The Vinyasa Scarf

My newest obsession: The Vinyasa scarf from Lululemon. Nice wide scarf that can be tied 17 different ways! (Seriously, youtube it. It's amazing.) Made of super soft "rulu" fabric, it can be turned into an "infinity" scarf just by buttoning some snaps (SNAPS!!!). I love it. I'm obsessed. Totally worth the $48, which seems steep for a scarf. 

So, I've decided that I am very unhappy with my body these days. I've let myself gain weight and lose muscle tone in the last year or so. I freaking hate it! None of my damn pants fit, and I refuse to buy new ones unless I get back to my old size. Looks like I'm doomed to leggings, jeggings, lululemon pants, and T's hair elastic button pregnancy trick for now. A non-pregnant woman shouldn't have to use an elastic to close the clasp on their pants!! 

I'm in a vicious cycle of feeling like crap and not wanting to get out of bed and do anything, therefore not losing weight because all I do is eat my weight loss woes in Doritos, and lounge around on the couch. You see, I have a love-hate relationship with carbs. Big, bad, evil carbs. Being a vegetarian that hates to cook and loves to eat crap, I have a really hard time having a balanced diet. My diet mostly consists of pizza and Pepsi. BAD! Soda=evil, white bread carbs=bad, greasy cheese=bad, creamy dips=bad. So today, I'm done. I'm done being too depressed about not fitting my clothes, and I'm not going to let myself be in the same spot or worse in a year. So today, in front of the interwebs, I'm starting small. No more sugary soda, juice, fattening coffee creamer or syrups. Next stop, kicking crappy carbs! I'll keep you posted.

-A

Turnaround Concentrate

Alright, T and I went to Holt Renfrew awhile back for a free Clinique makeup and skincare tutorial. We just signed up for it for fun, thinking we'd get to try something new and see what it would look like. Little did I know that I would totally learn about my skin and how to care for it, and fall in love with a product to boot! During this "makeover" the girl working on my face used a little something called "Turnaround Concentrate." It is a pre-moisturizer serum you apply after your face wash and toner, and it boasts "radiance renewing" properties. This crap is amazing!! I use it twice a day now, and I've seen fewer breakouts, and more even and softer skin on my face. If you have dry, easily irritated skin like me, I totally recommend this awesome serum!

An example of summer don't.

So, Tanya and I went back to the mall today... whilst on the skytrain we witnessed something truly horrendous. As much of a fan as we are of the romper, there is definitely a wrong and a right way to wear it.  This girl is a prime example of how not to wear a onsie:

- A

Another summer don't...

I have only one summer don't that comes to mind (forgive me, I'm tired as the little one refused to go to sleep this evening...sigh).  The other day - not a particularly warm day mind you - I stepped outside and spotted this cute girl walking down the hill.  She had a Gwen Stefani look about her.  Platinum hair, in a sort of mussed updo, and red lips.  But I could only see her head because she was behind a vehicle across the street.  When I saw her outfit I literally gasped.  She was wearing a black & white triangle bikini top and jeans.  Really?  If the temperature is right for jeans I'm pretty sure it's not right for a bikini.  A bikini shouldn't be worn on the street, period.  PERIOD!!!  I actually wonder if she was trying to channel Gwen Stefani.  I've seen photos of Gwen wearing bikini tops with mesh tanks over top, belly showing.  Um, but it's Gwen.  She's a rock star!!  And I'm sure her outfit was event appropriate.  

As for the good summer outfits I agree with Ashtynn.  Love the maxi-dress.  They are sweet and comfy.  Like pyjamas you can wear outside (note: do not wear your actual pyjama's outside. EVER!)

~T~

Summer do not EVER's.

Okay, people, I know it's summer, but that doesn't mean walk around naked.
I've seen many a horrendous outfit in the few warm days we've had here in Vancouver.
Today, for example. Tanya and I went to the mall, and I saw SO many ill-fitting ensembles.  Stop buying your clothes in the childrens section, PLEASE. No one wants to see your asscheeks, muffin top, or shirt strap fat rolls. UGH.

If you're going to wear white pants, please please please for the love of God DO NOT WEAR NEON COLORED UNDERWEAR. Neutral is a MUST for that type of attire. No one needs to know what color your panties are. Maybe try on your pants first, too? This goes out to the girl with the too-tight stretched so thin see-through white shorts- go up a couple sizes.

Think about where you're going before you leave the house. Sure, it's plenty hot outside, but an air-conditioned mall is quite the climate change. Consider wearing a bra under your crepe-paper thin tank tops so the whole world DOESN'T know you're freezing your nipples off, literally. I don't need to see your - ahem- "headlights."

A trend I absolutely love, however, I saw done right more than once during our excursion. The maxi- dress. Comfortable, versatile, and effortlessly chic. Maxi-dress (that fits, please)+sandals+ sunglasses= easy summer DO.  Tanya, care to share any do's or don't's you witnessed today?

-A

Born in the wrong decade.

Oh, how I long for the days of yore. Times were simpler, but the fashion was NOT. I wish I had a time machine just so I could wear some of the things I've seen in movies or read about in my favorite genre, historical fiction. Corsets and petticoats and gowns, oh my! The time and energy women put into their clothes back in the day. As time went on, fashion evolved (up until about 1970, when things took a dive...).  
My love for past fashions stems as far back as the 18th century. French fashion a la Marie Antionette in the 1700's, I die.

 Sofia Coppola's Marie Antionette film contains some of the most beautiful costumes I've seen. Although I'm not a huge Kirsten Dunst fan, she wore them well. The gowns are simply beautiful. Handcrafted and embroidered, these gowns must have taken months to create in the 1700's, and the workmanship shows.

Fashion evolved slowly as time went on, and the dresses got progressively smaller and less extraordinary. Still, what I wouldn't give to don a garment from the 19th century as well, such as this beautiful 1890's gown (right).

 






The beginning of the 20th century saw people test the limits of society, shortening hemlines (gasp! ankles? how dare you!) and trimming in dresses close to the hips. Fabrics became simpler, less embroidery and decoration. Use of lace and patterned fabric came to replace the hand-decorated masterpieces. Of course, with a new tea dress you need an overcoat of matching fabric! This early 1900's gown (left) gives you an example of what I'm speaking of. God, what I wouldn't give to stroll through the park wearing a dress like that, twirling my parasol. Ugh!

Using another great movie as an example, Titanic had some wonderful costume designers. Everything Kate Winslet's Rose wore was impeccably put together. From the moment she exited a streetcar in her massive hat and wonderful white skirt-suit(below), my attention was captured by her clothes. 

Okay, okay, I'm rambling. Moving on to quite 
 possibly my favorite decade of fashion, the 1920's! (Think: Chicago). Flapper dresses, bejeweled garter belts, dropped waists. Just oh so fabulous. The jazz age was one of the best. I envision myself in a smoky room, with some red lipstick and satin shoes, and fabulous company, as above a still from Boardwalk Empire. 

Anyways, on to my point, I suppose. The days of complicated fashion seem to be over. Women have gotten lazy with their jeans and t-shirt wardrobes. I would kill for a chance to engage in the drama of wearing something just so fabulous! If only I didn't care what others think of me, but oh the looks one would get wearing any of these outfits walking down the street. Although, with the revival of the '80's and '90's fashion, a girl can dream, no?