mad for plaid & other tales

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well, February certainly came in like a lion!

I know that's not the saying, but it works here. the end of January was uncharacteristically hustle-and-bustle-y; live music and board game nights and basketball games. lots of frantic fun! and the weather certainly has been weathering.

...oh god am I 45?

sometimes I feel like I am. and what's the best way to combat feeling old? dress like you're in junior high school! with preppy plaid and lace-up booties.

man, I am the BEST at segues! 

dress- Modcloth // shirt- American Apparel // tights- Joe Fresh // boots- Chelsea Crew via Modcloth

you guys, plaid is my favourite thing. like, not just my favourite pattern; I think it may be my favourite thing, ever. right up there with Netflix and gluten. 

I got two new plaid dresses recently and I still look at my closet and think "there needs to be more tartan in here." 

thankfully this dress I received for Christmas is just about the most positively prepossessing presentation of plaid perfection you could possibly picture! I love the shades of burgundy and navy, and the cute details like cut-outs and black trim. I think it gives it a little modern edge, especially when you pair it with sultry makeup and leopard-print tights. take that, 12-year-olds!

I call this last photo "Pensive Precaution" or, "February, Don't Go Breakin' My Heart."

cause let's face it, February is no picnic. Valentine's Day? please. that's not a real holiday. it's just cold, boring, February. which is why it's the best month to plan a vacation! 

that's right, I'm finally going to Florida. Miami, Palm trees, Disney World, sunshine, and all that good stuff. I'm not one to wish time away, but I cannot wait. you guys, I'm gonna meet Mickey Mouse. and ride in the little tea cups. and lie on the beach. all in dumb ol' February!

it may have come in like a lion, it's going out like a sweet little lamb. :D

FULL CIRCLE. 

everything is awesome

well, the 2015 blogging year is off to a great start, isn't it?!

where does the time go? even as I type this, I'm sitting in a slowly darkening room, tired and frazzled, wondering if they've started secretly reducing the number of hours in a day and I am the only one who's noticed. 

who "they" would be, I have no idea. the time police? the government? alien overlords? probably the government.

but I think perhaps it's just that I am spectacularly bad at time management and value naps above human interaction. 

(human interaction- who needs it! I have a cat who supports my laziness and sleeps on or near me at all times. she loves me unconditionally! I don't need you, real world!) 

dress- gift, Modcloth // cardigan- H&M // boots- gift, Chelsea Crew via Modcloth // tights- American Apparel

in all honesty though, the real world is what has been keeping me from the interweb. January thus far has been a hectic and lovely mix of babysitting, bakeries, beers, books, trip-planning, movie-watching, and Friends. 

the tv show, not the real thing. because now all ten seasons are on Netflix so my real friends have been expecting me to become a recluse. 

amidst all that I often wear clothes such as the ones pictured, a fact I somehow imagine you would be interested in. so enjoy these gratuitous pictures of me- "gpoms," if you will- and feel free to use my life as a template of how to live mediocrely. 

...just kidding, my life's kind of awesome.

disclaimer: if I seem especially disjointed, sassy, or ridiculous in this post, I blame Mindy Kaling, whose book I've finally gotten around to reading, and whose humour and affability I've obviously, subconsciously and very poorly, attempted to emulate here. my soul is pining to be more like Mindy.

Christmastime is here again

you guys, it's almost heeeere!

it's Christmas Eve- Eve, or as we like to call it in Newfie-land, Tibb's Eve! one of the best days of the year, in my humble (yet glaringly obvious) opinion. 

I'm spending it lying on my amazingly soft living room rug (seriously, Ikea, is this made of baby Koala fur?! don't tell me, because I would still love it.), listening to Bing Crosby's Christmas record, and doing nothing except marvel at Christmas lights & how incredibly blessed I am. 

and later Imma have a glass or two of wine, because it wouldn't be Tibb's Eve without a little imbibe, don't ya know. 

dress- American Eagle // shirt- Walmart // boots- Seychelles via Modcloth // gold belt- Smart Set

every year Christmas seems to come a little quicker. 

am I getting old? of course not. silly question. 

but I do tend to notice at the last minute- when all important things get noticed- that my holiday outfit selection is rather slim! but that's ok. I quite like a challenge once in a while. and trying to dress "Christmasy" without snowflake prints or an abundance of red items can kind of be considered a challenge.

one that I met with a plaid-and-lace combo that I've been rockin' all week. and red lipstick. always. 

Merry almost Christmas from a couple of excited, over-grown children!
(that's us.)

little bit of this, little bit of that

you guys, it's December!

December. the happiest month of them all!

although you'd never guess it was "let it snow" season with the mild weather here. and no, I'm not complaining. it's just weird to go outside in December wearing only a light sweater.

well...and bottoms, of course. and shoes and stuff. I'm not a total nutbag.

skirt- Zara // top- H&M // jacket- Modcloth // scarf- American Apparel // sunglasses- Urban Outfitters

I call this outfit "season confusion" because it looks like springtime and feels like fall. 

this scarf is majorly cozy. 

this may be the last of my flowery pastels for a while, because now it's time to dress for Christmas! so winter, even if it isn't. quite. yet. is it winter? I know technically winter is on Dec. 21st, but come on. December should be winter.

are you guys ready for this?  

hey, who's that totally cool chick with the heart-shaped glasses?

oh, I dunno. just someone. 

23 short days till Christmas! can you believe it? I've already got most of my shopping and gift-wrapping done; that's what happens when you have to mail everything to a different country. but I feel like that just spreads out the holiday cheer a little longer! this Christmas might be the chillest one yet. 

tomorrow, though, will probably be crazy. we're going to check out the tree lighting at Rockefeller Centre. crowds much? 

my goal is to get out of there without punching a child in the face. 

those little buggers hog all the Christmasy goodness. 

I WANNA PET THE REINDEER TOO, KID. 

it's not my fault I'm 27. time is a cruel mistress. 

thank you for being a friend!

happy Thanksgiving, y'all!

hope you are having a wonderful day spent with the ones you are most grateful for. ♥

I will be spending it with the most incredible family that has graciously taken us in and consented to teach us silly Canadians the ways of their country. 

that country being Peru, of course. 

I'm thankful for empanadas. 

dress- gift // shirt- Urban Outfitters // boots- fr. a Calgary cowboy shop, of course // bag- Aldo

other things I'm thankful for on this happy holiday: teal cowboy boots, peter pan collars, and the fact that my bangs do not always look this disheveled. 

...again, happy turkey day! 

hello, it's me again!

well, there go two weeks of my life! woosh!

it's been a while since I've visited the ol' blogosphere. how've you all been?

this long break from blogging was unintentional, but kind of necessary. these past two weeks have been insanely hectic, with birthdays and visitors and new routines, and I needed (and possibly still need) some time to get back in the swing of things. when all is said and done, sleep and real life win out over the internet!

I know, I know, what am I saying. I can hardly believe it myself. I've become a person who goes to bed before midnight and makes responsible, time-conscious decisions. and they said I'd never grow up!

before all this craziness, NYC still hadn't made up its mind on whether autumn should turn into summer or winter; one day it was cozy scarf weather, the next it was too warm for a jacket. it has since decided and winter is the verdict. the cold has come to stay. this outfit was one for those unseasonably warm autumn days, when the only element I had to contend with was the fickle wind. short sleeves in October, what even??

shirt- Modcloth // skirt- Bettie Page // tights- HUE // flats- H&M // bag- vintage

not the most striking photos, but it's something. beats two weeks of silence, right? RIGHT???

...guys?

not to fret- I've been planning lots of fun things for you while on hiatus. Brando and I went to Washington, DC for the first time to celebrate his birthday, and the pictures are glorious (if I do say so myself!). and with the holiday season fast approaching you just know I'm planning to shamelessly bombard you with all things Christmas. it's what I do. you'll love it.

so stay tuned ladies and gents! (are there gents reading this? for that matter, are there ladies? don't leave me!)

autumn musings

time for the obligatory fall goodness blog post.

this past weekend Brando, a couple friends, and I voyaged to the mysterious land they call New Jersey, to a little farm that offered pumpkin-picking and other stereotypical fall festivities. we found pumpkins to carve, ate apple cider donuts, and of course took many obligatory "I'm so into autumn!" pictures.

I've been feeling sick all week, but I've had the memories of the weekend to brighten my spirits.

I know that's really cheesy, but as the month draws to a close it's nice to know I did at least one memorable, autumnal thing!

(click "read more" for full post!)

keep your cool

holla bloggerinos, it's the weekend! time for doing laundry and eating cheeseburgers and watching The Walking Dead. it's a strange and magical time of the week. I hope you are all enjoying it.

t-shirt- gift // jacket + shorts- Modcloth // boots + bag(gift)- Aldo // sunnies- Urban Outfitters

don't lie, you know this shirt is amazing and you wish you had one yourself. 

I could add several things to this accurate list... like bread. pizza. burritos. beef jerky. depending on my mood, just about anything could make this list. #truth.

this is my interpretation of "casual cool." I always find myself longing to be the type of effortless chic that looks killer in slouchy tops or boyfriend jeans. unfortunately I seem to wind up more frumpy than fab, hence the tendency to stick with full skirts and waist-cinching dresses. but here I am, wearing a t-shirt and shorts and feeling pretty darn good about it! all cool 'n stuff, right down to the heart-shaped shades. 

...what a masterful piece of writing this post was. 

oh well. whatever keeps you coming back. (if you even are coming back..)

stay cool, kittens. happy weekend. xo

rain don't change the sun

sometimes just choosing to be happy is the easiest way to get there. 

I've been feeling sort of blue lately and I can't put my finger on why. that's just life, I guess. but mind over matter, as they say. 

it also really helps if you see an awesome movie, find new music that makes your heart swell, and get a sweet deal on a pretty new dress! 

dress- via Pema // cardigan- Walmart // belt- random closing-day sale in Brooklyn // oxford heels- Seychelles (old)

the dress? from this store I found in Williamsburg that I think I'm in love with. they have a million pairs of Chelsea Crew boots.

the awesome movie? St. Vincent, with Bill effin' Murray. it's so good, you guys. it's heartfelt and hilarious and really, really fun. Brando almost cried, so it's obviously an emotional masterpiece. 

new music? well, that played a big part in uplifting my mood. obviously the fates have conspired to brighten my spirits. 

thank you, fates. thank you, Delta Rae. and of course thank you, Bill Murray.

I found a good woman, I found a job that pays
the tide comes in, I watch it all wash away
but I'm keeping it steady, that's just how I was raised
head held up, walking tall into each breaking wave

'cause the devil's in the details and he's taking his toll
sending good men down the foot trails of some lost lonely souls

and I say oh, oh
rain don’t change the sun
jealous is the night when the morning comes
but it always comes

so I'm working the graveyard, I don’t sleep till it's light
ain't calling in favors, I can't swallow my pride
and the bank's on a mission, they want to read me my rights
but they ever show up around here they're going to be in for a fight

'cause the devil's in my hometown and I ain't telling him no
'cause it’s my family, it's my love now, that I'm scared to let go

and I say oh, oh
rain don’t change the sun
jealous is the night when the morning comes
but it always comes

followed the track of my needle
tried to be good to my people
so why's there no peace?
no break, no relief

can I be blamed if I'm angry?
can I be saved if I'm barely clinging to hope?
I'm clinging to hope

it always rains down on us
and like an old dog lying by a new gravestone
it's still our home
it's still our home

so if you ever feel like you are alone
after the night, the morning comes
♥