Monthly Archives: November 2011

best purchase ever no. 1

17 Thursday Nov 2011

Posted by in fashion, gear, travel

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Friend and blogger Brooke Stevenson of My Bike Myself and I turned me onto merino wool last winter, when we were away on a ski weekend and all she had in her teeny day pack was a small compression sack stuffed with a handful of clothes. Merino, of course. She raved about how fast merino dries, while I was unsuccessfully trying to air-dry that day’s sweat-soaked recycled-polyester long johns and undies.

Amazed by her multifunctional, minimal weekend wardrobe, which was pressed into service during and après XC, I gave in a few months later and shelled out for two Icebreaker merino undies (a whopping $32 each, and worth every penny) and three pairs of SmartWool hiking socks ($20.50 each at MEC) for my Camino trip. The socks aren’t merino, but Brooke swears by them, so I rationalized that my feet would thank me after walking at least 20 km a day for weeks. But even with liner socks, I immediately got blisters, having erroneously bought a size up. Fortunately, in Ponferrada there’s an awesome hiking/camping gear store a mere minute from the Templar castle, and it was with relief that I eagerly stocked up on three pairs of extra-small SmartWool socks and much-needed flipflops (and promptly shipped my too-large socks and blister-irritating Keen sandals ahead to Santiago!).

And that’s when I got greedy. I scoured the shop for merino anything, settling on a SmartWool NTS Midweight Zip T in Purple Heather. Best. Purchase. Ever. At 60 euros, it was a splurge, but boy did I get my money’s worth over the next two weeks! I wore it day and night the rest of the trip, washing it only once. You’d think it might smell, but nope. You’d also think it was totally stretched out. Also no. You’d think I’d have to roll up the long sleeves and tuck the hem under, as I have to do with most tops, which are always too long for my 5’1″ frame. Gladly, no. A nice medium weight and with a half zipper and mock neck, it also kept me cool when hiking, warm when sleeping – the perfect multitasker!

So when I returned home and readied for a 10-day camping trip, I immediately ran out to buy Best Purchase Ever No. 2.

No, this isn't me, but the SmartWool model wearing my favourite travel shirt. Though it seems to fit her long limbs, the body and sleeves are actually the perfect length for a petite frame.

 

Another cool thing about merino is that it packs small and stays relatively wrinkle-free. Learn how merino helped me pack light in The Way of the Lightweight Backpacker.

sinéad lohan, where are you?

16 Wednesday Nov 2011

Posted by in music

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It’s no secret that I enjoy not having a TV. I’ve no desire to buy one, no matter how low flatscreen prices go. But that doesn’t mean I can live without at-home entertainment. Admittedly, I often spend enormous amounts of time befriending my laptop and radio. And Netflix and I have been BFFs since it migrated to Canada (Have you seen The Big C? I have, in one sitting!).

In my attempt to not go over my bandwidth limit this month (was over by $14 in October), I’ve been listening to the radio a lot more and watching online not so much. Mostly, I tune into CBC Radio One. Last Sunday’s Inside the Music, hosted by Jimmy Rankin, yielded a lovely new find: Irish folk singer Sinéad Lohan. From County Cork, Sinéad long ago left the music scene, last performing in 2005. Such a shame. Her voice is enchanting and her songs hypnotic.

Listen to her sing “Out of the Woods” from her second CD, No Mermaid (1998).


And then check out Jimmy Rankin’s playlist:

  • Serena Ryder, “


Little Bit Of Red”
  • Slowcoaster, “Leave”
  • Tin Thorney, “Coat Tails”
  • Alison Krauss, “Ghost in This House”
  • Gordie Sampson, “Still Working on a Dream”
  • Daniel Lanois, “Still Water”
  • Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra, Samuel Barber’s “Adagio for Strings”
  • Sinéad Lohan, “Out of the Woods”
  • Fred Eaglesmith, “
Cumberland County”
  • Brandi Carlile, “The Story”
  • Gordon Lightfoot, “If There’s a Reason”
  • John Prine, “Daddy’s Little Pumpkin”
  • Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, “Remedy”

ring my bell: ciao bello to my public bike bell, federico!

15 Tuesday Nov 2011

Posted by in bike, gear

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Say hello to Federico! He’s my handsome glossy red brass bell ($20) from San Francisco’s Public Bikes. I spotted my dear Federico at Cycle Couture, a chic new bike shop in Toronto and had to buy him, even though I already have two extra bike bells. Federico is my ideal cycling companion: he’s sexy, he’s stylish, and, better yet, he’s loud.   Meaning, he’s all about safe city riding. That’s what I look for in good gear.

Here’s what Public Bikes says about Federico:

You definitely need a bell for city riding, unless you like to yell or whistle a lot. However, a good bike bell can be hard to find. So when our Italian pal Federico tracked down the manufacturer of this fine brass bell, we named it after him. You’ll appreciate (as well as passersby) the loud but elegantly civil tone, as opposed to the abrasive or tinny tone of most bells. ‘Federico’ is available only at Public, unless you choose to visit him in Florence.

A good-looking Italian…and funny too! Ah, Federico, how I adore you.

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This Minnie Mouse-inspired bike helmet is sooo me!

Looking for other stylin’ bike gear? Check out…
Girly Gear to Light Up Your Ride
Simi Mini Dots Nutcase Bike Helmet Fit for
Minnie Mouse
Use Your Knog(gin): Ride with a Bright Bike Light
I Heart My TV Sucks Ride Your Bike Bumper Sticker
‘Cause I Love My Brain, I want a Nutcase Helmet 

frills & thrills: chic cushion

14 Monday Nov 2011

Posted by in decor

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Oh, my. What was I saying about frilly cushions? Not like I need another one to toss on my wee sofette, but I can’t resist this felt flower beauty from Urban Barn ($39). Embellished with piles of pretty petals, it’s perfect for adding a touch of texture to a space. The sophisticated charcoal grey will work wonderfully with my fuchsia, purple and cream cushions and throws – I must snag one (or two) before they’re gone!

Another thing I can’t resist? Entering Urban Barn’s Win a Private Chef contest! Just “like” Urban Barn on Facebook for a chance to win a gourmet dinner for eight cooked by Dale MacKay, winner of Food Network’s Top Chef Canada.

frills & thrills: bed linens

13 Sunday Nov 2011

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I. Want. This. Gorgeous girly-girly Georgina bedding from Anthropologie. Despite appearances when I’m breezing around downtown in head-to-toe sporty bike gear, I love frills. Ribbons, bows, beads, sequins, embroidery, ruching, pin tucks, appliqués…I heart ’em all. On clothes. On purses. Even on shoes. And especially on bed linens. OK, maybe I could pass on a flashy sequined cushion on which to lay my weary head. But bedecking my bed in layers of ladylike linens makes me giddy with delight.


Looking for more girly goodness? Check out this fabulous flower cushion from Urban Barn.

for the love of life

13 Sunday Nov 2011

Posted by in inspiration, travel

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Finisterre, Spain. A moment of solitude at the end of the Camino de Santiago.

I started November with a new perspective. After being given the “restructuring” speech at work, I cleared out my desk and walked home – for three hours – breathing in the crisp, fresh air of early November, soaking in the unusually warm autumn sunshine, frolicking in the kaleidoscope of glorious carmine, rusty red and golden yellow leaves as they fluttered to the ground. Yes, frolicking. Despite being thrust into the uncertainty and panic of the suddenly unemployed, I felt a definite lightness: the world had opened up before me, and my options where limitless.

It was the same sense of calm and optimism I felt when walking the Camino in May. With every step, there came a rhythm, and with that, a sense of peace. And the ability to be present and in tune with my surroundings. Instead of feeling lost, I made every step with purpose. And I paused. After that first step in Astorga, Spain, many a time on that long walk to Santiago, I’d pause and simply thrill at where I was. Because no matter how hard it was to cross those mountains, I couldn’t deny the absolute awesomeness of being there.

To pause and just be. The Camino taught me that. And as November continues to fall upon us, I find myself back there – a little exhausted by the challenges of the days before, not knowing what lies behind the next peak or valley, but excited about the possibilities of adventure that lie ahead.

So as the pilgrims wish one another on The Way…

Buen Camino!