dark desires

I have been dying to get a cozy sweater dress that I can just lounge around in and  also dress up for a day out. So, when I saw this Zara one on Boxing Day, it's safe to say that I was ecstatic.

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checkmate

It feels like it's been centuries since I last updated this blog, when in reality it's been just one really rollercoaster week. But nevertheless, I am back! And with Halloween coming up, the blog posts are bound to keep on coming.

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für elise

I do not kid when I say that I get the worst anxiety when it comes to singing in front of anyone that is not myself. Yesterday was the Mainstage auditions and sadly, it was time to face my fears. While I'm glad that it's over and done with, I'm still a bit too shaken up to reminisce about it. At least one of my best friends bought me Starbucks to make me feel better. Friends and coffee are great.

Ever since fur has been coming back (with a vengeance), I have not been able to get it out of my head. This summer I finally succumbed and bought a fur vest (don't freak it's not real) while in New York, and I've been patiently waiting for it to get cold enough to wear it. Yesterday was the perfect day, with a breeze yet no rain in the forecast, and I went for a classic look to go with the fur vest. You can't go wrong with a basic white shirt, black jeans, and ankle booties combo. Layered necklaces add a cool feel, yet it still leaves the fur to be a standout item.

This fur is indescribably soft and seriously matches with my hair. Perfect.

I apologize for the blurry picture, but these boots are just too cute.

Just cheesin' (please don't make fun of me).

OUTFIT INFO: 

White t-shirt: Topshop (x)
Fur vest: Zara (x)
Jewel necklace: Topshop
Crystal necklace: Urban Outfitters (x)
Black skinny jeans: American Eagle (x)
Ankle boots: Topshop (x)

it's a metaphor

I have never been the type of person to dress well for the occasion. 99% of the time, I end up being waaay overdressed. That includes yesterday. One of my friends had (surprisingly) never been to Lynn Canyon before. As a kid who had spent numerous summer camp days there, I immediately made plans with her and a few others to go there as soon as we were all free (aka yesterday). We bought some Subway sandwiches, and one of my good friends, Elle, treated us to DQ smoothies (godbless having friends with good connections). The trip getting there is incredibly long (bus, seabus, then bus again) and tedious, but it is nothing compared to climbing over rocks and such just to get to a nice spot to eat lunch. After a (not-so) brief struggle across the rocks and water, we relaxed for a while in front of an amazing view, just eating and talking. Thankfully, taking pics on the rocks weren't as hard as getting there, and once we were done, it was almost the evening and we decided to take the trail back to the bridge. The view from the Suspension Bridge really is quite wondrous; it's not the best for those with a fear of heights, but if you can handle it, the view is worth it.

Like I mentioned, I hardly dress for the right occasion. Somehow, my mind convinces me that "Yes, Maika, you can hike just fine in Doc Martens boots!" or "No, the floppy hat is not gonna be that hard to hold on to at all while you climb rocks!" Every time, I realize how wrong I was, yet I still can't seem to dress right for a day out in nature. Anyways, I got this, what I like to call, ironic white t-shirt at Zara and just fell in love with the humour (that no one else seems to get and/or appreciate except for me. Go figure.). I paired it with my black shorts for, yet another, monochrome look, and added a pop of colour with my red flannel, which I wore once it got cold, but otherwise just tied around my waist. The floppy hat has now become a permanent part of my head it seems (it doesn't help that when I do take it off, I get the worst case of hat hair). Lastly, while my Doc Martens made the trudge through the rocks a million times more difficult, the tough edge it added to my look was so worth it.

I am actually so in love with this shirt. To me, it's kind of like an effortless irony. It's a step above the basic white tee, especially because it's somewhat mocking the tee! I swear, every friend that I have worn this t-shirt with has said the same thing: either a) "I don't get it." or b) "It's not funny." Oh well. I still laugh at it every time.

Remember when I mentioned that we got DQ smoothies for a good price? Yeah, well here's our little guardian angel, Ellenor Dolores Davie (I hope I spelled that right and I hope that she doesn't kill me for using her full name. I love you, Elle). While I was taking my hundreds of pictures on the rocks, Elle came by and took some pics of her own as well as delivered me my shoes. Here's us doing a "Squad" pic.

Here's a few pictures of our view whilst we ate. Definitely worth slipping on rocks and the freezing cold water.

Don't look down!

OUTFIT INFO: 

Hat: Brandy Melville
Plaid: TNA / Aritzia (similar)
Shirt: Zara
Necklace: Urban Outfitters
Shorts: Hot Topic (similar)
Watch: American Apparel
Shoes: Doc Martens

spotted

In September, Vancouver weather tends to be the most annoying thing on the face of the Earth. Why? Well, in the early morning, the weather starts off quite chilly but somehow, by the afternoon it suddenly becomes sweltering hot, only for it to be freezing in just another few hours. Basically, the weather goes from frostbite-worthy, to the face of the sun, to the sub-Arctic. Every. Single. Day. Sadly, yesterday was no exception. I went to go meet up with one of my friends, whom I hardly ever get to see, for a nice catch-up day in Downtown. We strolled, gossiped, and went to Cafe Crepe and one of my favourite cafes, Faubourg Paris. When the sun was starting to set, we skytrained to Canada Place, for some more strolling and gossiping. As you would expect, just as the sky was painted by the most beautiful colours, our legs were in danger of getting frostbite, and that's when we decide to trek on home, whilst cursing the Vancouver weather.

 

Anyone that knows me pretty well, or basically even sees me quite often, can probably tell that I love monochrome outfits. There's something so classic and interesting about pairing an entire outfit, head-to-toe in the two most basic shades (and don't get me started with how much I love adding just a pop of colour into it, sigh). That's why black-and-white patterned clothing articles excite me so much. They make monochrome outfits so much more interesting and add a layer of dimension in my opinion. When I saw this shirt at Topshop, it truly was love at first sight. I decided to make the most of the (briefly) warm weather and paired this patterned shirt with my black shorts and black boots to make a monochrome outfit. Of course, for the pop of colour I just put on a statement necklace (a must-have in anyone's wardrobe. Seriously. It'll come in handy), and wore my Kate Spade bag. In total, I used a total of two shades and one colour for the entire outfit (if you ignore the gold in the necklace). Love it.

Here's a close-up of both my shirt and my necklace. Wow, double whammy!

Fun fact: one of my closest friends, who has taken 90% of all the pictures on this blog, took her dog out yesterday during our little mini shoot. Her name is Coco and she may just be the cutest thing I have ever seen.

OUTFIT INFO:

Shirt: Topshop
Shorts: Hot Topic (I think????)
Necklace: Topshop
Bracelet: Brandy Melville
Watch: American Apparel
Bag: Kate Spade
Shoes: Topshop

lovelace

Despite the title being clearly the last name of an adult film star, this outfit is not the least bit racy, do not fret. Once in a blue moon comes a day where I feel like not being an asshole but like being just a slightly bit generous; yesterday was one of those days. One of my closest friends had been feeling under the weather for quite a while and I decided to be Superwoman for a day and deliver her ice cream and chocolate (where's my Nobel Peace Prize?). After I returned home, I met up with my other friend, and we did what we do best: watch Maury. Honestly, it's so entertaining, you can't deny it (like a family where the guy cheats on his wife with her sister and he's the father?! Priceless.). Later on, after she left, I once again met up with another friend (it was also one of those rare days where people actually wanted to see me!1!1!!) and we went to a cute little cafe not too far from where I lived called Cafe Joie. We shot there and bought some macaroons, and of course, took pictures of the macaroons. I mean c'mon, if you went to a cafe but didn't take pictures of the macaroons, did you really go to a cafe? 

There is nothing I love more than wearing a monochromatic outfit. Seriously. I find you can never go wrong with such classic colours, and I love how there are endless ways you can create a monochromatic outfit. You can play with textures (hence the lace shorts), and patterns (my jacket), and it can all be tied in with basics (my shirt and booties) as well as you can add a pop of colour (my bag). So easy, yet always so nice. Love it.

Here, have a close-up of my jewelry (which I wear religiously) and my patterns!

I am not exaggerating when I say that I live in these boots. It's only been about a year since I first got them and it literally looks like I've trekked to hell and back. Oh well, they're classic and cute. Ankle booties are life.

Here, have a picture of the macaroons we ate!

OUTFIT INFO: 

Jacket: Topshop
Shirt: Oak and Fort
Shorts: Urban Outfitters
Necklace: Urban Outfitters
Skull Bracelet: Brandy Melville
Watch: American Apparel
Rings: Eye & Band - Topshop
            Jewel - Grandmother's
Bag: Kate Spade
Shoes: Topshop