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!

 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!

It's a Parrot Party

It felt wonderful to wear this romper out in the warm weather. For some reason I didn't get around to wearing it much last year, hopefully I do so more this time around. My weekend was crazy busy. I think I got about five hours of sleep in a span of 48 hours at one point. I headed out dancing on Friday night and things just rolled along and the next thing I knew the sun was rising and the sky had the soft fuzzy cotton look that comes with dawn.

Romper - Purchased from Reluctant Damsel on Etsy

Sandals - Sears

The ironic part is that I kept saying I had to take it easy and have an earlier night because I was going to an open house at Ottawa's Cordon Bleu at ten the next morning. I still attended the info session, but I was running on a two and a half hour nap haha... I felt better whenever I was moving, so the forty five minute walks there and back were really quite enjoyable. The sun was out, the birds were chirping and there was a lovely breeze. It was still early enough for the earth to have that cool morning feeling to it. I was pretty miserable sitting inside but I'm glad I attended the session. I'm still see-sawing between Pastry and Cuisine, now more towards the first than the later. It's so hard choosing.

I had the opportunity to see the kitchens and talk to some of the Chefs, as well as see one of them make chocolate boxes right in front of us. All of the teachers are French Chefs from France and they all have that typical French accent, which amuses me to no end. They seem like a bunch of great characters and teachers. I really want to attend. I'm also waffling between taking just the beginner level and seeing about doing the rest later, or doing the whole Pastry diplôme in one chunk. The problem with doing it all at once is I'd run out of money to live on midway and I don't think I could work and learn at the same time. Not to mention having to take out another ten grands worth of student loans. Me no likey debt.

I'm hoping that having the beginner certificate will be enough to help me along for a while. And as much as I love both baking and cooking, I don't want to be a world renowned chef. I have no interest in touring the world or working in a fancy five star restaurant. I just like making tasty things and feeding people. Not to mention I am totally okay with washing dishes or sweeping floors in a bakery if that gets me in and lets me watch experienced bakers. I am not willing to be someone's office bitch admin assistant though, because I have no interest in moving up in that kind of environment and see no worth in the work.

It reads: A Bad Day on Vacation Always Beats A Good Day At Work!

Now finally I can explain the post's title. A few weeks back I walked by a shop called Fab Gear 64 on Wellington and saw this purse in the window. The shop was closed at the time but it had gotten my attention and the purse (okay, more like giant tote, but I say purse) was calling me. A few days later I walked by again while the shop was open, went in, fell in love and brought it home. Yes. It is covered in crazy partying parrots. My friend said they remind her of elderly people in Miami. They're having a good time though, and I dig it!

This thing is huge and glaring and sticks out. But I love it ever so much. It helps that it is both machine washable and has a wipe-down canvas interior while still being lightweight, perfect for my summer adventuring. Plus it has frigging partying parrots on it, how can it get any better?! I'm now living by their example and just having a good time as much as possible! I think they would approve of my past weekend.

In less than two weeks, my friend Laura and I will be selling crafty things at the Ravenswing Craft and Zine Fair here in Ottawa. Of course I've been procrastinating and am probably more behind in a few projects than I should be, but it's not the end of the world, I always manage to work things out in the end. It should be a great time. I hope you are all having a good Monday. 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!

Big Blue

Happy Friday everyone! Today's weather was really crappy, freezing rain for the first part, and then tons of snow later in the evening. It's no surprise all I want to do is cozy up in my new favourite sweater. I found it thrifting with my grandparents a few weekends ago. It's handmade, too!

Sweater - Thrifted from Value Village

Slippers - Ardene's

We stumbled upon a few other handmade pieces, but some weren't quite properly constructed. I think someone was learning and decided to donate all their not-quite-right attempts to the thrift store. This was labeled extra large, and it is rather big on me, but it's so cozy I had to take it home.

I'm going out for dinner with my grandparents and aunt and uncle tomorrow evening, to the Fish Market. It's going to be the first time I see my aunt in nearly a decade, so that's more than wonderful. I've already decided to wear my lovely vintage dress from Heather for the occasion.

I've had my future, in terms of work and life, on the mind a lot the last little while. I'm unhappy in my career but I'm struggling at getting out of this stage in my life and moving forward. I'm having a very hard time pinning down a goal to point myself towards. As you can imagine, that can be a little stressful. I'm really looking forward to just surrounding myself with warm, loving, encouraging people tomorrow and getting my mind off it. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. May the weather treat you better than it is me! 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!