Love All The Trees

Earlier this month I went for a walk through the Arboretum by Dow's Lake to take some photos of the changing trees. I was still a bit early in the season to really catch the trees in their full splendor, but it was a lovely sight nonetheless. And as much as I dislike winter, there's nothing like a crisp fall afternoon with the sun shining down!

Neck warmer - Gift from Anne

Jacket - Thrifted from Value Village

Jeggings - Fancy Sox

Moccassins - Sears, Hush Puppies

I didn't feel like carting my tripod with me all the way there so that explains why my outfit photos are still being taken on my boring old terrace. At least the maple tree behind me is sort of starting to change over! I've had this jacket a little over a year now, and I'm still so happy to have thrifted it. It's perfect for the nippier days and the cooler nights.

I'm going to head out for a little evening stroll with my good friend Tina soon - it's great now that she's living nearby again - to enjoy another lovely clear night. There's barely a breeze and the sky is void of clouds so the moon - even less than full - is shining its light down on everything. The yellow and orange leaves look so otherworldly in their moon-glow. I hope you're all having a lovely week so far! Cheers!

Off to the Circus

The owner of Pet Circus on Bank street here in Ottawa bought up my last baby crested gecko - other than Toffee, my very first hatchling.  Until the last two eggs hatch out anyway. I took a few photos before I sent the little critter off.



I really adore these little lizards, and it was harder sending this one off to a pet store than it was to give them away to friends and family. I won't get to know how this one grows up or know if whoever purchases it will be a responsible owner. I can't imagine how it feels to be a dog breeder and trying to find puppies a good home! Anyway, hope you enjoyed this gecko interlude. Cheers!

Lemon Tart

Yay, it's Saturday! Time for rest. I've only been attending the Cordon Bleu for two weeks now but I've already baked up a génoise cake, lady fingers, custard sauce, pastry creams, and yesterday an entire lemon tart. From scratch. By hand. Intense! But so much fun! I really get into the zone and do my thing, but we all work really well together too. If one person is done before another, they usually wind up helping someone else etc. and giving each other tips and pointers or steering the other in the right direction if they appear to be doing something not quite right. I've never really been part of a real team before, one that actually works together and enjoys it and does it well.

Top - Thrifted from Value Village

Skirt - Thrifted from Value Village

Mocassins - Sears, Hush Puppies

Sunglasses - A shop in Cape Breton, NS

It's still very intimidating and a little scary every time I go into a practical class to make something for the first time, but the Chefs are all fantastic teachers and great people. Some of us are having a better time than others - an unfortunate classmate of mine has failed to finish the required recipes during two of our three practicals - but I guess it has to be this intense to weed out the ones who won't make it in the real world.

So far my forty-five minute walks to class have been enjoyable, but I haven't been caught in any heavy rain or blowing snow yet. I have a feeling in a few weeks once the weather gets cooler I won't enjoy it so much. October is usually a nice month though, and if you're lucky you can run around without a jacket like I did the day I took these photos. Thankfully I managed to thrift myself an amazing down winter jacket a short while ago (80% down and 20% duck feathers) and that will keep me toasty come time.



This is the lemon tart I made yesterday! It's a base of sweet dough, with a layer of almond cream, a layer of lemon curd, and is then topped with Italian meringue and sliced almonds. I made this whole thing by hand and didn't use a single appliance except the electric stove in which it was baked. When I finally ate a piece, I was almost surprised at how good it tasted. I don't give myself and my abilities enough credit sometimes, I think.

Some of you have commented that ya miss having me around on your blogs... and I'm so sorry for disappearing like that. I really haven't been reading any blogs at all the last few months - not even my most favourite - so it's not that I dislike you now or anything. I became a bit disillusioned with all the shopping and spending and constant 'need' for new things and distanced myself from the whole fashion blogosphere. I recently read Overdressed: The Shockingly High Cost of Cheap Fashion by Elizabeth L. Cline, and it really was the clincher in the whole thing. I read the book in one day, in one sitting, it's fantastic and I recommend it. But anyway, I should probably get around to attacking the giant mound of dishes that's accumulated in my sink before it starts to come to life. I hope you have a great Saturday! Cheers!

Encore Montreal

Way back in July, I went to visit my friend Nicole in Montreal. I never finished posting all the photos from that trip, so here's the last batch. I figure I aught to at least finish doing that before I start getting into my festival photos from Pandemonium. Not to mention in less than a week I start my pastry classes and I'll probably have tasty things to share with you all too. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Montréal!



We went to a record and book shop, and got a bit lost in the Old Port area trying to find an art supply store. Chinatown was also quite amusing for me, and I probably enjoyed all the cute happy things a little too much hah. But hey, check out this happy little ravioli?!



On my last day we went to the Tam-Tams with some of Nicole's awesome friends. It was a gorgeous day and it was really nice just chilling in the shade and listening to the music and watching all the happy people doing much the same.



I had such a great weekend with Nicole. I just wish I'd been organized enough to go visit more than once this summer! I did so much with my summer though, I can't really complain. If you ever find yourself in Montreal on the right day for the Tam-Tams, I totally recommend going. Cheers!

Pants Again

I must have hit my head or something because I've actually started wearing pants again. This pair is the first pair of real pants that I have bought myself (jeggings don't count) in years now. I'm still not exactly sure how to pick pants out, or how they're supposed to fit, so that's a bit awkward but I think I'm managing.

Jacket - Thrifted from Value Village

Sweater - Thrifted from Value Village

Pants - Thrifted from Value Village

Mocassins - Sears, Hush Puppies

I wanted to find a light fall jacket for myself and I scored great at the VV with this one. While I love wearing my leather jacket, sometimes I want something that isn't so dark. This is perfect until it starts getting seriously cold again. Speaking of which, I can hardly believe it's already October! Seems I say that every time another month rolls around but still. This year just flew by for me so far and I know the rest of it probably will too.

In a week I finally start my pastry classes at the Cordon Bleu. I'm still kind of shocked that this is really happening. It probably won't really sink in until I'm in uniform and standing in front of my kitchen station. It's a forty five minute walk one way though, so at least I'll be getting plenty of exercise to make up for all the tasty things I'll be baking up and eating.

 

I also started belly dancing again. Last week was our first dance class of the season after summer break. Unfortunately I still don't know whether or not I'll be able to continue until I get my school schedule next week. Otherwise I've been laying low and sticking around the home place for the most part, taking long walks on the nice days just because walking feels good. I hope you're all doing well. Cheers!

Characters

Do I look like myself? I felt like myself when I wore this. Other than being a little self-conscious about the whole pants thing. It's still taking some getting used to for me. I love cool autumn weather for being able to wear my leather jacket and hoodie together, so snuggly and comfy.

Leather Jacket - Danier

Hoodie - Fairweather

AC/DC shirt - Very Old

Jeggings - Hue

Boots - Thrifted from Value Village

I haven't really got much else to say about all this. It's nothing new for me, just echoes of a style and way of life long past. But I'm forever evolving and changing and I think this might be the New Era of the Pant. You'll see :P Cheers!

Who are you?

I'm not bothering with excuses, I'm beyond really caring about my blog's slow death at this point. I've stopped looking at clothing online and I haven't read a style blog in weeks and weeks. I don't miss it. I also don't find myself desiring any silly object I don't really need either, which is pretty groovy. These photos were the last outfit shots I took at the end of August.

T-shirt - Fairweather

Skirt - Garage sale

Sandals - Thrifted from Value Village

I never thought I'd be a wearer of white, much less a white t-shirt, but I bought a few and I really dig their crispness and simplicity. And I'm even managing to keep the darn thing clean! No mustard or blueberry stains yet!

 Just a few days ago I returned from my trip out to Nova Scotia to visit family. It's lovely country, and wonderful people. I have photos from that but considering I haven't even posted all of those from my Montreal visit yet, who knows if they'll ever even get up here.

Hopefully the month of September has been treating you as well as it has me. Cheers!