Love Always, Amy.

Capture it, remember it

2010-05-25T07:15:00.000-07:00

My gosh, ya'll. You wouldn't even believe all the crazy/amazing things i've got going on right now.

I saw Taylor Swift in concert!

She was beyond fantastic live.

Afterwards I got to meet Grant and Paul from her band! I was freaking out. hard.

Let's turn this into an outfit post! Thrifted dress and gap cardi ;)

For the next month i'll be focussing on preparing to move into our apartment, and I'm also doing some really cool research this summer. I'm volunteering with one of my professors researching the history of the birth control pill, in addition to trying to complete my extensive summer reading list.

In other news, is anyone else effing IN LOVE with that Greyson Chance kid who did the cover of Gaga's Paparazzi? I can't wait to see him on Ellen again tomorrow!

Love Always,
Amy

Knowing that right now is all that matters

2010-05-09T09:12:00.000-07:00

Reasons I haven't blogged in a week:
1. I usually don't blog all that often anyway...
2. I have strep throat
3. We found an appartment! If everything works out I will be moving out July 1.
4. I have two jobs now so... yeah.

I actually wore this outfit I think last week but I haven't taken any outfit pics since then. I loooove this outfit, mainly because everything was so cheap! Hehe

T-Shirt: (customized?)American Apparel via Goodwill, $1.99
Skirt: Club Monaco, $16 (sale + student discount)
Shoes: Payless, $11
Earrings: Vintage from my aunt's friend, Freeeeee

The shirt's tag says American Apparel but I've never seen shirts like this in the store so I'm guessing someone applied this stereo design themselves?

I still have no appetite (eating hurts like a mofo), but I decided I could handle some cheerios so my dad went to get me some :) He just go back so I'm off to nom some cheerios and watch more Real Housewives!

Love Always,
Amy

You got a lotta lotta nerve...

2010-05-02T20:27:00.001-07:00

I'm finally done school for the summer. 4 solid months of reading for pleasure instead of research, sleeping whenever I feel like it, and watching Jersey Shore and Real Housewives without feeling guilty because I should be studying.

Here's what I wore to my last exam friday afternoon.

Dress: thrifted, $7
Belt: thrifted, $2
Fringe boots: Spring

This dress is an absolutely amazing find. It appears to be handmade and the detail work and fabric quality is just astounding and pictures can't do it justice. Obviously it is veeery short though so I had to wear black opaque tights. So short in fact that both my T.A. and Nathan's vocal coach complimented me on my "shirt". Oh well.

I'm not gonna lie, it took guts to wear this super-short, supper voluminous dress on a regular day. However, it is remarkably comfortable and the huge sleeves make it really... breezy? hah. And anyway, most of the time I really, reeeaaally don't care what other people think so that wasn't the issue. The only thing I was worried about was fitting the sleeves into a coat, but luckily it was warm enough that day that I didn't need one :)

These pictures may or may not have been taken after a few glasses of champagne...

Love Always,
Amy

Feature: Young Captive Vintage on Etsy!

2010-04-28T20:42:00.000-07:00

I've recently taken to trolling etsy endlessly instead of studying. For those of you who don't know, Etsy.com is an online marketplace where sellers can list either handmade or vintage items for sale. Though especially when looking for vintage items one comes across some questionable prices and styles, I've managed to find some fabulous shops with great prices and amazing items.

One of these shops is Young Captive Vintage based out of Montreal. Young Captive offers extremely reasonable prices for their amazing finds, and I couldn't help but support my fellow Canadians! I'd like to take a moment to post some of my favourites from Young Captive. Please note that this is not a sponsored post and I was not compensated: I just felt that I recieved excellent service from this shop and wanted to spread the love!

Fancy Lady White Peeptoes with Bows, size 6, $20
Anyone who knows me knows I adore bows. these shoes are absolutely perfect, except I'm unfortunately not a size 6. Are you??

Polka Dot Party Day Dress, $24
What a perfect dress! I love the colours, and of course, the fact that you can tie the necktie into a bow ;)

Shiny Patent Vintage Doctor Bag, $21
Perfect shape, perfect size, perfect colour, perfect bag!

Young Captive's owner Olivia also makes hilariously aborable "handmade angsty felt dolls" sold here. My favourite is this Lady Gaga Brooch:

K-kinda Busy brooch, $10

So here's a little link re-cap for you all. Go check 'em out!
Young Captive Vintage
Stay Home: "little felt things that, like most of us, just want to be held"
Olivia's website
Olivia's blog

Love Always,
Amy

Hang high, soft rock star

2010-04-21T11:24:00.000-07:00

I went thrifting yesterday and got some amazing things that I will hopefully be showing here soonish. Here's what I wore to go thrifting and to work...

Shirt: American Apparel (v.old)
Skirt: Jacob
Fringe boots: Spring
Bag: GAP

I will miss my back yard when I move out in a few months. It doesn't look like much now, but my parents spend 80% of their time in the summer gardening and whatnot and the rock garden you seen behind me turns into a flowery utopia. There's also a deck and gazebo thingy.

I really don't like taking pictures in the living room but I was in a rush and felt like the neighboors were staring at me outside...

I really felt like wearing a dress yesterday, but it's important to wear separates for thrifting. Some dressing rooms dont have mirrors inside and you have to step outside and if you're trying on a shirt you need something on your butt!

Love Always,
Amy

Tell me what i wanna hear

2010-04-12T21:04:00.001-07:00

I am so tired right now that i typed blooger.com into my nav bar TWICE before realizing my mistake. I'm sure other "bloogers" can relate?

Anyway blah blah blah my usual ranting about schoolwork, etc. In an exciting life development that no one on the internet will care about but I will talk about anyway, I have decided to persue my Master's degree directly after I finish my undergrad (I had originally planned to complete my masters and possibly PhD later in life). If everything goes according to plan, I will complete my masters by the time I'm 24-ish. Crazy! I'm excited. I love learning so much (*nerd alert*) and I love having, you know, hopes and dreams. Because some people don't have those. I didn't for a long time. It's a good feeling to have them now. /end sentimental nerdy moment.

Here is a random mish-mash of pictures from the last week or so...

Nathan bought me these flowers even though carnations are my least favourite flower. But he knew I'd like these for the colour and because for some reason they don't look like normal carnations. He was so right :) Manly intuition? hehe

Today I wore red (coral earrings) and purple. I've never been one to be adventurous with colour (and I am aware that this little pairing is far from 'adventurous' for most people) but I really like this.

Remember a few posts ago when I said I wanted those noise-blocking headphones? I got some! They're not the best so I may get different ones, but check out how awesomely dorky they are:

PS this face is very typical for me after midnight. At a certain hour of the evening I turn into a pouty five-year old. This also often happens mid-afternoon after a big mean (nap time, obviously)

OM NOM NOM. Loooove 50% off after-easter candy sales! I'm gonna save some mini eggs so i'll have them in October and confuse people.

Love Always,
Amy

My kind of inspiration

2010-04-08T20:15:00.000-07:00

Dita Von Teese in a GORGEOUS sundress. image via

Kate Winslet has been hands-down my favourite actress of all time since I watched Titanic on VHS when I was 8 or 9. I think she's one of the most beautiful women everrrrr, and I especially love the way she's so bad-ass sexy in her younger photos like this one.

Titanic will always be in my top 3 fav movies. last three images via

Yepp. I'm the 104871098th blogger to express their love for those Miu Miu collars. image via

Christina Hendricks as Joan on Mad Men. image via

What's inspiring you guys lately?

Love Always,
Amy

Life is only as good as the memories we make

2010-04-04T08:13:00.000-07:00

Apologies for the lack of posts, but it's school crunch time and I had nothing to share with ya'll except my english and history papers. I've got one more paper to write (History of Immigration) and then exams and then FREEDOM.

This weekend the weather was amazing in my city. Nathan and I went for a picnic on at the beach on friday, and besides all the shirtless fat men it was really lovely. I wore my new favourite dress:

Dress: French Connection via Winners. $20-freaking-bucks (!!!)
White shrug: Old Navy several thousand years ago
Flip Flops: Old Navy

If you haven't noticed I'm not big on footwear. I can deal with a lot of confining clothing and whatnot but my shoes HAVE to be comfy. Esp. in the summer.

Chillin' with a willow tree

Aldo sunglasses & huge-ass awesome tree stump. Oh man I LOVE this dress. I don't know if you can tell from the pictures, but there is this see-through weave pattern around the waist and on the straps. Plus it's so beautifully structured and fits perfectly. I can now die happy as long as I die in this dress.

I realize that from these pictures it doesn't look like we were at a beach lol. I guess i forgot to take pics of the water but whatever, it's Canada & not at all impressive. Plus we were mostly in the woodsy/swampy back area away from all the screaming children and various flying sports equiptment.

Love Always,
Amy

title song: So Long, Astoria by The Ataris

It's good to be in love

2010-03-22T05:54:00.000-07:00

I haven't really posted any pics of my boyfriend yet and he looked amazing the other day so we took some pictures!

He thrifted the jacket! What a genius.

Nathan's jeans: Bluenotes
Tie: Jack & Jones
Jacket: Goodwill
Sunglasses: Rudy Project
Shirt & Belt: I dunno :s

And here's my "photographer extraordinaire" outfit:

Red jacket: H&M
Bubble skirt: Garage, very old
White leggings: American Apparel
Boot: Winners
New glasses, which I am getting used to: Ray Ban

I am drowning in schoolwork, as usual. See you all soon, hopefully, if I survive!

Love Always,
Amy

Sunbeam, stop tugging me

2010-03-19T05:27:00.000-07:00

So the crappiest of crappy things happened this week. My damn glasses broke. Of course I didn't have a spare. Of course the broke at 8:15 when Lenscrafters closes at 9 and therefore cant make them 'til the next day. Of course I have 10873298 more important things to worry about than broken freakin' glasses. The frame broke, so there's no way my old ones could be fixed. Farewell my gorgeous D&Gs... you have seen many an adventure.

I have really terrible vision so I need to wear my glasses all the time or else I get headaches. Here's the outfit I wore to pick up my new glasses. You can't see, but I had taped the arm of my old glasses on...

Sweater: Jacob
Pencil skirt: Nine West, thrifted
Tights: Accessorize
Shoes: Mom's closet.
Ring & earrings: the stone is Malachite and they're from local jewellery stores

Here are my new glasses... They're Ray Bans and I think they're called the New Wayfarer or something. For some reason they're huge on me (which I love, btw) and make me feel kiiiiinda dorky but I like it.

The cool thing about these is they work with multiple facial expressions/emotions...The above was "staring lovingly at a cookie"

"What do you mean I had to buy new glasses? This sucks :("

"THE ALIENS ARE COMING!"

Hopefully I'll get used to them.

Love Always,
Amy

Stay Beautiful

2010-03-13T19:44:00.000-08:00

Currently Loving...

Vintage necklace & earings from aunt's friend

Handwritten letter from one of favourite people in the world & a good mark in my favourite class

The beauty that is Christina Hendricks [photo credit.]

Also...
-Girls night last night including hottub, white wine, nailpolish, and the movies Freeway (vintage Reese Witherspoon) and Whip It!
-Newly discovered blogs Girl from the North Country and Closet 365
-Kyla. For linking me & being awesome.

Love Always,
Amy

Happy Weekend!

2010-03-12T07:10:00.001-08:00

A little gift for you all: Mean Girls as performed by the Disney Princesses

Have a fantastic weekend :)

Love Always,
Amy

No one can tell us we're wrong

2010-03-07T20:34:00.000-08:00

I wore lingerie to classes on Friday. Hey, not the first time that's happened...

Skirt: silk lingerie from Old Navy
Sweater: Jacob
Tights: Accessorize

Friday, March 5, 2010 shall henceforth be known as "Amy makes dorky faces in outfit pictures" Day.

Everyone needs to do something badass this week. I suggest you listen to some Pat Benatar to get inspired like I did.
Scream out your window into the chilly night air.
Eat only exactly what you want for a day (we should all do this anyway, but I'm talking about not even worrying if you're eating a single fruit or veggie).
Wink at yourself in the public washroom mirror an make sure everyone sees how much you love yourself.
Wear outrageous lipstick and then smudge it off kissing someone.
Step on every single crack in the sidewalk.

Love Always,
Amy

Things I would sell my brother for

2010-03-04T20:13:00.000-08:00

Yes, folks, it's time again for "Things I would sell my brother for", the posts in which I talk about inanimate objects I would much rather share a house with than my 17-year-old brother.

So I've been looking for a new purse/carry-all bag for over a year now. My current fav was purchased the summer before tenth grade (2005, ya'll) at an fc.UK outlet. I still love this bag, it is perfect for me, but it is understandably falling apart after being hauled through highschool and two years of university.

I am more picky about handbags than probably anything else in my life, even food! I've had maybe 6 or 7 purses that i've used regularly over my lifetime. I scavenge through Winners weekly, plus all other stores in the mall, thrift stores, and consignment stores. NOTHING fits my specifications. I want solid colour, STRUCTURED with an overall square-ish or rectangular-ish shape, no or minimal details such as studs or zippers, no obnoxious brand names or logos, and no draw-strings, quite large in size (has to be able to hold my clipboard for school, water bottle, and at least 4 snacks), and the list goes on.

So far the only two bags I have found (Literally the ONLY TWO. IN OVER A YEAR OF LOOKING) are Coach bags and obviously wayyyy out of my price range. Both of the below bags are priced around $400 if I remember correctly. Would anyone pay that for a 17-year old boy who drinks his weight in orange juice every week?

Part of the "Madison" collection available from Coach.
Drool. Absolutely perfect in every single way. Obviously has a tiny logo, but it's the Coach logo so it's lovely :) I don't like their bags that have the C's all over them, though.

This is the "Large Kristin" bag from Coach.
Beautiful colour. Beautiful structure. I love the short handles and the longer strap option. I would use both of these bags until I died.

Image via google.

On a more practical note, I'm very, very easily irritated and repetitive sounds or conversations on buses or even 5 seconds of whispering in the library can literally ruin my life for the next few hours. I really need to get me some of these noise-blocking earphones (you know, the ones construction workers often use?). Even if no one will buy my brother and I have to pay for these out-of-pocket, it'll be worth it when I can't hear his tv from the next room with these babies on.

Love Always,
Amy

They hear we got swagger

2010-02-26T20:42:00.000-08:00

You know those days you feel a little bit like a complete wreck but then your outfit makes you feel great and you totally and completely forget that you're fooling everyone into thinking you're chic because you're actually a mess who writes non-sensical blog posts around midnight on a friday night? Yeah. I know those days well.

New favourite shirt: thrifted, $5
Wet spots on bottom of shirt: courtesy of dripping hair.

I got this shirt just last weekend and have already worn it 3 or 4 times. In my defense, some of those wears were only for a few hours.

In other news, I also bought this the other day and I lovelovelove it:

Image via M.A.C.

Learn more about the M.A.C. Viva Glam campaign/collection here.. Cyndi and Gaga are doing an awesome job promoting Viva Glam, especially by speaking out about safe sex and HIV/Aids awareness and prevention.

"Women need to protect themselves. I don't want Viva Glam to be just a lipstick you buy to help a cause [all profits go to the MAC AIDS Fund]. I want it to be a reminder when you go out at night to put a condom in your purse right next to your lipstick. Let's be strong women together. You put that condom in your purse and save your own fucking life. " -Gaga, to Marie Claire Magazine

Love Always,
Amy

April, come she will...

2010-02-22T17:10:00.000-08:00

I worked out today and drank a bunch of orange juice, which made me feel summery. I didn't have to bus to work today, so i wore a summery outfit :) Strangers told me i looked cute. Mission Accomplished.

Dress: Costa Blanca
Cardigan: Jacob
Shoes: Found in mom's closet
Freshwater Pearls: Gift to myself. For no reason, obviously...
Hairflower: H&M

Ever worn an outfit that made you feel giddy with happiness?

Everyone should try to wear a summery outfit whenever the weather permits for the next few months. I guarentee it'll brighten your day until the flowers and sunshine can :)

Love Always,
Amy

A heart can hallucinate

2010-02-17T17:57:00.000-08:00

Let's be real: I've never gotten past the part where Alice falls down the rabbit hole in that freakin' book. However, I've seen the Disney cartoon version of Alice in Wonderland and the whimsy of the franchise has always appealed to me.

Even though I never liked the book enough to get anywhere near through it, here's why I know I'll like the Tim Burton adaptation:

1. I like Tim Burton shit.
2. I've never not liked anything Johnny Depp has been in, or even been NEAR (including street dirt, lamposts, etc.)
3. Helena Bonham Carter freaks the shit out of me for some reason (probably because I'm a huge Potter nerd and she played Bellatrix Lestrange, who I consider to be even freakier than Voldemort), but she completely captivates and intrigues me.
4. 3D movies in general are THE BOMB (I pity anyone who didn't get to see Monsters vs. Aliens in 3D. I liked it more than "Up")
5. The OPI limited edition nailpolishes rock my world

Opi's Alice in Wonderland collection. Image from google.

Everywhere, EVERYWHERE is sold out of the two middle colours, "Absolutely Alice" and "Mad as a Hatter". I've been waiting to get my hands on them for a little over a week now, and today i finally nabbed the last bottles of both from a random hole-in-the-wall hair salon at the mall. I flipped a shit and basically told the salon lady that she had made me the happiest person in the world. I've seriously been dreaming about my nails being "Alice" blue.

Can't wait to try my Mad as a Hatter polish, too. But I should probably start studying first... These nailpolishes have been pretty much my only reading week accomplishment so far.

Love Always,
Amy

Title song: "Goodbye Alice in Wonderland" - Jewel

I wear my sunglasses in January

2010-01-29T19:12:00.000-08:00

But only because I somehow scratched my right eye and have been extremely sensitive to light for the past few days...

I'm convinced I will never, ever find a pair of sunglasses I love more than these. I got them at Aldo in 2007!

I've acquired stupid amounts of new clothing this month due to boxing day sales and now the january "sidewalk sales". Just this week, I got two blazers, one for $4 and one for $14, a bow miniskirt from walmart for $5, yet another cardigan, some tanks and tees, more jewellery, and this wicked soft studded sweater:

I wanted it when it was $80. I almost bought it on sale for $50 but then i ran out of time on my lunchbreak that day. Then I got it on sale the other day for 30% off of $29. Life works out sometimes, I guess.

I'm not usually into studs but I love them on this sweater for some reason!

Studded sweater: American Eagle
Dress: American Apparel
Tights: Garage

I'm off to knit and watch Mad Men! I'm only on episode 6, so I've got a lot of catching up to do!

Love Always,
Amy

Falling behind

2010-01-18T07:11:00.000-08:00

Sooo these outfits are actually from last thursday and friday and I just haven't gotten around to posting until now. My bad. I've been busy looking for yet another job (the first one I got after my old one closed down wasn't giving me hours) and hanging out with my cousins. It's been unnaturally warm for the past few days here, so I've been taking advantage of it by wearing loose, thin fabrics and SKIRTS!

Belted tunic: Winners, $11
Denim Leggings: Garage, $20

Aaaand here's what I wore to school on friday:

Cardigan: Suzy Shier
Tank top: Jacob, $9
Skirt: Jacob, $30
Walmart tights
Shoes: Aldo, Gift from Bf
Pearls: Great-grandmother's

The best thing about this skirt are the huge pockets!

Just a little FYI: I post the prices of my clothes when I remember them. I do this to demonstrate that it is possible to have a wardrobe you love that you can also afford. For the past few years, I have not bought a single item of clothing over $40 (footwear included for the most part!), so even if i don't post a price because i've forgotten it, rest assured that I didn't pay more than 40 bones for it. 'Cause that's just how I roll.

Thanks to everyone for your suggestions about the vintage jewellery! Though I don't really have time to open an etsy shop right now, I may in the future :) I also liked Kasmira's idea about a contest, so I'll get thinking about that, too.

Love Always,
Amy

Ps: Follow me on Twitter!

If you're crazy, I don't care, you amaze me

2010-01-13T19:00:00.000-08:00

I recently recieved a huge basket of vintage costume jewellery from a friend of my aunts. It's mostly eighties-looking which a few more subtle pieces that probably came from the seventies. I wore my two favourite pieces today: a gold-toned whistle necklace (the whistle totally works!) and pearly earrings rimmed with delicate gold.

[Jacob emerald cardigan and American Apparel white v-neck]

I'm running out of my Chance by Chanel perfume but I decided to wear it today anyway after taking this picture.

I'm thinking of selling some of the vintage jewellery simply because there is too much of it for me to ever get around to wearing. Does anyone have an opinion about the best way to sell something like that? Etsy? on this blog? Let me know in the comments, Please!

Love Always,
Amy

Title song: Whistle for the Choir by The Fratellis

This is my world, and I'm taking it back

2010-01-07T20:12:00.000-08:00

2010 has sucked so far, you guys. First of all, I was having the best New Years Eve ever... until my boyfriend and I got food poisoning. I rang in 2010 with vomit (Too much information? Whatever, this isn't even the bad part.)

Then, the owners of the store I work at showed up and closed the store down without giving us any notice. My manager got a call ten p.m. on Sunday night telling her she didn't have to come into work the next day. We also don't know if they're even paying us for the last two weeks (a.k.a. the busiest two weeks of the year, which include two holiday pay days, time-and-a-half for boxing day, and in which I worked approximately seventy hours). Luckily, because I had management experience I was able to get a new job quickly, but I'm not gaurenteed the amount of hours I need at this new job. Lame.

Plus I had to buy a seventy-five dollar PAPERBACK (like, 150 pages max) textbook. 2010. sucks.

End rant. For now.

Good things that have happened recently:
(I'm trying to be more positive, you see. However, this is not me "looking on the bright side" or any of that crap, this is more like a "reasons to not sit around and eat ice cream & sulk all day" list)

1. My neighbors had a baby!
2. My classes this semester should be really interesting
3. I scored Cake hand lotion at Winners for super cheap
4. I scored many, many other things on boxing day sales for super cheap
5. I have this weekend off since my new job doesn't start for a little while, which will quite literally be my first weekend off since I was sixteen.
6. Jeggings were one of the things I got on boxing day sale for super cheap:

This is me trying to show how comfortable/stretchy they are. I freaking love these things. No one can tell they are jeggings because they look and feel just like real jeans unless
a) you are the one wearing their awesome-ness, or
b) you lift up your shirt to show people the elastic waist when they don't believe you are wearing jeggings.

[Jeggings and drape-y cardi arefrom Garage, shirt from a consignment store]

Love Always,
Amy

All seem to say throw cares away

2009-12-26T20:04:00.000-08:00

Hope everyone is having a good holiday season :) This Xmas was pretty great, I got awesome presents and had a generally enjoyable experience for my last Christmas while living at home.

This is the BF and I before the unfortunately obligatory church services of Xmas eve. (Last time i have to sit through those! YES!)
I'm wearing a Jacob sweater, Nine West skirt, Winners boots, and the belt from my silk bathrobe.

My parents gave me $$, and all these books that I had asked for. I've already started to read most of them. My brother gave me a iron for when I move out in a few months (very good, i love practicality), however he also gave me a four-foot tall teddy bear (probably will end up giving that to neighboor's newborn baby).

My boyfriend's present was really fantastic. He gave me a cold-day survival kit. There is cookie mix, tea, warm socks (pictured above), Seasons 1 & 2 of "The Secret Diary of a Call Girl" (pictured above), a massage coupon, and an electric blanket. Basically everything you need to stop me from busting out the five-year-old attitude and fussiness when i get cold, hungry, or bored.

I have three glorious days off next week, which will be nice since i worked full-time this week. I need to read all my new books before school starts up again!

Love Always,
Amy

Calling out Winter

2009-12-18T18:24:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow morning is my last exam. Thankfully. I'm seriously about to die of stress. My friend made me a cookie in the shape of the male reproductive anatomy today, though, so that was pretty excellent.

Sweater: Goodwill, $5
Jeans: Joe Fresh via Goodwill, $3
Two pairs of Icebreaker merino wool socks: Free courtesy of BF's job

Not only was my outfit today ridiculously cheap, it was also super warm. I looked at the temperature this morning (-23 celcius: COLD) and nearly had a panic attack. Can you believe I went through the last two winters with only a fall jacket from Suzy Shier? This year i got a heavy wool coat (Thifted Jordache for $14. I kid you not) and scored some super warm socks from the BFs work so it's been easier to cope with the temperatures.

Details of the sweater embellishment. I've been wanting a beaded or sequined sweater forever and finally found this one a few weeks ago. I took out the shoulder pads and shrunk it in the dryer.

Lately I Am...
Eating: I've had six pieces of raisin bread toast with cream cheese today. It's exam period, what can I say?
Drinking: Coffee, coffee, tea, and more coffee
Listening to: Lots of Anna Nalick, Gaga, and random pop songs like Jordin Sparks' "Battlefield" and Justin Bieber's "Love Me"
Researching: The origins, development, and role of feudalism in medieval society
Reading (book variety): "The Less Noble Sex" by Nancy Tuana for my exam tomorrow. If you're interested in the origins of female oppression (I'm talking biblical and Aristotalian arguments), get this book!
Reading (blog variety): I recently discovered Small Town Chic

Wish me luck on this exam! I'm actually probably going to need it...

Love Always,
Amy

Title song: "Winter" by Joshua Radin

Sunday Night Shoutouts

2009-12-13T20:15:00.000-08:00

Welcome to another edition of Sunday Night Shoutouts, a post in which I gather some of the cool things I've come across on the internet lately to share with ya'll lovely people. Ready?

"If they tell you you're too big for a woman, tell them
you're just too big for your skin.
Tell them
a body just can't hold all this beauty.
Tell them
they only wish they had hills and valleys like the earth...
They will never see the life in your hands and you can never expect them to understand."
-Spoken-word artist Desdamona. Watch the full video here and see her myspace page here

Definately a step in the right direction. Though it's important to remember that we are not in a position to judge cultural practices often seen by Westerners as "oppressive" (i.e. the wearing of the hijab by Muslim women: it's something many women choose to wear!), Female Genital Mutilation is fundamentally dangerous to women's health. Learn more here.

And now for something a bit less heavy and more just pretty: Jon Schmidt's beautiful arrangement/mash-up of Love Story and Viva La Vida!

LOLcats meets Regretsy! My life is complete.

I want to make these. Om nom nom...

And now for something mildly fashion-related? Always been one of my favourite blogs

My plan for this upcoming week includes a six-page essay on feudalism, studying my face off to maintain my A+ in European Women's History, and finding a present for my work's Secret Santa! Sunday night will be the big pay-off: Staff party! Bellinis all around!

Don't forget to follow me on twitter, guys!

Love Always,
Amy

Somehow your life gets written on your face

2009-12-10T16:43:00.000-08:00

Image credit

Inspired by Sarah's post about a book of lists, I decided to write my own list, as suggested by the book and noted in Sarah's post. I love lists.

Thing's I'm glad I did

1. Make coffee tonight, or else I'd be asleep right now.

2. Go to university. I wouldn't have even applied if my dad hadn't done it for me, but I am so glad I'm at university, studying things I am passionate about, and I am so grateful for the opportunity.

3. Harrass Nathan until he finally admitted he liked me & asked me to prom. It's a long story, but the moral is that we're still together a year and a half later.

4. Make a bunch of huge mistakes and go through a lifetime's worth of crappy things in highschool. It's all behind me now and I'm free to live happily ever after. I hope.

5. Teach myself guitar way before it was cool for girls to play guitar. I recieved my guitar in fifth or sixth grade and was super pissed because I had wanted a bubble chair (remember those?). I slowly taught myself through middle school and highschool though, and now there is almost nothing more satisfying than being able to play my favourite songs on an instrument I never thought I'd like or be able to learn.

This list only scratches the surface, but I didn't want to get too personal. Now, you have to tell me. What are you glad you did?

Title song: "Sunday Dress" by Dala

Cowboy take me away

2009-12-07T17:02:00.000-08:00

My mom grew up on a farm. This is the only explanation I can think of for her love of cowboy boots. She's got four or five pairs and cherishes them like you wouldn't believe. The only reason i got to wear these was because I stole them for the afternoon while she wasn't home...

Brown shirt: Gap
Cardigan: Suzy Shier
Skirt: Club Monaco
Tights: Accessorize
High-heeled cowboy boots: Vintage from Mom's closet
Earings: Vintage from great-grandmother

I wore this outfit to campus to see my boy perform with his choir in a Holiday concert a few days back. Obviously these photos were not taken today because IT EFFING SNOWED. Ugh. Everyone is all "omg finally snow! :D :D" while I'm preparing to enter full-on bitchy winter mode until it melts and building my metaphoric nest of despair, complete with unflatering sweaters and too much candy.

I had my last class today of the first semester of second year university. Exams should be easy compared to enduring the antics of my Methodology prof twice a week...

Love Always,
Amy

You've only begun to shine

2009-12-03T20:29:00.000-08:00

Flowery Shirt: Smart Set
Cardigan: Suzy Shier
Skirt: Nine West, thrifted
Shoes: Spring

I wore this outfit to school and work, but I added tights and boots to go outside. I could go on for days about how much i love this skirt. It fits perfectly, is excellent quality, super comfy, and was like six bucks. Win.

I've been stressed out lately, though for such silly reasons. However, I have no interest in being stressed right now. I refuse to let silly things bring me down. The following things have been keeping me out of danger zones of nail-biting and skipping class to sleep:

- Listening to lots of Anna Nalick
- Playing guitar
- Not thinking about school when I don't have to
- Eating lots of my boyfriend's delicious cinnamon buns and Hershey Bliss chocolates
- Dressing fabulously where and whenever possible

What do you do to combat stress and silliness?

Love Always,
Amy

I just wanna free-fall for a while

2009-12-01T20:13:00.000-08:00

Went thift/consignment store shopping this weekend, both with a friend and the boyfriend. Found some awesome stuff, including this colourful (extravagent?) sweater:

Sweater: $8 from consignment store
Pants: thrifted, $2 (srsly.)

I never said i was a good photographer. I make no excuses for my ridiculous poses and unfortunate facial expressions. Here is what was going on in my head while taking outfit pictures this morning:

1. Shitshitshitshit bus comes in fifteen minutes shitshit
2. Ewww wet hair dripping down my back
3. Have to use flash 'cause it's still dark outside... Look down to avoid awkward blinky faces
4. Must show sick sleeves. Spread arms!
5. Too much to remember... I'll just pretend I'm flying and looking down on all the little people! OKAY LET'S GO!

And a few minutes later, when I was rushing out the door with two slices of toast jammed in my mouth, i realized the sleeves literally do not even fit in my coat sleeves. They have to be bunched up into the shoulder space of the coat. So i looked like a chilly football player outdoors today. No big deal.

Honestly, though, I really do love this sweater. Though it's a number of sizes too big, I like the way the gigantic scoop shows off my neck. That and the big sleeves are glamourous if you ask me.

Love Always,
Amy

Why you so speechless?

2009-11-30T19:53:00.000-08:00

My brother came home from work and started slamming things around in his room and wouldnt talk to anyone so I made him cookies.

I got twitter, you guys! Follow me!.

"Don't go home tonight and tell all your friends and family that you love Lady Gaga. I want you to go home and look in the mirror and say, 'I Love Myself'"
-Lady Gaga, at her concert. Needless to say, it was breathtaking and i completely rocked out to every song. I've been sitting here for a few minutes trying to type something to adequately explain how amazing the experience was, but i can't do it justice. Just go see her if you have the chance, okay?

Outfit post and review of Winona's book coming soon, so stay tuned!

Love Always,
Amy

You gotta think

2009-11-27T12:19:00.000-08:00

As I've mentioned before, I'm in university for an honours BA in History and Women's Studies. If you'd like to know more about Women's Studies, feel free to email me!

My field of study teaches me to critically analyze the world and it's social structures, structures which are often extremely oppressie to women and other marginalized groups, such as people of colour, gays/lesbians/bisexuals/transgendered people, the economically disadvantaged, disabled people, and the list goes on.

Something that's really been upsetting me lately that I wanted to talk about is the whole controversy surrounding Adam Lambert's performance at the AMAs, during which he simulated oral sex with a male dancer, and kissed a male musician on stage. I'm of the opinion that Lambert's performance was absolutely amazing and I believe the sexually-suggestive acts committed were really awesome and liberating. Whether or not you share my opinion about the performance is irrelevent. What I want to stress here is the aftermath of the performance and the double standards and discrimination at play.

Lambert was scheduled to perform on a CBS morning program a few days ago, but the performance was cancelled and the network cited the controversy surrounding Adam's AMA performance as the reason. They also blurred the image of Lambert kissing his male musician when reporting on the story. I'm sure you all recall the infamous Britney Spears-Madonna-Christina Aguilera kiss from an awards ahow several years back. The image of these women kissing was never blurred for public television, so why was the image of Adam Lambert kissing another male deemed inappropraite for public view? Patriarchy, my friends, patriarchy.

Women kissing one another feeds into straight male fantasies as is thus deemed socially acceptable and even encouraged in many situations (ever played truth or dare? Yeah.). This is why Katy Perry can sell a bajillion records singing about kissing girls, but Adam Lambert gets performances cancelled and his face blurred on TV. Girls kissing is "hot", yet a gay kiss is "gross", "inappropraite", "too controversial". On another note, while Adam Lambert was not allowed to perform on CBS, apparently it's okay to have Chris Brown go on-air to talk about how he beat his girlfriend in February. The message this sends? Being gay is not okay and not allowed on television, but if you beat up a woman, we'll TOTALLY give you even more airtime!

I encourage you to read this article from Feministing.com for more information, and think critically about the media.

Love Always,
Amy

The truth never set me free, so I'll do it myself

2009-11-24T20:05:00.000-08:00

Taken in the crazy hallway of mirrors in Nathan's house on Sunday. I should really be finishing up my term paper right now, but i figure I'll just wake up early tomorrow morning. I'm still a better student than my classmate i did an oral presentation with yesterday. She didn't know what the word "cyclical" meant and asked me not to use it in the presentation because she thought it would confuse people. Seriously?! Anyway...

Cardigan: Jacob, $40
Tanktop: Old Navy, $5
Belt: Thrifted, $2
Jeans: Joe Fresh via Goodwill, $3
Clip-on earrings worn as brooch: Vintage from great-grandmother

I really liked this outfit for two reasons. Number one, this is the first time i have ever worn a shirt tucked into jeans. I've never really felt like i had the tummy for it but i think it worked out well. Number two, I love cardigans (Had you guys figured that out yet?) and i usually wear them buttoned so they don't slip off my shoulders all the time. However on this day i wanted the cardi to be open to show off my super-awesome tucked-in shirt. So I clipped these old clip-on earrings to the neck of the cardigan and they really helped anchor it so it wasn't slipping off so much. I'm a genius.

Detail shot

When my life is crazy-busy (like, uh, RIGHT NOW), i like to listen to a lot of really epic music to keep me going. I love being on the bus wearing my pretty purple dress and feeling smug because no one knows i'm listening to gangster rap or a crazy guitar riff on my bright pink ipod. Feeling uninspired? Here's a list of some of the songs I've been listening to lately.

1. Careful- Paramore
2. Ashes- Embrace
3. House of Wolves- My Chemical Romance
4. Run- Snow Patrol
5. Bad Romance- Lady Gaga (obvs!)
6. Numb/Encore- Linkin Park and Jay-Z (please note this song is definately NSFW and not for everyone. The uncensored version has some very, very objectionable phrases but i absolutely adore mix of rap and rock)
7. Tranquilize- The Killers
8. The Wizard and I- Original Cast Recording of Wicked
9. Innocent- Our Lady Peace
10. Jai Ho- A. R. Rahman (a.k.a. Not the PCD version)

I didn't include any of my rap favs on here because I feel guity as a feminist endorsing such mysogynistic/violent/homophobic music. We all have our guilty pleasures though, right?

See you all when this @#$%^*& term paper is done!

Love Always,
Amy

The back of yo' head is ridiculous

2009-11-22T06:06:00.000-08:00

A little while ago, Kyla at Blue Collar Catwalk made a tutorial video about how to do a top knot hairstyle. I commented about how sad I was 'cause it looks so good on Kyla but I have a mane and it would look ridiculous on me. Kyla replied with something along the lines of "GRRRRL yo hairz would look FIERCE in a topknot". So I tried it and this is what I came up with!

Please note that this photograph was taken after being out in the rain all afternoon. Just sayin', it looked better before i left the house and stepped into the humidity. I wasn't sure about how the style looked on me, but my boyfriend liked it and I guess he would have said soemthing if he thought I looked ridiculous because he's the one that has to be seen in public holding my hand...

Oh yeah,
Sweater: Smart Set
Skirt: Thrifted, $4
Tights: Garage, $10

Everyone should try doing a top knot! I found it really comfortable, especially for sleeping, 'cause you're not lying on your hair. Also, if my hair is down on a rainy day it turns into a huge frizzy mess (even more so than usual), so this was a good solution.

P.S. The title of this post is derived from this hilarious YouTube video that I'm sure half of you have seen at some point. Whenever i ask people for their numbers in real life, i say it like this guy does haha.

Love Always,
Amy

Things i bought this week

2009-11-19T18:28:00.000-08:00

New earrings from work! I've had these on hold for about fifty years and finally decided to grab them today. They're crystal and sterling silver. Click the photo for a larger view.

Vanilla Nutmeg body lotion from The Body Shop. Today was 20% off their loyalty card holders PLUS buy-one-get-one half off seasonal products (like this lotion) PLUS card members got a free body butter. How could i resist? I bought one of these lotions for me and one for my mom for Xmas. I love it so much because i've been getting sick of super-sweet-smelling vanilla products, and the nutmeg in this lotion adds a perfect hint of alluring spiciness. Plus so far it has made my hands ridiculously soft. Win.

Lately I Am...
Eating: Lots of dried apricots. I swear i get more random cravings than pregnant ladies.
Drinking: Approximately a litre of orange juice per day trying to ward off H1N1
Listening to: The lovely sounds of my brother's respiratory infection in the next room...
Researching: Appropriate methodology for researching abuse in Aboriginal communities
Feeling: Cold
Reading (book variety): "A Simple Story" by Elizabeth Inchbald and "Pride and Prejudice" by Jane Austen, both for Women in Literature class.
Reading (blog variety): Work With What You've Got

P.S. Worn Fashion Journal needs your help!. They are an independant, volunteer-driven fashion mag and have run into a bit of trouble. The lovely Anna is a dedicated intern of theirs and she explains everything in THIS POST onher blog. Please consider helping Worn out if you can <3

Love Always,
Amy

I'll Do Anything For You

2009-11-17T19:07:00.000-08:00

School is still crazy but I need to take a break sometime, right? Also I think i'm coming down with H1N1 and am too paranoid to concentrate on my term paper right now anyway.

Tank top: Old navy, $5
Cardigan: Jacob, Gift from BF
Skirt: Jacob, Gift from BF
Shoes: Vintage from Mom's closet

This skirt is the shortest and tightest skirt i own. Let's just say there's a reason Nathan bought it for me when i wasn't going to... I'd like to take this opportunity to thank my fabulous boy for taking a lot of my outfit pictures on this blog. He is very patient :)

Did anyone see the Meteor shower? Nathan called me late last night asking me if i wanted to drive out of the city lights to see the meteors at one in the morning. How could i resist the chance to do the kind of thing Taylor Swift would write a song about?

We snuggled in the trunk of Nathan's parents Subaru on a random stretch of road south of the city until i got too paranoid about axe murderers and made him drive back into civilization...

Nathan brought me his father's parka from when they lived in Winnipeg. It wasn't cold, i'm just chickenshit.

Look at the stars.. Look how they shine foooor yoooou... and everything you do...

We stayed out for about an hour. I saw one meteor but it may have been a figment of my imagination. Oh well, only 30 years till the next shower, right?

IMPORTANT READER POLL: Should i get a twitter account? Do enough of ya'll care about what i would "tweet"? Please comment and let me know: i can't decide!

Love Always,
Amy

Sunday Night Shoutouts

2009-11-15T16:28:00.000-08:00

Everyone go buy Lou Lou Magazine because a friend of mine from middle school in the model in their huge editorial spread on pages 60-67! She is beautiful, and actually eats! Bonus!

Another reason i will never buy an Iphone

The amazing Anna, another old friend, featured me in a post about her favourite blogs this week. She's an intern at Worn Fashion Journal and is in the mag this month! (Found that out from Isabel.) I lubs yew too, Fitzy <3

My girl Taylor's hilarious SNL monologue song. Oh man, and the hilarious Shakira impression, too.

I forget how, but i somehow stubbled on Kenz's blog, All the Weigh. First of all, i didn't know people made weightloss blogs, and my first thought was "what a fabulous idea"! But the thing that struck me most was this girls beautiful attitude towards her life. Even if you're not trying to lose weight, read this blog and be inspired by Kenz's amazingly inspirational outlook.

I recently got back into wasting time playing this ridiculous game that my friends and i used to play when we were hungover in highschool for HOURS.

Make-up with unicorns on the packaging? Yes please. LimeCrime

Now if you'll excuse me, i need to write an essay on an 18th century novel I haven't read. Wish me luck. Seriously.

Love Always,
Amy

Put a ring on it

2009-11-14T06:50:00.000-08:00

I'm an absolute jewellery fanatic, and i really believe jewellery is a big part of fashion. I've worked in a tiny silver store for almost three years now and have ammassed quite the colection of baubles. I've been looking for a big ring with a beautiful, natural stone for a while now and the store i work in just wasn't providing. So i went elsewhere. I'm a traitor, whatevs.

The one on my middle finger is a stone called Malachite and the one on my first finger is Labradorite, which looks different depending on the angle you're looking from. Tilted a certain way, Labrodorite appears very greyish, but when the light hits it right you can see a play of blueish green colours and sparkles in it.

As i was taking this picture i thought it would be fun (read: ridiculous) to put all of my rings on one hand to show you guys. So i tried but i couldn't fit them all... So i just did all my sterling silver rings.

*listed from bottom to top of each finger*
Pinkie finger: Amethyst, Blue topaz, plain silver rose
Ring finger: cubic zirconia ring that is NOT an engagement ring (usually worn on right hand), Claddagh ring also usually worn on right hand (signifies relationship status), Amber, Turquoise
Middle finger: Malachite, plain silver, plain silver sunflower
First finger: Labradorite, Amber, Shell.

Phew. Honestly the reason i'm so into rings right now is because i stopped biting my nails. Whenever this happens (usually once every two years for a few months, though i'm hoping this time i'll stick to it) i buy rings because i think my hands look pretty. I also buy nailpolish. This is the same one i mentioned in the last post: "Black Cherry Chutney" by OPI. I looooove this nailpolish!

What are your favourite stones to wear in jewellery (rings, pendants, earings, whatever!)? Why do you like these stones?

Love Always,
Amy

Let all fall away that's not crucial now

2009-11-10T19:16:00.000-08:00

Mixture of awesome and annoying things going on in my life right now.

The awesome: I won Winona's book, Closet Confidential, from Ambika over at (Into) The Fray. I NEVER win things. The last thing i won was probably my sixth-grade leadership award. I'm so excited to get it in the mail, Daddy Likey is by far one of my favourite blogs and Winona is hilarious. Thank you so much for holding that awesome contest, Ambika!

I also got a new phone, the Samsung Link. It's basically a Blackberry knockoff since i would never use any of the functions on a blackberry and as such, refuse to pay $400 for one. So far, so good. Samsung phones have always served me well. Until i drop them into toilets like i did in highschool, but that's another story.

The annoying: So. Much. School. Work. Must. Get. Scholarship. Or. Father. Will. Cry.

Anyway.

Sweater: Jacob, $20
Skirt: Gap, $6
Pumps: Madden Girl, Mom's
Jewelery: All great-grandmother's

I love the square neck of this sweater. You don't find square necklines around a lot, so i HAD to buy this sweater... after considering the $20 price tag for a number of weeks, 'cause that's how us cheap ladies roll.

I dunno about you guys, but i kind of love my "omg the sunlight is eating me" pictures. They're etheral, in an "i really don't know how to take pictures so i just stand directly in front of the sun and see what happens" kind of way.

In this picture you can kind of see my new nailpolish which i love love LOVE. It's called "Black Cherry Chutney" by OPI, and it's a really dark purple. I sure know how to pick 'em when it comes to those silly OPI names...

Love Always,
Amy

Things i would sell my brother for: Gorgeous vintage cardigan edition

2009-11-07T20:08:00.000-08:00

The perfect embellished cardigan, here.

I've been looking for a lovely heavily beaded cardigan for a while now. This one is perfect but sadly out of my price range. Vintage beaded cardigans are the perfect mix of glamour and classic style.

I'm off to watch Taylor Swift on SNL. I'm excited :)

Love is free

2009-11-03T19:10:00.000-08:00

Just spent over an hour trying to get a new header up. Do you guys like it? It's just a picture i took of a bunch of my stuff... Hair bow, necklaces, and the lids from little vintage vanity jars i have. I like this new layout except for the way it cuts the pictures in the post below in half, but maybe i'll get around to fixing that. Anyway, on to today's outfit...

Cardigan: Mexx, FREE (found in classroom)
Dress: Garage, $30
Tights: Garage
Boots: Winners, $40

I found this amazing cardigan in one of my classrooms last week and it was pretty much the happiest moment of my life. My size, good quality, and seemingly brand new! It was there for two days so it became MINE.

Love Always,
Amy

My grown-up Halloween

2009-11-01T19:27:00.001-08:00

Edit: Sorry about the photos in this post not fitting the template of the blog! At least you can still see almost all of them ;)

So grown-up halloween is way more fun than childhood halloween ever was. First of all, my little brother always got more candy than me 'cause he was cuter. Secondly, you had to go to all the houses to get candy instead of just buying it on sale the next day at Wal-Mart. This year, i stayed in with the boyfriend, drank champagne, and watched Hocus Pocus. Sarah Jessica Parker and Disney "horror" effects circa 1993: fascinating.

We only got about thirty kids this year. There was tons of extra candy. Needless to say, that candy is now all in my tummy.

I "dressed up" for work in the afternoon. I was supposed to be a pin-up girl, but i've totally worn this outfit on a regular summer day. Oh well.

Pencil skirt: Smart set
Tank top: Suzy Shier, $10
Cardigan: Mom's
Shoes: Aldo, Gift from bf
Lipstick: L'oreal, "Penelope's Shade"

Hope everyone else had a good Halloween!

Love Always,
Amy

Hole in my heart

2009-10-30T19:09:00.000-07:00

A Zara store opened up in my city recently and i got the chance to check it out the other night when i went to buy my Taylor Swift "Fearless" re-release :)

Dress: Zara, $35
Tights: Garage, $10
Boots: Spring $25 final clearance
Amber jewellery from work

The part that looks like a belt is actuallly see-through. The fabric is cut-out and woven. It's really cool, but a little bit drafty...

Man, i love this dress so much. It fits a little big but that makes it super comfortable. I can also wear it in the summer without tights. Yay for versatility!

In other news, i am now broke because i got tickets to see...

MUH MUH MUH MAH

I'M HER BIGGEST FAN, I'LL FOLLOW HER UNTIL SHE LOOOOVES ME, PAPA, PAPARAZZI

And...

I absolutely adore Taylor Swift. I can play all of her songs on my guitar.

I only go to concerts when i know the singers sing/play live and it will be a good SHOW, as in an interesting spectacle to behold. I didn't go see Britney Spears because I'm not gonna waste hundreds of dollars to hear her lip-sync. Gaga's show will obviously be spectacular, and i know Taylor has a sick stage and engages the audience. And they both sing live. SO EXCITED!!! In highschool i went to a lot of classical music concerts because i went to an arts school for voice, so i haven't been to a really good "pop" or "rock" concert since i saw Coldplay a number of years ago. Coldplay was the best night of my life, honestly. They are so amazing live.

Have a fun and safe halloween, everyone! My costume won't be anything amazing, but i will post pictures.

Love Always,
Amy

(Gaga image via google search. Taylor image via T-Swift.com)

When she walks she walks with passion

2009-10-27T19:00:00.000-07:00

Cardigan: Jacob, gift from BF
Tank top: Bluenotes, $5
Skirt: Jacob, $30 on sale
Boots: Winners, $40
Great-Grandmother's pearl necklace and Pearl studs from work.

I got new boots! I've been wanting heeled boots for a while, and finally found some for a great price that are super easy to walk in. The heel is probably less than 2 inches but i still look like a goof when i try to run for the bus. Oh well, girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

Lots of other bloggers have been posting beautiful pictures of fall scenery and i love it! There are a bunch of buildings at my university that have ivy-like plants growing all over the walls and they look especially amazing in the fall when the leaves all change colour. Here are some pictures i took of one courtyard:

Midterms are officially over as of today! What a relief... So far all the marks i've gotten back have been pretty amazing (surprizing even, but I'm not complaining!) so i'm hoping this trend will continue. Thank you all so much for reading, and a special thank you to all those who comment!

Love Always,
Amy

I wanna be the one to walk in the sun

2009-10-25T19:32:00.000-07:00

I should really be smiling in this picture since im wearing one of my fav shirts... but i hadn't had my coffee yet and i was off to spend my entire sunday huddled in the library, snarling at anyone who so much as sneezed while i studied for my two last midterms next week. Anyway...

5 reasons why this is one of my favourite shirts

1. Cyndi Lauper designed it for H&M.

2. It says "Girls Just Wanna Have Safe Sex".

3. 25% of the proceeds went to youth HIV/AIDS awareness programs.

4. I bought it while visiting one of my besties during the summer.

5. I'm a Women's Studies major at university and comprehensive sex education and reproductive rights are my favourite causes/ issues i am most passionate about. This shirt is quite the conversation starter for those topics. I'm not usually a fan of message tees (well, not since 8th grade anyway), but i feel like shirts like these that support important causes are good for raising awareness, or at least getting people to think about why this issue was important enough for someone to put on a t-shirt.

Do you guys have any clothing with messages? What do they say and why do feel this message is important enough to wear on your body for the whole world to see?

Breathe In

2009-10-21T18:49:00.000-07:00

Shrug: H&M (In NYC, whut whut)
Tanktop: GAP $12
Skirt: Nine West, thrifted, $6
Heels: Spring
I must admit that the heels were NOT worn outside. It is October in Canada. 'Nuff said.

My theme today was roses. Rose earings and...

... rose ring both from Accessorize.

How cool is Jane??? She designs shoes for Urban Outfitters! And she's incredibly stylish, obviously. And prettier than me. Ugh, envy. Anyway i would sell my brother for those peep-toe bow heels. I looked for them on the site link she provided but they're not there? Life is against me today, basically. Can't get Jane's bow heels, she is prettier than me, AND i just drowned these sorrows in a very large amount of very expensive chocolate-covered malt balls that were supposed to last me all week. Sigh.

My solution to all of these obviously very terrible problems? Look really awesome tomorrow, ace midterm, feel better!

Love Always,
Amy

Fell over my feet, like bricks underwater

2009-10-19T19:49:00.000-07:00

Cardigan: H&M, $20 several years ago
Tanktop: Old Navy, $5
Skirt: Club Monaco, $16 (on sale to $20 from $125 + student discount)
Boots: Spring, $25 final clearance
Jewellry: Silver store i work at.

Nailpolish: OPI "A rose at dawn... broke by noon" [Yeah, i know: wtf kind of name is that, OPI?]

I wonder what it's like to live in a place when the trees are green all year round? When i really think about it, living in canada is pretty great, and the fact that the leaves change colour and fall to the ground in autumn is one of the reasons.

Love Always,
Amy

Boom, baby

2009-10-18T20:10:00.000-07:00

Here's what i should be doing right now: My study notes for my Medieval History midterm coming up on thursday. Also, i forgot my laptop cord at my boyfriend's house tonight and have about an hour of power remaining. What am i using that precious time for? Blogging, obvs.

I've had an overwhelming urge to get back into the blogging thing lately. When i left ya'll at the beginning of summer i figured I'd be blogging all the time over the summer without school. Didn't happen. Why? I blame work. And Bellinis.

I'll post some actual pictures (outfit, general autumn frolicking, etc.) next post, but for now, you can be jelous of my hot cocoa picture above (i may or may not have eaten all that whipped cream off the top and then added more...).

Love Always,
Amy

Awesome thrifting finds!

2009-05-04T18:35:00.001-07:00

Today i hung out with a good friend i haven't seen in ages and we went to Value Village and a Salvation Army thrift store. Got a few epic pieces... here are two of them:

[$7 thrifted dress, belt from lame accessories store, mom's 80's pumps]

[$5 thrifted skirt, American Apparel t-shirt, Spring flats, awkward/lame pose]

I got another skirt as well but decided the picture i took of it was even worse than these two. I'm sure it'll pop up in an outfit at some point.

Today was a good day.

Celebrity outfits I would/would NOT wear

2009-04-30T19:16:00.000-07:00

So i've decided to have a sort of recurring feature on this blog. I read a lot of celbrity gossip when i'm bored (one can only play so many games of tetris before one begins to dream about little coloured blocks falling neatly into rows). I don't enjoy the gossip so much as i enjoy the picture of celebrities, especially what they are wearing. Sometimes i like 'em, sometimes i don't.

So let's begin!

First: Celebrity outfits i would NOT wear.
[Keyword: NOT!]
Featuring: Vanessa Hudgens

1. She looks generally dirty. As in, unclean...
2. Fringed Uggs? Seriously?
3. You'd think on a Disney Slut salary she could afford to buy something decent to wear, rather than stealing the shirt right off the back of a dingy, obsese homeless man. Poor guy.

Okay, hun... We all know you and Zac Efron bang. You don't need to rub it in our faces by wearing his shirt out afterwards and not bothering to put your pants back on or fix your sex-hair. Jeesh...
[I'm also a firm believer in role models. Isn't she supposed to be one?]

Ms. Hudgens' wardrode in a word? Trash.

And now: Celebrity outfits i WOULD wear!
Featuring: Charlize Theron and Dita van Teese

I feel like Charlize Theron is rather useless as an actress as she's pretty generic. Her redeeming quality for me is the way the girl WORKS a red carpet (with the exception of that heinous large green gown she wore to the Oscars one year...). Anyway, this fress is fab, something i would LOVE LOVE LOVE to have. Lace + fitted= Love.

Dita is the definition of glamour and i love it. I love the way she embraces her pale skin and her curves and i would pretty much sell my brother for any single item from her closet. This is Dita grocery shopping. Amazing. I love STRUCTURE (the bag, the tailoring of the dress). I hate how so much current fashion is all flow-y and not fitted and tent-like.

[All photos in this post are from Just Jared]

Expect more posting for the next four months as i am FINISHED FIRST YEAR UNIVERSITY!!!

Love Always,
Amy

Exams kill life. Fun websites keep me going...

2009-04-17T11:58:00.000-07:00

Just finished a nasty, long, LONG take-home exam. Defining 5 extremely broad terms in less than 200 words each, and two essays. My next exam is on sunday and i have yet to start studying. This is only slightly terrifying. Somehow...

Here is what i am wearing to work this evening. Note the lack of tights because it is a delicious 19 degrees outside!

H&M Dress i bought in NYC last may
Suzy Shier Cardigan
Spring shoes

Speaking of New York, i began reminicing and looking at pictures from that trip (which was amazing, by the way), and came across this:

This is my friend and i singing on a boat tour of New york with the statue of liberty in the background. So awesome.
[I am aware that i look like shit, thx. I had just been on a bus for 6 or 7 hours... with a bunch of rowdy arts school students. I believe that explains it.]

I figure this should be a light-hearted post as many of those i have posted so far have included srs ishoesz.

5 of my fav websites!
1. LOL cats.
2. Perez Hilton. Shameful, i know.
3. Tetris Friends. Slightly less shameful? No? Okay... =(
4. Daddy Likey Blog. This girl is hilarious.
5. Human Rights Watch.Org. Okay, i have to include one serious one... They have really great up-to-date news on Human Rights issues going on as we speak.

That's all i have for ya'll right now. Have a great weekend because i definately will NOT! =)

Love Always,
Amy

Help!

2009-04-11T11:29:00.000-07:00

"A Virginia high school student faces a two week suspension and possible expulsion for the terrible, terrible crime of... taking her birth control pill. The most atrocious part of this sad affair is that school policy gives the same punishment for carrying a loaded handgun, and even a more lenient policy for possessing heroin.This calls for immediate action. The Fairfax School Board and Virginia's state school board need to rectify this ridiculous policy immediately."
-From http://feministing.com
[ Click here for the story]

To say that this infuriates me is beyond an understatement. Birth control/abortion/reproductive health rights are my number one issue that i am most passionate about, and this story in particular is discusting. This girl is being denied her education for being responsible with her sexuality.

Unfortunately, as far as i can tell i can do very little to help as i am not a resident of the U.S.. The story on feministing.com (which is a fabulous blog that i read regularly), directs you to http://www.amplifyyourvoice.org/main.cfm?actionId=globalShowStaticContent&screenKey=cmpState&htmlKey=actvirginiabirthcontrol&s=amplify where you can email state representatives about this issue with the click of a mouse.

I URGE ANY RESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES WHO BELIEVE IN THIS ISSUE TO DO THIS.
Obviously i'm going to try it with a fake address anyway, though :p

http://www.amplifyyourvoice.org/main.cfm?actionId=globalShowStaticContent&screenKey=cmpState&htmlKey=actvirginiabirthcontrol&s=amplify

http://www.amplifyyourvoice.org/main.cfm?actionId=globalShowStaticContent&screenKey=cmpState&htmlKey=actvirginiabirthcontrol&s=amplify

http://www.amplifyyourvoice.org/main.cfm?actionId=globalShowStaticContent&screenKey=cmpState&htmlKey=actvirginiabirthcontrol&s=amplify

Introducing Kate, and many outfits.

2009-04-10T08:09:00.001-07:00

I will take this moment to introduce you to Kate, my stuffed Panda that my boy and I made at Build-a-Bear. She is named after Kate Winslet and is a bit of a slut. Yepp.

Kate and i are sad about what we are seeing out the window... What could it be...?
[Gap sweater and American Eagle jeans, just in case ya'll were wondering]

FML. It melted by the end of the day, but STILL. Jeesh.

Obviously i haven't posted in a while. Appologies, however scholarship > blog. I have been taking pictures of my somewhat decent outfits, though. So i will now present those...

American Apparel dress. Spring shoes.

[Sorry about the blur! I was in a rush]
H&M sweater over and Americal Apparel dress. Accessorize scarf [yes, there was a Canadian branch of Accesorize with a few locations accross Canada. I worked there until it was one day left without an owner and went into recievership/closed. Worst day ever, that store was amazing. Whenever i see their ads in british mags i cry a little]

Suzy Shier cardi and black shirt. Gap wool skirt. Accessorize tights.

Sidenote: any silver jewellery you see me wearing is generally from the place i work. I'd rather not disclose the name as i will often bash the company on this blog and would rather not get fired should anyone from there happen to read this...

Love Always,
Amy

My kind of inspiration...

2009-04-02T20:46:00.000-07:00

For the last few days i have been heavily emersed in some final projects/essays that are due in less than a week now, so i havent even really thought about posting. However, when i've been bored or distracted from said projects/essays, i have taken to googling photographs of prominent women in history. I'd would like to share with you and comment upon a few of my favs:

This is Anna Ahkmatova, a Russian poet who gained great noteriety during Joseph Stalin's reign of terror (post-WWII) for her anti-communist poetry. She was deeply touched by Stalin's reign, as her husband and son were both sent to work in the Gulags (terrible work camps). Unfortunately, in exchange for her sons freedom, Ahkmatova was forced to publish pro-Stalinist poetry by the state. She is an important figure in women's history due to the way in which the Stalinist regime used her maternal role to control her.
What struck me most about this photograph when it was shown in one of my lectures this week was how much i loved what she was wearing. It looks like this woman had some serious style, on top of some pretty awesome (and flexible) priorities.

I fell in love with Virginia Woolf when i read her short story "Kew Gardens" in my english class this semester, and subsequently studied her as a modernist writer (one of the first to employ a stream of consciousness, etc.) Something i love about both this photograph and the Anna Ahkmatova one is that they were photographed, seemingly, to showcase their nose bumps/prominent noses, something that would now been hidden from cameras.
I respect Virginia Woolf in that she was strong enough not just to write using innovative ideas (hello, she is considered one of the first feminist writers), and reject the established forms of Victorian literature, but also to even get up every morning for almost sixty years (and through two world wars!). You see, dear Virginia was severely depressed (skim her late journals: absolutely heartbreaking), and she ended up drowing herself in a river by wading in with stones in her pockets. In any photograph you will find of Virginia, she looks sad and defeated like this one. The is one photo (a later one, she looks about 50) in which she is semi-smiling, but she appears to basically be saying "fuck my life."

I just love how, in any photograph you find of Coco Chanel, her expression and demeanour screams "I AM SUCH A HUGE BITCH AND YOU FUCKING LOVE IT". I like to think i relate to her in this way. Oh yeah, fashion avant-garde icon blah blah yeah.

Marie Curie. Her life amazes me and i don't even know what number Radium is on the periodic table. Can you imagine what a genius this woman was? Her and her husband devoted their entire lives to science and discovery. If you can get your hands on a copy of the her documentation of discovering Polonium (which she named after her native country, Poland. So cute. i dunno why, i just think that's cute...) and Radium with her husband, READ IT. It's gorgeous. I think it's called "Obtaining Radium".

(all pictures were obtained through google image search)

Love Always,
Amy

Spring, Random Facts, and Books

2009-03-28T19:29:00.000-07:00

"It's not too bad when the sun's out, but the sun only comes out when it feels like coming out."
-J.D. Salinger, The Catcher in the Rye

I'm gonna go ahead and say it... Canadians are often very recuctant to use this particular phrase, as it is often a bit of a jinx and a huge snow storm and deep freeze follows it's utterance... but here we go:
IT'S SPRING!

Here's what i wore to work this morning. H&M dress, vintage (from my Nana) shoes.

And this is what I wore when i got home. Jeans, Smart Set shirt, Great-Grandmother'c necklace.

5 Random facts about me
Just Because...
1. I do laundry about once a month. Sometimes less. That's how much clothing i own. I can go up to 50 days without doing laundry though because that's how many pairs of underwear i have.

2. I finally bought the Katy Perry CD and it is notthatgreat. Kelly Clarkson, however, is FAB.

3. If it gets over 50 days and i really don't want to do laundry, i buy more underwear. (This happened recently. Chyeaahhh Jacob Lingerie 5 for $15)

4. I adore cucumber sandwiches. But only if I make them.

5. I have a brother whose name is Chubbles. When people ask me what his real name is, i tell them that it is Chubbles.

Books

I've recently decided that I need to read more. My first semester of university was crazy (granted, so is the second one...), but i remembered being the first kid in my first grade class to start reading chapter books, and felt really cool and awesome and kinda sorta almost smart, and i want to feel like that again. SO. I made a reading list, plus i am picking up and devouring whatever else i have time to read. Here's what i've read in the last month or so.

1. Monkey Beach by Eden Robinson
Okay, this one is a bit of a cheat. I had to read it for my english class. BUT, it was the best assigned reading ever, complete with spirits, intrigue, life lessons, teenaged angst, subtle but effortlessly effective depictions of social issues, and (my favorourite), a complete cast of strong, independant female characters.

2. Bow Grip by Ivan E. Coyote
Probably one of the most beautiful stories i have read in a while. You instantly fall in love with the male protagonist, who aquires a cello and sets out to learn to play it, meeting new people along the way (an older, closeted homosexual man, a single mother and her daughter), and facing a life-changing request from his ex-wife.

3. The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Yeah, i know it's pretty pathetic that i haven't read this yet, and i'm still only halfway through as i started this only a few day ago.. I was supposed to read it in grade 12 english class, but i skipped class to hang out with a boy instead. In my defence, we have now been dating almost ten months and i still got a ridiculously good mark in english.
Anyway, this book is terrifying, basically. I find it much more so than other dystopian novels (i.e. 1984), due to the nature of the role of a Handmaid. Like, can you IMAGINE?! I won't say anything else, because everyone should read it, or at least look it up on the internet if you're really curious as to what i am freaking out about.

If you're not really noticing a pattern in my blogging, don't worry, there isn't one... i think i'm just gonna have fun talking about whatever's on my mind on whatever day things decide to be on my mind. It's all sexy and unpredictable that way, don'tcha think? :)

Love Always,
Amy

Chocolate, wool, and differentiating myself from a doormat.

2009-03-25T18:27:00.000-07:00

The only time better than the weeks leading up to Easter are the days after Easter when all the candy is on sale.

I don't actually eat sweets very much at all, so this bag will last me a few weeks. They will be an awesome few weeks.

Today i got a surprize visit from my fabulous and lovely boyfriend, N. (yep, i'm gonna do it Gossip Girl style with the names, people. Deal.) Usually we never get to see eachother on wednesdays because of our conflicting class times, but some of his classes were concelled today so we made these:

Nom Nom Nom.

Okay, enough about food.

Here's what i DID NOT wear today because it is still freezing, but will be wearing as soon as possible:

I got that wool skirt at Gap on sunday for SIX DOLLARS! loooooooves it. The shirt is just from Suzy Shier and the gold chains are vintage from my Great-Grandmother. My face is terribly unfortunate in this picture but oh well. It's meant to show the skirt more than anything (SIX.DOLLARS.GAP. WOOL.), which is about a size too big so i may alter it so i can wear it higher-waisted.

On to some more serious issues.
I was a good feminist yesterday.

First of all, i discovered recently that the company i work for (a small Canadian jewellery store) has not been paying us properly. For example, if i work 35 hours and 30 minutes in two weeks, they pay me for 35.3 hours, which is very different from what i actually worked: 35.5 hours (because thirty minutes is .5 of an hour, get it?). I showed this to my manager a number of weeks ago and she took a few small steps to get it straightened out, but the head of the company didn't do anything about it, and said she "didn't know what we were talking about". So yesterday, my manager tries yet again to get through to the head of the company, but is shot down once again. I decided to take matters into my own hands because
1. i have been losing up to 2 or 3 dollars per paycheque for TWO YEARS, and
2. because the principle of not being paid properly in the year 2009 discusts and disturbs me.
I spoke to the head of the company for about half an hour until she finally listened to me/told me she understood what i was talking about and was going to look into it.

I was proud of myself for being the one to stand up to the head of the company (i literally had to say "No, H, you're not understanding what i'm telling you. This is what is wrong..."), but i am a little bit frustrated with the fact that none of the other girls i work with really cared that they were being exploited... In fact, i almost felt as though i was looked down upon for caring about this issue. Uh, HELLO, DUMB BITCHES?! I just made it so you would make more money. wtf.

After this, i went to my philosophy class. I hate philosophy, and my professor is blatantly arrogant. Yesterday, he laughed in the face of a girl who provided a simple opinion when he asked the class for their opinionated responses, and purposefully and unabashedly ridiculed her in front of the entire 100+ person class. During the break, i approached her and was like "holy shit, he was such a dick to you, etc." and we talked about what happened in the line for the bathroom. Eventually, other girls joined in, expressing their distaste for his sexism, arrogance, rudeness, and poor teaching. It got to a point where girls were yelling "AND HE'S GETTING FAT, TOO!" out of bathroom stalls. It was glorious.

Going along with these stories, here is an excellent quote that i have been living my life by:

"I myself have never been able to find out precisely what feminism is; i only know that people call me a feminist whenever i express sentiments that differentiate me from a doormat."
-Rebecca West, 1913.

Perfect.

before it dies, here is a picture of the beautiful rose i recieved from N on saturday, "Just Because" <3

Love Always,
Amy

She's at it again...

2009-03-23T19:00:00.000-07:00

I have no idea where this will go.

I also have no idea where my pretty pink underwear are, but i guess that is somewhat irrelevant to what i am doing right now...

I used to blog, web design, chat on message boards, etc, up until i was about fourteen and my life became consumed with other things and i became less consumed with sharing my thoughts with others. More specifically, i didn't tell anyone anything for several years... I am now, however, at a good stage in my life and simply bursting with stories and opinions and new knowledge that i am willing to share. This may or may not be to your advantage, but the magic of the internet is that you can click the pretty red 'x' up there to your right and never read my words again... :)

Some specific things i would love to incorperate into this blog over time:

-Pictures of my clothes. I've been reading many fashion blogs lately and find this idea adorable. Plus, it will encourage me to exersize my style... which tends to get lazy in the Canadian winter.

-Stuff i am learning in school. I am a university student taking an Honour BA, double majoring in History and Women's Studies. I feel like everyone can can benefit from a feminist analysis of current issues and the world in general.

-Lists. I'm a huge fan of lists.

I have not yet taken any outfit pictures, etc. But i do have two images i'd like to share with you right away:

This is a Kate Spade ad that has been up on my wall since tenth grade (2005/06). I have never been able to explain why or how, but it defines my life.

Aaaaand this is a very boring picture of me in a Smart Set sweater, very bad hair, and vintage (from great aunt) pearl necklace.

Let's be friends :)