Trade Slave

Yesterday, as I got dressed in no particular rush and chose whatever

I wanted to wear sans restrictions, a deep wave of content washed

over me. I love my job. These four little words are rarely put together

in a sentence and even more rare is the utterance of this sentence.

Despite its rarity, loving your job, or at least being somewhat content,

is paramount to our everyday happiness (and I don't necessarily mean

happiness in the form of jumping up and down in glee thinking about

work. I simply mean not dreading and regretting each day). I never

take the fact that I enjoy my job for granted, years of terrible part-time

jobs make sure that I don't. 

I'm happy to no longer be forced to sell a puppy to a woman who asks,

"And what do dogs eat and drink?" as she searches her purse for her

wallet. If you are unaware of that animal's requirements, it really should

not be bought on a whim. Everything you've heard about pet stores are

true (I've worked at several). We've received puppies and kittens taken

from their mothers way too soon and they're placed in the back until

they are old enough to be sold (two months). Ever wonder what's

happening behind the scenes at your favourite restaurant?  You'd

probably be better off not knowing....it's a place of social politics

and where sexual harassment runs rampant. I've had a woman flash

me her private parts and I know of people who have rubbed their

privates on kitchen utensils. Things dropped on the dirty floor?

 Fair game. Please remember: I am only the messenger! I've

worked at both low and high end restaurants. The only difference

between the two: the nicer the restaurant, the better clothes

the managers wear.Older men have offered my 15 year old self

 private driving lessons in the boonies and women have called my 

23 year old self "a dumb teenage bitch." You can see it's a world I

wanted desperately wanted out of!

Thankfully, I don't have to deal with those things anymore! That doesn't

mean it's always smooth sailing, but no more verbal assault and

cleaning up poop that somehow ended up on the washroom stall door.

If you are suffering from explosive diarrhea, please, stay home, don't

make some poor part-time sucker, probably a student, clean up after

you. For those of you who don't know what I do to pay the bills, I type

court transcripts and I absolutely love it. It's a job where there's always

room for growth, it never ceases to teach me something new, I get to

make my own hours, and most relevant to this blog: I get to wear what

ever I want. No work wardrobe pour moi! How about yourself? Have you

found enjoyment in the work that you do or are you still searching?

Outfit:

Thrifted // Beret

Thrifted // Cardigan

Thrifted // Scarf

DIY // Jewelry

Thrifted // Dress

Thrifted // Belt

Thrifted // Boots

Thrifted // Leg Warmers

Thrifted // Bag

DIY: Mini Bottle Necklace

One downside (among many) to thrifting is that sometimes you're just

out of luck and you can't find what you're looking for. This happens to

me a lot with jewelry. Often what I find is tacky, old (and not in a oh,

what a pretty vintage piece kind of way), or it's broken. Luckily for

me, I am drawn to jewelry that is simple, whimsical, and earthy,

all of which can be achieved with uncomplicated materials!

This DIY doesn't really need instructions, I didn't have any to go off of

myself. I went with this plant because the fluffs remind me of dandelion

seeds. I used the Krazy Glue to make sure the cork doesn't come

out. And now I have a little bottle of dandelion wishes! I've got three

more bottles to adorn and share, so stay tuned for those!

Supplies:

Michael's // Mini Glass Bottle

Screw Eye

Krazy Glue 

Some fluffy plant I had 

(surprisingly, it is still alive...)

Punta a las Dia

Never doubt that a small group of
thoughtful, committed citizens
can change the world; indeed, it is
the only thing that ever has.
    Margaret Mead

You know you're Canadian when it's -20, you look outside and you say, "What

a wonderful day for snowshoeing!"  That whole crazy Canuck nickname is

completely warranted.  Although I really do dislike winter, it is undeniably a

beautiful time of year.  It's the only time you can stand still and be surrounded

by dead silence. No birds chirping. No leaves rustling. Nothing but the sound

of your own breathing. It's an unforgiving place. You are not the ruler, but

the subject here. And I wouldn't want to be anywhere else! 

I find I need outings such as this. I care for these darn trees and sometimes

living downtown in a city I forget how wonderful nature is and how important

it is to preserve it all. I'm way beyond thinking recycling is a sufficient enough

action, but there's always room for improvement. Every so often I will add to

my list little pledges that help the environment. A few that I have already

committed to are: buying only used books and not buying magazines, about

80% of our things are second hand, never ever use plastic water bottles, use

energy efficient light bulbs, I have fast food about once a year (and it's icky),

I've looked for jobs that use the least amount of transportation (I work from

home at the moment), I cut my own hair, don't dye it, and I most often air

dry it, etc.....But like I said, there's always room for improvement. I've started

thinking about taking the extra step. Our landfills are out of control.  

 I truly mean it when I say it is darn near impossible to buy things

that have not been made in China. Why are we still using dirty coal? Why

are we and the animals we raise for food eating so much of some form

of corn? When did spend, don't mend become the unspoken mantra?

A nation needs to tap its resources (whether it be nickle, gold, etc.) in a

manner that does not destroy the land making it an unlivable wasteland.

I apologize for getting heavy here, but things need to change and

we all have the power to make it happen, never underestimate it!

Outfit:

GAP (Gift) // Down Vest

GAP (Gift) // Scarf

American Eagle // Wool Sweater

Thrifted // Long sleeve shirt

Sorrel // Joan of Arctic Boots

Thrifted // Leg Warmers

Are You Froid?

There was a small boy of Quebec
Who was buried in snow to his neck
When they said, "Are you friz?"
He replied, "Yes I is -
But we don't call this cold in Quebec."
     Rudyard Kipling

It is freakin' frackin' cold out! It's been a mean winter this year, it truly has. Again

the temp has dropped to a brutal -30. The sky is clear, blue, and the sun shines

brightly. There is no warmth though. The streets are empty and quiet. The wind

cuts like a knife and leaves you praying for those hot, sweaty summer days. 

I miss those days of laying down in the cool grass while feeling the heat of the

sun on my skin.  I miss those days that I turn to the wind and allow it to wash

over me, much unlike now where I shield myself from it for it is my enemy.

At first I thought taking photos on a day like this was just ludicrous, but then I

realized that it's days like this that our fashion style is stumped the most. You have

no idea how many layers I am wearing! Under all this wool (a must) I am bundled

 under fleece leggings, a  skirt slip, leg warmers, a t-shirt, and a long sleeve shirt.

I have to admit, I have been watching the Discovery Channel's new mini show

Klondike and it got me thinking about winter fashion. I was rather excited when

this show was aired for I had read a book about the Yukon gold rush and was

very intrigued by this fascinating world of extreme weather, breathtakingly 

beautiful scenery, big dreamers, and unlawful men. When people traveled to the

Yukon, gold pushing them forward, one of the biggest killers was the weather. 

 Victorian women soon realized that the fashion in style at the time would not

suffice in a land governed by Mother Nature.  Now, I'm not about to compare

myself to the pioneer woman of the north, but I did have them in mind. So

when I got dressed I looked into my closet and picked the warmest pieces.

Add a belt to keep some what of a lady-like shape and we're good to go!

Outfit:

American Apparel // Wool Beret, Colour: Bordeaux

American Eagle // Wool Sweater

Magnolia // Silver Leaf Pendant

Thrifted // Belt

Thrifted // Wool Plaid Skirt

Roots // Leather Gloves

Thrifted // Boots

Polka Dot the Playful

It has been fantastically warm outside as of late! (Valley Girl Voice) Seriously.

Look at my feet. No boots! I think Mama N. is rewarding us for those few

weeks of torturous weather. You just know you're a northerner when it's -5

and all your windows are open while you do some "spring" cleaning, you veer

towards shoes and not just boots, and you walk the kilometre to the museum

rather than taking the bus to enjoy the mild weather. I'll take it all! I know

winter will strike again and I am so enjoying this break while it lasts! 

Whenever I see polka dots I think of the song Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow

Polka Dot Bikini. And to think once upon a time people thought polka dots

resembled illnesses, such as the measles! Well, I'm glad popular thought has

changed and people don't think of themselves crazily scratching their entire

bodies because of chicken pox when they see me. I'm also a little late on this

whole polka dot trend: this is my very first item, gasp! And I say I'm a fashion

blogger...

Outfit:

Thrifted // Wool Hat

Thrifted // Sweater

GAP // Skirt

Thrifted // Bag

Thrifted // Wedges 

Quill & Quire

Lately, when I've been twisting my hair in my fingers, I've toyed with the thought

of cutting all that length off. Think Marion Cotillard with her tousled wavy bob.

You know when your life seems stagnant and it screams for some spontaneity? 

When every day is the same and it all meshes into one ambiguous day? Now, I

know cutting my hair would only be a momentary remedy and not a true adieu

to the ceaseless boredom. I need real change. I don't know, maybe this all can

be accredited to cabin fever, but a little change would do me some good. 

Ever since I grew bored of solid colours and decided to venture into the world of

prints, I've wanted a black and white polka dot skirt. I searched and I searched

until finally I came across precisely what my heart desired. As you can see, I'm not

wearing any polka dots...that skirt can be found atop the mass of clothes on my

bed. Do you ever find yourself in a style rut where all the outfits you are drawn

to are for the season to come and not the one you are in? I have spring in my mind

right now, ladies! In summer, all I wanted was the ability to layer and some cozy

sweaters. In the middle of winter I find myself drawn to t-shirts and ankle boots.

Darn fickleness. Clearly, someone needs to learn to live in the moment. 

Outfit:

Thrifted // Hat

Le Chateau // Scarf

Thrifted // Sweater

Thrifted // Belt

Thrifted // Skirt

Thrifted // Leg Warmers

Thrifted // Boots

Bentley // Mittens 

The Deep Freeze

Joy is not in things;

it is in us.

   Richard Wagner

When winter began I had made a goal for myself: upon coming across Kate Upton's

Antarctica photoshoot for Sports Illustrated the first thought that came to mind was

that bitch be crazy! Is that parka really keeping you warm, Kate?! Now, I'm not

getting paid thousands of dollars to pose nearly naked, but I did think if she can do

that then I can at least toughen up a bit.  My absence lately is a clear indicator that

this goal has gone unaccomplished.  Now, January and February are notorious for

being bitterly cold and I deal with it, I don't like it, but I deal with it. That would be

sans this whole "Polar Vortex" thing. So when the temperatures dropped to an evil

-34 and the "calm" came in the form of intermittent snowstorms not only my style

was stumped. December is usually all about fluffy snow and mild temperatures.

Not this year. At this point, I'm thinking a pair of skates would be the best idea

for going about the city! Everything is covered in a thick layer of slippery ice.

One good thing came out of the unbelievably cold weather: anything warmer than

-30 feels as if it were springtime! So when the temperature rose to zero degrees, I

came out of my hibernation and went about the world in an animated childlike way.

When you're standing at the top of a hill and the path down is slick with ice, well,

grace goes out the window and all you can really do is slide down on your bum!

 

Outfit:

Thrifted // Beret

Jacob // Plaid Shirt

Thrifted // Belt

DIY //  Wool Skirt

Thrifted // Leg Warmers

Le Chateau // Boots

Twinkle, Twinkle

DISCLAIMER: I live in a tiny downtown apartment. Yes, it's a great location,

but man, oh, man does it ever lack in space! My closets are jammed packed

and while retrieving the Christmas decorations my iron fell from the top shelf to

the floor. So for now, I'm going for that whole wrinkle look. 

Happy New Year's! Please ignore the lateness of this salutation. I hope you had a

wonderful night, whether it was spent decked out in jewels and a fancy dress, with a

glass of that giggle water in hand surrounded by plenty of people, or if you had a date

with the couch and pajamas were the dress code. New Year's can be plenty overrated.

 As long as you're happy with what you're doing! Paul and I had more of a low-key

night hanging out with just  few close friends.  Despite the casualness of the night I still

had to rock some sort of sparkle, so bring on the sequin skirt! I'm not one for sparkle

or glitter (or even diamonds), but something about this skirt just caught my eye - and

I guess I mean that literally not just figuratively, hah. This thing shines like a star in

the sky every time I move - how fun is that?!

Jacob // Shirt

GAP // Skirt

Gift from lil' brother // Necklace

Joe Fresh // Tights

Le Chateau // Heels