Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery

I hope Lisa thinks so, because she seems to be my go-to for inspiration, and I seem to be drawn to J.Crew jewellery that I see on her first. She’s going to think that I’m some crazy stalker bitch who’s going to go Single White Female (er, Single Asian Female?) on her. I swear I won’t!

Club Monaco Hayley Ls Tee in Smog // J.Crew Factory Fan Fringe necklace // Club Monaco pencil skirt (old, probably 2008) // Wolford tights // Tory Burch Reva flats

The Fan Fringe necklace is another one I would have passed by, by the time I saw it on Lisa and loved it (how could I not, with the turquoise?), it was gone from J.Crew. I know that Factory putting out less-expensive versions of their own pieces is really annoying if you’ve bought the more expensive version the first time around, but in this case it worked in my favour.

(Is this thing on? My camera remote was acting up today.)

I haven’t seen the original version of this necklace in person, but I assume the Factory one is a little lighter on quality, since it was significantly cheaper (plus I picked it up on a day when it was an extra 40% off). If it isn’t that much different, that would be really, really, really annoying.

Anyway, regarding imitation/being a copycat, isn’t that partly what style blogging is about anyway? It’s about celebrating the things you love, and inspiring others at the same time. I know that I’ve been insanely flattered the (very) few times when other bloggers have referred to my outfits as inspiration or bought pieces because I looked good in them.

But then it’s a fine line, because the danger is falling into a trap of copying exactly what other bloggers are wearing, and that usually ends badly for me because I look nothing like most bloggers and I just get disappointed when I don’t end up looking like them (yes, I know that’s dum). It’s also not very creative either, so I’m learning to become more creative and put my own spin on things. Inspiration, not imitation.

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

St. Patrick’s Day

Just for today, you can call me O’Rachel.

Anthro Wind-Rippled Tee (Ric Rac 2009) // Hilary Druxman hammered shells necklace // Anthro Acting Out Skirt (Cartonnier 2010) // Wolford tights // Michael Kors heels

It’s teal, but it’s on the green side of teal rather than the blue side. And I would wear this if it weren’t St. Patty’s Day, it’s a combo I’ve worn many a time.

Weekend recap

Weekends are never long enough, are they?

We’re always busy and exhausted during the week, so weekends are time for Will and I to spend time together. We’ve started to have lunch every Saturday, it’s become our weekend date.

This week it was at Allen’s on the Danforth.

Burger with Ontario goat’s cheese, and proper thick-cut chips.

After that we went down to the Beaches for a walk. It’s not close to where we live, but we decided that we needed to venture out further on the weekends. The weather was cold and windy, but it made from some gorgeous views.

A view of downtown from Lake Ontario

The last one is my favourite. Not too shabby for an iPhone.

The Beach is also a dog park. I think there’s a bylaw that you can’t live in that neighbourhood if you don’t own a dog.

This windswept, shaggy Westie is going to need a bath when he gets home.

A terrifying gang of 6 Great Danes (with a few smaller dogs too)

Great Dane ringleader

When we were completely chilled through and I’d had enough dog-stalking, we went for cookies at Moo Milk Bar. I heard about this place a while ago and immediately said “OMG I LOVE COOKIES I HAVE TO GO THERE.” Literally, just like that. It’s a good thing I don’t live in the Beaches, or else I’d be eating cookies every day. Seriously, I wanted one of everything. (Except for the ones with peanut butter.)

I restrained myself to a few cookies and a square.

Carmelita Bar (a little too sweet but of course I love the delicious salted caramel), Salted Caramel dark chocolate (very dark and rich)

Chocolate chip and toffee bit. The toffee bit was my favourite by far, I’ll go back for those (or make them myself at home!).

(I didn’t eat all of these at once, I took them home and paced myself. Still probably too many cookies for a weekend.)

And finally, on our way back to the car after picking up cookies, we saw this in a gallery window.

So random, kinda disturbing, and completely hilarious. I’m tempted to go back and get them!

After the weekend indulgences, more fruit and vegetables.

This is the most adorable juice bar I’ve ever seen.

Gold Rush: Pineapple, Cucumber, Lemon, Ginger (Restorative, Anti-Inflammatory, Anti-Aging)
Wake Up: Orange, Lemon, Grapefruit, Liquid Cayenne (Alkalizing, Kidney Flushing, Flu Fighting)

It’s healthy and delicious, but expensive (organic fruit and vegetable, and a lot goes into 250mL). I’ve been a bit addicted, but I’ll have to dial back on that too.

Never was a cornflake girl…

…thought it was a good solution hanging with the raisin girls…

I’ve had this song in my head since Jenni’s post last week, which brought me back to my high school/university days, a period in my life I’d like to call my “angry girl phase.”

I’d like to think I’m past that these days, but I still enjoy Tori Amos’s music (Little Earthquakes will always be on my list of all-time favourite albums, even if I don’t like her recent stuff, and her plastic surgery makes me sad). I enjoyed listening to this song again and reflecting back on a time when I was all “damn right I’m a raisin girl just like Tori!”, if only for a laugh.

Club Monaco Hayley Ls Tee in Smog // knockoff J.Crew bubble necklace from Etsy // Club Monaco Tavie Skirt (2013) // Wolford tights // Tory Burch Reva flats (2009)

I like to think I still look like I could pass for a university student though…

(I’m not very good at hiding the remote…I’ll have to work on that…)

Copycat

Inspired by Lisa.

Anthropologie Elementary Dress in red // J.Crew Factory Clare Cardigan // J.Crew Gem Stack necklace // Wolford tights // Tory Burch Reva flats

I’m often inspired by Lisa, because she has amazing style. Since I already bought this necklace because I saw it on her, next step was to try it with a red dress like she did.

And just for fun, an outtake. (I got a remote for my iPhone camera, so that’s what I’m using these days!)

(Yeah, I’m a dork. ;))

Comfort first

As I get older, I choose comfort first. Okay, let’s not bring my age into this, I’ve pretty much always chosen comfort (which is why I don’t own a blazer, I find them really constricting and uncomfortable). But I try not to sacrifice style for the sake of comfort. Except on weekends when it’s nothing but leggings or yoga pants and giant shapeless T-shirts.

So that’s why I love knit dresses; in my closet you’ll pretty much find nothing but knit dresses in various colours and prints.

Anthropologie Daily Gathering Dress (Bailey 44) // J.Crew Factory Clare cardigan // Club Monaco mint statement necklace // Wolford tights // Tory Burch Reva flats

(I played with the lighting using iPhoto so the detail on the dress actually shows up, but it got a little weird and grainy combined with Google’s enhancement.)

Unfortunately knits start to lose their shape over the years. I’m debating whether this dress is past its expiry date (I bought it in 2010 – I hold onto clothes I love a long time). It may still be ok, but the V-neck keeps getting lower and lower. Bandeau required, or completely inappropriate at work.

 

I’m still trying to figure out the best place to take photos in my condo, with the camera equipment I have at my disposal and the light I have at available. Getting closer, I’ll just remember to set the camera a bit higher next time so it’s at a more flattering angle, and push the ottoman/storage bench out of the way.

February 2014 in pictures

I did one of those photo a day challenges in February on Instagram, and it was kinda fun but I’m not sure I’d do it again. It was a little restricting, and because I’m anal retentive, I had to post each prompt every day and see the whole list out to the end. Maybe I’d dip in and out of one, but not a whole month again. At least February is a short month.

you // favourite // orange // childhood // square // C is for.. // utensil // water // details

I am… // mistake // out + about // perfect // heart // my drink of choice // create // vegetable // magic

feet // peace // funny // an act of kindness / this is where I relax // half // cut // light // my view today

reflection

And done.

Books read in February: 2 (The Rosie Project and Fresh Off the Boat), which brings my total book-reading of the year to 4. I set myself a goal of one book per month, so I’m already a third of the way to my yearly total.

Highlights: honestly, the past two weeks have been so crummy that I’ve forgotten anything good that happened. The three-day weekend was probably a good thing. Getting back on my diet (sugar-free, gluten-free, working on getting dairy-free) in the past week is a good thing. But other than that, I can’t wait for this month to be over.