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adiós

I am off to never-never land with the man friend, I have been packing for six consecutive days, and my closet is empty, my luggage just under 50lbs and I am ready to go! We leave Sunday morning … in the weee hours of the morning, so I suspect twitter and instagram will be my only friend at 6AM! Having said that, I didn’t want my blog to rest a week, so I asked my cyber (Canadian) blog buddy Kassandra from Kastles.Tumblr to come on over here and show the east(er) cost, well east(er) than where she is, some love.

Kassandra is a doll, loves mixing patterns, pushing the fashion limits, but sticks generally to very girly, simple silhouettes. Kass has an incredible eye for key investment pieces, trendy or not, and has the total recessionista swag thing going on, everything she buys is affordable and easily accessible -  not to mention how consistently envious I find myself over her wardrobe, as I know you will too.

Stay tuned for next Thursday June 14th!! Until then, adios amigos!

KEEP MY SOUL AWAY FROM HARM

OY! Let’s focus in on something I believe to be kind of awesome … housecoats. Yup, I said it. Not like the fuzzy, warm, chenille fabric types. No. I am talking about the sexy, silky, possibly completely see through ones!  Like the one above and below in the previous post. I have been rummaging through boxes and have found my fair share of adorable and usable housecoats from my mum (what else is new?). As you can see in the second image, there is a light and delicate polka-dot detail covering the silk canopy that is this now, sheer coat. I am obsessed with trying to figure out other uses for these once 1980′s sleepwear sets – like pairing it with these amazing vintage re-worked lace shorts that once upon a time was a dining room table cloth – just seemed to make the most sense in my world, – such a great buy.

In any news I am leaving for Mexico late next week and could NOT be more excited to get out of this city and escape with my man friend to a place with no internet or cell service. I also can’t wait to go on a giant shopping spree and purchase some much needed glassware and blankets, make time for a tan each day, eat delicious cuisine and tackle the ruins with my love. I have one more post before I go, and then one of my favorite Canadian bloggers will be taking over – so look out for that!! Details to come … Ssshh.

COAT: White Polka-dot // Thrifted from my mum // 1980′s
SHOES: Jimmy Choo
TSHIRT: F21
SHORTS: Lace // Preloved
JEWELRY: Vintage // Chain Wrap Belt worn as a Bracelet // House of Harlow Bangle

 

 blog title is from the song Keep Me by The Black Keys

WHO’S TO SAY?

This could quite possibly be one of my favorite photo’s I have shot for my blog. The outfits on my blog are not always planned in advanced. Usually they are dictated by whatever I did on the Saturday, for I shoot my blog on Sunday’s, and thrift the day before.

This past Saturday, like many – had a dedicated amount of time to thrifting. I was lucky enough to have been invited by one of my best friends to a rummage sale for 9AM! (In all honesty, this required getting up at 7:30AM to line-up half way around the block and wait). A rummage sale, for those of you who don’t know, are public garage sales of sorts, usually held in a local church and already categorized and weeded out for you. So upon entry there are rooms dedicated to things like vintage jewelry, linens, china , art and technology.

Obviously for me, clothing would be number one, but this place didn’t have any. Not to fret though, because my apartment mimic’s my clothing style, so hunting for house hold treasures is just as pleasurable. I avoided the jewelry madness and headed straight for the China and Art. I scored some amazing pieces which I will share later this summer in my Apartment Series.

After that we stumbled upon an Estate Sale down the street, we found out that the Merchandise Director for Club Monaco just moved back to Toronto from NYC and had to sell all her clothes. Woe is me. I could hear the bells! We also happened to be a) the exact same size and b) the exact same shoe size. BANG!

I walked away with four pairs of shoes, two dresses (one fully engulfed in beading), two tops and a first edition Marilyn Monroe coffee table book from the 70′s.  For $120 – I’d say that was the jackpot.

This post I am wearing one of my very favorite vintage dresses, it has a rosette texture on it, and was probably made in the 1970′s. It is classic and a very chic fit. The over coat is actually a silk house coat from the 80′s – it was my mum’s — naturally. Shoes were from my Saturday thrift adventure – estate sales are now my favorite – 5 dolla Nine West shoes!

DRESS: Vintage
COAT: Pink Silk // Thrifted from my mum // 1980′s
SHOES: Nine West
SCARF: Pastel Floral // H&M
JEWELRY: Vintage // Snake Wrap Buckle Belt worn as a Bracelet // Crotched Gold Bangle

 

 blog title is from the song Who’s to Say by The White Stripes

YOU’VE GOT A NERVE ASKING FOR A FAVOR

While the fashion world goes crazy over peplum, I decided to go back to the 80′s for my inspiration. I found this skirt/top duo on my thrifting adventure two weeks ago, as soon as I walked into the store it was sitting all alone, I swooped it up before anyone else had a chance – I was so fortunate, for $5.99 I managed to walk away with a skirt, top and belt all designed for Barbie! (No really, I am certain I had a Barbie outfit seemingly identical to this). Although this is a throw back to the 80′s – it is so funny to me how the print is 100% transitional to now, floral is everywhere for summer and the fit of this outfit is perfect for me. I am in love. Clearly.

Tomorrow marks a very exciting day, I am speaking on a blogging panel for French Connection and America’s Next Top Model Live! — if you’re in Toronto and wanna stop by let me know! Should be an awesome weekend.

TOP/SKIRT/BELT: Thrifted
PURSE: Kate Spade
SHOES: Michael Kors

 

 blog title is from the song The Rat by The Walkmen

UP UP UP IN THE CLOUDS

I found this skirt a few months ago at one of my most coveted vintage shops in Toronto – 69 Vintage. My girl Kealan owns the hot spot, and 90% of the things I buy from there are directly from her personal wardrobe – I am almost certain she no longer takes it personally when I walk away with her treasures lol, after all – she insists – this skirt however, was hanging waiting for me upon my arrival. It was days before Toronto fashion week and  this girl had not a thing to wear (ain’t that always the way though?). $40 – 1970′s – an ace.

The top, well – this was from my most recent Value Village take over – (read last post) – $5.99. I had never thought of green being electric – but apparently that shade of green does exist – for I now own an electric green button up.

Head on over to my eFriend Jentine’s blog My Edit – her last post is all about how to distinguish what to look for when thrifting – my goal is for her and I to one day smash ideas together to create a Thrift Bible. Thoughts?


BLOUSE: Thrifted
SKIRT: Vintage
SHOES: MIU MIU

 blog title is from the song Up Up Up by Givers

BLUE JEANS

This is my “omg it’s spring” face. lol. I am so happy the warm weather is here – and although the weather man keeps saying it may be temporary, this Canadian girl is happy with anything that doesn’t resemble white falling flakes from the embarking sky.

This coming weekend marks my twenty fifth birthday, and I plan to do what I always do on the weekends – relax, see my man friend, friends, eat delicious food, spend time with family and drink lots of wine. Doesn’t that sound fantastic? gah … so excited.

This outfit took me awhile to find – more specifically the pants did anyway. You know when you think of something fantastic but the item you want is nowhere to be found (but in your imagination!) – whelp! I had been on the hunt for light mint pants for awhile, and one random Saturday I stumbled upon these half cotton pair! I was in a state of euphoria when I picked them up, they are insanely soft, and the perfect colour for my skin tone.

This top is one of the best finds I have found in awhile – it’s a vintage silk blouse, worn backwards – from my favorite vintage shop in Toronto. I suppose there is no real rhyme or reason I didn’t put the back detail on here [which is pretty], silly me – but I love re-working clothing that doesn’t fit me properly by turning it backwards, upside down, you name it – the shirt is just one of the many things I have re-worked on my blog.

SHIRT: Cream Silk Button Down // 69 Vintage
BELT:
Braided Rope // Thrifted from my Mum
PANTS: Cotton Mint // Joe’s Jeans
SHOES: Nude Pointe Pumps // Zara

song title : blue jeans // lana del ray

FREE FALLIN

HAT: Knitted Beanie // Aldo
BLOUSE: Thrifted 
SKIRT:
Chiffon Skirt // Jacob
SOCKS: Neon Pinks // Top Shop
SHOES: Nine West 

I spy, with my little eye – something that is … PINK!

This could be one of my favorite outfits ever, although when this was shot – it was frigid-effing-cold out, so it was an inappropriate outfit for that particular day. I just couldn’t help but be inspired by the mass amounts of sunshine that has been glowing as we slowly exit winter.

I feel as though this rather odd and wacky outfit really depicts me well – ha! The blouse is a thrifted treasure – I literally clapped and jumped up-and-down in the store. The bold colour, and seemingly random pattern (animal print, chains, floral, golden goodness? what the?) – I just had to snatch it – even if it was six sizes too big. Meh.

So I had an impulsive urge last week to purchase something - just an itch, a tick if you will – and what did I end up purchasing? neon pink sockets. Oh lord. At least I managed to work them into the post, otherwise the $9.98 would of been completely useless – considering I only wear black socks.

Beyond that, the Marketing Magazine conference was amazing – I learned a lot, networked and was told our panel was great! Since then I have been asked to blog as part of a trio, tripod for World MasterCard Fashion Week here in Toronto. The trio includes myself, the seemingly gorgeous Marta from WithLoveGabrielle.com and the most stylish man candy, Spiro from ItsAllStyleToMe.com. So keep a look out, we will be tweeting, blogging and pinning for MasterCard – also I will be including tid-bits here on the new stylicity tab at the top of my blog, this will feature my wild adventure around Queen Street West – and West of the wicked West…

Thanks for all the love, and I hope you enjoy the ride…

SAFE & SOUND

I read this rather interesting take slash somewhat insulting, and funny blog rant today about bloggers. Bloggers in general, not related to fashion or tech – although both were mentioned. The jist [and I am MAJORLY jisting] was that not all bloggers are writers, and that if you are a blogger, and consider yourself a writer (given the five simple steps stated in said post), you are, in fact, an idiot. No kidding.

I would never claim to be a er, “writer”. I write how I talk, speak – whatever. I don’t user grammar properly, because lets face it – unless you graduated with a major in-the-many-streams-of-English or have OCD, the only reason you would comment on a blog about grammar is if you have some sort of unruly hatred inside of you – and I am being serious. Blogs to me, are diary-esq, not some place to censor yourself, most of the time people write a gigantic run-on-sentences, to hell with it, most people TALK face-to-face in run-on-sentences so I don’t see why it matters, really, even if it comes with a price tag, you blog because you can. Period … and if you are hired on your ability to write, it’s that simple, they hired you because of your personal tone and voice … yet maybe not.

I literally just had to google the definition of a blog while I sit here, and ironically the definition is “a web site containing the writer’s or group of writers’ own experiences, observations, opinions, etc.,” … ha! bit me in the ass … but not quite, because I don’t agree with that definition if put up against Mayka’s post. At least urban dictionary gives a better definition for a blog, “short for weblog, a meandering, blatantly uninteresting online diary that gives the author the illusion that people are interested in their stupid, pathetic life that consists of such riveting entries as “homework sucks” and “I slept until noon today.” But I suppose quoting urban dictionary is like quoting wikipedia, which is something a writer would never do. So maybe my post holds no ground to you, and that is completely fine, but I’d like to think the guys and gals I know who do blog, particularly those who have a fashion blog, know we stand alone.

We know we are narcissistic, and our blog posts are somewhat uninteresting to [probably a large, colossal even] demographic of people, we know there are people out there who scratch their heads and have many WTF?! moments when it comes to fashion bloggers integrating and overhauling media, collaborating, fashion week, writing, editorial, promotion, modeling, designing, photographing, being photographed [breath...] etc……, and how ordinary people somehow manage to work with some of the biggest names and brands [subjectively] in the 21st century, but the truth is, we have made something out of it, we have figured it out, a way to capitalize on that fact that we aren’t writers, we aren’t models, we aren’t professional, and for me, personally – apparently not coy, and guess what, I’d like to think it’s because we write how we talk, speak, – WHATEVER! Without the proper use of grammar. Not that you can’t get ahead by being smart enough to know the difference between their and there [which, to Mayka's credit, you honestly should].

To read Mayka Mei’s take-with-a-grain-of-salt-funny-and-witty post click here, she is a very talented writer, as she would prefer to be seen, and I agree. Oh and Mayka, me wearing pink in this post wasn’t planned for you, but I hope you enjoy it.

On a swift switch back to me, I am happy to report the Bloggers Night Out soiree in NYC was apparently flawless, I am so proud of my team for being so amazingly talented, and our amazing sponsors who bend over backwards. I am also so excited to tell you that I am actually speaking at a huge conference in Toronto on Thursday hosted by one of the biggest Marketing Magazines – er – Marketing Mag, about young influencers, and – you guessed it –   focused on blogging. BAM!!

I write how I talk, write – WHATEVER.

BLANT* done.

SWEATER: Vintage cashmere
DRESS:
Worn as a skirt | Thrifted from my mum
COAT:
The GAP Classic Trench 
SHOES: 
Miu Miu Nude Pumps

* Blant: taken from Mayka’s defenition – is a “blog rant.” I [Mayka] made it up in hopes that everyone the world over will realize that mashing up words is not cute, even if it is effective in producing an awful-sounding word that sounds like an annoying goat who just doesn’t care.

DEAD MAN WALKING

I. am. alive.

The utter blur of January is now apparently February. I have no words as to what my life is like these days. As I sit here trying to think of something witty to say, I am distracted by the massive amount of hives that have apparently taken up residence on my legs? WTF.

Fashion week in NYC was this past week and  sadly I missed this season due to one of my best friends dad passing, and although I am sad I missed the shows I was invited to, it was great to support and spend time with family. Also knowing September is only 7 months away keeps the light beaming at the end of the gloom February tunnel.

This electric purple dress is one of my favorites. I wore it when I flew to Boston a few months ago for our holiday Bloggers Night Out at Bloomingdales. This dress was my mums from the 80′s. It was long..er [below my knees] and I altered it to be, short…er … below my ass. I think the tale is exquisite, and the little keyhole in the back just makes the dress. It is also so incredibly comfortable. All it is, is legs.

I now try to wear this dress as much as possible, and you can bet come summer I will try to rock this dress to a wedding. I love the fact that my mum let me snag this from her, thanks mum for letting me cut 27 inches off of a dress you once wore [well. I am certain].

DRESS: Purple Long Sleeved Shift | Thrifted from my Mum
COAT:
Vintage Rabbit Fur | Thrifted from my Gran
NECKLACE: Gold Bib | H&M
SHOES: Miu Miu Nude Pumps

LETTERS & PAGES

HOLLA! So, – like always, so much has happened with my life since my last post! Let’s see – one of my best friends in the entire universe asked me to be her maid of honor, the Bloggers Night Out team has been so hard at work planning NYFW for Feb, as well as for Charleston and Miami, my apartment got robbed [insert long dramatic sob story here], and finally, just finally, the last nine months of my life are finally coming full circle as the event [I work in events for a living] that we have been planning, is to happen next week!! BAH!! so much excitement …

I mentioned to my mum [whilst sobbing] on the phone, that twenty twelve is going to be a year of learning for me – I can just FEEL it, nothing ever comes easy for me, but fuck it [yah you read that], I would rather things not go easy, and I have the chance to learn, grow and get through it – in return for the amazing opportunities, friendships, family, blog and work success. It is a fair trade in my opinion because these are the most important things to me.

I hope twenty twelve is a year of learning for you too, [although I subtract the disadvantages that come with it, I wouldn't wish the crap I go through onto you lol] – I hope you push yourself and grow, meet new people and ask for things you never dreamed of receiving.

Beyond that and getting back to, er … me… this outfit may look a tad familiar … [hello post below lol] – that’s because it’s the same shirt … just in a different colour. I am obsessed with mustard right now, it is a problem. The tweet skirt was a thrifted A-line haggard knee length that I copped into a mini … and of course, 90% of the jewels here are stolen from my mum [thanks mum!]

LIPSTICK:  MAC Cosmetics | Half N Falf
KNIT COWL:
One Stop Shoppe in Yorkville  
BLOUSE:
 Mustard F21
SKIRT: 
Thrifted Tweed Mini
SHOES:
Emmanuelle Pucci Mary Jane’s [the heels are slaughtered from the cobble stones in NYC ... sigh]