Category :Jackets

At-ten-shion!

Top – Gap
Jacket – Old Navy
Skirt – Spotted Moth
Shoes – Payless
Necklace – I made it!

We’re working on trying to reclaim the yard from the weeds and clovers that the former owners let run wild.  Every year we win one more battle.  This year I dug out a lot of the monster weeds that threatened to invade our yard last summer.  I’m hoping that if I’m vigilant they will be slowly snuffed out.  Soldiers! Shovels at the ready!

Quote of Today:
“Don’t worry, our lactose intolerant dog is taking care of the milk spill.”

Great Day!

Jacket – Smart Set
Shirt – H&M
Scarf – Lace Affair
Jeans – Gap
Shoes – Payless
Sunglasses – thrifted

There was a large heat wave one of the days this week, and Baby and I decided to take advantage of it by having a fantastic day together.  We walked to school for kids group, ran around the gymnasium, then after her nap headed out for the entire afternoon getting some things done, but also and more importantly, spending about an hour at a playground having a ball.  But even that hour was not enough for her because when I told her it was time to leave she started crying and fighting with me.  I knew it was time though, when the fight didn’t last long at all and the thumb was in the mouth within seconds.  She was tired.  She was so knackered after our day I had to put her to bed early so she would have time to relax and wind down in the dark silence of her room.  During this interlude, Mommy enjoyed some of her delicious port.  Boy, did we have a great day! 

True Story:
Baby has no idea how to drink with a straw.  She made me open my unsweetened fruit iced tea so that she could drink it.  Then she thought the straw was a toy that came with the drink.  *sigh*

Top Price For A Winter Coat?

I saw this in the paper as an encouragement to shop Canadian – to shop our local and native companies.  And I’d love to but frankly look at those prices!  The cheapest coat there is $450.  That’s more than I spent on my last two winter coats combined, and the only reason I spent even that much was because one coat was stolen and so I had to go get another one.   That’s the one beef I have about local and native businesses, as much as I’d love to support them the price tag is just way out of my reach. I know it’s because of fair wages, etc, etc.  But there has to be some way to keep the prices more in check.  I know some people can afford to spend that much, but I not only can’t, I also won’t.  To me it’s just too much to drop on one item.  But that’s me.

How much would you spend on a coat?  How much have you ever spent on a coat and would you change that?  I’d love to hear your thoughts and opinions. 

Awkward, Awesome, And Sick

So…..the garbage men were watching me shoot these pics.  Awkward!

Jacket & Dress – Smart Set; Cardigan – H&M; Scarf – street stand; Tights – Hue; Shoes – Clarks.

This was my first shoot of the day, and it didn’t start off so great.  I had the garbage men staring, wondering why in the world someone would be taking pictures of themselves in front of their house.  But the second shoot of the day went a lot better I think.  Awesome! I’ll share those shots with you when I get them.  And I think I nailed my audition later on.

But then when I got home I started to really succumb to my cold, and now it’s totally full blown to the point where I spent most of the day on the couch watching 90210 on Netflix.  Sick! The pizza lunch was yummy though.  Hope you’re all doing a lot better than I am! 

p.s. I love make-up.  It makes me looks like I’m not at all sick.

p.p.s.  check me out guest posting over here today.  I’m sharing housecleaning tips, and general thoughts…crazy I know.  Who would have thought I had house cleaning tips?  Or thoughts for that matter?

Tomorrow’s Daily Challenge:
Do something nice for someone you love for.

Textbook Mama

Sweater & Jacket – Jacob; Scarf – Street Stand; Arm Warmers – Ruche; Jeans – AE; Belt – ?; Shoes – Payless; Socks – Hue.
 

First off, I’m not usually one to wear turtlenecks – I kind of hate them – but I’ll make an exception for a black, soft knit fitted one. What I really like is pairing it with loose boyfriend jeans.  I like the contrast of sleek and loose and relaxed. It was a perfect outfit for playgroup. Husband called me a New York Bohemian.

But moving on.  I just had to share this with you.

A cool six week series has started at The Toronto Star examining childbirth all over the world.  They started with this focus article on Haiti.   This particular region was spared the earthquake devastation, and that makes this all the more unpalatable.

The conditions were shocking: no running water, no electricity, no sanitation, no ambulances, no operating rooms, and also therefore no c-sections.  Just women crammed into a dirty room in unsanitary conditions with one doctor for them all.  Needless to say, mortality for both Mother and Child is high. “More women die during childbirth in Haiti than in any other country in the Western Hemisphere…For every 100,000 live births, 630 Haitian mothers perish…In Canada, only seven die.” Haiti also holds the “regional record for infant mortality.”

Reading this article was like reading a piece of horror fiction.  My mind constantly asked, “Is this really happening in the world?” It’s scary to think.

I gave birth naturally here in Toronto, Canada in a pristine and sanitized hospital room surrounded by both family and two midwives, running water, a personal bathroom, doctors, medication, and an operating room ready and waiting should there be any complication.  I thought I had it bad because it hurt so much, felt like it went on forever, and I felt like my midwife pushed her beliefs a little too forcefully regarding how I should deliver.  *Really, I had a ‘textbook’ labor according to my midwives – perfect with no complications* Now, after reading these conditions I count myself blessed.  I gave birth in a situation where I knew that my chances of living, and my baby’s chances of living, were extremely high no matter the possible complications.

I can’t imagine delivering under those circumstances.  My heart bleeds for these brave women.  It grieves for them too, and their young lost babes.  It may be a little cliche, but I feel united with them because we are all women, we are all mother. There should be no reason for conditions like these in 2012.

Tomorrow’s Challenge:
Notice one thing you take for granted that others don’t have and give thanks for it – to God, the Universe, or whatever you may believe in. 
For my challenge yesterday I tried to barge my way in to four people’s offices for impromptu meetings.  It didn’t go so well: one wasn’t there, two I couldn’t get past the receptionist, and one actually met with me.  But at least I did it!

P.S. The winner of the Ruche giveaway is announced here. If you didn’t win, don’t worry I’ve got more giveaways coming up soon!

CopyCat

Scarf – street stand; Jacket – Jacob; Bag – Matt by Matt&Nat; Sweater – F21; Dress – Ruche; Tights – Hue; Shoes – Clarks.

I saw this outfit on The Clothes Horse a while back and knew that since I owned the same dress I just had to recreate that look.  You know what they say about imitation.  But I wasn’t crazy about the color of her sweater for myself; it looked great on her, but I knew that it just wouldn’t feel right on me.  So when I found this poodle sweater on F21, I knew it was the perfect way to recreate that darling outfit.  And well, I had a certificate burning a hole in my pocket, so I made sure to snag it.  What’s funny is that the very day it arrived at my door, I saw Rose a la Mode wearing the exact same sweater.  Great minds, huh?  Anyway, I’ve been saving this outfit for a day when I get to go out for a bit, and I finally got the chance, so here it is!  Yeah poodles!  Yeah horses!  Yeah mixing prints!

This outfit was a hit with both the Moms and the kids that I help teach.  Cross-generational outfit?  yes, please!

Quote of Today:
“If I just clean it, it’s clean.”

Smiling

Jacket – Old Navy, Dress and Undertunic Ruche; Belt – AE; Shoes – Payless.

The thing I love about dresses is just how easy it is to slip them on and go.  I wore this outfit a little bit ago, when it was warm and just never got around to posting it.  This dress was one of my first purchases from Ruche, and it’s definitely a good decision.   I love how it’s feminine, comfortable and easy to wash *big bonus for a busy mama* But what I like most about it is that it always makes me smile.  It’s just not possible to be down when you have on a pretty pink dress with flowers all over it.

If you have a moment, check out my guest post over here.  I’m writing about all things vintage and thrifted.  I love me some cheap clothes!

True Story:
Baby grabbed a lemon and started licking it.  
Then making that sour face we all know.  
Then licking it again.  
Repeat.

Slightly Altered

Is it a top, or a dress? It’s a mystery!  No, really it’s not.  Read on.

I really like this dress, but it’s actually really short on me.  Doesn’t look it in the picture because I’m not moving at all. But it’s so short, that now that I’m a little older I shouldn’t be wearing it.  But I really do love the pattern and cut.  So rather than give it away or stash it, I decided to alter it.

*side note: best outfit shots ever!  check out Baby!*

Top – F21 *altered*; Blazer – Esprit; Belt – AE; Jeans – Guess; Shoes – Payless.

Made it into a shirt!  I’m not a very handy woman.  But I do have some minor sewing skills.  I don’t however, own a sewing machine.  So I asked my lovely Mama and she was more than willing to hem this little number for me.

Now it’s a really cute top!

P.S.  Sorry no Tuesday In Review today.  I promise I’ll get back on track next week!

Quote of Today:
“Pumpkin everything!”

Dressing Can Be Hard

Jacket – F21; Belt – Threadsence; Sweater – Costa Blanca; Dress – Guess; Boots – Feet First; Bag – Matt by Matt&Nat.

The weather is very weird and hard to dress for.  This morning when getting ready and when leaving it was chilly, but by about 11:30am it was humid and hot.  So it’s a matter of dressing in layers, and considering each layer as it comes.  For example, once the mercury rose a touch, I ditched the jacket, then I ditched the sweater leaving a belt around my waist for interest.  Finally, around 2pm once it got even hotter, I couldn’t handle anything constricting my waist any longer.  And out came the sun hat.  I’ll show you that tomorrow since it involved a fun walk around the pond with Baby and the In-Laws *down for Thanksgiving*

I could use more suggestions for dressing for such weather.  Any thought?

Quote of Today:
“I think she’s calling you a duck.”

Voting 101

Jacket – Spotted Moth; Cardi – Anthropologie; Jeans – Guess; Shirt – thrifted; Scarf – street stand; Shoes – Payless.

Today is election day.  And I’m hoping everyone’s going out to vote.  Recently, us young people have been dropping at the polls.  We just don’t get out there to vote, and those younger than us get out even less.  I think it’s out general apathy towards things lately.  But I recently introduced a short film on Movieola the moral of which is the power of one individual to affect their environment.  And I think we underestimate what we can do.  Sure, my one vote won’t do anything.  But my one vote, coupled with millions of other ‘one’ votes can change the outcome of government.  So to my Canadian readers: vote!  And to the rest of my readers: vote when you can.

I’ll ask you this before I leave, why do you think people don’t vote?  Why do you think it’s a specific problem in the younger generation?

Side bar:  I’m absolutely in love with how soft this jacket is.  And don’t worry, it’s fake! Plus, the wide collar makes me feel all pimped up.  That’s not something I usually associate with myself.

Quote of Today:
“Drake stop barking at your shadow”
Follow on Instagram