A Friend is a Gem

There's nothing better than sitting down with someone knew over a coffee. An acquaintance that after three hours of chatting has turned into a friend. Finding someone who laughs with you, who is easy to talk to, and further someone who you can tell doesn't judge but just accepts people as they are.

Those people are a rare gift. Treasure them because talking trash is easy and there's always someone up for the job. But understanding and a sense of humor don't come along all that often. It's a precious gem someone like that, and one I plan on appreciating.

Top - gift  //  Cardigan - TnA  //  Beanie - eBay  //  Jeans - Gap  //  Boots - ThreadSence  //  Necklaces - Vanessa Mooney  //  Rings - Fair Trade Artisans 

Fresh Start with a Fresh Year

My energy has been so low these holidays. Not sleeping well, coupled with poorer than normal eating habits, and a touch of a cold all adds up to low energy. And that means low productivity.

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.

Annie Hall, or Menswear

Yes, I love my flowy, boho, ruffles, with crochet, and fringe. We all know that far, far too well.
But sometimes even I am drawn to the clean lines of a great button up, vest, and tie.

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.

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.

True

True, the weather's getting colder.
True, the sun is setting sooner.
There is less daylight. And it feels like we're lacking.
And yes, it'll be hard the next few months without the heat on my skin.
With all the layers I'll be forced to wear instead of feeling the unfettered freedom of wind rustling through summer fabrics.

Favorite Scarves

I have a few. Those standards go-tos. You know, the ones you reach for without really thinking.  Obviously, my Polish scarf is on that list. As is a gorgeous black one from Kish & Evie - you'll be seeing that a lot this Winter.

Go With It

The sun is gone. Well okay, it's not actually gone. It feel like it's gone though as Fall is firmly here.

Whiskey Too Far

That moment. That moment when you are pushed too far.

Asking

Why is it often so hard to ask?  Why do we have a hard time asking for things we want and need?

Sometimes the World

Sometimes our brains freeze up.  At least mine does.
Sometimes I don't know who I am supposed to be, and have trouble reconciling that with who I am.
Sometimes my heart feels too many feels and then I become confused about what I'm feeling.
Sometimes I feel like a little girl, not knowing which way to go, and thinking everyone is an adult around me and has it all figured out.
Sometimes I just need to stop and dance.

Top - Auguste  //  Jeans - Lucky Brand  //  Necklace - Fair Trade Show  //  Sandals - I forget *old*

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

Road Trip Wishing thinking

Janis Joplin blasting in my car.

The sun roof open and the suns rays hitting the back of my neck.  The windows rolled down and the wind whipping my hair. Driving in a moment like that makes me feel like I should ditch it all and go on some sort of epic road trip.  The kind where adventures find you and you'll be sleeping in your car at least once.  The kind where camp fires will be had, jokes will be made, and someone is gonna pull out a guitar.

You know, the kind we all want to have.

Jacket - Le Chateau Outlet  //  Johnny Cash Tee - UO  //  Necklace - Lucky Brand //  Jeans - Gap  //  Boots - Aldo  //  Sunnies - F21

*linking up with Style Sessions*

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*

If I could Coachella...

 ....I would.  If I could take the time off. If I had the finances. If I lived closer.  I totally would.  But I can be there in sartorial spirit.  In fact, I pretty much live there in sartorial spirit.  Here's to all of us who wish to be there.  Here's to the dreamers, the lovers, the make believers.  I'm right there with you.

Love. Peace.

Duster & Tee - Spell Designs  //  Jeans - Dittosbrand //  Boots - Aldo  //  Necklace - bought in Spain   //  Belt - Lucky Brand  //  Sunnies - UO  // Bead Bracelet - Ruche  //  Silver cuffs - gifts from Poland. 

Why Beaded Vests Make Life Easier, Or Something Like That

Top & Beaded Vest - UO  // Necklace - ThreadSence *old*  //  Pants - Dittos  //  Bag - Lucky Brand 

Clearly I'm all about the comfy.  In fact, if clothing is restrictive in any way it gets worn very rarely.  there are of course a few pieces that are for special occasions, and on those rare moments I tolerate less than full comfort.  But generally speaking? No.  Generally speaking, it's low heels, soft stretchy fabrics and ease of mobility.  Life is hard enough without making you're clothes hard too.

Fashion Week and the Persistence of Black Clothing Everywhere: A Call To Arms

Kimono - Arnhem  //  Top - UO  //  Jeans - Dittos via UO  //  Boots - Locale  //  Necklace - bought in Spain  //  Rings - F21 & misc

This week has been  all about Toronto Fashion week - or World Mastercard Fashion Week.  What I've found most interesting in attending the shows is that while the clothing on the runway is fascinating and creative, this isn't the case in the fashion industry attendees. *before anyone gets up in arms, I'm not talking about every single person - I'm talking about numbers here. The vast majority* 

The shows are vibrant and unique, and though they aren't all things I personally would wear or I personally love, they are all interesting to look at.  I'm sorry to criticize or rub people the wrong way, but the persistence of a sea of black at fashion week is to me unacceptable.  I'm not saying that wearing black is uninspired.  It's that the black outfit is interesting if it's the only one.  But when the same outfit - you know, the black tight pants, black heels and a variety of 'urban chic' blazer/top - is multiplied by five hundred it becomes banal.

The attendees of fashion week are those in the industry. The leaders, the representatives, the lovers. This is where we should all be showing our own personal style.  Where colors, textures and patterns should come alive.

I'm not talking about peacocking *that fad of wearing ridiculous clothes to be photographed by the press at these events*  I'm talking about every attendee celebrating the freedom of expression and joy of design that I feel fashion affords.  But no,  I walk in and see twenty black pleather leggings, ten thousand black pumps, and a vast ocean of black with a very occasional dot of color.

Is it wrong for me to make a call to arms for us, the industry representatives, to celebrate what's beautiful about fashion - self expression and personal style?  If so I don't want to be right.

I'll be that non pleather-legging-flat-booted-bright-colored-messy-haired pariah, and it's okay that I stand alone.  I'm an introvert anyway.