Before the Tove Lo show, we were treated to an amazing meal, prepared by our friends at YYZ Imports -delicious spaghetti squash pasta. After dinner we went out to the deck to take some photos of their awesome jewellery line, YYZ IMPORTS. #accessorizeforadventure
Tomorrow I head to the Shaw Festival (a Canadian Theatre company that specializes in the works of George Bernard Shaw and his contemporaries). I will be seeing Peter and the Star Catcher, and Sweet Charity, as well as meandering the small-town streets of Niagara-on-the-lake. Comfort is key, but so is looking dreamy as I let myself be transported. I love a day out at the theatre. Stay tuned for highlights of the day!
A butterfly inspired print and glowy makeup is perfect for a night of transformation. Pairs perfectly with champagne…
Outfit of the day: Spanish or perhaps a bit Easyern European- inspired scarf print dress and pant with white textured vest.
But in the spirit of in-vest-ment dressing, bring on the VESTS!
I have been pinning fun DIY projects for a rainy day… and the recent trend (on my Pinterest board) is paper and recycled materials used for wall art.
Here are my favourites:
I’m obsessed with the very pricey Juju hats from Cameroon… and have always wanted one for my wall. Until I get over to Cameroon for a real one, both to expand my cultural knowledge and to support the local economy, I might have to make do with a paper version that is almost as lovely.
The site The Enchanted Petal has some beautiful paper DIY projects, including a step by step for making these great pieces.
Similarly, you can create beautiful wysteria flowers … to make your home look like an Anthropologie floor display:
Check out the handy tutorial here.
If you’re into ornate mirrors, try making a sunburst mirror from chopsticks, or … spoons. Cut the tops off the spoons and spray paint them for a great textured piece.
Paper is also a party perfect friend for easy festive decorations. Although you can buy ready-made pom poms made of tissue paper, there are a multitude of options for online instruction.
Last, but not least, paper hearts make great decor items when framed. We had optioned having a paper-heart guest book at our wedding and then framing all the signed hearts as a memento from our day.
As the days get colder, make some tea or hot cocoa (or wine, let’s be honest) and get crafting!
Dear Loulou Magazine,
I was excited to see your fashion story on last minute Halloween ideas. But…
Please know that cultural appropriation is SO behind the times, especially for a Canadian Magazine. Our government is currently struggling to right and acknowledge the wrongs done to generations of First Nations peoples (including the thousands of missing and murdered indigenous women).
Your costume suggestions (like the Pocahontas outfit idea), for people who need a quick get-up, won’t just make you look like you dropped the ball in planning your Halloween costume; a ‘Pocahontas’ costume will also make you look ignorant. Appropriating another person’s culture as a costume is racist and completely inappropriate for an individual, let alone for a Canadian magazine (vetted by many individuals) who should at least understand that while ‘Spirits’ carries products that oblivious people still buy, Loulou Magazine should know better.
Unless you have lived that identity and shared that history, stereotypical representations of a group that has been historically marginalized are not up for grabs so you can look ‘cute’ at a one-off party. I don’t care if she is a Disney character. She is also an iconic, often misrepresented version of a racial group… with traditions, beliefs and experiences that the majority of our society know nothing about. A Disney movie doesn’t cut it (sorry).
I was recently invited to a party that specifically put on their invitation:
Meaning: Please do not wear costumes that are culturally appropriating, or stereotype gender identity, race, faith, etc.
Just in case people weren’t aware of this great new cultural trend of being inclusive and respectful of people’s history and identity.
So, thanks for finding me bargains in the Canadian Shopping World, but please, don’t bother suggesting ways I can make myself look like a bigot through my fashion choices.
Sincerely,
A
ps. We also don’t really do ‘blackface’ anymore.
Don’t Appropriate Culture
Because it’s not nice.
And whether you mean to… or not…
It’s racist.
Global Femme – Powder Room by jc-alison featuring colored glass vases
Perennial. That’s my closet. There are some items that stay in rotation all year round. Shirt dresses, on their own in Spring and Summer, layered over a turtleneck or under a sweater in Fall and Winter. Saying goodbye to summer is tough. Unless you get to keep your warm-weather friends close. Right against the skin.
Easy dressing for a sunny Sunday. Light denim, white tank and sleeveless blazer. Tough boot, pink lips and some hardware. Done and done.
StyleSaVie 