Friend Friday - Summer Trends

Happy Friday everyone! This week actually went by quite quickly, which I am very happy about. The only bummer is that friends and I were supposed to go hiking tomorrow, but now it's calling for lots of rain, boo! Hopefully we can figure out something else to do. But yes, since it's Friday, it's time for FBFF. This week, the topic is this summer's trends and which are our top favourites.

I'll just go ahead now and say - like I did in my last FBFF post about seasonal trends - that I really don't pay all that much attention to trends. If I see a ton of bloggers wearing something similar, I just safely assume it is probably a trend and roll with what I like. New trend rule! Whatever style or item makes you happy this summer, are this summer's trends. Voilà!

The White Dress

Crazy Nails

The Colourful Maxi

The Espadrilles

FIN

Technically I was supposed to name five but for the life of me I couldn't come up with a 5th one that wasn't really broad like "bright colours" or "boho style" so four it shall be. Almost all the photos here are from my Pinterest, still addicted, probably will be forever. And before I end things... is not this wicker-horse purse the most amazing thing ever?!

I hope you all have a super great weekend! Cheers!

Oh Mister Morrison

I am an unashamed fan of the Doors and Jim Morrison. They're one of my favourite bands (yeah, I'm trapped in the past, I know!) and I know nearly every song by heart. There's just something about the sound of the organ music, the classical guitar and that man's voice! Raw and real, it hits me where it counts and I love it. It's music that resonates deeply with me.

This painting hangs in my bedroom, I had it commissioned from my friend Nicole. My specifications were that it be a painting of Jim Morrison, and that it be psychedelic, with any medium she pleased. And this is what she came up with! I love it so much! Now I get to wake in the morning and gaze at the handsome Jim.

And of course there's no denying that the man had a magic about him. A free spirit flying to us from the desert with wild free thoughts in his mind. Not to mention he was so handsome. *swoon* Just look at those eyes!

Are you with me on the Jim Morrison love? I only wish I'd been around in his time, I'd have totally been a little flower power groupie swooning in his presence. I know a lot of the hype that made the Doors famous was due to Jim's behavior during live acts, and it's a bummer because near the end that was a big reason why a lot of people showed up at concerts. People weren't there for music, they were there to hear him rant and see him go wild. Which I guess is just a part of Jim, and how he lived, and that's cool, but it's too bad the music fell by the wayside.

Peace Frog and Waiting for the Sun are probably my most favourite songs from their 1970 album Morrison Hotel. Peace Frog is actually a pretty morbid song when you listen to the lyrics, all about blood following him and filling cities, but the beat and sounds are so peppy I can't help but dance.

Anyway, I think that's enough Doors obsessing for one day! Hope you're all having a groovy Wednesday. Cheers!

I am a grumpy grump

Or so it would seem after my last post. I'm so sorry I made such a mopey post! After thinking about it later, I realized my falling and skinning my knee just kinda gave me an excuse to cry about something else that's been bothering me.

My dear friend Becky, that I just recently got extra close to, is going to be moving away. As of July she's going to be driving a band across Canada, and probably settling in Vancouver. Way at the other end of the country!

Dress - Purchased from Gotta Go Vintage on Etsy

Purse - Thrifted from Value Village

Shoes - Spring

The only good thing about all this is that she's going to be at Motion Notion too, which is the festival my boyfriend and I will be attending again. At least I get to see her one more time after she leaves! Until she does leave though, I'm trying to do as much stuff with her as possible.

On Saturday we took a stroll around Dow's Lake and walked around on the historic locks up the Rideau Canal, and then went to my place to play some drunken Super Mario. It's also her birthday on Monday and we'll be heading to Pub Italia to enjoy some mussels and beer!

I quickly posted some photos of this dress when I wrote about my drive up to my parents' over the long weekend of May. I am still very much in love with it. _{Especially with how awesome my legs look while wearing these shoes with the dress.} Ahem.

I wore this Saturday afternoon to have some cake and coffee with a local women's social group at a nearby indie cafe. I knew I'd only have to walk a block to get there so these shoes had to be worn. Too bad I won't be rocking this look for a while, at least until my leg heals up.

I spent some quality time with my Western Hognose Snake aka Heterodon nasicus, Checkers, before going to the cafe. I've had him a little over a year now, and he's such a darling little snake. You can totally tell by my expression that I love that little dude to bits. Momma's little hissy-face :)

I just threw some leggings on under the dress and switched over to some sneakers when it was time for park wanderings later in the day. I even had the presence of mind to bring a cardigan in case it got a bit nippy but I never had the need.

This next photo just amuses me because it so much looks like I was photoshopped into the image, particularly where my hands are resting on the ledge. Plus it would appear my hair is sneakily trying to curl itself behind my back.

We're having another few days of crazy hot weather. Since I get home soaked and disheveled on these days, outfit posts shall be slightly more sparse. Especially since this is the last of my back-log outfits.

It's probably silly, but I keep forgetting it's June, and that July is right around the corner. Where did half the year go? I guess I can't complain, it means that in 32 days I will be with my boyfriend again. (Expect me to bring this up a lot, I miss that man like you wouldn't believe!)

Again, thanks for all the kind words about my knee. I probably over-reacted but it would have been a lot better if someone had just been there to help me up and ask if I was alright, you know? I hope the sun is shining on all of you! Cheers!

Thanks a lot, Monday

I was having the nicest of Mondays too. I was in love with my outfit, colourful and happy, and I was looking forward to getting home and taking some outfit photos. At lunch, I decided to take a walk through a nearby park. I of course was not expecting there to be a 4 inch deep pot hole in the paved foot path, and as I was wearing my 5 inch high platforms (seen here), down I went...

Blouse - Thrifted from Value Village

Skirt - Thrifted from the Salvation Army

Shoes - Spring

I skinned my knee badly, and scratched up a good halfway down the front of my left calf, with another good gouge in at the bottom. And of course this is in front of dozens of people eating their lunches on the path-side benches, and sunning themselves on the grass nearby. To say I was mortified is the least of it. I stopped, miraculously found a seat, slapped on my emergency band-aids and got the hell out of there.

I went back to work and, after deciding my leg was too bad to wait it out, took the afternoon off to take care of things. Let's just say I am very glad I carry around band-aids. And that the skirt I had on was long enough to cover the worst of it.

Then as I was cleaning my leg, I inexplicably started to cry. For a good 20 minutes I cried. I just feel so ridiculous. I know it's silly, it's just a skinned knee and some scratches, it'll go away. But I can't help being bothered by it. I feel deflated.

Worst of all, because I was dressed so colourfully, I was drawing a lot of attention. This of course is the last thing I want because my leg looks like utter crap. At one point I was crossing at an intersection and a car turned the corner ahead of me. The driver looked in my direction as he turned and made motions that I assume were meant to be picture-taking. But yes, too much attention!

Now I get to spend all week swaddled in long skirts trying to hide the horror that will be my scabby scratched-up leg. And I'm stuck with a nagging feeling, like I got knocked off my high horse. Maybe I'm just not supposed to be a pretty lady, I can't even watch where I'm stepping. I'm lucky I didn't sprain my ankle, or worse.

As for this outfit... worn on a far better day, back on June 1st. My hair is pretty much always up in a twisty-bun-thing now when it's hot. I haven't worn this blouse since back in January, but I have no idea why. I think I might just re-wear this outfit tomorrow, it'll cover my leg...

I hope you're all having much better Mondays than me!

Friend Friday - Vacation Style

Happy Friday everyone! I'm sorry I missed out on last week's FBFF but I was in training at work and it completely slipped my mind until days later. I'm not letting myself slip by so easily this week though, especially not when the subject is what to wear on vacation.

1. When it comes to packing for vacation what’s your mantra?
I spend a lot of time checking out weather reports before heading anywhere for any amount of time. Then I try to pack items for any possible weather occurrence. And then I pack a little extra, in case those original pieces somehow get dirtied/ruined during my adventures. I guess my mantra is paranoid over packing?

2. What are your must packs?
About a bizzilion pairs of socks (there is nothing worse than cold or soggy feet) and a good snuggly cardigan. Of course my MP3 player for the long boring transportation time. Oh, and a snack! I am notorious for packing snackables no matter where I go, and boy do the security staff get a laugh out of it when they search my bags sometimes haha...

Australia's first ever captive-born Galapagos tortoise.

3. What are you happy to leave behind?
I am most happy to leave behind the stupid little sock things I wear inside my closed-toe shoes at work. 8 hours in a shoe = gross, and the socks keep the grossness to a minimum, but they're ugly and uncomfortable and when I'm on summer vacay, my toesies go free!

4. Any packing secrets that help you get everything into one suitcase?
I'd hardly call it a secret, but I need to sit on my suitcase at the end to flatten everything enough so I can zip it shut. (Like I said, over packer!)

5. Beach reading… what are you taking with you to read in the sand?
Whatever I happen to be reading at the time I guess. I'm not a student or anything, so my reading habits are all purely for my own enjoyment. Right now I'm reading two books, one is a fictional zombie novel and the other is a non-fiction work about the marijuana business in Canada.

FIN.

To keep this from being too boring, I posted some photos from my Pinterest. Like most every other person I see using the site, I am also addicted. This is just a smattering of what I've got up there. The fare ranges from knick knacks, food, clothes, shoes and nature photos to craft DIY's, vintage photos, home decor ideas and animals. If you haven't joined already, let me know, I'd be happy to send you an invite! Just beware the addictiveness.

I hope you all have a super fun joy filled weekend. Cheers!

Like Best Friends

I mentioned on Monday that I'd thrifted a crazy green dress. This is it! This dress and I were meant for each other. The bright colour called out to me from the rack, and it was in my hands not 3 feet in the store. I washed it and wore it to work Monday (hence my excitement over it that day) and boy was it a hit. I got a bunch of compliments, which is always a great way to start a week.

Dress - Thrifted from the Salvation Army

Shoes - Thrifted from the Salvation Army

Purse - Aldo

And on top of this dress being my size, its belt was still with it! Score! And then there's the back of the dress... ! (Can you sense my excitement?!!!)

Buttons down the back! I usually avoid button-back clothes like the plague, but these are big and sturdy and actually super easy to do up by myself.

I of course had my hair up that day since it was a scorcher. (I finally have my hair down today, since it is oddly now half as hot as it was yesterday.) I know, wearing a long dress probably wasn't the brightest idea, but it actually wasn't so bad! The dress breathes well and I was quite comfortable even walking outside over lunch.

Sorry for another photo of me from behind, but it's the only one where you can clearly see my purse that actually turned out nicely. Maybe it was a lunatic move to pair such a colourfully patterned purse with an already bright dress, but I felt like there was too much uniformity of colour going on not to. And hey, my shoes were modest!

Speaking of shoes... I've been dreaming of shoes. Wandering the mall at my lunch break, trying on shoes. Oggling shoes online. But I have no money for shoes. No money for much of anything really, not for a while, argh. It's annoying, but I know once I can actually go out and buy a pair of shoes, I will enjoy them all the more for having waited to buy them.

Anyhow, I hope you are 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!