Category Archives: Value Village

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

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

MY LOVE UPON YOUR DEVOTION

I would say I don’t do casual often here on my blog. If you follow me on instagram you’d get a real sense of my daily style (seeing as I don’t have the time to post on my blog daily). I tend to dress up even to work, on Friday’s especially. I just feel better when I look how I feel, it sets the mood for my entire day.

In university a prof told me always to dress up to an exam. To wear your prettiest dress, do your hair, – which resulted in me wearing heels. ALL my fellow students looked at me like I was nuts, or trying to hard, but the truth is – I honestly feel like I did better because I felt good. Track pants and top knots may work for some people whilst studying or prepping for an exam, but for me – I’ll take looking like a million bucks and scoring an A+ any day.

I suppose that pep talk comes from my prep-look, with commercials and advertisements all over the city citing back-to-school, I can’t help but be a little nostalgic – I loved school, and even more the school supplies lol, and although each year I look up new courses to try (next on my list is floral arrangements!), and set goals of new adventures to adhere too (blogshop, LuckyFABB) – it’s pretty great being done with exams in general, but I will never lose the urge to learn. Neither should you.

The Jezebels //\ Endless Summer | Sent to me by Allie from Allie Wears

RUN THE WORLD

BAH! I really should be finishing packing – I still have SO much to do before Miami Swim Week! – I leave before this post is posted, so Thursday morning, at 6:30AM I was at the airport all ready to go up up and away!

This is just a quick post until I get back from Miami! I am headed there with my Bloggers Night Out gals Erika from Style Activist and Caitlin from Style Within Reach. We are hosting the only event for bloggers in Miami during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Swim Week – we are so extremely lucky to have sponsors like Plastics Make It Possible, Shick Quattro, LYST and Orchid Boutique – I am dying for a new bikini so cannot wait to get my shop on in Miami at our event!!

Make sure you follow along a-la twitter and instagram, – you know I’ll be giving you my daily dose – Also watch out for my rendition of Christina from Profresh Style’s ultimate dance moves, I am bringing it with me from New York, to Toronto, to Miami all within 24 hours.

JUMPSUIT: Vintage //\ Circa 1976 //\ Thrifted from my Mum
SHOES: Cuffed Laced Velvet //\ Vintage
BANDAUX: Wilfred //\ Aritzia

Lana Del Rey – Video Games

STAY BEAUTIFUL

I think the country song goes “no shirt, no shoes, no problem …“, but ask any blogger and I can guarantee you that, that mantra is not true. Well, not unless you are a country male blogger. So I am changing it to “no bra, no socks, no problem …” because HOT DANG! is it hot outside. Of course, mother nature favorites her American’s – Canada day was blissful here in Canadaland (psst* our holiday is the first of July), and as of today, July fourth, well fifth when you’re reading this – mother nature as continued to be in menopause. God bless you sista, my tan has never looked so golden.

In any case, I actually was a bit pissy taking this post, can you tell by my monotone face? urg, I am not kidding you when I say it was literally 100 degrees when I took these here photo’s (37 degrees celsius!!!). I was sweating, debating on driving somewhere fun for this sparatic shoot – but alas, after climbing up to the rooftop to find stupid teenage shirtless boys smoking dope, I decided my floral pants and I could find a different party to crash.

So I stumbled back into my apartment, sludged my camera bag and tripod (oh, I take my own photo’s by-the-way, a few readers have asked, HI!), interupted my pup Rudiger from what I assume to be a blissful nap, and set up on my massively inappropriate balcony.

Shazam. this is what you get. dewy floral pants, no bra and a sock bun, that according to the men I work with, looks like the hiroshima bomb.

the greenhornes | saying goodbye – great song!!

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!

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

KendallDonaldson

Love is where I am found.