When in doubt, stripes

(These photos at J.Crew from last month—I’m a little behind.)

I do love stripes. But in my case, stripes are more of an accent than the main event.

J.Crew Carrie cami in stripe // Anthropologie cardigan (old) // J.Crew necklace // Gap skinny pants

I don’t own a Breton tee. I've tried them on many times, even taken a few home from the Gap and J.Crew, only to return. Apparently I will never be French cool.

But I do own a striped makeup bag, umbrella, and wallet. I couldn't resist the teal stripes. Or being matchy matchy with the decor at Sweet Jesus 4 Life. 

J.Crew makeup bag // J.Crew umbrella // Kate Spade wallet

I also couldn't resist the navy stripes at J Crew recently.

It is a little weird that I don't have a Breton tee. They're simple and chic and look good on everyone. But if I've learned anything about my own personal style, it's that I don't need to and shouldn't force myself to wear something just because everyone else is. I can love the look of the striped tee on other people (and I do), and leave it at that.

Eponine London

Like most people, I’d never heard of Eponine London until Duchess Kate wore an outfit.

I’m not entirely sure it’s my aesthetic, but I love the bright colours and how can I resist a brand named after Eponine from Les Miserables?

Some of my favourites:

Still, a part of me thinks it can’t be a line of clothing named after Eponine without her beige trench and boy cap.

spring has sprung

Or currently springing, because it’s not fully here yet.

As a self-confessed winter lover, I will miss the snow and the sub-zero temperatures (I know, I know, this is not a popular opinion), and even wearing my parka.

Soïa & Kyo Delphie parka // glove.ly classic winter touchscreen gloves // Club Monaco tuque (a steal, marked down to $15 from $80) // Sorel kids boots

I have to retire my hot pink boots now because they’ve cracked and are no longer waterproof. I like the pop of colour on my feet (I was actually chased down at work once by a woman who wanted to know where I got them, and I had to admit that I have children’s-sized feet), so I’d like to find something similar to replace them, but it might be time to get adult boots.

I really will miss wearing my parka. Definitely a purchase I don’t regret; it’s like wearing a cozy sleeping bag outside. My sister calls it a sleeping bag with a waist. Nothing wrong with that!

Like Lorelai Gilmore, I think snow is magical and I think everything is prettier in the snow on it. The above two pictures were taken at Alexander Muir Gardens in north Toronto, one of my favourite spots in Toronto. It is pretty in spring and summer too, but I like it best covered with a blanket of snow.

Last week a friend and I made a short road trip up to Ottawa (my hometown), where we froze our asses off (the hotel room was so cold—couldn’t figure out how to turn up the heat or it was just so cold it was doing nothing—I had to put my parka over my legs to stay warm), but it was still so so pretty.

Back in Toronto, I caught Lake Ontario before all the snow melted.

It’s going to be 17C (63F) tomorrow, so all the snow will be gone and it’s be grey/brown/depressing until it starts to get green. This is possibly my least favourite part of the year. But it does open up new coat possibilities.

Soïa & Kyo jacket // Kit & Ace modal/cashmere scarf // glove.ly gloves // Kit & Ace Evans long-sleeve tee // lululemon wunder under leggings // eric michael motorcycle boots

I just realized that I’ve owned this jacket for almost nine years now. It was nine years this month that I moved to Toronto, and bought my first Soïa & Kyo coat at Girl Friday (now closed, sadly) on Queen St West, starting my love affair with S&K that’s lasted since then. Can’t believe I’ve lived in Toronto for nine years. It’s not very original to say, but time flies!

Leap year!

Well, I haven’t been so great at “making it happen” as per my last post, but the year is still young (even if more than 10% over). Unbridled optimism ahead!

Since it’s an extra day in the year for us to do what we want, why waste it on working? Instead, my friend and I decided to go to Toronto Zoo. Despite living in Toronto for 9 years, I’ve never been. Check that off as of today.

We saw the one panda hanging out eating bamboo:

Tiger:

Giraffes (hanging out inside, because it’s too cold for them to be outside):

Reindeer (who would have looked better in the snow, but that’s not coming until tomorrow):

I put my foot (in a Puma running shoe) in a big paw:

But the highlight was definitely Juno, the polar bear cub, who was completely adorable:

Hope everyone had as cute a Leap Day as I did!

make it happen

Januaries are weird, what with the whole post-holiday letdown, the pressure of New Year’s resolutions, and the cold, if you live in this part of the world. The past few weeks have been rough on a lot of people I know, including me. But:

{via}

I’m only adopting one resolution this year:

Anthropologie make it happen pullover

I’m not much of a sweatshirt person but I thought this would be a good top for the weekend. (Also because I’ve taken to wearing things on my chest. Mostly dogs, but I have a few slogan tees now too. Maybe I just really want people to stare at my chest?) This particular slogan spoke to me for what I want for myself this year, and that if I want something, I’m going have to make it happen. (I also frequently get asked what “it” is, to which I respond cheerfully, “whatever you want ‘it’ to be!” Deep thoughts sparked by an overpriced Anthro sweatshirt.)

I say I only have one resolution, but of course the usual are percolating in my brain: eat less, eat better, cook more, tidy more, exercise more, shop less, etc etc etc. And this:

(Kit & Ace Bloor St)

Probably not.