Style Bouquet

Pete Lawrie

2011-09-26T09:09:00.000-04:00

I've been feeling rather yucky and ill this weekend. Onset of a flu. Drowning in chai tea and honey. Menthol blaring out my nostrils. Benadryl flowing through my veins. I was about to throw in the towel and go lock myself up in a dark room till this phase passes, when my friend Emily sent me a link to the brilliant Pete Lawrie. This singer-songwriter from Penarth, Wales, might just be helping me to a speedy recovery. I've had him on repeat during whatever little snippet of wakefulness I get to enjoy.

His lyrics are real and honest. His voice has a way of slowly creeping into your head, solidly carving itself and willfully refusing to budge.

Friends, Pete Lawrie. Pete Lawrie, friends.

Swirl

2011-09-25T13:45:00.000-04:00

Do you ever find yourself only ever venturing out in one section of your city/town? I do. I have a habit of sticking to the mid-south-west. Partly because everything I need is around there and partly because of a certain familiarity I have with the area. I could walk down the street reading a book without once needing to lift my head up, save to check for oncoming traffic.

But yesterday, to celebrate my friend Jon's birthday, we ventured out to Leslieville to swirl wine bar, and boy am I glad I did. For a wine bar, this place is neither pretentious nor overly priced. Reminiscent of a country vineyard, the bar has been converted from a one-bedroom apartment on the upper level of a Victorian home. Most of the furnishing is of reclaimed furniture, and has been decorated with an eclectic flair. I couldn't help but sneak off to capture a few photos of the place. I did miss the table that had been converted from a vintage swinger sewing machine.

I'm nowhere close to being a wine connoisseur, but what I had, I did like. They also serve a yummy selection of cheeses and spreads. Plus they have decent selection of board games, and host book swaps. What's not to love? Badabing.

Polka Dots

2011-09-20T19:12:00.000-04:00

clockwise: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

These mini spots are spreading like wildfire and that skirt to the left sure looks fun to twist in.

Rustic

2011-09-20T09:50:00.000-04:00

These settings from pottery barn ooze rusticity. It's the weathered wood, the neutral tones, the careless organization, and the gallery wall that just never gets old.

Ulyana Sergeenko

2011-09-14T19:16:00.000-04:00

Have you guys seen Ulyana Sergeenko's Fall Winter 2011 collection yet?

I was going for my weekly fill at of a kind when I stumbled upon these.

Awesome in pure form.

Inspired by Soviet Russia. This is what happens when 1940s charm goes back to the future. Where midi and floor length dresses reign supreme. Where people pull of bold prints and ladylike silhouettes with such aplomb...retro at its utmost best.

Last Of The Summer Sun

2011-09-08T20:38:00.000-04:00

h&m jumpsuit, nine west sandals, vintage clutch

Back to regularly scheduled posting.

Apologies for falling off the wagon for a while there.

Between my sister packing up and heading back to England, me trying to figure out life after graduation, searching for a new apartment, and basking in the summer sun; there was little time for much else.

Any opportunity to wear sheer as Fall comes crawling up, and I'm on it. The print on this jumpsuit is a tad crazy, but that's what makes it all the more fun.

Day & Night

2011-08-18T18:45:00.000-04:00

Running errands in breton stripes during the day; florals at night for a food fest with good company.

Photo Booth

2011-08-18T16:01:00.001-04:00

clockwise from left: here, here & here

You know how as a child you go "when I grow up, I'm going to..."? One of mine was to get a photo booth in my flat. I know right?! But the hope still lives.

The Styling Is Nice & All...

2011-08-18T11:09:00.000-04:00

Opening Ceremony's first ever resort collection

...but can we focus on everything that's going on in the backgrounds for just a moment?

Sea Voyager

2011-08-18T07:36:00.000-04:00

found here

Meet me by the sea again
Past the point of shoreline bends
Where the sand is soft and warm
And hangs upon your golden arm
And time won't move at all

Jesse Harris' The Secret Sun has been the perfect summer soundtrack. Each time it comes on my playlist, I get this image of me making my way across the seashore picking up an assortment of sea shells that will make their way back home with me, and get used for crafty little projects. The possibilities for those pretty gems seem boundless...

...as a jewellery dish

...as a shell candle

...as a centrepiece

...as a mirror frame

Nifty ideas non? But alas, I'm mainly surrounded by lakes lacking sea creatures which means shells are few and far between. On another note, did someone ever find out why sally sold seashells by the seashore when anyone could have just picked them up?

Brace Yourselves For...

2011-08-17T23:41:00.000-04:00

...brrr. this blanket of cosiness in that weather

Art In Fashion II

2011-08-16T22:40:00.000-04:00

here & here

Noir et Blanche

2011-08-16T10:33:00.000-04:00

'French Connection' by Josh Olins with Joan Smalls and Hailey Clauson in Vogue Paris September 2011

found here

Black and white with many shades of gray. I'm a vibrant colour kinda girl. But in the absence of colour, the focus lies on everything from the big picture of grace and elegance, to the very minute details like the pocket square and necklaces. And that is at times, more captivating than all the vibrant colour in the world.

This Lace Thing

2011-08-15T23:52:00.000-04:00

forever 21 romper, vintage lace jacket, urban outfitters shoes

I was scrambling around like a chicken with its head cut off this past week trying to find a new apartment. It feels like almost everyone has moved to Toronto, resulting in a rental scarcity of sorts. Landlords were quick to catch on and are now charging an arm and a leg for dodgy holes in the wall. No can do m'am. I haven't found a place yet, but I've put a brake on the scrambling; I'm less anxious and have faith that a cosy gem soon will come.

With this new found peace, I was able to enjoy cirque du soleil's totem this past weekend. If nothing else, it was entertaining and had me wanting to be a gymnast in my next life. Wore a romper with this lace thing I found at my new favourite shop: vintage grounds. In the past month, I've visited at least once a week, and the lady who runs is each time, more charming than the last.

Hope you all had a more relaxing week than I. How were your weekends?

Jenni Kayne

2011-08-05T12:15:00.000-04:00

The colours in Jenni Kayne's Resort 2012 collection bring to mind the yummy goodness of ice cream sorbet. The button up shirt and ankle grazing trousers sure make this collection one delicious treat.

Sookyung Bae

2011-08-04T18:42:00.000-04:00

Damaris Rivera and Jaehyun Park II digital prints by MFA, Sookyung Bae. Fancy schmancy duplication at work.

The Honey Trees

2011-08-04T11:42:00.000-04:00

I fell in love with the honey trees after listening to their beautiful rendition of moon river. The brilliant duo, becky filip and jacob wick, brought such a sweet harmony to this song, i went on a little hunt to hear more from them. Hailing out of sacramento, their sound is half indie, half acoustic folk, with some full bodied all around goodness. Their ep wake the earth is full of many sweet lullabies with my favourites being through your eyes and to be with you.

Seventeen Vintage Covers

2011-08-03T21:49:00.000-04:00

Ne'er have I read a copy of Seventeen Magazine. To be fair, I wasn't very much a fashion magazine reading teen. All that may have changed had these vintage covers been dropped off at my doorstep.

July Waltz

2011-08-01T22:22:00.000-04:00

vintage dress, aldo shoes

July was truly the most delightful month. Spent this past week in a summer haze jamming at jazz festivals, lounging by the lake shore (the closest thing I have to the seaside here, is this artificial beach), celebrating my birthday, and on long bike rides across the city. Stumbled upon this secluded parkette on my way to dinner where I wore one of my favourite colours right now in this mint dress.

This year has been on speed dial but I won't mind as much if August is as kind as July was. If you're in the northern hemisphere, I do hope you're enjoying what's left of the summer months. xx

Art In Fashion

2011-07-27T08:32:00.000-04:00

here & here

Art imitating life. Life imitating art. Many things influence art. Art has inspired many-a-things. Fashion as an art form. Art as an expressive form in fashion.

A fun new project on style bouquet.

You're the Best & Guest Posting

2011-07-26T23:33:00.000-04:00

here

Right now, in this very moment, I'm wearing a smile you've given me by stopping by and scribbling little comments on this here blog. They set warm fuzzies aflutter.

I believe in breaths of fresh air. I believe that there is beauty in variety like there is with a bouquet of flowers with each stem showing off its own unique and vibrant colour. Which is why Style Bouquet is now open to guest posts. If you are interested in blurbing in this little space, please send me an email at stylebouquet@gmail.com or have a quick chit-chat with me @stylebouquet

Sending a panda-size thank you hug to each and every one of you.

Bisous,

Abi

Girl With A Pearl Earring

2011-07-21T21:56:00.000-04:00

Want me to break down what Dorothee Golz did here? Sure thing. You see, she took this girl with a pearl earring painting by Johannes Vermeer and thought it was about time we looked beyond the pearl, beyond the turban and maybe beyond her intense glare. Perhaps like me, Dorothee was curious to know what this girl with a pearl was doing before posing for the painting. Inquiring minds wanted to know how this girl spent her time or quite possibly, what the rest of her surroundings look like.

So Dorothee added a body and some interior; she created a broader, wider and longer narrative. She took the girl with a pearl out of the 1800s and fast forwarded to 19th/20th century with the denim jeans and classic flats. She gave the girl with a pearl a romantic attire with the pastels and sheer, in the event she really wasn't much of a denim girl at all. Dorothee played fair and created different settings for you curious minds wondering if there was indeed more to this girl than just a pearl. And yes, yes there is a whole lot more. A lot more than I think you will find in her surroundings or her attire or even that perfectly wound turban. For you see, the story of the girl with the pearl remains in that intense gaze of hers that's filled with such captivating emotions. Dorothee felt it too and left that glare absolutely untouched.

You're welcome.

Kontor Kontur: Things Organized Neatly

2011-07-20T13:34:00.000-04:00

Design office kontor kontur, grasps the concept of things organized neatly. These desk displays are a reminder that I need to do a massive haul of my study area and strip back down to the bare minimum essentials...yellow spoons included. Why, for mini ice cream breaks of course ;)

Inslee Haynes

2011-07-19T23:48:00.000-04:00

I just spent the past half hour hitting backspace, clicking backspace and yeah hitting backspace again. I've been browsing through the work of Inslee Haynes, illustrator extraordinaire. Holy inspiration! Watercolor-and-ink sketches inspired by people she sees online or in person; Inslee's work has definitely egged me on to seek out pretty little dresses to wear all summer long. You may gallivant through her shop...it really is filled with the prettiest illustrations.

Vilhelm Hammershøi

2011-07-18T23:04:00.000-04:00

via guardian

I love the deep sense of calm radiating from these paintings by Vilheml Hammershøi. Perhaps a little too realistic and melancholy for some; it is this simplicity and starkness that I find most intriguing. With minimal furnishing, natural lightning and moody shadows, the Danish painter manages to speak volumes with his mostly faceless and solitary subjects.

La Société

2011-07-15T20:28:00.000-04:00

Wore this vintage dress to dinner in Paris. Okay...one of the closest places to Paris from my flat: la société bistro. The decor and menu are rather reminiscent of the Paris bistros I visited last summer; and the complementary oysters earned extra brownie points.

The dress is from vintage grounds, a shop I happily stumbled upon last week. These sandals (last seen here) are fast becoming a summer staple. They are so easy to wear and the pattern goes well with everything thus far.

Happy Friday dears. Wish you all the best of weekends! Try not to get into too much trouble ;)

Bisous,

Abi

Temperley London

2011-07-15T15:48:00.000-04:00

There's day wear and there's evening wear. Weekdays versus weekends. Proper at business meetings or carefree while you frolic through fields. Alice Temperley covers the bases with her Resort 2012 collection. Which way are you leaning?

Blumenfeld

2011-07-15T13:47:00.000-04:00

Designer Alison Blumenfeld has a talent for combining modern and traditional pieces in effortless ways that have me taking notes. Like this Los Angeles Moderne home. The touch of pastels creates a fresh, warm & inviting aesthetic. I could definitely see myself getting cozy in this home. How about you?

Print Mixing

2011-07-15T08:55:00.000-04:00

here

This 1963 editorial shot perfectly showcases how print on print on print just works works works. At first glance, I see florals and leopard print (a second glance, and I'm not so sure). Do you see any others?

Heather Landis: Abyss of the Disheartened

2011-07-14T23:16:00.000-04:00

Heather Landis' beautiful images in the series abyss of the disheartened brings to mind the song dancing with myself by Nouvelle Vague. The Los Angeles based photographer/retoucher breathes new life into underwater photography. Sneak through some more of her work here.

Nouvelle Vague

2011-07-14T15:24:00.000-04:00

from here

New wave songs with cheeky bossa nova twists. Producers Marc Collins and Olivier Libaux with singers like Melanie Pain, Phoebe Killdeer & Nadeah Miranda, have managed to cover variousclassics without the risk of a blatant rip-off. Their sound reminds me of tunes you hear at a coffee shop that leave you wondering who exactly is on the record. Now you can bring the coffee shop along on walks and bike rides. Their style is their own, and has been the perfect soundtrack to my summer so far. Take a listen. You likey?

Ksubi Kolors

2011-07-14T00:49:00.000-04:00

found via revolveclothing

Neon: the gift that just keeps giving. Ksubi's kolors campaign has me wanting to don bright denim all summer long. Sadly, humidity strongly disagrees; but flying through colourful clouds of smoke remains an option.

La Mer Collections

2011-07-13T11:56:00.000-04:00

These neon simple wrap watches from La Mer Collections are bound to add a little extra flair to your day...or your wrists at the very least.

Steven Springer

2011-07-13T09:26:00.000-04:00

Rad art prints with touches of neon by Steven Springer

Neon

2011-07-13T06:47:00.000-04:00

1,2,3,4

Oh dear, it really is just that kind of day. Woke up feeling giddy and everything seems that much more vibrant, colourful and beautiful. It's bound to be a good one, so let's make it count.

Frame Photo Wall

2011-07-11T21:46:00.000-04:00

alifeofblue, apartmenttheraphy

A friend of mine had dented several holes in her wall and instead of getting it fixed, she placed frames over them till she built a neatly crafted frame wall of sorts. Although, I do have a sneaky suspicion she may have accidentally-on-purpose placed the 3rd, 4th & 5th dents in there herself ;)

I love these wall combinations with varying textures, shapes and sizes of frames, mirrors, clocks and other knick knacks. My favourite? The addition of vintage photos as it allows you to recreate fantastical stories of your own.

Maxi Skirt

2011-07-11T21:27:00.000-04:00

american apparel shirt/h&m skirt/steve madden shoes

Oh hey, lookey. The maxi pops up again. Perfect for striding and gliding. Dressed up or down. Calf grazing or floor sweeping. Despite contrary views, I still stand behind the idea that a maxi skirt looks brilliant on tall and petite women alike.What say you?

nOir Jewelry

2011-07-06T12:55:00.000-04:00

These handwoven shaka bracelets from nOir jewelry are the bees knees.

I Love My City...

2011-07-05T11:37:00.000-04:00

...because of the endless patios, restaurants & festivals, and because walking/biking around is not impossible. Because I don't need to travel out to experience snippets of different cultures, and because you can break into dance in the middle of the intersection while passerbys most likely only bat an eyelash...truth, first hand. Illustrator Judy Kaufmann does a brilliant job of visually articulating this love.

What do you guys love about your city? Spill.

Mixology

2011-07-04T01:01:00.000-04:00

Walked into a vintage shop. Spotted this vibrant orange top. Thought: 'what a fun colour'. Pulled it off the racks and saw it was cropped with crossover buttons and a teeny bitty pocket. Into the crook of my arm it went. A couple of steps later, blue polka dot trousers were playing a game of peek-a-boo amidst other bottoms. Thought: 'surely, blue polka dots belong with vibrant oranges'. And so, this outfit was born. Of course the sandals were an after thought from urban outfitters; as were the accessories.

Comfort on Canada day. Picnicking, bike riding and fireworks watching while the sun blazed overheard.

Hope you all had a swell weekend. Happy Monday everybody!

Bisous,

Abi

Happy Canada Day

2011-07-01T13:41:00.000-04:00

frommetoyou, pinterest, stuckincustoms, bossmodels, hostessblog, 24media, beautyineverything

Painting the town red. And white...but mostly red.
Happy Canada day folks! Happy 4th of July to my American friends, and happy Friday to all!

I've been in Toronto for slightly under six years now and I'm impressed at how quickly it started to feel like home and how welcomed I've been made to feel here.
This long weekend celebrations involve a trip to the island beach, cocktails anywhere outdoors, pool parties/bbqs and long bike rides to take in the firework display. Such is my patriotic obligation and hey, who am I to disobey? What are your plans for the weekend?

Every national holiday is incomplete without fireworks. And simply because every firework display hasn't been the same since Ms. Perry came on the scene, I leave you with this.

Bisous,
Abi

With Grace In Your Heart & Flowers In Your Hair

2011-06-30T17:03:00.000-04:00

Self-taught photographer Alexandra Sophie is making magic with her camera one click at a time. Scenic wanderlust meets childhood innocence.

Mumford & Sons- After the Storm

Vintage Ads

2011-06-30T10:56:00.000-04:00

my vintage vogue

Vintage adertisements. No gimmicks, no photoshop. Attention to layout and typography.

Do ads move you to purchase?

Studio Patro

2011-06-29T12:53:00.000-04:00

What's in a tea towel? Studio Patro believes it's more than just a cloth for dish drying or keeping the teapot warm. As you stand there thinking about how much you dislike doing those dreadful dishes, the words "today is a good day" jump out at you and fills you with positive energy. And if you happen not to care much for kitchen chores, these could definitely be framed as wall art. Multi-purpose. Double Whammy.

Froschkind

2011-06-29T08:51:00.000-04:00

Illustrator Sabrina Tibourtine's work is the quirkiest of them all. Pops of vibrant colour with a vintage ambiance. I love the non-perfection brought about by the combination of life photos and illustrated drawings. Her etsy shop froschkind is beyond surreal. It truly is, I promise.

Hello, Friend

2011-06-28T17:28:00.000-04:00

Oh, hello friend was one of the very first blogs I stumbled upon and I love it just as much today today, as much as I did back then. Danni's space is like a bubble of creativity, constantly shooting out little bursts of inspiration. Also a designer of jewellery and little knick knacks, I recently took a snoop through her etsy shop filled with precious little gems. Fix your eyes on the "we make a good 'pear'" necklace.

Ashley Rowe

2011-06-28T08:40:00.000-04:00

I'm always pleased to see the Canadian design scene thrive. There is so much creativity lurking at every corner. Toronto based designer, Ashley Rowe's Fall 2011 collection is one such corner. Fabric hand dyed in soft pastels, casually draped to create long and lean silhouettes. Holy tie-dye!

Mellow Yellow

2011-06-27T08:20:00.000-04:00

Holy Karamba! See how long it took you to say that; that's how fast the weekend went by.

This will be my first full summer in Toronto and I'm thrilled at the amount of activities summer breeds here. Movies, patio chillin', franco-fests, bike tourin' and dinner for the first time at host, where they possibly serve the best butter chicken in the city. Wore a polka dot dress from topshop and yellow pumps that put a little extra hop in my step.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend. Happy Monday!

Live Colourfully

2011-06-24T12:59:00.000-04:00

Kate Spade via 15impossiblethings

Playfulness at its best. The live colourfully project by Kate Spade. A year long collaboration with various artists, Kate Spade is dead set on infusing colour into our lives one month at a time. If these photos are anything to go by, then I say they're right on track. Talk about maximum impact!

Run With The Wild Horses

2011-06-24T08:46:00.000-04:00

Bec Winnel

Woowee, happy friday! Another week behind us. How was yours? My dad has been visiting with us this past week and its been such fun catching up with him and laughing till my tummy hurts. Sadly, he leaves in a couple of days.

..........

Tugging on my heartstrings today are these portraits by talented artist, Bec Winnel. I love her technique of piling on layers of pastel colours as it creates a soft & feminine allure. The bold, vivid eyes of her characters are filled with such emotion, book long stories could be written through those eyes alone. Absolute love.

Melvin Sokolsky Paris 1963

2011-06-23T13:23:00.000-04:00

Melvin Sokolsky via oneeightnine

Was hanging out on one eight nine and came across these images by photographer Melvin Sokolsky. Oh, you know, just another day making the rounds on the streets of Paris in a plexi glass bubble...casual.

Shot in 1963 for Harpers Bazaar, I love how timeless these shots look.

Stella Cake

2011-06-23T10:22:00.000-04:00

Apollinas

Talk about clever ideas. Apollina, the lovely lady behind the blog Apollinas took inspiration from Stella McCartney's SS2011 collection and came up with a cake so bang on, I had to do a triple take. That's a food stylist if I've ever seen one. Now, if unlike me, you've managed to stop scrolling between dress and cake, and would like to get on with some baking, the full recipe is here.

Now, That's A Picnic

2011-06-22T19:20:00.000-04:00

h&m home via 79 ideas

Wahoooo! Farmers' markets are out in full force which means...summer is officially in motion. Time to pick yourself up and get out into wide open spaces. Some folks at H&M have put together these picnic in style settings that could possibly get you going.

Kristian Schuller

2011-06-22T17:32:00.000-04:00

Kristian Schuller

Know who has a knack for capturing motion like no other? Paris-based photographer Kristian Schuller is who. Looking for flowy, beautiful and unrestrained fancy? Yup, I believe he does that too. Not fully convinced by the images above, go have a click through for yourself here.

Sessun

2011-06-20T13:55:00.000-04:00

Sessun SS 2011 via na nin vintage

Whimsical Monday. Filled with outstanding images exuding femininity, softness and beauty, Sessun's SS2011 lookbook fits right in.

Watercolours

2011-06-20T06:54:00.000-04:00

Under from WATERCOLOURS Music on Vimeo.

Discovered Watercolours via lead singer, Chelsea Jade's blog willowships. Their debut music video is for the song under and it's absolutely beautiful. Love the softness, pastels and extraordinary clarity in her voice. Purely whimscal.

Slow breath

Eyes down

I can hear my heart

And it hammers hard

It's because you brought me here

Happy Monday folks!
Bisous
Abi

Black & Yellow

2011-06-19T00:16:00.001-04:00

vintage shorts, bag and blouse/ aldo shoes/ h&m sunnies

I only recently just bought these shorts but I feel like I've worn the living daylight out of them already. Little yellow florals, check. Fun sash, check. Knee length, check. Breezy and comfy, they are perfect for scorching hot summer days. Plus, they've gone surprisingly well with everything so far.

Hope you're all having a lovely weekend!
x

The Burning House

2011-06-16T08:47:00.000-04:00

the burning house

A visual articulation of what one values most or holds dear. The burning house is simple yet impactful. While profusely knocking on wood for each of you, i pose the question...if your house were burning, what would you take with you?

Colour Infusion

2011-06-15T22:03:00.000-04:00

I live with my sister at the moment, but come Fall, across the pond she goes. Where does that leave me? Competing for a one-bedroom with the bagillion other people that just so happen to flow into Toronto that time of year. Making a place feel like home takes a while, but I've found that there's nothing quite like the infusion of colour to help speed up the process. This apartment-studio on marie claire maison is a prime example. Refreshingly colourful without bordering on juvenile.

Know of any hidden tricks to make one's space feel homier?

Esperanza Spalding

2011-06-15T00:11:00.000-04:00

via esperanza spalding

That slightly awkward moment when Esperanza Spalding won the grammy award for 'best new artist'. I'm most certain you could have heared a pin drop.

Lately, I've been enjoying tidbits of jazz music. Dear Ms. Spalding here has the perfect melodic voice to accompany lazy summer evenings spent reading a book on the patio while sipping on some lemonade. Take a listen. What do you reckon?

Bir Pili Hikayesi

2011-06-14T23:36:00.000-04:00

via noirfacade

Vogue Türkiye May 2011Model: Charlotte di CalypsoPhotographer: Chadwick TylerStylist: Konca Ayka

This editorial is a classic example of when modernity and tradition violently collide. From the prim but messy updo to the varying skirt lengths and pleat detailing...badabing!

GOLDhearted

2011-06-13T22:09:00.003-04:00

via etsy

Hey folks! Hope you had a lovely weekend. You made it through a Monday with no complaints? Go on and give yourself a solid pat of the back.

Etsy truly never gets old does it? Stumbled upon the shop GOLD-hearted this weekend. A range of jewellery designed by Michelle of the blog gold-hearted girl. With pieces inspired by nature & art history, and with names like shakti and elixir rope bracelet, this SoCal based designer has got quite the flair. Friendship bracelet aesthetic with a classic twist brought about by the gold/silver chain link and clasp. Badabing.

Valerie Chiang

2011-06-10T18:06:00.001-04:00

via valeriechiang

Happy Friday lovelies! Hope you're doing as well as can be.

I spent a chunk of yesterday morning reading the entire internet...no really, I did and here's proof. Annnnddd...through a series of link click-aging, I stumbled upon the site of the very talented Raleigh-based photographer Valerie Chiang. Her photos are filled with such mystery that leaves one with a sense of wonder and has you creating your book long stories to them. I especially love her seaside gallery and the way each picture looks more like a painting than a photograph. Talk about a day at the beach!

Quantum of Solace

2011-06-10T18:06:00.000-04:00

h&m dress and scarf; urban outfitters shoes

Absolutely humid weather today called for light, airy pieces. I snagged up this maxi from the swimwear section at h&m. With a little slip, swimwear became daywear. Humidity turns hair to frizz which is where the scarf comes in. Contrasting prints? I'm all over it.

PS- Huge thanks to MTV style for the lovely write up.

PSS- All the best to those who are writing exams at the moment. Home stretch now m'dears!

Live the Language

2011-06-09T23:55:00.001-04:00

Stumbled upon these beautiful short films by the language school EF. Never knew a study abroad program could be filled with such charisma (the usual perception is adventure).

The first film perfectly depicts why I fall in love with Paris over and over again, while the latter has me itching for Fall when I head home for a short while, and get to spend some time with my sweet homefries (read: younger siblings).

Lauren Moffatt Fall 2011

2011-06-09T12:35:00.001-04:00

Lauren Moffatt Fall 2011 (images via Refinery29, collage by me)

Discovered Lauren Moffatt last year with the honeymooner and what she packed SS2011 collection. The follow up is bang on with its country-girl sensibilities. Might seem a bit drab dabbling with Fall right at the peak of summer, but the spirit of this collection is absolutely charming and filled with such cheer, it was hard not to share. Plus, the easy separates can definitely inspire outfits for right now.

Into the Fashion

2011-06-07T23:56:00.000-04:00

Geoffrey Beene 1991 and Stella McCartney FW2011

Balenciaga 1967 and Balenciaga 2008

Prada FW2008 and Jil Sander SS2011

FC Gundlach and Zara SS2011

all images via into the fashion

IT'S ALL JUST A LITTLE BIT OF HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF. Fashion history is fascinating. Its especially fascinating how decades past almost always rear up time and time again. Not unlike the cyclical motion of a ferris wheel. Sometimes, I play a game of time travel, where I throw in a little eeny, meeny, miny, moe, while wondering what decade will grace us with it's presence next.

Know who else finds this fascinating? Diana Marian Murek of Into the Fashion. I discovered her blog a short while ago and was captivated by how she visually documents what I have only been able to portray with strings of scattered phrases.

Can you think of any benchmarks of the past decade that may rear up a little while from now?

The Lion King Musical

2011-06-07T20:23:00.003-04:00

broadway.com

I went to see The Lion King over the weekend, and my word, was it ever entertaining! It's one of my absolute favourite disney movies and I was curious to see how director Julie Taymor planned on bringing these characters to life without taking away from the story. The theatrics and costumes were awe inspiring and not at all distracting. And of course I sat there humming along to Circle of Life and He Lives In You.

Have any of you seen it? Highly recommended if it comes to a theatre by you. Brilliant play.

Jewellery By Amy

2011-06-04T00:04:00.001-04:00

I saw my friend Amy Martin wearing one of these beautiful babybook necklaces a while back and gushed about how beautiful it was. Turns out she designed it herself. Well, hellllooo there Ms. Crafty. Each necklace is entirely hand made with real leather, water colour paper and binding thread. I especially love how she personalizes each page with letraset letters concealing a "secret message", finishing off with an original printed vintage illustration on the first page. Charming.

Of course I've put in a plea to have one made for me. We've all been urging Amy to create a little shop- etsy perhaps?- as she's incredibly talented. So far, she's only taken word-of-mouth orders, but I'll keep you posted when that changes. If you're at all interested in one, you could email me and I'll pass it along. Perhaps that'll be the little nudge nudge she needs to open up shop? Hehehe

Amazingly Painful

2011-05-26T20:39:00.003-04:00

vintage blouse, aa skirt, river island belt, nine west shoes, h&m jacket

How to have an amazingly painful weekend. A pretty rough guide...

Turn down a trip to Miami (or any beach-sun filled destination) for reasons unknown to man.

Kick yourself for it. Kick the pain into gear...literally.
Don't wallow in self pity. Never wallow in self pity. This will be more painful for those around you than it will be for you. Never wallow. Just don't do it.

Now pick yourself up and go see a hilarious play like I don't know...the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. I tell you, if that doesn't have you in painful fits of laughter, I know a little place where a sense of humour is dished out by the gallon. The sort of laughter in which you're left in stitches served with a sick feeling that your intestines are at risk of internal explosion. As Bukowski said, "if you're going to try go all the way and you'll ride life straight to perfect laughter". You should be dead set on living this out at said hilarious play.

The temptation to roll over on the floor and wave your feet in the air creeps in but you quickly realize how incredibly silly you already look. And quite frankly, you risk getting thrown out of the theatre by your belt buckles.You settle instead for the deafening applause approach. That one where you clap so hard you become quite suspect and people around you move down a seat or two. Congrats. You've successfully crossed that line between applause and having a severe case of clappisitis (let's hear it for singularity theory!). Your throbbing hands should be a good indicator that you're right on track here. Your abdominal region in shambles? Badabing! Time to move on to the next phase. If it's taking a while for your to achieve this, sit on it, laugh like hyenas do, and it'll come. Soon enough. I promise you. Abs of steel. It'll come.

Next up, the legs. Go on ahead. Round up some friends (or strangers) and play a "friendly" game of football. But was it not the mighty Shakespeare who said "what's in a name"? Football by any other name will still be football. The one where you feet touch the ball. The one where the preface "friendly" does not prevent the competitive dragon inside you from coming to the surface. Friendly has a tendency to go down the gutter when the blood gets boiling in a game of co-ed football; when losing becomes a non-option.

You run faster than your running shoes will allow, you run like you are being pursued by ten starving lions in a safari, you run like your life depended on nothing more than when the ball goes into that post. And perhaps your life does depend on it. There is self-satisfaction to be gained from that imaginary trophy. This is where you have to ignore that pain in your chest that's begging you for mercy, asking why won't you release me?. Ignore all the signs your lungs are screaming at you letting you know they're at risk of getting punctured. Pffft...lungs or no lungs, you're aiming for the goal. You just want that imaginary trophy darn it. Friendly on hold. Team spirit on hold. Decorum on hold.

After your body has taken quite the beating, your idea of relaxation is to head out to a Lykke Li concert (any good ol' concert will do to be honest). It is at this point that you begin to really hone in on the insides. You become truly convinced that the only way to express how much you're enjoying yourself is to sing every lyric at the top of your lungs. You become one of those nincompoops who sing so loud others around you strain to hear the words coming from the actual artist on stage.

Yes, this is a true sign that you're right on your way to having an amazingly painful weekend. You overlook that itch in the back of your throat. Your mouth moves wildly, but no words come out. You overlook that too. Pretend not to remember that this is a sign your voice will be out for a few days. Overlook, overlook, overlook. Who cares about a voice at a time like this?! You're rocking out to one of your faves and are on your way to accomplishing your mission: amazingly painful weekend.

At the end of it all, drop your camera from about six feet and have a freeze frame/slow motion moment when your realize all the photos captured are forever lost in a digital abyss. All you've got left really is your fizzling memory. Now this pain shoots straight through your heart.You live in limbo for the next couple of days with little to no voice, aching muscles and a cramp in your neck caused by your awkward sleep position of head hanging off bed.

You recover a few days later and long to relieve every moment; sans the camera drop because your heart is still a little fragile yet. O Weekend, come speedily like the wind, come forth like the rain, come amazingly painfully.

Disclaimer: this post is based on true, albeit slightly exaggerated events.

99 Problems in the Winter Winds

2011-05-10T18:55:00.004-04:00

Philosophy: Why wait till the new year to make resolutions when you can make them right at the peak of spring?

And boy, do I have the long list here. Somewhere right around the top though, is the point at which I learn to play the guitar. A little Hugo meets Mumford & Sons. Yuppers! Now one might wonder how these two merge, but somewhere in a deep corner of my mind, I envision a duet called 99 problems in the winter winds. Yeah. A cocoon in the middle of all that is exactly what I'm aiming for. After only learning a few chords this past week my fingers have been bleeding/crying out in pain. I could say that's what has kept me away from my keyboard, my computer and blogging, but that'll be a dirty dirty lie. I've been enjoying my new found freedom (from uni work) and frolicking through the city discovering hole in the wall restaurants and the like. Really nothing better to do that in than this half sheer, high splitted maxi dress.

Hope you're all feeling as well as can be. Any summer resolutions/ upcoming plans?

Here's some Hugo to keep you company while you come up with some ;)

Bisous,
Abi

Traipsing

2011-05-02T18:45:00.001-04:00

h&m jumpsuit; vintage bag; uo sandals

Current theme: The Florist

Nothing quite like a jumpsuit for an easy breezy walk around the city. Comfortably perfect for the sunny Saturday we experienced this past week. Only classic thing of course are the problems that arise when one needs to go to the bathroom. Then easy breezy becomes extremely frustrating and sweat-inducing as the straps choose that moment to go on strike, refusing to come undone.

Succeeded in kicking one of my summer resolutions into gear- a new restaurant each week. All part of my ploy to know Toronto like the back of my hand at the end of the summer. Reward? Nothing tangible, just tonnes of excitement and fun to be had. I have a feeling it's going to be a weighty discovery though as my night cap had me at the newly opened menchies- froyo really is the best thing since sliced bread. Cake batter with cheesecake and white chocolate bits. Yum!

Hope you all have a lovely weekend. Happy Monday!

A Charm From the Sky Seems to Hallow Us There

2011-04-30T13:06:00.003-04:00

via vogue.com; theselby.com

Current theme: The Florist

Oi! Bum cramps anyone? I reckon a good chunk of you had your buttocks stuck to the sofa for a good while yesterday taking in all that royal wedding shindig. Perhaps you were too excited and ended up burning a hole into your rug from all the prancing and jumping you did. Or maybe like me, you're with a neck ache as you prefer to lounge around on your head with your feet up in the air cause you know...it's just the most comfortable tv-watching position. Whatever your style, I would say you were cooked up indoors soaking in every ounce of it. So what was your space looking like? Teapot on the boil, overflow of digestive and rich tea biscuits with lots of W & K memorabilia floating around?

Lounging around reminded me that a good spring cleaning is way overdue. First stop: some fresh flowers. They just have that midas touch, instantly adding colour and character to any ol' space. If you're into it, you could go with floral wall papers, but I 'd much rather dish that and go with floral accents instead like some lighting, a bold floral carpet or a nice comfy cushion. I'd say the key is to keep to a minimum though unless you of course want to turn your living space into a live-in garden. What say you?

It's a beautiful day here. The one sunny day we've had all week, and I'm off to enjoy it.

Happy Saturday lovelies.

Bisous,

Abi

Pop Quiz: Which Flower Are You?

2011-04-26T23:50:00.001-04:00

via style.com/ elle.com

The Vivacious Florist

Veronica Etro went straight for the jugular with Etro's Spring 2011 collection. If you’re one of the bold and daring able to stomp down the street while your footsteps strum to the tune of shining star, then I imagine this look is right up your alley. A bit nomadic with a dash of flower power, Etro drew inspiration from the Tuareg and Berber tribes and the Ndebele people of South Africa.

Bold prints infused with geometric patterns? Yup! That’s so necessary. H2T. Footwear and all.

via style.com/ elle.com

The Floricking Florist

(I challenge you to say this 5 times quickly without getting tongue tied)

Now, here's a girl who never leaves a field un-frolicked. To do so will be nothing short of an abomination. Erdem's Spring 2011 collection had me thinking doll houses and garden parties. Only instead of my 5 year old self with imaginary friends, I'm picturing the rows of life size doll houses on the streets of Amsterdam where women rode their bikes in summer dresses and 5 inch heels without batting an eyelash.

Atta girl!

Mr. Moralioglu never tires with the way he reworks florals, like the addition of lace along collars and hems to break up all that vibrancy and balance out the prints. Floral Interrupted!

via style.com/ elle.com

The Unfussed Florist

Sure the take home message from Jil Sander's Spring 2011 collection were the vibrant ballgown maxi skirts and plain white tee combo.

Undeniably so.

But, but, but, slow your horses...amidst all those rainbows, and right down the proportions aisle, were bits and bobs of florals. Florals so abstract, they create a composition that could be interpreted as anything but, well...floral.

A silent seductress, this lady does haute couture without all the fuss. She's sophisticated without all the complications. She keeps things minimal while still managing to deliver maximum impact. Boom boom pow!

So ladies, which florist are you? What's your alias- Jil, Etro or Erdem?

Current theme: The Florist

It's Most Intoxicating

2011-04-24T13:17:00.001-04:00

Current theme: The Florist

h&m sunnies and crop jumper; f21 shorts

Victory! Gasp-gasp-gasp. Finally able to come up for some air. I've had my head buried deep in a book these past couple of weeks, desperately seeking to make it through my final final finals in one piece. Throw in a broken laptop and touch-and-go phone coupled with some serious bouts of fever, and you've got one terribly frustrating experience. But the saying is true: all's well that ends well. Sickness is out the door, lappie and phone are in good working order, exams are donzo and graduation is looming. Even mother nature is on my side; showing acknowledgment with doses of sunshine yesterday. Was able to go out bare legged without the urge to grab onto some fig leaves for warmth.Victory I tell ya.

Happy Easter! Hope you're all having a lovely weekend.

Bisous,

Abi

Curiouser and Curiouser

2011-04-07T22:19:00.001-04:00

Current theme: The Florist

Aloha! How have you lot been?

Returned from Chicago a couple of days ago after a cramped weekend spent stomping down Michigan Ave and cradling within Wicker Park. So many boutiques left unbought, so many cafes left undrunk, so many restaurants left unchewed, so many stones left unturned, so many....so what exactly did I do there? I explored some boutiques, cafes and restaurants where I ate myself silly. Bugged some cops for photos, bugged students for photos, bugged waiters for photos, bugged strangers for photos, bugged friends for photos, yet ended up with only a handful of photos. Tourist to the fullest, but I digress.

Arrived in Toronto to weather good enough for some leg-bearing action. Per usual, that only lasted a split moment, allowing me just enough time to prance around in this dress convincing myself that we're deep in the throws of Summer. The dress is a little Lolita meets Alice in Wonderland lounging had they both been lounging at a tea party. The pleated skirt says Alice, the ruffled bodice says Lolita, and the floral print says me ;) Added the leather jacket to distinguish myself from my way younger 5 year old self.

Have a great day lovelies.

Bisous,

Abi

The Show Must Go On

2011-04-01T22:04:00.001-04:00

A few outtake photos from the fashion show at my uni a few days ago.

Have a great weekend everyone!

The Children of the Sun Began to Awake

2011-03-28T23:49:00.001-04:00

Current theme: The Florist

Hey dolls! Can you believe the first quarter of the year has been zapped up in the blink of an eye? In precisely 3 weeks, undergrad will be done and dusted, and it feels awesomelicious!

Winter prevails. That short stint a week ago of sunlight and mild days was nothing more than that…a stint. I’m a bit fed up with winter gear to be honest and my skin has been feeling suffocated. Throwing caution to the wind, I've spent the past week living in skirts and dresses. Wore this floral print dress yesterday, layered with some leggings beneath and a jumper atop…hey, I said I’m fed up, not out of my mind. I was able to move a bit more freely and didn’t have to do the whole stripping off layer upon layer jig everytime I went indoors someplace. Win win situation.

How were your weekends? I barely got some shut eye with the show at my uni but I'm pleased with the way things turned. Also helped style a creative yesterday, shot by the very talented Alice Xue. I can't wait to see the finished photos.

Did you live by candlelight in honour of earth hour?

Daisies, Roses, Dandelions

2011-03-24T21:41:00.014-04:00

Current theme: The Florist

“Going where the wind goes, blowing where the wind blows

it’s anybody's guess who knows, let go, let’s go.” - Wind & Willow

Brace yourself folks because you are about to get wreeeeecked in this place! Not a disastrous wreck, but more of a holy-moly-I-feel-good-to-my-core kind of wreck. Uh hunh. I want you to meet my friend Sarah Tillman and her husband Mark. Together, they strum for the band Wind & Willow.

Hold it. You’re probably thinking “what is so special about that as to wreck me?”

Well…you see it's a story of boy meets girl. Boy meets girl in Toronto. Boy and girl fall in love. Boy goes back to Raleigh where he's from. Girl moves to Raleigh. Boy and girl get married and make beautiful babies. I lie. Threw in that last tidbit for kicks. No babies. Not yet. But there’s beautiful music. And it’s all happened just over the past year.

Their EP album Roots is a sneak peek into their journey. Each song is refreshingly pure and raw and I love the mix of upbeat folk, hushed sounds and eclectic chimes. I’m blown away by their choice in instruments. It’s an assortment of the eclectic, from the hammer dulcimer and harp to the sitar, glockenspiel and banjo. Currently in its infancy, Wind & Willow bring to mind images of cherry blossoms in bloom. I’m super excited to follow them on their journey through childhood and right into teenage-dom, where they’ll most likely wreck havoc with their sweet music.

My personal favourite is daises, roses, dandelions. Do take a listen; let me know what you think, aaaand tell me, which is your fave?

You can visit their website

Like them on facebook

Follow them on twitter

Do April Showers Bring May Flowers?

2011-03-24T18:44:00.000-04:00

via itscrystalcleartome/jkldesign/koning/lovelybluepony/nonsolokawaii/

vogue/blowing dandelions/ the berry/ web-iz-fun

Current theme:The Florist

Does January bring a new year? Do July fireflies inspire August skies? If April showers bring forth flowers in May, what do the snow storms in March have to offer? Pondering……

Figured it out yet? Yup. I came up with nothing tangible either, but I digress as THIS too shall pass. Soon flowers will bloom and shops will be awash with prints. (aIthough I'm certain they already are).

Floral prints: formerly used on work wear and clothes linings, they rose to popularity in the 20s after laying low for decades. Florals have been in existence since the beginning of time I'm sure, but came into prominence during the Romantic era. Middle class wanting to appear gentrified turned to bloom-scattered crinolins. Writers like Jane Austen and Lord Byron who's works were filled with ideas of femininity and romanticism further their popularity as skirts gained width at the bottom with ruffles and floral embellishments.

Victorian era came along and women upped the anti by wearing hair pieces and artificial flowers such as velvet pansies and roses combined into intricate headpieces. With Parisienne couturiers embracing prints on full skirted dresses in the 1950s, it was an inevitable explosion. And so, floral prints stand today. O'er and o'er, they seem to withstand the test of time with me and once again, I'm looking forward floral print dresses of all lengths for Spring.

And yourself? Spring dresses? What are you most looking forward to over the next few weeks?

C'est Romantique

2011-03-19T00:30:00.000-04:00

I've killed it haven't I? It's okay. You can say it. I promise my feelings will not get hurt. At least not by a whole lot. I've killed it haven't I? The turban. The midi length. The turban and midi lengths. I'll let you in on a little secret: when I really like something, it ends up being a bit of a romance with me falling head over heels. Sometimes I get bored with it shortly after as something more interesting comes along, but at other times, it's a solidified like and I just can't get enough. I think I can safely say that the turban and midi lengths have fallen into the latter category.

How was the rest of your week? I've been planning the annual fashion show at my uni and I can't wait to see it all come together soon.

Currently in love with:

Oh Land- Wolf & I

Hello new followers. Nice to have you here.

See you all soon!
Bisous,
Abi

Peachy

2011-03-17T19:36:00.003-04:00

via cm culture club, this is glamorous, lonny mag

The wind chimes in the sun of the day
is serenaded by our feathered friends
Easter flowers begin to bloom
In different colors - a beautiful blend

- Adapted from Johanna Fields' Spring Awakening

Spring is springing, and it's time to fall recklessly in love with everything.

Spring Awakening

2011-03-15T00:26:00.007-04:00

Hiya! I'm alive and kicking. You see, I went to take a nap and somewhere along the line, I fell into a very deep slumber. My twitter feed was awash with blasts barely 0.5 milliseconds apart, blogs were erupting with more images than my eyes could scan and websites were overflowing with more articles than my mind could process. They were simultaneously going on about fashion weeks the world over, this show and that trend. Its a tonne of fun to read and I do enjoy the updates but sometimes, a breather is quite necessary. But there was the catch. A breather turned into a moment, a break, and then a full blown hiatus.

It's been refreshing, but tis' a new season friends and dare I say I've had a spring awakening? (pun intended). The dust is settled and my colours of a paintbox countdown to spring continues. Here I am clearly competing with a car's headlights, impossible to miss even in the darkest of nights. Some may label it colour blocking.

PS: who here showed up late for an event because they forgot to turn their clock forward 1 hour? Not me :p Daylight savings...mucks you up.

Colour Theory

2011-03-03T23:23:00.000-05:00

matthewdeleget

balenciaga and dries van noten

dries van noten and jil sander

nicholas duers

giambattista valli

giambattista valli, brioni

matthewdeleget.com, trendland.net, style.com

Pinch punch first of the month. Okay...the 4th. That whole 28-days-in-the-month-of-February situation has got me all out of whack. There were a couple of missed events and deadlines as I was so delusional as to think we had three more days till "the end of the month". Uni work was put on the back burner until the last minute but thanks to the help of some of you on grin and bear it, I was able to get through that in record speed without wanting to pull my teeth out. Now what does all this say about organization? pretty bad form I tell ya. I blame it on the sudden surge of colour all around me. Everywhere I turn, there's a waft of colourful air to be breathed in. It's intoxicating. In the best way of course. Reminds me of the first time I discovered you could mix two colours to create another, courtesy of Barney. Remember that? Basic red, yellow and blue and you've got magic.

Which always left me wondering, where do those three basic colours come from? What's your theory?

Grin And Bear It

2011-02-27T13:16:00.000-05:00

Grin and bear it. That moment when you're sitting in a cabbie with a banging headache. All you long for is a quiet ride back to your flat where you can drink a tall glass of iced water and lay down in an unlit room until the construction workers in your head decide to call it a day. In that instant, the driver sees no better time to give a narrative about his day's ups and downs. You figure he must really need to get this off his chest as he's going at 100 words per second, so you humour him by nodding your head; but not too hard for fear of sending all the blood to the forefront and giving power to those construction workers.

Every so often, when you are able to remember where your voicebox is or when he pauses for air, you interject with the occasional "oh that's terrible", "uh-hunh" and "so sorry to hear that". All the while you wish he would step on the gas just a tiny little bit harder because he is driving much slower than his mouth is moving, he is taking the longer route, the meter is running on double time, and oh boy, he did not just slow down on a green light we both know wasn't going to turn red for a good 10 seconds. But you sit there grinning and bearing it because you've watched too many episodes of criminal minds and you don't want to further upset an already distressed man in charge of your safety. So you play it cool and laugh extra hard at his jokes, nod even harder (thumping head be damned), and increase the amount of "uh-hunhs". Some may blame it on the freeze out there, but I say I laughed and grinned so hard I still cannot feel my face.

Hope your weekend is going well. Any grin and bear it incidents? I could do use a good chuckle as I'm going to be holed up revising all day.

Lots of love,

Abi

Bold Colours In A Paint Box

2011-02-21T23:11:00.002-05:00

zara skirt and boots

harry rosen jumper

h & m scarf as turban

vintage necklace

This past weekend was very tempting, with bursts of sunshine deluding me into thinking we're in the highs of Spring. And there I was suddenly itching to make a dash to the art shop, purchase as many canvases as I could store in the crevice of my arms, neck and perhaps mouth. There was a perfect plan of turning my terrace into a temporary paint room where I would go crazy with splatter. Nevermind that my drawings are barely a step up from stick men and that I haven't painted since grade 11, but I figured I would just blag my way through by tossing bold colours around without caring much for the results as long as my flat was brightened up. My mini-reverie didn't last too long, and infact came to a raging halt when the first snow drop hit me atop the head, right before it turned into a frigid snowfall.

As spring is fast approaching, I'm excited at the prospect of falling in love with everything and anything. As a countdown I'm going through the colours of a paint box with my outfits (until the weather warms up enough for my paint room. Hehe), starting with this jumper. Reading week is here which means lots of relaxation, jolts of tomfoolery and snippets of reading.

Hope you all had a lovely weekend!

Bisous,

Abi

You Can't Spell Artaksiniya Without A-R-T

2011-02-13T13:18:00.005-05:00

artaksiniya and artaksiniya blog

Are you bored with my jabber on the psychedelic movement yet?...No?! Okay good because I've got quite a lot of juice left. After going on about the summer of love and declaring that there's a light that never goes out, I thought I would have gotten it out of my system by now but fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it really) this is not the case. Over the past month, it appears that I have been hit with little jolts of psychedelia but the latest one has been like thunderous lightning in form of Russian illustrator Aksiniya.

Her works have a magical way of transforming one to a world of fantasy through the blending of unrelated colours and geometric lines. At the same time, the eclectic mixture creates a comprehensible reality as seen with her miu miu inspired creations. You can check out some of her other works over on her blog. I promise you'll be nothing short of inspired. She's good. I mean reaaalllly good.

Hope you're all enjoying your weekend. Sending lots of love your way.

Bisous,

Abi

Briefcase Bags and Market Runs

2011-02-06T17:39:00.003-05:00

vintage crochet jumper
vintage bag from I Miss You Vintage
knit scarf and jewellery from h&m
jean trousers from urban outfitters
vintage ankle boots

Procrastination is looming. Over 2 hours spent making a playlist to keep me company while I clean my mess of a room? Definitely the height. Going gaga over interior design ideas for another 2 hours and coming up with a million and one ways to revamp the flat? Definitely solidifies it. And now, messy room intact, the question at hand is whether or not to jet on over to the antique market. I doubt I'll find a lot seeing as it's been open since dawn, but it's worth a shot and will make for a pleasant walk since we're enjoying a relatively mild day here.

The scarf was a Christmas present that does a terrific job at keeping my neck warm. Given the amount of wool in that thing and how much time it took for me to get used to it, it better keep me warm. I've wanted a briefcase bag for a wee bit now and this one from I Miss You perfectly satiates that. The crocodile leather, rich green colour and gold clasps make it my absolute fave.

Okay, I'm off to the the market now. Feist's remake of Francoise Hardy's l'amour ne dure pas toujours is coming along. Having a clean room will have to wait. Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend. Talk soon.

Hexa by Kuho

2011-02-02T14:45:00.004-05:00

wwd

A Nick Knight film for Hexa by Kuho F/W 10/11 featuring Ranya Mordanova

I'm not big on head-to-toe neutrals, but if I ever were to give it a shot, I would love for it to go a little something like this. It'll be sort of like that space where people can't quite figure out whether you're wearing a trench as a skirt or a skirt as a trench. A space where people wonder why you've got your shirt inside out and all scrunched up or why you're wearing three layers of trousers- to ward off the blistering cold or because you've gone off your rocker they might ask. It'll be a place where artistic expression knows no bounds and the overall theme is focused on re-emergence while paying close attention to drapery and deconstructed asymmetrical lines without worrying too much about the perfection of it all. Yes, yes, this is precisely what I would love to go for in the absence of vibrant colours. On this snow day here in Toronto, Hexa by Kuho type dressing might just be what the doctor ordered. Interpretive dancing is completely optional.

Hoist The Colours

2011-01-31T10:00:00.006-05:00

vintage skirt from Chosen Ones

vintage bag and blouse

belt from Primark

boots from Zara

bangles mostly from h&m

Ding Dong Dell. What was that? Oh, just the sound of February ringing in and making itself known. But why so soon? January has been a hazy month. Gone by so quick, it's making my head spin. Movies have been left unwatched, galleries unvisited, restaurants left unexplored, shows unseen and books unread. It wound down with a couple of goodbyes as friends move on back to Australia. A stronger urge to visit now I suppose. February, I beg of you to crawl on by at a slower pace. I would very much like to enjoy you to the fullest.

Apparently, the colour brown helps keep you grounded. Not sure how much truth there is in that, but I felt decidedly earthy yesterday and went with brown/orange tones. My love affair with head ties continue. It tames those stray hairs, it does. On a side note, Zara is having some brilliant sales at the moment. Snagged up these boots a few days ago for a steal.

Thanks Karen from Downtown Diaries for the stylish blogger award. You're the stylish one, you.

Hope you all had a great weekend. Happy Monday!

Bisous,

Abi

Leather Harness

2011-01-27T00:02:00.001-05:00

zanabayne
Spring 2011 - Photography: Char Alfonzo / Styling: Cameron Cooper / Hair: Wesley O'Meara / Makeup: Aya Komatsu

All strapped up, but she ain't no Catwoman. When non-superheros look to spruce up an outfit, I would assume they may reach for a belt, a scarf or pile upon pile of jewellery pieces perhaps. But methinks changes are a-coming. Changes in form of Zana Bayne's leather harnesses. Squash the images of rock climbing, and refrain from thinking about dog leashes and restrained horses for a moment. With a specific focus on lines and shapes, her pieces easily transform an entire silhouette. Take a look at the collarless shirt in the first photo. Now a collared button down with the addition of the harness. And how about those shoes? Unrecognizable boots with a little twist of hands and snap of some buttons.

Zana's designs had me looking back through the Spring 2011 collection and recalling the leather harnesses sent down the runway by the likes of Michael Kors, Lanvin and Hermes. What do you think? Leather harnesses a pass, or would the world look back and go...to err is human?

images via style.com

There Is A Light That Never Goes Out

2011-01-25T00:36:00.001-05:00

thrifted blouse
vintage skirt from Silver Falls Vintage
booties from urban outfitters

Pssst...happy Monday! How was your weekend? Mine? I blinked Friday night and woke up to a glacial Monday morning. Along the way I lost all sense of time as it somehow managed to become a fizzling medley of events. A bit of shopping, art and live music to support some talented friends at the Coat of the Cat event. A dear friend's birthday dinner at Annona restaurant where they hands down, hav the most hilarious host I've ever encountered. Ended with a pyjama party involving late night takeout, card games, lots of giggles and general tomfoolery.

No, these photos are not from the weekend. They were taken sometime last week when we got a spot of sunshine for all of one hour or so. The skirt really is just an extension of the previous post on my love for psychedelic prints.

Thank you Josceline from SuceedingatFailing for the stylish blogger award and thanks to all of you for dropping by. I've been rather rubbish at responding to comments and stopping by you as of late, but I'm on it. Pinkie promise.

See you soon-ish ;)

Abi