In defense of selfies

April 7, 2014November 11, 20147 Comments

There are several positive things about the first truly warm day of the season. One, pretty well everyone is in a good mood. Two, bare legs! Three, rediscovering clothes that have been hidden for months. Four, realizing the coat, cardigan and scarf you wore on the walk to get produce is actually making you sweat. Five, bare legs!!! I was in very bright spirits for taking outfit pictures this weekend, not realizing that a HUGE number of people were also in very bright spirits and out walking on the first truly warm day of the year. Which brings me to my negative… my frequented spots for photo taking, the ones that have been void of people for months, are now filled with people. This scenario poses a problem for those of us who take our own photos (I’m assuming I can’t be the only one who feels this way) I avoid choosing locations where I know a lot of people will be when I am taking my own photos with a self-timer and tripod. Having people watch me take photos of myself makes me feel self-conscious, and sort of vain, even though having a personal style blog does not normally make me feel vain in the slightest. Had I had a friend taking these photos, I would not have felt awkward and strange at all. Sometimes I focus too much on what others could be thinking. In reality, I have no idea what they are thinking. My assumption is that it is entirely negative, but if I passed by someone taking photos of themselves would my first thought be negative? Definitely not. But I am entirely biased since I do this weekly. Maybe if I had zero insight into the world of taking, well, pretty much “selfies”, maybe my initial reaction would be different. However, I do not consider the photos I take “selfies”, and have a great disdain for the term. I dislike how that term has turned self-portraits into a negative, and we could deem anyone who takes photographs of themselves as self-obsessed. I enjoy playing around with my camera, choosing different outfits, locations, composition and movements to create a mood, and generally all I have is myself to work with. It’s more to me than simply showcasing myself, but with instagram and the internet, peoples view on the age-old style of photography has become very much skewed. Anyways, all in all, these photos are not what i wanted them to be. I let my mind get the best of me, and never really got into my normal groove.

Shirt: vintage dress worn as top via Common Sort
Skirt: Larkspur
Socks: Target
Shoes: Seychelles – no longer available, but can be found here
Coat: vintage via Gisela and Zoe vintage

Larkspur / Odd Finds General Store

April 3, 2014November 11, 2014Leave a comment

I’ve got some pretty exciting news to share with you today! Starting May, you will be able to find Larkspur at Odd Finds General Store and Tea Shop here in Toronto. I will continue to sell online for my far away customers who are unable to shop in the flesh, but this will be very exciting for the local customers who like trying things on and don’t want to pay shipping. It’s a win win situation. I plan on making a more thorough post on the shop, as it is amazing, and shop owners Stacey and Danielle are some pretty neat gals who deserve a post dedicated to the great things they do. All this being said, the online shop has been fairly quiet since a lot has been happening for Larkspur in non-virtual life. But this weekend I’m shooting my April lookbook with a babely babe and plan to have some new things listed online by the end of next week, so keep an eye out!

*photo via Toronto Life

Larkspur & Spring TVCS

March 28, 2014November 11, 20142 Comments

Last Sunday I had such a great time at the Toronto Vintage Clothing Show. This time around Meaghan helped me out and spent most of the day with me, which I am so grateful for. It can be a really exhausting event when you’re by yourself all day. I’m going to keep this short today because I need to head out real soon, but I want to say a big thank you to the organizer Catherine, the show would not be such a success without her. Thank you to all the people who came by and supported my small business. And thank you to Meaghan and Ryan for all your help, as usual! It’s Friday, and I have the day off tomorrow which I am so looking forward to. Just got to get through this long day of work and dance rehearsals. Happy weekend all!

I talked a little about my experience last Fall at the show, if you are interested.

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!