On this post, our four days in British Columbia, for a forest wedding and a bit of exploring beautiful Vancouver. Sorry this post is a bit long today, and you may be getting sick of these travel posts. I feel like there has been a lot lately.
Can you believe today is our nation’s 250th? It is bittersweet for many of us. I still remember the exact day we turned 200. I was ten years old, and we had a parade on our court with all the kids. This is a photo of my friend Renee and me twirling batons that looks older than it is as my dad used his work Polaroid land camera to take most of our photos then. I remember trying to hear the bells ringing across the land all together at 11:00 a.m. Do any of you remember what you did? Max remembers the Bicentennial quarters.
I love this nation and though I am not happy with the government, I am not letting that stop me from flying my flag, nor celebrating with my town. America to me is our neighborhoods and communities, and the more we get together, the less we can be divided. I’ll be wearing this dress and a red sweater on the shoulders.
I’m making my traditional July 4th pavlova. It always looks so good on my grandmother’s blue platter. My kids aren’t here, so I’ll make it for Max and I ! This is Nigella’s chocolate pavlova from her How to Be a Domestic Goddess book. The freshest, brightest raspberries make it extra good. My kids love this so much, they make it themselves now.
I just had a few friends over for a birthday happy hour, I just served two things – this Boursin appetizer with peaches and tomatoes, and a salad that my pal Annie (Most Lovely Things blog), recently made on her Instagram last week. I used an oval dish, but you can also use a big platter like Annie did. I love the idea of layering a salad like this as it allows everyone to sort of cherry pick what they want for their own plate – and it looks stunning. I just served an assortment of crackers with these, and one friend brought cupcakes, and another brought the makings for Aperol Spritzes! So easy and fun.
Four Days in Vancouver!
Last Tuesday we flew to Vancouver, Canada. It was my first time in Vancouver and we were there for our nephew Sean’s wedding. After landing, we met all the sons and then headed out for a bite. We stopped just outside the airport at a darling small cafe with the best sandwiches in a nearby neighborhood of Marpole before we hit the road towards our hotel. This spot has live jazz and artists nights, as well as book club. We all need more of these third places, and Vancouver seems to thrive on them.
After checking into our hotel, (more below), we headed towards the wedding venue area to meet at Patch Brewery in Maple Ridge- a 6th generation barley farm with a pub/pizza spot in the middle. With live music, artisan pizzas, beers and dirty sodas, we loved it. The sun doesn’t set here in Vancouver until nearly 9:30 p.m., so there is a long golden hour to enjoy sunsets.
Later in the evening we met the wedding party at the Cactus Club, which is a darling bar/restaurant that was hopping on a late Tuesday night with good music and great food – think disco supper club. They call it elevated dining. The people could not be nicer there. Apparently it is a Canadian chain and they have a great one at the Coal Harbor with a view too. I wish we had something like it here.
The forest wedding!
Sean and his wife met online playing a game, and bonded over their love of reptiles and animals. Both own lizards. They could not be better matched. It made me so happy as Sean has always been one of the sweetest humans I know. Watching him grow up, animals always knew it too, wherever we went. He is a special soul and Tasha seems to be the same sort of person. In his vows, he said he was prepared to live the life of a hermit with his lizards before he met Tasha! It is quite the love story and we are all thrilled for him.
Tasha lives in Canada and just finished school in British Columbia. Sean is in the Sacramento area. They will both now embark on a new adventure in Norway where Tasha will get her PhD at the Arctic University of Norway! Fortunately, my nephew was born there and speaks Norwegian, as my sister-in-law is from there. I’m hoping we get to visit them.
The wedding was held at Minnekhada Lodge in Coquitlam. This is a shot from the bridge nearby. To say this area is stunning is an understatement.
It is no surprise the way to Sean’s wedding was led by a bear, being such an animal lover! There is a long drive up to the lodge through the park and we spotted many bears along the way. They were black bears and one bear, probably a year old, came out of a creek right before our car, and happily skipped and sauntered down the road ahead of us. It was a hot day and many bears were cooling off in the waters. We stayed far back and went slow. He was likely with a mama and siblings we saw. I shared his enchanting jaunt on Instagram with the ‘Bear Necessities’ song. It’s like he was dancing to it. I truly wonder if the composers of that song watched bears when writing it?
The pretty wedding was outside at noon and afterwards there was a lunch served in the Tudor style historic house. My sister-in-law Line at the wedding site before and the bride and groom in the historic house afterwards.
A few pics of my kids and family. Jackson with Luke and Norah, Griffin and his boyfriend Keon, my niece Veronica and her boyfriend Luke.
My brother Peter and wife Line and their kids. Sadly our Kristin, Jackson’s fiancé, could not join us as it was the first day of her residency. She was missed!
The newlyweds cut their cake that evening. I loved Tasha’s dress so much and she shared that she had gotten it on Etsy. Sean got his green linen suit and floral tie at Bonobos. It seems like a lot of the young bridegrooms are now getting their own suits, and Bonobos has a lot of choices. My brother and Max both got suits there too.
I just heard that Sean and Tasha made it to Tromsø with her cat and are getting settled in. Their landlord was kindly waiting with a pizza and a cat box for them when they arrived at 1:30 in the morning! Love that.
Where we stayed and the Sky Train
We stayed in New Westminster, at a place called Inn at the Quay (pronounced key), situated right on the Fraser River. This was between the venue in Coquitlam and downtown Vancouver. Our hotel was right near the SkyTrain built for the Expo ’86, and super convenient to get to downtown Vancouver. It was a bit industrial in this area, but I loved watching all the tug boats go by all times of the day and the massive log floats being guided up stream. Always the tug boats had a happy dog along for the ride! We had great views of the bridge and the sky train from our room.
Next to the hotel was Craft Cafe where we loved getting coffee, chia puddings, and other yummy breakfast sandwiches. The atmosphere was adorable and so cozy with great views. I was served this seahorse cappuccino! On weekend nights the back area becomes a snug cocktail spot with craft cocktails. Highly recommend it.
Another spot three steps from the hotel was Angelina’s Dutch Corner. I used to make Dutch Pancakes for the kids when they were young, so we all had to go. It was fantastic. Everything was dressed up for the World Cup as a lot of the games were in Vancouver with fans and a fun atmosphere everywhere.
Speaking of the airport, the Vancouver airport is really special. When you arrive, you pass through Pacific Passage which replicates an ancient First Nations village, with a canoe on water, living plants, nature sounds, and art pieces. In fact, the airport has First Nations art throughout.
Unlike most of Canada, the majority of British Columbia was never surrendered to the government by the indigenous people. This unique legal reality means that much of the province sits on unceded land belonging to indigenous people. First Nations people have collaborative rights and say over much of what is done in B.C when it comes to land use rights. More on the First Nations below.
Gastown
The day after the wedding we explored Gastown and the waterfront of Coal Harbor with my brother’s family. Gastown was a 45 minute ride on the SkyTrain and the train station in Vancouver (below) is very nice. This part of Vancouver has cobblestone streets, Victorian architecture and the very popular steam-powered clock. It serves as a unique piece of functional art, hiding an underground steam vent pipe.
There are many small independent boutiques and cafes. Our favorite was Cherry Pick, which has preloved t-shirts, sweatshirts that are handpicked from the 500 tons of garments they go through every month. It’s packed with unique t-shirts from previous decades, and a collection of cool jackets and Ralph Lauren vintage! Griffin got an aviation museum sweatshirt and I saw this 90’s Nautica sweatshirt I should have gotten. We had lunch outdoors here at a Local Public Eatery that had yummy food and loads of World Cup fans inside.
Afterwards we wandered down to Coal Harbour, with yachts, seaplanes and skyscrapers, and stunning views of the North Shore mountains. It is a wonderful walk and a blast to watch the little seaplanes take off and land here.
Other cool places in Vancouver
Granville Island – A former industrial wasteland, Granville Island has been transformed into a food and artisan marketplace, with more than 300 independent businesses that include 50 food spots, an Artisan District, and shops. We came at the end of the day and grabbed some delicious scones, and shopped for a few gifts at a textile shop, and this French outpost – Provence en Couleur, an aromatherapy shop, with fresh lavender soap and sachets directly from Provence. If you are in Vancouver, make time for this wonderful and massive marketplace.
The MOA—or Museum of Anthropology at the University of British Columbia is where we headed on our last day. This is a gem in Vancouver with a massive collection of magnificent carved totem poles, weavings, and contemporary art of indigenous peoples from Canada and throughout the world. Set on a river bed, it seems as if the massive totem poles are outdoors, but are really behind glass. Also unique is its visible storage system with glass galleries that allow visitors to view thousands of cultural objects from around the world that would normally be in archives. The baskets were my personal favorite, but the carvings and weavings were wonderful too.
Currently MOA has an exhibition of 51 ‘history robes’ made by Jut-ke-Nay–Hazel Wilson, which tell the story of her Haida ancestors. They are beautiful close up and it’s a wonderful collection if you can see it before it closes in October.
Final Notes
Before we all scattered to the winds we had Tim Hortons at the airport, and it was worth the hype. The prices were low by our standards for freshly made – not pre-packaged breakfast egg croissants and coffees. We all said if we had it here, we’d never go to Starbucks. One thing I have to note – prices are a lot lower for everything – and that is before you figure in the US-Canadian dollar conversion, which is currently 70 cents here to one CAD dollar, so it’s a good time to travel. Max and I want to go back and see more of Vancouver and get to Victoria, which we haven’t been to in 30 years.
Oh Canada!
Canadians were hugely friendly, so genuine and nice. We apologized to anyone who asked where we were from (California was my response), and said we loved Canada! That was always met with a sweep of the hand and a kind reply that they know we aren’t our government. Right now, maybe the best thing we can do is go travel and spend some money there. They sure have been good to us, and I’m not sure we deserve it.
What I wore…
I shopped for the wedding a month or so before, but the week before decided I didn’t love my dress. So there I was the weekend before at the mall, something I never want! I was about to throw in the towel after trying on more dresses than I could count, and finding nothing. The issue is always my short waist and full bust. Ugh. The current styles are a struggle.
Finally a great sales woman brought me this Rag & Bone dress (I bought an 8) and a blazer (it is now on sale. I bought a S. The previous blazer posted was another I tried on. Sorry for the mix up. Both nice.) With this bra that has a sheer cross that matches the dress’s dark accents, I was more covered. I felt modern with this blazer over the shoulders for the ceremony. It’s a slightly oversized fit that I will wear a ton. I also found a pair of linen slip-on sandals that were a perfect match for the blazer and are comfy. I brought an older LV black envelope clutch as my bag. This dress was so fun to wear I hated taking it off. I hope I get to wear it another time soon!
You can see the dress has cute black ties at the shoulder and the bra matches that and makes it look like part of the dress.
Also ran…I loved this pretty floral by Doen (adore the bell shaped skirt.) I wasn’t sure I wanted to wear a strapless bra though, and I thought I’d wear the one I bought more.
The Vancouver home of Rosie Daykin
Since we are on a Canada theme here (don’t you love me going full Canada on the July 4th), I thought this lovely home would be a great one to share. I am crazy about her wall colors, gorgeous tiles, and her greenhouse! An advertisement comes in the middle that looks like it’s ending, but it’s not, so keep watching.
Rosie has a darling Substack called Pidegeonhole, as she refuses to be put into one, as she’s a designer, cookbook author and an entrepreneur! More photos of this home and details here.
This video was from Canadian House & Home, one of my favorite magazines. I also love Canada’s Style at Home magazine, and grabbed both as soon as I got to the airport. It’s getting so darn hard to find good magazines anymore!
Other Good Things
This great NYTimes article gift link here was shared to me by Julia, (thank you!) about Vancouver and how they may be solving the housing with their new high rises being built by a First Nations’ Squamish. They are building the densest residential neighborhood in the country called Senakw, after a village that once stood in roughly the same place. I was already impressed by the number of high rises there, but a lot of them are condos. These will be more affordable. My family and I said why not build up and not just a few stories?? More high rises, less sprawl and better public transit and town centers that we all can walk to are so appealing.
Marks & Spencer is now at Nordstrom. Known for their stylish and affordable pieces, they are worth checking out. I gave the collection a quick check when I was there and I like these linen blend pants, this striped maxi dress, and this tie-waist shirt. The whole collection here.
Golden Gate Bridge Fireworks! San Francisco will celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence’s signing with historic fireworks were launched directly from the towers of the Golden Gate Bridge — only the third time in the Bridge’s nearly 90-year history that fireworks have been deployed from the iconic span. All the details here.
If you missed my Weekend Post from two weeks ago, I shared about Manhattan Beach and more.
I wish you all a happy Fourth of July!
Kim
Please stop by Elizabeth’s blogs for more good things…Juliet is taking a few weeks away.
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What a great post! So much great info on Vancouver that I was looking forward to reading because it has been on my places to go for far too long. Plan to remedy that soon. you made the right choice with the dress, blazer and bra situation you wore to the wedding. it looked great. I had to laugh about the Tim Hortons and the 2 magazines. The new issues are the first thing I grab when I cross over the bridge to Canada. I sometimes find them at barnes and noble in the states, but it’s hit or miss. If you are ever in the canadian lcbo store buying wine etc. Be sure to pick up their complimentary food and drink magazine. Gorgeous photography and great recipes etc. They fly out of the store they are so popular on both sides of the border. Really appreciate the hard work you put into your blog, and of course, your 2 instagram accounts! You really deserve a medal for loud daughters!!!
Catherine, It is a stunning spot and I have barely scratched the tip. You will love it and plan to include Victoria too.
Thank you about the dress and jacket!
The magazines are SO good. I have to say they look like the government subsidizes them too. It’s all so well done.
I’ve got that food and drink magazine on my list too now.
Aw you are kind. I need to work more on Loud Daughters! xo
What a great trip and how wonderful the wedding was. Your dress and jacket were perfect and even better they can be worn again. I have been to Vancouver once – back in 1978 staying with my ‘holiday fling’s’ family in Coquitlam. It was really beautiful, especially Vancouver Island and thoroughly enjoyed my visit, everyone was so friendly. I look back and laugh now, because my ‘fling’ nearly ended up as Elon Musk’s father in law (but he is a grandfather to three of his children). You should try Nigella’s Prodigious Pavlova with a raspberry coulis. I make one every Christmas, but in the shape of a Christmas wreath, the coulis cutting down on the sweetness. Your post certainly brought back some lovely memories of a lovely city. Thank you
Susan thanks so much. I was thinking that it would be a good dress for a lot of things.Coquilam is where Sean’s wife was from. Very cute area!
Ooh love to hear more about your holiday fling. Too bad we can’t go for a glass of wine and chat! Wow Elon Musks’s father in law.. and grandfather to the kids! Wow.
Okay I am looking up the Prodious Pav too. I adore Nigella.
Thank you! x
Thank you for taking the time to share this excellent post. I’ve only been to Montreal and Quebec City so I enjoyed your share of Vancouver and the wedding. I love your travel posts!
Agree that this a bittersweet B-day for us. However it is a hopeful one because our country has survived many difficult times so Happy 4th of July to you!
Thanks Kim,
Yet another great post and please don’t stop, especially the travel posts. Long or short they are great. Actually I love your “long” posts on any subject. Your pictures and script are always full of info and fun!
Also another cheeky thanks…. I’ve got the Disney song “Bare Necessities” in my brain and got caught singing ing it out loud.
😆
Suze thank you. Sometimes I wonder if they are too detailed, and maybe too much.
Ha! That Bear Neccesities song gets into your brain doesn’t it? xo
Ok, Ok, if you are flying your flag today, then I will too. I will fly it to celebrate our constitution. May it be actually followed, preserved and protected for all!
Tiffany great idea to celebrate our constitution!
We really debated, and then decided, we would fly it with our ‘Immigrants are welcome’ sign, so people know where we stand. It’s our flag and nation – Trump is just an employee. He has no rights to this flag. xo
Wow what fun! I loved reading this post–I haven’t been to Vancouver for quite a while! Everything you did looks fun and interesting. I have to go to a wedding (in the garden) back east in September and am having a difficult time finding something to wear as well. I’m short waisted too but have a small bust. I’m 79 so I’ve got that thick waist thing going on. I’m going to try the dress–same size and see if it is short waisted enough! Thanks for posting it!
Sally, It’s made so beautifully. I guess that is why it was pricier. It really flatters in the midsection, (which I hardly ever see), and has the nicest flowy fabric. I bet you will look great in it. Love the floral pattern too. xo
Love, love, love your posts……but this one about Vancouver is the best!
Sign me up! I want to go! Thanks for all your inspiration!
Aw thanks Kathleen! xo
We love to visit Vancouver! So happy to hear that you enjoyed your visit and fabulous that you had time to go to the MOA at UBC. I worked on campus for a couple of years when my husband went to school.
Looks like the weather cooperated too!
If you ever do pop back up to Victoria please let me know…would love to get together!!
Happy 4th of July and enjoy the pavlova…I need to make a batch as it’s so yummy!
Leslie
Hostess of The Humble Bungalow
Hi Leslie! Gosh how fun to work at the campus! You live in a beautiful spot. I would love to meet up in Victoria! xo
Enjoyed your post today! My husband wants to visit Vancouver probably in the next couple years so thanks for posting all the info. I’m taking notes! Looks like you had a nice time at the wedding and I like the dress you picked to wear. Cute story how your nephew and his wife met. I can definitely see a resemblance to your handsome brother and your SIL is gorgeous. Cute seeing bears sauntering about, when we were in Boise there were wild turkeys that roamed around especially in the early morning hours. They come from the foothills.
I have mixed feelings this 4th of July. I feel like Trump hijacked our 250th celebration. The State Fair is another big grift and EVERYTHING has to be about him. I heard that many of the donors thought it was a bi-partisan event. Really? I think many Americans are starting to wake up, and realize he doesn’t care one bit about them.
We don’t have any big plans for today, just yard work. We have quite a few walls in the front yard and years ago planted a bunch of creeping fig and decided it’s time to rip some of it off. It just got out of control and it was too much trimming to keep up with. My husband’s first day of retirement was yesterday and that was the first thing on his list. 😄
I agree with you, it’s difficult to find a good magazine anymore. I used to subscribe to 5 or 6 and now it’s down to 2, not counting Frederic that I pick up when it comes out. Lately my favorite is Flower magazine. It’s a little bougie but I love it. I still like Veranda and may resubscribe. I have read House and Home before as well, and enjoyed it…will have to pick up a copy again.
Enjoy your 4th!
Linda
Linda, Thank you about my family! I love them all so much.
Yep totally understand how you felt about the fourth. I am like you thinking people are getting sick of his lies and grift- even his own supporters. Let’s hope.
Oh wow congrats to your husband !! Ugh the creeping fig is an issue here too… Never get it tamed. I would love to see Flower Magazine. Never see it!
You and I love the same things! xo
Thank you for this post! I love Canada and Canadians. The Canadian military forces have always had our back and it is a shame that we must apologize to them but that is the situation at present. I wanted to stay in Canada years ago after a visit and could have worked there fairly easily but family didn’t want to move. I do regret that at times because it is a vey welcoming country . I was amazed at the advanced transportation systems and international flair even then. I am going to make a list of the places you visited and enjoyed! Your dress and the blaze were perfect. As the mother of the bride years ago I spent days trying to find a nice afternoon dress…large bust, short torso..short, short everything at5 foot. My compromise one was Ok but worn only once and donated. Your choices will be used again surely.
Me too Donnie! Canada has been so good to us. I hope you get back to Canada soon. They are so smart with their transport, healthcare and all the smart things we refuse to do.
It’s so hard with the short torso isn’t it? I have dome the same with many dresses. I hope I get to wear this one more! x
Happy 4th Kim! I’m celebrating later today with my husband and parents and over this weekend I’m writing postcards to encourage voting among low propensity voters in my area (volunteering with my local Indivisible). This feels like something I can do to try to fight back.
I love your travel posts and am so glad you enjoyed Vancouver! I spent a week there last July and was ready to move. It’s such a beautiful city. You really packed a lot in over your visit and all the wedding festivities look lovely. Isn’t Canada Math the best?! :). I’ve visited several Canadian cities in the past few years, and I just want more time in each one. The people are incredibly friendly and nice, the food is delicious, the shopping is excellent, and the scenery is unbelievable! Thanks for sharing.
Michelle, what a wonderful way to celebrate the Fourth of July! Nothing matters as much as voting right now.
I can understand how you wanted to move. Vancouver is awesome. Yes Canada math! LOL. I have Quebec and Montreal on my list- and Alberta… Well Toronto too! We need to get back up there. Agree with you! xo
Hi Kim!
Wow..so much good stuff in your post… such an enjoyable and informative read. I always love your travel posts chock full of recommendations and photos that capture the vibe perfectly… keep them coming! One day I’m sure I will use them as a starting point for a trip… no need to recreate the wheel!!
How adorable are those two young lovebirds! What a beautiful wedding and your outfit is lovely.
I do appreciate your sign on your front garden… as an immigrant from New Zealand we come in all shapes and sizes. We come with good will and an appreciation of the honor to be allowed to create a new life in the US.
Random fact.. … did you know the pavlova was created in New Zealand to celebrate the visit of the famous Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova to NZ in the 1920s? My favorite fruit toppings are kiwifruit or passion fruit.
Happy July 4th! I would love to see the firework display at the GGB tonight!!!
Fi x
Hi Fi! Thank you about the travel posts… I am never sure.
I know I feel we are so lucky with immigrants and this administration only wants to vilify them. Let’s focus on what they bring and what they’ve done for us! We would be lost without them!
I did not know that about pavlovas! I will try a kiwi fruit one. It sounds delicious!
Hope you had a good fourth. xo
Hi Kim. Your post is so timely…I was literally going through my email to find a recipe I’d sent myself last week for today’s bbq but I stopped to read your post and now I’m shifting gears and making the Boursin appetizer! Thank you! Also, we’re heading to Vancouver mid July so your tidbits and insights are appreciated. If you enjoyed seeing native baskets, I would highly recommend visiting the Jeremy Frey “Woven” exhibit at Cantor Museum (at Stanford). I was shocked at weaving artistry I’d never seen before. The exhibit is small but mighty and there’s a video showing a start-to-finish weaving that was fascinating. It ends July 20, so get there if you can.
I am also feeling so ambivalent about celebrating this 4th but will approach it as I do almost everyday: Love the country, hate the current admin. And yes, I do remember the Bi-Centennial. My elementary school put on a big show and my parents took us to the Freedom Train when it came through downtown San Jose, I bought a reproduction of the Constitution, burned the edges to make it more authentic (lol) and decoupaged it onto a large wooden board for a school project. Parades and celebrations in our neighborhood that look pretty much like yours! Trump and his ilk can never take away the nostalgia that fuels my belief that this country has such goodness in it. Happy 4th.
Hi Tamara, I hope the appetizer turned out okay. I find it’s pretty easy and popular!
Thanks also for the heads up about the exhibit! it sounds wonderful and I am going to try and get up there this week before it is gone!
Aw love hearing about your bicentennial ! The Freedom Train must have been neat. I remember people decoupaging things like that too. So glad to hear you feel the same about this country. Yes there is goodness in this nation, even if the leader has none. I won’t stop believing in what we can one day be! xo
Hard to believe but on this date in 1976 I celebrated on The White House lawn. At the time, a friend was assigned there as a military attaché and he invited several of us for a picnic and to see the fireworks (which we couldn’t see from the lawn due to all the trees :). Couldn’t pay me to get me near the place now. In fact, I haven’t been back to DC (where I worked for 30+ years) since I retired. Won’t be outside today–it was already 100 degrees (heat index 115) at 10 am where I live. Suffocating.
Love Vancouver, so I enjoyed your post. In fact, I love all your travel posts. The wedding looked lovely. The scenery reminded me of the drive I made from Vancouver to Whistler. Stunning scenery. Happy to hear the newlyweds made it safely to Tromso.
Mary that is amazing! So incredible to hear you did that. A wonderful memory I am sure.
I feel the same about DC now. It would break my heart.
I hope you get some relief from the heat! Thank you about the travel posts.
I bet that drive was beautiful. Yes so happy they arrived! xo
Kim, I loved this post. Please don’t apologize for length and for travel content. First, what a beautiful couple, love story, and wedding. Second, I LOVE Vancouver and look forward to going back before too long. The Museum of Anthropology is truly a treasure and a place we will revisit. I really appreciate your discussion of First Nations people and British Columbia’s history with them. I know I will go back and reread this post to make sure I didn’t miss anything. Oh, and I too feel the need to apologize for what our country’s leaders have done to Canada. Have a wonderful weekend!
Hi Maggie! Thank you so much. Vancouver is so wonderful! Glad you liked it too. Not enough time for sure.
Hope you had a good week too.x
I love your travel posts! Keep them coming! I also love all your fashion suggestions. Thanks for sharing your beautiful family wedding. Happy July 4th, Kim!
Karen
Hi Karen! Aw thank you so much. I hope you had a good fourth too. x
Wonderful post, tons of details, thank you!
Was it a plan that all of the men’s ties needed to be flowered?? That was just great!
And yes, that dress is oh so flattering 💕
Liz the ties were accidental! They had no idea. Thank you about the dress too. x
Great read today and I can relate having just been in Canada myself. The totem poles are fascinating and they tell interesting stories. We had a wonderful guide in Ketchikan, where there are the most totems in the world, I think it is, who told us the stories that the carvings depict. Interesting lore!
Thanks for sharing your intimate family time and wedding. I also enjoyed watching the video of Rosie Daykin. Her home and garden are really pretty and her I appreciate her sense of style.
I’m about to go meet up with the people in my neighborhood for our own 4th of July “parade”. The organizer walks ahead of us beating on a plastic tub as we walk around a few blocks, most people dressed in the colors of the flag and kids on decorated bikes or being pulled in wagons. It’s our own little bit of Americana and we’ve been doing it for years here in SLO.
Hi Wren! Aren’t the totem poles incredible. Up close they are even more impressive. Alaska is on my list too.
Your hometown parade sounds just perfect! Hope it was fun. x
Hi Kim,
As usual, an interesting and informative post. I’ve been looking for a beige/ivory linen blazer and so I was interested to see that you bought one. It looks like you posted pics of two different blazers. One has a single button and the other has 2. I like the one with 2 buttons, I think it would suit me better. Do you have a link for it? Thanks!
Kathy thank you. I want to apologize, as just before I read your comment, I noticed the blazer I posted was not the same! Not that it is an excuse, but I was working late last night. I did try both blazers and the one I chose is actually the Liv Linen Blend Blazer. It feels more like cotton than linen though. Nicely made and on sale also…
https://go.shopmy.us/p-69246630
Thank you for the heads up! I am going to correct that now!
x Kim
Hi there Kim
You did a great job writing about my city = Vancouver and surrounding area! Makes me want to get out and explore more again. You’re a good travel writer.
Rosemarie, I was thinking about you when I was there! Wish I had more time. We could have had coffee. You are sweet. Hope you’re doing well. xo
Happy 4th Kim!! And what a gorgeous wedding congratulations to the happy couple! We have spent a fair time in Vancouver over the years and you are so right it is a fabulous city.I used to walk in Stanley Park every morning rain or shine and we were there when our kids were small and there was so much to do, excellent museums and the Science centre and bike rides around the harbor. Just bliss. Lovely people too Canadians!
Hi Francesca! Thank you so much.
Stanley Park looks wonderful. So much more I needed to see. I agree… maybe the nicest folks ever in a beautiful spot. x
Happy July 4th Kim! We are flying our flag although it is bittersweet in light of what is going on in our country. I love Canada! 🇨🇦 Hubs and I are dual citizens thanks to our parents. Vancouver is beautiful and so much to see and explore. The wedding looked so lovely as well as your handsome boys and family. I love the dress and jacket you chose…perfect! Hope you and Max have a wonderful day celebrating in your own way. Enjoy! Xo
Karen I feel you… What a time in this country. Hopefully we’ll be celebrating the fourth in better circumstances one day.
Wow so cool to be duel citizens! Aw thank you so much. x
Kim,
Your memories about the bicentennial brought back the memory of the fire hydrants that were painted to look like patriotic figures like George Washington or Uncle Sam. I’m not sure if that was done all over the country, or just in my part of the Bay Area. Funny the things we remember. Happy 4th!
Hi Wendy! Oh wow I didn’t know about the fire hydrants. I love that idea! I feel like we really did more as a nation for the bicentennial than was done this year… Also kids seemed highly involved- or at least I thought so being one!
Hope you had a good one! x
Hi Kim, I’m glad to hear you had such a wonderful time at the wedding – what a lovely couple, and an exciting start to their married life together. You and Max both looked fantastic, as did all your boys. It’s nice that they could be there, but too bad about Kristin missing it.
I love your travel posts! (And I’m obviously not the only one!) Vancouver is great – I have just been there twice, for very short visits, just passing through really. But we did spend some time in Stanley Park and that was just wonderful. My husband has spent quite a bit of time on Vancouver Island for work but I’ve never been – by all accounts it’s also a lovely place to visit. By the way, your video of the bear is delightful!
Hope your July 4th celebrations went well – our Canada Day was a bit of a washout; thunderstorms and a power outage!
Hi Patricia! Thank you so much about the wedding.
Vancouver Island sounds like a gorgeous place too. Oh gosh the weather has been so extreme all over.
I am sorry about that. Hope it improves soon. Canadians are awesome as you know! x
Good evening Kim,
Happy Birthday! I remember last year that you were at Wimbledon celebrating.
I hope that you had a wonderful 4th of July! I love the photos of you in your neighborhood parade. So sweet. I too remember the Bicentennial quarters!
Your nephews wedding looks beautiful and the bear leading the way was a cute addition to the celebration. I have not been to Vancouver but it looks like a wonderful place to visit. It looks like you were able to make the most of your trip and take a lot in.
Canada is a beautiful place and there is so much to see and do.
Your dress looked beautiful! But then again you always look fabulous!
Have a great week! xo
xo
Hi Elizabeth, Its; not until September, but yes it was for my birthday. Thank you so much. Yes so much to see in Canada. I think you would LOVE Vancouver and Victoria. xo
I love your travel posts! Never too many!! The brides dress is absolute perfection. Etsy has so many lovely options. I love the Doen dress you selected (perfection), and chocolate pavlova…what a great idea!!
Thanks Cindy! I know her Etsy dress was wonderful! x
Kim! I love all of your travel posts and often refer back to them. They are always full of helpful information. I hope you do go to Norway, so I can read about if from you.
The Rag and Bone dress with the blazer is gorgeous!
Thanks for the shoutout with the salad! I just pinned it!
xo
Annie
Thanks Annie! I hope to get up to Norway too. You are so kind. I loved your salad! xx