Archives for May 2017

Toile de Jouy.

“Nature uses only the longest threads to weave her patterns, so that each small piece of her fabric reveals the organization of the entire tapestry.” – Richard P. Feynman

There’s really nothing I love more in a dress than pockets. Even when I try dresses on in the store, my hands automatically search for a pocket, though I do tend to get a bit disappointed if I find there isn’t one. Pockets are practical, fun, and cute. The pockets aren’t the only aspects of this dress that caught my eye, but it’s pattern. In a previous post I gushed about my love of all things French, and this dress certainly exemplifies that. After a quick Google search, I discovered that toile originally came from Ireland in the mid-18th century, but was popularized by the French. The fabric is technically called “Toile de Jouy”, and translates to “cloth from Jouy-en-Josas”, which is a town located near Paris.

What fabric patterns are you drawn to? Houndstooth? Plaid? Polka dots? Feel free to share in the comments below!

Dress: Birds of North America. Shoes: Le Chateau. Bag: Louis Vuitton. Necklace: J.Crew (also love this). Watch: Chanel. Bracelet: Stella&Dot. Lips: MAC Viva Glam II.

Photography by Brandon Mousseau

Fashion

Life is Sweet.

“It is the sweet, simple things of life which are the real ones after all.” – Laura Ingalls Wilder

Ever since my first visit to France in 2010, I have been obsessed with macarons. After trying my first one at the famed Laduree in Paris, I fell in love with the delicate sweetness of these charming desserts. For years finding macarons near where I live was pretty much impossible. Even for our wedding, my husband and I didn’t want a cake, but a tower of macarons. At the time, I could only find one pastry chef who could deliver – Shelby’s Sweet Shoppe. Now I see so many places offering macarons, which can be dangerous for my sweet tooth. Not only are macarons tasty, but they look darling – so why not put them on a dress?

Who do you think makes the best macarons? Be sure to share in the comments below!

Dress: Modcloth. Shoes: Le Chateau. Bag: Mansur Gavriel (similar here). Watch: Chanel. Bracelet: Kate Spade (old, similar here). Lips: MAC Impassioned.

Photography by Brandon Mousseau

Fashion

Splash of Colour.

“We must exercise ourselves in the things which bring happiness, since, if that be present, we have everything, and, if that be absent, all our actions are directed toward attaining it.” – Epicurus

White has definitely become my favourite spring/summer colour. White is fresh, bright, and lends itself to fun accessorizing. When I first saw this tote, it just screamed “me” due its cute and whimsical pompom details. Paired with a splashes of blue from my earrings and shoes, this outfit is ready for sunny spring days and crisp summer nights. It most certainly is being packed for my summer vacation to Croatia and Slovenia. I know it’s going to be quite hot in both places in July, but there’s just something about wearing white that makes me feel cooler, even if the sleeves happen to be a bit longer on this dress. One of my favourite parts about planning a vacation is deciding what to wear. Though the trip is still 2 months away, I have already started a packing list because it gets me pumped for a new adventure.

Do you have any travel tips to share for Croatia and/or Slovenia? Be sure to comment below!

Dress: Lioness. Bag: Nannacay. Shoes: Seychelles (old, similar here and here). Earrings: Siam Hill Tribes. Bracelet: Souvenir from Venice. Lips: Colourpop Trust Me.

Photography by Vicki Bartel

Fashion

On Pointe.

“Elegance is not the prerogative of those who have just escaped from adolescence, but of those who have already taken possession of their future.” – Coco Chanel

There’s nothing as fun and feminine as tulle. This trend has been popular for quite some time now with reason – it adds a playful vibe to any outfit. Usually when one thinks of tulle, ballerinas or brides come to mind, but the fashion world has proven that tulle does not have to be reserved for certain people or occasions. Though my particular dress is more on the formal side, tulle can be made more casual by adding a denim jacket or even sneakers. If you are petite like me, I would advise against tulle skirts that are long or voluminous because they might overwhelm your frame or make you appear too juvenile. Instead, try looking for less layers or midi length or above. I just feel so pretty and luminous in this dress, and that’s exactly how I think clothes should make someone feel!

Dress: Anthropologie. Shoes: Le Chateau (last season, updated version here). Bag: Cult Gaia. Watch: Chanel. Bracelet: Louis Vuitton. Earrings: H&M. Lips: MAC Cosmos.

Photography by Vicki Bartel.

Philosophy

On the self and others.

“I think, therefore I am.” – Rene Descartes

I recently attended a concert (Cloud Nothings – be sure to check them out), and while waiting for the show to start, I let my eyes wonder around the venue. There were so many people. Though it certainly wasn’t the biggest crowd I had witnessed, it still made me think about all the individuals crowded into this one space. Who were these people? What brought them to this concert? What do they do for work? Where do they live? Questions such as those filled my head as I thought about how each person has their own life, their own story that I would never know. Solipsism is the belief that nothing exists outside one’s own mind. I really felt that as I looked around that evening. I will never understand all those people, but only myself. And the same would go for them too – they would never know me. Our bodies could touch, even “know” each other in a dubious sense, but our minds could not.

Everyone has a story. Every. Single. Person. There are over seven billion people in the world, each an individual with a mind and a life they are living. To each person, their life and their story is the most important. We are so engulfed in our own lives that we rarely think about the billions of stories that are being lived out throughout the world. Now I’m not saying that we are all purely egotistical, as many people keep up with global news, and are charitable to those who are less fortunate than them. What I am talking about are individuals, not groups of people. I think that it’s fascinating, mind boggling, and even beautiful all at the same time. It forces me to become more aware of myself and the connection I have with others. I sometimes question who I am in this vast world and whether or not I even matter. But I do, and so do all the other people living their lives. As individuals, we have each won the lottery in the sense that we even exist. We have been given minds, which I think is the greatest gift of all. Our consciousness is what makes each of us who we are, and it continues to change and develop as we age and experience new things.

So next time you are in the crowd of people, whether it is at a concert, a demonstration, a shopping mall, or on vacation at a tourist destination, try thinking about all the people you see and consider the idea that they too have a life like you, though you’ll never know it, and they won’t know yours. I think part of being self aware is also being aware of others. Maybe if more people thought this way, we would actually become more altruistic, and our world a little more loving.

Archives for May 2017

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