Spring Into Action

Good day! It's finally starting to feel like spring, and I couldn't be happier. It was

wonderful to open up the windows this weekend and allow the breeze to sweep

through the apartment.  I love being able to gallivant about the city and enjoy the

time spent going from shop to shop. I'm glad the weather has improved as well

since I would like to explore my city, especially some places I haven't yet been,

before I leave. For the past year and a half I've lived across the most adorable

cupcake shop and have always eyed their exquisite desserts sitting in the window.

Stepping inside was even more of a delight. With Victorian style tables and

chairs mixed with rustic shelves, and the pleasant aroma of cupcakes baking,

this shop with its old-fashioned charm is the perfect place to treat yourself.

Better yet, this shop is all organic and even caters to the vegans.  I've recently

cut all meat and fish from my diet (protest for way animals are treated), so I've

been trying to immerse myself into that world. If anyone has any delicious recipes,

please do send my way! my goal is to try at least one new recipe a week, which

is definitely an easy enough challenge, if it can be called that.

Since it's been so lovely outside lately (putting aside the snowy Saturday) I wanted

to wear something bright that makes me think of spring. It's hard to let go of that

black though. I find living in a place with very defined seasons creates very defined

seasonal colour palettes. If you're thinking of wearing pastels, neons, or just bright

colours in general in the bleak cold months you can bet you'll be sticking out (which is a

wallflower's nightmare).  But that's all over now! It's time for loud prints and notice

me colours. Just a little less snow on the ground and the floral crowns are coming out!

Outfit:

Thrifted // Cardigan

Winners // Dress

Thrifted // Boots

Thrifted // Boots 

Made by Me // Necklace

Hibernation is Over

Why, hello! It's been so long I feel as if I should introduce myself once again.

I wasn't expecting to have such a long absence from my blog; I was waiting on

nice weather and, well, it was one hell of a long wait.  Even just several days ago

it was -17. That's a Canadian spring for ya. The sun is now out though and that

icky white stuff is finally disappearing, much to my delight! Perhaps in my past

life I was a bear? But......I'm uber, uber excited to announce that this was

officially my last Ottawa winter! In just a couple of months we will no longer

belong to a bustling city and instead we will live a simpler life in an ocean-side

village (and more importantly, this place has milder winters, for the most part).

As some of you may know, Paul and I have been kind of re-working our lives

in an attempt to be as green as possible (for lack of a better phrase). Sometimes

I find it difficult to be self-sufficient in the heart of the city. I'm excited to be

by my mother as well, who is also on her own quest for a greener life. It's easier

to do so when you have some land to work with. Good-bye tiny apartment living

 (400 sq. feet is a boxed cage, people!) and hello, both living and green space! 

It'll be wonderful for Kobe to have some walks that don't include sidewalks and

he can finally sniff some trees instead of garbage cans. Poor city dogs, eh. And

I'm excited to hear silence again and to see the stars (well, more than a couple).

  Needless to say, I'm stoked and I've got a couple of busy months coming up!

I've discovered something new lately. Vests. Yes, vests. I think I may be behind

on just about everything when it comes to fashion, but better late than never as

 they say! Could there be a more perfect layering piece? Especially on those sunny

days with a biting wind. I made a couple of vests myself out of old sweaters

and blazers, but I'm definitely making a bee-line to the vest section on my next

 shopping outing.  And just when I've acquired a new love for polka dots, my

friend was purging her closet and I was lucky enough to thrift this dress - I

just love the subtle dots and I've certainly been wearing it enough.

Outfit:

Thrifted // Wool Hat

Thrifted/DIY // Wool Vest

GAP // Wool Sweater

DIY // Necklace

My friend // Dress

DIY // Leg Warmers

Soc Moc // Hus Puppies Combat Boots

DIY: Boho Necklace

Inspiration found here. I've been practicing making complete dream catchers,

but I need to tweak a few things. So for now I went with an open circle.

- The large metal ring I used was an old earring. That's why it has those

holes, which makes it much, much easier!

And here again with yet another DIY.  Seems as if this blog has taken a little

d-tour. Winter can be a hard time of year when it comes to fashion. Paul

usually works until 5, at which point the sun has set. It's been too cold for me

to even think of removing my parka when I'm outside. My apartment faces the

north, something I didn't think of beforehand which seriously diminishes my

planting ability due to the lack of sun. I prefer to spend my time with friends

in cozy, dimly-lit cafes or dusty used bookstores. Not the best for picture

taking, although I prefer isolated areas for pictures rather than have an audience.

And apparently, it's been record-breakingly cold this winter! I knew I wasn't 

just being a baby.  I wonder if I'd have such an affinity and appreciation of

summer without the winter for a stark contrast.  You'll never catch me

complaining in the summer though: I'm a flower child through and through.

And apparently I've been channeling my inner flower child lately

through jewelry. I've never really been one for diamonds, glitz,

or sparkly things. I prefer neutral, earthy tones and semi-precious

stones. I also find myself moving towards my bohemian side more

and more as of late. Paul and I have been... let's just say, purging

our lives. It hasn't been easy either, especially considering no one

is patting you on the back and saying, "Job well done!" It's all in

the name of a greater cause and unfortunately there's no immediate

reward. Perhaps that is one of the very reasons people ignore

what the earth requires of us at this point. At first taking the stairs

over  the elevator was annoying, but now it's nothing.  And it's

not always easy on the wallet! Finding Canadian made products

is not only time-consuming, difficult, but also more expensive.

We also used to get all of our cleaning products, cream, milk,

and dry goods at Walmart...well, no more of that. It also takes

up a lot of your time. Researching companies and their business

 practices, where our food comes from, what's in our food. etc.

It's enough to make your head spin! I've kind of gotten off track,

but really, fashion tends to be a reflection of our personality, no?