Showing posts with label blouse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label blouse. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 1, 2014
A First on the First
Happy New Year! I had a nice NYE with family, and ditto on today. I'm starting my year off surrounded by those I love, with good thoughts in my mind and warmth in my heart. Couldn't ask for a better way to kick off 2014!
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Time Traveler
I don't often get all dressed up these days but when I do, I go all out and pay attention to tiny details. This outfit makes me feel a bit like a time traveler, as if I could go back to say... 1972, and just blend right in. My clothes were most likely around back then!
While there are some students who's company I enjoy, most I wish I could just avoid. Their presence, their voice, just grates on my nerves and makes me want to scream. The fact that people can't just be quiet is beyond me. What's so wrong with just sitting with yourself and not making a constant racket or trying to get attention by whinging or blabbering on about something nobody cares about?! I don't understand people at all.
At least I'm doing fabulously in all my classes. Academics were never much of a challenge for me, especially not now when it's a subject in which I'm actually interested. My grade is high enough in the one class that I'm actually exempt from the final exam, which is great. Now if only all the teachers instituted such a rule, because I'd have no written exams at all hah.
I spent my morning ironing quilt squares for a lap quilt I'm hoping to gift my mother for Christmas. They were originally meant for a double bed sized quilt, a project I started years ago and lost steam for when I realized how big of a job I'd set up for myself. A lap quilt is much more manageable, and some of the work is already done which is encouraging. Fingers crossed it gets done! I hope you are having a good week. Cheers!
Blouse- Purchased from Aliya & Lucas on Etsy
Skirt - Purchased in Paris, France
Belt - Gift from Heather
Shoes - Thrifted from Value Village
Shoes - Thrifted from Value Village
I have written exams next week, and then my in-kitchen exams the second week of December. I cannot wait for this semester to be finished! I'm enjoying it, but I am absolutely exhausted mentally. Being around people so often is really taking its tole on me. I can deal with a tight knit work group fairly well once I get to know them, but 40 or so students just stresses my very being.
While there are some students who's company I enjoy, most I wish I could just avoid. Their presence, their voice, just grates on my nerves and makes me want to scream. The fact that people can't just be quiet is beyond me. What's so wrong with just sitting with yourself and not making a constant racket or trying to get attention by whinging or blabbering on about something nobody cares about?! I don't understand people at all.
At least I'm doing fabulously in all my classes. Academics were never much of a challenge for me, especially not now when it's a subject in which I'm actually interested. My grade is high enough in the one class that I'm actually exempt from the final exam, which is great. Now if only all the teachers instituted such a rule, because I'd have no written exams at all hah.
I spent my morning ironing quilt squares for a lap quilt I'm hoping to gift my mother for Christmas. They were originally meant for a double bed sized quilt, a project I started years ago and lost steam for when I realized how big of a job I'd set up for myself. A lap quilt is much more manageable, and some of the work is already done which is encouraging. Fingers crossed it gets done! I hope you are having a good week. Cheers!
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Simply Happy
These last few days have been exhausting for me. I finally started working at a local bakery on Monday, and it's taking some getting used to the early mornings and the physical labour. But I am enjoying it so much! My days fly by and I'm doing things that bring out the passion in me. I feel much more confident in myself here than the last bakery in which I worked. The people are really great, my boss especially is fantastic.
Summer is still slowly creeping in around here, the nights are so cool that plants are behind in their regular plant-y schedules. From the flowers in the field next to my home, you'd think it was early spring. The bushes by the fence are actually packed with blueberries and the little plants are covered in itty bitty still-green berries. I'm hoping they can mature well and that I'll get to feast on their deliciousness.
Another perk to my home is that my front door and kitchen window faces East and I get to see the sun rise as I get ready for work. Some people really dislike early mornings, but there's something about those really early mornings, before most people are awake and the world is heavy with the hushed stillness. The air is still cool and crisp and fresh. My bike rides to work really perk me up and make me feel alive. My life is simple here, and I like it that way. I'm happy, and I hope you are too. Cheers!
Top - Purchased on Etsy from Aliya & Lucas
Belt - Gift from Heather
Skirt - Purchased at Rag Time in Ottawa
Shoes - From my grandmother
After work I had the time to sneak in a little power nap before heading to North Bay for a bit of shopping. I'm used to working in tank tops but my current workplace requires sleeves and so I nabbed some cheap t-shirts and comfy sweat pants in which to work without having to worry about staining them or getting covered in flour. Bakery work is a lot messier than restaurant work most of the time, especially when you're as messy as I am.
Summer is still slowly creeping in around here, the nights are so cool that plants are behind in their regular plant-y schedules. From the flowers in the field next to my home, you'd think it was early spring. The bushes by the fence are actually packed with blueberries and the little plants are covered in itty bitty still-green berries. I'm hoping they can mature well and that I'll get to feast on their deliciousness.
Another perk to my home is that my front door and kitchen window faces East and I get to see the sun rise as I get ready for work. Some people really dislike early mornings, but there's something about those really early mornings, before most people are awake and the world is heavy with the hushed stillness. The air is still cool and crisp and fresh. My bike rides to work really perk me up and make me feel alive. My life is simple here, and I like it that way. I'm happy, and I hope you are too. Cheers!
Thursday, May 16, 2013
Catch Up
The weather can't seem to make up its mind these days. Sunny and warm, cool and gloomy. But always windy. It's difficult to make any sort of lasting outdoor plans. Before I forget I even took them though, I'll post these old outfit photos from back in late April. If I remember, it was snowing that day. Oh Canada...
I'm attempting a no-shampoo method of cleaning my hair now. A mix of baking soda, water and a few drops of essential oils. Already I'm making my own face wash, face scrub and deodorant, so hopefully this hair cleansing method works out too. I'm really liking the natural ingredients, it always feels so harsh and odd going back to chemical-filled products. Anyway, I hope you are all having a good week so far. Cheers!
Blouse - Thrifted from the Salvation Army
Dress as skirt - Thrifted from Value Village
Shoes - Thrifted from Value Village
I recently finally had my hair trimmed and got rid of a few inches of badly split and frayed ends. My hair is still more than long but I miss that length nonetheless. I imagine I'll just keep growing it out again, I just need to stay on top of keeping it properly trimmed.
I'm attempting a no-shampoo method of cleaning my hair now. A mix of baking soda, water and a few drops of essential oils. Already I'm making my own face wash, face scrub and deodorant, so hopefully this hair cleansing method works out too. I'm really liking the natural ingredients, it always feels so harsh and odd going back to chemical-filled products. Anyway, I hope you are all having a good week so far. Cheers!
Friday, April 26, 2013
Floral Maiden
Why I've never worn this red skirt with this top before is beyond me, because it looks lovely. If I may say so! I've already fallen behind in posting my outfits - big surprise - so this is from a few days ago. I didn't do much that day, just went to another small town with my grandmother and great-aunt. The later got her hair permed while my grandmother and I tooled around wasting time. It's nice being near family again, even for simple stuff like that.
Blouse - Purchased from Aliya & Lucas on Etsy
Belt - Gift from Heather
Skirt - Thrifted from Value Village
Moccasins - Sears
It's a gorgeous day out today, sunny and comfortably warm. I might get out for a short bicycle ride later this evening, after my father and I go for a chip. It's just too bad with all the rain we've been getting lately, the water is so high, but the lake still hasn't broken its ice. It's messing up fishing opportunities. Apparently the smelts have already begun running but trying to catch them in an overflowing creek isn't exactly easy. Looks like I'll have to wait another year before I can go smelting. I hope you all have a great Friday! Cheers!
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Mustard Greens
Tomorrow I have an interview at a local bakery, which if I'm lucky will lead to a good job. I've got my fingers crossed! They were looking for someone with two to three years experience but I'm hoping my Basic Pastry certificate will help me out there. Clearly I'm good enough to at least call in for an interview. We'll see how it goes.
It was a gorgeous day yesterday, but I woke earlier than usual to spend time with my friend and her baby, and after a large sushi meal that evening all I wanted to do was nap. I slept right through the time I'd planned to go biking haha, but ah well, I guess I needed it. There's a whole summer ahead for me to enjoy outdoors. I hope you are all having a good week. Cheers!
Blouse - Thrifted from Value Village
Skirt - Thrifted from Value Village
Belt - Second-hand shop
Shoes - Bayshore Mall, years ago
It's raining like mad outside, has been since last night, and it's supposed to keep raining for several days. My front door has been leaking too, which is rather unpleasant but at least it's nothing extremely serious and it should be fixed soon enough. I just wish it would stop precipitating long enough for me to go biking again! If it's not snow, it's rain, and if not rain, snow! Bleh!
It was a gorgeous day yesterday, but I woke earlier than usual to spend time with my friend and her baby, and after a large sushi meal that evening all I wanted to do was nap. I slept right through the time I'd planned to go biking haha, but ah well, I guess I needed it. There's a whole summer ahead for me to enjoy outdoors. I hope you are all having a good week. Cheers!
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
Mane Musings
If this outfit looks oddly familiar, it's because I wore the skirt and shirt together styled quite differently back in February. The first time around, I knotted the blouse and wore the skirt higher up so it would hit me roughly knee-length. This time I wore the pieces to give a longer silhouette. The belt was necessary or else I would have just been wearing a giant flowing sac!
Not that I don't love my long hair. I wouldn't have worn it this way for so many years if I didn't! But while cutting bangs in December spiced things up, I'm itching for another change. While I don't do a lot to my hair other than wash and comb it, it's still pretty demanding. It knots easily, frizzes up in humid weather and takes ages to air-dry! I'm constantly brushing it during the day. Maybe I'm just super extra lazy, but I'd like to be able to go out on a windy day without worrying about being blinded by my hair. Or whether or not my hair will fall over my shoulders and into open flame / food / someone's mouth.
Not to mention I look frazzled and disheveled most of the time. My hair may as well be styled in a way that plays that up instead of it just making me look well... frazzled and disheveled. I've spent a few hours going through tons of photos and I've settled on two looks I'm considering if I do take this hair chopping plunge. The first is shorter, and can be worn fussed up or smooth.The second is slightly longer but again is messy and cute. I'm leaning toward the second... it looks like something that would take half a minute's worth of fussing and a handful of hair mousse to fix up in the morning, which is right up my alley.
Some people might go halfway first and cut their hair to shoulder or chin length... But that's not how I do things. It's all the way or no way, so far as I'm concerned. I just know it would drive me mad to have hair flipping around my shoulders and it not being long enough to tie up, and long enough to tie is just still too long to even consider it worth cutting. If that makes sense. And my hair is so thin anyway, it's not really meant to be this long. Anywho. Hair rambles. I hope you're all having a good week. Cheers!
Shirt - Thrifted from Value Village
Belt - From Heather
Skirt - Thrifted from the Salvation Army
Shoes - Lulu's
Not too long ago I contemplated hennaing my hair a crazy red. The urge passed (mostly because I don't think hazel eyes and red hair jive). Then this morning I read Kate's post about buzzing her hair, and it got me wanting to cut my own. Short. Very short.
Which it used to be, in my mid-teens. Now with summer coming, I'm not
looking forward to all this hair being heavy and humid and hot on my
skin. Last summer I spent most days with my hair up in a tight bun
because I couldn't stand having it down, it was just too hot and sticky.
Short would be nice and refreshing.
Not that I don't love my long hair. I wouldn't have worn it this way for so many years if I didn't! But while cutting bangs in December spiced things up, I'm itching for another change. While I don't do a lot to my hair other than wash and comb it, it's still pretty demanding. It knots easily, frizzes up in humid weather and takes ages to air-dry! I'm constantly brushing it during the day. Maybe I'm just super extra lazy, but I'd like to be able to go out on a windy day without worrying about being blinded by my hair. Or whether or not my hair will fall over my shoulders and into open flame / food / someone's mouth.
Not to mention I look frazzled and disheveled most of the time. My hair may as well be styled in a way that plays that up instead of it just making me look well... frazzled and disheveled. I've spent a few hours going through tons of photos and I've settled on two looks I'm considering if I do take this hair chopping plunge. The first is shorter, and can be worn fussed up or smooth.The second is slightly longer but again is messy and cute. I'm leaning toward the second... it looks like something that would take half a minute's worth of fussing and a handful of hair mousse to fix up in the morning, which is right up my alley.
Some people might go halfway first and cut their hair to shoulder or chin length... But that's not how I do things. It's all the way or no way, so far as I'm concerned. I just know it would drive me mad to have hair flipping around my shoulders and it not being long enough to tie up, and long enough to tie is just still too long to even consider it worth cutting. If that makes sense. And my hair is so thin anyway, it's not really meant to be this long. Anywho. Hair rambles. I hope you're all having a good week. Cheers!
Monday, April 30, 2012
Zounds!
This outfit surprised even me. I wore it to go to the Orchid show with my friends and it took about two minutes before one of them exclaimed... "Hey, Célynne's wearing pants!" The only reason I was comfortable like this (and I still felt rather naked) was because my blouse covered most of what bothers me being seen. Also is it just me or do the people who make jeggings assume we are all 6 feet tall? Because these are a size Small and I've still got oodles of material pooling around my ankles and knees.
I'd be lying if I said seeing these things - marriages and babies - happening in the lives of my friends didn't make me sad. While I am overjoyed that these wonderful people are achieving these happy points in their lives, I'm also mourning them a little. Anybody who's had friends have kids knows what I'm talking about. No matter how hard you and they try, it's always going to be different, and very much so.
I knew 2012 was going to hold a lot of changes for me - felt it true in my bones - but I never thought I would be going through such an intense personal transformation again. Imagine sitting in front of a huge pile of building blocks, with the task of building who you want to be, but without clear plans on how to do it. (Maybe your snot-nosed cousin tore up the instructions?) You work your way up, only to realize you made a mistake, or you don't like something, or you get a better idea. It's a fluid work in progress with more than one outcome and none of them need to be final. Right now, I'm taking blocks down, turning them around in my hands, and trying to imagine the next thing I want to build with them.
Blouse - Purchased from Cookies and Crème Vintage on Etsy
Belt - Déjà New consignment shop in Ottawa
Jeggings - Hue
Shoes - Hush Puppies from Sears
My weekend was a whirlwind. I attended a friend's baby shower on Saturday. It was the first time our girl group had been together in its entirety in years (well, our 6th musketeer is out in Alberta!) and it amazed me how much we had changed and yet stayed the same. One friend brought along her seven (!) year old daughter and it blew my mind once again that my friends are parents and wives and husbands. I keep forgetting we're adults.
I'd be lying if I said seeing these things - marriages and babies - happening in the lives of my friends didn't make me sad. While I am overjoyed that these wonderful people are achieving these happy points in their lives, I'm also mourning them a little. Anybody who's had friends have kids knows what I'm talking about. No matter how hard you and they try, it's always going to be different, and very much so.
It's everything from having less time and less money, to new priorities and new people. Parents spend a lot of time with other parents. Because us single folks can only take so much diaper-talk and I gather parents can only take so much of hearing about the life they can't live anymore. I'm okay with their choices and where their lives take them - their life is theirs to live after all - but I'll miss the way things used to be nonetheless.
I knew 2012 was going to hold a lot of changes for me - felt it true in my bones - but I never thought I would be going through such an intense personal transformation again. Imagine sitting in front of a huge pile of building blocks, with the task of building who you want to be, but without clear plans on how to do it. (Maybe your snot-nosed cousin tore up the instructions?) You work your way up, only to realize you made a mistake, or you don't like something, or you get a better idea. It's a fluid work in progress with more than one outcome and none of them need to be final. Right now, I'm taking blocks down, turning them around in my hands, and trying to imagine the next thing I want to build with them.
There have been a few false starts and I haven't built up much further than my personal foundations, but at least those are solid and dependable now. My structure will have a dependable base upon which to be built, and that gives everything I put into this a better chance of success. I'm also learning to trade building blocks with others, for parts we each might need. Yeah, I'm really digging this metaphor! I hope it makes some sort of sense haha... Anyway, I hope you all had a great weekend and that your Monday is going well. Cheers!
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Not My Spots
I thoroughly enjoyed this outfit while I wore it, but I'm not a huge fan looking back at the photos now. This is not something I will be wearing twice. How I ever thought those shoes went with the rest of the outfit is beyond me!
Tomorrow I head back to my home town for the first time since Christmas. I won't be there long, less than 48 hours, but a dear friend of mine is having her baby shower on Saturday and I wouldn't miss that for anything. So many of my friends are getting married and/or having babies this year. There are three wedding invitations sitting on my desk waiting for replies. It's overwhelming and scary and I'm not even the one getting married or having kids! I am more than happy to sit back and be the token single childless friend for quite a long while to come. That was always my favourite character in sappy chick flicks; the wild one who's life never manages to fall into the old traps. Anyway, my weekend starts early tomorrow so I'll wish you all a happy weekend now. Cheers!
Blouse - Thrifted from Value Village
Skirt - Thrifted from Value Village
Hippo earrings - Thrifted from Value Village
Shoes - Lulu's
It's sort of annoying that these shoes cost more than every other item in my outfit combined. And they weren't even that pricey, so far as shoes go. I've done pretty good thrifting shoes in the past, and some of my time-tested walkable sandals have been thrifted. It's difficult with footwear though, for reasons from sizing to limited options compared to clothing, and whether or not the shoe is even sanitary.
I was yesterday picking up some necessities - coffee and sugah - when I spotted a display rack selling bubble-soap bottles and tubs of sidewalk chalk. It took me half a minute to decide whether my good idea was indeed a good idea, and I was soon adding both to my basket. Then I happily scurried home to draw on the patio stones out on my terrace!
It was early evening in Chinatown as I drew, and the sun was finally out after a day that had started with rain and chill winds. I could hear workmen down on the sidewalk yelling in an Asian language - I can't tell Cantonese from Mandarin if my life depends on it - and birds were chirping and zipping around in the sky. The gentle breeze tickled my skin and the air smelled like delicious fried foods and growing green plants. I experienced a lot more than the chalk in my hand while I drew, and I felt wonderfully calm and grounded after it all. I think this deserves repeating in the future. Plus it's just nice to see the drawings when I look outside.
Tomorrow I head back to my home town for the first time since Christmas. I won't be there long, less than 48 hours, but a dear friend of mine is having her baby shower on Saturday and I wouldn't miss that for anything. So many of my friends are getting married and/or having babies this year. There are three wedding invitations sitting on my desk waiting for replies. It's overwhelming and scary and I'm not even the one getting married or having kids! I am more than happy to sit back and be the token single childless friend for quite a long while to come. That was always my favourite character in sappy chick flicks; the wild one who's life never manages to fall into the old traps. Anyway, my weekend starts early tomorrow so I'll wish you all a happy weekend now. Cheers!
Monday, April 23, 2012
Wait... it's snowing?!
As I type this, fat, wet fluffy snow flakes fall from the April sky. Just a week ago I was traipsing about bare-legged and bare-armed as if it were already mid-July. Of course it was too soon. My parents told me they got a foot of snow at their end! A whole foot! I remember there being a huge snow storm at the end of May a few years ago though so I guess snow in April isn't that wacky. Certainly no wackier than that weird week of summery heat we had back in March.
The orchid show I went to yesterday was really neat, and I took a ton of photos. Their colours and shapes never cease to amaze me. Oh, to have a green thumb! Plants and I don't get along too well; I do much better raising little eight-legged things than I do things with roots. I hope you're all having a good Monday. Cheers!
Lace blouse - Thrifted from Value Village
Red top - Fairweather, years ago
Pleated skirt - Thrifted from Value Village
Tights - No idea
Shoes - Thrifted from Value Village
I've had this black lace blouse for ages, at least six months, but this is the first time I wear it. Shoved at the back of a drawer stuffed to capacity with clothes, it was a case of out of sight, out of mind. Whenever I'd spot it while digging around, I'd make a mental note to wear it soon, but it took me a long time to get around to it!
I never thought I would ever own a pleated skirt, but there's a first time for everything. I'm not used to wearing items with hems so high up my leg. Yes, to me, this is showing a lot of leg. And I'm wearing tights for Pete's sake! I think I've spent too many winter months smothered under layers that I'm sometimes petrified lest anybody see my actual shape.
The orchid show I went to yesterday was really neat, and I took a ton of photos. Their colours and shapes never cease to amaze me. Oh, to have a green thumb! Plants and I don't get along too well; I do much better raising little eight-legged things than I do things with roots. I hope you're all having a good Monday. Cheers!
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Mall Rat
I wore this outfit last Saturday, for breakfast with family and to do some running around in the Rideau Centre mall with my visiting aunt. Clearly I have more clothes than I need when I haven't worn this skirt or this top since last year. I mean, I'm still keeping them both, but I definitely have too much clothing. Or maybe my problem is simply that I have too little time to wear the clothing. Yes, that's my problem: too little time for all my clothes!
I'm probably much too bothered by the small spot on the bottom middle of my shirt. I dropped a tomato piece on it while eating breakfast, and it didn't really show, until it was subjected to my camera flash. Darn tomato, leaving its mark! I'm not usually a huge fan of billowy and draping tops, but this one is fun. (Kiss! <3 Oh Gene Simmons, how your mad Bass skills awe me!)
These photos really make me wish I hadn't cut my bangs so short. I'm due for an actual professional hair cut though, so I'm probably going to just let them grow out and then have my hair dresser fix the horrors I have done to my hair since I last went in December. (Okay, I haven't done anything that bad, but I'm not thrilled about how my hair looks right now either. I'm seriously contemplating growing the suckers back out again, actually.)
Tonight is the final class of our beginner level belly dance classes... I'm signing up for the next intermediate level, it's just too much fun to stop. I'm excited for learning more complex moves, but I'm also nervous. My limbs have got minds of their own and often times they just wind up flailing in every direction rather than being graceful and actually performing the move. I will be the master of you yet, flailing limbs!
I can't wait for the weekend. The weather is going to be gorgeous and ridiculously (unnaturally) warm and it's going to be lovely. I'm attending a ladies poker and potluck night at a dear friend's on Friday, and then on Saturday I'll be spending the afternoon with my grandmother's twelve year old granddaughter (we aren't blood-relatives). She came with us to the mall and she seems to like me and and wants to meet my pets. Hopefully my plans of baking muffins together and taking a stroll through Little Italy for a sweet treat sounds good to her. I was nothing like her when I was twelve so I'm kind of flying blind in the entertaining-tweens department. I hope you're all having a good week so far. Cheers!
Top - Forever 21
Skirt - Thrifted from Value Village
Leggings - Sirens maybe?
Flats - Ardene's
I'm probably much too bothered by the small spot on the bottom middle of my shirt. I dropped a tomato piece on it while eating breakfast, and it didn't really show, until it was subjected to my camera flash. Darn tomato, leaving its mark! I'm not usually a huge fan of billowy and draping tops, but this one is fun. (Kiss! <3 Oh Gene Simmons, how your mad Bass skills awe me!)
These photos really make me wish I hadn't cut my bangs so short. I'm due for an actual professional hair cut though, so I'm probably going to just let them grow out and then have my hair dresser fix the horrors I have done to my hair since I last went in December. (Okay, I haven't done anything that bad, but I'm not thrilled about how my hair looks right now either. I'm seriously contemplating growing the suckers back out again, actually.)
Tonight is the final class of our beginner level belly dance classes... I'm signing up for the next intermediate level, it's just too much fun to stop. I'm excited for learning more complex moves, but I'm also nervous. My limbs have got minds of their own and often times they just wind up flailing in every direction rather than being graceful and actually performing the move. I will be the master of you yet, flailing limbs!
I can't wait for the weekend. The weather is going to be gorgeous and ridiculously (unnaturally) warm and it's going to be lovely. I'm attending a ladies poker and potluck night at a dear friend's on Friday, and then on Saturday I'll be spending the afternoon with my grandmother's twelve year old granddaughter (we aren't blood-relatives). She came with us to the mall and she seems to like me and and wants to meet my pets. Hopefully my plans of baking muffins together and taking a stroll through Little Italy for a sweet treat sounds good to her. I was nothing like her when I was twelve so I'm kind of flying blind in the entertaining-tweens department. I hope you're all having a good week so far. Cheers!
Friday, March 9, 2012
Changing Times
I've noticed the last few months that my taste in blogs has been changing. For a while I was reading a lot of style blogs and fashion blogs, some with more intellectual content than others. Somewhere along the way, I started discovering more blogs about things like self-love, style and feminism, health and exercise and many less 'shallow' subjects. Then at some point, those kind of took over.
I still read my old favourites, as well as some new loves, but I have to admit that I'm losing interest in most others. My list of unread blog posts in Bloglovin is up around 150 and as I scroll through the titles, so few of them pique my interest. I feel a little guilty, because I started following them all for very good reasons. The women are bright, intelligent, creative, stylish, caring, friendly, inspiring... and I can't help but feel like I'm missing out. Yet I still don't read the posts.
I'm no less interested in style - I enjoy clothes now on myself and others more than ever - but I am less interested in the rampant consumerism and commercialism I see everywhere. It's almost impossible to read style blogs without winding up on a clothing website or scrolling through the shoe sales pages somewhere.
It really bothers me seeing young women being sent items from companies, to the point where their outfits are entirely comprised of 'care of' items. Most of them are too young to realize they're being used as free advertising. The pittance spent sending out pairs of shoes or tops saves companies thousands of dollars in formal advertising. And those 16-17-18 year olds have no clue, neither the ones wearing the items, or those happily eating it up and running out to buy more of the same.
Too often I'm also seeing fat-shaming, and an obsession with weight loss, becoming thinner, overly-expensive beauty products and well... just lots of things I disagree with and dislike. I support creativity, stepping outside the box, being a unique individual with different tastes, diversity and an open mind. Go take a stroll through any large mall though, and people look like clones of each other most of the time. I think the kicker is when I see someone wearing an item I was looking at in a store, but dismissed for being cheap, overpriced and mass produced. Moments like those remind me why I thrift and buy vintage.
I guess what I'm getting at with all of this is that, for the most part, I've moved on to another stage in my life, at least blog-wise. I'm more interested in content about emotions, self-love, desires, sex, life challenges, goals, health, exercise, food and eating habits, and things that add to my life. And while it can be nice to get a little outfit inspiration, I'd rather read something that inspires people to do something greater, be it starting to exercise regularly in a healthy manner or to stop thinking negative thoughts about our bodies.
If any of this stuff sounds like something you would like to start reading about (and if you follow Sal's blog, you've probably seen some of these before) here are some of my favourites. I really think any woman can gain from the voices of these strong female writers.
I've been putting off going through my blog list and cleaning things up, distinguishing what I really really love from what I just feel meh about. Reading blogs should not be an onerous chore and until I get that done, it's going to feel that way. I really hope some of you do check out these blogs, they shone light on a lot of things for me. I wish you all a super awesome weekend. Cheers!
Blouse - Thrifted from the Salvation Army
Skirt - Thrifted from Value Village
Boots - Some sports store
I still read my old favourites, as well as some new loves, but I have to admit that I'm losing interest in most others. My list of unread blog posts in Bloglovin is up around 150 and as I scroll through the titles, so few of them pique my interest. I feel a little guilty, because I started following them all for very good reasons. The women are bright, intelligent, creative, stylish, caring, friendly, inspiring... and I can't help but feel like I'm missing out. Yet I still don't read the posts.
I'm no less interested in style - I enjoy clothes now on myself and others more than ever - but I am less interested in the rampant consumerism and commercialism I see everywhere. It's almost impossible to read style blogs without winding up on a clothing website or scrolling through the shoe sales pages somewhere.
It really bothers me seeing young women being sent items from companies, to the point where their outfits are entirely comprised of 'care of' items. Most of them are too young to realize they're being used as free advertising. The pittance spent sending out pairs of shoes or tops saves companies thousands of dollars in formal advertising. And those 16-17-18 year olds have no clue, neither the ones wearing the items, or those happily eating it up and running out to buy more of the same.
Too often I'm also seeing fat-shaming, and an obsession with weight loss, becoming thinner, overly-expensive beauty products and well... just lots of things I disagree with and dislike. I support creativity, stepping outside the box, being a unique individual with different tastes, diversity and an open mind. Go take a stroll through any large mall though, and people look like clones of each other most of the time. I think the kicker is when I see someone wearing an item I was looking at in a store, but dismissed for being cheap, overpriced and mass produced. Moments like those remind me why I thrift and buy vintage.
I guess what I'm getting at with all of this is that, for the most part, I've moved on to another stage in my life, at least blog-wise. I'm more interested in content about emotions, self-love, desires, sex, life challenges, goals, health, exercise, food and eating habits, and things that add to my life. And while it can be nice to get a little outfit inspiration, I'd rather read something that inspires people to do something greater, be it starting to exercise regularly in a healthy manner or to stop thinking negative thoughts about our bodies.
If any of this stuff sounds like something you would like to start reading about (and if you follow Sal's blog, you've probably seen some of these before) here are some of my favourites. I really think any woman can gain from the voices of these strong female writers.
I've been putting off going through my blog list and cleaning things up, distinguishing what I really really love from what I just feel meh about. Reading blogs should not be an onerous chore and until I get that done, it's going to feel that way. I really hope some of you do check out these blogs, they shone light on a lot of things for me. I wish you all a super awesome weekend. Cheers!
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
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.
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!
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!
Friday, January 20, 2012
Mustard and Fries
I can't be the only one who eats french fries with mustard, right? I used to do that a lot in high school especially, to keep other people from stealing my fries haha... My current favourite mustard thing is this blouse, which I thrifted last Sunday. It had shoulders pads, but I quickly snipped those out. I've been seeing bloggers wearing mustard-everything for ages now. I'd never been super drawn to it but when this shirt appeared for $5, I couldn't argue. I could however, forgo ironing out all the wrinkles, because gravity eventually does that for me.
This outfit feels very early-80's to me. Like I should be running around some old school typewriter-filled office, chasing after my boss with a stack of papers and a coffee. I really love how the bright colour of my skirt looks with the mustard though. Trust me to choose, of all colours possible to pair with mustard, a bright violet.
The above photos prove how bad I am at taking photographs with true colours, and at editing said photos. I don't know what I did to that close up shot but that is definitely not the skirt's true colour. I'm glad I took the photos the night before though, because when I put these tights on again the next day, there were two significantly-sized holes in one leg. Which is weird since I'd never even worn them before trying them on the night before. Ah well!
One of my friends had a pile of jewelery she was trying to give away and I picked up these and another pair of earrings. I'll probably be trying to give away some stuff soon too, or maybe re-sell. I plan on going through my closet and dresser this weekend, including trying everything on to make certain it still fits. I know a lot of my dresses are probably way too big for me now, but I'm really not looking forward to the reality of parting with some of my vintage beauties.
I'm so very happy it's Friday. I plan on spending most of the weekend at home, doing nice relaxing home things. This has been a crazy busy month in general for me. I'm looking forward to baking some mushroom-dill muffins, and finally getting my closet in order. I hope you all have a great weekend too. Cheers!
Blouse - Thrifted from Value Village
Skirt - Thrifted from the Salvation Army
Belt - Ardene's
Tights - Christmas gift
Heels - Lulu's
This outfit feels very early-80's to me. Like I should be running around some old school typewriter-filled office, chasing after my boss with a stack of papers and a coffee. I really love how the bright colour of my skirt looks with the mustard though. Trust me to choose, of all colours possible to pair with mustard, a bright violet.
The above photos prove how bad I am at taking photographs with true colours, and at editing said photos. I don't know what I did to that close up shot but that is definitely not the skirt's true colour. I'm glad I took the photos the night before though, because when I put these tights on again the next day, there were two significantly-sized holes in one leg. Which is weird since I'd never even worn them before trying them on the night before. Ah well!
One of my friends had a pile of jewelery she was trying to give away and I picked up these and another pair of earrings. I'll probably be trying to give away some stuff soon too, or maybe re-sell. I plan on going through my closet and dresser this weekend, including trying everything on to make certain it still fits. I know a lot of my dresses are probably way too big for me now, but I'm really not looking forward to the reality of parting with some of my vintage beauties.
I'm so very happy it's Friday. I plan on spending most of the weekend at home, doing nice relaxing home things. This has been a crazy busy month in general for me. I'm looking forward to baking some mushroom-dill muffins, and finally getting my closet in order. I hope you all have a great weekend too. Cheers!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
A Month Ago
These photos are from back on December 4th. I wore this out for breakfast (that has got to be my favourite meal to eat out) with my old room mate and his fiance. It feels a bit weird seeing myself without bangs now, even though I've only had them since a few days before Christmas. It's funny how quickly we can get accustomed to something.
I liked this outfit at the time but it's not something I'll ever be wearing again. I like the skirt, but it doesn't feel particularly me, bar on the rare occasion. To be honest, I think the last time I wore it before this was about this time last year! Maybe it'll be relegated to the donate pile during my next closet clean out... which I would really need to do soon... Then I can acquire a more me-friendly black maxi skirt. (I swear someday I'll have a rainbow in prairie skirts!)
I spent most of last Friday with my grandparents again. We went out for lunch, did a bit of shopping, played some card games at their place and had a nice dinner. They both fell asleep in their chairs afterward (she with her knitting, he the TV remote) and woke up half an hour later to find me quietly reading. They're too cute, I'm so happy to have them.
I have blog posts to read from way back on December 22nd... woops! I don't have much in terms of photos to post about my holidays, but I ate lots of delicious food and spent time with lots of wonderful people and that's what counts. Now I just need to catch up and find out what all you good folks have been up to... I hope you're all having a lovely week. Cheers!
Blouse - Gift from Heather
Belt - Gift from Heather
Skirt - Thrifted from Value Village
Boots - A shop on Sparks Street
I liked this outfit at the time but it's not something I'll ever be wearing again. I like the skirt, but it doesn't feel particularly me, bar on the rare occasion. To be honest, I think the last time I wore it before this was about this time last year! Maybe it'll be relegated to the donate pile during my next closet clean out... which I would really need to do soon... Then I can acquire a more me-friendly black maxi skirt. (I swear someday I'll have a rainbow in prairie skirts!)
I spent most of last Friday with my grandparents again. We went out for lunch, did a bit of shopping, played some card games at their place and had a nice dinner. They both fell asleep in their chairs afterward (she with her knitting, he the TV remote) and woke up half an hour later to find me quietly reading. They're too cute, I'm so happy to have them.
I have blog posts to read from way back on December 22nd... woops! I don't have much in terms of photos to post about my holidays, but I ate lots of delicious food and spent time with lots of wonderful people and that's what counts. Now I just need to catch up and find out what all you good folks have been up to... I hope you're all having a lovely week. Cheers!