Category Archives: Personal Style

Hello 30

Posted on February 16, 2018March 13, 2018 by Melissa Harrison

I’ll be turning 30 this weekend, and I couldn’t be excited. I think most people morn the end of their 20’s but I’ve always been a driven, goal-oriented person and always eager to reach the next milestone. I have no fear that I’ve left anything unaccomplished and I’m very ready to set new goals and see what the next decade has to show me.

Being someone turning 30, I was born in the 80s, so, I’ve planned to celebrate this big birthday with an 80s theme party! Not the tacky, neon 80s everyone seems to recall, but the everyday-overdone glamour vibe the decade did so well. I’ve organized a sushi and champagne menu, found a mint chip cake that does not represent any colour found in nature but seems so right, dug out all of my collected or self-vintaged 80’s decor, and purchased the perfect dress.

Let me talk about the dress! I usually buy myself a new dress for my birthday party, but I normally stick to the sales and end up with a very nice dress that’s maybe not right for winter. This year, I searched for a dress that was just right and paid full price, it’s a special year after all. The dress is a little out of my mid-century style comfort zone and the cut and the fabric are not something I would typically chose, but there’s something special and undeniably me about this dress. When paired with my practice hair and makeup, it’s leaning a little 70s disco but I couldn’t be more pleased with how the look turned out!

Dress Urban Outfitters
Necklace & Earrings old
Ring family heirloom

All photos by me.

Complete Collection

Posted on February 2, 2018March 13, 2018 by Melissa Harrison

I’ve always wanted to be one of those people who is organized enough to own a favourite piece of clothing in multiple colours. I never seem to be on the ball enough to go back and grab the same style in a second hue or print after falling in love with the first. I’ve also always wondered, while watching others do it, if this makes good wardrobe building sense.

I bought this skirt from ModCloth a couple of years ago, in yellow, and immediately loved it. I love the colour, the cut, the way it moves and the way I can style it to suit every season. I get compliments nearly every time I wear it and it’s always the first thing I toss in my suitcase when packing for an adventure. I’ve already had to mend it twice and will be utterly heartbroken when it dies.

I’ve been aware since I bought the skirt – and agonized over the colour choices – that ModCloth sells the style in a rainbow of colour options. I’ve kept the notion that I might buy it again tucked in my back pocket but never thought I would pull the trigger; the fashion world is so vast and life’s too short to explore the same place twice, right? But then I saw my beloved skirt on sale, in red, and decided to see what this complete collection thing was all about.

Let me say, I’m so glad I did. I love this skirt as much as the first! The neat thing is, I already know exactly how to wear it… because I sort of already owned it. It seem to me to make good sense when assembling a wardrobe, even on a budget. You know it’s going to work with your overarching style, and match the other pieces already in your collection, because you’ve previously tested it. The longevity of the new investment seems solid too. The risk of the new piece falling out of style or you falling out of love with it are low when the rewards of old one have been so great.

I think I’ve been converted to this way of thinking and shopping. Maybe I’ll become one of those people with the gorgeously curated closet holding a full rainbow of their favourite pieces.

Skirt ModCloth
Sweater H&M
Stockings What Katie Did
Jewellery old

All photos by me.

False Start

Posted on January 29, 2018March 13, 2018 by Melissa Harrison

I was sick with a bad cold and stuck inside almost all of last week, so I didn’t get to enjoy the unseasonably mild weather we’ve been having. It’s been a strange feeling, being sick and bundled up inside at the end of January but looking outside at a garden that looks like early spring. The birds are chirping and the sun is streaming softly through the windows between gently rolling rainstorms but I can’t let myself get excited because it doesn’t feel real; it’s too early to be spring.

It’s hard to know how to dress for this type of weather. We’re still in the middle of winter but the temperature’s above zero in the afternoons and all the snow is gone. The colourful clothes of spring don’t match the browns, greys and muted greens of the world outside but my winter clothes feel a bit too heavy. I’m keeping the spring clothes tucked safely away so I’m not so crestfallen when the chill returns but I couldn’t help but sneak out the kitschy rabbit earrings while the weather is calm and promising.

Sweater ModCloth
Skirt ModCloth
Socks McGregor Socks
Earrings old
Ring old

All photos by Matt.

The Great Indoors

Posted on January 23, 2018March 13, 2018 by Melissa Harrison

I as mentioned in a previous post, one of my favourite things about January is spending lazy days indoors. There’s no pressure to go outside and enjoy the weather when it’s -20 degrees Celsius and windy or the backyard is a swampy mess of melting snow and mud. We can stay inside and cuddle up to watch movies or read books all day without feeling like we missed out on anything. The puppy still needs lots of mental and physical stimulation to stay happy and healthy, but she’s just starting to appreciate a good snuggle session – and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Sweater ModCloth
Jeans ModCloth
Socks Roots
Earrings ModCloth
Ring Blue Ridge Notions

All photos by me.