Weekendupdate

I have really exciting news! Details are still being worked out, but this weekend, I may just have a new weekend feature for you. If you've been reading since the start (if not, you could do it now!), you may remember that I mentioned that I've been working with a friend of mine who is an up-and-coming stylist in Toronto. And here's the kicker - we grew up together in the same small town!

Keep an eye out this weekend for some site changes, and the new weekend fashion feature!

Easy, Breezy, Beautiful...

...Ok, so maybe it's a little cliche. But I really do feel like the woman that I complimented today embodied the well-known slogan.

I was stuck. I'd seen several people walk by me, but found myself challenged to actually speak to them. I found myself making excuses - I'll interrupt them, they look like they're in a hurry, there are too many other people around...

Finally, I stepped aside. Rather than walk up and down the street, I decided to let someone come to me. After about 5 minutes (and after listening to the colourful language of a truck driver getting a parking ticket), she came down the street. She didn't have that determined, purposeful, on-a-mission walk. She seemed to be out, just enjoying the beautiful day.

It was the colour of her dress that first caught my attention, but she really exuded this easygoing, happy, comfortable summer day attitude. I managed to catch up to her quickly, and when we were stopped at a light, I told her that I loved her dress. "It's from Guess!" - I LOVE how quickly we women respond to compliments with the details! It was a really great, really simple t-shirt dress, belted at the waist. Minimal accessories, but the outfit was perfect. Not to mention the colour - OH to have the beautiful skin colour that she had! The colour was PERFECT for her.

Not only was her outfit great, but she just seemed to have the lovliest disposition, the most adorable accent and a stunning smile to go along with it. Let's just say, I'm glad that my boyfriend wasn't with me; I think he might have forgotten all about me!

She even went so far as to have me write down the URL for my blog so that she could check it out - so if you've made it here, thanks, and you really did look great today!

Mad Hatter...literally

Yesterday, I was out at lunch. This beautiful (and slightly older) Asian woman was crossing the street towards me, and she had on a really great, movie star-esque hat on. You know, the ones with the wide brim all the way around, and the big wide ribbon? I covet the perfect hat like this every summer!

When she reached my side of the street, I told her that I LOVED her hat, and she SCOWLED at me! Not only did she not smile, she actually seemed kind of angry that I was speaking to her...

Maybe she WAS a big deal movie star diva?!
(photo swiped from basement.shoeblogs.com)

Service with a STYLE

Ok, so most of the time when you go into a retail store that caters to a relatively fashionable crowd, you expect to see some great style. The store that I went into yesterday has their staff wear all black, so that they can feature the shoes that they're selling. For some women, this is just how their style works, and it's all about the accessories, and I LOVE it.

The girls in this store (which will remain nameless) were great, but this girl's necklace really stood out to me. It was bright, and summery and FUN. And it seemed to really suit her, at least based on the little snippet of her personality that I got to see as I spent my latest paycheck...

When I told her about my blog, she said that she loved the concept, and that she believes that when you think something nice about someone, you should just come right out and say it. It's such a simple idea, but something that some of us find easier said than done.

I'm loving that the more people I talk to about this, the more people I realize really ARE aware of the people around them, and aren't afraid to let them know!

Curly Sue

Ok, so I'm about 99.99% sure her name wasn't Sue. BUT, she had the loveliest curly hair, and it was very natural looking - not crunchy and over product-y like many women with curly hair often are.

I had spent happy hour on a patio with a girlfriend, talking about the city in general, boys, work, and my blog. We finished our drinks and as I was crossing the street, saw "Sue" sitting there. I was so excited, because I'd seen her walk by with her friend earlier, and commented on her hair (and her super cute trench coat), so I knew I had to talk to her.

As many women would do, when I told her she had beautiful hair, she said "You can HAVE it!" - I guess the grass is always greener, as I'm so envious of women with hair like hers. My poker straight hair will never have the volume and styling options that hers surely must! I asked if I could take her picture for my blog, and she asked what it was all about. It was interesting to see that she was the first of the strangers (almost 14 now?) to really ask what I was writing about. An interesting perspective for sure, because for all those other people know, I could very well be writing about how ridiculous they look, and just using the compliments as a front.


So, with my intentions known and her permission, I snapped a photo of Curly Sue and her friend (I bet she HATES being called that...I'm so sorry!), and off we went.

Oh, and I want to give honourable mention to the guy sitting across from us on the patio, who just moved here from Edmonton. I have a whole new perspective on talking to strangers, and I found it refreshing that he so comfortably spoke to us without really interrupting or being creepy. And when he walked by again later, he waved at us. Ahhh...A breath of fresh air!

Weekend Warrior

Will you change your mind about me if I don't consistently write posts on weekends? Will it take away from the goal? What if I only take photos on weekdays? Is this thing on?

I was playing weekend warrior this past weekend, as I have nearly every weekend for the last year and a half, due to major home renovations. I did manage to compliment a couple of people on Sunday when my mom and I were out of the house, but I didn't have my trusty camera at the ready.

Perhaps I need to be more realistic about this - I can certainly get out there on weekdays, but weekends seem to be a little more difficult due to my extracurricular responsibilities. I've given some thought to featuring a celebrity, or a designer, or a specific style/trend that I love... Would that be an acceptable replacement for those weekends that I'm not able to be out in the world, interacting with strangers?

And while I'm asking all of these questions, does a person who I've met before, but who's name I can't remember, count as a stranger?

I'd love some feedback! Hoping to get out there today and see some great summery-style, even on this gloomy, grey day!

Would it kill you to smile?

After complimenting the lady in line at lunchtime with such a negative response, I decided to make an effort to compliment people who weren't distracted. No phones, ipods, other conversations - just people who are walking down the street.

The first THREE ignored me. Not even a smile or a thank you. It got to the point that I wasn't sure I'd be able to get anymore pictures for my blog. Then, I came across a woman who was walking by herself, with a big smile on her face. As she came closer, I just said to her that it's so nice to see somebody smiling. She stopped, we complimented eachother on our shoes, I took her picture and off we both went. Ahh...my faith was renewed!

I complimented a few other people with no response. When I went into the Yonge & Eglinton Centre, I stopped by my favourite Kiosk - a really great handmade jewellery booth run by a really beautiful woman. I've been buying jewellery from her for weeks, but haven't ever really struck up a conversation. She has this easy, beautiful style - something I wish I could emulate...like she doesn't have to try, and she's always comfortable but beautiful. By the time I left, she gave me a big hug, and promised she'd let me know when her website is done so that I can feature her on my blog, and share her style with everyone!

More than 3 compliments to make up for the last couple of days, but only 2 pictures, and 2 smiles!

Maybe tomorrow...