A Limited Edition Christmas Colour.

Rouge Allure Laque

#74 Dynastie

I sat on a tall chair which I had to jump up onto

(I am height challenged so lovely DIL asked if I needed a boost!)

I managed on my own however it was a very ungracious looking move

as I was

laden down with parcels and bundled up in my Burberry quilted coat.

Perched on the chair I was there for all to see as the cosmetician tried several shades

( I think several passers by were very amused!)

after testing, swapping and swiping

we decided on two new colours...

Dynastie is for daytime

the Triomphal is bolder and richer 

perfect for nighttime.

The super glossy one is a bit of a change for me

but it catches the light and will look good in the evening.

Lily was the name of the gal at the counter...

 she added some samples of Chanel No.19 

which is a grassy lighter green scent.

Quite a departure from Mother's signature scent Chanel No. 5.

We were home in time for me to wrap the presents.

This year I have vowed to wrap as I buy...

don't really know why I just feel like it.

Last week I bought Michael Buble's Christmas CD and he does have me in the spirit already!

It's the eve of the weekend here and I hope that your weekend is a dreamy one...

If you are shopping Black Friday Sales

be careful of those bargain hunters

I read in the paper that they can be dangerous.

I'll be posting my Christmas fruitcake soon so stay tuned!

Happy Thanksgiving !

Happy Thanksgiving!

In the US it's Thanksgiving and there will be families and friends gathered together to share in celebrations.
There might be a turkey and the traditional dishes on the menu
or possibly it will be a vegetarian or vegan feast.
It may be simple fare or a gourmet dinner.

You'll probably be dining inside in a heated home,
you might be the hostess or a guest.

Hunger is a something you might never know...
there will be food banks giving out groceries
and organized dinners provided by dedicated volunteers
feeding the homeless and those down on their luck.

Our simple table set for Thanksgiving last year.

However you celebrate I hope that you have an enjoyable day thinking thoughts of gratitude.

You could be volunteering in your community helping the under privileged,
even digging deep into your pockets to help
share some food with someone who is less fortunate.

It is always better to give than to receive....

Walking in the rain...

The skies opened up with torrents of rain...
the streets slippery with liquid sunshine
booted and clad in rain gear
I venture forth...
with trepidation...

fallen leaves

slick streets

red leafed boulevards

heritage trees clad in autumnal coats

with sturdy gnarly trunks....

granite and lichen

complimenting each other...

fence and leaves 

harmony perchance?

the road rising up ahead...

May the road rise up to meet you.

May the wind be always at your back.

May the sun shine warm upon your face;

the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,

may God hold you in the palm of His hand.

traditional gaelic blessing

berries along the way...

a decaf low fat latte as a reward... 

a port in the storm

the village coffee shop

a respite from the elements that nature has shared with us today...

time to dry out

before embarking on the watery walk back home!

Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet.  

~Roger Miller

Blogger meets Blogger!

I got to meet a blogger face to face!
We arranged to meet up at the local Value village store.

Sheila from Ephemera is a fashion blogger who posts most every day what she wears and she has been doing this since 2008! She has great taste in clothing and likes to wear bright and bold colours. She definitely has, what I call,
"the fashion gene."

Sheila with her Saks Fifth Avenue skirt!

Sheila wore some really great stockings!

Charcoal Hue tights and Joe boots 

for the "Sturdy Girl Hostess."

We were in the VV Boutique for about 2 hours scouring the racks. Sheila wears a much smaller size than I do so we browsed the racks in the same areas in tandem...sweaters, dresses, shoes, skirts...I found a skirt by Desigual for her to try and she bought it!

I spent $83.93 and came home with some great loot!

It's Saks Fifth Avenue for the Hostess too!

I like the details 

good quality, great fit, soft knit

and it's that shade of grey

that makes my heart flutter.

this looks great on but has no hanger appeal 

and it needs to be steamed to get rid of those wrinkles

I'll wear this with a white long sleeved T shirt.

a hat 

$14.99

handbag in ostrich leather

I wished that the Liz printed sweater had worked for me 

Sheila found that one but even though it was tagged at medium I was swimming in it!

It must have been mis-labelled :)

Cecconi Piero from Italy

earrings with a tribal vibe

Sheila has Blogger cards...

such a nice touch.

Thank you Sheila I had a great afternoon!

P.S. If you are doing the math I bought a few other small items one of which will be a Christmas gift!

My latest "mud pie"...

It's been quite awhile since I have had the urge to play with my paints...
one cannot create unless the mood is right.

How does one know when the time is ripe?

Not sure but there were some things going on and maybe they had something to do with it...
4 loads of laundry needed washing
it was windy and rainy outside
a steaming mug of hot tea was in my hand
Pepper was chasing her catnip mouse
the house was quiet
I was alone
the music on the radio tuned to CBC 2 was upbeat

I needed to be downstairs in reno-ville to access the washer and dryer
and my hobby room is downstairs next to the guest room...
which both are full of things that had to be removed from the areas that are "under construction"

I will not bore you with all the details but it is a mess down here!

Patience, patience....
it will be lovely when it's done.

Mud pie painting is done for fun.
It's that simple.
Like those early kindergarten days
standing at the easel staring at the blank paper
wearing one of my father's old shirts worn backwards with the sleeves rolled up
all students brought painting smocks and their father's cast off shirts were the usual choices...

the teacher bending close to my ear and whispering
"you can do it Leslie, just wet your brush and dip it in the paint"
I was cautious and afraid of making a mess...
well no more
I love to let the brush ebb and flow over the canvas

I've cut off the right side a wee bit but you get the idea.

Gosh I look serious

actually not the most flattering of photos 

trying to take ones own photo is a challenge

hitting delete might have been the best course of action

but hey I aim for honesty so here it is...

My hair now has a few layers

the new hairdresser thought I needed some to take advantage of the natural wave and I am in her capable hands until Chris gets better.

She has had the surgery,

and is undergoing chemotherapy...

I took Mother to the hospital for a test 

as we were walking in the crosswalk to the parking lot

I saw Chris in her car and I ran over and gave her a hug and a kiss...

oops!

I left Mother standing on her own in the crosswalk

sorry Mom!

She was in no danger 

as Chris's car was the one that was stopped at the intersection.

I completely forgot myself in the excitement of seeing Chris.

Gotta love spontaneity!