Babel

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You’d be hard pressed to find secluded, quiet spots in Toronto, devoid of any humans. They sort of exist, but they are few and far between. Afterall, Toronto and the GTA holds 11.5 million people (Meg googled this yesterday), so it is perfectly logical that every bit of the city will have at least one other person there at any given time. It is strange for me, coming from suburban Ottawa, with a forest directly behind my families backyard, and having no trouble finding solitude. And god knows I needed it back then.

I fortunately live just a short walk away from a quiet(er) spot of Toronto (that is when Muzik night club is not blaring it’s music at 7pm, and everyone is wearing white and you wonder what happens inside there? And you’re probably lucky you don’t know). I was pressing my mind for quiet spots that I could snap some shots in the early hours of the morning. Scadding Cabin is always a safe bet (Meg and I took some film shots there in the winter), because I don’t think a lot of people know of it’s existence. In the summer it is hidden by large surrounding trees, and the only visitors are usually other photographers, cause there is really not much else to do there.

I was all by myself for quite a bit, which was a true pleasure. I could move about freely without concerning myself with quizzical passer bys: “okay, why is she crouching about, and how come she looks so sad, and why does she keep contorting her body every which way?” Eventually a photographer, make-up artist, and a woman in a giant gown showed up to snap shots of what I assume was for a wedding. Fortunately this cabin has four walls (duh!) and I could scoot  around to the next part when I felt too much like a strange woodland creature.

DSC_0130DSC_0142DSC_0144DSC_0149DSC_0154DSC_0160DSC_0187DSC_0199DSC_0204DSC_0207DSC_0201DSC_0233DSC_0238DSC_0251DSC_0254DSC_0253DSC_0212Blouse: thirfted vintage
Skirt: thrifted
Bow tie: handmade
Sandals: Miz Mooz

Elora Gorge

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I have to say, my birthday (weekend) was pretty much perfect. A few of the pals and I drove out to the small town of Elora – which by the way is such a sweet little town – to swim and spend the day at the their tremendous quarry. Elora Gorge kind of took my breath away, in ways I did not expect it to. There were so many people there, and while that could have felt incredibly overwhelming, the quarry was so vast you felt like you were on your own. One of the highlights for me was swimming out to the far cliffs and standing on the rocky ledges of the walls, having water trickle down from above.

I must admit, I am a little terrified of open waters. Not knowing what is beneath my feet gives me incredible anxiety. But I could have spent the entire day in there (if only treading water didn’t make me feel like I would eventually sink to the bottom like a human anchor).

All of Saturday made me really excited for the camping trip Matt and I have planned next week. I’ve been so busy for I don’t know how long, my mind is screaming for days away from computer screens, phones, schedules, rehearsals and just plain ol’ city life. The silence and stars will be a welcome change. Being able to see the stars, who would of thought that would become such a rare occurrence in my life.

DSC_0063DSC_0036DSC_0043DSC_0038DSC_0039DSC_0042DSC_0032DSC_0033DSC_0049Swim suit: Topshop
Sunglasses: Philistine

Love always, Meaghan

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Larkspur has grown in leaps and bounds since Alex and I sat together in a Tim Hortons (it was a Sunday night, and we were tired of walking around in the cold finding out everything was closed) plotting when and how to launch the shop. I’ve had an absolutely amazing time doing our first pop ups and working with other bloggers on sponsorships and hosting giveaways, but I have a lot on my plate at the moment and even more in the works, and I’m afraid I’m going to be bowing out of Larkspur, and leaving the shop and blog in Alex’s very able hands – she’s got big plans for it, and I can’t wait to see all the places it’ll go!

I”m sure I’ll make an appearance here and there, so I won’t say goodbye! It’s been so lovely getting to know you all, and I’ll keep you posted on any future projects!
Till then, keep your eyes on this shop, cause I have a feeling Alex will be making big things happen!

Xo
– Love, Meaghan

Everyday is like Sunday

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It took a very long time for me to find a place in Toronto that I could call home. When I moved here 6 years ago, it took me about 2 years to stop going back to Ottawa so regularly to get my fix of “home”. I have moved six times since re-locating to Toronto. I couldn’t stay put for one reason or another – room mates leaving, unpleasant apartments etc. I’m now in a place that I love, that feels like mine, because it is only mine (and Gus’ of course).

DSC_0960DSC_0992DSC_1000DSC_0934DSC_0922DSC_0945DSC_0944DSC_1022DSC_1017Dress: from a bundle of vintage clothes a work friend let me sift through (some of which will be hitting the shop this week!)

Jelly Belly in The Distillery District

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How did it become Monday already?! This weekend flew by. Meg has gone off to Catskills, NY with her bff, and I have been stalking her instagram making myself so envious of all the amazing things she is doing and seeing.  I’m sure she’ll have plenty of pics to share with us when she is back. Yay!

Now me you ask, well, Matt and I spent most of our Saturday in The Distillery District, seeing Kim’s Convenience, a play one of  Matt’s pals from an old show he worked on was acting in. It was SO good! Matt and I kept having to hold back our sentimental tears at pretty much every moment. After that we had some snacks and beers at Mill St. Brew Pub, bought some baked goodies and walked around pretending to be tourists. Sunday I had a busy day of dance. It was Toronto’s Choreographer’s Ball last night, so I was dancing my little heart out on stage with my dance company, A.I.M. Always a fun and inspiring night. And one of the few events where pretty much everyone from the Toronto dance scene shows up to. It’s like a stroll down memory lane sometimes.

This shift dress I’m wearing could be one of my favs. I very much love anything with geometric prints or crazy floral patterns. It does however sometimes make me look like I have a pot belly, but that could also be because I have the most horrifying posture. I’m not sure how I did ballet for 19 years and could still have the posture of a jelly bean.

photo (1)photo (4)photo (5)photo (12)photo (6)photo (9)photo (10)photo (7)photo (14)photo (16)photo (3)shift dress; 69 Vintage, blouse/shoes; thifted, socks; UO, sunglasses; Philistine