My Head on a Plate

outfit deets: boots - vintage // dress - Forever 21 // blazer - thrifted

HI! Oh boy, there is a lot on my mind today. I'm afraid I might not be able to get it all out right. My head is a bit of a jumble - it's been a bit of a jumble for awhile now. It's OK though, I need to get used to chaos. Do you ever hear people say things like, "I hate labels" or "I don't want to be confined to a 'label'"? I probably used to be one of those people who said those kinds of things but in my head I actually had a pretty good idea of what label I might fall under. That is, in elementary school I probably thought of myself to be best described as "the class clown" or "the laughing giddy girl". In high school my friends and I could probably be defined by the music we listened to and the things we did after school. I guess what I'm trying to say here is that when I was younger despite the fact that I said I didn't want to be labelled but I probably took comfort in the fact that there was a label that easily suited me. Of course, a label is never sufficient and I know that now but the label gave me something to turn to when questions of individuality and identity came up.

The thing that I have been faced with for the past few years (probably since I started studying philosophy) is that I can't imagine a label that would sufficiently work to describe me. It's not really a problem, or at least it shouldn't be, but without that idea to look to when trying to figure out superficially where I might fit in in this crazy mixed up world I don't have an answer. I just feel like I don't have anything close to a cohesive way of taking up the world and that is because I don't have a cohesive identity. No one does, it's just that some people convince themselves that they do just like I did when I was younger. Is anyone picking up what I'm putting down? I hope so.

ANYWAY! With all of this said, my blazer? Yah - it was brand new (with tags) from TeenFlo (now known as Judith&Charles) and was probably initially priced at around $200. I got it for $12 and it fits me like a dream. *happy dance*

Maybe from now on I will label myself as the girl with the $12 TeenFlo blazer, and will take up the world accordingly.

Oh yah, and there's a picture of my camera for those of you wondering what camera I use when not using Dale's Nikon D90. It's the Canon Powershot SX110.

Alrighty lovelies, I will talk to you soon!

xo Robyn

Come as You Are

outfit deets: boots - c/o Big Buddha // tights - H&M // dress - Forever 21 // flannel - thrifted

Just as in my LJ (a.k.a. Livejournal a.k.a. Luke Johnson) days I am always fighting the urge to sprinkle my posts with song lyrics. I am able to restrain myself a little bit more than back in the day when entire posts of mine would just be tangles of disjointed song lyrics. Every now and again though I just want to post random seemingly irrelevant song lyrics to accompany my outfit photos and nothing else. Not just one or two lines either, like I'm talking entire songs - with no reference to the artist or any place you can actually listen to the song just to be extra annoying!!

Hah. Ok no but serioulsy, I felt so super grunge in this outfit. I shall call this look lumberjack chic, or maybe Seattle 1992 chic... In any case, when I was in grade school all I used to wear was flannel shirts so this shirt is such a throwback. It is so super soft and comfy and warm and cozy. It is my new favourite thing.

This photo is brought to you by Dale, and the way he says "STOP LOOKING AT THE GROUND" and then the way I say, "BUT I'M FIXING MY OUTFIT, AND WHAT'S WRONG WITH LOOKING AT THE GROUND!?!"

Happy Friday!

xo Robyn

Annie Edison

One of my fave shows that is currently on the air right now is Community. I love meta-humour and Community is ALL about that kind of humour. Yesterday I realized after the fact that my outfit was inspired a whole lot by Britta from the show and her wardrobe, what with the boots, chain and jeans. So I thought I ought to run with it and so today I did an Annie Edison inspired outfit. Annie is all about the cardigans, short skirts, ruffled blouses and flats. She also has a signature pout that I was trying pretty hard to emulate up there but as you can see it was just not working out for me! Don't laugh. The things I put on the internet.

outfit deets: flats - Payless // tights, cardi - H&M // skirt - vintage // blouse - thrift

For those of you who don't know Annie Edison (or Alison Brie) is also Trudy Campbell from Mad Men! I watched pretty much the entire first season of Community without making that connection even though I love both shows. I think that in itself is a testament to Alison Brie's acting abilities. She is also the most amazingly lucky girl in the world, she has access to two awesome wardrobes. Some girls have all the luck, or skill...or something.

Once again, I'm not so super happy with how these indoor photos are turning out. I don't know why I have become such a suck lately but I just can't get myself outside for photos. Maybe Thursday, maybe the D90 with coax me.

Anyway lovelies that's all for today. Tomorrow = Abed inspired outfit, or maybe Pierce...or maybe not! haha.

xo Robyn

Winter is All Over You

oufit deets: shoes - c/o Big Buddha // jeans - American Eagle // top - Forever 21 // hat - thrift

I've worn a really similar outfit before. I made just a few tweaks to make the outfit more suited to winter. A thermal tank, some lace up booties and a fuzzy hat did the trick quite well! It's been so bitter cold I just cannot bring myself to take outfit photos outside. I don't like taking photos inside generally because I just can't get good lighting and the photos always end up dark and blurry! The blur is what I can't stand the most. I ended up just taking photos in the same area I took my last outfit photos because since we've torn down some walls the lighting is pretty good in there!

I have been wearing a lot of muted and dark tones lately. I just can't bring myself to wear too much colour. I always end up in style ruts this time of year and all I want to wear is black and grey. Not in a "I want to hide and blend in" kind of way, but in a "screw you winter" kind of way. If winter gets to be grey and moody then so do I!

Happy Monday people. I'm off to go brood about the weather. haha!

xxoo Robyn

On Repeat: Alanis Morissette

Everytime I look at the title of my last blog post I get the song lyrics for Alanis' 'Your House' stuck in my noggin. The song has nothing to do with losing your childhood home...but whatever, it's the way my mind works :p This song makes me want to cry every single time I hear it. It's a hidden track on Jagged Little Pill

I have been a fan of Alanis since Jagged Little Pill came out in '96. I can't believe she hasn't made her way into 'On Repeat' yet! I remember driving in the back seat of my friend's dad's car listening to 'Hand in my Pocket' and thinking that I was the coolest eight year old ever as I sang under my breath the lyrics... "I'm brave but I'm chicken shit". *gasp*! I think it's a testament to her music that she has stayed enjoyable and relevant to me over the last 15 years.

Anyway, I am totally taking a cue from her outfit in this video and rocking an all black turtleneck look soon. Maybe tomorrow. It's time.

xo Robyn

p.s. Seal.

My House

outfit deets: shoes - c/o Big Buddha // socks - AA // tights - ? // skirt, tank - F21 // cardigan - H&M

If I seem like I am a sad in these photos it's because I was (and still am). If it isn't obvious from the photos, my house is under massive amounts of construction and this is because we are fixing it up before we move. I have lived in this house for most of my life with my mom, dad, brother and nan and I am going to be so sad to leave. I love my house, and it will always be my house whether I live in it or not. My nan always used to brightly reminisce about her childhood home. I suspect that I will talk about my home in the same way she talked about hers.

Alright well, that is enough heartache for one day. I wore this outfit to class today and kind of felt a little bit like I was in the movie The Craft. Do you guys remember that one? I loved that movie so much when I was younger. I think it was the cardi/thigh-high/long chain combo I had going on.

In other news, the beautiful Miss Amber Rose has asked me to do a little bi-weekly post on her blog in which I answer some reader questions. I know I don't talk about it much on the blog, but I do have a bit of a background in philosophy and would love to take on any questions you might have about philosophy. Also, as a personal style blogger I'm into answering style oriented questions too. OR maybe you have a question that somehow marries philosophy and fashion? I can't speak TOO much to my credibility in all of this but never-the-less it should be fun! Comments are welcome, points and thoughts for discussion are SO welcome. It's a little bit of a free-for-all right now as the idea is in it's beginning stages so the kind of questions that are asked are going to shape the kind of posts we'll get from it! Anyway, you can ask your questions and see questions I have already answered here!

Talk soon lovelies,

xo Robyn

What Babs Wore: Peter Pan Syndrome

I am so into the peter pan collars lately! I love the way Kate and Gee have rocked them in recent posts. So darling! The collar alone gives a wonderful sense of whimsy to an outfit. I have a faux mink one that I am soo excited to style up soon and I have just added two vintage pearl peter pan collars to the shop! As you can see, Babs is sporting them with her usual finesse. It is peter pan collar-mania! Seriously though, I am in love with these collars and if I hadn't acquired them specifically for the shop - they would have definitely found their way into my own wardrobe.

How do you lovelies feel about a peter pan collar?

xo Robyn

The Darkest One

outfit deets: dress - UO // cardigan - H&M // scarf - H&M mens

Usually I love getting dressed in the morning. I love going into my cloffice and picking out a 'perfect' outfit for the day. That is, choosing an ensemble that looks forward to all of the adventures that may come that day. However, some days I just cannot pick out an outfit for the life of me. Yesterday was one of those days. I had an outfit in mind but when I put it on in the morning I was not feeling it, so with saving time in mind I put on a go-to outfit and thought "UNGH - so bored of this!" So I angrily changed into something else, and then something else, and then something else - until I was about ready to just yell "WHY AREN'T YOU WORKING TODAY?" at all of my clothes. Finally, realizing I now had about five minutes to get dressed and do my hair I threw on the closest things to me and ran out the door. This outfit is the result of that awful morning. I don't hate it and it was pretty comfy and cozy but it wasn't expressing how I was feeling that day. I think that is often why I get frustrated, because I am unable to find an outfit that is accurately expressing how I want to feel that day, or how I already feel maybe. Thankfully I don't feel that frustration a lot though, otherwise my room would just be a giant pile of shredded clothes and I would always be late for everything.

Sorry for the lack of real outfit posts this week! I hope to have more next week when I get back into the swing of school.

I hope you all have lovely weekends!!

xo Robyn

Chilled to the Bone

No outfit post today simply because when it came time to take the pictures I couldn't do anything but bury my head in my scarf. IT IS SO COLD. The above photo is an accurate representation of what I look like all the time now. I am so thankful for this huge scarf. Usually I am also wearing a hat but I was too lazy to do my hair this morning and I couldn't fit a hat over my giant bun without looking like a cone head. The worst part about not being able to take my coat off today is that I was in my dream location to take photos. In front of my "favourite" church downtown. Grr. I was with my brother though, and well, sorry Jim but you're not the greatest photographer. <3 He stands there just taking the same photo over and over!

Anyway, I am back at school. I am taking a class all of you bloggers might be interested in. It is called 'The Art of Life Writing' and towards the end of the class especially we're going to get into discussing what it means to write life - and that's kind of what we're all doing as bloggers! I just got a little bit of a taste for the class so I don't have a lot to say about it yet but I think I will definitely share my thoughts on the content here! Excited!

That is all for today guys! I will be back soon with a real outfit post I hope, however, this is totally dependent on my ability to take my coat off.

Hope you are all staying warm,

xo Robyn

Gray by Gray

outfit deets: shoes - c/o Big Buddha // socks and tights - H&M // skirt - vintage // hooded poncho - christmas gift from Sara <3>

Oh woe is me, I have been spoiled by the Nikon D90 - now going back to my little powershot feels so, well, power-less. I mean, it still takes OK pictures and they certainly do the trick - but they are not near as crisp as the photos Dale takes with the D90.

I wore this out to Sunday brunch this afternoon. It is 6 o'clock and I am still soo full from all of the food - sausage, eggs and homefries - oh my! Seriously though so delicious. The poncho worked well afterwards to disguise the gigantic meal I ate. I also love that it has a hood! I'm excited to wear this more in the early spring, when I don't have to stuff it into my coat!

Anyway guys just a quick post for today. I have my first day back to school tomorrow and right now I must try and put a new video card into my computer - I'm excited for the former and nervous about the latter! Wish me luck.

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

xo Robyn

Grave 'Robyn'

outfit deets: tights & belt - H&M // dress & hat- thrift // necklace, coat, scarf, boots - vintage

OK OK I know, but I take no responsibility for the name of this post - it was all Dale. Get it though? My name is Robyn - we're in a graveyard. I assure you there was no robbin' taking place though. Hah. Is it weird that I took these photos in a graveyard? Like disrespectful weird? I don't think it is. I don't know - I have always loved graveyards. They fascinate and freak me out at the same time. I consider myself to be somewhat of a 'realist' or rather I just have a vested in the truth and yet somehow graveyards still make me feel superstitious. Also, they remind me of that scene in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie when the original Buffy (Kristy Swanson not SMG) is with Merrick in the graveyard waiting for the vampires and she's all like "d'you have any gum?".

For this post I mainly chose photos with a sombre vibe but then it just felt too depressing - hence the last two photos. Wearing almost all black was totally unintentional, I had been wanting to take photos here again for awhile and it just so happens that today I wore my favourite little black sweater dress.

One thing I love about winter is the way in which it enables me to kind of wear two outfits at once! First I have my outerwear look with the coat and hat and jacket and gloves and then I take it off to reveal the dress and it's a different look altogether!

Anyway lovelies - I must be off, I have a ridiculously busy day ahead and I have to spend like 5 hours at the gym to catch up for the past two weeks. Ungh - haha! I'm ready to get my life back on track - this break has made me too lazy.

Happy hump day!

xo Robyn

Pinky Swear

ouftit deets: shoes - c/o Big Buddha // socks, tights, cardigan - H&M // dress - Forever21 // neckalce - vintage

Hey youu guyss! I have some questions for all of you terribly lovely people. Most of my readers (or at least the ones who I know of i.e. people who leave comments) are bloggers themselves and amazing bloggers at that. With that in mind, I thought I would ask you guys if you had any constructive criticism for my blog. Anything that you see that could be improved regarding the overall layout, for example do my pictures take too long to load, are they too big or too small? Do wonky things happen when you view my blog in google reader? Is it hard to comment? Any suggestions for content? Anything missing from my blog. Things like that! I want to make sure my blog is the best that it can be in the new year and if you guys ever see anything wrong or weird happening with it I invite you to let me know at any time and I promise to do the same for all of you. On a slightly related note, do any of you make use of SEO tricks? I just did a few tweaks myself because last week blogger sent me an e-mail to let me know that my blog wasn't 'SEO'd' enough - did anyone else get that e-mail?

Anyway, about my outfit! I never used to like wearing pink, I still don't really like wearing any other kind of pink except a really light baby pink like the colour of my cardigan. I am finding though that I am really drawn to that colour, it's so versatile and a good alternative to a white or cream. I just wore this to Persia's house where she helped me learn to play the Ukulele. I have gone as far as Twinkle Twinkle Little Star and a rough version of Jason Mraz's I'm Yours. Pretty good, huh?

Happy Monday!

xo Robyn

At the Right Place, At the Right Time

outfit deets: shoes - Jasmin c/o Big Buddha // tights - H&M // skirt - Zara // blouse, cardi - thrift

When I think of New Years there's kind of only one song that comes to mind: Alkaline Trio's Private Eye. It is kind of unfortunate too because the song expresses a sentiment that I have never quite felt and hope to never actually feel. For example, some of the lyrics go "New Years Eve was as boring as heaven / I watched flys *have sex* (another word is used here that starts with f and ends with uck) on channel 11/ There was no one to kiss / There was nothing to drink / 'Cept some old rotten mild someone left in the sink". See what I mean? Totally depressing. Anyway, I bring this song up because while I have never experienced the way in which NYE can be totally depressing I can understand how it could be. I don't really get the point of the event, I suppose it's just as good an excuse as any to have a party but the evening gets way too built up and how is someone expected to have fun with all that pressure? I want to have fun on my own time, on random nights that aren't marked on the calendar because like the great Karl Pilkington once said "You won't get anything done by planning". Alright that is totally untrue but nevertheless I still think the best fun is had on nights when you weren't expecting the fun.

With all of this in mind, Dale and I laid low for the evening and went to Swiss Chalet for dinner and watched Community and Baccano and Shaytards. I wore this outfit to do all of that, well actually I changed into pajamas at about 10pm, but for most of the day I wore this. I picked up the skirt at Zara on sale a couple days ago. I love burnt orange and couldn't resist the thought of having a burnt orange skirt in my closet that isn't velvet. I paired it with this comfy bespeckled blouse, my good ol' Buddhas, a cardigan and called it a day. It was a good day too!

How was NYE for all of you? Did you end up going out or staying in?

Anyway lovelies we will talk soon!

xo Robyn

p.s I wasn't feeling celebratory enough so I needed to add in the party hat and sparkler - now we're talkin'!