The Return of Summer Goth

Well, I think it’s safe to say that it;’s officially summer – which means I’ve gone full summer goth! I refuse to relinquish my all black wardrobe, no matter how warm it gets.

Dress: Nordstrom Rack / jacket: Simons / sandals: Steve Madden

All the Frills: New Nails

I don’t really do too much with my nails aside from the odd coat of polish (and even that’s getting more and more rare – I just can’t seem to find the time). But I’ve always wanted to try something “out there” (for me) so, for my birthday this year, I asked for a gift certificate to get a gel manicure and some nail extensions. And I definitely love the result but will admit that I find the length a bit difficult to work with and the upkeep to be more hassle than it’s worth. But I did enjoy the little vacation from myself!

Weekend Reading:

• This book looks fascinating.
  
• This is a really great piece on an often overlooked aspect of the Central Park Five case.
  
• This article about some wacky widows who loom large in the Plaza Hotel’s history is a great read. 
  
• Well this is just delightful.
  
• I watched every single episode of the deliciously idiotic Lohan Beach Club and, honestly, this tracks.

Cycling Season

In honour of true summer weather being here and me getting my bike out of storage and all ready for a ride, I donned a shirt with a super cute bicycle print on it – I love a good outfit/life theme!

leggings: ASOS / shirt: Winners / shoes: Urban Outfitters / jacket: Simons

Leopard Touches

I am a huge of fan of leopard print and pairing this scarf with black dress seemed like a perfect opportunity to incorporate a little animal print into my outfit. Meanwhile I’m still on the hunt for the perfect leopard print dress…

dress: ASOS / scarf: Target / shoes: Aldo

Velvety

I love the way this velvet blazer looks when the sunlight hits it – it just sort of twinkles and sparkles and the green seems to take on many different hues. I need to remember to get it out of my closet a bit more.

pants: ASOS / shoes: Aldo / top: Old Navy / blazer: Simons / necklace: Stella and Dot

All the Frills: I Love a Good Tiara

There are few things I could imagine myself loving more than a very decadent book about a very decadent topic – tiaras. I used to check this book out of my local public library once a year or so when I was a poor undergrad, and later I was a poor grad student who had to buy academic books so I could never justify purchasing my very own copy of this gorgeous book. But that all changed a few years ago and now I can look at it lovingly whenever I want!

Weekend Reading:

• I love learning about the mansions of the Gilded Age.
  
• This is a great piece on working parents by one of my favourite authors (her book on pregnancy got me through mine with my sanity intact).
  
• I’m almost positive this could be a plot element in the third Anaconda movie.
  
• Well, this is embarrassing, and a good reminder of the utility of doing proper historical research and not assuming that the meaning of words are forever fixed and unchanging, as opposed to being living, mutable things wrapped up in historical context.
  
• This for sure would have given me nightmares when I was pregnant. And it’s still pretty damn horrific. I just hope the baby will be okay.

Even More Statement Sleeves

As I warned in my last post, I am a sucker for a statement sleeve – this time on a dress and in a colour that is not black. I’m nothing if not full of surprises that are simultaneously totally predictable.

dress: Simons / necklace: Stella and Dot