Bloggy Giveaways!

I just discovered this site thanks to a local jewelry designer that contacted us. What a fantastic idea! What do you think?

Yay to the Vancouver Sun!

We so love it when the local media supports local business! Check out this article that will run in tomorrow's paper - and remember to support your local, independent businesses:)

Yep, I'm officially addicted to shoes!

I got the red ones...

these ones are for G's Christmas party this Friday night - very comfy - and pretty too! all on sale at aerosoles.

A Weekend Rendezvous...

This past weekend, G. and I snuck away to Seattle for our annual pre-Christmas getaway. Lots of walking, talking, re-connecting, wine sampling and yummy food. It's funny, we choose to go on one of the biggest US shopping weekends of the year and then we avoid the crowds once we're there. In years past, we've watched the lighting of the tree, bands, parades, etc. but it seems, these days, we much prefer to go in the opposite direction of the hoards of people making merry. Here are some pix...

our room (comfy bed & soaker tub!)

wine tasting at The Tasting Room in Post Alley

we didn't ship any wine home but...a display at Anthropologie (I love that store!!!) The skirt is made out of wood

I bought this teacup for our new house!lunch at Maximillians - Pike Place

All in all, a fantastic little getaway. Lots of laughs, lots of dreaming about our future and lots of just walking hand in hand enjoying each other's company!
Oh yeah, we also did a bit of shopping;)
Will show you the other shoes tomorrow!

Say hello to my new boots!

I have lots to catch up on which I promise I'll do tomorrow but in the meantime, I thought I'd show you my new boots:) They're aerosoles and oh so comfy!

Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head...

Doesn't your bed feel that much cosier once the weather cools off a bit? I know it's been much harder to crawl out of my cocoon these days.

Well...I guess the summer as we knew it is officially over. Not to say we won't have more warm sunny days (I'm pretty sure we will) but personally, I've crossed over to craving fall fashion - wanting to wear my new cashmere grey sweater and cropped wool pants from Talbots.

If you've never looked, check out Talbots online for good classic pieces. They have specialty sections for plus-petite, long-tall, and petite and have a great sale section where I purchased some items that all fit absolutely perfectly! I even ordered my George some silk/linen pants that fit him just right. ALL on SALE!

I'm feeling all back-to-school-ey. It's time to clean up the summer things, check out what I have/need for fall and sign up for some classes - yoga anyone??? I'm now committed to starting another boot camp in the middle of September and I have been Wii-Fit-ing which is surprisingly active. I did the boxing training the other night and I can totally feel some muscles that I haven't felt in awhile.
Any plans for the long weekend? We're hoping to get out for a sail but only if the rain stops - maybe Sunday or Monday. Also hoping to meet up with some friends, drink some wine and eat some yummy food. That's it. Oh ya, reading is also on my list of weekend activities - maybe a good movie on the telly from the comfort of our bed? Who knows? I'll keep you posted...

Catch up...

It's been yet another busy weekend filled with friends, cocktails, entertainment and good food. George was gone from Thursday - Saturday eve. visiting his family on the island so I had to fill the time.
Here's a snapshot...
Thursday night I met some friends at the Penny Lane Pub for dinner and a much needed cold beer (or two). It was extremely hot out there! It was also 35cent perogy night:)
Friday night I was invited to join in on a party at my cuz's apartment. She's already blogged about it, so go have a read if you like. Amazing food, entertainment and quality hosts.

I always shy away from these kinds of things but it turned out to be quite fun. The host assigned numbers to everyone in the group and then you had to find the other guests who had your number. Once everyone was matched up to about 4 in each group, we each got a bag of words to put together into sentences. They all had to do with the 'flamenco' theme of the evening. It ended up being quite fun and a great way to meet each other.
Saturday morning came much too early but I had booked myself in to do the BeautiControl training starting at 8:00 am in Metrotown!!! It was a long day learning about all of their products but I came away with a pretty strong interest in selling this line (not that I'm a total beauty product expert but I do really love a lot of their products - especially the instant manicure and the warming green tea mask).
Saturday late aft. and evening were a bit of a write-off. Soooo hot and tired, I just layed on the couch and cheered on our Canadian Olympic team, waiting for my George to come home.
We had hoped to do some sailing on Sunday but decided to hang around the house instead. George spent several hours mowing, weeding, raking, etc. while I did a much overdue grocery shop. Enjoyed playing the loving spouse and prepared a yummy picnic lunch on the front yard for my hard-working, sweaty man - along with some chilled rose.
Dined al fresco (and some yummy sausage kabobs) in the evening while watching the Olympics.
Oh yeah...G. came home Saturday night with a new Wii game which I never thought I'd ever be interested in playing but...SOOOO MUCH FUN!!! Played bowling, boxing, tennis, baseball and golf. A surprisingly great workout and also hilariously funny!
Last night we walked over to the Nat Bailey Stadium and watched our Vancouver Canadians baseball team win an amazing game against Boise - lots of action, a few homeruns and some really lame between-inning entertainment. Once again, see my cuz's blog for more info...

Hope you all had a fantastic weekend! What was the best part? I'd love to hear about it...

Honeysuckle

I can't believe our beautiful honeysuckle vine which covers our whole front porch is almost done blooming. Last year I think they bloomed twice so maybe there's more to come?

We had good news this week from our landlord. The original plan was that we would get to live in this great house for 4 years and then they (landlord and family) would move back in and we'd have to look for something else. That 4 year deadline would've been a year from now so I asked him if he could confirm their return date so we could start planning. They've now decided to stay put for one more year (kids in school...) so we have this place until July 2010!!! Great and happy news.

I've had some nice downtime after lots of social events last week. Saturday we went to the Trout Lake Farmer's Market and got some beautiful varieties of tomatoes, some yummy foccacia bread and new potatoes which we're cooking up right this moment with some steak. Hope you all had a fantastic weekend.

What did you have for dinner?

New Shoes and some other stuff!

As I was walking by the thrift store next door to Bodacious on Tuesday, I spotted two pairs of brand-spanking new shoes in my size that I love, love, loved (original tags still on for those of you who are concerned about wearing 'used' shoes:)! The silver ones are Franco Sarto's and I've been eyeing them for some time in the full price stores so imagine my excited surprise at this discovery (thank you thank you shoe fairies)!

I spent yesterday doing "research" for the store and hanging out with my cuz in White Rock and Langley. It's so much fun driving 'big momma' around and getting all sorts of attention!
We've been referring people to "Forever Yours" lingerie in Langley for years but had never actually checked it out in person so off we went. It was fun and painful at the same time. I was measured and fit for a bra which I haven't done in a few years so there was a bit of nudging, prodding and convincing that I was indeed 'that' size. I did end up with a pretty new and somewhat uplifting number as well as a couple of matching top and panty sets. So I guess I spent my $100 on new shoes and lingerie.

We also checked out "Lucy Clothing and Accessories" in Langley which is a pretty little plus-sized clothing store which carries a couple of the same lines as Bodacious. They definitely had some pretty dresses and tops but nothing that I couldn't resist at the mo'. I can't seem to find a link to their website.

While in Langley, we asked around for a referral to a good restaurant and the verdict seemed to be Choo Choo's. I have to say we were a bit skeptical but the referrals were good - and the burgers were AWESOME! The train theme - well...judge for yourself...here's an example of what's on the menu, "Ahh ... Choo-Choo's Burgers". Kinda cute / kinda gross???

We also stopped in at Jalisco Imports who were having an open house. This company is owned by one of the women that I went to Mexico with in March. It was really great to see her and see all of her beautiful products. I bought a 3 ft tall metal cactus for my mom for her birthday - shhh - don't tell!
We ended the day having dinner at Sideshows in White Rock - the only restaurant on the water side of the road - amazing views!

Shared appies and a coupla cold coronas in the hot sun - a perfect end to a day full of laughs, strange angry drivers, sunshine and lots of conversation!

(super star!)