Seaside Serenity

I can't help but think how serene these pictures seem when looking at

them. It's all a facade, believe me. If you had the ability to go inside my

head right now like some sort of Ms. Frizzle all you would hear is a loud

scream. It's a scream that stems from both fear and excitement of course.

My newspaper column is to start next week! I am still in a state of shock

and disbelief. I may or may not have plans to frame the first article and

hang it proudly on my wall....And since my column is about me exploring

my new island I thought I'd start to take more photos of what's around me.

It's coastal living here so anything I snap a shot of will go splendidly with

the nautical theme I seem to be obsessed with as of late. I will forewarn

you though: there will be endless pictures of trees and water 'cause that's

pretty much all that's around me! (And I wouldn't have it any other way)

Outfit:

Shirt // Thrifted

Necklaces // DIY

Dress // Thrifted 

Flats // Thrifted 

Watch // My Nanny's

Call me Caper

See this enthusiastic jump? See this bright smile? Last week was all about

stress and tears of desperation, but thankfully my luck has changed for the

better! As you may or may not know, I have always dreamed of being a

writer. Yes, nothing makes me more elated than to picture a life of sitting at

a mahogany wood desk in front of a blazing hot fire scribbling notes in my 

leather-bound book or allowing my imagination to get the best of me while

sitting on the beach listening to the ceaseless crashing of the waves. How

many people actually have faith that their dreams will come true though? 

I wasn't holding my breath, I'll tell you that much. 

Now, for over a week I was paralyzed with fear and simply kept the 

advertisement looking for a weekly columnist paper-clipped to my agenda.

It wasn't until I got so fed up with myself and my lack of confidence in my

own abilities that I picked up that phone and gave the listed number a ring.

And am I ever happy that I finally mustered up the courage, because ladies,

you're looking at a newly appointed weekly columnist! What's even more

exciting is that the column will revolve around a newcomer's experience

to Cape Breton (the island I live on). I get to explore my new home, which

I'm already doing, and write about it. And since that day seemed to be my

day when I passed a souvenir shop that I know sells local handmade jewelry

I decided to stop in and really test my luck. Guess what! I bring in my things

tomorrow for them to view. If they like my little creations will be sold in an

actual store. So to sum everything up. Life is a roller coaster.  A stomach

churning, tear inducing, scream laden roller coaster. We can't allow our

fears to stop us from going after what we want. After all, no one is going

to give you what you want. It's your life and you only have one chance

to make live it the way you want. No second chances in this game of life.

And since I feel as if my steps are lighter and I'm on cloud nine I wanted

to wear something whimsical and fun. Suspenders and a dog that looks

like my pup on my shirt? Yes, that puts a smile on my face. 

Outfit:

T-Shirt // Thrifted 

Suspenders // Thrifted 

Skirt // Thrifted

Bracelets // DIY

Fringe Sandals // Aldo

Sunshine and Daisies

Outfit:

Street Vendor (Ottawa) // Headband

My Backyard // Daisy

Garage Sale (originally Billabong) // Dress

Garage Sale (originally the Gap) // Bag

Aldo // Sandals

Am I ever happy it's Monday and it's a new week! Last week was

probably one of the most stressful weeks I've had in a while - that's

saying something too considering I moved across my country less than

two months ago...So how does one combat stress? Go to the beach!

I pretty much lived at the beach this weekend. Saturday was my town's

beach day and, well, Sunday is just a perfect day for the beach, isn't it?

If only life could always be sunshine, happiness, and flowers in my hair!

I'm really trying to come to terms with the fact that life can't always be

sunshine and daisies. I had a fairly sad and difficult life growing up and

I used to think that all the sadness would come to screeching halt once I

grew up and could control my own life. So not true. Life contains all the

emotions. Life contains sadness and anger and desperation and elated

happiness. All one can do is be the best person they can be and learn

to not sweat the small things.  That and put a flower in your hair! 

DIY: Planter

Well, since we all know my affinity for garbage and unwanted things you

can bet I'm a sucker for this DIY! I actually try to steer clear of canned

goods, so it did take me quite a while to acquire these. I'm really happy

with the result though, which means someone might have to go rummaging

through the neighbour's recycling soon! I can see my future clearly now:

the village bag lady. 

Summer Simplicity

Outfit:

Dress // Thrifted

Necklace // DIY 

Belt // Thrifted

Bracelets // DIY

Flower Studs // Street 

Jewelry Vendor

Spring // Flats

I'm sitting in front of the fireplace (for the nights are wonderfully chilly here),

watching some good ol' X-Files, and although I've been thoroughly enjoying

my summer I find myself quite at a lost of what to say. Perhaps there's just so

much happening I don't even know where to begin! The fact that I've been

rather busy with work doesn't do my blogging any favours either - the last

thing I want to do after typing is spend more time indoors on an electronic

device! So as a result, these pictures are from several days ago. I spent

this extremely sunny day taking breaks swimming in my mom's pool

pool and getting my hands dirty in my garden. I wasn't going to take

any photos that day, but as Paul and I were driving my younger brother

into the city and we passed the most inviting overgrown road you ever

did see, I knew it would be the perfect backdrop to my simple plaid

 dress. I was wearing a quintessential summer straw hat to complete my

rural look earlier, but I must admit, that was more to keep the pesky

black flies from getting at my head rather than a fashion item! Oh, we're

not in Kansas anymore....

Ocean Child

Outfit:

Sweater // Thrifted

Necklace // Re-purposed Earrings into a Pendant

Belt // Thrifted

Dress // Thrifted 

Moccasins // Soft Moc (Maybe...these are old)

Satchel // Garage Sale 

Bracelets // DIY

Another summer weekend is now behind us. If only I could live in a world

with perpetual summers. Or if a Groundhog Day type of scenario happened -

I would have no complaints if it occurred on a beautiful summer's day! This

weekend my family and I took a drive to the quaint Margaree Harbour to visit

my great uncle. I've been coming to this very small community since I was a little

girl. Located on the west side of Cape Breton Island, Margaree is blessed with

warm weather and a beach with water you can actually swim in. Side note: albeit

I am at the beach almost every day, where I live the water is unbelievably cold.

So no swimming, but the beach walks are enjoyable all the same! There's a 

reason the real estate is so cheap where we're at. In Margaree...not so cheap.

Blue my Mind

Outfit: 

Floppy Hat // Thrifted

Tank Top // Aritzia 

Skirt // Thrifted 

Belt // Thrifted

Shell Ring // Souvenir Shop

Bracelet // Garage Sale

Shoes // Thrifted

Wicker Picnic Basket // Garage Sale

Where is all the time going?! As much as I love summer, it flies by too

fast. I want it to go nice and slow so that I can fully enjoy each moment and

cherish the memories. Between making new friends, garage sales, Canada

Day celebrations, family dinners, work, gardening, and adventures in the

great outdoors at the end of the day I'm pooped! It's unfortunate that we

only get a few months of summer and therefore as Canadians we jam

pack our schedule full with every possible warm weather activity we can

imagine. By the end of September we're all exhausted and welcome the

cold season so that we can hibernate and get our energy back for next

summer. It's a catch-22, endless cycle kind of thing. But then again, I

can't truly complain about picnics on the beach, now can I?