Shallot Hill

Shallot Hill | Sophster-Toaster

My husband grew up on a (relatively) small vegetable farm his father named Shallot Hill. My father-in-law maintained the farm while commuting a couple hours a day to teach screen printing and other skills to prisoners. When the prison closed, he went full time with his passion, started the lengthy process to go organic – before it was trendy – and tried to grow the best versions of the most interesting things he could find. He grew purple carrots, blue potatoes, red basil, strangely shaped squashes, and many other things that, growing up in a small town, I had never heard of before… like shallots. He became a trusted source for beautiful and weird local produce at every fancy restaurant in town, but was best known for his incredible garlic.

Every time we visit the farm, we load up on everything that’s in season, but especially garlic and shallots. We must have overdone it at Christmas, because we found a big bag of what my husband expertly and matter-of-factly called “seed garlic” in the basement last weekend. We couldn’t let such beautiful garlic go to waste, so we planted it on the next warm and sunny day.

Shallot Hill | Sophster-Toaster Shallot Hill | Sophster-Toaster Shallot Hill | Sophster-Toaster Shallot Hill | Sophster-Toaster Shallot Hill | Sophster-Toaster

Top Gale’s Vintage Clothing Collection
Jeans Angry Rabbit
Glasses Warby Parker

Shallot Hill | Sophster-Toaster

Photos by me and Matt Harrison.

Spooky Pinup

Spooky Pinup | Sophster-Toaster

My brother and I shared a laugh early this week over how one would think that my skills and hobbies would make me good at making Halloween costumes, but they don’t: I’m actually kind of bad at it.

For about a decade, I didn’t even dress up. I spent Halloween at home watching scary movies in the dark, so there wasn’t really any reason to dress up. Then we bought a house with a front door that kids could actually come trick-or-treating to. We bought pumpkins, decorations and candy! We developed a tradition of making a festive meal, putting on the early episodes of The Simpsons Treehouse of Horror, drinking pumpkin beer, giving out candy… and dressing up.

This year, I decided to abuse the freedom Halloween provides and dress up – in my own clothes – as who I wish I were brave enough to be everyday: a spooky pinup.

Spooky Pinup | Sophster-Toaster Spooky Pinup | Sophster-Toaster Spooky Pinup | Sophster-Toaster

Dress Capsule Vintage
Stockings What Katie Did

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Photos by me & Matt Harrison.

Vintage Christmas

Vintage Christmas | Sophster-Toaster Blog

I bought this vintage dress online during a big sale while up at the cottage at the beginning of summer. It arrived a week or two before the puppy came home and I haven’t been brave enough to wear it around the little nipper before now. I bought it thinking the longer length, sweetheart neckline and red gingham fabric would make it perfect for wearing on Valentine’s Day/ my 30th birthday. I didn’t realize until I was panicking in front of my closet, trying to get ready for my husband’s office Christmas party, that it was a perfect Christmas dress!

Vintage Christmas | Sophster-Toaster Blog Vintage Christmas | Sophster-Toaster Blog Vintage Christmas | Sophster-Toaster Blog Vintage Christmas | Sophster-Toaster Blog Vintage Christmas | Sophster-Toaster Blog Vintage Christmas | Sophster-Toaster Blog Vintage Christmas | Sophster-Toaster BlogVintage Christmas | Sophster-Toaster Blog Vintage Christmas | Sophster-Toaster Blog Vintage Christmas | Sophster-Toaster Blog

Dress Capsule Vintage
Stockings ModCloth
Shoes ModCloth
Brooch Antique Warehouse
Earrings old

All photos by me.

Fall Transition

Fall Transition \\ Sophster-Toaster Blog

Fall has always been my favourite. Seeing the red, orange and yellow leaves grow vibrant as the morning fog clears to reveal a crisp blue sky, walking in the afternoon without getting all sweaty and cuddling up with a steaming cup of tea and apple pie scented candles in the evening make me incredibly happy. I look forward to this season all year long and although the first official day of fall has arrived, the sweater weather hasn’t quite yet.

Fall Transition \\ Sophster-Toaster Blog

The days are getting shorter and the sunlight had turned to a sparkling golden colour at it’s lowest angles but the temperature still climbs to over 20 degrees everyday and reaches close to 30 with humidity. I want to wear flannel and wool, boots and sweaters but it’s just too hot. I guess I’ll have to settle for richly coloured dresses and black during the day as I transition my wardrobe from summer to fall.

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Dress Vintage
Shoes ModCloth
Hat Forever 21
Earrings very old

Fall Transition \\ Sophster-Toaster Blog Fall Transition \\ Sophster-Toaster Blog

Photos by Matt Harrison.