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Oh Canada: Part Two

Day 3 started out pretty much the same with an early departure to Moraine Lake to hike Sentinel Pass. This hike was just pleasant. The snow-covered pines, the breathtaking views, and the slightly slower incline. We made it to the pass and quickly realized that part of the hike wasn’t going to be safe for us without more expertise and more equipment. Instead, we watched a few brave souls try to make the hike and also noticed a few avalanches. We hiked back down and again being me and being so altitude sensitive, sat out the second hike of the day. It was hard sitting them out, but sometimes you just have to listen to your body. I knew what I needed to do. We headed back to our Airbnb after they finished and showered up for our last evening in Banff.

We went to the Iron Goat first to catch the Packer Game and enjoy some beers. After we had a couple, we departed for dinner at Blake. Ironically our waiter was a Canadian Packer Fan as well, which was amazing. We shared some Bao, Crack Fries, and Pot Stickers and some delicious drinks for the duration of the game. It was another great night, that we ended with some games and hitting the hay. 

The next day we started by catching an amazing sunrise followed by a semi-early shorter hike called Upper Grassi Lake. It was definitely the easiest one we did, but it took us to a beautiful lake and we got to see a fox. That was neat until it got a little too close for my liking which led me to promptly blow my emergency whistle. After our short hike down we headed back to shower and pack up. Back to the airport, we went. We stopped at a Tim Hortons which was unfortunately extremely disappointing. 

If by now you’re wondering if I only wore one outfit this entire trip, the answer is yes. Our Airbnb had a washer and dryer, which was AMAZING and helped make packing in a carryon doable. This was my uniform every day (I shed some and added some all day):

Packing List

Pants: Wool 200 weight base layer, ColdGear

Top: 200 Weight Wool Top, Patagonia Mid Layer Quarter Zip, Vest, Nano Puff (could not recommend this jacket more for hiking and every day wear!!)

Head: Lake Effect Co. Hat(comes in gray and black-use code THEREALTALL15 for 15% off) , Headband

Hands: Light Gloves

Feet: Wool Socks

Shoes: Men’s Hiking Boots

Misc: Gaiters, scarf, backpack, bladder, fanny pack, Buff

I also packed this raincoat and these rain pants but luckily didn’t need them at all! 

We have gotten a handful of messages regarding tall hiking clothing and after doing an extremely in-depth search I can now report: there aren’t many. My smart wool pants went to my mid-shin at best which was a joke but luckily my cold gear was the right inseam. I got men’s rain pants for the length. Leggings are my comfort preference for hiking so I didn’t even look into try hiking pants but wowee do they make it tough on us. I am super pleased with my men’s hiking books and no shame in that game, just size down! 

Hiking gear aside, I am a huge fan of my Away luggage. I have the bigger carry on and the Large one. We used the large one as a group to transport our hiking boots and items that aren’t carry on friendly.

I also used my Ellis James toiletry bag and LOVED it. I have been using this all summer now and I love how travel-friendly it is. It opens on the top and sits flat so you can easily see everything. All of the dividers are moveable so you can fit any size item inside. I especially love the plastic liner on the top part because it prevents any makeup brushes from dirtying the fabric. It’s a super high-quality item and works amazingly for me! We came across the brand on Amazon and have linked to them on our Amazon shop page but you can also check it out here or on their website, here.

All in all, Canada is amazing. Absolutely breathtaking and surreal. I cannot wait to get back sometime when the weather is a bit nicer! If you ever need any other tips or recommendations or have questions I am happy to answer any of these. Until next time; your Wanderlusting lady will be over here looking for my next trip.

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The Case For a Camel Coat

We interrupt your regularly scheduled Amalli Talli content to let you know that it’s officially coat season in the Midwest. Ugh, writing that alone gives me a chill. It’s always humorous looking back at what point we stop wearing coats as the temperatures increase. By the time winter is over, I think our blood is much thicker and we can handle a lot of cooler temperatures. If you survive through polar vortexes then I think it has to be true! So point being, right now it feels really cold, but it’s all relative! The temperatures will continue to drop and we’ll eventually acclimate to them. 

It’s time to bring out your coat collection because wearing just a sweater won’t cut it anymore. What better way to get excited about the cooler temperatures than with a new coat? We’re not talking about going crazy and spending a bunch of money on a coat either. There are many options available on sale or clearance that will help you look your best. We’re constantly lurking on the clearance section especially at Asos because you can buy a coat in the offseason for such a reasonable price. Plus, they always have the best selection of coats for tall women. I haven’t found anywhere else that can compete yet!

Clearly this coat is also from Asos then, as well. We came across it back in the Spring when we were able to visit the Asos showroom. We tried it on there, and our Mom ended up loving it – so she took it home with her. It has an oversized fit so the size 8 worked on her, despite her wearing pretty much the same size as us (aka a 10/12) in jackets/coats. Caitlin couldn’t get it off her mind, so she ended up ordering it a little while after we got back. Due to it coinciding with Summer, she hasn’t been able to wear it much; until now. 

The weight feels pretty equal to what you’d expect from a trench coat. So it’s a coat that will get you through those transitional months into and out of Summer. She got it in a size 10 and feels like there is plenty of room to move around with shoulder space. I know some ladies have expressed their frustration with Asos sizing (and lack of reviewability), so we’re always happy to answer any questions about certain brands they carry or let you know if any pieces are a #tallfail. We keep a story highlight devoted to it on Instagram, you should check it out! Let us know what you’d like to see more of, and we’ll do our best to help you out.

As I got out of college, I think I had one coat. Guess what, it was a winter coat. Not gonna cut it for life. Yes, you definitely need that heavy winter jacket when you live in Wisconsin and the temperatures inevitably drop to single digits. But what about the other months where there just might be a biting wind. Plus, I hated showing up to a nice event with my winter jacket on. It doesn’t exactly match the aesthetic of your nice dress and heels! So every couple of years, I find a nice mid-weight jacket that is on sale and add it to my little collection. If you pick a solid color or classic print, you’ll be able to hold onto it for a long long time.

I think we all can agree that camel color is not only a classic but also is neutral at this point. So buying a camel-colored coat, whether it’s a trench or a variation like this one, should be at the top of your coat list. You’ll instantly look put together, and be able to wear it in a professional work setting as well. Win-win in our book. We’re constantly looking for versatile hard-working items for our closets.

Caitlin paired it with the cutest, softest leopard print cropped tank she bought from Express. Her jeans are from Gap and are the beloved Cigarette style she can’t get enough of. They just hug your curves so perfectly. She finishes it off with Derby shoes from Vionic. Talk about a classy pair of shoes. Plus they have the inserts to make wearing them effortlessly comfortable. 

So tell us below, how many coats do you have? Is there a right number? Are you on the hunt for any particular styles? We linked a couple of our favorites we’ve been browsing as well.

Outfit Details

Asos Coat Roundup

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Cool Girl Casual with Amalli Talli

You know when you see an item that you didn’t even know could exist for you? Like you didn’t know how to dream for it, because you set limits on what you could hope for as a tall woman? For us, it’s these moto leggings. When Amalli Talli mentioned they were coming out with a pair of leggings, we were pretty blase about it. Let’s face it, leggings have been done before and I think we all might have a long enough pair floating around our house. 

But these aren’t just leggings. They’re like a hybrid of a legging and a jogger. They keep the best part of the leggings, which is the streamlined look. The cuff at the bottom gives it the jogger feel, as well as the waistband at the top with the drawstring closure. A lot of times I choose not to wear leggings because I end up feeling exposed if I don’t have a long enough top. This pair definitely has enough visual interest to keep it from feeling like everything is on display. 

The cool factor is upped by a million with the addition of the moto knee. I’ve long admired moto pants on other less vertically gifted women. There has even been a couple of times I’ve attempted to purchase some moto pants for myself. Alas, the knee placement was ill-advised and they were quickly returned. So, I had to resign myself to letting go of that trend… until now! Our favorite tall sisters coming in clutch for us, as usual. 

I know we’re not alone in feeling like Amalli Talli is just going from strength to strength recently. With all of our recent reviews, we’d swear to you they covered everything a tall woman could need… until they pop up on stories with another incredible teaser of a product drop. Just this week, they showed three new sweaters and they are some of our absolute favorite colors! We’ve heard from so many happy ladies about feeling like a queen in their new purchase, and we couldn’t be happier for all of us!

We’re both wearing the moto leggings in a size Large. That’s true to size for us. Obviously the knee placement is on point, as mentioned before. Truly, the best part about these? They are a thick, luxe feeling material. So none of that see-through nonsense when you’re bending over that we’ve all dealt with too many times. Don’t be afraid to move though, because they are incredibly comfortable. 

With all of the movement, whether it’s lounging, walking, or running around with your kids – we were most excited to realize how well they stay in place. Not sure if it’s our shape or if all women experience the constant tugging up and in place of their clothing. Whatever the case, there was none of that! Once they’re on, you don’t have to worry about them! Even if you don’t want to tie the drawstring tight, they aren’t going anywhere. It’s THE BEST. 

If that wasn’t good enough, they’ve conquered the jean jacket. We’ve literally pulled our other jean jackets out of our closets to donate after receiving these. Caitlin was wearing hers JUST FOR FUN while she was lounging around the house. Like what kind of sorcery is in them to make them this comfortable? They have an ideal amount of stretch to them, plus they’re correctly cut for our shoulder width. You know they never skimp on sleeve length, so no more having to push up the sleeves to avoid people realizing they don’t make it to your wrists. Again we’re wearing the size Large, and it is true to size for us. We’ve got some room that we’ll be able to layer and wear a sweater underneath (like one of their new ones perhaps!). 

So here’s to sounding like a broken record, but we’re ecstatic about all of these new arrivals. They are so thoughtfully designed and made to flatter our bodies. We can all rejoice together because Amalli Talli has our backs (and arms, and legs). Use THEREALTALL15 for 15% off your purchase. I wouldn’t wait around forever, because I know women are snapping these up fast!

We want to thank @leptitcreator again for these pictures!

Outfit Details

Link to moto leggings, here! Link to denim jackets, here!

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Oh Canada: Part One

Just another travel post, in other words, one of my favorite types of blogs. Traveling is something that has always been exciting, refreshing, and necessary in my life. Our parents always did such an amazing job taking us on trips even if it was camping in Wisconsin or somewhere nearby. We were blessed to see many beaches and woods-growing up. Now that I am on my own, I try to travel as often as possible. If I don’t have a trip booked, I get pretty angsty. This trip came together quickly and I couldn’t be happier with how it fell into place. 

Originally we were supposed to be heading to Nashville with a larger group, but when it came time to plan the group dwindled from 12 to 4 and we decided on Canada instead. You know we ball on a budget over here, so I used credit card points to book my flight. We found a reasonable Airbnb in Dead Man’s Flats that was perfect for us. For transportation, we rented a sick minivan through Costco. We had all the big details locked in ahead of time. Then we spent a little bit of time researching some food, breweries, and hikes so that when the time came we could just choose from a researched “master list”. (Type A planner-Type B traveler over here)

We all worked a half-day on the Friday we left and caught our first flight to MSP which connected us to Calgary. We got into Calgary LATE and by the time we got our minivan and drove to Dead Man’s Flats, it was nearly 2 am. It was really interesting making that drive in the pitch black and not really having a clue where we were. 

Day 1 we took off around 7 for our first hike: Ha Ling Peak. This almost 5-mile hike was rated Hard on “All Trails” (Which is a great resource for any trip like this) and they definitely didn’t lie about it. I felt like I had never worked out a day in my life on this hike. I felt a little bit off from the start and I am not sure why, but it was a struggle to the top. I forgot my crampons on this hike and it was extremely icy, slippery and hard to find solid footing. My lungs were on fire and by the time we got to the scramble at the top my mental game was weak. But boy was this hike worth it. The views were unreal and satisfaction was high. We enjoyed some snacks and snagged some pictures before the long slippery trek down. I discovered a new fear of heights as we descended and kind of tried to scoot along. So much so, that I ripped a brand new pair of pants. 

On our way back to our AirBnb we stopped at the grocery store to grab some basics for breakfast, lunch, and a few local beers to sample. Back at our place we cleaned up and headed out for some beers at Grizzly Paw, followed by dinner at Tavern 1883 which was delicious! We all kind of sampled each other’s meals which included a bison burger, pesto gnocchi, and some homemade meatloaf. Seriously everything was incredibly delicious and reasonably priced. We beelined it back to the Airbnb so we could maximize our sleep for the impending early morning. 

Day 2 we headed out at 6 am for Lake Louise. We were warned by every website that parking is tricky at Lake Louise, and we weren’t going to risk not getting a spot so another pitch-black drive it was. I still felt pretty off to begin this day but figured I could shake it. I had a second cup of coffee and it pretty much went downhill from there. We hopped on the Little Beehive trail via Lake Agnes and stopped at the Tea House on the way. About halfway up the mountain, I realized I needed a quick stop to throw up (TMI -sorry!). I blasted Come and Get your Love by Redbone so my friends wouldn’t have to hear me and now that song will always have a funny place in my heart.

The rest of the hike ended up being great and the view at the top was amazing again. It snowed for a bit while we enjoyed our PBJ sandwiches and beer. They all decided on a second hike but I figured I should listen to my body and know my limits for the day. So while they hiked I meandered the streets of Banff and stopped in some vintage stores, tourist shops, and any other places that caught my eye. There is something exhilarating about exploring the streets of a bustling city alone. 

We stopped at Banff Ave Brewing after they got done and had a few jugs of beer, some poutine, and soft pretzels. We had a little buzz going and headed to Park Distillery where there was a wait, so we got to put our name on a list and headed to a bar down the road. We split our meals again and tried the tagliatelle and a rotisserie chicken sandwich. I was the driver that night, so I opted for water and my friends got some Canadian Maple Rye Whiskey and it was delicious. I am not a big whiskey person, but we ended up buying a bottle to bring home and share when we camp in a few weeks. I HIGHLY recommend Park Distillery if you’re looking for some delicious eats and an awesome atmosphere. 

Stay tuned for part two, I’ll be sharing my packing list then!

Enjoy the Real Reel on this one!

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Amalli Talli Dream Denim

Our fellow leggy ladies, it’s time to throw out all of those jeans that you have been making work, for lack of better options. Our best option has arrived and it’s no surprise to anyone at this point that it’s Amalli Talli. What you might be surprised and ecstatic about though, is the price point! We’ve all been shopping for denim countless times. Enough to know that sometimes not only are there limited options available (if any in-store) but we also usually have to pay a premium to find the same options regular sizes have. 

Before this drop, it’s been a woe is me and my lack of options. Now it’s more like, check me out in my well-fitted, comfortable, ideal denim. Caitlin and I have long ago transitioned to almost exclusively wearing high-rise denim. As we’re built in more of an hourglass frame, it makes us feel our best to nip in at the waist. Also, a long-overlooked fact is with longer legs, we often have longer butts. So you’re already operating at a disadvantage with mid rise, and don’t even speak of the low rise in our presence. We lived through that ill-advised trend in high school, and nothing will make us return to it ever again.

We’ve got big butts and we cannot lie! A lot of people have mentioned their concern because Amy and Alli are very slim tall women. You know that Caitlin and I are built differently and we’re always happy to give our thoughts/feedback on the difference of their clothing on us a couple of sizes up. This denim is billed as high-waisted, and a higher inseam in the back than the front. I will note that I definitely have denim that is higher than this, but I do still call it high-waisted. The front goes to an inch below my belly button. The back leaves me with zero concern about my butt crack creeping out the top when I sit down. If it passes that test, then I definitely say it’s high-waisted. 

I have on the size 30 in the black pair with grey wash, which is basically true to size for me. For sizing reference, I wear between 30/31 in other denim. I did try on a pair in size 31. I noticed the difference in the waist, where I didn’t feel I needed any extra room. The denim does have a great amount of stretch to it. Plus, I didn’t notice any stretching out, which is usually a big concern. Often because I’d rather pick my denim to be comfortable I’ll pick a larger size, but then it ends up loosening a bit too much and I’ll constantly have to pull them back up.

Caitlin got the dark wash pair with knee rips. She decided to keep the size 31 after trying on both the 30 and 31. She is a 35 inseam to the floor, so as you can tell she has some extra length to cuff the jeans! Plus it’s so magical having the knee rips be perfectly placed. It makes all the difference in comfort as well.

Another notable part that starts to drive us nuts with wearing a lot of skinny jeans: the calf tightness. I don’t have particularly large calves but the nature of skinnies it pulls on the calf portion trying to remain tight to the leg. Consequently, that pulls on the knee, which means suffering throughout any time seated or constantly adjusting the pants up and down as you sit and stand. Well, rejoice! There is room for your calves in Amalli Talli’s denim!

Lastly, I want to touch on the obvious: length. They cut their denim in two lengths, 35” and 37”. I’m wearing the 37” and they are generously long. My inseam to the ground is 38” so as a skinny jean, it only needs to go to ankle length. This leaves for the option of rolling the cuffs. We personally like the ability to play with cuff and give it different options! If you don’t think you want the extra length you can choose 35”. Our Mom ordered 35″ instead of choosing the same 37″ as me. Then she can wear them like the rest of her skinny denim. Or you can obviously get them altered, which to us is a great “problem” to have!

We’re feeling super spoiled with all of these quality pieces dropping from Amalli Talli. It’s been helping us to go through our closets and clean out items that we now realize we were just settling with! Do you ever feel like you come across items that make you rethink your previous purchases? We’re grateful for Amalli Talli raising the expectation bar. Now, we can have clothing just as high quality as anyone else!

The cost of their denim is already under $70, which is spectacularly good. PLUS, they go up to size 38, which is amazing since we know a lot of people have been wondering about better coverage for plus sizes! To get an additional 15% off, use THEREALTALL15 and snap up a pair or two. We’re just here to spread the good news!

Also we wanted to give a quick shoutout to our new photographer friend from France: Ignace! You can see his work here

Outfit Details

Link to the black/grey wash denim here! Link to the dark wash with knee rips, here!

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