Moda Mama

Hot Pink TIFF Party Dress

September 18, 2015
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7 COMMENTS

TIFF parties have been rampant, and I’ve gone to my fair share. Wish I could’ve shared all the outfits with you, but sometimes the day just got overwhelming.

Like this day. The day was packed, and my outfit choice for the evening had to be based on “What will still look good after being smushed in the bottom of a bag all day?” So that’s the big grandiose thought process behind this look.

I shot a conference all day, quickly changed in the bathroom, ran to a film premiere, then off I went to the party afterwards. Thank goodness for the trunk of a car which held all my clothes as they came flying on and off.

True, I could’ve passed on something. But when given the choice of spending an evening with good friends or not, I will do everything I can to make it happen.

Despite the crazy day, I managed to grab these shots in the underground parking lot – after just having changed out of work wear.

Moral of the story? A great stretchy dress rolled up in the bottom of a bag still looks pretty okay for a party at night.

Dress – UO // Shoes – Aldo // Clutch – H&M

You Say That Like It’s a Bad Thing

August 31, 2015
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2 COMMENTS

Star-Wars-Tank-mini-skirt-womens-fashion

Many people, most really, when they first meet me are surprised to learn about the raging nerd I am.

Sci-fi anything and I love it *B5, BSG, Doctor Who, Firefly, Star Trek, Star Wars, etc. etc.*
Post-apocalyptic, and you’ve got me transfixed.
RPG table top games, and I’m running two Firefly seasons.
Board games, and I’m parked at a table.
There is little end to my geekdom.

Then someone looks at me and says, “Wow Jo, you’re such a nerd.”
And I think, “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”

I believe in heroes. I believe in strength and the will to succeed against dire odds. I believe we can all be more than we are. I believe that humanity has a hope and will get better. I believe that even in the worst situations our better parts will survive. I believe that there is magic in the universe. I believe that we will travel the stars. I believe. I hope. That’s sci-fi and that’s fantasy.

So ya, I’m a nerd.

Star Wars tank – F21 // Skirt – ThreadSence // Sandals – Aldo // Sunnies – Lace Affair // Leather Bracelet – thrifted // Bead & Gold bracelet – Ruche

Castaway

August 19, 2015
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1 COMMENT

The day alternated between sudden bursts of rain – darkening the skies and raising the winds to a howling volume – to the gentle warmth of the sunshine bright and warm on the skin.

Either way, the private beach, our view for three days, was perfect. Down from the road, it felt like an isolated island in a series of magical little islands. I stood there imagining I was in another world. A world of tropical breezes, sun kissed skin, and the languorous arms of a lover wrapped around you.

Perfection, no matter how you define it.

Dress – Spell Designs // Belt – Guess // Necklace – TopShop

Good Fear

August 17, 2015
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6 COMMENTS

Floral-Lace-Romper-Kimono-Boho-womens-fashion

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

Finding Something

August 14, 2015
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5 COMMENTS

What is it that we’re trying to find? What is it? What is that thing we’re all looking for? Some say it’s happiness. Others contentment. Some says it’s excitement. Others peace. Some say it’s silence. Others the noise of life.

What are you spending a whole lot of time trying to find? And if I may dare ask the question, is it worth the effort?

So what is it we’re all chasing? And I wonder if we’ll get fulfillment if we find it.

Pants & Top – ThreadSence // Shoes – Modcloth // Necklace – vintage // Sunnies – F21

Chase You?

August 10, 2015
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4 COMMENTS

Remember the chase? That whole chase between men and women. The whole dance of he moves, and you either move with him or shut it down. I like that chase.

I know it’s not cool to say, but I like being chased. I like being wooed. I like when a man pursues and a woman agrees. Here’s the key of course, it’s a dance, that means two. That means in the chase, the woman consents and agrees to the chase. It’s mutual. Consent. So with that firmly stated….I like the chase.

I like it when a man reaches for you. I like it when he moves to close the distance. Perhaps because I’m so strong and in charge in my life, I like it when a man can reach the same pace as me. When he can be strong and in charge, and I can let go.

‘Course sometimes it’s fun to be in charge too. Don’t get me wrong.
Just saying, I appreciate the chase.

Dress – Lace Affair // Earrings & Shoes – I forget // Bag – Target

Messy Hair, Don’t Care

July 28, 2015
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2 COMMENTS

There’s this image that bloggers, mostly fashion and lifestyle, present.

Of course, it’s the perfectly lit and edited photos showcasing the oh-so-effortlessly-chic outfit that looks absolutely perfect. Yet the reality is this. This photo above taken at the end of the day. Hair is messy and sweaty from the thirty five minutes I literally just spent biking in high heat and humidity. The braid has become mussed from the day as well. And this outfit was more utilitarian than chic.

What you don’t see is the coffee spill from rushing. Or the ketchup that slipped out and onto pants. Or the wrinkles that happen when you’ve sat and just lived in clothes. You don’t see that. Because outfit photos are usually taken before all that, or it’s photoshopped out. And you definitely don’t see such stellar, model worthy shots like the graceful one below:

Shirt – UO // Shorts – Target // Sandals – ThreadSence *old* // Necklace – Vanessa Mooney // Rings – assortment of fair trade artisan, and hand me downs from my Grandma.

Mind Games

July 15, 2015
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2 COMMENTS

A friend and I were talking briefly about mind games. Mainly how people seem to play them a lot. And we both agreed that this is part of the reason we have such difficulty navigating the world sometimes – because I hate mind games. I don’t get it. I don’t like it. And I by nature do not engage in them. I usually take people at face value. But I’ve learned to reign in that instinct, because I’ve been burned.

But at the same time, mind games take up so much energy and are frankly, draining. Often, we spend hours obsessing over something – say a crush – instead of just saying, “Hey, this is how I feel, how ’bout it?” That takes waaaaay less energy and is not confusing at all.

So raise a toast to the folks who don’t engage in mind games. To the ladies, like myself, who are a ‘what you see, is what you get’ kind of gal.

Now let’s go dance.

Dress – Sheinside // Necklace – Gypsy Love Store // Shoes – Payless // Bralette – F21

Cheeky

June 24, 2015
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2 COMMENTS

Who doesn’t love being a little cheeky? A little coy and innocent on the outside but a tempest of wit and salaciousness inside?
Enter the French brand, Lochers. Because who else does the cheeky innocent better than the French.

Top – Lochers // Skirt – One Rad Girl // Shoes – Aldo // Sunnies – F21 // Bracelet & Earrings – Ruche

Sometimes the World

June 19, 2015
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2 COMMENTS

Sometimes our brains freeze up. At least mine does.
Sometimes I don’t know who I am supposed to be, and have trouble reconciling that with who I am.
Sometimes my heart feels too many feels and then I become confused about what I’m feeling.
Sometimes I feel like a little girl, not knowing which way to go, and thinking everyone is an adult around me and has it all figured out.
Sometimes I just need to stop and dance.