Moda Mama

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

Responsible Fashion

August 7, 2015
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2 COMMENTS

Ungalli-clothing-ethical-sustainable-clothing

Heading up to the cottage this past long weekend, I was yet again struck by the beauty that we have in nature. Also, the profound meaning and connection we can achieve by just sitting quietly and letting the world move around us.

In my daily life, I try to live as ethically and sustainably as possible. It’s a daily journey, and I’m not sure I’ll ever be 100% there. It’s hard when daily conveniences are, well, convenient.

Though having recently partnered with Ungalli clothing, a 100% sustainable and ethical Canadian clothing company, I had a lovely moment standing on the dock wearing the softest hoodie possible, knowing that in wearing it I had not brought harm to any of the beauty around me.

Hoodie – c/o Ungalli Clothing

This hoodie was the perfect running and lounging layer around the cottage – not too heavy and ultra snuggly. Kind of perfect for a day spent swimming, laying in the sun, and warming around a campfire.

Tank Top – c/o Ungalli // Overalls – Spell Designs // Necklace – Monserat de Lucca // Sandals – ThreadSence

Ungalli has a threefold mission. First, their clothes are made from recycled material. Second, they’re made in North America under our labor laws. Third, they partner with different environmental organizations to both promote *through their designs* and to donate money from every sale.

Yay!

But lest you think that these are only cottagey, camping clothes. Let’s be clear: they totally belong in any urban fashionistas arsenal. This tee is definitely in my favorite tees list. Not just because of the softness, but also because of the lovely uplifting message it has. Personally, it reminds me to be present in my life daily. To embrace and feel every moment, and imprint it in memory.

Tee – c/o Ungalli // Pants – Jens Pirate Booty via ThreadSence // Necklace – Gypsy Love Store // Hat – Threadsence // Rings – Etsy, F21, and heirlooms // Sandals – c/o Easy Spirit

Love to you and all the lovely creatures we share our planet with. Let’s do the best we can by making conscious choices, including clothing choices whenever possible.

*this post has been brought to you in

collaboration with Ungalli clothing*

It’s the Weekend

July 31, 2015
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1 COMMENT

Long weekend here in Canada. I’m personally heading to the cottage. Gonna enjoy the love and laughs with a whole bunch of great friends. And that delicious, worshipful pleasure of staring at a campfire in the night and smelling it in your hair the next morning.

It’s great to indulge your senses like that.

Romper – FreePeople // Belt – F21 // Long Necklace – Homegrown Boutique // Sandals – Winners // Cami – I forget // Short Necklace – Etsy

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.

The Dress I Didn’t Wear

July 20, 2015
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2 COMMENTS

This past Friday I had a friend’s dance party, to celebrate her birthday. Now, you know I love to dance, and I love me a great dancing dress. I put this fringed backless dress on thinking it would be perfect for the evening. I do love it. But after taking these shots, I came home and did the test. Always do the test. Test out what you’re wearing with what you’re doing. Why? Because I dislike fashion holding back my actions. I don’t want to be limited in my motion. I like the freedom.

So the test: I danced like I would for one song. During that time, the slip moved too much for my liking. It moved too far north, if you know what I mean. And that was after one song of dancing.

Nothing, not fire, not weather, not fashion will take dancing away from me. In this and all cases, if it doesn’t function, it ain’t happening. So, though I wanted to wear this, I decided that dancing all night with no worries was, and always will be, my priority.

What does this mean for the dress? It means that until I manage to get an inch or two added to the slip, it’s a going out and hanging out dress. Not a dancing dress – that calls for some very specific requirements….which I’ll talk about in my next post when I show you what I did wear.

I know, you’re on the edge of your seats.

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

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

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.

Top – Auguste // Jeans – Lucky Brand // Necklace – Fair Trade Show // Sandals – I forget *old*

Takin’ It All In Stride.

June 15, 2015
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2 COMMENTS

Lace-pants-long-kimono-sweater-johhny-cash-tee

Saturday: my girl’s birthday party.
Saturday eve: our games night.
Saturday middle of the night: Carbon monoxide detector goes off and we spend a total of two hours outside while the fire department comes, checks our house, concludes it’s a malfunction and false alarm, and leaves.
Sunday: coffee.

Sunday after coffee: if this is the problem I’m dealing with right now, life’s pretty okay. People are being persecuted and hunted around the world just for being alive. Which is right up there with me losing a couple hours sleep right? *that was sarcasm in case you missed it*

Here’s to perspective. Happy week everyone.

Pants & Shoes – ThreadSence // Tee & Cardigan – UO // Necklace – Homegrown Boutique

Yeah Baby!

June 1, 2015
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4 COMMENTS

That whole ’60s/’70s feel. That whole loose waves, fringe and mini dress thang. All of that. I’m in love. There’s a party? I’m bringing my fringe, backless, and curls to shake shake shake it off. Yes, I threw a little Taylor Swift in there. Because it’s all about being who you truly are in all your complex glory.

And this fringed hippie loves her a little Taylor.