The Wrong Way Around

Top - H&M; Scarf - street stand; Jeans - Gap; Boots - Feet First; bag - F21 with sewn on patches.

So you know how you get all dressed with hair and make-up and then take the outfit shots?  Well, that's not what I did at all.  I got dressed with hair and some make-up then tramped around getting rained on for hours, kneeling in goose poo, using my scarf as a cover for my camera and as a seat for my models on wet and dirt, and rolling in the sand on a beach... then took the outfit shots.   Smart no?  But then my concern was to have a great shoot and get some great photos *which I did* and not so much how I looked afterwards.  At the end, the camera was turned on me momentarily to take these fabulous pics for you.

The shoot I did was an engagement shoot for an amazing couple.  And I'm really excited to start editing and show you some of the great images I captured *if I do say so myself*  

I have to get some rest first, 'cause today I shot a PSA for domestic violence.  So I was yelled at, had my hair pulled and then I was slapped by the man playing my husband.  It was crazy awesome how weak, broke down, and beat up I looked on camera.  Yay for special effects make-up!  When they send me some shots of that, I'll be sure to show you how the wonders of make-up change everything.  And the guy playing my husband had the most amazing angry face!  It was so wonderful to act opposite that 'cause it was really scary at times.  But he himself was so nice and easy to talk to.  Plus, we wrapped early.  Bonus!

Tomorrow, another shoot!

True Story:

I had sand in my underpants when I got home.  

So yeah, in these pics I'm carrying around some beach with me.

So Busy And Excited

Top - Ruche; Jeans - Gap; Boots - Feet First.

I'm really kind of pumped for the next three days.  I'm doing a Movieola live shift tonight, then on no sleep I'm popping down to Center Island to shoot an engagement shoot for a fabulous couple followed by possibly meeting up and talking shop with a really talented actress.   Then Friday I'm shooting a domestic violence PSA, finishing off with TAing an acting class on Saturday and doing a fun creative photoshoot on Saturday night *this time with me as the model*.   Crazy!  But I'm really pumped about all this fun activity.  As you can tell by the verbal spewage that just occurred. 

And on another totally fun note, are you as excited by the new TV season as me?  I'm watching all the premieres of my favorite shows and finding some new ones.  Loved Community, and am looking forward to House on Monday.  What about you?  Have you seen Pan-Am?  I haven't.  Would you reccomend it? 

True Story:

Baby now says, "Uh-oh!"

And Now Back To You

Top & Dress - F21; Cardi - Smart Set; Shoes - Payless.

Some days I just don't have a lot to say about things.  Shocking I know.  I've been crazy busy organizing things and working on stuff, so I haven't really had a lot of time to reflect. The only thing I have to say is that I love mixing prints.  It's something I've never experimented with before and now I'm addicted. 

But right now, I'm gonna turn it over to you.  Tell me what you're pondering today. 

True Story:

Just in case you weren't aware, all four legged creatures are "how how"  (dog barking) and all birds are "Qua Qua" (ducking quacking).  

At least according to Baby.

Tuesday In Review: Benefit Erase Paste

I wear make-up...professionally.  On TV or in front of the camera on projects I have to wear make-up to give me that "no make-up/ natural" look.  And I swear Benefit's Erase Paste is the best concealer I have ever come across.  Granted, I haven't tried every concealer out there, so there may be something better.  But I've used this one successfully for three years now and it's never let me down.

I use a brush to apply a tiny amount to cover imperfections *let's use that term shall we?* And when I say tiny, I do mean tiny.  You don't need a lot of this product for it to do the trick.  I bought this tube about two or three years ago and I still have that much left.  And the last year, I've used it a lot to cover the dark under eye circles I carried after many, many sleepless nights with Baby.  And guess what?  I always got compliments on how fresh faced and not-at-all tired I looked.  It really does do a great job of covering any imperfections.  And since it blends so well, no one suspects that you're wearing a lot.  Great for achieving that whole "natural" thing *wink, wink*

Stars And Summer

Baby handed me a leaf...

And then took it back!

Jacket - F21; Top & Necklace - Ruche; Tank & Flares - Gap; Boots - Walmart.

I'm actually kind of glad that Monday is here.  Fresh week, fresh start.  Feels great.  I'm loving how busy I am and all the things I'm up to.  Don't worry, I'll share as they become relevant.  And hey, I got interviewed on the street today for CPAC.  They wanted my political opinions and though I don't usually speak out about politics, this time the questions were ones that I felt comfortable speaking about.

We're experiencing an indian summer here and it's wonderful!  Anything that can forestall the cold temperatures makes me happy!  These flares and chiffon top were a perfect way to continue this feeling of a laid-back, breezy extension to summer.

True Story:

We have this turtle nightlight that shines stars onto the ceiling.  Baby insists on it being inside her crib.  So at bedtime, when the blackout curtains have been lowered and the lights turned out, Husband and I can see stars through the crack in her door.  

Turned on.  Then off.  

On. Off.  On.  Off.  On. Off.  On.

Well, you get the idea.

Random Sundays: Friends And Family

Baby and Drake causing mischief in the yard.

Grumpy face.

We're both really tired today.

Today's been a rough day.  I've cried a lot.  But now thanks to my dear friend Emily I feel a whole lot better.  Aren't friends the absolute best?  I think so. 
Plus,watching my sweet family in the yard makes me so happy.

Quote of Today:

"How can I get anything done with a baby between my legs?"

Are My Politics Showing?

Vest - AE; Top & Necklace - F21; Pants - swapped; Pants - Feet First; Bag - Matt by Matt&Nat.

I don't usually get political here on the blog, but I have to voice my dismay at our Mayor elect.  He is tearing our city apart at the seams, but I digress.  The issue I specifically want to address is the child care subsidy that he's hoping to get rid off.  Families already struggle with mounting child care costs and to slash even more funding is unfathomable to me.  These are the future citizens, leaders, thinkers, and business people of our country and you want to cut how well we *as a community* raise them?  So not only will we raise dumb people to lead our country, but we'll also make sure that the current citizens are stressed and overworked *or kept below the poverty line* by the lack of affordable child care.  Go mayor! *sarcasm fully intended*

True Story:

Yay!  My package from Ruche finally came!  I'm really hatin' on Canada Post.  These two shipments were unreasonably delayed and took twice as long as any other shipment - from anywhere, even Hong Kong.  Seriously, what up Canada Post?  You made me so sad thinking I would have to stop shopping online *read "at Ruche"*

Giddy As A Schoolgirl

I wore this jacket in the cooler morning weather.

If you dropped by my house, you'd find me wearing this fun apron over my daily outfit.

Shirt - thrifted; Dress - Ruche; Shoes - Payless.

* FOLLOW ME AND ENTER THE RUCHE GIVEAWAY.  WE'RE ALMOST THERE!*

 Okay, so I actually didn't get dressed yesterday.  I threw jeans on to go to the park with Baby, but I didn't actually put on any kind of decent clothing.  Mostly, it was pajamas for me.   I did however get dressed today.

It's so beautiful outside that it hardly feels like fall.  *which it technically isn't until Friday*  I know that Fall is associated with darker, deeper colors and I'm all for seasonal dressing. But I also enjoy wearing bright, happy colors year round.  I don't really follow rules that way.  I'll wear white after labour day, black with brown and navy, and I'll wear a sundress in the middle of winter *though I'll layer it with tights, tops and sweaters - often turning it into a skirt*  So despite it being fall, I didn't in the least mind throwing on this pretty summer dress.  I love the twirl quotient of this dress.  It always makes me giddy as a schoolgirl.

And I can never resist jumping in it.  *as seen here*
 

True Story:

 At play group today, one of the moms went off to breast feed her daughter.  

Her 20 month old daughter.  

To me, it felt a little old to still be breastfeeding with such regularity. 

Thoughts?  When is a child too old to breastfeed to in your opinion? 

Lazy, Lazy, Lazy

Shirt - Delias; Vest - F21; Jeans - Gap; Socks - Calvin Klein

Do you like the socks?  That's my particular favorite of this outfit.  I wasn't going anywhere so I didn't bother with thinking about shoes.  And to be honest with you, this is an outfit from Sunday when I played BSG with some friends.  I don't want to get dressed today.

I probably will.  But right now, I'm resisting the urge.

On another lazy note, I'm really looking forward to the next three day's season premieres.  We've got Criminal Minds, Community, Grey's Anatomy, Fringe and Supernatural.  Love it! But I have to wait until October for The Walking Dead and House.  Boo!

True Story:

I lay down on the couch and closed my eyes.  

I just wanted to lay there for a minute or two in peace while Baby played with her blocks.  

So what does my darling, sweet child do?  

Stick her finger up my nose.

'Wife' And Other Ruminations

Sweater - Ruche; Dress - Coco&Tashi; Socks - Hue; Shoes - Payless; Belt - Covet.

I was reading an article on the meaning of the word wife in the Globe and Mail, in which the writer speaks of the connotations of the word and how women are either resistant to it or embracing of it.  Everything she points out is true: it used to deny women rights, it has certain anti-feminist connotations even today, some people are embracing it in a new way.  But what she forgets to mention is "husband."  She says that being a 'wife' is limiting and implies a role that's subservient, but also how women are taking back the word, though many are wary of it.  But though the word 'wife' may be intimidating because of past expectations, so is the modern word 'husband' because of modern expectations. In the past the husband was the king of the castle who owned his wife and children.  Not anymore.

The modern 'husband' is expected to treat his wife equally *of course*, be supportive, not dominating at all *sometimes men are so afraid of this label that they become doormats*, chivalrous *but not cross over into patronizing*, father, role-model, homemaker *at least half of the time*, and bread winner *at least half the time*.  They have to redefine what it means to be a man and a husband.  It's a task as hard as defining what it means to be a woman and wife.  We should all cut ourselves some slack and take it easy on both 'husbands' and 'wives.'

Tuesday In Review: Kobo E-Reader

I'm a huge and avid reader.  I'm the person who would drop by the library at least once a week to return and get a new book.  But when I was pregnant I knew that I would not be able to make that library trip as easily and as reliably as before once the baby came.  So, as a present from Husband I received a Kobo e-reader.

You can read the specs here, but I'll just tell you my personal experience with it. *Just a note:  I have the older, original Kobo - not the touch - they don't sell mine anymore, but the touch is essentially the same, only a little smaller.*

The e-ink is really easy on the eyes.  There's no electronic feeling to the page - no flicker or glare.  So it's really gentle for hours and hours.  It's really easy to operate with one hand.  And because it's so light you can be on the couch with a baby nestled in one arm and read with the other hand - one handed and no weird finger splaying to keep the book open.  I know the ipad is cool and lets you do lots of things, but I personally like that the Kobo is a reader and that's it.  It's my library, it's my book.  It's not my phone or my computer.  There's no distractions inherent in the machine and there's no way anyone can use it to reach me.  I like that it's a bit of an oasis - and escape - the way a good book can be. 

You can use the included software, or just drag and drop the epubs onto your machine.  That's what I do, and it works really well.  Also, there's many free and reliable software programs that convert all kinds of files into easy and readable epubs so that your Kobo can read it.  And it really only takes a few seconds to convert a book.  I've never had a bug or a freeze, and the battery life is incredibly long!  I think I charge it maybe once every two weeks with frequent use.

Finally, I love being able to re-size the font to a ridiculously huge size! That way, I can easily read while I'm running on the treadmill.  The huge font allows me freedom to move without squinting.  But that's me.  I'm weird and I like to watch TV or read when I run on the machine. 

Lots Of Things Start Early...Like My Day

Cardi - Costa Blanca; Top - Urbanog.com; Jeans - Gap; Boots - Feet First.

Happy Monday beautiful people!  I'm working off of several cups of tea since Baby is still keeping us up at all hours of the night.  I really don't know what's up.  Maybe teething, maybe not.  I really can't tell.  I am, however, proud to say that we've made the transition to one nap a day very easily and very smoothly. 

And yet again, I didn't want to wash my hair so I stuck it up in this french braid thing-y.  It's what I do.  What do you do when you don't want to wash/do your hair?  Leave a comments and share.  Thanks!

True Story:

I knew I would have a fashionista on my hands...I just didn't think it would start this early!

Random Sunday: Sunshine and Grammatical Humor

I love the sunshine in the morning.  It always seems so happy to be awake, even when I'm not.

Here's it playing on my kitchen wall.

And through my window.

And guess what?  

I baked!  

Momentous, I know.  

I made these breakfast cookies here from my friend's website *with a few alterations* 

Baby loved them too.  She went, "Mmmmmm!"

And I had to add this 'cause it's so funny.  I really like grammatical  humor.
*I don't know where this pic is from, but a friend posted it on facebook*

Who Will You Be?

Scarf - street stand; Jacket - H&M; Top - Ruche; Jeans - Gap; Boots - Feet First; Necklace - from Mom.

This morning I headed out to TA an acting class in Toronto.  I'm helping out with a kids class, but it's nevertheless a great opportunity to see some young talent and get to know exactly what I'm doing.  I'm hoping that next time around I'll have an adult class to TA so that I can see the grown-ups in action.  But right now the kids are great and it's giving me some experience in running the equipment. 

Watching these guys do their stuff makes me wonder what kind of girl my little one will become.  Will she be the shy one in class?  Or the loud and talkative one?  I wonder.  From what I can tell so far, she'll be the squirmy one...and the troublemaker.

Quote of Today:

"I was gonna do this thing where I land, but I didn't."