Hello 2015

Well, hey there everyone. Been a while, hasn't it?

Last year this blog derailed a bit due to a number of reasons.  The top three, in no particular order:

Number One.  I love love love reading other people's blogs. Last year, I maybe spent a little too much time reading, and not enough time writing.

My favourites are A Beautiful Mess and Enjoy it.

Elsie, Emma, and the rest of the team at ABM are basically an empire.  These queens of the blogosphere write about DIY projects, fashion, crafts, recipes, scrapbooking, and home projects.  They have many different writers who contribute to their highly successful blog.

Elise's blog is much more personal.  She blogs about goals and challenges and motivation and being creative.  She shares pieces of her daily life with her baby girl and Navy doctor husband.  When I read her posts, I feel like I'm catching up with a pal.

Go check out these blogs; you'll love 'em.


Number Two.  Erin and I started Project Life last year.  (Later, I got a few more pals on board).  What it PL, you ask?  In her own words, creator Becky Higgens writes, "Project Life® is an ultra-simple, über-stylish solution for getting your photos off your phone and computer, out of boxes, and into albums."   It's about printing your everyday photos, adding embellishments, and some text, and slipping them into pockets,  It's the easiest scrapbook ever.  And it's kind of addicting.  And with reference to Number One, there are bloggers who just blog about Project Life... *hearts in eyes*. 

More about PL here: http://beckyhiggins.com/project-life/

Here's an example of a layout from Tracey at the single girl's scrapbook. She rocks Project Life. Go check out her work and fall in love.

Number Three. When I drive to work, it's dark and when I drive home from work it's dark.  I know, I know.  There could be worse problems in my life. It just makes it hard to take outfit photos.

M is probably thinking that this is a list of excuses, or Johns as gamers like to call them, but it's not.  Think of it more as an explanation to the question: where has Meg gone?! 

I'm going to try harder in 2015.  I still love reading a good book, and creating a good outfit.  I make up random style challenges for myself - and succeed at them :)

Come back soon; I'll be around. Promise.
♥ Meg xoxo

True North Strong and Free

Happy belated Canada Day :) M and I celebrated in the nation's capital.  Decked out in [matching] red and white, we celebrated all day and all night long.  The fireworks were the best I've ever seen; it was like a finale the entire time.

Tank top and t-shirt: Old Navy // 

Tank top, shorts, flip flops; Old Navy // Purse: Target // Tattoo: Dollarama //

Shoes: Converse // Shorts: Bluenotes //

I hope you enjoyed your Canada Day (/Fourth of July) festivities as much as I did. 

♥ Meg xoxo

Book hangover

Pictures on Pinterest lead me to believe that I've been suffering from a book hangover. A book hangover is defined as the "inability to start a new book because you're still living in the last book's world." After I binge-read Dark Places, I started and stopped reading two or three books because I couldn't get into them. Don't worry; I have been wearing fancy / eclectic / creative outfits though ;) I just haven't had a book around. . .

Stay tuned for an outfit post.  It's on its way.
♥ Meg xoxo

Bits and pieces of Christmas hols

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, pals :)

This Christmas season there was lots of cheer, snow, and time with loved ones. Here are some bits and pieces of my Christmas holidays.

The last day of school before Christmas break was "Dress Like an Elf Day". I jingled and jangled my way through the halls. 

My birthday happened on the same day as an ice storm. We had to wear boots to go out dancing. 

Dress: Anthropologie // 

My Christmas Eve dress had deer on it.  I snagged this beauty on sale at Anthro last year after Christmas ... and then waited a year to wear it. It was paired with a warm sweater and winter boots because of the snow.  So stylish ;) 

M and I went to NYC for NYE to watch the ball drop in Times Square.  It was insane.  

Sweater dress: Jessica Simpson at Marshall's // 

We also ate pizza and drank Snapple while we were there. 

I'm currently flipping through Elsie and Emma's A Beautiful Mess photo book, and loving Orange is the New Black. 

2013 was a good year, filled with many adventures.  Looking forward to the ones in store for me in 2014 :)

♥ Meg xoxo

The Windy City

M and I took a road trip to the Windy City, the Second City, the home of the Cubs, Bulls, Sox, Hawks, and Bears. . . none other than Chicago.  It was an awesome adventure.  We saw the sights, ate great food, and had a fab time overall.  These pics are all taken in the city's very cool Millennium Park.

Dress: Forever XXI // Purse: Urban Outfitters // Moccasins: Minnetonka //

Dress: Forever XXI // Purse: Urban Outfitters // Moccasins: Minnetonka //

Here I am, in front of "The Bean." This giant, chrome, jelly bean-esque statue is by Anish Kapoor, and is actually called, "Cloud Gate."  Tourists like taking photos of themselves in it.  M and I were no exceptions.  (Look closely and see if you can find M taking my picture.)

Moccasins: Minnetonka // 

Dress: Forever XXI // Purse: Urban Outfitters // Moccasins: Minnetonka //

Here I am posing with one of Jun Kaneko's tanukis- a creepy looking pig-dog* trickster with polka dots :)

  

Dress: Forever XXI // Purse: Urban Outfitters // Coat: can't remember; it's super old //

It started raining.  I went to play in the Crown Fountain nonetheless.  It's a video sculpture/ fountain, I guess.  There are different faces projected on the fountain that seem to spit water into it. I frolicked.  Maybe a little too much.  But, who's to say how much is too much?

My maxi dress was great to tour around in.  It was flowy and comfy.  It was tied in a knot when it got hot out, and dried out nicely after I sat in a puddle.

Millennium Park is like a free outdoor art museum.  Check it out if you're ever in Chicago.
♥ Meg xoxo

*This is the technical name, made up by M. 

Knee sockin' it

The weather's been a little tricky these past days in my area of the world.  It was hot, sunny summer one day... then cool, rainy spring the next.  I want to wear summer dresses, but don't want to wear tights.  What's a girl to wear? Knee socks.

Dress: Old Navy // Cardigan: thrifted A&F // Belt: borrowed from another dress//

Be prepared for strange looks and a series of questions, if you choose to pair knee socks with booties and a girly dress.  Just own your look.  That's the idea I went with today.  :)

Socks: Topshop// Booties: Burlington Coat Factory // 

These socks are sort of woolly and sort of slouchy. They served their purpose beautifully; they could keep my legs warm(-ish) if it got chilly, or could get pushed down if it got warm out.  Oh. And I think they look cool.

Mini Diana: Amazon.com //

Step aside for a moment, knee socks.

I'm pleased to introduce my newest love, and frequent accessory: Lady.  Lady is a Mini-Diana lomography camera.  She uses film, that I loaded myself.  She takes 36 beautifully imperfect pictures per roll.  And she has to have her pictures developed when the roll of film is done. I'm in love.  Maybe I'll share developed pictures when the first roll is done.  Hopefully I did okay.

This summer, I'm looking forward to dresses without socks and work-appropriate cardigans.
What are you looking forward to?
♥ Meg xoxo

BlogLovin' ♥

Hey Pals,

All of my blogs are gone from GoogleReader.  tear*  I thought I'd hop on the BlogLovin love train... Follow me if you please! Just press the little button on the right sidebar.

♥ Meg xoxo

Beachy memories...

Whenever I went camping in the summer as a child, I would inevitably wear my shoes in the river or pond and be stuck wearing boots for the rest of my trip.  I mean, there was something about searching in wet areas for bugs or fish; pretty rocks or shells; driftwood or fossils, that I loved. 

Dress: UO or Anthro // Cardigan: Old Navy //

At the beach today, I found myself rocking [cowboy] boots... while searching near the water's edge for any signs of life. As I hitched up my long, flimsy dress, and bent down to look in the water, I was transported back to my childhood. I had traded my two long braids and rubber boots, for one side-braid and cowboy boots, but I still felt a huge sense of wonder.  What was I hoping to find in the murky bay water?

Boots: Target // 

I still love this kind of rocky beach.  I mean, don't get me wrong, I like sandy beaches in the summer. But, there is something cool about looking through all of the rocks, driftwood, and other treasures in the dunes.  I used to come home from summer camp with my pockets filled with special rocks and pieces of wood that I loved.  There's this one photo of me, taken at Brownie camp, with both of my shoelaces untied, arms and hands laden with nature's gifts. Sometimes, at a beach like this one, I'm still that 6 year old girl looking for beauties to bring home.

Boots: Target // Dress: UO or Anthro // Cardigan: Old Navy // Necklace: Tiffany's //

Go out and discover nature today.  Remember what it was like to be amazed by the smallest things.  And remember to wear your boots when exploring the great unknown.

I'm on my way...

♥ Meg xoxo

New Boots :)

I got new boots. Hurray :) They are the exact same as my old green ones, but they're aubergine. That's a fancy way to say purple.  (Shout out to Children's book readers of Fancy Nancy)

Boots: Tretorn // Jeans: Winner's // Coat: Old Navy //

Taking a walk on the wild side... on a little wall on the top of the escarpment.

Boots: Tretorn // Socks: university book store //

At a maple sugar festival with M.  He hates cold weather, so he was a total champ for taking me to this.  I love him as much as maple.

Boots: Tretorn // Socks: Claire's // Pants: lululemon // Skirt: Hot Topic //

Aaand... St Patrick's Day. These boots came into a handful of pubs for the festivities. :) 

I know it's spring for a lot of the blogosphere, but in my neck of the woods boots are still required. I'll be livin' it up for a few more weeks in these beauties. 

♥ Meg xoxo

Whoops...

SO sorry for being AWOL for a week.  It was a total accident. I was busy making crafts, celebrating birthdays, and going to cheer on the Lakers.  And I started reading like three books at once, and haven't finished any of them yet!  I promise I'll write about them soon.

♥ Meg xoxo

Love for days for Mr. Bryant and Mr. Nash.  Not so much for Mr. Howard aka the Dwightmare. 

White Christmas!

SNOW !  When anyone asked me what I wanted for my birthday or for Christmas, I told them "SNOW".   It came a few days late, but I got my wish.  I am the happiest girl in the world.

Dude, where's my car? haha. 

My little car was a warrior in the blizzard.  Two words: snow tires.

Coat: National Sports // Snowpants: Tag // Shovel: Canadian Tire //

A Purolator truck got stuck on my street this morning. I helped by shoveling a path in the street in front of my house.

Christmas decorations.

I hope that you had a lovely Christmas with friends and family. I sure did.  :) I'm continuing my holiday celebrations today with more friends and family who live far away, who I haven't seen in months.  So happy.

♥ Meg xoxo

Let it snow!

Woo hoo...  It finally snowed. I was thrilled. Not everyone shared my joy. (Especially not M, hater of all things cold weather related.)

Coat: Costa Blanca // Jeans: Winner's // Boots: Tretorn at Little Burgundy //

In fact, I was so thrilled that I made footprints around the parking lot with A, and didn't take a picture of the rest of my outfit. Oops.

It rained a little while after this, and rained some more today. I was sad to see the snow go -- I didn't even get to go tobogganing. Next snowfall, my toboggan and I have a date.

♥ Meg xoxo

Branching out...

This past weekend M and I went on a hike at a nearby conservation area.  The forest was beautiful in its autumn colours. Unfortunately, I didn't bring a book along with me. . .

Jacket: Old Navy // Hoodie and long shirt: Forever XXI // Tights: TAG // Finger-less gloves: crocheted by Mum //

My helpful photographer instructed me to "look like you're looking!".  Confused, I pulled out this pose:

Helpful M even suggested that I should write his idea on the blog. Ta da. :P

my shoes: Winner's // M's: Nike? 

Here are some pretty shots of the forest :)

A babbling brook. 

I like these declarations of love on the trees. 

I loved the fresh air, the crunchy leaves, and my rosy red cheeks.  

♥ Meg xoxo

Road trippin'

Oh hey friends.

A rainy drive. We had sweet tunes, though, so don't worry.

I was on a road-trip this past weekend with my mom, for a little shopping and girl time. We had so much fun together.

New trend alert. Socks and flip flops.

It was so warm and sunny out when we left home, so I only packed flip flops. When we got there, it was practically winter. Solution: wear a pair of Mum's socks with my flip flops. So stylish, I know. 

I have loads of library books to finish reading, and loads more outfits to create. Looking forward to sharing both with you!

♥ Meg xoxo

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

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).