Floral Minidress Friday

It warmed up enough today in the city for me to not have to wear sixteen billion layers of clothing, meaning I had nice excuse to wear my vintage floral bubble dress, which was shoddily hemmed into a bubble dress by yours truly. Although this piece is more of a summer trend item than a winter fashion, I love it and will try my darnedest to provide it with the versatility that, as a bright floral minidress, it seemingly lacks.

Today's attempt at such styling versatility brought me to pair my Pedro Garcia leather boots with the American Apparel esque but-really-Urban Outfitters latex leggings that I've recently grown so fond of. Regardless of how saturated the fashion blogs may be with shiny leggings, I've noticed that no one in this city really seems to know that they exist yet (and they therefore gawk at me when I stomp around in them), so for the time being I don't feel too redundant in the sphere of Toronto women's clothing. Plus I felt like the winter-appropriate leather boots combined with the black latex leggings really gave a Victoria Beckham in Antonio Berardi feel to the whole look, which couldn't possibly be a bad thing in my mind.

I suppose I just could not help myself - ask anyone, I've always been a magpie and thus attracted to shiny things - but I did, of course, cover up with my similarly shiny black pleather Guess coat, which I believe was purchased all the way back when I was in the ninth grade. My fashion immaturity at that young age aside, I still like the coat and find it useful - for example, I feel as though it added a weird, I'm-a-futuristic-goth-who-also-likes-floral-prints vibe to today's ensemble which, I'm not going to deny, thoroughly pleases me.

Anyways, I'm off for a [hopefully] more relaxing weekend than the last which was, as previously stated, spent generally rushing about town...filming, concert-going, brunching, depleting my bank account at the Bloor Street Holt Renfrew and, in general, being awesome-but-exhausting. Remember that some work performed on the site yesterday did, unfortunately, result in the loss of all of you lovely bloggers on our blog roll, and therefore if you would like to be added or re-added, please leave a comment or give us a shout at modernguiltblog@me.com and we will be more than happy to oblige!

Best wishes for the most respectively fabulous weekends ever to each and every one of you, and of course catch up with us on Monday morning to see how I managed to spend all of my money Friday through Sunday once again!

Wearing
Franco Sarto boots...a gift from the wonderful G, naturally.
Guess coat, which would probably be more accurately referred to as plastic rather than pleather, but who's counting?
Vintage floral dress, found at one of the many Toronto thrift shops I frequent...
Urban Outfitters leggings.

Russian fur hats, vintage lace-up boots and layers galore = I am a happy camper!

It's no longer "okay without the wind chill" or "tolerable without gloves" kind of cold in Toronto, it's just properly and entirely cold; this may mean slight physical unpleasantness, but I must admit that there's a part of it which thrills me as well - if you are a vintage fur lover, as I am, you probably get where I'm coming from. I possess a collection of gloves, hats, scarves, furs and all of those other wonderful winter fashion staples that is not easily rivaled, and now that I'm consistently waking up to weather that warrants the donning of such pieces, it truly feels as though a whole new wardrobe has opened up to me overnight.


Likewise, the fact that I've been wearing up to seven articles of clothing at once lately is strangely fun. Contrary to popular belief, it is not that easy to find seven [or more] things in one's closet, no matter how jam-packed such closet may be, that are relatively consistent in their style. Perhaps this is of my own doing, as I find it difficult to shop logically and therefore tend to get whatever I like as a stand-alone piece without giving much thought to the matter.


This is but one of my self-inflicted fashion issues to reflect upon…perhaps a spot of meditation/mental clarity could help, but I somehow doubt I'll get around to that when there is much fun to be had in a mountain of handmade scarves and vintage hats.


Wearing
My fur hat and leather bag are vintage
My blue dress was found in a random mall outlet store ages ago
My wool sweater is from American Eagle, though it's not visible in the pictures
The tights are Hue brand
My leather lace-up boots are vintage and, moreover, one of my favourite thrift store finds in recent history

Oops...

Hi everyone,

I was working on the site today and I deleted our blog-roll link thingy by accident. If you were on it or, for that matter, would like to be on it, please send an email to modernguiltblog@me.com or post a comment and I'll add you as soon as possible.

Cheers,

G

Windy winter weather and wide-legged jeans

I've concluded that the high-waisted and wide-legged J Brands I purchased during my weekend spending binge are the most perfect pair of pants in the world, and moreover they're seriously making me re-consider my bias towards dresses and tights in the colder months. Could this be a first in the realm of trousers for me? Only time will tell...
Speaking of this weekend, I also attended a Toronto Blogger's Brunch set up by the lovely Anthea of Clothes Line Finds. It was definitely one of the coolest events that blogging has brought me to thus far, and I thoroughly enjoyed conversing in 'real-time' with Anthea, Ashleigh, Danielle and Marta. I very much hope to have similar events set up in the future to continue the informative and interesting discussions we had!
G and I have quite a bit to get accomplished today, though I will admit that I am feeling ever-so-slightly under the weather and am currently daydreaming of laying in bed surrounded by a pile of magazines with a cup of chai tea in hand. Nonetheless, I'm going to pull myself up by my figurative boot straps (as I'm not actually wearing boots right now) and get on with what should be a properly productive day. Plus I'm pretty pleased that I get to wear all of my furry little parkas and long-sleeved 1960's blouses again, which cheers me up enough to get out the door and do what needs to be done.

Wearing
Blouse, shoes, bag: vintage
Jeans: J Brand
Parka: Aritzia

The vintage furs are finally coming out of hiding...

It feels like forever since we here at Modern-Guilt have done a 'normal' post. And while it's obviously only been since last Thursday, there is nonetheless a part of me which has missed our daily outfit photos in that interim period of time. That being said, I cannot express how thrilled G and I are at the overwhelmingly positive response to yesterday's mini-documentary post. We are considering doing more videos in the future, and will definitely keep everyone posted as to when another may rear its head onto the site.
Speaking of Modern-Guilt: The Video, today's photos are naturally the photos taken during such video's 'photo shoot' section, which is without a doubt my favourite bit. It's rare that I get to see G and I as we actually are, and as such it was a huge joy for me to bear witness to what is for all intensive purposes an outsider's perspective on us.
In other news, I will fully admit to the fact that I have somehow slipped into a state of complete and utter disregard for my spending ban…as a matter of [shameful] fact, I spent four hours in Holt Renfrew on Sunday afternoon purchasing everything from jeans to jewelry to a new jacket for G. I've no idea what came over me, but I did for a moment feel as though I had gotten the need to spend, spend, spend out of my system...
That is, until I happened to pass by a Coach on my walk home, noticing this beauty in the window. I can state with no hesitation that I have rarely, if ever, been a big fan of Coach bags, but if this one isn't my own personal version handbag perfection then I really don't know what is. While it's understandable that it may not be everyone's cup of tea, I can assert beyond any reasonable doubt that it my entire pot of tea and scones and everything else that makes tea worth having. Seriously, how amazing would this look with my winter furs?! Argh. I know, I know….I'll stop now.
Beyond the above little consumerist rant of mine, life is going swimmingly well (however, just in case there are any benevolently wealthy benefactor readers out there: please, please, please send the bag to me? Please?). Prior to my Holt Renfrew spendthrift binge on Sunday I did indeed attend a lovely Toronto Blogger's Brunch, of which I plan on giving a detailed recounting in tomorrow morning's post, as this one is already getting super long-winded, even for me…remember what I said about having missed 'regular' posting?
Once again, huge thanks to each and every one of you that left us a lovely comment on the video which we worked so hard on. Your support and love is appreciated more than either G or I are capable of expressing (which is saying a lot, particularly in my case).

Wearing
Coat, shirt, boots, bag: vintage
Jeans: Urban Planet

Technologically-adept...kind of, maybe?

Today's real post will be up shortly - I've been experiencing highly frustrating technical difficulties with Blogger this morning and, regardless of how hard I try to 'clear my computer's cache/cookies/whatever', the truth is I've no idea how to use this machine...I am, after all, a fashion blogger, can much more proficiency with technology than this really be expected?

A new development, however, dictates that perhaps I am not as technologically-challenged as I have previously considered myself to be, as this is my first post as a MOBILE fashion blogger with the assistance of ShoZu!

Blogging while bored and waiting in line at Starbucks? Yes, please!

Modern-Guilt: The Video

If you've ever wondered who G and I are past the photos and the long-winded diatribes, here's your chance to see.

We had a lot of fun making this video, and we hope you all enjoy it!


Modern Guilt: The Video from S & G on Vimeo.

I Think I Like You

Hey ya'll! See below for a preview of the wonderfully awesome secret project that G and I have been working on. Enjoy!


Modern Guilt Video Trailer from S & G on Vimeo.

Check back early next week (we're aiming for Monday morning) to see the video in its entirety. In the meantime, I hope that everyone has the happiest of weekends!

It's time to vote...

And no, I'm not talking about politics...the federal election in Canada is already over, of course!
I'm referring to Lucky's Denim Transformation Challenge, which I have entered with one of my favourite looks ever (as seen above) with which I am really, really hoping to win! You can find my contest entry here, and it would mean the world to me if all of you wonderful people who read Modern-Guilt regularly (and I know you're out there...) would take a quick second out of your day to vote for our photo.

We truly do adore you guys, and are so appreciative of all of the support and love thrown our way on a daily basis...it's astounding.

Wishing all of you the best Thursday ever!

Come on lines, they will bend

It just so happens that today's photo not only features three me's, but three of my absolute favourite new acquistions as well: the Herve Leger inspired Bebe bandage dress, my $4 thrifted combat boots and an orange fascinator headband that I bought at The Clothing Show last month (which I can't believe I haven't managed to wear out before last night!). With a piece as skin-tight and revealing as the bandage dress inevitably is, I generally like to grunge things up a bit to keep it interesting, and I'm feeling that I totally achieved that goal with last night's ensemble. Don't you just love it when you have a personal fashion success like that?
Yesterday evening G and I were required at a friend's birthday bash, giving me the opportunity to wear all of my beloved things at once, including my vintage fur coat which desperately needs to make an appearance on here as soon as humanly possible I've concluded, considering I mention it in seemingly every other post. Regardless of the fur-or-no-fur photo content, we had a lovely night.

I do, however, sincerely wish that there were three S's in actuality, as the one that attended last night's party would definitely be at home having a lie-in right now!

Wearing
Dress: Bebe
Fascinator: KC Hats
Boots: thrifted

Evol.

Since I have no outfit post to impart upon the blogosphere today, I wanted to instead give a bit of a run-down of things I am currently wanting/hating/loving. Regardless of the fact that I make them all the time for every task imaginable, there's a part of me which nonetheless finds lists daunting...but I shall put my unwarranted nervousness aside, so here goes.

Wanting

Fringed Balmain (or Balmain-esque) high-heeled boots. Seriously, how well would these go with my luxe-bohemian Winter 2008 plans? Very, very, superbly well is the correct answer! I'm hoping that this 'want' will become a 'have' faster than you can say Christophe Decarnin.

More faux and/or vintage fur. I currently have one vest, two coats, and six hats. While this may seem already excessive to some, in my opinion I still require a bolero/shrug and long-fitting vest. Obviously the above Jenni Kayne would be preferable, but since that's not exactly within my current budget I'm hoping that Toronto's thrift shops provide me with some wonderful surprises.

A Venti, soy, one pump sugar-free vanilla latte. Stat. (Though I'm pretty sure no one at my local Starbucks is capable - or willing - to make latte art as pretty as what's in the photo).

HatingThat I'm a bit of an idiot sometimes and hence burned a bit of my hair with a recently purchased professional flat iron which I stupidly put to the highest setting upon first use. It's nothing that a little trim won't fix up, but I nonetheless cannot stop touching this little bit of fried hair on my head and it's killing me.
The fact that it 'lightly snowed' yesterday evening. That is all.

Loving

Cozy evenings like the one I had last night, which only seem possible throughout the winter months when outdoor activity becomes virtually impossible. A bottle of Merlot, a great book, a blanket and a homemade meal are sometimes all it takes for me to be superbly thrilled with life. n.b. the fireplace has just been thrown into the above photo for dramatic effect, as I don't actually have a fireplace in my apartment...I wish I did, though, come to think of it.

Gossip Girl. Is it just me or has Serena really stepped it up this season fashion-wise? Maybe I'm just feeling her look more now than I was before, but last season I was all about Team Blair and things are slowly but surely changing in favour of Camp Serena, making my Monday night guilty pleasure more enjoyable than ever.

The top-secret, very exciting project that G and I are tirelessly working away at. Expect the results of it to be up and live on Modern-Guilt at some point this weekend or early next week - I really think you guys are going to be just as thrilled with it as we are, and I'm so excited to share it with you!

I hope all of you are having respectively spectacular Wednesdays. I will, of course, be back tomorrow...in my new Bebe bandage dress no less!

Karmacoma

The most frustrating thing about loving fashion is without a doubt the fact that new clothing is seemingly never enough. I've lately found myself 'running out of things to wear' and while this is preposterous considering the sheer volume of things I technically have to 'potentially wear' (and, moreover, how much I shop), it's unfortunate nonetheless that hardly any of it appeals to me. I will propose that this is the very basis of my shopping addiction, which is one that I somehow doubt I will ever break.
At the same time, one must remind oneself that there is always dissatisfaction to be found in life if one is looking for it. For example, G and I recently watched a brilliant documentary called Rich Kids, and through exploring the incomprehensible wealth of young heirs and heiresses around the world, the filmmaker discovered that such individuals were by and large far less happy than their middle-class, 'ordinary' counterparts because, well, if you don't have to work to have everything then why work to have anything?
This isn't to say that I would say no to a billion dollars or stop shopping forever, because that would quite obviously be contrary to my very nature; it's merely to provide a new perspective on exactly what it is about shopping and obtaining that satisfies me, and if that's even of real value to my life?Enough with the heavy stuff. In other news, I have decided to couple my better judgement with everyone's advice and not tan...depending on exactly how pale I get (y'all haven't seen me in the winter yet) I may use my trusty Jergens Glow stuff at some point, but in the meantime it's kind of the opposite of a concern for me. What is a concern for me, however, is the fact that Toronto finally hit a minus temperature...with the 'wind chill', naturally. Ah, how I loathe hearing 'wind chill' again.

Wearing

Dress: H&M

Sweater: Erin Fetherston for Target

Jacket: Danier

Tights: Hue

Shoes and bag: thrifted

Yesterday's Papers

So I finally caved and bought the ubiquitous black latex leggings this week, though I cleverly saved myself $15 by going the Urban Outfitters route as opposed to American Apparel (which is still strangely pricey in Canada).
Once on, these leggings are perfect and perhaps the most comfortable article of clothing ever, but - and it's a small but - the manufacturer of these did the weirdest thing by making the ankle without an ounce of stretch, meaning that getting them over my feet is, sarcastically speaking, a total barrel of fun. Nonetheless, I do like them on more than I expected I would, and I plan on making good use of them throughout the winter, as inspired by the mindblowingly creative and fashionable Queen Michelle over at Kingdom of Style.
In other news, I've determined that I very much miss my summer tan, and am hence spending my morning coffee-blogging-desk time debating with myself: to fake and bake or to not fake and bake? If there are two 'institutions' I loathe they would be [most] gyms and tanning salons without question, meaning the very notion of stepping foot in such a place is enough to make me content with being perpetually unfit and pale. That being said, am I really being rational about the whole thing? This is a pretty shallow concern to begin with. Moving on...
While I do quite like the outfit I wore yesterday to run about the city in, it's more the fact that G took some brilliantly psychedelic photos that makes it wicked good I think....n.b. for everyone and anyone who has ever asked or wondered: I have barely ever used a self-timer in my life, and G takes every single photo that goes up on here unless otherwise noted. I am so, so continually impressed with his photography, and is it not like the coolest thing ever that he does this fashion blogging business with me? I seriously feel as though I have the best mate/partner/friend in the world.
I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and isn't feeling the Monday-itis I get from time to time too harshly today. And if you are, keep on keeping on and maybe have another coffee (or whatever your vice is for that matter)...

Wearing

Cardigan: vintage

Scarf and bag: thrifted

T-shirt: Darker My Love

Leggings: Silence & Noise

Boots: UP, DIY-ed

Gold and Silver and Sunshine

I've deemed this dress my 70's secretary dress, because that's who I imagine wore it before I got my hands on it. Mind you I doubt she was quite as cool as my checkered Vans wearing Nor Cal jacket dude, but nonetheless probably smoked menthol 100's at her desk while reading Vreeland-edited Vogue and lazily flipping through a Rolodex of fabulous contacts, so I don't think she was lame by any standards.

Furthermore, I've determined that I want a billion more dresses exactly like this one but in different patterns and prints. As many of you may know by now, I dislike wearing pants for the most part and, in consideration of the fact that winter is coming whether I like it or not, I feel as though this dress is absolutely perfect to wear under my recently acquired vintage fur coat for a proper, warm and stylish winter look.
I generally go a little bit grunge in this autumn and winter months and leave my boho-ness in summer, but I think I've conclusively decided that this is the year that I'm going to give luxe-bohemian a try...only if I can track down more dresses like this one though. Speaking of which, I am on the hunt for a great pair high-waisted, wide-legged jeans that are flattering as opposed to fattening and suggestions are welcome! Goodness knows I will have to wear pants at some point, and I'd rather have a pair that doesn't make me look like the Jolly Green Giant.
The upcoming weekend plan consists of equal parts fun and relaxation, making for what I believe will be a fantastic one. There are, as usual, a couple of parties to attend (no good concerts though...WTF is with you lately, Toronto?), coffee dates with a friend, and hopefully a bit more shopping, which isn't to say that I should shop, just that I probably will. I hope all of you have respectively spectacular weekends, and look out for a potential post this Sunday which looks to be pretty different than anything Modern-Guilt has done before!

Wearing
Dress: vintage
Tights: Hue
Shoes: F21
Bag: Chanel, vintage
Sunnies: vintage

If I could sleep forever...

Before you look at today's post title and go thinking I'm depressed or something, I just want to ensure that everyone knows that a) it's from a Dandy Warhols song, b) I'm really, really, supremely exhausted today and c) not forever, but maybe hibernating through winter wouldn't be the worst? I mean it obviously would be the worst and I'd rather not voluntarily miss out on an entire chunk of my life, but you know what I'm getting at. Chunky knit scarves are slowly but surely becoming a wardrobe staple again, which isn't annoying quite yet but I can imagine will become so in a few short weeks.
The lovely Jenn of Over Obsessorized has tagged me in "6 Unspectacular Quirks", wherein I'm required to state...well, 6 unspectacular quirks about myself and then tag 6 other bloggers. I have more unspectacular quirks than I believe I could ever possibly count out, but I'll try to narrow it down.

1. I absolutely, 100% cannot stand to have incomplete albums. I literally do not have even one single in my iTunes. Artwork, genre and every other field imaginable also have to be consistently, meticulously filled out. It borders on OCD.
2. My entire apartment can be messy save for the kitchen and I'll be happy. A clean kitchen is a sound mind, most everything else is extraneous.
3. I type 80 words per minute, but only use two fingers. It confuses everyone who sees it.
4. I feel out of sorts if I don't read my horoscope first thing in the morning.
5. Listening to Coast to Coast AM as I fall asleep is an unmissable ritual of mine.
6. I haven't used cash to pay for anything in as long as I can remember because I debit anything and everything. No wonder my card has been replaced 16 times at this point.
Tagging certain bloggers is always the hardest part of completing these things for me, as I really do adore all of you...however, the amazing and gorgeous Chauss of Je Ne Sais Quoi has given me the 'I Love Your Blog' rose award (thank you!!!) and I'm to tag others in that as well. In the spirit of hitting two birds with one stone, I'm tagging the following wonderful bloggers in '6 Unspectacular Quirks' AND 'I Love Your Blog' to complete or not complete as they wish...
Nita-Karolina
Blonde Hair, Blue Jeans
Frassy
Lesse Looks
Stompface
Strawberry Kitten
What is Reality Anyway?
I hope everyone is having a wonderful Thursday, as I certainly am - I'm picking up my self-bestowed vintage presents in but a few short hours, some of which you'll no doubt see in tomorrow's post. Stay tuned!

Wearing

Jacket: Danier

Scarf: The Gap

Skirt: thrifted

Tights: H&M

Boots: UP, DIY-ed

Sea Y

I'm finding myself continually trying to figure out where this little checkered jacket came from beyond the thrift store I found it at a couple of months ago. I likely possess a fantasy life which is far too rich for my own good, but I like to imagine that its previous owner was a really hip, long-haired 14 year old Nor-Cal skateboarder who wore it in 1992 and paired it with a T.S.O.L. t-shirt, baggy khaki shorts and checkered Vans when going to cooler parties than any of the ones I'll ever attend.
At least that's the vibe I get when I wear it, though I have obviously not paired it with any of the aforementioned things and, more significantly, am probably not as awesome at life as my imaginary little skateboarding dude. Then again, he did give his jacket away at some point and I did reclaim/re-appropriate it, so maybe I am. Anyways.
As much as clearly adore it, I find thrifting problematic in that, unlike 'regular' shopping in retail and mass-market stores, the items you want could be gone by the time you take cash out of an ATM to pay for them with. There is no extra stock, other location, etc. with vintage and thrifted items, which is both a blessing and a curse when you come to think of it.
While it's admittedly awesome to come across some crazy fabulous one of a kind dress that no one else is going to be seen in, at the same time this makes things particularly difficult when it comes to trying to save some money and therefore not shop for a little while....it's the "if I don't buy it now I will never have it!" mentality which, while legitimate, I find somewhat disconcerting in myself and hence my 'spending willpower' if you will.
As you may know by now (because I complain about it on here most every day), I have been on an extremely-difficult-but-necessary spending ban the past few weeks. That being said, my rant above is just a merely an exercise of me justifying to myself that I did go 'shopping' over the weekend at a new, really well-priced vintage shop called Second Necessity which has just opened up on Queen Street East (between Sherbourne & Parliament, for any Torontonians who are interested) and am claiming a gigantic haul of stuff tomorrow afternoon, which the owner was kind enough to hold for me until tomorrow's pay day. It's going to be like a little personal version of Christmas...
Wearing

Jacket: thrifted

Skirt: Levi's

Tank: F21

Shoes: Converse

Bag: vintage