SPOTLIGHT: BELLWETHERS VINTAGE

The Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show is right around the corner and today I'm going to be talking about one of their vendors - Bellwethers Vintage.

Bellwethers has been around for a while now but they opened up a physical location down on Florence Street (near Bank Street) back in May. The owner, Madison, is passionate about all things vintage and you can tell from the second you enter the store. Walking into the shop is like walking directly into the past - everything from the decor to the items for sale are perfectly curated and truly retro. The thought and the detail that went into merchandising this store is phenomenal - my favourite part is the raised black and white check tile platform in the middle of the room. My eyes were instantly drawn there and it is home to the most amazing vintage couch and coffee table. The atmosphere of the store makes you feel right at home and I absolutely love that about Bellwethers. 

I highly recommend checking out Bellwethers Vintage if you're a fashion lover. The pieces that Madison curates are spectacular and she sources pieces with the most beautiful colours and luxurious textures. She has a large collection of women's and menswear, shoes and accessories. My favourite piece that she has in stock is a gorgeous red wool coat with a leopard print collar; it would have came home with me in a heartbeat if it were my size. I swear it's going to haunt my dreams.

Bellwethers Vintage will be at the Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show this coming Sunday, November 12th at the Carleton University Fieldhouse. You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram.

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CONTEST: head over to my Instagram to enter to win a pair of tickets to the upcoming Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show! Find the Bellwethers picture and tag a friend that you'd like to take with you. Contest ends Thursday, November 9, at 6:00PM EST.  Winner will be selected using a random number generator. 

NEW SERIES // Introducing: Introducing & Felix Embroidery

Introducing: Introducing

I want to begin this post by introducing a new series here on my blog. It has taken me a long time to come up with the details behind it but I've always known that I wanted this blog to be more than just about me and what I wear; I knew that I had to include other people somehow.  Community is such an amazing thing and I don't know where I'd be if I weren't surrounded by such an amazing and inspiring group of people.

This new project is going to be called 'Introducing' and I'm going to be highlighting different artists and fashionable people in and around various communities throughout Ottawa. I've met these people through many different avenues; some are longtime friends, some are friends of friends and some I've met through Instragram (or other forms of social media). I decided to title the series 'Introducing' for a number of different reasons. The first being that I like the simplicity of the name and the second is because I wanted to keep this series as personal as possible. I want it to feel like we're just sitting down, drinking coffee and I'm introducing you to a friend.

The only 'rule' that I have for this series is that I won't be featuring bloggers. While I love, support and respect bloggers, I feel as though I can continue to support them in different ways.

I have a number of amazing people lined up for this series and it's going to be a weekly instalment here on my blog. I'm learning so much from the people that I'm photographing and interviewing and I can't wait to introduce them to you. 

I hope you're as excited as I am about this series.

I'm going to be opening this series today with a local artist whose work truly speaks to me.

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Introducing: Felix Embroidery 

Catherine is the creative mind behind Felix Embroidery and it was love at first sight when I saw her creations on Instagram.

Catherine is the type of person that, even when you've only known her a handful of months or weeks or even hours, you feel like you've known forever. She has very strong and quirky quality to her that definitely shines through her work.

Feminist art is my absolute favourite kind of art and I adore how inclusive and body positive her pieces are. I currently own two Felix Embroidery designs (one that says 'feminist' with a floral background and another that says 'love wins' with a rainbow detail under it) and I can't wait to get my hands on more. Felix Embroidery sells many different kinds of embroidered pieces from wall art to jewellery and I knew she would be the perfect person to kick off this new series. If you aren't already familiar with Felix Embroidery take a second to prepare for your new found love affair.

129/ 613 VINTAGE SHOW FALL 2015

I have been attending the Ottawa Vintage Show for years now and I can honestly say that the show gets bigger and better with each passing season. The turnout for this past show was phenomenal - there were people everywhere. If you're unfamiliar with the show (and you're from Ottawa), where have you been!? It's basically a giant market filled with shops from all over that specialize in selling vintage clothing and accessories.

Unfortunately I didn't come home with anything this time around but I had a great time browsing through the shops and talking to their owners. The one shop that I was completely enamored with was Luxe Touch. They specialize in vintage Chanel, but also have a few pieces from Gucci and Louis Vuitton. They have been at the Ottawa Vintage Show for the past couple of seasons and although I'm not currently in a position where I can actually buy anything from them, I always have to stop over so that I can cry over their selection. 

Truth be told, I don't currently have a lot of vintage pieces in my wardrobe. Usually when I dress for the vintage show I like to pull out my best loved throwback pieces but I was at a loss this season. After trying on what seemed like everything in my wardrobe, I went with a modern yet retro inspired look. I decided to make my Ralph Lauren crested blazer the focal point of my outfit, and I'm really glad that I did. This blazer has been one of my favourite pieces in my wardrobe for the past couple of years; I adore how timeless it is and how easy it is to wear. I paired it with a white t-shirt from H&M's plus size range, black skinny jeans (surprise, surprise) and a pair of sneakers. It was rather windy and chilly that day so I wore a big blanket scarf to keep warm.

I played it a bit more safe with my outfit this season then I have in the past (my first vintage show, my second show) but I absolutely loved how my outfit turned out. I felt comfortable and confident the entire time, and that's what truly matters the most to me.

SCARF/ Zara BLAZER/ Ralph Lauren T-SHIRT/ H&M+
JEANS/ Forever 21+ SHOES/ Adidas Supershell BAG/ 3.1 Phillip Lim

Photos by Laura Kidd

PS. Be sure to 'like' my new Facebook page to keep up with daily my shenanigans and adventures in plus size fashion.

124/ COFFEE SHOP MEET UP

I just want to start off by saying THANK YOU to Equator Coffee for hosting a successful #BlogOtt event and to Katrina from Oui C'est Chic for bringing us all together.

A week and a bit has passed since the September #BlogOtt meet up but it is still fresh on my mind. It was so great to finally meet local bloggers face to face that I've been following on various social media platforms. It was amazing getting to know other people who are passionate about similar avenues and to be able to discuss topics such as fashion, beauty, photography and social media tips/tricks with like-minded peers.

I was excited to learn more about coffee and its industry as well. If you know me you know that I'm an absolute fiend for coffee (#caffiend) and that I can't go more than a couple of hours without a cup. The event was held just a couple of blocks away from where I work so I was ecstatic to learn of a new coffee shop in the neighbourhood. Equator Coffee is definitely somewhere I will frequent while I'm on my breaks; the fair trade coffee was delicious, the atmosphere is definitely welcoming and they have a great selection of food as well.

I haven't been feeling very well lately so I opted to wear something comfy, casual and carefree. I wore my favourite Eileen Fisher coated denim jacket and I paired it with a basic black dress from Forever 21+, my usual leggings from ASOS Curve and I added a little bit of interest to the outfit with a lipstick patterned scarf from Kate Spade. Yes, the scarf matches my tattoo. Yes, I kind of love that it does.

PS: Don't forget to like my blog's new Facebook page! Follow along for my (mis)adventures in plus size fashion, informal rants, beauty tips and more.

JACKET/ Eileen Fisher DRESS/ Forever 21+ LEGGINGS/ ASOS Curve 

SCARF/ Kate Spade New York WATCH/ Michael Kors
HANDBAG/ 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli (medium size) SHOES/ Nike
SUNGLASSES/ Karen Walker

Outfit photo by Laura Kidd

ONE HUNDRED & NINETEEN/ yeezy taught me

You're not perfect but you're not your mistakes.
- Only One by Kanye West

I remember the day that I fell in love with Kanye West. I was watching MuchMusic in my basement and the video for 'Through The Wire' came on; it was love at first sight. So when I heard that Mr. West was coming to my hometown for our annual music festival, Bluesfest, I did not hesitate to get tickets. I literally bought mine the second they were released and I had been waiting months for the big day to arrive.

And he did not disappoint. It still feels like a dream. A lot of people were texting me after the performance asking how it was and my response was always "that wasn't real". I can't believe that I saw him in the flesh, it was really a dream come true.

Aurelia joined me in seeing Kanye. We had a lovely afternoon spent shopping and eating (aka the usual) and we headed to the festival a bit early to nab a spot. It was a fantastic day from start to finish and I'm happy that my partner in crime was by my side throughout it.

~Festival style~ has become such a huge thing in recent years. I'm all about looking good and feeling great in an outfit but my opinion on the topic is that your outfit should be verstaile and comfortable when going to any outdoor concert. For me that means sneakers, lightweight pieces, sunglasses and a small-ish handbag that I can rock crossbody. It was brutally hot that day so I opted to wear a tank top plus one of my trusty denim vests. I don't know why I chose to wear black jeans but I managed to suffer through it. I've worn this Rebecca Minkoff handbag that I scored in a recent Nordstrom sale exactly twice now and both times have been to music festivals. The Mini MAC is such a great size, it fits everything you really need in it and can be worn either crossbody or as a shoulder bag which is pretty important in my eyes.

VEST/ Old Navy TANK/ Willi Smith JEANS/ Forever 21+ (DIY distressed)

SHOES/ Keds BAG/ Rebecca Minkoff SUNGLASSES/ Karen Walker
NECKLACE/ H&M

My tuna salad from Bazille in Nordstrom | YEEZUS

Outfit photos by Aurelia Cerquozzi

If anyone's interested my favourite songs live were: Flashing Lights, Can't Tell Me Nothing, All Falls Down, Jesus Walks and Only One

ONE HUNDRED & SEVENTEEN/ #velovogue15

Confession: I am twenty-three years old and I have never learned how to ride a bicycle. A lot of people are shocked when they find that out but I really don't think it's a big deal. I'm all kinds of clumsy and I just envision myself flying head first into a dumpster or something. That's not to say that I'm not a fan of bikes - they're interesting, the culture that is associated with them is remarkable and in all honesty they're just really aesthetically pleasing to me.

I'm starting to feel like a bit of a bike poser, or at least that's how I felt last weekend. Laura, her twin sister and I went to Velo Vogue's annual bike fashion show and we had a really good time. The decor was absolutely phenomenal; the place was decked out in multicoloured bike tires, there were models everywhere! The show itself was put on by an amazing local blog in support of Rite Bike Ottawa. I can't even imagine the kind of time and hard work that it took to pull off an even like that. I really admire them for it, they truly did a phenomenal job! Although I don't ride bikes myself, I didn't feel too out of place because the fashion (both on and off the runway) was fantastic.

I decided to go for a bit of a sporty look myself with just a basic cotton dress and my New Balance sneakers. I still can't get over how well these shoes compliment my Kate Spade handbag, I feel as though they were made for each other. I threw on my Eileen Fisher coated denim jacket just for some extra layers and I made my lips pop with NYX's matte 'Neon Pink' lipstick.

JACKET/ Eileen Fisher DRESS/ Forever 21+ HANDBAG/ Kate Spade 

SHOES/ New Balance WATCH/ Michael Kors

Outfit photos by Laura Kidd

ONE HUNDRED & SIXTEEN/ old world underground

The Diefenbunker is a four-story, 300 room, 100,000 square foot underground bunker, and was meant to house 535 Canadian government officials and military officers in the event of a nuclear war. Shrouded in mystery, the Diefenbunker, nicknamed after then Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, was designed and built in secrecy during the crest of Cold War fear, between 1959 and 1961. The name of the facility was given by a Toronto Star journalist who exposed a story of its development. - The Difenbunker's Official Website

The Diefenbunker is unlike anywhere I've ever been before, or anything I've ever seen. It is literally a bunker that is hidden so far underground that it is built to withstand a nuclear blast. The place is enormous and it is equipped with everything imaginable. There are medical rooms, surgical rooms, dental rooms, board rooms, decontamination showers, rooms dedicated to radio broadcasting, a bank vault, and so much more.

The bunker is absolutely phenomenal and if you live in Ottawa, or have a chance to visit here, I highly recommend going to see it for yourself. They did a fantastic job of preserving everything; it truly feels as though you walked through a time machine and ended up back in the '60s. It has a bit of a creepy vibe to it, which I absolutely adore, and with a good chunk of the rooms being dedicated to a traditional museum type experience - it is very educational. I went with Aurelia and we both enjoyed the bunker immensely. We just sort of wandered around and took in all of the sites and readings for ourselves but there was so much to look at and do, it was a bit overwhelming. I'm already planning my next trip back and I'm hoping to go on a guided tour for the next time around.

If you're familiar with The Hunger Games trilogy - it is a bit reminiscent of District 13. Or at least that's what was on my mind the entire time I was down there.

I wore super comfortable clothes to go out and explore the bunker and I'm happy that I did. There was a lot of walking and a few stairs. Being as underground as it is, it was downright cold so I'm happy that I brought my trusty denim jacket with me.

JACKET/ Old Navy DRESS/ H&M+ LEGGINGS/ ASOS Curve 

SHOES/ Converse HANDBAG/ Balenciaga NECKLACE/ H&M 

WATCH/ Michael Kors

Outfit photos by Aurelia Cerquozzi / Bunker photos by me
This post is not sponsored. All thoughts are my own.

ONE HUNDRED & TEN/ better late than never

Yesterday was a gorgeous day here in Ottawa and it seems as though spring is here to stay. I wore this casual outfit to work and then to hangout with a couple of my friends. We spent the afternoon grabbing macarons, coffee and hitting up the mall.

This look is definitely a huge leap outside of my comfort zone. If you're familiar with my blog (or with me in real life #PoorYou) you're used to seeing me in head to toe black but when I saw this stunning white top on a random rack at Macy's I fell in love. The fit is so flawless and it is so unlike anything else I own, I just had to buy it. I know I say this about every new piece that I buy but it is sincerely my favourite thing in my wardrobe at the moment.

White clothing has always scared me. I love* coffee but it seems to have a magnetic attraction to my clothes. Also throw in the fact that I am a complete klutz and it is a recipe for disaster. That, my friends, is why I stick to a strict uniform of dark colours only. I'm proud to say that I have worn this top a total of TWO TIMES now and I haven't spilled a drop on it. I feel as though I deserve an award for that. Am I finally becoming an adult?! I do realize that it is just a matter of time for when the spill finally happens but I'm embracing this change of pace for the time being.

Also can I just mention how perfectly my bag matches the 'N' on my shoes? I made sure to point that out to just about everyone I spoke to yesterday. It's one of the reasons I bought these shoes to begin with. It is such a unique neon coral so when I saw the shoes at DSW and my initial thought was my beloved Kate Spade bag. Don't you love when things like that just come together perfectly?

TOP/ Alfani Woman JEANS/ Jessica Simpson SHOES/ New Balance 

HANDBAG/ Kate Spade SUNGLASSES/ H&M WATCH/ Michael Kors

Pictures by Aurelia Cerquozzi and Liza Peralta

* Is there a more powerful word than love? Because I feel like saying that I "love" coffee is the understatement of the year. I live for coffee. I need it to survive. It courses through my veins. The way to my heart is truly through a piping hot Americano.

PS: How cute are Aurelia and I!? We finally have a picture together!!! Special thanks to Liza for making that happen.

NINETY-SEVEN/ talin design x glebe craft fair

This weekend you'll be able to find me alongside Talin of Talin Design at the Glebe Craft & Artisan Fair. I will be assisting in sales and going on (much needed) coffee runs. Not only do I love attending craft fairs but I love working at them; they're a great place to meet local artisans and it's always so refreshing talking to someone who is truly passionate about what they do. 

Jewelry itself has always been a bit of a grey area for me when it comes to fashion. I pride myself on knowing current fashion trends, what's classic and what is worth buying but jewelry is one area that I could never wrap my head around. As someone who loves fashion and loves learning (aka I'm a huge know-it-all) this has always bothered me. Enter Talin - sitting down with her for just a few short hours has taught me more about jewelry trends, materials and worth than I could ever imagine. Seriously, this girl knows her stuff and she puts her heart and soul into it.

NINETY-FIVE/ outlet

Last Thursday was spent roaming around town with Aurelia. We had originally planned on making a trip down to Montreal to wait in line overnight on St. Catherine's Street in line for the Alexander Wang x H&M debut but we had a change of heart last minute. We decided to grab some breakfast at Baker Street Cafe, check out the new 'Tanger' outlet mall in Kanata and just run errands all over town.

In all honesty, we didn't have the highest hopes for the outlet mall. If we did, we would have been really disappointed. Although the stores were pretty well stocked, the prices didn't reflect those of typical outlet stores. The prices were virtually the same as mall prices, but we did leave with more than a few goodies nonetheless. My favourite part of the entire shopping trip was stepping foot into Hot Topic. Aurelia and I were laughing the entire time and discussing how our sixteen-year-old scene kid selves would have died for this kind of store so close to home. I almost left with a 'My Chemical Romance' tee but unfortunately they were out of my size. I'll be checking back soon though!

My best finds were a pair of Nike Roshe Runs (found in the kids department, heeey) and a pair of burgundy booties from Shelly's London. My favourite piece that Aurelia picked up were a killer pair of windowpane patterned pants from JCrew that I'm sure will be showcased on her blog sometime in the near future.

Since I knew we would be spending the day shopping and running errands, I dressed for the occasion. I broke out my favourite distressed jeans from Forever 21 that I haven't had the chance to wear in forever and my favourite top and kimono. I pretty much live in this oversized plaid scarf and easy to wear slip ons at the moment. I really love simple, comfortable outfits that I really don't have to put that much thought into.

TOP/ via Goodwill SCARF&KIMONO&JEANS/ Forever 21
HANDBAG/ 3.1 Phillip Lim WATCH/ Michael Kors
SHOES/ via Winners

Photos by Aurelia Cerquozzi and myself

EIGHTY-NINE/ forever 21 x bayshore

Forever 21 just opened up at my favourite mall in the city, so you all know that I HAD to be there for the second they opened their doors. We already have another in location, but that one is smack dab in the middle of downtown and I don't really care for the mall that it is in. There's nothing wrong with it, it's just personal preference.

Laura, Aurelia and I woke up super early this morning to ensure that we were some of the first people in line. They had promised to give out $21 gift cards to the first people in line and they did not disappoint. We got in line at around 7AM and we were among the first ten people there. When the clock struck 9AM, the doors open and music started to blast from the store. We entered and got our gift cards and we booked it in different directions to find what we're looking for.

I have to say, the Bayshore location in Ottawa is simply beautiful. It is only one floor (the one downtown is two floors) but it houses a large section for shoes, accessories, menswear and my personal weakness - plus sizes. I made out like a bandit by only spending a tiny amount of my own money. I wasn't thrilled with the plus size selection at this time. Although some of the pieces were beautiful, they weren't exactly my style. I can't wait to return in a few weeks to check out their new arrivals, though.

Clothing wise, I only picked up a basic cami. Those are a staple in my wardrobe and I truly cannot live without them. I picked up a few accessories and socks that I can't wait to wear! I didn't snap any pictures of the store itself because my battery was completely drained but I did grab some of my friends while we were waiting in line and a picture of my purchases as well.

waiting in line | Aurel gathering half the store to try on haha

my purchases (not pictured: basic black cami)

EIGHTY-SIX/ sundaze

I'm not a morning person - I never have been and I've come to terms with the fact that I never will be. There's a short list of things that have the possibility of getting me out of bed before noon on a weekend and brunch is at the very top of that list. The neighbourhood that I work in is one of the more ~trendier~ places in the city and it is jam packed with different brunch joints; every time I grab a coffee on break I fantasize about sinking my teeth into a hot, fresh breakfast as well.

This past weekend my friend Aurélia and I decided to try out The Savoy Brasserie, which is about a five minute walk from where we both work in Westboro Village. It has a Parisian atmosphere and the food was so delicious. It was definitely worth the 7AM weekend wake up call.

It was rather chilly that morning and I was feeling particularly lazy (surprise, surprise) so I just threw on a bunch of my favourite pieces and a pashmina for added style and warmth.

JACKET/ Old Navy TOP/ Thrifted SCARF/ Gifted JEANS/ Forever 21+ (DIY rips)
SHOES/ Converse HANDBAG/ Balenciaga

Photos by Aurélia Cerquozzi

SIXTY-FIVE/ the ottawa vintage clothing show

This past Sunday was the Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show here in the capital. If you don't remember my post from last year, I'll catch you up to speed: the Vintage Clothing Show is a sale that happens once a season and it brings all of Ottawa's most fashionable under the same roof. There are tons of one of a kind goodies to be found for unbelievable prices. Click 'read more' to see the rest of the post and to see what I wore.

SIXTY-THREE/ the perfect autumn day

This past Sunday Laura and I went on a bit of an adventure. It began with a stop at local farmer's market. It was amazing to see the beautiful colours of the locally grown produce and the vendors who were so proud of their work. We didn't pick up much, just some lunch (curry for Laura and a coconut lentil soup for me) and a bottle of apple cider to take back home. It was a gorgeous day, although you can't really tell from the black and white pictures. The sun was shining and the air was even a bit warm, it was the perfect autumn day.

After the farmer's market we stopped over at the Antique Show that was going on over at Carelton University. The people who were putting it on were gracious enough to give both Laura and me free passes. With Laura being a fiend for vintage and with me loving all things designer, it was definitely a hit between the two of us. I was drooling over vintage Chanel bags, Ferragamo pumps and Gucci accessories. Laura was lusting over a pair of gorgeous pony hair Dolce & Gabbana pumps and vintage housewares. Unfortunately, I didn't leave with anything. I really couldn't decide what to leave with and we didn't have much time. I guess I'll just have to save my money for the Ottawa Vintage Clothing Show coming up on November 10th.

After the antique show we ran a few errands and grabbed some dinner with our friend, Michael. It was definitely a busy Sunday but I had a ton of fun. I'm so happy the weather cooperated with us for the farmer's market and I have to make it a point to go a few more times before it closes down for the winter.

* Farmers market pictures were taken by me / outfit photos taken by Laura Kidd.

FIFTY-SIX/ OFW S/S'14 day two

I had a lot more fun on the second day of Ottawa Fashion Week. The setting seemed a lot more relaxed and way more casual than it did the first night; my guess is that everyone was a little on edge the first night and they were unsure of what to expect, but who knows the actual reasoning behind it. Laura and I, along with her friend Aurélia and a local photographer Gabrielle, showed up (fashionably) late and only caught the last few shows. But oh. my. god. they were fantastic.

My favourite of the the night was Beaucoup Fashion House. I've never seen or heard of them before but they're definitely on my radar now. I highly suggest that you check them out. They showcased a lot of shiny black, greys, purples and soft grunge pieces. My favourite looks were a tunic length sleeveless white blouse with a contrasting collar as well as a plaid dress paired with metallic black/gold moto jacket. All of the pieces were definitely on trend and most importantly, wearable.

My other favourite show of the night was Y!D.N.A. by Andy Nguyen. Y!D.N.A. is always a crowd favourite and it's easy to see why. Drastic silhouettes, monochromatic colour palettes and surprising twist are always to be expected during Andy's shows. This season he kept the audience of the edge of their seats by laying out a cover on top of the runway. The cover appeared black from where I was seated, but it turns out it was a shiny silvery tone. The models were all decked out in black ensembles, except for one lucky model wearing a head to toe silver short suit. All of the models were wearing tiny crowns upon their head. The showing was short but sweet and ended with confetti. I can't wait to see what this label has in store for us next season.

As for my own outfit, I decided to look a little bit crazy. I was so bored with my outfit from the previous night I decided to wear my eye-catching chartreuse duster from H&M paired with my Beetlejuice-esque skinny jeans from Forever 21. Laura encouraged me to wear black lipstick to polish off the look, and I'm so happy I took her advice. I feel the lipstick added much needed drama to the look. I paired this look off with my trusty black worn-out Dr. Marten boots because they're something of a safety blanket for me - I feel like I can do anything, or pull off any look, just as long as I'm wearing my docs.

DUSTER/ H&M TOP/ New Look JEANS/ Forever 21+ 

ACCESSORIES/ Various BAG/ H&M

pretending to be a model on Y!D.N.A.'s insanely cool runway

not sure why I'm not smiling || Laura and me with her empty glass of wine trying to be classy

selfies of Laura and me || between shows boredrom || Beaucoup Fashion House showing

an amazing violinist showcasing his talent in the Mirari Studio

Favourites from Beaucoup Fashion House

Y!D.N.A.

* Outfit photos were all taken by Gabrielle McKay || Edits, Mirari Studio photo and runway photos were done by me.