Bold Red and Evening

~I could apologize for my obsession with the ocean, but I won't.  It's the main reason I moved from the prairies to the coast.  That, and my love for Canadian literature.  All weekend I've been writing essays on the history of Vancouver and on Charles G.D. Roberts.  

~But you care about the clothes and not my essays.  Right?  I love the boldness of stripes and adding bold red with a purse, cardigan and lips is just the perfect way to accent yourself against the evening sky. 

~ps: my food photo diary is on the right hand side of the screen.  If you're looking for simple food ideas, check it out.  If you're looking for ice cream and brownies, talk to me in two weeks when I cave.

10 things I learned this week

~Although I learned more than ten things this week (most of them about missing the ones you love), I also have ten essays this week.  I love writing but it takes so much time.  However, this setback adds an element of suspense to the new shade of lipstick, the new thrifted jeans and the apple cheddar muffins (which you will all get to learn about next week).  Until then, maybe you could help out by telling me one thing you learned this week.

Wren

Addicted to Red Lips

~I bought pink lipstick today as a reward for going to the dentist and still not having any cavities, but I'm still obsessed with Clinique's All Heart Red.  I'm also obsessed with these Gap jeans.  And bacon, and chocolate mint oolong tea, and mixing gold and silver jewelry, and Canadian literature.  Oh and Wasa crackers.  Yep, that's about it.   

shoes: steve madden. jeans: gap. shirt: suzy shier. cardigan: ricki's. belt: joe. clutch: roxy. earrings: F21

~Please tell me you have some weird obsessions.  I don't want to be the only one.

ps: to hear my music obsessions this month click here.

Gatherings.

~It is becoming increasingly important to me to gather together with friends and eat simple meals and share a bottle of wine.  There is something so peaceful about setting a table, lighting some candles and eating soup and bread.  I think soup is made from friendship.  

~This is a delicacy which is called "beer bread".  It is made from a mix (found here) and is the most amazing bread you will taste.   

~We made this minestrone soup, but if you try it, add less spinach. 

~Enjoy your food, wear striped shirts, drink wine from pottery bowls, tuck your feet under your chair and take lots of photos.  Believe me, it puts you at peace.  Also, if you make the food, you don't clean up.  It's a rule.

Monday are for Missing the Weekend

~And the people who come with the weekend. 

tights: ricki's. skirt: UO. shirt: Mexx. ring and necklace: gifts. flowers: Evan.

~Rain, wind, flowers, coffee, church, beer bread, soup, sparklers and delayed flights.  See you in exactly one month love.

10 things I learned this week

1. The ocean will always be your friend

2. Red lipstick.

3. Gabrielle makes the best pretzels.

4. The snow is beautiful no matter how much I complain about it.

5. There is no clean way to eat peanut butter, chocolate and banana

6. Food bloggers are generally amazing photographers

7. Taking a different bus makes the city a whole lot bigger.

8. Manitoba makes good breakfast.

9. Trying to find the perfect pair of black ankle boots on the internet is harder than it sounds.

10. I don't have enough heels.

Those Days

~There are days in life when you need to throw on your coat over whatever it is that you are wearing and go outside.  There are days when life was meant to be enjoyed.  There are days when you need to remind yourself to stop worrying about school, about work, about what you are going to eat that night (beans), about what you are going to wear, about what you are going to blog about tomorrow, about the weekend, about the next four years.  There are days when the ocean is your best friend, and the cold air is okay.  There are days when that horizon extends farther and farther, until it's just you on that rock.  There are days when we need to just be in the world.  There are days when creation is a testimony.  Those days are every day.   

p.s. the ocean loves you too.

Back in Town

~You know that song by Thin Lizzy?  The Boys are Back in Town.  That is my soundtrack for this outfit.  It's the perfect outfit for stalking down the street, snapping your fingers.  Anyone else feeling it?  No? Just me?  

shoes: fioni. jeans: gap. shirt: borrowed. bracelets: pandora, vintage fair, black market and thrifted.

~I would also like to introduce you to my dainty arm party.  Get inspired here and here.

10 things I learned this week about Embracing the Morning

1. Oatmeal with frozen berries and cinnamon makes breakfast better

2. Valentine's Day Candy Corn exists!!!!!

3. When classes don't start until one, you can get lots done

4. Chickpea salad is my new best friend

5. You can clean the bathroom, do the dishes and make lunch while wearing red lipstick

6. The sun will come out again even if Monday and Tuesday are dark and rainy

7. Messy braids are functional fashion

8. You can do a million things with Christmas lights

9. Getting excited about extra work in class is not the best way to make friends.  Or keep them.

10. I'm finally drinking too much caffeine.  

Steel Jewelry Tree

~Being at home in Alberta meant I had full access to the materials and tools in my dad's shop.  Evan and I both work for my dad and so one day after work, Evan helped me make a jewelry tree for my room.  He bent pieces of steel and I welded them together.  We then spray painted the tree a matte black.  It was so fun and easy. 

~This summer I hope to make an entire forest.

Purple fever (and sequins)

~I love this shirt.  Sequins and purple.  It's not too loud and it says, "Please just let me be sequinny and beautiful and totally wearable."  I replied, "Duh.  Of course.  You're purple.  I love you."  We have a very strong relationship. 

~I couldn't just wear it by itself though.  I needed some splotchy, watercolour floral in my life.  Who doesn't?

shoes: blowfish. jeans: gap. shirt: dynamite. jacket: thrifted.

the hair.

~Hillary definitely copied me with a purple shirt of her own and a glittery belt which has almost as much personality as my sequin shirt.  My favourite part about her jacket it how it matches her accessories.

jeans: thrifted. shirt: gap. belt: joe. jacket: thrifted.

Final shots from home

~The rain has let up a bit in Victoria and the snow is melting in Alberta.  And I promise I will stop giving you weather updates and trying to pass them off as real blog posts.  But if you actually got me rambling about how I feel about this year, you would get a torrent of mixed feelings which mostly include a lack of excitement for school, a lack of energy for anything and a desire to go for long walks all day. Pretty depressing, I know.

boots:spring. jeans: gap. shirt: RW&Co.

~This here is another piece from home, my little sister, looking swell in plaid with her craft fair kitty iPod pouch.  It is the cutest thing. 

~I have the feeling that it's not just me who is lacking motivation this season.  Most everyone seems to be a little put off by the end of the holidays and the commencement of working/school.  I send you the best of luck on getting motivated and inspired.