Dress - Mango // Jacket & Belt - F21 // Necklace - Threadsence // Boots - Feet First
Black, textured, and chiffon. This dress feel like it was made for me. Something about the loose, drapey quality of it makes me feel like some kind of goddess. Not that I am one mind you, just feel that way. Though if I were to be a goddess, I think I would choose to be Artemis - the goddess of wilderness, the hunt, and animals. More than Aphrodite, which seems to be the one everyone goes for, I love the athleticism and uncontrolled quality of Artemis. The wild and unpredictable wildness, coupled with the grounded nature of the animal kingdom. Yeah, I'd go with that.
I'm taking part in the Wallis Summer Stylist Contest. Basically, if you vote for me I might win a shopping spree and be featured on the Wallis website as their select stylist. Can I just say that this would be amazing? I would love this chance to share my style with a new group of incredible ladies.
I chose this amazing top, and when it came I was overwhelmed with the ideas that flowed into my head. But since this contest is a new thing for me, I thought I'd try two new things and pair it with colored pants. I know! I've never worn colored jeans here before. I like how the tones played off of each other and how the bold pant brought out the darker aspects of the top. Since the pattern on the blouse was so bold, I kept everything else in terms of accessories minimal, allowing the print to speak for itself.
The tribal and ocean air feel of this top has me enthralled. I would love your support on the Wallis Facebook page with a vote for the win.
My little "I do it myself," insists on carrying Daddy's *thankfully empty* big backpack girl, is three today. Three years! That's kind of crazy to me sometimes.
Tank & Jeans - Gap // Vest, Belt & Sunnies - F21 // Hat - unknown brand // Shoes - Rocketdog // Necklace - thrifted
My last day in NYC I packed up and walked around airplane ready. Now for those of you who are imagining me tramping about Central Park here burdened with luggage, I will say this: I went to NYC for five days with a small backpack that was half full. I had all my necessary cosmetics, and clothes, in that to last me a week. Yes, my secret talent is packing lighter than most think is humanly possible. On the way back, my backpack was full only because I had such great thrifting success!
Case in point: I picked up this necklace for under $4.
Side note: thank you once more everyone for hating on this vest. Because no one wanted it, I grabbed it from the F21 website clearance for a measly $7. And I love it!
Romper - Honey Punch // Tank - Jacob // Hat - no label // Sweater - Love Stitch // Necklace - ModCloth // Turquoise bracelet - H&M // Turquoise & Silver bracelet - unknown // Shoes & Sunnies - F21
I only buy cheap sunglasses. Why? Because I break them all the time. I'm just cruel to them. So of course, when mine broke the day before because I rudely shoved them to the bottom of my purse, I had to get a new pair. I branched out a bit and went with aviators, and I'll tell you why.
I wore an almost exact version of this outfit a few days back, and one man said to me, "You look like a 1950's propaganda poster...but in a good way." With this on my brain, it seemed that the only sunglasses I could buy was a pair of cool aviators. Now I'm so glad I did. Aviators rock.
* Remember you Emerging Thoughts, has given ModaMama readers an exclusive discount code - 20% off with code "JOANNA" I really love this independent shop - it has great selection and great quality.*
Dress - Bought in Spain // Sweater - Smart Set // Belt & Shoes - F21 // Hat - no brand inside
Day two in NYC was focused on the amazing Brooklyn Botanical Gardens. Honestly, they're breathtaking. I wish I could truly relate to you the grandeur of the Rose Garden, or the beauty of the different climate zones in the conservatory, but I can't. Pictures don't do it justice. I can't relate to you how I felt like Alice in Wonderland standing amidst so many varieties of roses in bloom in the rose garden. Nor could a picture show it. Because in my mind I was the only one there, but in reality it was packed with people. Imagination is the best.
Side note: I bought this dress originally while I was traveling around Europe for several months. Since then it has come with me to Cube, the Domincan Republic, NYC, Montreal, and British Columbia. It's my traveling dress. I can't leave home without it. Every time I travel a new set of memories become woven into the fabric.
p.s. One of my favorite stores ever, Emerging Thoughts, has given ModaMama readers an exclusive discount code - 20% off with code "JOANNA"
Dress - Love Audrey // Necklace - forgot // Hat - no name on inside // Shoes - Rocketdog // Sunnies - F21
My first stop on my very first day back in NYC was Whole Foods for a granola bar, iced tea, and salad. It was a late breakfast and though some may think it's weird to have salad for breakfast - I love my greens!
My second stop however, was less health conscious. It was Macaron cafe, opened by a French ex-pat, who makes the best macarons outside of France. I always come here whenever I'm in NYC. A Canadian eating French macarons in New York - so cosmopolitan.
I also had the pleasure of being there for the Taste of Times Square festival where more delicious food was sampled. And the day was rounded off with a purchase for Baby Girl at FAO Schwartz. I bought her the softest stuffed animal I have ever felt in my entire life. She sleeps with it now.
She better sleep with it, because I got chased off the divider I stood on to get this picture by a burly security guard. He was not happy with me at all. I started giggling. I think that made him madder.
The essential denim jacket. Mine's from Old Navy. Every woman has to have one. It easily dresses down a fancy dress, or pulls together a casual outfit. Plus, it's a layering piece to keep you warm.
Top Left: Dress - ModCloth // Tights - F21 // Boots - Feet First
Top Right: Dress & Bangles - F21 // Shoes - Ruche
Bottom Left: Top - H&M // Skirt - Mink Pink // Necklace - F21 // Ring - Threadsence
Bottom Right: Shirt - H&M // Skirt - Skies Are Blue // Tights - Hue // Boots - Chelsea Crew // Necklace - c/o Imprintalish
This striped AE vest was an impulse purchase at the time. I thought, "It's too expensive and I don't have any other vests in my closet. Will I really wear it?" I'm so glad I bought it because it's become an indispensable part of my attire. Funny how that happens.
Top Left: Hat & Boots - F21 // Dress - Lace Affair Top Right: Tie - Sears // Top - Smart Set // Jeans - Gap // Boots - Walmart Bottom Left: Top - Wallis // Scarf - Kensie // Necklace - Ruche // Boots - Locale Bottom Right: Sweater - Gap // Necklace - bought in Spain // Belt & Tights - F21 // Boots - Feet First // Dress - unknown // Ring - Ruche
Dress -AE // Cardi - Old Navy // Shoes - Payless // Necklace - F21
We're in this amazing stage right now. It's the 'My Mommy!' stage. Whenever Andrew touches me, or sits next to me, it's, "Dat's not your mommy. It's my Mommy!" It feels weird to be tell my daughter that I am to be shared. Like I'm a piece of real estate, or a shiny new toy. She right about one thing though, I'm definitely not his mommy.
p.s. I'm in NYC right now, but still sharing with you via scheduled posts. Back soon with all my fabulous pics.
Dress - Ruche // Jacket - Old Navy // Necklace & Hat - F21 // Boots - Feet First
A box arrived for my husband. Inside there was an item - which is not relevant for our purposes - that was packed with that styrofoam popcorn stuff. Baby Girl saw this and wanted to play with it desperately. Us, being the ever diligent parents aware of choking hazards and other things, said, "No, honey. It's garbage." At which point, while Andrew went out to throw it in the garbage, I was left with a tantrum induced toddler screaming repeatedly at the top of her lungs, " I want garbage!"
Not moments later all was right with the world and she was happily prancing about again. Ah, the unpredictable pendulum that is the 2 year old psyche.
Top - Latiste via Ruche // Tank - Gap // Skirt - Spotted Moth // Necklace - Kenya
If you've been reading a while, you know our fence blew down a while back, and the house next door has remained vacant for some time now. What that means is that the backyard has grown wild and high with plants. And it's created a bit of a divide in our world: The manicured control versus the wild abandon.
Jacket - F21 // Cardi - hand me down // Scarf - Street Stand // Cords - Le Chateau // Boots - Feet First
I picked up this amazing piece of artwork from a friend. She makes them from hand crafted and painted leather. Let me tell you they are amazing and so beautiful! They remind me of something from a Venetian masquerade. I'm excited to have this framed piece standing over my desk right now.
Slowly, ever so slowly I'm starting to amass artwork in my house that has meaning to me. That's the most important thing to me, that it says something and reminds me of something. It's exciting to see these things displayed around my home and know that each one has a fun story.
It's warm and sunny, so of course she just has to wear her mitts to go outside and wait for the bus. The clincher was also that she insisted on carrying her own bag, no matter what I did or how many times I offered. This of course, made me look like worst mother of the year to all the passengers and passersby. They all gave me the look that said, "I can't believe you're making her carry that big bag." If they only knew. *sigh*
Dress - English Rose *from Ruche, I think* // Clutch - H&M // Shoes - Call It Spring
I went to the launch party of a historic event in Canada - the Independent Web Series Creator's of Canada. It was an absolutely great time, and if you're in Canada you want to be a part of this organization. So here I am all dressed up for the night. I love how easy and loose this dress is. Plus, I'm really loving mint green right now.
But here's the real story I want to share with you. In that clutch you see right at this very moment hides a pair of flats. See I plan ahead. After hours and hours in these gorgeous pink heels my feet were killing me. I wasn't about to spend time traveling home in pain.
As I rode the metro, I was accompanied by three teenagers who were out for the night too. The young woman was leaning on her boyfriend because her feet hurt from her shoes. He turned to her, just as I was passing them on the stairs, and said, "Why don't you girls bring two pairs of shoes when you go out?" Then as I passed I knew he pointed at me, and so I turned around and gave them a knowing smile while I gestured to the heels hanging off my fingers.
Dress- Mink Pink // Jacket - Old Navy // Necklace - H&M // Shoes - Rocketdog
The warmth is here in full force. As the sun comes out and the layers are shed I always think that somehow we shed our inhibitions as well and return to more primal roots. We become more animal, shall we say, more in tune with our instincts. Clearly that's on my mind as I reach for animal print and faux suede fringe detail.
Plus, whenever I wear animal print, the song, "Wild Women Do" from the Pretty Woman soundtrack plays in my head throughout the day. We could all use a little Julia Roberts delusion now and then.
This is pretty much my sick outfit. And not sick, as in super awesome and cool, but sick as in I'm fighting off a horrible cold that makes me feel like hacking out my own lungs. I resort to comfy and cozy things when I feel crappy.
I find being sick really annoying. I don't feel well. I have low energy. But the responsibilities and tasks don't diminish. So I just find it darn inconvenient to have to be ill during these moments. It's not like there's anything seriously wrong with me, so I know I'm fine, I just can't get through my daily tasks like before. So yeah, it's just annoying. I could really do without it. Maybe I'll start a petition that's anti-cold. Would you sign?
Garden visits in your PJs to plant dandelions. That's how we roll over here at the Haughton house. Can't wait to see how she reacts to the growing plants this year.
Chelsea asks, How do you take fashion post pictures in public? Well, the short answer is you just kind of go ahead and do it. The long answer is, you just go ahead and do it, with these things in mind.
Here are the posts I reference in this vlog:
On Self-Portraits - thoughts on taking self-portraits No Shame - it helps a lot to just not care. These Are My Peeps? - everyone in my neighborhood is nuts, so what's one lady taking pictures of herself?
Top - Winners // Skirt - F21 dress that I converted to a skirt // Belt - swapped // Hat & Sunnies - F21
Our friends call us the Hippie parents. And I always wonder why exactly. Sure we grow veggies in our garden, eat organic, gluten and dairy free as well. And no we don't stress over her eating dirt or kissing the dog; germs are good for her immunity. But here's what explained things for me.
I was busy juicing veggie juice for all of us. I turned around to see Baby Girl standing and munching on the raw kale from the bowl of veggies prepped for juicing. She was happily eating away and smiling at me. I smiled back and started juicing. Then she got upset because I juiced her 'snack' *that's what she called it* Juicing veggies, and a girl who gets upset when you take away her raw kale? Yup, we're hippie parents all right. If by 'hippie' you mean kick ass awesome! Come on, a toddler who eats raw kale and likes it?! That's got to be some kind of achievement.
