Mexican Inspired

September 2, 20164 Comments

always, everyday.

After going to Tulum, I felt really inspired by Mexico’s interior and exterior decor, colour palettes and rich patterns. There’s something about seeing bright colours, intricate fabrics and distinct furniture that just feels welcoming and happy, and makes you want to settle in. There were many times Kristen and I talked about how we would love to live in a place that felt like Mexico upon walking into it, so since then I have been pinning away – as you do – tons of inspiring places that feel a little bit like the coziness of Mexico (possibly Morocco too), with their impeccable, yet unassuming styling .

Beauty: Styling a 60s does 20s Messy Bob

August 31, 2016August 31, 20164 Comments

Yes, I got a haircut…

I realized I forgot to mention that here! I did share my haircut (that I got a couple weeks ago, actually) on insta and snapchat (pushyspence), but not all of you may follow me there, so it was a bit silly of me not to share it here as well. Better late than never I guess.

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

I thought today I would also share with you one of the ways I have been styling my bob. It’s funny, you’d think having short hair would be less maintenance, but actually, it’s been more maintenance, at least for me. I did very little to my long hair each day – I could always just get up and go – but now I have to do something to it or (like my boyfriend lovingly called it) it will look like “mom hair”. Prior to getting this haircut, I had pinned and looked at tons of images of gals with the cut I wanted so I would be able to reference that when styling it myself. Because really, you can ask for a haircut from an image, but you certainly cannot expect it to look that way unless you learn to style it. So this is one of the ways I have been styling it, which is a traditional 60s does 20s bob style, but a bit more messy because sleek hair scares me. Larkspur Vintage | Beauty: Styling a 60s does 20s Bob Pre-style: Because I have pretty straight hair that doesn’t love to do anything (except the opposite of what I want it to do), I have to will it a bit to get that dishevelled look. To make my hair more malleable and tousled looking, I spray some salt water spray (well this one is actually a salt-infusion…whatever that means) evenly throughout my damp or dry hair. Salt water spray just helps to give you that kind of beachy feel and look to your hair. Larkspur Vintage | Beauty: Styling a 60s does 20s Bob Styling: Parts of my hair do actually naturally curl into my face, but other parts don’t, and since I’m not all that good with a round brush/blow dryer combo and since I don’t wash my hair everyday, I’ve been using my flat iron to get my desired look. Sadly, my amazing flat iron that was given to me as a gift like 11 years ago (thanks Mel!) finally bit the dust last week (it was honestly so good! it lasted 11 years for goodness sakes!!), so I went out to the drugstore, doing very little research, and bought the Chi Air Expert – it has been working well so far, but I doubt it will be 11 years working well. Anyways! I seriously digress! Styling! Parting my hair and starting with the bottom layer, I take a section of hair, pull my iron down it and guide it towards my face at the bottom. I do this all around my head, pulling down a new section, until everything looks nice and curled into my face. I still style my fringe this way, so I won’t repeat that here. Tip! Make sure to only start turning your iron toward your face near the bottom, otherwise your going to have much too much of a mushroom look. Unless that’s what you want. It’s your life, of course. Do what you want! Larkspur Vintage | Beauty: Styling a 60s does 20s Bob Finishing touches: At this point my hair is pretty sleek looking (oOoOo scary!) since flat irons have a tendency to make everything look perfecto, which is both a curse and a blessing, really. So from there I’ve been using a matte hair wax (which is Zach’s and I don’t remember the name. Sorry!) or this Fructis matte cream (that is branded as surf hair, which I find annoying, but I still bought it, so you tell me!). I use a little of the wax or cream, rub it into my fingertips to warm it up and then twist parts of the end of my hair with it, tousling it here and there, all throughout my hair (like a Dr. Seuss rhyme, apparently)…this is where you can manipulate your hair the way you want to achieve your desired messy look. Larkspur Vintage | Beauty: Styling a 60s does 20s Bob And, c’est fini! Surprisingly, this doesn’t take all that long. The other way I have been styling my hair (which I will share later) takes a little longer, so I’ve been doing this one more frequently.

Do you have a bob? Tell me the ways you have been styling it! Thinking of getting a bob? Tell me about that too, in the comments below, as always 🙂

Coffee Time

August 29, 2016August 29, 20169 Comments

…Comfort time

Working at Starbucks when I first moved to Toronto 8 years ago is likely the reason coffee became a regular part of my morning routine (or afternoon, if I have a bit of a lie-in), and it’s now rare I go a day without having a cup. I often frequent local cafes – The Abbott, Capital or Boxcar Social – to grab a cup or make some at home (if I’m being honest, Zach usually makes it for me…). Sure, caffeine addiction may be a real thing, but it’s not the adrenaline and general awakeness coffee leaves me with, but the comforting feeling it brings me that keeps me coming back to it.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

And just like coffee is a comfort to me, so is an outfit like this. It’s such a simple one, but this type of outfit always make me feel alright. I’ll be the first to admit (that’s a weird saying. I don’t know that anyone is the first to say anything anymore) that I often have days where I am having trouble putting together an outfit or thinking I am happy with the one I chose and then realizing once I am at work that I just don’t like it. But this type of outfit – button up a line mini, comfy tee/blouse and loafers/oxfords – always brings me a sense of re-assurance and comfort. It’s nice to know what those outfits are for yourself. On days when you are just not feeling it, it’s good to know what to put on that takes little thought and time, and always gives you that ‘alright’ feeling.

What are those outfits for you? Let me know in the comments below!

Comfy Clogs

August 10, 2016August 10, 20163 Comments

Maguba! (say it, it’s fun!)

Fitting that just yesterday I was talking about comfy, good looking shoes, and then today I’d be sharing these Maguba clogs. I don’t feel I need or often agree to talking about gifted items here, but when I say I was right prepared for these clogs to kill my feet and they didn’t, whatsoever, I was pretty blown away and knew I had to let you guys know about them.

Having comfortable feet is pretty important to me, especially now that I spend most of my days on my feet looking at clothes (I’m a clothing buyer for a local shop, in case some of ya’ll didn’t know). I often wear flat shoes or very shorts heels, so I was a bit nervous to wear these all day at work. My first thought right before putting them on was, “well my feet are way too effing wide for these.” Wrong. The leather has some give and allowed my feet a comfy spot inside (I do have really wide feet though, so I did have to fidget a bit with the leather on the toes to wiggle my feet in). And then I thought, “okay fine. but these are going to kill the balls of my effing feet after awhile” Wrong. Not even a bit. I spent the entire day in these shoes and my feet felt just fine by the end of it. Maguba definitely has my seal of approval…for whatever it’s worth. I hope if any of ya’ll are thinking of getting yourself a pair of clogs, you think of Maguba, not just because the name is fun to say (MAGOOOBA) but because they make great shoes that are customizable, so you are sure to get just what you want. And who doesn’t like getting what they want?!

xxxxxxxxxxxx

The rest of the outfit feels very Canadian tuxedo, which I kind of love (I am Canadian, afterall.) But you know what I’m loving more than a Canadian tuxedo? Cropped kick flares. I now own three pairs – remember what I said about obsessing over one thing? Ya, that was kick flares at one point – but I’d love to find me a pair of black high waisted babies, so if you have any recommendations, please do tell!

-WHAT I WORE-
Shirt: F21 via Common Sort | Pants: Gap via Common Sort | Scarf: vintage | Clogs c/o Maguba
Larkspur Vintage | Comfy Clogs

Beauty: 3 Easy Hairstyles For A Sweaty Head

August 8, 20162 Comments

HOW TO KILL A SWEAT MONSTER

I don’t know about your summer, but mine has been real sweaty! I had no intention of letting my hair grow as long as it has, but with many scheduling issues trying to book a haircut and lets be honest, pure laziness, my hair has become a huge source of heat, warming my already warm self on hot days. To prevent from becoming too, what I like to call, heangry (heat angry), I need to wear it off my neck and/or forehead a lot of the time, so I’m going to show you three of the easiest and most common hairstyles I have been wearing when I am in desperate need of a quick forehead/neck cool down. These are by no means hairstyles you haven’t seen before, but I think it’s quite easy to end up just throwing your hair into a topknot because it’s fast and relatively simple, however, imho, these styles are just as fast and certainly as simple, so why not try something different next time you find yourself becoming a sweat monster. HERE WE GO!

Larkspur Vintage | Beauty: 3 Easy Hairstyles for a Sweaty Head The Pippi: We can only assume Ms. Longstocking was v chilled down all the time; You’ve all seen pigtails, you’ve all seen braids. No explanation needed. Neck cooled, instantly.

Larkspur Vintage | Beauty: 3 Easy Hairstyles for a Sweaty Head A No-Braider: something that requires or involves little or no mental effort…which is is the definition of no-brainer, but is quite a fitting explanation for this hairstyle as well; I’m going to be honest, I don’t know how to do one of those trendy fishtail braids, and no one has time for that when they are in desperate need of sweat relief anyway. Why not try a simple braid in the back, takes no time (well, a little time) and looks just fine messy and a bit wonky.
Larkspur Vintage | Beauty: 3 Easy Hairstyles for a Sweaty Head Cinnabun Minibun: This style is certainly hot like a tasty mini cinnabon atm, but not in the literal sense (cooled down is theme here afterall); Yes, this style is v trendy right now, but let’s be real, when you want the hair off your face while still showing off your luscious locks, its the ultimate style. Little tip: if you aren’t a bun master or your hair is thick like mine, fake bun it! On your last pony tail loop, pull your hair through only a bit forming a “samurai” bun. Much faster and honestly holds better than a true bun for you thick haired folks.