A Must Read For All Dog Lovers

I found this on Pinterest and it is so adorable that I had to share. This made me tear up when reading it, it is so, so sweet. It makes me want to get a dog and spoil him with toys, love and delicious treats. 

1. My life is likely to last 10 to 15 years. Any separation from you will be painful remember that before you get me. 

2. Give me time to understand what you want of me. 

3. Place your trust in me- it is crucial to my well being. 

4. Do not be angry at me for long, and do not lock me up as punishment. 

5. You have your work, your entertainment,and your friends. I only have you. 

6. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understands your words, I understand your voice when it is speaking to me. 

7. Be aware that how ever you treat me, I will never forget. 

8. Remember before you hit me that I have teeth that could easily hurt you, but I choose not to bite you because I love you. 

9. Before you scold me for being uncooperative,obstinate,or lazy, ask yourself if something might be bothering me. Perhaps I might not be getting the right food, or I have been out to long, or my heart is getting to old and weak. 

10. Take care of me when I get old; you too will grow old. Go with me on difficult journeys. Never say: "I cannot bear to watch" or "Let it happen in my absence." Everything is easier for me if you are there, even my death. Remember that I love you.

Just A Boy

Ever since I started living on my own, I've been searching for ways to decorate my room and apartment. As a student, it's really important to find inexpensive ways to decorate, and as a renter, decorations that don't damage the walls too much. After living at my apartment for a few years, I've found a few trusty ways to decorate on the cheap. 

One of my absolute favourite ways to decorate is the use of Christmas lights. I used to have a string of white lights on my headboard moved them outside for summer decoration (and I'm pretty sure they're damaged now because it has been outside in the rain). Now that the Christmas hype has started, I'm hoping to find a longer string of white lights to put on my walls to give my room a magical and romantic glow. Here are a few pictures I'm using for inspiration:

Never Gonna Leave This Bed

Apologies for the lack of posts this week! Last week I somehow contracted another cold, and these past few days have been the worst of it, including today. I hope this is the last cold I contract this season, because two colds in a month is a little crazy and brutal. I was browsing through decor websites today and found the perfect way to make any home more personalized in a relatively inexpensive way. Blackboard walls! How cute is this trend? I think it looks adorable in a kitchen, where you can use it for your grocery list, to write out recipe instructions and jotting down little phone messages.

google image search

A Winner Needs A Wand

Today I remembered why I am minoring in Film Studies. I've had a few of those classes where I'm just there for the credit and don't actually pay attention in class, but the classes I'm taking right now are so interesting and I love them. In my evening class we watched The Maltese Falcon which was made in 1941, directed by John Huston and based on the novel by Dashiell Hammet. 

This movie was probably one the best I've seen in a long time. I was so smitten with Humphrey Bogart as Samuel Spade. I don't know what it is, his face, his impeccable style or the way he talked, but Humphrey Bogart is a heartthrob! If you don't believe me, take a look for yourself.

 

Google Image Search

Sometimes I wish modern day style were like it was in the 1930's and 1940's. I find that right now the dress is so casual, with sweatpants and what not. If only every day wear were as nice as the outfits in this movie.

postcards from far away

Font change to Helvetica! I'm not sure if I really like it, but I thought I'd test it out and see what the hype is all about...

After joining Lookbook a few short months ago, I've completely fallen head over heels for the website. I could literally browse through it forever and find tons of outfit inspiration. The one challenge I face when it comes to buying and styling clothes is that my mind draws a blank on what to pair things with. I'll see a really cute outfit on someone and then have no idea how to pull it off myself. I think in this case, I really need to be critical in the items I like and how to style them. Lookbook is so great, you can hype your favourite looks and browse through them when you're stuck on what to wear. Anyways, here are a few photos that I've hyped and am lusting after. The last outfit shot is definitely my favourite. All pictures are by ladies from Lookbook.

M79

I love StumbleUpon. It introduces me to new websites I would have never discovered on my own. I get updates sent to my e-mail of websites I might like and a few days ago, I was directed to the amazing design website Desire to Inspire. After browsing through pages of incredible inspiration, I was wowed by the home of Brazilian pattern designer Lione Monte. This home is so me. White walls with small pops of colour in the fabric, which is very practical, especially for small spaces. This design aesthetic is definitely something I want to achieve in my next apartment. Take a look at Monte's cute home:

The Boy Who Murdered Love

Well, the two posts I was planning on writing today fell through, but I promise that they will be up tomorrow. Lately I've been thinking about hair styles, I've been kind of obsessed with updos, but I got to thinking about bangs again. I've had bangs on and off throughout my life, just recently a year or so ago, but they've pretty much grown out now. With my hair in the process of growing out (the dreaded "in between stage"), I might consider getting bangs again sometime in the future.

My girl and hair crush Zooey Deschanel.

Photos: weheartit

The Dog Days Are Over

I'm pretty terrible with the lack of blog posts this week, but I've been super busy with no internet to browse Chictopia or my new favourite website Lookbook. I recently applied to become a member and I just love how much outfit inspiration there is and how anyone from around the globe can contribute. 

Anyways, how crazy is it that summer is almost at an end? The past few days have been a mixture of overcast skies, cool winds and rain, which gets me pretty excited for autumn. 

Photo: weheartit

Before summer ends though, I really want to see Eat Pray Love with Julia Roberts. It seems like one of those movies that makes you want to travel to distant lands and breathe in a different way of life. I kind of want to read the book first though! Maybe I'll look out for it the next time I'm in Chapters.

Firsts

I bought my first Elle magazine yesterday. Normally I'm pretty opposed when it comes to high fashion magazines, but I was pleasantly surprised when I opened the magazine after purchasing it. I don't know what it was, probably MTV's portrayal of Elle with Erin and Olivia from The City. After looking through some of the faux fur pieces from Chanel's Fall 2010 collection, I was a bit surprised, but some pieces actually look quite elegant. I've only flipped through half of the magazine and I'm saving it because the rest of it looks impressive. 

(Star Wars flashback?)

Photos: style.com

Cityscape

So, I'm a bit disappointed that the Netherlands lost in the World Cup finals. It was a tough game, and the Dutch played great. It would have been nice for them to win, but there's always next time! They're going to be fierce competition come the 2014 World Cup held in Brazil (I'll be 25 years old then, yikes!). Anyways, onto less depressing news!Here are a few photos that are inspiring me right now:

Photo: weheartit

Amsterdam in the wintertime. Doesn't it look so pretty? I can just imagine someone riding up to the rail and parking their bicycle before grabbing a mug of tea at a local cafe.

Photo: Flickr

How amazing is this photo? Skating on the Rideau Canal in Ottawa might be nice, but skating in Amsterdam has to be so much more amazing. For people who don't know me, fall and winter are my favourite seasons. It's something about the snow and how it can make even the most unsightly things beautiful.

This video is amazing. The first time I watched it, I was in awe. You never see this many people riding bicycles in Ottawa. I wish Canadian cities were more bicycle friendly. 

I would really love to visit the Netherlands one of these days, and not when I'm too old to travel. Ideally within the next few years. I don't think I would want to travel with someone though, I want want to do it alone. I don't know what it is, but I feel as though travelling with someone who doesn't appreciate the area as much as I do would distract me from taking in everything around me. Once I learn Dutch, I'll be set. I have a few language books lying around. One day!

Currently Coveting

I stumbled upon a really awesome website called Polyvore that allows anyone to search through clothing, jewelery and makeup to piece together an outfit that they want to create into a neatly organized collage. I tested out the website and here's the first outfit I created. I really love the boots in this photo, they're definitely something I would buy, and they look so roomy and comfortable. The eyeshadow is by Smashbox, also known as my favourite brand of makeup ever! The green and dark plum colour are so elegant.

Parisienne

I was looking at H&M's pre-fall style guide and was giddy to find that the fall line finds inspiration from Parisians and femme fatale (sexy and alluring women who lead men into dangerous situations). Haha, awesome. I've always loved the amazing the quality of H&M's clothes, and how affordable it is to students on a budget. Whenever I walk into an H&M, my heart literally skips a beat.

Note to self: must perfect the cat-eye look like Bridget Bardot in this photo. It's dramatic, yet soft. It's balanced out well with her teased hair and that lovely ribbon.

Photo: weheartit

Is this not the cutest picture ever? I love this girl's bangs and her tousled hair. I can't wait until the weather's cool enough to wear scarves. Speaking of which, I'm knitting a scarf at the moment. Yes, that's right, in July.

Photo: weheartit

I found this photo on weheartit, but I'm not sure if the person that uploaded is actually the owner of the photo. That being told, I couldn't help not including it in this post. I love the way this girl mixes black and brown. People always say that black and brown clash and don't go together, but after watching What Not to Wear, I was assured that since both colours are neutrals, they compliment each other. Well, that's all for now.

North of Light's End

It's July 2nd and the weather these past few days has been a bit chilly (around 17 degrees celsius) and its bringing me back to my love of the fall and winter seasons. I'm not really a summer person, anything higher than 25 degrees celsius is definitely too warm for me! Since I'm a lover of the cooler seasons, I thought I would compile a few things that are inspiring me at the moment and what I'm looking forward to once autumn is upon us again!

Photo: lookbook.nu

I love the combination of colours in this photo. I always had this strange aversion to mustard yellow, but the way it's balanced out with the dusty rose colour of her cardigan makes this outfit a beautiful combination.

Photo: weheartit

Photo: weheartit

How pretty is this hairstyle by the way? It looks like a combination of inverted/dutch braiding and hair curling and it looks like the ends were tucked underneath the braid. I think a lot of people try to perfect the art of french braiding, making them look neat and clean, but the effect becomes so much softer and ethereal when its messy like the photo above. I like to think I'm pretty good at doing braids, but it's going to take a bit of time for my hair to grow longer, when I can really experiment with them again.