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Good morning from my desk! This week I'm working on some quick thumbnail sketches for a tropical travel poster design. I'm feeling inspired by vintage travel poster illustrations, especially those by Gary Redford. This all has resulted in me wanting to go on a trip to somewhere hot again.☀️ Also, fueling up for a busy day with my usual: oats + natural PB! #graphicdesign #illustration #garyredford #travelposters #vintage #tropical #sketches #sketchbook #frommydesk #cleaneats #wholeoats #staedtler #graphicdesignstudent

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"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing." (at Webster's Falls)

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Confessions Of A Clothes Hoarder: Part 2

You never really realize how much shit you have until it's time to move it elsewhere.

It took me two days, between the two dressers and the closet, and it grew tedious. But while I longed for it to be over, I felt a sense of liberation and optimism. I was trimming away the fat--the too small, the too old, the never-worn--and it felt great.

My system went like so: I picked up each hanger to assess the garment. From there, it either went back to the closet (keep), into a garbage bag (trash), or into a cardboard box (could be worn again but not on me).

I found that some items I was hesitant to get rid of. For example, a dress I've worn once. It's cute, and I'm not ready to ditch it. So I promised myself that if I still haven't worn it by the next time I clean out my closet, we will part ways.

At the end of it all, I was left with this pile of hangers. I went from not having enough of them, to having many to spare. My dresser drawers? They close again. The floor? There isn't even a pair of underwear on them, let alone any clothes. And the closet? 

It's in better shape than ever.

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Confessions of a Clothes Hoarder: Part 1

Every once in a while in a sista's life comes a time where the dresser drawers don't shut, there aren't enough hangers in the closet, and the floor becomes a walk-on closet. 

For 10 years, I blamed my storage struggles on the fact that my bedroom does not have a closet (I'm serious). But, after turning a no-longer-used computer office into a reasonably sized walk-in closet, I don't have a viable excuse anymore.

Conclusion #1: I am a clothes hoarder. 

Though I'm sure you've given yourself shock treatments by watching TLC's Hoarding: Buried Alive, here's the definition of hoarding for those who need a refresher (courtesy of about.com): 

Pathological or compulsive hoarding is a specific type of behavior characterized by:

acquiring and failing to throw out a large number of items that would appear to have little or no value to others (e.g., papers, notes, flyers, newspapers, clothes)

severe cluttering of the person's home so that it is no longer able to function as a viable living space

significant distress or impairment of work or social life

No, I'm not drowning in clothes. And while cluttering gives me anxious spins, I can say that having too much stuff affects my punctuality to an extent. ie. Too many things, too many choices, and "OMG I have nothing to wear!"

This week I am tackling my dresser drawers and closet, head-on and armed with a garbage bag and a cardboard box for items that I'll either sell (if worthy) or donate. 

Will I enjoy it? In the words of Cher Horowitz: As if! 

Stay tuned.

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New Years Resolutions

I'm not a greatly self-disciplining person. I can admit that I easily fall off the wagon... Which is why I'm not really a goal-oriented person. Or a New Years Resolution person.

Maybe my New Years hangover is affecting my thoughts, or maybe I'm feeling strangely overcome with 2014-infused confidence, but this year I've decided to set some small beauty-related resolutions that I think I can keep. 

Wash your damn makeup brushes, woman. For fear of judgment, I'm not going to go into detail on how often (or not) I shampoo my brushes... But it's not pretty, or sanitary. This year I promise to take care of my brushes and clean them regularly. My skin will thank me.

Nurse that hair you just spent a year to grow. I'm rough on my hair. I heat style daily and dye it regularly. I wash it every morning. So this year, I promise to continue cutting back on heat styling (I started this part at the beginning of December, yay!) and to discover dry shampoo. I've made it this far, and ruining my hair will only setback my growth journey!

Hey, remember when you blogged? And uploaded to YouTube? I don't even need to say it. Y'all know I've been sucking at updates. Have I mentioned I have a full-time AND a part-time job? And a boyfriend? And friends? And a family? Okay, I'll stop making excuses now. I promise to show my made up face around here more.

Do you make New Years resolutions? Do you stick to them? What are yours this year? Let me know! 

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New Years Glam using my @urbandecaycosmetics Ammo and Naked 2 palettes, as well as my @anastasiabeverlyhills Brow Whiz. Topped off with liquid liner and loads of mascara. #nye #urbandecay #makeup #eyes #browgame #anastasiabeverlyhills #browwhiz #glam #fotn #happynewyear

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Mix and match by cmacdonald featuring a lambskin leather purse

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#shotbysony #fashionweek #fashionsaturday #WMCFW @worldmastercardfashionweek

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Just put together my outfit for #FashionSaturday @worldmastercardfashionweek tomorrow. Had to decide between my Creepers, Coltranes or Docs. I love my babies. 💁

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WMCFW DAY 3: Mackage SS14

Believe me when I say that I'm struggling not to post photos of Mackage's entire SS14 collection. The jackets, the simplicity, the textures... I'm in love.

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WMCFW: Day 2 Highlights

Black, white and blue seem to be headlining the runways for SS14.

Tuesday's full day of shows at the tents at David Pecaut Square featured six runways and one studio show, a busy day for trendy Torontonians. For myself, it was the male designers whose collections really shined.

Travis Taddeo gave a nod to those black, white and blue themes as models strutted down the runway in monochromatic, urban looks, each completed with a baseball cap. Stood together, the models could appear to be the coolest, trendiest group of kids you've ever laid eyes on. Thanks, Travis Taddeo, for showing me who I want to be when I grow up. 

Later, Sid Neigum closed out the night with intricate takes on simple fabrics in his collection of ladies-wear. High necklines and fall colours were contrasted with laser-cut details and short sleeves. Looking to the feet, models donned attention-grabbing and unconventional-appearing shoes that you'd expect Lady Gaga to have designed. 

Beauty-wise, I'm noticing a lot of fresh-faced, nude looks on the runways. This definitely matches the monochrome collections we've seen thus far, but I'm hoping one of the designers to come has a bold look in store for us.

All photos courtesy of Michael Ho Photography. 

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WMCFW: Day 1 Highlights

The tents at David Pecaut Square in Toronto's entertainment district are booming with the city's Best Dressed once again.

Monday kicked off a week of Canadian design showcasing with World MasterCard Fashion Week's Spring/Summer '14 lineup. 

Toronto design duo Chloe and Parris Gordon, also known as Beaufille, brought breezy, loose-fitting silhouettes to the table. Black, white and dulled-down-colours made up the collection--a trend that continued into the rest of the evening.

Next up was Pink Tartan, designed by Kim Newport Minram, an always much-anticipated show at WMCFW. The designer has turned major heads in the past years (Pink Tartan is available at retailers The Bay and Holt Renfrew), and this is one of the bigger shows each season. The collection featured both structured-ladylike pieces and head-to-toe leather looks. Black and white were also a strong theme in the collection. (Do we smell a trend?)

Wrapping up Day 1 at the tents was David Dixon with a line of--you guessed it--black and white formal ladies-wear. Dixon mixed unconventional shapes and sheer textures with bold textures and flower detailing. 

All photos courtesy of Michael Ho Photography. Adapting Style does not own or take credit for any of these photos. 

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Flashback to last @worldmastercardfashionweek... Can't wait to be back this week for SS14. #wmcfw #toronto #torontofashionweek #stephancaras #runway #FW13

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Channeling my inner @evachen212 today with a leather cap. #evachen #luckymag #ootd #fw13

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Loving dark Fall shades and Seaweed UV Gel colour lately. Done by Nina at Nina's Nail & Spa.

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Officially a VIB at @sephora. I think I'm supposed to say "I have a problem"... But... NAH.

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You looked like you needed some Bootspo to get you through the day.