Pardon Me While I Lose My Mind

Suffice it to say this is not the post I had planned.  It is currently 10:40pm, I am barely completing my work day *yeah.  get there.  because I know I haven't*, and feel as though I could spontaneously combust at any moment.   Given my frazzled mood I've decided to go completely off the edge and match my current state of mind to a set of pictures we took while visiting Canada.  Next week posts will go back to normal.  Until then buckle up because you're about to take a trip to crazyville!!

Even if you've only been reading a week you know I grew up on the Prairies in Canada.  While visiting my brother and his family last week we ended up at some mall (Alberta = home of the mall) where on one end was a line outside of Coach that had to have at least 100 people in it, while maybe 200 yards *okay metres* away stood the biggest outdoorsy retailer that took the slogan "bringing the outdoors in" to a whole new level.  Tape your jaw shut and come along - it was only 150,000 sq. ft!  And yes that was 4 zeros, not 3.

 Need to practice your shooting skills? 

Grab a coffee and a gun and come on over.  

Eeps!!

What was that?  You meant fishing?  Oh, okay.  

Just turn around and you're all set.

Hip waders extra.

Take notice of the stuffed polar bear on your upper left.

I tried to jump on it, but the mob wouldn't let up to give me a shot.

Hope you have eyes in the back of your head or that bear 

might eat you.

Don't worry the guy in the tree's got your back.

He'll bow and arrow it while you grab a change of clothes.

Meanwhile over at the fish tank new friendships are being forged.

I'm just trying to get my loved ones out in one piece.

Look out! Wolves!!

What was that?  A plane's going to fly into my head??

Not before these things try to bite my leg off.

(Thankfully my cheetah print top doubled as camo gear...when in Rome people)

"Don't move," he hissed "bear on your right."

Jesus take the wheel.  Is this over yet?

Niece to the rescue!!  Oops price tag issues!  No dice!!

And then I ran off screaming into broad daylight!!

You still with me?  This place was packed to the gills with Americans and Canadians who had driven for MILES to take it in.  We're talking mountain climbing equipment, boats, fishing gear, coffee cups, ear plugs, hunting paraphernalia *let's not get into a crazy debate mmmmkay?*,  winter gloves, camo sweats (which I almost purchased don't judge), rubber boots for subzero temps, tents galore, all terrain vehicles that cost as much as my car, and so much more.  It's all a blur.  A 150,000 sq. ft blur.  I vaguely recall some dimwit trying to tell me he was going to "pay cash" for some cruiser boat thing that was over $50K.  To which the smart aleck in me replied, "Why don't you just pay $240/month for the next 25 years like the sign suggests?" before shooting him a dirty and stomping off.  Hehe.  Not impressed buddy!

I was not in LA Toto!

These pictures are the perfect summary to an absolutely hellish return to reality.  Next week I will try to come back to la-la land or at least a brighter version of reality including daily posts.  Imagine that.  In the meantime thank you to everyone who has stuck with my blog while I've been away.  I appreciate your support and look forward to catching up with all of you.  

Have a terrific weekend everyone.  Yippppeeeeeeee!!

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Field of Fall Fashion

This past week in Canada has been a whirlwind of trampoline jumping, snack eating, hot tubbing, first day of schooling, game playing, fort building, and hugs with my niece and nephew.  In between all of these things, as I mentioned in the last post, the Chef and I managed to sneak out and take in some of Calgary's shopping including Holt Renfrew, Aritzia, and Club Monaco.  Yesterday after dropping my niece off for her first day of kindergarten *and subsequently crying with her mom on the way to the car, all the way back home, and for more than a few minutes upon our return - to be honest I think I might cry all year at the thought of her skinny little legs walking around the corner to the classroom all by herself* the Chef and I wandered outside and grabbed some photos on what turned out to be a quintessential Canadian fall day.

I was so excited to be able to pull out my over the knee socks...

and really have the weather to wear them in.

The military boots and bag brought the whole look together.

Once again the bubble skirt came to the rescue.

This time with a cashmere sweater from Club Monaco

that I cinched at the waist with a weathered belt from J.Crew (seen here).

I wonder if J.Crew ever thought their skirt would end up in a barley field?

I hope it gets cool enough to wear this outfit in Southern California.

The sad thing is this pretty girl next to me won't be there

to hang out after school.

Bye Canada - see ya next time.

Outfit details:  Club Monaco Cashmere Sweater, Gap Camis, J, Crew Belt, J.Crew Chino Bubble Skirt, Falke OTK Striggings, Joie Military Boots,  TK Military Bag, Melinda Maria Jewelry

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Dear Holt Renfrew: I Love You

Here I am live and reporting to you from the Prairies in Canada where one minute the sun is shining and the next you're in a full-scale downpour that is quickly followed by more sun and a light breeze.  It's a good thing I packed a wide range of attire including shorts, skirts, denim, leggings, light t-shirts, blouses, jackets and even some tights because, tights aside, I've had a chance to wear a little of everything and it's been great.  One of the things I miss most about living here is the ability to truly indulge in all the wonderful fashion that appears at fall.  In Southern California we really can't get into much of a deep relationship with wool, chunky knit sweaters, or rich tweed so, even though I love where I live, I do find myself a little heartsick at all the possibilities that get passed over due to the high likelihood of a heatwave in the fall.

Seizing the opportunity to get out and take in a glimpse, the Chef and I ventured into downtown Calgary the other day where we inevitably ended up at Holt Renfrew - Canada's Barneys and one of my favorite places to shop when visiting home.  Within moments we I was oohing and aahing over amazing brands that were perfectly merchandised and singing all too many of the sweet songs of fall into my ears.  Even as I type a particular leather vest adorned with leather studded shoulders remains locked in my mind.  I don't think I'll ever be the same.  Wallet fairies?  I still haven't given up on you...

I was so excited to be able to wear velvet, cashmere, 

leather and suede all in one outfit.

It was Tucker for Target on the tank.

And Coco came along on the trip as well.

To visit her cousins and bring greetings from Southern California.

Holt's windows are always impeccable - like a scene out of Mannequin.

And there is something historic about the store that brings

out classy ladies dressed in their finest.  This lady 

who snuck into our photo was a doll!

Without realizing it my outfit coordinated very well 

with the colors in their window.  The slogan really says it all.

I managed to leave with a few treasures that I'm sure will make it into outfit posts over the next week or so.  Until then I hope everyone is having a wonderful Labor Day long weekend!!  I'm looking forward to catching up on your blogs when we return home later this week.  And now I've got a bag of ketchup chips staring me down...yesssss.

Outfit details:  Tom Ford-Sunnies, Martin+Osa (RIP) Cashmere-Sweater, Tucker by Gaby Basora for Target-Tank, Martin+Osa (RIP)-Skinny Denim, Banana Republic-Suede Boots, Alexander Wang-Coco Handbag

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My New Book!

My newest book was several years in the making. Now, it's finally here (and I believe it's also in both "bricks" and "clicks" bookstores everywhere). The title is Identifying and Feeding Birds, and it's just published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

As poet, guitar god, and nature lover Jerry Garcia once sang: "What a long, strange trip it's been." So true, so true. And yes, we've forgiven Jerry for pronouncing nuthatch as "nut-thatch" in the Grateful Dead song "Eyes of the World."

Back to the book: It's my attempt at delivering, in a fun-loving way, all the necessary info for attracting, feeding, and identifying backyard birds in North America. It's based upon my nearly 40 years of feeding birds—every minute of which I've enjoyed (even while making truly stupid mistakes). I'm hoping the reader can learn from my experience and leapfrog straight to doing bird feeding right with maximum enjoyment.

But you, my fellow book-reading consumers will decide if this particular book succeeds in its goal.

Identifying and Feeding Birds is the first book in a multi-title series I'm working on for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. The second book, Hummingbirds and Butterflies, co-written with Connie Toops is currently in the publisher's Easy-Bake Oven and should be out in spring 2011.

As an aside, it's NEVER a good idea to put a Stretch Armstrong through your little sister's Easy-Bake Oven. See, this is the kind of beneficial advice you can get from me.

If you feed birds and want to do it better, or if you're just thinking about starting, here's a list of reasons to buy my new book:

1. People a lot smarter than I am think the book is pretty good.
2. Feeding birds is good for you. Ask your doctor.
3. My sister made me confess to the Stretch Armstrong/Easy-Bake Oven crime.
4. I debunk all the bird-feeding myths that have puzzled you for decades.
5. In the book I share my family's heirloom suet-dough recipe, which is lard-based.
6. You'll learn obscure facts, like the one about Jerry Garcia's nut-thatch mispronunciation.
7. It costs just $14.95, which is less than you'll spend in a single Starbucks visit.
8. I'm proud that it's part of the legendary Peterson Field Guide Series.
9. It contains revealing "Behind the Music" profiles of 125+ backyard bird species.
10. While you're at it, why not buy two?

Thank you for lending me your eyeballs over the past several years here at Bill of the Birds. I always endeavor to make your time here well spent (or to trick you into feeling that way). However, there may be occasional subliminal messages that slip through my fingers. These messages will encourage you to read more blog posts, to watch more birds, to go to birding festivals, to have more fun as a birder and human, and to buy my books. Sorry, but I cannot help myself.

Despite what this photo may indicate, my new book is NOT currently available in a backwards version.

Did I mention that I have a new book out?

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Oh Canada!

As I type the Chef and I are staring at packed bags *and probably trying to shove in some extra things just sayin'* for a quick trip to Canada to see my family over the Labor Day weekend.  We're in a bit of a conundrum trying to choose a return date, and hoping it all just works out so we can be back mid-week.  Uh, yeah.  Can you say ill-prepared?  All together now...

Anyway.  When I think of Canada I think of so many of the comforts of home that start with f-o-o-d.  I'm looking forward to stepping off the plane and indulging in all of the following things that we can't get here in the United States.

Can I get a YAHOO! from all my Canadian readers?!?

Ketchup chips for President!!

If he can't find the Hot Wing chips the Chef is all about these.

Of course he'll have to pry them out of my Vulcan grip first.

Of course we'll be double fisting with chips in one hand

and one or more of these fab chocolate bars in the other.

After breakfast (hehe) I'll be ready for lunch at my fave burger stand - Burger Baron!

Pass the gluten as I fall dangerously off the wagon and order 

the Mushroom Burger as well as the Salisbury which you can't 

even see on this menu.  

You can guarantee we'll indulge in this madness:  Poutine!!

Fries, gravy and cheddar cheese.  I've been fasting all day!!

I pretty much lived on straight french fries and gravy in high school,

so clear the way!!  What are we on?  Course 10?

I fully intend to continue with stomach madness 2010 by eating this entire 

cake for dessert.  It is amazing and you'd never know 

I grew up with a mother who baked everything from scratch

based on my addiction to this nonsense.  She was so offended!!

Not to worry, the next morning I'll heave myself back onto

the gluten-free wagon, pull out my gf bread and smother it 

in this most fantastic cinnamon spread while my brother

makes a fantastic breakfast and my niece fills me in on

her latest pair of shoes.

And then we'll get her ready for her first day of kindergarten.

I'm not sure who's going to cry more - her mom, her dad or me!

I'll try to slip in a post or two here and there *I feel like a failed blogger when I skip a day, but life is life*, but I see my family so seldom that we try to maximize our moments together.  That being said I do hope to pay a special visit to my friends "Holt Renfrew" and "Artizia", as well as "Roots" - which we do have in Beverly Hills, but it's just not the same - and, of course, report back to you with my findings!  Hold on ladies...I'm going in for a food and apparel landing!

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Winner of the CSN Giveaway is...

by Random Number Generator...Valerie from Red Vines for Breakfast!!

Woo Hoooooo!!

Val I'm going to send you a quick email, as well as alert CSN with your email address and they will contact you regarding your gift certificate.  Please let me know if there is any delay.

Thanks to everyone for entering!!

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Tucker for Target: Part 1

I'm beginning to think I should rename this blog Carrie for Tucker by Gaby Basora seeing as I've been wearing so much of it in posts of late.  Over the past year or so I have fallen in love with the brand.  The prints are bright and carefree, and the designs are Parisian and flouncy - whether you're looking at a dress, a blouse or a pair of pants...yes, pants!  In early spring I met Gaby briefly at a trunk show and fell off the wagon purchasing the blouse I wore here.  To be honest I never really considered myself a blouse person, but as soon as I put that first one on I was a goner.  The top was soon on instant replay (just like they warned me) and my closet now holds tunics, blouses, tanks and even a vest.

When the Target collaboration was announced I went weak in the knees, but was unsure of how the line would translate into Target speech given that there is no way a silk garment can be made inexpensively.  A week or so ago Gilt offered a preview sale of Tucker for Target and I hauled out of bed early prepping my index finger for mad clicking skills.  Even though I didn't get every piece I'd hoped for I was lucky to purchase a few, and they have far exceeded my expectations.  Following is the first piece to arrive, a dress.  I had the opportunity to wear it to brunch this past weekend and got complimented more than once leading me to believe the line will be a hit!

True to form the flow of the garment is spot on.

The print is tell-tale Tucker and the fit is right in line 

with other styles I own.

Even though it comes with a fabric belt I switched it for this one from J.Crew.

The leather brings out the burnt color of the pattern within the dress.

It was the Chef who noticed the "Tucker" name on the buttons.  Cool!

I wore the dress with my mauve clogs (seen here), but

have also pictured wearing it with my knee high brown suede boots.

In the meantime these are just fine.  

I'm more than happy soaking in the warm rays of late summer - sans socks.

This picture was one of my faves. 
It picked up the electric blue tones that live in the dress

reminding us that even though fall is upon us we're not asleep in winter just yet.

I just received the other two items (a dress and a tank) yesterday so haven't had time to get pictures just yet.  Hopefully over the weekend I'll be able to snap a few and feature them in next week's posts.  In the meantime, what do you think?  Personally I'm really impressed with the way this dress turned out.  This is going to be one great collaboration when it's released in mid-September!!

Outfit details:  Dress - Tucker for Target, Belt - J.Crew, Shoes - Dulce, Bag - Foley+Corinna, Sunnies - Tom Ford

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