Dance With Me:

If it dances when I move, I'd probably wear it.  Happy Friday Everyone!

(Images via Tumblr, Pinterest, Oracle Fox, Spell and The Gypsy, Earth Age, Studded Hearts) 

Lookbook Love: NOW.HERE

MATE VINTAGE WINTER LOOKBOOK:

Photography Bryan Rodner Carr & Francis Kmiecik
Models Kylie Cusick & Caroline Pires
Makeup Deb Chung
Hair Trace Henningsen
Styling Kayti O’Connell & Kelsey Tudor

Suddenly I have a huge craving for festival season.  Loving the desert backdrop and the rocker/groupie styling, everything about this shoot is right up my alley.  Finding a classic rockin' graphic tee and cutting it up to call my own is definitely one of my favourite hobbies.  There's a bit of sentimental value behind each one.  Pieces from two of my favourites Sugarhigh + Lovestoned and Spell and The Gypsy Collective alongside Pandeia are mixed in with this lookbook.  Below is a quote from Sugarhigh + Lovedstoned which I can say is the spark that ignited my love when I first discovered them about a year ago:

Shop Mate Vintage here.

(Images via Spell and the Gypsy and The Cult of Style.)

Stand Out Accessory: The Ear Cuff

                                                                                        

2012 has marked the comeback of the earcuff.  However, in the last couple of months we have started to see more creative and futuristic, almost sci-fi, inspired styles.  Above are a collection of my favourites lately including the last picture which was taken of me this past summer.  Every time I wear that ear piece it strikes up a conversation.  So why not enhance your hearing with an edgy ear cuff because this stand out accessory is bound to get the people talking.

(Images via Pinterest, tumblr, Nasty Gal and myself)

Sparkle and Fade

A little sparkle goes a long way.  Sequins go hand in hand with this time of year and it's the easiest way to jazz up any outfit.  I have been searching for a great sequined cardigan like this for years and I finally found one the other day vintage shopping in Mount Pleasant.  I enjoy it because it's got just the right amount of sparkle, the intricate beading and the way it falls when I put it on.  Knowing the amount of work and time it must have taken to make something like this makes it feel all the more special.  I am definitely not a girly girl, I tend to stay away from wearing bows, frills, polka dots, most florals or anything pink.  My version of "girly" would be considered more romantic glamour and that tends to come through with sequins, sheer or lace.  This beaded and sequined cardigan is a great example of that, the perfect combo of sexy and pretty.  Like I've said before, for me it's all in the details and this outfit has all the hints of delicacy with a mix of sultry edge.  Between the florals carved on the belt and the beads on the cardigan, that's all the girly I need.

(Cardigan: Vintage, dress/tank and eagle necklace: Forever 21, shorts: vintage Guess Jeans I cut up into shorts, belt: Value Village)

Below is an article I wrote for The Other Press:

Thrift vs. Vintage Shopping

The secrets behind finding those hidden gems in Vancouver

Shopping second-hand is not only easy on your wallet, it is also a great way to express your individual style. Gone are the days when hand-me-downs were forced upon you by another, oppressing one’s freedom for personal expression. Today’s hand-me-downs are in fact sought after and create a sense of individuality by wearing something that is limited edition or even a one of a kind piece.

Let’s distinguish the difference between thrift shopping and vintage shopping. Vintage shopping is an easier—yet potentially more expensive—way to finding pre-loved beauties. Vintage stores curate special second-hand finds for consumer convenience and so the price tags are at times unnecessarily marked up. Basically, you pay more for the convenience. Not everyone is willing to spend hours sifting through racks and racks of junk in order to find those hidden gems. So if you’re okay with spending a little extra money (although not much), vintage stores can save you most of the effort. With time you will learn to know a good deal and a great find when you see one. On the other hand, thrift shopping is just that: being thrifty. Finding bargains for great items in places like Value Village, Goodwill, and other thrift stores can be like a treasure hunt. Believe it or not, my best finds have come out of Value Village. Successful thrift shopping requires a keen eye, determination, and patience. Walking into a Value Village as a rookie can be overwhelming and discouraging, but the key is to have the right mind set.

Here are some tips for skilled thrifting:

1. Demographic. The nicer the area, the better the finds. Let’s be honest: you’re not going to have much luck finding anything of value at the Value Village on East Hastings—and even if you do, leave it for those in need. Check out thrift stores in the well-to-do areas and you’ll be amazed at how what was another person’s “trash” is just waiting to be claimed as your treasure.
2. No expectations are good expectations. Walk in with no expectations or prejudgements. I find that if I go thrifting for a specific item, I’ll never find it, and I end up missing out on something special that I may have overlooked because I’ve been close-minded.
3. Materials. Stay clear of polyester, or other cheap looking materials. If I think it’s going to make me itchy wearing it or if I’ll look as cheap as the price tag, then I won’t bother. After going a couple times you will learn to train your eye to look for materials, patterns, and colours that appeal to you. You don’t have to pick out every single item to decide if you’ll like it. Scan through the materials and if something pops out at you, pull it out and take a closer look. Don’t waste your time.
4. Always, always, ALWAYS try it on. You never know how something will look until you put it on your body. You don’t want to look frumpy, outdated, or tacky. If it’s not your style or it’s not something you can see in your wardrobe then put it back. If it’s worth altering then make sure the price to alter it doesn’t cost more than the clothing itself, and make sure you’re actually going to do it. It may only be five dollars, but if it’s just going to sit in your closet, what’s the point?
5. Bring a buddy. Especially if you’re a newbie. It always helps having a second opinion, specifically from someone who knows your taste and style. Best friends will always be honest if they like something or not.
6. Go with your gut. At the end of the day you’re the one who has to wear it and if you don’t feel comfortable or good in something then it’s not for you. Style is 100 per cent about having confidence, which comes from knowing who you are, and staying true to that. Just because something is fashionable or trendy doesn’t mean that it fits for you and your style.

Happy thrifting!

 

My top five vintage stores in Vancouver:

• F AS IN FRANK (2425 Main Street) 
• Community Thrift & Vintage (41 West Cordova Street) 
•  Front and Company (3772 Main Street) 
•  Used House of Vintage (831 Granville Street
• Mintage (1714 Commercial Drive) 

View the article here.  

sitting in the shower, dreaming.

 

tracing the drops as they dance off my skin

 

dripping with alchemy...

 

this is my time.

A little poetry for your Sunday.  It's a sitting in the shower kind of day.