Fruity

It's hovering just above freezing outside and it feels like Spring is on the way. Too bad it's still going to be months before winter's grip finally releases us and the weather starts to really warm up again. At times like these, I dress extra colourfully, to try and keep myself cheered up in this time of drab greys and whites and muddy browns out there. I guess my baking desires are along the same lines because I've been making strawberry tarts over the last few days.

T-shirt - Can't remember

Skirt - Gift from Heather

Shoes - Thrifted

I've had a lot of spare time on my hands - for reasons I won't go into because they're bumming me out right now - and I can only sit around playing video games for so long before I start going loopy. I cleaned the heck out of my apartment yesterday, which really needed doing. I don't know why I avoid it for so long, when it doesn't take that much time. Really it only takes about as long to clean this place, mopped floors and all, as it does to make a tart from scratch.

I made the mini tarts a few days ago and the full-sized tart this evening. Its recipe was from my Cordon Bleu pastry book. We saw the Chef make it during class but we didn't make it during our practical because it's so simple. I fought a little with the crust dough, and I'm not exactly certain why it was misbehaving, but it seems to have turned out well enough. I had some left-over dough and baked up a few mini tarts today too and the one I ate - with extra whipped cream - tasted just fine.

Not counting an apron, I baked dressed like this. I unfortunately managed to burn my right arm taking the tart crust from the oven but I'm getting used to having burns at some degree of healing somewhere on my arms or hands most of the time now. But now that my baking is done and the kitchen is all cleaned up, I think I'll crack a beer and go back to playing video games for a while. I hope you all had a good start to the week. Cheers!

Another Life

I can't believe I haven't posted real outfit photos in nearly a month! A lot has been going on at my end of things, and it's also been very hot so I haven't been wearing much in terms of interesting clothing. I think I spent three days last week wearing the same altered men's t-shirt and a black skirt because everything else felt too fussy. This outfit is far from grungy though, and the skirt was actually a gift from the lovely Anne way back when she sent me a package over the winter.

Top - Thrifted from Value Village

Skirt - Gift from Anne

Sandals - Spring

I don't have very many pieces of clothes with either pink or grey so I had a bit of a challenge when it came to finding something with which to pair this skirt! Finally I just decided that these patterned had a good thing going and went with it. I'm pretty happy with the outcome, and it was a comfortable and light outfit to wear on a hot day when I was still working.

For a while I was letting my cat out to chill on the terrace with me while I took photos or whatnot, but the little booger kept sneaking off to my neighbours' terraces and that's not something I could have him doing. So I got hm a harass and he grudgingly lets me put it on him. He'd rather look silly and be outside than sit staring at me through the window screen.



He doesn't stay out there on his own - being tied to stuff spooks him - but looping the leash around a chair leg at least keeps him from zipping off while my back is turned. July was a rough month for my cat because I was away three weekends in a row and very busy during the weekdays. He's happy to have me around so much more now, and I'm very happy to be home with him!

I'm much more tan now than I am in these photos. A few outdoor festivals and visits to a water park and I managed to avoid any serious sunburns though which is great. There's a pale circle around my left wrist where my watch always is that sort of shows how pale I used to be in contrast to now which is funny. Anyhow, now I'm rambling. I hope you're all having a good week. Cheers!

Out of Focus

I took these photos late in the evening after getting home from my grandparents' and the light was so low that they all came out really fuzzy. Ah well, it'll do! I just knew I didn't want to waste the chance at some outfit shots, and good thing because I haven't been taking any recently. My outfits only ever seem to get documented in spurts.

Shrug - Thrifted from Value Village

Dress - Thrifted from Value Village

Shoes - Chinese Laundry

Lizard broach - Gift

I'm trying to take it easy this week in preparation for the upcoming weekend. I'm attending the Electronic Brain festival out in Québec. There's going to be over 60 continuous hours of music from two stages and it's all set up on top of a forested mountain! Three nights and days of awesomeness! I'm going to dance myself silly. And hopefully take a ton of photos. I never take as many as I wish I would.

Hopefully we get some descent weather. I've been to more than one festival that resulted in spending copious amounts of time hiding from rain in a tiny tent so I am prepared for that, but I would really rather avoid it! I think the worst would be having to set up camp in the rain. Come on sunshine! Or at least... not-rain! I can deal with cloudy skies if it means being dry. Anywho, I hope you're all have a good week so far. Cheers!

Back in Business

They got my internet up and running again last evening, something for which I am very thankful. Hopefully that doesn't happen again any time soon! Today is such a glorious day. Sunny, warm and open to all possibilities. I've got a bunch of things to do and we'll see if I can get at least some of them done. I'm still ridiculously busy these days so this open day all to myself is quite nice, even if most of what I plan on doing is housework.

 Glasses - Random gift

Dress - Purchased from Siam2U on Etsy

Tomorrow is the Ravenswing DIY Fair where my friend Laura and I have a small vendor table. We'll be selling all sorts of things from hemp necklaces to bead-spiders to flower hair clips to leather pouches to... all sorts of things! It's going to be a great event, and I'm planning on bringing my camera to snap up all the fun! Here's hoping for nice weather.

My squish-kitty Caramel is still loving being outside on the terrace with me. Sometimes he gets a little freaked out while I take outfit photos if I happen to be wearing heels or something but now he's hooked on being out there. The minute I wake in the morning it's "Meow - let me out!"

I really love how my hair looks in this photo but I haven't been able to wear my hair down most of the past week. It's just been too hot and humid already, all the more reason for me to cut all this hair off! I'm giving myself until the end of the month to see how I still feel about that. While having it up in a bun like I've been doing keeps it off my neck and shoulders, it's also itchy and severe and boring. There is more and more appeal in having a wild head of mad soft spikes instead.

I finally got to see my good friend Becky at Ritual Nights last evening. It was so great getting to hug her. I had a grin plastered to my face most of the night. There are times and places that just feel good and right and that was one of them.

Anybody else think the world would be a better place with more tie dye in it? This dress makes me very happy, but it's just a smidgen too long. I've a mind to shorten it, but I don't want to cut away any of the prettiness. And that reminds me I still have other things to shorten... Maybe I'll get to some of that today. I hope you all have a really groovy rest of the weekend. Cheers!

Good Days

While I have to admit I've recently spent a lot of time feeling anxious and frightened in regards to my future, I still have had quite a few good days. Or at least periods of goodness within my days. My belly dance class is a weekly highlight for me, as are my Tuesday dinners with my grandparents. This past Saturday was a very good day from end to end though, from waking moment to hitting the pillow. With a warm, sunny day ahead of me, I took the opportunity to wear this gorgeous India cotton wrap skirt that the ever wonderful Anne gifted me.

 

Blouse - Thrifted from Value Village

Skirt - Gift from Anne

Shoes - Hush Puppies 50% off from Sears

I was reading Medicinal Marzipan's weekly Body Loving Blogosphere post today, and there was a link to another great post titled An Ode To Real Women. I really enjoyed it and just wanted to share. Too often you hear people say that a 'real woman' only looks such-and-such a way or behaves in such-and-such a manner, while this ode brings home the point that we are all real women regardless of our differences. That's just something I think more women - and men - should hear!

When my boots kicked the bucket last week, I had to find myself new walking shoes. I absolutely loathe and despise sneakers and running shoes. Seriously, how stupid do they look with a pretty dress?! I am stubborn and refuse to wear them, but this makes finding good walking shoes rather difficult. I'd spent over an hour - which is a lot so far as I'm concerned - scouring the shoe shops at a nearby mall. Nada. In a last ditch attempt I checked out the Clearance section at Sears and snagged these for 50% off their original $124.99 sticker price. Yoink! They've got a thick sole to cushion my feet, no weird parts to dig into or compress my toes, and they are just what I needed until it gets warm enough to break out my sandals. I'm not sure how I'll deal with rain, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.



I love the print on this skirt! And it's actually long enough to wrap around me without worrying about somehow flashing somebody when a gust of wind comes along, or when I sit down. Actually, I was scrabbling around the locks on the Rideau Canal dressed like this - with a certain amusing long haired fellow - and the skirt did a great job keeping up with my nuttiness while allowing for modesty. Methinks this skirt shall be worn a lot.

I hadn't realized my camera was still zoomed in when I took this first photo, but it turned out to be the one I liked most out of all of them. I recently started a completely different makeup routine with new mineral products from a seller on Etsy. I didn't want to spend ridiculous amounts of money on fancy mineral makeup when I knew I could be getting the same, if not better, quality from someone making the product by hand. not to mention knowing my money is going directly to that person. After inspecting over half a dozen sellers, I settled on Earth Angel Minerals. I bought a sample pack of 20 and I love the products. I've already got plans to buy full sizes of eyeshadow colours and to try out plenty more in sample size - which are generous enough to last me at least two or three months! There's an Eye Brightener which I swear is magic in a jar. (These are my own uncompensated opinions, fyi!)

I've recently gotten the idea of henna-ing my hair stuck in my head. Specifically I'm thinking of using Lush' Caca Rouge and maybe going a deep red-ginger colour. I have never dyed my hair with anything, ever. Not a once. So this would be a very drastic change for me. And you can't really undo the deed once you've henna'd your hair, it's basically live with it or chop it off. I do know that my current hair colour would probably let the red really come out bright and strong, which is what I want. But I'm not certain it would suit me. What do you all think? Have any of you ever henna'd your hair before?

I hope you all had a good weekend. I danced myself silly on Friday night, and my Saturday was fantastic. It was filled with coffee drinking at the Raw Sugar Cafe, wanderings around Dow's Lake, chinese takeout from my favourite place, an intense Super Mario battle and the watching of Labyrinth. All this topped off with some awesome hugs. Twice, because he forgot something and had to come back. Then Sunday I did more solo wandering around the lake and baked some peanut butter banana chocolate chip muffins. I'm seeing the lad again this evening which promises to be wonderful. I hope you're all having a great Monday! Cheers!

While I Still Can

The weather is quickly warming up, and soon enough it's going to be too warm to go around in polyester dresses and wool tights. Okay, so I still wear the polyester dresses in warm weather (I sweat it out, there's no avoiding it) but this particular dress doesn't exactly scream summer, you know? So I'm getting my wears in now!

 

Dress - Gift from Heather

Wool Tights - Fancy Sox

Shoes - Payless

I cannot express my dislike for my bangs right now. They are crooked, and misbehaving and bleh. Evil bangs. I think I've fallen out of love and I want to grow them out again. We shall see.  I do know I prefer this dress with black tights and shoes. I wore it back during winter with grey tights and brown booties and I like this better. I still want to get some black flats though, these heels kill my feet.

 

I'm so happy it's Friday! Yay for the weekend! I'm going to dance my crazy butt off tonight, enjoy tomorrow's warm sunny day and do lots of relaxing and being happy. I hope you all have a great weekend too! Cheers!

Zing

If I had to describe my recent fashion escapades, I'd say they all have a little zing to them. I got plenty of compliments from the ladies in my social group when I showed up for our monthly tea meetup dressed like this. And yes, those two weird bits dangling out of my nostrils are my septum piercing, I've started wearing it down again occasionally.

Blouse - Gift from Heather

Skirt - Thrifted from Value Village

Shoes - Thrifted from Value Village

I'm still not thrilled with what's going on with my bangs. My hair and I are just not getting along. I have at least managed to grow out the annoying part that has the cowlick, so that's mostly a non-issue now. Some more growing and a trim everywhere should help things out.

 

My Easter long-weekend was pretty quiet. I had a lovely dinner with family on Sunday but I didn't do much the rest of the time, apart from the ladies social. I'm going to my grandparents' after work for our weekly supper tonight, and I'm really looking forward to this week's belly dance class. I was too sick to dance last week, and my grandparents' got me an awesome jingle-belt for Easter so I'm excited to jingle as I dance now. I hope you all had a great weekend and are having a good week. Cheers!

Psychedelicized

Hey everybody! I am so sorry... I guess I just sort of wandered off for a few weeks. I don't have any valid excuses. There was some gorgeous weather, and I wore some really cute outfits. But I was lazy and didn't take any photos. And then I got sick. So maybe I do have an excuse, here at the tail end of things. Technically I am still sick, and I am in these photos too - I took 'em on Saturday - but the dress had me all excited and that overpowered everything else.

Dress - Gift from Anne

Belt - Aeropostal sale, $5

Shoes - Thrifted from Value Village

I received the most amazing package from the wonderful Anne over at A Cup Full of Sunshine. It was full of goodies, including a hand knit neck warmer (it snowed a few days ago, maybe I'll be able to wear it after all) and oodles of lovely clothes. This dress took the cake though, that's for sure. Anne said in her note that she saw it and instantly thought of me, and I understand why! The minute I laid my eyes on this baby it was love.

Is that not the most obnoxiously bright and cheerful print you've ever seen? Just looking at it cheers me right up. It's almost like wearing the frozen scene from a kaleidoscope. And of course it's all the more special to me because it was a gift from Anne. I was blessed not so long ago by a package from Heather. These are both women who've never met me in person, and yet they sent me packages without prompting, absolutely filled with love and tenderness and warmth.

The tattoo on my back reads "J'ai la force pour tour surmonter" or "I have the strength to overcome anything". It was a tattoo I got pretty spur of the moment when I was 19. I don't regret it, but putting more thought into it would have been a good idea. Eventually I either want to add minimalist pine trees and autumnal coloured trees, or cover it with a nightscape of a pond and northern lights.

I thrifted these white shoes on Friday. They. Are. Amazing. It's like walking on marshmallows. They are so comfy. I wore them the entirety of Saturday... even though I never left my apartment! If I'm staying home, I usually don't wear any makeup, so this is my face without an ounce of makeup on it. I actually think I look quite good without makeup most of the time.

I'm also not wearing a bra here. Which for me is pretty damn rare. Even if it (supposedly) looks okay, I don't usually feel comfortable without one but for some reason in this dress it was totally okay. And I'd happily go out in public just like this, makeup-free face and all. I am going to try harder not to disappear for so long again. I hope you're all having a good week! Cheers!

Stupid Things

Sometimes, I do stupid things. Like spend an entire lovely warm Sunday afternoon indoors doing my taxes. And then nearly sprain my wrist punching my mattress in frustration over said taxes. And then wandering around aimlessly as the sun goes down because I can't just let a whole gorgeous day go by and somehow wind up with a mini Grand-Marnier white chocolate cheesecake in my possession. And then go home and cut my bangs ridunculously short. A final stupid thing with which to end my day.

Dress - Gift from Heather

Belt - Ardene's

Tights - We Love Colours in Ivory

Shoes - Payless

These are my bangs before I cut them ridiculously short, for the record. I won't be able to wear this dress again any time soon; the zip on it died on the day I took these photos. I'll eventually get it replaced, but knowing me, it's going to be a good long time before I get around to acquiring a replacement zipper and bringing it to someone who will change it for me.

If the print of this dress looks familiar, that's because you've seen it before, back when I wore it as a blouse with a skirt over top. I suppose it works out that the dress is unwearable; I need to replace a button on the skirt I like to pair it with as well. My mending pile is growing awkwardly tall again and I'm going to have to attack it sometime soon.

I had a really lovely weekend - apart from the whole tax thing - and spent most of Saturday with friends and family. I got some animal-related tasks done and out of the way too, which was good. I'm keeping very busy lately, and it makes the days go by so quickly. Right now I'm just looking forward to taking my final driving test on Tuesday next week. Once that's done, I can apply to my city's car-share program and hopefully, by then end of May, have access to a vehicle again. I hope you're all having a good Monday. 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!

Wearing Love

Behold! My bangs! In their full banging glory! My hair is really light and whispy though, so most of the time they're usually flying about as I walk around. But ah well! I dig 'em. I'm even sooort of starting to become fond of the flippy cowlick thing it's got going on sometimes.

Capelet - Gift

Long sleeve top - Old Navy

Dress - Thrifted from Value Village

Flats - Ardene's

Before I say anything else though, I must speak of this capelet! It was made by hand especially for me by my grandfather's wife, Jane. She gifted it to me not long before Christmas. I actually wore this outfit on the Friday I spent with them before New Years, and I've been wearing it a lot around the house. It's so light and soft and snuggly and I love it ever so much.

I can't believe how lucky I was to find this dress! It has the prettiest detail at the gathering point, a sturdy crocheted circle. I just wish I'd thought to take a close-up photo. Another time!

The hairdresser convinced me to add some layers into my hair, and I'm happy I trusted her! I cut a good 4 inches off the back. I really love my long hair, but it had been getting a little too long for me, at least without doing anything to it. I'll be more attentive in my hair-care as it lengthens time this.

I'm having friends over for a sort of potluck brunch on Saturday, which I'm really looking forward to. Our friend Phil is bringing his lady-friend with him and it'll be my first time meeting her, which should be fun. I love meeting new people, especially when I get to feed them tasty foods to help win them over heehee.

It's too bad two of my friends are vegan, and another can't eat gluten. It makes feeding the group a wee bit complicated. Hence the potluck factor, so I'm not completely responsible if anybody starves hah. (Like I'd let that happen, psh!)

Tomorrow I'm going over to my old room mate's place to have dinner with he and his fiance. I find it rather amusing, but I'm realizing that most people with whom I spend my time are at least in their 30's. Mark and Helen are both in their late 30's, and I'm very good friends with a lovely divorced lady in her 40's. And other than 2 of my friends on Saturday, the rest of our gang is all 30 and up.

I really like surrounding myself with smart, experienced people though, and I guess that's part of why my friendships gravitate towards the more mature. I get a little lost in the conversations sometimes, but I usually also walk away with some new knowledge. And what's the point of a relationship if nobody shares or gains anything, right?

It feels like it should be Thursday. Somehow. All the shortened weeks I had over the holidays have me feeling a little kerfuffled. I hope you all have a groovy Tuesday. Cheers!

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.

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!

Bang on?

I need your help! After hanging out around here, I've got the itch for bangs. Currently they're grown out and blend in with the rest of my hair. I had bangs as a kid up until I was about 12 (I'm the kid on the left, when I was 6, see?) but not since. And now I am contemplating them again. What do you all think? Should I take the plunge and try out bangs again?

Top - Gifted from Heather

Skirt - Thrifted from Value Village

Flats - Aredene's

I'm just terribly worried they'll give me chipmunk-face and I'll hate it. I have never dyed my hair, never layered it, or really done all that much to it at all. It's never been curled and has only seen a straightener twice. I feel like I need some sort of fresh hair change but I'm so worried I'll hate it. And I can't exactly instantly re-grow 5 years worth of hair after cutting it off.

Sorry to those of you who get the heebie-jeebies from snakes! But I do so love my silly Rorschach. He's a spider morph ball python, and a total big baby. He curls up like that when he's frightened. I'm looking forward to Sunday because a friend of mine is coming over to meet the zoo. I always love showing off my peculiar pets.

I'm baking a cake tonight, having dinner with my grandparents tomorrow, and then spending Sunday with my friend... I feel so blessed lately. So many wonderful people and things are coming into my life. It's amazing to be surrounded by so much love and warmth. I hope you all have as wonderful a weekend as I plan on having! Much love to you all, cheers!

Flouncing Around

This awesome skirt was another of the gifts I received from wonderful Heather. It's awesome and flouncy and demands to be spun around in. All the time. Everywhere. So I spend a lot of time twirling instead of walking.

Top - Garage sale, from mom

Skirt - Gift from Heather

Leggings - Who knows?

Boots - A shop on Sparks Street

I'm pretty frustrated. I recently purchased online a new terrarium for one of my snakes. I took the day off yesterday to be home to receive it... only to open the box and discover my $285 purchase had a shattered left side and cracked front. After an unhappy phone call and some e-mailing, the company promised to send me a replacement at no cost, but only because I'd had previous issues with them (someone canceled my original order several days in and I had to re-order) but that usually they'd make me deal with UPS.

They said they'd crate the next one for extra measure but I really hope it arrives in one piece. It's stupid because they say on their website that they aren't responsible for damages during freight, but don't allow the option to purchase insurance. All I know is, that if the next one arrives damaged, I'm taking that company down. It's still small and independent, and in the reptile community, it doesn't take much to ruin a company when it turns out they do bad business.

I noticed in the damaged one's box that the sides only had small squares of styrofoam instead of full ones, and it looks like the smaller size actually put pressure on the terrarium and caused it to break. Seems obvious to me, so if it repeats itself... I will not be a happy camper. There's no reason you can't spend an extra $0.50 for a full sheet of styrofoam and save your clients from receiving a useless $285 box of shattered acrylic.

I really want this work week to be over. It just feels like such a major waste of time being at work. Winter is always the time of year that most makes me hate my job and the way we all live our lives. Society is so maddening. But anywho. I hope you're all having a good week. Cheers!