HOME IS WHEREVER I'M WITH YOU

Not just my birthday today, but also the one-year anniversary of my little apartment and I. I cannot believe how time flies. Thanks to those who sent me messages throughout the day. Each year keeps getting better.

WE'RE GONNA GATHER ROUND LIKE IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY

Between all the board games and homemade pizza, sangria and Garfinkle's, cameras were forgotten about. Celebrating my birthday in Whistler with friends and my brother, all I could scrounge up were some Blackberry photos.

So much snow in Whistler. Matiko studded loafers surprisingly un-slippery. Friends. A devoured eggs benedict breakfast and Caesar at Southside Diner. Birthday purchases during Saturday shopping with mom.

I SAW THE LIGHT

Vest: Zara, Shirt: H&M, Pants: Gap, Bag: Coach, Rings: Club Monaco and my grandma's

After a week of being sick, I just can't stay in any longer. Last night I attended the Prophetik fashion show for Eco Fashion Week, today I'll be out shopping with my mom, and tonight is Whistler with many friends. It sure is cold out: fur is definitely needed.

J'AIME...

Early morning pictures...

Company at my folks place...

Stormy skies.

COMFORTABLE AND SO BROKEN IN

           Already into my preemptive Spring cleaning, I avoid time after time the boxes hidden around my apartment: under my bed, stacked on the highest shelf in my closet, and some a permanent fixture as plant holders (don't worry, those are the nice-looking Ikea boxes). In them are many, many pieces of clothing I made years ago that I can't bear to part with. Some are quite ridiculous, some I think I'll recycle the material for other things. Some I just love. Like this lil number, resembling a towel wrapped around my body, and feeling like it too. I remember making this dress when I was in university, the idea I stole from a Max Mara magazine ad. It is literally just folds of material pleated and tucked, with an attempted bubble hem, and pockets. Ok little dress, you got me. You can have a hanger.

   I couldn't just show you the good ones, so here are some bad things I have made. Oh dear...

YOU'VE BEEN ALL OVER AND IT'S BEEN ALL OVER YOU

Me being a tourist again. @ Meat & Bread in Gastown, Opus in Gastown, Holt Renfrew, home, and stormy skies over English Bay.

LOOKING FOR THE GREAT ESCAPE

         
         I don't do this enough: be a tourist in my own city. So thankful was I to have a friend visit from Toronto who wanted to trek around town this weekend and take pictures of everything. It is amazing what you see and how you see it when you look at things from an outsider perspective. We walked for hours around Stanley park (when I usually just run it as fast as I can), bought cupcakes on Denman (which I have never done), and took sunset pictures at English Bay (such a touristy thing to do). I really loved Vancouver that day. But unfortunately, I think the wintry weather for our beach photoshoot gave me this darn cold, so now I am stuck inside marking Science projects and taking multiple naps while eating chicken noodle soup. So hot and cold you are Vancouver, constantly changing your mind. Your stormy weather, snow and sun, always keeps me guessing.

Shirt: Tommy Hilfiger

Dress: Wilfred

Belt: my mom's

Ring: Banana Republic

AND IF THE SNOW BURIES MY NEIGHBORHOOD

      The last of gymnastics with my students yesterday, of course it had to pour hail and snow as we walked through the park to get there. I was not pleased to be caught wearing my Sam Edelman jewelled flats, mais c'est la vie. Many of my little ones had to have their socks hung up to dry around the class; looks like no one was prepared for this weather. I was unsure of how my fur bag would hold up in the storm - toting around a wet animal is not quite the fashion statement I go for. But it survived, hooray! The thing I love about my fur bag is that it slings over my shoulder, so that I don't need to carry it. It leaves my hands free in order to hold little hands so those grade ones don't slip in the snow.

Coat & Shirt: H&M

Pants: Esprit

Shoes: Sam Edelman

Tuque: Rebel Rebel

Scarf: Club Monaco

Bag: made by me

Ring: American Eagle

J'AIME...

First blooms...

A cute card...

A little love...

School laundry.

MONEY TALKS, BUT IT CAN'T SING AND DANCE

         Some things never go out of style. I have had this jean jacket since grade eight, and amazingly it still fits. In fact, it is so broken in that I wear it as a shirt, here paired with a skirt I have had since grade ten (talk about an outfit from the past). But sometimes I wish I had kept other clothes from my childhood as well, like my Chewbacca shirt I got from Disneyland or my bright red metallic Nike runners. I know you are supposed to "grow up" and mature in style, but I feel like my style is much the same as it was ten years ago. Chewbacca has been replaced with Bambi and red Nikes replaced with neon green. Perhaps it is due to my self-proclaimed promise to not shop during the month of February that I am looking through hidden clothing-gems in my closet, but I like digging out old stuff. There are a lot of memories in fashion. And also, I am pretty sure my jean jacket could be considered vintage now, which is obviously très chic.

Jacket & Skirt: Gap

Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell

Earrings: American Eagle

Brooch: from my grandma

Ring: from the dentist, yep, like the ones you picked out

from the Treasure Chest at the end of your visit (now that's vintage)

IF YOU WANT MORE LOVE, WHY DON'T YOU SAY SO

          
           Yesterday, I spent Sunday morning in Yaletown with my dad. We got coffee and talked hockey and watched my mom cross the finish line at the "First Half" half marathon. Then I spent the afternoon cooped up in my apartment sewing a fur bag modelled on one that I fell in love with seen in fashiontoast. Afternoon turned into evening, and while picking leftover bits of fur off my bedspread I thought about Valentine's Day. I typed and retyped and then deleted everything I wrote about Valentine's Day, because honestly, actually, I like it. I know it's all hype, but in such a busy world, maybe it is a good thing to have one day where you're made to stop and think about those you love.

            So, Happy Valentine's Day to all of you. And, Happy Birthday dad. : )

   Roses Shirt: made by me

Black Shirt: ZOA

Pants: Esprit

Bracelet: Blue Ruby

Ring: from the dentist

Bag: made by me

WE'RE LOCKED IN TIME, LET'S REWIND

Un petit homage aux Olympiques. Pictures from now and then.

Thanks for the memories Vancouver.

ALL THE OTHER KIDS WITH THE PUMPED UP KICKS

          
           I wore my fur to school again, this time for my grade ones. You can count on them to be honest. "Your fur looks like raccoon fur Miss Deitcher." Perfect.
            I also trekked out to Abbotsford to watch an AHL game Friday night. I know I know, it's only Abbotsford, and it's only an AHL game, but I would dress up for a minor league hockey game if I went to one. My transition from work attire to evening wear consisted of removing a layer of clothing. Pretty sure it would not be appropriate to have my fur vest longer than my dress, hence the extra skirt that brings my hem down a couple inches. Who says you can't mix stripes with fur with leopard print? I sure don't.

Dress: Talula

Skirt: made by me

Vest: Zara

Belt: H&M

Rings: Club Monaco

Earrings: American Eagle

Shoes: Nine West