February Wishlist

Posted on February 2, 2023February 1, 2023 by Melissa Harrison

My budget is small, so I can only pick up one, maybe two, new clothing items per month. I don’t mind, though, as it really makes me think about how I want to build my wardrobe. Here are the top things I’m thinking about adding to my closet this month.

Bunny Bralette in White

This sweet bralette from Inspiration Vintage is handmade with care and perfect for a cozy date night.

Pink Overall Dress

This soft pink denim jumper from Angry Rabbit is just right for late winter layering. I own one in blue and love it so much, I might pick up another!

Original Vegan Boot

It’s almost time to put away the heavy snow boots but not quite time for lighter shoes. These vegan Blundstone boots will keep toes warm and dry until the sun returns.

Sculpted Rib Legging

The classic black legging is the most versatile activewear piece. The ribbed texture of these Roots leggings add a little extra something to this staple.

Classic Crew in Forest Green Rainbow Speckle

The cold weather isn’t gone yet, up here in Canada. This made-in-Toronto sweatshirt from Muttonhead, with its charming rainbow speckles, is just the thing to see us through.

All photos via retailers.

Uniform

Posted on January 26, 2023February 16, 2023 by Melissa Harrison

My wardrobe became really practical over the pandemic. My habits and hobbies changed and my clothing slowly evolved to reflect that. I didn’t have much use for party dresses when all I did was work, garden, walk the dog, play my drums, and skate outdoors. As I let go of old dresses, skirts and blouses in cheap fabrics and bad fits, I gradually replaced them with sturdy denim jumpers, warm wool sweaters, and shorts and t-shirts I could move in.

I now needed things that could go from screen printing, to walking the dog, to going out into the garden to dig something up for dinner. I had very little use for a delicate dress I couldn’t get dirty in or a skirt that would rip if I took a full stride on my skateboard.

My wardrobe shrank quite a bit, as I seemed to be donating three to four things for every one I brought home. Around this time, I also started to really focus on only buying things that I thought were a 10/10 for quality, usefulness, eco consciousness, and fitting my style. I have a lot of empty space in my closet and dresser now, but I love everything I see and get a lot of wear out of everything I own. When I do need a party dress these days, it’s so easy to choose one that I will look and feel great in, because the few I have now are all winners.

Jumper Angry Rabbit
Wool Tights Rachel

Playing Cameras

Posted on January 21, 2020February 7, 2020 by Melissa Harrison

Sometime, over last spring and summer, we started referring to what I do when I grab a camera and start messing around with it as “playing cameras”. When I’m feeling bored or restless, I have a habit of picking up a camera and wandering around; I bother pets, play with the different settings on my cameras, annoy unwitting models, try to sneak up on new angles, painstakingly craft composition, shoot from the hip, and generally experiment to see if I get anything interesting. I started doing it so much, and with so little warning to the people around me, that it got a name.

I used to think, when I first started taking self portraits, that what I was doing wasn’t real, or legitimate, or of any value unless I did it a certain way. I thought I had to set up my tripod, ready my timer or remote shutter release, and stand on my mark to be a photographer. I convinced myself that if I had any skill, I could do it blind; that using the “live view” feature on my DSLR was cheating. I don’t think I could explain that clearly to myself now if I tried all day.

Now, I set up my camera, dial in the settings that I want, flip the screen around and switch it on – so I can actually see what I’m doing – pick up my remote shutter release and start messing around. On this frigid, windy, ice-encased, day after a storm in January, I played cameras indoors in the winter sunshine and learned more about light and shadow.

Sweater ModCloth (different colour)
Glasses Warby Parker
Dainty Ring Blue Ridge Notions

All photos by me.

New Year

Posted on January 14, 2020February 7, 2020 by Melissa Harrison

I’m not quite sure if I needed a break from blogging to recharge my creativity or just to work on other projects. Perhaps one achieved the other. I missed photographing the most beautiful season, but I found a lot of time to explore and build other hobbies, interests and skills.

I read books about kalsarikännit, photography and a good chunk of a Russian novel, learned how to be more eco-friendly, studied another language, watched movies, hiked, skated, worked on the house and started developing a whole new product for my shop. I tried to figure out where I want to go personally, professionally, physically in 2020: a year that sounds so futuristic child-me thought I’d never get here.

I don’t often take breaks, but I think this one really did me some good. I’m ready to work hard, rest when I need to, and take on whatever the new year has in store for me.

Sweater thrifted
Jeans Angry Rabbit
Glasses Warby Parker
Earrings Just A Little This That (other colours)
Socks Roots