She twines her spines up slowly...

Hi, doves! I haven't done a shoot in my favourite tree since way, way back in this post. I had intended to shoot this outfit in one of our tiny local cemeteries, but my old spot called to me. It's crazy to see how much this area has grown in the past few years. It's wilder now, tougher to navigate, which makes me love it even more. I always feel at home in this tree; it's a place I'll return to time and again to clear my head. Though the briars and sharp snapped ends of branches tore my sweater and scraped up my back, it didn't even register at the time. All I felt was peace of mind. 

(Old Ruche sweater, old ModCloth dress, vintage belt, thredUP boots)

Also, I had wanted to incorporate this gorgeous vintage bag, but none of the shots worked out (anyone else feel awkward trying to maneuver a giant bag??) But I figured I'd show it to you anyway because it's so lovely.

Title from "Far From Any Road" by the Handsome Family.

Copper and corduroy.

Hi, doves! Just a quick post this week as life has been out of hand lately. But I still wanted to share these photos because this is one of my favourite autumnal outfits thus far. I was looking for the perfect seventies-inspired striped top and just happened to find it in TJ Maxx last week! Also, if you obsessively hunt for corduroy skirts (among other things) like I do, thredUP is a gold mine.

(Tulle jacket, TJ Maxx top, thredUP skirt, vintage boots and belt)

 Hope you all have a lovely weekend!

Moss and leaves.

Hi, doves! So, some days just don't go as planned, and that's all right, you know? When I took these photos, I wasn't feeling all that well, and I'd already played around with another outfit and hated it (meh, it happens). But I made myself try out this outfit I've been waiting ages to wear and forced my sad sack self back outside. And I'm glad I did!

(Ruche dress, ? blouse (I'll figure it out eventually), Sock Dreams socks, Chase & Chloe shoes)

(Fake heron photobomb... Protecting the creatures of our pond!)

I don't know about you guys, but I'm feeling pretty whatever about September. Bring on October and chilly bike rides and bonfires! I can't wait for the leaves to change and the air to smell of dirt and leaves and smoke.

Witches in disguise...

Hi, doves! I figured this would be the perfect time for me to crawl out from under my rock since it's the first day of autumn here and, most importantly, because Halloween is on its way! 

Sometimes the blurriest photos are my favourite...

(Constantly fidgeting with my belt...)

(Top, tights, shoes - ModCloth, corduroy skirt - HauteLook, belt - stolen from my mum)

I've been gradually getting my house ready for the season and our annual Halloween shindig (including playlist construction). This summer was insanely busy as usual (we finally picked a wedding venue and date! You know, only two years later. We've been together nearly ten years; "rushing" isn't in our vocabulary heh), so I'm ready to slow down a bit and enjoy the fall.

I have a bunch of autumnal and Halloween inspired outfits coming up, and I'm super excited to get back into it. So stay tuned!

(Title from the Edgar Allan Poe story "The Black Cat.")

Indie-grunge?

I've never known how to describe my style. It's comfortable, but I do prefer skirts and tights or socks over pants. And while it is something I've developed over the years since high school, I've never aspired to be that super polished, put together girl. I don't do my hair (wash, air dry, and live with what I get is my daily routine), my makeup is minimal (I have no real skills here), and I buy my cardigans a size up to ensure maximum coziness.

So, as I was going through these photos, the (completely made up) phrase "indie-grunge" popped into my head and the light bulb went off. That's it! I think I'll forever be some combination of 90s meets early 2000s. It makes sense since that's when I was growing up and really coming into my own. Obviously I'm not dressing the same way I did in high school and college, but I do still have a few cherished pieces from those times. Like this Cursive tee! One of my beloved band tees I somehow managed to keep hold of all these years. And to be honest, it fits better now than it ever did back then. 

I think this whole outfit is the epitome of my personal style. Cozy cardigan? Check. Plaid? Check. Favourite band tee? Check! Also, this skirt is super soft and the way it falls reminds me of tying a flannel shirt around my waist a la the entire cast of My So-Called Life... which I've recently realized is one of the many shows I was probably way too young to be watching at the time... Ah, the 90s. 

(Vintage sweater - Ruche skirt - old Saddle Creek tee - Target tights - ModCloth shoes)

We chose to keep our teenage tragedy...

Though I'm glad my teenage years are well behind me, I have no problem admitting that "sulky teenager" is still a part of my personality. Wallowing is absolutely one of my most beloved pastimes. I think I've just always been easily sucked into sadness. All of my favourite songs and books and movies? Sad, sad, sad (or scary. But fear is another weird preoccupation of mine). I'm always searching for the gutting kind of sad that knocks the wind out of you. This line from a Rilo Kiley song sums me up pretty well, "You say I choose sadness, that it never once has chosen me. Maybe you're right." 

That said, I have learned how to not take myself, or anything, really, too seriously. This sweatshirt (and every single piece I've bought from Stay Home Club... I want all of it, okay?) is another way of showing that the sullen (and kind of a jerk) kid inside me is still alive and well... while having a bit of a laugh at myself at the same time. 

Besides, if you can't make fun of yourself on the almighty Interwebz now and then, what's the point?

(BCBGeneration dress as skirt - Stay Home Club sweatshirt - Tulle collared shirt - Target Tights - ModCloth boots)

With my red wings on...

Well! It's been, what, a year? Yikes. It was an incredibly busy year, and it took me quite some time to find the inspiration to blog again. I had some random health issues (I'm fine!). We bought and moved house. Many of my friends (including my brother!) are having kids. That kind of busy. But eventually the need for a creative outlet always finds me. 

(ModCloth cardigan, shoes, & socks - beloved society6 tee - old f21 skirt)

The light was brilliant when I got home this past Monday, so I decided to run outside (after switching back to socks from tights) and see what I got. For only shooting for about fifteen or so minutes and aside from the lack of variety (I'll put more effort into that next time), I'm pretty happy with these! And it felt good to get out there. So there's that! 

I don't know exactly where I'm going with this blog, but I've had the desire to branch out a bit for a while. There's no set direction, so if anyone has any ideas, suggestions, or advice please let me know!