Moda Mama

Who Will I Be Tomorrow?

October 21, 2015
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6 COMMENTS

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Cold.

But the wind was blowing, and the lake was speaking.
Everywhere change was in the air.
There’s a celebration of life in this dying of the summer.
The realization that all things must end, change, and be born again.
Nothing remains the same.
I adore the endless possibilities. I embrace the freedom.
Who will I be tomorrow?

Maxi – Spell Designs // Necklace – Natalie B. via ThreadSence // Scarf – Kish&Evie // Boots – Browns // Rings – heirlooms (left hand) and from ThreadSence (right hand)

Is my Polish Showing?

October 14, 2015
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6 COMMENTS

Many of you don’t know that I was born and partly raised in Poland. I literally came to Canada on a boat. Yup. That’s right. I learned to speak English and adjusted to life in Canada. It’s just me, my Mom, and my sister here.

Right now I truly consider myself Canadian. As much as I love Poland, and of course all the family still there, if I had to choose an identification it would very much be Canadian. But that doesn’t mean I’m not Polish. I read books, and consume media, and there are habits and traditions very much alive amid all that Canadian-ness.

And I also can’t resist throwing a little Polish traditional garb into my style occasionally, like this scarf.

Denim shirt – Chi’qle // Tanks – H&M // Pants – Lululemon // Boots – Aldo // Scarf – from Poland

Heels and Leather Pants

October 9, 2015
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1 COMMENT

Kind of a natural pairing, you know? Like jeans and a tee. Coffee and croissant. There’s something about putting the two together that feels right.

I don’t often wear heels. Hardly ever, but lately, after finding some incredibly comfy ones at warehouse sales…you know, I’m thinking they might be all right. These particular ones though, I’ve owned for years after finding them on the shelves of Winners.

I’m never going to be a full convert though. Because I like the functionality of flats too much. But sometimes. Sometimes I get the appeal, and I think I’ll indulge more.

And leather pants? Well, you just can’t have enough of those. Granted they’re fake. And I own two pairs so far…damn, there’s a great feeling that comes over you when you slip on a pair. That’s the best thing about fashion, the feeling that some pieces can give you.

Pleather pants – Zara // Top – Spell Designs // Jacket – Spotted Moth *old* // Heels – Winners

Whiskey Too Far

October 5, 2015
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8 COMMENTS

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That moment. That moment when you are pushed too far.

You know that moment? You can feel it coming. There’s a build up. There’s a wave and a rising. It’s palpable and tangible. At least for me.

It takes a lot to get me really angry. Though I have a fiery temper, and a fierce capacity for anger, it takes a lot to push me to the edge.

What I’m talking about is real anger. Not what you might think of as anger if you were in the passenger seat with me. I yell and curse like a sailor at stupid drivers, but my driving itself doesn’t get angry – nor do I, despite what it sounds like – that’s just my dramatic nature and Polish heritage.

But real anger. Over injustice and pain caused to friends, for example. That. That gets me angry. And well, as my Mom has said to me several times, she much preferred my sister’s teenage years. Because my dear sister would explode and rage but get over it quickly. With me, it was slow but when it happened, it was seething and could last eons.

All of this is to say, “The way I look is so fragile, yet here in my hand is an assurance of eternity.” *Rumi*
Or as my shirt says, “She’s whiskey in a tea cup.”

Jacket – Le Chateau // Tank Top – Gunny Sack & Co. // Jeans – Lucky Brand // Boots – thrifted // Necklace – Monserat de Lucca via Beau and Bauble // Ring – Body Blue

*linking up with Not Dressed*

Butterflies and Muscles Cars

September 23, 2015
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At a street festival, there was a booth that was giving away balloons and stickers. My Girl walked up and got a red balloon then stood in the line for stickers. When her time came, the lady held out a large sheet of butterfly stickers. My girl, ever observant, walked right past her and pointed to the other sheet – the sheet of stickers with cars and trucks on them.

Slightly surprised the lady reached for that sheet and my girl selected a muscle car sticker. A purple muscle car.

I thought:

A) Way to buck gender stereotypes!
B) Way to confidently, and still politely, ask for what you want.
C) The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. I’ll take purple muscle cars over butterflies any day.

Dress – Ruche // Necklace – Lucky Brand // Rings – Fair Trade and F21 // Sandals – c/o Easy Spirit

Biker Gear

August 18, 2015
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1 COMMENT

No trip to Port Dover, Ontario would be complete without picking up some kick ass leather halter.

It’s a beach town with a unique mix: hippie dippie types *my peeps*, retirement destination, and bikers. Friday the 13th – bikers from everywhere gather here, hence there’s a heavy influence on the town year round. I really loved seeing the surf shops and boho shops right next to all the biker bars, and bike shops. Just fantastic!

So what does that mean? It means I’m loving all the leather vests and biker gear, and could not leave without at least one awesome piece.

It had fringe, so the deal was done.

Top – On the Fringe Leather

All The Good Things

August 12, 2015
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Something about sitting around a campfire with moonlight and starlight streaking down. With a lovely whiskey and good friends, there is perfection. I did that.

I had friends – loved ones – around a fire. Relationships deepened. Laughs were had. I became a marshmallow hero. It was beautiful, in that imperfect, not profound kind of way.

All I did was sit around a campfire with some people, some could say. But my love for them deepened. And I could convey a million words in simply holding my good friends hand and watching the fire burn the past.

Kimono – Spell Designs // Tee – Skyline Fever on Etsy // Shorts – Target // Necklace – Lustre Boutique in Montreal // Sandals – Threadsence

Responsible Fashion

August 7, 2015
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2 COMMENTS

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Heading up to the cottage this past long weekend, I was yet again struck by the beauty that we have in nature. Also, the profound meaning and connection we can achieve by just sitting quietly and letting the world move around us.

In my daily life, I try to live as ethically and sustainably as possible. It’s a daily journey, and I’m not sure I’ll ever be 100% there. It’s hard when daily conveniences are, well, convenient.

Though having recently partnered with Ungalli clothing, a 100% sustainable and ethical Canadian clothing company, I had a lovely moment standing on the dock wearing the softest hoodie possible, knowing that in wearing it I had not brought harm to any of the beauty around me.

Hoodie – c/o Ungalli Clothing

This hoodie was the perfect running and lounging layer around the cottage – not too heavy and ultra snuggly. Kind of perfect for a day spent swimming, laying in the sun, and warming around a campfire.

Tank Top – c/o Ungalli // Overalls – Spell Designs // Necklace – Monserat de Lucca // Sandals – ThreadSence

Ungalli has a threefold mission. First, their clothes are made from recycled material. Second, they’re made in North America under our labor laws. Third, they partner with different environmental organizations to both promote *through their designs* and to donate money from every sale.

Yay!

But lest you think that these are only cottagey, camping clothes. Let’s be clear: they totally belong in any urban fashionistas arsenal. This tee is definitely in my favorite tees list. Not just because of the softness, but also because of the lovely uplifting message it has. Personally, it reminds me to be present in my life daily. To embrace and feel every moment, and imprint it in memory.

Tee – c/o Ungalli // Pants – Jens Pirate Booty via ThreadSence // Necklace – Gypsy Love Store // Hat – Threadsence // Rings – Etsy, F21, and heirlooms // Sandals – c/o Easy Spirit

Love to you and all the lovely creatures we share our planet with. Let’s do the best we can by making conscious choices, including clothing choices whenever possible.

*this post has been brought to you in

collaboration with Ungalli clothing*

The Cost of Personal Style (Or The $9 Dress)

July 2, 2015
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4 COMMENTS

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Style doesn’t have to cost much. Actually it can cost about nine dollars and a little time. Take this dress. It was bought at a fifty percent off sale items sale. I paid a whopping nine dollars for it. I knew the second I slipped it on that it fit my trifecta of sartorial love: it allowed ease of movement, it was light, and it had some great visual interest.

The only hitch was that for some reason, the way it was made the top was a touch see-through. This wouldn’t be a big deal except that you can’t exactly wear something under a backless dress like this. But none of that dissuaded me. I bought it.

Then I took an old navy liner from a skirt that had been torn beyond repair, and turned on Netflix. At the end of the episode, I had hand stitched in a little shelf bra/liner. Problem solved.

Moral of the story? Two actually.

1. Personal style is made from what you love, and not what is on trend *this dress was on sale because no one else wanted it* or what is expensive.

2. Just because an item isn’t perfect in store, doesn’t mean that a little tailoring or imagination can’t turn it into a piece you’ll love for a long time.

Dress – UO // Sandals – FreePeople // Sunnies – F21

Dance Like Everyone’s Watching, And No One Cares

June 22, 2015
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2 COMMENTS

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There’s this thing you can do here in Toronto. It’s called dance. I know what you’re thinking, “You can dance anywhere Jo.” But this isn’t regular dance. It’s a drug free, alcohol free, no talking, no judgement kind of dance. It’s called Ecstatic Dance. And for about two hours you dance.

You move. You feel the beat. No one is there to ‘pick-up.’ You don’t have to worry about creepers. There’s no club wear, just comfy clothing you can move in. People dance in silly ways. However they want, and it’s all great. Some do contact improv. Some, like me, just dance. Just get out of their heads, into their bodies, and enjoy the rhythm of the music as it flows through their body. It’s like Grey’s Anatomy where they dance it out – just for two hours.

And it’s glorious.

Shirts Dress – Spell Designs // Hat & my left hand ring – ThreadSence // Boots – Aldo // Belt – hand me down // Bracelet – eBay // Sunnies – F21 // Necklace – Vanessa Mooney // Rings *my right hand* – from my Babcia

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