opening up

top-thrifted
skirt-H&M
belt-vintage
flats-Payless
watch-gifted
clutch-thrifted

I think I'm a pretty private person in general; but I try to be extra private on the internet because I have a hard time opening up to essentially anyone I haven't met and learned to trust to an extent. That being said, I've found over the last few months, that there are several people (you know who you are ;)) whose sweet comments and frequent visits by this little blog, have always put a smile on my face, which has made me feel like I can share certain things with you all.
The thing is, as we all know by now, life throws things your way, and some of them stick with you forever. Most recently someone close and very dear to me passed away, my grandma. She was a remarkable lady in more ways than I could ever explain, and was an inspiration to me for the past 20 years. She loved people, valued relationships and was easily the most positive person you could find! She was also beautiful and loved dressing up and accessorizing (something I think we share ;)) That's why, for the past little while, whenever I write a post I can't help but think of what she would say if she could see it; only nice things I bet ;) With this outfit for example, I KNOW she would have loved the colors, and the skirt, and would have found a way to make me feel like a million bucks; she had that talent!

I really hope I'm not making any of you uncomfortable or anything like that; it's just that everyone deals with grief differently, and I for one need to remember and share the amazing memories of a lost one, because I feel it's right. No one is obligated to read this of course, but I needed to drop a few lines in tribute to her; for my sake really.

Well, that's as personal as I've been on this blog; and I won't hide that it makes me a little nervous. I feel like I owe it to my grandma, whose positive attitude I aspire to; as well as to my frequent visitors, whose comments and readership mean so much to me!

Thanks to all that actually read what is probably my longest post to date; and to those who simply skimmed the pictures-thanks as well :)

when it's good

I love, LOVE this little purse! I also, LOVE finding things at the thrift store without tags, because that means I can usually 'negotiate' the price :) This purse caught my eye with its unique texture and fun color. Although I like yellow, it's one of the more difficult colors for me to wear, so I usually stick to yellow accessories; play on the safe side from time to time. In any case, I can easily say that those were the best 99 cents (trust me that's cheap in Canadian thrift stores!) I've spent!

top-American Eagle via Winners
skirt-H&M
sandals-Forever 21
purse-thrifted
necklace-Forever 21

p.s.- you're welcome for the 'boob shot' btw...that's what happens when your bf takes your outfit pictures ;))

for the love of stripes

My infatuation with stripes began a long, long time ago when I was really young and only got a part-say in what I wore. My mom was awesome enough to always ask me what I thought of the 'outfit' options she'd lay out, and would even take some of my least crazy suggestions into account. Every summer she loved to put me in some sort of nautical, striped ensemble, and ever since, as summer approaches I feel more and more drawn to stripes! I just can't pass them up.

top- American Eagle (via Winners)

pants-H&M

belt-thrifted

flats-Joe Fresh

hat-H&M

necklace- Forever 21

What's your take on stripes?

search complete

I've been on the look out for a denim shirt for a while now and really wasn't having much luck (even though it's a pretty 'in' item). The problem was, all of the women styles were always slightly overdone; whether the designer got fancy with adding unnecessary seams, or embroidery, or shiny buttons. The first solution was to branch out into the men's department, but that didn't exactly work out either (sizing/pricing issues) so as soon as I got a chance, I hopped on over to a thrift store and spotted this amazingly-soft denim shirt...for $4.99 (which trust me, is a DEAL at Canadian thrift stores)
Mission accomplished ;)

denim shirt (it's actually tencel; hence the softness!)-thrifted
leggings-?? via Winners
boots- Franco Sarto
belt-vintage (thrifted)
ring-H&M

worth breaking the rules

During the 30for30 winter edition, I mentioned I broke the rules a bit...I shopped; well, more precisely I thrifted! And even more precisely, I thrifted this vintage Ralph Lauren blazer! Since it's 100% wool, I figured it'll make a nice transition-type coat, for when spring finally decides to stick around (for longer than a week)!

vintage RL blazer-thrifted
gray sweater- Joe Fresh
striped top- Jacob
jeans- H&M
belt- thrifted
felts (not shown)- Joe Fresh

blown away

This is one of the warmest, comfiest outfits ever! The vest was hand knit by a very talented lady, following the design of a vest my great-grandmother knit a good.. 40 years ago. I actually asked my great g-ma to show me how to knit this myself, but her instructions were basically : " oh, this is soo easy, you just....$#^#&^#%#9&"...right. So I had to settle for someone else attempting to re-create it, and I was blown away by the result!

I was also nearly blown away when this random gusty wind came around and made me question my choice of this tunic.

vest-hand knit
tunic-Joe Fresh
leggings-??
socks-??
shoes- Gido
bangles- vintage & handmade

30/30- success!

Made it!!! I feel like a celebration is in order, so if anyone would like to throw me one, I promise to be there! And, wearing something NOT from my 30for30! Ahh the freedom...

In retrospect, there were some challenges along the way, one being time constraints as things got really busy, really fast like they usually do this time of year! Another being wearing items I've kind of neglected for a while, or brand new ones that I really needed practice remixing (and that I got!). Of course living in the great white north meant there were weather challenges to deal with (negative 28 how I won't miss you...). But the biggest challenge was by far staying within the 30 items! It also reaped the biggest reward, as I literally feel my closet has expanded a hundred times...for free!

I'll be doing a recap of my 30for30 in the coming days, but for now, I'm just kind of proud with myself for sticking with it!:) And I'd definitely recommend this challenge to a friend!

blazer-vintage (mom's)
top-H&M
skirt-vintage
belt-thrifted
tights-H&M
ankle boots-Spring
bangle-vintage

Oh! And congrats to everyone who's completed the challenge-yey us!

25/30- go-to scarf

I got this scarf as a Christmas gift from a dear friend, and it's quickly become my go-to scarf (and that says a lot because I have, what my bf calls 'an extensive scarf collection'). It's the perfect size, awesome pattern, and manages to somehow keep me warm even though it's not wool.

knit sweater-Nine West
shirt dress-Joe Fresh
leggings-??
boots-Franco Sarto
belt-vintage Ralph Lauren
scarf- Zara

16/30-this old thing

Still excited about this thrift buy (pleated skirt above)...it's amazing what 5 bucks gets you these days, right?! I checked out the label for care instructions (I try to avoid buying things that say 'dry clean only') and I was kind of surprised that it was made in England. I guess I just assumed that nothing was made there nowadays. I've gotten used to the 'designed in France/Italy/Spain/England/Canada/USA...& made in China/India' labels, so when I come across a piece actually MADE in a non-third-world country, it's pretty neat!

cardigan-Joe Fresh

top-??

skirt-thrifted

tights-Anne Klein

ankle boots- Spring

belt-H&M

bracelet-vintage