happy.

A super belated Happy New Year and a belated happy birthday to me!

I spent my 31st in Portland. Here I am, nerding out at an entire bookcase of Agatha Christie books.

 

I've found it increasingly hard to get started on a blog post now that I've been quite absent for the past couple years. The reason is I'm just not sure where to start!

 

Over the past few months, I have taken big steps in changing my life. In October, thanks to my friend and coach, Kim, I started on a fitness journey.

I was gaining weight from lack of exercise, sitting in front of a computer every day, and eating out lots. In the past, I never had big problems with weight gain, and I ate A LOT. But, as I got a bit older, and my lifestyle became more sedentary, I started putting on weight more rapidly.

Last year was the heaviest I'd ever been and I knew I had to make a change. I was good at hiding my extra body fat, but I was depressed that my clothes didn't fit like they used to. Kim offered her help at the right time.

 

My lack of motivation to get moving was based solely on how hard I find it to be accountable to myself and create new habits (more on this later). Kim encouraged me to try a 30 Day Challenge program with Beachbody. I decided enough was enough, and investing $200 now meant a lifetime payoff of learning how to be healthier.

I chose to do a strength training program – ChaLEAN Extreme – because I lacked upper body strength and my goal was to lose the extra fat and tone up. It was probably the best decision I could have made! Not only is the program easy to learn, Chalene Johnson's attitude and positivity is just so infectious and inspiring! I am not the biggest fan of über enthusiastic coaches nor do I care for the boot-camp drill sergeants, but Chalene's got the perfect balance of encouragement and attitude that pushes you to work harder.

Anyway, all this is to say that since October 21, I have lost 11 pounds and reached my goal weight (the one that was on my driver's license!). I still have some ways to go in losing that extra bit of body fat around my waist and thighs, but I know I'm on the right journey; I just need to work a little harder at eating clean more often and concentrate more on core and leg exercises.

 

After starting my fitness journey, I have had a lot more energy as well and found myself feeling less upset and anxious over things out of my control. I have always thought of myself as an optimist, and more of a realist-optimist as I got a bit older, but it was hard for me to feel positive all the time these last couple years. There were days where I felt so consumed with negative thoughts that I just couldn't stop crying and feeling sorry for myself for hours or days at a time. I am not a mental health expert, and I am not advocating that exercise will help everyone, but for me, it has certainly helped.

I am definitely not perfect and I have fallen off my exercise routine this past week. I have finished the 90-day ChaLEAN Extreme program and I was half way through my Lean For Life circuit when I just couldn't find that motivation to do it anymore. I spent all of last week cheating on most of my meals and only did my daily squats (as part of a 30 day squat challenge) and biked every other day to not feel completely guilty. What do you do when you've lost that spark? You need a reset button. I decided to do Chalene's 7 Day Eat Lean and Train Mean Challenge.

As part of Day 1's workout, I practiced this dance routine. Watch it, learn it, and be happy!

 

adr for h&m.

If you haven't heard the news, street style favourite Anna Dello Russo is designing an accessories collection for H&M due in stores October 4.

Here's a sneak peek at her collection:

photo courtesy of H&M

I am so, so, so excited for this! ADR has such a great eye for anything luxe and extravagant. I'm marking my calendar! Are you?

Unfamiliar with ADR? Here are some of my favourite shots by Tommy Ton (Jak & Jil):

ADR in her Paris apartment

Milan & Paris fashion weeks A/W12

Milan & Paris fashion weeks S/S12

individuality vs dress codes.

What makes someone's style unique?

I'm sure everyone likes to think of themselves as having a personal style/individuality, but it's probably easiest to fall into the cookie-cutter masses of readily available chain-store apparel.

After reading Susie Lau's (aka Susie Bubble) piece in Elle UK, it got me thinking about how, on many occasions, I have been too concerned about what others would think about the way I'm dressed instead of catering to myself first. This "the public before me" thought process is inevitable: we need to dress appropriately for job interviews, weddings, etc. There are social norms, protocols, and whatnot that are drilled into our heads at an early age.

I'm not saying that dress codes are bad; I am all for them! To me, following a dress code is showing respect. Does following a dress code mean you have to be boring? Not at all. Working within restrictions is a great way to exercise your creativity. Push the envelope; see how far you can skirt the line between acceptable and wholly inappropriate.

While I was in design school, we were given projects with very little restrictions and encouraged to go crazy. Our instructors knew that once we graduated into the working world, we'd not have the same type of freedom for projects. When I first started working, I felt like my creativity was being stunted, but over time I've learned to inject little details that maybe the client didn't ask for, but definitely ends up appreciating.

Subconsciously, I have used the same attitude for design work as I do with my wardrobe: always let the details speak out for your creativity and don't let restrictions be the end all.

/random incoherent spiel

What do you feel makes your style unique? I'd love to know your views on this topic.

taylor tomasi hill.

I had always noticed Taylor Tomasi Hill on sites like Jak & Jil Blog over the years, but recently decided to look more closely into the archives of her fashion week appearances. AND THEN I BECAME OBSESSED.

Currently the Accessories Editor at Marie Claire (formerly of Teen Vogue), Taylor Tomasi Hill is a self-described clothing chameleon. While not as flashy as Anna Dello Russo (and I don't mean that in a derogatory way; I love ADR) and not as effortless smart-chic as the Paris Vogue team, Taylor finds a way to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary. And even if you find her in a relatively "safe" outfit, her signature red hair is always the perfect stand-out accessory.

Another thing I've noticed is Taylor's not afraid to show off her current closet favourite or recycle old favourites into new outfits. While some fashion editors seem to travel from fashion week to fashion week with trunks of clothes, Taylor seems to work around some key pieces in her suitcase; I like to think it makes her seem more human and accessible.

Here are some examples of Taylor reworking pieces into different looks:

sources: The Sartorialist / Garance Dore

sources: STREETFSN / Citizen Couture

sources: Jak & Jil Blog / STREETFSN

If you're looking for more photos, I've started an archive on Tumblr: taylor-tomasi-hill.tumblr.com

Which editors' styles do you find the most inspiring?

apt descriptions: maybe not my forte.

last thursday, i went to yuk yuks 'cause i'd won tickets from filling in a comment card the last time i was there. i laughed 'til my gut hurt and my eyes watered up! the mc for the night was adam pateman and seriously, his bits on hipsters, love, and canadian heritage had me practically rolling on the floor.

anyway, i wanted to document this outfit mostly because i've been wearing these vintage slouch boots for two months now, but never posted photos of them:




i had tweeted that they "fit like a glove" - which is an extremely weird description... feet gloves? ..socks? (a little late on the promise, but fulfilling your request for photos, kelsey!) they can also be worn unfolded - very pirate-y.

the inspiration behind the layout and photo colouring are the marc by / marc jacobs ads photographed by juergen teller. his photos are generally softer in lighting but i like the contrast of the grittier photos against a clean layout.


source: marc jacobs

regarding architecture.

original image courtesy wikipedia

let's take a break from fashion and talk about something else i appreciate: architecture. i didn't study industrial or architectural design in school, but we did touch upon such topics.

the image above is of fallingwater, designed by frank lloyd wright in 1934. it is one of my life goals to visit this beautiful house one day.

i suppose when most people think of the early 1900s, streamlined furniture and architecture aren't the first things that come to mind, and that's probably why i am continually amazed by the calibre of design (from graphic to industrial to architectural) that was pumped out from the early to mid 1900s.

the art deco and modernist movements have become so timeless. if i had an unlimited budget to furnish my house, i'd pay herman miller and knoll some lengthy visits. (another goal on my list: to own a barcelona chair. in black please; may as well throw in the stool.)

but, i digress. my actual intent for this post was to point you in the direction of this website and trailer on west coast modernism: coast modern. if you have any interest in architectural design, please have a look! (i'd worked with one of the directors, gavin froome, briefly at a design agency, and this guy is a multifaceted talent. music, design, photography, film; it's a pretty hefty resume. check out his blog here.)

currently in love with...

1. this necklace by justin giunta featured in nylon's may '09 issue:


(photo courtesy taylor-momsen.net)

see more of his amazing jewelry at subversivejewelry.com. i'm so inspired!


2. these sigerson morrison and pringle of scotland s/s 09 collaboration shoes:


(photo courtesy coutorture.com)

other colours and styles can be found here and here.

jonas löfgren.

i saw this bit about lula's "a perfect mess" editorial featuring illustrations of our favourite disheveled fashionistas and immediately fell in love with the illustrations! the illustrations are by jonas löfgren and i love his entire body of work! wow! the dark and doll-like figures i've seen lots, yes, but there is so much expression in the faces he draws. more inspiration that i don't know when i'll get around to channeling. (if i call it a rainy day project, does that mean i should have fulfilled my list of them by now seeing as i live in vancouver...?)

marguerite sauvage.

whilst browsing the other day (perhaps it was fabsugar), i came across this link and marguerite sauvage's awesome illustrations. i am in love with the line work and colours. her clientele is quite extensive, and deservingly so! have a look at her galleries; she also does animation. i am completely inspired to integrate runway looks into my drawings now.