Ole, ole, ole, ole.. feelin' hot, hot, hot!

How do you even spell "Ole"? (I actually used to hate the song. Back in the day, when I was young...)

For any of my amazing, observant blog readers who actually read my ramblings (NOTE: I love you guys immensly!), you may have recognized my adoration for the sun. I love waking up to sun pouring in my room, radiating its energy to make me feel happy. However, I have come to a newfound realization: the sun and I no longer have a great relationship. The sun makes going outdoors extremely difficult, unless it's early in the morning or late in the evening (or unless you like overheating/ sweating profusely). The sun also makes getting dressed in lovely layers a tad difficult. So, sun, I still love you but I'm looking forward to your heat to drop down a notch and I welcome the fall weather that you will provide.

With that said, I'm sorry for the boringness of my outfits. It's actually a little embarassing.

Wednesday's Outfit: Spent the day at Ikea. I didn't even realize how insanely amazing Ikea is until, well, then. Here's a few tips I'd like to share regarding your next trip to Ikea: 1) Have the Swedish meatballs and 2) Go to the warehouse, sit on a trolly, find a aisle where nobody is in, and have someone push you through that aisle at super speed. I seriously love that place, just because of those two reasons. And yeah, I'm redecorating/ decluttering my room, if you didn't catch my drift!

(Blazer - Thrifted / Value Village $7, Denim Shirt - Dress up box, Shorts - Value Village $4, Jewelry - Assortment)

I apologise for the boringness of the outfit. It became even more boring, as the day got hotter and I ended up taking off my blazer.

^ Typically attitude at Ikea. I'm acting really mature, I know.

New shoes, I feel like I'm reaching a sneaker fetish, which is really unusual/ unexpected for me!

(Shoes - Urban Outfitters $12)

Thursday's Outfit: Another hot day. Something I quickly threw on. I allegedly look "very 50s" according to my mum and - for once - I agree! (My mum has a tendency to use very weird descriptions.)

(Shirt/vest - Thrifted <$1, Belt - Thrifted $1, Skirt - Homemade, Shoes - Keds)

I love spinning. I love action shots...


... so much, that I got a little carried away. I kind of fell...


Question: who is still interested in a skirt tutorial? If I have a few takers, I will post one. I'm a tad lazy - ahem, realistic - to prepare one, though I will happily do so, if people are interested!

Shirt detailing. The "Hey Mickey, you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mind" seems a little cliche. Here's a better one: "Mickey Mouse Club, Mickey Mouse Club, he's the leader of the club that made for you and me... lalala." I forget the lyrics. I used to play it on the piano, once upon a time.


School is just around the corner. I am definitely, in no way, excited. This is probably a pessimistic approach and I should be circulating thoughts of "Oh goody, time to start fresh!" but, in reality, I just want summer to go on forever. Anyways, while I was pessimising (made-up word) about going back to school, I recognize some benefits. One of the most arrogant being that new T.V. shows are starting. I'm particularly excited for the return of Gossip Girl and Project Runway (I'm in Canada. I get PR, like 3 weeks late. I don't understand why. We're not in the artic or anything, people.)

My GG book collection that now sits above my bed is eagerly taunting my about the new season. Kind of. Not really, but I felt like taking a crappy photobooth picture :).

What shows are you guys looking forward to? I'm actually very interested! Anyways, that is it! Goodbye :)

P.S. Thanks to all the commenters! And for those of you who shared the secret to big pictures - look out for bigger pictures soon, hopefully! Thanks.

i miss the magic school bus

I cackle evily as I witness a mustard-yellow school bus make its way around the curb of my neighbourhood. With my hands clasped tightly around the handles of my bike, I let them go of their grip and throw them in the air victoriously. "MWAHAHA!" I cry with a wicked glint in my eyes as school children jump off their bus, eager to return to their safe surroundings after their first day of school.

Okay. So maybe it wasn't that malicious. Or malicious at all, for that matter. But the point is, my victorious day arises from the fact that I am still in the sea of summer for one more week (*victory dance*) while the majority of my region has returned to school. I am not looking forward to getting back to the routine of the school year, as I have quite adapted to the freedom of the summer. And, because I am forced to wear a uniform, my exciting back-to-school-shopping adventures essentially consist of a new lunch box, backpack, gym bag, and pencil case. It's really exciting, guys. Really... Anyways, I decided to do some DIY this year.

1) School Bag - WIP (Work-In-Process. I'm so hip, I use abbreviations.) My non-complete school bag that I'm decking out with my much beloved fabric paints.


2) Pencil Case - Pig pencil case I sewed today from scratch. I was sort of tired, so the quality isn't up to par. I hope it survives the year.


Recently, I encountered quite a shocking experience. I WOKE UP TO SUN 2 DAYS IN A ROW. I get so excited when I open my eyes (well, actually, I set an alarm, otherwise I'd sleep for days...) to sun streaming through my windows. I was really excited to ditch the autumn-like tights and get to dress like it's actually summer!

1) Yesterday's outfit - Went downtown and discovered some awesome shops. I love when that happens! I really wish I could work downtown... Any job offers? 15 year old girl, hard-working, enthusiastic, responsible, sometimes shy, occasionally doesn't listen if things seem boring...

(Sweater - Value Village $6, Dress - Vintage $7, Shoes - Mum's)

I like to dance and skip around in this brand-new dress. It's actually knee-length, but when it's sinched with a belt, it's rather playful. If it were loud and made noise, I feel as though it would give off a lovely "swoooosh" noise. I love when that happens.


I have a new-found attraction. I find myself attracted to odd-looking key chains and cell phone trinkets, in hopes of creating a quirky necklace. I give credit to pigtails and blushing cheeks. During my shopping excursion in Toronto, I managed to purchase many, including this funny, little one...


She's called "summer girl," but I think she should be called "Girl with the Bow Tie Messily Eating Watermelon." I mean, they say we look alike... *

*NOTE: I know I look like a zombie has just awoken from the dead. If it wasn't past midnight, I would likely come up with a much better description to describe how atrocious I look. But I think that you guys must note the resemblance between me and my key chain. Can we please pretend that I was the inspiration for this fine lady (Oh god, I'm treating her as though she's a real person..)? I've always wanted to be a muse...

2) Today's outfit - Woke up / Sewed / Bike Ride / Second Cup / Park / Read / DIY / Big Fat Liar on VHS (hahaha) / Project Runway Australia / Shower / Blog / Other things, like eat, in between all these activities


(Shirt - DIY, Skirt - Thrifted <$1, Belt - Winners/ Steve Madden $Gift, Shoes - Mum's)

Yet another keychain. I thought it would go well with the shirt, but I didn't wanted it to interfere with the shirt's design. I am a genious and therefore decided to actually use it as a keychain. I mean, who would have thought of that?! Oh yeah, every human in the normal population...

(Key chain - "Pacific mall", Bag - Flea Market $1)

DIY shirt I made awhile back, but failed to post it.

It's not a great picture, but it says "ROBOTIC TENDENCIES. Push to activate." Don't ask me what it means. It's simply how my brain chooses to work...

Hope you guys are savouring the last of the summer moments, weather and sun! If school has already begun for you, I hope it went marvelously.

Oh yeah, and P.S. How do you make your pictures all big and pretty? If anyone could post detailed details, I would be ridiculously greatful.

Puffy Skirt Tutorial: The wait is finally over..

Puffy Skirt Tutorial:
I love these skirts. They are awesomely fun to wear and really versatile. It's really easy to make, especially once you get your first one done. I highly recommend that if you have some fabric, elastic and an hour or two of time, definitely give this a try!

NOTE: You can really change the pattern however you like. I just made this up to suit my preferences, but there is no correct way! Also, I'm not using any technical sewing terms (mainly as I don't know any) so, yeah. Sorry. (But then again, that's what always gets me confused in patterns.. so, maybe my lack of sewing-vocabulary is better?)

NOTE 2: Pretend the piece of paper is fabric - it's mainly to show you where to cut/ sew.

What you need:
- 0.5 yard - 1.5 yards of fabric
- 0.75 inch - 1 inch elastic
- Sewing basics (machine, thread, scissors, pins, etc.)

1. Purchase your material.
Any fabric that is not too thick is suitable for this project. I usually use this cheap cotton that ends up being a few dollars for 1.5 yards. Depending on how puffy you intend your skirt on being, purchase 0.5 to 1.5 yards of fabric. (the more, the pouffier. I usually use 1.5 yards for a very pouffy affect)

2. Cut the fabric in two pieces, lengthwise. I usually to cut on the folded line of the fabric.



3. Make an elastic holder. (Do this to both pieces of fabric)
Pin the top of the fabric down about 0.5 inch. Press (iron).


Remove pins and fabric should remain folded. Pin this fabric down again, about a half inch bigger than your elastic. Ex. the elastic I'm using is 0.75 inch, so I pinned the fabric down 1.25 inch. Press.




Sew along the seam, so the folded fabric remains folded down.



4. Sew fabrics together. Pin the right sides of the fabric (i.e. side that you want showing) together. Sew along the seams, up until the elastic holder.




5. Put in elastic.

Measure the length of the elastic by placing it around your waste. It should be comfortable, but fit snuggly. (Overlap the ends of the elastic.)


Place a safety pin at the end of your elastic and thread it through, bunching the pieces of fabric as you go. Ensure that you pin the other end of the elastic at the end of the skirt's opening (so you do not lose it).



Sew the ends of the elastic together. To ensure stability, you may want to cross stitch it several times.


6. Close the ends of the skirt. Distribute the elastic evenly between the two pieces of fabric (so there is equal bunching all around). Once content, sew the open ends of the skirt (the elastic holder) together. The thread will not show because of the bunching.


7. Hem the skirt. (NOTE: you can hem the skirt however you please - I know that there are many methods. Do as you prefer! I think that this is the easiest one to explain and do.)

Pin the hem (bottom) of the skirt 0.5 inch. Press and remove pins.


Put the skirt on and pin it up at the length that you would like it to be.


Remove the skirt and pin it up at the length that you had pinned. Ensure that the 0.5 inch remains folded (for clean lines). Press.



Sew along the hem.


8. Voila!


Enjoy your brand-new skirt! :) You can embellish it however you like, or keep it as it is. It looks really cute sinched at the waist with a belt, but maybe you'll find new ways to wear it!

If you have any questions, definitely go ahead and comment and I'll happily clarify any of the instructions. If you do make this (um, I love you!) then please post a picture - I'd love to see the finished result. I personally feel that everyone should enjoy this wonderful experience and should therefore make one.

Have a good day!