Genus, humanus…Alice

July 6, 2015July 6, 20153 Comments

I had some definite troubles picking an outfit on this day (don’t you hate when that happens?!), but finally when I came to a decision, it only felt appropriate to adorn myself in a floral dress while surrounded by the beautiful flower gardens at Scadding Cabin. It’s hard to believe this cabin -with a rich history dating back to 1794 – is within the city and just a hop skip and a jump away from Lake Shore Blvd (an arterial road in Toronto). While I love the city for all it’s metropolitan glamour, my favourite spots are always the ones that are surrounded by nature, which is why a lot of my photographs end up being in the more natural spots of Toronto…spots you probably wouldn’t even recognize as Toronto. Although, I will be honest, I do get sick of all the green-ness (the actual colour green, not greenery, I could never get sick of greenery irl) in my photographs, so it’s always good to switch it up a bit and shoot in the more urban spots of my beloved city. But today, we’ve got a whole lot of green (and blue).

Do you live in a big city? Where are your favourite spots to escape the hustle and bustle?
Dress, hat, shoes: vintage
Socks: Target

Beauty / 60s Makeup

July 2, 20152 Comments

It was only a matter of time before I decided to share a 60s makeup look. It’s honestly a bit more eye makeup than what I’m used to wearing, but it really reminds me of the makeup I used to do back in my goth days. I don’t know what it is about this very Twiggy-esque look, but it makes you want to pull all kinds of silly facial expressions…mostly surprised and sad ones. Maybe it’s the drawn on lower lashes that make the eyes so expressive, which makes the rest of your face want to follow suit… anyway, I dare you to try this look and not make a silly face, it’s impossible.
Shirt & hat: vintage; Shorts: F21 (similar, similar); Bow tie: handmadeGET THE LOOK
– start by priming your lids, then apply white or cream coloured shadow to your top lid; I used this primer and this shadow palette
– using a liner pencil, draw a black line all the way along your crease, from the very inner corner to the outer, making it as pronounced as you like. then with a black shadow fill out the crease and blend so you create a softer smokey eye; I used a shadow from the same palette above
– using a liquid liner make a cat-eye and join it to your crease at the end; i used this liquid liner
– with a black pencil liner draw singular lashes on your bottom lid, fanning outward, just the way your natural lashes do
-apply mascara and curl those lashes with a lash curler and then add even more mascara. if you want to get extra crazy, you could add fake eyelashes to enhance the look; I used this mascara
– apply a nude or light lip colour; I used a combination of this lipstick (in shade 14) and this gloss (in apricot pucker)

*see more of my beauty posts here.

A Cloudy Accessory

June 30, 201513 Comments

Gus came back home from his surgery on Sunday, and boy has it been difficult. With back surgery, for the first 4-6 weeks they are not allowed to jump on and off furniture, go on walks longer than 5 minutes, do stairs, he needs strict cage rest when I am not watching, no playing, no sleeping in our bed (that is impossible, so I have taken to sleeping on the couch and him right next to me on a doggy bed)…just no fun what so ever. If you know Gus, you know that’s difficult to control. At 5 yrs, this little guy still seems like a puppy, both in behaviour and appearance. One would think it would be easy to keep him quiet because he would be painful and exhausted from surgery, but that is not the case here (dogs aren’t big babies like humans). Granted, he is on a slew of painkillers, but honestly, aside from his ataxic walking (and the giant Frankenstein incision on his back), you would have no idea he underwent back surgery less than a week ago. I’ve always felt my little cloud is the toughest little Bichon around, one of the very reasons he is so loveable.

All that to say, the little cloud is doing well, but he still walks pretty badly. The neurologist said that should continue to improve, but whether he fully gets back to normal is hard to say. We will be crossing our fingers (and so should you). As you can see, he came with us to take some pictures yesterday because I didn’t want to leave him alone at home. But he always makes any photo better with his adorable manner, so no one is complaining here. And thank you again to everyone who has donated and sent us loving messages. It means so much to me, you have no idea. My GoFundMe page is still up as we haven’t reached the goal, so if you feel at all inclined to help out, your kindness will not go unnoticed.

*photos by Ryan
Trousers: H&M
Blouse: thrifted
Shoes: Seychelles
Purse: vintage via Public Butter
Hair bow: Into The Woods instagram sale

My Morning Routine

June 29, 20152 Comments

With Gus being back home from surgery, I haven’t been able to get out of the house to snap some outfit pictures (plus, it’s been raining non stop), so I thought if I can’t really go out, I’d share something inside, in the form of my morning routine. When I don’t have to be out of the house first thing in the morning, this is what I get up to, every morning, before I start working or taking pictures or whatever it is I am doing that day. When I was younger I never ever started my morning off in a relaxing way. I’d always sleep in just until I had to get up, get ready and leave the house. As I’ve gotten older, I find the morning to be the most precious time of the day when I can have some me time and get my day started off on the right foot.
Skincare – I always wash my face first thing when I wake up, then tone, moisturize and use my avocado eye cream because I feel like it wakes my eyes up. My skincare routine has changed significantly since I last shared that with you, so at some point I’ll give that an ol’ update.
Coffee – I love coffee. I drink it every morning, and I don’t think I would feel normal if I didn’t. I usually boil my water while I am washing my face to save time. I used to have a coffee machine, but it was kind of shit, so we have been using our Chemex coffee maker, which takes longer and more effort, but it makes a great cup of coffee. However, it doesn’t keep the coffee warm for very long, which is slightly annoying. I love drinking my coffee in bed. I used to never do this, and it didn’t even occur to me before, but it’s a ritual of Ryan’s that sort of became a ritual of mine. Some people like to lie in bed for awhile before getting out of bed, but I like to get out of bed, make coffee and then hop back into bed and drink it.
Internet things – the morning is normally when I write blog posts and catch up on blogs. I usually edit photos the evening before and then write the next morning. I find my brain is more fresh in the morning and I have a much easier time writing up a post (which is what I am doing right now).
Smoothie – after I have finished my coffee and played on the internet for a bit, I will make myself a smoothie. Lately it has been banana, raspberries, strawberries, almond milk, water, oats and flax seeds. I like adding oats in to make it feel like a real breakfast smoothie that is a bit more filling. If I have vegetables on hand, I will also add kale or avocado.
And that’s my morning routine. Of course I do my makeup and get dressed and all that fun stuff after all this. But this is how I like to start my morning when I’ve got the time. I’d love to be able to do it every morning, but some days when you need to be out of the house at 6:30a, it’s just not possible.

What about you guys? Do you have a morning routine?

Birthday Wish List

June 26, 20154 Comments

My birthday is coming up next month (July 12th, to be exact), so I thought it would be fun to put together a list of some things I’ve had my eye on recently, which was made easy by scrolling through my pinterest “I WOULD LIKE” board and finding all the items my heart desires. I don’t know about you, but I’ve always been terrible at remembering things I’d like to buy, that’s until pinterest came around and made it so my brain doesn’t need to remember a single thing (that’s probably not good, but whatever). Plus it makes life easier for Ryan (or anyone really) when he’s uncertain about a gift for me.

ACCESSORIESSource: 1 / 2

I’ve been seeing sunglasses similar to these ones all over the place lately. I generally stick to circular sunglasses, but I’m loving the oversized cat eye look of this pair and who can deny that colour!? The barrettes are so simple but in such beautiful pastel shades that I’m kind of obsessed with at the moment.

EYES
Source: 3 / 4

I’ve been feeling eye motifs a ton lately. It’s not like it’s exactly a new thing, but I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on some fun pieces for both my home and my body.

HOME
Source: 5 / 6

This lemon basket would just be such a fun statement piece for the home and with an actual purpose, which is nice. Paired with this rug, they would brighten any room, especially if you are like me and have all white walls.

INTIMATES
Source: 7 / 8

I mean, we all know it, I love lingerie and intimates. These ones are particularly pretty and I’d be a happy camper wearing either one.

SHOES
Source: 9 / 10

I’m really just a sensible shoe girl. I generally wear heels, but they are always chunky and never very high. I constantly complain about my feet, so I definitely don’t want to be wearing shoes that cause even more complaints. These ones are adorable and fit the bill for shoes I can tolerate to wear for extended periods of time.

POODLES
Source: 11 / 12

Poodles!!! I know, Bichons would make more sense, but for some reason they aren’t a popular breed of dog to make fun items of, so I settle for poodles. This poodle food dish would be so cute for my little Gussy and this figurine is just darling. It’s wearing a hat! I’m sold!

BEAUTY
Source: 13 / 14

I recently ran out of my perfume and have been looking for a new one. I’ve had my eye on Chloe perfumes, and these miniatures would be perfect so I don’t actually have to decide on my scent right away. I already own a set of Zoeva brushes, but I would really like these rose gold and pink ones – they are just so much prettier than mine.

HATS
Source: 15 / 16

Not much to say…these hats are cute as hell!

VINTAGE DRESSES
Source: 17 / 18

These dresses are the perfect breezy, summery staples that I would like in my wardrobe immediately. As much as I love the crazy prints that come from the 60s/70s, there is another side to me that loves the soft and simple looks that come from eras before.