If I’m being honest, winter is my most dreaded season. Not because it’s really cold (I mean, I definitely don’t like that) but because the shorter days and lack of sun really do a number on my mental health (as it does for many). You guys know about my struggles with that, and you know last winter was an especially tough one for me (maybe you don’t, you can read about it here, if you want). However, I am in a very different place now – both physically and mentally – and with that comes a very strong desire to keep my spirits up when the sun is peacing on us way earlier in the day. I’ve been making a mental note of the things that make me feel good in the winter; a soak in the tub while watching a favourite show (that would be Parenthood right now), baking things I won’t eat all of, sewing (mostly in the way of repairing clothes that have holes in the armpits…how do I always do that!?), coffee in bed, reading a good book, going on a hike (albeit, dressed very warmly), laughing with good pals, putting on an adored song and dancing around my apartment (Blessings by Big Sean, im looking at you) and of course, a colourful outfit, much like the Mona dress I am wearing here. Maybe I often seem vapid because clothes are so important to me, but clothes are very much linked to the way I feel mentally. Putting in a little bit of effort actually makes me feel good inside, and that is something irreplaceable to me. Yesterday, I wasn’t feeling my best, it was dreary out and I was having a hard time willing myself to get things done, but when I put on this dress and stepped out of the house for a walk, my mood shifted and everything that was overwhelming me felt much smaller and easier to tackle. Sometimes all it takes is a change of scenery and a change of clothes.
Tell me about something you do in the winter to help keep you in a light-hearted mood. I’d love to hear and maybe add some to my list ❤
Dress c/o Mona
Blouse: thrifted
Coat: vintage via TVCS
Ring c/o Good After Nine
Tights: old ballet tights
Shoes: Sylvie and Shimmy
As you can see, my fringe is a little out of control these days. It’s been about 4 months since I had a trim, and I’ve been pretty lazy about booking a hair appointment or trimming it myself (which I usually do). I figured I was likely not the only one this happens to regularly, so I thought it made sense to show you some ways to style your fringe when you’re in-between haircuts or trying to grow out them bangs, so that our eyeballs may see and not be poked by strands of hair all day long.
The Bette Middler: This is a style I sport most often when my bangs are too long to sit straight across my forehead; it’s pretty simple as you can see…just part your bangs down the middle, following your natural part (if you have one). If you find your fringe is not staying in it’s desired place, try bobby pinning each side for a little before leaving the house – that should help to keep them in place, and when in doubt, a little hairspray goes a long way.
The Twister: This style can be a bit scary if you don a straight-across fringe religiously, like myself – I mean, our fringe is what hides our forehead, and now we are exposing it! But you know what, lets live without fear! To achieve this style, just start twisting your fringe at the root and continue down until our entire fringe is twisted and then fasten with a bobby pin; you can hide that pin by placing some hair over-top or you could also use a fun hair clip to hold in place.
The Wave: This one is a teeny bit more time consuming, but well worth it. Parting your fringe to one side, use a curling iron (a flat iron might work as well), and wrap parts of your fringe – starting from the root and working downward – in an ‘under and over motion’ around your iron, so that your waves (or curls) are held upwards, a la Farrah Fawcett styles. Continue this until you’ve got your desired wave going on.
The Side Bitch: Another style I sport most often is a simple side bang. In my case, naturally, my hair likes to part this way, so it’s quite easy for it to stay in place, but if you are finding it is moving about, again, a bobby pin to hold it in place will do, either all day if you have a cute pin, or just for a little while before leaving the house so your hair knows it’s place (she just a side bitch, after-all).
This past Sunday 
Monday mornings fog in Six Mile Lake was really something spectacular to behold. Some of my favourite images that we all shot are from that morning navigating (I say navigating as if I was any help at all…my canoe partner was the only one with a paddle, so, you’re welcome for nothing) through fog so thick it was difficult to find our way back to the cottage. 
This past weekend me and some of my best pals headed to Six Mile Lake to spend the weekend at a cottage celebrating Meaghan’s 30th birthday. I had actually been to this cottage two years ago, celebrating another friend’s 30th, so it was kind of strange to be back here and noticing how different and yet the same my life is. We got pretty lucky with some choice weather, and some eerily foggy mornings, that we certainly took full advantage of both mornings we woke there with sunrise canoe rides and a lot of laughs. I’ve decided to split this post into (most likely) three posts so I don’t bombard you with a big ol’ photo dump all at once, but I can’t wait (well obviously I can) to share the rest with you. It has been quite awhile since I posted a photo diary, or really, since I posted photos of anything other than myself. I’m still sticking to my wits that I don’t want to photograph a ton of my personal life like I used to when I first started this blog, but I do want to get back to sharing a bit more of my life, when it’s worth documenting, and the people that fill it with happiness.
*photo of me by 
okay andie 