BTS: ACT THREE. SS’16

March 17, 2016Leave a comment

On Ward’s island

Last week I shared ACT THREE. SS’16 collection lookbook that I styled, and today I’m sharing some behind the scenes (or #bts…so internet) images I took during our shoot, in between fussing with Gaby’s clothes and putting together outfits. To be honest, these behind the scenes mostly ended up being pictures of Gaby rather than the surrounding area (we shot on Ward’s Island) and process, which I usually try to share with you all, but Gaby is truly a sight for sore eyes, so it’s hard to turn the camera away from her – you can’t really blame me. If nothing else, it’s another chance for you to check out these beautiful dresses and maybe give yourself a reminder to pick up that Spring/Summer dress ; )

Some of the collection is available in store and online at Victoire, and in store at Coal Miner’s Daughter.
Larkspur Vintage | BTS: ACT THREE. SS '16

My Aversion

March 16, 2016March 16, 20166 Comments

To mid-rise jeans

I have never felt particularly comfortable in skinny jeans. Non-skirt wearing people always assume wearing a dress or skirt is uncomfortable, but that has never really been the case for me. Physically, yeah, a skirt probably could feel uncomfortable to some – depending on it’s length, fabric and silhouette – but for me, they have always been the garments I feel most comfortable in. Comfort when it comes to clothes doesn’t only have to be about the physical aspect, certain garments just make us feel better mentally, and for me, dresses and skirts have always maintained that level of comfort in my ol’ brain. Pants, and particularly skinny jeans, have never made me feel all that comfortable, mentally speaking; I have always likened my legs to sausages when I wear them (we are all mean to ourselves sometimes). But then high-rise pants/jeans rose to popularity and my comfort level with jeans moved up a couple notches.

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For over a decade, when it comes to pants, I have exclusively worn high-rise. So, it’s weird that I bought mid-rise denim jeans, right?! V weird. To be honest, I brought them into the fitting room thinking they were high-rise, but once I tried them on, and quickly realized they were mid-rise, I didn’t totally hate them. I’m kind of forcing myself to try new things…like wear mid-rise jeans, even though I’ve had an aversion to them for years…you know, just little things, but things I have abstained from for a long time because I felt like they didn’t suit me or my style. If I’m being honest though, I don’t love them as much as I would if they were high-rise, and even while editing these images I felt myself wincing at the way I looked in them. So I don’t know what conclusions to draw from this experiment in personal style and in a way, self acceptance. I was initially drawn to these jeans because I like indigo denim, a lot, and for that reason alone I wear them often, but I don’t think I’m totally sold on mid-rise. And that’s okay. We all have our preferences, and sometimes it’s good to try something different; maybe we can change our own minds, or maybe it’s a reminder of the reasons why we prefer what we prefer.

Have you ever tried a particular piece that you have strayed away from for years? Did you have a change of heart? Hate it? Let me know in the comments below.

– WHAT I WORE –
Blouse c/o Larmoni (similar) | Jeans: H&M | Belt: vintage
Larkspur Vintage | My Aversion

A Little Contrast

March 11, 20164 Comments

never hurt nobody

I originally tried to shoot this dress last weekend, but it was far too cold and windy and I ended up with no decent images to work with. Some outfits never see the light of day (of this blog) when that happens (although, it doesn’t happen much), but I knew I had to reshoot on a warmer day to get some good shots of this dress, and you can probable see why. It’s such a simple and classic idea – black dress with contrasting white collar – but it has some details about it that really make it stand out, imho. I had been searching for a dress like it – that’s to say, an easy black dress with a white contrast collar – it felt like a no brainer that I would pick this one, but what really sold me on this piece was the trumpet sleeves and peplum hem. Trumpet sleeves are fun as heck! But rather impractical in the winter when you have to bury them under layers. I’d been waiting quite awhile to shoot this one, so as to avoid needing a coat while shooting, which I obviously jumped the gun last weekend and paid dearly for it (I was just really cold. I’m dramatic). But clearly I lived to tell the tale and was able to share this dress with ya’ll.

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Olive has some pretty awesome pieces in their shop and I’m happy to be able to share this brand with you because I love, I think, almost every piece they have available in their shop, which is rare for me (that sounds gross pretentious, but I’m picky). Be sure to check them out!

– WHAT I WORE –
Dress c/o Olive | Tights: old | Shoes: H&M
Larkspur Vintage | A Little Contrast

Home Decorating Ideas

March 9, 2016March 9, 20164 Comments

GETting IT TOGETHER

I think I have mentioned before that it’s taking me forever to get my apartment together. I got rid of many things when I moved in with Ryan, and then even more when I moved out. I once was able to fill a one bedroom apartment by myself (although, I’ve only lived in bachelors by myself…but I could have filled a one bedroom), and now I’m lacking some pretty major furniture pieces and I don’t have much to decorate with. In a way it’s very refreshing to be free of so much shit, but in another way, I miss the things I had – all the little bits and bobs that made up my home before…the things that made it feel full and homely. But, if I’m being honest, I feel like a very different person than I was when I started collecting antiques, knick knacks and wall hangings, and many of them just started to feel like crap. So, I only held onto the things I really love, that way I could make room for new things to love.

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Anyways, all this to say, I have a Pinterest board, EVERGLADES (the name of my apartment building), dedicated to decorating ideas and I thought I’d share that with you. Please let me know if you have a home decorating Pinterest board I could check out, or pictures of your own home that is awesome! I love finding new ideas and boards to follow.I’ve been looking at different types of shelving and storage units, many of which are pretty DIY. As you can see in my above images, I have books stacked on the floor and windowsill, which I like, but wouldn’t it be cool to actually make shelves out of those books? Or make my own book shelf by stacking old wooden crates together? And how nice is it to have plants hanging off and picture frames resting on shelves?!It’s no surprise that I love pink, especially blush pink, so it makes sense these images spoke to me. Don’t these spaces look so beautiful all white with accents of blush pink?I don’t have traditional side tables next to my bed – right now I have a white wicker stool and a milk crate with lace draped over top…very DIY looking. My bed is also on the floor since I don’t have a bed frame, so I like the look of these low beds with books used as side tables, frames resting on the floor against a wall and little frames staggered low on the wall right above a side table.Hanging plants from the ceiling just looks so damn good!These kitchens look so great with these shelves filled with colourful dish and house wares.I just really like the look of these rooms, probably for their colour combinations and coziness. I’d like to pop right into the images, thank you.

*click on the images to be linked to the source

Outfit: Beatnik

March 1, 2016March 1, 201610 Comments

gimme a beat

Unintentionally, this outfit ended up seeming quite inspired by the Beat Generation – Breton stripes, beret, turtleneck, loafers, whole lotta black – a term coined by Kerouac in the late 40s to describe his group of non-conforming literary peers. To be honest, there was no real uniform for this subculture of “beaten down” youth (read: hipsters) of the 50s-mid 60s. The outfits likeness to this subculture is only really inspired by a caricature (read: stereotype) version of a beatnik. But it’s kind of a fun and interesting style trope none the less. Fun because it looks so damn cool, and interesting because it’s so universally understood; even if you know absolutely nothing about beatnik culture, it’s “style” still influences many outfits and trends today.

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Aside from any perceived influence this outfit may have, I mostly wanted to showcase my knapsack, which I have been carrying around with me everyday since I got it. It’s pretty wonderful to have full use of both arms while out and about, a feeling I didn’t realize I was missing all these years being a religious purse carrier. Now I’m hoping I can find a wee bit smaller one, of similar style, in black…so if you spot any on the wide web (or in store), please let this gal know!