Florals For A Frigid Day
We decided to head out to the botanical gardens on a very cold New Year’s Day. The tropical scents and the toasty warm humid flower filled rooms always bring a smile to my face.
They do a lovely job of creating unique floral displays for the holidays. This topiary below was in the arid succulent room.
The poinsettia tree above was in the tropical room.
I had no idea that poinsettias were originally from Mexico and grown as seasonal shrubs.
Did you know that the petals of the poinsettia are in fact coloured leaves and not petals at all?
Don’t let these wonderful red booties fool you.
I was not walking around in the snow and ice in these. My chauffeur dropped me off close to the door and I only had to navigate a short walk.
This is my chauffeur. Pretty cute right?
He came all the way from Hong Kong.
When the weather turns this cold and snowy I have a choice of exactly two pairs of boots to wear outside.
Boots that can withstand extreme cold, snow, ice and salt stains. It is so very sad when my closet is filled with fabulous boots and I’m now limited to only two. This is as close to a capsule wardrobe as I ever want to get.
You can see the large vintage coat I wore which is one of my warmest and ideal for this weather.
It weighs about ten pounds. I’m not exaggerating. I have two very heavy vintage winter coats and both of them are like carrying a pug around on my shoulders all day. They are warm though which is more than I can say for 90% of my contemporary coats which were apparently made for a Californian winter, pretty to look at but not remotely practical in sub zero temperatures.
I took the photo above with one of my gifts… a selfie stick!
Yep…you know you’re a blogger when….
It works better than I thought for close up shots.
I am wearing another gift…the floral Anthro dress I’d pinned ages ago when it first came out. Luck was with me when I found it on super sale in my size.
That is the wonderful thing about my office…no matter how cold it gets outside, in my office it is always spring.
I even have a diffuser so my office smells like soft florals. I love it! If you don’t own one I highly recommend it. Scent has the ability to lift us up, refresh our thoughts and calm our spirits. I have several now throughout my house I enjoy them so much. They are especially brilliant at this time of the year when they add a bit of moisture back to the dry air.
I refuse to let the crap weather dictate my mood.
Dressing in bold bright joyful florals when it is terribly cold outside is one of my ways of coping with a Canadian winter.
They say that what we do on the first day of the year we will repeat for the rest of the year which means there will be plenty more florals in my future. I’d say that’s not a bad thing at all.
I’m curious…what did you do on New Year’s Day?
Linking up with the lovely Patti over at Visible Monday
I adore that shot of you and Robert at the botanical gardens! A selfie stick. Hahaha! Great gift. You are going to have so much fun with that.
And the vintage coat not only looks fantastic but it’s actually warm? What a treat. I need a chauffeur!
We have indoor gardens like this in Vancouver, I should go. These shots look so warm and inviting.
Your boots are like giant poinsettia leaves. I thinks that’s the name of a song.
The vintage coat is also like getting a bit of a workout in so it’s win win all around.
You should go to the gardens! Especially if the weather is grey. They transport you to another world.
Ha ha! I want to hear that song.
Love, love the heavy winter coat, and while it is gorgeous, a pug would be lovable to wear on one’s shoulders. You and Robert look like movie stars together, as per always. And that Anthro dress is all the good things. Hugs, xo
-Patti
http://notdeadyetstyle.com
Yes a pug could be good on the shoulders but they don’t drape as well as a lanky cat. ; P.
I thought I recognised that dress! It looks beautiful on you and you fit in well with all the gorgeous tropical plants and flowers. The red booties are deliciously slinky. I don’t know much about the weather in Honk Kong; probably tropical? So I’m guessing for your husband visiting the Tropical Gardens would have been like taking coals to Newcastle…..!!
Yes, the weather is much warmer in Hong Kong but at this time of the year it can also cool off to around 8 C . It just so happened when he was here it was 20 C in HK. Now he is in Shanghai and it is below freezing so he feels quite at home!
So pretty! Both you and the botanical gardens. I love to wander through places like that. You and hubby make such an adorable couple. And you picked the perfect dress. Of course I’m lusting for those boots!
Theresa
Those boots were one of my rare retail purchases. I don’t regret them though.
Gorgeous pics!! Love that coat. I went to my daughter’s friend’s 13 year old birthday party on New Year’s Day and it was lots of fun!
That sounds like a blast!
Oh my, that dress. So beautiful and lovely on you. We didn’t do anything nearly as fun as visiting botanical gardens on New Year’s Day – went to a movie and hung out with my guys.
Sounds like a nice chilled out day.
posted about my new years day activity 🙂
fabulous dress and the perfect location for!! i use to belt my heavy norwegian fur coat – that way the weight is not on the shoulders…….
xxxx
I used to belt this coat but this time I just couldn’t be bothered with it. It is a good idea though and adds some much needed shape.
You look so gorgeous in your floral dress!, love a botanical garden too!, and love that your hubbie could enjoy it with you!, you look lovely together!
And you’re right, wearing lots of colors and prints and having fun with our clothes is the best way to manage Winter. Your coat looks fabulous, and warm!, I agree on modern coats, they’re not warm enough (I call them ‘Winter in Sevilla’ coats)
besos
Ha ha! Funny that we feel the same way and have nicknames for our non winter coats.
That photo of you and your husband is so sweet! I love the vintage sweater you got him for Christmas. As for that Anthro dress, it is beyond fabulous, and you are certainly rivaling the exotic flower displays! Incidentally, I did know that the red petals of the poinsettia are in fact coloured leaves … Apart from the poinsettia tree, I think I’m spotting quite a few varieties of the plant in your other photos, too! As for what I did on New Year’s Day: I was on the sofa reading for most of the time. Doesn’t bode well for the rest of the year, I fear. xxx
I also love that vintage sweater, I wanted to wear it myself but it looks much better on him : )
Yes, they had LOADS of different varieties of poinsettias on display. Apparently there are over 100 varieties of them.
I think a relaxed start to the New Year is a good idea.
I have a chauffeur like this and it makes going around town so much easier!!
What a great way to spend the day!!
You matched the flowers so well!!!
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
I knew if I wore this dress it would be perfect for this venue : )
My chauffeur has returned to Asia : (
The dress is beautiful and the boots made the outfit. The picture of you and hubby is adorable too! I would have loved roaming through the gardens. I love to stroll through arboretums as well but that will have to wait until spring/summer.
The wind here is what’s made it crazy brutal but that’s backed off and the high today is 6 celsius. Practically balmy.
New Year’s day my husband and I hung out with my parents eating delicious party food and having great conversation. I’m up for that the rest of the year!
It is 9 C today here but will soon be heading back down to -11 C . I’ll take the little respite though. It’s better than nothing.
The wind does makes such a huge difference to the temperature.
Sounds like you celebrated a great New Year’s day!
That coat is just sumptuous, I love it! Sounds like you’ve had a bit of a deep freeze, I hope the temperatures improve for you, I can’t even imagine what that kind of cold is like. Your dress is stunning also, what a well-put-together lady you are. That means that you’ll be well put-together for the rest of the year, according to the tales about New Year’s Day setting a pattern for the year. I spent mine doing PhD work! xx
Our winter has been awful this year, especially compared to last year which was beautiful.
Don’t forget you did yoga on New Year’s Day too : ) That’s a great start to the New Year.
Suzanne, I LOVE your dress! No wonder you swiped it up at Anthro when you saw it, the floral, the colors, the fit! Love it with the red booties too, even if they are impractical. i know, the booties that you get to wear in the snow aren’t as fun.. i remember when i lived north. Great pics and also love the flowers on the wall with the floral scent.. thats what I need when i start complaining about the weather. Good idea!
Happy New year to you!
jess xx
http://www.elegantlydressedandstylish.com
I designed my office years ago during a particularly difficult and cold winter. I’ve been pleased with my decision.
Snow boots are not sexy. I don’t care what anyone says.
What a lovely photos! Your chauffeur is a keeper!😉😉😉😉
Well, I’ve had him around for some 28 years so I figure we’re used to each other now : )
Oh, chauffers are really the best 🙂 I loved the sweater you gave to him and I loved the dress you bought – so good to spot it, pin it and then buy it! I loved the red boots and the stroll in the Botanical Gardens – the topiary was really sweet! You and your husband look so sweet and beautiful! So nice that he is there with you! I like the photo with the stick, and also liked the ones inside your office – and you are so right, the mood outside shouldn’t influence you! Well done! Hugs!
DenisesPlanet.com
It’s getting very cold again this weekend so I plan to be inside enjoying my office. We also have a fire place that we make good use of during these cold winter months.
The flower print dress, and the photo of you and Robert are just too adorable. Which Botanical Gardens did you go to? The only one I’ve ever been to in Toronto is Allen Gardens, located in a park off of Carlton, I think. It is a great place to go if it’s really cold and you want to pretend you are on a tropical island, or a desert.
I spent New Year’s Day dusting, rearranging stuff, reading and doing laundry. Not exciting, but needed to be done.
We went to the ones in Etobicoke, the Centennial Park Conservatory which is much closer to where we live.
I guess you will be enjoying a very clean 2018 : )
I really need to do some cleaning too but I’ve been putting it off, along with putting away the Christmas decorations. I want to enjoy the pretty lights and decorations a while longer.
Oh my, When I reached the photo of you and Robert TOGETHER against the backdrop of that lovely botanical garden I just smiled and smiled. A visit for the holidays will probably sustain you for a bit of the long winter anyway?
You really are spectacular in your floral dress and those red booties. WOW did you pick a perfect setting to encourage the rest of us to dig out some floral fantasy of our own to lift our spirits. I also love the idea of the diffusers! Is there a brand you can recommend?
I’m sure that your fibromyalgia makes wearing your warmest coat more of a project than you’d like. Those vintage coats were definitely made to be warm but also to LAST!! People bought a new coat only when the old one wore out “back in the day.” I imagine that chivalrous Robert carried it for you so you could waltz gloriously through the flowers. This post has lifted my spirits Suzanne! Thank you!!
I bought my diffusers at TJ Maxx. They are different brands one of them features a 10 minute delay so you don’t need to fill it up as often. It diffuses every 10 minutes. I prefer the aesthetic of the Pure Spa which looks a bit like a round off cone. It comes in many different colours so it will work with your home decor. The lines are clean and simple. I also bought my essential oils at TJ Maxx. I really like the ones by Pursonic, therapeutic grade. I also use them in my humidifier in my room at night. I find it helps me sleep better.
Yes, they sure don’t make coats like they used to!
Suzanne,
As always, you are a breath of fresh air wrapped in beautiful colors! That dress from Anthro was just waiting for you. It has your name all over it! If I had seen it in the store I would have said, “This is Suzanne!” You beam with it on. But, of course, you REALLY beam with Robert’s arm around you. Such a fabulous, fashionable couple!!
It looks like you had a wonderful start to the new year and this makes me very happy!
Hugs all around!
– Sherry
Yes, we are both a bit sad now that Robert is back in Asia. It was lovely while he was home though.
What a fabulous floral dress you were wearing Suzanne. How brilliant to start your new year off in the botanical gardens. Such beautiful scenery, and to be warm and cozy is a lovely change from the cold Canadian weather.
I love your coat, although I would not be happy with something so heavy. It is fabulous, luxe look on you. I’m so happy hubby is home with you, and I hope you have a fabulous new year🎊
I started my new year off a quiet party with my husband, and the small group of friends. It was fabulous too. I hope you stay warm !
❤️❤️❤️
Elle
https://theellediaries.com/
That dress is a stunner & perfect for a visit to the botanical garden! I actually did know all of the poinsettia trivia…it was one of the social studies lessons I taught before Christmas. I possess a plethora of odd knowledge as a result of things I’ve taught my kids…😂
Debbie
http://www.fashionfairydust.com
I am so pleased husband came home for the dark but festive days. Yay. Your dress is absolutely gorgeous. I love it to death. And those red boots….. oh how I regret not having seen their amazing ability to lift any outfit. I missed out on them. And again… what a fabulous dress!! I admire you for holding out to super sale. I would have bought it immediately full retail price as I would be so afraid it would be sold out.
Greetje
That is the perfect outfit to wear to a garden! I love the style and the bright colours!