Desert Rose.

Guys! I've been sitting on this post for weeeeeeeks. Unfortunately, school has totally got in the way. Ugh. But slowly and surely I plugged away at it and now I can share one of my favourite posts to date. I've always wanted to shoot pictures in the desert. There is just something about that landscape that I find so beautiful and inspiring. So my dream location combined with one of my favourite trends of the moment is obviously going to equal my fave post everrrrr. To say that I am obsessed with the sheer lace trend this season is only a mild exaggeration. Back in the summer I was lucky enough to snag this lacy, embroidered top from Value Village for a steal and boy am I glad now. My Pinterest feed is teeming with see-through lace or mesh tops AND I LOVE IT. I even had to go out and get a lace body suit with long sleeves. You heard me...HAD to. I get that this may not be everyone's cup of tea, but if the look intrigues you and you want to try it out, here are two tips that I hope will make it easier to wear.

1. You need the right bra. I think that anything underwire/push up-y would just be too much on top of the sheerness of the top. I definitely think this look calls for a soft fabric or lace bra or bralette, the prettier the better - it will be on display! Another option I am totally into is a barely noticeable, nude bra for a really provoking naked-esque look.

2. You need a high waisted bottom. Now this is just my own personal fashion opinion, but I think that if you leave your belly button uncovered it looks more like an outfit suited for the bedroom. The high waisted denim shorts I have on here were thrifted for me by my amazing sister. I can't thank her enough, they are the most perfect pair of 90's Levi heaven! And they probably cost her about $1.75...USD...$2.30 for us Canadians. To top it all off, I even got a day of fall sunshine in Osoyoos to wear them once before they have to be put away for next summer (*crosses fingers and hopes high waists are still in*).

PS. This lip colour...If you are totally into this 90's/grunge/greige/cool toned lip of the moment...this metallic purple grey is amazing. Link below :)

Top: Forever21- thrifted (similar). Bottoms: Levi - thrifted (similar). Belt: H&M. Bra: Forever21 (similar). Boots: Aldo (old) (similar). Jacket: H&M (old) (similar). Lips: Hard Candy Metallic Mousse in Smoke & Mirrors

Autumn's kiss.

The temperatures have been dropping, and not a moment too soon as far as my Fall 2016 pinterest board is concerned. I'm full of inspiration thanks to the always hefty fall editions of my favourite fashion magazines. Every year this season comes around, I come up with a different theory as to why I love it so much. This year's theory: Layers. I love clothes, and so it would only hold that I would enjoy wearing as many as fashionably possible. I have the most awful time choosing when I am presented with many options, and I always try to maximize my choice. It's interesting to see how this part of my personality shows in my style choices. I enjoy the challenge of combining my clothes in interesting and different ways, while still presenting a cohesive, pleasing outfit. I'm no expert by any means, but I think that it's a worthy aspiration. 

This season's trends are full of pieces to inspire many a layered fall outfit, but my muse for this particular look was this dark, floral print maxi. Definitely one of my favourite pieces for fall. I am constantly fantasizing about looks with dark, romantic maxi dresses and an even darker lip. Mmm! Just talking about it make me feel dreamy. 

Dress: H&M (old) (cute). Jacket: Winners (old)(similar)(also cute). Belt: H&M. Purse: TJ Maxx (similar). Hat: H&M (similar). Make - up Tutorial: Lisa Eldridge. 

Becoming me.

When there’s a lot I want to say in a blog post, I get overwhelmed. The more information I want to put down, the more intimidated I get to write it down. I’ve been sitting on these photos for a few weeks and I feel like a part of the delay in posting them was me putting off writing about them. I often ‘fantasize’ about getting rid of the writing in my blog, and only posting photos and links. I tell myself that this will ease my procrastinating about the blog, and in turn I will be more willing to post and increase my output. Every time I have this particular fantasy, I think about a yoga quote, “the places where you have the most resistance are actually the places that are going to be the areas of the greatest liberation.” I won’t deny it’s immediately perceived hokey-ness…but I also can’t deny it’s truth. It’s here in the writing where I struggle the most, but it’s also where I find such satisfying achievements. Sure, the blog is a great motivator for improving my photography and to push my fashion creativity, but these things do no scare me as much as putting myself and thoughts out there in writing. And if I didn’t feel the need to get personal beyond the images, then that would be fine too and I wouldn’t…but when I look at these pictures, I have so much I want to say about them. A small, nagging, doubting voice in my head whispers, “people don’t come here to listen to you wax poetic about something as silly as fashion” but it’s more than that and that’s what I really want to share. 

First, the new hair! What do you think? I LOVE IT! So, happy I pulled the trigger at the hair dressers. I was super nervous, my heart was pounding while I sat in the chair with all the bleach on my hair. I couldn’t be happier though. I really wanted it done before my birthday. It was kind of a celebration of the more confident person that I am becoming, and I really wanted it to show on such a milestone occasion. Birthdays are such great times to reflect on your past and get excited about the future. I have never felt as good as I do at this time in my life. I contribute it to a combination of better physical and mental health, largely aided by a daily yoga practice (or so I think). It’s fun to look back (in life and on the blog) and see how far I’ve come, but what’s more exciting is to look to the future and to anticipate where this upward trend will take me. I hope it will see me mastering more of my yoga and photography. Which leads me to the second thing I wish to share, I got a new camera lens for my birthday. It was a gift from family members, and I couldn’t be more thankful. Not only for such a generous gift, but more importantly for the show of love and encouragement towards my passion for photography. It’s such a great feeling when loved ones encourage your passion and growth. I loved how the photos turned out with the new lens and I can't wait to shoot more blogs and pictures with it. 

Well this blog has been a little long winded, so if you made it this far… thank you! And now for the super cute birthday outfit I rocked! PS. the cashier at Sephora said I looked, “hipster…but you know…in a good way.” I laughed because I had the exact same thought when I looked at myself in the mirror that morning. All joking aside, I am in love with this hat - hipster or not. I saw it at Dynamite and I allllllmost walked out without it. Thankfully, I had a moment where I told myself I would probably regret it if I didn’t get it. Oh man, I was so right. 

Hat: Dynamite (on sale!). Top: Forever21 (also on sale!). Jean shorts: Opening Ceremony (thrifted) (similar). Shoes: Spring (similar). Purse: vintage (thrifted)(similar). Sunglasses: Urban Planet (cute).

A case for thrifting.

The evolution of this blog post is a bit long winded, but here it goes...it all started with a jacket. Not just any jacket, an adorable cropped denim, moto jacket that I scored for $15 at a local consignment store, Unika. I styled a cute look (see below) around the jacket, and it turned out even better than I had hoped. I was so happy I had pulled the trigger and bought the jacket, and that got me thinking about the reasons why I bought it and what helps me decide when to get pieces when I am thrift shopping. Sometimes thrifting can be overwhelming, there are so many clothes..how do you choose what will actually benefit your wardrobe? I have a few go to tips that help me find and decide what pieces to buy, and I thought I would share them with you guys :) But first, the outfit! I paired the cropped jacket with a high waisted white lace skirt, and it begged for this graphic striped cropped sweater. Something about the sweater made me crave a bold pink lip - such an easy way to make a statement with your makeup. The white, perforated purse had the same cute summer vibe, so it was a perfect addition and then I went for casual comfort in my shoe choice with a neutral leather flat sandal. I loved the result, it's fun and fresh and easy to wear.

Classic Pieces: not a necessity, but I think you get the most bang for your buck with classic pieces, simply because they could be in your wardrobe forever. A blazer, denim jacket, a trench coat - these sort of things will stand the test of time. The denim moto jacket I am wearing in this post, the inspiration for this whole idea, is a perfect example. A moto jacket will always have some place in fashion. It’s iconic. The fact that this one was in denim just gave it a little twist that I loved. And it was 15 dollars, people. Hello.

See with your hands: That sounds totally cheese, but what I am trying to say is…quality clothes will be made with quality fabric and I believe that you can feel the difference. I will touch the clothes on the rack as I scan through. It’s like a little game - when I feel like an item is quality, I check the tag and if it’s a more expensive brand…I win :p This very technique picked me out a gorgeous grey Aritzia wool sweater for $3 and a silk Alice + Olivia dress for $7. 

Shop outside your “size”: Never, I repeat, never shop only in your known size section! For me personally this is most obvious in the jean section. In different brands, my size can fluctuate wildly, from 25-28. In my experience, vintage clothing is usually a size larger than what I would wear currently (ie. I am usually a dress size 2, in something vintage…maybe a 6?)

Patience, my friend, patience. Thrifting is not quite as easy as strolling into a store at the mall: there isn’t multiple sizes in the same piece, not every piece is on trend, you might not find anything you like. Thrifting does involve extra effort - extra time and patience, but when you find that great piece…it’s like winning an exciting treasure hunt!

Do your homework: know the trends before you head out shopping. Unlike stores at the mall, the stuff coming into the thrift store isn't all the latest and greatest and you will need to know what you're looking for as you sort through the masses.

Value Village has a great page on tips for all different aspects of thrifting, from furniture thrifting to how to clean vintage clothing. 

Hope these tips help! Happy thrifting!!

Denim moto jacket: American Eagle (thrifted from Unika) (similar). Striped cropped sweater: Forever 21 (old) (cute). White midi skirt: Forever21 (old) (cute). Tan sandals: Aldo (old) (similar). Purse: Indigo Chapters (on sale!). Sunglasses: Winners (old) (cute). Lips: Wet 'n' Wild in Dollhouse Pink.

Vested Interests

The sun is peaking out here and there in my part of the world, but it's still pretty chilly out. Not only were all these light layers weather appropriate but they were super comfy and cute...obviously. I love finding new ways of wearing this trench vest. Seriously, it's one of my favourite items of clothing. To any ladies looking to mix up their wardrobe, I highly suggest something along this line. It's only one piece and it will change up your entire wardrobe - such a great return for a little investment. It'll be a great layering piece as we come into spring. Oh man, I am so excited for spring. I've been reading all the spring issues of the style magazines and I feel so inspired! I am ready to wear dresses and sandals again, who's with me?!

Trench vest: Forever21 (old) (cute). Turtleneck: Forever21 (old) (similar). Pants: Forever21 (old)  (cute). Shoes: Converse All-stars. Bag: Indigo (old) (similar). Necklace: Joe Fresh (old) (similar)