September 2, 2014

We're going to Vancouver Island for two awesome weeks!


At long last, after at least four months since the first major steps towards our next genuine vacation (aka, not a work related trip of Tony's that I tag along for, but an outright, good, old-fashioned holiday) materialized, I can finally reveal to you today that later this month, we're going to be spending two weeks on Vancouver Island.




 
We've rented a small, beautifully furnished and equipped private house (via the very handy online service and hotel alternative Airbnb) in Victoria, which will be our base while on Island. A lot of the time there will no doubt be spent in Victoria itself, but we also hope to take some daytrips elsewhere, such as Nanaimo, Duncan, and Sooke - perhaps even as far north as Campbell River, where I've heard very good things about a vintage clothing shop called, rather charmingly, Britches and Hose (though at some three hours away from Victoria, there's no guarantee we'll make it there - hopefully!).

Just as when we headed to Vancouver last spring, I've lined up a few really terrific guest posts from fellow vintage bloggers to keep things active here in my absence. My Etsy shop will also remain open while I'm away from home and new orders are certainly welcome, though it should be noted that they won't ship out until I'm home again in early October.

While I have been to Vancouver Island and B.C.'s capital city of Victoria before, I haven't set even so much as one foot on this large, majestically beautiful Pacific Ocean hugged chunk of land since I was 14 years old - more than half my lifetime ago and I don't profess for the tiniest of moments to know the layout of the city very well. In fact, save for a few major attractions and standout memories from my early youth, there's little I know firsthand about this vibrant city, which makes me all the more excited to hop in the car later this month and hightail down there to quickly learn a whole lot more.

We'll be leaving Penticton on September 22nd and returning on the evening of October 4th. As usual when we go away, Annie will be staying at the lovely dog boarding kennel in Oliver that she just adores and my sweet mother will be house sitting our place and looking after our cat, Stella in our absence.




 
As Victoria is situated on an island floating out in the ocean off the shores of our province of British Columbia, it can only be reached by air travel or ferry and it is the latter that we'll be floating on to reach our lovely holiday destination. I've always madly adored taking the ferry to the Island and am as giddy about the prospect of doing so as I am about any other element of this trip, which is a much needed breather from the daily grind for both Tony and I.

I (we) intentionally timed our trip to Victoria to correspond with the upcoming annual Victoria Vintage Expo, which is taking place there on September 26th and 27th. I'll be going as a shopper, not a seller this time around, but who knows, perhaps I'll be back in future years with a table of my own. There are so few events like this in our province, let alone ones I'm able to make it to (the few that do exist are are usually located hours away from Penticton), so I'm truly jumping for joy at the prospect of attending one of B.C.'s only vintage expos.

In fact, I'm hopping with happiness about this whole trip. We worked very hard, saved and sacrificed incredibly diligently, and put in a lot of effort to make this trip happen. I'm so glad that we did, because there are few things - even knowing that hitting the road will do a number on my health, as it always does - that I adore, or gain more from, in this world than travel.

Yippee! Hurrah! And three very big - and very excited - cheers! Here we come (okay, in three weeks time), Victoria - prepare to be two residents richer for a couple of weeks and a little lighter on the vintage clothing and jewelry front when we leave! :)

53 comments:

  1. It's been almost a year ( hard for me to believe) since we set our feet in beautiful B.C. and our goal is to return every other year to visit. Your plans sound simply lovely and I can hardly wait to see pictures of your travels.

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  2. Enjoy your trip:) so great that you will get to enjoy a recreational vintage expo in your time off!

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  3. I'm so glad for you Jessica! I am also super super happy to say that in October my family and I will be vacationing in Vancouver Island also. I am so excited to see everything! I am most excited about the nature part of our trip. I just know it's going to be spectacular!
    I hope you enjoy your vacation also!

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    1. Thank you very much, Kristen! I'm delighted that you and your family are headed that way soon, too. Any chance we'll be there at the same time? It would be a blast to meet up we are (we'll be there until October 4th).

      I'm really, really looking forward to the nature element of the Island, too. I love the Okanagan, and it is seriously beautiful in so many ways, but sometimes a gal just needs to soak up the atmosphere of the sea and some serious greenery again. :)

      Have a safe, stellar trip!!!
      ♥ Jessica

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  4. Yes Vacation time! A well earned vacation time I might add :) Enjoy your trip Jessica and I can't wait to hear all about it (and see some of the goodies you picked up).

    Liz :)

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  5. Congrats, hope you have a great trip! My grandma used to live in Victoria, and I loved visiting there as a kid. The Empress Hotel is definitely a favorite of mine!

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  6. Jessica, you must stop at what is supposedly the best thrift store on Vancouver Island, SOS in Parksville. I practically furnished my beach house from there with mid-century stuff.

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    1. I keep hearing that best things about that shop, dear Elinor, so it will definitely be on my "try to visit" list. Thank you for letting me know how much you loved it - I can only imagine how gorgeous your decor must look!

      ♥ Jessica

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  7. Hi. We met in the spring on your trip to vancouver. When you were roped into talking vintage with us at New World Design.
    I may be at the expo as well. Ill keep my eyes out for you!

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    1. Very cool - thank you for letting me know. I absolutely loved that evening. I think it was pivitoal in finally helping me work up the courage to launch my own YouTube videos (which I did about a month ago). I'm so grateful that I just happened to be in that store at that time on that day and that things played out as did.

      Hope to see if you at the Expo if you go (I'll most likely be there on the first day, but possibly both).

      ♥ Jessica

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  8. That sounds fantastic, I'm sure you'll have an amazing time! I hope we still get some periodic updates from you on Facebook or Instagram, but I'm looking forward to seeing who you have for guest posts. You introduced me to some great bloggers the last time.

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    1. Absolutely!!! I'll be Instagramming (which I usually post to my personal FB account and Twitter) and Tweeting throughout the whole trip. Doing so has quickly become one of my favourite elements of traveling actually. It's great to let others know what I'm up to and also to create an instant record of some of the highlights of my trip for future reference (including scrapbooking them).

      That's wonderful to know - I hope I can do the same thing time around with a different group of awesome vintage blogging ladies.

      ♥ Jessica

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  9. What a fabulous trip! I went to Victoria when I was a very young girl with my grandparents, maybe 5 or so, all I remember is that the flowers. So many flowers, I adored it. I would love to go back one day and am looking forward to seeing your photos from the trip! Have a wonderful time. :)

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    1. What a beautiful element to hold in your memory for all these years. It definitely a city that abounds with flowers everywhere, thanks in no small part to the Pacific Rain Forest climate of the area. I hope there are still a few of Victoria's famous blooms out when we get there in mid to late September (we're arriving on Sept. 22nd).

      I really hope you're able to make it back one day, too. It took me 16 years, but I'm finally returning again. Yay! :)

      ♥ Jessica

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  10. Have a wonderful time! It sounds amazing, and it's so nice that you've timed it to coincide with a vintage event you would otherwise miss out on.

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  11. So Happy for you!! Enjoy! I was there once, in Tofino, and Nanaimo, I don't remember if that was on the Island though. I just remember I had a nanaimo bar there.

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    1. Nanaimo bars are one of the best desserts ever invented and they do indeed hail from the town of the same name, which is located on Vancouver Island. I might just have to whip up a GF batch for the drive down in honour of visiting the island where they originated. :)

      ♥ Jessica

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  12. have a fantastic time I am so happy for you that you get to take this trip

    retro rover

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  13. So thrilled for you both, Jessica! I was in Victoria two weeks ago and had a wonderful time. Wishing you a fabulous, safe and healthy trip!! xoxo

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    1. Thank you sweetly, my dear friend. How awesome that you were just in Victoria for a fortnight yourself! What were some of the highlights of your trip there for you?

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  14. How exiting! Have fun!
    http://balearaitzart.blogspot.com.au/

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  15. I hope you have a great trip! Travelling (especially when timed alongside some great vintage scouting/shopping!) must be so fun. I've never really been on a real trip outside of the state before, but I do hope I get to do some travelling around one day! I look forward to enjoying the guest posts and getting a peek at your vacation fun through your Instagram! :-)
    -Melissa

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  16. Super excited for you and Tony! Enjoy every minute of your time away. :)

    Mucho hugs,

    Kymberlee

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    1. Thank you very much, darling gal, I really (!) hope we're able to. I don't think I've ever needed a honest to goodness holiday more than I do this year.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

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  17. oh my goodness! may you have just the best time! isn't it great to get away for a little while? i'm sure it will be a lovely time you'll both remember for many years. and in such a beautiful place! oh! i cannot imagine how excited you must be right now.
    many prayers and well wishes for traveling safety, dear!
    -Abigail

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  18. Have a wonderful time dear Jessica! So exciting! It is so nice to get away and see new things. I hope you find some wonderful gems and I very much look forward to hearing about all the details when you return:)

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  19. Ohhhh, how exciting! You have much to look forward to (that's almost as much fun as the doing itself, isn't it?). The Victoria Vintage event sounds like it will be great fun, and a real centerpiece of your trip. I am sure you'll have a great time!

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  20. Excitement spills over me. :)
    I can feel that you are more than happy to be the shopper. I bet you've got some ideas on what to buy, and what to watch out for, don't you? If you are anything like myself (and I somehow guess you are), you've got at least a "mental list" of things and trinkets that your heart desires. And, as soon as you set your eyes on them, you can happily cross them of your list.
    My list is wast; but every time I find an item I know I wanted, I feel relief..

    I hope you'll have a magnificent time, and a great weather.
    Autumn is best time to shop!

    Marija

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    1. Thank you sweetly, my lovely friend. While I don't actually plan to buy much (my/our budget is largely for the expenses of the trip itself this time around), it is a safe bet to say that a few items for myself and the Etsy shop alike will return on the ferry home with me. Definitely! My list of vintage wants is huge and never seems to shirk, simply increase with each passing year.

      For myself, I'd really love to find more of the elements for my vintage ski/snow wear look, 40s shoes in my size (I don't currently own any genuine 40s shoes in my size), some Bakelite and celluloid jewelry for steal (a gal can dream!), a new hat or two, and some heavier weight sweaters for fall and winter, amongst others. Only time will tell if any of those come my way! :)

      ♥ Jessica

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  21. this is sooo wonderful!
    i wish you both a beautiful trip, lots of fun, tons of relaxing and warm sunny weather!!!
    i was on the island, 1990, one night in a tent at a lonely beach with some friends, we hiked a day in the forest and bathed in a little lake. and saw no one else the whole time! then the parents of one picked us up with the sailboat again. you know i love adventures like that.
    so enjoy the cities but have a look at the great nature there too, it´s so green, and green is good for the soul :-)
    <3 xxxxxx

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    1. Absolutely! I'd say it's almost more the stunning natural scenery that I'm keen to reunite with. I love the dry, sagebrush covered world of the Okanagan, but having spent the first nine years of my life on the coast (the area around, and including Vancouver), there will always be a deeply rooted part of me that needs to connect periodically at least with the stunning greenery, lush moss covered forests, and majestic views of the Pacific Ocean and its landscapes and I am so looking forward to doing that in less than three weeks.

      Thank you for the great comment, dear Beate - big hugs!
      ♥ Jessica

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  22. Now that's quite exciting to look forward to!! And I absolutely love booking with Airbnb and getting a chance to stay in areas that we otherwise never would stay in. You guys will have a grand time!

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  23. Have a wonderful holiday and a well earned rest. I have lovely memories of Victoria from a trip many years ago,remember the wonderful hanging flower baskets in particular. Enjoy the vintage fair, may you find yourself some treasures.

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  24. Oh that seems nice! Looking forward hear more about the vacation later and the photos! :)

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    1. Thank you very much, dear gal. Photos (and likely video) will definitely be following here once we get back and you can see snaps of our travels on Instragram the whole time we're there.

      ♥ Jessica

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  25. This is super exciting my sweetest friend! I'm sure it will be a fantastic memorable vacation. I'm so happy for you and Tony! I can't wait for some photos :o)

    Much love from your friend,
    Miss Beta xx

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    1. I can hardly wait to take photos! Victoria, and all of Vancouver Island, is stunning and we're going to be there at the start of fall, which should make for some devastatingly gorgeous images.

      Thank you very much, honey - huge hugs!
      ♥ Jessica

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  26. Hello! I hope you have a wonderful time, dear Jessica! :D

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  27. Great!! Have fun! :) xxx

    vintagepri.blogspot.com

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  28. Have a wonderful time and here's to all the wonderful bargains you will snaffle!

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  29. congrats on booking the holiday! all the planning and thinking about it only ever feels real once it's been booked and you know it's definitely going to happen. and we all need a holiday every once in a while (mine just happens to be a really big one). and that's fantastic that there's a vintage festival on while you're there! obviously not the only reason you're going but it doesn't hurt one bit. :) hope you've been well lovely xxx

    little henry lee

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    1. Thank you very much, sweet gal. I wish I could take a fabulously long trip like yours. Perhaps one day - Tony and I dream of having an RV of our own and traversing North America in it, so a lengthy journey isn't entirely out of the question somewhere in the future.

      I am been so inspired by your enchantingly beautiful travel photos (on your blog and Instagram) this summer and hope to bring back some of my own to fill a post or two with once we're home.

      Big hugs & happiest of ongoing travels!
      ♥ Jessica

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  30. I'm so excited for you! I LOVE Victoria. If I had my way we'd still be living there today.

    Be sure to visit Oak Bay. We used to live right across from the Oak Bay Marina when my husband was in university there. Oh how I love that spot!

    They have an excellent Italian Bakery and Bistro in the Oak Bay Village.

    I hit a very good thrift/vintage store the last time I was there, about 3 months ago, it was on Pandora just up from the downtown core. It was HUGE. I cannot remember the name of it : ( Ask around. There are a few good ones in Victoria itself.

    Have a wonderful trip!

    bisous
    Suzanne

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  31. How exciting that you will be able to go to a vintage expo. I haven't been on a vacation in years, but I think the next one I go on will have to be planned around some sort of vintage event as we have nothing like that anywhere in Alaska, that I'm aware of. Britches and Hose, oh my I laughed out loud, I hope you get to go. But first and for most, please, take care of yourself. Hugs to you,

    She Knits in Pearls

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  32. Ahhh, have a wonderful time!! It is so difficult to get away when you have animals hey?! Sounds as though they will be in excellent hands though!

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  33. So exciting and not long for you to wait now! Sounds like you have lots of fun things lined up, I will be interested to hear all about it!

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  34. I wish you a fabulous holiday and very good healt, you deserve it, dear. I will be looking forward to hearing about it seeing photos. :)

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    1. Thank you very much, my wonderfully sweet friend. Tony and I both need this trip something fierce - we've been uber busy beavers this year. :)

      ♥ Jessica

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  35. So very, very excited for you, dear friend!!! I wish you all the R&R and serenity for this trip. Oh an island sounds perfection right now!!

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    1. Thank you soooo much, splendidly dear gal!!! I can hardly believe there's just six more days until we leave. This week is uber busy (not just with prepping packing, but a family birthday, medical appointments, another work trip for Tony, and various other things), so hopefully the days will pass quickly and before I know it, I'll be on the ferry again at long last and bee lining towards Vancouver Island. :)

      ♥ Jessica

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