The Thrift Gods Have Smiled Down On Me

Photos by Kyler Kelly

  

Vintage dress

Sandals from India

We at Bouquet of Frocks love a good deal more than anything. Debbie and I love to frequent thrift stores and vintage shops, and although these hunts are very hit or miss, once in a while, we find gems worth the hours of riffling through the musty racks only to come up empty-handed.

This is one jewel I snapped up recently at one of the popular vintage shops here in Montreal. Can we first just talk about how this was totally meant to be....just look at how perfectly floor length this is on me! Trust me when I tell you that in all my 5 feet 1 inch glory, this NEVER happens. I have to hem most of my pants. I buy "capris" and wear them as regular pants. I have never seen the top shelves in my kitchen.

And I just love the flowy, retro, boho silhouette this number cuts on me. It's so unique and flattering. And we all know about my floral addiction...it was a no-brainer. I love wearing it with the sandals I picked up in India, minimal makeup and free-flowing hair, or tied in a low bun. This number has been a real no-fuss, go-to number for me this summer and the black will wear really well into the fall! Thank you, thrifting gods!
                                                     

Riverside Stroll

F21 jumpsuit
H&M hat
Sandals from India
Old handbag

I live close to the Saint Lawrence River in Montreal and every summer, it's teeming with swimmers, fishermen, joggers....just about every outdoor activity you can think of, you're bound to come across it just by strolling along the river. They even have kayaks you can rent and I think I saw a beaver once while kayaking down the river. It was an exciting day.

On those muggy Montreal summer days, there's nothing better than a promenade down to the river in something as light and airy as this cute floral jumpsuit I picked up earlier this season. I threw on a wide-brimmed paper panama hat and my favourite sandals from India and I was ready to beat the heat.

                                                          

Festival Fashion (Feat. Friendly Alley Kitty)

Zara dress
F21 hat
old purse
sandals from India

Jazz Fest, Fringe Fest, FrancoFolies, Osheaga....A Montreal summer is never without a jam fest (especially outdoors!) for more than 30 seconds. And with that comes some boho festival fashions! This new Zara tunic dress I picked up earlier this summer perfectly embodies the free-flowing, breezy spirit of all the best outdoor music festivals. I'm pairing it with a basic strappy sandal I picked up in India and my favourite floppy hat.

And let me just tell you about this cat for a second. He was soooo cute, just following us around the alley as we were shooting, rolling around on the ground, begging for belly rubs, purring like crazy. I had to break character and cuddle the little fella while talking in a baby voice. I just had to.

Here's to a long summer of tunes and friendly kitties!
                                        

Well Hello Summer!

Zara jeans / Garage top / Thrifted hat and sandals

Just hanging out in the sun after a nice brunch with my girl, Jackie. I went a lil crazy with the bright jeans and the colourful floral top but the summer weather calls for such vibrance. Couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.

Poolside Chic

Photos by Kyler Kelly

 

I like to call this my "poolside chic" look and if I could, I would wear this outfit every day. This look embraces a few of my favourite style components: a high waist, a great hat, and a neutral sandal. Sometimes I wish summer could last all year long, but alas, the presence of seasons makes way for more exciting fashion adventures. 

But for now...let summer live on! 

Nine West hat/White F21 bandeau top/Thrifted white shorts/Club Monaco cuff/Franco Sarto sandals

Festival Mode & Design: Day 4

 

 

Outfits: Jackie - F21 floppy hat/Garage crop top/thrifted maxi skirt/thrifted sandals/Costa Blanca bucket bag

Debbie - Gap jeans/Topshop top/Wedges from Winners/thrifted Liz Claiborne hat

Shows: Ice Cream, Sweet Lemonade - Barila

Ice Cream, Sweet Lemonade - UNTTLD

Les Montreal(ER) In Fashion du Festival

Highlights: The whole festival was a lot of fun! We met some interesting vendors and bloggers, saw some amazing fashion and of course got to be models for a day. And considering the price tag of all these shows (free!) we really couldn't have asked for a better week of fashion...except maybe less wind and rain!

                                                                                                                   

Festival Mode & Design: Day 3

Day 3 of the Festival Mode & Design featured one of my favourite shows so far: "Fashion and Film on the Same Stage."Having been a film major in university, my heart swells with joy when these two worlds come together. I've always loved observing fashion come alive in cinema and it's probably the reason I started loving fashion. Anyway, back to the festival, Jackie and I took a long lunch break to attend the fashion and film show featuring a tribute to the following 10 cinematic inspirations:  

Audrey Hepburn

Catherine Deneuve a la "Les Parapluies de Cherbourg"

Bonnie and Clyde

James Bond

Woody Allen a la "Annie Hall"

James Dean

Moulin Rouge

Almodovar and Penelope

C.R.A.Z.Y

Sex and the City

Outfits: Jackie - F21 striped dress/Modcloth handbag/Dynamite Blazer/thrifted sandals

Debbie - Zara white blazer/American Apparel shorts/Urban Outfitters blouse/thrifted shoes

Shows: Fashion and Film on the Same Stage

Highlights: The first Audrey Hepburn look and the sexy Moulin Rouge outfits.