Slave to Fashion

Sometimes, I surprise myself. I was really so proud at how efficiently I had packed. Really - all bases covered. Bathers, umbrella, colour coordinated handbags - I was ready for everything.

Except that I forgot one thing. I get cold easily.

Mum and Dad's house is designed to release heat. This is very sensible in an Australian summer, as the last thing you want is heat hanging around. There's enough of that outside.

Need I mention it's not summer?

I am a complete wimp. Utterly. Totally wimpy. I take it to new levels. Especially after the non-activity of sitting on an airplane for days, that tends to leave my circulation somewhat ... lacking.

In other words, I had not expected I would be wearing so many layers all the time. It is amazing how quickly one runs out of clean clothes when each day one is wearing two or three days worth.

So, because my Mum rocks completely and happily adapts to my quirks, we visited the Salvation Army second hand store. It rocks. It's HUGE. And she was happy just wandering around while I scoured the racks for layerable clothing items.

I was successful. Bearing in mind my clothing quirks (it must be recycled or organic. It must be a natural fabric. I must be able to throw it in the washing machine - no special care allowed - no ironing, no light coloured laundry. It must go with my other clothes. I must be able to dress it up or down. etc etc etc - picky picky) I did very well. I managed a new pair of light brown corduroy pants which fit me perfectly, as well as two new jumpers (sweaters) - a blue one and a mauve one. I can happily put any of these with any of the other clothes I have brought on this trip. This means as well that I can happily integrate them into my full wardrobe in Vancouver as well. Because, basically the only things I left behind were my work suits.