Spring Has Actually Sprung

Spring just makes me so happy. Those first few days of warm weather are bliss. This season reminds me of two things: biking and the vintage show! I love dusting off my bike and taking my first ride of the season. I just need a new bell and basket and my bike is all set. 

The Ottawa Clothing Vintage Show is this weekend! I can't believe how quickly it came up. I'm so excited to see what I'll find this time around. I've been to the show many times before but it's always a new experience. If you're in the Ottawa area, I encourage you to check it out this Sunday from 10-5 pm. Get a discount coupon here! 

Photos by Lisa Kidd.

Jacket: $9, Value Village. Shirt: $10, Primark, Leggings: $16, Winners. Boots: $180, Dr. Martens, London UK.

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Polka Face

This has got to be the warmest Fall I've ever encountered. It's amazing. I wore this outfit to work and out on errands. The skirt is from Zara and believe it or not, it's a large. I'd normally be an XL or 1x but this seems to fit! It's funny how most people look past certain pieces just because they automatically think they won't fit. I've been a culprit of this but have learned not to judge something by the brand or shrug it off because I don't think it will fit or look good. The best things get overlooked sometimes. I love the print of this skirt, it reminds me a bit of Missoni with it's 60s feel and rich colours. I'm wearing a t-shirt that is actually spotted on the back and matching polka dot tights. My shoes are from New Look in England. That place has THE SHOES I tell ya. We could really use that store here in Canada. They have amazing things, good prices, great quality, plus sizes, and really cool shoes! 

T-shirt: Joe Fresh. $4. Skirt: Zara: $29. Tights: Joe Fresh, $6. Shoes: New Look, 22 pounds. Purse: Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show (which is coming up Nov. 1): $10.

photos by Lisa Kidd.

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10 ways to pretend it's summer.

MORE snow?
I want summmmmmmmerrrrrr.
I want to ride my bike. 
MORE layers? 
I'm hot. I'm cold. I'm cold and wet.
I have frost bite. 
Everything is so heavy.
Glasses fogged = blind.

These seem to be my recurring thoughts (and sometimes phrases) these days. While I do love the month of March, I really only love it because it means Spring is near. These last couple weeks of Winter are when I start to really become ~over it~. I get the sense that I'm not alone in this. I hear it from friends and coworkers, read it on social media and websites. We're all over it. Until the sun comes out for good, here are 10 ways you can pretend it's summer:

1.. Surround yourself with warmth. Wear warm clothes, drink tea/coffee, eat soup/chili/spicy foods. Invest in some greenery for the home/office. I surround myself with plants. Cactuses give that extra summery vibe (and they're cheap- I got my office cactus at Ikea). 





2. Look at pictures of summer. Fake plan a trip somewhere. I fake planned a trip to Hawaii last night and I have to say I felt better. Fake it till you make it, right? 



3. Listen to summer music. Songza's Tropical Beach Vacation is my playlist on repeat. 

4. Put on your bathing suit, grab the bubble bath and summer-scented candles, and pretend your tub is an ocean escape.



5. Plan a summer road trip, scope out what concerts you'd like to see this summer, or even start saving for a vacation. Get excited about your plans!

6. Wear sunglasses. Don't ask questions, just do it.




7. Wear some COLOUR! I see way too much black clothing during this season. Wearing colour will wake you - and others - up!



8. Move your body. We spend enough time freezing during winter. Exercising not only releases feel-good chemicals but also boosts self-confidence and best of all, it makes us feel warm, even hot! I work out in the gym at my work, yoga on Sundays, and a bit of home-Zumba in between. Wherever, however you can, get moving!

9. Focus on the positives. Put on your happy goggles and try to focus your vision on all the aforementioned. Spend time with friends and family, try a new recipe, write in a journal, cuddle your dog/cat, catch up on the latest runway shows, whatever makes you happy and focused, do it.

10. Do the research. According to statistics, in just twoish weeks, we should be in the clear (or so I hope):

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Winter Dressing Circus

Winter is always a difficult time to dress. In trying to keep warm, you have to layer up. You can't just wear a simple outfit. There has to be the base layer, and the base layer has to go with the rest of the layers. And on top of that, you have to wear a big bulky coat and sometimes a hat, scarf, and leather gloves. It really is a challenge trying to make this whole dressing circus work in my favour 7 days a week but this is the season where my many blazers come in handy. Everyday for work I generally wear either a skirt and sometimes pants, paired with either a blouse or t-shirt and topped with some type of blazer. I wear the same coat and almost the same boots everyday and some combination of hat and scarf. 
The dressing ordeal is one of the reasons I hate winter. I just feel heavy and cold and hot and wet all at the same time and it's not pretty. While there's not much I can do to sway Canada into warmer weather, I can choose to dress wisely and try to smile through it. If you're not sure what to wear in below digits weather, I'd suggest investing in a few key items:

• warm coat (mines consignment, check thrift stores!)
• Doc Martens (the only boot ever)
• hats (H&M has some cute ones)
• scarves (thrift shops have the best)
• leather gloves 
• insulated nylons (Mark's)
• fleece-lined leggings or pants 

Coat: Rikochet Resale $260 Skirt: gifted and thrifted, Sweater: H&M, thrifted, $6 Purse: Valentina, Winners, $26 Boots: Spring, $20 Glasses, Kenzo, clearlycontacts.com , Necklace: gifted 

Photos by Rosie Waugh.

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The Beach.

Me and my twin sister Lisa finally got a super sunny, gorgeous day where we both had the afternoon off and decided to take full advantage by going to the beach. We love going to the beach together. Lisa usually sits and reads while I either take pictures or listen to music. I wore my favourite (and only bathing suit) with my blue high waist shorts and go-to beach sandals. These sandals are literally on their third summer and I'm always amazed at how they're still holding on. My sunglasses are a new addition from Joe Fresh. I love them so much that they made it into my new header! Thoughts?

Going to the beach is the best way to relax, spend time with people you love and catch some much needed sun (but don't forget the sunscreen!)

Have you gotten to visit the beach this summer?













Pictures taken by Lisa Kidd and myself.

bathing suit: winners, $35 shorts: winners, $20 bag: KGB black label, $80 shoes: urban outfitters, $38 sunglasses: joe fresh, $9

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Spring Time Delight

These pictures were taken last weekend when we had absolutely beautiful weather here in Ottawa. I suppose it was too good to be true- I'm currently staring out my window at Spring's evil cousin, Slush, who surprised us today with some beautiful whitish grey slush that goes great with layers and layers of clothing- the total opposite of my Spring-time delight,  see below (when I believed it was Spring). And while the fake Spring and sunshine lasted for about a week and a half, I'm happy I was able to enjoy it and know that once Slush realizes it's unwanted here, Spring will make a comeback in the biggest way, and Summer will last twice as long! How's that for wishful thinking?
I wore this outfit to run some errands and grab some lunch with my twin sister, Lisa. The grey top and bolo tie are two of my most recent thrift purchases and are my current obsessions. The top reminds me of pajama chic that's been on trend for a while. I adore the paisley print and find it's versatile with my wardrobe. The sequin cardigan was something I picked up in a vintage store while visiting Toronto last May. I fell in love with the colour and had to have it. I was happy to give it some wear last weekend and felt the sunshine gave the sequins justice. My bag and boots are my go-to, everyday pieces of the moment and my trench coat was able to make an appearance thanks to Mr. Sunshine, that handsome devil. 

Photos taken by Lisa Kidd and myself.

 coat: apropos, new to you, $8

sequin cardigan: 69 vintage, $20

shirt: vintage, salvation army $4

pants: joe fresh, rikochet resale, $12

bag: kgb black label, winners, $80

bolo tie: value village, $2

boots: expressions, the bay, $20 

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Foggy Sunday

The weather in Ottawa today was rather foggy. You can''t really tell from these pictures but the city was filled with fog today! Although it looked really cool and it was warmer than usual, fog is pretty dangerous for driving so it's important to drive slow and pay attention on the roads. Since it was a mild day I decided to take my new trench coat out for a spin. I paired the coat with bright pops to balance out the darkness of the coat and boots. I'm wearing one of my favourite tops- a birthday gift this year from my best friend Rosie. My bag was last month's splurge that ended my 5-month quest for my perfect everyday bag. Well, I'm off to watch the Golden Globes! Enjoy your Sunday evening/Monday morning/whatever day it is, wherever you are!

All photos taken by Lisa Kidd.

 coat: apropos, new to you, $8

shirt: serge nancel, gifted

vest: value village, $4

pants: old navy, $14

bag: kgb black label, winners, $80

pin: value village, $3

hat: gifted

boots: dr. martens, gifted 

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