California, 1982

Posted on July 11, 2019February 7, 2020 by Melissa Harrison

I’m finding, more and more, that my personal style is evolving into a fairly specific aesthetic that I’ve been internally referring to as California, 1982. I love anything with this vibe and snap up everything that possesses it, even when it doesn’t exactly jive with my earlier mid century obsession.

Living, as I do, in Canada, 2019, I don’t get many opportunities to explore this new fascination. It’s made for an even murkier transition from vintage pin-up to retro boardwalk babe. It’s hard to find effortlessly aloof clothes with that sunny, summertime feel that can stand up to a Canadian winter, so summer is when I really get to shine. I feel most myself when I’m skating – on my quads or on my little banana board – to the 7-11 for a Popsicle in tube socks and a ringer tee.

Bodysuit Camp Collection
Skirt Sophster-Toaster
Necklace Emery & Opal

All photos by me.

Late Bloomer

Posted on April 16, 2019April 15, 2019 by Melissa Harrison

Being in Canada, it seems like I’m always the last girl in the world to get my spring flowers. My Instagram feed is flooded with beautiful new pictures of trees, meadows and gardens teeming with blooms, meanwhile, I’m staring at bare trees and brown gardens. By the time my spring flowers finally arrive, everyone else is moving on to summer. I feel like I’m always one step behind; I’m a slow starter and a late bloomer.

I was digging through some older pictures I took for my shop over the weekend and I was stunned by how much my style and photography aesthetics have evolved and aligned over time. I’ve noticed the same thing happening in my life since turning 30. I feel so much more sure of myself, my style and my creative pursuits; I know what I want and I’m confident in my choices. It’s like my life, until now, has been spent germinating beneath the snow and now I’m finally ready to bloom.

Umbrella Pearls and Pockets
Glasses Warby Parker
Skirt Steady Clothing

Photos by me and Matt.

Strawberry Jammer Skater Skirt

Posted on April 2, 2019April 1, 2019 by Melissa Harrison

I’ve been learning to skate with Niagara Roller Derby all winter and this skirt, with its sweet strawberry print on lightweight cotton, bias cut in a full circle, was decidedly inspired by my new obsession. It’s all I think about and, I’ve been told, all I talk about, so I’m not surprised the first piece I turned out for the warmer weather would look great on skates.

I can’t wait to wear this skirt as I skate downtown to grab a strawberry radler on a hazy summer evening. When working on and wearing this skirt, I couldn’t help but think about the summer sun casting bold shadows on tree-lined streets, the sound of cicadas, and the feeling of that first cooler breeze after the sun finally sets rustling in the light fabric of this full skirt and the soft pink lining underneath.

Sweater Bluenotes
Skirt Sophster-Toaster
Shoes ModCloth
Glasses Warby Parker
Earrings old

All photos by me.

Fall Brew

Posted on September 25, 2018September 25, 2018 by Melissa Harrison

When the nights start to get cool, and it takes all morning for the house to warm up again, the husband and I like to spend our weekends cooking, baking and brewing tasty fall treats. Last weekend, we spent a clear and calm Sunday brewing an English brown ale that warmed up our kitchen and filled the house with the classic cheese cracker smell of steeped grains.

Matt knows a lot more about home brewing than I do. He threw together a recipe using the assortment of ingredients we had lying around, leftover from summer brewing. He weighs, measures, times, checks temperatures and makes careful calculations while I’m there for the beer, snacks and lending a hand (or making sure the dog doesn’t) when he needs one.

I can’t stand how much I love our fall weekend routine.

Top Unique Vintage
Skirt Steady Clothing
Barrette very old

All photos by me.