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

pastel dream

Even though the weather is still warm in Vancouver, the fact that it's September immediately puts my brain into "Fall-mode," leaving me stumped on what to wear on these hot-weather days. Yesterday it was cooler than the past week, but sadly still way too warm for jeans and basic layering. I started off the day by going with my friend to Metrotown so I could pick up an album I ordered (the Guardians of the Galaxy Deluxe Soundtrack. P.S. it's bomb as heck), and ended up accidentally getting a second album for free (I got the Black Keys album. My change was supposed to be $10, but I got $20. Score). We "celebrated" the good luck by going to Cafe Joie for a quick drink and snack before taking shots. After the pics, I went to go meet up with my parents downtown, where we tried to shop for cameras (and failed, we'll try again next week), and ended up at Faubourg Paris. Seriously, at this rate they should have my face somewhere in the cafe, I go there way too much. Anyways,, we went home, and ended up watching an excellent documentary called Terms and Conditions May Apply as well as we started the Sherlock series. I know, I'm a bit behind, but with a show where new episodes come out pretty much once a year, I don't think it's ever too late to start Sherlock (PS, I totally get the hype now, it's amazing).

Like I mentioned earlier, I was quite stumped yesterday morning when I realized it was too warm to layer. This meant I had to search through all my shorts and desperately come up with an idea for what to wear. Thankfully, these gems protruded from the depths of my closet and gave me a great idea for a pastel-based look. I usually pair these flower shorts with a black shirt and statement necklace, but this time I tried to find little elements that wouldn't toughen it up but instead match it's soft look. The pink blazer matched the flowers, as did the pastel bag, and the white just adds a light feel to the whole look. Of course, I had to go with heels since I'm weirdly obsessed with making myself look taller 24/7, and went with these sandals that I've thankfully broken into. No need for those band-aids anymore, yes!

I remember the day my mom and I found these necklaces at Topshop. We spent a few good minutes scouring the jewelry section, to finally find the pair that came with an "M." It was definitely worth the hunt.

Fun fact: I first laid my eyes on these shorts about 2 years ago, I think at Aritzia and they were waay overpriced. My heart broke as each time I would come into the store, they would just hang there, taunting me with it's cuteness and expensive price tag. Fortunately, that year at the Aritzia Warehouse Sale, I found these shorts for, I think about 1/4 of the original price and in my size! I think that was the day I learned that patience is a virtue.

P.S. I apologize for the blurriness. I just had to post this because I love these shoes so much.

 Here's a close-up of my jewelry! To be honest, what else is new.

Here's a quick pic of the outside of Cafe Joie. It's small but really cute and the food's pretty good. Plus it's actually not that far from where I live. Finally, a cafe I don't have to travel through the seven wonders for.

OUTFIT INFO: 

Blazer: Aritzia
Shirt: Topshop
Shorts: Aritzia
Necklace: Topshop
Belt: Forever 21
Bag: Kate Spade
Watch: American Apparel 
Sandals: Madewell (similar)

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

only by the night

It's a shame when you pick out an outfit you kinda really like but don't have anywhere really nice to go to. What was supposed to have been just a "t-shirt and shorts" kind of day escalated into a look that I could easily wear for an entire day of exploring and shopping. Oh well. Today (it is currently 12:00 pm as I write this and I do still consider it Wednesday) was, what my friends and I call, Game Day: an entire day spent playing board games and card games. Being an extremely competitive person this is both the best and worst way to spend the day. Best, as I love playing different games, they're so fun and I never really had the chance to do so as a kid since I'm an only child, but also the worst since last time we had one of these days I think I lost 5 years off my life after a really heated round of Taboo. Anyways, today was strictly dedicated to Cards Against Humanity. I have quite an offensive sense of humour so to say I was pretty excited to play this would be an understatement. It certainly did not disappoint! I would say it is more fun to play that in a somewhat smaller environment, but it is highly entertaining no matter what. I do wish I could write out some of the jokes on here, but there is a reason the card game is not sold in Canada (I'm 99.9% that I'm going to go to hell after some of the answers I gave during one of the rounds).

Side note: I'm incredibly indecisive hence the reason for so many pictures on this post! I apologize about that. Anyways, moving on, while I do admit that I'm not a die-hard Kings of Leon fan, I do like their album, Only by the Night, and frankly, I just really like this shirt. One of my favourite Youtubers, clothesencounters (Jenn Im), has stated before that she prefers not to wear band tees of bands that she doesn't listen to, and for the most part I do as well... this just happens to be the small, slight exception. Oh well, I hope I don't get too much hate for it. I need to stop getting sidetracked, like I mentioned earlier, I planned for a simple shirts and shorts day, but for some reason once I grabbed the Kings of Leon t-shirt (which I surprisingly hadn't worn in months), this entire outfit just came to mind. High-waisted shorts can be quite uncomfortable but more than make up for it by how cute it looks.

I pair my gold chain necklace with almost any shirt that it doesn't clash with since I feel it gives any outfit a little bit of "umph.

I remember I got this shirt way, way back when I used to shop at Hot Topic. I admit I have outgrown their initial style and look and everything (we don't talk about grade 7 me. We. Don't. Talk. About. It.), but I will still say that if you're looking for a band tee, some of their choices aren't bad. Nowadays, I find that I rarely ever by band tees unless I am a) a die-hard fan, and b) the design is cute, but if you're just in need for a band tee of any sort, I 100% guarantee that Hot Topic will have at least one shirt that you will like.

 I have wanted Doc Martens since the beginning of time and the day I bought my first pair was one of the greatest days of my life. Surprisingly, it didn't take too long for me to break them in, but then again I've been told I have "gremlin feet" (I swear they're not that small).

  Lastly, a floppy hat was on my summer wish-list this year, and I'm happy to say that I finally found my dream hat while in New York, and I couldn't just not pair it with this outfit.

OUTFIT INFO: 

Hat: Brandy Melville
Shirt: Hot Topic
Shorts: American Apparel
Boots: Doc Martens
Necklace: Topshop
Watch: American Apparel
Bracelet: Brandy Melville