The vintage 70's maxi dress finally finds its way out of my closet...

While I do enjoy wearing all-black (as I did yesterday, and the day before that, and the one before that one as well...you get the point), it's nonetheless really fun to sometimes go in the entirely opposite direction of that and just pile on the colour. This is particularly the case when the days are getting right into the heart of a thoroughly dark, grey and depressing Toronto winter, and a little pick-me-up in the form of an amazing psychedelic print dress is much needed.
This is one of the dresses that I briefly alluded to acquiring last week, and of which the only slightly problematic thing is the length; it skims my ankles but does not quite cover them, making shoe choices, at least in terms of the shoes I own, extremely difficult for the time being. I feel like a pair of brown leather riding boots would work semi well, but since I don't own anything even remotely akin to riding boots as it stands, I merely have my imagination (and potentially really useless and bad sketches of what I'm visualizing) to count on when attempting to make such decisions.

I'm currently reading Patti Boyd's autobiography, which is not only insanely inspiring on the fashion end of things (between her, Anita and Marianne, it's impossible to decide who had the best wardrobe), but it's also the stuff that rock n' roll fantasy is made of and for that reason alone I love it. I will admit that I was not a normal child in the sense of having had posters of boy bands on my bedroom walls...I was far more into cut-out photos of young Eric Clapton from magazines.

This unfortunately did not do wonders for my early social life, but regardless, my long-standing crush on Cream-era Clapton has stood the test of time, and the fact that Patti married both George Harrison and E.C. is a fact that I have always, always been insanely jealous of in a weird, nostalgic kind of way. Naturally I missed the boat on pretty much everything I am jealous of Patti for having...so if I can't live it, I can live through it vicariously, right? And this is the reason this book of hers is perhaps my new favourite thing ever.

Wearing

The dress is vintage, acquired at the St. Lawrence Market a couple of weekends ago and finally worn for the first time last night.

The little gold flats are from Forever 21, and are unfortunately the most uncomfortable shoe in the entire world.

The brown whip-stitched leather purse is vintage.

My lapis lazuli and gold necklace was give to me by my mom, and is without a doubt one of the most beautiful pieces of jewelry I own.

If I found my way to Minnesoter...

Last night was in a sense no different than the past three days have been as yet again I wore black and white. Mind you I didn't notice this until G pointed it out to me immediately, at which point I pretty much shrugged and decided to give up...my subconscious is obviously trying to tell me something in that I am indifferently gravitating to non-colours. Perhaps this is my form of anti-rebellion against seemingly not having a summer this year in Toronto? It either rains or it's cold, but mostly it just rains....
Anyways, LJ was over and the rainy, super casual evening was spent in the apartment, drinking Seabreeze slush thingamabobs out of wineglasses and talking and dancing (as per the above action shot) being and photographing and eating Thai food. All in all, a pretty great way to spend any given weeknight in my books.

On another note, more wicked awesome photo locations will be coming up soon, as G and I found a veritable goldmine of grimy, magnificent urban scenery literally a stone's throw from where we reside. Small discoveries like this one are the reason why I could never not live in a city - while I don't have attention deficit or anything along those lines, I do grow bored quite easily and much prefer being surrounded by stimulus and possibilities to being surrounded by nothingness and stagnation. Not that any place which is not a city is stagnant and lifeless necessarily, it's just that I haven't been to such a place yet in my life (with the exception of rural South Carolina, which may be my favourite place on the face of the earth)...

Wearing

Top: Gap

Jeans: Lux

Flats: F21

Earrings: antique market

On LJ

Tank: Jacob

Jeans: TopShop

Flats: Keep Company

Head full of tricks and treats, it leads me through the night time streets.

Last night we somehow ended up in Yorkville for the second time within as many days...I promise that I am not turning into a yuppie, it's merely that I was fervently craving a properly delicious cone of ice cream (which I generally don't even like, so that's an oddity to begin with) and, as it so happens, Dessert Lady on Cumberland Street was the ice cream parlour which was the least hassle to get to. G took some pictures for le blog while we were in the area - because as much as I may knock on it, it is quite scenic - but unfortunately for us all of the mid-life crisis sportscars self-importantly circling the block asserting their drivers' wealth and virility kind of ruined that photo op...so we moseyed along to where we're most comfortable: empty parking lots and courtyards of vacant office towers.G refers to this dress which I wore last night as the "Hallowe'en dress with spooky eyes on it", which I suppose makes sense given the colour scheme and pattern. Personally I prefer to think that it's more of a tribal print than it is Hallowe'en eyes, but it's really all mere semantics because, regardless of the what the colours or patterns signify, it is one of my favourite vintage finds ever.

You know those pieces you have in your closet that you can go to any time (provided it's summer in this case), put on and think to yourself 'this is exactly what I want to be wearing right now'? Well that's what this Hallowe'en/tribal print sheath thing is for me. Which is quite the achievement for any article of clothing in my closet because I've been increasingly turning into one of those people who gets changed at minimum thrice per day...I just grow so bored with what I have on after a couple of hours, or feel as though I can outsmart myself in some significant way by coming up with minute and probably inconsequential 'improvements' upon what I am wearing.Lastly, it turns out that I may in fact be on my way to bonafide yuppiedom, because Dessert Lady's Zingy Candied Ginger was more delicious than I can even express in writing, and as such I will probably definitely be going back the next time an out-of-character ice cream craving arises.

Wearing
Dress: vintage
Belt: The Bay (children's clearance section)
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell
Bag: vintage

I can't tell you the way I feel because the way I feel is oh so new to me.

G and I spent the evening at a dinner and drinks thing at Hemingway's with some of our best friends in the whole entire world who we haven't seen in a few months. They're those middle-class jet setter types who have spent the summer thus far travelling Europe (enviably, they even attended Glastonbury!), and who I've never quite understood. How do people who aren't filthy rich manage this? Perhaps I'm just worse at saving and prioritizing my money than these folk, but somehow I don't even get how that is possible...I feel financially responsible and know that I make a decent enough income to theoretically be able to afford this, and yet I never, ever do. And yes, this is obviously to be added to the perpetually expanding list of "Things I Need to Work On".

Regardless, they're off for the West Coast in nine days, so the get together at one of the only restaurants I can bear to be present at in Yorkville (the pretension that runs amok in most is more than a little bit disconcerting to me) was highly enjoyable, though it did mean that G and I were not able to take pictures until it was entirely dark out, which is generally problematic...something or another about the necessary aperture of the camera at night combined with me not being able to sit still. It all worked out somehow though - according to G, the 'somehow' is his photographic prowess - and this may actually be one of my favourite sets of photos yet.
While this may not be the most creative or inspired of my outfits, I do praise it for its multi-functionality which, in my opinion, is an extraordinarily important aspect of what I'm wearing at any given time. I comfortably went to work, fought with Canada Post (for apparently losing these boots), grocery shopped, dined, drank and finally took these photos in an empty parking lot - such is the versatility and beauty of a good jean jacket paired with pretty much anything, but in this specific case a jersey sheath dress. I hereby give fair warning that there is surely a Jean Jacket Love rant in the near future of this blog...
Wearing

Jacket: Levi's

Dress: F21

T-Shirt: Old Navy (Kid's)

Shoes: Nine West

Jewelry: mine

P.S. The lovely Shantee of Fashionista101.com has featured yours truly as Fashionista of the Week! It features a little questionnaire with moi and whatnot and, if you are so inclined, you can vote for me to be "Fashionista of the Year" here (me = "Week 30"), for which I will be eternally grateful and bake you all fat-free cookies...or, if you don't like cookies, I'm down with most semi-uncomplicated baked good preferences.

Pictures and things that I've done before

Since I don't particularly have any new or exciting news to impart, today's post is going to concern 5 Recent Observations Upon My Life.

Recent observation #1: The homeless and mentally ill find me very attractive. No, seriously. I cannot count the number of times in the past two weeks I have been accosted and/or 'complimented' by street urchins (what is the politically correct term being used now?) I am still uncertain as to how I should feel about this.
Recent observation #2: I find it impossible to have my picture taken without smoking. Apologies to any anti-smokers out there who are reading this blog. Yes, I do smoke and yes, I know it's bad for me and that I should quit, but I am fidgety by nature, and I find it disconcerting to not be doing anything with my hands whilst attempting to be still for photographs. This is probably something I should work on.
Recent observation #3: I have not listened to any new music in months. And by 'new' I don't mean it had to be recorded and released yesterday - I mean I have not listened to anything less than 10 years old in a very, very long time. Again, this is probably something I should work on, but I cannot seem to find anything new which is worth listening to, and this is probably compounded by the fact that I am nothing if not a creature of habit. If anyone has any suggestions, please send them my way...I truly hate being stuck in a music rut, and I am currently too busy to devote a lot of energy towards discovering my next favourite band.
Recent observation #4: There is no such thing as having enough dresses. Casual, fancy, sophisticated, grungy, jersey, silk, rayon, poly-freaking-ester...it doesn't even matter anymore. I knew I was developing a problem when I seriously considered wearing a plain black hoodie of G's to work this morning (with nothing else besides unmentionables) because I want everything in our closet to be a dress. This is an addiction in the making.
Recent observation #5: My city, my friends, my boyfriend, my summer, my very existence on this planet = entirely 110% awesome.

(N.B. Do you know what else is awesome? The fact that The X-Files movie comes out tonight. Because while everyone else is losing their proverbial shit over this Batman business, I am delighted and thrilled to be witnessing the reunion of the stone fox that is Fox Mulder and that lovably rational Dana Scully. I'm still attempting to devise an X-Files-related-but-still-chic fashion statement for when we make our way to the theatre, I will keep you posted on how that works out for me...)

I wish every one of you a happy, stylish and awesome weekend! I will be cottaging and braving the alleged Hurricane Bertha, but keep your eyes peeled for weekend updates nonetheless.

Wearing:

Dress: AA

Leggings: Aritzia

Shoes: Converse

Necklaces: I felt the need to pile on every single necklace I own last night, so I'm just going to go with 'various' to avoid everyone knowing exactly how many I piled on and henceforth how I managed to keep my head up.

I'm floating through a room of halls.

Wearing the colour pink is quite the rarity for me, but I could not pass up the opportunity to wear this dress last night. It was purchased at one of the bizarre dress shops on Yonge Street where literally every item is made of jersey, comes in all of the colours imaginable to mankind and is never, ever over $10. The likelihood of finding anything remotely wearable for anyone other than a streetwalker is often slim in these shops, but every once and a while my consumer impulsivity gets the better of me and I justify a purchase there by reminding myself that I am getting a new article of clothing for the same amount as I generally spend on two Grande Bolds a day.
The most messed up part of this story is that this experience actually makes me feel victorious and triumphant; whatever buyer's remorse is (I don't know because I'm pretty sure I've never felt it), it's the opposite of that...like a buyer's high.

Even though this fuschia minidress has been hanging in my closet for approximately a year, last night was the first time I've ever worn it out of the house. G and I had a meeting at a chic but grossly pretentious bar with a friend of a friend who owns a small gallery about potentially showing G's photography in the near future. And, as per usual when I have somewhere to go, I suddenly decide that I detest everything in my closet and would rather create a bonfire on the bedroom floor with all of my clothing than put on the same black smock again.

In this moment of rage/indecision/frustration/self-loathing, fuschia seemed like the best idea in the world, and I will admit that I again felt a small but consequential inner victory when complimented on it later in the evening by the $400 shoe wearing set.

^Note how extremely pleased with myself I look.

Wearing:
Dress: unknown, but it cost $4!!!
Coat: vintage
Shoes: David's
Hair clip: Target
Earrings: my own

Exit Planet Dust

I planned on spending yesterday evening quietly...eating three bowls of pasta (I am such a glutton for carbs, it's upsetting), fixing up the blog, catching up on e-mails, and throwing around slobbery dog toys in the park with G's beautiful German Pointer, who we currently have on temporary loan (check his Modern Guilt debut below!)

The night was as pleasant and quiet as I had hoped for it to be...that is until G and I noticed an angry junkie hobo climbing inside the massive metal trash bins outside of our apartment building, presumably attempting to steal someone's identity and/or find something to eat/sleep on/wear. Oh how I love living in the downtown core...at least one can't say that there's ever a dull moment! While I think I would probably have an averse physical response to living any other way for an extended period of time, I am nonetheless very much looking forward to cottaging this upcoming weekend.

Wearing:
Blazer: Club Monaco
Tank: AA
Skirt: Levi's
Shoes: Aldo
Scarf & Jewelry: vintage

Catching the Butterfly

Part two of my dry cleaner debacle: They turned my beautiful, gorgeous $3 vintage dress into a SHIRT, and apparently threw all of the extra fabric into a garbage bin yesterday. I am livid. Needless to say, today did not begin on the happiest of notes for me. Thinking/writing about my unfortunate dress is still more upsetting than it should be considering the woman in the shop was extraordinarily apologetic and has bestowed upon me one year of dry cleaning and alterations at no cost, but yeah...

Otherwise this oddly rainy-and-sunny-within-the-span-of-5-minutes Saturday has been spent conversing with hilarious camera shop employees whilst on the hunt for new lenses with G, hanging out in downtown parks watching old people play chess - until being chased and/or frightened out by the homeless - and looking for furniture to make the apartment more fabulous than it already is.

And I wore my favorite plaid shirtdress with braids in my hair, just because I needed some fashion-related cheering up after witnessing the Magnificent Vintage Dress Butchering of 2008 this morning.

Wearing:

Dress: H&M

Loafers: vintage

Purse: flea market (yes, I need new bags, and a short jaunt to Nine West today glaringly reminded me of that fact)

Lone Summer Dream

Today's outfit and pictures are essentially the result of the most frustrating dry cleaner experience ever.
In front of the shop I stood at 7:45 a.m. with sopping wet hair from my lightspeed morning shower, waiting for the lights to turn on inside - regardless of the fact that the shop clearly states on it's front door that they open for business at 7:30. All of this was only to find out (at 7:50 a.m.) that my dress was neither hemmed nor cleaned, and that I would have to wait yet another day. Bottom line, I have ended up with poofy hair and a dress I did not plan on wearing today, which I am most likely currently overreacting to. But apparently it is unreasonable to assume that when you take a dress in to be hemmed and cleaned on Tuesday morning - and are told the work will be completed by Thursday afternoon - that it will be ready for you on Friday morning.

Wearing:
Dress: vintage (and sloppily/smartly shortened by moi might I add)
Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell (as if you couldn't tell, this is the billionth time I've worn them)

Vanishing Point

I've been in Kensington Market more often within the past two days than I have in the past two months and, while I came across no amazing vintage clothing (unsurprising, as I haven't found anything worthwhile there in as long as I can remember at this point), I did have a wonderful time on both accounts. Last night was filled with the best sangria I've ever ingested and fascinating conversation and, in turn, I ended up forgetting that I had even brought along a camera. This afternoon, on the other hand, was spent laughing at asinine neon slotted sunglasses and awful Little House on the Prairie dresses with G and, with him being the camera-happy fellow that he is, many pictures were to be had.

Wearing

Top: Free People

Shorts: vintage (I never take these off lately, it's getting to the point where an intervention may be in order)

Shoes: Juicy Couture (I love you Yonge & College Winners!!)

P.S. Yes, I changed my shoes. At least I made an effort to not wear the gladiators for about three hours today, so that's an improvement, no?

Hi-Skies.

I'm finding it quite strange that mid-July is feeling like autumn, save for a few brief poolside reprieves. It is perhaps the fact that I am not able to enjoy summer in the same way as I did when I was younger, considering I now spend the majority of my summer days in an air-conditioned office. So perhaps it just feels less summery...maybe, maybe not.

Regardless, I've been making use of the autumn-esque summer weather as much as humanly possible. Yesterday the result of this was prancing about some scaffolding in an alley downtown - lots of fun was had, though I did have to don some leggings for the occasion.

Wearing:

Tank: Forever 21

Vest: vintage

Leggings: Aritzia (the only place I can find reasonably-priced leggings that don't go revealingly sheer after a couple of washes - if you live in the Toronto area and know of another place I can find these, pray tell in the comments!)

Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell

I Am The Unknown

Listening to the Aliens and having a beer in a summer frock = the perfect way to spend a Friday post-work. If there's any inspiration to this outfit at all it's merely happiness.

Dress: vintage, unknown label

Shoes: Nine West

Sunnies: Target