Needing Change

In my last post I mentioned the need to limit certain fashion exposure in order to get a better mind set on what beauty really is.   And now I feel the need to redefine my style as I'm redefining my life.  

There's something that the beautiful designer, Juliana Giraldo, of MIIKALI said to me that continues to stick in my head.  She confessed that she used to have a lot of clothes, but wasn't always happy with what she had.  It wasn't until she gave a lot of it away and built up her closet with good quality pieces that were representative of her, items that she loved.

Anyone who has met Juliana, knows that she has amazing style.  She always looks beautiful and classy.  

Now for me? I don't know what my style is.  I'm still trying to figure out who I am and what I want, instead of what others expect from me... The style part is something I haven't even thought of until recently.  Through out the program I have gotten rid of more than half of my wardrobe.  Anything that is too small and triggering for symptoms has been donated.  It was hard to give away all so many pretty clothes I had... but slowly I will build it back up again.  

Today I'm off to spend time with good friends and shop.  

It will be a challenge to not get discouraged when size small no longer fits, and I have to upgrade to a larger size.  But I will focus my mind on finding items that I love that will represent who I am... Or at least who I think I am today.

Any advice from fashionistas and friends alike on redefining style is much appreciated.

The Woes of Fashion: II

I love fashion.
But I'm not a fashionista.

At the beginning of my treatment, I was encouraged to look at how the fashion world influences me. 
I was embarassed to admit that the standards of beatuy and body image was highly influencial. 
Being a more curvy and fuller figure woman, it is upsetting to see clothing on mostly thin models. 

I made some choices to limit my exposure to the fashion world.
I just need some time away to grow and develop confidence.

The Woes of Fashion

Reflecting on the last eleven weeks... There has been a startling amount of people with eating disorders who have been (or still) involved in the fashion world.  It's a sad realization that media can have a powerful impact on self-esteem and body image. 

Adrian's Conspiracy

Last night I had the privilege of attending Adrian Wu's Resort 2011 video launch. His dresses were all drool worthy. The talented guys from Cloud in the Sky Studios partnered with Adrian Wu. The video is amazing.


Adrian Wu Resort 2011 from Cloud in the Sky Studios on Vimeo.

More pictures and review to come on Twenty York Street, so be sure to keep checking into www.twentyyork.com

RIP IT!

Recently I had the privilege of attending the I AM FASHION: Rip the Fab Lane as a member of the Twenty York Street team.  The show was fabulous.  The models, beautiful and everyone was so wonderful.  I really had a blast.  One thing about the event that I really loved was the promotion of beauty taking many different forms.   The models ranged from what I would call a size 0 to 10, and they were all beautiful. 

If you don't already follow Twenty York Street and haven't seen my tweets, please go and check out the post that I have written about I AM FASHION at http://www.twentyyork.com/2011/06/i-am-fashion-are-you.html.

Photograph taken by the talented, J of YouGotSquared

Also, since I'm dropping a "promotional post" about articles that I have written.  Check out another one at Twenty York Street on my first photo-shoot experience at http://www.twentyyork.com/2011/06/photoshoot-experience-by-ashelle.html

Photograph taken by, J of YouGotSquared

Most people who know me in "real life", know that I tend to shy away from cameras or make awkward faces and avoid the whole situation.  This photo-shoot with Jose & Marilou was really a personal challenge for myself.  As a part of this whole "healing" and "self-discovery" phase that I'm trying to enter in my life, personal challenges are important right now.  Trying out things that previously scared me and conquering those fears is a little bit empowering.  

This photo-shoot experience hasn't changed my reaction to cameras drastically, but it's all baby steps... right?! 

This & That, Random

End of May.  Already?

It just went by in a blur of events, stress, major changes and a winding down.

The only sense of calm was found in my backyard jungle.
Which in about a month's time went from an all natural swimming pool.

To barren land.

To roaming land.

To fresh hills.

And now it's over growing with plants... Pictures to be loaded.

There is a plan to this landscaping madness.  But right now it's the boring work of fixing some dumb decisions by the previous owners which resulted in the fence becoming warped and massive pools of water accumulating in the middle of the yard with heavy rain.  

Enough ramblings because I want to quickly share two events with anyone who is still reading.

Image from: www.ripthefablane.com 

This past weekend, Marilou of Twenty York Street asked me to come to the "I Am Fashion: Rip the Fab Lane" show with her to help out with the coverage.  I was so pleased and honoured that she asked me to go.  Ever since I saw the post by Marcia B Creative promoting this fashion show, I wanted to go so badly.   To be there as a part of press was just awesome.    

So be sure to check out Twenty York Street throughout the week as our article on Rip the Fab Lane will be posted soon.  If you want a sneak peak of the event, take a look at Jose's pictures at his blog, YouGotSquared.  Jose really has talent with taking photographs.

An upcoming event that I'm volunteering for is the Orleans Festival on June 3 - 4th, in and around the Shenkman Arts Centre and Centrum Boulevard.  It looks like a wonderful and fun event for anyone who loves all forms of art.  There will be exhibitions of art, music, the performing arts and an iron chef competition, just to name a few.  The full schedule can be found on the website at www.orleansfestival.ca or here.  The best part?  All activities and performances are FREE!

ALSO, this non-profit organization gives back to charities, including as the Ottawa Food Bank, Children's Wish Foundation and Orleans-Cumberland Community Resource Centre.

Now the random.

Has anyone seriously heard of a Liger?! I though this beast was that of fiction, only to belong in the movie of Napoleon Dynamite. But my friend insisted today after lunch that it does exist.  Now... I googled to find that there are pictures and even a definition on Wikipedia.  Through my skimming of the information it seems like they are serious.  Thoughts?

Colour Blocking... What?!

What is this thing they call colour blocking?

Colour blocking is a bold and fun statement by layering cololurs. The use of bright accessories is a good way to do this trend. Who knew it could be that easy?  Checking out what fashion bloggers are doing is my favorite way to get inspiration on how to turn runway into street fashion.   Alicia Fashionista did it in a post entitled "and i won't try to fight in your weekend".

Blogger Alicia Fashionista

 Erica Ward did it in a post entitled "spring trends with Erica on Fashion".

Blogger Erica Ward

Thankfully I have Krista in my life to take candid pictures, otherwise my first attempt at colour blocking wouldn't have been captured. 

 An Aldo fix... loving the patterned wedges of this beauty, they are next on my wish list...

{sun glasses & socks - Ardene's, blazer - Stiches, floral tank - Sirens, skinny jeans - Target, shoes - Florida outlet store}

The awesome floral and mustard blazer combo comes from my sister's closet.   As do the sun glasses,  however, I am happy to report that my whining has resulted in her giving them to me. One of the great things about spending days with the family, is being able to raid my sister's closet.  She has an awesome sense of style.  

{image found on Google Search at http://dressesshoesandmore.wordpress.com/2011/02/24/colour-blocking/}

Lessons learned: 1) colour blocking isn't as easy as previously thought and 2) no patterns.  A google search gave me a lot of ideas including some visuals from Vogue 2009.  Is there any beauties out there who have tried colour blocking?  I'd love to see or hear about your experience with this trend.

I Challenge Thee

Morning Beauties,
I'm I the last person on earth to find the awesome shoe collection of Jeffrey Campbell?! At my 4:30, unplanned, wake-up I spent the time between awake and alarm going off, browsing his collection while drooling. I must thank the beautiful Doe Deere for that find. She has cleaned out her closet and has put her feminine & colourful items on eBay, it's great for me because we have the same size in shoes and clothing measurements... Not so great for my credit.

Kay, now to my point of this post. I've been doing some guest blogging for Twenty York Street. One of my posts is a fashion challenge which is super easy, called the Twenty York Street 10x10 Challenge.

I challenge you to this... Umm, challenge. Rules found at 20YS. You can do it over a 10 day span or even "cheat" by playing dress up one afternoon. Just leave a comment here or at 20YS.

Chic and Demure

This Thursday, April 21st an amazing event is happening at the Museum of Nature.  A fashionable tea party to raise money for the Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation.  Recently I did a post on Twenty York Street to get the word out so if you haven't already, check it out.  I'm really excited to be going to report on the Royal ParTea for Twenty York Street.  But of course I have NO CLUE what to wear.  Typical, huh?!  My solution was to send out tweets, and tweet Jeanne Beker herself, who responded: 

 "@loveashelle A chic little suit...

or a demure little dress....

and a hat could be the perfect touch!"

How awesome is Jeanne Beker to tweet back?! Now that I have adequately raided my closet and google "demure dress", I'm still at a lost on what to wear.  Most of the dresses I own are quite short, which doesn't fit the modest description I read for "demure".  So instead of staring at a pile of clothes, I'm going to throw it my dilemma out there to anyone who is out there reading this.

Dress #1: White lace, mini dress from a forgettable discount store

Dress #2: Brown, wrap around dress from Dynamite

Dress #3: Purple patterned puff-mini dress from Urban Behavior

Dress #4: Navy blue with military style buttons, mini dress, gift from Marilou

Dress #5: Cream turtle neck dress from Zara

Dress #6: Pink ruffled mini dress from H & M

Dress #7: Blue with cream lace maxi dress and wool shrug from Forever 21

I apologize for the yellow lighting and phone quality pictures.  It was a super long day with my final exams, appointments, dates with old friends and the all important 5 p.m. power nap.  Let me know if you have any favourites or suggestions on what to wear... I'm totally up for a shopping trip before Thursday and any excuse is a good one.  

Plain Jane Haze

Just posting a quickie.  Today has been crazy busy for me but I've promised myself to do more outfit posts.  I'm no fashionista, but I do adore clothes and pretty things.  Please bare with my crap-tastic camera and impatient photographer (a.k.a. Chris)...

{blazer - thrift / t-shirt - One World Clothing / pants - R&W}

By impatient, I mean not telling me that he was starting to take pictures and wanting to leave after just a few shoots.  Doesn't he realize that non-photogenic people need to have a range of photographs to choose from?? 

I'm beyond relieved that the work week is almost over.  Even if it means a weekend full of studying for my final exam. Lately, I've been feeling the hermit vibe... maybe it's the rainy weather or the end of term.  Whatever the reason, I day dream of comfy clothes and the naps that are to come this weekend.  

{shirt - thrift / sweater vest - Sirens / belt - Ruby X / skirt - thrift / boots - Banana Republic}

Chris should never quit his day job to start a photography career.  

That's all I have left right now... Well I'm sure there is more non-sense ramblings left in me but I will leave you with a shout out to Marilou of 20 York Street.   Be sure to check out her blog, I've done a guest post to announce some exciting news!

The Woes of Fashion

Recently I attended an event which for me, brought out the elephant in the room about the fashion industry. 

The idolization of thinness.

Maybe not everyone desires to be thin like I do, but in the modeling industry being thin still appears to be a must.  One example: Did you know that "high-end fashion models" mean that the model must fit the mold of being tall and underweight?!  This newly acquired information came from a modeling agent that I met.  According to him being a any size over a 24 inch waist, doesn't cut it.  Meeting this agent caused a lot of distress for me, his words and view on beauty cut deep.  Really, he paid no attention to me, nor did I care especially after I heard what he really expected from his models.  Thinness. 

For someone who has struggled with body image issues and has a constant battle with food hearing someone talk about thinness as being a must was hurtful.  This agent had a measuring tape around his neck  the whole night and confessed that it was always there in order to measure when needed.  What broke my heart the most was how the models, who were all very young girls, confessed that being the measurements was the hardest part of modeling. All I could think was about that measuring tape, that it was probably a constant reminder to stay thin.   It's sad and an upsetting situation. Thinking about this, leaves me with so many question and frustration. 

Through out fashion history there has been many evolutions of the ideal body image and even recently there is a subtle shift to more healthy and different body types.  I really hope that attitudes of most people in the fashion industry can and will change to a more healthy view of beauty.  One part of that change must come from us, the consumers and fashionistas.

Colour Bomb

The other night I attended Colour Bomb, which was hosted by Hush and Splendid Events. It was nice to see some familiar faces. I'm not usually good at reviewing events because my descriptions are always too short and not poetic.  It was a nice event, great people, yummy treats and pretty things. Thankfully there are others  who have written better reviews, so check out: LoveK, Tinfoils Tiaras, and The Fashion Keeper.  

The next three photographs have been provided by LoveK.  It's really nice of her to lend me these because apparently my camera becomes shy when it's surrounded by big fancy DSLR and SLR.

 Nikki, Julia {The Fashion Keeper}, Em {Tinfoils Tiaras} and me taken by LoveK

 

 

Sandy {Blush Beads}, Julie {Pop Champange}, Justyna {Chichichic} and LoveK

 

LoveK and me

Warning: Yummy Alert!  Cupcakes were provided by Geek Sweets, everyone at Colour Bomb was raving about how good they were. The next four pictures were taken from the website (www.geeksweets.net).  They are my favorites and just a few of the amazing baked goods created by the talented Jenny. 

 Death by Chocolate

 My Little Famine Pony

{How kick ass is the vampire pony?!.. I'm just waiting for Jenny to make a zombie treat}

Scott Pilgrim Rainbow Cake

Call of Duty (COD): Black Ops Cupcakes

These are the only kind of first person shooter game that I like.  Since moving to Ottawa I feel like I'm the only girl here whose boyfriend has an XBox  love affair.  COD is his drug of choice.  I only hope that Jenny of Geek Sweets decides to do this the next time there's a midnight opening of COD. 

~*~ 

But enough about cupcakes, the event was to show case the pretty items of Blush Beads. Most of the pieces reminded me of when I was little and my family used to visit Kingston to shop along Princess Street.  There were so many "hippy" stores, I adored all the beaded jewelery, hemp accessories and wrap-around clothes. The two pictures below were taken from the website (www.blushbeads.com). Again, they are just some of my favorites.  There are a lot of nice items on the site and everyone should check them out.  Especially you Krista, there are a lot of cluster bead necklaces that remind me of you.

Lunching in London

Perky

A Few Favorites for Spring

When I got my April issue of Flare, the initial thought that went through my head is that I procrastinated long enough on sharing my favorite outfits and style.  I'm loving the whole 70's vibe for spring.

 Style Favorites

  

 Favorite Fashionistas