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.

Backlog

Aww, shucks. People still read my blog. I’m thrilled! Thank you.

I seem to be dressing a bit more casual lately, hence the cartoon dog T-shirts (I’ve also been wearing slogan tees as well, that’ll be coming up shortly), but I did take some photos of better outfits over the summer, so here are a few to catch up.

Anthopologie dress // J.Crew featherweight cotton cardigan // J.Crew necklace // Tory Burch Reva flats

Anthropologie dress // J.Crew Factory Clare Cardigan // Gap ballet flats

J.Crew watercolour Carrie cami // J.Crew Factory Clare cardigan // Gap knit skirt // J.Crew Cece ballet flats

Supermodel hair, before I cut a few inches off (achieved by taking my hair out of a bun)

I also have a huge backlog of scenic/skyline/from my balcony photos, so here are my favourites.

Lake Ontario back in March:

Coming home on Porter Airlines:

A summer storm rolling in:

Nathan Phillips Square:

Surfacing

Is this thing on?

Wow, it’s been a long time. Nine and a half months since my last post. I could have had a baby in the intervening time! But just to be clear, I didn’t; that’s definitely not why I haven’t been posting since February. No secret babies. I just decided to skip all the warmer months and only post when it’s cold.

Well, not really. I think I’ve been having some writer’s block and I needed a break. But now I kinda feel like getting back into blog writing and celebrating some of the more frivolous things in life, because Lord knows I need some distraction right now. Unfortunately, my 2015 hasn’t really been any better than my 2014 (and in some ways 2015 has been a lot worse), but I’m determined not to focus on the negative and just keep moving forward.

(Also, I say “frivolous” but I really shouldn’t diminish my love of clothes and makeup and hair just because some people might think it’s vain and unimportant. Never underestimate the power of these things.)

Lately it’s been a lot of comfy clothes for me, a lot of stretchy elastic waistbands, leggings that can masquerade as pants (like these and these), and t-shirts with dogs on them. I have to watch out with the stretchy bottoms though; they’re a little too forgiving to all the binge-eating I’ve been doing lately. (I call it eating my feelings and my feelings have been delicious.)

A couple of weekend outfits:

 

J.Crew t-shirts (springer spaniel from fall 2014, bulldog puppy from earlier this year) // Kit & Ace Margo Tank // J.Crew Factory cardigan (on left) // Gap modal motercycle jacket (on right) // lululemon wunder under leggings // puma running shoes

And a colder weather outfit (not ready to break out the full winter gear yet), along with my new storage cube from Crate & Barrel. It might not live there permanently, trying to figure out where I want to keep it, but it’s housing all of our winter accessories (hats, scarves, gloves) and providing a place to sit while we put our shoes on. I’ve had this Anthropologie jacket for 5 years now and the lining is starting to tear, but it’s still a spring/fall workhorse for me.

Anthro Cream Confection Jacket (2010) // Kit & Ace Evans Long Sleeve // Club Monaco pompom tuque // lululemon wunder under leggings // eric michael motorcycle boots

Hoping for a few more interesting outfits in the next little while, but we’ll see. I have no idea if anyone will still read this, but that’s ok, it’s really just for me!

Anthropologie on Queen St West

My tastes have been moving away from Anthro recently so I haven’t been in a store (or on the website for that matter) in ages. I’m so out of the loop I didn’t even know that a new store opened in a converted church on Queen St West (a hipster area of Toronto) in December until I stumbled upon it while looking for the Kit & Ace store. Not a bad coincidence, since I had a Christmas gift card from Will in my pocket.

I didn’t buy anything (nothing caught my eye, so the gift card will keep), but the store is gorgeous and so Anthro it hurts.

It’s perfect, right?

On the inside, exposed brick with a view of the TD Canada Trust across the street.

This did catch my eye, but a tulle skirt is completely impractical for me.

Can I live here?

Substantial

Everything I see these days when I’m shopping seems really unsubstantial these days. Everything is thin, sheer, polyester, cheap. The reasoning is that fabrics are getting more expensive so quality is sacrificed instead of price, but I wonder if that’s just an excuse. I’m not liking it, so I’m far less willing to pay full price anymore.

J.Crew silk cami // J.Crew necklace // J.Crew featherweight cotton cardigan // Anthro Scalloped Stripes Ponte Skirt (Girls From Savoy) // Gap classic ballet flats in surf blue

I made the exception for this J.Crew silk cami because I love the colour and it’s a fantastic layering piece, but it’s so delicate that I’m afraid to tear it and therefore afraid to wear it. (And according to one comment, the quality is much worse than it was a few years ago.) So it’s a piece I bought because I want to wear it a lot, but I’m not going to because I don’t want it to wear out too fast. (My thoughts: grrr.)

At least this skirt is thick and substantial and has a nice heft to it. So much so that it stands on its own.

I’ll call it sculptural art in the corner of my bedroom.

Half-tuck

(I know I said the real camera was back, but sometimes convenience wins.)

I’m usually a strict un-tucker.

Anthropologie Shimmerwing Top // J.Crew symmetrical stone necklace // J.Crew Factory punk floral pencil skirt // Gap classic ballet flats in surf blue

But I like the casualness of the half-tuck. It always looks so easy and effortless, which means it won’t be that effortless for me.

It took a lot of effort to get that, it looks more sloppy than casual, and it untucked itself as soon as I left the change room. So maybe untucked is just the way to go for me.

Last of the tights (maybe)

Ok, it’s starting to get a little ridiculous, we’re getting towards the end of May and I’m still wearing tights. It’s still not that warm here and I don’t wear pants, I can’t help it.

Anthropologie Elementary Dress (Girls From Savoy) // J.Crew Factory Fringed Fan necklace // J.Crew Jenna’s Cardigan // Wolford tights // Tory Burch Reva flats

That doesn’t excuse the dark colours though, it’s time to ditch the black and grey (not all black and grey, just all black and grey outfits) and embrace some colour.

I do love black though. I feel safe in black.

Gap Essential V-neck tee // J.Crew necklace // Anthro Aniseed Skirt (Eva Franco – 2010) // Wolford tights // Tory Butch Reva flats

Next week: COLOUR.

Spring inventory

In preparation for flipping my closet to spring/summer (I do that late; many bloggers are already proudly displaying bare legs, but it’s still cool here and I’m not shedding the tights until the temperatures are consistently in the 20s/70s, which doesn’t happen until late May/early June here in Toronto), I took inventory of my closet this past weekend.  While I’m sure I don’t have as extensive a closet as some ladies do, it was enough for me to think “Damn, I have way too much, I need to stop shopping and wear/enjoy what I have.”

I also did some purging, and put some things aside for debate. This top is in the undecided pile, so I wore it again to decide.

Anthropologie Slung Sash Tee (Bailey 44 – 2011)

J.Crew No. 2 Pencil Skirt in retro jade // Wolford tights // Michael Kors heels

These days I like simpler necklines I can wear a statement necklace with. So I think I might let this one go, but it might sit in my undecided pile for a few months until I decide that undecided means no.

My eyes are up here

I wore this graphic tee last casual Friday and kept getting weirded out about people staring at my chest. I rarely wear graphic tees, so that’s why I forgot there was actually something on my chest to look at and read. I just thought I was getting more rack attention than usual, until I remembered and it was ok.

Anthropologie Paper Moon Francophile Tee (t.la) // Gap 1969 legging jeans // Gap classic ballet flats in rose bush

I think I misfired with the red flats, they don’t really go with the pink moon, but I made a valiant effort. I’ll likely wear this combo again tomorrow or Friday in Chicago, where I’ll be with Will for a much-needed long weekend away from Toronto. (I’m really looking forward to it, I leave in a few hours.)

But more than likely I’ll end up in my usual weekend attire, yoga pants masquerading as skinny leggings and a long t-shirt:

J.Crew tissue long-sleeve tee // lululemon wunder under pant // Gap classic ballet flats in rose bush

In fact, this might be what I wore all morning when I was working at home, with giant socks instead of ballet flats (it’s cold again out there!). It might be what I’ll wear on the plane, with boots (screw being fashionable while travelling, I have to be comfortable). Maybe if I throw on a statement necklace it’ll be acceptable?

I really struggle with my casual wear. I get dressed up/overdressed for work, but then casual Friday and the weekend rolls around and I go overboard with the comfy clothes. I will try to wear jeans in Chicago. And to step up my casual outfits after that.  It’s my challenge for this year!

The exchange rate for the Canadian dollar isn’t as good as it used to be, and Chicago seems to have fairly high sales tax, so I doubt it will be much of a shopping trip. Instead it will be a sightseeing and eating trip (emphasis on eating). I have reservations for Rick Bayless’s Frontera Grill and the publican (at my sister’s recommendation), plans to visit Rick Bayless’s Xoco, and if I can convince Will to stand in line, a trip to Hot Doug's. I’m sure a food post will follow my return. Until then, hope everyone (who celebrates) has a happy Easter!

Swishy skirt

I love love love a big, swishy skirt. Like Tessa Virtue’s here, in action here (at 2:24:00). (Hers may not be the most practical for everyday life, but it’s gorgeous.

In the meantime, here’s what I have to work with. 

Anthropologie Elementary Dress // J.Crew Jenna’s Cardigan (2010) // Stella & Dot Marchesa necklace // Wolford tights // Michael Kors heels

I don’t walk around holding it in my hand, of course.

It’s been a fun couple of days

An Anthro event, my first and probably last time at Toronto Fashion Week, and plenty of good food.

It seems that Anthropologie is now doing monthly birthday events. The birthday girl gets the email invite and gets to invite a friend, and at the store there’s 15% off for everyone with cute refreshments and a personal stylist showing off a few outfits. I asked and apparently there will be a birthday event every month, but not necessarily at the same store every month. It was my friend’s birthday this month, so we’ll see which store the event is at in June when my birthday rolls around.

Balloons, candy, cupcakes, pink punch, it’s all good.

I tried on the Tamsin Maxi Dress by Puella. The fit was great, it was very flattering, and the personal stylist was trying her best to get me to buy it, but I wasn’t in love, so it was a pass, even at 15% off.

(For reference, I’m wearing an XS for the length, and it wasn’t too tight for me up top, so I’d say it runs a bit big. My Sorel boots are peeking out from under the hem, I think that really made the look.)

In the end, compliments are great from other people and I know the dress looks good on me, but it’s not enough for me to buy. I have to love it too.

I did get the Paper Moon Francophile Tee because I couldn’t resist. (Turquoise.) But other than that I was pretty meh about most things. (Except this, which was a NO.) I liked some of the jewellery from far away, but up close it just looks and feels really cheap.

_______

After Anthropologie it was on to the Soïa & Kyo show at Toronto Fashion Week, which is decidedly small potatoes. I’ve never been before, and it was certainly an experience. The people there were…interesting. It was very much a place where people wanted to be seen, wanted to be photographed, basically wanted to be the “it” people. I personally found it hilarious, which is probably why I could never be part of this crowd. For one thing, I’d find it exhausting, and secondly, I can’t take myself that seriously. Also, I guess I’m just not that fashionable.

(And I had a cookie in my pocket. That’s not allowed, nobody at these events eats.)

Doing my best duckface impression, while a dude selfies in the background.

This dude was one of the shiny people. People kept coming up to him and shrieking “OMG it’s so nice to meet you!” I had no idea who he was, maybe I was supposed to?

I do love the brand though, I have far too many Soïa & Kyo coats. One of the first things I bought when I moved to Toronto seven years ago was one of their jackets. I wish they still made their coats in Canada though, I guess when a brand gets big, they have to outsource to China.

This was the view from our non-VIP seats. I’m pretty sure that the guy in the front row on the other side is Tommy Smythe, Sarah Richardson’s design sycophant sidekick. (I’m not a fan of her designs.)

So that was Thursday, and if I have any takeaways it’s that I do not belong in the fashion-y world, but that is just fine by me. I’m happy to look at it from afar.

_______

Yesterday was a friend’s birthday so it was dinner at Parts & Labour in Parkdale. You know it’s going to be a hipster restaurant when this is what you see when you walk in:

The food was pretty good though:

This burger won Burger Wars. It was a good burger. Worthy of winning Burger Wars? No idea, I’m no burger expert.

The rest of the photos didn’t turn out very well because of the lighting. I wish I had gotten a decent picture o the sticky fried pigtail, which was required because of Little House in the Big Woods (although theirs was definitely not covered in cilantro and jalapenos and a spicy hoisin sauce). Anyone who grew up with those books knows what I’m talking about.

_______

It’s Saturday morning and I’m exhausted now, but can’t skip Saturday lunch with Will and tomorrow it’s the Home Show, followed by an ice cream challenge. If I succeed, more on that later.