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!
See this skirt? It arrived that morning and I immediately wore it even though it was wrinkled. I was totally in love with it. Then later that night I was steaming it and suddenly about halfway through the steaming process it melted a 5 inch hole right into it! I was so completely bummed, I didn’t know what to do with myself! I double checked the tag and it said nothing about iron low or anything like that – just hand wash cold, lay flat to dry’ – and I don’t have the fabric expertise to know how an item should be treated just by looking at it. I’m just a dumb bum who screwed up. So that’s the story of how I have lost my new favorite skirt on the very first day I got it. Yup, I’m really sad.
So if you get it, or you’ve got it, learn from me. Iron or steam on super low with a cloth between the iron and the fabric. Wish I’d known that before.
*yes, I know there are real problems in the world, even in my life, so I do realize how self-indulgent this being bummed about a skirt is. Hence the first line disclaimer. That’s why I’m writing this post, getting it out of my system and moving on…or trying to*
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Scarf – street stand; Sweater & Jeans – Gap; Boots – Locale; Bracelet – thrifted. |
Winter has hit us hard! It makes me want to curl up in warm sweaters and cozy scarves – so I’m just going with that instinct. It takes a lot to get me out of dresses, but a wind chill factor that makes it feel inhuman outdoors will definitely do it. Though not for long!
Some people think that winter has to mean you put away your bright summer things, but I don’t agree with that. I wear sundresses, pastels and brights colors all year long. It’s a matter of layering and co-ordinating. I think most of the old rules, like what ‘goes’ with what, are out. There’s appropriate clothing, like don’t wear a bright sundress to a funeral, but as far as hard set rules, like no white shoes after labour day, I think they’re pretty much out the window. It’s all about good styling, with that you can break any fashion rule!
On a silly sartorial note – I have have to recycle the same outfit for three days! *not in a row at least* You see, for callbacks you have to wear the same thing you wore to the original audition – so two callbacks later, I’m still wearing the same stuff. But at least I’ve booked one so far! Keep your eyes on your tv!
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Sweater – Esprit; top – hand me down; Scarf – Old Navy; Jeans – Gap; Boots – Locale. |
Someone said to me, “Blog like no one will read it.” I thought about how that’s great advice. I don’t really expect anyone to read my blog, it’s so sweet and amazing to me that anyone does, but I can’t totally blog like no one is reading. Trust me, I’ve tried. In response, I got criticism, complaints and even hate email *I’m not even kidding*. No, it’s not that I have very outlandish or weird opinions about things, it’s just that I have strong opinions about things, and I have strong thoughts about things.
And I’m honest.
That get’s me in trouble.
So, I can’t blog like no one is reading, but I can blog as honestly as possible.
And that’s a challenge in itself, because we all lie. Not consciously, or intentionally, but we all do, even to ourselves. Actually, especially to ourselves. We lie to make things better, to make them bearable, to sugar coat, and to rationalize things to ourselves. I think with total and complete honesty we would all soon have a breakdown. Sometimes you need a good lie. Sometimes I even believe it.
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Scarf – street stand; Dress – H&M; Sweater – Esprit; Tights – F21; Boots – Locale. |
I said you would be seeing a lot of these boots and I did not lie! I’m wearing them pretty much all the time since it’s really cold and I’m not one to suffer for fashion like that. Oh, and this dress is so awesome. I wore the exact same one all the time when I was pregnant, just one size larger to accommodate the, well, the girls, and the growing belly. Best ‘maternity’ gear ever!
Thanks so much you guys for the well wishes yesterday regarding my shoot. I think I did okay. And you know, it’s so much easier when you place yourself in the hands of someone you have full confidence in, like Daniel. He’s honestly so amazing and just guides you to some great shots, so that made it a lot easier. And well, I certainly gave the neighbors a show running around in fishnet stocking, boots and apron! I promise I will share something – even if it’s just behind the scenes shots – as soon as I can.
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Scarf – street stand; Top&Tights – F21; Dress – Ruche; Shoes – Payless. |
As my birthday nears *oh dear Lord, I’m getting old!* I find myself thinking back to high school. Don’t ask me why because I have no idea, but that’s what’s on my mind these days. I think it might be because as teenagers we feel like we’ll be young and full of potential and capability forever. Or it might be because I had such a clear and vivid picture of what my life would be like when I reached the age I’m reaching. But either way I find myself being nostalgic and retrospective.
I think back to the girl I was. I felt so out of place, so awkward, so nerdy, and so un-cool. I don’t know if that’s the truth, but that’s how I remember it. If you look through the yearbook you might find a picture of someone who was…what? Bold? Daring? Confident? What did others think? I wonder how they remember it. It’s interesting how our memories differ based on our perspectives. Over the years, I’ve run into friends and people I knew back then and realized that what they remember is different from what I remember. So I wonder who the keeper of truth is? Is there an absolute truth out there or is it all malleable based on our thoughts? Is it like time: based on your position and speed in relation to the universe?
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Sweater – made by my Babcia; Infinity scarf/hood – Smart Set; Shorts – Ruche; Tights – H&M; Boots – Feet First. |
Continuing with the Toronto Star’s focus on childbirth around the world, today we talk about Afghanistan. I was reading the article when this sentence struck me like baseball bat to the back of the heart, “In this benighted nation, a woman dies in childbirth every 29 minutes.” This country has the world’s highest maternal mortality rate.
Then right on the heels of that came this: One out of every five children dies before its fifth birthday. The maternal mortality rate is 10 times higher than the number of civilians killed in conflict annually.” This is just the cusp of the harsh and cruel reality that faces women there everyday. During this week of Thanksgiving for our friends south of the border, I join them in giving thanks that I live in such a privileged place.
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Shirt – thrifted; Jeans – Guess; Belt – AE; Shoes – Payless; Scarf – Smart Set. |
Let’s be honest, as much as I try the real star of these shots is Drake the Dog. He’s such a ham and camera hog, but I can hardly blame him because he is pretty darn cute. And I’m so happy to be feeling better, I couldn’t wait to get out there and take some outfit shots for you guys. I still have a husky voice that’s a cross between Kathleen Turner and a chronic smoker, but at least my energy is getting back up and I’m not dizzy anymore. yay!
So on that note, let’s get back to the world birth series that the Saturday Star has going on.
This week the focus was on South Sudan – the most recent country since it’s only about 20 years old. There the statistics are terrifying:
– Only 10 percent of women will see a qualified birth attendant.
– For every 100,000 live births, 2054 women die. It’s the world’s highest maternal mortality rate.
– A woman in South Sudan has a 1/7 chance of dying in childbirth during her lifetime.
– The majority of women who die so so from treatable problems.
Again, it shocks me to hear about women giving birth under such extreme conditions. What’s worse is that some women don’t go to the hospital given the choice because it’s considered a sign of weakness. I know people say that women have been doing it for thousands of years, but before modern health care women also died by the thousands for thousands of years. I don’t think it’s a sign of weakness to want to live. Women have it tough enough already, we don’t need to have some sense of bravado holding us back from seeking medical treatment. Hearing things like that really does make me reflect about how lucky I am to have a medical centres all around, several hospitals within 50 kilometers, and two walk-in clinics less than ten minutes away from me. Oh, and health coverage of course, let’s not forget that.
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Scarf – H&M; Cardi & Boots – Ruche; Jeans – Guess. |
I sometimes wonder why certain things happen to certain people. I wonder why seemingly undeserving people get plenty of good things happening, while those who seem to work and persevere don’t get any breaks. Why do you think that is?
I sometimes wonder if it’s God, fate, karma, or just plain luck and whether that holds any meaning to it. Maybe there’s a plan *in that case, I’d like a peek at the blueprints* and maybe there isn’t. Maybe it’s all just a crap shoot and some of us just plain end up with the long straw while some of us get the short straw.
Imagine we all got what we deserved.
Do you ever wonder?