While I was in the process of packing up and moving a few months ago, I did a huge purge of clothes I was one day planning on listing in my shop but never got around to. I wanted to start fresh, so that when I got back into it – whenever that will be – I’d have only the pieces I really loved and felt proud of selling. While going through the bins and bins of forgotten goodies, I happened upon this pullover. I think at one point it was actually in the shop but never sold (incredibly practical, but not at all eye-catching, thus very over looked). For whatever reason, even though I had this pullover for years, I saw it with new eyes and felt it needed to be part of my personal closet. It’s been an absolutely well-loved piece from that moment on. It gets worn at least every week, if not several times a week (which means I have repaired holes in the armpits 3 times now). Aside from being super comfy and easy to throw on at a moments notice, it’s incredibly versatile; can be worn with trousers or a skirt, over-top a dress, tucked in, tucked out, layered over a button up, on it’s own – clearly a sign that it has a well-deserved spot in my wardrobe. There are many pieces I have sold over the years that give me pangs of regret, I didn’t ever think I would feel a sigh of relief that this one didn’t sell, although, I don’t think I would have ever felt a sense of regret had it sold years ago – I wouldn’t have known what I was missing. It reminds me of a love I once had, a slow starting fire, one that didn’t spark right away, but eventually grew to be a warmth I could not do without.
Pullover: thrifted
Skort: vintage via Local 23
Coat & tights: H&M (old)
Boots: Samantha Pleet x Wolverine
Necklace c/o Happiness Boutique
Tag: toronto fashion blogger
Outfit: Living In Colour
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
Outfit: My Little Sidekick
Having a deaf dog does have it’s share of challenges; it’s far harder to train a deaf dog, eye contact and hand signals are your only form of communication, and being unable to call to them when they are out of sight can be a bit annoying, if not kind of stressful. Honestly, it’s never been that much of a problem in my life. There are not many instances where I wish Gus could hear, the only ones are when we are spending a great deal of time outdoors, he’s off leash and I need to keep on an eye on him in case his nose leads him astray. He’s never been the type of dog to run away off leash – I trust him wholly in that respect – but his sense of smell leads him to wander and that’s when I wish he was able to hear. So naturally, I have never actually done outfit photos on my own with Gus and I. Any time Gus has been featured with me in photos, it’s because someone else has taken them. When I’m taking my own outfit photos, I’m pretty focused on what I’m doing, so having Gus wandering around me off-leash and sniffing his surroundings while my attention is elsewhere seems pretty unsafe for him. But my relationship with Gus has changed quite a bit since his back surgery and since being left to look after him on my own. I bring Gus with me to a lot more places now so he’s never alone for too long and since he’s a bit slower than he used to be because his back legs aren’t in the best shape, I’m less worried about him getting too far ahead of me off leash. Building a bond with a dog can take awhile, I think. Gus and I were bonded pretty quickly, mostly in the sense that he knew I was his person and he wanted to be around me all the time, but it definitely took awhile for Gus to understand what I expected of him and for me to learn his little quirks and what situations he is good or bad in. All this to say, a year ago, I probably wouldn’t have tried to take photos with just Gus and I, but it felt right this time around, and my intuition didn’t steer me wrong. He stuck by me most of the time, and if I did notice him wandering off it was pretty easy to catch up to him and bring him back. I feel lucky to have such a funny and easy going dog. Obviously everyone is biased when it comes to their dog, but I really believe I got pretty damn lucky when this little cloud showed up in my life.
Pinafore: Miss Patina
Blouse & beret: thrifted
Tights: H&M
Shoes: Sylvie and Shimmy
Bow tie: handmade
Larkspur Vintage for Zeum Issue 11
I’m happy to finally share that I (along with some other rad ladies) was interviewed for Zeum Issue 11. This stunning publication has now been released on UK stands and will be coming to Toronto, Japan and Austria very soon. If you’ve been reading this blog for a long while, than you know I have worked with Editor-in-chief and fashion photographer extraordinaire, Danielle Suzanne many times and feel so lucky to be a part of this labor of love and well-respected magazine. It still feels surreal when anyone wants to interview me or that even one person would be interested in my life, but hey, the internet is a strange place and I guess I have found my place somewhere in it. The image below was the original image Danielle took of me for the publication, however, I went and chopped my hair off and we thought it made more sense to share my updated look, so my own picture (shot by me) went to print, which also feels pretty surreal, if you ask me.
You can find Zeum irl at these locations. If Zeum doesn’t make it’s way to your part of the world, you can purchase online here (ships internationally), or download a digital copy here.
Outfit: Key To The Heart
I’m not sure when, but at some point I became incredibly disinterested in jewelry. I used to always pick up fun pieces while shopping, but much like my interest in purses began to wane, so did my interest in jewelry. What was once an affinity to big, colourful rings and necklaces with eye catching pendants, I slowly opted for no necklaces (bow ties instead) and very simple, plain rings. I used to let jewelry be the statement piece of my outfit (i mean, bondage necklaces…pretty hard to not let it be the star of the show), but now I much prefer understated pieces, only noticeable when you take a closer look. So I guess it would seem odd that I would own a novelty ring by Good After Nine in the shape of a unicorn. But, it’s fun, and it feels inline with my current aesthetic; eye-catching, cute, but not overpoweringly so. As for my necklace from Happiness Boutique, it’s dainty and subdued, just the way I like it. I’ve also always loved skeleton keys, so having one adorned around my neck with a simple heart pendant hovering above is just the type of necklace I’d be happy to wear everyday. Life has felt so new and refreshing lately, but also grounded in finding my old self, and I think my style has been reflecting my current state of mind; a knowing comfort in what I love, but a little more carefree and a desire to be truly rid of self-imposed style expectations.
Initially I was hesitant to pick something from Happiness Boutique – knowing my fickle attitude towards jewelry – but I quickly realized there is something for everyone (even me!), and to boot, they offer free shipping (also super fast), a customer reward program and you can enter their bi-monthly giveaway; who doesn’t like perks like that?!
Blouse, skirt & belt: thrifted
Coat: vintage via Gisela & Zoe
Hat: H&M (similar)
Boots: Topshop (similar, similar)
Ring c/o Good After Nine
Necklace c/o Happiness Boutique
okay andie 