Sartorial Minimalism?

I look at minimalist outfits a lot...wistfully so. Wishing that my closet consisted of clean black, white, grays - it seems like such an effortless chic sartorial existence. But then you know what?  I am immediately drawn to color pattern, embroidery, fringe, and what could be called a sartorially bold choice for the everyday. This vest.  Most people would not grab it for their everyday. I did. This vintage piece is now an essential, a must-have if you will *some of you will get that reference, others, will need to click on the link*

And when it comes down to it, it's the perfect expression of my style.
That, and neutral sandals.

Top & Necklace - FreePeople  //  Vest - Vintage  //  Sandals - c/o Easy Spirit  //  Jeans - Dittos 

*linking up with trend spin*

Maxis Hold Little Secrets

Chelsea Verde Maxi Dress - Ebay  //  Jacket - I forget  //  Bag - Target  //  Necklace - F21

Boho maxi dresses are just sublime.  I love the wonderful assortment of patterns, the swish and swirl as you walk and turn.  There's something deeply satisfying in the weight of the material moving through the air with my movements.  Almost a secret dance known only to me.

Also, there's a great ease to them.  For Winter, leggings and tights are easily hidden underneath for warmth, and sweaters just layer perfectly on top.  The sweep and drama of bold colors and patterns make it look like you tried really hard - that's another secret.

Not How I Was Dressed

Jeans - Dittos via - UO  //  Tank & Kimono - SheInside  //  Hat & Bag - I forget  //  Shoes - Ruche  //  Bag - Target

This weekend was a roller coaster.  Friday night I had the chance to celebrate a great lady's birthday.  Saturday things seemed to go well but my Girl was a bit under the weather.  This progressed to a full blown fever that persisted the rest of the weekend.  As this is posted this morning, I know she's not going to school.

Poor girl spent Sunday on the couch drinking tons of water/juice and sleeping on Mama a lot.  Let's see how the Monday goes.

Oh and trust me, this is not how I was dressed on Sunday...but it was how I was dressed on another day.

Year Round Closet

Romper - ThreadSence  //  Jacket - I forget, it's old  //  Sweater - Guess  //  Hat & Boots - Aldo  //  Necklace Monserat de Lucca  //  Bag - Target

I know some people rotate their closets for the seasons, but I don't really do that.  Sure I put away any halter tops and bikinis, but otherwise it all stays in there because I just wear it differently.  This romper for example, it's backless and strappy, and made for summer, so in the summer that's how I wear it.  But it's such a great print and I love the cut that to put it away for half the year seems a shame.  Enter layering.

A cami underneath, and a sweater and jacket combo on top and I'm ready to rock it for Fall.  Who says you can't have your closet year round!

What Is A 'Hot Mess'

Fringe Kimono - SheInside  //  Floral Tank -  c/o Ever. Mi. Crush  //  Textured Pants - FreePeople  //  Suede Panama Hat - UrbanOutfitters  //  Sandals - F21  //  Red Necklace - I forget  //  Skull Necklace - Monserat de Lucca  //  Backpack - Stela 9

What do you think of when you hear 'hot mess"?  Is it someone in disarray but who has some semblance of charm or beauty?  If so, I'd like to think that you'd think of me.  Hopefully.

This odd, nerdy, and yes, often klutzy girl can be found trying to take a picture with her backpack falling off.  Catching her hat, like it's supposed to magically save the backpack.   Opposite directions really!

C'est la vie.  *sigh*

All Hail The Summer! Death to Fall!

Embroidered Shirt - Thrifted   //  Jeans - Gap  //  Suede Panama Hat - UO  //  Fringe Bag - ThreadSence  //  Tapestry Shoes - Ruche  //  Sunnies - F21  //  Necklace - I have no idea *old*

Most women I know get all excited as the weather cools a touch and there is the hint of Fall around the corner.  I am not one of those women.

These women look eagerly onto the sweaters and the cute tights that they can soon start to wear with anticipation.  I am not one of those women.

They see scarves and beanies, and squeal with delight.  I am not one of those women.

The hint of Fall that excites many brings sorrow to me.  Perhaps, it's because I have the constitution of a *well, I can't think of anything, but something very easily cold*  And probably because Toronto sees it's fair share *read: exhausting long months* of the cold and Winter.  All that combines to create me:  a woman who longs for every second of summer, who dreams of living in a warmer climate like California, and who wishes that Winter meant a sweater and leather jacket rather than the layers upon layers of thermal, wool, and parka.

That woman, this woman, is decidedly not happy to feel the chill in the air.

*linking up with Style Sessions*

Two Hours of My Life

Plaid faux suede shirt - Cotton Candy  //  Tank - H&M  //  Pants - unknown  //  Boots - Aldo  //  Necklace - bought in Europe  //  Bracelets - F21

Two hours.  Two hours that I could've spent running, then having a massage.  Two hours I could've been curled up with my favorite book.   Two hours I could've gone shopping, or had lunch with some girlfirends and laughed.

Nope.  Instead, it was two hours spent trudging through fabric stores.  Two hours spent rubbing fabric after fabric on my cheek to test it's softness and silkiness.  Two hours spent cursing at the weather, and got hungrier in search of the elusive fabric.  Two hours.

Those two hours I could've watched a movie, drank wine, and had my feet rubbed.  No, instead I spent two hours going from store to store to find the perfect fabric to patch up that 23 year old piece of scrap blankie because some short blond girl looked at me with sad, puppy dog eyes and said, "Mommy, oh no!  My blankie has a hole."

What I wouldn't do for her.

Unecessarily Long Story Of One Dress

Dress -Evil Twin via Threadsence  //  Boots - Feet First  //  Sunnies - F21

Once upon a time I was perusing the internet fashion shops again and a saw a dress.  It was fascinating.  It wasn't cute, or sexy, or beautiful, or sweet.  It didn't grab me in any of those ways.  It sparked my curiosity and my imagination.  It was unique.  It had strange cut outs and slits, and strange tie dyed patterns.  I didn't know what to make of it except that I stared at it for a long long time.  

I didn't know if I would ever wear it.  But it didn't matter as it was far too expensive for me. *at $126 it's more than this artist can afford to spend on one dress*

Several months later it was in the sale section of the site.  Again, I looked at it for a long long time.  I wasn't sure it would be something I would ever really wear.  Would it just be a waste of money and hang ignored in my closet?  Would this be one of those things I would kick myself for later?  I didn't know.  But even the sale price wasn't enough for me to risk it.  Even for this fascinating dress.

Then.  Then it happened.  A huge semi-annual blow out.  The second I clicked on the blow out and saw this dress in the listings for $15 and in my size I knew that there could be no more hesitation.  It was kismet.  This dress had intrigued me for months.  I was absorbed in the architectural detail of it. And I knew that even if I never wore it, if I thought it a mistake later, my curiosity was worth the $15.  

It was fate.  Now the dress and I have met, and we love each other.  We know we are two peas in a pod.  Two weird, fascinating creatures finally come together.

*linking up with WIWW*