A Casual Day...

...calls for casual clothes.  Though, as we all know I'm never all business-y anyway.
But having been blessed with come milder weather, I made sure to take full and complete advantage.

Sartorial Rabbit Hole of Joy, or Lyst

I've recently been going down the best rabbit hole ever. And I do mean that. I've been spending time on Lyst. It's seriously like a fashionista's online Mecca. You create an account and answer a whole bunch of questions about which designers you like and don't like, then your own private boutique is curated for you. Basically, Lyst scours a whole ton of online shops and puts them all in one place. Imagine, instead of tons and tons of boutiques spread across they're all in one place - like a mall - but so much more awesome because no one steps on your toes.

Other Days

Some days I like to chat with people and share, and have boundless laughs and energy.

Mixes

It was a friend's birthday party. A party where you're supposed to bring an appetizer to share with everyone. She messaged me the week before and asked if instead of bringing an appetizer, I would make her birthday playlist. She had been to the dance parties I hosted with my curated list, and she asked if I would create an upbeat list with some of her favorite indie rock mixed in.

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.

Responsible Fashion

Heading up to the cottage this past long weekend, I was yet again struck by the beauty that we have in nature.  Also, the profound meaning and connection we can achieve by just sitting quietly and letting the world move around us.

A Millions Things....

...go wrong. Everyday. You wake up with a certain expectation of the day, at least I do, and everyday it turns out different.  Sometimes better, sometimes worse, and sometimes just different.

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

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

One Woman Dance Party

You know when you're driving and you pull up to a red light alongside other cars, and in the car beside you you see that person?  There's that person who is blasting music, bobbing their head, drumming their hands, and is clearly singing as loud as possible.  Either unaware or not caring that people are watching them, they make faces, act out all the bits of the song, and wait with anticipation for the guitar or drum solo acting it out on their steering wheel.

That person is me.

Janis Joplin, Rolling Stones, '70s hits, and Queen. Yup.

For the record, my driving is superbly precise - I just do it while having a one woman dance party.

Kaftan - Arnhem  //  Pants - Lululemon  //  Boots - Aldo  //  Necklace - Gypsy Love Store  //  Turquoise Bracelet & Hat  - ThreadSence  //  Turquoise and Red Bracelet - eBay  //  Rings & Sunnies - F21

*linking up with Honest Mom*

I'm Wearing My Boyfriend's Jeans

I love how we call them boyfriend jeans, but really they're not from our boyfriend, and they're not even cut as males jeans are. They're a unique design all they're own - made for women's bodies, in a cut that is relaxed in a very specific way as to mimic the fall of loose men's jeans.

And that's a good thing too. Considering I'm married.  Otherwise, I'd have a heck of a lot to answer to after saying that I'm wearing my 'boyfriend jeans.'

Jeans - Old Navy  //  Tee - SheInside  //  Bag - Lucky Brand  //  Shoes - ThreadSence *old*  //  Necklace - Gypsy Love Store  //  Rings, Hat, Sunnies & Belt - F21

It's All About Interest

Jacket & Shirt - UO  //  Fedora - ThreadSence  //  Pants - Zara  // Boots - Aldo  //  Earrings & rings - I forget *old*

Sometimes, rarely, I do enjoy wearing an all black ensemble.  But whenever I do monochrome, I love playing with textures upon textures.  Sequins, wool, fur, and pleather....did I miss anything?

It's just interest I guess.  I love to see some interest in clothing. When there's textures, or colors, there's interest, feeling, and a sense of that individual's attitude for the eve.  I don't presume to encourage people to judge by the cover, but it's fun to say something about your state of mind at this particular moment.

Mine was all about the party.

Weekend Uniform...

Skull Kimono Cardigan - Fitzroy Boutique  //  Tee - gift from Europe  //  Flared Jeans - Dittos via UO  //  Scarf - SheInside  //  Fedora - ThreadSence  //  Necklace - Monserat de Lucca via Beau and Bauble

...that's what the t-shirt says. And though as a freelancer there is no such thing as 'weekend,' if I were to have a *winter* weekend uniform this would be it: jeans, boots *though you can't see them*, big cardi/kimono, slouchy top, and scarf.

With fringe.  You just know that something would have to have fringe.
And a fun pattern/graphic - like this tee and sweater.

Okay, so I guess my uniform is pretty specific.

Geeky Kung Fu Girl

Top & Cardi - Zara  //  Jeans - Gap  //  Hat - ThreadSence  //  Boots - Locale  //  Bag - Target  //  Necklace - Free People

The geeky kung fu girl inside of me got loads and loads of giggles this day.  Why?  Because I coordinated my outfit to be the fighting style,  tiger-crane.  I wanted to wear my tiger shirt, and then I was thinking of layers to add on top, and when I remembered my fun crane embroidered sweater I was like yeah, Bruce Lee would love this!  'Cause in my head he really cares about what I wear.

So yeah, I had a great time with the little inside joke between me and Bruce Lee.