Moda Mama

Heart on a Sleeve

September 16, 2015
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5 COMMENTS

As much as I try, as much as I claim to be jaded and cynical, I often fail. As a friend once said to me, “You think you are, you hope you are, but you’re not.” That same friend now routinely calls me ‘innocent.’

I think I’m far from that. I think I’m very pragmatic. And I am. But at the same time there’s a part of me that believes in unicorns and magic…or in my case, spaceships and heroes. *Think Mal from Firefly riding in on his beat up cargo hauler and rescuing the girl. He’s jaded and cynical but highly idealistic.*

I guess there’s that part that hopes people have the best intentions, and hopes that people have love in their heart, and will speak their truth. To be fair, as much as that will get me hurt, I don’t want to stop believing and hoping that every person I meet will be as truthful and gentle with me as I try to be with them. I know that’s not the case, but I choose to believe and act until shown otherwise.

No mystery here. I’m an open book. I hope you come to me the same.
If so, we can get a coffee.

If not, well…..speak softly and carry a big stick.
I carry a sword.

Overalls – Spell Designs // Tank – I forget *old* // Boots – Aldo // Sunnies – F21 // Bracelet – made by me.

TIFF 2015 in Full Swing

September 14, 2015
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6 COMMENTS

The Toronto International Film Festival is in it’s full blown glory. That means parties and events. Which means getting all dressed up. I’m okay with that.

I get to pull out my fancy stuff, and get all gussied up. I’m not one to wear heels often, but sometimes it’s fun to pull out the stops. In this case though, knowing I was going to be running around for hours, I opted for a low heel, with big impact.

White Romper – Black Daffodil in The Junction // Bag – BCBG *thrifted* // Boots – Browns // Earrings – Threadsence

*linking up with Not Dressed*

But Mostly, The Beach

August 26, 2015
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2 COMMENTS

The beach, a delicious dinner, a stroll along the marina, a show, and catching up with an old friend.

That was on the agenda. But mostly, the beach. And what a great agenda it was. I find the times when I get to sit around with friends the best of times.
Always brings a smile to my face.

Dress – Gunny Sack & Co. // Boots – Aldo // Necklace – Vanessa Mooney // Ring – bought at the Arts Festival // Sunnies – Lace Affair

Good Fear

August 17, 2015
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6 COMMENTS

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We all feel it. We all react to it. It’s fight or flight, right? We either run towards, or away from it. Fear, in some way or another, motivates us. I don’t think it’s all bad either. It’s just a part of our being. An emotion, both good and bad. It can hold us back, but it can also motivate us forward.

Trying new things. Being honest with someone. Telling people what you want, what you need. Pursuing dreams. Being yourself. There’s an element of fear in all of it. so, like I said, I don’t think it’s the bad emotion we think of.

I like the idea of fear. Usually when I feel fear, in our modern society, it’s not because of actual danger. It’s usually because there’s something I’m thinking of doing or saying that’s outside my comfort zone. In that case, I need to check in. Is this indeed something that I need/want to say/do?

If so, then the fear is a great barometer of my honest self. Am I being honest with my self? Truth and honest and full living, while deeply fulfilling can be a scary concept. Embrace the fear.

this post has been brought to you with a smile.

Romper & Kimono – ThreadSence *old* // Sunnies – c/o Woodzee // Necklace Homegrown Boutique // Boots – Aldo

Eat Your Heart Out, Boys.

July 27, 2015
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That’s right. Look at that poise, and grace.
Hot. I tell ya.
With a capital ‘H.’

With all seriousness, I love to make funny faces for the camera, and relish the use of a good prop. These glasses. Man these glasses are awesome. So ill fitting and ridiculous. And I usually have something equally ridiculous in my purse.

It comes in handy. For example, sitting at coffee with two friends who started talking all serious and I knew they would probably just bum each other out. I listened to them, then casually reached in and silently put on the glasses. No one noticed for a few seconds, but once they did. Laughs. And the serious mood was forgotten.

Plus, like I said: hot.

Dress – Ruche *old* // Boots – Aldo // Necklace – ThreadSence // Sunnies – F21

The Dress I Didn’t Wear

July 20, 2015
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2 COMMENTS

This past Friday I had a friend’s dance party, to celebrate her birthday. Now, you know I love to dance, and I love me a great dancing dress. I put this fringed backless dress on thinking it would be perfect for the evening. I do love it. But after taking these shots, I came home and did the test. Always do the test. Test out what you’re wearing with what you’re doing. Why? Because I dislike fashion holding back my actions. I don’t want to be limited in my motion. I like the freedom.

So the test: I danced like I would for one song. During that time, the slip moved too much for my liking. It moved too far north, if you know what I mean. And that was after one song of dancing.

Nothing, not fire, not weather, not fashion will take dancing away from me. In this and all cases, if it doesn’t function, it ain’t happening. So, though I wanted to wear this, I decided that dancing all night with no worries was, and always will be, my priority.

What does this mean for the dress? It means that until I manage to get an inch or two added to the slip, it’s a going out and hanging out dress. Not a dancing dress – that calls for some very specific requirements….which I’ll talk about in my next post when I show you what I did wear.

I know, you’re on the edge of your seats.

Here’s To Our Friendship Flaws

July 13, 2015
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6 COMMENTS

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I have very imperfect friends. Some overshare, some drink too much sometimes, some say stupid things at the most inopportune moments, some can be harsh …basically they make mistakes and have flaws, and are human.

All of them are well meaning, and caring, and accepting, and honest.

I can tolerate a lot as long those things are present. Tolerate isn’t the right word. A lot of things don’t bother me because of the presence of the others – that’s a better way to put it. In fact, I count on my friends being imperfect, because that means that they’ll hopefully be forgiving of my own imperfections. Of which I have many, and I try to surround myself with people who will forgive me when I say/do something stupid at the most inopportune of moments knowing that I probably don’t mean it, because I’d like to think I’m well meaning, caring, accepting, and honest.

Tee – Thrifted // Kimono – Arnhem // Shorts – Spell // Boots – Aldo // Bag – Target // Sunnies – I forget

Days of Contentment

June 29, 2015
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5 COMMENTS

The last few days, I danced for probably seven hours combined. It’s incredible how much energy and emotion is released into the world by the simple act of dance. I’ve been saying it for years, “Dance it out.” And I always understood Meredith’s *from Grey’s Anatomy* need to have a 30 second dance party. There’s always a good time to dance.

But more than that, I spent the weekend with the most wonderful people. Friends, and peers, who despite everyone’s flaws, accept and respect each other. No judgement and no expectations, except for the desire to ‘suck the marrow out of life.’

Dress – Spell Designs // Boots – F21 // Bracelet & Small gold ring – ThreadSence // Large Gem ring – small fair trade company // Flash Tattoos – eBay

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

On the Road Again

June 8, 2015
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4 COMMENTS

On my bike that is. My bicycle is tuned up and on the road. I know, I know, some people continue riding all year ’round. I admire those people…..those crazy people. Me? I like to ride my bike when it’s warm – ride all around the city – but not when it’s cold. So there’s this moment in Spring that occurs when the days are reliably warm enough that me and my bike are traipsing about town getting errands done.

It’s also really cool to be able to do that first 30 km ride and be totally fine afterwards. Here’s to cycle season!