Finer Feelings

Finer Feelings- Spoon

Ah... I think my brain is still in holiday mode. Plus I've been working on a project (that's incredibly time consuming, but I'm hoping to be able to share with you guys next week!) so I really don't know what else to say! It's snowy and cold, so layers are a must, as is this faux fur. Even if it's completely repetitive! 

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas, mine was completely lovely; filled with lots of family and laughter and some very tone-deaf singing (oh Rockband!) 

love

xxx

Winter Winds

Winter Winds- Mumford & Sons

I can't remember ever having this much snow so soon into winter- I know I should be shovelling out my driveway but it seems a tad pointless to do it while more snow is falling. Plus, it's just so much cozier being inside sketching the snow than moving it!

The knee deep snow means that boots have been all but mandatory for everyday wear- unless you like having cold and wet ankles. Thankfully I adore my boots, so I'm not exactly heartbroken about this. 

Faux Fur: Ricki's (??), Navy Sparkle Cardigan: Gap, Plaid Button-up: American Eagle, Black Leggings: Joe Fresh, Brown Equestrian Boots: Aldo, Sparkle Socks: Gift from my Mum (who LOVES to give people "fun" socks!) 

I've decided that I'm going to make a few resolutions this year- though I'm trying to start them early (no time like the present, right?). I normally don't bother too much with them, and the one's I've set for myself this year aren't exactly groundbreaking or earth shattering, but they are things that I've been wanting to do for a while. I'm actually quite excited! 

Do you make resolutions?

love

xxx

Christmas Lights

Christmas Lights- Coldplay

So it's not a huge surprise I'm sure, but I love Christmas. Yes, I'm one of those annoying people that has their tree up on the first of December and never gets sick of the holiday music. Please still love me. :)

This year has been a bit quieter, but just as lovely. I only had one holiday party to dress up for though and that was back in Nov. So I took the opportunity the other night to throw on the most festive outfit I could (that didn't include stocking earrings. That's a teensy bit too far, even for me!) and fancy up the tree even more. 

Red Silk Bow Top: Urban Outfitters, Black Pencil Skirt: Smart Set, Black Bow Belt and Black Rose Peep Toes: Le Chateau, Black Patterned Tights: Joe Fresh, Pearl Necklace: Granny's

Happy Christmas Lovelies! 

xxx

(hohoho too!) 

on a day like this

On a Day Like This- Elbow

Big fluffly snowflakes were falling all day yesterday, blanketing everything in a beautiful, if slightly annoying, sheet of white. It was a perfect day to sit inside and finish work on various projects that have been pushed aside by trips, (paid) work and life in general. My To Do List is still intimidating, but at least a dent has been made! 

Plaid Men's Shirt: Bluenotes, Black Leggings: Joe Fresh, Black Equestrian Boots: House of Harlow, Black Beret: Le Chateau, Grey Knit Scarf: Ralph Lauren, Brown Fur Gloves: Naf Naf

I'm slowly starting to make some overdue changes in the format of the blog- so if things are moving around/deleted/scrambled... let me know! I'm still teaching myself all the formatting, HTML code and all the other fun (and frustrating at times!) things that come with a blog. I have an idea in my head of how I want it to look- hopefully I can get it there... without throwing my computer out the window! 

Let me know what you think of the upcoming changes, I would really appreciate it. Sometimes I get too stuck in my head and can't see the forest for the tree! :)

love

xxx

Skinny Love

Skinny Love- Bon Iver

I think there's a direct correlation with between drops in temperatures and increases in layers worn. Whenever the mercury dips annoyingly close to -30ºC the amount of my wardrobe that gets to see daylight increases drastically. Funny that. 

So while I was manically (and ruthlessly) cleaning out my closet I stumbled on this ancient faux fur collar. Another layer! And one I had been lusting after too- I love when that happens! I bought the beauty way back in 2003 during a trip and then felt that it was too "mature" for me, or something, and it promptly fell into the depths of my closet. Since rediscovering it it's been one of my favourite layers. Maybe the drop in temperatures isn't such a bad thing after all... :)

Faux Fur Collar: Ricki's (...I think??), Cream Sweater: Urban Outfitters, Black Chiffon and Lace Dress: American Apparel, Black Equestrian Boots: House of Harlow, Brown Leather and Faux Fur Gloves: Naf Naf, Purple Tights: Marks and Spencers

I finished my Christmas shopping today (woo!), cleaned, did laundry, puppy sat and had a lovely lunch date with an awesome friend. A pretty successful day off I'd say, and now I get to curl up in front of my Christmas tree with a glass of wine and sketch to my heart's content. Mmmhmm... bliss. 

What's your favourite thing to do on a cold winter night?

love

xxx

Santa Baby

Hunter Original Rain Boots, $125
Tractor Sole Booties- Aldo , $140
Michael Kors Gold Watch, $308
Long Nomad Necklace - Madewell, $75
Bleachblack Tangled Branch and Stone Ring, $18
Madewell Honeydew® Intimates Bralette Swiss-Dot , $32
Yves Saint Laurent TOUCHE ÉCLAT, $40
Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb, $90
Kate Spade Thermos, $30
The Canyon Messenger Bag- Madewell, $128
Diana Mini Camera , $120
Stetson® Wool Fedora -..., $78
Kate Spade Bird Pouch, $75
Typography 29: Type Directors Club: Books, $42
Hunter Accessories Rainboot Socks, $40
Faux Fur Trapper - American Eagle Outfitters, $40
UrbanOutfitters.com Lipstick Queen Big Bang Lipgloss, $20
Wreck This Journal: Keri Smith: Books, $7.77

I've almost finished my Christmas shopping this year, thanks to a little prior thought and planning. Of course while finishing said shopping I accumulated quite the little lust list. From industrial looking boots to flowery perfume it's filled with a few oxymorons, some killer books, pretty bling and the most darling thermos I've ever seen (which would brighten any Monday morning!). 

What's on your Christmas list? 

love

xxx

Featured!

Recently I had some happiness arrive in my inbox when I found out that Sympatico's Fashionism.ca had chosen my blog as part of their Top 15 Canadian Fashion Blogs! I'm completely honored to be included in the list and it just reinforces how much I love the blogging community- where else could I take a million non-model worthy photos of myself and get applauded for it?! 

There's also an interview to follow, I'll post it when it's up.

I would just like to say a huge thanks to everyone who stops by here to see what I'm wearing, and how encouraging and sweet you all are. I'm a very lucky girl. 

love

xxx

Crash Into Me

Crash Into Me: Dave Matthews Band

So if you guys follow me on Twitter (and really you should as I post ONLY important, need-to-know information that will enhance your life and those around you. *sarcasm) you will have witnessed my sheer ecstasy when I stumbled across the most perfect House of Harlow black riding boots last week while in Vancouver. And get this, they were 65% off and only left in my size. Fate. 

Naturally I snapped them up, ran to the counter, changed into them right away (they completed my outfit perfectly!) and then floated around the city in a state close to bliss. (then I got some nasty blisters...)

I've been living in them since; they're a gorgeous soft black and so clean, simple and classic. Mostly I love the fishtail-type detail on the back calf- its so fun and unexpected- which amps up the boot perfectly. 

Beige Shawl and Black Leggings: Le Chateau, Grey Tee: American Apparel, Black Riding Boots: House of Harlow, Grey Flower Necklace: Accessorize, Grey Socks: Dollarama, Black Strap Watch: Guess

Also, I'm completely obsessed with my new fluorescent lavender nail polish. Just today I have been told by different people that it's "interesting", "gaudy", and "very you"(haha) - but I kinda don't care. It makes me smile and I love it with grey, which coincidentally makes up about 40% of my wardrobe (fyi: 40% is also beige!).

What nail colour are you crushing on currently??

love

xxx

If Theres a Rocket Tie Me To It

 If Theres a Rocket Tie Me To It- Snow Patrol

Theres been a ton of exciting (and slightly terrifying... in a good way!) changes happening lately. I can't really delve too much into them, but they're loooong overdue and will soon explain my shoddy blogging habits of late. 

This is my outfit from... 2 weeks ago. Gawd. I'm so far behind! But I decided to post it anyways as it shows off my new shoes from Bordeaux, in France (k, I LOVE saying that. Go ahead, judge me.) I wore them to work the other day and a colleague dubbed them my "mullet" shoes. Business in the front. Party in the back. 

I love my colleagues. :)

Blue Shirt: Zara

Black Wool Shorts: H&M

Camel and Poppy Shoes: Mellow Yellow

Black Tights and Cami: Joe

Sequin Headband: Smart Set

love

xxx

Uncharted

Uncharted- Sara Bareilles 

I'm baaack! France was a gorgeous, inspiring whirlwind of a trip. I ended up being completely spontaneous and just went wherever felt right, I got horribly lost (but felt pretty awesome when I figured things out!), ate waaay too much delicious bread and whiled away many perfect moments in cafes. 

I started off in London and then went across to Calais, hoping to catch a train to Rouen to see Claude Monet's garden at Giverny.... hmph. Good plan, not well executed! Having the French vocabulary of a middle schooler didn't make figuring out the train schedule any easier! But after ending up on a train going the wrong way and finding myself in the middle of nowhere France I decided that Giverny wasn't going to happen... so on to Tours in the Loire Valley! 

This was the best decision ever; as soon as I arrived I felt at home. The city is gorgeous, with the most amazing old architecture and winding cobblestone streets. It was hard to leave, but I wanted to head south, so my next stop was Bordeaux. I went to outdoor markets here and stumbled on a pretty amazing fashion shoot. My last stop before Paris was Toulouse... way further south than I was intending to go! It's such a vibrant city and I loved people watching from cafes here. 

My last few days were spent strolling around Paris. I don't know what it is about that city, but it gives me butterflies! My first glimpse of the Eiffel tower from across the Seine had me so excited that I had to stop a passerby and ask her to take my photo! I went to museums, wandered around Montmartre, figured out the Metro (wooo!), looked at a million books at Shakespeare and Co. and hunted down the perfect macarons. Traveling by yourself is exhilarating, slightly lonely, but so worth it. When it finally dawned on me that I could do whatever I wanted and go wherever I wanted I felt reckless and independent. 

Chunky Knit Circle Scarf and Black Jeans: Gap, Stripe Top: H & M, Camel Boots: Liz Claiborne via Winners, Purple Belt: American Apparel, Turquoise Ring: Aldo, Heart Pendant: Le Chateau, Black Watch: Guess

Statues outside the Louvre

Macaron display at a Maison Fondee in Bordeaux 

Best fountain ever in Bordeaux

Eeek! First glimpse of the Eiffel Tower!

Sorry about the incredibly long post! Editing down the hundreds of photos was tough. It was such an amazing trip, I can't wait to go back!

I hope you've all been having a lovely time as well!

Au Revoir!

love

xxx

The Bucket

The Bucket: Kings of Leon

I love how effortless and pretty these images are, the outfits look like they're lived in and loved. Whenever I start feeling uninspired I open up my bursting Inspiration Folder and just have to look at photos like these and I'm ready to tackle my wardrobe again! It's not about recreating them to a T, but instead using the little touches and seeing how it fits into your style. 

And I'm obviously crushing on knee socks and hats. A lot. 

Where do you find your inspiration?

love

xxx