Spring Flowers

Unfortunately it's still too early - and mostly too cold - for real spring flowers, but I sure looked and felt springy in this outfit yesterday! The sunshine and warmth was lovely after all the cold rainy days we've been having lately. I was even able to go bare legged! This year's first bare-leg day!

Cardigan - Thrifted from Value Village

Dress - Thrifted from Value Village

Mocassins - Highway Trading Post

Vintage Glasses - Young Jane's in Ottawa

It's set to rain again this evening and into tomorrow, but I don't mind too much. I'm happy because my landlord's given me permission to make a little garden and set up a compost box. Already I've got the box set up - just an old wooden rabbit hutch from which I ripped the bottom, and hauled into the yard from the back field. If it weren't windy as hell and about to rain at any moment, I'd be out piling stuff into it already.

I'm trying to fill my spare time best as I can until I start working at a local bakery in a few weeks - if nothing changes between now and then - but I can't keep baking so much! I'm packing on more weight than I'm happy about and having tasty sweet things laying about doesn't help. I still feel good about my body, but if I get much heavier and bigger, I won't for long. I'm feeding myself plenty of tasty fresh veggies and trying to enjoy more time outside. No punishing myself, no depriving myself. I'm just giving myself more of good things, because my body and mind respond better to that. I hope you're all having a good week. Cheers!

Disconnected

It's only when I am at home without access to internet that I realize what an integral part of my life it has become there. It's not so bad when I'm out and about, because I've never had a device that allowed me internet access away from my PC. Even when I had a laptop, it usually stayed at home. So when I spent this weekend with no internet or phone access... I was not too happy. It's still down and I have no idea when it will be up again. It's ridiculous. I've already racked up an extra $25 on my cell phone bill. There's a reason I have a land line! Ugh...

Top - Thrifted from Value Village

Dress as skirt - Hand-me-down from Aunt

Shoes - Sears

I spent my entire Saturday waiting around at home for a technician that never showed up. This still bothers me now, on Tuesday morning. I couldn't listen to the radio online like I so often do, couldn't check the weather, or look up store hours, or browse recipes for dinner, or find out anything and AGH! I don't know how people ever functioned without the internet haha...

I still had a good weekend though, and did plenty of reading out on my terrace. Sunday morning also involved a two hour kayaking foray down the Rideau Canal with my women's group which was great fun, and stopping for a beer and taco salad after definitely hit the spot. I even got a tan, an actual tan and not a burn!

The nights have been warm enough that I've been sleeping with the patio door open. It's annoying hearing some of the night noises again but I get used to the sounds of the city pretty quickly. Once it's hot enough to warrant a fan, its sound helps drown out other noises anyway. Today is heavy and humid and my hands are swollen up and tender. I should move to Arizona. I hope you all had a really great weekend. Cheers!

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!

Colourful Soul

This skirt never fails to draw attention whenever I wear it. I guess it's difficult to ignore a fluttering rainbow in a sea of boring! My most favourite t-shirt helps keep the colour going. I'm not usually a fan of t-shirts with designs or images but I love all the butterflies on this one.

T-shirt - Thrifted from Value Village 

Skirt - Gift from Heather 

Shoes - Sears 

I wore this on a day off, out to the mall with my grandparents. While I did find a few things at the Sears, I rarely leave a mall with clothes. It's all too cheap, too expensive, or just not my style. Thank goodness for thrift stores and super awesome friends who send me wicked clothes!

We stopped in at a Lush store, and I tried one of their lip tints; a Million Kisses. I've been using my mineral makeup as lip tints recently but as a longtime Lush addict, I may wind up buying one of their colours too. This one was very bright, but I'm not used to bright colours on my lips in the first place. I could get used to it. I like it looking back on the photos now, when it had had the chance to mellow out a little. It was pretty intense at first.

I received an e-mail from my dear friend Becky yesterday, finally clearing up the details with her return from Africa! She'd at first planned to return sooner but last-minute decided to stay a while longer. She's flying out today though, and arriving back here in good ol' Canada sometime obscenely early tomorrow morning. I'm hoping I can see her soon enough. I have months and months of hugs to give her and we have tons of adventuring to catch up on!

It blows my mind that it was nearly a year ago she first set out across the country to B.C. and then off to Rwanda in the autumn. Our friendship had only just started to blossom and I haven't stopped missing her. There are some people you just click with right away, and she was one of those for me. I've mentioned here before how deeply I care for and cherish her friendship. I can't wait to see what the summer will hold for us. We're both going to be such different people and it's going to be so much fun getting to know all the new things about ourselves again. I hope you're all having a good week so far. Cheers!

Shades of Nature

It's springtime, and everybody is just mad about pastels and bright springy colours. Except me. I on the other hand, am still dressed in browns and greens and am so ready to blend in with natural surroundings. Who needs camouflage when you've got this kind of paisley?

 

Top - Thrifted from Value Village

Skirt - Thrifted from Value Village

Leggings - Who knows

Shoes - Sears, Hush Puppies

The day I took these photos started off with some cold rain, and I was forced to take them indoors. By the time my friend and I wandered off on a walk to the Arboretum though, it had tapered off to an annoying but tolerable light mist. Everything was so lush and green from the rain. The only thing that could have made it more enjoyable would've been slightly warmer temperatures so that things like frogs and newts might be out. It was still too cool for them yet!

 

Now that's what I call flounce! I thrifted this skirt after having realized my wardrobe had a serious lack of not-maxi length items. They're all well and good when it's not too hot out, but I'll melt once it starts hitting 25'C again. I'm not exactly certain how I dealt with this last summer, other than for the fact my workplace is air conditioned and I live by myself which allows for a minimum of clothing while in my home!

I was rather insulted today when one of my co-workers commented on the dark circles under my eyes and said that I was looking very tired. They'd probably think I was about to drop over dead if they actually saw me without any makeup! I have dark circles under my eyes. There is nothing I can do about this. I can sleep twelve hours of glorious deep sleep and there will still be dark circles under my eyes. I was wearing foundation and VERY good coverup when I got this comment. It just drives me crazy that we as women - especially young women - are expected to look flawless and well-rested every hour of the day, no matter what, and that somehow if we don't look that way, it's everybody's business to inquire about it.

I've mentioned it here before, but I happen to like how I look without makeup most of the time. Even with the dark circles and kinda-red patches and forehead shininess. I wear makeup because I enjoy it - which is why my eyeshadow is so in yo' face - and not because I'm trying to hide my natural complexion or skin tone. It's me, my skin. I'm okay with it. I am not okay with people coming to assumptions because of it. Especially when that's not even anywhere near how I would actually look if I had not had proper sleep and had no makeup on.

 

Those are the sorts of comments that get a girl wondering if she's hideous and worrying that everybody must think she looks like an exhausted mess. It might seem insignificant, but for some people it's enough to tip them into a nasty cycle of self-loathing and personal issues. Pro tip folks, don't tell people they look tired, it's insulting, regardless your motive! Anyway, sudden rant aside... I hope you're all having a good week. Cheers!

We're having a heatwave...

...Oooh a tropical heat waaaave. (Am I the only one who thinks of Grumpy Old Men when I hear that song?) But seriously, it is hot here in Ottawa. How hot is it you ask? Hot enough I've given up having my hair loose pretty much ever. It's a little past 10am right now, and it is currently 27'C / 79'F but feels like 33'C / 90'F. It was even hotter yesterday. Thankfully I live in Chinatown and can get it's-too-hot-to-cook-anything takeout food from at least a dozen different places within a 2 block radius haha.

Vest - Thrifted from the Salvation Army

Tank top - Fairweather

Skirt - Purchased at Ragtime Vintage

Sandals - Thrifted from Value Village

It wasn't quite as hot when I wore this last Thursday, but things were well on their way to summer temperatures. You can't tell, since the skirt's waist is covered by my top, but I actually had to overlap the fabric a good 2 inches and sew it together just so I could keep wearing it. I love this skirt way too much to let it go just because it's a bit big now. And I shall continue taking it in if I keep losing weight! Never shall this skirt and I part! Ahem.

I am still very much in love with my electric blue toes. Something tells me this is going to be a summer of colourful toesies, because I'm of a mind to find some more obnoxiously bright polish colours. And as you can see, I am still very much bobby-pin challenged. It doesn't help I am blonde and these were coated brown. But I was desperate. Hopefully nobody spends too much time staring at the top of my head.

It's too bad my eyes look bruised. Stupid under eye circles that will not go away! And this is WITH concealer. Seriously, I look like someone's been giving me Irish kisses if I'm not wearing makeup. That or like I haven't slept for days. Sigh. I did recently find out that I have extremely low Iron and that I'm actually B12 deficient though, and I'm hoping that perhaps once those things are brought to a healthy level that maaaybe I won't look like a zombie so much.

It is June 1st, and in 39 days I will be in Alberta and finally get to see my boyfriend again! You bet I'm counting down those days. I haven't seen him since I last went to visit for my birthday back in October. It just blows my mind it's already June though, nearly half a year gone already.

Oh, and do you remember my post thanking Anika Burke for the pretty items I won? Well there's another little contest going on for a $50 credit toward the shop. You can enter here, I know I am.

Anywho, I hope you're all having a lovely week so far. And I apologize to those of you who've been getting tons comments from me as I catch up on all my reading and commenting, hah. Cheers!

Goin' it Solo

It tends to garner strange reactions from people when I tell them I actually enjoy the 5 hour car rides by myself, whenever I go visit my parents. But it's 5 hours where I don't have to talk to anyone, I don't have to worry about anything except driving, and I can listen to my music as loud as I want - because there's nobody there to say otherwise! It's think time. It's me time. And I dig it. Especially when I get to do it on days as nice as this past Saturday.

It was warm, sunny, and positively wonderful. There was one frustrating thing about the day, and that was that the traffic was so heavy. I just couldn't chance stopping to take photos most of the time because it would have been dangerous to pull over. I took the above photo from my car while stopped at a traffic light, heh.

Dress - Purchased from Gotta Go Vintage on Etsy

Shoes - Spring

I pulled over at a rest stop and picnic area - the Trans Canada Highway in this area has absolutely gorgeous rest stops - and was super excited to get some photos. Of course I only too soon found out that once the breeze let up, black flies would come to torture me. Insane numbers of them would fly out of nowhere the minute the wind let up. And those suckers (no pun intended) will eat you alive in no time.

I didn't stick around too long because of the insects (an elderly couple arrived, unpacked lawn chairs, cracked beers, and then hastily made a retreat back into their vehicle the minute the breeze let up) but I'm glad I got a few shots in this dress. It's definitely going to be a summer staple for me.

There's something about the land in North Ontario that just speaks to me. The rolling hills, the lakes, rivers, creeks, swamps, and ponds. It's a very wild place, the further north you go, the further apart the settlements and the smaller those are too. (I was actually wondering if I'd find a gas station before running out of gas on my drive back, that's how sparse things are out there, even on the highway).

This is land that was populated by Native Americans not so long ago. My own French-Canadian ancestors were the loggers, miners and coureur-des-bois that helped open up this land. My great-great-grandfather was a lumberjack, one of the men who used to ride the logs down the rivers to the mills. I really do love this land, and it's a part of me as much as I am a part of it.

I hope you're all having a lovely week. There are more photos from my weekend - including a few dorky ones of me fooling around with fish - that I'll be sharing in another post. I also got a few more well-lit photos of this outfit, which I am happy about. And tomorrow is Friday, wee! Cheers!

It's been a Long Weekend

Hello everyone! This is my first day back at work after an extra-long weekend, and yet it was still not long enough. I headed to my parents' on Saturday and got home late Monday evening. My Friday and Tuesday were all about running errands and getting things done. (I must have walked a million miles yesterday!) This is what I wore to do some quick groceries on Friday evening.

Romper - Purchased from Reluctant Damsel on Etsy

Shoes - Spring

Now that the maple tree in front of my apartment is all leafed out, I decided to take a few photos in front of it. I am Canadian, and this is my maple tree! And my terrace wall is extremely uncomfortable to lean against, I will have you know.

I keep worrying this romper makes my hip/pelvic area look gigantic. One minute I feel like hot stuff, the next I feel like I look like the crazy lady unaware of how to properly cover myself. Oh bodily proportions, how you do confound me!

My cuff actually has this awesome spider encased in resin on it. I'm a sucker for weird jewelery. I actually had bought the cutest little broach shaped like a spider on the weekend, but it fell off not 5 minutes after I bought it, and then the little stones started falling out and I had to return it, boo!

The sky was pretty crazy as I took my photos. A storm was rolling over the city. I would look North and see clouds blowing East, then look South and see clouds headed West! I love a grumbly late spring thunder storm though, there's something about a cool breeze and the heavy humid air and the smell of rain on the wind.

I have a bunch of photos from the weekend I need to clean up, but I can't wait to share them with you. Speaking of sharing, I have a question for you other bloggers! For the most part, I'm totally chill and open when I write my posts, but for some reason, I still feel shy and almost embarrassed when people I know read them. Even though I'm not sharing anything embarrassing, it still seems so personal. Do you ever feel shy about sharing your blog with the people in your life?

I hope you're all having a fantastic week. Cheers!

Sunny Sunday Memories

My mother lives 5 hours away so I didn't get to spend Mother's Day with her. I kept busy though! I wore this outfit on Sunday, May 8th, to run some errands and buy groceries. The top I actually just thrifted this past Saturday when I was hunting for some wardrobe basics. It has a great braided neckline and cute tie-off sleeves, and I only paid $6!

Blouse - Thrifted from Value Village

Skirt - Yard Sale, $1

Belt - Ardene's
Purse - Aldo

Sandals - Thrifted from Value Village

I bought this belt a while back but so far hadn't been able to find an outfit I was comfortable incorporating it into, but finally the time has come! I wanted something to break up the long expanse of brown in the top and this belt was perfect. I like the contrast between the belt's geometric woven pattern and the skirt's fluid floral.

You can't tell, but this skirt is huge. I could easily wrap it around myself twice and still have fabric to spare. I rarely wear it because it always winds up hanging on my hips - which is fine with me - except most of my tops are too short and I wind up with a flesh gap I just won't stand for! This new top is perfect to pair with it though and I know I'll be wearing this outfit more than once this summer.

I paid a whole $1 for those shell earrings!

Sunday was an absolutely beautiful day. It seems all our days are beautiful lately and I am so happy about that. I've had the patio door wide open letting in fresh air and sounds of the city in the evenings before bed. I doubt I'd be able to sleep with the door open - it's pretty noisy out there - but I love my terrace and knowing I can pop out there any time I like. The tree growing up from the sidewalk below is finally blooming and sprouting leaves and it's lovely having that in my view.




I was in a pretty good mood, and it was so cheery and sunny out, I couldn't resist snatching up a bouquet of flowers. I imagine most folks assumed they were for my mum, it being Mother's Day and all... But a girl should be allowed to randomly buy herself flowers! They do certainly add some cheer to my living space.

That pillow cover was crocheted by my grandmother, and the shawl draped over the other chair was knit by my mother. You can see my little jade plant back there too! He seems to be the only thing with roots I've managed not to murder. I named him Frank.

I'm excited for tomorrow's outfit post because this month I participated in the Paper Doll Project. I was paired with the lovely Louise from Coffee and a Cardigan. I can't wait to see her in the outfit I styled and I'm excited to share the outfit she styled for me too. Hope you're all have a great Tuesday. Cheers!