I’ve been going to the CNE – or what I more fondly like to call The Ex – since I can remember. The Ex would make it’s way to Ottawa (where I grew up) every Summer and I have countless memories of going there with my family and friends, loving all the colourful rides and candy as a wee one. I continued going as a teenager, although my enjoyment for it was for very different reasons at that point…read: flirting and spending time with my crush(es) and trying to look cute. When I moved to Toronto it felt like The Ex came with me (not really, because it’s been here forever), and so I have been frequenting it as an adult almost every Summer since my move 8 years ago. I think it’s safe to say I know the CNE quite well at this point, and have memories upon memories of time spent there. I figured since I shot my latest outfit post at the CNE grounds, it only made sense that I would also share some of the ornate rides and visually appealing colour combinations seen throughout the park, which is one of the biggest reasons I am so drawn to the CNE as an adult…aside from riding the Polar Express and eating disgustingly delicious food.
Outfit: Carnival Colours
I was pretty darn excited to stumble across the CNE while it was being set up for the annual carnival/exhibition/fun starting Aug. 21st. I assumed you would not be allowed on the grounds during this time, but after noticing the gate wide open, families at the playground nearby and people just passing through to get from A to B, I quickly realized I could actually photograph there without trespassing and with little disturbance. I have photographed at the CNE before, but this was while it was already well underway, and every shot was filled with people in the background; carnivals are always so pretty to shoot at, but it’s hard to make it seem like no one is around (which is only really a problem if you are a fashion blogger). It felt so special to be able to wander and photograph in what felt like an abandoned carnival, getting to see the structures sitting humbly before they are flashing their bright lights, with people waiting in anticipation and the buzzing of delight (or fear) heard all around. I’m unsure when they will be closing the grounds to the public (without a pass), but I’m hoping I can pop by again sometime this week as I only wandered a small area of the park, and I’d love to see more of the park in all it’s quiet, colourful glory.
Dress worn as shirt: H&M (old)
Skirt: thrifted
Scarf: vintage
Pink & aqua rings c/o Pastel Dress Party
Shoes: H&M (old)
Beauty / Simple Low Ponytail With Some Twists
Ponytails can be rather boring, can’t they? I honestly don’t wear my hair in one very often, mostly because I have great disdain for my ears (can one even have disdain for part of their body?!). But with my new desire to step out of my comfort zone, let my ears be free (sort of) and try new hairstyles, I decided to take a simple low ponytail and make it a little more interesting with some mini ponies and a bit of twisting (sounds so professional), to create a look that appears much fancier than it actually is. So let us learn how, shall we?
1. start by taking two sections of hair from either side of your head; much like the way you would do a half ponytail
2. tie your sections into a ponytail with a small clear elastic (or whatever you want, really)
3. take the end of your ponytail and guide it over top and through where the two sections of hair meet, to create a fun lil’ twisted effect
4. continue the first 3 steps as many or as little times as you like, and the same with your sections, they can be as big or as little as you like; i did 3 twisties and I took fairly small sections, but honestly, I think this look would be quite striking if you used more hair for your twists
5. tie the remaining loose hair into a ponytail
6. finish the look off with a cute bow (or whatever you have on hand)
That’s it! Told you it was easy peasy! Let me know if you give this hairstyle a try.
*you can view more of my tutorials and other beauty related things here.
Collection: L’Orla Resort 2016
My love for Orla Kiely is no secret around these parts, so when I heard she was collaborating on a Resort 2016 collection called L’Orla with super stylist and founder of Lula Magazine Leith Clark, I knew it would be something right up my alley. As you can imagine, it’s another vintage-inspired collection, however, finding inspiration from the 70s, which feels fresh and new for Orla. After spending the majority of my high school days in mostly black #gothlife, my relationship with black garments ceased to exist, for a long time. Only very recently have I started to feel a connection to black again, so this collection has got my very excited and wishing to get my mitts on midi length black dresses that feel both sophisticated and youthful (ie. adorable!). While this may be a Resort collection, these are just the types of dresses I’d love to be wearing come Fall/Winter; replace the t-bar heels with some lace-up boots, add a cute mid-length trapeze coat and we’ve got a perfect Fall/Winter outfit on our hands.
What do you guys think about the collection? Love it? Hate it? What’s your favourite?
Outfit: Wet Hot Canadian Summer
Has anyone else watched the Netflix series Wet Hot American Summer: First Day Of Camp?! It is a prequel to the movie Wet Hot American Summer, which is one of my all-time favourites and holds a dear place in my heart (there are a lot of comedic movies and shows that hold a dear place in my heart because I would watch them with Kristen and cry laugh at everything and then we would constantly make jokes about them, even still to this day). So you can imagine my excitement when I turned on Netflix and was like “WHAT IS THIS?!?!”. I watched all 8 episodes in one sitting because I could not stop and it must have really got burned into my brain because after I shot these and sat down to colour correct them, I noticed how reminiscent this styling was of the movie and show; likely an outfit that Elizabeth Banks’ character would wear. Although the movie is based in 1981, the style of this time still identifies as 70s and hadn’t quite made it’s way to the awful 80s style we all know. It fits right in to this 70s obsession I am having lately, which I really don’t feel like I’m purposely doing, but I guess when the 70s is very on trend in fashion, and you watch shows based in the 70s (okay, close to it) and you listen to Fleetwood Mac non-stop, it is inevitable that your own style will reflect that.
Let me know if you watched the show because I love talking about funny shit. Also, let me know in the comments below what your favourite style era is.
Blouse: Larkspur Vintage
Jeans: H&M (similar)
Shoes: thrifted
okay andie 