Inspiration: Brownies circa 1961

These past two days, I spent every free moment I had at McGill annual charity drive Book Fair. Room after room of dusty old books ranging from subjects like "Girlhood in the 1920s" to Frank Capra's autobiography with just about anything you can imagine in between! I'm still sore from carting my first load of books with me on the subway all the way home, and while my second load was smaller, it was none the less packed with treasures! The lady I was paying at the end of my spree was quick to figure out I was "some kind of an old fashioned girl" when she saw most of my books were about things like "The joys of Girlhood", "Recipes of Quality", Ginger Rogers' autobiography and a pretty great silent film book with fantastic pictures I'll be scanning in next time I visit my parents!

While I can't pick a favourite of all the gems I came home with, the Brownie Annual handbook from 1961 that I came across has to be a contender for greatest find! Not only does it have instructions on how to acquire certain Brownie badges, but it also has the most wonderful illustrations, and reminded me how inspired I was by the Dear Creatures collection for this Autumn!
Well the new kitten and Lola and I asked my sis if she'd be willing to do a silly little photoshoot of me in my most Brownie inspired outfit! I was working with what I already have in my closet, but this is what I came up with! The dress is something I found in the kids section at Value Village. It's totally strange and sort of unflattering, and just the tiniest bit too short to actually wear out of the house, even with tights on....but I love it too much because of the little tie and the peter pan collar, so sometimes I put it on with a skirt over as a little blouse...The hat was on sale at Urban Outfitters this week, and while I'm still not sure about the stud-like things, I like how it fits and it's keepin' me head warm! The shoes were thrifted by my Mom for me not too long ago and I love them to death. It's too bad in less than a month it'll be too snowy here to wear them out of the house...so I'm getting all the use I can out of them for now...

**I'm sorry if I've been horrible at responding to comments recently. I take the time to read all of your blogs, I'm usually just so rushed with school and essays and the new job that I have to close the computer before I get the chance to comment back! But I appreciate all your comments all the time, and I promise to catch up on all that I've missed as soon as things slow down!**

***Anyone have suggestions as to what we should name kitty? We aren't sure yet if it's a boy or a girl (gonna have to get the vet's opinion...though I'm thinking boy?) and we can't figure out what to name him/her!***

Just another rainy day

I'v been feeling so uninspired by my closet recently. It seems like most of my Fall outfits are things I already pieced together last year, and this year I'm just not feeling it anymore! I finally found a part time job this week, so that I'll be able to afford Christmas gifts and maybe a nice birthday dress for myself, but up till now, new clothes (or old clothes!) just haven't been an option really! All of this to say, that this outfit has actually already been done and posted about, last Spring actually! Except it was warm enough to skip the tights and cardigan, and instead of leaves there were pretty flowers...and I didn't have these shoes at the time....
Anyhow, we did go thrifting this weekend to complete our Halloween costumes...and while Mike's is almost ready to wear, all I managed to buy were those little frogs and mice that are posing in my Mom's garden there...I couldn't help myself! The mice reminded me of that slowpoke book I loved when I was a kid, about the slow poke mouse who's sister wears a funny hat....and the frog look just like Buster Keaton to me! They're no longer in the garden of course, but resting safely in my room now!

The month of October has been icy cold and rainy so far, so when we got one warm day (although there wasn't a spot of sun in the sky) we took advantage of it and got out of the house! We wandered over to the pretty little farm near my parents house that is for sale. We've been imagining ourselves buying it recently, and we went to it and sort of imagined what types of things we'd do out on the porch, or in the barn....maybe a big barn of drums for Mike to practice in, and the stable could somehow be converted into some big giant sewing room with a record player and a rocking chair and a wall of different colored yarn! There is even a window over the sink that looks just about perfect for chilling a pie fresh out of the oven!

On a completely different note, we just got wind that Mike's Mom and her boyfriend, who were on vacation in Spain and Portugal these past two weeks, got married in Gibraltar at the same place as John and Yoko! So tonight, Mike and I will be heading to her place to celebrate, and to eat lots and lots of cake! But first, we'll be taking a walking tour of Old Montreal with my history class today, and I'm all kinds of excited to learn about the strange differences in the way people lived in the early 19th century and the way it all looks now! I'll be taking pictures for sure!

Rowan Oak

In my last post I mentioned that reading Faulkner for school was making me day dream about our Southern road trip, and our visit to his home a whole bunch! Well, the beauty of a blog is that it serves as a sort of time capsule, and I spent a long time yesterday reviewing my Southern Road Trip posts, doing a lot of sighing and calling Mike to reminisce about funny things that happened in different towns. When I came to the post about Faulkner's house in Oxford, Mississippi, I realized I only ever posted about the day we didn't get to visit inside! I was so determined to walk around it and see the wall where he wrote the outline of "The Fable", that we slept in the back of our minivan that night - in a Walmart parking lot - just to be able to see the house the next day!

this is the famous outline for "The Fable" written on his bedroom wall!

Anyhow, we finally did make it to his house, and I was so glad that the tour was self guided! While guided tours can be really great, Mike and I just kept making up stories about Bill and his wife having arguments in one room, and drinking brandy on the porch! The house is really beautiful, and so worth seeing - especially since it's free to get in! - if you're ever in the town of Oxford, Mississippi - which is a really nice town! - you should definitely take the time to visit!
I'll stop my ramblings now and leave you with some pictures I took of the rooms!

Angrignon Park

I have to start off by saying how much I appreciate all the more-than-super-sweet comments you all left on my last post! It always melts my heart a little bit the way everyone is so supportive in this community, and I got totally sentimental when I read all the wonderful things you had to say!

Things have been so crazy lately between Mike and I's loaded schedules and I was starting to feel like it had been ages since we went on any sort of blog-inspired outing! (Those tend to be my favourite, cause we stop in pretty places that we probably wouldn't stop at if I weren't looking for a spot to take outfit photos...)
Well anyway, tonight barely counted as a blog outing, we were on our way to Mike's step-mother's birthday party and we drove by Angrignon Park which I have been meaning to visit since I moved to my neighbourhood. It's a huge park with winding dirt trails and lots of pretty trees, one of those places where people read books by little man-made lakes where ducks swim (the ones that haven't flown South yet...lucky ducks). Anyhow, with all the leaves all kinds of pretty colors, it barely mattered that it was a grey and rainy day! We walked just a little bit and then got cold and just took a few silly pictures of me hiding in some reeds and sitting in the grass...most of them are blurry and out of focus because we were rushing the whole thing. But we had so much fun just being out of the house together and acting silly. We walked around singing and kicking our heels and spent most of the birthday dinner making stupid jokes and being fairly anti social!

Tomorrow is back to studying for midterms and writing long papers about Frank Capra and World War I and stuff like that. It isn't so bad really, just tons and tons of work. Next week we'll be starting on Faulkner in my American Literature class, and I really can't wait to hear my teacher and class mates make sense of all the stuff I'm only pretending to understand! I can't help it, every time I get ten pages in, I realize I've been daydreaming about being back at his home in Oxford, Mississippi, and I have to go back and read it all over because I didn't retain anything!
Soon the semester will be over though, and the holidays will start and I'll be able to watch Frank Capra films for fun, rather than for school again!

outfit details
blue dress: from a Renaissance Fripe Prix
black jacket: from an antique mall in Pigeon Forge, TN
black belt: thrifted from somewhere!
grey tights: pharmaprix
Black velvet wedges: from this dreamy Etsy seller
Weird felt and sequin star clips: handmade by me
black shiny purse of my dreams: from my dear friend Quincy

I hope everyone else had as lovely a Wednesday as I did! Even if your weather is as cold, grey and rainy as ours!

On Vacation!

I'm sort of sad to announce that I'm taking a short break from selling online. Things are just so crazy with school these days, and I just can't find the time for regular updates and getting to the post office often enough. For those of you who were following the shop, it isn't gone forever! My sister and I actually have something in the works that we're hoping to debut around the holidays, and I'm hoping the time I gain from putting Red Letter Days in vacation mode, will give us extra time to work out all our ideas!
As for the blog, I have way too much fun blogging and reading all of your blogs to let that fall to the wayside! So you can continue to expect regular updates and comments from me!
Thanks to all of you who think my useless ramblings are worth reading!!! Your comments always mean more to me than you know!

Sally Scott FW 09/10

I've never been the girl who discovers new designers. I don't follow Fashion Weeks and I rarely pick up fashion magazines, unless their editorials are particulrly eye-catching. That being said, every once in a while another blogger will post about a designer or collection they really like and I can't help but bookmark it to my inspiration folder! This Fall/Winter collection by Sally Scott was one I discovered through Vim & Verve a few days ago, and I haven't been able to stop gazing at their website ever since!

Winter may seem far away for some bloggers who are still looking forward to Fall and Thanksgiving, but really, here in Montreal we're right on the cusp - we even saw snowflakes the other day! - and I've been meaning to find some weather-appropriate fashion inspiration! These looks are so perfectly layered and involve so many cozy items, I sort of feel like it is just what I've been looking for!

I can't really understand their website since the whole thing is written in Japanese, but it's worth checking out! Each picture I've posted here is actually a video, and they all seem to sum up exactly what makes those first few cold months so perfect! There is something so whimsical about the first snowfall and ice rinks right before the holidays, and these videos really do capture that feeling perfectly! I'll leave you with the pictures now, but don't be surprised if you find yourself whistling perfectly holiday inspired Bing Crosby tunes for the rest of the day!

Interview with Yana of Supayana

Aside from the comfort I get from reading my favourite blogs with my morning coffee, and from the wonderful friends I've made in the process, the blogging community has also opened my eyes to how many amazing people there are out there who are doing something really outstanding and creative with their lives! It takes so much courage to take the leap and decide to go out on your own and pursue something you love, and I'm just so in awe of the people who make it happen for themselves!
Yana is definitely one of those people! I discovered her designs for the first time in one of my favourite Montreal thrift stores, La Gaillarde, and immediately went to look her up online. Her Etsy store is what dreams are made of; she mixes some vintage pieces with her own designs and the whole thing comes together perfectly. I was so intimidated at first to approach her about answering questions for my silly little blog, but she quickly put me at ease just being the sweet, friendly, positive person that she is! All of her answers were totally inspiring to me, she clearly loves what she does and seems to be having the greatest time doing something that started when she was a kid! I hope you'll all find her designs and answers and lifestyle as inspiring as I did!

If you haven't already, make sure to take the time and check out her Blog, Etsy shop and Flickr, I promise she is worth the visit!

How early on in life did you get into fashion and creating your own designs?

My mom taught me how to sew and at first I would just make clothing for my dolls and stuffed animals. In high school I started experimenting with human clothes, and let me tell you...that was not the highlight of my career. Weird plaid pants that ripped at the seams, hoodies with crazy cat ears, AHHH! It's so funny to look back though.

What do you think the advantages are to buying and selling online?

There are many advantages to both buying and selling online. For buyers, online shopping provides both convenience and a chance to buy something extremely unique. For sellers, it's a great way to expose your brand to the entire world and to get full retail price for your product.

When you made the decision to become a designer, what were the first steps you had to take to make it all happen?

I was actually studying speech pathology in University when I decided I wanted to go fashion full time. I started by selling my clothes on eBay (before Etsy was around) and my clothes became really popular. At the time, I was just doing it as a side project to help pay for school, but after I graduated my line was so popular that I could make a living off of what I love.

Got any tips for girls out there who are skeptical about taking the risk and turning their passions into a living?

Just remember that it takes time to build your company, so it won't happen over night. Start out by doing it part time, so you still have enough money to make ends meet. Then when you build up your clientele and start getting more sales, take the big leap! Quit your job and work for yourself. It's the best thing EVER!

What sorts of goals, both long term and short term do you have for your company?

Well, some of my short term goals include moving my work studio into a beautiful 2000 sq foot industrial space with my friends Angie of Norwegian Wood, Marc of Broundoor, and Michelle. It will be a great inspiration to share a space with so many creative people. My line is kind of getting too big for my apartment, and there's clothing everywhere, so I need to take it to the next level. As for long term goals....I know I want to be able to wholesale more, so I'm trying to figure out how to get more local production going so I can meet the demand.

I can't thank Yana enough for agreeing to the feature! She just came back from what sounds like the most wonderful trip to Paris (which you can read about on her blog) and I'm so excited to see what sorts of exciting things are up her sleeve for the future! Thanks Yana!

You can also follow Yana on Twitter and Facebook!

Dream of the perfect life *

I think I'm one of those people who starts to think about her birthday about a month before it arrives. Most years I've spent planning what I'll do or wear or who I'll spend it with, but this year, while I am still on the lookout for a perfect birthday dress, I can't say I have any expectations! My birthday this year will be on a Friday the 13th and I've been racking my brain trying to come up with the perfect spooky idea to celebrate. If I were anywhere near Atlanta I'd be sneaking through old Confederate cemeteries with Rhiannon, Drew and Mike, trying to conjure up spirits for sure! But it's cold here and there will be no sneaking into cemeteries for me! In the process of trying to come up with an idea, I started reminiscing about last year and was hit with the realization that no birthday will ever compare to last year's and I think that's why I just don't care so much this time around!

Mike and I were on our very first trip to Europe last November and on the day of my birthday he made all my dreams come true when he woke me up with two train tickets to Versailles, a red balloon, fresh strawberries and a box of macarons! He hit my obsession with the Sophia Coppola version of Marie-Antoinette straight on the head and we literally spent about eight hours walking around the gardens and sitting in the Petit Trianon pretending we were old French Royalty...only minus the mobs of hungry people who want to kill us...
While I have no doubt that I will have many more wonderful birthdays in my lifetime - especially with Mike's talents in surprises - I really and truly believe this one will go down in the books as the greatest I've ever celebrated!

*"Natural's Not In It" by Gang of Four, taken off the Marie Antoinette Soundtrack

Canadian Thanksgiving

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in Canada, a holiday which Canadians celebrate a month earlier than our American neighbours - probably for seasonal reasons. My family definitely does holidays right, and this one is no exception! Especially seeing as our annual pumpkin cooking festival began today! We've already made about 6 different pumpkin pie recipes, several batches of muffins and cookies. A couple of pumpkin loaves (the recipe for which was kindly sent over by the lovely Quincy!) and a delicious soup are in the works and we'll be broiling the seeds in no time! Unfortunately I was too caught up in mashing up pumpkins to remember to take very many pictures, but Mike and my sister and I did get out of the house to take Lola for a walk and I couldn't help myself when I saw all the pretty colors in the park! It really is the peak of Autumn here and my parents live in one of the most picturesque places I've seen as far as scenic places go!

I tried my very best to put a competitive edge on the day, but for the life of me I couldn't rial up a competitive bone in my mother's body. Besides, we only have one oven and it became so complicated to think of ways to make it a contest that we just gave up and helped each other put all the recipes together! We're about to chow down on all our delicious grub now, but I just thought I'd take the time to wish all of my fellow Canadian online friends a very very happy holiday weekend! And even if it isn't a holiday across the border, do something a little festive and think of me! Next week I'm hoping to get started on the planning of the squirreling party my Mother and I are going to throw (and by throw I mean for just the two of us!)...

outfit details:
white dress was 50 cents at the PSC mission, the sleeves and dress were shortened;
tights from the pharmacy;
sunglasses H&M;
dreamy dreamy black velvet wedges from this seller on Etsy (she is the sweetest and I'm so so glad I messaged her!)

Carpet Baggin'

So long as I'm in school full-time, you can pretty much count on these imaginary shopping posts. This week I fell a little bit in love with this carpet bag I found on Etsy, and decided I would make outfits around it. So, every outfit is designed to match the bag - and then there are a couple that don't match it, but I sort of like the mis-matchy thing anyway. Also - the review I wrote for the Worn blog is up now. For those of you who are interested, you can check it out here! I was totally nervous to write for them again - especially since they sent me to the show and all, I didn't want to let them down, so I hope it's alright! Don't be shy to leave a comment and let me know what you think!

Edwardian dress from here; Red granny boots from here


dream blouse, grey shorts & black tights from Anthropologie


Perfect red dress from 13Bees; Black Wedge ankle boots from U.O.


Yellow jacket from ModCloth; Black wedge ankle boots from U.O.


Mustard Yellow Handknit Sweater from The Greedy Seagull; Tweed A-Line Skirt from here; Brown Leather Ankle boots from here


Silk dress with ruffles & White Biker jacket from U.O.


Red Shirtwaist Dress from Anthropologie; Black jacket with fur collar (I lost the link!)



Yellow dress from here; burnt orange tights from Anthropologie; Black wedge ankle boots from U.O.

Nesting and Nestling

This is a mash up of a bunch of pictures from the last few days/weeks. October has always been a favourite month of mine. Here in Canada it means Thanksgiving, for one thing, and for another, it means beautiful colors and markets teeming with root vegetables and colorful booths selling gourds and earth cherries for pennies! It means my apartment smells like butternut-squash soup and apple crisp and that my puppy and I can go for extra long walks and explore new neighbourhoods. And when we get home, we're both so tuckered out that we cuddle on the couch and watch old movies or listen to Louis Armstrong together.

There isn't much in this world that is more comforting to me than Fall, which is a feeling most people share I think. Casey already mentioned that it sends right into nesting mode, and I have to agree! This weekend is officially the pumpkin cookoff, and the week after that my Mom and I are having a "squirreling party" when we'll can a bunch of great things like pears and peaches and cherries as preserves for the winter! In the mean time I've been here at my apartment taking breaks from studying to make things like orzo with fresh dill and lemon!
I do hope everyone else is having as lovely an October as I have so far! From the looks of all the wonderful blogposts, I'm not the only one enjoying this awesome season!

a little Worn out!

This weekend marked my very last moments of freedom for the next several weeks! Upon closer inspection of my course schedules today I realized that all of my midterms and exams are crammed into the next fifteen days or so, and they seem to have sort of snuck up on me like they always do. It’s all too familiar a tune, one I whistle every semester around this time! That being said, I can’t say I’m all that stressed about it all. There is something sort of comforting to me about crunch time at school. Maybe it’s because it gives me a bonafide excuse to stay in my apartment with apple-cinnamon tea and home made banana bread, or maybe it’s just the comfort found in mundane routine, but I sort of like coming home to a pile of homework and rewarding myself with a good movie under the covers with Lola and my teapot!

In fact this colder weather, combined with my on-again-off-again cold has even affected my online shopping habits! Last week I was browsing all my favourite Etsy shops with a million outfit ideas floating around in my head, but this week I just keep looking at stores like this one that sell perfect little pie moulds and cookie cutters!

Well, at least I celebrated the temporary end of my social life in style! Worn Fashion Journal sent me to a Fashion Pop Montreal event that was showcasing six talented local designers who each created six pieces in the hopes of winning a pretty sweet prize! The whole night was wonderful, but I'll let you guys read more about it later this week when my mini-review of the night shows up on the Worn Blog. Needless to say I was all kinds of nervous about going to the event. For one thing, despite growing up here I somehow don't know a soul and big events where everyone knows everyone scare me since I always end up awkwardly sitting in a corner reading the program until the show starts...I also didn't really know what on earth to wear to a fashion show! I ended up lucking out when I found this dress at the Mission in Point Saint Charles for somethinglike 50 cents! It originally went to about my ankles and looked more like a moo-moo than a dress, but a quick hem and a bright pair of tights and I felt pretty pleased with my sort of 80's version of a 20's inspired look....

If you don't hear from me for a while it's because I'm swamped with work. And if I do post, well it's either because I'm being very efficient and getting all my work done quickly, or because I'm procrastinating, like right now, and writing to you guys instead of for my professors! Good luck to all the other students who are on the verge of a big mid term crunch!