Re-vamp

Re-vamp:

The countdown is on. I leave for school THIS Sunday which scares me half to death. Instead of blogging, I should be packing but I thought I'd share a post before I move. Inspired by transitional summer-to-fall weather/activities (back-to-school), this outfit features my most recent best thrift store finds. The first is the cowl-neck sleeveless sweater that is a temporary replacement for this one at Aritzia which is exactly $122 more than this vintage one cost. I also found this delicate gold-and-pearl bracelet for four dollars, which I think is a pretty good steal. Paired with some worn-in jeans and my black felt hat, this outfit forecasts not only the crisp fall weather but the cozy knitted styles too.

Sweater / A&R (Value Village)

Shorts / Free People

Hat / H&M

Bracelet / (Value Village)

Sandals / Kate&Mel (Town Shoes)

Lipstick / Revlon in Deepest Cherry

As Luck Would Have It - Tom Rosenthal

Stronger Than That - Bahamas

All The Time - Bahamas

Inside Out - Spoon

Hero - Family of the Year

Full Circle - Half Moon Run

SIDE NOTE:

Many of you who follow me on twitter know that my one of my little brothers, Jack (the one who is responsible for taking all of my blog pictures), has started a YouTube account and has made an incredible video on overcoming his fears where he encourages you to do the same. If you haven't yet, please check out his channel, it's worth a watch!

YouTube - Jack Innanen

Fears | Jack Innanen

Sunny Sundays

Sunny Sundays:

Happy Sunday! Every day when the sun starts to get lower and lower in the sky, I feel more and more calm and down to earth. A friend recently told me that Native Canadians call this time of day and feeling "west time" (which can be used to refer to the time of day or the season in a year), just when everything starts to settle and the day winds down. Of course, this may also just refer to where in the sky the sun tends to set. This outfit is an ode to playful, clean living with a little bit of rural thrown in. Crochet always makes me think of a happy hippy frolicking in a corn field (hence the playful), while my distressed and baggy boyfriend jeans are just as relaxed a fit as any Sunday evening calls for (clean living).

bralette / Brandy Melville

top / Zara

jeans / J. Crew

belt / DKNY

shoes / Mossimo

bracelet / (boutique in France)

earrings / PacSun

Sunday Playlist:

Mushaboom - Feist

To Build a Home - Cinematic Orchestra

Reverse - SomeKindaWonderful

Heroine - DWNTWN

Do You - Spoon

From Afar - Vance Joy

DIY Duds

DIY Duds:

I love the babydoll, shapeless dress trend right now that is very Brandy-esque (as in Melville), although many of them don't seem to fit me lengthwise, as my longer legs won't allow it. When I found this one at Winners, I was so excited because of the colourful bohemian print and shape. It felt like it was missing something, so I immediately made a trip to Fabricland to buy some pom-pom trim. I highly recommend attempting this quick DIY, because it adds a little bit of something extra and makes the dress or skirt uniquely yours. I went with cream, but you could match any of the colours in the fabric motif. Remember to pin the trim onto the underside of the dress hem and run a parallel stitch along the hem (I did this twice; the first time the hem stuck out a little too much). I hope you can see in some close-up pictures above! As for the bracelets, my mom made those simply from elastic jewelry thread, beads and charms from Michael's Craft store (my mom has the original crafty genes in the family). Paired with my old crochet boots and some braids here and there, my pom-pom dress makes me feel like a free spirit (twirling and trespassing helps with that, too).

dress / One Clothing (Winners)
pom-pom trim / Fabricland
bracelets / (supplies at Michael's Craft store)
boots / Urban Outfitters

Playlist:
The Throw - Jagwar Ma
Shelter - XX
Belong - Washed Out
Amnesia - 5SOS

- Zo

Summer Lovin'

(Ignore the sunscreen smears)

Summer Lovin':

Can you believe it's August already? On one hand I'm sad that this date marks the mid-summer blues but on the other I'm counting down the days until I move to the city. My summer has been spent mostly in my air-conditioned workplace, however, the days I do have off are spent by the pool or outside (I even strategically booked off one day just because it was supposed to be 28 degrees outside). My summer wardrobe mainly consists of the easy basics, such as denim cutoffs and little white tops. I love this top because of the fringe and rope detailing throughout it. I added some little booties (not exactly "pool-friendly") and a sunhat, as well as my Tory Burch for Feed burlap and embroidered bag. From a working girl to the next, enjoy your days off in the sun while it lasts!

shorts / American Eagle

blouse / H&M

hat / (mom's closet, once again)

shoes / Mossimo (target)

bag / Tory Burch for Feed (Holt Renfrew)

Learn more about the Feed Project here!

Playlist:

Summer Lovin' - Grease

- Zo

Beyond the Coffee Table

(pictures from Candice Ralph!)

 Beyond the Coffee Table Reads...

Media is a major (imagine "MAJ" coming from Rachel Zoe) part of the fashion industry. Magazines, articles, blogs, shows, documentaries and books are all ways that the industry reaches out to the public. Being interested in the subject like I am, I have compiled a decent collection of fashion books and magazines. If there is only one queen in the magazine world, it's Vogue. While Vogue revolves around high fashion and sophistication, Teen Vogue is intended for a younger audience beginning to develop an interest in fashion, brands, style and trends. The Teen Vogue Handbook was released in 2010, and you can be sure I purchased it right then and there. This is a must-read book for anyone interested in going into the fashion industry, as it explores multiple different careers in every department from stylist to photographer to editor. It focuses on the classic (Karl) and the new (Thakoon) designers who have influenced or continue to influence everyday life and style. TNVH has an extensive section where it narrows down the best design schools in the world, however they do not help people who want to do something outside of fashion design. It's crazy in-depth and even lays out different career "tool-kits" for different professions (the editor's one has "Airborne" included in it to "stay healthy while juggling events and travel"). This book is definitely beyond a coffee table book, as you can use it as a reference before, during and after your schooling and ambitious career!

Happy reading!

- Zo

Purchase The Teen Vogue Handbook at Chapters!