Under the Weather

I seem to have come down with a cold... I was in denial the first day, but I am most definitely sick. I haven't had a proper cold since early in January of 2011, so I guess I'm due! I cooked myself up a big batch of homemade chicken noodle soup last evening (with lovely chicken broth left over from another recipe on Sunday) so at least I have some hearty goodness with which to sustain myself. Until I'm up to snuff again, here are some photos from a storm we had last Friday.

This is what happens when you use a flash in a snowstorm haha...

I'm really hoping I get over this sickness quickly, it's no fun being sick. I'm trying not to over-exert myself. (Once when sick, I went to the grocery store to procure myself orange juice and wound up nearly fainting from exhaustion on the walk back, smart!) I hope all you folks in the bare-legged lands are enjoying the warmth and sunshine for me. Cheers!

One Less Frog

I've mentioned more than once in my blog posts that I have a wacky variety (and number) of pets in my apartment. Up until this week, I'd had two gray tree frogs. I found one of them dead in the tank on Tuesday, which was a bummer to say the least. It was just a frog, and I didn't cry over it, but my heart still sank in my chest. A little light in the world had gone out.

People have a hard time understand how or why I have such a passion for these animals. I know my frogs or geckos or tarantulas don't love me. They are not consciously aware of me beyond my being some giant looming shape that sometimes picks them up and drops food into their containers. And while the death of my frog did not bring tears to my eyes, I was still saddened.

These creatures captivate me, their very existence is a joy and wonder. Have you ever stopped to think how absolutely amazing it is that these little frogs can be frozen solid and thaw out to continue life as usual? If a human freezes, we die, that's it. These frogs not only live through that, it's part of their natural life cycle! They really are amazing creatures, from their little suction-cup-like gripping feet to their sticky tongues and color-changing skin.

The closest frog in the photo above is the one that died. I'll miss hearing them sing to each other. I'll miss how delicate it was compared to its larger companion, which allowed it to snuggle up to the tiny fake leaves in its tank. I'll miss my frog, and there's nothing wrong with that. I just wish more people could understand that even a life as tiny as a frog's can be precious. Cheers...

Nothing New Here

I can proudly say that everything in this outfit (okay, not my skivvies) is either handmade, thrifted or vintage. I absolutely love it when outfits like these come together! You can't just walk into a mall and come out with the making for my outfit, that is not going to happen. Especially not for as little as I paid for everything!

Tunic-top - Thrifted from Value Village

Skirt - Ragtime Vintage

Boots - Thrifted from Value Village

Lynx-fang Earrings - Purchased from Aranea Designs on Etsy

Necklace - Handmade from a dear friend

The funny thing about this skirt is I've had it for years, worn it very often all year round and yet... I don't think I've posted it on the blog. Or if I did, I have completely forgotten when. Nonetheless, I love this skirt, and when I saw its bright floral print next to the tunic in my closet, it was a no-brainer to put them together.

I scored these wicked leather boots for just $8! They are super comfy too, I've already worn them out dancing twice and plan on taking them out again on Friday night. Some of the hooks and holes are rusty, but that's no big deal. And now that it's not absolutely frigid outside, I'll be able to wear these more often without worrying about freezing my toes off!

Someone very dear to me made me this cross and necklace. It's all the more special because it's not something I'd ever have expected them to do, and it was made during a difficult time in both our lives. I don't wear it often - it's rather delicate - but it means a lot to me. Sometimes the simple gifts mean the most.

I've got belly dance class this evening again, and I'm definitely looking forward to hanging out with the ladies afterward. I think I'm actually even getting kind of good at some of the dance moves! When I took classes back in 2007, I decided not to go further on because I felt too uncoordinated and choppy, like my body would never be able to do the moves correctly. Now I keep surprising myself when I do things right and keep up with everyone.

While I really love my more 'put-together' and professional outfits, it's ones like these I love wearing the most. This is how I dress when I'm on my own time. I went dancing in this outfit. It was comfortable and allowed me freedom of movement. I just wish I could dress like this more often. I hope you're all having a good week, mine's going quite well. Cheers!

Those Blue Eyes

Ask anyone close to me, and they will quickly tell you I don't really like children. I don't think babies are particularly cute, I've never dreamed of having children and I just find most to be kids really annoying. And then I met Jacob. He's my cousin Laura's adorable 19 month old son. I like to think our shared genetics is how he's managed to sneak his way into my good graces. Not to mention his smile and those blue eyes of his!

He was playing peek-a-boo in the curtains after dinner on Saturday. He took a shine to me the minute my uncle and I arrived at their home on Friday evening. He couldn't quite pronounce my name, but it's not so bad being called Slyn by someone this cute. Of course, young kiddos aren't all smiles and good times all the time. Let's say I was very glad to have brought a set of ear plugs with me for my visit, otherwise sleeping might have posed a problem hah.

This might seem like a normal photo to you, just a happy kid sitting in a lap. Except for the fact that in my twenty three odd years, this is the first time I've held a child under the age of six. Ever. At first I was kind of terrified to hurt him. And then I remembered that little kids are like... superhuman. Bonk their head, cry for a few minutes, and then off they go zipping around again.

Here is my cousin Laura with her wee one. She's only a year older than me, and doing the mama thing while also going to school full time. I have mad respect for that because I know I could never do it. She's patient,  strong, caring, perseverant and so many amazing things. (Did I mention she and her husband moved from British Columbia to Ontario last month? Craziness!) I haven't actually seen Laura since we were in our early teens, but I felt very welcomed and so much at home with everyone. I just wish we didn't live four hours apart! My uncle works here in the city though, and the whole family often comes up to visit, and I'm warmly being included in everything which means so much to me.

This last photo was taken yesterday morning before I left to come home. He was so frigging cute in that wee knit vest! Gah! He totally knows he's adorable too, and knows how to use it to get his way. He was not a happy camper when he realized I was leaving though. He wanted Slyn to stay! I have to admit, I kinda didn't want to say goodbye to the little guy. I'm still VERY FAR from wanting to have any children of my own (you know, needing earplugs for sleep) but it's kinda cool I can sort of enjoy them for a little while. Until they need their diaper changed or start to cry, then mom and pop can have them back hah. Clearly my weekend was full of family and goodness, I hope yours was good too! Cheers!

One For Me

I was able to take in this lovely vintage dress, and keep it in my closet. Sadly more than a few of my vintage beauties - skirts and dresses - are just too delicate or complex for me to attempt altering. I'm building up give, thrift and sell piles. What items I do sell (I'll share them with you all first) I won't be trying to profit on, mostly I just want to see them go to someone else who will enjoy them. But unluckily for all of you, I am keeping this gorgeous frock to myself.

Dress - Purchased on Etsy from Sally Jane Vintage

Belt - Ardene's

Shoes - Lulu's

Tights - We Love Colours

You can see how it looked on me before I took it in, in these photos from back in August and these from March. This dress also happens to be the one I wore in my very first outfit post way back in September of 2010. I don't usually wear glasses (I'm a contact lens lover) but I took these photos the evening before wearing the outfit which happened to be on a lazy Sunday, and I didn't think it worth putting my contacts in just for the outfit shots. So imagine me with makeup and no glasses and that's how I look right now.

My weekend plans were rather disrupted, and I neither saw my grandparents or my muffin-baking friend. I still went out dancing with my special someone on Friday though, and had tasty late night pho and spring rolls mmm... My lady friend's theatrical performance on Saturday night was also amazing. Plus I ran into some other friends while walking home and wound up spending the evening listening to old 60's concert recordings and eating delicious carbonara, so I can't complain.

Really, I should be singing my thankfulness. I spent a large chunk of my weekend with someone who showed me more care, tenderness, and genuine affection than anyone has shown me in such a long, long time (years). It's frightening to trust a new person, especially when your previous efforts at trust blew up in your face. I'm not about to give up now though, not when there's so much to gain and nothing to lose. I hope you all have a lovely Monday. Cheers!

Pink Elephants On Parade

I wore this for a coffee date on Sunday. Yes, this is my idea of lazy weekend casual clothing. I'd rather stick my hand in flame than be caught dead outside my apartment in sweat pants, gotta admit. I've often lately been hearing the excuse that it's just easier to pull on some sweat pants/PJ bottoms/old jeans in the morning. I counter this with the fact that it's no more difficult to just... pull on a dress! In fact, it's even easier because with dresses you don't have to worry about matching your top to your bottom. Stop making excuses people, there is no excuse to be a slobby-bobby!

Long-sleeved top - Thrifted from Value Village

Dress - Thrifted from Value Village

Flats - Ardene's

I didn't actually wear the flats out of the apartment but I didn't want to be in my socks and I wasn't about to wear my big winter boots in the apartment. So yeah, flats. It's all about the dress anyway. I am so madly in love with it! I've had it quite a long while but it's only ever really been out dancing with me. It's not exactly everyday work wear, to say the least.



The print is a mad mix of abstract and actual images. There are swirls and spirals, paisley and curlicues, plants and little mushrooms and so many details! Plus the background colour changes from red to pink back and again. It's definitely an eye catcher! I still can't believe my luck at not only finding this dress, but that it fits!

I picked up the pink top on a whim, thinking I'd find something I needed a pink basic top to wear with... I hadn't even been thinking of this dress, but turns out it is the EXACT same shade of pink. And once again, layering erases any modesty issues this big-busted gal might have with spaghetti straps. I'm not a fan of my boobage falling out all over the place, eh?



I've been so busy socially lately that it's kind of blowing my mind. Part of me is in disbelief that I am suddenly a person with an actual active social life and have regular social activities in which to participate. It's funny when things get so good you start wondering if they're actually true.

I spent Tuesday evening with my grandparents, which was lovely. Wednesday was my belly dance class (I'm only a beginner B! My teacher is a nice older lady named Lois Brake) and then I went out for some drinks with some of the ladies and didn't get home until nearly 10PM (pretty sure my cat thinks I'm cheating on him now). This evening I'm heading straight to a wonderful lady friend's after work to cook up some pizza together. (I'm also sneakily picking up some cupcakes and wine for us to snack on too, because that sounds like a good plan to me.)

I've taken the next 3 Fridays off, which is going to be great. Tomorrow I'm heading out for a greasy-spoon breakfast with my grandparents and then we're hitting up the new giant Ikea they recently opened here in Ottawa. Then that night I am bringing my special someone out to Ritual Nights to see how he handles some mad psytrance beats, heh. Saturday involves muffin baking with another girlfriend and that night I'm heading to another friend's solo theatrical performance. BUSY YOU GUYS. But in a totally awesome absolutely fantastic way. So I am happy. And I hope you all are too! Cheers!

Frumpus

I wore this last Friday, an outfit created in a spurt of frustration and annoyance. I am realizing how very few non-maxi anythings I actually own. Nearly every single one of my skirts is a long prairie maxi. It makes it rather difficult to get dressed for work without looking like I should be frolicking in a field of flowers. So I do things like this: hike up my skirt to my armpits and wear it as a midi-skirt under a messily-knotted baggy button-down. 'Cause somehow that made sense at the time.

Button-down - Thrifted from Value Village

Skirt - Thrifted from the Salvation Army

Wool tights - Fanxy Sox

Shoes - Spring

You can see the skirt styled as it's intended, in maxi form, in this outfit from back in August. I actually wear the skirt a lot, but for some reason thought I'd posted it far more recently. Clearly I need to keep tabs on my own past outfits. This is one I won't be repeating, although I will probably attempt something of the same with a few other skirts and shirts eventually.

I am finding so many uses for this mustard blouse, I hadn't realized it would be so versatile. I'd never even noticed that this skirt had so much mustard in the print until I saw it next to the shirt in my closet. I may have shrunk the shirt a smidgen in the wash though; the sleeves feel shorter than I remember, but ah well! As the day progressed, the skirt waist slid down my back and I wound up with a bit of a fish-tail affect going on. I actually quite liked it, especially when walking around with the skirt swishing around my legs.

I don't want to say too much (I'd rather not jinx myself) but I think I may have found someone special. Of course by now I know I get over-excited, and wind up wallowing in disappointment nearly every single time I feel this way but... I see no reason to stop hoping. Actually, I think now is the best time to hope for these things, because I'm more and more aware of how lucky I've been recently. The past few months have gifted me with many new people to love and friends to grow close to and I can finally say I am happy. I like to think it's because I've been trying so hard to give to others - love, friendship, tenderness, an open ear - that the world is just giving back. I guess I'll just have to keep on lovin' and givin' even more to thank the world for the gifts I'm getting! I hope you're all having a lovely week so far. Cheers!

Glow Worm

This bright yellow sweater really does have an inner glow. Sadly it didn't come across in the photos (seriously, it is actually even brighter in real life). I love my yellow sweater so much though! If it looks familiar for some reason, I was wearing it in the photo with my giant fat cat. The only downside is that it's very thick and very warm, so I can only wear it on particularly cold days, and when I know I will be in cold places.

Sweater - Thrifted from Value Village

Skirt - Yard Sale

Booties - Thrifted from the Salvation Army
Earrings - Friend-to-friend hand me down

Pardon my goofy grin above; the cat was doing something dorky and then the camera beeped at me. The last time I wore this skirt on the blog was way back in May of 2011. I'm pretty certain I've worn it a few times since then, but this low-wear of many of my items is why I really need to do some closet-purging. (Yes, I've still yet to do it, it is painful and I am avoiding it like the plague.)

The funny thing about this skirt is that it's labelled a Medium, but there's enough room for it to be an Extra Large and then some. It has no elastic at all, and I need to hold it up with my elbows as I pull the drawstrings taught or it literally just falls to the ground haha. It's great for hanging off my hip bones in the summer though, and has great movement.

I've given myself the goal of early nights and early mornings this weekend, to try and maximize the amount of things I get done. I've been naturally waking around 9am on weekends lately though, and am comfortable with considering that sleeping in. Am I turning into a true adult now that I appreciate and aim to utilize mornings? Haha... It's just too bad a lot of the things I like doing on weekends involve late nights. Or accidentally turn into late nights

It looks like I'll be attending that crystal bowl performance by myself this evening. I'm trying to build new friendships, but it seems my efforts dash aimlessly upon most people as waves do on rocks. I feel a lot like a child sometimes; nervous, timid, filled with an intense, overwhelming desire to explore and share and be happy and make friends. But most people just give me their glossed-over stranger-smile and fade away, like my bumbling-yet-well-meaning attempts are not worth their time. It's difficult when all your good intentions and desires are treated so cheaply.

I know now not to linger or bother with people who can't bother with me, but it's still frustrating. I'm very grateful for the ever-strengthening circle of family I have around me now, but the love I share with them just drives home to me how badly I want a close circle of friends to love and trust too. I have wonderful friends like Kirsten and Omar who I've learned SO much from, about being kind and curious and tender and loving and what good people are really like, and I need MORE of those people! Too bad it's so hard to root them out from the bad apples...

My weekend is going to be absolutely jam packed with activity, and I cannot wait for the work day to be over so I can get properly started on things. I hope you all have a super groovy weekend too. Cheers!

Over The Rainbow

This outfit felt so marvelously me. The top is actually a dress, another sent to me by the wonderful (soon to be mama!) Heather over at Moonshine Junkyard. I'm surprised I haven't posted photos of this dress sooner, because I've worn it nearly once a week since receiving it. As you can see, the print is rather intense though, so of course logically a bright blue skirt came to mind when I wanted to tone things down haha...

Vintage dress (as blouse) - Gift from Heather

Skirt - Thrifted from the Salvation Army

Tights - Fancy Sox

Shoes - Payless

I've had this skirt for ages but it's another I've rarely worn until recently. I love the colour and the way it moves, but I have to safety pin the gaps between some of the buttons and the colour doesn't mesh with most of my wardrobe. Apparently the skirt has found its style-buddy though, and is now secure in my closet.

I imagine some people would probably choose not to wear this vintage dress. Not because of the print or that it's old or anything, but it has a light barn scent to it. Kind of like old hay and the memory of cattle. I've washed it half a dozen times myself, but once I have it on and it warms up a bit, I can still smell it. Personally, I do not mind at all, I have a few other vintage items that have the same smell. So it sat in a barn or a farmhouse for a while, that just means it's had less wear and will last me even longer!

I'm trying to gather some people together to join me Friday for a live solo musical performance on crystal bowls, accompanied by paiste gongs, a santoor and vibraphone. I mentioned it to some of the ladies in my belly dance class last evening and I think at least one person will be willing. My life feels so full and bustling lately. I'm rarely home in the evenings or even on the weekend anymore. I feel bad about leaving my cat alone so much. He gets to hang out with me all of this evening though, since I've got creature-cage cleaning on the agenda.

Even though I do often feel like I'm running everywhere at a thousand miles an hour to get things done and see all the folks I want to see, I am very thankful. I'm making new friendships, strengthening ones I should have given more attention to long ago, and learning so much about myself in my daily explorations. Things aren't perfect, but that's okay, I'm too busy to notice. Cheers!