Summer Memories

I feel like I have been away from the blog forever. In reality, we have just moved into a new apartment and we still don't have our internet connection hooked up!! I hope to have everything up and running by tomorrow!!

I love this print entitled, "Summer Memories" by Kristy Bee, who has a great collection of romantic and vintage inspired photography on her etsy shop!!! 

When we lived in Taiwan, we kept a fan similar to this one at the end of our bed to keep us cool at night. The fan was our saving grace - I don't think I could have stood the heat without it!! I can't wait to feel heat like that again!!

      Remember, today is the last day to enter the give-away!!

Ciao,
Karen

Going Green in Portland!

Dominic and I have just arrived home from a whirlwind trip to Portland, Oregon for an Environmental Science conference in which Dominic was presenting some research. It was such a perfect city for this conference because the entire city is sooooo green and environmentally friendly. The wide use of paper bags vs. plastic bags, the free train system and the abundance of bike lanes and biker friendly signs throughout the city was amazing and definitely a model green city. 

And what is more green than vintage clothing. They have the most amazing selection of vintage clothing stores with such a  wide selection of vintage goods. I however did not buy anything vintage as I was more focussed on the fact that there is no sales tax in the entire state. So I went for the big ticket items and bought a pair of amazing J-Brand jeans.  

I thought that the coolest feature of the city was by far the existence of food stalls which are located throughout the city. The options sold out of the food carts are endless with everything from Mexican, to Egyptian, to vegetarian, to Thai. We had a great time sampling as many food carts as we would. My favorite however was the Thai food which was way more authentic and cheaper than anything I have ever had in Canada.

Dominic in all his charm!!

Food Carts!!! Yumm!!

Although I do love good food, clothes are always on my mind. And after doing some research on Portland, I found out about this amazing little cart that rather than food, sold vintage clothing. Taking their cue from Portland's abundant food carts, The Wanderlust Mobile Cart, decided that the next logical step would be to have a stall that sold vintage clothing and hand made goods. Complete with a tiny dressing room and a store full of neat goods, the cart can easily change locations and will be moving through out the country. Although I kept my eye out for the cute little store, I sadly did not end up seeing it. Maybe next time. 

Cheers,

Karen

A Camping We Will Go......

Last weekend Dominic and I, along with my brother Jordon and sister-in-law Lacy, went on an adventure filled camping trip in Northern Saskatchewan. We canoed just over 15 km to get to our camp site which was on the mouth of one of the most pristine lakes in Canada. While the water was crystal clear and had the most amazing color of blue, it was (after a winter in Mexico) - FREEZING!! Nonetheless, we enjoyed the water and the 30 degree weather as there are very few days like that in Saskatchewan.

Although the weekend was not the most fashioned filled, as we were without a shower for the weekend, we did have great food, wine and good company and I thought you might like to see a few pics.

My Camping Mates

Our camp site had this little house cook house which made me feel a lot safer as it was a potential hide-out in case a bear came!!

 I must say that Saskatchewan's 100,000 pristine lakes are wonderous to have your finger tips. But don't tell too many people as it is sort of a secret and we like to keep it that way!!

More Style Shots to Follow,
Karen

Jungle Drum

I am abslutley in LOVE with this song by Amelian Torrinni. She is an indie artist from Iceland but her father is Italy - hence the Italian name.  Be sure to check out the entire alubum - it is amazing!!

Just a side note, if you ever get a chance to visit Iceland, be sure to take up the opportunity. Despite the fact that there are just over 300,000 inhabitants, the country is rich with history, culture and natural wonders such as the Blue Lagoon (which is one of my favorite places in the world)!! Plus they have Icelandic Horses which have a special gait unique to Iceland. Wouldn't it be wonderful to take a horseback riding trip in Iceland!!! And if that's not enough there night life is amazing. I can't wait to go back there - hopefully some day soon!!

Hope your having a wonderful weekend,
Karen

The Chivas Football Game

One of our friends Galen,  who visited us in Guadalajara loves football (soccer).  So a bunch of our friends got together to go to a Chivas game. The Chivas are the local football team in GDL and in my opinion they are the best - not that I am into sports in any sort of way!!! But, new things are always great and I have never been to a football game before so I was so excited to go. Like any event that I am excited for, I put on my best clothes!! For this event however, it turned out that I was way over dressed with my silk dress and dangly earrings. But no bother, all of the fans were so focussed on the Chivas winning the game that I am sure they never noticed.  

Galen and Dominic bought these Chivas Jerseys in the Market!!

Our Chivas Cheering Squad - Some of our best friends in the world!!  

Have a Wonderful Weekend,

Karen

Arte de Pluma (feather in Spanish)

While the Mexican Beach "Vendedores" used to only sell silver, those times are gone. Intermixed with the silver sellers are artists selling their home-made goods. We found this couple, Elisabet and Angel, selling these feather accessories in Sayulita. They hand pick all of their feathers from environmentally/animal friendly sources, dye the feathers themselves and after design the piece. They had an amazing selection of earrings, hair pieces and dream catchers. If you would like to make an order from their collection, you can contact them at chavezchapa@hotmail.com or jangelsunchezm@hotmail.com.

As I have been looking for a  great pair of feather earring, I quickly bought a purple pair which I love!! They even have a tine little skulls as the base of the earring!! I hoping to wear them alot this summer back in Canada as it will remind me of Mexico!!

XOXOX,

Karen

The Fair is in Town!!

I took these pictures a few weeks ago when the fair was in town. This stand had the most amazing selection of candy and sweets - if you are into that kind of thing, which I definitely am! Not only was the candy amazing but the socio-cultural aspect of the fair was super cool as well. All of the stalls served a dual purpose of the stall and a house. At night, the entire family who owned the stall would sleep behind the stall in the make shift tent. At the end of the fair, the entire family would pack up, with the stall prepared to move to the fair's next location. 

I thought the fair's people were kind of like Gypsies - who travelled with their houses and I really liked that idea. I think because I sort of feel like a Gypsy in many ways. Right now we also travel with all of our stuff in our truck, moving from place to place, setting up a life for a short but sweet time and then moving on to our next adventure. Would you like to be a Gypsy??

Coconut Macaroons

Gummie Bears and Chiclets

Lollipops

Dzan Devlesa (Good Bye in the Gypsy language Romani),

Karen

P.S - I just wanted to say Happy Birthday to the best mom in the world!!! I hope you have a wonderful day and thanks for reading my blog!!!

Far From Rodeo Drive!!

We went to this great rodeo a few weeks ago in a little town called Amititan!! Although I can't say much for the fashion sense of the rodeo goers, there were a few nice pairs of cowboy boots!! I myself am searching for a beautiful red pair of cowboy boots!! I will post them when and if I find them!!

Check out this Cowboy!! 

Traditional Mexican Music

Mini Cowboy

MMMM Cotton Candy!!

Ciao,

Karen

Just Sip It

Dominic and I are in Mexico working on a little Tequila venture. Tequila is actually such an interesting liquor, it is much more than a drink to be had a shooter. Rather, we are finding out that it should actually be sipped, just like one would do with a fine wine or scotch. There are some really cool brands of Tequila out there. Hopefully they will make their way into Canada some day real soon. 

These are the Agave plants which the Tequila comes from.

The hearts of the agave which are roasted and then crushed to extract the juice out of them.

Dominic and I hard at work on a tequila farm....

Jean Skirt: Gap

Tights: DKNY

Belt: Vintage - Found in my moms closet

blouse: Club Monaco

Cardigan: Vera Moda

This outfit is not something that I would normally put together, but when business calls there is sometimes no choice in the matter. I was going for the whole cowboy professional look without looking too over the top. I am not sure if I achieved it but the combination of the boots and jean skirt made me feel like a cowgirl anyways.

Bye for now, 

Karen

It's Official

So much has happened today.

After feeling almost frustrated for choice with all the tattooists who are attending, I decided to call Russ and get his advice. I figured he'd know a fair number of the attendees and be able to point me in the right direction. Firstly, we discussed my desire to be tattooed by Muriel. I told him I hadn't heard back from her yet so he gave me her number. He also gave me a list of about 5 guys who I should talk to. I picked the first guy he suggested Jeff Ensminger and the guy he said he knew somewhat well Matt "Skinny" Bagwell. But before I get to them, I called Muriel.

She is super, super nice. She said she'd gotten my email, but hadn't replied yet. So I told her to ignore it since I'd changed my mind. We batted around a few ideas and decided on an iron work inspired 1/4 sleeve around Lucy that fades into cherry blossoms on the back of my shoulder. Since I'm looking to go more traditional Japanese on my back, I figured the cherry blossoms would flow the best. We talked for a good 10 minutes and I'll be seeing her in person when she gets into town. That way she can see what she has to work with and then set up an official appointment. I'm really excited to work with her.

After that, I shot Jeff an email and then got the number for the shop Matt/Skinny works at. He was tattooing, but one of the other guys helped me out by playing middle man. I decided to give him the dragon. I described what I wanted and he requested a picture of my back to see what's currently there and my height. I ended up taking this vaguely soft core porn shot of my back as no one else could do it. I think it still gives the idea, though. So I guess I'll hear back from him in a day or so once he's had time to look at the pictures and source material.

So everything is booked. There was some drama over my flight, but in the end I only ended up paying $36 out of pocket. Sweet! I just have to fly out about 4 hours earlier than I originally planned. I'll get in around 2 and check in isn't until 4, so maybe I'll just explore for a few hours. I think they said something about a shuttle to the mall and I know they'll hold my bags until check in time. Maybe I can ask if I can lay out by the pool before I'm officially checked in. ;) That means I'll be there well in time for the meet and greet at 8. Yay!