Moda Mama

Favorite Scarves

October 19, 2015
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4 COMMENTS

I have a few. Those standards go-tos. You know, the ones you reach for without really thinking. Obviously, my Polish scarf is on that list. As is a gorgeous black one from Kish & Evie – you’ll be seeing that a lot this Winter.

But a new go-to is this tapestry scarf from HoneyBea. I found HoneyBea at the Port Dover Arts festival. She stopped me and asked about my dress, and we bonded over our mutual love of Spell & the Gypsy Collective. I fell in love with her stylings too. Very boho, but completely geared towards our cold Canadian climate. The cardigans are killer and I definitely want to add one to my wardrobe at some point. But at that moment in time, this tapestry scarf caught my eye.

It’s made from recycled fabrics, and stitched together with love and care. There’s nothing better than a beautiful piece that is locally made and recycled too.

The heavy structure of the fabrics makes it really warm, and the patterns all work well together to create a lovely neutral blend; so it can go with anything.

Tapestry Scarf – HoneyBea // Top –SheIn // Jeans – Dittos via UO // Sunnies – F21 // Boots & Purse – ThreadSence

*linking up with Trend Spin and Not Dressed*

Is my Polish Showing?

October 14, 2015
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6 COMMENTS

Many of you don’t know that I was born and partly raised in Poland. I literally came to Canada on a boat. Yup. That’s right. I learned to speak English and adjusted to life in Canada. It’s just me, my Mom, and my sister here.

Right now I truly consider myself Canadian. As much as I love Poland, and of course all the family still there, if I had to choose an identification it would very much be Canadian. But that doesn’t mean I’m not Polish. I read books, and consume media, and there are habits and traditions very much alive amid all that Canadian-ness.

And I also can’t resist throwing a little Polish traditional garb into my style occasionally, like this scarf.

Denim shirt – Chi’qle // Tanks – H&M // Pants – Lululemon // Boots – Aldo // Scarf – from Poland

Go With It

October 7, 2015
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2 COMMENTS

Spell-Designs-Duster-Flares-Fedora-boho-womens-fashion-blog

The sun is gone. Well okay, it’s not actually gone. It feel like it’s gone though as Fall is firmly here.

Normally I really loath this time. I loath it because it means layers and for all my love of fashion, I actually dislike wearing clothes. I’m happiest when I can spend a day in a bathing suit, or wear a light dress that just grazes my skin. That is my bliss. That is my happy place. So yes, I normally loath this time of year when I know that the heat is leaving and the cold is settling in.

But I don’t loath it. Surprisingly. I don’t mind it too much. The layers are coming on, but I’m not minding it too much. I’m enjoying the layers. Maybe it’s my new love of Victoria Secret slips under clothes that make it feel like summer is still here. Maybe it’s a milder season, and my hatred will only come out once the snow falls. Or maybe it’s that my perspective is shifting.

Whatever it is. I’m just gonna go with it.

Duster – Spell Designs // Jeans – Zara // Tank – *I forget, old* // Belt – American Eagle // Shoes – ThreadSence // Hat – UO // Necklace – Monserat de Lucca // Sunnies – F21

Whiskey Too Far

October 5, 2015
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8 COMMENTS

Whiskey-tee-skinny-jeans-leather-jacket-rocker

That moment. That moment when you are pushed too far.

You know that moment? You can feel it coming. There’s a build up. There’s a wave and a rising. It’s palpable and tangible. At least for me.

It takes a lot to get me really angry. Though I have a fiery temper, and a fierce capacity for anger, it takes a lot to push me to the edge.

What I’m talking about is real anger. Not what you might think of as anger if you were in the passenger seat with me. I yell and curse like a sailor at stupid drivers, but my driving itself doesn’t get angry – nor do I, despite what it sounds like – that’s just my dramatic nature and Polish heritage.

But real anger. Over injustice and pain caused to friends, for example. That. That gets me angry. And well, as my Mom has said to me several times, she much preferred my sister’s teenage years. Because my dear sister would explode and rage but get over it quickly. With me, it was slow but when it happened, it was seething and could last eons.

All of this is to say, “The way I look is so fragile, yet here in my hand is an assurance of eternity.” *Rumi*
Or as my shirt says, “She’s whiskey in a tea cup.”

Jacket – Le Chateau // Tank Top – Gunny Sack & Co. // Jeans – Lucky Brand // Boots – thrifted // Necklace – Monserat de Lucca via Beau and Bauble // Ring – Body Blue

*linking up with Not Dressed*

Free Fridays

September 25, 2015
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4 COMMENTS

Fall, Winter, and Spring means that Andrew’s business is in full swing. Which is great for finances obviously, but it also means a lot of business trips and a lot more responsibility on me at home.

One thing that I enjoy however, is that I’ve somehow managed to keep Fridays free. Friday mornings and afternoon have somehow managed to become a day for me.

I’m going to consciously try and keep it going. I need one day a week to me – one 6 hour block that is mine. And Friday seems like a good one.

Spell-Designs-shorts-white-embroidered-blouse-

Shorts – Spell Designs // Top & Shoes – Ruche // Necklace – Fair Trade from Bolivia

TIFF 2015 in Full Swing

September 14, 2015
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6 COMMENTS

The Toronto International Film Festival is in it’s full blown glory. That means parties and events. Which means getting all dressed up. I’m okay with that.

I get to pull out my fancy stuff, and get all gussied up. I’m not one to wear heels often, but sometimes it’s fun to pull out the stops. In this case though, knowing I was going to be running around for hours, I opted for a low heel, with big impact.

White Romper – Black Daffodil in The Junction // Bag – BCBG *thrifted* // Boots – Browns // Earrings – Threadsence

*linking up with Not Dressed*

Happy Labor Day!

September 7, 2015
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It signals the end of summer and the return to reality. But we can all just ignore that, right?

Use it as an excuse to spend time with friends, having a cold bevy *alcoholic or not* and being a bit silly, just for kicks.

That’s what I’m doing with one of my best girlfriends. Getting all silly…I mean, er, no, we’re totally serious.

Top – UO // Shorts – Ruche // Boots – Aldo

Coalesced Thoughts

September 4, 2015
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2 COMMENTS

My brain is swirling with thoughts. Only a few have coalesced:

Get out there and enjoy the warmth.

Visit nature and walk with friends, because connection and relationship is truth.

We’re all more fragile than we look.

Love each other.

Tank – Love Nail Tree // Skirt – Ruche // Sandals – FreePeople

Asking

September 2, 2015
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4 COMMENTS

Why is it often so hard to ask? Why do we have a hard time asking for things we want and need?

You know, asking someone you like to spend time with you *coffee, dinner, etc.* Asking someone you love to give you a something you need. We have such difficulty with it.

I guess there’s that fear of not getting what you want. But I perhaps there’s also that fear of getting it. ‘Cause what then?

Sometimes though, all you need is a great breeze, a pair jeans, sunglasses, and Janis Joplin blarring out your car stereo.

Jeans – Zara // Tank – Gap // Shirt – Guess // Necklace – Monserat de Lucca // Shoes Threadsence

Port Dover Arts Festival

August 24, 2015
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2 COMMENTS

On the weekend we were there, Port Dover held an arts festival. Antiques, artisan, and unique vendors all got a chance to showcase their wares.

A large portion of the main street was closed to traffic, and the booths continued into the park. It was lovely to walk and wander and see everything.

I even picked up a handmade unique scarf that I’ll showcase once the weather gets cold enough….sheesh, I don’t even want to think about that!