And We'll Never Be Royals

What's this... a blog post?

Yeah, kind of forgot this place existed. Been caught up with school, volunteering, starting my summer job, writing for The Style Spy, socializing and eating good food. But let's not be silly, there's always room for blogging between all that, yeah?

Outfit back story: Wore this out a while ago to go shopping with my Mom. I love how eye-catching this necklace is, and I'd been so caught up in wearing gold as of late that I forgot the great crisp, futuristic feel that only silver accessories are capable of.

Thrifted army jacket, Topshop peplum top, Forever 21 necklace, Urban Planet jeans, Fjallraven Kanken backpack, Frye Billy boots

Anyways, look out for more outfit posts in the coming days. Also, there may or may not be pictures posted from two months ago when there was still snow on the ground. No judgement y'all.

Also, boobs... 'cause I'm random like that.

To be honest this picture is probably the most accurate representation of what I'm like in real life posted on this blog thus far. Not sure if that's a good or bad thing.

Lastly, good music is good for your soul.

I’ll Wait, So Show Me Why You’re Strong

Community "Paradigm" Parka (from Aritzia) // Fjallraven "Kanken" backpack // EBay Foxtail // H&M Tee // Hiyamoon Crystal Bullet Necklace (on Etsy) // Urban Planet Jeans // Frye "Billy" Boots // Commes Des Fuckdown Beanie

First order of business: HI Y'ALL THIS IS MY NEW BACKPACK AND I LOVE IT. Seriously though, I have a thing for backpacks. I have far too many already and I still want more (a leather backpack in particular.) How will I justify my obsessive backpack purchasing when I'm no longer in school?

Secondly, these boots: Got them over the Christmas break, on EBay for 100 dollars -- they usually RRP for $270! My second Frye boot purchase, and it cemented that it will not be the last.

Thirdly, this song has been on repeat for the past 4-5 days and it's one of the best things I've heard in months. Watch the video below for maximum effect:

And last but not least, me #failing at doing Cara-face for good measure:

Happy weekend my friends!

#winning

This will be a short post - I just wanted to share this awesome Holt Renfrew x Pendleton throw I won in MTV FORA's Holiday giveaway. It's thick, luxurious and has a pretty great colour scheme (because let's be real, Toronto biddies love that Holt Magenta.)

True, I'm probably not going to go on outdoor winter excursions with nothing but a wool throw to keep me warm, but I couldn't resist the opportunity to take pictures of my hideous, makeup-less self frolicking in the snow that Nemo left for us. Indulge me.
 

So This Is Love?

tae of purseforum

Came across a picture of these flawless Celine wedges last night and I AM IN LOVE. I don't even know how much they retail for, but I don't want to know. I might consider some rather insane money-making schemes if I had a savings goal in mind.


Cinderella girl, I never got it before. BUT NOW I DO.

New Specs, I Need Some.

Ever since I found out about Warby Parker from one of my favourite bloggers The Queen of Hearts, I've been head of heels for their specs. This week I found out through my Style Spy editor Erica that they now deliver to Canada, and roughly 30 seconds later I checked Alicia Fashionista's blog to see her rocking a pair of Warby Parkers.

They should seriously give her some type of commission for selling me these glasses.

So as much as I love my Prada specs, it's time for a change. (Partly because my Pradas are too big and often fall off my face if I turn my head more than 45 degrees towards the floor.)  I was going to post pictures of me with these glasses in "virtual try on" mode, but let's be real - pretty much every word published on this blog by me is embarrassment enough.

I'm down to two pairs that I think I might get - which ones are you guys feeling more? (Let me know in the comments if you're feeling brave!)

Warby Parker "Downing"

 

Warby Parker "Linwood" (Same as Alicia Fashionista is wearing above!)

If I end up getting either, y'all will be the first to know.

What The F*ck Is "Remixing"?

I've been meaning to write this post for a while. (Not hyberbole. I thought I published it, but it's apparently been sitting in my Drafts for almost a year.) All over the blogosphere, I've seen this term -- "Remixing My Wardrobe!" "Thirty Day Remix Challenge!" "I'm A Remix Blogger!"

So I read further. Apparently remixing is... wearing different items in your wardrobe multiple times in different combinations. Well, I'll be damned. And here I thought it was something revolutionary and exciting, by the way all these bloggers were exclaiming it to the world.

Call me naive, but I had always assuming that "remixing" was what one does with a wardrobe. In fact, my term for this is called dressing in the morning. Why would you buy a piece of clothing that you'd only wear once? (I'll give leeway in cases of formal events such as weddings, graduation, etc.) I find it a bit strange that people feel wearing an item of clothing more than once is something to write home about.

To me, buying a top or a shirt that you're only going to wear once in one specific situation is equivalent to throwing one's money in a shredder. I have always had a mentality that I am building a versatile, all-purpose wardrobe when going shopping, not looking for Thursday's outfit. However, I am not one of those people who goes shopping because they like new things - I go shopping to fill the gaps in my wardrobe or because my clothing is no longer wearable.

So here's to a revolution, a world that no longer views clothing as disposable but rather an investment to get it's money's worth out of. It's my party, and you're all invited.

Cry for Help

Okay, so "cry for help" may be a bit extreme, but I am genuinely at a loss - where does one find a nice, simple, black leather duffel-style bag for under 500CAD?

Think in the line of the Givenchy Antigona, my dream bag that retails for roughly a billion dollars (or a mere 2405.00USD at Bergdorf Goodman.)

If you've seen anything like this, comment below! IF YOU FACLITATE THE FINDING OF MY DREAM BAG I WILL NAME MY FIRST-BORN AFTER YOU.

What's The Good in Being Good

Outfit pictures I blackmailed my sister into taking a billion years ago - took these right after I bought my Community Parka from Aritzia. While everyone and their mother owns it, I'm completely willing to overlook that fact after this past week of relentless -25C weather.

Urban Planet Chiffon Top (yeah, you read that right) // Black Milk "Mucha Black" Leggings // Frye Boots // EBay necklace

In all honestly, I'm not big on dressing for the weather - I love sweaters, but I'm very picky about which ones I buy, so there's not nearly enough to get me through a Canadian winter. Instead, I'd rather just pile on a giant coat & super warm boots to make up for whatever weather-inappropriate getup I'm wearing that day.

This outfit is a pretty typical "Roya-dressed-with-her-eyes-closed-because-she-was-too-tired" outfit: long chiffon top + cool leggings + chunky boots = my uniform.

Also, I have this shit on repeat, and you should too:

Christmas Eve

So does anyone ever go out shopping for Christmas presents and end up getting things for themselves? I was always pretty good at staying on task with this stuff - or at least until this week. Some stuff I grabbed downtown on Saturday:

Jackets, thrifted ($10/each)

Peplum Top, TopShop ($32)

I've been wanting a quilted jacket lining (1st picture) for ages; I'm so happy I finally found the perfect one. I also already have the peplum top in black, but I am that person who buys something in multiple colours when I love it. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Also got this today (I can never resist buying a new hat right after I get my hair done):

Neon Beanie, American Apparel ($22)

So suffice to say, at this point I'm feeling like getting any presents on top of this might be a little overboard. I know this is all very cliche of me but I do feel like I'm finally starting to realize the "true meaning of Christmas" - I have never looked forward to seeing the ones I love more and cared about receiving gifts less.

Anyways, I hope you get to spend this time around the ones you love -- if not, be sure to let them know you care. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you all!


P.S. I've attached a super random list of some of my Christmas favourites. Enjoy!

Christmas Eve from royaandthemachine on 8tracks Radio.

christmas wishlist

I posted my "Luxury Wishlist" over at The Style Spy last week, and now I'm giving you my more realistic Christmas Wishlist... in Prezi format. Prezi is basically Powerpoint with insane perspective changes (shit's zooming and panning all over the place), which I discovered less than 12 hours after my last major presentation this semester. Since I can't use it at school, I decided to use it to display my Christmas Wishlist. Enjoy (and view fullscreen for maximum effect.)

instagrammin' & a shopbop giveaway winner

It's crunch time at school and I am basically getting all my kicks from eating horrible food or spending money I don't have - all of which is documented on my Instagram (which I'm sure you're dying to see.

best burger ever (yes, that is peameal bacon.) // my favourite new Aldo ankle booties

shit I bought // black milk "burned velvet" leggings

 

wearing my black milk tiger swim // apple mosaic tart w/ salted caramel (recipe)

apple pie cookies // accent nail manicure (*sew trendy*)

my friends and I at Zedd // mini-apple pies

pomegrate seeds give you life // jalepeno refried beans w. cilantro and sour cream

Oh yeah, and before I forget, the winner of the "ShopBop x Roya + the Machine" $100 Giveaway is Patti, entry #244. Be sure to check your email! =)

Giveaway: 100$ to ShopBop!

Hello lovely readers: I've partnered up with ShopBop to present you all with the chance to 100 dollars to their store! Yeah that's right, #freeshit y'all. They sell pretty much every contemporary brand under the sun, including some of my favorites: Frye, Rachel Comey, Tweltfh St. by Cynthia Vincent, Helmut Lang, Mackage, Nixon, CC Skye, MINKPINK, Enza Costa & Alexander Wang.

So the real question is: what would you buy? Me? I'm seriously loving these Madison Harding booties, and this Helmut Lang top... or maybe a new Equipment blouse? Too many wants, not enough monies.

Enter using the Rafflecopter widget below - all instructions are included on there. Open to all readers, national & international alike! (I'm equal opportunity like that.) The winner will be chosen randomly using random.org.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

P.S. I found you guys some ~100 dollar stuff, to help you choose when you win... a pair of Twelfth St. by Cynthia Vincent sandals, Dolce Vita Jackal suede booties or this Splendid Pocket Blouse may soon be arriving on your doorstep.

Buy All The Things: Complex Geometries

Hey guys! It's been a while.

School's been crazy, life in GENERAL has been crazy. But something about blogging calms me. For a while there I thought it was the end but the truth is that you'll probably never be able to keep me away from the keyboard.

I've been obsessed with Complex Geometries for a while, and now more than ever I wish my closet was overflowing with it. Unique + minimalist + made in Canada = perfection.

Stifler Top, 212USD

Tile Tank, 150USD

Apex Shirt, 198USD

Square Hood Tank, 159USD

Wave T, 162USD
 

P.S. Stay tuned, I have an awesome giveaway coming up soon! 

Insta-whore

1. kBBQ + Sushi = stuffed dead Roya (it's a delicacy in these parts)
2. Paint chips stolen from Home Depot to be used in a special project I have planned
3. David's Tea is a perfect example of creating your own customer base - before they came to town I DIDN'T EVEN DRINK TEA GUISE. Now I'm obsessed.
4. The hipster goddess that is my little sister.
5. A painting said sister drew. I hate her for being flawless (Oh well, at least I'm older. Right?!)
6. New scarf from Urban Outfitters that I creeped for like a month before buying since I like most sane people have an aversion to 30 dollars scarves. But alas, I caved.
7. #ARMPARTY (self-explanatory and yes, I had to. Sorry.)
8. Space Invaders mural on a house on my street. How come my house isn't this cool?
9. My mother being her lovely self
10. Zara booties that will haunt my nightmares.

I suspect I am rapidly becoming one of those Instagram people who everyone hates but as such a long time Blackberry user I need a few days to revel in the **amazingness** that is Android. that's right, I finally upgraded to a Samsung Gaalxy S3 after spilling nail polish remover on my last phone (RIP Blackberry) and I haven't put it down since I got it five days ago.

In other news, I got back from Lollapalooza about a week ago and it was seriously the best time of my life. I mentioned in my last post that I was heading there alone as my plans with my friend who was supposed to accompany me fell through - to anyone who is thinking about going to a festival or on a trip by themselves, do it. Don't hold yourself back or have regrets about things you wanted to do but didn't because you didn't have someone else around. I had an amazing time at Lolla - saw artists I had been wanted to see for ages, met some incredibly cool people, and got to experience the lovely city of Chicago. My one recommendation would be to stay somewhere like a youth hostel if you can - it was a great, friendly environment that helped me make a lot of friends.

I would post pictures of my time at Lollapalooza but the reality of the situation is that I was either too busy dancing to take any or looking like a hot mess in the few that I did take. You'll just have to take my word that it was amazing - or even better, go check it out yourselves next year.