Country Mouse Visits City Mouse

Spring Break is officially over! I had such an amazing time, it's going to be really hard to get back into school mode. I started out the break with a visit from my bestie, Sand. She was only here for two full days so we crammed a lot of funness into those 48 hours. Needless to say I was one tired lady when she left on Monday.

There were subway rides, scary cab rides, the Brooklyn Flea, shopping, food, more shopping, more food, an amazing cover band at an amazing NYC bar, dancing, posing with cheesy tourist attractions, waiting in line for discounted Broadway tickets, New York bagels, modeling new purchases, playing dress-up in my closet (Sand's favorite pasttime) and lastly Mamma Mia on Sunday night.

I'll admit I was a little anxious about Sand's visit. Only because she was my very first visitor since moving here (besides my parents) and I felt like I had to show her a certain level of fun! This is silly, I know, since we would have fun doing whatever, no matter what. But I think I delivered, with the help of my friend, Kiki. Kiki took us to Cafe Wha on Saturday night and it was the most fun any of us had had in a long time. After watching the most unreal beat boxer any of us had ever seen, Sand leaned over, big grin on her face and shouted in my ear, "I haven't lived until this moment". I think she had a good time! Mission accomplished. The fun didn't stop there. We ended her stay by going to see Mamma Mia on Broadway. It was all of our first live muscial experiences and we were not disappointed. Obviously we had all seen the movie so knew the story but seeing a production live is a whole other thing. We were grooving in our seats and singing along the whole time! I was sad to see her go but she promised me she would be back sooner versus later, hopefully with a certain Sasha Rae in tow. I will hold her to this!

Come back soon Sand,  NYC and I miss you!

j.

Out on the Town

I had the bestest of weekends. Because my bestie, Sand, came to visit. We literally were "going" non-stop. I must be old or something because I am completely and utterly exhausted. And my mom arrives tomorrow for a visit. No rest for this chica during Spring Break. But loving every minute of it! I had to show Sand a good time so we did go out on the town a wee bit. This is what I wore to a bar on Friday night. Where I flirted with boys. And had a whole lot of fun!

black spotted blazer {Forever 21} - royal blue shirt {Express} -

grey tiered skirt {Banana Republic} - black pointed-toe boots {Payless}

Aren't we just the cutest? I think so. We did have an amazing weekend inbetween all this going out business. I snapped a few pics too, so hopefully I'll show you all some of them real soon, along with a more detailed explanation of all the fun we had. But right now, sleep beckons.

Night!

j.

Oxford Army

So I may have done just a wee bit of shopping this weekend. I may be wearing an entirely new outfit, with the exception of my jeans. Okay, fine! There is no doubt about it, I did go shopping this weekend and I am most definitely wearing my newly purchased items. I just can't help myself sometimes. We'll blame it on my professor who let us out of class early on Thursday, Forever 21 for being located across from the subway stop and Century 21 for being located too close to my building. Yep, I feel better about things now.

army jacket, sweater & necklace {Forever 21} - blue scarf {Palm Desert street market} -

dark denim skinnies {Flying Monkey via Century 21} - burgundy oxfords {Dolce Vita via Century 21}

What with the plethora of sixteen year olds who will be wearing the same items as me and the quality of said items (or lack thereof), I really try not to buy things from Forever 21, not going to lie. But they really do have cute things most of the time. And don't even get me started on their price tags. Or jewlery section. I mean, come on, less than $5 for the necklace I'm wearing. Really, Forever 21? You are killing me....in a really good way.

I am going to try (try being the key word in this sentence) to refrain myself from shopping for the next 10 days. Because in 10 days I get a visit from one of my besties, Sand. I am beyond excited. She's been working on the East Coast of Canada for the past 9 months, either on a boat or in the lab. This means she's been wearing long johns, birkenstocks and wool socks...most likely all at the same time (you know it's true, Sand!). I know she'll want to do a little shopping with me, so obviously I will oblige (twist my rubber arm). I think some thrifting and definitely the Brooklyn Flea are in order. I can go 10 days without buying something, right? My track record tends to say otherwise...

j.

Plaid & Cozy

These photos were taken by my good friend Sue. Up in Shawnigan Lake. Right before we met our friend Leah for dinner. OK. Fine. They were taken right when we were supposed to be at the restaurant. Which then made us 10 minutes late. (Sorry Leah).

I have to tell you the most amazing thing that happened on my way up to Shawnigan yesterday. It was a beautiful day in Victoria. Blue sky and sunny. I began my drive in this gorgeous fall weather. Now this happens from time to time on the Island. I drove through a few different "weather systems" (I'm making up this term because I have no clue what the real name is) in a span of only 30 minutes. I went from sunny to cloudy and gray to sprinkling to RAINING and then through a sun shower. Complete with a rainbow. But we haven't even got to the most amazing part yet. I saw the end of the rainbow! Right in front of me on the highway. And then I drove through it! Through it. Through a rainbow.

Not going to lie. Did a double check in the rear-view mirror for any bouncing gold coins or small green-loving men. Came up empty (shocking).

Nevertheless, I still drove through a freaking rainbow.

red & black plaid button-up {Jacob} - black wool vest {courtesy of bestie, Sand} -

black denim skinnies {Old Navy} - tan riding-inspired boots {The Bay}

And yes. I know I've worn these boots in nearly every outfit post thus far. But I love them. So (politely) get over it.

j.

Love Mantras

This is the original list of commandments (now known as mantras, fyi). Remember, from the barf bag. No? It's ok, you can check them out here. Read on to see how the list transforms into something even better.



Upon seeing my commandments displayed boldly in the center of the page I realize that a few of them are quite similar in their intent. Also, (after typing the word "commandment" so many times) I decided that I did not want to use it as the name for my list. I thought about it. "Mantra" floated across my brain (as they do). It stuck. Mantras it is. But whatever their name, they still need some work.

Let's disect, shall we?

#1: Appreciate each day.

I would appreciate each day by enjoying life’s simple pleasure. Therefore, "appreciate each day" is my mantra but "enjoying life’s simple pleasures" is simply one of my means of fulfilling my mantra.

One down.

#2: Work with what you've got.

I am struggling to determine whether "work with what you’ve got" and "fake it until you make it" are too much alike. Mantra #2 is more of a style (or rather body) mantra I’ve come up with meaning you have to (embrace what is) and accept yourself and your body for what they are now. By embracing what is and working with what I’ve got, I end up looking better which therefore makes me feel better. And who doesn’t want that?

Mantra #6 refers more to state of mind and self-confidence. I have come a long way since high school and even the first few years of university in the confidence department. I owe a lot of that to the girls. They are each so strong, confident and independent and they have always seemed that way to me. I know (of course) that they, themselves, have not always felt this way. But, to me, they have always been and will always be souces of inspiration. They have taught me a lot about life, friendship, love and myself over the past several years. They taught me enough to know that a small part of it comes from simply growing older and having more experiences but the biggest part of it is knowing yourself and not being afraid to be yourself. I have always been pretty good at staying true to myself and I have “gotten to know myself” in many different ways over the last several years and especially the last several months. I am still on the path to full discovery because I know that I am definitely not finished getting to know myself yet. And like (I hope) everyone, I have (many) moments of self-doubt and self-consciousness, however in these moments I will let my mantra float across my mind and whisper to me, “fake it until you make it”. And I will listen. Or at the very least, try my hardest to.

I think by writing these two mantras down I have ended my struggle to decide whether they are one in the same. They are not. They are different enough in principle and will therefore stand alone as two separate, equally important, mantras.

#3: Enjoy life's simple pleasures.

Determined to be a means to fulfulling a mantra. See Mantra #1, above.

#4: Just Be.

 P.S. I made this. I want to make one for each part of this mantra. Hang it as a set.

Mantra #4 may be considered by some to be redundant (in Mantras #2 and #7). However, this was the very first mantra I came up with. Ages ago. Long before reading The Happiness Project. "Just Be" is the shortened version of my original mantra. I recite the full version of it in my mind in moments of anxiety, doubt, guilt, sadness, heartache or just anytime I need a little pick-me-up. 

Be who you are.

Be confident.

Be at ease.

Just Be.

Perhaps for sentimental reasons alone. But I am keeping this as one of my mantras. Even further, I am moving #4 to the top of the list.

#5: Don't dwell on the negatives or things you can't change.

As much as I wanted this to be a real mantra, I realized the same situation that happened to Mantras #1 and #3 has happened here. The real mantra is #7. Embrace what is. In order to "embrace what is", you have to let go of the past and stop dwelling on the negatives and things you can’t change. Especially because when you dwell on something negative it is usually something you can't change anyways. Double dwell. The worst. Someone I admire always tells me “it is what it is until it’s more or it’s less” so, until that point, embrace what is. This mantra was too long anyways. What was I thinking?

Another one bites the dust.

#6: Fake it until you make it.

Determined to be a true mantra. See Mantra #2, above.

#7: Embrace what is.

Determined to be a true mantra. See Mantra #5, above.

#8: Don't resist change.

I am happy with this as an individual mantra. It is fairly self-explanatory. It is something I have to consciously try to achieve. I love routine. I don’t usually respond well to change. Especially sudden change. However, change can be good. Change is often necessary to push you to reach further. To break out of your comfort zone. Without change, there would be no growth.

A week ago, I learned a Chinese idiom. "Your plan will never catch up with change". Think about it. Your plan will never catch up with change because it is always changing. Genius. And the words "plan" and "change" in Chinese differ by only one letter (or is it character?). Anyways, the two words sound almost the same. So it sounds even better than it already does. Genius. One of the perks of working in a boarding school (thanks Ranger). I considered making this its own mantra. But it is very similar to #8. I considered renaming #8 to "plans change". I decided that #8 really is the true mantra. Because it is something I have to work for. Strive for. I will try not to resist change knowing that plans always change.

#9: Stop thinking, start doing.

I will admit that I am a wee bit of a procrastinator. I have many ideas and would love to do all of them. But I don’t. And usually for inadequate reasons (excuses). I will also talk endlessly about my ideas and how I would put them into action. Friends will encourage me to “do it” and I will say “I will” or “I really should”  or sometimes when I’m feeling really crazy I’ll say “I am going to do it”. And yet I still don’t! I am trying to change this about myself. I read an entry in a journal of mine (you know…one of the journals I started, wrote in for a few days and never looked at again) from about 5 years ago. It said: “I need to be a “doer” – somebody who does”. This has apparently been a problem of mine for quite some time. Something that I was conscious enough about to want to change.

As I type this mantra out I realize that it and Mantra #8 are far more intertwined than I ever thought. In order to do things, I have to stop thinking about doing them and start doing them. More than that I have to open myself up to change first. If I resist change, I will never actually do things, because inevitably, doing the things I think about doing will lead to changes in the life that I lead. Clear as mud? Thought so.

#10: Live in the moment.

I decided that #10 overlaps with Mantra #7. In order to "embrace what is", you are forced to "live in the moment". Again, it is a means to fulfilling a mantra.

Axed.

After all that we are left with only seven mantras. I have since thought of two additional ones. This leaves my list of Love Mantras at nine. For now.

#11: Stay calm and be polite.

This was the first mantra I added upon being left with only seven. Gretchin Rubin had twelve. I started with ten. Some thoughts have been swirling around in my head lately like a kite on a perfectly breezy autumn afternoon. I was walking downtown in the summer and came across this little gem:

I have a growing obsession for graffiti quotes. This was the first one that I found. I find myself having a certain infinity for the words. However, I am not a particularly rude or angry person. So I find myself in another internal struggle. Do these words warrant a spot in my list of mantras? Let's take a step back. Just look at the words. Separately. Both parts of this statement are good, solid pieces of advice. "Stay calm" in moments of anger, frustration, embarrassment, stress, and panic – all moments I have been in before and am bound to be in again. "Be polite" when you want to be rude, when you’re in a rush, to the sales associate, taxi driver, and slow person walking in front of you. Being rude will get you nowhere. I think there is wisdom to be gained from these words. Decision made. “Stay calm and be polite” has earned its way onto the list of Love Mantras.

#12: Be Bold.

Added just yesterday. Courtesy of Sasha Rae. She was giving me advice. Specifically for my blogging and photographing style. But it can transcend into various other aspects of my life. I can be a bit of a chicken (fine, a HUGE chicken) when it comes to "putting myself out there". This blog was a big first step. I will turn to these words when I'm writing and photographing. I will let them tango with my inner critic while I'm shopping and honing my personal style. I will listen to these two simple words in life. Each day. Everyday. I will try to be bold. At least once.

I promise I am almost done. I apologize for the length of this post. I would like to take one last moment to introduce you all to the official, finessed yet still-evolving list of Love Mantras:

I still have room for one more mantra. I will wait until it finds me.

Do any of you have mantras?

j.

Western Frills vs. Combat Cool

Happy weekend friends!

Sasha Rae and I spent another Saturday together (as per usual). We used to have Sand too until she moved to New Brunswick for a real (big kid) job a couple months ago. Ky completes our foursome but currently spends her days in Toronto. When I leave the Island at the end of November, it will be the first time in 8 years that the four of us have each been living in different locations. Gross.

The four of us met in first year university. We were all from out of town (and different towns at that: Toronto, Calgary, Fernie and Horsefly). We all lived in Rez. We all lived in the same building. On the same floor. I met Sand first, on the very first night (my 18th birthday, in fact). She was looking for a party. It was my birthday. It was love at first sight. Ky arrived a couple days late. In the middle of the night (classic Ky). Loudly. She was my next-door neighbour. Did I mention Ky is loud? It's funny but I don't actually remember meeting Sasha. However, it happened and Sash and I were basically inseparable for the rest of the year (and several more to follow). I do recall seeing Sasha before meeting her and thinking she was pretty and that I wanted to be her friend. Creepy. But true.

The four of us are as different as different can be. We like different things. We all studied completely different things in school and we all have a different career (or plan for a career). Each one of our personalities is completely unique. Odds were certainly against the four of us females to get along so well and bond so strongly. But we did. Anyways, the four of us became great friends. We moved off campus together and lived in a house together for several more years. We have travelled together. We grew up together. We became family. I am thankful for each one of my ladies and am so happy that we have maintained our friendship so well over the past 8 years.

                                                                      

Back to Saturday. It's mid-October but it was beautiful out. Thank-you Victoria. Sasha and I decided to go for a photo walk because we were both wearing cute outfits. I have named my look Western Frills and I think Sasha looks Combat Cool. We walked around Moss Street Market and looked for eye-catching backdrops for our photos while we weaved our way through the character homes and still bountiful, sun-thirsty gardens of Fairfield.

I'll break down our outfits for you. Because you're all dying to know (obviously). Sasha is wearing a beautiful scarf (likely from one of her many travels), her new vintage Levi's denim jacket (re-worked courtesy of yours truly) and her forest green combat boots (from Decade).

I am donning thrifted blue beads from ages ago, a blue striped, ruffle shirt and skinny jeans (from Jacob), brown jacket (from Aritzia) and tan, riding-inspired boots (from The Bay).

This black cat followed us for blocks. Sasha loved it (of course). I did not (allergic). The cat loved me (of course). Some may think a black cat crossing their path numerous times is a bad omen. We thought of that too. We decided this time it was a sign of good luck, if anything. And we were pretty scientific when coming to that conclusion so we figure we're fine.  Sasha gave me a piece of advice today that I am going to hold on to. She told me to "be bold". She was referring to my blogging and photography. But I think it applies to many different aspects of my life. It is something I strive to be but am not quite. Something I will work on. One of my mantras.

How did you spend your Saturday?

j.