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

Outfit: Other People’s Clothes

September 14, 2015September 14, 20155 Comments

Since I haven’t really been living at home lately (see this post if you don’t understand), I don’t have many of my own clothes to style outfits with. It’s been a whole lot of wearing the same few articles of clothing I have with me or borrowing Meaghan’s clothes (thnx Meg!) because I have been staying at her place while she is visiting our pal Kira in Chicago. With that being the case, this outfit feels very out of the norm for me. It consists of Meaghan’s hat and boots which I think are really great, but pretty unusual for me. The whole thing is a bit western, or like something you could wear hiking (if you don’t mind hiking in a dress), which I like, but again, not my usual cutesy, un-utilitarian styling I normally throw together. I will say, however, it was nice to give the Cybille dress by ACT THREE Apparel a different spin. You guys might remember I styled their first lookbook (and second, but you can’t see that yet!), which was very 60s french new wave, Anna Karina vibes. This seems totally different from that, and I was pretty happy to be able to share a different way to style one of Sarah’s amazing dresses (which you can now find online/in store at Victoire and this particular dress in store at Coal Miner’s Daughter). Please do check out her dresses; I feel so lucky to be able to work closely with such an amazing label.
Dress c/o ACT THREE

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

Outfit: Rekindle

August 31, 2015August 31, 20156 Comments

It had been ages since I had worn this dress. It used to be an absolute favourite of mine, but I think I wore it death and grew rather tired of it over time. However, something about it called to me the other day, and after slipping back into it, I remembered why I loved it so…and even more now with my short hair. It’s interesting how something as simple as a haircut can bring new life to clothes collecting dust in your closet. And this is the very reason I have so much trouble parting ways with my clothes. It is said that if you haven’t worn something in a year you should probably let it go, but I have to disagree. Sometimes you just need a break; a little time to find what once was. If I let go every piece of clothing I hadn’t worn in a year, well I’d have a whole lot of clothing regrets. This is not to say I don’t purge myself of the clothes that really are not ever going to be worn, but I choose not to hold myself to the rule above because some pieces are just more special than others and deserve a real chance to prove themselves once again (and clearly I am fucking over dramatic when it comes to clothes).