Category Archives: Uncategorized

IN THE VALLEY BELOW

HAPPY THURSDAY (yah, I know it’s friday)it has been THREE whole weeks since I have had the balls to post something on here. I know, I know, I say the same darn thing over and over again … I’m busy – yadda yadda – but this time it is the truth!

I officially started a new job, which is amazing and terrifying all at the same time. I am working for someone who I had been bugging to work for since I graduated school … timing was never right, and finally the client he presented to me, the team he introduced me to, and the timing just worked out … so whilst I was away in Portugal … I quit my beloved startup.

But no bridges are burnt, my love still beats for them, new opportunities stretch you creatively and I am blessed beyond belief to be where I stand today, but it would mean nothing if I didn’t acknowledge where I’ve been.

I want you to take a look at your life; so many of my blogger friends have re-vamped, said good-bye and even taken on new paths. I want you to look at where you stand, of course there will be aspects you wish you could do better, but truly dig deep, and figure out how you can be better.

Everything you dream about for yourself is possible. Are you ready?

SWEATER: Black Scoop Neck // Club Monaco
SKIRT: Caramel Pleat A-Line // Vintage
BRACELET: Gold Snake Wrap Belt // Vintage
BOOTS: Black Booties // Target

in the valley below // peaches

FREE YOUR MIND

Lucky you, I am posting twice this week lol, although 99% of you know I post only on Thursday’s (if that, yah … I know!!) – but this week is different – mostly because I am posting daily on MasterCard Stylicity Blog (YAY me!!), and I thought – huh – maybe I should post more often on my own blog this week, seeing as it makes zero sense to ask you to go here, and here – to see what I’m up to on Stylicity for MasterCard Fashion Week – and not post at least two outfit posts!

So here I am. Wearing my mum’s 80′s plaid and the cheapest skirt ever – really. Oh, and the ears – yah – they are amazeballs!!! $20 from Fashion Crimes on Queen St … but you’ll have to stick around to see what else I’ve purchased through Stylicity’s great savings program!!

EARS: Bad Bunny | Fashion Crimes
SHIRT :80′s Plaid | Thrifted from my Mum
SKIRT: Black Pleated Pleather | F21
SHOES: Suade Penny Loafters | Dolce Vita

En Vouge / Free Your Mind

I’M NOT JUST A BLOGGER

I took a mini break from this hear blog – sorry about that. The break wasn’t because I wanted to, more because I had to, but it gave me some down time to really think about WTF I am doing with my blog. I mean, for me – my blog is just a diary of my tangents regarding thrifted treasures, vintage from my gran and another pair of $500 shoes I probably can’t really afford, and I like my blog that way – people have weighed in on my blog stating that I reveal too much, that my grammar is poor (no kidding – I write the way I speak not the way you want me to), and recently – I’ve had a few quips about my photography (which, by the way, I take myself and take pride in that, I don’t want a photographer), but alas it’s easy for me to brush it off, as I still maintain that I blog for me. I think my next post will be about just that.

Until then, life has been insane (will fill you all in), but in the same capacity, the good comes with the bad. I have been asked to represent MasterCard in their Stylicity program again for Toronto Fashion Week. So be sure to look for that – I am as excited as they seem to be to have me back – which is such a pleasure!

This outfit is what I wore to Thanksgiving last weekend with my grandparents – just a small casual dinner with the most delicious Turkey on earth. I really am spoiled to have a family who loves to cook! Safe to say my food coma lasted me the entire weekend up north. The trees are all turning and the crisp air made sleeping that much better. I had copious amounts of wine, had a blast with my boyfriends family hiking up Blue Mountain and loved the fact that I hardly touched my cell phone.

I hope all my Canadian friends had a chance to disconnect and re-connect with your adoring families. Until next week.

Marvin Grey / Heard It Through The Grape Vine – Dubstep Remix

I’M STILL LOOKING FOR ANSWERS

I’m back!! Well, I was back last week, but I was busy catching up on work work, as in – my real life job, and getting all things sorted with the psychotic issue that seems to be my apartment (long story!) In any case, yes, I am back and seemingly with a leather dominatrix vengeance.

I am no stranger to leather. It’s my second skin, literally. I don’t know anyone who owns more leather than I do. This is why I wouldn’t be a good vegan, or vegetarian. I love leather too much. In any case, these pants were an impulsive no-trying-on-necessary purchase. I went shopping with the man friend over the weekend and we popped into Club Monaco – they were displayed on a wall that as soon as you walk into the store welcomes you – it was an easy run, a few people may have gotten knocked over, but it’s ok – really – I helped them up once I had the pants in my hand.

New York was a bit like that though, people coming and going, dinner with friends and those alike. The one word I would pick to describe my New York Fashion Week experience this year would be casual. I suppose really, I didn’t participate in “Fashion Week” as you know it, I mean sure, I was in the city during the time, and sure, I went to Lucky Magazine’s conference – but no – this year – I choose parks, art, good food, friends and Brooklyn over the tents at Lincoln Centre.

I wanted to get back to the reason why I started blogging, not that you ever came here to read my opinion on high fashion, but I figured, what’s the point in going to the tents when I would rather do what I love, scrumagging around the Brooklyn Flea markets looking for bobbles and finds. Bazinga!

I have slowly become a bobble fanatic. I was once a very minimal jewelry lover once upon a time – I hardly wore any jewels for years, but recently I have acquired gems both old and new, and welcomed them into my daily wears. This necklace from Hot Pop Factory is made right here in Toronto. It has quickly become a favorite – not only because of the amazingly talented couple who own the company (HI B&M!), but because of the love and genius behind the 3D sculpture. It really is a piece of art. Look to their website here for all of the info on their 3D printing product!

Noah Gunderson / Jesus, Jesus

IF I GO

In less than five days I will be waking up in Manhattan and running around wild with the blogosphere elite. I am blessed beyond words to have such amazing friends, and even more so, blessed that we get to bop around major cities doing the things we love. This will be my fourth season for Fashion Week, and I encourage you to take that jump, wanna come to New York Fashion Week? Ok, come! Just book a flight. If not this season, next! Get involved in one of the conferences that are held for bloggers each season, educate yourself – learn from the best, party like a rockstar at Bloggers Night Out and take to the tents. Sounds too difficult? … Than I am sorry dear friend, blogging is not for you. Blogging is difficult. You’ve got to take your faith into your own hands and push yourself to explore new territory unfamiliar with your everyday niche life. After all, isn’t that why you started blogging in the first place? I know that’s why I did.

See you in Manhattan!

HAT: Black Prim | Vintage from my Mum
SHIRT : Peter-Pan Polka Dot | LF
SKIRT: Black Velvet | Thrifted from my Mum
SHOES: Mary-Jane’s | Michael Kors

Gregory Alan Isakov / If I go, I’m going

WHEN YOU’RE RUNNING BY YOURSELF

hello world.

whelp, the time has come – New York Fashion Week is fast approaching, and although the rest of society seems to be grasping tightly onto whatever is left of August, I will be taking this weekend to start packing and planning for the streets of Manhattan for fall. (Not really fall, because it will be blistering hot outside, but you know what I mean).

I am excited to live out what is penned in my agenda, as it seems already my week is jam-packed with LuckyFABB, Fashion’s Night Out, Bloggers Night Out, a trip to the Brooklyn Flea, the MET, Shopping, and of course, catching up with old (and new) friends.

If you’re in NYC let me know – I’d love to say hi!

By the way, these pants – HOW amazing? I am obsessed and was thrilled when I won these bad boys on eBay a few weeks ago. I have switched my thrifting to online, as I find I actually spend less (gasp) than when in-store, AND it is a lot more satisfying. I get the satisfaction of purchase AND the satisfaction of arrival. haha! I swear I could justify anything.

HAT: Blue Velvet | Vintage
SHIRT : Electric Blue Western Button Up | Thrifted
PANTS: Jungle Leggings| eBay Thrifted
SHOES: Royal Crock Mary-Jane’s | Vince Camuto
NECKLACE: F21 turned DIY
ARM: Assorted Marc Jacobs & Vintage

Grimes // Oblivion

YOU AIN’T THE ONE TO PLAY THE GAME

What can I say? Just when you thought this post was going so well – it was pretty and tame – until I had to go and post a ridiculous face. Pffft. Whateves. I do this for me.
Speaking of me, you know – because really, when it comes down to it, this blog is all about me – I was tickled to hear from Vince Camuto’s PR team the day before I left for Miami informing me that they wanted to send me a pair of Crocodile Mary-Jane’s. Which are divine by the way. Some of these photo’s will be used in efforts of a special project in the works – so look out for that – but until then, here you go.

This is going to seem awful, but I have yet to go through any of my photo’s from Miami … I know, worst. blogger. ever. I hang my head in shame (not really -), but in efforts to restore your faith in humanity, the cause has been a great one – the Bloggers Night Out team is prepping for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in NYC which can only mean brilliant things. Not only is it our one year anniversary of BNO, we also have a few brilliant (brilliant and beyond actually) surprises up our sleeves, because from our first event til the last in Miami (seven events by the way this year), they have gotten better and better, and this one we are planning – well – it should be nothing short of exceptional.

Can’t wait to rock these shoes in Manhattan.

HAIM | forever

MIAMI DIARY

Just a QUICK hello and to show a snapshot of the events that was Mercedes-Benz Fashion Swim Week. I promise as much as it looks like I was a social butterfly I did manage to make it to a bunch of shows and pool parties … I just didn’t take a ton of photo’s at the shows because my jaw was left hanging open lol. I was lucky enough to get back stage for the Mara Hoffman collection where Erika and I got to hang out with everyone while they got ready for the show. We showed up exactly at 6′oclock and were blessed to be the only media in the make-up & hair studio for at least forty minutes! we just stood there taking it all in.

I promise those voyeuristic shots are coming …

Sia – I Go to Sleep

JUNE DIARY

photo’s { via } instagram @kendallerica

It is safe to say I had one helluvah time in Mexico. The man friend and I needed a serious vacation away together, and we chose the sunny side of the world this time. Usually our trips surround the sights and sounds of busy streets and tall buildings, art, science and dinosaur bone-style museums, walking miles upon end and eating as the locals do – but this time we needed something totally different … we needed to disconnect. I needed to disconnect.

In any case, here in Canadaland, Mexico seems to have a stipulation – or rather, a (horribly wrong) preconceived notion about it’s country. Granted, crime is everywhere, and bad things happen to good people – but if you travel smart – you will be fine! Seriously.

My man friend and I stayed in the Mayan Riveria, it was picturesque with the food almost as delicious as the scenery. The grounds were perfect and lush, the sixteen pools were cool and calming, the drinks tasted like gummy bears and the sea, – well it was crystal clear.

As all things come to an end, I was happy to get back home to see Rudiger (squish face). I had no idea my heart could hurt so much and miss something so ridiculous! Upon my arrival it was great to spend time with family and friends, hit up one of the most beautiful weddings I’ve ever been to, be gifted thrifted and vintage treasures my mum found for me, and finish off with a little weekend DIY-ing.

I am pleased to say this coming long weekend will be filled with casual affairs. A better-late-than-never engagement party for one of my best friends, BBQ’s, fire pits, sparklers, DIY’s, garage sales, blog shoots, thrift shopping, casual reading and siestas! Sounds too good already, and it’s only Thursday!

happy [almost] Canada day!!

loving The Greenhornes, a guy at work has me hooked!

[GUEST POST] Kastles: Pants Party

Hey lovelies, My name is Kassandra from the blog Kastles. I am so honoured to be writing for the darling Kendall today. She gave me the perfect introduction in her last blog post. I love colour, patterns, prints and anything fun. Hence why today we are going to a have a little pants party over here. Printed pants are one of my favourite things right now. They are a lot more versatile than you think. You can dress them up with some heels, or dress them down with flat sandals. Plus they are just so fun to wear!

I am wearing floral pants from H&M, a Joe Fresh jersey blouse, neon purse from Target, Nine West heels, and a PinkyOtto necklace.

I’ve scouted out the internet for a few different floral pants for you to check out:

1) DKNY printed stretch silk pants

2) LC Lauren Conrad floral ankle pants

3) Sandro floral twill pants

Thank you again for reading! Enjoy the rest of your week!

<3 Kastles

KendallDonaldson

Love is where I am found.