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*

Hey Sports Fans? *A Parody*

So a girlfriend told me about this woman that does parodies of sports shirts. They parody the team logo and name. I, of course, bought the one for the Toronto Blue Jays.

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.

Butterflies and Muscles Cars

At a street festival, there was a booth that was giving away balloons and stickers.  My Girl walked up and got a red balloon then stood in the line for stickers.  When her time came, the lady held out a large sheet of butterfly stickers.  My girl, ever observant, walked right past her and pointed to the other sheet - the sheet of stickers with cars and trucks on them.

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.

The Kiss

Kiss.  The kiss.
Lips touch and universes are born.  That's how kisses should be.

Port Dover Arts Festival

On the weekend we were there, Port Dover held an arts festival. Antiques, artisan, and unique vendors all got a chance to showcase their wares.

Castaway

The day alternated between sudden bursts of rain - darkening the skies and raising the winds to a howling volume - to the gentle warmth of the sunshine bright and warm on the skin.

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.

Are You Sexy?

Sexy. That's always been a hard one for me. I'll admit it. I had this idea of what a sexy woman was, and frankly, I imagined it as far removed from me as the sun is from Pluto....so veeeeery far.  I know that logically, this is silly. We're all humans, therefore sexual beings, therefore sexy. But I ain't talkin' 'bout logic here. I'm talking feelings and self-image.

Cute. That was how I have always been described, and how I always think of myself. Cute. Smart. Girl next door. All good things, and I never had an issue with them. Just as you can tell, not sexy. Frankly, it has always confounded me.

But now, I'm sexy! No I'm totally kidding you. I still don't really think of myself that way. I still think of myself as dorky, smart, cute, and well frankly awkward *Who's got a talent for putting her foot in her mouth? ME!* But now, I think I'm accepting things a bit more, like I mentioned in this post about being past thirty.

There's a fake construct of sexy in my head created by the world I live in, and there's a self-perception of myself created by me growing up in said world. And I'm recognizing the two for what they are. Doesn't mean they've changed or gone away, just means that hopefully their power over me is a little diminished.

It's made me start to consciously reframe what 'sexy' means to me. I'm trying to/starting to see it as an energetic sucking the marrow out of life, combined with a playfullness, and comfortable acceptance of ones physical self. It's also made me look at the people in my life with this eye and it's made me realize that damn! I've got a lot of sexy friends.

Dress - Spell Designs  //  Necklace & Sandals - ThreadSence  //  Belt - F21

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. 

It's Deceptive...

 .....this outfit.  Why, you may ask?  Because it looks all boho and cool and relaxed, but hidden among it are sci-fi nerdy gems.  My ring says, "To Boldly Go."  And my necklace?  It's an artists interpretation of the Kara Thrace and Anders tattoo mixed with the arrow of Apollo.  BSG gold!
So you see, I'm deceptively geeking out.

Dress - Ruche // Cardigan - c/o Jennifer Fukushima  //  Sunnies - UO  // Sandals - Winners  //  Ring & Necklace - Etsy

You've only got two more days to save 30% off your purchase at Jennifer Fukushima.com!

Use code "MODAMAMA30"

Breezy Arnhem Maxi Dress

The sun is shining, the temperature is up and the breeze is blowing through my dress.

Walking around I finally felt that beautiful thing that is the breeze blowing through your dress, and the sun caressing the back of your neck. It was warm - well warmer - than it has been for a long time. This deliciously light, soft, and breezy dress has been in my closet for a little while. It was calling, nay screaming, out for the barometer to rise. A long and light dress with floral prints epitomizes Spring to me. There's something about that feeling when you're walking down the street and can feel sun, material, and a warm breeze on you at the same time. It's a calming feeling, a soothing feeling, a moment that makes you breathe and love life

Dress - Arnhem  //  Necklace - Gypsy Love Store  //  Ring - F21  //  Bag - Target  // Socks - I forget *old*  //  Boots - Aldo

*linking up with Style Sessions, and Trend Spin*

The Air on Me: A Maxi Skirt Outfit

Maxi Skirt - Goddess of Babylon  //  Tee - SheInside  //  Sweater - made by my Babcia  //  Necklace - Natalie B.  //  Boots - Aldo

The brilliant lovely light and color of the world waking up from it's deep Winter slumber.  I can't tell you how excited I am to see the snow melting and the animals coming out more.  My own style and aesthetic has never been one for layers of sweaters and scarves.  I feel best with small, light pieces of clothing on.  Flowy skirts, little dresses, shorts, and kimonos.  I live for Spring and Summer both emotionally and sartorially.  And it's lovely to think that I can shed those layers and feel the air on my skin again very soon.

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.

Miami Outfit: South Beach

Tank - Love Nail Tree  //  Skirt - Arnhem  //  Necklace & Hat - F21  // Sunnies - Lace Affair  //  Sandals - FreePeople

Walking around Espanola Way and the rest of South Beach in my graphic tank from Love Nail Tree was somewhat satisfying to me.  This particular one is about the perversion, and decline, of the Amderican Dream; so, I found it humorous to be a Canadian walking around with this on.

But of course, no one noticed, they were too bust looking at the fabulous skirt from Arnhem.  Loved thie fabulous way it just swished with me.

*linking up with Fab Favs*

Miami Outfit: Travelling Between Climates

Kimono/Cardigan - Arnhem  //  Queen top - F21  //  Shorts - Spell Designs  //  Boots - DIYed myself  //  Necklace - Vanessa Mooney via ThreadSence

The Miami outfit posts are coming in now.  Monday's walk through Coconut Grove and along the waterfront was glorious. And I couldn't resist changing into shorts at the first opportunity.  These Spell shorts are fabulous. I sized up in them just a touch because I wanted the extra length in the bum. As in, I wanted my bum fully covered when I was walking.

This Arnhem maxi cardigan was definitely perfect in the day to protect from the sun, and in the evening to protect from the cooler breeze. Plus, it stole the show everywhere I went.  People were constantly remarking on it.

I wore this while travelling from Toronto with Jeans.  It provided enough warmth in the snowy weather, and then with a quick switch out to the shorts was perfect in the higher temperatures of Miami.  When I'm travelling like this I like to think about what will easily work with both climates so that you're comfortable and not freezing or boiling on one end.

Side note: it also makes the perfect thing to wear when your breezing through the hotel on the way to the pool and back.