Belle Vie / 35

March 20, 2015Leave a comment

(All photos from my iPhone)

1. I’m a huge fan of Jeffrey Eugenides. I read these books quite a long while ago, but they belonged to my ex, so while they were some of my favourite books, I didn’t ever think to get my own copy. It’s been well over a year since that relationship ended, and I’m just finally trying to buy all the books he so kindly introduced me to (thanks Matt!) And I know! A lot of people love love love Middlesex (so do I) and not so much The Marriage Plot, but I LOVE The Marriage Plot, big time.
2. Selfies in the park on a rainy but warm-ish day.
3. Sneaky snaps of a man (Ryan) and his case of beer.
4. I bought pants!! Can you believe it!? A pair of patterned high-waisted cigarette trousers and flared high-waisted jeans. I have quite a few pairs of trousers, although I don’t wear them much…but jeans!? I haven’t owned jeans in flippin’ years. They may end up being something that was a waste of money…I dunno!
5. When I first moved to Toronto I was only working part-time, which mean’t most of my pals were at work during the day, so to keep myself busy I’d pass the hours away in book stores or at coffee shops. I could sit in a book store for hours reading something in it’s almost entirety. I also didn’t have a lot of money, so reading a whole book and never having to buy it was awesome. ha!
6. I found this amazing book called 20th Century Fashion: 100 years of apparel ads at BMV the other day. As you can see, it was right up my alley and carried so much fashion inspiration. I had gone to the book store for some other books, so I couldn’t justify spending close to $30 on this, but I may go back, because clothes!
7. OH MY GOODNESS! Do you notice something very wrong with this cactus!? HA! This cactus belongs to Danielle’s roommate. I can’t remember the full story now, but she bought it at I think a corner store (?) Without close inspection you’d think it was a flowering cactus, but you’d be wrong! The man at the store glued flowers to the top of the cactus. When Danielle told me that story I could not stop laughing.
8. This little guy is honestly the best. I say it all the time, but like, I mean it.
9. And my heart exploded when I found these two like this. Honestly the sweetest thing I have ever laid my eyes on.

Beauty / Braided Headband

March 19, 20154 Comments

Today I’m going to show you how to create a headband for your beautiful hairs with your very own hair. Crazy! This style is pretty fun and versatile as you can make the braids as thin or as thick as you like. I went with thin braids this time around, but I assure you that thick ones are quite striking. So! Here we go!
STEP ONE: Start by parting your hair near your ear and simply pull out (not literally) the desired amount of hair you would like to braid – the hair you use for your braid should be quite close to your ear, sort of like when you wear a headband and it sits right behind your ear, that’s where your braid should be coming from. Now you can braid those hairs! Once your braid is finished no hair elastics are required, just get a bobby pin to hold the braid in place while you start working on the other side. ~~How many times can I say braid in one paragraph?!~~
Now you should have a braid on each side, which I have decided to turn into… this? I also look like a fish. And I’m rhyming. What’s wrong with me?!
STEP TWO: Now you are going to make your headband! Take your desired braid and guide it over to the other side of your head, and then fasten the end of your braid with bobby pins behind your ear, right where the other braid starts. One down! Now do the same to the other side.
STEP THREE: Once you are done, your braided headband should look something like this. I like to fiddle a bit with the hair that I place over the braids so that it hides the bobby pins holding everything in place, and just for general pulled togetherness.And that’s it! Another easy one, cause ya’ll know I like simple (most of the time). Let me know if you guys try this one out. And as always, if you have any hairstyles (or any other beauty fun) you’d like me to share, let me know.

In Your Head

March 16, 2015March 16, 201510 Comments

With the snow almost totally melted, more than anything, I’m looking forward to walks/hikes in and around the city. It’s always been important to me to make sure I fill my days with things that help me get outside of my head, because I am serious a over-thinker. I think things to death and often get lost in my thoughts, which can be positive, but it can also be quite negative. So knowing this about myself, I try to do things that help me leave my mind for a bit. This is usually something creative, like dancing, taking pictures, writing…but hiking is also a positive outlet for me. I’ll admit, I don’t like walking that much if it is to get a specific destination, but if I’m walking just for the sake of walking, I love it.

On this particular day, Ryan and I had planned to head to High Park (the best park in Toronto, imo) for a walk in the woods, but it was rainy and muddy and just not the ideal day for a leisurely stroll, so after brunch we headed to Dufferin Grove (a park close to our house) to snap some pictures and at the very least, breathe in fresh air for a little bit. I’m quite looking forward to summer in my new neighbourhood. I’ve never lived this close to a park, so I’m really hoping I’ll take advantage of it’s close proximity come the warmer days.

What about you guys, are you also over-thinkers? What helps you get out of your mind, and live in the present?

*photos by Ryan
Blouse, dress, belt: thrifted vintage
Shoes: Sylvie and Shimmy

Toujours Family Affairs SS ’15

March 11, 2015March 11, 20156 Comments

Aren’t these images by Amber Mahoney for Family Affairs SS ’15 collection absolutely breathtaking?! They remind me of the antique photographs you may find of your ancestors, or when you browse through crumpled up photographs of strangers at an antique shop. This thought likely comes to mind because of the sepia tones, but also because they have a distinct look that reminds me of wet plate processing – an antique photographic process discovered in the mid 19th century, now rarely used today (although some of my fav modern day photographers occasionally use this technique). It doesn’t hurt that Tara has the kind of beauty that reminds me of decades past. If someone were to be like, she’s actually from the early 1990s, I’d be like ya, that makes sense…she’s aged splendidly... but I digress. I have a great appreciation for present day photographers who are capable of creating an almost uncanny likeness to images from the past. Most of my favourite modern day photographers do this, and if I were to ever take my photography to another level, those are the types of images I would love to create – raw and unencumbered and full of nostalgia for times I have never personally experienced.

Photography: Amber Mahoney
Model: Tara Violet Niami
MUA: Allison Perlstein
Hair: Rubi Jones

Maxin’ relaxin’ all cool

March 9, 20159 Comments

Yesterday was a gorgeous day here in Toronto (actually, so is today). It’s amazing how easily your mood can shift when the sun is shining and you can feel it’s warmth on your skin. It has been ages since I’ve worn a maxi skirt. I’m not really a fan of the bulky look it creates under coats, so I tend to ignore my maxi skirts until the Spring/Summer. But since yesterday was actually mild enough to not really need a coat during the shooting process I thought I’d give one of my maxis some time in the sun.

What about you guys – do you have any articles of clothing that get ignored in the colder months even though they are arguably part of your winter wardrobe?
Dress worn as blouse: vintage
Skirt, belt, tam: vintage
Boots: Samantha Pleet x Wolverine