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!

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:

Snowy snow snow (with a side of brutal cold)

A couple of weeks ago, I wished for snow in Toronto. Yeah, that’s right. I like snow. It’s pretty. This city is really ugly in the winter and needs a blanket to cover up. Mother Nature obliged with a few light snowstorms (nowhere near the 80 inches that Boston has, that’s way taller than my sister), and I was happy.

{via} (Don’t ask me what episode this is from, I’m not good with the newer ones)

Prettier, right?

I did not, however, wish for this.

That’s fucking cold. Almost to the point that the “feels like” temperature is about the same in Fahrenheit. (-13F, feels like -36F.) I don’t think I’m leaving my condo today. Even my recently-purchased parka (I finally caved and bought one, on sale) won’t help.

Soia & Kyo Delphie coat – it’s a little long on me, a little puffy, maybe not the most flattering thing I’ve ever put on my body, but it is WARM. It’s like wearing a duvet. Or a sleeping bag.

And I love the hood (it’s made of Asiatic raccoon fur--sorry, PETA):

 

I know spring will come soon enough, so I’ll enjoy the snow while it’s here, and stay inside on the couch under four layers of quilts until then.