Sunday

Girls In Trucks

Sarah Walters is a 13 year old member of the Camillia society, a club of women based on manners and appearances.  She is desperate for love and escape.

Sarah Walters is a 20-something Northern college student who meets winter for the first time and learns to like pot. 

Sarah Walters is a New Yorker - jaded and poor.  She has only a hint of a Southern accent and a few Camillia friends. 

Sarah Walters is a 30-something singleton who is borderline obsessed with her ex-lover and the need to be loved. 
"I have made many mistakes in my life so far, the biggest of which, according to my mother, was leaving the South"

Katie Crouch follows Sarah's life from old-fashioned Charleston to very forward-thinking NYC. She infuses humour and real issues into her story.  Crouch uses a variety of different styles of writing in her vignette-type novel.  Each chapter is a separate entity; each story doesn't always immediately link to the next. Simply, it is just another piece of the puzzle in Sarah's complicated jigsaw life.  At times Crouch writes in the first person, others she addresses the reader using the second person "you," and still at times she uses the third person "she" with no reference to whom "she" refers. 

Crouch manages to tell the story of Sarah's life - complex and dark and hopeless at times, with wit and raw humour. I recommend reading this, if you get the chance. It will leave you pondering where you are in life, where you came from, and the importance of all the stuff in between. 

♥ Meg xoxo


Put a little sunshine in my sky...

"Where are y'all from?"
This outfit sums up summer for me... short shorts, braids, and a bikini. Nothing else needed. :)

Tank top: Billabong (from a tiny beach store) // Shorts: JC Penney // Sandals: Aldo// Bikini: Victoria's Secret// 
The shorts are actually neon. It's hard to see here because it was so sunny. I'm loving the colourful denim this summer. Aaaand... they were mad on sale. Who doesn't love a sale?

At the beach, I read Girls in Trucks, by Katie Crouch. More about that later. 

Enjoy the dog days of summer; you will be wishing them back come winter. 

♥ Meg xoxo

PS... Listen to some Kate Voegele; she puts a little Sunshine In My Sky.



Wednesday

I do not whine. Kids Whine.

Last weekend, I traded in my dress with pockets for shorts with mud. I took part in Tough Mudder, a "10-12 mile obstacle courses designed by British Special Forces to test your all around strength, stamina, mental grit, and camaraderie."  

Beforehand, I was nervous, excited, optimistic, and terrified. Would I be tough enough?

Tank top: Michael's // Shorts: Kohl's// Headband: Earned by finishers only//
Turns out I was tough enough. I believed in my abilities, was literally and metaphorically pushed by my teammates, and didn't cry or vomit.

At the finish, my limbs were tired and heavy, my knees were scraped and bloody, but I felt invincible. Tough Mudder took an immense amount of training, dedication, and perseverance. It was worth it; it was amazing.

For those of you who say, "Oh, yeah. I could do that," let's see you try. Sign up for a Tough Mudder event near you!

♥ Meg xoxo


Tuesday

the birth house

                                            
the birth house chronicles the coming-of-age tale of one Dora Rare, a young girl who lives in Nova Scotia in and around the time of the Halifax Explosion.  Dora is the lone female descendant in the Rare family, for as many generations as can be remembered.  From the moment of her birth, she is different.  Growing up in a sea of brothers, Dora is sent to live with an old wise-woman and midwife, Miss B.  Dora learns the art of midwifery at the feet of many women. Over the course of her formative years, Dora comes to understand the customs of midwifery, the power that women hold through their ability to birth, and the importance of female friendships. 

Ami McKay brilliantly describes life in the East Coast of Canada, with rich descriptions and beautiful folklore.  She makes the reader think about modern medicine in a very different way. Did hospitals and doctors take the power away from women and their traditions?  Was giving birth at home with an un-trained midwife an act of feminism?

Dora Rare is an elegantly simple protagonist. She speaks her mind, stands up for what she believes in, and makes her own sort of happily ever after. 

In the past I steered away from this novel at the library; I have no children and know nothing about birthing them.  I was pleasantly surprised to find a thought-provoking story of love, loss, and tradition. 

♥ Meg xoxo

PS. Sorry for the delay in posting; I've been having loads of trouble getting internet at the cottage


Wednesday

Barefoot and Fancy Free

"This house is some special, bringing us together when the world has done split apart" 

I love how this skirt flows. Even though it's long (in the back), I never want to wear it with shoes.

Skirt: J.C. Penney//
This skirt has such a pretty floral pattern. The skirt could be really fancy, but I decided to dress it down with a tank.

Shirt: Winners//
I love the heart detail in the exclamation point. I may start writing mine like this again, like I did in Grade 5.

Stay tuned for my post about Ami McKay's the birth house... a celebration of women and tradition. (and also bare-footed-ness :)) 

♥ Meg xoxo

Tuesday

Rain, rain, go away...

"I was in the middle before I knew that I had begun" 
I managed to get 3 mosquito bites on my right hand while I was taking these pictures. Talent?


Dress: Old Navy // Boots: Winners //
White polka dots on yellow boots + black and white stripes?  I think yes. Pattern mixing is one of my favourite things to do with an outfit. 

Necklace: Forever XXI //
Be sure to read the post on P&P down below! Have a lovely Tuesday - put on your wellies and splash in some puddles! 

♥ Meg xoxo

Pride and Prejudice


This classic novel, set in 17th Century England, tells the story of the five Bennet sisters and their mother’s quest to marry them “well”.  Austen wittily points out in her famous opening line: “It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife”.  This novel dances with topics such as social class, false judgements, and second chances.  Austen paints detailed pictures in her readers’ minds with her vivid descriptions.  Her parade of characters is woven together with beautiful intricacies. Austen will have you begging for a happy ending long before she delivers one. 

If you’ve started reading it before and gotten bogged down with the details, try it again – it’s worth it.  Before you know it you’ll be swooning over Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bingley, firing back clever responses like Lizzy Bennet, and telling your friends that the BBC adaptation is the best one.

♥ Meg xoxo
PS. Don’t even mention Pride and Prejudice and Zombies to me.  I hate the whole idea of it.
PPS. Check out the outfit post to follow! 

Saturday

FASHION:
My closet of many colours.

I have a lot of clothes. I like mixing them together in all different (and sometimes weird) combos.

I am obsessed with polka dots. I love bright colours, patterned stockings, Converse sneakers, and super high high-heels. I love wearing dresses and skirts. I like them best when they have pockets. In fact, a dress can go from "it's okay" to "OMG I need it" if I discover that it has pockets.

LIT:
I heart* Jane. Other authors too! I promise.

In university, people declared their hatred for me because I read quickly. That being said, I read a lot of books in different genres.

Jane Austen is my favourite author. Afterall, with ink and paper, she gave birth to Miss Elizabeth Bennet, the headstrong, fiery and outspoken love of Mr. Darcy.

I tend to choose woman writers, accidentally or subconsciously, at the library when I am browsing the shelves.


Enough about me! Let's read and style together.
♥ Meg xoxo
Why Blog?

People ask me (almost) everyday at work where I got part of my outfit, or why I chose to put different pieces together. Recently, I was transferred to a new location and colleagues asked me to email them pictures of my outfits. I was so flattered! I thought that this blog would be more fun than emailing people everyday. I love blogs- most specifically blogs about fashion and crafts and books. I thought that I would combine my loves in this blog.

Why Anonymous?

In my posts, you will be able to see all aspects of my outfit, but you'll come to notice that my nose will always be in a book. Well, this will be for two reasons:

1. to show you the book that I am reading/ reviewing
2. to hide my face

(No, no. I don't have self image problems. I love my face. I am an elementary school teacher and wish to remain anonymous).