Purple Ninja

This morning.

Free Fridays

Fall, Winter, and Spring means that Andrew's business is in full swing. Which is great for finances obviously, but it also means a lot of business trips and a lot more responsibility on me at home.

Heart on a Sleeve

As much as I try, as much as I claim to be jaded and cynical, I often fail. As a friend once said to me, "You think you are, you hope you are, but you're not."  That same friend now routinely calls me 'innocent.'

Happy Labor Day!

It signals the end of summer and the return to reality.  But we can all just ignore that, right?

All The Good Things

Something about sitting around a campfire with moonlight and starlight streaking down. With a lovely whiskey and good friends, there is perfection. I did that.

Messy Hair, Don't Care

There's this image that bloggers, mostly fashion and lifestyle, present.

Here's To Our Friendship Flaws

I have very imperfect friends. Some overshare, some drink too much sometimes, some say stupid things at the most inopportune moments, some can be harsh ...basically they make mistakes and have flaws, and are human.

All of them are well meaning, and caring, and accepting, and honest.

I can tolerate a lot as long those things are present. Tolerate isn't the right word. A lot of things don't bother me because of the presence of the others - that's a better way to put it. In fact, I count on my friends being imperfect, because that means that they'll hopefully be forgiving of my own imperfections. Of which I have many, and I try to surround myself with people who will forgive me when I say/do something stupid at the most inopportune of moments knowing that I probably don't mean it, because I'd like to think I'm well meaning, caring, accepting, and honest.

Tee - Thrifted  //  Kimono - Arnhem  //  Shorts - Spell  //  Boots - Aldo  //  Bag - Target  //  Sunnies - I forget

Lush Green Trees and a Little Creek

Finding little places like this, low in a valley and hidden from the city, is like entering a secret garden.
Logically, I know that this place is frequented by many.
But emotionally, it feels like my own secret place.
Quiet and undiscovered.

It just begs and cries out for a little twirling and dancing.

Kimono - Spell Designs  //  Top - SheIn  //  Shorts - Target  //  Sandals - Threadsence  //  Hat - I forget  //  Necklaces - Vanessa Mooney and Monserat de Lucca

I Love My Job

As an artist freelancing her way through life, I have many jobs. Three....well four: actor, photographer, blogger, and mother....more if you add partner and producer...oh dear Lord! But right now I'm talking about photographer.  Sartorially.

As a photographer I get to wear whatever the heck I want.  Within reason of course.  No pasties and feathers...though to be fair I don't usually wake up wanting to wear that anyway.  As long as I'm not too provocative and can move around, I get pretty much free reign.

For example, this day I spent shooting a lovely client, and I got to head into work in  casual shorts and a fun denim shirt. So I reiterate: I love my job.

Helps that I'm the boss too.

Top & Shorts - Spell Designs  //  Tee - SheInside  //  Necklace - vintage  // Sunnies - Lace Affair

Miami Outfit: Wynwood Walls

Overall - Spell Designs via Turquoise Lane  //  Tank & Bralette - F21  //  Boots - DIYed by me  //  Bag - Target  //  Necklace - Monserat De Lucca via Beau and Bauble in Toronto

It's the last of the Miami outfits today.  Then we're back to Toronto, and the chillier weather.

These walls were so stunning, and every new one gave me a new idea for a shoot.  Basically, I could've shot in the area for a whole year with each new wall giving me new inspiration for a new story to tell.

How do photographers ever walk away from here?

*linking up with Style Sessions*

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.

Arrested, Hooted, and Bankrupt

Tunic Dress - Arnhem // Shorts & Bag  - Target  //  Necklace, Large Silver Ring - ThreadSence  //  Sunnies, Colored Stones Ring, Leaf Ring - F21

This gorgeous top is supposed to be a dress. It's one of those beachy, devil may care boho dresses. Sadly, I'm actually quite tall and don't spend my days on a beach in a photoshoot. Why would this matter? I'm so glad you asked.

It matters because the tallness means that it's rather short. Like, just-covers-my-butt short. Which would be fine, on a beach, with a bathing suit underneath. But my day to day is spent with my girl, or running/biking around this fair city without a bathing suit on, or in studio. That means any arms gestures, such as the one above, would have me exposing my undies to children on the playground, pedestrians and drivers on the street, and clients in a studio.

And I certainly do not want to be arrested, hooted at from trucks, or bankrupt my business.
Hence, shorts.

Upon Arrival

Floral Fringe Kimono - Zara  //  Tribal Tank - En Creme  //  Bralette, Shoes, & Necklace - F21  //  Shorts - Target  

Three hours of driving to a cottage go very quickly when you have someone as conversational and entertaining as my friend Reggy beside me.  It felt like a quick breeze.  What we arrived to, however, was far less entertaining.

Rain.

That first day it decided to rain pretty much the whole time.  It's fine because us ladies had a ball chatting it up nonetheless.  We can always entertain ourselves.  But it did make for quick and slightly haphazard shots.

My choice was grainy shots because of darkness and much less rain because of the tree canopy, or risk my camera and go out into the full fall.  I chose grainy.  I hope y'all understand that the camera comes first.

*linking up with WIWW*

Party Week

Tribal Print Jacket - Lucky Brand  //  Shorts - Gap  //  Lace Tank - unknown (online)  //  Shoes - Ruche  //  Sunnies - F21  //  Necklace - bought in Europe

Our great city was just abuzz with World Pride, now we're headed into Canada Day celebrations, followed by a cottage excursion for me and some girlfriends.  Honestly, it's just one big party week!

What are you all looking forward to?

Voting

Top - Zara // Kimono - H&M  //  Shorts - Express  //  Boots - Aldo  //  Necklace - I forget  //  Sunnies - F21

Recent election day had the whole family going down to the polls.  My girl was very interested in what we were doing.  So that evening, she and I had a conversation.  It went like this:

Her: "Why I don't vote?"
Me: " You will when you're older."
Her: "What I vote for?"
Me: "Who's going to be in government."
Her: "I want a lady."

I had a proud feminist mom moment right there. 

Vampires And Kimonos??

Top - c/o Gracie B. Boutique // Jacket - Zara  //  Shorts & Sunnies - F21  //  Boots - DIYed  //  Necklace - Ardene

I love kimonos.  Honestly, can't get enough, and I want to own every single one.  The problem?  I'm still figuring out how to wear them.  I'm playing and trying to see what works for me and what doesn't.  Maybe here's where I can finally stat using Pinterest.  Oh that's what that thing is for right?  

I'm gonna play folks.  I'm gonna have some fun...but be warned, that means some outfits may suck.  And suck a lot.  It takes trial and error to figure things out.  Get ready for some major suckage.  

*Side note:  I believe I may be watching too many Vampire things lately...everything 'Sucks'*

*linking up with That's My Style, Plane Pretty, and  Passion For Fashion*