Moda Mama

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

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

Lush Green Trees and a Little Creek

June 26, 2015
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6 COMMENTS

Finding little places like this, low in a valley and hidden from the city, is like entering a secret garden.
Logically, I know that this place is frequented by many.
But emotionally, it feels like my own secret place.
Quiet and undiscovered.

It just begs and cries out for a little twirling and dancing.

Kimono – Spell Designs // Top – SheIn // Shorts – Target // Sandals – Threadsence // Hat – I forget // Necklaces – Vanessa Mooney and Monserat de Lucca

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!

Kimono – Arnhem // Romper – Ruche // Fedora – ThreadSence // Boots – Aldo // Necklace – FreePeople // Sunnies c/o Woodzee

Adventuring in Kimonos

May 22, 2015
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2 COMMENTS

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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*

Serenity

May 8, 2015
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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

If I could Coachella…

April 17, 2015
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10 COMMENTS

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….I would. If I could take the time off. If I had the finances. If I lived closer. I totally would. But I can be there in sartorial spirit. In fact, I pretty much live there in sartorial spirit. Here’s to all of us who wish to be there. Here’s to the dreamers, the lovers, the make believers. I’m right there with you.

Love. Peace.

Duster & Tee – Spell Designs // Jeans – Dittosbrand // Boots – Aldo // Necklace – bought in Spain // Belt – Lucky Brand // Sunnies – UO // Bead Bracelet – Ruche // Silver cuffs – gifts from Poland.

Fashion Week and the Persistence of Black Clothing Everywhere: A Call To Arms

March 27, 2015
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2 COMMENTS

Kimono – Arnhem // Top – UO // Jeans – Dittos via UO // Boots – Locale // Necklace – bought in Spain // Rings – F21 & misc

This week has been all about Toronto Fashion week – or World Mastercard Fashion Week. What I’ve found most interesting in attending the shows is that while the clothing on the runway is fascinating and creative, this isn’t the case in the fashion industry attendees. *before anyone gets up in arms, I’m not talking about every single person – I’m talking about numbers here. The vast majority*

The shows are vibrant and unique, and though they aren’t all things I personally would wear or I personally love, they are all interesting to look at. I’m sorry to criticize or rub people the wrong way, but the persistence of a sea of black at fashion week is to me unacceptable. I’m not saying that wearing black is uninspired. It’s that the black outfit is interesting if it’s the only one. But when the same outfit – you know, the black tight pants, black heels and a variety of ‘urban chic’ blazer/top – is multiplied by five hundred it becomes banal.

The attendees of fashion week are those in the industry. The leaders, the representatives, the lovers. This is where we should all be showing our own personal style. Where colors, textures and patterns should come alive.

I’m not talking about peacocking *that fad of wearing ridiculous clothes to be photographed by the press at these events* I’m talking about every attendee celebrating the freedom of expression and joy of design that I feel fashion affords. But no, I walk in and see twenty black pleather leggings, ten thousand black pumps, and a vast ocean of black with a very occasional dot of color.

Is it wrong for me to make a call to arms for us, the industry representatives, to celebrate what’s beautiful about fashion – self expression and personal style? If so I don’t want to be right.

I’ll be that non pleather-legging-flat-booted-bright-colored-messy-haired pariah, and it’s okay that I stand alone. I’m an introvert anyway.

Miami Outfit: Travelling Between Climates

March 9, 2015
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3 COMMENTS

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Kimono/Cardigan – Arnhem // Queen top – F21 // Shorts – Spell Designs // Boots – DIYed myself // Necklace – Vanessa Mooney via ThreadSence

The Miami outfit posts are coming in now. Monday’s walk through Coconut Grove and along the waterfront was glorious. And I couldn’t resist changing into shorts at the first opportunity. These Spell shorts are fabulous. I sized up in them just a touch because I wanted the extra length in the bum. As in, I wanted my bum fully covered when I was walking.

This Arnhem maxi cardigan was definitely perfect in the day to protect from the sun, and in the evening to protect from the cooler breeze. Plus, it stole the show everywhere I went. People were constantly remarking on it.

I wore this while travelling from Toronto with Jeans. It provided enough warmth in the snowy weather, and then with a quick switch out to the shorts was perfect in the higher temperatures of Miami. When I’m travelling like this I like to think about what will easily work with both climates so that you’re comfortable and not freezing or boiling on one end.

Side note: it also makes the perfect thing to wear when your breezing through the hotel on the way to the pool and back.

Spelly Service

February 13, 2015
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10 COMMENTS

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Kimono – Spell Designs via Turquoise Lane Shop // Top – Ruche *old* // Jeans – Dittos via UO // Necklace – TopShop // Scarf – SheInside

I know customer service. I run my own business, and to me customer service is paramount. There are many talented people who can deliver a wonderful product, and that’s true of any business. But what sets certain companies apart is their customer service.

I recently had a terrible experience with a company that shall not be named because I don’t like to speak ill if I can avoid it. Without getting into details, they did not disclose certain aspects of the product and were downright rude when I contacted them regarding it, and did nothing to resolve the situation. The whole experience left a bad taste in my mouth – metaphorically. I will certainly never shop there again.

What’s poignant is that at the same time I had an issue arise with Spell. It was simply an unfortunate series of events, with no one being at fault per se. They could have done what the other company did, which was essentially to say, “Whatever. What are you gonna do about it?” But no.

Not only did Elizabeth, one of the owners, contact me and make sure I was taken care of, but also Emma, one of the customer service reps, was methodical in her resolution. They went above and beyond. Above and beyond what I hoped, and certainly above what I expected.

By doing so, I felt like I was valued not just for my credit card number, but valued as a person who they want to have great retail relationship with. I feel like customer service is about the bigger picture: knowing what your company’s mission statement and attitude is towards others. And Spell certainly has a very positive one.

Plus, the clothes are super awesome! That Hendrix jacket on my dreamlist. And clearly, not even a snowstorm will stop me from wearing one of their kimonos.

*linking up with Trend Spin*

Category :Kimonos