If you follow me on instagram, then you probably know I’ve been pretty sick recently, which sort of explains the radio silence around here – it’s been a whole lot of pyjamas and no makeup (and re-watching Grey’s Anatomy forever and always, amen.) around these parts . However, a truly exceptional dress by a favourite designer has a way of making you feel way less sick…or in my case, just look less sick. I don’t own many dresses that give me a very specific feeling, but this one makes me feel like I just stepped out of a Pre-Raphaelite painting, which is a much better feeling to have than the clogged ears, irritated eyes, stuffy nose feelings I am currently existing with. Another great feeling (today is all about feelings, ok!) is being able to offer $50 off this gem of a dress with the code larkspurholidays. Every holiday season Nina offers some awesome discounts on many of her designs, which is a great way to get some of her off-season products you’ve had your eye on at a much reduced price. Happy Holidays, friends. Spread those good feelings ❤
Dress c/o Family Affairs
Shoes: Seychelles (old)
Tights c/o Tabbisocks
Outfit: Ever-Present
I’ve been rethinking my wardrobe a lot lately. It seems every time I go through my closet in search of an outfit, I feel less and less attached to much of the pieces hanging there. I often have an idea for an outfit, only to find I don’t actually own something I had in mind, which is definitely a first world problem, really, but when I got thinking about it, I came to realize maybe I own too many things that don’t do anything for me anymore and I likely need to make room for pieces I feel a real connection to; I don’t necessarily have a desire to change my style, but I think honing it a bit more would so me some good. That being said, this burnt orange pinafore by Mod Dolly seems a perfect starting point for me. The marriage of colour, simplicity, versatility and sweetness really got me with this one and I realize those four words should be ever-present when thinking of the clothes I own. I’m certainly not jumping on the capsule wardrobe bandwagon – I’ll never be that practical – but being a bit more thoughtful with my choices seems more and more desirable to me these days.
Dress c/o Mod Dolly
Blouse & beret: vintage
Shoes: Seychelles (old)
Tights: Target
Outfit: Sweater Forever
While I was in the process of packing up and moving a few months ago, I did a huge purge of clothes I was one day planning on listing in my shop but never got around to. I wanted to start fresh, so that when I got back into it – whenever that will be – I’d have only the pieces I really loved and felt proud of selling. While going through the bins and bins of forgotten goodies, I happened upon this pullover. I think at one point it was actually in the shop but never sold (incredibly practical, but not at all eye-catching, thus very over looked). For whatever reason, even though I had this pullover for years, I saw it with new eyes and felt it needed to be part of my personal closet. It’s been an absolutely well-loved piece from that moment on. It gets worn at least every week, if not several times a week (which means I have repaired holes in the armpits 3 times now). Aside from being super comfy and easy to throw on at a moments notice, it’s incredibly versatile; can be worn with trousers or a skirt, over-top a dress, tucked in, tucked out, layered over a button up, on it’s own – clearly a sign that it has a well-deserved spot in my wardrobe. There are many pieces I have sold over the years that give me pangs of regret, I didn’t ever think I would feel a sigh of relief that this one didn’t sell, although, I don’t think I would have ever felt a sense of regret had it sold years ago – I wouldn’t have known what I was missing. It reminds me of a love I once had, a slow starting fire, one that didn’t spark right away, but eventually grew to be a warmth I could not do without.
Pullover: thrifted
Skort: vintage via Local 23
Coat & tights: H&M (old)
Boots: Samantha Pleet x Wolverine
Necklace c/o Happiness Boutique
Outfit: Living In Colour
If I’m being honest, winter is my most dreaded season. Not because it’s really cold (I mean, I definitely don’t like that) but because the shorter days and lack of sun really do a number on my mental health (as it does for many). You guys know about my struggles with that, and you know last winter was an especially tough one for me (maybe you don’t, you can read about it here, if you want). However, I am in a very different place now – both physically and mentally – and with that comes a very strong desire to keep my spirits up when the sun is peacing on us way earlier in the day. I’ve been making a mental note of the things that make me feel good in the winter; a soak in the tub while watching a favourite show (that would be Parenthood right now), baking things I won’t eat all of, sewing (mostly in the way of repairing clothes that have holes in the armpits…how do I always do that!?), coffee in bed, reading a good book, going on a hike (albeit, dressed very warmly), laughing with good pals, putting on an adored song and dancing around my apartment (Blessings by Big Sean, im looking at you) and of course, a colourful outfit, much like the Mona dress I am wearing here. Maybe I often seem vapid because clothes are so important to me, but clothes are very much linked to the way I feel mentally. Putting in a little bit of effort actually makes me feel good inside, and that is something irreplaceable to me. Yesterday, I wasn’t feeling my best, it was dreary out and I was having a hard time willing myself to get things done, but when I put on this dress and stepped out of the house for a walk, my mood shifted and everything that was overwhelming me felt much smaller and easier to tackle. Sometimes all it takes is a change of scenery and a change of clothes.
Tell me about something you do in the winter to help keep you in a light-hearted mood. I’d love to hear and maybe add some to my list ❤
Dress c/o Mona
Blouse: thrifted
Coat: vintage via TVCS
Ring c/o Good After Nine
Tights: old ballet tights
Shoes: Sylvie and Shimmy
Beauty: 4 Ways To Style A Grown Out Fringe
As you can see, my fringe is a little out of control these days. It’s been about 4 months since I had a trim, and I’ve been pretty lazy about booking a hair appointment or trimming it myself (which I usually do). I figured I was likely not the only one this happens to regularly, so I thought it made sense to show you some ways to style your fringe when you’re in-between haircuts or trying to grow out them bangs, so that our eyeballs may see and not be poked by strands of hair all day long.
The Bette Middler: This is a style I sport most often when my bangs are too long to sit straight across my forehead; it’s pretty simple as you can see…just part your bangs down the middle, following your natural part (if you have one). If you find your fringe is not staying in it’s desired place, try bobby pinning each side for a little before leaving the house – that should help to keep them in place, and when in doubt, a little hairspray goes a long way.
The Twister: This style can be a bit scary if you don a straight-across fringe religiously, like myself – I mean, our fringe is what hides our forehead, and now we are exposing it! But you know what, lets live without fear! To achieve this style, just start twisting your fringe at the root and continue down until our entire fringe is twisted and then fasten with a bobby pin; you can hide that pin by placing some hair over-top or you could also use a fun hair clip to hold in place.
The Wave: This one is a teeny bit more time consuming, but well worth it. Parting your fringe to one side, use a curling iron (a flat iron might work as well), and wrap parts of your fringe – starting from the root and working downward – in an ‘under and over motion’ around your iron, so that your waves (or curls) are held upwards, a la Farrah Fawcett styles. Continue this until you’ve got your desired wave going on.
The Side Bitch: Another style I sport most often is a simple side bang. In my case, naturally, my hair likes to part this way, so it’s quite easy for it to stay in place, but if you are finding it is moving about, again, a bobby pin to hold it in place will do, either all day if you have a cute pin, or just for a little while before leaving the house so your hair knows it’s place (she just a side bitch, after-all).
Blouse c/o Larmoni (similar)
*see more beauty posts here.
okay andie 