Beauty: The Power of a Bold Lip

February 10, 20163 Comments

THAT’S IT, THAT’S ALL.

Ah! A bold red lip. We all know by now that is my go to lip colour. So, what if that was it? What if a red lip was all we needed to create a striking look? But, I’m looking at this from the perspective of a very pale, white-skinned female where punchy reds are generally striking against such a skin tone, I hear you cry. Yes, but I think this look would be just as breathtaking with a darker lip, something in a berry shade, perhaps, against any skin tone, really. You see, it’s not in the skin tone or whatever family you choose your red from, but rather the lack of any eye makeup and a bit of colour (by way of lip) brought to the face. It’s strange how a lack of eye makeup and a bold lip can actually make your eyes pop more than if they were painted in mascara and liner. I’m not going to try to figure out the how and why of it, it is what it is. Let. It. Be.
I first came across and fell in love with this look because of the endless inspiration that is Pinterest. I often look through my beauty board and try to find a common denominator to the images I have pinned (if there is one). Why do I like this look? And how is it similar to others I have pinned? I found many images I pinned featured an almost makeup-less female with a deep lip colour. So simple and yet so powerful. So I had to recreate it, of course, and share it with you. So what is on my face? Well, if I was completely blemish free I probably would have featured my naked skin, but these days have not been kind to my skin, so I’ve got a bit of foundation and powder, a swipe of blush, filled in my brows, the tiniest lick of a neutral eye shadow and of course, a red lip. The red lip.

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What do you think? Are you as enamored by this look as I am? Think you can’t pull it off? Give it a go before jumping to any conclusions, I think you may be surprised.

Outfit: Baby It’s Cold Outside

February 9, 2016February 9, 20164 Comments

BRRR!

I really wish I could have showcased this outfit better, but I think it was mean’t for a warmer day. I had planned to take off the coat for a few shots so you could actually see this vintage-inspired dress and get some detail shots of the vintage scarf, but the strong and bloody cold winds suggested maybe that wasn’t a wise idea. Whenever it seems like the weather is against me getting the photos I want it’s pretty frustrating, I have to say. I’m not one to admit defeat easily, but when your hands are so cold you can’t seem to adjust camera settings anymore, it’s probably time to call it quits. It’s not that I didn’t get enough photos, I clearly did, but they didn’t turn out the way I had envisioned – it’s damn near impossible to exact an image when your hands are telling you to just stop. Ah well, there are probably (definitely) worse things in life. However, before my hands did freeze, I snapchatted some of my shooting process (and potty mouth)…so this is my ~~seamless~~ way of plugging my snapchat (pushyspence) so ya’ll can follow along!

– WHAT I WORE –
Dress c/o Unique Vintage | Coat, Scarf, Tam: vintage | Shoes: Seychelles | Tights: UO
Larkspur Vintage | Outfit: Baby It's Cold Outside

Collection: Valentino Pre-Fall 2016

February 5, 20164 Comments

COLOUR ME RAD!

Valentino never disappoints me. Yes, it’s always a bit over-top, but that’s exactly what I love about this label. Nothing about Valentino is quiet or reserved. Valentino is not for the faint of heart or the modest, and this particular collection is no exception. It’s in your face and literally spans worlds. Do you notice the mix of Americana and Japanese themes? I did, although it took me a minute. It was confusing at first, in the way that two things so very different could be united and you never considered it before. It’s easy to dislike it at first, only because it’s so unfamiliar, but once you are over that initial moment of floundering feelings, finally, there is clarity – it’s fucking awesome.

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How do you guys feel about this collection? Initial reactions? Love? Hate?

Photo Diary: Toronto Island

February 4, 2016February 5, 20163 Comments

ALL THAT GLITTERS…

The same weekend we went to the cabin, we also spent some of our Saturday on Toronto Island to shoot images for the same job that brought us to Schomberg. I’ve been to Toronto Island a bunch of times – mostly for work actually – but never in the winter, that I can recall. It’s too bad there hasn’t been much snow in Toronto, I really think the island would be a sight to behold beneath a blanket of stark white snow, but disappointingly, it just looked like a lifeless landscape of grey-brown, for the most part (Toronto is just rather dreary looking in general during the winter, even when there is snow). It was also absolutely frigid this day, so it probably didn’t help that we were surrounded by water, and of course, me being me, I wore a skirt and tights like a true sartorial genius. But hey, I shouldn’t complain, it was a nice day despite the cold – I got to eat a delicious lunch at Brock Sandwich before we headed to the island, we walked on a frozen pond turned ice rink that was drenched in the golden glow of the sun’s rays (which was the most beautiful juxtaposition nature could throw my way and still makes me smile thinking about it) and I got to spend the day with my two favourite dudes. The sort of day that makes frosty winters seem less unbearable. Larkspur Vintage | Photo Diary: Toronto Island

*photo of me by Zach, edited by me

Outfit: Wearing The Pants

February 2, 20161 Comment

Larkspur Vintage | Outfit: Wearing The Pants Over the weekend I went through my closet, sorted and photographed the clothes I am willing to part ways with and list on my instagram shop, finally. To be honest, it was way easier than I thought it would be. There were a bunch of pieces I didn’t even think twice about, mostly because they hadn’t been worn in what felt like years or only once to twice ever – it was pretty clear they needed to go. However, it also made me face some clothes that had just been sitting around, unworn and ignored, but still felt relevant to my personal style right now, like these trousers. I own 3 pairs of similar trousers – these taupe guys (also, holy crap, AA still sells these exact ones! I am shocked. I got them like 6 yrs ago), a dark grey pair and dark green. I go through phases with trousers, which is why all 3 pairs have stayed with me for many years. Sometimes I will love trousers and the way they look on me, and other times I cannot stand them and feel very frumpy…the former, obviously, keeps me from getting rid of them. I’ve been going through my love phase, but had only been wearing my grey pair up until this weekend. Having too many clothes, you often forget what you have and under-appreciate a lot, doing this sorting forced me to look at everything and decide to actually wear it or send it packing…so that’s what I’m doing with these trousers…actually wearing them.