Sezane tank (similar)
Mango trousers
Aldo slides
Ellen James bag
Zara sunglasses (similar)
& Other Stories necklace (similar)
Strut Jewelry ring (c/o)
Keltie Leanne Designs ring (c/o)
Madewell rings
Mango hairpin
Location: BellMTS Corporate Office – Winnipeg, Manitoba
…we’ll be packing our bags, just days away from departure for an Italian adventure. I try so hard not to wish my life away, but I won’t lie – I am so ready for it to be September because I am aching to be back in Europe. I’m really hoping the next five weeks will fly by as quickly as the last five have. Earlier this week, I mistook the current month in an email, referring to April instead of August. That’s how fast time seems to be moving in my world.
My best friend growing up loved countdowns. She was always in anticipation mode, marking days off on her calendar to whatever occasion was approaching next – Christmas, her birthday, Canada Day, it didn’t matter. She was constitutionally incapable of living in the present, it seemed. It took me a long time to realise that her constant forward focus was her strategy for coping with the fact that, in the present, she was utterly miserable – and longer still to realise that there was absolutely nothing I could do for her that could change that. At the time, it just made me irritated and resentful. I developed an aversion to the very word countdown. If something wasn’t happening today, I didn’t want to hear about it.
(Someday, I’ll talk about navigating a friendship break-up. Today is not that day.)
I will give credit where credit is due. My childhood best friend taught me that all time, even time wasted, even time spent bored and waiting, is valuable. She showed me, wholly unintentionally, the importance of living in the moment, rather than living for future moments that may never come. I love to plan for the future, to write lists and imagine what it will be like to spend time in places I will someday visit, but I take as much joy in those moments of fantasy as I do in the reality that eventually comes.
…most of the time. But less lately. We’ve had a rough season at work, and while I’ve weathered rough weeks, even rough months, before, the period from May to, well, the before yesterday, has been a neverending series of upheavals, crises and unpleasant surprises. (Hence why I had to remind myself why I keep my day job.) I am tired. And I won’t lie, a lot of days I feel like I’m one disaster away from being totally unable to cope. I knew things were bad when Ian started emailing me. “You seem to be having trouble remembering things I tell you,” he explained gently, “so I thought it might be better if I wrote the important stuff down.”
Finally, yesterday, I had a day where I felt like I could breathe and focus. But the past half a year made me mistrustful of good days since they are so often followed by a series of bad ones. It’s not that I’m wishing my life away, exactly. It’s just I know that at this time next month, I will be just days away from an Italian adventure and a period of relaxation that I desperately need.
Where will you be at this time next month…?
I’m really hoping that next month I’ll be chasing after a small child who’s walking (I seriously can’t wait for Eleanor to walk – my back is killing me from carrying her … although I know I’ll probably be just as exhausted and achy when I’m constantly chasing her everywhere) – although I certainly take your point about living in the moment. I tend to have a really hard time doing that. On a side note, I love the pants you’re sporting here and it reminds me that it’s been ages since I’ve shopped at Mango but that I clearly need to start again.
Courtney ~ Sartorial Sidelines
Hi Cee, my husband and I will be travelling to Rome and Florence at the end of September. So excited to hear that you’re heading to Italy as well. I’m hoping you can give me some help as to what to pack for a 12 day trip. We live in Vancouver.
Hi Anita,
Thanks for your comment. I think you’re going to love discovering Rome – and Florence, too. Rome still tends to be very hot in September (at least by Canadian standards) but you definitely run the risk of cloudy days or even a sudden downpour. It’s helpful to pack a variety of clothes, from the light summer dresses you would wear in August at home to trousers and lightweight sweaters for cooler days. A leather jacket is a good thing to have along, too! And of course, if you want to visit churches, make sure to have your knees covered and a scarf to drape over your shoulders. Hope this helps!
xox,
Cee
I hope Italy gives you the refreshing break you need.
Ah, I wish I were going to Europe next month, that would be just lovely. For the moment I’ll have to look forward to a visit to my sister in just shy of two weeks.
Chic on the Cheap
As always, thank you for the delightful chat today Cee. So much fun, can’t believe we talked for almost 4 hours… it absolutely flew by and it was so therapeutic to laugh and sip wine with you. Just what I needed!! And I love the idea of you coming for a visit too – we’d love to have you!! <3
Plus can't wait for your Italian adventure… your travels are so fun and inspiring + loving seeing everything through your keen / well curated eye. As for your outfit?! Right up my alley. Have worn this combo so much this summer! Wishing you a beautiful Friday and weekend my friend! xo
http://www.girlandcloset.com
You know, this is probably the first time in my life I haven’t lived in the future myself. I’m not sure why, exactly. I used to be constantly counting down until the next trip, next holiday, next fun plan. I do think a lot of it had to do with being like your best friend and not being content in my life in general. But I think part of it also had to do with being young and needed constant excitement. My life is much slower these days (as much as one’s life can be with a 2 and 4 year old), but I also have learned to appreciate the present. That said, I won’t be in Italy next month, but I will be in Mexico later this year – and you better bet I am counting down to that too. xoxo
I do not know what day I live in….
I’ll probably we packing for my trip to Milan and Cannes.
It’s hard when you have something so exciting coming up not to want to hurry life a long a little:) Love the look!
Laura
Black Coffee Beautiful