Art and Soul'd: Abbey Watkins

Haunting. Mesmerizing. Breathtaking.  Illustrator Abbey Watkins' artwork is undeniably a force to be reckoned with. Shades of darkness and fashion forward, her work pierces deep into the soul and is like looking through a mystical kaleidoscope.  Each piece evokes a depth of emotions and the dynamic layers of details encrypted within makes it all the more intriguing with every glance.  I am enamoured with her work and her talent.  The very last piece has been my phone screensaver ever since I first feasted my eyes on it and I surrender myself to it every time.  Follow her on Instagram @tobaccoandleather and experience the transformations of her masterpieces right from the first sketch.  You can purchase her work on etsy. 

Feed your soul.  

(Images via http://tobaccoandleather.blogspot.ca/) 

Go Your Own Way:

 

When it comes to my overall style my mom probably summed it up best, "Stevie Nicks meets biker glam".  She also knows best when it comes to quality and exceptional taste.  When I was a little girl my mom said that after she would dress me for the day, I would always run back into my room and switch a few items changing it into a whole new outfit..my outfit.   She said I always had a way of putting things together to make it my own.  My sense of individuality and attention to detail has been filtered down from my mom and her tastes - her closet is proof, definitely my favourite place to shop.  This sheer cardigan used to be hers back in the 70's and now it's my new favourite layer to rock on a night out or to add some "Stevie" to my everyday wardrobe.  Additionally, those beautiful sterling silver triangle earrings with the ruby gem and stamped patterning are from her jewelry box, kept in great condition over the decades.  I couldn't tell you how many of my most prized pieces in my wardrobe had once belonged to my mom.  Luckily for me she had held on to the best of the best and now I have the pleasure of making them my own.  Well mama, you showed me the way, I just paved my own path to get there and added a few things along the way.

(eagle tank: vintage men's t- shirt that I cut up from Community Thrift and Vintage, velvet skirt, fringe purse and faux fur collar: H & M, concho belt: Value Village, beaded bracelet: somewhere in Osoyoos, sheer cardigan and earrings: Mama's Closet and oh look there's that dog collar again as a bracelet)  

- Source Unknown.

Memoirs of a Geisha

Channeling my inner Koi fish..

This Diane Von Furstenberg silk blouse might be one of my biggest scores thrift hunting.  I initially wasn't sure about the style because of its tunic length and my thrifting buddy didn't see its potential.  After putting it on and tying it up in the back, I made it work for my style and it felt absolutely beautiful to wear. So happy I bought it and feel like it's going to be apart of my wardrobe for a very long time.  Moral of the story, listen to your gut because at the end of the day you know what works for you and if you feel good wearing it, you will look good wearing it.

(blouse: Value Village, pants: H & M, necklace: F As In Frank)

Style Theme: Medieval Times

Who needs a knight in shining armour when you can just dress like one yourself?  Recently, I have become drawn to a lot of medieval inspired pieces and fashions.  Cool shades and silvers, woven and intricate details, hard yet delicate exteriors and structures, body chains and chainmail - all evoking a mystical fantasy suitable for winter.  Cold, hard and ready for battle, I'm inspired to suit up in this armour themed fashion. Who knows, maybe then if I travel deep enough into my wardrobe I can get lost in a Narnia of my own.




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(Images: via Fashion Gone Rogue, Yoichi Nagasawa Paris 2007,Givenchy Haute Couture 2012, Top Shop Christmas 2010, backstage Balmain 2012, Marios Schwab Spring 2012, Low Luv x Erin Wasson Spring 2012, angela lindvall by enrique badulescu for vogue 2009, Maison Martin Margiela Artisanal F/W 2012-13, via Oracle Fox, via chictopia, Rosie Huntington Whiteley for Harpers & Queen [Sept. 2005], via viciously cyd, etsy, Jacques Habbah, Sophie Lie shot by Elias Tahan, Sun in Scorpio, Woven Raffia dress Balmain SS13, Marie Claire Spain June 2011, Sapto Djojokartiko, Nasty Gal )