Moda Mama

Adventuring in Kimonos

May 22, 2015
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2 COMMENTS

Spell-Designs-kimono-purplue-Jens-Pirate-Booty-Lace-Pants

I shared a hotel room with two lovely ladies: the Groom’s sister and cousin. The first was the sweetest woman, and the second was the coolest, so I felt pretty lucky. They both enjoyed staying up later than I *I’ve never been one for staying up late as I love being awake and having adventures during the day* So, that meant that early in the morning I tried to quietly get dressed and vacate the room so they could continue sleeping.

It also meant that I was awake and walking around the resort earlier than a lot of people. But I kind of loved this time. The beaches were clear of people, and the only ones awake and bustling about were the lovely Jamaican people themselves. It meant I could walk about and explore areas, and take photos, with relatively few people caring about what I was doing.

Though to be fair, I think by this time I had earned myself the “crazy photographer lady” title as on the wedding day and the day before during the detail shots I was both a contortionist and throwing little ants out of my shot. People generally just gave me a wide berth, after all I might snap at any second. Even the ants did not escape my wrath.

Maxi Kimono – Spell Designs // Top – SheInside // Pants – Jens Pirate Booty via ThreadSence *sold out*

*linking up with Passion for Fashion, and Style Elixir*

Peace, Hearts, and Cupcakes

May 21, 2015
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Me and My Girl headed out on a Queen St. West date *for those of you not familiar with Toronto, it’s one of many lovely neighborhoods with shops, cafes, and all kinds of other fabulous things* When asked what she wanted to wear, my Girl reached for her new favorite thing – her “peace dress” from as she calls it.

She’s kind of obsessed with her new Melijoe dress. She loves all the colors, and the hearts pattern, but mostly she just adores the peace crochet cutout on the back. And she’s constantly posing to show it off. Except when faced with a chocolate cupcake. Then nothing except two chocolate cupcakes could rival for her attention.

I love the dress for the fact that it’s a piece sign and y’all know I’m a big ‘ol hippie. But despite how intricate it looks, it’s also really simply structured which means that it never gets in the way of all her shenanigans. Or cupcakes. ‘Cause you know, priorities.

*This post is brought to you in collaboration with Melijoe. Thanks for checking out the fabulous people who support ModaMama*

Destination Wedding Photographer Wear

May 20, 2015
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Arnhem-pants-white-tee-fedora-boho-beach-style

The day of the wedding came and I got dressed and ready to rock ‘n roll in a simple white tee, and loose Arnhem pants. I thought this would be the perfect outfit for a twelve hour day of shooting. Two braids keep the hair out of my way, the hat keeps the sun off my head, and the white tee and loose pants are respectable yet light.

Little did I know how humid it would be! We all pretty much sweat through our clothes. And after my pants got wet from the ocean, I decided to suddenly bend down. Now since they were wet, they didn’t move with me and split right down the seam!

Thank goodness the lovely Bride, whose hotel room was right next to us, lent me a pair of shorts to rock the rest of the shoot in. That’s all I care about – the shots. And boy did we get some stellar ones. I’ll be sure to post a link and let you know once they’re done and up on my site.

‘Cause this couple + this location = photo gold!

Pants – Arnhem // Shirt – SheInside // Fedora – I forget *old*

Price of Admission to Jamaica

May 18, 2015
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6 COMMENTS

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First real day in Jamaica. It was an exciting one let me tell you. First I discovered that my external hard drive had been stolen from my checked suitcase, then I fell and broke the glass top of a table in my room, paid for it, and decided to head to the beach where nothing could happen to me.

Until I got in the water and got stung by a jellyfish in the first three minutes.

Seriously right?! Honestly, I just had to laugh, because to have all this happen in a span of hours was a little ridiculous. Hilarious and ridiculous. I breathed, had a little moment, then moved on. Things happen and there’s nothing you can do about it.

After treating the sting, I went back to swim for an hour, and decided to just focus on my beautiful surroundings. Just chalked it all up to the price of being in stunning Jamaica.

Plus, how can anything be wrong when you’re surrounded by pink buildings!

Jumpsuit – Arnhem // Sandals – I forget // Necklace – F21 // Sunnies – Lace Affair

I Love My Job

May 14, 2015
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6 COMMENTS

As an artist freelancing her way through life, I have many jobs. Three….well four: actor, photographer, blogger, and mother….more if you add partner and producer…oh dear Lord! But right now I’m talking about photographer. Sartorially.

As a photographer I get to wear whatever the heck I want. Within reason of course. No pasties and feathers…though to be fair I don’t usually wake up wanting to wear that anyway. As long as I’m not too provocative and can move around, I get pretty much free reign.

For example, this day I spent shooting a lovely client, and I got to head into work in casual shorts and a fun denim shirt. So I reiterate: I love my job.

Helps that I’m the boss too.

Top & Shorts – Spell Designs // Tee – SheInside // Necklace – vintage // Sunnies – Lace Affair

Jamaica Bound!

May 11, 2015
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2 COMMENTS

That’s right. You read that right. I’m headed to that lovely land. Actually, I’m there right now, and I’ll be home on Thursday very very late. Expect some fabulous shots from Jamaica next week, ’cause weather permitting I’ll be on the beach.

Also, I’ve been looking for that great pair of neutral sandals for a while now, and I’m so thankful to Easy Spirit for providing them. These are gonna go with everything, and I love that they have just a touch of a heel.

In the meantime, get those dresses out, get those frilly tops, and let’s all enjoy the sunshine.
Love to you all.

Top – UO // Pants – ThreadSence // Sandals – c/o Easy Spirit // Necklace & Bag – Lucky Brand

See you all on the flipside.

“Safety Demonstration”

May 9, 2015
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My fabulous little girl got her birthday present a touch early this year. She picked out her very first big girl bike and of course got a matching pink helmet to match.

But the best is when she educated us both on the reason and use of a helmet, but squatting and smacking her helmet against the ground….while wearing it.

Serenity

May 8, 2015
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2 COMMENTS

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What do you think of when you hear ‘Serenity’? That soft sun ray breezing through the curtains first thing in the morning. The smell and feel of a great cuddle with your little one. That brief humid pause of the world before the rains begin to fall and the clouds break for a thunderstorm. That sip of tea before everyone else in the house is up and the bustle of the day begins. A still lake without a ripple seen – untouched and full of potential.

Or if you’re like me you think of Joss Whedon, Malcom Reynolds, River Tam, Zoe, and Wash.
“I am a leaf on the wind.”

Cardigan – Arnhem *I added buttons to make it a dress* // Belt & Ring – F21 // Necklace – Free People // Bracelets – Threadsence & Joseph Nogucci // Boots – Aldo

Urban Nirvana Thai Massage

May 6, 2015
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4 COMMENTS

Have you ever had a Thai massage? It’s not like a regular old massage where you lie on a table. It’s much more interactive. You lie, sit, turn, and are generally manipulated by the practitioner. They massage, but also twist, and stretch. It’s really quite an experience.

I recently had a Thai massage at Urban Nirvana in Toronto. Let me tell you about it. First, you walk into the cozy and comfy reception area, check in, and are offered a foot soak while you wait. Heck yes! I can get on board with that. Then, my masseur, Nikki, comes out dries my feet and escorts me to the room. She’s a petite woman with a very kind smile and friendly eyes. We reach the room – which consists of a series of comfy mats on the ground – no massage table in sight.

Then the massage starts. Nikki, this unassuming woman puts her hand on me and immediately I learn what it’s like to be caught in a vice. She’s got amazingly strong hands. I’m talking like “snap steel bars without blinking an eye” hands. But more importantly than that, they are sure hands. They find all the knots, kinks, and grooves that I didn’t even know were there. I’m massaged, stretched and manipulated with an oscillation of pain and relaxation.

But it’s that good pain, the kind where you know that despite the discomfort the results will be glorious. There are practitioners there that do a more gentle relaxing massage, but when booking I requested a more vigorous and results oriented massage. My muscles get put through the wringer with my exercise regimen and I wanted those knots and tight zones worked on.

But man, she is intense. I kind of felt like Arnold Schwarzeneggar in End of Days where he gets totally beat up on by a very unassuming petite woman. Though the next day, and the following days, my body was so much looser and things just moved better.

I’m telling you get your butt to Urban Nirvana, and if you’re woman enough request Nikki, your body will love you for it afterwards. Mine certainly did.

Some of the lovely products on sale to help you take the experience home.

*this is a sponsored post.

Thanks for checking out the

fabulous folks who support ModaMama*

One Woman Dance Party

May 4, 2015
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6 COMMENTS

You know when you’re driving and you pull up to a red light alongside other cars, and in the car beside you you see that person? There’s that person who is blasting music, bobbing their head, drumming their hands, and is clearly singing as loud as possible. Either unaware or not caring that people are watching them, they make faces, act out all the bits of the song, and wait with anticipation for the guitar or drum solo acting it out on their steering wheel.

That person is me.

Janis Joplin, Rolling Stones, ’70s hits, and Queen. Yup.

For the record, my driving is superbly precise – I just do it while having a one woman dance party.

Kaftan – Arnhem // Pants – Lululemon // Boots – Aldo // Necklace – Gypsy Love Store // Turquoise Bracelet & Hat – ThreadSence // Turquoise and Red Bracelet – eBay // Rings & Sunnies – F21

*linking up with Honest Mom*

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