Bonjour, From Montreal!

March 30, 2015March 30, 20157 Comments

Last Friday I made my way to Montreal, and I’ll be here until this coming Friday, spending time with my best friend Kristen and other MTL pals. The reason for my trip wasn’t totally for leisure, however. I have a couple dance shows this week in this lovely city, so I decided to make it an extended trip, ensuring I’d be able to have some fun with my best pal who I hadn’t seen in months, before I get busy this week with rehearsals and performances.

I decided to snap some photos of my new dress I purchased this past weekend in Kristen and Sergio’s flippin’ amazing kitchen. The outfit goes so perfectly with their kitchen and decor, it is like a match made in heaven.

How was your weekend? Let me know, I’d love to hear. Dress: vintage via Empire Exchange
Beret: thrifted
Boots: Samantha Pleet x Wolverine

Beauty / Styling My Fringe (Bangs)

March 26, 2015March 26, 20156 Comments

Today I’m going to share how I style my bangs/fringe, each and every day. I’m sure the way I style my fringe is not uncommon, but I do see a lot of people using a straightener to style a straight-across fringe, which I used to do ages ago and that works pretty well, but what I do now I find is longer lasting and gives the right amount of volume, in my opinion. Also, I’m in desperate need of a bang trim, so my fringe is a bit wonky, I apologize for that.
STEP ONE: To style my fringe, it is an absolute must that my fringe is wet. But since I normally wash my hair in the evening, I wake up with totally dry hair. What to do?! Well, I just run my comb under water and then comb through my fringe, getting all parts of it wet, not to a super sopping wet degree, but just enough that it is malleable and will agree with my blow dryer.
STEP TWO: Now the styling part! I split my fringe in 3 sections (left, centre and right) and using my round brush and blow dryer I place one section over the brush and dry that section by holding the brush near my hairline and then pulling out (that’s what she said) away from my face. The round brush will create a lovely lifted, round shape to the bangs, that is both bouncy and clean looking. Then I continue on to the rest of my sections, until all is even and dry. Since my fringe often has a mind of it’s own, I usually guide the outer sections in the correct direction so that my fringe covers all of my forehead. To give the whole look an extra lift, I’ll take little sections of hair from the top of my fringe and do the above process again. Side note: you may be thinking, why the heck are you not holding the handle part of your round brush? And the answer is, I’m not sure? It feels more comfortable for some reason.
And that’s it! Every so often I give my fringe a little spritz of hairspray after I’m done, but not always. I find this way of styling a straight-across fringe is great for holding on it’s own, with little or no product.

A Dress for Always

March 23, 201510 Comments

I’ve had this pinafore since December, but am only getting around to photographing it now. To be honest, I think I only had only worn it once or twice before this, which is quite unusual for me, since I am notorious for wearing new pieces to death. I think the problem was, in my mind, it seemed way more holiday inspired than it actually is. So once the holiday season was over, I thought this pinafore might be too over the top. But after looking back at the photographs I took, I realized that the navy really pops (especially when paired with navy tights), and sort of cancels out the holiday-esque effect that red and green have together. Instead, it’s quite a striking colour combination, especially when photographed against light, muted tones, such as my lamp, wall hanging and stark white walls. Plus it matches our arm chair (which Beans LOVES, as you can see), so that’s an aesthetically pleasing bonus. Needless to say, this will not be one of my “only appropriate for holidays” dresses.

Do you guys have any pieces you avoid wearing and save for the holidays? Have you ever thought you couldn’t wear a piece because it was reminiscent of colour combinations associated with a specific holiday?

Pinafore: Miss Patina
Blouse: vintage via Public Butter
Hat: gift
Tights: H&M

Belle Vie / 35

March 20, 2015Leave a comment

(All photos from my iPhone)

1. I’m a huge fan of Jeffrey Eugenides. I read these books quite a long while ago, but they belonged to my ex, so while they were some of my favourite books, I didn’t ever think to get my own copy. It’s been well over a year since that relationship ended, and I’m just finally trying to buy all the books he so kindly introduced me to (thanks Matt!) And I know! A lot of people love love love Middlesex (so do I) and not so much The Marriage Plot, but I LOVE The Marriage Plot, big time.
2. Selfies in the park on a rainy but warm-ish day.
3. Sneaky snaps of a man (Ryan) and his case of beer.
4. I bought pants!! Can you believe it!? A pair of patterned high-waisted cigarette trousers and flared high-waisted jeans. I have quite a few pairs of trousers, although I don’t wear them much…but jeans!? I haven’t owned jeans in flippin’ years. They may end up being something that was a waste of money…I dunno!
5. When I first moved to Toronto I was only working part-time, which mean’t most of my pals were at work during the day, so to keep myself busy I’d pass the hours away in book stores or at coffee shops. I could sit in a book store for hours reading something in it’s almost entirety. I also didn’t have a lot of money, so reading a whole book and never having to buy it was awesome. ha!
6. I found this amazing book called 20th Century Fashion: 100 years of apparel ads at BMV the other day. As you can see, it was right up my alley and carried so much fashion inspiration. I had gone to the book store for some other books, so I couldn’t justify spending close to $30 on this, but I may go back, because clothes!
7. OH MY GOODNESS! Do you notice something very wrong with this cactus!? HA! This cactus belongs to Danielle’s roommate. I can’t remember the full story now, but she bought it at I think a corner store (?) Without close inspection you’d think it was a flowering cactus, but you’d be wrong! The man at the store glued flowers to the top of the cactus. When Danielle told me that story I could not stop laughing.
8. This little guy is honestly the best. I say it all the time, but like, I mean it.
9. And my heart exploded when I found these two like this. Honestly the sweetest thing I have ever laid my eyes on.

Beauty / Braided Headband

March 19, 20154 Comments

Today I’m going to show you how to create a headband for your beautiful hairs with your very own hair. Crazy! This style is pretty fun and versatile as you can make the braids as thin or as thick as you like. I went with thin braids this time around, but I assure you that thick ones are quite striking. So! Here we go!
STEP ONE: Start by parting your hair near your ear and simply pull out (not literally) the desired amount of hair you would like to braid – the hair you use for your braid should be quite close to your ear, sort of like when you wear a headband and it sits right behind your ear, that’s where your braid should be coming from. Now you can braid those hairs! Once your braid is finished no hair elastics are required, just get a bobby pin to hold the braid in place while you start working on the other side. ~~How many times can I say braid in one paragraph?!~~
Now you should have a braid on each side, which I have decided to turn into… this? I also look like a fish. And I’m rhyming. What’s wrong with me?!
STEP TWO: Now you are going to make your headband! Take your desired braid and guide it over to the other side of your head, and then fasten the end of your braid with bobby pins behind your ear, right where the other braid starts. One down! Now do the same to the other side.
STEP THREE: Once you are done, your braided headband should look something like this. I like to fiddle a bit with the hair that I place over the braids so that it hides the bobby pins holding everything in place, and just for general pulled togetherness.And that’s it! Another easy one, cause ya’ll know I like simple (most of the time). Let me know if you guys try this one out. And as always, if you have any hairstyles (or any other beauty fun) you’d like me to share, let me know.