Valentino A/W ’14

March 25, 2014November 11, 20142 Comments

Valentino A/W ’14 is an interesting collection. There is a whole lot that is not to my taste at all, just a little too plain and stuffy looking, if you ask me. But on the opposite spectrum of that there is so much that I absolutely adore. I’ll likely never own a piece from the house of Valentino for the entirety of my life, which is an absolute shame because this collection could be one of my favourites. This season is filled with beautiful collars adorned with flowers, along with some very Victorian-esque collars, sheer maxi dresses with exquisite floral and butterfly applique embellishments, the best patchwork I’ve seen in a long time (serious harlequin vibes), darling swing coats, and the capes! Oh the capes! Valentino put together a collection that feels 1960’s and Victorian all at once, which is like my dream wardrobe. I’d really like to be this woman next Autumn and Winter. She’s quirky and fun and other-wordly, and I like her a lot.

See the whole collection here.

Where we are, where we are

March 24, 2014November 11, 2014Leave a comment

Well I don’t know about you, but I had a very full weekend. My eyelids feel quite heavy this morning, and coffee may very well be my only saviour today (insert praying hands emoji). I cannot complain though, I much prefer busy to the boredom I feel when not much is going on. But does anyone else feel like everything always happens at once? Things can be very quiet one week, and the next I have dance, and Larkspur happenings, and events I should be attending, and tasks that have to get done – it really can feel quite overwhelming at times. However, I am very thankful for the loved ones who help me out in these times of madness. I’ve got some really wicked people on my side, and my heart feels very full because of that.

This kitchen table means a lot to me. I’ve had the people close to my heart sit on the other side of it and share their time with me. Whether it was over a bowl of home-made sangria, two wine glasses and good conversation, or eating (struggling to eat) dirt flavoured Bertie Botts (Harry Potter jelly beans) through bouts of laughter, or sharing a prepared breakfast with visiting friends who I miss almost daily – it has brought much joy into the times when the not much is happening. I cherish each of these moments, maybe more than the people who sat on the other side of it know. Tables and kitchens bring people together. They allow people to be present with each other. Whether it’s light-hearted conversation or in-depth, it doesn’t really matter. What matters is that we do have good people who will sit on the other side and share the moments when you’ve got no where to be but here.

Dress: vintage via Common Sort
Kitchen Table: vintage via Meaghan via Public Butter

Larkspur & Toronto Vintage Clothing Show (again)

March 20, 2014November 11, 2014Leave a comment

Hello my sweets! The Toronto Vintage Clothing Show is back this weekend, and yours truly will be slinging Larkspur stock. Do you live in Toronto and have your eye on something you aren’t quite sure about? Online shopping not really your thing? Well this is your chance to browse in the flesh! I had such an amazing time last Fall, I couldn’t pass up the Spring edition. Please do come by if you live in the area. It’s a great event, filled with really great vendors that come from cities all around Toronto. Just imagine a ball room FULL of vintage…it’s a dream come true. I’d love to see your faces!

Belle Vie / 01

March 19, 2014November 11, 2014Leave a comment

I’m starting a new weekly (hopefully) series, of photographs I’ve taken with my film and digital cameras of my sort-of everyday life. The intent is to get my camera out more often, work on my own skills, and as I had mentioned in a previous post, have more authentic, original work being shared in this space. This week is mostly portraits of people (and dogs) I deeply cherish, which wasn’t really on purpose, but I like it. Of course it’s not everyone that has a huge place in my heart, but at this point, these are the people (and animals) I see most. With winter hopefully coming to a close, I’m hoping to have an abundance of things to share in this series, since at this point, I don’t leave home much.

The White Pepper Spring 2014

March 18, 2014November 11, 2014Leave a comment

The White Pepper has got me really excited about Spring. So much that I might implode if Winter continues for much longer. I long for days when I can choose an outfit in the morning and know it won’t be covered by layers of cardigans and coats and scarves. The more I get to know myself and my style, the more I realize I much prefer dressing for Spring/Summer. I never get bored with it – it never feels totally repetitive. While I love the idea of dressing for Winter (this doesn’t really include Fall, since it isn’t cold enough to consistently need a coat, and it’s too short a season) I find I become wholly uninspired. Not every dress looks good with tights, I don’t own a cardigan for every outfit, and while I love hats, they can become really annoying when you have to wear them! The White Pepper is really feeding my desire for muted pastels, warm sunny days, flowers (!!!), bare legs and socks, and my always favourite, summery pinafores with collared blouses. What it comes down to is we can be more detailed oriented in the Spring & Summer. I live for details…I think that’s why I love it so much.