defining moments: film

Today I introduce a new series called “defining moments”. Over the next few weeks I will dedicate posts to various media and it’s effect on my life and style over the years. I'd love to see response posts (link me!) so feel free to use this idea as your own. 

Age 10: Bandana Bandit

I was hesitant to see Pirates of the Caribbean because I didn’t like scary things and “Curse of the Black Pearl” sounded exactly like the thing that 10 year old me thought would give me nightmares... instead it gave me dreams. 

rare photo of bandana-phase

When I was forced (read: peer pressured) to watch POTC in after-school care it changed my life. That very evening decided I would become an actor or a pirate. My first ever not-mom-or-dad idol was Johnny Depp. I trained for years in acting to pursue this dream. It also inspired a brief (and not well documented, to my relief) bandana-phase. 

Age 14: Grease is the Word

I so badly wanted to be Frenchy but I was cast as Sandy in my summer camp production of Grease when I was just 12. We didn’t do a full version if you’re wondering - just a couple  “G”-rated songs and scenes. I finally convinced our councillors to give me the part of Frenchy instead and to this day I don’t regret giving up the lead. I loved Frenchy because she was an absolute mess but seemed to be the only student in that entire school thinking about her future. She was always busy trying to find her place in the world and even though she kept changing her mind or "bombing" her attempts, they all became a part of her active search for her place in the world. 

Of course the film also gave me an instant desire to don poodle skirts and frilly socks; I wanted to dance around bleachers and twist petty schoolyard drama into catchy tunes. I couldn’t decide who’s style I wanted to emulate more - Danny’s or Sandy’s. Here I am mixing a preppy 50s feel with my tough-as-nails-Danny-Zuko leather jacket look. All that’s missing really is the hair grease. 

Age 16: Fur Coat of Secrets 

I was a bit lonely at 16. My social skills were not lacking, in fact I was a bit too social according to my teachers, but I still preferred the time spent in my own imagination than the time I spent around my peers. I wasn’t much of rebel or a great thinker like Margot Tenenbaum, but I was good at keeping secrets. I talked and talked and talked like I had nothing to hide but my big (faux) fur coat was filled with secrets. 

This was also the year I cut my hair short to 

• look more androgynous; therefore chic
• enhance my natural likeness to Alexa Chung (I’ve never been more wrong in my life)

Looking back, I wish I’d had a little more sense to go for a Margot-like cut. 

Age 19: Dazed and Confused

Wearing overalls. Everyone's out past bedtime. Being grounded. Hanging out with older kids.  Shooting pool. Senior pranks. Stuck in high school. Tie-dye tees. Dazed. And. Confused.

Who am I kidding. Most nights I’m in bed (on my computer) by 9pm, snacking on my hidden stack of chocolate bars - but when I do leave the house, I totally wear overalls. That and I also don’t have my life figured out yet. 

What movies inspired you?

what's left of the summer sun

I'm head-over-heels for this summer's kimono trend and regardless of its cool fading out as we exit festival season, I plan to keep wearing them. I own two pieces so far, this silk dragon embroidered Value Village find being my favourite. My white floral sheer fringe kimono is a little less practical for fall and well, for basically much everything else thanks to the fringe (but it's pretty so I make it work). 

Silk Kimono - Value Village - $5

I was having a bit of a lazy day and decided to wear my little red dress from the night before (masking the post concert sweat with loads of perfume - classy). So I thought it was the perfect occasion to test drive my kimono which to that point had served more as decoration hanging above my bed. 

The vibrant embroidery matched perfectly with the shiny dress and toned down the look too. I don't feel 'myself' without a couple layers piled on anyway. I was so comfy all day that I couldn't be bothered with a few confused stares. It's PJ-chic... that's still a thing, right? Next stop: pajama suit. 

 Red Dress - American Apparel - $55

 What trend are you carrying over from the summer? 

tickled pink

- simone rocha - honor - carven -

Will you be rocking pink this fall?

back to black

I've been gone for a bit, again (ugh), I know. In the past year I've had ups and downs that seem like itty-bitty roller coasters compared to those I experienced in high school. What might be saving me now is how little time I suddenly have to dwell on my problems. My job, preparing my university portfolios and (slightly obsessively) hitting the exercise grind have left me with little time for the things I used to love - like lying around and moping or burying my feelings in hours of television.

However busy I am, autumn is unavoidably a time of reflection for me. I used to wear all black everything. My grade 10 back-to-school closet was filled with black t shirts, denim, blazers, skirts and socks. I wasn’t rocking all black in a sort of rebellious teenage way, think 30 year old Parisienne business woman instead. 

It got to a point where for some reason people where bothered by it. I often got comments on how it made me look and something misguided about how I should enjoy colours and patterns while I was young enough to pull them off. I didn’t really change because their opinions bothered me but because I saw it as a challenge. Buying the colourful or printed version of everything rather than go straight for black and find the quirkiest patterns and pile them on more patterns became the new way of life - my style evolved quickly and all monochrome shades disappeared from my wardrobe.

Fast forward two years and into an ongoing end-of-teen life crisis, I was feeling like I’d lost something in the search for “me”  that I had actually really liked. So it hit me a few weeks ago that this was one thing I really missed and that I was in dire need of – looking more mature, being taken more seriously - which black clothes really can help you achieve if worn correctly. 

Of course, you may argue that all black can get boring but I am not swearing off all colours and patterns entirely. I am however going to try and choose black more often and try to find creative ways to wear it: unique cuts and fabrics, layering and textures can turn the misunderstood "boring" shade into a statement. 

★~(◡‿⊙✿) SUM INSPIRATION 4 U!!! ★~(◡‿⊙✿)

Embrace your dark side/any feature you miss about one of your previous personas - the point is to take something old and turn it new again. Step back into your comfort zone and find ways to test your creativity from within there. Maybe a bit of thinking inside the box - but customizing the shit out of that box until there isn't an empty space left in it. 

We all know inner beauty is what counts the most so with the beginning of the new school and work year, I invite you to take that step back and examine that the past, present and future of your comfort zone. Reflect on the things you've loved and lost - from minor things like items or trends to the big deals like characteristics, people, environments. Think about what losses you gained from and what you're still trying to undo. It could be as simple as reintroducing a colour to your wardrobe or as major as calling a long lost friend.  

sigh, it's good to be back and to get all this off my chest - happy soul searching (or not, whatevur) fellow bloggers! xo Becca

p.s. some *rare* m00dy photos of grade 10 Rebecca

What phases of your life are you missing? What are you glad you've gotten over?

style on a budget?

Last fall an article in In Style magazine titled “Shop Like a Fashion Editor” caught my eye. Three editors at In Style recorded how they had shopped for the season on their varying budgets ($400, $2000 & $4000) which they spent over a four month period. This sort of project is great to keep track of what sort of pieces one is picking up and to control spending!

I’d like to fill my summer wardrobe with quirky pieces reminiscent of Moonrise Kingdom mixed with androgynous-cool staples like suit pants, mom jeans and brogues. Suzy Bishop, Alexa Chung and Solange are my style gurus. I’m going for Suzy’s cute dresses and weird charm – unexpected accessories like bug earrings or mod purses. On the other hand Alexa and Solange’s daring prints and boyish cuts are must-haves to mix and match. Bright orange, red and mustard yellow are colours I’m really digging in these trends –looking for eye-catching patterns or colour blocking these with black, white and nude pieces.

~ my whimsical summer inspired collage ~

First things I can cross off my list are shoes! This month I got a pair of TUK creepers (birthday gift) and white leather cut-out boots from Topshop ($70)! I also purchased a leatherette mini skirt from H&M ($30) on a whim and a loose black tee to match ($13) – both of these are staple pieces I can wear with pretty much everything in my wardrobe. I especially love the loose black tee for its boyfriend fit and versatility. Finally I picked up an elephant print blouse from Forever 21 ($24), quirky shape and awesome prints – check and check! 

So this month I spent $140 (rounded) of $400 – I head into April with $260 to get creative with. 

XO, Rebecca