Monday Musings: Blue and More Blue
Happy Monday! This weeks musings are a catch-up of what’s new with me. This past weekend has been filled with snowy adventures around town in Vancouver and enjoying quiet time with my family. Here are a few things on my mind:
The color exploration continues…
As you know, I’m a lover of neutrals in my wardrobe, but lately, color has played a bigger role in my thoughts…especially blue. On Saturday, I shared that I bought a new, bright blue yarn for a sweater. I’m still swatching for gauge, and have already tried 3 needle sizes to get the feel I want. The color has a real punch and is brighter than I usually wear. I’m not second guessing the purchase but I’m wondering if I would enjoy this texture more in a quieter color. Does texture impact color for you?
While strolling around Granville Island this weekend, I popped into a favorite little shop and picked up this beautiful silk scarf. There’s blue again… but this one is softer and more muted…almost like it’s been washed with gray. The polka dots have a subtle sheen that’s fun but not overpowering. The color is gentler against with my complexion but it was the circles that got me. I’ve always been a fan of polka dots, but never knew why. This book I’m reading calls out many things that cause joy including polka dots, circles, and color.
My daughter and I went on our usual stroll through the forest, which is one of the highlights of any week for me. It was incredibly cold, as we’ve recently experienced another dusting of snow and a cold snap to follow. The smell of the forest is intoxicating for me so I often stopped and just breathed deeply. I tried to take photos as the snow started to fall again, but my daughter said, “Just experience it mom. Don’t try to capture it”. Wise words that I needed to remember. I find social media and the need to document everything, can suck all the joy out of things that are better just being delighted in.
It strikes me why it’s always said that “city people” are in such good shape. It’s because there is so… much… walking…! I walk all the time here, because there are outdoor adventures (like the seawall and the forest) and frankly it’s easier to get most places by walking. Driving your car and the hassle of parking is rarely worth it. We have a wagon to take our groceries home, and my daughter is a short walk away. My oura ring is in shock lately (and my hips and knees feel it too). I’m adjusting and enjoying the new level of activity. I just need to remember to take breaks and not overdo it.
On Saturday night, we went to symphony. They played the original Superman movie from 1978 and the orchestra played the soundtrack. It was truly incredible. We did this last fall with Star Wars and thought it could not be outdone. We were wrong! I will keep an eye out to attend the next time they do this. I love that we have music and art so close by. My daughter just sent us a couple of shows to check out before we head home, so perhaps a play or an opera is in order.
I also made a crazy purchase last week. While perusing a consignment store for vintage brooches, I fell hook line and sinker for a used handbag, which came home with me. I haven’t used it yet because it feels like a spring or summer bag, but as you see, it’s blue. It’s in amazing shape and looks like the previous owner only carried it once or twice! I never, ever have good luck at consigment stores, so this was a surprising treat.
Do you shop at consignment stores? What are your tips for finding things?
Dear Jennifer,
My Oura ring is my first wake up to check every day! I am going peni g a ring for 2 years. I just purchased the new version…! It keeps me focused!
Photo of you and your daughter is beautiful!
Loving the shades of blues in silk scarf. I continue to be your avid follower… Be well!! Rory
Thank you Rory. My aura ring is the first thing I check in the morning too! It helps me keep on track.
Lovely photo of you and your daughter. What fun you were able to see the symphony and choir accompany a great film. We saw them last year in Toronto to Lord of the Rings. Fantastic!
Love your bag find – you never know what you may find in consignment shops. The scarf you picked up looks great on you as well.
Enjoy!
I have shopped at thrift/consignment stores for all of my adult life and you can’t beat the wonderful finds and value if you have the time to shop. An added bonus is Senior Day and perhaps another discount on one’s birthday month.
Wow! Such a great light blue handbag find! Gorgeous, as are you and your daughter.
I really, really like the frame of your glasses. They fit your face perfectly. I also am a big fan of polka dots, so your scarf also caught my eye.
Am I the only one who sees the snow figures on the bottom tree near the water? An elephant on the right, a bird above, a lizard (or alligator) climbing up the middle with its are draped over a smaller lizard, a dinosaur/old person top left and a frog left bottom. lol. I stop and see things!
Now that you point them out, I see them. Very observant Dottie
I love the scarf on you! Yes, I shop consignment and thrift. Consignment is better. Right now I am looking for lavender and purple. My favorite color is periwinkle, and it is hard to find!
I love periwinkle.
Hi Jennifer,
Gorgeous picture of you and your daughter !! And l love your blue purchases. I went to a vintage consignment store in Prague last year and got some unusual necklaces of Czech glass beads which are fun to wear. And my husband somehow always finds great jackets !
Enjoy the gorgeousness of Vancouver xo
How fun!!
I agree with others – the picture of you and your daughter is lovely! And I love the scarf you’re wearing. It’s given me ideas on new ways to wear items in my closet, which happens often and is one of my favorite perks of following you! I also enjoy your try on sessions. Thanks for all you do, and enjoy your time in Vancouver.
Thank you Becky!
Not very many here only Goodwill and a church one in town. I basically shop online. I love your blue LV bag. I carry a soft navy blue bag all winter as I love it. Plus I wear jeans and a shade of blue tops or sweaters all the time. We are expecting snow again tonight and colder weather again. False spring is over. You and your daughter look so happy together in that great photo. She favors you Jennifer. I have four sons but also 8 granddaughters out of 17 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. They all live in other states and as we don’t travel anymore, we don’t see them live, only in pictures and texts. You are so lucky to be able to travel and see your daughter.
I know, I am so blessed
Just think of that wonderful find as being an “ice” blue bag and carry it now! I’ve never shopped at consignment stores, but I have many name brands I want to prune out of my closet, so I think I should check them out. I do shop thrift stores occasionally for pretty glass plates to hold the baked goods I make for our church and our grandchildren’s school’s bake sales. I loved your pictures.
That’s a great way to think of the bag. Ice blue is perfect Connie, thanks!
Such a great picture of you and your daughter! I love blue as well, so your scarf and that purse are just gorgeous to me. Enjoy them both! I am finding myself really tuned in to your mentions of Vancouver–my husband and I may be visiting there in the summer. I really need to start researching more about the city. It sounds lovely, so I want to be sure to have lots of ideas of what to see and do there. I hear the food is fabulous too!
The food here is world class! You will have an amazing time here.
I have been thinking a lot about fabric texture and color, lately. I work in a creative field and I quilt, so I know color. I’m drawn to nuanced soft, muted heathered colors. They, not coincidentally, match my personal coloring. Matte, shiny, vivid colors do not really appeal to me. I watched a YouTube recently that claimed we are naturally drawn to our best colors.
I believe we are naturally drawn to our best colors too.
That purse if authentic was a great find. When my daughter went to Paris she brought one back for me. The new ones have a sensor in them to find if they are authentic. If you can take it to a LV store to make sure. Lucky you.
Connie
Lucky you!!
I’ve had very good luck at consignment stores. I bought a pair of my favourite summer cotton pants, a winter vest and even a painting. You never know what you’ll find! I’ve noticed that coneflower blue clothing is popular in the stores right now. It’s such a beautiful blue.
I adore cornflower blue! There are so many pretty blues.
I love that scarf! How is it tied? I’m having trouble trying to figure out how to create that drape.
I simply crossed a small section on the inside and pulled. I’ll try to get some pictures to illustrate
So pleased to hear that you are enjoying the cool weather.
I hope it doesn’t get too cold.
Did you find boots?
I’ve managed with my waterproof Hokas.
It is a stunning city in the sunshine
Great photo of you and your daughter.
Haven’t found boots yet. To be honest, I’m not shopping much which is a delight.
Love that blue scarf on you! Where I live, in Cape Cod, there are more consignment & thrift stores than I’ve ever seen. Before we moved here 5 years ago I consigned a lot of clothing, shoes, bags & jewelry at a shop in NJ for the 1st time. But up here it’s very popular to let things you no longer want be consigned be used by someone else .I’ve found several several handbags on which I’ve received multiple compliments & I try to weed thru my closet periodically to get rid of things & find new bargains occasionally at these shops. It takes a lot of work & is a hobby for some women I know!
That’s wonderful. I will keep my eye out for consignment shops more often.
Needlework has been one of my hobbies since I was very young. IMHO, I definitely think the color of yarn used for a garment affects the look of the pattern/texture of the piece. Somehow, textured pieces need to reflect shadows that enhance the texture. Color distracts your eye from the shadows. The brighter the color, the more your eye is distracted. An example of texture is an Aran sweater, and they are rarely ‘bright’, but mostly knit in light, neutral shades so you can visually enjoy the texture.
Brilliant!! Thank you for explaining for us.
A lovely picture of you and your daughter! You look so much alike. Vancouver is so beautiful too.
We have some nice consignment stores in Ottawa and sometimes I find a few great deals.
Thank you
Jennifer, I love that phrase from your daughter! I’m guilty of trying to capture moments and miss the “now” of it. My daughter and I are close too and I understand that bond, how blessed we are. Blue does it for me especially undertones with mauve pinks…best for my skin tone . Enjoy and experience your day and thank you for your blog every day.
Sandra
Thank you Sandra. She’s a wise, special woman.
I found and bought an authentic Louis Vuitton Never Fill bag for $50 at Goodwill! My find of a lifetime, and I have had one great finds!
Wow!! Great find
Love that BAG
Me too!
Oh Jennifer I feel so much of your joy in this post! Everything from your walks with your daughter, the symphony performance, and that pretty new dotty scarf, the leather handbag from the consignment shop and your bright blue yarn…
All good things!
Leslie Lord
It’s been a joyous time here.
Love the bag and the scarf!
If you have a chance try and see The Three Musketeers play at the Stanley on Granville. Its only playing until February 16. It’s funny and lighthearted. The actors are fantastic.
On the subject of colour. My mother and sister are both brunettes with green eyes. I am blonde with blue eyes. All my childhood my mom would buy blue coats for us girls. As my sister is older, I would also get her hand me downs as well. Once I was able to buy my own coat I bought brown coats. The colour just suited me better. I still lean towards pinks, beige, brown, and my sister continues to dress head to toe in blue.
Thanks for the suggestion, Deborah. We will see if we can get to see it.
That scarf looks so pretty on you. I’m a lover of polka dots, stripes and plaid. I wonder if it’s just from when we were kids. It’s been really cold here in the NW. Walking has been tough so we’re trying to go to the gym more. I’m really feeling it! Sounds like you love your time in Vancouver. 💙
My face got so chapped walking yesterday! It’s very cold here.
Jennifer, your daughter is beautiful! And she looks like you. So happy to hear of your time spent with her and your activities in Vancouver. As for blue, I think it is the perfect color for you. Since my hair turned silver, I have been wearing more blue too, and I almost always get compliments when I do. Enjoy the rest of your time in Canada. P.S. Are you tempted to move there permanently?
Thanks Bea. She’s amazing.
Good Morning Jennifer. Your daughter is beautiful and you two certainly couldn’t deny each other.
Thanks Nancy. She’s wonderful.
I think you’ll find that light blue bag very useful. I wear jeans most of the time and carry a medium blue bag. It always looks great. The blue scarf was a great find!
I have had outstanding luck lately with finding Eileen Fisher items on eBay. Also Goodwill…..in 2023, Ed and I did a 4-1/2 month cruise around the world. I wanted to take all our toiletries with us. I found a cheap carryon suitcase at Goodwill. Packed all our stuff in that, and then when empty at the end of the cruise, I packed it back up with souvenirs we bought for all our rather extensive family. (6 kids + spouses and 13 grands).
“Just experience it”…….so true to escape all of the conveniences that the electronic new age has brought us and can make us lazy (wink wink). It’s also sort of like that old cliche of “stop and smell the roses” that does the body wonders.
That blue purse is cute and could be worn easily now if worn with a “column of color” and that could be the pop of color but just not a bright pop….have a great week.
Yes!! I need to focus more on stopping to smell the roses.
My Favorite stores are Consignment Stores! I get the best thrill to get a great price! And Me too on the LV handbag, I have many and it’s the Only handbag I carry!
Blessings,
Such a gorgeous photo of you and your daughter Jennifer. As for winter forest walks they are my favourite, especially after a big snowfall when everything is hushed and the only sounds are the creaking of the tree branches and the tweets from the chickadees.
Love that handbag – what a great find.
So true. The hushed sounds are amazing!! And the fresh scents are so fabulous
You look so happy in the photo you share. It’s wonderful that you have such a close relationship with your daughter.
I am beyond blessed to be so close to her
The addition of blue was just right. I don’t shop consignment stores, perhaps it is because there are so few in the area.
There aren’t many by me in California either
That is a great picture of you & your daughter Jennifer! And that scarf you purchased is perfect with the soft folds of the turtle neck! A really nice “happy” look!
As for Thrift Stores, we have 4 in the Village of Brentwood Bay on Vancouver Island. And 2 recently expanded! It sorta tells you about our economy doesn’t it? LOL
Enjoy Vancouver. I’m so glad you’re able to visit & see your daughter
Enjoy the brisk sunshine!
Regards,
Nancy 😋💕❤️
Thank you, Nancy! Brentwood Bay is so pretty and picturesque.