Monday Musings- New Digs, New Color, and a High vs. Low Outfit
Happy Monday, ladies. I have tons on my mind this week, including what to pack for Portugal. The weather looks cooler there than I anticipated, and I don’t want to be caught short without comfy layers, so I’m heading out to do some shopping right after I dig deeply through the guest room closet. This week, I’m musing about new digs, new colors, and high vs. low outfits.
New Color
My husband never comments on my clothes, so it shocked me when he said how much he loved the color of this green vest. I wore it the other day for another photo shoot that you’ll see later in the week, along with this striped tee and my newest lipstick in Fashion. The lipstick is a deep berry on me and as close to red as I ever wear. I’m thrilled to find I really like it with my grayer hair. On that note, I can’t decide if the color of my hair is silver, white, blonde, or gray, but I think it’s a melange of them all, and I love it. Once this green crossed my radar, I began seeing it everywhere…sort of like after you buy a red car and then every other car you see on the road is red. This isn’t exactly the same green, but I’m obsessed with this jacket. I also just ordered this $50 cashmere sweater. Green represents growth and renewal so my next bit of news may be why I’m enchanted by it.
New Digs
I wanted to finish my tale about why I was so distracted that I left all my suitcases in a hotel. We were busy renting an apartment! We’d had such a great summer in Vancouver we decided to rent a small place so we could come and go more often…without having to lug a ton of suitcases with us. We really miss the home we sold on Vancouver Island…I miss visiting with my brothers…and most importantly, we miss spending time with our girl!
The apartment scene in Vancouver is insanely expensive with everything from a closet for $$ to a larger closet for $$$$$. Our criteria was:
- a view…of anything other than a brick wall, but hopefully mountains or water
- nice walkable location that I feel safe in
- affordable because we’re keeping our house in California
- a building that had a workout room for me and, hopefully, a pool for hubs
- it had to have a king-size bed! Mr. AWSL is 6’4″ and takes up 3/4 of a queen-sized bed, so I never got a full night’s sleep the entire summer in the temporary rental.
We began looking for furnished ones because I assumed it would be easier. But after weeks of looking, I realized I would prefer to have my own things. It will make it feel more like home when we walk through the door, plus I won’t have to freak out every time we put a water glass on a table. We looked for weeks and viewed more tacky apartments than I care to remember. Then Kevin found a perfect little gem, and it has a peek-a-boo view of water and boats.
It was sparsely furnished, and the owners agreed to remove 95% of what was there. But the very best part is it’s only a 12-minute walk from Vanessa! It’s in a quiet neighborhood with a friendly vibe filled with families, kids, and people of all ages. That’s what I’ve missed about living in an active retirement community…variety of ages. The residents all seem so friendly in the building, and we are excited! We had a new KS bed delivered, and I’m a happy camper. It’ll be fun to furnish and decorate the place, and I’ll share my journey with you.
Splurge or Save
I’ve been thinking about budgets lately and wondered if Splurge is the right name for these posts. They’re really more about high/low options and where you’d choose to spend your money. These posts are also for outfit inspiration so you can be inspired to shop your own closet, which is the most cost-effective of all.
This outfit starts with a classic deep camel, double-breasted coat. Many of you may have a favorite one in your closet that you’ve relied on for years. To this, we added pale camel pants, a blue twin set with brown loafers, and bag. Gold and pearl accessories finish the look.
I often prefer the lower-priced version of these outfits. Can you tell the price just by looking? The expensive outfit comes in around $1,054.00, and the lower-priced look runs around $246.00. What was your tip-off?
Book Suggestions
I need some reading material for my trip and wondered what books you’re looking forward to reading this fall. You ladies always have the best suggestions.
Thanks for reading, and remember to wear what makes you feel confident.
I am always so surprised by the good-looking handbags you find on Amazon. I typically purchase only real leather but those purchases you feature are so tempting! Have you ever made the actual purchase because I’m wondering if the purses wear well.
I have not purchaased them but the reviews on many are very good.
I’m with hubby on that green! We thought for years about a pied a terre in Victoria so I could spend more time in my birth country, but it never happened. We are here in California with our kids. I always tell people there is a view wherever you look in Vancouver, even the gas station! Your new view is wonderful.
I feel so blessed to have found this in my birth country too!
I’m loving the Janet Evanovich books in the Stephanie Plum series. Funny, lots of action, and romance as well.
She is very funny
THE GUNKLE is a funny, heartwarming book that’s easy to read. It’s about a gay uncle who takes care of his young niece and nephew for the summer after their mother, his good friend, dies. He is also suffering grief from losing a partner. The main theme is grief recovery but the uncle and the kids characters are well developed and lovable.
That sounds like a wonderful book. Thank you Kathy.
Secrets of a charmed life. By susan meissner
Historical fiction and a great read going to get her other books
“Olga dies dreaming “ by an atlantic monthly author ,was just recommended to me !
Coat was giveaway for me 😌
Enjoy your new rental and furnishing it will be fun !
The coat was a tell for me too 🙂
I’m so happy for you. Great decision. Am I clueless? I don’t know which is more expensive. Looking forward to your travel decisions. I’m going to Israel and Petra in the Winter. What to wear? Favorite book lately? Lesson’s in Chemistry.
I second Lessons in Chemistry! Great story about a very smart woman overcoming SO many social restrictions during the 1950s-1960s. Also has some very witty bits of humor. A book club fav.
Awesome!
Love the shade of green on you as well Jennifer and happy to learn that you found a permanent place to call home while visiting your daughter and other family members. As to the ‘Splurge or Save’ outfits, the tailoring/design of the coat gave it away to me. Last but not least; regarding a book a few postings back one of your readers suggested ‘Killers Of A Certain Age’ which I did purchase and totally enjoyed for its plot, characters and humor but will warn once you begin reading it you may not want to put it down so ensure you have your favourite take-out on speed dial ….. lol. (Yes I read it in one day.)
-Brenda-
Wow, That’s a great recommnedation, Brenda. Thanks
Congratulations on finding your vacation apartment. Your view is really lovely. none of my sons live in Colorado. I do have a stepson and his family 3 hours away and my husbands two other children live in Oregon and Iowa. You are lucky to live as close as you do. you hair is very similar to mine. I love mine now better than when it was blonde! I’m reading cozy mysteries, Rita Mae Brown’s Sister Jane Series and the Sneaky Pie Brown series. So fun!
I’m happy for you! I know you love to visit family here, especially Vanessa. Having your own place is much better than renting. “There is no place like home.” Facebook Marketplace is a good place to look for furniture to furnish this new second home.
Portugal is on my bucket list but first Greece. Look forward to any recommendations on accommodation, must see sites, and great restaurants.
Hi Jennifer,
Such wonderful news about the apartment and spending more time with your daughter!! Fantastic news:) l am looking forward to the new 4th book of The Thursday Murder Club coming out very soon. That green is lovely!
Thanks Francesca. We are so excited
Thanks, Jennifer for the tip on the beautiful green cashmere sweater at a great price. I ordered one, too. Your apartment adventure looks exciting. I know you will enjoy having a place so close to your daughter. I look forward to seeing it…online!
Your apartment news is so very exciting ! The view is wonderful.
I love the green on you.
I never think to try green.
I laughed when you said you husband commented, I used to have a camel blazer & my husband commented that it looked awful on me!
I just finished listening to “ lessons on Chemistry “ on audible.
It was so good
Have a fabulous trip to Portugal
,
LOL, my husbad said something similar about my haircut one time…it did not go down well. 🙂
Hi Jennifer, the apartment ! beautiful view. I also wouldn’t be able to live in a furnished with someone else’s furniture. Lovely that you can do this, and a great way to keep Vancouver clothes. The Hi/Low I could wear either, it’s usually the shoes or purse that tips it off for me, with this selection either way. Quince is my go to for cashmere , the quality and style can’t beat it…..you should check out the oversize cotton cable knit cardigan, it’s perfect for our transitional weather. Enjoy Portugal!!
I love Quince everything so far. Thanks for the tip!
Have you read Louise Penny’s series about Inspector Gamache in Quebec? I’m going on my 8th in the series. Hard to put down sometimes.
I have not but I know so many of you ladies love them. I’m hitting the library today to see wqhat I can find
Welcome to Vancouver and living close to your girl. I agree with you about the benefits of being around people of all ages; kids laughter warms your soul. Now you’ll have to dig deep and find shops in Vancouver.
We were away May and June and the 2 books I had on my Kindle were great but very heavy and sad. A friend suggested The Reading List and I absolutely loved it.
Thanks for the suggestion. I do want something upbeat
Just finished Homecoming by Kate Morton and really enjoyed it.
Wonderful!
Congratulations on your getaway apartment! Looks like a great view to me!!!!
I enjoyed reading The Gown by Jennifer Robson. Am currently reading her new book The Coronation Year.
Love the colour green on you!
I look forward to popping over to have tea with you in Vancouver sometime when you are back!
Enjoy your trip.
XO
Leslie
Hostess of the Humble Bungalow
I have had “The Gown” in my cart for a while…I need to get it. Thanks Leslie!
One of the best books I’ve read was The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides. I’ve loaned it out many times and everyone raved about it. I read several books a month and belong to several book clubs so when i facilitate a book it has to be a great read. We’re getting ready to choose our books for next year and I’ve read many OK books but nothing I want to present. I just read The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure and this is one I will facilitate next year. I also finished other books by this author.
Those sound great!
I think you and your hubs would like William Kent Krueger books. They are murder mysteries set in northern Mn, with Cork O’ Conner as the protagonist sheriff . Enjoy your new place!!
He LOVES murder mysteries! Thanks