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

G.

I found the "G" theme more challenging outfit-wise than any of the other Harajuku girls, as Gwen Stefani has represented so many different styles and things over the years that it becomes somewhat challenging to pick one specifically and claim that it embodies her even in the slightest. In lieu of this predicament I made the executive decision to not even try to re-create Gwen's style or anything about her and instead just wear things that I love and feel good in - in my opinion, that's kind of what Gwen is all about anyways, hence the highly individual and personalized fashion choices she's become known for.
I'm aware that a tutu is an odd choice for an outfit post, but I spent a great deal of my formative years in one, and the feeling of being wrapped up in stiff tulle is quite probably one which I will adore until I cease to exist. I've had a penchant for the theatrical for as far back as I can recall, and I highly doubt that my lifelong passion for outrageously fabulous dramatic clothing is going to leave me anytime soon.
The black tights and patent oxford booties are obviously a bit dichotomous with the floral-print cardigan (an homage to "G" the fragrance, which is truly a tropical and sunny delight...but more on that later) and white tutu...but, then again, I'm a bit dichotomous too. I'm a huge fan of classicism and grunge, which I understand totally doesn't make any sense theoretically, but it somehow makes perfect sense to me so I can live with being alone in that theory if I must.
Back to the fragrance: the Harajuku Lovers scent "G" is my personal favourite of the set. It's strongest note is coconut (which I loathe the taste of but am absolutely in love with the smell of) and, as it wears, develops lighter notes of cottonwood, apple and mandarin which are lovely and refreshing when combined with the heavy sweetness of the coconut. More than the fact that "G" just smells wonderful, I also think that it also suits me better than any of the others.
Now this may be my roundabout way of attempting to dodge the 'why it suits me best' part of the equation, but I always feel somewhat uncomfortable when trying to describe myself or my style...it's such a daunting task, particularly in consideration of the fact that I believe no one is capable of seeing themselves as they truly are.
But I'm going to stop myself before I get too philosophical and introspective: I think that "G" is edgy, deep, feminine and unique, which I suppose implies that I believe myself to be these things...so that's just that then.
Today's "G" is the last installment of this past week's Harajuku Lovers theme, which has been marvelous fun for [my] G and I, and has resulted in some pretty awesome photos if I do say so myself - it's quite fun to get a little bit focused and directional with things!
Wearing
Cardigan: vintage
Tutu: my own
Tights: H&M
Shoes: F21
P.S. If you, my beloved readers, have any opinions whatsoever about anything G and I have done on Modern-Guilt this past week it would be absolutely AMAZING if you followed through to this survey where the lovely people who gave me the opportunity to get the pre-release of the fragrances and share it with you are collecting responses and opinions and whatnot, good or bad.

Another day, the rain...

I take back what I wrote yesterday: I now in fact don't wish it was still the weekend, because the work week (other than the actual working part) is going more fabulously than I can say. Last evening G and I met up with a couple of our friends, went uptown, indulged in some lemon and amaretto gelato and walked and talked and generally caught up...we had planned on going to see a film, but sometimes it really just feels unnecessary to sit around staring at a projected version of people you don't even know while in the company of people who you do know and, more importantly, actually care about on a level beyond the superficial.
After the fantastic conversation over coffee with friend we took quite a leisurely stroll home, as it was for once what one could describe as typical August weather; everything around had that glowing dusty hue cast upon it which, in my opinion, makes even the most mundane corners of the world stunningly beautiful. So there we were atop a downtown parking garage, revelling in the outrageously wonderful evening...until we found ourselves in the middle of one of the most insanely torrential flash storms I have ever witnessed.
However, for once in my life I can't even complain about the horrible weather, because it was kind of amazing to sit under the concrete structure at literally arm's length from the storm and just watch the whole city become quieter, emptier and, in a certain sense, more human. Well there's that, and the fact that it made for what is in my opinion one of the coolest shots G has ever taken! My only concern last evening was how to get the Chanel home without it incurring any more wear and tear (do any GTA-ers know of any amazingly fantastic leathermakers that I could take this to to get cleaned up?) - but if you ask me, when a purse is my biggest concern on any given day it's probably a pretty good indicator that my life is going soaringly well.

Wearing

Blazer: vintage Perry Ellis

T-shirt: F21

Shorts: Moto

Shoes: Jeffery Campbell

Bag: Chanel, vintage

The Shock of the Lightning

Not only did it miserably rain all weekend, there was also a ridiculous propane-fueled explosion in the north end early yesterday morning, making it one of the most thoroughly strange stay at home weekends I've ever had. Our photo shoot plans for outdoors were obviously nixed by the gross weather, and the only 'apparel' I purchased was a pair of utilitarian putrid light blue wellies for $10 because my gladiators were getting entirely ruined outside. Ugh.
Cabin fever led to G and I drawing some inspiration from old photographic magazines laying about the apartment. Flipping through lots and lots of articles about overpriced light reflectors and other techniques to brighten up spaces led to an agreement upon the creation of a tinfoil wall in our apartment - one Dollarama trip later and this set of photos is what happened...It was a team effort - I taped, G crumpled, flattened and placed, and in my opinion the results turned out awesomely creepy in an art house film/Factory Girl sort of way. Moreover, I've always found that it makes me feel better to dress up when I'm not feeling the best, hence the evening dress pictured, which I wore around the apartment all night while watching Canada suck at the Olympics, eating Grand Camembert and the best cherries I've ever tasted in my life (thank you, Pusateri's!) and daydreaming about one day owning a Fromagerie and having a pet pig named Petit Oursant.

Oh, and as a brief aside: it just me or do I look somewhat like a vampire in this photo set? Not that that's a bad thing - in fact, it might just be the best thing EVER, but yeah...

Wearing

Jacket: Danier (you can't really see the crazy 'Queen of Darkness' collar on it, but trust me when I say that it may be the coolest/most intimidating/wicked hot thing I own)

Dress: F21 (which is cool, because I never wear it and as such am pleased that I spent very little on it)

Shoes: vintage (or at the very least I bought them at a secondhand shop. I'm unsure as to whether or not they classify as actual vintage however)

Bored at work with a drawer full of magazines.

A mish-mash of images I like from a Hobo Magazine editorial called i love your body and your spirit and your clothes. Clever magazine, clever editorial. There's also an amazing article by Alex Needham, former Deputy Editor of the NME, about ex-Dior Homme genius Hedi Slimane's involvement in the London music scene which I may scan and put up later as well.

On a separate note, outfit du jour pictures will be up later than usual today.