OUT IN MY CITY | MOO SHOO ICE CREAM & THRIFTING

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pinstripe 70s vibe

The thought of getting dressed in the morning has always motivated me to go to school or work. College is when I began really experimenting with clothing and it was the driving force waking me up from bed at 6 am. I loved school and I love my job now but sometimes I need a little help getting excited to get out of bed and on with my day. Dressing just does that for me. 

I wanted to share another work outfit with you. One of my favourite things to do is get dressed for work. Every morning is a fresh slate and I can look completely different from the previous day. These days it feels like anything goes for workwear but I know some workplaces have rules. I work in a hospital in a corporate environment so I try not to show too much skin but I don't hold back my personal style. Some days I'll wear a blouse and pants like below but other days it might be a shift dress and kimono or maxi skirt and beaded top. My colleagues have said: "You just never know what you'll turn around the corner wearing!" 

On this very hot and humid day I grabbed an iced green tea with mint. 

Blouse: Joe Fresh: $7. Pants: Value Village, $6. Shoes: Franco Sarto at The Bay, $50. Purse: Valentina, $26. Sunnies: $10, Camden Market London. Headband: Forever 21, $5. 

PHOTOS BY LISA KIDD

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Event: Come Thrift With Me!

If you're in the Ottawa area, come thrift with me! Join the Facebook event here.

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Thrifted Spring Goodies [Haul Video + Try On]

I've been thrifting full force and adding to my Spring/Summer wardrobe! I'm excited to share with you what I've found lately in my newest thrift haul video below:

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BYE BYE 2014!

Just before it becomes 2015, I wanted to reflect a little bit and I've also rounded up 10 of my favourite outfits of 2014. This year definitely had it's challenges but that also meant that I learned and grew a lot. I was fortunate to have many new experiences and finally hopped on a plane for the first time ever. I overcame many fears and was able to have the courage to ask for help when I needed it. I've learned a lot about myself this year. Most importantly that I will never dye my hair brown again. 

I am soooo looking forward to 2015. I love a fresh start. There will be a new set of challenges and adventures to come in 2015 and I can't wait to see what will happen. Happy New Year! Stay safe and don't drink and drive. If you're in Ottawa (Canada), take advantage of Operation Red Nose (free rides) or if you're anywhere else in the world, please phone a friend, call a cab, take a bus, or even walk! It's better than risking it. 

Thanks to all my fabulous readers for showing your support of my blog this year. I truly do it purely because I enjoy it and it's become a hobby for me. Thanks to my blogger friends for welcoming me into the fashion blogging community with open arms. Part of blogging is commenting and supporting other bloggers. This year I've gotten to chat with some pretty awesome ladies around the world who share the same love of fashion and thrifting that I do. That's pretty awesome if you ask me! To my blogger friends: I love checking your blogs to see what you've been up to and most importantly what you're wearing! Keep it up because I really enjoy viewing your blogs as much as I love updating mine.

I wish you all the best in 2015 and hope it brings you everything you hope for and more!

From left: Keeping Things Groovy, Knits for Spring?, Carnivale, Colour Me Wild, I Think I'm Turning Japanese, 

From left: Afternoon Tea & A Wedding, MODern, 90s Two-Piece, Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show, Camel Coat/Grunge Boots 

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Thrifting Saturday

With Christmas festivities already behind us, I've been enjoying some time off work to sleep in, lounge in my PJs, and have the freedom of doing whatever I want! It's pretty awesome although being the type to feel the need to constantly be doing something, it's actually challenging for me to relax. I think I am getting better at it though! 

I wore this on a Saturday to go thrifting with my sister. I didn't feel like dressing up so I threw on my go-to jeans, a super soft Adidas pullover that I picked up on my last thrifting trip, a hat and my big fur coat to add some excitement. I rarely get to wear this coat since it's not quite warm enough for real winter days (surprisingly!) yet it's way too warm for fall or spring.

I treated myself this boxing day to a new lens. It's the Canon 50mm 1.8 portrait lens. It was used to take the photos below. I'm loving how it makes the subject stand out and it's so much fun to shoot with. I sometimes wish I were a street style photographer rather than the model since I love taking pictures so much! 

Hope you get some time off to relax this season! It does the mind good. 

Hat: F21, $7. Coat: Value Village, $20. Sweater: Value Village, $5. Jeans: F21+, $18. Boots: GoJane.com, $37. 

Look! I'm trying to grow out my own nails and stop biting them. Be proud. Nail polish: Sally Hansen Gel in Pinky Promise. Loving this nail polish so far. No chipping and on day 4. Plus, it makes my nails feel stronger so I'm less likely to chew! I know, it sounds weird. It's definitely one of my worst habits. Not only would I chew the nail but the skin too. Hoping I can ditch this!

Pictures by Lisa Kidd. 

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Thrifting Outfit

I wore this for a night of thrifting with friends. I got a Value Village gift card for my bday and you KNOW I was itching to spend it. Among a bedazzled sweater, gold floral blazer and clear 90's slip on heels, my friend found me a Bristol beat up leather moto jacket. It fit me perfect and was definitely something I was missing from my closet. It was only $12.99 but the catch was it reaked of moth balls and well, vintage. I'm currently trying to nurse it back to smelling not so horrendous and I'm hoping my effort will pay off! 

Jacket: Sally B, Value Village, $20. Shirt: Value Village, $4. Jeans: Forever 21+, $18. Purse: Gifted. Boots: New Look, 22 pounds. Cardigan: Camden Market: 15 pounds.

Photos by Aurelia. 

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VIDEO: Summer #ThriftLife

I've gone thrifting WAY too much lately but have found so many amazing things. Like I promised, here's a new haul video featuring my thrifting highlights from the past couple weeks. Also, you'll notice my twin Lisa in the video - she's also a major thrifter (maybe not as crazy as me but she finds really cool stuff too!). 

Please grab a tea and take a few minutes to watch and subscribe! 

Enjoy:

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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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Sporty at the Sunday Market

One of my new favourite things to do on Sundays is visit the Farmer's Market. You wouldn't typically picture me in a farmer's market and I wouldn't consider myself a foodie but I love the market because there's so much more to offer at the market than just your good old fruits and vegetables. I tend to visit the market closest to me at Brewer Park although there are a couple other ones in Ottawa. I dragged my sister out of bed to come with me last weekend. It's starting to feel a lot like summer here so I wanted to wear something light and comfortable. The dress is a recent thrift find from my trip to the states. It was brand new with tags and I got it for $6.99. I don't usually wear "revealing" dresses but this one is different for some reason. I love the sporty feel and the mesh cutouts. I paired it with my new balance running shoes and 90s style rain coat. My old orange bag went nicely with my sporty look and also fit all my delicious goodies. 

Like I said, it's not all food! I was pleasantly surprised to see this awesome jewellery booth. They're called Strut jewelry and are selling at various shows in Ottawa and online. Check them out here!

Baked potato goodness.

Jacket: Value Village, $7.99 Dress: Rock and Republic, Salvation Army, $6.99. Bag: Winners, $80. Shoes: New Balance, Sports Store in Watertown (forget the name), $50. Sunglasses: Target, $18. 

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Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show: Spring Edition!

I'm a freak for anything vintage. Vintage items are different, durable, and charming. I'd way rather shop in a thrift store or vintage store than a mall any day. My eyes never get bored when vintage hunting and I feel like I'm searching for buried treasure, quite literally. This past Sunday was the Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show and my fourth (or fifth?) time at the semi-annual show. While I usually go with friends and end up on my own lost in the vintage abyss, this time I went to the show alone. I arrived with two hours to shop but took my time sifting through each booth, carefully looking out for gems. I can scan a rack pretty quickly and decide if there's anything special worth looking into. 

I bought quite a bit this time. I want to properly photograph everything in outfits so you can get a better idea of how to incorporate vintage treasures into an outfit so stay tuned for that post. While I did see some of the same things from the fall show, I noticed some new booths. There was a lot more jewelry booths this year. One such in particular carried jewelry that had been re-purposed. The owner creates new pieces with broken or tattered vintage jewelry. Another new thing I noticed was a rack of vintage tapestries and Indian scarves which I thought was genius and a great addition. I met some really fantastic and wild women too, see below. I love connecting with like-minded vintage lovers and exchanging cards for future collaboration. Check out my snaps from the show:

What I wore: blazer: borrowed from sister Lisa, pants: value village, $6. top: value village, $4.  

It was lovely and inspiring meeting Joa. How fabulous is she? Dressed to the nines from head to toe and the attitude to match! She is a creative consultant in Toronto but will be moving to Ottawa shortly (and very excited about it!). I was blown away by her outfit. Happy she agreed to let me take her photo.  

I was drawn to Cherry's vintage army style and bright red locks. Lovely meeting you!

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Carnivale

When I first started my blog, I had a few outfits in mind that I knew I wanted to show you and this blazer was definitely on that list. What's funny is this is literally the first time many of you see this blazer. I've had it for years and it's safe to say it's my favourite. It's been named by friends as my hussel blazer because it reminds them of music artist M.I.A. and her song Hussel. It also fits me at virtually any size. The garment itself is a size 4 but it fits me anywhere between an 8 and 16. Sorry to be corny but it literally resembles the sisterhood of the traveling pants. It just magically always fits. This is part of the reason I invest in so many blazers. Not only are they classic, they're flexible. Do you have a garment that fits you at every size?

I tend to wear it on special occasions so when I was invited to attend a Carnivale-themed fundraising event in support of mental health, I knew exactly what to wear. The event featured a magician, slam poet, and improv group. It was put on by the PR students at Algonquin College so I wanted to show my support of the program that changed my life and also a cause that touches my heart. 

blazer: alfred sung, value village, $4. top: value village, $6. leggings: american apparel, $40. boots: forever 21, $22. headscarf: value village, $1. bracelets: value village, $2, aldo, $3. bag: valentina, winners, $26. earrings: aldo, borrowed from Lisa. 

Photos taken by Lisa Kidd.

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