Winterwear in June (Haul Post!)

Since it’s the middle of the summer, it’s only logical that the clothes that I’m buying are most suited to winter… Seriously I don’t know what’s up with my shopping karma right now, but it keeps finding me winter jackets (seriously 3 in one day!) and a slew of long sleeved shirts at the Value Village half price sale. Even though technically thrift store shopping should totally qualify under budget shopping (fuck that budget noise…) I’m pretty sure that the volume at which I’m buying things negates the cheap price :p

gorgeous brocaide-style coat from Joe Fresh 

Mexx wool trench!

Me Jane jacket (apparently a Japanese brand that isn't available in North America!)

so many long sleeve shirts!

I had to get this, just for laughs :p
by House of Mental

yes, I'm addicted to stripes and grey
by g21

by Pure Design

more grey :)
by Dotti

wool skirt by Dynamite

When it Rains, it Pours

Obviously Canada is known as being a rather snowy country, which can be a major problem for shoes, since snow tends to ruin well… pretty much everything. But honestly I’ve had more problems with rain here, since I tend to avoid living in places with lots of snow, and I refuse to wear my snowboots anyways (SO UNATTRACTIVE). Instead of snowboots, I tend to be constantly on the hunt for cute pairs of galoshes. There are tonnes by Hunter that I would love to have, and I would sell the remnants of my soul for a pair of Burberry wellingtons, but the pair I can actually afford to get (but can’t get my hands on) is by Jeffrey Campbell. The “Voom” rainboots are back in stock at Solestruck, just in time for Fall shopping season, so I might just have to order myself a pair!

photo from Solestruck

It’s Good to be Canadian, Eh?

With Canada day looming in the near future, my mind is set on thinking about my social plans for the day. Chances are I won’t be doing anything exciting and blog-worthy (last year I hung out with friends and played board games), but “being Canadian” is something that I figured could be the theme of this week anyways! It’s not often that I feel particularly patriotic; instead I usually have intense feelings of dislike towards other countries. Apparently I’m better at disliking things than liking them… Regardless, I am actually rather fond of being Canadian. I can’t stand studying Canadian history (SO dull compared to the hundreds of years of European history I have yet to master), but there are some things that make me proud to be Canadian.

First and foremost, are the people who hail from our great nation. We can lay claim to the likes of Jim Carrey, Mike Meyers, and Rick Mercer. Is it coincidence that some of the world’s funniest people are from the Great North? I think not! We also have classic rock group Rush, singer/songwriter Nelly Furtado, and the gorgeous (and highly talented of course) Adam Levine of Maroon 5, who is making waves in the music industry through his role on The Voice.

As many problems as our country’s social system has, we do have a few things going for us. A public healthcare system that is subsidized by the government, as well as a school system that actually works. Growing up I always knew how well off we had it in Canada: when we got sick our parents didn’t go bankrupt, and our education was never an issue. I personally attended both public and private schools in my day, and I have to say that the public school systems do a damn good job.

On a global scale, Canada has a pretty good reputation. Most countries get along with us, and we don’t wantonly declare war on other nations. Yeah we got mixed up in some of the Middle East drama, but that wasn’t really our fault; we were just following along with our American neighbours (thanks for giving in to the peer pressure Conservatives Party).

But most of all, I love being Canadian because of the stereotypes. Maple syrup? HELL YES, I’ll have it on almost anything! We live in igloos? I find that amusing, if not exactly accurate. We all have pet beavers? Well, I don’t have a pet beaver, but I’ve seen a fair few, and my dog is pretty damn big compared to most. I really do love Tim Hortons. Though not because it’s a Canadian company, it’s because they have the best donuts and I have a major sweet tooth. I totally do enjoy ice cream in the winter (or anytime for that matter), and I do occasionally say “eh” at the end of my sentence. 

All's Well That Ends Well

If we shadows have offended,
Think but this, (and all is mended,)
That you have but slumber'd here,
While these visions did appear.
And this weak and idle theme,
No more yeilding but a dream,
Gentles, do not reprehend;
If you pardon, we will mend.
And, as I am an honest Puck,
If we have unearned luck,
Now to 'scape the serpent's tongue,
We will make amends, ere long:
Else the Puck a liar call.
So, good night unto you all.
Give me your hands, if we be friends,
And Robin shall restore amends.

~Puck. William Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream: Act 5, Scene 2.

Shoes: Aldo "Xenoa" boots (aka the Epic Boots)
Dress by Jessica, alterred by me

The King's Mistress

I’m not sure if the creators of China Glaze were thinking of Henry VIII of England when they named this polish, but he is what comes to mind when I see this polish. This rich purple is so dark that it’s almost black once dry, and is reminiscent of the sumptuously rich tones of velvet and of midnight trysts in palace alcoves. Oh to be a lady of the court of the Tudor era! Thanks to Kirsten for getting me this polish (one of my first lemmings)! I know you’ll at least appreciate the historical reference in this polish :p

Of Eyes Bewitched

One of the key motifs of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream is sight; specifically how people view the world, and how their perspective can be changed by the influence of others. How we see the world is no different, and many illusions affect our sight. Like Puck in MSND, I decided to experiment with something to make my eyes glitter.

Thanks to Elizabeth, who gave me the first of these fabulous effect powders from Gosh for my birthday! Gold isn’t a colour that I usually choose in make-up (since I don’t wear gold jewelry), but “Paradise” is so subtle that it’s perfect. It’s more of a subtle shimmer than an actual gold, since it goes on quite light. In the bottle it doesn’t actually look gold, until you hold it beside the actual silver, and the effect is quite similar; it picks up the gold in makeup, or stays relatively neutral. I combined it with some blue glitter liquid eyeliner from Ardene’s for a neutral tone sparkle, and with Maybelline Expert Eyes trio in Tasseled Taupes (which they apparently don't make anymore...) for a more gold shimmer (both below).

I decided to get a few more of the Gosh powers in colours of my own choice, so I picked up “Steel” and “Aquatic.” Obviously I couldn’t resist a sparkly silver, and I’m rather fond of turquoise. “Steel” didn’t apply quite as dark as I usually like my silver eye makeup (the eyeliner you’re seeing isn’t “Steel,” it’s a liquid application of Electra eye shadow from Mac). But I do like the shade of light silver, and the subtle effect.

Just to see what would happen if I did a liquid application of the Gosh effect powder, I used some q-tips dipped in water to put on “Aquatic,” and then worked the colour in with a brush. I tried doing a dry brush application of it first, but I wasn’t impressed with how light it went on. Subtle eye makeup is soooo not my style obviously. It was a bit tricky to work with, but that was kind of my own fault for attempting a dry application then doing a wet application of powder. But it turned out pretty well considering I think, and I got quite a few compliments on it! 

The Queen's Players

As much as I love any film based on Shakespeare, I must admit that Shakespeare in Love is my favourite. It may not be a “serious” film, but it has so many redeeming points that I can’t help  but love it. It incorporates quite a bit of Shakespeare’s plays into the film (there are off-quotes from many of his plays), and the star-studded cast delivers a witty and clever performance. Ben Affleck as the actor Ned Alleyn, and Rupert Everett as Christopher Marlowe are my favourites, even though they don’t play large roles. Of course Dame Judi Dench makes a brilliant Queen Elizabeth; I don’t think anyone else has quite the same pithy “Englishness” as she does that makes the part so perfect.

One of the best parts of the film though, is one which is often over-looked by the audience, but is one that I can’t help but notice in this film. The costumes! It’s no surprise why Sandy Powell won the Oscar for Best Costume Design for her work on the film. I’m no expert on historical costuming, but the outfits do seem relatively accurate. I’m going to assume that there was a bit of exaggeration done with the materials (a poor acting company most likely wouldn’t have been able to afford such gorgeous costumes without huge amounts of money from their sponsor), but the cuts of the garments is reminiscent of what I’ve seen of accurate Renaissance clothing.

It was surprisingly difficult to find decent pictures of the costumes on the internet (the film isn’t new), but I found a few that I feel show some of the clever costuming, and I’ve included the trailer (ugh it’s so campy) since it has some decent shots from the film. Don’t be deterred with how clichéd the trailer is, go and watch the movie. It is brilliant, and you won’t be disappointed!

He's such a brooder :p Loving the loose-fit shirt though!
Photo from here.

How gorgeous is this jacket? Definitely my favourite piece from the entire film.
Photo from here.

Brocaide ballgowns are impractical, but gorgeously sumptuous.
Possibly another trend to go along with fall's velvet trend?
Interesting cut on the leather jacket;
definitely a throwback to Renaissance styling, but modernized with leather material!
Photo from here.

Queen Elizabeth was a trend-setter for sure! History's Lady Gaga? Maybe!
Photo from here. 

Fanservice

Seriously, I want a puppy. Preferrably a Great Dane. He’s going to be grey or black or black & white, so he’ll match whatever outfit I’m wearing (yeah I coordinate my dog to my clothes you wanna fight about it), and he’ll be huuuuuuge, and adorable, and I shall call him William! I’m naming him William after my favourite author of all time, William Shakespeare. OBVIOUSLY. He’s going to be the best puppy ever! (BTW it’s totally Shakespeare week, since Midsummer Night is the 21^st, which was yesterday!)

big dogs are always better!
image from here

majestic :)
image from here

PUPPYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYOMG!
image from here

sooooo cuuuuuuute!
image from here

Inspiration through the Ages

Sonnet 141

In faith, I do not love thee with mine eyes,

For they in thee a thousand errors note;

But ‘tis my heart that loves what they despise,

Who in despite of view is pleased to dote.

Nor are mine ears with thy tongue’s tune delighted,

Not tender feeling to base touches prone;

Not taste, nor smell desire to be invited

To any sensual feast with thee alone.

But my five wits nor my five senses can

Dissuade one foolish heart from serving thee,

Who leaves unswayed the likeness of a man,

The proud heart’s slave and vassal wretch to be.

Only my plague thus far I count my gain,

That she that makes me sin awards me pain.

10 Things I Hate About You

I hate the way you talk to me

And the way you cut your hair

I hate the way you drive my car

I hate it when you stare

I hate your big dumb combat boots

And the way you read my mind

I hate you so much that it makes me sick

It even makes me rhyme

I hate the way you're always right

I hate it when you lie

I hate it when you make me laugh

Even worse when you make me cry

I hate the way you're not around

And the fact that you didn't call

But mostly I hate the way I don't hate you

Not even close, not even a little bit, not even at all.

Untitled: A Love Poem

Like a green penny,

It lies rusted in the gutters.

Forgotten, or casually discarded

By the Uncaring

Picked up

It burns like steam;

Invisible, but inflicting

Thorns into fingertips.

Broken in half, possibly

Re-united pieces into whole;

Til broken again

And returned to it’s gutter-home. 

Princess Pumps

"Myrielle" by Aldo

Once Upon a Teenage Dream

The plan for princess week’s polish was to find a glittery blue that was the exact shade of Cinderella’s dress. I saw a polish that matched these guidelines once, and passed on buying it, and then never saw it again, so that plan had to be abandoned. Instead I present you with the glittery-est, sparkliest, most ridiculously princessy polish from my collection: OPI “Teenage Dream” from the Katy Perry Collection. Thanks Aina for getting me this polish for my birthday, since I probably never would have picked it out for myself, and I actually rather love it. It’s just SO SPARKLY! The overabundance of sparkles kept distracting me when I was wearing this as a manicure, and suffice to say I didn’t get much done that week :p

If the Tiara Fits

Since it’s grad season (the Canadian version of prom), as well as Disney Princess theme week, what better fashion trend to feature than pretty party dresses fit for princesses?

It’s been five years since I graduated high school (oh GOD I’m old…), and five years since I got all dolled up for the spectacle that is the “Grand March” and our grad dinner and dance. Oddly enough, the dress that I chose to wear for grad is one that I still love today, and that I do wear on occasion. It’s a pretty simple dress: A-line skirt, strapless, and just a little bit of crinoline under the skirt. What makes it so special is the colour. Emerald green is not a normal colour for a prom dress, and this dress isn’t actually a prom dress. I actually bought it over a year before my grad during a clearout sale of Christmas party dresses. But I was determined to get a jewel-tone dress, not a green that’s lime, celery, or heather coloured!

Aina’s grad dress would have been perfect for this photoshoot, but she isn’t feeling the love towards it. In fact, the outfit that she chose to wear instead is almost exactly opposite what she wore for grad. The original was cream, the new one is black; the original was highly detailed (full body ruching), the new is a simple sheath; the original didn’t need much jewelry, the new is all about the bling. But I have to say I rather like the focus on jewelry, since it’s an easy way to be super fancy without spending a fortune on a dress.

I’m not even going to mention what Liz’s original grad dress looked like, and I’m definitely not showing you any photos. Suffice to say that Liz does not approve of it anymore, and I agree. Plus she would probably have my head if I posted any pictures of it. Instead you all get to see the dress that I cajoled her into buying a few years back, just for fun. Not only is the gorgeous amethyst colour better suited to Liz’s skin tone, but the flounces are super cute without being overwhelmingly girly. Don’t forget that historically purple was the colour of royalty!

BTW sorry that this post is so late! It's been a super crazy busy week at work, and I just haven't been in the mood to deal with photoediting and putting stuff together. I could have done it this morning I guess, but I wanted to go shopping :p But it's up now, and it's fabulous, so forgive me <3