It's going down, I'm yelling Sep-timber!
One thing you autumn know about me, is that my favourite of all the seasons is fall. The crunchy changing leaves, the cooler sweater weather, warm tea, the candles…and yes. The Pumpkin Spice.
I am a white girl after all.
But one of my most favourite parts of fall is the fashion. I would say by the beginning of August I am already counting down the days until September first, the day where I change my wardrobe over to my pretty fall things that have been hanging in my closet and I have touched longingly all summer...waiting for the day we would be reunited.
Oh slouchy sweaters, leggings and fuzzy socks...did you miss me as much as I missed you??
Any season that allows you to grow out your leg hair incognito, and perpetually dress like a bag lady and still call it fashion is more than OK in my books. It's a goddamn inspiration. But let's not forget what other amazing things happen in the fall. Like Halloween, which, next to Christmas, is arguably the best holiday ever. Then you have Pre-Christmas Turkeytime, Thanksgiving. As in thanks for giving me all the leftovers Mom (drool). There is just no good reason not to love fall. I respect everyone’s right to an opinion but if you don’t like fall you are wrong and I hate you.
Ehem, Anyways.
As the leaves have just begun changing, and the temperature has finally started to cool off, I wanted to spend one of my few days off outside, enjoying my fleeting favourite season. The plan was to drive all over Winnipeg looking for cool places to collect photos for a bit of a "Look Book" so I could showcase some of my most beloved fall styles and treasured thrift store finds. But as anyone knows, you can't have a good start to your day without a strong first meal of the day. Which naturally meant a picnic. It should be obvious by now that I do not do things half-way. I either jump in with both feet, or I don't jump at all. (Jumping is exercise after all). So when faced with the task of figuring out the picnic spoils...well, pancakes, cupcakes, what's the difference?
First stop, food. For months, all I have been hearing about is Jenna Rae Cakes. Anytime a baked good has been mentioned in Winnipeg as of late the immediate response seems to be: "Have you been to Jenna's yet??" As I have a relatively fancy Best Friend, who also has a healthy curiosity for baked goods and supporting local businesses, she was totally down to check out the Insta-famous bakery. And after a five minute coaching session with the Hermione Granger of baked goods "It's Macaron not Macarrooooooons" we were ready to order!
(See how I just made it sound like we were actually just trying to support a local business instead of feeding my sweet tooth? I'm so clever. You were so fooled. Muahaha.)
So I grabbed my picnic blanket, (Yeah. My picnic blanket is light pink and damask. What of it?) my instant camera, and my three tiered tray, (that, yes, I did have just laying around my house just in case such a situation ever arose.) Armed with two boxes of goodies, the most adorably hipster picnic was born (much to my Chummy's disgust).
As it turns out, Jenna, gurl. Yes.
To anyone in Winnipeg who hasn't been yet, Jenna Rae's Bakery is a total dump and you definitely don't want to go there. Also I am pretty sure I saw a mouse. Yup. I totally won't be returning once every three days in order to feed my sugar fix...
sigh.
FINE.
IT WAS MAGICAL.
[First Impressions:
Wow, this place is so clean. Everything is so white. I better not touch anything, I might leave smudges. You are an adult, you can touch things, *almost knocks over most adorable hipster wedding cake I've ever laid eyes on* Nevermind, DO NOT TOUCH THINGS. OOOh look at that! No look at that first! It's so pretty! Where did they get that? I want twelve. ]
And that was just the first visual impressions.
If there had been a mouse in there I'm positive it would have been an adorable Disney mouse who was helping to clean the kitchen, or working as a bakers apprentice (Ratatouille -style).
If the gorgeous packaging doesn't get you (Oh it got me.) Then you will be sold the minute you open it. LOOK at those cookies. They almost look too perfect to eat!
I did say almost.
I mean look at those. If that doesn't look like the best breakfast you ever wanted to have but never indulged in because, y'know, diabetes, then I don't know what is.
Oh, we did.
And if you would like to check out my new favourite sweet shop in Winnipeg, head on over to 580 Academy Road and check Jenna Rae Cakes out! Just do me a favour and leave me some Macarons!
Moving right along...
It should come as no surprise to anyone who knows me that Winnipeg, or Manitoba in general, is not my favourite place to be. Having grown up in B.C. I am somewhat of a spoiled brat when it comes to scenery, and though the prairies have some of the most beautiful sunrises (from what I've heard) and sunsets (from what I've seen), I still miss my ocean and mountains and forests. That being said, I can appreciate what Winnipeg has to offer, and I have begun to find favourite places all over the city. The first being the back of the Legislative Building.
It was the perfect first stop (post-picnic) to take some pictures of my first (and possibly favourite) Thrift Outfit, as this outfit has a bit of a "Back to School" kinda vibe with it's glitzy Peter Pan collar that I've paired with a mens cardigan and a high-waisted pleather skirt and patterned tights.
I believe I bought these from Springs last year.
These shoes. I adore these shoes. Despite me being a creature with an extreme lack of grace, and who is already taller then I have any right to be without the extra help, I can't stop myself from wearing them.
Oh? You'd like to take a picture as I am just candidly writing in my journal? Okay.
Behind the Legislative Building has quickly become one of my favourite places to be. There is just so much beauty packed into one spot. Plus, it definitely helps that it has a very "Downtown Victoria" vibe. You've got a small pier overlooking the Red River, a large grandiose fountain, and the greenery and greenhouse surrounding the large old-school architecture of the building itself.
Hello Goldenboy, Put on some pants!
It's Selfie-Ception!
Just like a bridesmaid's dress, you can switch it up and wear this outfit different ways! In just two quick changes (Boots and Jeans) this outfit went from end of summer "back to school" to straight up fall.
I am quite adamant that a cute hat can take any outfit to the next level. I have a love hate relationship with sunglasses (as I feel my chubby chipmunk cheeks can make it difficult to find ones that suit my face) but I looove hats. My rule is generally the bigger, the floppier, the better. (Which is definitely not my rule for all things. wink.)
I'm sorry...
....no I'm not.
So after we got our fill of The Leg we decided to do some more exploring, and headed further downtown. Winnipeg's downtown areas get a bad wrap, and while most of the time there are good reasons for it, there are still certain pockets of downtown that I love to visit.
In the day time.
In full daylight.
And with a buddy.
...Preferably a buddy who runs slower then I do.
This building with the stars and moons holds one of the coolest Good Will's in Winnipeg.
This is my "everyday" kinda look. And by that I mean I was gifted this shirt after an unfortunate incident with a creepy guy on my way to work, and once Designated Adult: Megg heard about it, she informed me that I have to wear this shirt whenever I leave my house unsupervised until she can afford to get me microchipped.
That being said, my real everyday look is actually very similar. Skinny jeans and a cute pair of shoes, a tee and my red lipstick are my everyday armour.
hibou shoes. made in Romania, retailing for around $200, bought at Good Will for $12.50
Check out little fetus me! [1st day of grade 5] rocking the Sailor-Moon Buns and Scrunchies. Much to my Mothers embarrassment, and insistence that I did not look as cool as I thought. I know what you're thinking: "Is that streaks of purple hair dye?" you ask? Why yes, yes it is.
Some people would look back at a picture like that and cringe at the thought of it ever seeing the light of day, but not me. Oh no. I took one look at this picture and went:
“Genius!”
And put it on the internet, and copied my grade 5 hairstyle. I was a friggen visionary in mismatched scrunchies guys.
Side note: Mom admitted, albeit under breath, that she thinks it's cute now. If only I could go back in time and tell Mini-me.
No matter where in the city I explore, I always seem to come back to the same sorts of places. Unfortunately, they aren't always open.
