shorty obsessed

shorty obsessed by fouj.

I have been completely obsessing over shorts lately and with my whole new outlook on quality over quantity, I've instead been drawn to window shopping (online), instead of impulse shopping, to find the perfect pair. I love all of the ones above - it's so hard to decide!

fanciful interiors: oh christmas tree

I'm a sucker for the holidays. Completely and utterly in love with all things festive. And lately I've been inspired by the creative holiday decor I've seen, so much so, that I wanted to share them with you! Happy Holidays!

Photo borrowed from La Mercaria - my favourite coffee shop in Toronto! 

Image borrowed from Bright.Bazaar! Also, he has some other adorable Christmas decor ideas here. 

Walter & Co - I love everything these Danes do - they can do no wrong! 

Tine K is really inspiring. I love the slanted bare tree branches. Adds so much character. 

The Glamourai's vintage Christmas tree. One of my favourite bloggers. Swoon. 

 And of course, the traditional tree - everyone needs one of these! Photo borrowed from here.

letters to my future self

Two letters went out last week using futureme.org - one to my future self in 1 year and one to my future self in 5 years. I was completely real, defiantly honest, and did not for one second compromise who I am at this very moment in these letters; and I'm quite proud of myself for it.

I think this website is a really brilliant idea; a great way to remind ourselves of our worth because oftentimes life gets too busy for us to even remember. So think ahead, right down your goals, where you want to be in life in whatever time span, leave notes of wisdom and encouragement, create your future, and email it to yourself. Sometimes we won't reach our goals, but perhaps it's because they weren't meant to be reached. Maybe there's some bigger, better, and bolder goals that we need to focus on instead.

Whatever my future holds, I look forward to seeing how my goals compare to my reality - it gives me goosebumps just thinking about it!



Photo borrowed from L'Officiel Homme 2007 as photographed by Milan Vukmirovic.

in my head

I've been in a really frustrating head space as of late, and I'm not quite sure how to snap out of it. It's a struggle that's starting to wear me down - a struggle that will probably have me retreat into a state of seclusion. And with the holidays fast approaching, I'm not sure how easily I'll survive.

I'm constantly consciously calling myself out on my internal monologue; the deep negativities, the uncomfortable truths, the obvious darkness. But regardless of my awareness, they continue.

I'd love to just blame it on mercury and its freaking retrograde, and move on knowing I'll be past it in a few short weeks. But alas, we must all take responsibility for our thoughts and emotions, and even if it feels overwhelming, we'll get through it. Just remember to breathe. 

Pity party - table for one.



photo borrowed from here. 

romantical gestures or bust

I have often wondered, in almost all relationships I've been in, the same thing. And sometimes I shy away from talking about it out loud for fear that perhaps these thoughts may actualize. But today, I'm feeling a bit brave.

If I were to walk away from a relationship (for reasons that didn't have to do with my feelings for the other individual) and throw my hands up in the air frustrated about a circumstance or happening with the boy I was in a relationship with, would he just move on or if somewhere out there a boy exists who would make a grand gesture - a big, huge, romantic declaration of his love - to win me back.

Maybe I've become a bit Carrie'd away (if you're a girl, you'll get this reference) with the whole idea of that i-can't-live-without-you sort of love. The love that makes you want to never live a day away from that person and scares your soul to think about ever losing them. And even if you may feel that deep, intense love..., does he? Would he make that romantic gesture, would he be that man if the frustrations became too much for me?

And if he's not that guy, if he doesn't want to step up in that way.. is he really the one?

photo borrowed from here.

etsy obsessed: black & white

It's storming outside; storms of the winter variety. Winter and I don't always get along. I mean, I've had far too many frost-bitten car accidents, cold toes, salt stains, and tail-bone bruises in my life to know that winter normally means a fair bit of hibernation on my end. I'm not meant for negative degrees and I'll always be just a little bitter whenever that first snow storm roles around.

Side note: I cannot freaking wait until I can live somewhere warm and visit winter (only on christmas). I think this will really help strengthen our relationship. Until then, like a sulky child, I'll whine and complain in hushed tones so I don't annoy those around me too much...

By now you should all now how much I adore etsy. I've even pondered doing all of my future gift-giving from this site, but I'll likely have to compromise. And with all this white and black and grey outside, I've especially been drawn to this (sometimes boring) colour scheme - did you know grey is one of my favourite (non)-colours?

Victorian Style coat hanger from Post Road Vintage.

Felted acorns from City Crochet! Holiday decorating just became WAY adorable!

Pride and Prejudice Pillows from TwoStrayCats. Swoon. 

Scooter Hand Towels by girlscantell!

I'll need two of these, stat. Seriously the most perfect mug I have ever seen by Brookish.

Happy Holidays!

fanciful interiors - dress forms

I've always been in love with dress forms. I'm not a designer by any means, but the dress form reminds me of how perfectly simple beauty can be and I particularly love them incorporated into a living space. I have it in my goals to purchase a dress form (or two), but as I currently don't have a place to put them, I've been obsessing over rooms that have played with the feminine form. Here are a few of my favourites!

They all have touches of old whimsy. I can't wait to add my own kick of contemporary to the classic dress form - mixing old and new is a particularly favourite past-time of mine and I've been fancying a vintage dress form for some time now.


(Photo Sources from top to bottom: desiretoinspire.net, thisnext.com, countryliving.com, photo 4, photo 5)

Forever 21 Social Media Marketing Manager - my future gig.

So I'm re-doing my goals, and there's one in particular at the top of my list - to become Forever 21's Social Media Marketing Manager. I haven't yet set a specific timeline, but I'm working on it!

I think at some point, one has to start practicing what they preach - so here I sit, putting my goals into the universe, and asking the universe for a little nudge to help them along.

If any of you reading this know of someone on the Marketing or Recruiting Teams at Forever 21, please let me know! I would absolutely LOVE an introduction!

I'm pretty sure this particular gig was made for me, non?

tides of change

[I found this post sitting in my drafts folder from early 2010. And it's reminded me of how much things can change with just a little bit of planning, persistence, and perseverance. The sentiments expressed here truly warm my soul, and perhaps they'll also remind you that we really are not meant for mediocrity. Take a stand for your greatness; I promise to stand right there beside you, in support.]


I've always been one to embrace change; greet it at the door with a warm cup of tea on a cold night. And this time in my life, when stuff seems so temporary, has forced me to be an even more gracious hostess to this, often intimidating, neighbour.

So here I sit, amidst a change in season, emotional out-look, and goals and I feel a bit warm and tingly inside. I wasn't made to stay stagnant, and I sure as hell won't succumb to mediocrity. Life is a bit too short to be blind to the greatness we can accomplish.

Embrace change, create greatness from it. I have faith in you. 


(Photo of Chanel Iman)

all the things we've done wrong

Over 2 years ago, the american and I had a rather frank discussion. One that involved talking about awkward topics that were not comfortable to discuss after just under a year of seriously dating; us and our future. I was hesitant. I'm a bit of a skeptic and I didn't think I could handle it - but he reassured me in his calm and collected way. So we laid some ground rules, made a few promises, and I cried my eyes out. 

I look back and I think I was rather naive. I thought we'd follow this perfect path, trimmed with flowers that bloomed all year round and grass that was always green. I thought the rules we laid and the promises we made would always stand - my glasses were extra rosey. Today, I know shit isn't always perfect. Things change, life happens. We've evolved as individuals and as a couple; and that's completely okay with me.

The first little while, I read a million and one articles, blogs, and books about how to make a long distance relationship work - I'm totally nerdy like that. And they all had similar themes: over-communicate always, plan your next trips to see each other and try to take turns traveling, and set a time-line as to when you'll be together. At least, these were the three themes that stuck in my mind over the past years. But, to be completely candid, we've stuck to almost none of them. First, it's hard to over-communicate when you have two emotional introverts. But, we've become extremely sensitive to each other's feelings and know when something is off (we also openly try to work on our communication). Second, we don't take turns. The american's job doesn't allow him to take much time off, so I'm often the one flying. But we definitely plan our visits ahead - in fact, we've already begun planning 2011. Lastly, we have no timeline. Originally we had a 3 year plan - but after I became completely consumed with the timeline to the point of (near) insanity (I have a bit of a problem with trying to plan my timelines a bit too much), I took that 3 year plan off the table.

Today, things are good. Really good. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to be an even better communicator (I'm actually a great communicator about the good stuff, it's just when I'm upset that I find I shut down), I'd love to take turns traveling (but I know this is just not realistic), and I'd love to have a timeline. But life doesn't always work out the way you planned it to - and that's okay. Because today things are really, really good.

lacquer me up

I'm pretty much obsessed with this.

I remember sitting with girlfriends on the weekends in elementary school and handpainting our nails to look exactly like this. Yes, by hand - we were much more patient back then. OPI has now made my childhood fantasies of antique-esque nails a grown-up reality, and it's called Black Shatter! I can't wait to get my hands on this next month (it gets released in January). The colour is actually a top coat and you can lacquer it overtop any nail polish. le swoon.

Bad.Freaking.Ass.

watch me

I've been a bit obsessed with time lately - both metaphorically and with my accessories. I'm in this constant state of questioning and creating my life; and mostly I feel like things aren't happening as quickly as I want them to. I've realized that the timelines I set out as a young adult didn't come to fruition and most of them no longer apply. A chaotic sort of calm; it's intoxicating and frustrating at the same time. I want to know what my life holds, what the future will bring - but this feeling of not knowing, this itch that I can't seem to scratch - keeps me curious and constantly challenged. So if I can't control time, perhaps I can contain it... in watch form...on my wrist. (Ahem... Santa, I hope you're listening!)

From top to bottom: Triwa Greystone Chrono Watch, March by Marc Jacobs Sukie Gold Chain Watch, WEWOOD Date Watch (I'd like this light colour for myself and the black version for the American), and Toy Watch. Swoon...