Baby was a black sheep.

 The breezy simplicity of crop tops paired with blue jeans has come to define my summer uniform as of late. It's too hot to put exacting thought into what I wear but the simple combination always seems to work. This outfit puts a certain kind of swagger in my step, I feel super confident and on top of the world in my lace crop top, ripped Levis and vintage brogues.

Just a thought: are high-waisted jeans still considered a 'trend'? I ditched my low-riders years ago, because they reminded me of the glitter bell-bottom flares of my adolescence. I think there's about one pair of low-waisted pants remaining in my wardrobe and I never wear them anymore because they feel weird.

I'm currently engrossed in the book Just Kids by Patti Smith. It was suggested to me by my best friend, and is hands down the best book I've read all year. It's beautifully written and it reads like a novel, except that it's real life! Patti was my absolute favourite back when I was in high school and her life stories are compelling, fascinating and inspiring. Total recommended reading.

Pride Toronto 2011

 To all my LGBTTIQQ2SA readers;
1. I love, love you
2. Damn you know how to throw a party!

For those in the know, last week was Pride week and Sunday marked the Annual Pride Parade in Toronto which is a huge attraction to the city. The almost certainly homophobic Mayor of Toronto Rob Ford was not in attendance, but I most certainly was, marching in the parade and pumping up the crowds with the University of Waterloo contingent. It was a surreal people-watching experience, the crowds were massive and I haven't seen that many people gathered in one place since I saw an American college football game. Overall, there was such an atmosphere of acceptance, self-love and general positive vibes that it more than sucks to recognize that there are folks who still suffer as victims of hate crimes just because of their sexuality. One might criticize Pride for its mainstream co-optation of underground gay culture, but all in all I was just happy to be there.

 Massive crowds

Where is Rob Ford?

 Eatin' an apple in Allan Gardens

 Check my Bikini Kill lyrics flag: "I believe in the radical possibilities of pleasure, babe."

 Deua and Marlon takin' it in on Church St.

Post-parade, pre-sunstroke relaxation times

SUPER DUPER PRIDE FASHION INSPIRATION

 Elton John, is dat u?

 Their matching Willy Wonka-esque coupledom was so cute!! The boots killed me.

 

The  shoe game here is unreal!!

Knight Bus

 Greetings from the real big city of Vancouver, BC! In my absence from the internet, I wore only tie-dye for two weeks, paddled a canoe for five days, ate way too much hummus and fell in love with Hazards of Love by The Decemberists. This ridiculous outfit was thrifted entirely in the Okanagan Valley, more specifically Penticton, BC. The old ladies running the store went wild when they saw me trying on the shirt, they absolutely loved it and used the word "zazzy." According to the label its an original "Western Collection Styles" and I like to imagine the previous owner travelled around in horse shows and excelled at barrel jumping in this lacey fringe number.

Let me tell you, West Coast thrifting is damn good. I have a few unbelievably ridiculous finds that I will reveal at a later date!

All my fellow Potter-ites will be excited to hear that I rode the Knight bus to downtown Vancouver. Need photographic evidence? Look no further.

Never lie.

Do you ever forget about something you bought online, then a package comes in the mail and you're like WHOAH!? I can't believe I forgot I ordered this lace Victorian top off Etsy, the puff sleeves make me feel like Anne Shirley, and I should be drinking raspberry cordial and having my braids pulled by pesky boys. I tried to go for a weird 1880s meets 1980s look with the leather skirt that was thrifted literally years ago, but I always thought was too awkward of a length for me. Calling it now: 2011 is the year of awkward-length skirts.

Also, Stephen Lea Sheppard (aka Harris of Freaks and Geeks fame) tweeted at me. My life will never be the same.

Over Here

I would say that bloggers usually fall into two camps - those whose outfits get oodles of compliments in real life, and those whose ensembles warrant snide remarks from strangers. I (shockingly) usually fall into the latter camp, but today it was a pleasant surprise to get oodles of compliments from lovely people on my lace top/pencil skirt. The lace top is new/old, I won it from a giveaway that The Clothes Horse was having. It's a beautiful piece but is so scratchy to wear!

I went thrifting this morning and the haul wasn't significant, but was pretty good.

Two pairs of shoes. Granny tapestry flats and chunky boots that remind me of Margiela tabi boots, without the tabi...

Sequin top!

Long sleeve lace top, by Linda Lundstrom (a Canadian designer). It's really cozy and the lace isn't see through, which is nice for a change.

Three Times

Excuse me for getting all down on your summer jams, but is anyone else ready to pack up the shorts and tank tops and just transition into the full-length pants and sweaters already? Perhaps I'm just impatient because I have my inspiration for Autumn all planned out? The look is going to be "nerd goth" and I'm already starting to rock it. Wheee, I can't wait to be sullen and read books all season long!