♦ Dress: Dorothy Perkins ♦ Cardigan & Belt: Torrid ♦ Scarf: Trove ♦ Boots: Fluevog ♦

Gary with Jason Edminston and his lovely wife Tanya

Red hair overload!

Twitchy doing his Poe imitation

The minds behind Plastik Wrap...they make beautiful clothing

Hanging with my sister Shannon and Sean

What does a lady wear when she her day starts off training a room of executives and ends attending her husband’s art opening at a local clothing store? Well, I decided on something that made me feel confident but also showed my personality. The pieces themselves are fairly simple; a wrap dress, cardigan, scarf and boots, but the colour of the dress paired with the crinoline and style of the boots are enough to push it out of the realm of usual.

The training went quite well, and the art show was a great time. These are just a few of the photos from the opening night and if you live in or around Toronto, they be sure to stop by Plastik Wrap. Gary’s art will be hanging until the end of February but even if you don’t make it in time for that it’s a pretty cool store to check out.

♦ Dress & Teal Tights: Addition-Elle ♦ Cardigan: Gussied Up ♦ Fishnets: Torrid ♦ Brooch: Dark Delicacies in LA ♦
♦ Scarf: H&M in Amsterdam ♦ Boots: Fluevog ♦ Hat: Beau Chapeau in Niagara on the Lake ♦

This is what I wore for a lovely October Saturday spent with the husband. We visited a few friends that had booths selling gorgeous art, books, jewellery and hair accessories at the Bazaar of the Bizarre. After I spent too much money there, we hit up a thrift shop on Queen Street West where I scored the most amazing vintage hat for $15 and ended having an early dinner with some good friends.

When I started working on the description of this outfit I realized that I physically purchased every piece in a brick and mortar store. That may not mean a lot to some people, but for me it’s an oddity. Usually my outfits consist of items that I have purchased online which is always a hit and miss. When it is a miss, I sometimes return the items, other times it just doesn’t make sense for me to do so with the cost of shipping from Canada and credit card charges. So now I have a pile of things that I need to either sell or give away.  I am hoping with the addition of Gussied Up, a newer plus size store in Toronto where I snagged this sweater, I will have the luxury of trying on purchases before I whip out my wallet. I think my bank account and closet will thank me.

Pandora turned 10 in November. I think it’s time I graduate from calling her baby to lady.

I was going through some photos and came across this one I took of Gary’s pumpkin he carved this year. Not too shabby

I believe it was the WNET ladies that introduced me to Neil Gaiman so it should not surprise me that Robyn posted his New Year wish on her blog. I wanted to remind myself of this quote and share it with you as well. He has a beautiful way with words and I suggest you read his previous wishes, because they are just as fabulous.

I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.

Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something.

So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good enough, or it isn’t perfect, whatever it is: art, or love, or work or family or life.

Whatever it is you’re scared of doing, Do it.

Make your mistakes, next year and forever.

~Neil Gaiman, 12/31/2011

2012 is going to be a year filled of new beginnings for Gary and I. Gary made the decision to leave Rue Morgue at the end of December and officially began a career as a freelance artist on January 1st. I am so excited to for him and I can not wait to see what he creates. I have no doubt it will take my breath away.

For me, I think 2012 is going to mean a lot more involvement in both the fashion and technical communities. I want to start blogging more often here and over at Brain Lava, where I discuss web design related topics. I am also planning on attending more events so that I have the opportunity to meet people that will ramble on just as much as I do about certain topics. On a more personal note, I am hoping to watch a lot more live music in 2012. Experiencing a live band for the first time with Gary is one of my favourite things in the world so it is something I want to happen more often.

Normally I keep my wishes to myself but I thought I would try something different this year. What about you? Any exciting plans for 2012?

Photo © Shandi-lee

♦ Dress: Winners ♦ Petticoat: Originals ♦ Cropped Jean Jacket, Cardigan & Belt: Torrid ♦
♦ Maroon Tights: We Love Colors ♦ Boots: Fluevog ♦ Earrings: Lavishy ♦
Photos by Gary

Even though today is actually my birthday (well yesterday since it took me a while to write this post) I thought I would talk about what I wore on my second wedding anniversary instead. Mostly because today I am feeling too lazy to stop watching Breaking Bad while snuggled up next to the hubby with the pup. Besides, I really loved this outfit and I have even worn it again a few times so consider it a recap. Yup, I am an outfit repeater and I am perfectly fine with that.

On our anniversary, Gary and I spent the morning in Halifax walking around St Paul’s Cemetery taking photos. Then, we hopped into the car and by the time the sun was setting we were checked into a cozy lodge on Cape Breton Island. It was the perfect day and it called for an outfit that was comfortable enough for both walking and sitting for a long car ride.

Since wearing it on this trip I have fallen in love with this dress and thank the lucky shopping deities that tempted me to go back for it. I believe a 50% off tag on leopard print is a sign and who am I to deny such powerful beings?  My only complaint is that I wish it had straps but I think I may add some of my own. I just need to find some nice matching fabric.

Do you have any favourite travelling outfits?

We spent the morning of our second anniversary walking around St. Paul’s Cemetery in Halifax, Nova Scotia before we drove up to Cape Breton in the afternoon. It was a lovely way to spend the morning because both Gary and I have a soft spot for cemeteries. Especially when it comes to photographing them. You haven’t seen them but I have some pretty awesome photos of cemeteries in Ireland and Scotland that I took during our honeymoon. Maybe I’ll share them for our five year anniversary…

A wonderful video of a murmuration of starlings flocking to find a place to nest.
Video by Liberty Smith and Sophie Windsor Clive
Music by Emmett Glynn and Band
Found via Sal

For regular readers of my blog, you may have noticed the half sleeve tattoo I have on my right arm. But, chances are unless you happen to have met me you probably have never seen the inside part of the Legend themed work.

The dominant part and most visible part of the tattoo is the gorgeous portrait of Darkness and Gump, the inner arm is a delicate and feminine scene of the faery and unicorn in this cherry blossom and snow covered field.

The artist, Shane Faulkner, did a wonderful job with my direction of “I want a Legend themed half sleeve with the faery, unicorn and Darkness. And as many other characters I can fit”.

This is just one portion of what he created on my skin and the whole tattoo is beautiful. I adore my tattoo. It makes me feel proud, strong and yet also very feminine with my secret fantasy scene.

♦ Dress & Sunglasses: Winners ♦ Petticoat: Originals  ♦ Cardigan & Belt: Addition-Elle ♦
♦ OTK Grey Socks: Sock Dreams ♦ Boots: Fluevog ♦ Earrings: Lavishy ♦  Grey Tights: ?? ♦

Just a bit of a warning, this is the first in a few wardrobe diary posts that I’ll be doing from our Halifax and Montreal trip in September. Sure it is a bit late but I am constantly running behind on outfit posts.  You guys don’t mind though, right?

So, packing for our trip was a bit of a challenge. We were going to be gone for 10 days and I only wanted to bring a medium sized suitcase with enough extra room for purchases.  This was one of the two dresses that got the most wear and I think they both will become travelling staples. I picked them up on sale at Winners and let me tell you that these little numbers are amazing! You can roll them into a tiny ball and when you want to wear them just give a shake, pair with a petticoat and they become nice and fluffy, perfect for twirling.

This particular outfit is from our first full day in Halifax. After breakfast, we made a wrong turn and discovered a little boutique called Pretty Things. I went in thinking it would be the typical store that only went up to a size 12 maybe 14 but I was wonderfully surprised that they had an entire plus sized section! I was in heaven. If you are in Halifax I would highly recommend this store. Their selection is quite large, the store is beautifully decorated, and the staff were all incredibly sweet and helpful. I actually picked up two dresses but I have not worn either yet. I’ll be sure to post photos when I do.

Oh and the extra bonus…turns out that Molly from Hobo with a Shotgun works there so Gary had someone to hang out with while I made my decision. It was a wonderful day filled with old friends and new in a city that completely captured our heart.