EIGHTY-FIVE/ confessions of a bag lady

I read this interesting article not too long about about shoe people vs handbag people and how they approach fashion. When I finished reading the article I just sat there and stared at the screen; it was like a rude awakening. I was truly a shoe fiend in my younger years but my love for bags has come up swinging recently. After reading that article I thought about the progress of my personal style and I found that since converting to a bag lady that I definitely let my bags be the focal point of my outfits. It's no secret that I adore dark coloured basics and designer purses - if my personal could be summed up in a sentence it would be that. But it wasn't always like this and I'm a bit confused how this came to be.

In high school I had a sneaker collection that would make you sick. I had sneakers in every colour and for every occasion. As I evolved I branched out from sneakers - I dabbled in boots, flats and for a short time, even heels. I even used to work at a shoe store so I that I could have access to the latest and greatest kicks on the market. Back in the day I cared so much about my actual clothes and I would try to wear outfits that would coordinate with my footwear to ensure that I stood out as an individual.

Maybe it was all just a phase but I've definitely seen a shift over the years. Now, I let my bags do all the talking. I'm still trying to figure out how to process this information and some days I even feel like a failure in the world of fashion. When I think about my personal style I wonder why I can't have it all. Is it so hard to mix a statement shoe, killer clothes AND an amazing handbag on top of that? Is that just too much fabulous for the world to handle, you can only restrict yourself to one look or the other? Is it just me? Am I just that lazy? I can never imagine myself giving up my admiration for handbags but I want to start in-cooperating more intricate and beautiful clothing and shoes into my daily routine as well. This adventure in personal style will definitely be a journey and it is one that I fully intend on going on with a fabulous handbag still by my side.

For the simple look pictured below I just wore a soft white blouse, my favourite black skinny jeans from Forever 21, a classic denim jacket, a lightweight scarf, a pair of glittery Converse and the new love in my life - my 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli. Although it is still rather basic, I tried to throw on a pair of statement shoes to match the hardware on my bag so they compliment each other. My style is definitely always evolving and I'll always be a work in progress - but such is life.

JACKET/ Old Navy TOP/ Addition Elle JEANS/ Forever 21+ 

SHOES/ Converse (gifted) SCARF/ H&M via Consignment

HANDBAG/ 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli (medium size)

Photos by Laura Kidd

EIGHTY-ONE/ bubblegum pop

Laura, my mother and I recently took a trip south of the border to the United States. Shopping was our main objective for the weekend and although I didn't buy too much, I came home with a few amazing pieces. My favourite find of the weekend are definitely these bubblegum (almost neon?) low top Converse with a double thick sole. When I first saw them I quickly tried them on and ran to the cash. I made out like a bandit; they're SO amazing and sickenly bright - which is a great contrast to the allblackeverything I usually wear. The best part, though? They were only $20 and they're insanely comfortable.

For this look I decided to be extremely lazy comfortable by wearing my favourite distressed jeans and this high-low top from ASOS Curve that I totally forgot I owned. The oversized fit of the top is what makes it comfortable and the studs are what make it come to life. The shoes are made centre of attention by being the only pop of colour. This is an outfit that I would wear if I wanted to look interesting and put together without really trying. The spikes and distressed denim make me feel like a rockstar and the bubblegum pink shoes tie together the entire outfit and make it so totally Rosie.

TOP/ ASOS Curve TANK/ Forever 21 JEANS/ Forever 21+ (diy)

SHOES/ Converse via Burlington Coat Factory 

Photo Credit: Sue Waugh

FIFTY-SEVEN/ OFW S/S'14 day three

I didn't have a ton of time to get ready for the third day of Ottawa Fashion Week. I just threw on my favourite black dress, my favourite blazer, my favourite scarf and my go-to leggings, the glittery converse were thrown on at the very end just to jazz up the look. It's a well known fact that I'm most comfortable in all black and leopard print pair with gold accessories and a bold lip - I felt very in my element. Laura on the other hand feels more at ease in an eccentric vintage jumpsuit, I feel like we balanced each other out.

Once again, we arrived fashionably late and only caught the last two shows. It seems as though it's our tradition to do so. The last two shows were Prophetik, which was a phenomenal showing, and an Ottawa Celebrity walk. The celebrity walk included local celebs that displayed pieces from designers that showed throughout the weekend. All in all it was a good way to end Ottawa fashion Week(end).

BLAZER&DRESS/ Forever 21+ LEGGINGS/ American Apparel

 SHOES/ Converse (gifted) SCARF/ via consignment ACCESSORIES/ Various

BAG/ H&M LIPSTICK/ RiRi Woo by MAC

Laura, her amazing vintage jumpsuit and me

above & below | Prophetik

* Outfit photos by Laura Kidd | Runway photos of Prophetik by me

THIRTY-NINE/ black, white and red all over

At the end of this week all of my friends will be done their exams, and to me that means summer is right around the corner. The weather today was absolutely amazing, it was sunny with just the right amount of heat and it's making me so excited for warmer weather and summer nights. I hung out with a few of my friends and all I needed to wear was just a light jacket. It's shocking to me that just last week I was still wearing my winter coat. I am in love with this scarf print jacket that I nabbed off of eBay. IN. LOVE. The print reminds me of vintage Versace and the colour makes it the perfect piece to make my usual uniform of black and white pop. My white top is new as well and it is to die for. I love the detailing, the sheerness and the fact that it's 100% cotton (!!!!). I of course paired this outfit with white and gold accessories, my favourite gold glitter Converse and basic black skinny jeans to give the outfit more of a laid back and comfortable feel. I know in a month and a bit I'm going to regret saying that I'm excited for summer (I can't stand the heat/humidity) but with gorgeous days like today, it's hard not to be.

JACKET/ eBay TOP/ New Look PURSE/ Marc by Marc Jacobs (consignment)
 JEANS/ New Look WATCH/ DKNY ACCESSORIES/ Various
SHOES/ Converse (gifted)

* All pictures were taken by Michael Tundo.

TWENTY/ faux fur jacket

I don't know if it's because the weather is getting colder, the days are getting shorter or almost all the trees are bare but I'm finding myself adding more and more greys, nudes and earth tones into my every day outfits. The only weird part of this means I'm wearing less black. I'm just as shocked as you are.

I am head over heels in love with my new Jones New York jacket I picked up from Rikochet Resale. I love the big faux fur collar and I'm even learning to love the puff balls at the end of each sleeve. I swear, I'm never taking this off! It's super flattering and it's something you can dress up or wear casually but still feel classy wearing while running errands. It has a great vintage vibe to it as well. My Topshop brown purse is probably my favourite purse I own now. It's super tiny so it's a bit impractical (it fits next to nothing) but I really can't stop wearing it. I bought my Converse on sale at Winners for only $28 dollars plus taxes, seriously how could I not take them home? I've had my H&M circle scarf forever but I still find myself wearing it almost daily, as you know I'm addicted to leopard prints.

While we're on the topic of Vintage, Ose of oseuhseh.com contacted me the other day with an amazing offer for my readers. Ose reconstructs breathtaking plus size vintage clothing (sizes 12 - 22) and sells them on her website. She's giving my readers 10% off her entire boutique with the coupon code 2ndhandRose4Ose. Her shop has some pretty amazing finds and I truly recommend that you all check it out!

JACKET/ Jones New York (consignment) SCARF/ H&M 

PURSE/ Topshop (consignment) SHOES/ Converse 

LEGGINGS/ Hue ACCESSORIES/ Various

All pictures were taken by Derek Waugh.

SEVENTEEN/ canadian tuxedo

It's finally fall where I live and the leaves are slowly but surely changing colours. The temperature did make a desperate drop lately as well and I happy to say — it's FINALLY sweater / jacket weather again! Autumn is definitely one of my favourite times of the year (along with winter, I'm weird, I know) and when it was finally cool enough to break out my denim jacket I had a smile plastered on my face all day long. 

I bought this faux fur stole last year and I just did not know what to pair it with. I feel like it's a bit too fancy to wear in a casual outfit but I tried it out today and I have to admit, I'm in love. I glam'd up the casual look of denim + denim (Canadian tuxedo) and leopard print blouse with the use of my faux fur stole, dark red lipstick, my beloved gold glittery converse and gold / tortoise shell accessories. I felt self conscious of my outfit the entire day but after looking back at these pictures, I'm really happy with the outcome. I'm comfortable with taking wild and punky risks but when it comes time to play around with denims or preppy looks I'm completely lost. I need to start taking more risks in that respect.

TOP/ Thrifted JACKET/ Old Navy JEANS/ Forever 21 SHOES/ Converse (gifted) 

FAUX FUR STOLE/ H&M ACCESSORIES/ Various PURSE/ Cooperative

All pictures were taken by Laura Kidd.