Finding a really great beach towel has been on my list for a long while now. Last year I bought two HBC towels that are wonderful but absolutely massive, and not at all ideal for packing away in a rucksack. Turkish towels have always been something I wanted to get my hands on; they are soft, light weight and have the best colours and patterns. So when The Wanderly sent me this pink and white diamond patterned turkish towel, I knew my search was over. Not only is it the perfect towel for days spent at the beach, but because it’s so soft and thick, it can act as a throw blanket as well. So once the summer is over and I am trapped indoors, hiding away from the cold, I can still make use of this beauty, unlike most beach towels that get folded away and forgotten until the sun is beaming down on our pale skins again.
Blouse: thrifted vintage
Shorts: vintage via Public Butter
Towel c/o The Wanderly
*photos of me by Ryan
Tag: Vintage
Pastel Dress Party: Three Ways To Wear A Tutu
Tutus have been in my life since I was a wee one, and my two favourite tutus have always been pancake tutus and romantic tutus. Obviously pancake tutus are not at all practical for everyday life (a hazard, really), but romantic tutus…well they can most certainly be worn everyday. For years I wore them on stage during ballet performances, and then during my goth years for what I like to call my “Tim Burton Goth” aesthetic, but it has been ages since then. So, I was pretty darn excited to receive this blush Kimmy skirt from Pastel Dress Party to add a little of my old self into my present wardrobe. Unless you are a little outspoken in dress, tutus can be a scary thing to wear, so I thought I’d share three ways to wear a tutu, just switching up the top, shoes and lip colour (and hair), to give you options for a casual look, a night time look and a party look.
T-shirt: thrifted, Shoes: Rachel Antonoff x Bass
Casual: To give this skirt a dressed down look I paired it with a colourful floral t-shirt, saddle shoes (which could easily be swapped for sneakers) and I opted for no lipstick so it didn’t feel overtop and much more appropriate for daytime-lets get some ice cream-wear.
Shirt: H&M (old), Shoes: H&M, Lipstick: Bourjois Fraise Remix
Night: For those evenings that you aren’t necessarily going to a fancy party but still want to look put together for a night out with pals, this would be an excellent outfit to try. I paired the tutu with a casual peter pan collar shirt, that looks quite sweet but is not at all fancy, a pair of black flats – because lets be real, if you are dancing with your friends all night, no one wants sore feet – a pink lip and a pony tail so you don’t have to worry about a rats nest on your head from said dancing mentioned above.
Blouse: H&M (old), Shoes: Seychelles, Lipstick: Kate Moss 01
Party: A formal event or party would be the obvious choice for a tutu, so this is likely the easiest outfit to try. I chose my swiss dot blouse with fluttery cap sleeves for a bit of elegance, sparkly red heels for an otherwise muted colour palette and a dainty white ribbon tied into a bow around the neck to add a sexy Parisian quality to the look. Top all that off with a matching red lip and you are looking like a Disney Princess babe, but better.
But really, probably the most important thing to do with a tutu is to twirl in it and watch it float around…you don’t have to be a ballerina to appreciate the beauty and fun of a truly well made and gorgeous tutu…which means I’m pretty excited to be able to offer you guys 20% off the Kimmy Skirt with coupon code LARKSPUR at checkout ❤ Now we can all be pastel ballerinas together!
Outfit: Vintage in The Suburbs
Finding a good vintage fit can be a bit tricky at times; it’s not like buying new where you have several sizing options and it’s especially difficult when buying online because it’s really just a 50/50 chance it will fit you at that point. But I’ve been quite lucky a few times, eyeing a dress that I thought was really special and then having it fit like a glove. Such was the case with this 60s beauty. When I received it from The Wanderly it fit absolutely perfectly and made me feel really awesome…the kind of dress that seemed destined for me. Ya, it’s one of those dresses and I’m pretty happy it has come into my life. It had been awhile since I had found a fun vintage dress to add to my ridiculous collection, so it was due time I came across something exceptional. I’m just sad I didn’t find it earlier in the season. It feels as though Fall is on the approach, and while I try to wear most of my clothes year round, there are certain pieces that feel way too Summer-y to be worn when it’s cold…this bb being one of them. I guess if you spy me in real life, you might just catch me wearing this dress almost daily till the leaves are on the ground.
Dress: vintage c/o The Wanderly
Necklace: ribbon
Shoes: H&M
Beauty / 4 Favourite Red Lipsticks
I think it’s clear by now that I love a good red lip. A red lip can really finish of a look, it works well in all seasons and for more personal reasons, I like that it gives me the appearance of a more pronounced upper lip. Red lips and I have been friends for a long time, so I thought I’d share with you some of my favourite shades of red.
1. Fraise Remix by Bourjois – This colour is the newest addition to my collection, and not necessarily a true red; more of a fruity pink with red undertones and hints of coral. It looks quite matte in the bullet, but when applied comes out a bit frosty. I like how subtle this colour is, and that it actually suits my pale skin tone, unlike other pinky shades.
2. So Chaud by MAC – we all know this is a favourite of mine by now. This creamy matte lipstick in an orange/red shade is the perfect colour for my skin tone and I always feel my best wearing it. It applies so smoothly and I don’t find it to be too drying for a matte lipstick. It has an interesting way of looking quite red in low lighting and more orange in bright lighting.
3. 01 by Kate Moss – This is a classic red shade, and another one I find looks really great on pale skin. It’s a matte lipstick, and is incredibly pigmented. However, I do find it a bit drying and it doesn’t apply very smoothly, but to combat that I just add a little lip balm before application.
4. Dubonnet by MAC – This is a berry red shade that is best suited for the colder seasons as it’s quite a dark and rich colour. It looks matte in the bullet, but I find it comes out rather frosty and glossy on the lips and the application process can be a bit messy at times. Using it with a lip liner is ideal, as it helps to keep things clean looking.
Let me know in the comments below your favourite out of the four, and be sure to tell me any of your favourite red shades. I’m always on the hunt for a new one! ❤
Outfit: Carnival Colours
I was pretty darn excited to stumble across the CNE while it was being set up for the annual carnival/exhibition/fun starting Aug. 21st. I assumed you would not be allowed on the grounds during this time, but after noticing the gate wide open, families at the playground nearby and people just passing through to get from A to B, I quickly realized I could actually photograph there without trespassing and with little disturbance. I have photographed at the CNE before, but this was while it was already well underway, and every shot was filled with people in the background; carnivals are always so pretty to shoot at, but it’s hard to make it seem like no one is around (which is only really a problem if you are a fashion blogger). It felt so special to be able to wander and photograph in what felt like an abandoned carnival, getting to see the structures sitting humbly before they are flashing their bright lights, with people waiting in anticipation and the buzzing of delight (or fear) heard all around. I’m unsure when they will be closing the grounds to the public (without a pass), but I’m hoping I can pop by again sometime this week as I only wandered a small area of the park, and I’d love to see more of the park in all it’s quiet, colourful glory.
Dress worn as shirt: H&M (old)
Skirt: thrifted
Scarf: vintage
Pink & aqua rings c/o Pastel Dress Party
Shoes: H&M (old)
okay andie 