Stampede Fun

I have so much to say these days that I can't decide what to talk about first!  This is very unusual but Summer is just so full of fun things to document that I can't help myself!  So I decided to start with a Stampede recap since we just finished 10 days of pretending to be cowboys.  We do it every year.. it sometimes feels like Halloween!

This year we took the kids to the Stampede grounds for the first time EVER.  Until now, the kids thought that going to the stampede meant heading to a free pancake breakfast.  Boy, were they wrong.

Grady was super into it and wanted to wear his full cowboy outfit consisting of this suede vest and match chaps first worn by James Dad many years ago.  Grady sported this outfit to school in 2015 and wanted to revive the look this year.

I told Grady it was WAY too hot to venture out in that attire for the afternoon so he settled on just wearing the vest and added a hat for the perfect cowboy touch.

 

I snapped a selfie just as we walked through the gates. I wasn't sure how long the hat would stay on and wanted to make sure I got a picture with my young cowboy.

Surprisingly he wore it all day and most of the night.  Cooper, on the other hand, was an urban cowboy, sporting only a plaid shirt match with brightest shorts he owned.

  

This was 100% the right year for our family to start attending.  The kids didn't whine, they took in their surroundings, enjoyed the food, and didnt' even get upset that we didn't buy ride tickets.  There was an epic meltdown when Grady didn't win a prize playing his one game that we allowed, even though we told him he wasn't' going to win.  Other than that, I am calling it a success.

We weren't done exploring yet but it was time to get to the Chuckwagons to see the races and the grandstand show that follows.

  

Personally, I think the chucks are boring, but I do love the after show.  It is full of music, dancing, acrobats, and tricks.  This year Jann Arden was the host and sang 2 songs.  Cooper didn't know how I knew all the words.  He sat on my lap so he could see better and I enjoyed every second. Unlike his big brother, he does not like to touch, at all.

Everything is more fun with friends so there were 11 of us that went, we took up a whole row plus some.

To give you an idea of the magnitude of the show here is the stage from our seats.  They were actually phenomenal seats and this photo doesn't do it justice.  For the amount we paid per seat, they should be good!  The show really is spectacular, it is a part of the greatest outdoor show on earth after all!

If I were guessing, I would say the kids liked the fireworks the best. Other than Disneyland 3 years ago, the kids had never seen fireworks.  I tried to capture the look of awe as the fireworks exploded literally right in front of us. Experiencing these firsts with the kids is a favorite.

 

 

It was a great way to spend a Sunday night, even if it had us getting home close to midnight.  On the brighter side, the kids have been sleeping until almost 9 lately.  I seriously thought the day would never come  Let's hope that this new later wake up time sticks around!

Create an Outfit: Stampede Style

I love the summer series hosted by The Blended Blog each Wednesday this summer.  Choose an item from each column and link up - easy peasy!

As the Calgary Stampede is in full swing and I've swapped in the corporate wear for western gear, I thought it was only fitting that I share what I have been wearing this week to show off my cowgirl style.

This is a multi-color, fun print, showcasing the patchwork skirt.

I call this look the city cowgirl.  Yes, I could wear jeans, my big belt buckle, and a traditional western shirt, but this is more me.  

Let me tell you a little story about this skirt.  I bought it on my honeymoon almost 11 years ago.  We were in London going through a street market and I found this skirt and needed to have it.  I don't remember how much it was, but I do remember it was more than I would usually pay for a skirt at that time.  I wore it a for a few years and then it started to collect dust.  I am NOT a pack rat but couldn't bring myself to get rid of the skirt.  I was emotionally attached to it.  Just last year I added it to the stampede section of my closet (yes I have a section for western wear) and I am so happy to have revived this bad boy.

Truthfully, you add cowboy boots or a denim vest to any outfit and you magically turn into a cow girl.  

Yee-haw!

My Stampede Go-To Style

A huge part of summer in Calgary is the celebrating the Stampede, the biggest outdoor show on earth.    And wouldn't you know, we are just wrapping up a week of stampede festivities around here.  Truthfully, my stampede week was light but still fun because I spent the last week playing dress up in western wear.

The trick to dressing western is easy, especially for woman.  I've put together a list of basics to turn your every day outfit into cowgirl material.

• Authentic Cowboy boots.  I bought my first pair before kids, so at least 7 years ago.  I LOVE them.  They are so comfortable and keep my feet comfy while I walk around the grounds or grab a few bevies.  They are also hot.  Very hot.

• Cowboy hat.  When I was summer student back in 2001 (am I that old?) I bought an authentic (expensive) cowboy hat.  I hated it. It was just too stuffy and not enough fun.  So now I buy the $29.99 variety that they sell at the grounds or from the street vendors.  They are straw and bendable. The hat comes in very handy protecting you from the sun.  Or the rain.

• A denim jacket (or vest).  Throwing on your boots and jean jacket makes every outfit western.  Works like a charm.  Especially for work.

• I big belt buckle.  The one in the photos is new this year.  I was replacing the one James swiped from an old company for me that may or may not be going bankrupt.  It was time for an upgrade.  

• A bandana. A friend gifted one to me this week and I couldn't wait to wear it with a plain white tee and jeans.  

• Gold/brown accessories.  .  I just screams western.  Enough said.

• Fringe.  I saw this gal at my work party wearing fringe sandals.  What a great alternative to a cowboy cute  when it is smokin' hot.  I loved them.  I may or may not have ordered these sandals the very next night.  While they won't make it on time for stampede this year, I am sure they will be worn many times in the Stampede's to come.

By Friday, I am usually done with being a cowgirl and just want to wear my regular clothes again.  This year though I have loved my outfits and have chosen to wear and am still enjoying my western wear.

My favourite outfit of the week was #3.  Do you have a clothing item that you just can't bring yourself to get rid of even though you never wear?  Well that skirt is one of those items for me.  I bought it in London on our honey moon almost 10 years ago and i can't remember the last time I wore it, but I couldn't give it away.  I was digging through the corner where I keep all my stampede clothes and there was the skirt.  I thought  that it looked like patch work and I could pull it off this week.  And I did.  I love it!  Now I will never give it away!

Also - notice picture 4 and 5.  I wore it as a bandanna one day but it was a little hot.  I googled 'bandanna necklace and found a tutorial for making a necklace which I wore in picture 5.  So many people at work actually noticed it was the same bandanna and decided I could easily make and sell them.  I said maybe I'll make matching ones for us next year!

I wasn't the only one with a little stampede style either!  Grady is wearing an authentic outfit that was originally worn by Grandpa Peter.  Nothing like a boy in chaps or in a cowboy hat!!

So now you know what I've been wearing, check out what the other ladies are wearing this summer!

Shoes to Shiraz | Two Teens and their Mama | A Lovely Little Wardrobe | 

R Squared  | Confessions of a Frumpy Mommy 

The Mishaps and Mayhem of Solitary Life |  Quilty Joy Joy

 Puppies and Pretties | She Thought She Could 

 Foxy's Domestic Side | Once Upon a Time &Happily Ever After 

 Nick and Nik  | Daily Style Finds 

Yahoo!

Since I am behind in posting.... I wanted to post this pic of my cute little cowboys in their gear before a stampede breakfast last weekend.  Yes Cooper put pants on before we left.



Style me Pretty Summer Challenge - Week 4 and Final Thoughts

This marks my last post about the summer challenge and this weeks outfits.  Some of you (James) are probably thrilled that I won't be talking about what I wore anymore, while others (I hope) may miss it.  I will miss taking and posting pictures of what I wore.  It keeps me accountable and who am I kidding, I love to get dressed up!

Day 17.  Striped T-Shirt + White Pants + Long Necklace + Wedges

The only thing I actually wore from today was the wedges.  I don't have white dress pants and I tried wearing the white jeans to work and just felt a tad under dressed.  That, and I've been dying to wear my new maxi dress and white denim jacket from the loft since my trip over 2 weeks ago!

On a brighter note, I got a new phone today, so these pictures were taken at the end of the day.  While I waited for my apple appt I headed to Anthropologie and scored this shirt for $30.  I've yet to bring it in the house for my hubby to see...

I now only have one pair of jeans sitting out that I bought on our trip and haven't worn yet. With the Stampede coming next week and jeans and cowboy boots all week, I have no doubt that they will be worn in the very near future!

I love this dress because I bought and wore it off the shelf, something I can rarely do with a maxi dress.  Yay for petites!

Day 18. Dressy Chambray + Bright Ankle Pants + Long Necklace + Neutral Flats or Heels

Before I went to bed last night I tried on the skirt below with my chambray shirt and James told me that it was western on top and business on the bottom.  He didn't like it.  I thought it was fine but he is more conservative for me so I like his opinion when it comes to whether something is appropriate for work.  And he like my opinion on whether his patterns mix.  The answer is always NO!

Ahhhh back to my bathroom pics on my phone!

I resisted buying the plain black pump, but in the end, my old ones just needed to be replaced.  I wear them more than I expected to as I am a gal that loves colorful shoes! And also polka dots.

Day 19.  Printed Shirt + Denim Shorts + Sneakers

Today was the first day of the Stampeded which is a big rodeo and exhibition.  My sisters were in town for the festivities and I still manages to stick to the challenge.  Just needed a quick sub of sneakers for my cowboy boots!

I love me some teal and consider it a neutral.  I just love the way it brightens up every outfit.  I love the back of this shirt and it is solely the reason I got it.  It was the perfect outfit for an evening of drinks and stampeding!

Day 20.  Maxi Dress + Swimwear + Fedora + Metallic Sandals

The next morning we went to a stampede breakfast with the family.   I was happy to get to wear this maxi dress that I missed out on while we were away.  I bought this guy at Superstore for $19 and wear it with a slip as it is slightly see through.

I of course did a quick swap of a fedora for the cowboy hat and through on my cowboy boots.  I am still loving my vest and have absolutely no regrets on pulling the trigger on that one!

Day 21.  Bright Tank + Palazzo Pants (or Maxi Skirt) + Long Necklace + Wedges

Last challenge day :( but we we went out on a great outfit, maybe my fave of the week!  I don't have a maxi skirt so i just threw on a tank over my dress and I think it looks great.  Since my dress is a little on the short size I can't wear it with wedges and subbed for black flip flops since I was spending the day with the kiddos. 

I even liked the way the back looked with the racer back showing.  A great outfit for a hot and sunny Sunday.  Finally!

Final Thoughts.  I really enjoyed the participating in the challenge.  I loved getting the daily emails with the outfits and being told what to wear.  While there is a small part of me that looks forward to choosing my own outfits again, most of me loved not having to think about it when you already have enough things to schedule.

 

I love how it was so versatile. I feel like I could repeat the challenge and come up with a different outfit for each day. I have seriously considered doing this!  With the 'Work Wear' challenge coming up in 6ish weeks, I think I will just enjoy dressing myself until the next challenge. You better believe that I will be participating again!

 

I've also enjoyed adding a few new blogs to my blog roll.  It was great to get to 'know' a few gals from across north america.  So tune in one last time for this challenge and check out what some of the other ladies wore this week!

Shoe to Shiraz | Just Jordan | Blog by a Herzog | RSquared | Mishaps and Mayhem of Solitary Life |

Grumbling Grace | 2 Teens & Their Mama | The Kelly's |

A Little Lovely Wardrobe | Confessions of a Frumpy Mommy | 

Family Love Inspiration Education | A Little Bit of Life, Love & Fashion |

Foxy's Domestic Side | My Running Stitches | Leading a Colourful Life |

What I Wore this Week - Stampede Style!

So I thought some of you out of towners might want a glimpse in what it is like to live and work in Calgary during Stampede week. It is quite different then your typical week in working in the downtown core.

First, people dress like it is Halloween. For some (like me!) that means that a regularly dressed person who usually wears heels or a suit to work trades in their formal attire to dress like a cowboy/girl. For many others, it means that you dress in the most revealing shirt and skirt you own even though it hasn't fit you in over 5 years.... Yes, there are many of those! 

It also becomes appropriate to leave work at any time to attend a 'work' event that usually involves alcohol at as early as 8am. I am NOT kidding. Thankfully, I do not go to these events, but my husband, oh my stampede attending husband, attends many. 

It is also not uncommon to see a free breakfast or lunch outside a building with many MANY people in line waiting to eat. Beef on a bun is a fan favorite. 

I feel like Stampede is full of a sense of community. I remember in my bus-taking days the week of Stampede, you talked to the person who you had rode the bus with all year for the first time. Stampede really can bring out the best of people. Or the worst. You often hear that many of the popular bars find many wedding bands the week of Stampede. I am an optimist at heart and really think that it brings a sense of pride to the city. For 101 years, the Stampede has been putting a little country in the city and I am sure it will be doing the same for 101 more! 

So onto the cowgirl attire! 

Tuesday 

My first day back to the office puts me in my most cowgirl outfit ever!


I got the boots about 6 years ago. I only know this because I didn't have kids. It could even be longer. Some people say their boots are not comfortable- but I love mine! Luck of the draw I guess. You can't tell from the photo but the stitching on the boots is 'Christy' blue. My favorite.

The belt buckle is new this year. I think it totally makes the outfit 100% cowgirl. Let's be honest, I would be caught dead in this outfit outside of stampede. The buckles screams cowgirl. James got it from work at the end of last season so a few weeks back I had to buy a belt where the buckle is removable. I paid $25 for it pre-stampede and found one on the grounds for $10. Who would have thought it would be cheaper to get it there??

I think this outfit gets an A for effort as it seems more authentic cowgirl. The rest of my outfits for the week are more urban style and I am totally OK with that!

Wednesday

Today warrants a full denim outfit with boots AND hat since I headed to the stampede grounds after work.  We had dinner at Ranahan's with James work.  I had Friday's outfit picked out originally, but in the end decided on this more traditional outfit. I was told there was a dress code at the restaurant.  During Stampede?  I couldn't find exactly what it was on their website so decided to play it safe.

I like this outfit, but I often wear in on Friday's with a colored belt and heels, so I don't feel all that stampede-y.  However, when I look at the above picture with the hat, it actually is pretty western after all!

Thursday

Thursday was my work party day.  This year we went for a nice sit down lunch and headed to a stampede tent.  These tents are very large and found in random parking lots.  The one we attended was beyond busy and hot and I don't know about you, but I'm not that into using porto-potties!

The skirt is new this year and next to denim, I think white skirts/dresses are the next best thing.  I was somewhat out of my comfort zone throwing the belt buckle on, but during stampede you just have to take those kids of risks!

Friday


This morning when I woke up, I decided I was done with stampede.  Too many late nights and too many drinks.  I decided it was a great day to sport a pony tail.  My co-workers always think something is wrong when I wear a pony since it usually means I am tired and/or sick.  Not the case today - today I feel great, as if I didn't have more than my fair share of vodka and water last night.  Yes Gina, you read that right, I consumed vodka and water last night!

This is probably my favorite outfit of the week.  I held the camera down lower to show my blue necklace, but it turns out you still can't see it. 

So there you have it, Stampede Style 2013.  I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited to pack away my cowboy boots next week and pull out all my hells and regular attire.  Stampede is a great time but there is a reason it is only 10 days!

Stampede......Out!

Hell or High Water

This was the theme of the Stampede this year, Hell or High Water.  Very fitting after the flooding that the Stampede ground endured only 2 weeks before the festivities started.  So many people worked hard and long hours to make sure that Stampede 101 went on.  And it did.

This year my Dad and Sheila came up to go to the Stampede with us.  My Dad loves the rodeo.  He loves it so much that he watches it every year on TV from his favorite chair at home.  Every year I ask him why he doesn't come visit during he stampede and he never has, until this year.

We snagged some rodeo tickets for the first day.  We had a bit of an adventure getting there since they were advising not to park close to the grounds as the residents of those communities were flooded and needed to park on the streets.  We decided to park downtown ad take the train, completely forgetting that the parade wasn't done.  Traffic was a nightmare and so man roads were closed. In the end we grabbed the first spot we saw and jumped the train to the grounds.

Within 5 minutes of arriving, Dad was eating a bratwurst sausage.

Like any exhibition, nothing beats the food. Everything is deep fried and full of calories.  There are 2 things that I must have at the grounds, a bag of mini donuts and a pineapple cone.  I also like to grab a hot dog - this year i was disappointed with mine.  But the warm, fresh out of the deep fryer were to. die. for.

Our seats for the rodeo were pretty good.  We were covered in case it rained on in case it was too hot, it provided some shade.  Unfortunately, we were fighting rain for a good portion of the afternoon.   It didn't rain until we were 2 minutes from the car, but when it did, it poured.  We got wet!

Here are Dad and Sheila at their first Rodeo in over 30 years!  I think they enjoyed it!

The next morning, we got up and headed to a stampede breakfast in our area.  There were 3 in the area, and those were only the ones we heard about. They are everywhere! Most of them are free or for charity. The one we went to was put on by the stampeded and they have 2 free breakfasts a day for the entire 10 days of stampede.

This is the first year that the boys wanted to wear their cowboy hats (that actually look like sombreros!).  Grady even wanted cowboy boots. Not sure I am ready to spend that kind of money for boots he'll wear once or twice a year.  Maybe that is why James said I can't get new boots this year....

The first thing we saw when we arrived was the pony rides. I remembered from years past that by one hour in, the line up for the pony's was HUGE.  So I asked the kids if they wanted to go first thing. Grady wanted nothing to do with it but Cooper said he did.  So off we went to wait in the very short line.  I wasn't sure that Cooper would get on the pony, but he did!

And he enjoyed it!

Here are Dad and Sheila enjoying another first - free breakfast!  It was VERY helpful to have an extra set of hands as we went through the line up as James pushed the stroller and I usually try to man all 4 plates.  Thanks for the help!

After breakfast we headed to the petting zoo which we thought would be a hit with both kids  While Cooper was busy petting all the animals....

Grady preferred to be held by Dad and didn't go near any animals.

He much preferred riding on Grandpa's shoulders!  I don't blame him really!

After breakfast we rushed to the mall for a bowling party.  The mall was a zoo!  Their annual stampede breakfast (the biggest in the city) was that morning and made the parking situation unbearable.  I had parked in the back and didn't even notice, but Dad and Sheila nearly left the mall because they couldn't find parking.  Once inside, it was better, but very very busy!

Grady got the highest on his team with a score of 104 (with bumpers)- that is pretty impressive!

After supper, we even had time for a trip to the park since the sun finally peaked out after a very overcast day.

All in all it was a great weekend!  Usually Blaire and Kolby come with them to visit and sometimes they bring along Devon and Joel.  But this year it was just Dad and Sheila.  The girls are working woman now and had to work all weekend.  Although they were missed and thought of often, it was nice to just spend the weekend with just 'Grandpa Lorne and Grandma Sheila'.  The kids really warmed up quickly and didn't seem to be as shy as they usually would be.  The boys jumped all over Grandpa and were constantly asking if Grandma or Grandpa wanted to do puzzles, color, play games etc etc.  It was a nice break for me. HA!

We had such a great time and are already looking forward to thanksgiving when the entire crew will be back for a visit!

Stampede 2012

Although you wouldn't know it by my blog, the Stampede is in full swing and day 8 is drawingn to a close.  It isn't that we haven't been out taking in the events... I just haven't taken the time to upload any of the pictures that I have taken this week and put together a post that made any sense.

James grew up here and stampede has always been a part of his life.  I, on the other hand, have only been here for 10 years and the stampede has been associated with going to the bar and drinking for as many nights in a row as you can while not losing your job.  Now that I have kids, I am trying to figure out how to enjoy the stampede in more a family way.

Although I still do take at least one night during the week to hit the grounds and drink some beers with my friends or co-workers.....

We have decided not to take the kids to the parade or the grounds yet.  I don't think my kids would survive the 3 hour long parade plus the commute of getting there and back.  I think Grady would actually enjoy the grounds but Cooper is still a bit of a handful so we are waiting another year or 2 before attempting that.
One tradition that we have started is taking the kids to a weekend stampede breakfast.  There are several every day and who doesn't like free (or next to free) pancake and sausage breakfast? 

This picture was taken before we left for the breakfast.  Notice that we couldn't completely get rid of the McQueen shirt but we did manage to 'country it up' with a plaid shirt and a cowboy hat that stayed on his head exactly long enough for me take this picture.

Yes, he did put on pants before we left.  Remember, pants are optional at our house if you are less than 5!

Cooper wanted nothing to do with his hat.

Out of the 2 of us, James goes out more than I do. he changed jobs about 2 years ago and is in a very social role where he attends a lot of events with work. He generally has at least 1 event a day which means I have been spending a lot of time 'quality' with the kids. I called Tuesday as my night to go out and he more than happily picked up the kids so I could have my night out.

I went to the rodeo with work. They were the best seats that I have ever had. This picture was taken from my seat with no zoom. We were that close.

We were also uncovered.

It was 30 degrees and hot. Thankfully we also had sunscreen.

Here is a hot and sweaty cowgirl after the rodeo.  And many cold beer.

This was my first Stampede downtown where I wasn't pregnant or on maternity leave in probably 4 years so I figured I could probably use some new stampede duds. I was walking through the mall this morning and noticed a rack of plaid shirts for $10 each. So what did I do? I bought 3.

Still debating which one I should wear for my last day of cowgirl attire tomorrow......

Yippee!