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!

Santa Stole My Lady

H&M wool hat, Joe Fresh sweater, Bongo jeans, Coach purse, Nixon watch, Rachel Comey boots, Lazy Oaf "OK" necklace.

Bought this sweater this morning on a early morning grocery run with my Mom at Joe Fresh - a super warm wool sweater on sale for $14 is a win in my book when trying to survive these crazy cold Canadian winters.

This outfit is a pretty accurate representation of my winter uniform - crewneck sweater or long sleeve, black jeans, my rachel comey penpals or frye engineers, and limited accessories - usually just my nixon watch and some pearl studs. Something about winter really brings out my inner neutral-tone-loving-pseudo-minimalist.

In other news: I turn 21 in roughly one hour and fifty-five minutes. (Yeah that's right, I'm a Christmas baby.)

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! xx

"Those Are Some Cool Galaxy Pants."

American Apparel Circle Scarf and Fisherman Knit Sweater, H&M Sheer Button-up, Guess Coat, Black Milk Leggings, Cambridge Satchel Co. Satchel, Frye Engineer 12R Boots

Yesterday, I finally received my galaxy leggings in the mail from Black Milk. I love them, but they make me feel like a fifteen year old who hopped out of the Skins cast or something... I haven't decided if it's a good thing or not. In addition, I've always been a steadfast advocate of the belief that leggings are not pants but these have me **questioning everything** - mostly because they're so loud that they're impossible to style as tights. The excessive amount of stares and side-eye I got today while wearing these wasn't helping matters either.

tl;dr version: I'm in a very conflicting love affair with my "galaxy pants" (as one girl referred to them today.)

In other news, a fashion publication at my school called Muse Magazine printed a short piece on my little corner of the web. (Read here, page 35.) To the geniuses at Muse, thank you for actually taking the time to write about my abandoned dumpster baby of a fashion blog. It's much appreciated.


P.S. This music video is making my life.

God Only Knows

ASOS dress, H&M clutch and belt, Aldo heels, bangle borrowed from the world's most awesome mother.

Another post that I've had lined up for roughly a billion years. Wore this to my cousin's wedding a couple weeks ago, which was a) tons of fun and b) one of the most hipster affairs I've been to in a while. My cousin wore TOMS to get married and DJed his own reception (to the styling tunes of Peter, Bjorn & John, and the like.) This outfit came together at the last minute in a complete panic, but ended up being exactly what I envisioned - don't you just love when that happens?

Disclaimer: These pictures were taken at the end of the day, after the wedding. I did not go with a crinkled dress and a really bad hairstyle, but that's what a wedding will do to a girl sometimes.

I haven't taken outfit pictures in so long and while I;d like to have a good reason, I don't - I've just been super lazy. Although I guess not having access to my Dad's dSLR anymore is a good excuse? I'm seriously just waiting it out until he gives it to me - I think this Christmas might be it, kids. Cross your fingers for me.


P.S. Thanks to Lex (personalblog/tumblr/twitter)for taking these pictures for me this time, and countless others.

Cole World

H&M Waistcoat, Forever XXI top, Bongo Jeans, MBMJ Flats, Vintage Coach "Willis" Satchel.

Things this outfit taught me:

a) I had truly forgotten the joys of non-skinny leg jeans
b) Lace tops, even with a waistcoat on top, will definitely get you noticed
c) I might actually be fine with this whole 70s revival trend thing... in very, very small doses.

That aside, today is my last day in Toronto! Tomorrow, I'm heading back to Kingston once again for the start of a new school year. While I'm pretty sad to be leaving my favourite place in the world, I would be lying to you if I didn't say that I am excited beyond belief to go back to studying, partying, seeing my uni friends and generally living student life (ridiculously laid-back at times, and with stress levels completely through the roof at others.)

But before all that, today I'm taking my sister downtown for a little sisterly bonding day, and tonight we're seeing J. Cole live! I'll leave you with this; single shot videos make my life.

I'm Daydreamin' On A Strawberry Swing

H&M Blazer, Vintage Coach "Willis" Satchel, Wilfred Silk Tank, Bongo Jeans, MBMJ flats, "Roya" Necklace from MyNameNecklace.

Wearing my vintage Coach Willis satchel along with my MBMJ flats, which has definitely become my go-to accessories combo to add a little refinement to any outfit (as you'll see in upcoming outfit posts, haha.) I seriously don't know what I did before I had this purse, but I can assure you it will not be leaving my hands anytime soon. The quality is fantastic, and you can tell this bag came from an age where luxury items were meant to last generations. I don't think you can say the same for the bags that Coach makes today - to be honest, I'd be hard pressed to even call today's Coach bags luxury items.

These pictures were taken the weekend before last, when I took an impromptu trip up to Kingston to to go job hunting for the new school year. I was a little hesitant about spending 70 bucks to go to Kingston for a little more than 24 hours but I guess it paid off, because I got hired on the spot! Glad I have a part-time job to fund my shopping habits & hopefully a great reading week trip.

For this week though, I plan on enjoying my week of #funemployment between the end of my summer job and the beginning of school/start of new job. #funemployment consists of: lolling around in bed til noon (which I haven't actually been able to do so far, because my internal clock is still used to waking at 5.30am), baking, watching excessive amounts of TV, chilling with friends, eating good food, and generally enjoying life. I'm looking forward to it.


P.S. Thanks to Kirstie (travel blog/fashion blog/tumblr/twitter) for taking these photos.

Somewhere Only We Know

Some of my favourite recent buys:

1) Madewell necklace. My favourite detail has to the the lobster clasp shaped like a lifeboat preserver.
2) These MBMJ flats are the love of my life. They make every outfit that much classier.
3) If I'm not wearing my MBMJ flats, I'm wearing my TOMS. I haven't even owned them for two weeks but they are oh-so-comfy, and surprisingly versatile.
4) I have been wanting this perfume forever but I couldn't justify the 130 CAD pricetag. God bless duty-free.
5) I seriously own NO shorts. These were on sale at H&M and although I've only owned them for about 48 hours, I've worn both pairs out already. A good buy, methinks.
6) Bought this American Apparel clutch for myself as a present for finishing 3rd year; it's probably my favourite buy over the last couple months. Since I can't afford the Celine version it's inspired by, I bought the next best (and affordable) thing. The leather quality is great for the price and the clutch is simple enough that it works with pretty much any outfit. I'm kind of in love.
7) 10 CAD at Black Market. Thrifting is awesome.
8) Ditto.

I may have gone a little first (and second) paycheque crazy. Time to reel it in and start properly saving for the school year. Oh joy.

P.S. My friend is currently backpacking though Europe, and blogging about it on the way. For anyone suffering from a major case of wanderlust, click here.

And Once You've Had The Best, You Can't Do Better

H&M Linen Blazer, Mendocino Striped Blouse, Forever 21 Jeans, Bongo Jeans, Mango Bag, Marc by Marc Jacobs flats.

What I wore for Father's Day brunch. My mother almost crucified me for daring to wear jeans on such a **momentous occasion** but really, there is only so much one can do when their laundry machine is broken. I'm beginning to suspect that Laundromats don't exist in the suburbs. In other news... I love this blazer. One of my best purchases so far this summer. (The next paragraph is an ode to this blazer, feel free to skip it if you have no interest in me blathering on about releatively meaningless garments.)

When I bought this blazer, all I could do was revel in it's beauty (I'm kind of obsessed with boyfriend blazers.) Once I got home however, I started having second thoughts - not exactly prime timing, since I bought it while in the States and was now at home standing in my very much Canadian closet. But I suddenly started to panic - It's white, won't it get dirty?! Linen gets so wrinkly! The texture won't match anything! Some of that may be true, but the blazer rises above all that foolishness - and it matches with almost everything, strangely enough. Thank you H&M gods, for creating a variation of boyfriend blazer that I can wear through the summer without getting raised eyebrows from passerbys.

Or at least more than I already do. I'm weird, and it tends to catch people's attention. I'm going to stop talking typing now.

Zig Me, And I'll Zag You Back

H&M faux leather shirt, Tristan Oxford shirt, Bongo jeans, Frye boots.

Wore this to church last Sunday. I'm one of those people that a. only goes to church when they're home visiting their family (because I'm too afraid to tell my parents that I don't actually believe in God) and b. only wears black & white to church. I figure the (faux) leather would keep it from getting too boring.

I got this shirt on sale at H&M for 5 bucks and I love it. There was a full wall of them when I got it... I guess a faux leather shirt just really isn't a regular gal's thing.

P.S. I apologize for looking so angry in these photos. My sister gave me a grand total of 30 seconds in front of the camera before heading off to the mall; she's patient like that.

Do It Like A Brother, Do It Like A Dude.

H&M waistcoat, Garage dress, American Apparel lace shirt, lulumumu @ Etsy necklace, Urban Outfitters gloves.

Not going to lie, this outfit is basically a day version of the one worn in this post not too long ago (aka this weekend, lol.) It's inspired by Jessie J's new song "Do It Like A Dude" which is underneath these photos. Most powerful voice I have heard from an artist in a while. If you want to feel uplifted, look up her song "Who You Are". Few people can make those lyrics work without seeming cheesy but Jessie J is certainly one of those people.

All Black Everything.

I am still super bummed about my camera - but on the bright side, midterms are (finally) over! Now only 3 weeks until finals. Awesome.

 H&M jacket and sheer shirt, Bongo jeans, Forever 21 cross necklace, Frye boots, rings from flea market & eBay.

I hate that at Photobooth quality you can't even see how sheer this shirt is. But onto happy, positive thoughts. Now that it's November, am I allowed to make a Christmas wishlist? Or listen to Christmas music? If you said no, too bad. I already did.

The Quiet Scares Me 'Cause It Screams The Truth.

A couple outfits from the past few days:

American Apparel dress, H&M necklace, Ardene's cardigan, Hue tights.

Forever 21 rings, Garage dress, American Apparel lace bodysuit.

So really shitty news: my camera no longer works, and I am too poor to buy a new one. Which leaves me at a loss for how to keep this blog going. For now, I'm just going to take outfit pictures on Photobooth until I can find a better solution.

I know everything that could possibly be said about the H&M x Lanvin collection has been said, so I'll keep this short. I was one of those bloggers who were jizzing their pants over the prospect of this collection - but on the models, the collection was rather underwhelming. After going and looking at the collection online however, I'm particularly loving the yellow one-shouldered dress and cream skirt pictured above. Although seeing as how I won't even be in Toronto when the collection debuts there is a fat chance of me ever getting my hands either.