Home is Where the Heart Is

Hey kids! I'm back.
Even though Europe was wonderful, it's good to be back. I've cuddled my cats so much they wish I would go away again. It's also nice to open my fridge and find fresh fruits and vegetables in abundance, especially since I think I'm starting to develop my own Euro a$$ from eating at restaurants the last few days. And it's nice to be back at blogging, with a computer that works decently and having my pictures actually uploading. Maybe I should buy one of them new-fangled laptops, I've heard they are handy, especially when travelling.
I'll do a outfit post and some favourite shots from Holland right now (yes, Paris and wedding pictures to come when I catch up on sleep).

Dress? Collective Concepts, Winners
Jacket? Zara
Scarf? Zara
Boots? Gap
Knee-highs? Primark
Cuff? antique market
Sunglasses? Old faithfuls from h&m

I wore this outfit biking into town the one day. I liked it, but when I saw the pictures it looked like I was layering like an Olsen. Not that I don't appreciate the unique way that those girls dress, it just bothers me when people try to constantly duplicate their look. I feel like the twins (but especially MK) try really hard to stand-out and be individual and that copying their look goes against the whole Olsen style mantra of being yourself.
Wow, that's deep! I guess that I just want to clarify that I layered for warmth not for Olsen adoration:) I was originally just wearing the casual dress but it got chilly. I love this dress. I found it at Winners for very cheap because it looked funny hanging up (is it a shirt or a dress?) but once I put it on, I was sold. So comfy and chic too, I think. In Holland, it drove me nuts that girls wore leggings under every outfit. Slight overkill. But biking in this skirt and having flashed everyone in the small town we stayed in, made me realize that leggings serve a function as well.

Being in Holland was awesome because I got to spend lots of time with my family and relax. We rented a cottage in the country and besides the wedding, my biggest daily excursion was biking into town to get Diet Coke or dutch junk food (patat, croquettes, droppies...). There were animals everywhere and annoyingly (to Matt I'm sure), I had to say hi to every animal and ask if we could take him/her home. Matt said no, he's mean...

We even borrowed the neighbour's cat because he was so darn cute. He's getting a cuddle from my little brother...

On our last day, Matt and I went to a pancake restaurant (I heard they are healthy...or not). Maybe I'm biased but Dutch pancakes beat French crepes, hands down.

And a picture of Matt at the restaurant because he's so handsome.

It's a good thing with all the pancake and croquette eating we did, that we rented bikes for our week at the cottage. The best 40 euros I have ever spent. I think I went for three bike rides every day. I biked for the exercise, enjoyment and the company (that's my dad!) but also to see even more animals that I could potentially adopt...

Dream Closet

I love my closet. The heaps of vintage sequins, the dresses that caused me super guilt when I splurged on them and the vintage finds that have made me dance in Goodwill. My closet is my happy place. However, there is one person I would do a closet switch with. My friend S from London. Her world travels, combined with her instincts for great deals and her slight lack of self control (denial is the first symptom) have resulted in a rather awesome collection, especially in dresses. Prada, Marc Jacobs fight for space with vintage DvF and Amanda Wakeley and I can only dream. Happily, we are the same size (wise friend choices I make) and she is generous (an even wiser choice) so when we go out and play, I may choose what I want to borrow. It's weird, this time, I skipped the silks and designer labels and went straight for some good old polyester. Apparently, this dress was S's mom from the 70's and I felt a little like a Charlie's Angel. My only mission? To have fun (that was a cheesy line...).

Dress? vintage, borrowed from S
Belt? Michael Kors, Winners
Shoes? Steve Madden , DSW



S2's rolled silk and leather Amanda Wakely pumps. So pretty. When I pet them, they purred.

C asking if she should wear earrings... I voted no. Her shirt (hard to see) had awesome, massive shoulder pads. Seriously massive. Like there were dutchie donuts stuffed into each shoulder (and for those Tim Horton's followers, I'm talking about the dutchies pre 2002, before everything came frozen and premade from the donut factory.) I'm rambling but the point of the story is that her shoulders were so great, no earrings were necessary.

We clean up ok.

I've been in Holland for almost a week already but I did a London post to try and keep things chronological despite the limited posting. I need to catch up big time back at home...

London was Dope

I've been missing this blogger thing... First it was too hectic, then there was no internet and now my camera won't upload to the computer I'm using. If you're reading this, I suppose it's been fixed... Good stuff...

Jacket? indentify, Winners
Jean shorts? Abercrombie, Winners
Tee? Mossimo, Target
Purse? Winners
Sandals? Hushpuppies, Style Sense

So, London was crazy fun, I'm in Holland now, safely tucked away from any hustle bustle in a country cottage, so my mind and wallet can recharge. But it was so good to see my old university friends (um, they're not old actually) and spend some quality time. Love those kids...

Three impressions of London

1. Two and a half days are not long enough in London. Yes, we wasted some time shopping and napping (and they were great) but every corner reveals something new to be discovered and since there are a lot of corners... this may take a while. Oh yeah, and take an extra liver, these tend to get damaged as there really is a pub on every corner.

2. The V&A Museum is a great date. There is so much to see (I only checked the fashion and jewelry exhibits and there was sooo much more to be seen) and it's free. And taking a date to a museum is very cultural, chicks dig it.

I forget who is on the left but the right is some hot Halston.

3. London is expensive, very expensive but mostly worth it. Even though the pound is weak right now, you have to remember to double the price of everything to get the Canadian equilvalent. The worst example is that we paid 15 pounds for a water, vodka, lime at a upscale, but really not that impressive, establishment. I fully realize my $2.50 drink days of university are behind me and I'm fine with paying $5-10 for a drink. I'll even pay $15 if you make my drink pretty, with fruit garnishes and fancy plastic animals... That way I can play with the plastic toys while I'm waiting for service. But $30 for some vodka in tap water is crazy! Ok, end rant!

All said and done, I can't wait to go back though. But for now some R&R in the Dutch boonies for me...

A Plane Outfit

Ruffle shirt? Gap

Cargo shorts? Diesel, inherited from Linda

Shoes? thrifted, haha, total grandpa shoes...

Belt? Michael Kors, Winners

Bag? Roots, thrifted

It's embarrassing to admit how much thought I put into my travelling outfit. I wanted to be stylish, comfy and ready for hot or colder weather. Then I kinda realized that I'm going to look really tired, no matter what, when I land in London, so I put anything fabulous away. Despite that, I like how this outfit worked together. I look like I might be doing more than gossipping, shopping and partying with some old university friends, kinda like I have my life figured out. Funny! I might have worn a dress but I'm flying Ghetto Airlines (really, that's their name) and leg room is at a premium. Sitting like a lady will be secondary to comfort.

So, I'm off! I do hope to post, though it may be more sporadic...

Love you Matt! See you next Tuesday in the homeland(on our anniversary!) xo