Outfits: Blue Streak

The weather in Winnipeg has cooled off early this year and so has my penchant for pink. Back to blues. After cleaning out my collection a bit (both in my hoard and personal wardrobe) I remembered that I have a few neglected dresses. This being one of them. 

It's a mid-century handmade housedress which still bears a few small stains from housecleaning tucked among the pattern. This doesn't bother me a bit - it tells the story of the dress. 

I'm sadly counting down the days until I'm back at work. Two weeks of holidays left. I'm trying to make the most of them and doing some planning for the blog so I don't abandon you all again when I start work (wish me luck!). 

To The Boy: "What do you think I'm doing?! I'm taking blog photos!" Yeesh...

The perfect photobomb. I had my "serious blogger" face on and everything....thanks Dave. lol

50's Cotton House Dress: Ragtime (in Ottawa)

Polka Dot Floral Brooch: Ardene

Vintage Navy Leather Belt: Thrifted

Vintage Tooled Leather Purse: Thrifted, Value Village

Striped Peep Toe Wedges: Forever 21

Lisa.xo

Around Here...

I just thought I would post quick and give you fine folks a little update on what's been going on around here...
(if you stalk follow me on Instagram you're in the loop)

The Boy and I drove out to a wedding on the weekend in Lac du Bonnet. No pictures of the two of us (as usual), but I did manage this selfie in the truck from the ceremony to the reception.

The groom and groomsmen made a splashy entrance (no pun intended) by 9 seater plane. They flew over the guests 3 times and then flew low over us and the trees, landed on the lake and taxied in to the dock. Best wedding entrance in history! They almost upstaged the bride it was so good!

We camped on a neighbouring yard (the reception was on her parent's property on the lake - so lovely. Perfect weather on Saturday. They were very lucky!) in a rented vintage Boler. We enjoyed it, but decided that we wouldn't buy one. The Boy is too tall to stand up in it and it felt a little squishy with us and the dog.

We've also been reno-ing and decorating my dressing room. New wall paint (fresh, crisp white), new carpet and today we hung drapes! It's coming along nicely!

We've also been doing some MAJOR purging in the house (our basement looked like an episode from Hoarders!). A truckload of stuff went to Goodwill and I've got some furniture listed on Kijiji. Still working through the house and getting rid of things we no longer need or use. Feels so good!

Plus, I took the plunge and went through my vintage clothing and made a massive pile of things I A) am ready to let go of B) don't fit me and C) were given to me and aren't my style. I have an appointment with a local vintage seller to sell everything next week.

So other than that, things have been pretty low key around these parts. I've been spending most days at home, surfing Pintrest and my favourite blogs, puttering around the house and hanging out with The Boy and Dave. Plus, I've been enjoying the occasional afternoon nap. :)


How have you been enjoying your summer?

Lisa.xo

Outfits: More Pink

I go through phases...last year I couldn't stop wearing blue (I do own a multitude of blue dresses...in my defence..). Pink seems to be this summer's colour of choice. Maybe it's my new hot pink clutch...

I donned this favourite on Monday to run some errands. I really love this dress. I bought it at Vintage Glory with a number of other dresses that belonged to a woman whose husband was a tailor. The fabric on this dress is pretty much the coolest thing ever...no really. I am in love with the endless swirl pattern - which is a bit raised - over the faint pink and turquoise stripes. And the pockets...can we all just stop and admire the adorable pockets on this dress for a moment please?

I can't believe that this dress hasn't been on the blog more than once seeing as though it has heavy rotation in my wardrobe. I even wear it in the winter with tights and a sweater.

I'm afraid our yard needs a little a lot of TLC. We've lived in our house for 4 years and barely touched the backyard. We knew it needed a major overhaul so we've left in alone until we were ready to dig in. 

And this summer is the one! We're cutting down the many overgrown and partially dead trees and bushes in our back and front yard, grading up the ground around the house, building flower beds in front of the house, replacing the front sidewalk, demoing our old, broken deck and building a temporary patio (major deck building to come in a few years!) and building a fence!! Phew! That's about enough for this summer, but will only be a start on all the work this neglected (by the previous owners and us now. lol!) yard. 

Black Plastic Rose Earrings: Claire's

Fabric Rose Brooch: Smart Set

Vintage Day Dress: Vintage Glory

Elastic Belt: Le Chateau

Black Peep Toe Canvas Flats: George (Walmart)

Hot Pink Clutch: Thrifted

Lisa.xo

Outfits: I'm Outside! And a 'New' Dress

I'm thrilled to have taken today's outfit post outside (beneath the shade of the pine trees in our backyard to be exact), courtesy of my new tripod!

I also excited to show you the newest addition to my vintage dress collection from Dear Golden. I showed you the etsy photos a few weeks ago, but had to take it to the tailor to have it taken up and in a little. I'm a bit short waisted so I have to have many of my dresses taken up in the waistline in order for them to fit properly. I also had about 2 1/2" removed from the hem of the dress. Now it's perfect!

I clearly need to get used to taking photos outside...my camera settings need some tweeking I think...

I just realized I'm wearing an item from each of my grandmother's in this outfit! My Glasses are from my Grandma Cotton and my belt was a given to me by my Grandma Nelson! Awww! That makes me smile..

My sandals are new too. I never liked really those strappy gladiator style sandals, but this newer, simpler version that is trendy now is perfect. I knew I wanted a metallic pair to wear with dresses during the day. I found this pair at Winners for a song. I love the warm rose metallic colour - they go with everything and are very low key. I almost look barefoot in these photos! And I couldn't resist the filagreed metal (yes - it's metal!) detail on the toe. 

Dave (our 4 year old Boxer - for new readers!) really enjoyed running around the yard like a maniac while I took these photos! haha!

50's Cat Eye Glasses: Were Grandma Cotton's (new lenses from Osborne Spectacle)

50's Cotton Atomic Print Dress: Dear Golden via Etsy

Purple Leather Braided Belt: Was Grandma Nelson's

Green Beaded Necklace worn as a Bracelet: Le Chateau

Sandles: Zigisoho, Winners

This weekend is the Canada Day (July 1st) long weekend and I've got 1 1/2 days of work left! Things are looking up! 

What are you up to this weekend?

Lisa.xo 

Outfits: Rosie and Dave

This is a bit Rosie the Riveter isn't it?

As I've said before, I really love this Rockabilly look when I'm dressing casually.

My contract with Prairie Theatre Exchange will be over in a week. It's been a long haul! 4 months, 9 1/2 weeks of touring - 6 1/2 of then out of town. Needless to say, I'm tired. It's been a great show, but I'm ready for my week off before my next contract starts.

And for fun (because what's better for stress than a laugh?) - me, making silly faces at Dave.

Red Cotton Bandana: Dollar Store

Rose Earrings: Aldo

Red and White Striped Sweater: Forever 21

Rubber Bracelets: Can't Remember...

Blue Skinny Jeans: Forever 21

Black Hi Tops: Chuck Talors

Lisa.xo

Outfits: A Little Half Assed, I Hope You Don't Mind

I hope you excuse my calling this an "Outfit Post". I didn't have enough energy to take my usual full length photos. It's been a pretty crazy week around here. Dave ate something that didn't agree with him on Tuesday and he's been sick all week. We've been to the vet twice in the last 5 days and the night before I took these photos I only got 4 1/2 hours of broken sleep. Poor pup had to go outside every 2 hours.
Hence the sunglasses. I'm hiding some bags behind them! lol!

Dave is on the mend though, we've finally got him on some food he's actually interested in eating and we're seeing a bit of his usual Boxer pep return.

We were headed to my Mom's for dinner with the family and I finally wore this amazing 40's wool jacket that I bought at Ruby Slipper this summer (I also own the skirt. You can see it in this post.)
I really like it worn as a light fall jacket like this and I'm looking forward to wearing it as a blazer this winter.

Isn't the colour to die for? I am smitten with the collar, the butttons...well I'm pretty much in love with everything about this suit.

Repro 50's Sunglasses: Rhymes with Orange 

40's Wool Turquoise Jacket: Ruby Slipper

Houndstooth Scarf: Ricki's

Striped Tee: Joe Fresh

Vintage Necklace: thrifted, Value Village

Favourite-Goes-with-Everything Purse: thrifted, Value Village

Not Seen: Black Skinny Jeans (Forever 21) & Black Ballet Flats (Joe Fresh)

Lisa.xo

Still Alive...

Whoops! I went to the lake again...I really didn't mean to take a week off from the blog. But to be honest, it was good.

I have some posts planned and I feel relaxed and rejuvenated. It's amazing what a holiday does for the mind, body and soul.

Lisa.xo

Lake People

It happened again...I abandoned you for sunny days on the dock, clear water and endless afternoons in the boat...

Can you blame me? You'd do the same thing if you had August off...don't lie to me...I know you would...

Lisa.xo

Fooled You Again!

Did you wonder where I was? I've been posting pretty regularly for the last few weeks...

Well, The Boy, Dave and I were at the lake for the last 5 days. I had loaded up the blog with scheduled posts and we were supposed to come home on Tuesday, but it was just too nice out. We stayed till Thursday night.

Gotta love summer holidays...I know Dave does! lol!

What have you been up to this summer?

Lisa.xo

Belated Birthday Post

Ok, this is the last birthday post for this year (I swear!). I wanted to post this earlier this month, but my computer wasn't recognizing the memory card from my camera and I couldn't find the USB cable for the life of me.
Blah, blah, blah, enough excuses...

This was my last birthday celebration. With my family! All of my siblings and my new nephew went over to my Mom's for drinks, delicious food (my Mom is the best cook, no really...) and cake!

But first, how about some gratuitous shots of my adorable nephew Casey first!

 

That's a Johnny Cash Folsom Prison onesie he's wearing...yup! He's a cool kid.

Casey and Mom! (Or Kim as we like to call her)

Casey insisted that he take over the picture taking so I could enjoy my own party!

My Mom made these delicious focaccia bread things. One kind had tomatoes and basil and pesto and the other was potato and caramelized onions. Yum! And my brother brought Half Pints' new beer over for us to taste. It's not on the market yet...it was a Mexican dark lager they're calling "Noche De Los Alebrijes". I'm not sure how drunk people are going to order it. I can barely say that sober! lol! It was delicious! I can't wait for it to be in stores this fall (Half Pints is a local brewery that my brother works at). 

We love Half Pints beer. And this Transformer does too! (maybe he was a Dinobot, I'm not sure)

This photo really encompasses the chaos that my family is!  Never a dull moment!

I really wish I had some more photos to share, but I was busy visiting and it's really hard to take photos that aren't blurry when there are 2 dogs and a 10 month old flying around the room! lol!

So instead, how about some pictures of cake! Yeah, cake! This is a vegan spice cake my Mom made. My brother Matt's girlfriend Katie has some severe milk and dairy allergies so we eat a lot of vegan food when she's around. We call it "Katie friendly". It was Lisa friendly too! This cake was delicious! lol!

Thanks for indulging my in one last birthday post. You won't have to put up with any more until next year!

Lisa.xo