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!

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!

Blouse- Purchased from Aliya & Lucas on Etsy

Skirt - Purchased in Paris, France

Belt - Gift from Heather
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!

Still Here

I fell off the face of the earth for a while... But there's been a lot going on in my life and frankly, I just haven't had the time or interest to post on the blog very much. Today I just happened to really like my outfit and made the effort to take a few shots. So here. The end.

Procrastinator

I'm really quite a horrible procrastinator. Usually in theory it's not so bad because I just envision myself doing in the future when I know I will have time, but then between the future and now, something else comes up to take up that time and leaves me in a bind. Like the position in which I am currently, where I have a five page essay due Tuesday with only two written up, and basically Sunday is the only time I have to work on it now.

 Jacket - Vintage, purchased in Paris, France

Dress - Thrifted from Value Village

Shoes - Thrifted from Value Village

It also means that these outfit photos are from back on October 18th, three weeks ago. It seems my active interest in blogging waxes and wanes, as does my time available to do it. And really I should probably be working on my essay right now heh, but hey, procrastinator!

I'm out of saved up outfit photos after these ones too so I suppose I'll just have to stop being lazy and take photos again. Now that winter is setting in, and that I've started up a part-time job (I'll mention that some other time) I have less time to photograph even less outfits. There's not much point in getting all dressed up if I'm going to just take it all off to put on my chef whites. But anyway... I need to work on that essay. Cheers!

Belgian Beauty

I absolutely adore this dress. It came to me by shear chance and luck. Had circumstances been even slightly different, it might still be back in Europe. On my last day in Brussels, in Belgium, I stopped at a vintage shop during my last few hours in the city and brought this gorgeous frock home with me.

Dress - Vintage shop in Brussels, Belgium

Shoes - Gift from my grandmother

Four of the seams were coming undone - the thread so old it just couldn't hold any more - and it took some time and care, but she's good as new now. I'm not usually one for lace and rick rack but somehow on this dress it just works for me and I adore it so.

Even the two loud prints - one floral, one of berries - mesh together happily. Often times when I wear vintage, I'll get compliments on my dress. This one in particular garners more silence than the rest, but it's not your typical classic piece either. That's fine with me, I'm still overjoyed it's mine! Cheers!

Sunny Spider Belly

It's still taking getting used to the fact the sun sets so early now. Every year, it seems so sudden, and I don't know why that is. You'd swear the change happens all at once. I come out of evening classes and it's dark. My drives to early classes are in the dark. I don't mind it for sleeping in, but I love sunshine too, and winters are hard for this.

Dress - From A Cat of Impossible Colour on Etsy

Mocassins - Sears

I'm still so happy with how this dress turned out. Shortening it seemed more complicated than it actually was and this high low hem is so much fun. Maybe I'll do more sewing projects over the winter. I know I want to work on my quilt but I think I'm going to make smaller lap quilts instead of the large one I had first intended a few years ago. That's less intimidating.

My adult female Grammostola rosea tarantula molted about two weeks ago. I was able to see her start, flipped over on her back like this, but I had class and missed most of it. She was free from her old exuvium and stretching out by the time I got home. It's just a shame because she only molts every 2-3 years now so it's a rare occurrence. Next time, I guess! Well I'd best get ready for my day. Cheers!

Sundown Sand Boa

The rain is coming down again today, so my pumpkin-picking trip with friend and baby is postponed until tomorrow. I don't mind too much, having a lazy day in my pajamas feels good. My parents, grandmother and I went for a dinner at my college's culinary-student run restaurant last evening. I was gifted a paid meal for four there and it was absolutely delicious.

Top - Thrifted from The Salvation Army

Dress as Skirt - Purchased from Sally Jane Vintage on Etsy

Leggings - Ardene's

Shoes - Gift from grandmother

It was a really nice way to end my week of mid-terms. Next week is reading week so I have no classes. Time to relax! I have one essay I want to work on but otherwise, I plan to spend my time relaxing, visiting friends and family, and making good food. I'm going to clean out of my animal room and attempt to organize it as best as I can. I still don't have a garden shed so I think I'll just box up my things and bring them over to my grandmother's, since she said I could store things there.

My lovely female Kenyan Sand Boa has finally reached her full adult size. From this point, she may get fatter, but she won't get much longer. She's such an adorable chunky little thing! I love my pretty Halloween, and I'm still glad I named her such, it's so fitting. But she's one of the snake-babies who's tank needs a cleaning so I'd best get on that. Cheers!

Peach Pie and Sunshine

It's cloudy and gloomy outside today, the total contrary of these sunny outfit photos. Hopefully the sun comes back out to shine on my little part of the world soon. In the meantime I just try and appreciate the smell of damp leaves in the air. I really do love Autumn so much.

Dress -Purchased on Etsy from Sally Jane Vintage

Shoes - Gift from my grandmother

This was my mid-term week, and I did fairly well on most of my written tests. I did absolutely wonderful on my cuisine mid-term though, with 87% which is more than I'd been hoping I'd achieve. My grade could have been even better if I had just remembered to season my breaded mushroom and hadn't overcooked my turned potatoes. I'll practice even more before the final exam to make certain these sorts of little mistakes don't happen again.

The above pie is a peach sour cream filling recipe from my school baking book. I'm bringing all my manuals home over reading week so I can make plenty more tasty good things to eat and share during my time off. That's the one problem with food... there are so many delicious recipes, and so little time and tummy-space to eat them!

My parents and grandmother are meeting me after my class today for a nice dinner at the college. I was offered a paid table for four in the school's dining room, and I certainly wasn't going to say no! I'm looking forward to getting dressed up for a nice dinner. (Not that I don't get dressed all fancy most of the time anyway heh, but having an actual occasion for it is refreshing!) I hope you all had a nice week. Cheers!

Backed up in the Present

While my outfit photos are rather out of date, I blame this on the fact that I live in the moment. I enjoy taking the outfit photos when I do take them. Everything I wear because I enjoy it, it makes me feel good. There's no intense need to post them though - for one thing I'm fairly certain I'm the only person who even reads my blog anymore hah - and that's fine. I get around to it eventually.

Top -Thrifted from Value Village

Skirt - Vintage shop in Ottawa

Shoes - From grandmother

There's a bear somewhere out near my home. I found its leavings, full of choke-cherry seeds, smack dab in the middle of the driveway. These are the things I missed when living in the city. I hope the dear thing sticks around, it can help itself to all the berries if it wants! If I'm lucky, I may even catch a glimpse of it some early morning, or in the evenings.

I was putting my garden to sleep for the winter the other evening when I inadvertently harmed a hibernating frog with my hand tool. The poor thing was so injured that I had no choice but to put it down. It's buried in the middle of my garden now, with a little heart, and a spiral, drawn above it in the dirt. I felt absolutely horrible for it, but I suppose it's better to mourn its loss than to be a person who feels no pain at the death of an innocent living thing. I'm off now to pick up my grandmother and head to my parents' for Canadian Thanksgiving dinner. I hope those of you who celebrate it now have a good holiday. Cheers!

Warm Autumn

It may be October, but it certainly doesn't feel like it. The days are gorgeous, warm and sunny. It rains once or twice a week, but nothing outrageous. Most days the skies are a bright clear blue and the sun shines down on the colourful changing leaves. This is such a beautiful time of year. As much as I adore all the shades of green when Spring comes around and all the leaves are new, there's nothing like a forest decked out in oranges, reds and yellows.

 My home is mostly surrounded by coniferous trees but my drive to and from school five days a week graces me with gorgeous colour-changing landscapes. Maybe I'll actually remember to bring my camera with my one of these days and take some shots, before the leaves all fall.



I'm letting Caramel join me outside a little more again, now that the dangerous heats are gone. He deserves a bit of adventure and fresh air too! He's too big of a scaredy cat to stay out for long without me anyway. I was putting up Halloween decorations earlier this afternoon, but he didn't quite seem to know what to make of them. Four more weeks to Halloween! I hope you are having as good a start to the month as me. Cheers!

A Good Thing

They say that once you find something good, you don't mess with it. That's what this outfit is like for me. It fell together one day, and like a flash, it felt right. And so whenever I wear it, it's always the same, right down to my jewelery. The only things that might fluctuate are my shoes and my makeup.

 Top - Thrifted from Value Village

Dress-as-skirt - Gift from my aunt

Shoes - Gift from my grandmother

Earrings and necklace - Made by my mother

I love this dress for how it flows and moves. It's light and airy, but can still keep me reasonably comfortable on these cooling fall days. My top has many lives, as part of regular outfits and sometimes as a pajama top. I'm attempting to pare down my wardrobe - as always - and this kind of multi-use is important with doing that.

Another perk to this outfit is that it very well hides the fact that I've gained a lot of weight this year. I'm really not happy about it, and I know what I should do about it, but there's a huge gap between wanting and doing and achieving for the moment.

I've been a dedicated mineral makeup convert for quite a few years, and the only products I wear that aren't from Earth Angel Minerals on Etsy, are my mascara and eyeliner. For the curious, my eyeshadow in the above photo consists of a base of Dark Grey on the outside of my lids, and Matte Snowflake on the inside of the lid and up toward my brow. Over this I brushed Moon Goddess (a purple shimmer) and Borealis (a white shimmer). I've come a long way from being obsessed with golds and greens. Anyhow, time for me to kick back for a few hours. Cheers!

Another Day

I've fallen out of the habit of taking outfit photos - which is a shame because I've been wearing some pretty neat stuff lately - but I think part of it is due to the changing of the seasons. It's almost always windy out, and often cloudy or raining. And while I love Autumn, the smell, the crispness of the air, it doesn't really lend itself to my going out there in short sleeves for photos with my half-broken camera.

Necklace - Made by Me

T-shirt - Thrifted from Value Village

Belt - Ardene's

Skirt - Vintage from Kilo Shop in Paris

Mocassins - Sears

I suppose I can just start taking them indoors again like I did this photo back in early September. Eventually I won't have much choice either way. I'm spending a lot of time in my kitchen now, even more than usual. I'm trying to practice a lot of the recipes from school, which I think I mentioned before, but cooler weather always drives me to my kitchen.

This is some Scallop Seviche, with jalapeños and cherry tomatoes on a chiffonade of lettuce. It was actually really delicious and I'll definitely be making this dish again. I attempted to make a vegetable consommée this past weekend but due to some stupid mistakes I messed it up. I'll be trying again though, because I'm stubborn and it's something I really want to be able to do.



My parents were doing work on their bathroom late last week so my mother brought her ball python Fluffy to my place until they were done. I couldn't resist piling him in with my two boys, Galen and Rorschach. They make such a cute pile o' pythons!

I should probably start getting ready for my baking class this afternoon though. We're making the Choux Pastry Swans that I practiced last weekend. Should be a good class. Cheers!

Foreign Goodies

This outfit has another shawl that I picked up while in Belgium. I really like the earthy colours here. While I do wear a lot of bright colours, browns, greens and golds are my favourite pallet. Not a whole lot to say again today. I'm going to school, trying to get into the swing of things.

 Shawl -Vintage shop in Brussels, Belgium

Top - Value Village

Skirt - Value Village

Clogs - From my grandmother

It was pretty breezy that day so my attempts at photographing the shawl opened up really didn't go so well but it gives you a good idea of it. While I'm sad that summer is coming to an end, these coolers temperatures do let me snuggle in a nice light shawl and that's a welcome change.

The cooler weather is also allowing me to wear my green velvet jacket, and now that I drive most places I don't have to be as concerned about being weather-ready. I love my black leather jacket but it can be nice to wear something dressier or less practical every once in a while. Hope you're having a nice week. Cheers!

Over All

These camouflage overalls are another find I brought home from Belgium. They appear to be hand made, and there's no telling how old - or new - they are, but I've had a longstanding thing for camouflage, so there was no way I could leave these babies behind.

Overalls - Thrift shop in Brussels, Belgium

Shoes - From my grandmother

I might shorten them in the future, but we'll see. They suit me fine like this for now. I do have to adjust the straps and their button placement but otherwise I'm happy as heck with 'em. I hadn't added any camouflage to my wardrobe in years so I was due, I guess hah. Hope you all have a great weekend. Cheers!

Green Velvet

This is far from being one of my best outfit photos - or outfits - but I really just adore this green velvet jacket. I purchased it at Free'p'Star in Paris for 20 Euro. It's vintage and made in London. I'm so glad it fits me, because it would have been sad to have to leave it behind. I alllmost didn't buy it, but knew I would regret it if I didn't. It's quite a bit dressier than I usually dress - especially lately - but it makes a great excuse to break out my prettier dresses too.

 Velvet jacket - Free'p'Star in Paris

Dress - Vintage shop in Brussels, Belgium

Shoes - Salvation Army

The batteries in my camera died before I could photos of just the dress but I'll be wearing it again and hopefully get some nice shots then. I unfortunately dropped my camera and now the battery hatch won't stay shut so I've taken to duct-taping it close but every now and again the stupid thing bursts open. It sucks because the camera itself still works great but more little things are going south with it. As it is I have to wedge a piece of folded paper under the little flash thingy to keep it propped open. Anyway, I have to head out to my Healthy Living, Healthy Eating class for school now. Cheers!

Behind In the Times

I meant to post this outfit before I left for Europe but it kind of never happened. So before I can start posting more current outfits, here's a final summery one. As it is, the weather is gloomy and cool and not at all like summer. September is here and it's making itself known, that's for certain.

Skirt as a Dress - Walmart

Belt - Can't remember

Necklace - Value Village

Sandals - Value Village

I was a little bothered that everybody could see my bra straps but I got over it quickly enough. This was comfy and breezy and colourful and lazy, everything I needed it to be that day in mid-August. This morning I have to get dressed for cool temperatures and rain though, since my classmates and I are going to a farm to pick some corn! Cheers!

Back to my Roots

My ancestral French roots that is... Because I'm flying out to France next week!!! It's a very spur of the moment trip - something which I seem to do a lot this year - but I've got my plane and train tickets and hostels and hotel all booked and now I just need to get there.



Things I'm excited for are the Catacombs, the Nature Museum, seeing Jim Morrison's grave and eating tasty treats from traditional French pastry shops. I'll also be spending two nights in Brussels, Belgium. I'm extremely excited about the chocolate and beer. It's a solo trip, which is a bit intimidating, but I know it's also really going to help me grow as an individual and boost my self-confidence and show me what I'm capable of on my own... France and Belgium, woo! Cheers!

Static Growth

Things change. People change. But some things always stay the same.

Lazy Rainbow

It's been a long week, with a lot of ups and downs. It's not even 5:30am and I'm sitting here with a cup of coffee and House playing in the background, slowly getting ready for work. I've got a three day weekend and I am so happy about it. Hopefully I can make the most of every moment.

Dress - Purchased from Sally Jane Vintage on Etsy

Sandals - Thrifted from Value Village

 I'm nervous about school coming up in September, wondering if I'll have my uniform and kitchen kit all taken care of in time. Wondering if I'll be able to cut it in the course. But I'm excited too. Part of me wishes the month were already over so I could start. But I also don't want to watch the rest of my summer disappear either. I'm just really bad at giving my notice at work.

My toes have been rainbow-coloured since I went to the All Stars festival. I like their multicoloured joyousness - happy toes! But I should end this now and go finish getting ready so I don't wind up late. I hope you have a good long weekend. Cheers!

Ripe

I work hard, and when I get home, I don't always really feel like getting dressed up in a complex outfit. It's times like those that wonderfully simple frocks come to my rescue. This tie-dye dress has been in my wardrobe for several years now, and while it doesn't get tons of wear, I still love it. In a way, it symbolizes the beginning of my journey into who I am now.

 Dress - Purchased from After Shower Shop on Etsy

I actually wore this dress in one of my very first ever posts on this blog, back in September of 2010. It seems like a lifetime ago when I look back on it, even though it's been barely three years. I've changed a lot and come a long way.

My outward appearance is quite similar, but on the inside, I'm a whole new person. I was a little green sprout back then, and now I'm a thriving tree with leaves unfurled. Being in my mid-twenties, I'm still very young and have a lot of growing and changing to do yet. But being able to look back and see and feel my progress and growth is really nice.



The sun rises every morning, granting us a new day to do with as we please. It's up to us to use that time to our best advantage, to enjoy it, and this life we have under that sun. I used to struggle through my days, slogging through them like a chore, forever living for the horizon without any real goal or destination in mind. My days were slipping by unnoticed, wasted, when those days were exactly what living is all about. I'm doing my best not to waste any more sun rises, and to relish all the sunsets. I hope to enjoy so many more. Cheers!