A Field Half Green

So, do I look any different? Perhaps older? I turned the big 2-5 the other day.

I don't feel any significant change; I thought I might since 25 seems to be the next

stage or something, but it's just the same old to me. I had a wonderful birthday

though. I had a delicious celebratory dinner with friends and then my actual

birthday I had off and got to spend the day with Paul. I always look forward to

my sister's gifts too, she just knows me so well! Whatever she gets me I do so love

and it would be something I'd pick out myself. Ah, sisters. It was a great birthday!

I redeemed my points on Chictopia for this top. I'm always happily satisfied with

the things I get, especially considering it's for free! The top looked more yellow in

the pictures, but ended up being more of a green, which I prefer anyways. I find it a tad

difficult to find forest or deeper greens when thrifting. Is this not a liked colour? Or is it

so liked people don't end up donating those cherished pieces? Who knows! I just know

that when I thrift green is not a popular colour. It's a shame for I loves me some green! 

And these boots you will not see for some time. While taking these pictures the

zipper broke and I had to makeshift fix them with the laces for the walk home.

It was some awkward walking and it was a little airy down there. It's only about

$35 to get the zipper fixed - totally worth it for these super-duper warm leather

boots. They're my absolute favourite too and I'm not letting them go sans a fight!

Outfit:

Aldo // Beanie 

Thrifted // Cardigan

Thrifted // Green  Pendant 

Souvenir from Mexico // Swirly Pendant

Cecico via Chictopia // Striped Top 

Thrifted // Skirt

Vintage // Leather Boots

Winter Wish List

1. Canada Goose "Kensington" Parka // 2. Modcloth "Dressed to Chill" Circle Scarf // 3. J.Crew "Snowflake Fair Isle"  Wool Socks // 4. Topshop Cable Mittens and Beanie // 5. Timberland Waterproof

Boots // 6. Maybelline  "Dr. Rescue Baby Lips" Lip Balm // 7. Hudson's Bay Company Shearling Mittens 

Well, lookie, lookie: it's my very first wish list! I thought I would do one on a monthly basis, but also one for

every season. Now, technically autumn doesn't end until December 21st, but how bonkers is that?!One

definitely has to start dressing for winter before it comes! So this wish list is all about keeping myself toasty

warm when the temperatures drop to -30 degrees Celsius ( that's about - 22 degrees for my Fahrenheit ladies out there). 

These Timberland boots would do the job when I'm trudging through several feet of

snow at the park (for a bordie collie/hound mix needs exercise no matter what the weather may be). A

 waterproof boot is an unspoken must when you live in a city that has a wet, slushy winter! No soggy socks.

And while the Canada Goose Parka is almost a staple here, when  the cold wind blows, it chills,

chills you to the bone.  I also may want the cable mitts and beanie from Topshop in brown, red, green,
gray... why not in every colour?!  How do you keep warm in the bitter cold winter months? 

Working Rubicund

Helllllooooo, Friday! Oh, how glad I am to see you!  Although, this weekend will
not be a weekend for resting. My busy week extends into my weekend.  As the
saying goes, work when you're young and rest when you're old (or dead?)
And I'm not quite sure what's going on the weather, but it's almost December and
I'm wearing little moccasins and no sweater! Will it even be a white Christmas?!

So I promised myself any new dresses or skirts I buy have to have some sort of wow

factor to them: detailing, a fun print, etc., but when I saw this wool dress I couldn't

say no. I just couldn't! I only have two wool dresses for they are hard to come

across and upkeep (bad for thrifting). They can also be a bit tricky - as anything

made of wool can be. I have a trouble with layering without appearing and feeling

bulky while simultaneously staying warm. Wool often falls into that bulky category.

How to avoid that in a wool dress? Wool blends.  They also tend be less itchy that

way as well (a big problem with wool for most people). So in this dress, functionality

beat style. And although it's nothing too special, I think the vibrant red makes it a 

perfect dress for the Christmas season! 

Outfit:

Thrifted // Scarf

Thrifted // Wool Dress

Thrifted // Belt

Thrifted // Bag

Plaid Shmaid

Does the day break, is the hour imminent?

When one deed, when my whole life's deed, my deed

Must be accomplished?

     Robert Browning 

I don't even know how I'm able to look at the computer right now; out of 34 

I've been typing for 19 of them! Rush order on the transcript. Let's just say, my

eyes have been watering from staring at the computer screen so long and my

bum? It has definitely become flat from sitting in a chair so long (as if it wasn't flat

enough to begin with)! And to think I once wanted to be a journalist... talk about

working with a deadline. But I'm like the Little Engine that Could - I think I can, I

think I can -  and now I'm glad it's over and I can start the cycle all over again!

Oh, plaid. Are you tired of it yet?! When I saw this dress it was instantaneous

desire. When I wear it I'm transported into a time far from my own, for I feel

very much like a Wilder sister, I'm just missing that little house on the prairie!

 The material is rather light though, so I'm glad the temperatures have been

mild enough to just layer it with a dress underneath. Okay, well, I was a little cold.

That's why my lips wouldn't turn up to form a smile no matter how many signals

my brain sent to my face telling it to do so. "Just be happy that I'm not quivering,"

my lips told me.  But yes, the dress. I love it. I just have to be careful when  I

choose to wear it for Paul has several shirts that look just like it. And just in case

you were thinking that we're the matching kind of couple: girl, get that thought

outta ya head! Matching the dog is as far as I go. That's the line of my sanity.

Outfit:

Thrifted // Hat

Thrifted // Plaid Shirt Dress

DIY // Feather and Leaf Pendants

Thrifted // Belt

Fanxy Sox // Tights

Aldo // Boots 

Clad in Plaid

Sometimes you just have nothing to say. Sometimes nothing comes to mind. And

today is one of those times. Life has been busy and you would think I'd have a

thing or two to say, but alas, I'm stuck here saying, "Ummmmm...."  If I were not

bound by a confidentiality agreement, I would definitely have a few interestingly

humourous things to say, for what happens in court is never dull! But of course,

it's all hush-hush. Anyways, I'm running out of reasons for my lack of things to

say, so I present to you one of my most beloved dresses and I bid you adieu! 

Outfit:

Thrifted // Beret

Thrifted // Wool Plaid Dress

GAP // Shirt 

Thrifted // Belt 

Thrifted // Necklace 

Thrifted // Boots

Goodbye, Green-eyed Monster

People: Stop the presses! Bring the tapes and the cameras 'cause I'm about to go

apes and bananas. Someone has definitely put 2013 on fast-forward. I'm sure of

it. I can't believe that in less than two weeks I will turn 25. I know I've sung this

tune before, but I just feel as if we spend our childhood constantly looking forward

and waiting.  Waiting for school to end, waiting for the next holiday, waiting to get

older for each year represents a new opportunity. Now it's all, "Wow, I can't believe

Kobe is going to be five years old!" En serio. I've been taking care of a living thing

for the past five years?! I barely feel responsible enough now. But he's survived.

And the years have piled up. They exist now in photo albums and memories - both

the forgotten and the remembered. Sometimes it doesn't quite feel as if all that much

time has passed at all; sometimes the pain and joy from past experiences is so strong

it feels as if I lived it just yesterday. And it's no more trivial thoughts and insignificant

goals. It's house-creating and career time (fyi: I laugh at the thought of marriage. I'm

still just a child, c'mon).  Although, you know what the biggest change has been? I

swear, one day I woke up and all the things my mother has said to me over the

years made sense.  It no longer comes across as incessant nagging, but rather,

sound advice from an experienced woman. Hah! How long was she waiting to

hear that? Twenty-five years I suppose....   

And now, enough of all that heavy talk: let's discuss the things we use to cover

ourselves so we're all not running around like Adam and Eve; although, I'd freeze!

I feel as if this is the quintessential autumn ensemble; browns, green, orange. Mm-

hmm. If I were to lie down on the ground you wouldn't be able to see me, for I'd be

lost in the foliage. Just joshin' ya.  Even though I absolutely adore this skirt, often I

find it hard to style it (being the extremely matchy-matchy person that I am). This is

only it's second time out in the world (on moi). I gotta think outside the box more!

Outfit:
Thrifted // Floppy Hat
Thrifted // Wool Coat
Handmade // Scarf
F21 // Necklace
DIY // Circle Pendant
Thrifted // Cardigan
Thrifted // T-Shirt
Thrifted // Skirt
Thrifted // Belt
Fancy Sox //  Brown Tights 

Aldo // Boots

Tickle Me Pink

I'm still alive and no, I haven't been running around naked! My world becomes

pitch black when the sun leaves by five o'clock. And when your photographer has

a daily shift of 8-5, what can you do?  The whole dark by five thing sure can put

a damper on things (like my tan - and you thought I was pale now! Wait till my

tan fades. Yes. Fades.) It's a shame my house faces north and lacks natural light.

I totally have a love-hate relationship with this sweater. My mom no longer wanted

it and being the cheapskate that I am I decided to take it despite my hatred of the

colour pink. I've despised this colour ever since my childhood when I would bitterly

call it the 'queen of colours.' It just seems like such a high and mighty colour. But, I

do love cable knit. And, it's probably the comfiest sweater I own. See, love-hate.

Outfit:

My Mom's // Cable Knit Sweater

Thrifted // Owl Necklace

Gift from friend // Scarf
via Chictopia // Ring

Thrifted // Skirt

Thrifted // Leg Warmers

Le Chateau // Boots

A Noteworthy November

Yesterday was a slow lazy day, but nonetheless enjoyable. While taking Kobe

on his daily walk I discovered a new vintage shop. Well, new to me. It's the best

one I have come across yet, which makes me anxious to go back! And it's only

two blocks away from my house, across from this park. How have I not seen it

before?! It may be dangerous that it's so close, and might I add, inexpensive.... And

since it was all gloomy and rainy outside Paul and I stayed in and began writing our

tv show. It's sort of a skit thing, like the Kroll Show, yet think more along the lines

of Chris Lilley's humour. We don't plan to go anywhere with it, but it's fun and

a great way to practice various types of writing. I've written articles for Carleton's

paper, but with this it's nice to write without strict guidelines and censorship. 

I don't know what's going on with the weather, but it's been incredibly warm the

past few days. No complaints here of course, it's just, I wouldn't be truly Canadian

if there wasn't at least one mentioning of the weather in this post!  And yes, if it's

 14 degrees  Celsius I feel as if it's summertime. With these beautiful temperatures I've

 been able to leave the coats alone for a little while longer and just throw on a sweater.

Generally, I find November to be such a dreary month. I call it a limbo month in

regards to seasons.  All the leaves have usually fallen by now, giving the trees this

naked look. November is often quite rainy as well, making the leaves that litter the

ground all soggy - no more crunch with your step. But alas! This year autumn has

been prolonged and my birthday month may not be so drab after all. Woot woot.

Outfit:

Aldo // Hat

Gift from friend // Scarf

Magnolia // Silver Leaf Necklace

Jacob // Wool Sweater

Thrifted // Skirt

Thrifted // Messenger Bag

SoftMoc // Moccasins

Colours of the Forest

All them pitch words, so they say

My weaponry is words, Doe-Ray-Me

The war's in the form of po-et-ry

So it's straight C-4 from the thoughts I bring

     Wale, Wordplay

People, the world is becoming dangerous. Well, it's always been dangerous, but

now I'm experiencing it and it's not cool. While on the way to the dog park (the

location of these photos) Kobe and I were almost hit by a bus! Not paying attention

and running through a red light, the bus stopped just a mere foot from my pup! For

any non-Ottawans out there, OC Transpo bus drivers are notorious for being a

tad, let's say, loco. This is also the third time this week I've almost been hit. Is the

universe trying to say something?! My fear is warranted though, last Wednesday

three pedestrians were hit by cars, one of the accidents happening three blocks

   from my home. Going out has now become a real-life game of Frogger. Game on. 

So now is the time that I don wool every day. It cuts the cold like no other. I was

able to get away with not wearing a coat yesterday despite the chill due to wool. It's

become quite the obsession though. Move over Paul, I've got my wool to keep me

warm! Okay, maybe an unhealthy obsession...I washed a wool sweater yesterday

and I completely understand why people find it a hassle - it took half an hour to

hand wash it and it took forever to dry! I've ruined plenty of sweaters from not

paying attention to the rules of washing. Boo. Wool can be tricky too, if the sweater

is cheap I find it tends to be itchy; for example, my Tahari wool sweater is the sofest

thing ever, whereas I need to wear a long-sleeve underneath my Old Navy wool

sweater. And what is your verdict, ladies? Are you and wool the best of friends in

the cold months or do you veer away from it due to it's sensitivity? I'd like to know!

Outfit:

Thrifted // Beret

Thrifted // Scarf

Jacob // Wool Sweater

Gift // Mitts

Thrifted // Dress
     A Boutique Downtown // Heart Tights                   

Thrifted // Leg Warmers

Thrifted // Boots

Plaid and the Monthly Bills

Do not let the greens leaves that have yet to change and fall to the ground deceive

you. The chill has come. Brush off those boots. Dig out those knit scarves and

wool mitts. Gone are the days of being a flâneur while the days of hibernation are

just beginning. There will be less people on the streets and fewer dogs at the park.

Squirrels are hurriedly running about often endangering themselves for bits of food

before the ground freezes over and their once green world has turned into a barren

land of white. When this happens, when the sun shines so strongly and so brightly

you are sure that there must be some heat emanating off of it, I can often be found

curled up on the couch, donning plenty of wool and sipping on some hot chocolate.

Okay, so you're probably sick and tired of the same four white dresses by now.

Believe you me, I have a very sound reason for this. We all know I love to shop

at thrift stores. We also all know how difficult it can be to keep white clean. (Or is

this just me?) So one could imagine how challenging it can be to find second-hand

items that are white - sans stains of course! I inspect items thoroughly when I thrift,

yet with white you have to be extra meticulous.  My collection is growing. Slowly

but surely. I find white is a nice alternative to black, which was once the most used

colour - or shade - in my closet. I've paired this plaid wool blazer with a black

dress before (Click here to see), but against the white I find the navy pops more. 

And before I go, just a quick mentioning of the belt I made. The how-to here. 

Outfit:

Thrifted // Dress

Thrifted // Wool Coat

GAP // Plaid Wool "Academy" Blazer

DIY // Belt 

Le Chateau // Boots

Gift from my mom //  Plaid Scarf 

Thrifted // Fuzzy Beret 

c/o Firmoo // Glasses

Thrifted // Messenger Bag

Brownies' Handkerchief // Kobe's Bandanna

DIY // Necklace