Sounds of Spring

Spring passes and one remembers one's innocence.
Summer passes and one remembers one's exuberance.
Autumn passes and one remembers one's reverence.
Winter passes and one remembers one's perseverance.

      Yoko Ono 

Isn't this such an uplifting sight?!

Lucky dog in the sun. So begins the seasons of long walks and 

adventures outside. And we match! 

Outfit: Dress (Gift from friend), Sweater (Thrifted), Scarf (Thrifted)

  

 Another beautiful day makes me a happy gal! As the sun's rays become stronger and stronger the snow melts more and more each day. All the parks are mushy and wet right now, but as soon as that is all done with my pictures will be filled with greenery! 

  On Friday night I went to a local fashion show, my first one in fact. I had an absolute blast!

I didn't wear this outfit, I got a little more dressed up for the occasion. I didn't wear heels though, and upon arriving realized that's what everyone was wearing... I should have listened to the good ole saying: you can never be over-dressed!

   I rarely ever wear this dress. I am not sure why; I love the colours, the shape of it, and how it hugs my body and even gives the illusion of some curves. I thought the pink was a nice splash of colour for the Easter weekend. This blog is definitely experiencing some much needed colour! 

Happy Easter

xo, The Rag Trade

Blissful in Baby Blue

Every spring is the only spring, a perpetual astonishment. 
    Ellis Peters

Outfit: Dress (American Apparel), Sweater (Thrifted), Scarf 

(Gift from my Mom), Silver Ring (Magnolia), Shoes (Thrifted)

   Do you see?! No boots! Am I ever happy! And for the first time I wasn't cold while taking my pictures, which is extra nice because my hands always ended up so red!

   Since I got such positive feedback for wearing blue my last outfit post I figured I should be rocking blue more often. I've had this dress for a while now. It's one of those ones that can be done numerous ways; sometimes I wear it as a skirt.  I love how full the bottom is and I feel like a fairy every time I wear it. Especially so when I wear my floral crowns, which you will be seeing plenty of soon enough! 

    I'm pretty excited for this weekend, I have the next three days off (apparently the weather is to be real nice as well) and of course it's Easter! I suppose as an ode to the holiday I should wear Easter colours- I don't think I've ever worn purple for this blog. 

Happy Friday!

xo, The Rag Trade 

THE VERSATILE BLOGGER AWARD

    March appears to be a good month for me! First the Liebster Award and now this? I want to sincerely thank Melissa Sydie at Lois Lennon for nominating me! If you haven't had the pleasure of coming across her blog you should definitely check it out (if not simply to escape in her serene beach photos)! Honestly though, you're all so kind and I am glad to have any readership at all! 
   I promise to keep the facts about me short and sweet this time. The last thing I would want to do is bombard you with too much idle chitchat! 

1.  I taught my cat, Marley, how to sit. She got really fat from all the treats though. And that party trick got lame real fast haha, oh well... I don't think I've ever mentioned my cat before either. 
2.  I get scared shamefully easily. Even mildly suspenseful shows like Law & Order make it hard for me to go around my house at night. And walking up the stairs with someone behind me?  Eeeeek, freaks me right out! Needless to say, I avoid horror films like the plague. 
3. I am totally and completely engrossed with George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice & Fire series, as well as the HBO show based off the books. Anyone else excited for this Sunday?!
4.The smell of gardenia flowers is one of my favourites. I plan to have a gardenia bush underneath the window of my bedroom of my future house. 
5. I say 'eh' a lot. I have to delete the word from my posts all the time; I can't live up to that stereotype too much! 
6. I used to have my nose and marilyn pierced. I'm glad these aren't permanent! 
7. About four years ago I put my hair into a ponytail and got my sister to cut it off. And that ladies, is one sure-fire way of getting rid of dead ends! 

Lovely Blogs I Nominate

Rita from Coast With Me 

Elana from Room 334

Sara from Swing the Day Away

Kelsey from Kelsey Captivating 

Guidelines

Share some facts about yourself

Nominate seven other bloggers, and let them know they've been picked

Link back to the blogger that nominated you

Add the Versatile Blogger Award to your post!

I hope you all enjoyed another dose of me. Thanks again Melissa Sydie for this
 nomination, I can't thank you enough lady! 
xo, The Rag Trade 

Sprightly in the Sun

The world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful. 

    E.E. Cummings 

Went to visit a local vintage shop. There are about five in close proximity

to me, something I was uber happy about when moving downtown!

Old books! I just love how they look and smell. 

Outfit: Skirt (SmartSet), Wool Cardigan (GAP), Top (Thrifted), 

Scarf (Thrifted), Boots (Le Chateau), Satchel (Thrifted), Genuine Pearl 

Earrings (Magnolia), Pearl Rings (Thrifted)

    Ladies, I was one happy gal yesterday! The temperature was above zero, the sun was shining ferociously, and the snow is rapidly melting. Seriously, I was not fibbing when I said you will notice an elevation in my mood; the winter blues is like a disease, curable solely by the sun! And I know winter is truly done with when I have my first walk around downtown. 

   I spent yesterday afternoon with my friend Alex. We stopped off at a dusty, independently owned bookstore. It was overcrowded with books; on the windowsill, on tables, and the floor (which is how a bookstore should be). The store even had a cat! A chubby white one that sat on a chair by the window. It all felt oh so bohemian! I then dragged him to a vintage shop literally a block away from my apartment (how convenient, eh?) and reveled in all the beautiful little things I wanted to purchase. 

   The weather continues to warm up, although I shall be stuck in boots for a little while longer because of how wet it is. But look! I am wearing a spring jacket :D This is the time of year I veer away from chunky wool scarves and opt for lighter, softer hued scarves and pashminas. This blue one is definitely one of my favourites, it's so bright and happy! 

Until we meet again! 

xo, The Rag Trade 

Liebster Award Nomination

     Hello ladies!  Recently I was nominated for the Liebster Award by Alyssa Beth from Mismatched Mess (thank you dearie). This award is given to bloggers with a follower base of less than 200, to help fellow blogger's readership grow and to learn about each other! The premise is to give eleven facts about yourself, answer the eleven questions asked, and then ask eleven questions that your nominees will hopefully answer. Then, nominate up and coming blogs you love! 
    I apologize beforehand, for bombarding you with lengthy answers! I don't think anyone has ever described me as "one of few words." 

11 Facts About Moi!

    1. I am ridiculously indecisive. I truly mean this. It takes me ages to decide anything.  Going to the grocery store can be such a chore sometimes because I never know what to get! And when I get dressed in the morning, all the clothes from my closet find their way to my bed! Oh, I almost forgot this, my dog didn't have a name for an entire MONTH when I first got him! I couldn't decide on one, so for thirty days I called Kobe 'puppy.' And it was the bf who thought of his name. 
    2.  I want to be a writer. Scratch that- I want to be a paid published writer. Hah. I've always wanted to be a novelist, ever since I was a wee little gal. It's probably one of the things in my life I am not indecisive about! And this is just one of the many reasons why I started this blog... 
   3.  I'm not fluent in Spanish, not even close.  While in university I rented out the rooms in my apartment, so I (as well as my roomies) could have cheaper rent. This is how I came to know my close friend, Grisel, from Mexico City. It is because of her I have such a fondness for Spanish and Mexico, and because of her I try to learn the language. This is also why I have so much jewelry from Mexico.  Everything I write on my blog in Spanish I know, but that is why simpler words appear (and if anything is incorrect I apologize!) My goal is to one day to be able to have a conversation with Grisel in Spanish. 
   4.  I could live off hot beverages. I'm addicted to coffee, but I also love tea, hot chocolate, hot apple cider, etc. 
   5.  I loath pizza. Is that bizarre? 
   6.  I have an odd obsession with dictionaries. I have five of them, two of which are pocket-sized so I never have to be without one. I also read them, as if they were regular reading books... 
   7.  I come from a single-parent family. I believe being raised by my mother has instilled in me, from the beginning, that women are capable of being strong and independent. Sorry for this serious one ladies, but I see this as a positive! 
   8.  I am shamefully dreadful at math. I don't think I could even express how terrible I am with numbers. I just stick to words. 
   9.  When I was a little girl I wanted to be Lisa Ling. I remember watching her on Oprah with my Mom and thinking her job was amazing.  
  10. I have five tattoos. They are all placed in spots that are easily concealable, which I thought would come in handy as I got older; merci, teenage self! I got my first one about eight years ago, and I don't regret them yet. Emphasis is perhaps needed on the yet. 
  11.  I can not wink. I give it a try now and again, to no avail. 

11 Answers 

1. If you were a super hero what powers would you have? I've always wanted the to ability to read minds. Is that a super hero power though? Oh! I know! I'd have the ability to control nature/the weather. That would be awesome. 
2. and what would your hero name be? I have no idea! I'm still going through names for my blog haha
3. and what outfit would you wear? Hmmm... not too sure, but it would definitely have to consist of some over-the-knee leather boots though! 
4. What talents do you have? I can clean pretty damn well! 
5. Have you ever played a practical joke on anyone? Not really. But this past week a colleague of mine put vinegar in my water and I drank from it unawares (and I took a huge gulp), so if anyone has some good practical joke ideas pass them on over to me! This means war Phil! 
6. What would be your best achievement to date? Wow. Serious question! Haha. Geez. I guess I would say bringing up a wonderful dog. I've had him since I was twenty, and I am proud to say he's a very well trained dog. He's a border collie and Foxhound mix, and therefore highly energetic, so he requires a hefty amount of attention.  
7. If you could change anything about yourself what would it be? I know this is excessively vain, but I hate my hands (that is why you rarely see them in my pictures). I've always wanted to change them. When watching 30 Rock and Jenna commented on having plastic hand surgery I got my hopes up, but I doubt it really could be done.  Now, I beg of you, please do not pay attention to my hands in my next style post! Haha. 
8. Whats the last thing you took a picture of? Most likely of Kobe being cute or something. I was at first going to say something for this blog, but then I remembered, I don't take the pictures of course, the bf does that! Silly me. 
9. In the event of an apocalypse (think zombie outbreak…) what would be your survival skill? Nothing. I am so reliant on the "safety" provided by the police and my country I doubt I would be able to truly defend myself. I would probably just hide in the closet with my dog and cat. My survival skill would then be the fact I am tiny and can hide in smaller places! (I hope I answered that correctly!)
10. Who was better, the Beatles or Elvis Presley?  I listen to both. And back when I was in high school, and cd's were still all the rage, I had a collection of both. But the Beatles win. 
11. Do you keep a diary/journal? Not anymore; I did up until a couple of years ago. I do keep several writing journals though (of ideas, quotes & sayings, etc).  

11 Questions 

   1. Are you more of a cat or dog person? 
   2. What is one of your favourite quotes? ( I had to ask this of course!) 
   3. If you could choose anyone to be your life mentor, who would it be? 
   4. What is your most memorable childhood memory? 
   5. What colour would you say reflects your personality the best? 
   6. If you had to choose between the two, job satisfaction or a high salary, which would it be?
   7. What is your biggest fashion pet peeve? 
   8.  What is one of your fears? 
   9.  What is one of your favourite smells? 
  10.  Where would you go for your dream vacation? 
  11.  And of course the old age question, Audrey Hepburn or Marilyn Monroe, who appeals to you the most? 

Blogs to Visit!

   1. Petite Adventures
   2. Paper Hearts
   3. Tara Honeybird
   4. Miss Green
   5. FashionableStreets 

 Now I apologize for not including many blogs to visit; I've just recently jumped into this wonderful world of fashion blogging and still need to expand myself! I hope you enjoyed reading! 

Cheerfully Patient in Pink

Spring wore on, the city opened in many small ways- like buds. 
     John Irving, The World According to Garp

Outfit: Sweater (Thrifted), Scarf (Garage Sale), Dress (Twik), 

    There is still a decent amount of snow on the ground yet the sun is shining brightly and the birds are chirping.  Spring is showing it's signs, however slight, and  I'm relishing it all!
   As an ode to spring, I wore this soft pink dress, floral tights, and my colourful scarf. This year I will aim to include much more colour in my wardrobe, a song I've sung many times before I know. Pink is a colour though. See, I've stayed true to my word! I'm thinking of dresses purple, mint, turquoise, and coral in colour. In regards to hats I've always stayed pretty conservative, perhaps this year I'll bring some colour to those as well! 
   Anyways ladies, off I go. I hope you're having a marvelous weekend!

Until next time!
xo, The Rag Trade

Wishful Thinking

Noiselessly as the spring-time her crown of verdure weaves,
And all the tress on all the hills open their thousand leaves
      Cecil Frances Alexander 

Outfit: Wool Sweater (Thrifted), Plaid Skirt (DIY), Black T-Shirt (Thrifted), 

Glasses (Firmoo), Bag (Thrifted)

    I believe this is the first spring season outfit I'm posting...which makes me sad because you sure can't tell from my pictures that it's no longer winter (it's even snowing). The weather has been so disheartening the past couple of years I've been seriously contemplating moving back to B.C. I'm from Kamloops, and let's just say the winters there are less severe... However, I wouldn't want to move back there. After some research the bf and I have narrowed it down to either Victoria (I've never been) or Vancouver (this is where my mother grew up and my older brother lives now). All everyone talks about is how expensive it is to live out west, but I'm willing to make sacrifices for better weather! So begins the plan to trek out west, as many others throughout history have done before me! (haha, sorry the nerd in me just had to say it)
    And now on to the outfit of the day. I have finally worn the skirt I made a while back. About time too 'cause I doubt I'll be wanting to wear it much once it gets warmer (it has to right?). For the how-to on this skirt click here. And wool, my dear, dear friend. I am thankful you kept me warm these past several months but you have got to go! Like I said. I am a summer child through and through.

Ta-ta for now!
xo, The Rag Trade

Cobblestone and Coffee

Walk with a clean hand, clean mind, pure heart. 
       Cherine Anderson, "Shine on Jamaica" 

Outfit: Sweater (Thrifted), Dress (Thrifted), Belt (Thrifted), Boots (Vintage),

Necklace (Gift from friend), Glasses (Firmoo) 

   I was clearly feeling very festive yesterday and dressed up for St. Patrick's Day (that was to be read with heavy sarcasm). Ah well, perhaps next year! 

   Winter came back. Or really, it never left, we only were given a small taste of spring. The teasing was awful because when the temperature dropped it felt even colder! And apparently we're to get about a foot of snow this week....and here I was getting some spring outfits together. Hah, was I ever fooled! So yeah, you won't be seeing some skin for quiet some time. 

   Whenever I wear this necklace it always gets paired with some sort of animal print (today for example, the snake skin accent on the belt). A friend of mine gave this to me, a souvenir from Africa. I wish I could be less ambiguous in regards to where exactly it came from, but I forget (she hails from Zambia, so in all likely hood, it's probably from there). 

Until we meet again!
xo, The Rag Trade

Carry a Torch

Outfit: Shirt (Jacob), Dress (Guess), Satchel (Thrifted), Hat (Aldo), 

Boots (Vintage), Glasses (c/o Firmoo)

    I'm oh, oh, oh so very happy to be writing today's post... mostly this is due to my new glasses (you all didn't even know my eyes were less than perfect, but they are- I don't need to wear them always, unless I want to, they're mainly for distance seeing)!

   Anyways, for some time now I've been desiring a new pair of glasses- the ones I own now I've owned since first year uni (at this age six years ago feels like such a long time).  Prescription glasses can be a bit pricey though and since I don't actually wear them everyday I was a tad hesitant to go out and spend money on such an unnecessary accessory.  And then one day, as if someone had been reading my mind, I received a wonderful opportunity, from Firmoo (www.firmoo.com), to try out a pair of glasses! 

    I was at first going to choose a pair of sunglasses as I was reluctant to order prescription glasses over the internet (I'll be honest, I rarely order anything via the internet). Taking the chance the glasses will look nice on  me, let alone fit properly, was one I was iffy about that's for sure. Firmoo however, makes everything surprisingly simple in regards to your personal optical needs (seriously, I mean, step by step)!
   One of the reasons I've been wanting new glasses is because I've secretly been wanting glasses similar to those of Zooey Deschanel and Taylor Swift, haha! The ones I already own are smaller framed. When browsing www.firmoo.com's super trendy (not to mention affordable) collection of glasses I stumbled upon these beauties! I absolutely love them and I think from now on you'll see me rocking glasses more often! You can find my exact pair here: http://www.firmoo.com/eyeglasses-p-2057.html. 
   And one last thing before I leave. For all you spectacle wearers out there, I'd like to invite you to try Firmoo's First Pair Free program! You can choose a beautiful pair of glasses like me for free and pay only shipping:  http://www.firmoo.com/free-glasses.html. 
   All that and not a single mention of the weather, I think that may be a first for me, eh?

Until next time!
xo, The Rag Trade 

Amor Azul

Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems. 
    Rainer Maria Rilke 

Outfit: Top (Thrifted), Skirt (Thrifted), Silver Locket (Vintage- Great-grandmother's), 

Hat (Aldo), Circle Sweater (Thrifted), Blue Watch (Grandmother's) 

     I haven't posted in four days (I try to aim for more frequency) and boy did I miss it! With the clocks going forward and there being more day light I suppose I have no excuses anymore... even more so since I of course get dressed each and every day! 

   I'm trying to phase out my black, I wear so much of it! Especially since whenever I pair black and blue I can hear my mother saying "you look like a bruise," and I've been donning blue a lot lately.  The black and (darker) blue combination was definitely a fashion faux pas with her. Maybe it makes me feel rebellious to go against her fashion rule! 

   

Ta-ta for now!

xo, The Rag Trade

La Dolce Vita

It is the season now to go about the country high and low, 
Among the lilacs hand in hand, 
And two by two in fairy land.
      Robert Louis Stevenson 

Outfit: Dress (Billabong), Navy Cardigan (GAP), Hat (Thrifted)

   Is it ever starting to feel like spring! Today it was plus four and extremely sunny (as you can see in my pictures; I'm blinded, just like how you'll be blinded the first time I display my strikingly pale legs).  Eeeek- I get so excited writing about the end of winter, just think of the opportunities  the warmer months bring! I'm truly a summer child. My desire to always be outside was one of the reasons I got a dog; and Kobe's high-energy breed has him needing lots and lots of time outside. 
   There are still eleven days left of winter, officially, but I've already started pulling out the brighter, softer, and more lively colours. I find grey tights are a nice alternative to black tights during these months, and when paired with happy colours they look less somber. Oh, just thinking of all the outfit possibilities is fun! 

Until next time!
xo, The Rag Trade 

March Into Spring

In spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt.
    Margaret Atwood 

My skirt before I cut it up. Material: rayon. Shirts that have an empire

waist are easiest to make into a skirt. 

Outfit:  Grey Skirt (Thrifted/DIY), Lace Dress (Thrifted), Bag (Thrifted),

Boots (I actually don't remember....they are old), Bracelet (Gift from 

little brother), Hat (Thrifted), Leather Belt (Thrifted)

   I know what you're thinking. Yes, that's the snow melting, and yes, that is the actual ground. Oh dirt, how I've missed you! If you have been a reader of mine since the beginning (my blog is only four months old) you will begin to notice an elevation in my mood. There is such a thing as the winter blues in colder climates and I believe I suffer from it every year!

   I've been getting really excited for spring and summer this year. The bf and I only moved out together near the end of 2012 so we have yet to experience downtown Ottawa during the warmer months. I've already made my to-do list for the seasons though; I'll show you a few: Go to Bluesfest (a yearly outdoor concert), Go Strawberry picking, Have a Picnic, Go to to a Drive-In Movie, Go Ziplining (the bf loves this but I have yet to try it), and so on.  

   And now I bring you back to winter and my outfit from yesterday. It's still a tad cold but I'm tired of sweaters so I've been layering dresses to add warmth.  You'll be seeing me in this hat a lot. I'm excited to be able to wear hats besides beanies now, since it's warming up. Anyways, off I go lovely reader, thank you for your time!

Until we meet again!

xo, The Rag Trade 

Blue Moon

This was my skirt in it's original form, a little girl's dress (it's reversible).

  I almost forgot to take a picture before I began cutting!

Outfit: Cardigan (GAP), Skirt (DIY/Thirfted), Shirt (Thrifted)

  This is what I wore yesterday; a day spent with the bf lazying around the house, running a few errands, and dinner at his 'rents. 

  I've been trying to incorporate more blue into my daily outfits. It's a good colour for me, especially since I have blue eyes. Light blues are so happy too, I think this spring it'll be my go to colour. 

Until next time!

xo, The Rag Trade