Category Archives: Personal Style

Girl’s Best Friend Skirt Remix

Posted on April 12, 2018April 12, 2018 by Melissa Harrison

I’ve loved this skirt since I first made it a couple of years ago. The fabric is so light, the print is so cheerful and the colour is so perfect for spring! I love having this design in my booth at local markets because people’s reactions to it are always so joyful and genuine. They’re drawn to the colour and cut but then they look at it closely and see little corgis tied to colourful balloons and they just melt into a puddle of delighted squeals.

Last time I shot this skirt, I styled it for a typical dreary spring day. Today, I remixed it for one of those fabled warm and sunny spring days we have yet to experience here this year and asked my best friend to join me and show off some of her newest tricks!

Skirt Sophster-Toaster
Top H&M
Shoes ModCloth
Earrings Claire’s
Necklace & Ring gift
Pepper’s Bandana Sophster-Toaster

Photos by me and Matt Harrison.

New Vegetarianism vs Old Leather Shoes

Posted on April 10, 2018April 9, 2018 by Melissa Harrison

My one year anniversary with pescetarianism is coming up next month. I feel like I’ve really gotten the hang of what I can and can’t eat, how to order at restaurants, how to get the right ratio of macronutrients, and how to spot the sneaky sources of animal products over the past few months. I’ve been trying to extend my vegetarian values to all areas of my life, including what I wear and how I shop.

When I first committed to going pescetarian, I was very aware that I was turning down hamburgers, bacon and jello while sitting in leather sandals. I had to take some time and seriously consider how I felt about this hypocrisy. I ultimately decided that I would try my very best to avoid buying new items made with leather, or any product the required the slaughter of an animal, in the future but that I would continue wearing the pieces I already owned until they were worn out. It felt a little selfish, deciding to keep my favourite sandals, but I thought it felt more disrespectful to the animal to throw them away before their time, or donate them and have someone else do the same. My thoughts and feelings may change in the future but, for now, this is what I can live with.

Top H&M
Skirt Sophster-Toaster
Shoes thrifted
Necklace Emery & Opal / Craft Arts Market
Barrette Oh Hello Bug / Got it Made

All photos by me.

Snow, Snow, Go Away

Posted on April 6, 2018April 6, 2018 by Melissa Harrison

It feels like spring is taking forever to get going this year. We had one of the coolest, snowiest Marches in recent memory and so far, April hasn’t been much different. I’m dying to get my light and bright spring clothes out but the wet and frosty chill outside has me stuck in winter layers limbo. I’m so sick of sweaters and nylons, I’ve started pretending it’s time to go without around the house, staying warm with big cups of chamomile tea and daydreams of tulips and apple blossoms. I’m sure I’ll be opening the windows and packing up my winter boots, unable to remember just when the warm weather got here, before I know it, but right now, it feels like it’s been cold and stormy all my life.

Skirt ModCloth (similar)
Raglan Oast House Brewers
House Shoes Amazon
Hair Clips Shopper’s Drug Mart

All photos by me.

Shutterbug Skirt Two Ways

Posted on March 27, 2018March 27, 2018 by Melissa Harrison

I know I say this a lot, but I think this new skirt is my favourite thing I’ve ever made. I saw it as a shorter length skirt from day one but I was nervous about making such a full skirt hemmed about knee length, and I started to doubt myself. I ultimately decided to trust my instincts, and I’m so glad I did! I actually love the cut, drape and silhouette of this vintage cameras print skirt in the shorter, mini length so much, I decided to give it two photo sets: one with light pairings and one with dark.

Figuring I’m in a unique position of being able to make two nearly identical outfits in opposing colours with my natural cotton and black coloured Coffee Tees, I took the opportunity to try both out and see which I preferred. I definitely felt more confident and more like myself in the black – believing it to be more my colour – but I think I actually like the light outfit better when looking back at the photos.

Skirt Sophster-Toaster
Light Tee Sophster-Toaster
Light Shoes ModCloth
Dark Tee Sophster-Toaster
Dark Shoes ModCloth

All photos by me.