random thoughts

Sample Fur Jacket // Joe Fresh Tee // Mavi Serena Denim Leggings // UO Necklace // Nine West Shoes

It was a clear day in Notting Hill, England and my first time exploring Portobello Market. It was actually my first time ever ‘crossing the pond’. London was a whole new world, a cultural shock to my somewhat limited travel experience. Flea markets in Vancouver cannot even be compared to what lined those narrow city streets. It was a vintage shoppers dream and an antique hunter’s heaven. I wanted to spend days exploring the vendor stands for small treasures and unique finds. But, as afternoon crept into evening, my mom and brother were ready to head back to the hotel for dinner. Just as we turned to leave I saw a stand with the most beautiful display I’ve ever seen. A slew of fur coats in all sorts of colours and prints. I wanted to investigate, I wanted to try them on, and I wanted to purchase one and bring it back home. The fur craze hadn’t hit yet, and I would have been one of the first, an innovator of sorts. But in my moment of weakness, my mother did what mothers do best and talked sense into me. She banned me from packing a fur coat in my already overflowing suitcase and purchasing a winter coat in the first days of summer. So I left the inexpensive original fur coats and headed back to the hotel only to feel the opposite of buyer’s remorse. I felt regret for not purchasing a fur coat, a feeling that I still hold onto to this day.

Since the Portobello Market incident of 2009, I have been too stubborn to purchase a fur coat of any kind here. The ones at vintage stores seem picked over and quite pricey for the quality of product. I found a decent fur vest at Front & Co. last week, but it was big on me and made me look like a bear (I say this with no exaggeration, I really looked like a big scary bear). This was until the other day, when a sample caught my eye at work. The leopard print practically purred at me to try it on. The fabric is the softest faux fur I’ve ever felt and it fit me like a glove (err…coat). The price was cheap right, and I can now say that I am a proud owner of a faux fur coat! And really, I’m so excited to move past my stubborness and have a fur coat to wear while the weather is still cold-ish.

I’m now searching for fun ways to style it. I stumbled upon a lot of all black outfits with red lips, but I am obviously wondering…how do YOU style your fur coat or vest?

I spent this weekend getting up to the usual shenanigans (I almost missed a typo “shenanigangs” just then, but I assure you I am not affiliated with any gangs!) Adam was out of town all weekend and I saw this as an opportunity to go shopping. But let’s be honest with ourselves, I’ll use any excuse to go shopping. You’re going through a break up? Awesome, let’s hit the mall! You gained 10 lbs and none of your clothes fit? I’m so happy for you, we should go find you a whole new wardrobe. Okay, I obviously kid. I’d never actually take you to the mall after a breakup, that’s a recipe for tears in my Orange Juilius.

Where was I? Right, Saturday afternoon. I planned a morning of Main Street shopping with Melissa and then was going to hit downtown before my hair appointment. Why I feel the need to have the most stereotypically girly weekend while my boyfriend is away, I’ll never figure out. Anyways, I kept running into friends and getting so distracted that I forgot to eat! I was literally so lost in a world of spring florals and platform pumps that didn’t eat my first meal until 6 pm on Saturday. Now, if skipping two meals to shop isn’t logical, then I don’t know what is! Thankfully, the last person I ran into was Lisa who was a fabulous shopping partner and the perfect impromptu dinner date! We caught up on important life details and shared funny stories over a drink and some eats.

It was the opposite of my usually structured Saturday afternoons, but that’s what made it so great. Every time I turned the corner there was a new opportunity; those days are the best!

Dress and Sunnies from Barefoot Contessa // Blazer from a boutique in NYC // Birdcage Necklace made by Shaz // Jeffrey Campbell 99 Booties

Today’s outfit was about simple lines, neutral colours, and minimal effort. Some may call that laziness, but I call it sleeping in. I dreamt of this outfit up in my sleep one night. Does anyone else keep a notebook beside their bed for mid-sleep ideas? I’ve come up with some of my most brilliant ideas and best dance choreography while sleeping. My dreams…they can be so real!

Speaking of which, my point and shoot cam stopped working last week. I was so anxious about not having a working camera, that I dreamt I was on the ferry to the island and saw a huge pod of Orcas. Of course I was camera-less and it was a dream, so the Orcas were high fiving people and doing the most amazing flips with the photo-op of a lifetime. Needless to say, I had to buy a new one the next day. My 11th in about 6 years because apparently I am a camera murderer. The good news out of all of this, is that digital cams are cheap these days and I got a Canon PowerShot A3000 IS for under $100. I can live with that!

As a side note, rompers are about the most impractical thing to wear in the winter. Think about the logistics of it…like say, going to the bathroom? It’s awkward and no fun sitting in a cold bathroom in your bra. Just sayin 😛

Messy Hair c/o The Snooze Button 😛 // Fine Finds Scarf // H&M Romper // Black Oxmo Jacket // Jeffrey Campbell wedges

Lou Reed – Wake Up