Staying Chic in the Winter with Maxi Skirts and Dresses

Skirt & Cardigan - Ruche  //  Top - UO  //  Belt - I forget  //  Boots - ThreadSence  //  Bag - thrifted  //  Metallic tattoo - eBay

Sometimes I think I'm completely crazy.  On this day, on one of the coldest Februarys on record, I took off all my layers and posed for the camera to grab outfit shots.  Yup, completely certifiable.

But seriously, maxi skirts and dresses are a great way to stay chic during the colder months because they look great but also allow for leggings and thigh high wool socks underneath....which you can bet that I had on!  It's all about the layers and layers I tell ya.

What's awesome is that right now, I'm in Miami.  Enjoying the much warmer temps.  See you in a few days and expect some much warmer and funner pictures.  Ones where I'm not wondernig if I've gotten frostbite on my clavicle.

merci
xoxo

Ages Ago

Pleated Dress -  Ruche  //  Cardigan - Smart Set  //  Tights - Hansel From Basel //  Thigh High Socks - UO  //  Boots - Locale  //  Necklace - Vanessa Mooney

Day two in Ottawa was windy, can you tell?  It's odd to sit here looking at these shots now that I'm back.  It feels ages ago, though it was only three days ago.  I guess that's what a busy and tiring weekend will do to you.  I've had the pleasure of having three great photo shoots booked this weekend, so needless to say, I'm knackered!  But excited about editing and getting some Spring cleaning/downsizing done.

You guys doing Spring cleaning?  Any tips???

Going Poo

Combined Sweater - Vero Moda  //  Pleated Skirt - Esley   //  Tights - F21  //  Boots - Locale  //  Earrings - F21

Baby Girl.  Ugh, we've been trying to get her to go poo on the toilet.  Which is a lot harder than it sounds.  She holds onto it.  She will go first thing in the morning before we get her diaper off, or hold it all day and go at night once the diaper is back on.  No budging what so ever.  So after giving up that struggle, we have bought a little bag of chocolate and reward her with a treat when she goes poo on the toilet.

Now she holds it and only goes a little bit at a time.  Getting thrice the number of treats.  She's a scammer that one.  She's way smarter than us.

My Kid Deals Out Mommy Crack

When your kid's throwing a huge tantrum, or just plain being demanding, when you haven't slept, or eaten because you've been running ragged, and when they've fallen *or whatever* despite being told four dozen times not to do it or "You'll hurt yourself," that's when you pick them up and hope that it makes them quiet for a moment.

 Top - Sis Sis via ShopRuche  //  Skirt - Spotted Moth  //  Coat - TNA via Aritzia  //  Tights - Hansel From Basel  //  Socks - HUE  //  Boots - Feet First  //  Necklace - Vanessa Mooney  //  Bracelet - Joseph Nogucci via Homegrown Boutique  //  Sunnies - F21

And that's when they dose you.  Don't be fooled.  It's not an accident, and it's not coincidental.  I'm firmly convinced that my kid knows exactly when to release that smell.  The one on the top of their heads.  You know the one I'm talking about.  The one that sends you into perfect relaxation and bliss.   The one that makes you love them and feel like being with them is Nirvana. I don't know what the technical term for it is, but I like to think of it as "Mommy crack."

She's got it down to a fine art.  She's got it timed.  She knows exactly when her Mama needs her next fix so as to not go completely off the rails.  She's my drug dealer, and she's also the supply.  So I can't cut out the middleman in this.

The drug is the middle man.

A Dream In A Costume

 Sweater - hand me down  //  Skirt - The Spotted Moth  // Hat & Necklace - Ruche  //  Tights - F21

Socks - Hue  //  Shoes - Payless

Sometimes getting dressed is like putting on a costume.  It's a chance to become a different character for the day.  This day I dreamt I was a Parisian woman on a brief respite from studying something profound to a nearby cafe.   Full of whimsy and charm.   

Even though in reality I was corralling a toddler and a dog at the local playground.  So really I probably should've been wearing a cowboy hat and carrying a rope. But dream we must.

Quote of Today:

"He poked his head over the futon and just stared at me, then the futon."

Give Me A Good Cliche

 

Dress - Blue Pepper from Ruche  //  Necklace, Bracelet, and Earrings - Threadsence  //  Tights - F21  //  Boots - Feet First

 There's something about the combination of brown and blue, especially a really rich tone, that feels just perfect for Fall.  It's one of those palettes that has just been made for the season.  It's almost become a cliche just because it looks so right, but hey, I've never been one to shy away from a good cliche. They become cliches for a reason.

And I'd rather listen to a good cliche any day over some of the dribble that I hear on a daily basis.  Like the teenage girls on the metro who were talking about not wanting to exercise to get thin because they don't feel like it, so instead they take diet pills...along with all their other pills.  Sometimes I just want to shake young women, or sit in a corner and cry.  Do you realize what you're putting into your body?  Do you realize what ideal you're buying into?

I'll take a good cliche any day.

 True Story:

Andrew is cooking and Drake the Dog is not more than two inches away from him at all times in the hopes that something will fall, or that he'll get offered some treat.  Andrew offers him a piece of celery.  Drake takes it walks away and drops it on the floor in distaste.  Baby Girl, who just happens to be sitting right there, picks up the celery without missing a beat.  And pops it into her mouth saying, "Thank you Dwake!" Only time she's ever eaten celery. 

Elusive Eloquence

Cardi - Esprit

Top - Costa Blanca

Dress -Ruche or Threadsence or Modcloth

Boots - Threadsence

Tights - F21

May I introduce you to the greatest thing in taking self photos, the remote control.  I got mine in the mail a few days back and it makes taking self-portraits with your camera and tripod so much easier!  You do a few test shots to find the lighting and position you like then, snap, snap, snap away.  Love it!  

I'm not very eloquent lately in my posts, that probably has to do with the fact that it's very busy around here with auditions, shoots, rehearsals and table reads.  That, and planning a bridal shower.   Eloquence will return on or after May6th....I hope.

p.s. I revamped my acting site. Take a look!

True Story:

Baby's going to be a genius.  

I know every parent says and thinks that, but I'm right.  

She walked into the room with a book.  

Sat down on the couch, opened it, and remained there reading intently for the next several minutes.  

The book was Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing."  

See I told you.  

Flash Thanks

Top - Thrifted

Skirt - Spotted Moth

Cardi - Old Navy

Hat &Shoes - Ruche

Necklace - won from a giveaway and I can't remember from who

Yesterday I had a really rough day,  I mean really rough.  I won't go into the details because that's not the pertinent part, but let's just say I was not a happy camper.  Having money set aside for just such days, I tweeted that I needed one of my favorite stores to have a flash sale so I can partake of some retail therapy.  I didn't really expect a response, you know?  Lo and behold, Lauren from Emerging Thoughts tweets and facebooks with a one hour flash sale in my honor.  I was touched!  *I also picked up a gorgeous Dear Creatures dress I was hoping to get*

We're in the middle of Blog Positivity week and I can't express how much I appreciate the relationships I've formed with some amazing people online.   Like Lauren from Emerging Thoughts.  She's a wonderful lady with a great eye for curating her boutique, and a great personality all around.  I've never met her in person, only online.  Through blogs and social media,  I've made connections with bloggers, retailers and just great people all around.

I'd like to thank you all. 

True Story:

Baby has grasped the full extent and meaning of the word 'No', or 'neoo' as she says it. 

*accompanied by the obligatory head shake* 

Here's a recent conversation.

"Do you want to eat dinner?"

"Neoo"

"Okay, well Mama's going to eat dinner."

"Neoo"

"Do you want to go take a bath?"

"Neoo"

"Well, Mama has to go to the bathroom"

"Neoo!"

"No?"

"Neoo."

Inappropriate Things I Say

Top - F21; Dress - Lulus; Ring - Spotted Moth; Tights - Hue; Boots - Locale.

Oh goodness gracious my mouth gets me in trouble!  I'm one of those people who just says things, sometimes without thinking.   I say them because I think they're funny, or true, or odd.  But sometimes I don't realize what I'm saying until it's far too late, and I can't take it back.  I realize an hour afterwards that what I said could be totally interpreted in another way - a mean way, or inappropriate way.  And that's not where I'm coming from at all.  I don't mean anyone ill will, unless you're that idiot on the crowded bus who's shouting into his cellphone like the person is two football stadiums away. And even then, I don't wish him ill will....maybe a hemorrhoid or two. But otherwise, I very much believe in live and let live. I just wish my mouth would get on board.

Really.  Please?  Will you just once, co-operate please?

I say stupid things a lot: wise-cracks, smart ass comments, sarcasms, inappropriate examples, dirty jokes, must I go on? Things that I regret or cringe at when I'm trying to fall asleep, and wish I could take back because they were stupid, dumb, embarrassing, TMI, or really just take your pick.  I wish that I could learn to hold my tongue.  I've been on this planet a certain number of years, and I still haven't gotten the hang of it. 

I'm just thankful for the friends I have that have learned to see past this little flaw quirk of mine, and see that I'm fiercely loyal, trustworthy, dependable and well-meaning.  I have and will drop everything if a friend's in need and be there to support you if you need it.  Just ignore the things I say which might be stupid, dumb, embarrassing, TMI, or really just take your pick.

Quote of Today:

"Take the dinosaur out of your face"

Everybody say, "Jump! Jump!"

I don't know why wearing pleats makes it irresistible to jump. 

 But it does.

And twirl.

It's hard to be serious, when you're wearing something this fun!

Sweater - swapped; Belt - F21; Dress - Lulus; Tights - Hue; Shoes - Payless.

I'm really getting into red lately.  It's a color I used to really stay away from.  Not sure why, maybe I just thought it was too bold?  But lately, I've been really embracing it.  It's been a great love affair so far.  So when I won a shopping spree from Lulus.com. I knew I just had to get myself a red dress.  The pleats and collar of this one instantly caught my attention!  There's something very retro about it.  Plus, I love the mix of innocence and elegance.  Of course, it wasn't the only thing I got, but you'll just have to wait and see future outfit posts to see the other lovely things I nabbed.  

Tomorrow's Daily Challenge:

Keeping the theme of jumping, do 20 minutes of cardio today.  Be creative!

Yesterday I was thankful for microwaves - so easy to heat things up, coffee - I just grab a cup, but I remember my parents telling me how scarce and prized it was when they were living in communist Poland, and hot water - a scalding hot shower sometimes just saves my day.

To Trick or Not To Trick?

Dress - vintage from Etsy; Belt - Spotted Moth; Boots - Feet First.

With Halloween coming up, I've started wondering.  When should you take your kids out?  I'm not taking Baby out this year because she can't eat the candy, she probably wouldn't understand or appreciate it, and she'll probably get overwhelmed and/or scared of the whole thing and all the frightening sounds.  I want to take her out when she can understand and appreciate the whole fun process and know that it's not real - just fun.  But that's where I'm coming from.  What do you guys think?  When did you take your babes out for the first time? 

And on the flip side, when do you let your kids go out alone?  I read this article in the Globe and Mail and found it quite interesting food for thought.  What age should we be trusting our babes out alone?  9,10, 11? Finally, when do you think the cut-off for trick or treating should be?  When are you too old to trick or treat?

These are certainly some things I have never considered before becoming a parent.  And now that I'm here, all these decisions are on my mind.  And I try to do what's right for me, but it's difficult to hold strong in the face of judgement from other parents who think that what they do is what everyone should do.  Have you experienced this during Halloween too?

Quote of Today:

"'Cause everybody needs a good cape."

Underwear Undercover

At the Movieola Studio in between segments.

Hat - F21; Shirt and belt - thrifted; Skirt - Spotted Moth; Shoes - Payless.

It's summer and everyone is shedding layers.  But the warm months have exposed a terrible thing I've been witnessing on the street - bad underwear choices.  Outfits are 360 degrees.  The world sees us all the way around and not just from the front or side.  And not every outfit goes with with multicolored tight undies.  I've seen the underwear abuse everywhere lately.  The reason it gets me so adamant is that it ruins an otherwise cute outfit.  Further, it makes the offending lady look a little trashy, unkempt, and makes her figure look less beautiful.

Consider this, a young mom was walking down the street ahead of me pushing a stroller. She had a cute messy ponytail going for her, a figure that, though not sports illustrated material *but really who is, am I right??* , was quite attractive, and she had a simple and sweet maxi dress on. *which I love for new moms in the summer*  So she could've had everything going for her.  Except.  She had tight orange underwear on.  How do I know it was orange?  Because it showed through her dress.  How did I know it was tight?  Because it was cutting into her bum, legs, and hips.  So the whole cute image, and the long lean line of the dress, was ruined.  It's the details that separate chic from not.  And it's important to consider your outfit from the top layer to the bottom.

If you're a mom, don't wear a black bra with a white top. *this is a trend I see on teenage girls today, and in my opinion it just looks cheap on anyone*  Don't wear tight orange underwear with a slightly sheer jersey dress.  Soft thongs are great, as are seamless panties.  And the mantra is nude, nude, nude!  If you're wearing an outfit like the one I am above, where there's volume and the skirt is fully lined you can wear any underwear you like - mine are dark grey bikini style, by the way.  And most importantly make sure it fits.

Okay, that's it.
Rant over.
Thank you for listening.
I'm here all week.  Please remember to tip your waitress.