It’s been very very slow going getting my apartment together. I only just put up my kitchen curtains (that you are probably familiar with if you’ve been following this blog for a long while) and this pink shelf pictured above. I still have yet to hang some other shelving units and some art, buy a couch, a coffee table, a rug, and probably a book shelf or some other type of storage unit. When I moved I wanted to rid myself of a lot of stuff that I felt a disconnect from and start fresh in a new (sort of) space. I used to be able to furnish a whole apartment by myself, but now it just sort of looks like I am perpetually moving in, lacking some of the core pieces that make a house feel like home. It is odd behavior for me, to not feel a sense of urgency when it comes to getting my apartment together and spotless. I have been reflecting a lot about it, about why, before, I felt almost crazed about getting things together, to a pretty unhealthy degree. I often wonder if my anti-anxiety/depressant medication is the cause for my relaxation and ease with things that once threw me into a frenzy of stress. It probably is. I mean, right around the time I started settling into these meds did I start to actually become a way more relaxed person. It’s nice. I like it, but I also hate it, a lot. It’s that classic thing you see in movies and read in books – artist types who don’t want to take their meds because they no longer feel inspired, they no longer feel that drive to create. That’s how I feel in a sense. On the one hand, I feel good. I feel way more balanced and “normal”…how I imagine most people to feel. But on the other hand, I don’t feel that urgency I once did, to constantly be moving, and working and caring…really caring. But, such is the way of my life I guess. I am either caring so much it makes me ill, or I am rendered so chill I could take or leave most things. But, being me and being a human feels like a constant work in progress. I am glad I can see these things in myself and work to form a happy marriage between those two sides, because neither are inherently bad, they just need to learn to work together to create that desired balance that often feels out of reach.
Dress & sweater & tights: H&M (old)
Belt: thrifted vintage
Styling: The Beaumont Sisters
Well it’s been quite awhile since I shared any of my styling work. Often times it is months and months before I am allowed to post images because they need to be published in a magazine (or two) beforehand, so I have many beautiful photos saved on my computer, collecting dust, waiting for their release from captivity. But, here we are! The Beaumont Sisters, shot back in the summer by Gerald has now been published in Off The Rails (along with some other mags) as their cover story.
Photography: Gerald Larocque
Styling: Alex Spence (me. hi.)
MUA & Hair: Holly Kurmis
Art Direction: Annya Karina
Models: Lauren (spot6), Mila (Peggi) and MK (Anita)
Wardrobe: Samantha Pleet, The Aspen Tree, Fortnight Lingerie, Heart of Gold Designs, She and Reverie and stylist own
Collection: THE WHITEPEPPER Sunday Morning
Well it’s been quite awhile since I posted a collection or lookbook here. I’m not sure the reason for that. I think I have just been interested in posting my own original content, along with being kind of bored by a lot of the stuff coming out recently. One thing I will never grow bored of, however, is THE WHITEPEPPER. And how could I? With simple silhouettes adorned with little paws, batting eyelashes and cute facial silhouettes in a mix of pastel and primary colours, they are always coming out with something new and fresh, and yet so quintessentially WHITEPEPPERY. This collection seems to take the normcore silhouettes and styles that have risen in popularity and made them interesting by adding cool novelty prints and detailing without being overwhelming. I like the marriage between the two – simplicity and originality, very yes pls. Oh, and yes, I will take the Pink Painted Paw Shirt, thanks.
Outfit: Keep Yourself Warm
This winter really has been the mildest one I can remember in a long time – it’s made me a real happy bb – but yesterday was definitely v freezing, and of course it was the day I planned to take these photos. The better part of my brain told me to shoot inside, but of late I really have been enjoying shooting outdoors. I used to be a huge serial indoor shooter (???), but my home still has a lot of work to be done and I’m lacking some pretty essential furniture pieces, so most of what you have seen inside my apartment thus far is pretty much it, which becomes kind of repetitive for photos after awhile (it’s also why I haven’t done an apartment tour, which I know some of you have been asking for). So outdoors I went, and braved the cold to get these shots. I’ve become a little more savvy when it comes to shooting outside in the winter by myself. It may seem like common sense, but the amount of times I forgot to bring gloves was nearing on countless. I now make sure to always bring mitts and then also gloves, so I am able to fiddle with my camera more easily while still remaining somewhat warm. No, you don’t see either of those things in these photos, and while my mitts and gloves are both for practicality and aesthetics, neither quite went with the outfit, so I popped my gloves in my pockets while posing and popped them out in between shots. Other things you often don’t see in my photos is my purse, which I use to focus on while setting up a shot and a scarf, which also gets the nix if it messes with the look. I often wonder if that’s dishonest, to not be photographing all the things I am actually wearing to get from point A to point B, but most of the time the things that don’t appear in the images are the things I would not be wearing if the weather permitted. Scarves, yes, I do actually like scarves, which is why they do often appear in my photos, but gloves, I would never wear a glove, ever, if I had a choice – unless I was trying to achieve a v 50s inspired look, then and only then, would I wear a glove, and those would be evening gloves rather than winter gloves, which serve a totally different purpose. What can I say? I hate even wearing socks, so you can imagine what a glove feels like to me.
What do you guys think? Do you prefer personal style bloggers who give you full practical styling ideas – ie., true winter outfits from head to toe. Or are you okay with filling in the blanks yourself?
Jeans: H&M (similar)
Sweater, blouse: thrifted
Belt, beret: vintage
Coat: vintage via Common Sort
Boots: Samantha Pleet x Wolverine
HAPPY NEW YEAR FREAKS!
My plan was to take some really adorable and festive New Years photos, but they didn’t quite work out the way I wanted. However, when I started going through the captures, they kind of turned out better than I expected…a few cute, yes, but a lot of them mostly funny, and ya’ll know I like funny. Not everything works out the way you planned, I learned that in 2015…it doesn’t always work as planned, but sometimes it turns out infinitely better. I remember starting out last year with a blog post, talking about how happy I was to see 2014 go, to have a new year ahead of me and a bad one behind me. 2015 wasn’t perfect, to be honest, most of it was shit. It felt like 2014 ended not great, the bad got worse in 2015, and then I resolved to make a change and happiness almost immediately found it’s way back into my life. I have good feelings about 2016, I really do. Although, often it feels silly to measure life and it’s obstacles based on the passing of years. You don’t need a new year to resolve to change your life or hope that things will get better. The passing of time is so infinitely subjective, and I think my “new year” started 5 months ago.
I want to thank you guys for being here and on my instagram, which has become a huge part of what I do now. I don’t often allow myself to sit down and really see how far this space and myself have come since the beginning of last year. I have a hard time being proud of myself, which is both a curse and a gift – it pushes me to consistently strive for better work, but it never allows me the space to see positive outcomes and truly sit with them. I want to always remain humble, but I hope to one day feel proud of myself the way a loving parent feels pride in their child.
Aside from all that seriousness, honestly guys, thank you for being here. Thank you for reading and commenting and being so kind. Things got a little quiet here nearing the end of year, I really hope to make a change in that respect. I’m hoping this year I can finally take the leap in making this my full time gig and give you the rest of myself that hasn’t been able to be here due to time constraints. Here’s to hoping, being fearless and moving ever upward. Much love to you all and Happy New Year ❤
Dress c/o Unique Vintage
okay andie 