Paint Nite

July 15, 2015Leave a comment

Last week myself and 3 friends were invited to attend Paint Nite, a nightly 2 hour (roughly) event that blends artistic painting and drinking cocktails (or whatever you want) at local bistros in Toronto and the GTA. It’s lead by a performing artist who guides everyone in the class step by step through blank canvas to “masterpiece”. I must admit, when I first got the invite I wasn’t so sure about it. I mean, I cannot paint, or at least I thought I could not. But Paint Nite specifically boasts that you need no skill whatsoever, which left me feeling a little more reassured. When we got to the class we were seated together, each with a blank canvas in front of us, oil paints in blue, red, yellow, black and white, two paint brushes and an apron. The painting we were to paint that evening was “white tulips”, which I knew ahead of time because you can choose which event you attend based on the painting, day or location you prefer. The thing that is really nice about this event is that you have total creative freedom – you can follow the teacher’s instructions as much or as little as you like. I mostly followed every instruction given, just mixing colours how I preferred, but Ryan painted something totally from his own imagination, so that gives you a good idea of how much freedom and choice you have.

I came away from the evening feeling pretty proud. I don’t think I had picked up a paint brush since I was a child, let alone actually paint something I felt was pretty decent looking. I’ve always felt like a creative person – I dance and choreograph pieces, I write and I’m clearly into photography, but I have always shied away from arts like drawing and painting; it often feels like a skill set I just don’t have. But this sort of showed me that if given some direction, it is likely something I could learn to be decent at. I doubt I’ll ever become a painter, but this opportunity has made me interested in trying some other art forms…I’ve now done pottery and painting…I wonder what’s next?!

If you are interested in giving Paint Nite a go (and I really think you should) I am offering 35% off with the code INSTA. You can book online here.

*I was given 4 complimentary tickets to Paint Nite in exchange for social media posts, but all thoughts and opinions are my own, obvs

Beauty / Think Pink

July 8, 20152 Comments

This was originally going to be a tutorial for the makeup I’m wearing, but the weather was so shit (i use natural light…another reminder that I desperately need a lighting kit), it was just not bright enough out to get clear, good quality photos. So, I just went with it, as you do when things don’t go as planned.Pink is my favourite color (I’m sure you guessed that already), so it only felt natural to create a totally pink look to go with this new dress I received from Family Affairs (don’t worry, you’ll get a full outfit post of this gem soon). I covered my lids in a pretty shimmery pink and white shadow, did away with my normal cat liner for something more subtle, used a rosey blusher on my cheeks, gave my lips a nice pop of peach, and swiped some pink and mint on my nails for added cheery effect.It only makes sense when creating a sweetly feminine (I use that term loosely, because what does feminine really look like anyway?) look, that I’d pair all pink with my rag curls (tutorial here) tied into a high ponytail and topped off with a matching hair bow. A fun look that I’m considering wearing for my birthday this weekend ❤*Dress c/o Family Affairs; Bow vintage via Victory Mills

Genus, humanus…Alice

July 6, 2015July 6, 20153 Comments

I had some definite troubles picking an outfit on this day (don’t you hate when that happens?!), but finally when I came to a decision, it only felt appropriate to adorn myself in a floral dress while surrounded by the beautiful flower gardens at Scadding Cabin. It’s hard to believe this cabin -with a rich history dating back to 1794 – is within the city and just a hop skip and a jump away from Lake Shore Blvd (an arterial road in Toronto). While I love the city for all it’s metropolitan glamour, my favourite spots are always the ones that are surrounded by nature, which is why a lot of my photographs end up being in the more natural spots of Toronto…spots you probably wouldn’t even recognize as Toronto. Although, I will be honest, I do get sick of all the green-ness (the actual colour green, not greenery, I could never get sick of greenery irl) in my photographs, so it’s always good to switch it up a bit and shoot in the more urban spots of my beloved city. But today, we’ve got a whole lot of green (and blue).

Do you live in a big city? Where are your favourite spots to escape the hustle and bustle?
Dress, hat, shoes: vintage
Socks: Target

Beauty / 60s Makeup

July 2, 20152 Comments

It was only a matter of time before I decided to share a 60s makeup look. It’s honestly a bit more eye makeup than what I’m used to wearing, but it really reminds me of the makeup I used to do back in my goth days. I don’t know what it is about this very Twiggy-esque look, but it makes you want to pull all kinds of silly facial expressions…mostly surprised and sad ones. Maybe it’s the drawn on lower lashes that make the eyes so expressive, which makes the rest of your face want to follow suit… anyway, I dare you to try this look and not make a silly face, it’s impossible.
Shirt & hat: vintage; Shorts: F21 (similar, similar); Bow tie: handmadeGET THE LOOK
– start by priming your lids, then apply white or cream coloured shadow to your top lid; I used this primer and this shadow palette
– using a liner pencil, draw a black line all the way along your crease, from the very inner corner to the outer, making it as pronounced as you like. then with a black shadow fill out the crease and blend so you create a softer smokey eye; I used a shadow from the same palette above
– using a liquid liner make a cat-eye and join it to your crease at the end; i used this liquid liner
– with a black pencil liner draw singular lashes on your bottom lid, fanning outward, just the way your natural lashes do
-apply mascara and curl those lashes with a lash curler and then add even more mascara. if you want to get extra crazy, you could add fake eyelashes to enhance the look; I used this mascara
– apply a nude or light lip colour; I used a combination of this lipstick (in shade 14) and this gloss (in apricot pucker)

*see more of my beauty posts here.

A Cloudy Accessory

June 30, 201513 Comments

Gus came back home from his surgery on Sunday, and boy has it been difficult. With back surgery, for the first 4-6 weeks they are not allowed to jump on and off furniture, go on walks longer than 5 minutes, do stairs, he needs strict cage rest when I am not watching, no playing, no sleeping in our bed (that is impossible, so I have taken to sleeping on the couch and him right next to me on a doggy bed)…just no fun what so ever. If you know Gus, you know that’s difficult to control. At 5 yrs, this little guy still seems like a puppy, both in behaviour and appearance. One would think it would be easy to keep him quiet because he would be painful and exhausted from surgery, but that is not the case here (dogs aren’t big babies like humans). Granted, he is on a slew of painkillers, but honestly, aside from his ataxic walking (and the giant Frankenstein incision on his back), you would have no idea he underwent back surgery less than a week ago. I’ve always felt my little cloud is the toughest little Bichon around, one of the very reasons he is so loveable.

All that to say, the little cloud is doing well, but he still walks pretty badly. The neurologist said that should continue to improve, but whether he fully gets back to normal is hard to say. We will be crossing our fingers (and so should you). As you can see, he came with us to take some pictures yesterday because I didn’t want to leave him alone at home. But he always makes any photo better with his adorable manner, so no one is complaining here. And thank you again to everyone who has donated and sent us loving messages. It means so much to me, you have no idea. My GoFundMe page is still up as we haven’t reached the goal, so if you feel at all inclined to help out, your kindness will not go unnoticed.

*photos by Ryan
Trousers: H&M
Blouse: thrifted
Shoes: Seychelles
Purse: vintage via Public Butter
Hair bow: Into The Woods instagram sale