LAURA KIDD: summer

28.9.17

FEELING THE HUG OF THUNDER AT CITY FOLK FEST

Photo by Kamara Morozuk

Annual Besties Trip: Sandbanks Beach

OUT IN MY CITY | MOO SHOO ICE CREAM & THRIFTING

SUMMER 2K17 SO FAR / BEACH OUTFIT

CAYENNE CULOTTES AND CROP TOPS

Ahh Summer, I love you. I've been spending a lot of time outside lately. As much as I'm a city girl, I'm the type of person who needs fresh air. And I don't need to travel very far to get it. I'm lucky to live in walking distance of many naturally beautiful spots. My sister and I are currently babysitting our family dog Pebbles and we decided to give her a nice long walk yesterday. We slightly overestimated her energy levels and might have forgotten that she's 17 (which is like soo old in dog years). We took turns carrying her home but she did have a lot of fun!

How are you spending your Summer days?

End of Summer Reflections + Greekfest

There's something about summer and Greekfest that just makes me want to wear white! All white.

This outfit is also inspired by new frames. My sister spotted them first and showed them to me. I fell in love. The rest is history!

You might notice I look a little bare. I couldn't wear many accessories since all of mine are currently packed up in boxes! I move to a new apartment this weekend and I'm so excited. It's really all about the little things. It has a storage room and a dishwasher. A cheaper and better laundry room. I could go on but I won't bore you!

Summer is coming to an end but I'm just grateful of all the wonderful experiences I've had this season. I spent a lot of time outdoors, riding my bike, swimming, and running.

How will you remember this summer?

Top: Value Village, $2. Skirt: Zara, $30. Sandals: Joe Fresh, $10. Purse: Value Village, $4. Glasses: Clearly.

PHOTOS BY LISA KIDD

Greekfest celebrates Greek culture with live music and performances, delicious food, and unique vendors.

Greek Supreme Fries. Topped with feta, oregano, salt, and tzatziki!!

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.

SPLASHPAD FAB + NEW GLASSES!

I'm currently on vacation visiting my cousins who live 6+ hours away! My sister, myself, and my two cousins Brandy and Ashley have been BFFs since diapers and now I get to watch their little ones grow. They each have a one year old boy and they're so adorable. This was the second splashpad we visited in two days! I hadn't been to one since I was little so it was really fun to be a kid again.

It's sometimes challenging to pack outfits for a vacation but I think if you have some really great basics and know how your clothes fit you, it's easier to put together outfits while away from the comfort of your own closet.

Let's talk about my new glasses! As a glasses/contact lens wearer, I'm always on the lookout for a great pair of glasses. I like to give my eyes a break from contact lenses as much as possible so I try to have a few pairs to choose from. Although it's not always easy because the cost of new frames and lenses and anti-scratch, anti-glare, lens thinning, UV, and the list goes on, can really add up, costing quite a chunk of hard earned dough!

I was excited when Firmoo contacted me asking me to check out their website and choose a pair. Of course I would like a pair of new glasses but I wasn't about to share something with you that I wouldn't love and use myself. I quickly learned the prices are fabulous. Being a thrifty gal, I am always on the hunt not only for the best product but the best price and I won't settle for less. The frames cost much less than other websites I used to shop on and the quality is the same. I was also impressed with the packaging and they arrived within days of ordering. I will certainly be shopping there again soon.

If you're on the hunt for your next great pair, get 15% off your first pair and I invite you to check out their new arrivals as well.

Mesh Top: Value Village, $4. Leopard Top: Value Village, $6. Skirt: Part of suit, Value Village, $5. Sandals: JuJu, Little Burgundy, $45. Purse: H&M, $7. Glasses: c/o Firmoo. Necklace: Camden Market, London, $10.

PHOTOS BY LISA KIDD

Colour Me Wild

Let's talk about this dress. I found it on a recent thrifting trip. It really brought me back to my roots of thrifting. These are the types of dresses I used to find a lot more often three years ago. I was so excited to find it. The 80's print is awesome, I love the length and high neck. Most of all, it's light yet still wild and unique. I wore it to work last week and got so many compliments! This is a perfect example of how different a piece can look on and off the rack. On the rack, it probably got overlooked many times. Off the rack, with the right accessories and attitude, it's amazing. Moral of the story, try it on!

How is your summer starting out? Mine is just fabulous. Filled with sunshine, popsicles, mario kart, poolside, beach, ice cream, friends, and laughter. This time of year is my version of Christmas. Some people enjoy the snow, jingles, and lights. All I want is sunshine.

Dress: Value Village, $8. Belt: Value Village, $4. Shoes: Zara, $40.

Photos by Lisa Kidd.

I think I'm turning Japanese

I can't explain the joy I feel leaving the house wearing a sleeveless top and sandals. I wore this last weekend for dinner with my friend Aurelia. We wanted to try something new so we went to the Japanese Village steak house where they cook the food right in front of you. It was such an experience! We lucked out with a comedian for a waiter and were laughing throughout the entire meal. Afterwards we went out for some much needed gelato. How have you been celebrating the birth of summer?

Shirt: Value Village, $6. Pants: Forever 21, $20. Shoes: Value Village, $15. Purse: Value Village, $6. Necklace: Grandma's.

Photos by Aurelia Cerquozzi.

Brighten up

Isn't this weather fabulous?! I'm beyond thrilled that winter if officially officially behind us and the sun has come out to stay. While there have been bouts of rain, the sunny days make it all worth it. I wore this outfit out for a walk with my sister. We went to our usual spot in a nearby park and just basked in the sunlight. Nature really does brighten my mood and the sun just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy. I like my clothes to reflect the weather so I went with my brightest t-shirt and favourite orange jacket. This past weekend I went shopping in New York state with Rosie and her mom. We literally shopped until we dropped! I found so many great pieces for spring and couldn't believe how awesomely inexpensive everything was. We plan to make a haul video so stay tuned for that!

How are you enjoying this weather?

Jacket: Value Village, $4. T-shirt: Value Village, $6. Jeans: Forever 21, $20. Shoes: Swapped w/ Rosie. Necklace: Vintage Show, $25. Bag: Value Village, $4. Ring: Suzy Shier, $4. Lipstick: Spellbound by Covergirl Lip Perfection.

Photos taken by Lisa Kidd.

I'm so tangy people call me Matangi

Where did July go? This month has been full of great concerts and there is one more to come this Monday (stay tuned). This month I saw Solange at Ottawa's Bluesfest (AH-MAZING) and M.I.A. the week after. Such an overload of greatness in two weeks.

M.I.A. is hands down one of my favourite artists and fashion icons. From her upbeat and original sounds to her bright t-shirts and embellished shorts, I simply adore and look up to this woman. Not only is she a true artist, amazing performer and fashion icon, she is also a human rights activist. She's had a huge impact on my style and inspires me to wear brighter colours, unique pieces and GOLD, GOLD, GOLD!

I've been following her music ever since first hearing her second album, Kala. I instantly loved how different she sounded and loved how weird and quirky she is. Since Kala, M.I.A. released her third album Maya and is working on a fourth as we speak. She recently released two new tracks: "Bring the Noize" and "Only 1 U" which are both amazing and a taste of what's to come on her fourth album, Matangi.

I am blessed to say this was my second time seeing her and it was an unreal experience once again. Her music is so wild, different and fun, making her concerts just that. I loved her outfit and she even told us that her mother made it (HOW CUTE!)

I originally planned on wearing some bright colours but the humidity and heat made me think more wisely. I swear it must've been 40'c because I was melting even in just a t-shirt, shorts, and sandals. The t-shirt and bag are recent thrift finds that I adore. I am loving white right now so I was very happy to find such cool, bright, white pieces.

Have you seen any concerts lately? Tell me in the comments! Also- follow me on Instagram to see more videos and pictures of the concerts: "laurakidd"