Moda Mama

Dance Like Everyone’s Watching, And No One Cares

June 22, 2015
/
2 COMMENTS

Spell-Designs-Shirt-Dress-Fedora-Ankle-Boots

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

Free Spirited and Willful Child

June 12, 2015
/
2 COMMENTS

I love that my girl is strong willed and free spirited. But does she have to be soooo strong willed and free spirited? About bed time? And about food? And about, oh well, everything??? It’s like corralling sheep where the sheep are baring their teeth, not listening, have spikes on their hides, and laser beams shooting at you from their heads. It’s just like that.

She’s freakin’ cute and sweet as hell, but when that other side comes out, watch out! Plus, you know there’s only so many questions a woman can answer in a day before that questioning inflection at the end of a sentence makes your brains explode.

Obviously, I love that she’s very inquisitive, but dear Lord do I breathe a sigh of relief once she goes to bed and I have no more questions being pelted at me in rapid fire succession.

Pass the wine.

Vest – H&M // Cardi – Old Navy // Dress – Ruche // Boots – Aldo // Socks – F21 // Necklace – FreePeople

Sartorial Loves and Being Shoeless

May 27, 2015
/
1 COMMENT

Light rompers are so great. I really can’t get enough of them. But it seems there are a lot of things I can’t get enough of: fringe, kimonos, lace, dresses…..okay pretty much everything. I think it’d be easier to list my sartorial dislikes *like Uggs and Crocs* rather than my likes. But back to my point, rompers are great. Really great.

I especially loved the purple and blue mix on this one.

Also, can I just please apologize for the lack of shoes in this post? I spent little time actually wearing shoes, but more than that my tripod wouldn’t fit in my suitcase. Therefore, I was limited to shooting by placing my camera on things that happened to be around – which was needless to say a little awkward. Ah the troubles of being in paradise, am I right?

Playsuit – Arnhem

Adventuring in Kimonos

May 22, 2015
/
2 COMMENTS

Spell-Designs-kimono-purplue-Jens-Pirate-Booty-Lace-Pants

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*

How I Despise “Must” Haves

March 23, 2015
/
7 COMMENTS

Xanadu-spell-designs-dress-boho-maxi-festival-style

Xanadu Dress – Spell Designs // Sweater – UO // Boots – Aldo // Sunnies, Necklace & Belt – F21 // Bag – Target

I don’t know if it’s my rebellious nature, or just my cynical view on things, but I seriously dislike when anyone posts articles on “Must Haves.” It’s applicable across the board, but I’m mostly referring to fashion posts here. The “Must Haves in Every Closet”, “Must Haves for Spring” etc., etc. You know what I’m talking about. Us women have seen them, and continue to see them every season.

Every magazine and blogger always has these “Must Have” articles. Frankly, I think it’s ridiculous. Why ‘must’ you have it? What’s gonna happen if you don’t? You don’t need to have anything except weather appropriate clothing to keep you safe from the elements. That’s what you ‘must have’ and even then, if you don’t well, that’s at your own risk. You’re a grown up and can make those choices for yourself.

Further, these must haves are not applicable to everyone, so why must you have them? I don’t own a crisp button up white shirt. I haven’t owned one for about eight years. It’s on everyone’s ‘Must Have’ list, yet I haven’t needed it for eight years. So perhaps it’s not actually a ‘Must-Have’?

These are generic lists for generic people and they don’t reflect individuality. They should be called “suggested haves.” Because not only do they paint you inside a generic box, but they also make you feel like you are somehow without or lacking if you don’t own these things. I call bullshit on that. I don’t own a set of classic black pumps. And thought I do have a classic black blazer, I honestly have worn it for about nine years. So why must I have these things? Clearly I don’t.

What must you have in your wardrobe? Those pieces that define you and that function in your lifestyle. That’s it. That’s all you ‘must have’ and tell anyone who says differently to shove it somewhere.

Functionality and Personality

February 10, 2015
/
2 COMMENTS

Raglan Top – Spell Designs // Blazer – Zara // Jeans – Gap

A bad cold all week *read: snot, coughing, and other yuckiness* plus -24 degree temperatures outside meant that I’ve been living in PJs and fleece pants in the house. And knitting. I’ve been on the couch binge watching Law & Order: SVU and knitting. I know how to party y’all!

Or I know how to sit on my butt and be sick.

But, this blazer, jeans, and graphic shirt combo was something I wore a bit ago to work on a photoshoot. I was shooting the promo shots for a web series, and there’s always that fine line that I have to tread in my wardrobe as a photographer.

My clothes have to be functional – I move gear, balance, build, and twist myself into strange positions if need be to get the shot – but I also need to maintain a certain level of professionalism. So, it’s that balance of professional cool and functionality.

And hey, a little personality doesn’t hurt either.

Here’s an action shot from the day that my assistant took.

Clean

December 31, 2014
/
4 COMMENTS

Dress – Ruche // Sweater – hand me down // Cardigan – – UO // Boots – Aldo // Long Necklace – I forget // Short Necklace – Vanessa Mooney

The end of 2014. To be honest, I’m kind of glad it’s over today. The last year has been challenging *let’s use that word shall we* and though 2015 is not off to a great start, at least with the unknown there’s the possibility and the *dare I say* hope that things will change for the better.

One thing is nice, I’ve been working my way through the house slowly over the last few days, cleaning everything. I mean everything: washing walls, washing baseboards, moving all the furniture out of the way, emptying, cleaning, and sorting everything. And it feel so much better to walk through the areas of the house that have been done. They are as clean as when we moved into the house and it de-stresses me in a wonderful way.

New Year, clean start. Symbolic perhaps? Let’s hope.

Mom Style

August 13, 2014
/
14 COMMENTS

Raw Hem Jeans – Dittos via UO // Marrakesh Top, Fedora, & Sandals – ThreadSence // Tank – H&M // Scarf – c/o Kish+Evie // Sunnies, Earrings & Bracelet – F21 // Necklace – Lulus

What is it? Really? To me, mom style is the style of a woman who happens to be a mom. I know to some it means dowdy, or haphazard. But I disagree. How did we women get to be moms? By being hot, and attractive…because let’s think a moment about how one becomes pregnant. Think on that for a moment.

Now that you’ve thought about it.

I believe it’s a misnomer to think that once one has a child one has to suddenly forget that you have curves and sex appeal. Yes, there are the pressures of time and the constraints given to thinking about style. But jeans, a fun top, and great hat would solve any and all such occasional time constraints, would they not?

Those are my two cents for the day.

*linking up with WIWW*

You Can Take The Girl Out Of The Nerd…

July 16, 2014
/
3 COMMENTS

Star Wars Tee – so old I have no idea // Pants – Season JR // Shoes – ModCloth // Sunnies – Lace Affair // Necklace – Monserat de Lucca

…but you can’t take the nerd out of the girl. Clearly, my nerd-dom still rides strong and free. To be fair, no one has as of yet taken the girl out of the nerd either as I took these pictures on the way to my WoD role playing game meet up. That’s like Dungeons & Dragons gaming but in a post apocalyptic world. Yes, I am that big a geek. This is all to say that you just gotta be proud of who you are.

Take A Little Of The Story With You

May 16, 2014
/
19 COMMENTS

Scarf-pleather-jacket-flared-jeans-mommy-fashion-blogger-modest

Tied &Dyed Scarf – c/o Kish and Evie // Jeans – Dittos // Shirt – Hem&Thread via Ruche // Shoes – Threadsence // Jacket & Necklaces – F21 // Purse – UO

I know I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again: I have the best readers in the world. You guys are so smart, sassy, talented, and in the case of Kish and Evie ridiculously amazing online shop owners! This duo based out of Australia makes some amazing hand crafted scarves. Their pieces are so intricate and detailed, but there’s so much thought put into each piece.

This Tied&Dyed scarf was the perfect piece to take me into the summer. I wanted something bold, bright, and yet still soft and flowy to take into these warmer months. Something that spoke of happy and fun filled days. The soft, luxurious material is sensual and light – exactly what you want out of a great scarf.

Take the case of one of my other favorites, the Dia De Los Muertos, there’s thought and storytelling involved in the creation of the scarf. So it becomes more than a piece of fabric you don, it becomes an entire story and world that you take on as a part of yourself. I love that. Seriously, it’s on my wishlist of items to curate for my wardrobe – to have and to cherish for years on end. Each time, discovering a little bit of the story and making it part of my own.

Kish and Evie are offering an international giveaway on their site for three scarves of your choice! Also, an exclusive coupon to ModaMama readers for 25% off – just enter the code “K+ETHANKYOU” at checkout.

*This is a sponsored post.

I only write about things I believe in.

Thanks for checking out the fabulous folks*
*Linking up with Fab Favs, Style Sessions, and Passion For Fashion*

Category :Purple