Paperbags and Flowerpots

Shorts? Tokyo, Winners
Shirt? Ralph Lauren, thrifted
Belt? Flea market find
Sandals? Marc Fisher, Winners
Clutch? Thrifted

I bought these shorts on super sale over two and a half years ago and I just cut the tags off this morning. Shame... I really like them but I couldn't figure out how to wear them. The biggest issue is that because they have a paper bag waist, I pull them up to my natural waist and then it all becomes a big walking wedgie. I have finally come to terms with the fact that the paper bag part is supposed to sit low on the hips. It creates some more width in an area I would like to not add width to but I still thought it was cute.
My one brother thought differently. Never mind the fact that he wears pleated pants (and not in a cute fashion blogger kind of way)... He told me that while I usually dress nicely, he really hated my shorts. Then, he proceeded to tell me that they look like flowerpots (?) and they make my hips look big. Thank-you, tell me how you really feel... Expect these shorts to make appearances at many future family events... just out of spite. I told you I was mature.
And how awesome is the belt? I bought it at a flea market five minutes before these pictures were taken and I swapped out my trusty Michael Kors for Canadian national animals. The belt itself is cool, it needs a good polish but the belt buckle is definitely the best part. The moose on it is finely carved unto the leather and it's so detailed... It is in the same vein as the wall paper from the previous post... good in a tacky kind of way...

Taking Chances on the Information Super Highway

Denim shirt? Gap
Tank? Majestic, Winners
Shorts? French Connection, Winners
Belt? Michael Kors, Winners
Hat? h&m
Necklace? Gifted

I rarely shop online. My thrifting already accounts for a large part of our country's stimulus spending package and if I were to get hooked to the ease of online shopping, I could do a lot of damage. I can't afford that addiction... Besides, I like to feel the fabrics, try on different sizes and do the math of extra discounts on red stickers in my head before I walk up to the cash register in triumph. I want to touch it before I buy it.
The problem with finding things online is that you never know 100% what you are getting yourself into until it may be too late. That awesome guy whose profile reads that he loves the environment and volunteers by cleaning up litter, may just be doing community service hours... And that's why, when my family was looking for a cottage rental, I was a little nervous about finding something online. But we booked something that seemed to fit all our needs. We arrived this week (don't worry, the homestead and the herd of cats are being supervised diligently) and I was pleasantly surprised with the cottage. It's pretty awesome! The location is just off a huge beach (and we've had great weather!) but the cottage itself is so charming... Apparently, the owners have an antique shop and live here most of the year, so it's very well maintained and decorated with quaint items that I will resist stealing. There's an old sewing machine randomly placed in the yard, old portraits of chubby, sombre children on the wall and a tree stump side table ... love that. But best of all, when we were choosing bedrooms, we got the one with the mountain landscape wallpapered unto the wall. Because it's so bad that it's good. I can have a nap on the beach or in the Rocky Mountains. Life is good!

PS. Yeah! Holland is in the World Cup finals! I have diligently been wearing my orange wig but some piranhas ate it while I was swimming at the beach. Crazy...

Challenges

Dress? Handmade, I think, thrifted
Shoes? French Connection outlet
Purse? Thrifted
Belt? Michael Kors, Winners
Bracelets? From Matt and thrifted

When we lost out on the house that we were really hoping to get, I went on a shopping spree to make myself feel better. Mature, right? Usually, I limit myself to shopping my feelings at a thrift store but on this occasion I went with a friend to battle teenagers at a mall on a Saturday. I really debated over getting these shoes. They are nothing crazy but for some reason I loved the contrast of the regular and patent leather and the wood platform. I found them right between the 'I didn't get what I wanted so I am going to foolishly spend money' phase and the 'get a grip, sweetheart, you are going to need that money for the next house' phase. I think I went back to see them three times before I decided to buy them and let the guilt feelings hit me in the car ride home. I'm glad I bought them, they are pretty without being crazy trendy but I'm embarrassed to say I've only worn them once.
That's why I challenged myself to not resort to brown shoes as I often do, but to wear this thrifted dress with the French Connection shoes instead. Some people challenge themselves to run a marathon, some people challenge themselves to give up shopping for 6 months and I challenge myself to wear black sandals. Big goals are being achieved over here... The pathetic thing is that it was actually hard to accomplish. I liked the pattern play of the leopard belt with the ethnic print and so I tried to add my horsey-face clutch to the mix just to show-off. And then the clutch didn't look right with the shoes and before I knew it, I was wearing my trusty brown Frye shoes. I had to step back and re-commit myself to wearing the black platforms. And I did wear them all day, except for when I was frolicking in the sand dunes...
For all my new readers... welcome to the important decisions that rule my life.

Hup Holland!

There is clearly such a thing as 'too much' in fashion but the rule doesn't apply during the World Cup. My brother came down from Holland for a week a bit ago and maxed out the airline weight restriction with Dutch soccer paraphernalia. I'm wearing 1/12 of it...

It does make me slightly nervous to post this picture... The Dutch are up against the formidable Brazilians tomorrow and if they lose and go home, it will be painful to open my blog and stare at my cheerful countenance outfitted in the Dutch colours. So, if the outcome is not in my favour, please let me retreat in peace to mend my broken heart and to put the orange gear into my hope chest for the Euro Cup in two years (I do not have a hope chest but it would be useful on occasions like this). However, if the Dutch win, expect me to sew this wig unto my head permanently!

P.S. Even though I'm talking about the Netherlands, I can't forget that it is Canada Day as well! I may not be a Canadian citizen (don't tell Kendi, who just did a really sweet post about me for Canada Day...xo) but Canada has been my wonderful home for a long time! I'm grateful my parents moved here years ago and raised me with the help of Tim Hortons coffee and sprinkle donuts...