MUSEchronicles.com

  Welcome to the MUSEchronicles: Fashion and Lovely Things  

So I've been walking around all weekend with my bathing suit under my clothes just WAITING for any bit of sunshine to peek through.  I was fully ready for all 2 hours of it while it happened... though it was 2 hours sporadically, not all at once which kept me busy taking off and re-donning my layers.  Oh Vancouver, so pretty, but so unpredictable.  Here's what I suggest for all those positive thinkers like myself... Stay ready, take advantage and don't resort back to your sad winter wardrobe just because of a bit of drizzle and a few stubborn clouds.   For the next few days I'll be posting some outfits that can be easily transformed from rainy day to sunny day appropriate.  Because I know just how much we all need those little bits of sun.

for more info on these items, visit http://www.polyvore.com/errands_in_rain/set?id=82756129

DO 

  1. Have your sunglasses at all times
  2. wear multiple layers, eg: a cardigan and maybe a jean jacket
  3. wear closed toe shoes (nothing worse  than cold, wet feet!)
  4. carry a tote with sunscreen, magazines and a beach blanket... just in case
  5. wear a hat instead of an umbrella



DON'T 

  1. underestimate how fast the weather can change
  2. wear turtlenecks or other garments that are difficult to take on and off
  3. wear your bathing suit as a bra if it doesn't work with the shirt you're wearing
  4. give up on the sun!

       My mommy as a little girl in the late 50's... 

 

Mama boarding a city bus while on her walk across spain (left) and at her grade twelve graduation about 30 years earlier (right) 

 

I love this last photo of mom, probably late 1970's with my brother Daniel I think... Notice the tractor in the background.  My mom and dad lived in a wall tent while they were clearing land on the island and building our family home.

                 *  *  *

Inspired by my adventurous mother, this outfit represents our unity here on planet earth.  The safari sunglasses, the mexican knapsack, the sensible shoes and the scarf reminiscent of head dresses in Africa and the far east.  My mom has always been a fan of pearls, sensible shoes and classic silhouettes.  Red lipstick and nail polish are a trademark of hers, the former she always applies to her cheeks as well, a useful trick I've inherited.  I'm curious what she has to say about the items I've picked...

   

    Happy Mother's Day!

In honour of all the wonderful, exceptional, inspiring mamas out there, I'll be talking about them all week... Starting with my own very special one...

Here we are. Can you tell we're related?!

                        My WONDERFUL Mom!


My generation seems to be a coddled, self righteous, entitled group of people who are quicker to say how to find the nearest McDonald's than to tell you how to boil an egg.  The lack of normal life skills shared by my age group never fails to surprise me, and I count myself one of the lucky ones who was brought up to take care of myself.  When there seems to be nothing in my cupboards I can always figure out something to make, when something breaks I can fix it and when there's a problem to be solved my first instinct is to try and do it myself before asking for help.  This isn't because of any extraordinary qualities of my own really, it's my upbringing I have to thank, and, because Mother's Day is coming up I thought it would be suitable to talk about my first and foremost teacher and hero: mom.

My mother is an extraordinary woman. When I was born she had to get into a sled behind a team of dogs at -30 c... While in labour. My first  journey as a human being took place in that sled one week later, which I only found out about a year ago because she simply thought nothing of it. I was blown away! Expecting mothers in my experience attend classes, take special supplements an have a CAR to drive them to the hospital when they're ready to have the baby. A dog team? That's just insane. But that's my mother. And to her there was nothing to it, that's just what she did, blasè as ever.  Funny I never respected my mom as a little girl and it wasn't until I was 13 and we were on a road trip together that I got to see her clearly, free of the expectations and projections made on mother figures by their children.

Since that time she's continued to surprise me and everyone around her.  She's designed and built houses, taught English in Spain and then all by herself in china.  Everywhere she goes she's well loved, and when she leaves she's missed.  She faces even the most daunting issues with her ever present positive attitude and a smile on her face.

When she was in her late 40's she was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. She went to a specialist who told her there was little he could do and it was only a matter of time... Little time... Before she would be confined to a wheelchair.  I remember this time clearly, she was staying with me and this news was a terrible blow to my energetic, active mother.  She was depressed for about a week before she decided to take matters in her own hands, with the same determination and can-do attitude that I can only hope I've inherited a fraction of.  She researched, changed her diet, did yoga and read up on natural cures and though she didn't manage to get better, she did manage to slow the process. 2 years after the Dr told her she'd be disabled my mom walked across Spain.

It's because of this, along with all the life lessons, wisdom and ever present sense of humor that my lovely mother remains my ultimate hero. Thanks mom!

  

                                             I'M BACK!   


    So please stay tuned for some new muses and fresh perspectives...




In light of a recent vacation and impending summer here's some inspiration for the beach!

For more info on where to find these items visit 

http://www.polyvore.com/
beach_frolics/set?id=76851360