Obscured

Sometimes life leads us places we don't expect. Things happen. Things change. And then you wake up one morning and realize that everything is shrouded in a thick fog and you don't know what's going on or where you are or when you'll be able to just see clearly again. I think the fog in my life is finally dissipating, burning away with the morning sun's heat.

I took this photo on Sunday morning, a little after 8:30AM, when I was visiting my parents in Cache Bay this past weekend. The fog was still thick when my father drove me to North Bay, to catch the Greyhound bus and go home, over an hour later. Funnily enough, it just ended abruptly as we were driving along the highway. You could see it behind us in the rear view mirror but once we were around a bend, you'd have never known it was there.

I'm out of that fog now. No more bumping into things, wondering where I am or where I'm going. It's clear skies and smooth sailing from now on. I refuse to get lost in the fog again.

Chelsea asked if my birthday really is on Halloween... Yup, it is! It was sorta fun as a kid, in that my mom would make me Halloween themed cakes and such, but most people are busy celebrating somehow or other already. It makes it hard to do anything specifically for my birthday. I even tried hosting a Halloween party for my 21st, but it was a flop. I still adore Halloween anyway though, it's my favourite Holiday. I hope you all have a groovy Friday and a great weekend. Cheers!

All Over The Place

You get to see all the places I take photos around my apartment today. I first set myself up to take these photos against the brick wall out on my terrace. I wasn't particularly loving how the photos were coming out, and decided to move to the outside wall in front of the tree. It then started to rain. Heavily. So I ran inside and took a few more photos and just called it a day. So here are my all-over-the-place rather disheveled outfit photos.

Top - Thrifted from Value Village

Skirt - Thrifted from Value Village

Shoes - Fairweather

Necklace - Thrifted from Value Village

I bought this top and the necklace on a recent thrift trip, along with quite a few other goodies. The colours in the pattern go with a lot of my skirts and shoes which is great for remixing. Versatile shirt! Plus I like the little gathering-ring detail.



I'm pretty sure this necklace is vintage bakelite, but I could be wrong. It's definitely not regular old plastic though, that's for sure. And my little insect earrings went surprisingly well with my outfit.

Like I said, it started raining pretty suddenly. You can see the big fat drops on the patio stones. Less than a minute later it was pounding down rain and hail. Had I not just moved my camera into the shelter of the building, it would have gotten soaked. As thunderstorms are wont to do, this one raged and passed over rather quickly and it was sunny out not too long after.

Did I mention it was really hot and humid that day? 'Cause it was. Hence my hair. And the shiny face. I really love September, but the first few weeks are so darned wonky weather-wise.

Walking to work this morning, it finally felt like fall. I had my leather jacket on and there are leaves everywhere on the lawns and sidewalks and it just smells like autumn. I'm so excited for October. I'll be attending my 4th Zombie Walk, and celebrating my 23rd birthday on Halloween. And hopefully scoring some awesome fall and winter clothes at the thrift store on a planned trip with a friend of mine.

I feel good, I hope you're all doing good too. Cheers!

Temagami Trip

I was visiting my parents over Labour Day weekend and we decided to make a small day trip up to Temagami to climb the fire tower there. We stopped at a lot of the scenic rest areas and little trading posts that litter the highway along the way and I found plenty to amuse myself.



Skunk fur mitts, anyone? I swear, if I'd have had the $175 to spare, I'd have bought those puppies. I have a peculiar fascination and adoration for strange furs, skunk in particular. It's actually quite soft and there's no icky smell at all. Or how about a hand-carved moose statue? Everybody needs one of those...

My other fascination with mushrooms (come on, mushrooms are adorable) tends to have me falling behind the group whenever I go into the forest. I'm always taking another photo of some sort of fungi or other.

The fire tower was supposed to be a money-making endeavor for the town, but the buildings at its base were closed and we learned from a local that it had been so the entire summer season. A shame that something like this isn't being taken advantage of and enjoyed by more people.





I really don't wear pants, to do anything, even climbing fire towers. My leggings helped protect my decency, and a good thing I had them on. It was so windy up that tower! My dress was flapping about like nobody's business.

The view at the top was fantastic, even if my knees were kinda wobbly by the time I got to the spiral-staircase section of it. I'm not particularly afraid of heights, but I'm not used to them either and it can still make me rather unsteady.





And to think, that when we headed out that morning, it was dark and rainy and cold. It turned into an absolutely beautiful day, warm and sunny. We definitely got lucky! Especially when you consider that it went back to raining cats and dogs on our way home again.

Afterward, we wandered around the town a bit - there really wasn't anything to do, - and decided to go check out a small pond we'd gone to on our first visit years before. I have a memory of walking across the boardwalk through the pond and seeing dozens of turtles everywhere.

Clearly, the place hasn't been maintained as the boardwalk had collapsed and beavers had incorporated a chunk of it into their dam. It's amazing how much nature can do in a few years. I actually find it comforting that our mark on this planet is so easily broken down.



It was a lovely weekend, and a nice way to end the summer months. I'll leave you with this last photo, one I took at a rest stop on my drive back to Ottawa. Oh Northern Ontario, how you capture my heart! Cheers everyone!

Strutter

Am I the only twenty-something who really loves Kiss? I grew up listening to their tunes, and their flashy-badass-come-cheesy costumes plus their up beat fun-styled rock always appealed to me. I saw them live here in Ottawa three years ago actually, which was pretty fantastic. Gene Simmons' bass solo just blew me away. But all that from my desire to find a good title for this outfit post... And Kiss' song Strutter came to mind.

Tank top - Fairweather

Skirt (skorts) - Thrifted from Value Village

Sandals - Thrifted from Value Village

Everybody says she's lookin' good
And the lady knows it's understood

Strutter!

I felt like a million bucks in this outfit. It was a lovely Sunday afternoon when I decided to head to Dow's Lake Park again to take some more outfit shots. Far from being the only person taking advantage of such a beautiful day, the place was rather packed with people. I kept getting very obvious looks from cyclists and joggers. But I walked with my head up and went about my photo-taking business like a champ.

This looks like I'm wearing a mini-skirt, but it's actually got some nylon shorts attached inside it to help a girl keep her modesty. I'd never have purchased the thing otherwise, but the shorts helped me seal the deal. I actually nearly left them behind, but I'm glad I didn't. I won't have very many more chances to wear these with fall on the way, but I'm glad I got to wear them the once and get these great photos.

I finally acquired some shatter nail polish and I quite like the effect! I painted it on over some yellow and neon pink polishes, because clearly having crazy crackle nails isn't crazy enough over one colour heh.

While I was taking the next photo (and the dozens of others that didn't make the cut) I could see a guy with his dog eyeing me. I'm pretty used to funny looks so I just shrugged it off. When I was done with that particular spot and started walking off, he called over and asked what I was doing and if I was a model hah. We got to talking and I left with lovely compliments singing in my ears. It's nice to hear that you look good from someone else, even if you already know you do. Ego boost!

I spent the weekend at my parents', and we celebrated my mother's 50th birthday. It was a pretty relaxed weekend, but I was very glad to finally get home yesterday. I had to take the Greyhound back for the first time in over 2 years. I am really going to miss having a vehicle, and it's going to take some getting used to being on foot again. Especially since I refuse to use our city's horribly-planned overly-expensive transit system. We have the worst service and the highest price for transit in the entire country. Talk about fail!

I'm going to try and catch up to my photo editing and get back into the swing of things this week. I hope you all had a really great weekend. Cheers!

We're Always Learning

I took these photos back on September 10th, less than two weeks ago, but it seems like forever. I'm still coping with the recent changes in my life and trying to deal with the way I see things now. My decisions are based on new facts, and I'm having a hard time walking away from a lifetime of habit and belief.

I won't discuss matters in detail, but the next few months will involve me distancing myself from people that I have come to realize are negative and poisonous aspects in my life. It's not their fault, and I still love them dearly, but it's finally time for me to walk away and let them clean up their own mess. Because I'm not letting it spill over into my life too.

 

Skirt - Purchased from Ragtime Vintage

Top - Garage sale find, gift from my mother
Shell earrings - Gifts

It was raining outside, and I figured I'd take the opportunity to try and find a suitable indoor photo-taking area. I've taken some shots in my animal room before, but it wasn't quite what I wanted (plus I'd rather not disturb my zoo with the camera flash). This area outside my kitchen (behind the beaded curtains) and on the way into my living area seems like it will fit the bill quite nicely though.

I'm a little frustrated with myself after receiving a few recently-purchased dresses in the mail. I apparently have shrunk again, because the dresses I thought would fit - using the sizes from the last time I measured myself not so long ago - are rather big on me. I'm hoping I'll be able to just have them taken in though, it looks like it should be relatively easy to do. Now I just need to measure myself again and see what size I am this time... I never thought I'd wish I were bigger so I could fit into something! (And speaking of shrinking, this skirt is actually folded over and sewn back onto itself just so I can keep wearing it!)

I'm going to be away at my parents' this weekend again, but I expect to be home a lot more for the foreseeable future, which will likely increase my posting regularity. It'll be nice to not go anywhere for a while, gotta say. I've been stressed and running around like a headless chicken for weeks now and it needs to be over already. This ostrich just wants to stick her head in the sand and pretend like nothing else is out there.

Time is the only thing that's going to help me deal with things now, but I know I'll be alright. I just want to give a giant thank you to Heather though, your comment on my other post meant so much! I really am lucky and blessed, I just have to remember that.

I am thankful for each and every one of you who takes the time to read and comment on my blog, it really does mean a lot. I hope you are all having an absolutely wonderful Thursday, and that this finds you well. Cheers!

New Additions

You'll have to forgive me if I'm not chipper. I'm rather upset due to some realizations I've made about the people I love, and over unfortunate circumstances tied in to those people. Let's say my life-long trust and unflagging certainty in someone's ability to Be Right and Make Better have finally been broken down and I'm seeing the real human being beneath the familial label. It's rough when your hero turns out to be just another mistake-making person.

But in more positive news... I had an amazing time in Toronto. My visit to the zoo was great, and the weather was perfect. I have oodles of photos I still need to sort through, some of which you will undoubtedly see here on the blog. The reptile expo was great too, and I got to meet a ball python breeder I'd been hoping to speak to.

I also managed to keep myself reigned in - due to those unfortunate circumstances - and only brought home two baby snakes. I acquired a female Albino Checkered Garter Snake and a female Kenyan Sand Boa.

The above snake is Jewel, the albino garter. As you can see, she's very tiny! And wriggly. Verrry wriggly. But she's a sweet little thing. Having been home less than 48 hours, she's already calmly exploring her surroundings and doesn't seem to show any signs of stress, which is great.

And this is my lovely sand boa, Halloween. She's actually very small, about the length and thickness of a pencil. I took this photo when I first put her in her new terrarium, and I haven't seen her since haha... These snakes are burrowers and spend the majority of their time hidden. But I just love little burrowing snakes, and these are a calm and friendly species.

I have photos from the Labour Day weekend to share with you all still but I don't want to write up a post when I'm in the mood I'm in right now. Until I get my head on straight and sort out these mixed-emotions of mine, my posting will probably be a little sparse. But who knows, I might feel amazing tomorrow (that would be nice). As is, I'm losing sleep agonizing over things I can't change.

I hope you all had a great weekend, and that things are better in your lives than my own. Cheers!

Knotty Business

After seeing so many awesome bloggers knotting their button-downs, I had to get in on the game. Due to my rather limited selection of button-downs, this look had to wait for a weekend. As many wacky things as I wear to work, I just don't think a red checked shirt will ever fit the bill for office attire.

Shirt - Fairweather 

Skirt -  Thrifted from Value Village, Le Chateau

Sneakers - Walmart 

Yeah, I'm wearing sneakers again. But all I had to do that day was get some groceries and I was lazy. I just fail at finding attractive yet comfortable flat footwear that I won't walk through within half a day. Hence the sneakers. Cheesy footwear and crooked photos, that's what we have around here.

 I actually wore this very same skirt and button-down back in early January. I like that my wardrobe manages to stretch itself across the seasons like this. Which is important, or my already-stressed closet would burst. And I don't even have that many clothes!

 

I have to admit, this outfit makes me think of a cross between Morticia Adams and a Lumberjack. But I'm down with that, Morticia was always my favourite Adams character. And any hipster worth his beard will tell you lumberjacks are the shit!

 

Tomorrow is Friday and I finally get to go to the Toronto Zoo! I'm so excited! And then attending the Reptile Expo on Saturday... more me being excited! I'm going to spend this evening running around like a headless chicken, tying up all my loose ends and making certain I have everything ready and waiting for when I bring my new babies home.

Hopefully I can restrain myself and not come home with too many unplanned animal acquisitions, hehe... I wish you all a happy Thursday. Cheers!

Slithering Snakes

Apart from my obvious love of spiders (I have a spider tattoo and 8 pet tarantulas for example) I also have a love of reptiles, and snakes in particular (okay, most reptiles). That flows right into snake print! I'm a sucker for snake print, in any colour. I actually own a 14 foot snake skin very much like this dress.

 

Dress - Thrifted from Value Village

Shoes - Spring

Belt - Ardene's

I thrifted this ages ago, back in the heat of high summer, and I've only been able to wear it recently at the end of August and it was really still too hot for it then. The sleeves are actually way too long, and I wear them rolled up on themselves, otherwise my hands would be eaten by the sleeve-snakes. I couldn't resist the weight of the fabric and the pointy collar though, so mine it is!

 

I rarely wear these shoes, as much as I like them. The zipper detail on the sides winds up pressing uncomfortably on my pinkie toes, which makes them rare-wear only unless I want to do my toes some serious damage. These shoes plus the dress combined made me feel very corporate 80's. The dress even had shoulder pads at one point but I quickly snipped those out. I do not need any help accenting my already-broad shoulders, thank you very much.

I snatched up this spider pin at a little shop in a mall as I was running about doing errands. I got pulled in by snake-bangles but left with this instead. I already own several spider broaches (I'm wearing another today actually) but there's no way I'll ever have too many.

I have been living on mixed vegetable salads and pizzas like these for most of the summer. I make enough one night to last me several suppers, to avoid cooking in the heat. Plus pizza is actually really good for you if you do it right. I like to layer all my vegetables toppings twice over, beneath and on top of the cheese. That with a heaping side salad and I'm pretty happy with my meals.

 

The package with my shoes from Lulu's was apparently processed for delivery here in the city this morning. I'm hoping today is the day I get my hands on my new sandals and shoes for work! Receiving packages in my building just makes me so nervous. I've had mishaps in the past, not to mention the buzzer console is currently on the fritz and there's nowhere safe for a delivery man to leave his slip. Fingers crossed!

I hope you're all having a good week so far and that all is well. Cheers!

Back in Black

I know, where did all the colour go? Black used to be a staple in my wardrobe, and now I rarely wear it at all. My necklace got to shine here again. I love it so much. Too bad it's so fragile, I've already had to glue petals back on three times now, argh! Now I remember why I'm always hesitant to own anything fragile.

Tank top - Fairweather 

Skirt - Saan's 

Sandals - Thrifted 

Necklace - Gift, made by Lisa Burkin on Etsy 

Please ignore my crooked skirt. The hem isn't off, I'm just apparently wearing it rather lopsided and didn't notice while taking the photos. Woops? I love milk-maid braids for my long hair, but they are a pain to keep pinned up if I happen to have recently washed my hair. My locks are thin and and wispy and they slip out of a bobby pin's grip way too easily. You can't tell from afar, but it's actually a garish mess of very obvious pins up there.

 

It didn't exactly turn out very well, but my big toes were an attempt at crazy colour leopard print. My toes have just been getting whackier and whackier as the year progresses. At least I've gotten over my nail polish not always matching my outfits, heh. (Not to mention, what kind of outfit would match these toes?!)

 

I'm going out for a sushi with my friend Erin this evening, which will be nice since I haven't seen her in a few weeks. I'm just super excited for Friday though, as I've finally figured out how to get myself out to the Toronto Zoo. I was supposed to go with a group, but that fell through, and since I can't afford the hotel room I was going to have to call off the zoo part of the trip.

A friend of mine lives nearby though (well, a lot closer than I do) and I'll be able to crash on their couch over Friday night. So I get to go to the zoo, go to the reptile expo like I'd initially wanted, plus spending time with a friend I rarely see. So all is well and right with the world!

I hope you're all having a groovy Tuesday. Cheers!

Paisley Pattern Mixing

This outfit makes me proud. It is a demonstration of my mad pattern-mixing skills! Or at least, an attempt at such. Personally, I think these prints are made for each other, and I've worn this outfit several times over since these photos were taken back in late August (I am so behind, oh boy). Plus I'm wearing a dress as a top again. I feel so ingenious and stylish all at once haha...

 

Dress (as top) - Purchased from Sally Jane Vintage on Etsy

Skirt - Thrifted from Value Village

Shoes - Thrifted from the Salvation Army

I was browsing Etsy the other day when I spotted a skirt that looked suspiciously familiar. Then I realized... it was exactly like my skirt, except in a slightly different colour palette. So, for those who happen to dig this skirt and want their own... check this one out. It's a small clothes-world after all?

 

I had a lovely weekend. I went out dancing at a local psytrance event on Friday which was nice, and bumped into a few unexpected friends while there. Saturday was filled with some very successful thrifting and then Sunday afternoon I spent some time taking outfit photos in a park and reading in the sun by the lake. The weather can't seem to make up its mind, but if it can send me more weekends like this one, I'd be a happy camper.

 

I paid maybe $2 for these earrings a few years ago. They're pretty basic, just little seed beads and wire-wrapped sharks teeth, but I like how unusual they are. The only annoyance is they're always getting caught in my hair! 

I was about to express how I can't believe it's nearly mid-September, but I'm just going to admit that time has been flying by lately. I'm not complaining, because the quicker my work-week is over, the happier I am, but it'd be nice if my spare time lasted longer. I'm not particularly fond of the feeling of time zipping by though, it gives me the all-too-serious impression that I'll wake up one morning, 30 years older, with no idea where the time went.

I've been a bit lax with posting lately, but I have a ton of stuff lined up so expect daily posts this week. I hope you all had a good weekend, and that your Monday is going well. Cheers!