Category: Travel

Vacation Tales: Mayan Riviera, 2017, part 1

million dollar view
million dollar view

If you follow me on Instagram, then you know that I spent last week in sunny, warm, beautiful Playa del Carmen on the Mayan Riviera. This was my seventh trip to Mexico, and fourth to the Mayan Riviera, and it was one of my favourites, thanks in large part to the resort (the Paradisus Playa del Carmen La Esmeralda), which was fantastic. Since we were travelling with our kids (and another couple and their kids), we upgraded our all-inclusive package to the Family Concierge option, which came with a ton of extra perks that the kids loved (and for which we were grateful), like a personal butler (!!), in-room video games, and nightly turndown service with kid-friendly treats. We all had such a good time, and plenty of luck too — the weather was phenomenal all week, and the kids (narrowly) avoided any serious injuries despite their best efforts in that direction. We had such a good time, in fact, that adjusting back to real life at home has been a struggle this week. Post-all inclusive vacation buffet withdrawal is real, my friends.

Paradisus Playa del Carmen
Paradisus Playa del Carmen
morning glories, lush mangroves
morning glories, lush mangroves

But enough about that, let’s talk about clothes. I won’t bore you with the details of my packing, but suffice it to say that my focus was entirely on comfort and practicality. I basically lived in various maxi dresses (plus a couple of pairs of shorts and T-shirts) for a week. Except for my swimwear (more on that in a minute), everything was super old and, in fact, largely rescued from the “swap” pile at the 11th hour. These were all dresses I had previously “grown out of” (style-wise) but which turned out to be perfect for beach/resort wear. I thought I was being smart in chucking them, since they don’t fit my current everyday style, but now I’ve decided to keep them; I might only need them every 2-3 years, but they’re a natural micro-capsule and require only minimal storage space. Lesson learned.

Based on past experience, I knew I would need a set of clothes for the day (beach/pool loungewear) and one for the evening (dinner wear). In this case, since we were traveling with kids, I didn’t bother packing anything too fancy for the latter. I’ll talk about what I wore in the evenings in another post, so today I’ll focus on the daytime stuff.

muumu couture
muumu couture
groovy, baby
groovy, baby

This was one of two beach cover-ups I packed, and I wore it 4 out of the 7 days we spent at the resort. I probably could have worn it every day, since I didn’t end up getting it wet, but it was nice to have the two options. I like this type of dress as a cover-up because it’s easy to slip on and off, and the fabric is lightweight but wrinkle-proof. I can roll this into a ball at the bottom of my beach bag, and throw sand all over it, and it will still look fine the next day. As I mentioned above, the style is definitely a bit more boho than I’d normally wear but style wasn’t at the top of my priority list for this trip. [Most of the other women I saw at the resort also appeared to have prioritized casual comfort, which meant that I never felt under-dressed or out of place. There was one exception — a woman I saw on a couple of occasions who looked incredibly chic. I briefly wondered if she was a fashion blogger I should have recognized.]

beach life
beach life

I brought a bunch of swimwear options with me, but I only ended up wearing two of them: this Hot Water bikini in two colorways. They were fantastic — comfortable and flattering both on the top and bottom (which, on a small-chested pear shape, is no easy feat). I bought these bikinis at Winners on the eve of the trip, and they were a bargain at only $25 apiece. I only found them in the navy (above) and pink (below); otherwise, I would have bought them in other colours as well. I loved the pink the most, but wore the navy more often because it looked better against my, ahem, pasty porcelain complexion.

tan courtesy of Instagram filters
tan courtesy of Instagram filters

As you can see in the pictures above, my other must-have accessories were my $4 Old Navy flip-flops and my straw Panama hat from Aritzia. The hat I wore every day, from morning until early evening when the sun set. Together with my Biore sunscreen (applied twice a day, face only), it did a great job of keeping my face sunburn-free. After suffering the indignities of being exposed to salt and pool water, and then jammed into my carry-on luggage, it’s now rather worse for wear than before, but I am hopeful that it will regain its shape in time. If not, this is one piece I would definitely re-buy in a heartbeat. (I think Aritzia sells these every summer, and I believe for under $40.) As a pale-skinned redhead, finding a stylish sun hat has been a game changer, and this trip only confirmed it.

Stay tuned tomorrow for part 2 of my vacation recap.

There and Back, Summer 2016 Edition

Dress, Gabby Skye; jacket, Joe Fresh (thrifted); boots, Clarks; bag, Gucci
Dress, Gabby Skye; jacket, Joe Fresh (thrifted); boots, Clarks; bag, Gucci

After delays and setbacks, my husband and I finally got to run off to Calgary for what was supposed to be a 3-day, adults-only getaway. There’s been a lot going on lately, and I won’t lie — I needed this break, BADLY. And, naturally, I was pumped to get dressed without having to worry about being kid-activity-friendly. I thrifted this Gabby Skye dress last time I was in Calgary, and have been “saving” it for a fun occasion ever since. Since the weather was looking rather glum when we left Edmonton, I switched out the flats I had planned to wear for my new Clark’s booties (and tights). I wore this on the drive to Calgary, and then lunch, shopping, and a return visit to the Glenbow Museum. I felt cute and comfortable, which is always nice. The shoes, in particular, were a pleasant surprise – comfortable even after a fair bit of walking.

bag shot
bag shot
In Vacation Mode: OPI Puerta Vallarta Violeta
In Vacation Mode: OPI Puerta Vallarta Violeta

We visited the Glenbow Museum earlier this year with the kids, and I won’t lie by saying that a big reason why I wanted to make this adult-only roadtrip happen was to be able to go back and enjoy it in a more leisurely fashion. The Glenbow is the closely thing to the Victoria & Albert Museum (my favourite) I’ve ever visited on this side of the Commonwealth. The exhibits are so, so great – starting with the phenomenal Paul Hardy Kaleidoscopic Animalia exhibit:

amah-zing!
amah-zing!
my kind of tea party
my kind of tea party
I need that dress!
I need that dress!

After the museum, we wandered down Stephen Avenue and stopped in for some patio refreshments and people watching. The weather was pleasantly warm, and we found a nicely shaded spot, so it was lovely. We finished off the night with friends and some delicious pizza at famed local spot Tom’s House of Pizza.

hello, Calgary
hello, Calgary
Stephen Avenue - patio shot
Stephen Avenue – patio shot

On the second day, we headed out to the mountains – mostly because I needed to replenish my stock of the best fudge ever from a shop in Canmore. Because my husband was still not feeling 100%, we decided to avoid any strenuous hiking … or any hiking at all, really. Which was fine by me because I was there for the eating part anyway. Did I mention the fudge? Also, there are some terrific restaurants in Canmore. We basically spent the afternoon walking from one eating hole to the next. It was very relaxing. We also made a detour on the way to see Elbow Falls.

Top & jeans, Anthropologie; blazer, Topshop; shoes, Kelsi Dagger
Top & jeans, Anthropologie; blazer, Topshop; shoes, Kelsi Dagger
Elbow river
Elbow river
creepy head in Canmore
creepy head in Canmore

Later that day, we ended up driving back home because we got the news that one of kids had come down with a cold (and fever). I was sad to miss out on the extra alone time with my husband, but it was nice to see the kids and give them extra snuggles. As much as I look forward to these little trips without them, I end up spending a good chunk of the time wishing they were with us. What can I say, they’re kinda amazing.

Of course, since I’m fresh out of clothes, I did check out a few thrift stores earlier in our trip.

Jones New York dress
Jones New York dress

This dress was so close, you guys. A few years ago, I would have bought it without hesitation. It fit perfectly, buuuuut … the print was a little too much for me, now. I left it behind for someone else to discover and love.

Rag & Bone dress
Rag & Bone dress

This Rag & Bone dress, on the other hand, I couldn’t resist. It’s only the second time I’ve seen the brand at the thrift store, and I’ve been curious to try it. This dress is a bit more form-fitting and shorter than I like to wear at the office, so I’ll probably save it for date night, but we’ll see if it works … or if it ends up being a failed experiment blog shop listing.

Theory blazer; Postmark top; Maeve skirt
Theory blazer; Postmark top; Maeve skirt

These pieces are definite keepers. The Theory blazer is a perfect fit, and I’ve been looking for a classic cut navy blazer for a while. (My navy peplum blazer is great, but it’s definitely more of a statement piece than a wardrobe workhorse.) The Maeve skirt has that quirky Anthro aesthetic that’s still my kryptonite but it’s also a work-friendly silhouette, so it was an auto-buy. The top has a cute, contrasting panel/peplum detail, which you can’t see in the photo, and it’s probably too young for me, but for $5 I decided I had to #leavenoAnthrobehind.

On the way back to Edmonton, we drove through Olds, where I spotted this adorable thrift store … which was sadly closed. Next time!

next time, Funky Little Thrift Shop!
next time, Funky Little Thrift Shop!

See you next summer, Calgary!

Weekly serial reminder: New chapter is up now! Go check it out here.

Conference Style & Thrift

Last week, I went to Red Deer for a two-day work conference, and naturally that required me to over-think a bunch of outfits. I’m not going to pretend that this is any kind of travel capsule, because I made no special efforts to mix and match; I just wanted to feel (a) good in whatever I wore, (b) appropriate for the occasion. Ready to check out some horribly lit selfies? Well, alrighty then!

Blazer, Anthropologie (thrifted); top, J. Crew Factory; jeans, William Rast (thrifted); shoes, Stuart Weitzman
Blazer, Anthropologie (thrifted); top, J. Crew Factory; jeans, William Rast (thrifted); shoes, Stuart Weitzman

I wore this for dinner and drinks with some colleagues (and clients) the night before the conference started. We went to a hipster-y joint in downtown Red Deer (To The Lost), which turned out to serve excellent handmade cocktails … and the food was not bad either. (That’s an understatement actually. It was delish.) The vibe was quite chill, so this outfit ended up being a good choice — casual, but with some dressier elements. Speaking of which, I really like the quality of this J. Crew Factory lace tank. It was something like $18 on clearance, and well worth that price; the lace is very nice and looks more expensive than it was. I bought it less than 2 weeks ago, so you might still be able to find it in stores if you’re interested.

Blazer, Anthropologie; dress, Joe Fresh; shoes, Stuart Weitzman
Blazer, Anthropologie; dress, Joe Fresh; shoes, Stuart Weitzman

For the first day of the conference, I went with comfort (my trusty Joe Fresh tube dress) and dressed it up a bit. I picked this particular blazer because it’s a heavy knit (comfy and warm) with a cotton lining (extra warmth) — perfect for the chilly temps inside the conference hall. I added a fancy necklace for some visual interest, and my comfiest heels. Pretty basic, but fail-proof.

Jacket & dress, Joe Fresh; shoes, J. Crew Factory
Jacket & dress, Joe Fresh; shoes, J. Crew Factory
sans jacket
sans jacket

The conference dinner was hosted at a restaurant located on a ranch, so again, the vibe was quite laid back. I picked a maxi dress because I thought it would hit the right balance between casual and dressy, and added a leather jacket for a bit of edge, plus warmth.

Sweater, J. Crew Factory; pants, Babaton (thrifted); scarf, F&F (thrifted); brooch, thrifted
Sweater, J. Crew Factory; pants, Babaton (thrifted); scarf, F&F (thrifted); brooch, thrifted

For the last day of the conference, I knew I wanted to wear a couple of recent thrift scores — this pretty wool scarf and brooch. The rest of the outfit was basically just “background”, but it still hit the conference trifecta: warm, comfortable, and polished.

For those not familiar with Alberta geography, Red Deer is a midsize (by local standards) town halfway between Edmonton and Calgary. The only time I usually stop there is when I’m traveling to Calgary, and then usually only long enough to hit up Gasoline Alley (a commercial strip on the edge of town where one can fuel up the car — and oneself, with donuts from the famous Donut Mill). On this trip, I realized that there was a Value Village and a Salvation Army a few blocks from my hotel so … well, you know where I’m going with this. I couldn’t let the opportunity slip, so during our scheduled “free time”, I took myself off for some thrifting.

How did Red Deer’s thrift scene compare to the Edmonton’s? It was not quite as exciting (few places are, to be honest), but it wasn’t bad either. I didn’t find much at the Sally Ann, but the VV had a few treasures.

DVF "Cezanne" dress ($12)
DVF “Cezanne” dress ($12)

I rarely find DVF here in Edmonton, so this was a bit of a surprise. I had to double check that this was, in fact, an authentic dress since it didn’t look like something you’d expect from the brand. The inside tag looked legit though.

legit DVF
legit DVF

I googled the name of the dress (helpfully noted on the inside tag, which I wish more brands would do), and this proved to be a CDN$400 piece. Hard to believe — it’s cute, but the quality seemed meh to me. For $12, it was tempting but I ended up passing on it because I don’t need another casual dress, and there was nothing special about this one except for the label.

J. Crew skirt ($8)
J. Crew skirt ($8)

This J. Crew skirt was also a decent price, but the wrong size so I had to pass.

Trina Turk dress ($25)
Trina Turk dress ($25)

Ditto for this Trina Turk dress, although the price was a bit steep in any event.

BCBG dress ($40!!!)
BCBG dress ($40!!!)

This BCBG dress took the cake, however. Forty freaking dollars for a simple cocktail dress? Holy crap. I thought my local VV was bad, but this is another story. I was amused, however, that they priced BCBG higher than DVF.

Liz Clairborne shirt ($12)
Liz Claiborne shirt ($12)
very Anthro-esque
very Anthro-esque

I loved the print of this Liz Claiborne shirt, which struck me as very Anthro-esque. The fabric was a lovely silk as well, but it was still a pass for me. The size was too big, and the style too 80s for my taste — though alterations might fix both problems. Considering the price, I didn’t feel like taking a gamble on my rudimentary skills.

Guinevere Verdant Paisleys cardigan ($10)
Guinevere Verdant Paisleys cardigan ($10)

In the end, the only thing I bought was this Guinevere cardigan. I was a bit iffy on the colour and print, but I loved the soft wool and decided the cardigan might be a good topper for a few things in my closet. If nothing else, it shall count as my Red Deer souvenir.

Speaking of souvenirs, on the way home, I made a quick side-trip to visit the (even smaller) town of Lacombe, and checked out its secondhand/thrift/antiques scene. [The thrift store did not yield any treasures, but the consignment store (surprisingly large and well-stocked) had a few, including a pair of made-in-Italy Jenny Kaye leather flats which, unfortunately, were not my size.] I stopped into the cutest little antique store where, sadly, the prices on Royal Albert teacups were no bargain, but where I did pick up this cute geegaw:

desk ornament?
desk ornament?

This little adventure off the beaten track (aka Highway 2) reminded me of an idea I’d had years ago to do a day-long “antiquing” tour of small towns around Edmonton. I’m more convinced than ever that it would be a lot of fun; now, I just have to find some partners in crime … Stay tuned.