If You're Feeling Crafty

dress: Urban Outfitters * plaid dress shirt: Winners * top: mom's * belt: H&M * tights: HUE * boots: Payless

Lately I have had lots of free time on my hands, which has turned my brain into a craft box. I've got lots of ideas for handmade gifts for people (which is a nice change from the usual store-bought presents), all I can hope for is that they get done in time.
Speaking of crafts, especially the cutesy kind, pop past My Paper Crane for some adorable plush lovelies. Here's just a sample:

Aruba

sweater dress: Wilfred * tights: HUE * flats: Capezio * necklace: clothing show (flourishing.etsy.com) * bowler hat: Urban Outfitters clearance ($5!)

It was my 19th birthday a week and a half ago and I'm
remembering my lovely green cake.
Also, thanks so much to Sam from The Wandering Alchemist
who gave me this award!

I am going to pass it along to four lovely blogs:
Isa at Bohemian Musings
Shade at Fo the Kids with the Froes
Isabel at Hipster Musings?
and... The Snail and the Cyclops

Last Night The Snow Fell

beret: Holt Renfrew * turtleneck: mom's hand-me-down * skirt: Value Village * leggings: American Apparel * wellies: Hunter

Last night the snow fell. It made we wonder where summer has gone. Wasn't it just here? Weren't we just frolicking in the sand under the warm, hazy stars of the night sky?

Now it is scarce and brisk, dark and lonely.
Every step we take, night looms.
Every frozen snowflake is a piece of the puzzle creating our nature.
Though snow has fallen, the flowers hold their blooms.

Take Me to a Mountain Top...

dress: Urban Outfitters Clearance * tights: HUE * boots: Frye

It's About Damn Time!

So it is about damn time I came back from my blogging vacation.
I am happy to see you all posted some lovely comments while I was MIA. I will have the blog up and running again shortly and will be able to respond to all you lovelies. I've only got one more month of stressful school work to deal with and then I am free with no obligations, which we all know equals much more blog fun! But for now I'll post once a week, maybe more if you're good.

Here is some artwork I did for a friend's birthday present. Just a little heads up to what I have been doing with my life since we last spoke. I've got a few others and some more concepts I am working on too.
I just want to move to Australia and make crafts.

I hope everyone has a happy Halloween! There's nothing better than dressing up.

Bon Voyage!

BON VOYAGE!

It is time that I left this humble city. I am traveling to Paris today for a week's stay. I am on the hunt for new and unique experiences, and I will be sure to share them all with you (including new and unique purchases) upon my return.
Au Revoir!

Fringe Benifits

All this beauty
You might have to close your eyes
And slowly open wide
All this beauty, we traveled all night
We drank the ocean dry
And watched the sun rise
necklace: Urban Outfitters clearance * top: Urban Outfitters clearance * belt: mom's hand-me-down * skirt: Urban Renewal * purse: gift *
moccasins: Get Out Side

Nonsensical Nerdiness

glasses: random store in Kensington Market * blouse: part of my costume from West Side Story production * tie: handmade by my father * kilt: vintage via Courage My Love * shoes: Fluevog

A Summer Song

This song connects with my feelings during this day and these photos. Take a listen.

flower clip: homemade * shirt: from a Broken Social Scene concert * skirt: American Apparel * shoes: Brown's * purse: vintage via Mara's

Channeling My Inner Max

blazer: Sonia by Sonia Rykiel crest embroidered blazer $680
shirt: Dolce & Gabbana fitted cotton shirt $100
skirt: Burberry London
shoes: Shellys London crest skimmer flat $29.99
hat: Forever 21 red beret
tie: Textured multi-stripe tie $59.50
glasses: School Boy glasses $9.99
necklace: Scissors necklace $220

In a previous post I discussed the wonder and amazement that is Rushmore. It is one movie that inspires me over and over again. Currently I am on the hunt for a crested blazer so I can channel my inner Max Fischer. I have yet to find one, but using the addictive Polyvore, I created an ensemble perfectly suitable for Rushmore Academy. (click to enlarge)

Men & Florals

What is it with some men and their inability to "risk their masculinity" by donning a pink or floral garment? They say "pink is for girls" when really, who decided that rule in the first place? The only reason our western culture holds on to these gender stereotypes is so that we can have easy answers. If a little boy plays with his GI Joe while wearing his denim overalls, he is a typical boy, no questions asked. When he picks up his sister's Barbie doll, suddenly all hell breaks loose. Questions of his sexuality arise and parents become worrisome.
I say, what's the difference? In this modern day world, both women and men go to war and spend time in the kitchen. So what if Barbie is grasped in the hands of a 5 year old boy? We accept tomboys, so why not the opposite? It's the 21st century, it's about time we blend the gender roles.

fedora: a random hat booth * scarf: vintage via Thrill Of The Find * top: H&M * shorts: Urban Outfitters * shoes: Brown's

I Am Canadian?

I read an article in Frankie about people perpetuating their own stereotypes. It got me to thinking: what is my stereotype? I am a Canadian, and contrary to popular belief, I do not live in an igloo and have moose and beavers as pets. Occasionally I do catch myself ending my quizzical sentences with "eh?". I have been known to pour a little too much maple syrup on my pancakes, just for good measure, but I don't harvest it fresh from the red maple in my front yard. I don't say "aboot" and I don't have snowshoes. I love Tim Hortons and I hate hockey. Lacrosse is our national sport, but I know nothing about that either. I'm pale and I do tend to shy away from the sun. Overall, I like being a Canadian, whatever that means.

dress: H&M * scarf: vintage via Courage My Love *
nail colour: OPI Puerto Vallarta Violeta

Stormy Weather

Love is the hardest thing. Harder than working on your latest compositional masterpiece, harder than aiming for that big job promotion. When one finds love, how do we know it is true? How do we know the other person reciprocates this love with the same intensity? And how do we know how long it will last? We can't read the stars or consult an online search database. We have to feel it in our hearts. It is the thin ice you want to skate on, but you're afraid you might fall through. We are never certain we believe it, but it's all we dream of. It's a stormy day outside, but I want to jump in.

scarf: vintage via Courage My Love * top: H&M * shorts: Urban Outfitters clearance * purse: vintage via Black Market * rainboots: Hunter

Floral Explosions!

When life gives you lemons, you squeeze them. When life gives you a wonderful dress, you wear it, no matter the heat. This summery garment is polyester down to every last hem and strand. Just perfect for a day when you really don't need your sweating skin to breath but you want it to look damn fine.

dress: vintage via Black Market * purse: vintage via Black Market *
shoes: Brown's clearance

As I mentioned in my previous post, I needed to be up on my photos of new items. So at the top I gave you a glimpse of my new dress and purse from Black Market, as well as my new sandals. And right above is a picture of my lovely retro headphones.