LAURA KIDD: bloggers

4.11.15

The Fashion Kidd x The Outfit Repeater Thrifted Clothing Swap

One of the reasons I started my blog was because I was so inspired by the blogs I followed. I feel like I'm friends with the people behind my favourite blogs. I've got to virtually meet so many cool people all around the world! While we may never meet in person, I still feel connected to their lives.

When I first started my blog, I often wondered whether anyone was visiting or enjoying my posts. I'm grateful to have family and friends who read my blog however, I can't explain how good it feels when a complete stranger does too.

Early in my blogging days, I came across the lovely Hannah Rupp of The Outfit Repeater, a self-proclaimed re-incarnation of an 80s valley girl (and I can vouch for that!). She was one of the first strangers to comment on my blog and now I truly feel like we're friends. She's hilarious and sassy but so kind and down-to-earth. We share a deep love for thrifting. Just when I begin to think I'm up on my thrift game, I visit Hannah's blog to be reminded of reality. Scroll to the bottom of her outfit posts and check out JUST how thrifty she is. I'm talking skirts for $1.50, shirts for $0.50! Definition of thrift right there.

Since we've been blogger buddies for a few years now, we decided to test out how well we knew each other's style and went thrifting for each other. It's like having a pen pal but you also get clothes! Hannah picked out this awesome blazer for me. I think she must've known that blazers are my favourite article of clothing ever. This paisley print is just so fall and can go with so many different things. The flowy material makes it a more casual piece but the print allows for me to dress it up or down. Thank you so much, Hannah, for sending me this. I'll love it forever not just because it's beautiful but because it came from you!

Shopping for Hannah was so effortless and fun for me! I was on the look out for something 80s and I found the perfect piece. I absolutely adore how she styled it! The piece and her hair are a match made in pink heaven. Head over to her blog to witness the magic!

Do yourself a favour and go check out her blog for some thrifty outfit inspiration. You also have to check out her YouTube channel because she's so funny! Actually just go follow all of her social media. You're welcome.

Blazer: You guessed it! Thanks Hannah. Shirt: Gifted. Skirt: Zara, $30. Shoes: Office, $120. Necklace: Grandma's. Coat: Glebe Garage Sale, $25.

PHOTOS BY ROSIE.

Bloggers Meet-Up and an African print #OOTD

One of my favourite things about blogging is the community. I've found fellow fashion bloggers to be so warm, supportive, and welcoming. I wore this to a #blogott meet-up at Equator coffee shop last week. In addition to networking over delicious coffee, we got to learn all about Equator and their rich history of coffee roasting and giving back to the communities they work with. It was really cool to learn about fairtrade coffee and how it benefits the lives of farmers. I don't often think about where my cup of coffee comes from so it gave me some perspective. And perspective helps me to have gratitude for things I take for granted.

The second half of the evening was for networking and chatting with some lovely ladies. I got to finally meet all the bloggers I follow on insta and put a real life face to the avatar! Real life is pretty cool sometimes. We shared so many laughs about blogging woes and silly things that happen to us while taking blog pictures. We exchanged blogging tips and ideas. I am really happy to be a part of this community.

My outfit centered around my new african print tunic. I found it at a garage sale in a church last weekend and fell in love with it. I've always adored african prints but this one especially spoke to me. I think it was the pastel colours mixed with the gold! The fabric itself is so light and airy, it was perfect for one of our last summer days. I noticed a little card attached to the shirt that said "This dress is made in Nairaobi, Kenya, by women living in the Mathare Slum". All proceeds from the sale of clothing go to a Canadian charity called Project Chance Africa, who help children go to school. I didn't see any links on their site to purchase clothing but if you can spare a few bucks, it looks like a great charity to donate to.

Special thanks to Katrina Turnbull of Oui c'est chic for hosting this month's event and to Shannon at Equator for having us and teaching so much!

Headscarf: Thrifted, $2. Tunic: Garage Sale, ProjectChanceAfrica. Leggings: American Apparel, $32. Heels: Expression, The Bay, $30.

PHOTOS BY ROSIE

Equator Coffee, located in Westboro at 412 Churchill.

Back Row: Katrina, Coralie. Front Row: Sophie, myself, Katie, Emily, Symone, Alisa, Rosie, and Kay. Photo: Katrina Turnbull.

Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show - Spring '13

Last weekend I attended the Spring Ottawa Vintage Clothing show. Since we had a blogger's brunch beforehand last time, we decided to get together again this year and go to the vintage show together afterwards. It was so nice meeting more Ottawa bloggers and catching up with the ones I met last time. We had brunch at Milestones in the market and then went to the Convention centre for the vintage show. I had so much fun shopping around and meeting the shop owners- they were all so nice and we shared a love for vintage. There was A LOT of stuff to look through.. I was in vintage heaven.

I wore a 60s/70s dress that I found at Value Village a few weeks ago with my Joe Fresh flatforms that I picked up last summer. I love this dress! The colours and pattern is so vibrant and totally mod. Stay tuned to see what I bought.

from left: Darcy , Lauren, Kelly, and I. The other half of the table was completely shaded, I apologize to those who were cropped out.

my breakfast.

the vintage versace suit that fit me perfectly, if only it wasn't $250.

I loved her style. She was hesitant to pictures but let me take one :) Such a cool dress and fanny pack!

breathtaking furs.

All pictures taken by Rosie or myself.

dress: mr. lawrence, value village, $7 purse: valentina, winners, $25 shoes: joe fresh, $10 earrings: gifted

Bejeweled collar kinda night.

These pictures are from Rosie's birthday. To celebrate her 21st birthday, we went out to her favourite bar called Zaphods. They played my favourite dance song "212" and the night was complete for me.

My outfit

I love the gold and black combination and I felt the multi-coloured jewels added some vibrancy. I originally purchased the skirt for my sister but she didn't like how it looked on so I've inherited it. The necklace was a Christmas gift from Rosie and I simply adore it.

You'll also notice my coat- it's my first new winter coat in years and I love it so much. It's unique and exactly what I was looking for. I'd call it an investment piece because I paid more than I usually would for a coat but I know I'll wear it for years and years to come.

Instagram pic: Me and Rosie

necklace: h&m, gifted

bodysuit: american apparel, rikochet resale, $13

skirt: h&m, $20

boots: durango, value village, $10

coat: creenstone, rikochet resale, $260

ear muffs: Chinatown shop in Toronto, $5

All pictures taken by Rosie.

Secondhand Rose Feature + My Style Icons

You may be familiar with the newest curvy fashion blogger to grace the likes of Gabi Fresh and Frantic Dreams. Her name is Rosie and her blog is called Secondhand Rose. She's edgy, glamorous, and witty. She is also my best friend. Every Saturday, she writes a blog post for her Style Icon Saturday series on people who have influenced her style.

Her latest style icon post was on yours truly. She talked about how our styles are so different yet they create a wonderful balance. She also touched on the fact that we inspire each other's style and even included a hilarious picture of us at our H.S. graduation.

I am constantly inspired by her risky fashion choices and amazing sense of style. Her confident stature makes me feel more confident and inspires me to be fearless.

Click on the picture to see the full post:

Rosie's style icon posts have got me thinking about my style icons. My style is constantly inspired by my friends, people on the street, celebrities, and fellow fashion bloggers. I've made a list to give you a better idea.

My Style Icons

celebrities

madonna

vivienne westwood

solange knowles

julie sarois

olsen twins

M.I.A.

M.I.A., www.tumblr.com

friends

rosie

amy

aurelia

www.rosemaryfaith.blogspot.ca

bloggers

advanced style

fashion filth

nia says

stockholm streetstyle

www.advancedstyle.blogspot.com

Who are your style icons? What about their style inspires you? Leave a comment!

A grand ol' time: blogger's brunch and vintage show

I had been looking forward to today for weeks now. Not only was it my first day off in a while but it was also the Ottawa fashion blogger's brunch and the Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show!

The Ottawa fashion blogger's brunch was organized by The Eternal Optimist (Darcy) to give Ottawa blogger's a chance to meet in person, exchange ideas and simply enjoy each other's company. I had so much fun at the blogger's brunch and got to meet a few new bloggers (Hippie Lace and Hold My Umbrella, Bitch) as well as caught up with Marcia, Petite Adventures, Tinfoils Tiaras, and The Eternal Optimist.

After a delicious brunch at Milestone's downtown location (I ordered the 'big breakfast' and ate it too fast to show you a picture), we headed to the Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show. At the show, I saw a lot of really unique hats, jewelry and clutches. I was surprised to see quite a bit of designer vintage pieces including various Chanel shoes and a gorgeous Pierre Cardin black and white striped dress.

I bought three rings, a paisley tunic with belt, and a Roma scarf for my mom. You'll get to see them in my next haul video! (I'm going to the Value Village half-off day tomorrow and will be making a vintage show / vv haul video.)

bloggers brunch