random thoughts

cropped grey tee + black silk short from aritzia // bright teal blazer from h&m // studded zara booties // necklaces from forever21 // sunglasses from barefoot contessa

almost declared a state of emergency this morning when i reached for my precious coffee, only to find we were out.  luckily we had one disc of espresso left, which forced me to go old school and heat some milk on the stove.  my friends taught me a delicious trick, to add nutella to the milk while it heats.  so yes, i am currently enjoying a nutella latte, your jealousy is completely understandable.

yesterday i received a very sweet comment about my old writing style.  someone had gone back and read my entire blog (almost 4 years worth, good on ya) and asked why i don’t write like i used to.  and the truth is, that i miss the way i used to write.  i was honest, candid, funny even…very carrie bradshaw.  i suppose since my readership has grown and i actually know people read this (including my parents..hi mom, hi dad!), i shy away from oversharing and storytelling.  but, anonymous commenter has me thinking about how to incorporate the old with the new and find a healthy balance.  people have since pointed out that it’s natural to evolve as a person and a writer, but for all the times lately that i’ve sat staring blankly at a computer screen at a loss for words, this just might be the solution i was looking for.

so last night, instead of brainstorming post ideas, i found myself immersed in photo shop, downloading new fonts, and ultimately creating a new logo.  been extra inspired by cocoa and hearts lately, her art is so beautiful, but i am especially drawn to her use of colour.  it’s actually this painting that helped create my new blog concept.  a definite work in progress that kept me up until all hours of the night!  hope you like it, any design suggestions are mucho appreciated.

jacket and hat from front and company // shirt, scarf, and jeans from plum // purse from zara // boots from dsw // sunglasses from forever 21 // ring from h&m

  i realize with these photos that when i wear my oversized pieces it’s most definitely man-repelling!  i so often dress for other girls, that i forget what some looks do for my body shape.  a single friend of mine was commenting on how she’s had to put some of her loose fitting trendy pieces away for some new outfits that showcase a little more of her figure. 

 it’s a bit of a pickle though, because you don’t want to pretend to be something you’re not.  i also think women who love what they’re wearing exude confidence and that’s sexy to men!   guess it comes down to finding a balance of personal style and something that won’t completely scare men off.  

i think i’ll just wear whatever i like and ignore what the men have to say about it!  do you repel as well, or do you feel sexier in shape flattering looks?

black blazer and sunnies from forever21 // leopard print blouse and skinny yoga jeans c/o plum // suede flats with bow detail from joe fresh // gold heart betsey johnson bracelet // marc by marc jacobs watch // gifted necklace

whenever i don’t feel great about my body, my clothes are the first to blame (because apparently it’s easier to say i hate every single clothing item i own than to get my butt to the gym?)  with a trip to hawaii in 15 days, i’m not feeling bikini ready and out of frustration, i’ve been pretty unfair to my wardrobe.  

the temporary solution always seems to be shopping.  new clothing, shoes, and/or accessories make us feel oh-so-good.  but, those fuzzy feelings soon fade away, leaving us with debt and too much stuff.  finally came to terms with the fact that the best solution is to just…exercise!  spending the money on yoga classes instead of a shopping spree has really helped me this the past few weeks.  feeling refreshed and excited about my closet again!

does anyone else buy new clothes to mask body issues?  no?  just me?  i understand, i’m probably crazy… 😛

bardot blouse // aritzia shorts // nine west shoes // forever21 jewellery // fine finds scarf // co-lab purse

i am very disgruntled with an aspect of my life right now. for months i have endured frustrations in search of a solution, but am left puzzled and seemingly trapped. though i hate to generalize it, with my 25th birthday fast approaching, i can’t help but feel that it is, in fact, a quarter life crisis. when i close my eyes and picture what i thought life would be like at this age, i am living a completely different life. and for the most part, it’s actually better than i ever could have imagined! logically, the time has come to fix what is bothering me instead of complaining about it. i know my friends are sick of listening to me whine 😉

thankfully, a great idea hit me like a surprise slap in the face and i am so, so relieved. it’s going to be risky and very spontaneous, but i am beyond ready to take a leap and try something new. yes, i’m being vague, but when i can tell you more details, i will. for now, i am grateful to have such a wonderful support system of friends, family, and of course, all of you!

hope you have a lovely weekend, it’s supposed to be hottest days of the entire summer here in vancouver! big internet hugs and kisses xo

the basis of this outfit was the coral skirt. this coral maxi is obviously a big statement and the main attraction. in order to let it shine, i paired it with a simple white tank top that is form fitting to balance out my proportions and highlight my smallest point; my waist. my trick to breaking up two contrasting colours is to bring them together with a longer necklace. this particular charm necklace has some hints of colour in it, and i played with that by adding more brights in the bangles. for additional interest, i threw on a surprise turquoise and brown shoe, with a coordinating brown structured over the shoulder bag.

Romper & Necklace from Urban Outfitters // Blazer from H&M // Purse c/o Plum // Aldo Wedges // Adam’s Sunglasses

it’s 7 am and i just inhaled and choked on my coffee while staring out the window, obviously spacing out, wondering what the hell to write (don’t worry, i coughed it out..just down the wrong tube). i think lately i’ve been trying to write posts “like everyone else” (this is all relative, since i have a fashion blog as do hundreds of thousands of others). my posts have turned into nonsensical chatter and mundane questions. but i’m a story teller and lately, i haven’t told you any stories at all. and i mean, how many times can one bring up the weather or tell a tale about an item one is wearing. i promise, i don’t hang out with friends and compare recent shopping stories (unless it comes up of course, and then i have a ton to contribute).

last thursday night before a crazy girl’s weekend in whistler (didn’t sleep all weekend like a true rockstar and i say this with great maturity) i had a little hermie night to myself and i spent it flipping between hgtv and keeping up with the kardashians. so this show comes on called candice olson tells all and it’s essentially candice olson (who’s interior design work i love to bits) tells all her design secrets to viewers. she speaks about proportions and focal points, mixing colours and patterns, and lighting. she explains how design is all about calculations and the wheels in my brain start turning and i think about how styling is a similar calculation to interior decorating. it has taken me years to figure out these formulas, but i hadn’t put it all together until this moment of epiphany that they were even thought out formulas. i just stare at people in amazement when they pick up a cardigan and ask me how to wear it (it’s a sweater people…you just put it over anything, there’s really no secret there).

and so, instead of keeping this precious information to myself, i decided i will lay it all out over the summer and share what i know about the styling formula. and hopefully i can save some people who are wandering around stores still buying uggs and wearing tights as pants and that will be my big contribution to the world (like someone who saves lives, i will save people’s unflattering ensembles) but probably not because those people wouldn’t read this. who knows, i’ve written more than i have in a long time, i’m not sure if any of you are still reading this. okay, cappucino is finished and so is this post. enjoy your tuesday my loves!