Lounging in the late August heat, with the sun beating down and turning white skin brown, my mind is filled with daydreams and those little things don’t seem to matter as much. A warm breeze plays off the water and the dancing light from the waves shines in the Sting Ray’s blue finish. The red velvet of my swimsuit feels nice against my skin. I wish you could be here with me.
If I could choose another decade to live in, it would be the 1950s for so many reasons. Cheery positive music, bright colours, bubbly cars and high-waisted circle skirts - sign me up! It’s odd how much changes from decade to decade. It makes me kind of sad to think that we’ll be remembered as the Ugg generation, the Facebook time period, and the Honey Boo Boo/Toddlers in Tiaras/Hangover watchers. What happened to the days of elegance and class and appreciating what we have? Yes, the 1950s were much simpler, but that also means they were more positive and gentle, and I’d trade this drugged-up, antisocial age for some good, clean, old fashioned fun. And don’t even get me started on the media back then…Old Hollywood, yes please! I’m a sucker for that elegant, high-class society stuff.
This mega post features my favourite summer look, which takes us right back to the 1950s with a gorgeous circle skirt halter dress by Pam Chorley, a Toronto designer whose store I’ve been obsessed with since I was little. I always used to say that one day I would have a closet full of dresses and would be that girl who wears dresses and high heels on a daily basis. Well now I am! Dreams do come true(?) :P These heels are by Stuart Weitzman (the same ones featured in this floral post from spring), and a vintage headpiece from a prophouse sale in downtown TO! That’s another thing I love about Toronto. In addition to all the wonderful shops like Kate Spade and Holt Renfrew that you can find in Yorkville, there are so many hidden sales and events and things you can find if you’re in the know. I’ve lived here all my life and still find it so charming with so many new things to discover!
I love this crazy monster art installation! So unique.
How cute is this puppy? I just want to squeeze his happy little face! XD
A nice young man in the flower shop posed for a picture with me!
Even though it’s 2013, I try to find ways to inject that fun 1950s spirit into my life. In this era we’re losing individuality. People are morphing into the same person because we’re all tapped into the same social networks and idolizing the same stars. Not every girl wants to be Ke$ha, but when every singer autotunes their voice to sound the same, all our “role models” end up being clones of one another, and we only have one cookie cutout to model ourselves after. That’s why I choose the stars of old as my inspirations. Princess Grace, Audrey Hepburn, Marilyn Monroe - those are the women I admire, not trashy Ke$ha and Beyonce.
In the same token, I’m sure that Grace, Audrey and Marilyn never dreamed of working with computers or programming. And that’s why I let myself be inspired, but never copy. Choose your role models carefully, and emulate them in whatever way suits you best.
So on that note, I leave you with two questions: Who inspires you, and how do you choose to inject that inspiration into the way you live your life?
The sunset in Austria provided a stunningly colourful backdrop for my monochrome outfit. This look is inspired by the 60s, a carefree time of loose clothes and epic music. Paired with black wide-leg jeans, this vintage striped top is so comfy and perfect for an evening up in the mountains!
Beauty and the Beast has always been my favourite Disney movie. Belle was the feistiest princess back in the day (before Merida and Rapunzel in the recent years), and she didn’t fall for the obnoxious Gaston. She was also the smartest, always reading and having her own opinions and wanting more from life than she could get from her poor provincial town.
This past weekend I had the opportunity to cosplay Belle for a Disney party. Naturally I went downtown early to snap these pics of my costume before it got dark! Here they are: Belle in the City.
Who’s your favourite Disney character? Let me know in the comments! <3
Even rainy days can’t put a damper on a photoshoot! We were walking around (celebrating the end of a particularly difficult final exam) when we came across the tracks and decided to go down. We found this odd graffiti there and I thought, “thank goodness I brought my camera!”
My spunky purple Dr Martens are my favourite rainy day footwear! I got the plaid skirt from Dress in Time, the best vintage store I’ve been to (check out my hat and 1950s skirt from the same place!), and my Michael Kors leather jacket keeps me toasty even in the East Coast’s chilly weather.
I can smell the salt in the air, wafting up the hill from the harbour. The sky is blue and the water even brighter in the sun - a sign that summer is on its way. The breeze is crisp as always, chilled by the sea, and sometimes I have to hold my raspberry hat to keep it from flying away. A little yellow boat drives by, and a seal pokes his head out of the waves left in its wake. Sometimes it’s good to step away from technology and take it back to the days before cellphones, laptops, coding and debugging. Just soak in the sun, breathe in the salty air.
Inspired by my vintage raspberry hat, I wore my grey jacket and old character shoes (yes, these shoes have been in many musicals and dance shows with me!). This simple three-piece outfit is an eye-catching reference to the mid 20th century! The hat adds a punch of colour, and the character shoes are just the right height to reference another era.
The grass is so green out, it’s making me happy! It’s so lovely to be out in the sun again. Dogs chasing squirrels in the park, little kids licking popsicles and playing on the swingsets. Things were so much simpler before we went to school, judged each other and got jobs. If you’re having a particularly stressful week, set aside a day to relax and step away from your computer and all technology (except cameras, you always need those!) and have some simple fun like when we were younger.
For this Look I’m wearing a New Look top from England, a vintage skirt from the 1950s (Dressed in Time vintage shop), and my brand new Michael Kors wedges. I’d been looking for a good pair of work-appropriate shoes for my upcoming co-op job, and I wouldn’t settle for anything less than 4 inches tall. Michael Kors makes great shoes (among all the other amazing things like my favourite leather jacket), and I’m in love with these summer wedges. The best heels are heels I can run and dance in!
I thought I’d try my hand at hand modelling with my FIJI water…not bad eh? And how cute are teal nails for spring?
Lounging in the late August heat, with the sun beating down and turning white skin brown, my mind is filled with daydreams and those little things don’t seem to matter as much. A warm breeze plays off the water and the dancing light from the waves shines in the Sting Ray’s blue finish. The red velvet of my swimsuit feels nice against my skin. I wish you could be here with me.
