I try to always walk into a thrift store with a mental list of things I need and a list of things I definitely don’t need. Coats have been number one on that list for a while because, really, I have an embarrassing number of coats. In fact, my last thrifted find was about a coat.
I suppose fate has a way of intervening. While I was idly flipping through the heavy winter gear section on a recent trip with my friend Rachael, this vintage coat with a beautiful chevron pattern jumped out at me.
Vancouver is another place that lingered on my weekend trip list for far too long. Unfortunately for us, it decided to pour rain during our entire trip, scrapping most of the amazing, mostly outdoor suggestions I’d received from friends. One place that didn’t show up on my initial list ended up being one of my favorite places: the Bloedel Conservatory.
Combine beautiful palm trees, humidity levels not seen outside of the tropics, and tons of tiny finches running around and you’ve got an experience that feels decidedly like the opposite of what you’d expect during a Canadian winter.
A simple tan trench coat has been on my list for ages… okay, I’m exaggerating a bit. But it’s been long enough that I halfheartedly take a spin through the coats every time I go thrifting, not expecting that I’ll actually find the trench I’ve been looking for in the right size.
But my ship came in this weekend at the annual Goodwill Glitter Sale. I was looking through the men’s section to see if there was anything my husband might like when I plucked this Banana Republic coat trench off the rack. At first glance, it was perfect.
Like a lot of people, I’ve wanted a dog ever since I could remember. For my fifth birthday I asked for “a puppy or a kitten.” I mean, I didn’t want to be picky. It’s good to leave your options open.
My parents were not pet people for reasons I couldn’t figure out until I realized how often we traveled and how expensive and time consuming it can be traveling with an animal. Almost every airline has a pet fee (if they allow pets at all) and it’s harder to find a hotel (pick two: clean, affordable, centrally located).
We didn’t get out this past weekend because we were moving our stuff a mile up the road to a new little townhouse in Capitol Hill. Here’s a little flashback to our hike to Snow Lake last month!
Snow Lake is the perfect hike if you want to stick close to Seattle and want a lot of bang for your buck. It’s not long or steep compared to some alpine lake hikes (looking at you, Rachel Lake!) and you’re treated to a beautiful lake view after just about two miles. What’s not to love?