You Don't Have To Go Anywhere

"The world is full of things that are tragic or comic, heroic or bizarre or surprising, and those who fail to be interested in the spectacle that it offers are forgoing one of the privileges life has to offer."
 - Bertrand Russell.

Christmas Wish: Next Generation

It's almost time for Christmas. It's almost time to sit around and have laughs with family.

Splendor in the Leaves

Don't worry, I haven't been to an asylum or lost the love of my life *Splendor in the Grass reference not withstanding*

Is my Polish Showing?

Many of you don't know that I was born and partly raised in Poland. I literally came to Canada on a boat. Yup. That's right.  I learned to speak English and adjusted to life in Canada. It's just me, my Mom, and my sister here.

Sometimes....a Friend

Sometimes all you need is to throw on a dress,
grab a tea,
and go for a walk with a friend.

Don't Text, Call.

 I used to hate the phone.  I hated it because you couldn't see the person when you talked to them.
I love those moments when you sit - coffee shop, park, whatever - and a silence falls.

Good Fear

We all feel it. We all react to it. It's fight or flight, right? We either run towards, or away from it. Fear, in some way or another, motivates us. I don't think it's all bad either. It's just a part of our being. An emotion, both good and bad. It can hold us back, but it can also motivate us forward.

All The Good Things

Something about sitting around a campfire with moonlight and starlight streaking down. With a lovely whiskey and good friends, there is perfection. I did that.

I Lost a Friend...(An Ode to My Friends)

....a year ago.  She didn't pass, she just decided to stop being friends with me.  I haven't spoken on this site about it at all because there is privacy which I like to retain once in a while. And I'm not really going to speak on it here, except as context.

She was my best friend. She was someone I considered a sister, and her abrupt and complete departure from my life shocked me, betrayed me, and left me with a hole.  Not wanting sympathy here, just giving you context.

Since then.

Since then, I've organically gone outside myself.  The many times I would've spent with her, I have started spending reaching out and getting to know others.  Over the last year and a half, I've forged real and strong relationships with a variety of people.  I've come to know a great many wonderful persons, who each bring something different into my life and who each excite me in a variety of ways.

I write this now, because I realized today that I've been stretched beyond my energy this week.  How have I been stretched?  In the most wonderful of ways. By the beautiful people I know who have reached out to me to spend time together.  And I've realized that there is no longer a hole.  There is only a blessing.  I am blessed to have so many people that make me laugh, that touch my heart, and that accept and love me as I am, and want to spend time with me.

To any of you who've been dancing with me, rehearsed with me, played games with me, or had a drink with me:  Gratitude.  You are not taken for granted. You are appreciated.

"My cup runneth over."

Dress - Arnhem //  Sandals - c/o Easy Spirit  //  Necklace - Fair Trade and made in Bolivia. 

Cheeky

Who doesn't love being a little cheeky?  A little coy and innocent on the outside but a tempest of wit and salaciousness inside?
Enter the French brand, Lochers.  Because who else does the cheeky innocent better than the French.

Top - Lochers // Skirt - One Rad Girl  //  Shoes - Aldo  //  Sunnies - F21  //  Bracelet & Earrings - Ruche

Free Spirited and Willful Child

I love that my girl is strong willed and free spirited. But does she have to be soooo strong willed and free spirited?  About bed time? And about food?  And about, oh well, everything??? It's like corralling sheep where the sheep are baring their teeth, not listening, have spikes on their hides, and laser beams shooting at you from their heads.  It's just like that.

She's freakin' cute and sweet as hell, but when that other side comes out, watch out! Plus, you know there's only so many questions a woman can answer in a day before that questioning inflection at the end of a sentence makes your brains explode.

Obviously, I love that she's very inquisitive, but dear Lord do I breathe a sigh of relief once she goes to bed and I have no more questions being pelted at me in rapid fire succession.

Pass the wine.

Vest - H&M  //  Cardi - Old Navy  //  Dress - Ruche  //  Boots - Aldo  //  Socks - F21  //  Necklace - FreePeople

A Good Tube Top...

...is hard to find. I find that they're either too bulky, too loose, or too tight. Anyone else have this problem? No? Okay, so maybe it's just me. That's all good. This tube top was kind of an accident. It was a bodysuit on sale for so little that I couldn't resist. When it came *final sale of course* the whole thing was too short on me, but it seemed like such a waste. So I cut it and made it a casual tube top instead.

That being said, it's still not ideal. So internet peeps, where does a gal find that perfect tube top?

Top - Motel Rocks  //  Jeans - Lucky Brand  //  Shoes - Winners  // Sunnies - F21

On the Road Again

On my bike that is.  My bicycle is tuned up and on the road. I know, I know, some people continue riding all year 'round. I admire those people.....those crazy people. Me? I like to ride my bike when it's warm - ride all around the city - but not when it's cold. So there's this moment in Spring that occurs when the days are reliably warm enough that me and my bike are traipsing about town getting errands done.

It's also really cool to be able to do that first 30 km ride and be totally fine afterwards.  Here's to cycle season!

Kimono - Arnhem  //  Romper - Ruche  //  Fedora - ThreadSence  //  Boots - Aldo  //  Necklace - FreePeople  //  Sunnies c/o Woodzee

Adventuring in Kimonos

I shared a hotel room with two lovely ladies: the Groom's sister and cousin. The first was the sweetest woman, and the second was the coolest, so I felt pretty lucky. They both enjoyed staying up later than I *I've never been one for staying up late as I love being awake and having adventures during the day*  So, that meant that early in the morning I tried to quietly get dressed and vacate the room so they could continue sleeping.

It also meant that I was awake and walking around the resort earlier than a lot of people.  But I kind of loved this time. The beaches were clear of people, and the only ones awake and bustling about were the lovely Jamaican people themselves.  It meant I could walk about and explore areas, and take photos, with relatively few people caring about what I was doing.

Though to be fair, I think by this time I had earned myself the "crazy photographer lady" title as on the wedding day and the day before during the detail shots I was both a contortionist and throwing little ants out of my shot. People generally just gave me a wide berth, after all I might snap at any second. Even the ants did not escape my wrath.

Maxi Kimono - Spell Designs  //  Top - SheInside  //  Pants - Jens Pirate Booty via ThreadSence *sold out*

*linking up with Passion for Fashion, and Style Elixir*

I Love My Job

As an artist freelancing her way through life, I have many jobs. Three....well four: actor, photographer, blogger, and mother....more if you add partner and producer...oh dear Lord! But right now I'm talking about photographer.  Sartorially.

As a photographer I get to wear whatever the heck I want.  Within reason of course.  No pasties and feathers...though to be fair I don't usually wake up wanting to wear that anyway.  As long as I'm not too provocative and can move around, I get pretty much free reign.

For example, this day I spent shooting a lovely client, and I got to head into work in  casual shorts and a fun denim shirt. So I reiterate: I love my job.

Helps that I'm the boss too.

Top & Shorts - Spell Designs  //  Tee - SheInside  //  Necklace - vintage  // Sunnies - Lace Affair

Serenity

What do you think of when you hear 'Serenity'? That soft sun ray breezing through the curtains first thing in the morning.  The smell and feel of a great cuddle with your little one.  That brief humid pause of the world before the rains begin to fall and the clouds break for a thunderstorm.  That sip of tea before everyone else in the house is up and the bustle of the day begins.  A still lake without a ripple seen - untouched and full of potential.

Or if you're like me you think of Joss Whedon, Malcom Reynolds, River Tam, Zoe, and Wash.
"I am a leaf on the wind."

Cardigan - Arnhem *I added buttons to make it a dress*  //  Belt & Ring - F21  //  Necklace - Free People  //  Bracelets - Threadsence & Joseph Nogucci  //  Boots - Aldo