Antique Adornments

When it comes to jewellery I usually only wear necklaces, my Michael Kors watch and sometimes the occasional ring or bracelet (minus the ring from my mother’s childhood that I never take off).  While going through our jewellery case, I came across an abundance of costume jewellery that has been passed down to me from stylish family members.  I inherited them while I was younger and was forbidden to wear any of it because knowing me, I would have lost it somewhere.  Since then I have forgotten about the jewels hidden in that old case until recently and now I have a growing love for old costume jewellery.  The pieces are mostly necklaces and earrings, except for this stunning late 40’s brooch that is adorned with round and marquise rhinestones.

100 New Fashion Designers

I came across this book, 100 New Fashion Designers by Hywel Davies, at Russell’s Books.   I read it, I loved it, and I now have a handful of new designers to add to my favourites list.  But lately, I have been using this book as a source of inspiration instead of its intended use of showcasing up and comers.  It is an encyclopaedia of bright colours, edgy styles and beautiful layouts that has motivated me not only with the way I have been dressing in these dreary days but with many ideas for a few new paintings.

Ideal Beauty

{kate moss: british vogue}

The only other thing that interests me as much as fashion is controversy; and nothing harmonizes these two things more beautifully than Kate Moss, which is why she is on the top list of my favourite models.  While I was younger, I idolized her waif-like figure, party girl attitude and boho-chic look.  Now that I am a little older, I still find inspiration in her fairly matured lifestyle and some-what recent wedding.

{david turman: fall/winter '08}

{jergen teller}

{topshop}

{vogue brazil}

{vogue japan}

Happy Happenings

{my mothers report card from grade eight}

The snow is now gone but the weather is still incredibly stormy.  I have almost been carried away by the huge gusts a handful of times while walking to work. Plus, I have been supporting the wind-blown look everyday against my will.  Hopefully, the weather will turn around because it has been leaving me rather unproductive and uninspired.  Only 57 more days till Spring!

{finished puzzle}

{new aldo boots}

{go-to inspiration book: 100 new fashion designers}

Rosemary Parmesan Focaccia Bread

Baking bread has been on my to-do list for a couple weeks now and thanks to the snow, I have finally found time to do it.  After searching through dozens of different recipes, I finally decided on Rosemary Parmesan Focaccia bread.  The whole experience only took around two hours, which included making the dough and letting it rise.  After ten minutes of baking in the oven, I had two fresh, perfectly browned loafs of bread.  The crust was perfectly seasoned with kosher salt, rosemary and parmesan with a delectably warm and chewy inside.

Snow Daze

There is something so magical about the first snow fall of the year.  It could be the fact that the whole city shuts down, the streets are deserted, and every possible hill you can find is packed with people and their sleds. I am no stranger to snow, I get to see it whenever I decided to take a mini vacation to my cabin and by the time spring comes, I am sick of the stuff.   However, snow in the city is much different because it is unexpected.  I actually get really excited when I wake up to a mere two inches of snow on my front lawn, which comes to a huge surprise to people considering I am very anti-winter.

Happy Happenings

{winter accessory tray}

The days have been immensely cold and the weather network predicts snow this week, so I have decided to bundle up in front of my fire and only venture outside when I really need too.  This will be the perfect time to relax and bake, watch some old movies and finish the puzzle that my boyfriend and I are slowly working on.

{black and white new york puzzle}

{current read: fashion box}

{sunset at cattle point}

Warmer than Sunshine

Aldo sunglasses, Forever 21 necklace,

Vintage sweater, Bluenotes jeans,

Steve Madden boots



I found this sweater a few months ago while going through a box of my mother’s old clothes from the 80’s.  Since then it has been a staple item in my winter wardrobe.  Even though it is about four sizes too big, the knitted wool sweater is bulky enough to keep me warm throughout the day without a jacket and it is cozy enough to wear on cold nights in front of the fire.

Ashes to Ashes

Most people find cemetery’s to be eerie and a place of sadness.  As for Andrea and I, we find them to be very tranquil and an exciting place to explore.  We have spent quite a bit of time walking through the winding paths, surrounded by unusual trees, reading the tombstones of Emily Carr and Billy Barker, as well as finding inspiration through the granite and marble headstones that are carved out to perfection.

gravedigger,

when you dig my grave

could you make it shallow

so that i can feel the rain

Like a Wave on the Rocks

Blouse from Le Blanc, H&M pants,

Micheal Kors watch, Coach purse

The rain has finally decided to move on after what feels like an eternity of stormy weather.  So my best friend, Andrea, and I decided to take advantage of the day, grab a coffee and visit a few of our favourite places that we haven’t been to in awhile.  The strong winds by the ocean didn’t deter us from taking in the soothing sounds of the waves crashing into the rocks while we enjoyed our warm lattes; just one of the many reasons why I love living by the sea.

Take Me Back to 1947

{blue de perse- autumn/winter 1955}

Being the fashion lover that I am, Christian Dior’s “New Look” came as common sense to me.  I have known about the silhouette, the outfits and the way it overtook the world since before I can remember.  But it wasn’t until I started reading Dior’s biography that I really realized how a revolutionary change it was to fashion.  American men hated it, housewives ripped it off of young, wealthy girls and still women did whatever they could to be seen wearing it.  Inspired by pre Civil-War fashions, Dior brought back the long skirts, corseted waists, full hips and slanted shoulders in a time where less was more and you had to make do with what you had.  Here are a few outfits from his collections, circa 1947-1955, that I would wear if I lived back in that wonderful, fashion changing era.

{chachotier- spring/summer 1951}

{mystere de paris- autumn/winter 1955}

{chantecler- autumn/winter 1954}

{bar suit- new look 1947}

{rubempre suit- spring/summer 1950}

{diorama- autumn/winter 1947}