Category :Dresses

Man o’ Bear

Dress & Boots – Threadsence
Belt, Socks, Necklace & Hat – F21
I’m a bit obsessed with the show Man vs Wild right now, and this week I’m grieving the loss of Bear Grylls as the shows lead.  Contract negotiations caused Discovery and Bear to go their separate way and I’m really sad because to me, he totally made the show.  But on a bright note, I still have several seasons of Bear to watch on Netflix.  Also, recently Andrew has gotten into it as well.  I think it’s because I may have said something about Bear being my current crush…maybe.
Quote of Today:
“Smack Mommy’s bum bum!”

Dare I Hope For Soon?

Dress – Ruche
Sweater – made by my Babcia
The warm front we had for a few days made it seem like the fresh joy of Spring was just around the corner.  Now it’s freezing outside again.  So cold, that neither man nor beast dares to venture out of doors.  I long for the days when I pull out my sunhat and sunglasses and leave the toque and scarf abandoned in the far corner of the closet.  So I look wistfully outside my windows and wonder, “Maybe soon?”
Dare I hope?
True Story:
Drake the Dog reached for baby’s food.  
She frowned, looked at him and said, “No, no, no” while wagging her finger.  
It’s funny to see yourself reflected in your toddler’s eyes.

Key To A Large And Lasting Wardrobe

Sweater  – Esprit
Dress – Ruche
Necklace – Mama Nest Designs
Tights – Hue
Boots – Locale 

Some friends over the years have remarked about the large closet of clothes I own, and they’re right I do own a lot.  But here’s the secret to the *as a friend once put it* ‘most extensive wardrobe I’ve ever seen’ : meticulous care, flexibility, and patience.

I have clothes I got in high school still hanging in my closet and they’re still in good condition because I care for my pieces.  I take care to follow the instructions on the label and make sure that everything is treated well so that it lasts.  What I mean by meticulous care is following the washing, ironing, and hanging instructions so as to prolong the life of the article.  That doesn’t mean I treat my clothes like museum pieces.  I’ll wear my
pretty dresses in the park with Baby and don’t care if they get muddied
and dirty.  After all, it’s about looking good while you live your life.

Also, I never say no.  When someone offers a hand me down bag of clothes, or my mom spring/winter cleans her closet I never turn it down.  Chances are I’ll find one or two pieces in there that I can work into my wardrobe in an unique way.

Finally, patience.  I like to shop and purchase fun pieces, but I don’t have a huge budget nor do I like to spend a lot on clothes.  So I’ll wait.  I’ll save my birthday and X-mas money for months and months, sometimes I have gift certificates from the season before still in my wallet when the next holiday rolls around.  If I see a dress, top, or skirt I really like I won’t buy it.  I’ll wait.  I’ll wait for a discount code, or a sale, or something else of that nature.  If I miss it and it sells out, no worries, there will be something else just as pretty soon enough…and it just might be 50% off.  Basically, don’t get attached to a piece then you won’t ‘have to have’ it, and two months from now it may be on sale.

Just one last note, don’t be afraid to return.  If it doesn’t work, fit or for some reason you doubt it.  Return it.  No harm, no foul.  That’s what those policies are for.

p.s. I love that the sock bun is making a resurgence.  I’ve been doing this
for years now, but lately it seems every blogger is talking about it. 
So yay! I’m so glad that foot wear in your hair is becoming mainstream.
The best part is the curls it leaves you with afterwards.  Just like the
ones you see in the pictures.

True Story:
Baby stood on the edge of the toilet even though I told her not to.  
She fell right in.  Soaked to the waist. 
She started crying, clearly traumatized. 
I stripped her, changed her, and held her…while giggling to myself just a wee bit. 
Another bad mother moment.

Resuming Life

Sweater – Jacob
Dress – Ruche
Belt – F21
Tights – Hue
Boots – Locale
I’m back!  Yes, I’ve been away and that’s why there’s been a great silence from me on social media.  I’ve been away ten days, and I came home last night to wine, chocolate, a foot massage, and some cuddle time with Andrew, and of course lots of quality time with Baby.  I missed her so much!  But at the same time it was wonderful to have the freedom to go out late into the night, have a little too much wine, dance like there’s no tomorrow, and just generally carry on silly.  Sometimes you need a vacation from the everyday.  But at the same time it’s amazing to get back to life as usual.
True Story:
Walked with Baby to a playgroup at the local school.  
She walked by a young woman waiting at the bus stop.  
Then turned around and said, “Bye, Bye” and waved.  
Then she blew the girl a kiss.  The girl blew a kiss back.  
Baby laughed and continued walking…for about three feet before she turned around and repeated the whole process. 
Again, and again, walking about three feet each time. 

A Little Bit Closer

Sweater – made by my Babcia
Dress – Ruche
Tights – F21
Shoes – Payless
I love cozy days where you just spend the day wrapped up in warmth and comfort.  On days like that I usually find myself missing my Babcia and reach for one of the sweaters she made for me on her last visit to Canada.  When I wear these I feel a little closer to familial comfort and the ocean between us feels just a touch smaller.  That’s what I’m thankful for today – family.  I can’t wait to see mine tomorrow morning!

This Reverie

Sweater – Gap
Dress – Ruche
Tights – Hue
Boots – Locale

Ever find that some winter days just feel so quiet?  It’s not necessarily a tangible thing, more like a feeling hanging in the air, but it feels like the world hushes itself a touch, and a stillness abounds.  Some days I look outside my window and feel this global pause…until my baby girl’s excited babbles interrupt my reverie and bring a smile to my face.

Oh, and don’t forget to check out two spots from BevMo here, that I shot a while back. 

True Story:
Baby made her first sandwich.
Applesauce spread on a piece of toasted and buttered bread. 
By her proud reaction, I’m guessing it’s yummy. 

What Now?

Necklace – c/o Scarlet Samples
Sweater – Esprit
Top – Costa Blanca
Dress – Ruche
Socks & Tights – F21
Boots – Locale
I love that I got to spend the whole day with Andrew for Valentine’s Day – thanks to some very obliging Gandparents of course!  We had a great time going out to lunch, dessert, playing board games, doing some shopping, etc, etc.  It was also nice to get a whole day out without a little baby with us, but at one point we just sat down in the middle of mall not knowing what to do with ourselves.  We have not had free time for so long that once we had it we had no idea how to fill it.  It was quite funny, we just looked at each other wondering, “What now?”  
On another note, this dress is far too loose on me to know what to do with, so I’m tackling the challenge of turning it into a proper fitting skirt. Oh boy!  I’m nervous, but hey I’ve gotta try right?
True Story:
After bath time, my little babe decides to climb onto her toilet seat…naked.  
Sit there for fifteen minutes…naked. 
Grunt a little and talk a lot….naked. 
Eventually I took her off, but she wanted to stay….naked.

Ride Your Wild Horses

Sweater – Gap
Top – hand me down
Hair Bow – Ruche
Tights & Earrings – F21
Shoes – Payless
Dress – Ruche *sold out* 
Get it at Threadcase in Red and at ShopSosie in Black.
Every time I wear a horse print, so really this dress because it’s the only horse print I own thus far, my mind starts playing U2’s “Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses.” It’s amazing how music, like scent, can just stay in your brain and spring to the forefront with just the right trigger.  It’s like a tangible road mark for memories and feelings.  Some music and some scents just take you to a different place and time… whether you want to go there or not.

True Story:
We’re all dressed for a walk and we turn to ask Baby if she wants to go.
*she usually loves to go* 
She grabs a book, sits down in a corner, and shakes her head, “No.”  
Then smiles a, “Nope, not happening” smile.
Got a mind of her own that one.

Hidden Treasures

Sweater – Gap

Dress – c/o eShakti
Shoes -Locale
Tights – F21

Lately I find myself browsing Etsy more and more.  I’m longing for the handmade, the special, the unique and Etsy is where I can find it.  But even there a lot of the things look the same, or very similar, and I find myself once more trying to find the unique and the special amidst all these handmade pieces.  It sometimes feels overwhelming and I have to step away and withdraw from the on flux of materials and colors, but sometimes if I persevere I can find my way to gems like This Enchanted Pixie. I love this collection of handmade pieces – they’re full of whimsy and a free spirited feeling.  This necklace makes me think of walking on the beach on a cool day and hearing the waves crash, while this one makes me remember strolling down the side streets of Paris with a macaron in hand.  These treasures are why I always make my way back to Etsy, like a friend full of inspiration, it’s always there.

True Story:
Baby’s new favorite game?  
Putting dog food down the heating vent.  
Anytime we turn our backs or walk out of the room, there she is at it again. 
Poor Drake scratches at the vent.

Colors, Oh My!

Sweater – hand me down
Belt & Tights – F21
Dress – Ruche
Shoes – Payless
Bag – Aldo
Earrings – c/o  This Enchanted Pixie

I received these amazing earrings from This Enchanted Pixie along with a necklace and planned an outfit around both pieces *you’ll see that soon*, but they’re just so amazing that I couldn’t resist sneaking them into this outfit first.  I’m so glad I did!  Not only did I receive two compliments on them, but they feel so great on that I just felt like I had a little something extra, you know?  Personally, I think that these yellow ones are just too cute for words, so I suggest you grab them and rock them!

Bright colors are so hot for winter.  They’re no longer reserved just for Spring and Summer, and I’m so thankful because, as you can tell, I can’t resist a bold splash of color in the middle of a grey and cold February. I think what I like most about it is that it’s unexpected.  Not many expect to see such bright colors especially in downtown Toronto in a business district.  I know I turned a few heads because of that, but hopefully I brought at least a smile to one.

True Story:
Baby pulled out a bag of baby carrots from the fridge, and methodically bit into each and every one. 
Then handed each and every one to me.  
She expects them to be soft – like when cooked – and had a puzzled expression on her face as to why they were hard and crunchy.
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