Part 2: Mother - Daughter Era

Our family is about to go on our Europe trip and I haven't even published this post.  YIKES!!!!   In January I recapped the Swifty experience that my daughter and I had in Vancouver in December, see here. To say that it was a once in a lifetime experience just doesn't do it justice.  Although the T. Swift experience was clearly the highlight of our trip, we also had an amazing time exploring the city of Vancouver and connecting with my sister in Victoria.  Lets dive in for a quick overview of the highlights that you can explore when visiting Vancouver.

Accommodations - Pinnacle  Harbourfront Hotel 

The Pinnacle hotel is the perfect location if you are exploring Vancouver.  You are literally 3 minutes from the waterfront and in walking distance to Robson Street.  It was only a 20 minute walk to BC place for the Swift concert and that was high on our priority list because we wanted to avoid transportation at all costs during this busy time.  We had a gorgeous city scape view and the room was dated but had everything we needed, including coffee in the room!  The staff was wonderful and they had lots of extra specials around the hotel for all the Swifties including a beading/bracelet exchange, photo ops, special drink menu, etc.  We ate at the restaurant twice and it was great, nothing special and not a ton of GF options. but it was good for a quick stop, with good prices.  I would definitely  stay here again.

Capilano Suspension Bridge 

This was the highlight of our time in Vancouver.  It was high on our list to go see the twinkling lights at the Capilano Suspension Bridge and they did NOT disappoint.  We were there over the holidays so it was beautifully decorated and then they incorporated the Swift experience into it to add even more magic.  We spent well over an hour walking around and being mesmerized by all the beauty in the woods.  It truly was magical!  If you are a BC resident the cost of your ticket gives you am annual pass.  My sister and her husband went again in February and she said it was beautiful with a Valentines Day vibe.  We've also done this in the summer and it's so worth it.  We took a bus to get there from downtown, super cheap, runs often and makes the whole experience stress free.

Shopping & Downtown

We did shop and look around Robson Street.  It's got all the high end stores, which we didn't explore, and your regular stores such as Sephora, Zara, Aritzia, etc.  My teen really wanted to go to Brandy Melville so that was high on our priority list.  My sister told her to choose some pieces for her birthday in December and she was thrilled with her purchases.  I personally don't get the hype but both of my teens are obsessed.

Walking around downtown is just such a cool vibe, especially if you aren't used to big city vibes.  It's full of electric  energy and people watching and coffee shops.  We loved taking in all the holiday decorations but the one thing we weren't able to fit in was skating at the Robson Square Ice Rink which is something that was on our wish list, next time.

Vancouver Seawall

Of course you need to take the time to walk around the Seawall when in Vancouver.  I took advantage of our location and got our each morning to enjoy the views.  Once was a solo morning run, once with my sister and the third time was a walk with a friend.  Weather its foggy and mystical, or you experience the sunrise, or you are taking it in midday views, it's a sight to see and enjoy.  We didn't rent scooters but next time I think that would be super fun to do with a teenager.

Good Food

We took advantage of trying out new coffee shops our favorite being Perfecto Cafe,  Sushi at Kamei Royale Japanese Restaurant, and a classic favorite Cactus Club Coal Harbour.

Victoria, BC

We took a fairy to Victoria, BC to visit my sisters family for a couple of short but sweet days.  It was a bit gloomy there upon our arrival but we went for a gorgeous hike and a nice meal out, and most importantly we got to see them.  Taking the fairy is always fun and although it was cold, we enjoyed walking around on  the deck and also just chilling on the fairy.

What I Wore

It wouldn't be a post without mentioning my outfits.  I was very careful to plan things that could be paired together and simply.  My faux leather shacket was super handy to have during the day when the temps were nice, and it was a great layering piece.   This is what I packed:

• T.Swift Concert Outfit see here
• Bottoms: leggings, black overalls, jeans and black skirt
• Tops: T.  Swift Crewneck, black long sleeve, beige sweater, white bodysuit
• Shoes: running shoes, sparkly boots & Blundstones 
• Other: Sports bra, long sleeve top for running

Travel Day: Leggings, T. Swift crewneck & Blundstones

Smash & Tess Dolly Overalls, Sweater, Blundstones & Bomber Jacket

Anya's choice for T.Swift concert was the concert hoodie in beige.

 

Exploring the city on concert day: T.Swift crew neck, jeans and Blundstones.

Sweater, my knitted sparkly skirt and sparkly boots.  Can you have too much sparkle for dinner?

T.Swift concert outfit!

Travel Day on the ferry: Smash & Tess overalls, black long sleeved shirt underneath & leather shacket.

Dinner out: Black faux leather skirt, sweater & sparkly boots.

And that's a wrap on our mother-daughter trip this winter.  We had the best time and I am eternally grateful for the privilege that I have to do something like this.  Have a wonderful week and see you on Thursday for our Ageless Style link-up, we will be styling our graphic tees.

Part 1: In Our Mother-Daughter Era

                       

In early December Anya and I finally embarked on a year long anticipated trip to see Taylor Swift in Vancouver, Canada.  Anya had received the trip as gift one year in Dec. 2023 and we had been dreaming and planning for well over a year.  Our bags were finally packed, our outfits safely in our carry-on, and friendship bracelets made.  We headed out of Saskatoon vibrating with excitement and anticipation.  Today's post is completely going to be dedicated to our Swifty experience and next weeks post will be dedicated to the rest of our Vancouver/Victoria trip.  

The best thing about this trip for me was having the privilege to be there to witness Anya's joy and first experience of this magnitude.  Watching Anya connecting with people, exchanging bracelets, and her watching her as Gracie Abrams stepped on the stage realize that this was actually happening.  And then when the countdown happened and Taylor walked out and she just couldn't believe this was her real life.  Seeing her tears of joy is the greatest gift I could ask for.  Let's jump in!

Travel Outfits were T.Swift merch of course.  We choose not to stand in the long line-ups for merch, instead we hit up the Taylor Swift website and our hoodies came in time and in the size we wanted.  This was the way to do it rather than standing in lines for hours and then you might or not get what you want, in the size you want.  Anya opted for the ERAs cream colored hoodie and I went rogue and bought the Cruel Summer crew neck that I absolutely love, and its one of my top five favorite T.Swift songs.  People, these are very good quality, super soft, well structured and well made and worth the $75-98.  We wear them all the time.

From the minute we landed there was a buzz in the city in anticipation of the last three concert of the ERAS tour.  The city was SWIFTY-fied at every corner and turn.  The hotels went the extra mile to decorate the lobbies  with photo-opps, customized drinks, bracelet making opportunities and the city had so many places to get your SWIFTY pictures taken.  

The best thing about the city was the FRIENDLINESS and sense of COMMODARIE amongst the people.  If strangers noticed your bracelets or your merch, people immediately started chatting, exchanging stories, favorite songs, the journey to get tickets and the absolute joy of it all.  People hugged.  People smiled.  People wished you well.  It's completely opposite of most things we see now in our society.  Taylor Swift has brought a sense of community to people and that's beautiful.  My sister, who isn't in the least a Swifty, said she was floored by the kindness of total strangers,  connected by their love for Taylor Swift, and she said she was thankful to witness it even though she wasn't at the concert.  Everywhere we went we met people and were taking in all the T. Swift magic.

Anya created her REPUTATION outfit 100% independently, recycling old dance costumes, hitting up the dollar store and she used an old pair of combat boots.  Although she doesn't love me taking her picture, she did pose for a few but they truly don't do justice to the outfit she recreated, down to the glittery snake drawn with glitter glue, to the bejeweled combat boots that took hours and hours to create.  She also got some gold snake accessories to round out her outfit.

I on the other hand found my dress for $25 on Marketplace!  It had me at fringe, gold, silver and all the sparkle.  I borrowed a pair of silver sparkly boots from a co-worker and I was FEARLESS.  Sidenote, upon returning the boots I was devastated and it became my mission to find a pair of silver sparkly boots because they are awesome and every girl should have a pair.  I am happy to report I finally found some mere days before Christmas.  

Everyone at the concert had fabulous outfits, many which were homemade and AMAZING.  Everyone looked like a million bucks.  

THE CONCERT!

You guys, I've been to a lot of  really good live shows.  I give credit to any artist that can pull off a connection with a crowd and make people feel like they truly know them.  This concert was NEXT LEVEL and BEYOND.  There are absolutely no words that I know that can combine together to express the feeling of awe, joy, admiration, captivation and the mesmerizing feeling we felt for 3 hours and 13 minutes.  That's how long Taylor was on that stage, taking a total of maybe 8 minutes between costume changes.  She was present, in character, in step with her audience and her crew for each and every single note.  We were captivated the whole time, singing, dancing, connecting with thousands of other people.  It began with a stadium countdown to a massive ERAS clock, then the  melody from Miss Americana & the Heartbreak Prince and beautiful fans that are larger than life, floating over the stage, and a voice of an angle saying "It's been a long time coming...." and BAM she appears.  From that moment we were on our feet, never missing a beat.  Each ERA brought new favorite songs, a new set, new outfits  and it just kept on. When it ended after 3 hours and 13 minutes, we were felt both drunk on happiness and an immediate sadness that it was over.  Even right in this moment, 1.5 months after I am chocked up thinking about it all.  

It was the greatest show I have ever seen, probably the greatest show I will ever see.  It's like Disneyland for T. Swift fans.  A ride that you are so lucky to have had an opportunity to go on and it will live in your heart for a lifetime.  

We know how lucky we are to have scored these tickets the legit way and for anyone curious our tickets were in the lower bowl, approximately $450/each.  Next week we will dive into part 2 of this mother-daughter adventure so be sure to return.  

Are you a Swift fan?  Did you end up going to the ERAS?  What's the best experience you've had with your own child?  Share your own stories in the comments below.