MY HAPPY PLACE: #ONUNIONSTREET

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Floral Pants and Gelato

This is one of the comfiest outfits I've EVER worn. I tend to dress for style over comfort but I think I somehow got the best of both worlds in one outfit here! Who knew! Seriously though I'm generally comfortable in everything I wear but this, this felt like I was wearing straight up PJs in public! These pants are a recent find from The Bay (sale- hayy!!!), and the shirt has been my go-to for weeks. I wore this to get my first gelato of the season with some friends. I inhaled it too quickly to show you a picture but I'm sure you know what ice cream looks like. At least I hope you do. If you don't, we need to talk. Over ice cream. 

My hair was lazily thrown up as I had spent part of the day swimming! Ah summer. I love you. I really do. 

ps- mini anxiety update for the curious: I'm feeling much better, still not 100% but I'm noticing improvements from a month ago. I've been making a conscious self care effort and life has come to a leisurely slow for the moment which helps! 

How is your summer so far? 

Shirt: H&M, $18. Pants: INC, The Bay, $35. Sandals: Gap, $17. Purse: Value Village, $6. 

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BLUE VELVET

I know these pictures probably look so wintery but we had a few colder days last week so I had to pull out the faux fur and velvet. I wore this to have drinks for my friend's birthday. We went to a place in the market called Social and it was my first time there. They recently renovated and it was super pretty and chic. I got to see a lot of friends that I haven't seen in a while so it was nice catching up. Isn't it crazy how fast time flies? 

Let's talk about my dress! It's so luxe and glam yet comfy and warm. I love the colour and the slit. On the hanger it looked shapeless but once I tried it on I fell in love with it. It reminded me to always try things on because the difference between how it looks on the hanger and on you is like night and day. Clothes truly come to life when put on a person! 

Coat: Vintage, gifted. Dress: Value Village, $10. Purse: Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show, $10. Shoes: New Look, $30. 

PHOTOS BY LISA KIDD

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Tinsel Town

I wore this tinsel top to grab a coffee with Aurelia and my sister. I call it a tinsel top because I was basically shedding tinsel, haha. My pants are my new favourites. I've been in a bad phase with pants ever since I've gained weight. I find they just don't feel as good and it's increasingly hard to find nice ones that fit. I scooped these up at Old Navy in the states for just $10. I love the tuxedo stripe trend and was so thrilled to find these. The sandals I actually bought in the winter with hopes I'd be wearing them this spring. They're quite comfy and I love the 90s buckle. 

That's enough about my outfit, feast your eyes on what Aurelia showed up in (scroll down). She can wear white like no other and those shoes are literally out of this world! Check out her blog here. 

Top: Salvation Army, $2. Pants: Old Navy, $10. Sandals: Aerosoles, Value Village, $15. Bag: H&M, $7. 

Photos by Lisa Kidd + me. 

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Pumpkin this, pumpkin that

My halloween night consisted of many a pumpkin. My sister Lisa showed me a recipe from her favourite food blogger, Bon Appetempt, and we were instantly smitten, and drooling. It's a pumpkin stuffed with bread, cheese, and cream and baked in the oven. What's not to love? We decided to make it for Halloween night in at Rosie's place. We made two stuffed pumpkins and also roasted the seeds in butter, brown sugar and cinnamon (mmm!). 
All that pumpkin turned me into one! I decided to somewhat slightly dress up since I discovered how much orange and green I have. I also wore my new, and amazingly theatrical Kenzo frames that I am currently in love with. We had a great night in stuffing our faces, answering the door to kids, and watching TV. How was your halloween? What did you wear? 

Frames: Kenzo, $130. Blazer: Salvation Army, $6. Dress: H&M, $30. Tights: Joe Fresh, $6. 

Outfit pictures taken by Rosie. 

See that oozing cheese? Yeah. 

A pumpkin in it's most delicious form. And to think most people carve their pumpkins, put them outside to freeze, and then throw them OUT. 

Pumpkin, cheezy, bready, creamy goodness. 

Sweetly scrumptious seeds. 

Flashback to childhood. Pixie sticks! 

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Momentum

I am truly blessed to have a lot of really amazing, extremely talented and humble people in my life. I've introduced you to a few of them so far and I am so SO excited for you to meet Niya. We've been friends since high school and although we've both been very busy throughout college and university, we always managed to stay in touch and everytime we see eachother, it feels as if nearly no time has gone by. Aren't those the best relationships?

Niya is such a talented artist. The entire time I've known her, she has always been very passionate about art. She has been studying for the past four years at the University of Ottawa in the Fine Arts program. Two weeks ago, I attended her final art show, Momentum, where the entire arts building was filled with the student's work. When I finally found Niya's exhibit, I felt a sense of WOW. When you first see her work, you almost feel confused at how beautiful it is. Her paintings look so real, like a photograph, and it took me a minute to realize that it was a painting. It was emotional seeing her work because I know how hard she worked on each piece and I know how passionate she is. Now I'm no artsy-fartsy lady so I won't be speaking in any fancy lingo to describe her paintings but to me, they are SO pretty to look at and I perceived them as showcasing "boring" scenes in a beautiful way, which I thought was a brilliant idea.

I'll stop blabbing now and let you see for yourself.

PAUSE. Can we discuss what a bombshell this woman is? LOOK AT THIS JUMPSUIT. Ah. maz. ing. 

WE ARE FIERCE. She worrrrrks that jumpsuit. Stunna. 

My outfit. Pretty casual yet vibrant. 

All photos taken by myself or Lisa Kidd.

outfit details:

coat: vintage, kensington market shop (toronto), $10

blouse: value village, $8

pants: joe fresh, rikochet resale, $7

boots: dr. martens, gifted

purse: valentina, winners, $26

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Forever Four

Forever Four: 

Forever four stands for my two first cousins, Ashley & Brandy, my sister Lisa and me. We've literally known each other forever and hence why we're forever four. And although they've always lived at least 5 hours away, we've always managed to see each other a few times a year. Our group dynamic was built on a foundation of unconditional love and support. We 'get' each other and we go together like PB & J. They're an amazing support system and since we know each other inside and out, we're able to listen and give advice in the most thorough way. I can always depend on these ladies, to have a fun night or pillow talk,  through the good times and bad. Most of all, we have the most fun together. When you're so close with someone, it doesn't matter what you do because we manage to make anything fun as long as we're together. We're constantly entertained by each other and we feed off of our energy.

This week:

This week was refreshing for me spending time with some of my favourite people as well as SLEEPING IN! It was wonderful- I think I must've slept in till 11/12 everyday. I strongly suggest taking a few days off and spending it with close family and friends, you'll feel like a brand new gal/guy. Taking time to relax is something I've been working on for the past few months and although some would argue, I feel like I'm making progress. I'm learning that some things can wait. In my case, if my room goes a few days uncleaned (I admit it), then so what? I understand cleaning is therapeutic for many (even me) but I'm trying to not be so paranoid about things getting done. Because I'm realizing that life really is about people. When you die, all that's left is the inspiration you had on others and the difference you made while you had the gift of life.

The outfit:

This is an outfit I wore for a casual evening of Starbucks and the movies (we saw Silver Linings Playbook- loved it). My cousin let me borrow her blouse because she knew how "me" it was. I loved it and am thinking of purchasing my own! The velvet skirt was originally bought by my sister but it didn't fit her quite right so she generously gave it to me. This is definitely a casual look for me and I was so comfortable yet still felt a tad quirky. 

Shopping Hiatus Update:

I am SIX days away from being done. AKA I have not purchased any clothing or accessories (minus a pair of work shoes- needed!) in almost two months. I have to say it has been insanely hard. I did not anticipate such intense cravings and urges to shop. The hardest part for me has been not thrift shopping. That is for sure my biggest weakness (that and chocolate). And as hard as it's been, I feel proud of myself. Contributing to accomplishing a goal feels good. I feel like I have more control over my shopping and I've had the opportunity to really know my wardrobe inside and out and to really enjoy the clothes that I am so grateful to have. 

Forever four: Lisa, Brandy, myself and Ashley.

We were blessed with this beautiful sunset on the ride up. Snapped from the car. 

 All outfit photos taken by Lisa. 

Outfit specs:

jean shirt: joe fresh, $14

blouse: borrowed

skirt: joe fresh, gifted 

leggings: sirens, $10

necklace: aldo, $10 

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