TRANSITIONAL DRESSING - COATS PART TWO

So last week we featured a couple of our new Autumn coats, but I had bought this pink number  from Simply Be in the sales around the back end of July, but which they still have on their website, having seen it earlier in the year.  As many of you already know, I love anything pink, so this little number was perfect for me.  It is unlined so very light and works just as well for popping over jeans or wearing with a dress and heels.  In fact I do have an occasion pink dress which matches it exactly, so would be great even to wear to a wedding or christening if the sun goes in!

I have teamed the coat - which doesn't actually have any buttons - with a scarf from a boutique in Wetherby which was a gift, and it also matches.  The patent bag is from a gift fayre picked up at a local hospital, and the suede boots with studded heels are from Primark.  I am wearing my trusty M&S black straight-leg trousers, bought a couple of seasons ago.

There is a distinct advantage to having a daughter who is a fashion blogger and that is when she wants to feature you in her blog.  She did a really lovely post in September in conjunction with H&M about Women who Inspire and I was really chuffed when she chose me as her subject, which you can read here on her blog Shot From The Street.

As part of H&M's fall campaign she was asked to focus on the importance of equality and the evolution of women.  I'm probably old enough now to talk about the evolution of women!  Is that a good sign?  H&M was kind enough to send us some clothes to wear and I thought, what better than show them to our readers, particularly this lovely camel coat.  This is a perfect piece for stylish Autumn dressing which can be worn with plenty of layers underneath or with just a shirt for a more tailored look.  Apart from the shoes all my outfit is from H&M and I really loved the length of this coat which will look great with both boots and trousers.

Lizzy's cable knit and her jeans are also from H&M - I think I need to try to get that jumper from her on my next visit.  It would be perfect in my wardrobe.  

TRANSITIONAL DRESSING - COATS

Well, it's that time of year again when you start to think about the colder months.  I have already been rummaging under the bed to retrieve the storage bags and review my winter jumper collection. It is always rather lovely to see some of the old favourites that have been with me for way longer than they really should have - but they are too cosy to throw away.

Anne C and I have had a little pre-winter shopping spree and thought we would share with you our transitional coat buys. We are having a bit of an Indian summer here in Yorkshire so the jumpers will have to wait. There are lots of berries on the Holly bushes so I think we may be in for a cold winter.  I hope so, I prefer the proper seasons to the endless grey skies we can experience.  

First up is this Joseph Ribkoff coat that Anne C purchased from Hoopers in Harrogate (with some birthday money!).  It has a lovely shawl collar and is a really flattering length and shape for Anne.  It is great for both day and evening and she has accessorised it here with a scarf which was a present, and handbag from a gift fair at the local hospital. Her trousers are from M&S and boots from Primark (proving that you can mix and match high end high street with cheap and cheerful and still look good).

She is pictured in one of our favourite shopping haunts - the Victoria Quarter, which has some great shops, including Harvey Nichols where we stopped for a spot of lunch.

We're not too sure what the man in the shop behind Anne is doing in the window though!

I am wearing a coat I purchased last month from Zaras Trafaluc collection, which also comes in light grey.  I really love the boiled wool fabric style (it is a wool and viscose mix) and I like coats that don't include buttons for Autumn wear.  The wide shawl collar and mid length make this a really wearable piece and I have teamed it with a scarf from Covet and jeans from 7 From All Mankind. I'm really pleased that flares are coming back in as they really help to balance a heavier top half.  

The jumper is from White Company last years collection and is a really flattering length and shape, they have a very similar one in this years collection so I have linked that for you here. My glasses are from Miu Miu (Model VMU 04N)  and were purchased in New York - very jet set, I know.  

The handbag, which is the size of a small suitcase, is from Loxley and surprisingly is one where I can still find things inside.  I don't know about you, but a large bag becomes like the Bermuda Triangle and everything disappears into its depths.  This one has enough pockets to secrete keys, phone, lipstick etc so they don't get lost in the bottom with all the other junk.  Why oh why do we women carry so much stuff?  I am surprised I don't walk with a list.

The top I am wearing here is from Phase Eight and comes in some really lovely colours including pale blue, navy, charcoal as worn here and a colour they call Popsicle - which Anne has and which she bought independently from me - co-incidence we bought the same top but in different colours! The necklace was purchased from Seattle Art Museum and is a real find as it goes with everything - result!

SEATTLE

The last part of our journey was four nights in Seattle.  We travelled from Vancouver Island on the Victoria Clipper which takes approx 3 hours.  It is a really efficient service which handles the border crossing and saw us disembark in Seattle with ease.  We were staying at the Hotel 1000 which was brilliantly central for the attractions we were looking forward to visiting.

Top on our list was a visit to the SEATTLE CENTRAL LIBRARY on 4th Avenue.  Lizzy's boyfriend Harry is studying Architecture and was raving about how amazing this building is, and he was not wrong.  The 11 storey structure is made of steel and glass and was designed by Rem Koolhaas and Josua Prince-Ramus (such cool names) and it is an incredible place to visit.

You can look down onto the library floor from various levels, although I was not brave enough to go to the highest.  Even the views of the city through the steel and glass honeycomb is pretty awe inspiring.

Top on my list was PIKE PLACE MARKET and this was the first place we headed to after checking into the hotel.  One of the oldest operating markets in the U.S. there is an incredible array of fresh produce and flowers and the hustle and bustle of the place just adds to the atmosphere.

Make sure to stop by the Pike Place fish throwers - yep, we were a little shocked when salmon started being chucked through the air!  I wouldn't have wanted to buy that one for sure but would have had no hesitation in sampling some of the fish on offer - just look at the size of the scampi and scallops!.  This area is also the home of the original Starbucks, but there are lots of other coffee shops here too and restaurants, bars, a record shop, book sellers .... the list is endless.

BELLTOWN was another favourite as it is a vibrant neighbourhood with a real arty air and some fabulous restaurants and cafes to choose from.  It is a great walk from Pike Market through Belltown to the Space Needle, stopping for coffee or drinks on the way.

We didn't make it to the top of the Needle but did tour round the EMP Museum which is next door and really loved everything there - from the world of science fiction to the Star Trek expo, the music rooms to the gaming areas.  It was a really immersive and enjoyable experience and well worth the visit.

We took the monorail from Seattle Centre, next to the Needle and EMP Museum, back along 5th Avenue to downtown and the shopping area which completed a varied day of sightseeing and shopping.  Never a bad combination.

The following evening we opted for some culture and headed towards the Seattle Art Museum which was only a couple of blocks from our hotel.  But  our cultural vein deserted us and we only made it as far as the shop before heading for dinner.  So bad.

We just loved the Hammering Man outside the museum, which was created by Johnathan Borofsky to honour working class men and women.  Measuring 48 feet he clips his hammer two and a half times per minute with a rhythmic swing that is quite mesmerizing.

On our final morning in the city we ventured to Pioneer Square and enjoyed the ambiance of this pretty, historic, area of the city.  We wish we had longer to see more and all felt on leaving the city that we had really only seen a small amount of what was on offer. 

To just touch on some of our favourite places to eat is a must and top amongst those was Roxy's in Freemont where we had the most fantastic brunch.

We also visited El Borracho, which is at Pike Market, on two occasions.  Their Margaritas were the best ever and we all enjoyed their Tacos and Burritos.  A must to visit if you are in the city it has a really relaxed atmosphere and great food.

Seattle is a beautiful city, but we did not feel it beat Vancouver.  I think the size was the main disadvantage, which left us with a feeling that we were missing something.  We were also struck by the number of homeless and their encampments, plus indigents at most street corners downtown.  A sad problem in most large cities but particularly marked here.  

SENSATIONAL SANTORINI - OUR SECOND HOME

Although we don't actually own a home in Santorini, we have been going there on holiday for the past 15 years and apart from just one year when the hotel was fully booked, we have been staying in the same lovely little spot every year in Perissa.

Our friendly hosts Ellie and Eugene are always giving us little treats so we almost feel part of the family.  In fact our respective  two daughters, Marianna and Louise, played together when younger and have both grown up to be independent young women with lives of their own - though Ellie and I do like to swap stories of the horrors of those teenage years and the worry about their futures.

One of the things we love most about Santorini is the laid-back atmosphere.  There are no loud clubs in Perissa, no gangs of young people, and in truth, not many families with young children. This tends to be a couples resort - possibly because there are very few large hotels or with facilities and clubs for kids.

This year - as every year - we take someone new along with us because we love to show people around and take them to our favourite places. And this year is was the turn of our friends Colin and Karen who paid their first visit there, and absolutely loved it.

Top of the list of things to see are the capital of the island - Thira, and the artists playground, Oia, both famous for their stunning sunsets, but also for the brilliant shopping - as witnessed by the Kardashian Klan in recent years!

Thira- the capital

Thira houses the main port for the cruise ships and this year the authorities have limited the number of passengers allowed to disembark to 8,000 from 10,000.  But that means that Thira is very crowded during the day, and that the shops tend to be expensive to cater for them.  

The journey from the port up to the town is either by cable car or more traditionally, by donkey. But these are no ordinary donkeys since they work so hard carrying the tourists up the 588 steps.  My personal view is that this seems a little cruel, but having read some of the history of the island, they have been successfully used for centuries carrying imported goods and people from the port up to the town.  I think you have to make up your own mind about supporting local customs or taking the modern route.

The jewellery on sale in Thira is just amazing - store windows drip with luscious gold and precious stones of every colour - emeralds, sapphires, rubies, as well as diamonds and pearls, and every designer watch imaginable. But I have discovered a small boutique selling gorgeous costume jewellery and always treat myself to an unusual piece each year.

Oia - a haven for artists

Oia is a favourite with artists of all kinds, with galleries and museums celebrating crafts of every kind.

The town is well worth a visit to watch the famous Santorini sunset, being at the furthest western point of the island. However, the streets are narrow and sometimes difficult to negotiate through the tourist population, but this year it seemed extra busy - so much so that we couldn't get near the best vantage points to see anything. Tip - if you do want to watch the sunset here, go early and be prepared to have a meal, sit, people watch and wait! There are some lovely bars and restaurants with amazing views, so this is really no hardship.

This year too they have built quite a few new shops in Oia - selling the most gorgeous jewellery and cute shoes and clothes, but there are also a couple of designer shops selling Pucci, Gucci and Dior as well as stylish Greek boutiques specialising in linen, cotton and fine knits.

Accommodation along the western coast tends to be more sophisticated, upmarket and pricey, since all have stunning views of the Caldera - the "cauldron" - which is the crater left after the catastrophic volcano blew away half of the island 3000 years ago, leaving 1000 foot drop down the cliffs into the sea.  Many of the hotels are built into the cliff face and from a distance look as if they are perched precariously along the edge. You can actually visit the volcano and the hot springs, and although still showing signs of activity, it is currently dormant.

Megalachori - a favourite spot

Magalachori is another favourite spot we like to visit.  This ancient pretty Greek village is not a touristy destination, but is where many of the local islanders live. With a maze of tiny streets featuring traditional houses, this is the real Santorini - the Greek equivalent of our chocolate box homes. There are just three or four restaurants and a couple of snack bars and shops.  This year we ate in the stunning Meze restaurant with pretty candles and gorgeous bougainvillea tumbling around picturesque stone archways. There is just one very exclusive hotel, the Vedema, where you can pay up to £3000 a night in high season for a family suite - but it looks fabulous! If you prefer a villa or traditional Greek house, they are available to rent, but this is not the norm for Santorini.  Accommodation is usually in small hotels, or for a budget holiday, village rooms or apartments over shops and bars.  These tend to be quite basic but functional, since most tourists tend to spend their days on the beach or visiting the local sights.

Total relaxation

My personal trips every year include a visit to the Suite of the Gods Spa and Hotel, overlooking the Caldera, where I usually indulge in a facial and massage with use of the hot and cold pools, and although it is billed as an hour and a half - the staff don't bother you and after treatments you can pretty much stay as long as you like. Not only can you see the volcano and the western towns of Thira, Firostefani, Omerovigli and Oia, but you are directly above the old port and can watch the ferries coming and going and all the coaches and traffic winding their way uphill to the main road. This is also a hotel with a cool laid back vibe set on different levels with surprising corners where you can relax or sunbathe. We have witnessed quite a few weddings there and it looks lovely. We did ask if we could have a peek in the rooms but unfortunately they were fully booked so we didn't get to see inside.

Santorini is an island steeped in history, having been invaded several times over the centuries.  It has had many names over the years, with one theory being that it was named Santa Irene (now Santorini), from a time when the Romans took control, but it was also named Fira or Thira after the emporer's son (now the name of the capital) and has also been called Kalliste.

The resort of Perissa might be considered the poor relation, but we love the old Greek charm rather than the sophisticated resorts.  Prices are less expensive but the location is just perfect for a lazy sun-drenched holiday.  The beach is volcanic black sand (actually grit!) which disappears into the sea via a rocky ledge, so not really suitable for very young children.

There are plenty of lovely restaurants and bars along the sea front, often with chilled live music. Our favourite beach restaurant is Ntomatini where they serve delicious meze, but our very favourite restaurant  in Perissa is on the road parallel to the beach, called Sirocco.  It is billed as a pizza/pasta restaurant with a wood-burning oven, but also serves the most delicious Greek food, and is owned by the chatty Kostas, who closes up the restaurant in October and jets off back to his other home in Australia.

We have worked our way through his menu several times but highlights include a delicious dish cooked in the oven called beef stamna, which we have tried (and failed) to recreate at home, which is to die for. The chicken souvlaki and home-made tzatziki with pitta bread are pretty amazing too. Greek salad is also a favourite, and Kostas always insists on sending over an extra carafe of wine or a couple of liqueur shots at the end of the meal. To be honest we pretty much ate here every night for three weeks and never got tired of the food!

Perissa's neighbouring resort is round the headland at Kamari,  reached daily by water taxi, it is a little more of a polished resort - with pavements rather than tarmac on the roads and floaty curtains around the stone sunbeds (doesn't sound very comfortable to me!).  With a long wide beach, this is probably a better destination if there are children in the party.

Santorini vineyards

The island is famous for its wine - which is largely produced for home consumption, and local wineries all offer guided tours and wine-tasting.  Our favourite is Santos Wines which also boasts stunning views and is a wonderful venue for a wedding, but unfortunately it was briefly closed during our stay, so we ventured to a small new winery which opened just this year. I think they were a little overwhelmed by the number of visitors the evening we visited as the service was slow, but the wine was delicious with a plate of cheese and breadstick nibbles.

Places to see

Santorini is not a huge island and you can pretty much see all of it in one day, though if you hire a car there is plenty to see.  Of note is the fortress town and highest point on the island (if you don't count the ancient city ruins on the top of the mountain) is Pyrgos, while the ruins at Akroteri are now in a temperature-controlled housing following a fatal accident a few years ago when part of the site collapsed.  There is also Mesa Gonia where an earthquake in the 1950s destroyed a small village which has been left untouched since then - and where the church clock is stopped at the time the earthquake hit.

There are plenty of museums to while away the hours including art and Greek history museums, wine museums and even a tomato museum - though we have yet to visit that one!

But it isn't all doom and gloom!  The locals are incredibly friendly, the scenery is magnificent, the weather is hot and dry and it is such a great place to relax and restore balance in our busy lives. And yes - we have already booked again for next year!

OUR PARADISE ISLE - VANCOUVER ISLAND

The saying "a picture is worth a thousand words" is so apt for Vancouver Island, one of the most beautiful places I have ever visited. So I will not ramble on for too long and just let these pictures tell the story for me.

We sailed from Vancouver on BC Ferries, which was a really efficient service taking around 1.5 hours from the mainland and docking at Swartz Bay, an hour from our fabulous accommodation in Sooke.  

And the cottage we were staying in absolutely made the holiday for us. We were captivated as soon as we saw this view as we came down the drive.   The house exceeded our expectations and for those interested in seeing the inside here is a link    https://www.vrbo.com/482447

Lizzy also featured footage on her you tube channel which is linked here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xo5c8aDwHgc

It was beautifully decorated with every amenity including a hot tub, but the views from any of the three patios, or from the fire pit on the beach, are what made it our little slice of paradise  We ate in most evenings, making use of the BBQ and sitting out watching the amazing wildlife including seals, eagles, otters and herons, right on our doorstep!

The views in the morning were breathtaking and on more than one morning I was up at first light to see the sun rise over the docks.  

Evenings were spent round the fire pit, tended by Harry, eating S'mores (fire-roasted marshmallows with a layer of chocolate sandwiched between two Graham crackers) which were a new experience for me.

Vancouver island is pretty large (290 miles long x 62 miles wide) so we only experienced the southern portion where we focussed on the local area around Sooke, including Victoria which was around 30 mins away.  We ventured as far as Port Renfrew in the North and across to Lake Cowichan in a loop back to Sooke on one of the days (4 hours driving).  Taking in the spectacular natural landscape of rainforest, lake, beach and mountain on our journey.  

Most days were spent hiking the trails - visiting Sooke Potholes Provincial Park, taking in part of the Juan de Fuca trail from China Beach to Mystic Beach and a long hike round East Sooke Park. Although there were signs in all these locations warning to watch out for bears and cougars we did not see any - part of me wanted to, but from a very long distance away!  

And one day was spent in Victoria, where I can give the only restaurant recommendation as we had lunch at a fabulous quaint eaterie called Fish Hook that was on Fort Street, ideal for a quick, delicious lunchtime meal.  I am sure there are loads of great restaurants but we took advantage of our accommodation and catered for ourselves most days.

Really this part of our holiday wasn't about visiting cities, it was all about experiencing the natural beauty of Vancouver Island.  We were unanimous in wanting to return and see more of the island and would love to experience it in its wintery gloriousness.