February Fantasies.

Ok, wow...so I've basically vanished into the rabbit hole for the past month and a half. I've had to keep up with so many things, and have took on a couple of surprises and new beginnings since the last time I was here. But I'm back; resurrected, refined, and ready to go full throttle. 

For me, January felt like the twilight zone; a portal between the past, and the new adventures that were headed my way. I started second semester, met new people, experienced new things, and tried to acquire new perspectives on the world and myself. It was kind of a hermit phase, but a needed one at that. February has been great so far. I turned the big 1-9, legitimately being able to celebrate legality over a birthday week that was filled with coolers, concerts, new friends, and lots and lots of champagne. Lucky for me, my birthday was on reading week so it was a much needed break and cause for chaos.

But now I'm back at school, and I pretty much have no choice but to force myself out of fantasy land, back to whatever semblance of normal there was when I left. However, I will definitely find more downtime to unwind and write about what I've been up to and my side of things, out here on the West Coast. I'm back-up and running. Come join the ride. 

Wearing vintage tweed blazer, H&M silk blouse, Wilfred bandeau, Monk & Lou skirt (unseen in photo), Chanel Camel Purse

* These series of photographs were taken by Keren Delgado. Check her out @ http://kerenmd.tumblr.com/

It's the New Year, love.

For those who thought I fell off the face of the planet, I'm still here, living, breathing, fashionable, and full of ambition for the New Year. Sorry for the delayed post, this winter break was so unbelievably busy I'm still winded and recuperating from it. I feel as though I need an extended vacation to recover from the break I already had.

Never the less, I have only one word to describe the past 3 weeks: EPIC. They have been filled with overwhelming delight, spazmatic tendencies, ultimate highs, unbelievable lows, presents, new sights, wins, losses, and like any monumental vacation, late nights turned into early mornings. My friend from Toronto came to visit, and I got to show her how it's done out here, over in the West Coast. Of course, I shopped so much I'm pretty sure I burned a hole through my wallet, but hey, at least I have a new wardrobe to vouch for it. I'm looking for a new camera as well, so hopefully in the near future there will be posts filled with new outfits. 

New years was an out right RAGER to say the least. Being the new year and all, I think that nothing less is expected (pictures are posted at the end of the post). 2010 was the end of an era for me, the end of my first book, closing it and burning it in order to allow a crisp new memoir to be written. I finished high school with bitter sweet relief, sad to say goodbye to all that I know, but excited to shed the juvenile connotation associated with it. I moved to an entirely new and uncharted city, started working at a new job, and started my first year at university. I met new friends, began new relationships, and started trotting down a fresh new path of self awareness and discovery. I don't know what is to be expected for the new year, although I do have some hopes and aspirations to be fulfilled by the end of it. For one, I hope to gain a higher sense of self in all aspects; thought, character, perspective, and yes, even style. I want to embrace my spirituality and let go of most of the superficial and materialistic qualities I attribute with. I know, quite a touchy subject, seeing as though I am pursuing a career in fashion editorial, however, I believe in a balance, and as long as you can sustain the two polarities, there is always room for acceptance and self growth. I want to become better aware of my surroundings and the society and world that I live in. I hope to evolve into the young adult that I see for myself. Most of all, I hope for world peace. HAHA, JUST KIDDING.  However, inner peace would suffice.

I wanted to keep it short and sweet, but I feel as though I've just written a presidential speech, so I'm going to leave it at this for now. I hope you all had a splendid break. I promise not to be gone for too long. 

With affection,
Anise

 

This picture would be so lovely if it weren't for my finger :(

Yet again, all photos were a courtesy of the lovely lady Keren Delgado.

Joyeux Noel et bonne année!

Sorry for being M.I.A. the last week and a half. My brains been on overload with finals, work, christmas, friends, and sometimes I feel like it might overheat. I've been so tired lately, but it's probably because I've gotten 4 hours of sleep in the past three weeks- I feel like I should be on The Walking Dead. 

Sometime's I feel like my life resembles a track meet, or maybe even a relay race. I'm running as fast as I can to finish and win, but at the same time I have to keep in mind that it's not always a one-man show. And I feel with every person I pass the baton to, I'm sharing a piece of myself, along with relying on them to help me finish my race- to help me understand a piece of myself. 

My best friend from Toronto is visiting me in Vancouver for the winter holidays. I love her so much and I'm so happy to have a bit of home here with me. She always has the right answers (well, most of the time), and she's someone I can rely on to tell me the truth and her honest opinions. I on the other hand teach her that we don't always have to live according to the guidelines. We rely on one another to expose us to the other side of the spectrum that we don't know.  

She was here with me to celebrate my first Christmas in Vancity. At first, it didn't really feel like Christmas all that much because there isn't any snow here, and since I was a kid I always equated Christmas with a beautiful snowfall. It did feel like Christmas when I got to open my presents though; it brought back nostalgic feelings of not being able to sleep on Christmas eve, pulling a Sherlock Holmes and trying to investigate the contents of my gifts- shaking them and guessing what could be inside. Thankfully I've grown to become more patient (well, at least more than when I was a kid), and I waited until the morning to open my presents. 

My mom was a sweetheart and bought me the Pop Art Limited Edition of Marc Jacobs' Daisy. To me it's one of the best fragrances in the world because it's very light and airy but it still has a very distinctly fresh and feminine smell. It includes tones of wild strawberry, violet leaves, red grapefruit, gardenia, violet, jasmine, musk, vanilla and white woods. It's the perfect combination to create a scent that represents innocent mischief; a youthful fragrance with a zest of sophistication and sass. 

My uncle bought me the Chanel No. 19 and it's a womanly scent which I'm not used to but it's useful for nights when I'm going to a fancy dinner, or out for drinks. Unlike Daisy, it's not a scent that can be worn everyday, however, when you do where it, it provides you with that extra bit of bang.

I did some research on this fragrance and what's interesting is that it was made to commemorate Coco Chanel's birthday (August 19th). It's a deep fragrance that has a green scent, similar to that of a wild forest. What I love about fragrances is that they are just like accessories. Accenting your outfit with a nice fragrance gives that extra touch of creativity and personality. The perfume one wears can be a great reflection of their persona. 

My best friend from back home also bought me a great present to help me indulge in my inner nerd. She bought me the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy- the version with the rest of the stories as well. People who know me know that I'm the ultimate bookworm. My favourite thing to do to relax, above all else, is to simply read a book, nurture my mind, and relieve the chaos that is everyday life. 

With all of these gifts, this fashion bitch is able to look stealthy, SMELL phenomenal, and blow people's minds out of the water.

It's great and in fact necessary in life for people to be independent. But sometimes, you need people along the way to help remind you what you're here for, and of the person you want to be. I'm grateful to have a webwork of family and good friends who are here to support me, yet also enrich my mind along my journey. 

Joyeux Noel et bonne année!


- Anise 

"Girlz Luv Jewelry"

My favourite part of creating an outfit is adding that final touch of accessories to bring the entire look together. Everyone knows that I am very well an accessories wench. I love wearing as many rings as I can, and filling my arms with as many bangles as possible. Jewelry and accessories are just like clothes; there's some that are edgier and meant for bolder looks, while there are some (like pearls for instance) that are meant for softer and daintier looks. It's not to say though that you can't wear a Courtney Love inspired outfit and rock a pair of pearls- I actually love when people contrast their clothes with their accessories, it adds that certain 'je ne sais quoi'.

I thrift a lot with my accessories, especially scarves, purses, and rings. But there is one place that I absolutely adore and I often buy my jewelry from. Girlz Luv Jewelry is a company that was created by a lady named Elaine. I was lucky enough to get to meet her when I worked at a boutique back home in Toronto. She showcased a lot of the pieces at the boutique, and clients, as well as myself, all went absolutely insane over the jewelry. Each piece is so unique and intricate- there's a lot of detailing that goes into it. There's also such a range and variety within the assortment, so anybody from a young adult to an older woman can find a piece that she loves! Here is some more information about GirlsLuvJewelry that was posted on their site:

"Our line of products consist of different artisans from Canada, United States, Israel, and Europe. Of course we take great pride in showcasing our local talent. Some of the lines you will find include Katz Meow, Lara Levi Designs and Espace Bijoux. Of course there are many more and we always continue to bring in new exciting artists."


One of my favourite pieces that I purchased was my Gold Dip ALYS Necklace. It's dainty and subtle enough so that I can wear it with almost all of my outfits, but detailed enough that it does make a statement when I wear it. In this case, simplicity defies all. It's a simple long gold chain with a tiny pendant, but it adds that touch of femininity and graciousness. 


You guys should definitely check the site out @ http://www.girlzluvjewelry.com !

My Gold Dip ALYS Necklace, from GirlzLuvJewelry

Here are other pieces from the collection that I love!

Because I am obsessive compulsive with accessories, I went on a semi-rampage and found a bunch of pieces that I wish I owned. They range from pieces by Chanel, Vivienne Westwood, Marc Jacobs, Thakoon, and Elizabeth and James.

This is why I love Vivienne Westwood

Subversive Jewelry by Justin Giunta Sunken Treasure Necklace

Thakoon is a GENIUS.

Now, there's going to be an overload of Elizabeth and James, but it's because up until now I seriously never realized how edgy and similar to my style their pieces are.

That's all for now lovelies. And remember, if any of you are stuck on what to buy me for Christmas, well...now you know-  just kidding ;) .

Happy Holidays,

Anise

Lazy Days

Wow, so I've been succumbed to a classic epidemic...the couch potato virus. I can't, I won't, hell, I refuse to get up and do anything but sleep and be lazy, and it's been like this for the past couple of days now. It's probably because last week I was plagued with 4 exams in a row, and now I'm pooped. I should be studying for my Psych final this Friday, but I'de rather let my brain rot a little and watch some good ol' television, than look up on metacognition and causality.

Such a tiring, but not to say successful weekend. I realized a couple of new things about myself along the way as well. For one, although I thrive on impulsiveness and being reckless, I do enjoy some semblance of order. Whether it's following the instructions on how to make Campbell's Chicken Noodle Soup (I'm eating some now as I type away, seriously a Godsend), to planning out the events of my night, I do appreciate a set rule of thumb, even though they usually end up being broken. I also realized that I love cooking and munching out like a little piglet. I learned how to cook a delicious steak with salad for dinner, and I even went all out for breakfast this morning- an omelet with peppers, onions, and tomatoes, the meal of champions my friends. I also discovered that I enjoy being a hermit and sleeping in until late afternoon, especially on rainy days. It's a really good way to just recharge your energy after being completely drained.  But, enough of this banter, we are here to discuss art and fashion, and other ways to save the world, so let's begin.

Friday I finished my philosophy final and set off in pursuit of true knowledge; is it better to thrift or to buy brand new? I would say, as long as there's balance, doing both would be having the best of both worlds. I like to buy my basics brand new just because you can purchase them anywhere. However, there are also times when I see eclectic pieces at retailers and I do buy them because they're unique pieces that I can add to my wardrobe. For instance, the beautiful wool sweater that I picked up this weekend. The knitting is really detailed, and it looks so cozy and feels so warm on- it's safe to say that it was perfectly suited for my hermit phase.

I also picked up a pair of brand new Jeffrey Campbell Wedges. Being 5'11'' without heels, I rarely feel the need to increase my height, but these shoes are too sexy. I had to have them. I love how they're comfortable and I can basically run a marathon in them. Coming from someone who's clumsiness reeks havoc, it feels good to have a pair of heels I can rock and look fab in- without feeling like a giant fool. 

Retailers provide room for a variety and large supply, which is great, however, if you do want to nab that one of a kind item that everyone drools over, that's where thrifting comes into play. Thrift shopping is a great way to not only add unique pieces to your closet, but it's so cheap and inexpensive that you don't have to feel guilty and not eat anything for the next week. When I thrift I usually look for cool purses and accessories to add to my collection, or nice old school jeans that I can throw on when I'm being indecisive. Thrifting is a great way to amp your wardrobe up and pick up cool pieces that are beautifully unique and wallet friendly. Some of my great finds from thrifting are my Philippe Charriol Dark Green Leather Purse, my Matt and Nat side bag, a really neat Fendi purse, and a ridiculous amount of beautiful silk scarves ranging from designers like Pierre Cardin to Anne Klein. This weekend, I also bought a beautiful Tweed Hunter Jacket from the Used vintage store in downtown Vancouver (a post about this wonderful vintage boutique will be up shortly). The jacket is beautifully form-fitting, and has great details from the buttons to the suede elbow patches. A vintage find like this makes thrifting so worth it, because you're never really going to find something with such a great quality, design, and fit, at such an affordable price point. I paired my Tweed Jacket with the knit sweater that I also bought, black skinny jeans, and my hunter boots, and I seriously looked like a character out of Sherlock Holmes- a fashion savvy character to say the least. It's great to have a balance between thrifting and retail purchases, because you can build your wardrobe with essentials and eclectic pieces that showcase your personality.

This weekend I also realized that I totally have a "girl-crush" on super hero and fashion guru, Alexa Chung. She's so fucking fabulous. I love her style because it's a hub-shmub of everything; from rocker, to pixie, to punk, to geek chic, her style has a variety and has many in betweens. I like that she's a chameleon in the sense that one day she dresses very dainty and girly, and the next she's edgy and bold. Yet in the end, she's still able to have that hint of classic femininity. She has a great eye for fashion, and does a good job of mix-matching patterns, colours, and textures. I also appreciate her ability to remain conservative and conventional in the sense that she doesn't need to show a lot of skin or wear a tiny outfit to look beautiful. She keeps the cuts simple and clean, and in the end, less becomes more. Loving this fab it girl! Here are some of my favourite looks of hers.

The beauty of fashion is that it is an art form. You can wake up in the morning feeling like total crap, but then throw on a pair of your nicest skinnies and a vintage blazer, and you're ready to hit the town and cause a ruckus. You can be in your sixties, but then throw on a dainty dress and feel like a kid again, or put on your studded leather jacket and feel like a rockstar. The ability to transform into what you want to be is a physical expression of art in the form of fashion. It's you're ability to express on the outside what is within.

xox.
anise.