Outfit: Am I A Narcissist?

September 22, 201512 Comments

Someone recently left a comment on my blog, specifically on the post about my relationship ending, essentially saying obviously my relationships fail because it must be so annoying dating a blogger (although left in a much more condescending and shitty way). It was a mean, ill informed comment, obviously, that made me feel a little bad. However, I try not to focus on the negative comments I do get because I get a whole lot more kind and sweet ones that are far more important to me than the few that are mean, but it was an interesting comment, and one I’m sure is not at all uncommon. This is a subject that has come up a few times in my life recently, so I felt like maybe I would say something about it, not because I feel like I need to justify my life to anyone, but because I like talking shit out from time to time and I have this platform to do so, maybe others can relate, maybe some are interested, so why not?

I know myself, so I know the person that I am, and I try to bring as much of that person to my blog as I possibly can, but I know at times maybe I don’t come across as the actual human being that I am. I also make a really huge effort not to document all parts of my life because I don’t want to be the person hanging out with others and asking everyone to take a picture of me, stop what they are doing, or snapping photos of my friends when they don’t want to be photographed, so you miss a whole lot of other parts of my life because I would rather not have my blog bleed that much into my real life. I also am well aware that personal style bloggers come across as narcissistic. I mean, how could we not? Pretty well our entire blogs are made up of our faces, talking about ourselves…for people who don’t really care for that sort of thing, it seems really annoying. So why do I photograph myself? Do I love myself to an unnatural degree? Do I think I’m so important that I need people to pay attention to me? Answering those questions feels totally unnecessary. I will say though, I love what I do. I love photography, I love fashion and I love writing. I love that I have made a space where I can share all those things and a place where I can become better at those things. The opportunities I have had because of this space amaze me and the people I have met has been undeniably the best part of doing this. I think a lot of other bloggers would agree that our blogs are our creative space, and while some may choose themselves as the subject, that shouldn’t diminish the value it has as an art form. It all stems from the idea that showing any sign of liking yourself is a negative thing and those that do should be made to feel bad about it. I love myself, but I love myself the way I love my friends and family, and that should not be the exception but the rule.

I guess the main issue that bothers me most about that statement, or any negative comment directed at someone’s personal choices is the question I always have, which is why does anyone even care? And this goes beyond what I’m talking about here and so much more into any decisions people choose to make in their lives; unless it directly affects your life, why does it bother you? I make an active effort not to judge people, especially when I don’t know them. Everyone, everyday, is just trying to get by. Why not try to make peoples lives easier? Why not treat people exactly how we want to be treated? Trolls are trolls, and maybe that troll doesn’t warrant an entire post, but it is the whole that bothers me rather than the one offhand comment. It’s the idea that one small negative comment could affect a persons entire day when it would be just as easy to say something nice, or heck, just don’t say anything at all. We all have a right to our feelings and opinions, but if something really upsets you, or you feel strongly about the choices someone else is making, maybe walk away from it.

In conclusion, trolls be trolling; what would the internet be without them going hard?

Dress: thrifted Zara
Jacket: vintage via Public Butter
Boots: Samantha Pleet x Wolverine
Bow tie: handmade

Beauty: Drug Store Cheek Illuminators

September 18, 20153 Comments

I’m not sure why, but this summer I became very into cheek highlighters and illuminators. Maybe it was from all the youtube videos I would watch of beauty gurus adding a little highlight to their cheek bones, creating this radiant and glowing look that was so lovely. I now feel like my makeup is incomplete unless I have a little highlight on my cheeks, so I thought it would be nice to share with you the drug store products I use most often to create an illuminated look on my cheeks.
Revlon Photoready Skinlights Face Illuminator in 200 Pink Light: well this is not a new one to the blog. I love this product, and have had it for quite awhile now. I use this very last, after I have completed my cheeks, to give that extra bit of illumination for the final look. To apply, I squirt a bit onto my fingertip and dab along the cheek bone, blending as much as I can.
Revlon Highlighting Palette in Rose Glow: this is a newer product for me, but has quickly become part of my daily makeup routine. I like the idea of complimentary shimmer shades that when blended together gives your skin a natural glow. I apply this on my cheek bones, and a little bit on the apple of my cheeks. The colour is in no way over the top, but it adds a flushed look to your face and a nice shimmer when the sun hits your skin.
Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Rose Petal: Up until this point I had never really used a cream based blusher, but I have to say, I think I am a convert. It’s likely the packaging that called to me when I picked this product up, I mean, how cute does it look!? But that aside, I would definitely pick it up again. It’s a very subtle, build-able shade, that adds a really darling glow to the cheeks. I apply this after the palette above, just on the apple of my cheeks.

Tell my about your favourite highlighting products. Would you give any of these a go?

Beauty: Short Hair With Volume

September 16, 20152 Comments

One thing I knew when I cut my hair is that I wanted it to have lots of volume. I’ve actually had short hair for most of my life, so I know very well that when it is a shorter length, it has a tendency to fall rather flat with hairs going in every direction, if I allowed it to have it’s way. I’ve had quite a few questions about how to achieve this volume (not going to lie though, it does NOT always look like this), so I thought I’d share that with you all.
1. Rag rolls! I’ve already shared a tutorial on how to rag your hair, so you can refer to that post, but there is a small difference. Since my hair is a bit graduated (ie, slightly shorter at the back), I can no longer roll up the hair at the back of my head (wish ya’ll could have seen me struggling). Instead, I have been doing about 4-6 rags (two-three on each side) at the front only.
2. I had to come up with a way to get the back pieces curly, so I figured pseudo-pin curls made the most sense. I roll 4 sections into little buns at the back of my head, fastening them in place with bobby pins. I have never been good at pin curls, mostly because I don’t do them enough, so it’s a bit of a mess when I do it. But since having intact curls is not the aim here, the messiness actually works better for this look. Don’t got nimble, dainty fingers? You’ll be okay!
3. After my hair is all pinned and rolled, I use this technique with a scarf so that everything stays in place while I’m sleeping. I highly suggest wearing a scarf on your head if ever you are sleeping with rags, rollers or pins in your hair; it keeps everything in place, and stops the hair from being all weird and frizzy when you wake up.
4. In the morning I take out my pins and rags, and then brush everything out so you get this bag, wavy, puff head. I will also add that the Wet Brush is amazing, which is honestly something I never thought I would say about a hair brush. Like the name ensues, you can use it to brush your hair while wet, but I also find it doesn’t break my hair or pull it, which was a major problem for me with all hair brushes.
5. Your hair might seem a bit too crazy and big right after taking everything out and brushing it, but it will start to weigh down shortly. I usually guide it do so (because I’m impatient) by running my fingers through it and smoothing it down with my hands. Sometimes the pieces at the back are a bit strange, so I’ll use my curling iron to get them moving in the right direction. And that’s that! Pretty similar to how I use to curl my hair, but looks much different. This style should also hold for at least 2 days (maybe even 3, who knows!?). On the second day I use my curling iron just a wee bit to fix anything weird happening, but the volume is still there, which is all I really care about.

*see more beauty posts here

The Art Of Getting By

September 10, 2015September 10, 20155 Comments

So as I had mentioned in my last post, quite a big change has been going on in my life, and I feel like this space has been suffering because of it. I’ve always felt like I’ve done a pretty good job when it comes to keeping this place updated, even when things are not ideal in my personal life. This blog means a whole to me, and I feel a great deal of guilt whenever I am unable, or feeling not well enough to keep it up to date. You also know I try to be as open about my personal life as reasonably possible here, so it feels appropriate to share what has been going on.

The short of it is Ryan and I have broken up. Something that is disheartening in ways, but was also necessary. Because we live together, things have been a bit all over the place. I have been looking for a new place to live, with very little success, and that has caused me a great deal of stress, which has lead me to try to ignore my current situation and spend as much time with the people that make me feel happy. In a lot of ways, I am feeling better than I have felt in a long time, but also feeling slightly chaotic in my mind. But such is the way with these things. It’s something many experience, and you come out of it, usually in a much better place – I feel very strongly about that.

Relationships can be so difficult, but also incredibly enriching . My friends sometimes joke about the amount of boyfriends I’ve had, and for a long time I felt bad about my inability to keep a relationship going after the 2 year mark. But not everyone is the same. I know people who have been with their partner for years, ready for marriage, and I know an equal amount of people who have fulfilling relationships that don’t last forever. I like to think that every relationship I’ve had has been a lesson for me and something I actively reflect upon. I’ve got to spend years with some incredibly amazing and wonderful people who have changed and bettered my life in so many ways. They may not have been it for me, but they were something for me that I will always feel positively about. I like thinking that I carry a piece of each of them with me, helping me to become the best possible version of myself. I don’t keep a ton of people surrounding me, but the ones I do are the ones I feel really bring something special to my life, which goes beyond romantic relationships.

Anyways, that’s the gist of it. I know probably some can relate to this, so while talking about it seems maybe like it’s just for me, I think it’s also a feeling many understand, and I always hope when I share my struggles in life, however small or insignificant, that someone can feel a connection or find comfort from it. That’s why I love blogging so much. The connection and the people I reach are the most important thing to me; it’s what keeps me here.

Love you all, and thank you for being patient with me ❤

Outfit: Changes

September 8, 20154 Comments

I apologize for my absence from this wee corner of the internet for almost a week now. Life has been a whirlwind of changes, which is taking a bit of getting used to at the moment. I’ll soon share with you what has been going on recently, but for the time being I’ve got an outfit for you that has felt like a savior during these extremely warm, final days of summer.

I hope you all had a wonderful long weekend. Let me know what you have been up to! I’ve missed you all dearly!
Top c/o Samantha Pleet
Skirt: F21 (similar)
Clogs: vintage via House of Vintage
Boater hat: thrifted vintage