Rumi, Poo, and Threesomes

We all take ourselves very seriously. Too seriously. Wandering about like high powered business people, or trying to be profound and making sure that every thing we write, say, or do is full of wisdom and enlightenment. Like witticisms just drip from our tongues, and quiet reveries give mindful epiphanies.

But even Rumi, the poet, knew that the key to life is to not treat oneself as sacred, to not be too serious. He wrote a whole poem about having a good poo. And another one where he gets distracted halfway through thinking about a threesome.

See? If Rumi in his wisdom knows to laugh at himself and acknowledge the absurdity and folly of humanity, should we not also take a lesson from that?

I'm sorry, I got distracted halfway through by...uh...never mind.

Long Cardigan - gift  //  Dress - Ruche  //  Boots - Call It Spring  //  Thigh Highs - FreePeople  //  Necklace - Reitmans  //  Sunnies UO  //  Bag - Lucky Brand

Individuality

"Individuality is not an end in itself; it is something that must enter into fructifying contact with the world, and in so doing must lose its separateness. An individuality which is kept in a glass case withers, whereas one that is freely expended in human contacts becomes enriched."  - Bertrand Russell

Exposure - Or Paying Artists, One Fashion Bloggers Rant

Let's be honest. Many of you who are online a lot have probably heard of Essena O'Neill and how she quit her instagram modelling account and came clean about the back deals with companies to promote brands.  There's a whole lot of controversy over whether it's real or a hoax, as well as general other thoughts about the validity of instagram/social media accounts.

Great Expectations

We're constantly surrounded by them aren't we?
They're a double edged sword.
When expectations are placed on us by others, or placed upon ourselves from unhealthy places they can do a lot of damage.
But expectations themselves are beautiful.

You're Imperfect. I Love You.

"To observe people and find pleasure in their individual traits. To wish to afford scope for the interests and pleasures of those with whom you are brought into contact without desiring to acquire power over them or to secure their enthusiastic admiration." *Bertrand Russell*

Who Will I Be Tomorrow?

Cold.

Honest Straight Shooter

I don't like it when I think too much about others expectations of me.
It's a trap! *and I said that like in Star Wars, by the way*
But you know, sometimes I fall into it as well. I become a little too preoccupied with playing the game, or behaving how others expect  me too. And then I get frustrated and grumpy.

A Poem by Rumi

Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,
there is a field. I'll meet you there.

Dance Like Everyone's Watching, And No One Cares

There's this thing you can do here in Toronto. It's called dance. I know what you're thinking, "You can dance anywhere Jo." But this isn't regular dance. It's a drug free, alcohol free, no talking, no judgement kind of dance. It's called Ecstatic Dance. And for about two hours you dance.

You move. You feel the beat. No one is there to 'pick-up.'  You don't have to worry about creepers. There's no club wear, just comfy clothing you can move in. People dance in silly ways. However they want, and it's all great. Some do contact improv.  Some, like me, just dance.  Just get out of their heads, into their bodies, and enjoy the rhythm of the music as it flows through their body. It's like Grey's Anatomy where they dance it out - just for two hours.

And it's glorious.

Shirts Dress - Spell Designs  //  Hat & my left hand ring - ThreadSence  //  Boots - Aldo  //  Belt - hand me down  //  Bracelet - eBay  //  Sunnies - F21  //  Necklace - Vanessa Mooney  //  Rings *my right hand* - from my Babcia

Sartorial Loves and Being Shoeless

Light rompers are so great. I really can't get enough of them. But it seems there are a lot of things I can't get enough of: fringe, kimonos, lace, dresses.....okay pretty much everything. I think it'd be easier to list my sartorial dislikes *like Uggs and Crocs* rather than my likes.  But back to my point, rompers are great.  Really great.

I especially loved the purple and blue mix on this one.

Also, can I just please apologize for the lack of shoes in this post? I spent little time actually wearing shoes, but more than that my tripod wouldn't fit in my suitcase. Therefore, I was limited to shooting by placing my camera on things that happened to be around - which was needless to say a little awkward. Ah the troubles of being in paradise, am I right?

Playsuit - Arnhem

How I Despise "Must" Haves

Xanadu Dress - Spell Designs  //  Sweater - UO  // Boots - Aldo  //  Sunnies, Necklace & Belt - F21  //  Bag - Target

 I don't know if it's my rebellious nature, or just my cynical view on things, but I seriously dislike when anyone posts articles on "Must Haves."  It's applicable across the board, but I'm mostly referring to fashion posts here.  The "Must Haves in Every Closet", "Must Haves for Spring" etc., etc.  You know what I'm talking about.  Us women have seen them, and continue to see them every season.

Every magazine and blogger always has these "Must Have" articles.  Frankly, I think it's ridiculous. Why 'must' you have it? What's gonna happen if you don't?  You don't need to have anything except weather appropriate clothing to keep you safe from the elements.  That's what you 'must have' and even then, if you don't well, that's at your own risk.  You're a grown up and can make those choices for yourself.

Further, these must haves are not applicable to everyone, so why must you have them?  I don't own a crisp button up white shirt. I haven't owned one for about eight years.  It's on everyone's 'Must Have' list, yet I haven't needed it for eight years.  So perhaps it's not actually a 'Must-Have'?

These are generic lists for generic people and they don't reflect individuality. They should be called "suggested haves."  Because not only do they paint you inside a generic box, but they also make you feel like you are somehow without or lacking if you don't own these things. I call bullshit on that. I don't own a set of classic black pumps.  And thought I do have a classic black blazer, I honestly have worn it for about nine years.  So why must I have these things? Clearly I don't.

What must you have in your wardrobe?  Those pieces that define you and that function in your lifestyle. That's it. That's all you 'must have'  and tell anyone who says differently to shove it somewhere.

Woman at Work

Cardigan & Top - UO  //  Pants - Free People  //  Boots - Locale //  Scarf - SheInside

This day I was on my way to assist at a shoot all day.  So the mantra of the day was comfortable, movable *to lift and adjust gear etc* and no jewelry *you don't want it getting caught on some lever*

Since I couldn't use accessories to brighten my wardrobe, I went for what Andrew calls 'loud' pants.  I love a good paisley.  Much more so than a floral, and this grey and cream pant was perfect.  They're a bit big *they were on sale and the size left was a touch bigger than mine* so once I break them in it'll need a good belt, but I kind of like the baggy boyfriend cord look once in a while.

Clean

Dress - Ruche  //  Sweater - hand me down  //  Cardigan - - UO  //  Boots - Aldo  //  Long Necklace - I forget  //  Short Necklace - Vanessa Mooney

The end of 2014.  To be honest, I'm kind of glad it's over today.  The last year has been challenging *let's use that word shall we* and though 2015 is not off to a great start, at least with the unknown there's the possibility and the *dare I say* hope that things will change for the better.

One thing is nice, I've been working my way through the house slowly over the last few days, cleaning everything.  I mean everything: washing walls, washing baseboards, moving all the furniture out of the way, emptying, cleaning, and sorting everything.  And it feel so much better to walk through the areas of the house that have been done.  They are as clean as when we moved into the house and it de-stresses me in a wonderful way.

New Year, clean start. Symbolic perhaps?  Let's hope.

Love For The Disgusting Hallmark Moments

Dress & Fringe Scarf - SheInside   //  Cardigan - Ruche *old*  //  Tights - gift  //  Socks - - UO  //  Boots - Aldo

As everyone scrambles to get their shopping done, I'm enjoying the little things with my family.  We have free passes to Casa Loma, so that's on the agenda today.  And yesterday we traded with a neighbor for an espresso machine.

None of it took shopping or money, all of it just took some good will.  The result is that this morning we're nursing our first homemade lattes, and heading out to spend a day as a family.

I know, it's disgusting how Hallmark the day is...but I love it.