February 12, 2015

Of Orca Whales, Parliament, and Casual Attire


I need to preface these photos by stating for the record that I was wearing layers. Lots of layers. Beneath my sweater, I had a fitted long sleeve shirt, a fitted t-shirt, a camisole, and a long line bra. Hidden below my Freddies of Pinewood jeans, I has on long johns. So if things seem a bit bulky - or like the jeans are clinging to my legs in weird ways - that's why. Now, on with the show...err, photos!




Outfit details

1950s/60s abstract print scarf (worn on my head): Moon Walk Vintage (won as a lovely giveaway prize a while back on Va-Voom Vintage)
White plastic rose earrings: Claire's
Dark plastic tortoise shell sunglasses: DKNY (worn on the boat)
1950s beige rain coat (worn on the boot): Tootsie Vintage
Olive green-brown cable knit sweater: Forever 21
Hand painted vintage orca whale brooch: Vendor at the 2014 Victoria Vintage Expo
Black plastic rose stretch bracelet: Thrifted years ago from Value Village
1940s style side button jeans: Freddies of Pinewood
Sky blue vintage style cross body purse: eBay
White and black vintage style saddle shoes: eBay
Lip colour: Clinique Raspberry Glace
Nail colour: Essie Hide & Go Chic


DSLR and iPhone photography by Tony Cangiano 

















































(Me out on the water during our whale watching tour.)






Last month we took a peak a what I wore during an awesome day of seal feeding while in Victoria at the start of autumn. This time around I'm shining the spotlight on what I sported on the day that we went out on a three-hour long whale watching excursion.

These photos (save for the one of me on the boat and the the ones taken of/on the high seas) were shot after we'd been out getting hit with surprisingly chilly, extremely strong winds for hours, so my make-up was half gone and my cheeks were more than a little flushed from the weather, the excitement, and certainly the happiness of that day.

Taking part in a whale watching adventure was something that I'd wanted to do since I was a small child, so I knew that even though it would be a bit of an investment, we had to do so while on our fabulous two week long Vancouver Island trip. We did a lot of research into the various companies that offered excursions of this nature and ultimately went with one from the Prince of Whales (love that pun-tastic name), as their boats were said to over smooth rides and have onboard washrooms - two absolute musts for me if I'm setting sail anywhere.

Both proved to be true and we had a marvelous time setting out into the vast blue Pacific Ocean, where we spotted orca whales, minke whales, seals, plenty of birds, and for all of about two seconds, I'm certain that I saw an adorable little otter diving around in the waves. The company offers a whale sighting guarantee, which means that if we hadn't seen any that day, we could have come back for free again a second time. Thankfully, though it did take about an hour and a half to see the majestic black and white orcas, we spotted plenty of wildlife that day, so one outing was all it took.

The staff on board were friendly and very knowledgeable and I had a great time talking with one female staff member in particular, who shared with me tons of great facts about orca whales, including that some of the oldest in the pod that live in those Pacific waters are thought to be at least a hundred years old.

Sadly, truly heartbreakingly actually, she also informed me that about half of the orca whales that are born today die at a young age due primarily to environmental factors (re: polluted waters). This number rattled me to my core and made me feel even more fortunate to get an opportunity to see the handful of these resplendently beautiful wild creatures that we did on that sun-kissed early fall afternoon.

The Price of Whales website had advised tour participants to dress warmly and in layers, so that is precisely what I did. Though my outfit wasn't as in-your-face vintage-y as some of mine certainly are, it was still old school enough to have most eyes on me as we boarded the boat and several people paid me lovely compliments, which is always touching to have happen in any setting.

While I was (barely) warm enough thanks to those four layers on top (five counting my jacket) and two on the bottom (plus thick cotton wool socks and my trusty orca coloured saddle shoes, which are surprisingly warm themselves), the wind was so strong that even with a scarf wrapped 1940s style around my locks, I still had to put a hand on my head many times when the boat picked up speed to avoid the risk of having my wig go flying off into the surf!

I really want to go whale watching again in the future so when we do, I'll either wear something that literally ties my wig to my head or sport a fitted hood that prevents it from going anywhere. Thankfully due to my diligence, it stayed put and I didn't have to deal with the embarrassment that would have come had the wind snatched it up!

We really had an amazing time out on the water and when we returned to dry land, we headed over to the provincial Parliament Building (aka, the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia building), which is located on the waterfront, for a quick photo shoot before heading home to fill our famished tummies (being out on a boat in cold, windy weather really works up an appetite!).

This stately and truly gorgeous example of late Victorian architecture (it was completed in 1897) is one of the most breathtaking buildings to be had in this very new province of ours and is a location I'd been wanting to shot in for many years now. Despite the sunshine, there wasn't a lot of folks around, so we were able to take plenty of shots on the stairs and other spots on the backside of the building without other sightseers or locals crossing in front of our lens, as can often happen in popular public spots like this.

Without a doubt, this is one of the more casual outfits I've sported on my blog over the years. Were we not out whale watching, it's the kind of thing I might wear for a trip to the dog park with Annie or perhaps a fall time pumpkin picking excursion in a farmer's field. Delightfully, two pieces of this look were purchased mere days before while in Victoria: the classic cable knit sweater came from Forever 21 (I'd made a point to budget for a trip there as I hadn't stepped foot in one since we left Toronto at the start of 2012 and I'd really been missing it), and the adorable vintage (c. 1980s) orca whale brooch came from the Victoria Vintage Expo that I'd attended the very day before our whale watching adventure.

The rest of the items that made up my layered ensemble were from my closest back home and I couldn't help but love how well that happened to scarf matched my new sweater. I'm always on the lookout for comfy, classic knits like this that are wool-free (I'm allergic to wool) and don't break the bank, and this one delivered big time there (if memory serves me right, it was about $28.00). I'd definitely wear it again for outings like.

I've been rationing my sets of outfit photos from our time on the Island and this, I believe, is the second to last one that I have to share. The final photos, taken on the very rainy ferry boat ride back home to the mainland, will be appearing here in the near future.

Much like our afternoon of feeding the seals, this was an amazing experience and one that I feel very blessed to have been able to enjoy on our holiday. Should you ever get the chance to go out on a similar excursion yourself, I really can't recommend it highly enough! Tony and I both agreed that it was money extremely well spent and that we'd love to go again and again and... :)


 photo TonysorcawhaleInstagramphoto_zps92aa714b.jpg

72 comments:

  1. Jessica, you look absolutely gorgeous in these photos! I love the simple head-scarf 'do - and it must have been a brilliant choice for the open seas. Very clever! I also adore that little brooch - and how it matches your shoes! So pleased for you that you got to do this, it looks amazing. I'd love to do it myself one day, especially after my bad feelings about the marine zoo I went to last year... CC x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much, honey. I so love that you picked up on that intentional orca whale saddle shoe + brooch colour combo. Very good eye! It really was an amazing day - every bit as fun, but in a different sort of way, as the one on which we tossed fishies to those precious harbour seals.

      It's hard to believe that this post is my second to last outfit one (and likely second to last in general) about our resplendant Vancouver Island trip last fall. I've massively enjoyed sharing so much about it here with all my lovely readers over the past few months. I guess I'll just *have* to go on vacation again soon to get lots of photos of amazing experiences like this to come home and continue to share (hmmm, not to just find a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow to fund my love of travel with... :D).

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  2. who is looking bulky? that orca? ;-)
    love that outfit! that sweater is fab, great color and pattern! you really look like going on a adventure! and your rosy cheeks proof that it was fun!
    never saw bigger wales then dolphins, one day i will go on such a trip too. probably wrapped in wool from head to toe :-)
    next time its freezing try silk next to your skin, it keeps you warm - cotton is unable to do this. (or use this synthetics that simulate wool like in thermal wear)
    WARM hugs from me!
    xxxxxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. What an awesome tip, thank you very much. I was in (and adored being a part of) the Girl Guides of Canada for years and we learned a lot of layering, dressing for the elements and such there, but I never heard that about silk (perhaps because few children wear silk nowadays). I will remember that next time I'm braving the high seas in an open boat or otherwise spending a lot of time outdoors in the cold.

      You're so knowledge, sweet Beate. Thank you again and many, thanks too, for your wonderfully nice comment.

      Huge hugs coming right back at you,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  3. Even in casual attire you look wonderfully stylish! I am loving that olive color on you. I am slightly jealous that you got to go whale watching - I'd love to do that some day!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Wonderful outfit! I love the blue bag and matching nail polish :)

    It sounds like an awesome trip and I am so jealous, you must have just had the best time :) I would love to see orcas, unfortunately they only live miles off of the coast in the very south of Australia. I have seen different whales as they migrate up and down the coast but never up close. I'd love to go out whale watching, I think it would be amazing to see them in the wild so closely. I've always been mesmerised by orcas, they look so playful but are apparently quite vicious. A while back in my state there was a full grown great white shark that got eaten wayyyy off the coast and they thought it was either a giant squid, an even bigger shark or an orca. Pretty crazy stuff!

    Alecia xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi sweet gal, it truly was an amazing trip. We planned and saved for it for many months and were not disappointed in the slightest! Each day was a special gift and bank of memories unto itself, though this was certainly one of the absolute most fantastic of them.

      Interestingly, when we returned home I did some extensive research and it would appear that orcas, while predatory animals, do not kill humans in the wild (only in captivity and of course then only select whales do so - can you blame them really?). I'm not saying I'd want to dive into a pod of them by any means, but that is a touch reassuring say if one ever falls off a boat in Pacific Ocean.

      It's really cool that you have them off the coast of Australia as well, I didn't know that. They really are a stunning and very majestic species, I completely agree. It's a true crime that so many have been lost due to humans (pollution, hunting, fishing nets, etc) in recent decades. The world will lose something irreplaceable if we drive them to extinction.

      Big hugs & many thanks for your lovely comment,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  5. You wear so many interesting items it's hard to pick one out to comment upon. The pretty brooch, the cute shoes, the pants that suit you so well... Oh, and btw, Jodi lives in Canada too, not too far away from you. She's just outside of Vancouver. I have plans to visit her when I go there this Summer.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How wonderful!!! I love that even though there are exceedingly few fellow vintage bloggers in BC, there are certainly many bloggers and microbloggers (in all kinds of niches) throughout this beautiful province. It makes one feel like they have friends wherever they travel and in your case, I think that quite literally rings true for you, Ally. I really hope that you two are able to meetup in the summer - Vancouver is such a stunning, vibrant, dynamic city, I just know you're going to adore it there!

      Thank you for your great comment,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  6. I went whale watching years ago but off the other coast in Nova Scotia, I don't remember being cold since I was so sea sick I spent the whole time in the bathroom and missed the whales! You guys were able to get some really great shots.

    I have been on a thrifting hunt for a sweater like you wore it looked so nice with the fun brooch you were able to pick up the day before!

    Great post and photos as always.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh no, I'm very sorry to hear that you had such a rough whale watching experience. Though one might peg me as an ideal candidate for it, I've never gotten sea sick on boats of any type, but I can fully imagine how unpleasant it must have been for you, honey.

      I will let you know if I see any similar sweaters for sale online. It's possible - though not likely given how quickly they turn over merch - that Forever 21 still has some in stock online or in person. Do you have one (or more) in Winnipeg? The closest one to us in down in the Greater Vancouver Area (about 4.5 hours away). They've always been one of the few modern clothing stores I really like and actually shop from, so I had to beeline there when we got to Victoria. :)

      Thank you very much!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  7. Love outfits and what a fun adventure! What a fortuitous find, that brooch. I don't think you need to preface anything about layers in winter, and you certainly didn't look bulky or have clingy clothing or anything! There's probably not a single thing I wear from November to April that doesn't have at least one hidden layer underneath. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's really sweet of you to say, thank you, sweet gal. I guess because it was the most layers (let alone waist length ones) that I'd worn on camera here, I felt the need to mention something - we always think we look bigger in our minds than we really do though, I know. :)

      It really was a fortuitous find - even though I was one of the first people through the doors there and bought it at one of the first tables on the ground floor (the Expo was split between two floors of the same building), I was still shocked that I was able to nab it up. It was my favourite find for myself of the day (I was mostly buying for the shop, but still).

      Big hugs & countless happy Valentine's wishes!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  8. Replies
    1. It truly is!!! If you ever even remotely have the chance to do so, I can't recommend it highly enough!

      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  9. I love the color of that sweater! I love unique green hues, I am always on the look out for moss or forest greens. The way you pair colors together is constantly inspiring me, I love the bright blue purse with the olive of the sweater and would have never thought of putting those two colors together. Speaking of color, I wore my hounds-tooth skirt with mustard yellow as you had suggested last week and it looked really cute! I am going to try and be more adventurous with my color coordinating from now on!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much, sweet gal! I am as well. I used to wear a lot of olive/army green in high school, but as my wardrobe became progressively more and more vintage and vintage appropriate, the number of pieces in this earth shade dwindled quickly. I wish that more repro brands would work with it, as it's a great colour that looks the vintage part and which is relatively easy to pair with other hues, too (it falls into the quasi-neutral camp for me).

      That's awesome!!! And speaking of houndstooth, after that comment, I got to thinking about how much I missed having anything (save for a charming 80s scarf) in that classic pattern and ordered a vintage houndstooth pencil skirt online. Fingers crossed that it fits and I can sport some of this great pattern again soon myself, too.

      Huge hugs & joyful Valentine's wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  10. What a lovely summary of your whale watching experience and wandering arounds in Victoria. I have always wanted to go whale watching AND to Victoria and now after reading this post I'm even more eager. Poke Poke to my husband as I type this lol!

    I loved your outfit too (does not look bulky) AND your whale brooch..to cute!

    So glad you had a blast Jessica, I can see from the wonderful photos you took that you truly did.

    Have a wonderful Valentines Day weekend :)

    Liz

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, honey! It is such a majestically stunning - and very vibrant - part of the country. I swear, I would move to the Island in a nanosecond, if such were possible (it's not right now in the slightest). Whether that ever happens or not, you can bet that I'll be trying to get back again often. There is so much to do, see, and sometimes - in the case of those precious harbour seals - even feed! :)

      I really hope that you and your husband are able to make it out there one day, too. I have a list of vintage shops in Victoria that I put together and would love to share with you, if you do (I have ones for Vancouver and Calgary, too - definitely let me know if they can ever be of use to you).

      Huge hugs & joyful Valentine's wishes!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  11. You look wonderful, and I'm always in awe of the ways you're able to style your wig. I used to wear a wig when my hair got badly damaged so can really appreciate how tricky it can be! Your boat trip sounds perfect, I'm so happy you got to see the whales! I love orcas, they really are magnificent creatures and I can't imagine how wonderful it is to see them in their natural environment. I love that your found your matching pin just the day before, how perfect!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is extremely sweet of you to say, dear Faye. Thank you deeply. I'm very sorry that you had to wear a wig at one point, too. Not, of course, that there's anything wrong with wigs, there certainly isn't (and I'd be nearly hairless without them!), it's just that they rarely hold a candle to having the use one's own real hair. It's truly wonderful that you were able to get back to the point of sporting yours again. There is zero signs of that happening for me so far, but one never knows for sure in the long run.

      It's amazing beyond words to see them in person. Their size and grace, agility and playful nature (through which one can certainly still see the hunter in them being at the ready all the time) is memorizing and really makes you take stock of how incredibly lucky we are to still have the orcas and other types of whales with us that we do in the 21st century.

      Huge hugs & joyful Valentine's wishes!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  12. You're beautiful, even in casual, and the colour of your sweater is perfect with your eyes!
    And I LOVE your shoes!
    Thank you for these wonderful pictures (no orca whales in Normandie!).

    Amitiés!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're so sweet, dear gal, thank you very much. I love what this sweater does for my green eyes, too. I'd forgotten, as I don't own much olive/army green these days, just how much it brought out their tones. It's the perfect reason for me to try and find more for my wardrobe again.

      Tons of hugs & super happy Valentine's wishes!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  13. Beautiful photos Jessica, you look lovely in your casual attire.

    ReplyDelete
  14. *LOL* Freddy's of Pinewood - I'm so sorry to laugh at the company name (bad kitty!), but I just can't stop thinking "...the white-trash version of Fredricks of Hollywood..."! ;)

    I hear you on the layering for the cold - coming from the slightly damper side of this wonderful country of ours, it's a necessity. Funny enough, we just don't do it very often, probably because we'd all look too much like the "Stay-puffed Marshmallow Man" - and we just can't have that in the fashionable city of Toronto!! *gasp*

    if you are interested in silk, there's a shop on Etsy that sells vintage kimono material. Ping me on Etsy and I'll dig up the link...

    Sounds like an amazing trip, so glad you have such a terrific (if a little hair-raising) time! :) And I mean that in the nicest way, I hope you know... You have such lovely hair / wigs!! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chuckle, chuckle - now I'm going to equate the two names in my head as well. I don't actually know the history behind Freddies of Pinewood's moniker, but I'd venture to guess it wasn't based on Fredricks of Hollywood, especially since FOP is a British company. I'm curious though about their name and am going to see if I can find out the story behind it.

      So true! We talk about layering, we joke about layering, but we don't often actually put on four, five, or more layers at once - just thicker single garments or pairs of layers. Great point, dear gal.

      Not being a sewer, I doubt I'll be buying pieces of silk anytime soon, but if they have silk under things, that could be a possibility. Thank you for offering to send me the link to that shop, that's very sweet of you.

      I do indeed (know how you meant it) and am so happy that we did as well. We saved and planned for this trip for many months and I'm so grateful that it turned out as positively (and enjoyably) as it did.

      Big hugs & joyful Valentine's weekend wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
    2. I'm not great at it, but I could offer to dust off my meager sewing skills... ;)

      Mugsy

      Delete
    3. Awww, you're the sweetest! That's very kind of you to say. Thanks!!!

      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  15. I can't tell you how much I really really like what your wearing. I'm on the hunt right now for a vintage casual look that works with our winters. (Today is -13 feels like -24)
    Also Whale watching!!! How cool was that. All these things you did need to be on our list for next time I'm in BC.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That is officially chilly for sure, goodness!!! Things have warmed up here a touch lately, but we were at -20C earlier this winter for a while and its entirely possible that we'll get another cold snap or two before spring arrives. It can be tricky to nail vintage casual or really almost any kind of vintage look in the winter months for sure. Here's a post of mine that you may enjoy with some of my favourite pieces to help do just that: http://www.chronicallyvintage.com/2013/12/ten-cold-weather-vintage-wardrobe.html

      I really hope that you're able to do all of those things the next time you're out this way, my lovely friend - and of course, if you ever venture a bit further north to the Okanagan, know that you have the warmest of welcomes at our house.

      Have an awesome Valentine's weekend!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  16. Stunning photos! Love your accessories!
    http://inkandlacedesigns.blogspot.com.au/

    ReplyDelete
  17. That sweater looks so beautiful on you! You always seem to know what colors to wear to make your skin glow. I'm working on that ;) p.s. The way your hair is pulled back made me think you were sporting a new bob style for a second there! Which would also look totally cute on you. ...makes me want to pull some of my wigs out of the closet!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much, darling gal! I wouldn't mind a bob or shorter length in the slightest, you know. Perhaps the next time one of these wigs "dies" (I find they last me for 3 to 5 months on average, depending on how often I wear them, the weather, how much I perspire, those kinds of things, as you know), I'll give it a haircut and see what I can come up with there.

      That said, I've been massively feeling black and dark brunette hair lately (since last October actually), so a whole new colour (and possibly length) might be in the cards this year. We'll see! :)

      Big hugs & tons of happy Valentine's weekend wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  18. Stunning photos. I adore the little brooch on your sweater! :D

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much, sweet gal! It was truly the most perfect brooch ever to wear for an outing like this. I'm sure it will return with me to the Island on future trips that we take there - I do love a great themed outfit after all! :)

      Big hugs & many thanks for both of your wonderful blog comments yesterday,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  19. I've never been whale watching even though there is plenty of opportunity to do so around here. I really should fix that. Your outfit is absolutely perfect!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's very sweet, thank you so much, dear Debs!!! I could have used another layer or two for even more warmth, but otherwise it was ideal for this kind of jaunt out onto the open sea (good to know how chilly it gets there even just at the very start of autumn).

      Thank you again & have a fabulous Friday,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  20. How lucky to see whales! I know were I to see one I would cry. I would so love to see a basking shark too and have often said that were I not so scared of being in water, then I would love to go in one of those shark cages. It isn't the shark that scares me, it's being in the water, that idea scraes me more!

    You look lovely (and toasty warm) in these pictures xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it would be amazing to get in the water with sharks (or whale) as well. I've not done so myself, but, health permitting, would be game for it (that would definitely earn a blog post unto itself, too!). I'm sorry that you're not on getting in the water. That's certainly a very understandable dislike/fear. Are there any aquariums in the UK where one can view sharks through glass? You can do that with (rather cute, actually) reef sharks at the Vancouver Aquarium here in BC.

      Thank you very much, dear gal - have a splendid week!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
    2. I'm not overfond of aquariums, I have a very irrational fear that the glass would dissolve and the fish would get me! Hehe, writing that down makes it sound even more irrational!

      I will go in one eventually though as I just found out sea dragons are indeed real, which just about made my day and I so want to see one with my own two eyes. I'd seen what I thought was a real and very incredible looking fish just last December in the pet department of a shop and was crestfallen to find it was a fake aquarium decoration but just last night on a documentary about animals in love, I saw they were real.

      I hope you have a lovely week too xxx

      Delete
    3. Not all all - I suspect that is actually not an entirely uncommon fear at all. Who hasn't stood in front of the glass at a big marine park or zoo aquarium and not though, "Oh my, I really hope that glass doesn't suddenly break!" - I know I have. I sincerely appreciate that you shared that fear with me.

      Aren't sea dragons/leafies the most amazing, delicate, beautiful creatures? I really hope you're able to see some in person one day.

      Have a marvelous Monday,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  21. Gorgeous photos! I love whale watching but haven't done it since I was a kid. I love the casual vintage look of your outfit here, aren't Freddie's Jeans the best! I also love how you mixed vintage and modern and once again show vintage is perfect for casual activities too

    retro rover

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much, dear Kate! I've said it before, but I'll happily say it again (and again...) as much as I love and often wear genuine vintage, to me, achieving the total look that I'm going for - be it 40s or 50s - is more, or at least as, important as if the garments themselves are decades old or not. There is so many great repro and vintage inspired brands out there and tons of vintage appropriate clothing to be had. It just wouldn't make sense to me personally to not avail of all of those sources to put together the kind of mid-century looks I adore so much.

      Freddies are the best! I have lousy luck with pants in general, but theirs have been one of the few exceptions to that statement in my whole life. I'll be a loyal Freddies fan and wearer for as long as they keep making them. :)

      Thank you again & have a really fantastic Valentine's celebration!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  22. It sounds like you had an amazing time whale watching! I've never been out on the ocean in a boat before (despite living in southern California for 2 years, go figure), so that sounds like treat enough to me - whales would just be the gravy on top!
    You look really lovely here. Maybe it's just the excitement, but you look so bright eyed and pretty in these photos. The olive sweater is great against your skin, and it's fun to see you with your hair back.
    On a side note, I noticed that when you go to checkout for Freddies, if you update the shipping information to say that you're from the US, it gives you a discount! I don't know if the same is true for Canada, but it might be worth looking into. This might be common knowledge, but I know you really love your pair, so I thought you might be interested.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're so sweet! Thank you very, very much! I agree, between the warm early fall lighting and the flush of excitement from 3+ hours on the open seas, my eyes were twinkling here and my skin had a healthy tinge to it that I've rarely seen in my adult years (I became chronically ill when I was 18). The first photo here in particular really captures how I was feeling and how I saw myself in my mind that awesome orca whale filled day.

      That is really cool about the Freddies shipping. I hadn't heard that. It's been a while (circa late 2012) since I last ordered from them, because I got hit with such massive courier shipping charges and then import fees and courier brokerage fees on top of that. Anything to help cut down on things there gets a big thumbs up in my books. Thank you very much for sharing that with me/us!

      Have a fabulous new week!!!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  23. Olive/khaki is such an underrated colour and it looks lovely on you. I do like the cable design as well.

    Whale watching sounds wonderful , sadly not for me as I get chronic "mal de mer", although I have been seal watching a few times at a local nature reserve at Seal Sands.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It truly is - and such an underused one in the repro world, too. I would love to see scads more repro and vintage inspired pieces in olive/khaki green.

      Big hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  24. I just love that brooch and the pop of colour from the bag!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much, sweet gal!!! It is such a fun, cheerful colour. I have this exact same bag in a few different colours, but this one takes the cake for the most upbeat, if you ask me, and I was delighted with how well it played with olive/khaki green here.

      Have an awesome week!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  25. How exciting! You are lucky to live somewhere where you can do such an amazing thing fairly easily.
    I love your outfit, especially the cute shoes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That we truly are. I've said it before and I'll say it again, British Columbia is like a whole, massively diverse country unto itself and you could easily live a thousand lifetimes here and only begin to scratch the surface of all there is to do and see in this most westerly part of Canada.

      Thank you very much, dear lady - have a stellar week!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  26. That purse is divine. Love the color and size. And your hair-I have color envy :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much, Tami! I've been a wig wearer due to medical hair loss since late 2012 and if you'd ever like to rock the same hair, you can! :) My wig is called Pinup and it's from the brand Jon Renau.

      Have a fabulous new week!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  27. I have to say 1) not at all bulky, you look stylish and warm as can be! 2) I think this color should be renamed from Ocre to Jessica because wow it looks smashing on you. See how your eyes pop...lovely! 3) I love how simple this look is that anyone can recreate it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're all kinds of sweet, my dear, thank you very much. I can safely say that you're the first person who has ever suggested a hue be renamed after me. That put a mile wide smile on my face (and then some!).

      Agreed. This is fundamentally a very basic outfit that most folks could easily recreate a similar version of. The colours, exact lines, and accessories would no doubt vary a smidge, but the general fashion recipe would still be the same and could serve a person well in a million and one settings.

      Huge hugs,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  28. Prince of Whales! I love that :)

    You look lovely here and I am glad that you got to experience something so amazing

    ReplyDelete
  29. I find it's hard to look nice and be warm in winter, which is probably why my winter wardrobe can get a bit predictable and boring. I really liked your outfit though. My favourite part is the scarf pattern, because it just brings everything together. I really like the shoes too! Since I started Rock n roll dancing again I have been admiring all the great kinds of shoes you can wear. And i have been quite tempted to purchase some lace up saddle shoes

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much, honey. Saddle shoes are incredibly versatile. With the exception of certain sports, they can be worn just about where that sneakers/trainers/runners are called for, yet are a million times more vintage looking/appropriate. I've taken them with us on all of our trips and have clocked many miles in them close to home, too. Right now I just have this classic black and white pair, but I'd love to add some other colours to my show wardrobe one day, too (especially pink and white, which I had a pair of when I was a little girl and have yearned for another ever since).

      Wishing you a fantastic new week!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  30. Darling,
    I would have had no idea you had so many layers on! You look fantastic. The sweater brings out the green in your eyes beautifully and you can never go wrong with a pair of Freddie's of Pinewood. It's high time I invested in a pair myself. I love that you and Tony actually saw whales and other sea faring friends. I would be doomed on a water trip as I suffer from motion sickness and truly enjoy the photos from your trip at sea. Parliament is special indeed. The architecture is really something. I was able to enjoy the opening of Parliment in Melbourne while I was there and briefly spent time on the steps. Formidable. I'm happy that you didn't have any wardrobe malfunctions due to the winds. Lovely photos, Jessica, and Tony captures you beautifully. Happy Valentines Day! ChristyByTheSea Redondo Beach, California

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ooohh, you really must! They are a bit of an investment for sure, but I can confidentially say that I've never made a better one on the denim front in my whole life. I've had all my Freddies pieces (jeans and some tops) for 3 - 4 years now, and they're each holding up remarkably well, get even comfier with age, and actually fit me, unlike 99% of modern denim!

      Thank you very much! Perhaps the layers were bulkier looking in my head that day than they appeared in photos. We're always our worst critics in that regard, aren't we?

      Oh no! I'm very sorry to hear that you're affected by motion sickness. You might think that I'd be a prime candidate for it, but alas the universe spared me that one and I've never felt queasy at all on any kind of boat. I've heard of aerial whale and shark watching in a few places (such as Australia). If you're able to fly without experiencing motion sickness, perhaps one day that would be an option if you wanted to view some whales up and close and personal, too (especially if there were any US companies offering it).

      Tons of hugs & happy Monday wishes,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  31. Oh wow, this sounds like the most amazing experience!! Really gorgeous photos. I think you look great, no bulk or weird clinging that I can see. Very sensible to layer up like that, I often wear thermal leggings under jeans/trousers in winter, it's the only way to stay warm!! I feel the cold quite a bit. This casual look suits you well x

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's very kind, my dear, thank you! Agreed, thermal leggings, tights, long johns - anything! - is a must when the mercury dips. I usually wear two pairs of socks, too, especially if the tights (etc) don't have feet on them.

      Hopefully things are slowly starting to warm up on your end. It's much too soon to call winter over here, but we have had some lovely slightly above freezing temps in recent days that lets one know that point is no long a million miles away.

      Have a fantastic new week!
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  32. what a cute outfit! wow, the shoes totally match the orca pin! how fun!

    ReplyDelete
  33. I'm kinda afraid of whales and big sea animals, dunno why x) Love your shoes!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I get that for sure, dear gal. Their size alone would be enough to (accidentally) do any of us in in potentially, if we were in the water with them. Irrational though it may be, I've always been somewhat afraid of the large red Pacific octopuses that we have here in the ocean waters of BC (and really, of all big cephalopods). As a child I would sometimes worry that I'd fall off the ferry and be dragged under the water by one (extremely unlikely - but childhood fears aren't exactly famous for always being rational).

      Here's to the hope that neither of us ever have any close calls with big water dwelling creatures!

      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  34. Oh wow- I absolutely LOVE your outfit here Jessica. The headscarf and jumper are just so cute- love your style! xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you very much, Katie. That sweater was my favourite vintage appropriate buy of the trip (if not of all 2014 in general). It's timing couldn't have been more perfect. I'm not sure what I would have worn that day, working out of one suitcase (for two weeks), had I not chanced upon it. Awesome timing there for sure!

      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  35. It must have been the most amazing day out and I am glad that you got to see so much wildlife. I would love to go whale watching, they are such beautiful creatures. I really like your casual boat appropriate outfit, it definitely has vintage flavour. Your hair looks great in that scarf.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you sweetly, dear Kate. It was such a superbly fun day!!! I still get a rush of excitement just thinking about it. If you ever get the chance to go whale watching - be it for orcas or any other type of whale (or dolphin) - I can't recommend it highly enough. Tony and I both agreed that we want to go again in the future.

      Thanks!!! I actually wear my hair like this a lot, especially when my wigs are on their last legs and I want to stretch them a bit further (depending on how often I wear them, the weather, how much I've perspired, etc, I get anywhere from 3 to 6 months from a wig before I need to replace it). This was a new on though just for the trip, so that wasn't a factor. Instead I just wanted to keep my curls from whipping me in the face for hours out on the high seas! :)

      Sending tons of hugs & happy Thursday wishes your way,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  36. You look cute as always, dear. I really love that you tell about all your layers, it is charming and practical and might learn the young new-to-vintage a trick or two. And you have a whale brooch! But of course you do. :) And your nails matches your bag. This is the first time I've seen you wearing blue nail polish. ;) I also dream on seeing the whales in the sea. The closest I've come is the killer whales in Sea World, Florida. It was amazing. I still have no clue how they teach the huge whales to do the tricks. I'm in Austria, and it is snowing. I'm reading my iPad while all the rest of my family is skiing. Instagram is not working on this crabby network, so I cannot share anything, ough! Wishing you a lovely day, dear. :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi sweet Sanne, thank you very much for your wonderfully nice comment. I can so picture you relaxing in Austria and enjoying the snowy, picturesque setting there. I really hope that your trip is going splendidly (save for the lousy network connection) and that you're having a serene, happy time on your travels.

      I love this shade of polish. It was amongst the awesome gifts my sister gave me for my birthday last summer is my favourite blue polish I've ever owned. So long as Essie keeps making it, I'll keep buying it. Tony loves it to death, too, and says it's his favourite shade I currently own (it's high up on my list, too).

      You know me so well! I smiled ear-to-ear when you said "of course you do" in regards to me having an orca whale brooch. Were it not for the incredibly serendipitous timing of me finding one at the Vintage Expo, I might not have, but thanks to that happening, I did and do, and am sure it will return to the Island with me on future trips. I can't think of a more fitting brooch for that part of the world.

      Tons of hugs & happy wishes for this last week of February,
      ♥ Jessica

      Delete
  37. JESSICA I adore the casual attire ! that brown chunky sweater brings the rich colour in your eyes.

    ReplyDelete