And He's Gone

My paternal grandfather passed away early this Thursday morning. After making it through a broken back, throat cancer and two heart attacks, he finally succumbed to lung cancer. He was 75 years old and has 5 children and 11 grand children. We're all going to miss him very, very much.

I feel for my grandmother. They'd been married 51 years. I can't imagine how it must feel for her, to now be forever separated from the one person she loves most, and who she has been with since the age of 15. That chasm of pain frightens me.

I feel like I'm in a haze after the last 48 hours of hospital bedside watching and crying and consoling and family and food and more crying. I've been going from overloading on emotions, to feeling almost numb. But it feels good to be alone now, away from all the guilty smiles and tear rimmed eyes.

 1935 - 2011

He went peacefully, with a gentle last exhale of life, surrounded by those who loved him. For this I am thankful. The above photo is of he and I before he broke his back or ever got sick, and this is how I want to remember him.

Cel

Is it spring yet?

Honestly, I am so done with winter. I just want it to be nice and warm and cheerful outside, so I can wear my nice summer frocks without needing leg warmers and leggings like I am now. The need for heat is especially bad after I received two of my vintage dresses in the mail yesterday. I just want it to be not-winter!

Shirt - Smartset

Skirt - Thrifted from Value Village

Belt - Ardene's

Tights - Fancy Sox

Shoes - Thrifted from Value Village

This is the outfit I wore on Friday February 18th. I figured if I paired it with enough black, the skirt would be work appropriate, heh. Once again using a belt, so I don't turn into a giant solid blob of shapeless colour. My mother made my little green earings.

This is the same skirt from my extremely different outfit, seen here. I always enjoy when one piece of my wardrobe can go from one extreme to the other in terms of kinds of outfits it can be used in. If that makes any sense.

And since there seems to be more of this going on lately... I want to thank those of you who take the time to comment! I adore getting comments, even itty bitty short ones like "Cute!". It's fun to know people are actually reading my posts and enjoying what they see.

Cheers! :)

Falling Behind

I appear to be quite behind in posting outfit photos. I've got a bunch of stuff I want to blog about, but I never seem to get around to writing the posts. At some point this week I want to write up a post about a cupcake recipe, with accompanying step-by-step photos I took while baking. Yes, it has nothing to do with fashion or clothing... But food is tasty and everybody likes tasty food!

Shirt - Smartset

Skirt - Young Jane's Vintage

Tights - Fancy Sox

Booties - Thrifted from the Salvation Army

This is the outfit I wore on Thursday the 17th of February. I always feel like Jane from Mad Men when I go about the office dressed like this, it's fun. I'd actually almost completely forgotten about this skirt since it was hidden way in the back of my closet. It has a rich creamy yellow background colour that I really like.

I also finally managed to finish a new necklace, and have it up in my Etsy shop. I've recently been buying a lot of new colours of hemp thread and fun new beads and pendants, so I'm really looking forward to making more fun colour combinations.

My Spanish classes end this week, my last one is on Thursday. As much as I enjoyed learning, I'll be happy to have more spare time to myself. The class schedule just really did not jive with my life and I have been so exhausted these last few weeks. I think I might take up belly dancing classes soon though. I took a class back in 2007 and really enjoyed it - even if I am terribly uncoordinated - and I think it would be some fun regular exercise for me.

Hope you're all having a good Monday, cheers!

Friend Friday - FBFF

So I've recently seen on several blogs, starting with Lori's over at No More Sweatpants, this whole Friend Friday thing. What it is, is a series of 5 questions on a topic posted each week, which fashion/beauty bloggers then answer and post to their own blogs, as well as being able to read each other's answers to those same questions.

Anywho, I'm not technically part of the group yet - although I certainly want to be - but these questions just seemed too good to pass up. I've loved reading others' answers to these questions and the subject is one I would really like to shed my own light on. So here are my first Friend Friday answers! And hopefully not the last.

(All the photos are from Deviant Art. Click on them to go the artist's original!)

1. Since you started blogging has your image of yourself changed?
Definitely! My blogging started while I was having a rough time in my life personally, and also while going through a very drastic change in my style and fashion... Not to mention losing a lot of weight. My blog is helping me recognize my body as it is now, to see the me in my mind the same as the young woman in the mirror. I used to hide my body in drab, baggy clothes and hoped no one would notice me. But blogging - and in turn reading other blogs - has helped my self-confidence grow, and helped me find myself.

2. Are you self-conscious about any aspect of yourself? If so, do you go out of your way to avoid it or do you post it/talk about it anyway?
Nowhere near as much as I used to be. I was quite a bit heavier some years ago - about 200lbs - and while I carried the weight well, I had a very pronounced belly which I had a hard time accepting. I'm about 60lbs lighter now, and I have mostly come to terms with my belly issues, but it's still probably one of the spots I worry about most when getting dressed. It's rather difficult to hide my belly when I am posting outfit photos, but I just kinda go with it and try not to think about it.

3. Based on how you are feeling now, what do you think the future holds in the evolution of your body image?
I can see myself becoming more and more confident. I look in a mirror and I can say "Yes, that person staring back is pretty!" and feel like it's true. And if I continue with my healthy lifestyle, and doing my best to take care of myself and my body, I think this feeling will only grow.

4. Do you photograph yourself for your blog? If so, how do you feel about the experience when you’re having your picture taken?
Yup, I photograph myself for my blog. They're usually just basic outfit posts but sometimes I go all out and have a "photo shoot". I used to hate being in front of the camera really, but I'm learning how to bring out my best attributes, how not to smile like a dork, and just feeling comfortable and natural.

5. What would you want every person who struggles with body image to take to heart?    
Worrying about what others think on how you look is pointless. If you are unhappy with your body, ask yourself why, and see if there's not something you can do, like exercise, or realize that your thoughts about your body aren't at all "true". I've noticed that a lot of people think terribly negative things about themselves that others don't think are true at all. But the more you love yourself, the more you will love your body too, that is key.

Cheers!

Mini Dress Madness

No outfit posts today. Instead I'm going to share some more awesome Etsy finds. I admit, I have been spending hours looking at vintage clothing on Etsy again. I can't help it, I really do think I'm addicted.

Anywho, my recent search obsession has been for mini-dresses. I want something cute and girly that shows off leg, something fitted and flattering. But also crazy colours! I blame this on my purchase of this dress. It seems to have sent me into a crazy 60's mini dress obsession period. It's also partly due to my just being sick and tired of winter already and so badly wanting to wear cute little dresses and show off some leg!

I'm dreaming of delicate tiny flower patterns and bold mod colours. But, without further rambling, here are some awesome little dresses I wish were mine! Click on the photos to go to the listing for more pics. :)

Such adorable little floral and pink dresses!

And then you've got these amazing 60's mod patterned dresses, and the cutest little patchwork dresses! I'm a sucker for outrageous patterns and colours.

Absolutely adorable little sundress!

Pretty in paisley!

Passionate pinks and purples!

Out of this world patterns!

And that's it for my mini-dress bombardment. For now anyway, hah. As is clear from the same model being in the photos over and over, a lot of those dresses are from the same shop, that is Dolly Rocker Vintage. If you love 60's and 70's fashions, her shop is definitely one you need to check out.

Anywho, that's enough. Hope you're all doing well. Cheers!

Another Belt and My Room

This is the outfit I wore on Saturday the 12th. I think last week was just belt-week for me because I honestly wore a belt nearly every single day. Which I suppose isn't a bad thing, but I think I've had my fill of belts for now. I actually had to punch a new hole in this belt because it was too large. And considering I bought this belt less than 6 months ago, and tried it on in the store specifically to be worn so high up my waist... Just a nice reminder of how much weight I've lost.

Shirt - Smartset

Belt - Ardene's

Skirt - Thrifted from Value Village

This is the same skirt as seen in this post, but I think I prefer it styled like this. I'm having the hardest time figuring out what to wear with it, and how to wear it. Today I'm wearing the same outfit as in this post right now, because it is once again frigidly cold out and those are my warmest cold-weather items.

And for kicks, thought I'd share a few photos of the "decor" in my room. I just recently put some glow in the dark stars up on my ceiling (yes, I am actually a giant child) and they look really cool. Plus they glow in black light which is awesome.

My ceiling-stars and part of my wall hanging, as seen from laying on my bed.

My black light responsive wall hanging.

The wall next to my computer desk, above my bed.

I made the frog collage out of two frog calendars from 2010. That black thing is a seal skin (following my animal fur/bone/hide collecting ways). And those words, "Dance like no one is watching" are just peal-and-sticks I got at the dollar store.

My bedroom kinda reminds me more of a teen's room here than it did when I lived by myself. But to be honest, this room feels much more welcoming and homelike to me than the other one did. But my living room looked like this in my old apartment so I guess it doesn't matter haha.

Hope you're all having a good week, cheers!

Old dress - New Twist

This is what I worse yesterday, Thursday. I've owned this black dress since back in 2008 when I purchased it to wear to my college graduation. I snagged it off a sale rack for that event and my friend's wedding. I never figured it would wind up being one of the most versatile items in my wardrobe. I usually wear it with long sleeved shirts underneath, but it looked really weird with the lower cut neck on this blue shirt.

Shirt - Thrifted from Value Village

Dress - Sears

Belt - Ardene's
Tights - Fancy Sox

Shoes - Spring

So what did I do? Shoved the boob-covering area of fabric down under my bust, and belted that sucker! It sort of made me think of suspenders, or a jumper meant to sit below the bust. Anyway, I liked it, and I'll definitely be wearing it like this again I think.

And these tights! I love these! I've been wanting a girly, original pair of tights for a while and these pretty flower patterned ones from Fancy Sox were just the thing. I could probably find even more fun ones online but I'm a bit tentative about buying such things over the internet and not in person.

I am so glad it's the weekend! My parents and I are going to see professional bull riding tomorrow, and I am super excited for that. I hope you all have a great weekend too! Cheers!

Belt It Out

This is yesterday's outfit. I seem to have a long-skirt, long-shirt + belted waist thing going this week. I just really hate when things divide at my hip line, it just seems to accentuate the wideness there and I really don't want that haha. I'm really digging high waists in the last while, which is rather amazing for me considering I used to hate that style and absolutely refused to be seen wearing it.

Shirt - Smartset

Skirt - Thrifted from the Salvation Army

Belt - Ardene's

Shoes - Spring

My co-worker wasn't even in long enough to take off her winter jacket when she spotted me yesterday, and told me she liked my outfit. Definitely a nice way to start the day.

I'm really going to try hard to find time to photograph today's outfit before going to class tonight. I purchased new tights with the prettiest flower pattern, and I wore an old dress in a completely new way and I think it's just a really fun outfit. But my class nights are always so rushed, I rarely have time to spare.

I can't wait for spring to get here! I've got the bare-legs-bug, and I wish so badly that I could run around in my cute summer dresses without having to wear leggings or tights or leg warmers! As comfy and warm as my granny-length wool skirts are, they just don't satisfy my desire to look cute and flirty.

I'm already purchasing clothes with summer and spring in mind. I'm really looking forward to this cute peasant top from Cookies and Creme arriving in the mail. I can just picture myself wearing this with one of my breezy, fun hippie skirts and going for a walk through a park, or having a picnic.

Sadly, it is still very much winter up here in Canada, and it will be so for a few months longer. I look forward to May and June and warmer weather!

Hope you're all doing well, cheers!

Monday Skirt Remix

I know I wore this same skirt in the last outfit post, but eh! I dig it, and I like wearing my new clothes a lot when I first get them, hah. I wound up wearing the belt Heather sent me along with one of the dresses I bought from her, because all that black looked like an inky abiss and I needed something to give me shape.

Shirt - Smartset

Skirt - Gift from my grandmother

Booties - Thrifted from the Salvation Army

Belt - From Heather

I finally started feeling human again on Friday, and had a pretty good weekend. My boyfriend woke me at 5:30am Saturday morning, drunk-dialing me from out in Alberta because he missed me. I didn't mind though, and we wound up being on the phone until 8am. He's adorable when he's been drinking because all his feelings come out more than usual and he tells me how wonderful I am and how much he loves me, on and on. Why would I mind being woken up for that, eh? ;)

I also finally stepped on the frozen Rideau Canal for the first time on Saturday evening. I've lived in Ottawa since 2006 and had never set foot on it before. I'm not big on winter activities though, so that's part of why it took so long hah. It was cool, although I only walked, no skating.

Anyhow, I just finished feeding my ball pythons, and it's time do some relaxing. Hope you all have a good week. Cheers!

There's a Giveaway! And a feature!

Not from me, but from Lori at No More Sweatpants! Go check out her blog, she's an awesome momma of some adorable boys, and she's got a great sense of style and a wonderful personality.

I am still sick as a dog, but considering there seems to be a snowpocalypse outside my window, maybe it's not such a bad thing I'm not well enough to go out! I am bored out of my mind however. I've been watching Cinderella in my jammies, eating some oatmeal with brown sugar and blueberries. Hopefully I feel better soon, I'm sick of being sick!

And due to this sickness, no outfit photos today. But, in their place, I'm going to do another Etsy feature! This time instead of random favourites from various shops, I'm going to feature one shop in particular, and all my favourite pieces from their collection. I'm talking about Cocoricooo!

A group of friends and family from Thailand, all the clothing sold by Cocoricooo is handmade and designed by them. The prices are more than reasonable for handmade, original and unique pieces like what they make and sell!

I'm particularly fond of their unique pants, seen above. I actually hate wearing pants, but I would love to own either of the above pairs. They're almost like skirts with attached leggings, and can be worn in so many different ways and styles. Definitely fantastic designs. And then you have more traditionally designed pants like the next two, that still have their own unique style and flair, and again resembling skirts. I'd be tempted to wear them! And that says a lot coming from the chick who boycotts pants! ;)

And then... this absolutely amazing dress! This next dress just takes my breath away, and I fully plan on purchasing one at some point within the next few months. It's just so lovely and feminine, evoking feelings of Greek goddesses and female power deep within.

Most of their designs are available in mulitple colours (the dress above comes in a rainbow of colours to choose from!) and this wonderful group of Thai fashion enthusiasts are always coming out with new pieces. I definitely urge you to check out their Etsy shop.

Hope you're all having a good Wednesday, cheers!