one small step...

a few instagram shots from my trip last fall

 

Following up on my last post about how I could go about changing my impact on the environment, I've decided to do Meatless Mondays. (What do the photos have to do with this post? Absolutely nothing. I just wanted to share some of my trip photos before I filed them away.)

It's only been my first week, but so far so good. Currently, for breakfast I am having dairy and eggs, lunch is completely vegan, and for dinner, I am allowing a bit of seafood. My reason for the 'seafood okay' rule for dinner is mostly because of my dad, but maybe I will transition out of that within a few weeks.

If you haven't heard of Meatless Mondays, it's actually a very simple way for us all to reduce our ecological footprint. I won't ramble on about it, but if you are interested, do Google it. :)

In the weeks to come, I will try to chronicle any tips, recipes, or restaurant suggestions that come my way. My vegan friend offered a great tip for my lunch this week: substitute tzatziki with hummus when ordering a grilled veggie souvlaki pita at Nu Greek. Verdict? Delicious.

Do you participate in Meatless Mondays? If you have any delicious vegetarian recipes, feel free to share!

new year, new you?

Another year is coming to a close and I have come no closer to blogging on a regular schedule. I suppose we go through transitional phases and for some, these phases last longer (hi!).

rings I wore often; taken in early 2011

Over the past year I have cut back a lot on shopping and consuming in general. Instead of seeing something and thinking how much I would love to have it, I instead think of whether or not I need it.

This past year I have also watched a few food and corporations-related documentaries. For as long as I can remember, I have cared about the environment, which led me to find out more about mass-farming practices and how these practices affect not only the earth, but our health as well. For years I have relayed the shocking facts I've learned to as many people as possible, but the problem is, I've been preaching to an audience that doesn't necessarily want to listen (and an audience that usually includes my friends and family; people I care about). It amazes me how many people would hear these astonishing facts and then continue to live as if these facts had no impact on their lives at all. In short (ha! that was not short) I've become a little tired of preaching to the deaf and decided to put my words into action. It frightens me that while I'm watching the people interviewed in documentaries, there are many who think they are merely one person against government-funded corporations and they could never win. Change starts with one person.

Anyway, what this blog has in store next year is yet to be seen. Whatever it may be, I'll try not to get too preachy and advocate-y on you, dear readers.

Thanks for another year of support and hope you've all had a wonderful holiday season! All my best to every single one of you for the new year.

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?

confession time.

I haven't been blogging because I've been swamped with work and social obligations, but the main reason I've been M.I.A. is... I can't bring myself to blog about my New York trip. I've been feeling too much pressure to sort through the photos and put together a post. Obviously, this pressure is self-inflicted. Maybe I'm just trying to filter through the garbage and find a real voice for this blog.

Anyway, I'm being called upon for bridesmaid duties again in a week. I've already told all my friends this is the last time I'm being a bridesmaid and for fairly selfish reasons, I suppose: I get too exhausted from all the early mornings and running around. I still love to plan, and will help with that, but I refuse to do anymore 5am wake-up calls for hair and make-up. At least this time I won't be up 'til 2am the night before.

Here are the (back of the) shoes I'm getting for that day. (I just find the back more alluring.) Actually, I've still not decided between the peep-toe or closed-toe.

brief 'hello'.

I started this blog when I was at a crossroads in life... I no longer had a full-time job and I'd spent my savings travelling. My freelance work was sparse and starting a company was only in its first planning stages. I needed something to occupy my free time and an outlet to channel my creativity.

Now, three years later, I am more fully committed to a job than I've ever been. My business partner and I found a little office on the edge of Yaletown last April and really hunkered down. Hard work, as they say, always pays off. A year plus later and we are busier than we could ever have imagined. We've found wonderful part-time help and our client list keeps growing.

So, while I'm completely ecstatic about where I am with life, the state I've left option8 in is quite sad.

Things are falling into a more manageable schedule and pace now. I do commit more hours to my job than the average person (my friends who are not entrepreneurs will never fully understand), but I am understanding there is a need to save time for my non-work life as well.

All that being said (I am ever so long-winded...) I'm not saying 'goodbye' to option8. I think it will be feasible to schedule some time every couple weeks to blog.

Thank you to everyone who has continued to support my little nook of the internet. ♥