Knotted Beauty

A few months ago, I mentioned on Instagram that I was spending the afternoon taking pictures of a few scarves that my mom had crocheted. Thankfully, after a couple of hours of photographing, I got to see the results of my efforts and I was actually pretty happy with how they turned out, so I wanted to share a few of them here as well, because this is not a frequent occurrence in this camera-challenged girl's life.

Like I mentioned, the scarves were all crocheted by my mom, after learning this beautiful new stitch called "Solomon's knot", as a way to use up some of the yarns we have around the house and to stay busy during her long commute to and from work.

The reason I was photographing them is because we decided to list them on Etsy. As much as we love a handmade scarf, we really don't need so many of the same, and we'd rather share them with others who will appreciate their beauty and softness just as much as we do.

Besides, after seeing how beautiful this pattern looks, I've requested a larger, shawl-sized scarf, that I can drape over my shoulders and wear during all 4 seasons, not just the 3 colder ones that these scarves are perfect for. To this day though, I'm still debating what colour or yarn I'd like my shawl to be crocheted with (maybe one of these neutral, lighter yarns that we have in the shop?), which always seems to be the hardest choice for me when it comes to handmade projects. Usually, when I pick the material first, I know almost instantly what I would like to make with it, but when I pick the project first, I have the hardest time settling on the material.

Does this only happen to me? What is the hardest choice for you when starting a new project? And also, speaking of Etsy, what are your favourite shops there?

PS: Naturally, I had my whiskered assistant along with me for the picture-taking, to make sure everything was in order!

Alterations

A few weeks ago during a long weekend, I finally got a chance to pull out my sewing machine and do a little bit of sewing. It was the first time in over 2 years and it felt so good. I am not experienced in any way at the sewing machine - I think I sewed less than 10 times in my entire life - but I grew up around women who sewed, and have always had a deep desire to learn.

Since I only had about half a day free, I picked two clothing items that needed some very simple alterations. It felt so good to start and finish something in the same day, since I already have a few in-progress projects that have been waiting patiently for me.

The first item was an ill-fitting dress that was both too short and at the same time had a neckline that was hitting quite low - that is, when the straps actually stayed on. With a loose elastic neckline and armholes, even the slightest movement caused them to slip off my shoulders. This was a quick fix, even for me: I shortened the straps by about 2cm, and now I have a longer, tunic-style top (instead of a dress) that I can actually move in and that stays in place.

The second item was an eco-friendly dress that I bought online. As is the risk with online shopping, I couldn't see all the details clearly, and once it came in the post, I found the actual cut of the dress was a bit odd for me: the sides were extended about halfway through the length and ended with pockets that pointed out. This too was a pretty quick fix by cutting out the extra material.

It was so great to take a bit of time to sit and work at my sewing machine again. Even better, I managed to fix some items that I hadn't worn yet, so with just a couple of hours of work, I technically added two pieces to my closet. I hope to be doing more of the same this month while I'm on vacation from work because my mending and finishing pile alone is overflowing, not to mention that list of new projects I'd like to tackle.

I'd love to know, do you sew or would you like to learn? If yes, do you prefer to fix and re-imagine ill-fitting items or to work on new projects from scratch?

Old Friends

Something that I think doesn't translate very well in pictures is height. So, probably many people don't know that I'm only 5'2'' tall. To be honest, I never had a problem with being so small - having really small feet that are practically impossible to fit from a regular store at the mall, that's an entirely different story - in fact, I've quite enjoyed it. One perk of my short height is that I've stopped growing out of my clothes a very long time ago, which means that even at only 24 years old, I have pieces in my closet that date back sometimes more than a decade.

Some good examples are the pieces in this outfit, which are all around that age. The pink shirt was knit by my mom for me, the sleeveless button-down layered underneath was a birthday present one year - though it is so old that I don't even remember exactly which year - and the Jordache jeans were a gift from my older cousin back when we were living continents apart (sometime around 1997, I think...), that I have kept for a few years hoping I would grow into them, only to have my mom shorten and tighten them once I realized that wouldn't happen - which was still quite a few years ago.

One of the reasons why I have kept these - and many other - clothes for so long is that I get attached to them. I don't shop very often and when I do, I try to make sure I buy something that I really love, and often that love doesn't go away, even many years later. In fact, I've never even thought of the idea of regularly combing through my closet and giving away things, the way I've learned most girls do; that is something that I've only heard of once I started reading blogs. With a few exceptions, my approach to my clothes is, once I really get tired of a piece or don't like the fit of it anymore, I get it altered so that it gets a new life. This is what I've done over the years and what I'd like to keep doing going forward, especially since I have become so passionate about green living and, consequently, having a green wardrobe.

Below Freezing

Last week we were spoiled with a few mild days (read: above 0 Celsius) but this week the temperatures have dipped way below freezing, somewhere in between the -20 and -30 degrees (Celsius) marks.

• Frosty windows •

Thankfully, I don't have many plans to go out in this cold and I'm content to just witness these rather sunny days from the warmth and comfort of home.

I did have to step out on Monday though, and in order to face the day I took out my warmest coat, layered as much as I could, and found comfort in the chunkiest infinity scarf that I have - in fact the only infinity scarf that I have (so far!) and that I actually knit myself!

Fall Closet Basics

Last year around this time, I wrote 'Autumn Basics', in which I rounded up clothes that I thought would contribute to a versatile eco-friendly fall wardrobe. This year, instead of combing through countless online shops to find the 'ideal' items, I was inspired by Vicky's post to look inside my own wardrobe. The premise is still the same as last year - to be more deliberate about my clothing choices - but I'm more realistic by not looking to buy anything new, which is neither a necessity nor a possibility for me right now, and rather focusing on getting the most wear out of - and in the process, falling back in love with - the clothes I already have. To me, this is just a different way of making my fashion choices greener: no new purchases means no added waste, and wearing my own clothes more means no wasted space for items that just gather dust. So, here are a few of my basics that are in constant rotation during these months when the weather gets ever colder in anticipation of winter.

1. Lightweight scarves Since I always seem to skip on adding just the right piece of jewelry to my outfit, scarves are generally my accessory of choice, and I'm happy to have these ones in rotation before I have to switch over to the thick, woollen ones.

2. Stripes and 3/4 sleeves To be honest, stripes are basics year round in my wardrobe, and in combination with a 3/4 sleeve, they work so well for the in-between weather of this season. Lucky me, it just so happens that many of my 3/4 sleeved tops are also striped (or maybe vice-versa?!?...the addiction goes deep :P).

3. Bright orange I just got this sweater in September, and even then I could already tell that it would be one of my fall staples. Most of my outfit ideas revolve around it these days, and I think it will be the cheerful bright spot in an array of clothes that keep getting darker as fabrics get thicker and warmer.

4. Brown shoes In all fairness, many of my shoes are brown - somehow, the black version just doesn't seem as appealing when I try it on - but I think they will bring a particularly 'autumn' feel to my outfits.

5. Blazers Over the years, I have amassed a good selection of them and they're just the right choice when I'm looking for a more dressed-up version to a cardigan or lightweight jacket. I like that they're primarily light-colored to balance out the darker tone of most of my cold-weather-appropriate wardrobe.

What are your fall basics this year? I'd love to know!

Online Spree: French Dressing

I don't often find myself in situations like this, but about a couple of months ago, I found a sale that I couldn't resist: Pure Citizen - the eco-friendly counterpart to discount sites like Gilt Groupe and HauteLook - was having 50% off on Ethos Paris items. This is one of the brands that I discovered when I first started looking into eco-fashion and although I really liked their collection, for a long time I didn't know where I could find pieces from it. With this sale, I managed to get two tops and a dress that are perfect for spring and summer as well as great examples of some of my favourite fashion elements of this season: lots of white, with some bright pops of colour.

Honeymoon Top (yes, another striped top!!) - I have long documented my love for stripes on this blog, and have admitted to owning more striped pieces than any person would need. I like fun colour combinations, but the appeal of classic black-and-white - or maybe navy-and-white, I keep looking at it, but I'm still not sure which one it is exactly! - is undeniable. Other lovely details like the three-quarter raglan sleeves with beautiful laced detailing close to the edge made it impossible for me to say no to this top.

Venus Dress - To be honest, I was a little surprised to see that this dress was actually a taupe colour rather than white as I had thought from the picture on the site, but I liked it regardless. Sadly, I do have a few issues with it: even though I got the smallest size available, it is too big on me - both too large and too long - but on the bright side, it's nothing that a little patience and help from my mom can't fix. I'm planning on taking it in a little bit because I really do love it - the bright pattern, beautiful neckline and front pleating are all reasons why - and hope to wear it all summer long.

Anemone Top (no longer available, sorry) - I have been craving lots of white for my wardrobe lately, and this top definitely filled a void. Once again, the neckline is just lovely, and all the seams - the horizontal back seam, the front seams that create flattering pleats, as well as the sleeve seams - are perfectly placed and subtle enough to require a careful look to be fully appreciated - and that's just the kind of thing that I like best.

Luckily, when I was gathering images for this post, I found out that the label recently opened up an online store, and after a quick look through I can definitely say that these will not be, by any means, my last Ethos Paris purchases!

• Model images via Ethos Paris, Pure Citizen •

Happy Days: Savoured Moments

• A recent sunset, the most beautiful one I have seen yet •

It's been a while since I have last written a Happy Days post. Last year, they became a sort of Friday ritual and some of my favourite posts to put together. Though I never meant to post them each week, whenever I did, they were always great reminders to step back and enjoy the things around me. Even now, it's fun to look back on them and see that the things that made me smile then, still do the same now. Today seemed like the perfect opportunity to reintroduce them in 2012: after a busy few weeks at school filled with presentations, project deadlines and the stress of final exams, there is no better time to remind myself to take it slow and savour the little moments.

• Details of an organic cotton scarf that I received from the Easter Bunny •

• A sweet, healthy midday snack •

Mild November

This week started out with such a mild Monday morning that I couldn't resist dressing up in a skirt and heels - even though going to class was all I had on the agenda. There won't be many more such opportunities this year and I had to take advantage of it.

• Top via consignment store • Joe Fresh skirt • H&M belt • Payless high-heeled oxfords • Gap trench coat •

I purchased this top over a year ago from a consignment store and shamefully, this was the first time that I wore it. At the time, I couldn't resist the pretty colour, soft fabric and tunic length and I was envisioning pairing it with some skinny jeans or leggings. However, I've discovered that it doesn't go too well with jeans, and I have yet to find the perfect pair of leggings to wear out. So instead, I decided to tuck it into one of my favourite skirts, then add a nice belt, some high-heeled oxfords and a pair of tights and go about my day.

Such a rare occasion that in November a trench coat is all I need to stay warm!

Happy Days: Colourful Fall

• Pink blooms on the windowsill •

Since September, I’ve been struggling to juggle a new, time-consuming school schedule and the blog. It's become clear that I haven't been successful so far and as a result, this space felt a bit neglected. In order to change things for the better, I decided to take a little time to focus on creating more content and working behind-the-scenes. I hope to form a strategy that will allow me to truly build the online eco-space that I envision and to be more consistent with posting in the future. For this reason, the blog will be a little more quiet during the next few weeks, though I will not go away completely. On that note, today I wanted to share a few of the things that have put a smile on my face this fall.

• An exquisitely beautiful white flower that keeps me company when I'm working at my desk •

• New additions to my closet: an eco-friendly backpack (my favourite from this bunch) and a lovely little charm necklace from a giveaway put together by Veronika & Brideblu (Thank you!) •

❤ On this day last year, I proclaimed my love for stripes: French Wisdom.

School Uniform

I hate to admit this but on school days, my outfits are mainly of the "jeans-and-T-shirt" variety. As a person interested in fashion, this is very frustrating since I feel like I should come up with better, more fashion-savvy combinations. What holds me back are the rushed early mornings when I have to get ready knowing I won't be returning home before the evening, and so I have to account for all of the variations in weather throughout the day - a rather scary thought.

• hand-me-down Jordache jeans (from cousin-in-law) • blouse knitted by my mom • Hollister jacket • Azuri floral scarf (seen here) • Clarks shoes • 

This week while I was getting ready, I realized that the jeans I was wearing are one of the eco-friendly pieces I own - a hand-me-down (read: recycled) pair that is in constant rotation. Somehow, this thought made everything better and my lack of creativity didn't bother me as much anymore. After throwing a few bright colours and another eco-friendly item into the mix, I was ready to go. That is not to say that I will not keep trying to evolve my style though - that is something that I'm always striving for and hope to make small steps forward as I go along.

The Third

These days, summer is slowly fading away and generally I would spend my time complaining about all the reasons why I think that fall has arrived much too soon. This year - though I feel the same way - I decided to fight this bad habit and focus on the positive instead; of course, it helped that the newly cooler temperatures outside allowed me to wear this light, eco-friendly blouse for the first time during the Labour Day week-end - quite a few months after I received it as a gift, when the H&M Conscious Collection came out back in April!

• H&M Conscious Collection blouse • hand-me-down necklace (from cousin) • H&M jeans • Payless flats (kids' section) •

I decided to stick with the simple recipe of a mainly black-and-white outfit, livened up with my ever favourite touch of bright colour, and I think it turned out to be the perfect backdrop for the beautiful details in the blouse's design to truly shine through.

❤ On this day last year, I was reviewing one of my favourite green beauty books: I Am...Eco-Beautiful

The Second

Since I am limited to a non-working student budget, most of my eco-friendly clothing is recycled clothing. Throughout the years I have been lucky enough to receive plenty of beautiful pieces from older cousins who outgrew them, as well as some from my mom. I treasure all of them just as much as the pieces that I buy with my own money, and love the little bit of history that comes with each.

• (very old) hand-me-down blouse • Guess skirt • Cinderella of Boston wedges • leather bag from Italy •

I've had this blouse for more than 10 years now after it was passed on to me by my mom - she's had it herself since she was my age, meaning in her early 20s - and I have always loved its design and the subtle, same-colour embroidery. For quite a while though I didn't take it out of my closet because, being very sheer, I was having a hard time finding the right pieces to wear it with. Ironically enough, this outfit came together quickly as I was rushing to get out the door and felt like the perfect lightweight combination for a hot summer day of running errands.


PS: Thank you so much for your sweet and kind words about my first outfit post. They dispelled some of the fears I had had before hitting "publish" and convinced me to follow it up. That being said, I apologize for the poor quality of the pictures, I realize it's time to start saving up for a better, high-quality camera.

The First

• H&M Garden Collection dress • Zara cardigan • Cinderella of Boston sandals •

One of my favourite parts about my birthday was the outfit that I wore. Luckily, it was one of those outfits that came together effortlessly, in a matter of minutes and with no second changes. It was nothing very special, but it included my dress from H&M's eco-friendly Garden Collection - which came out last spring - one of my most treasured pieces from my closet. It also happens to be a little white dress that I think is a quintessential piece for summer, brightened up with a little bit of embroidery at the top. 

Granted, this look might not have been the wisest choice for a day of running around hardware stores buying things for the new house, but I was so proud of it that I wasn't going to let it keep me from wearing it. More so, in the spirit of taking chances, I decided to post a picture of it here and even though after a video, pictures seem much less daunting, it still took a little bit of internal back-and-forth to go through with it. That being said, I look forward to hearing any comments, ideas and helpful advice that you might have for me!

Happy Days: Summer's Here

These first days of June have been really busy but positive ones. It's the beginning of summer after all, and just that thought makes me jump for joy. I have waited for warm weather, sunny days and clear skies for so long it seems, and waking up to this scenery almost every day has definitely been my driving force of late. As I embark on my last day of being 21, I wanted to share a few other things that make me happy right now.

• Hand-me-down (read: eco-friendly) maxi skirt that's been in my closet for years and finally fits! •

• Scented candles that bring summer inside - exotic, vanilla & apple •

• Some new fabrics to go with my new patterns •

Happy Days: Spring Joy

With another year of university behind me and an adventurous summer on the horizon, I really do have quite a few reasons to smile these days. Of course, the warmer temperatures and the imminent appearance of blooming trees and colourful gardens don't hurt either, and they have inspired me once again to enjoy the simple pleasures in life.

• Sunny days and clear skies •

• My new eco-friendly summer scarves •

• A lovely bouquet of orange tulips •