Music Mondays: Jenn Grant.

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YAY! I'm going to be doing a new segment on my blog called Music Mondays! I might not do it every single Monday but I will certainly do it on many, when I've got a new musician I'm dying to share. I'm so darn passionate about music that I often get the overwhelming urge to tell others about new stuff I've discovered. I came across Jenn Grant's latest CD, Honeymoon Punch, at work through my manager, who has a copy of the CD. I played the first song at work and was automatically hooked. It's fun, quirky, and upbeat. Jenn has a beautiful voice and although I know very little about guitar playing, she rocks at it! Oh, and did I mention she's from Halifax? Check out some of her music videos from her latest album below and find her website here. Enjoy! xo Caroline

Views II.

Last Saturday Jimmy, myself, my friend Katherine, and her boyfriend Michael headed out to that little hiking spot I mentioned coming across in this post. It was incredible. One of the best places I've come across in all of Nova Scotia! Afterwards we went to an all-you-can-eat sushi joint and it was a m a z i n g! All-in-all a lovely day. I just can't help but thinking about how much I'll miss all of this. Change is always bitter-sweet, dont' ya think? 

On another note, happy weekend! What are your plans? Hopefully I'll get to snap some photos of mine! xo Caroline

Contemplating Fashion.

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Yesterday I saw this post on The Daybook and was immediately inspired. Do you ever feeling like your "fashion-self" or your "personal style" is unfulfilling? I'm dying to admit, I kinda do! Don't get me wrong, I get so much excitement and happiness out of material consumption and fashioning myself according to what I've come to see as my "personal style". I love it. I love it so much that I wonder why I love it so much. Because in addition to becoming increasingly obsessed with it as of late (perhaps since starting up this blog last August), I've also become aware that it's a never-ending process. I buy and I buy and I create and I create and I perform what I've bought and created and it keeps going on. There is no end point where I've finally achieved my personal style. There is no sigh of relief and no break and no "ahh, I'll take a step back and relax now". I'm constantly working and stressing and wondering if my style is good enough, close enough to the fashion trends, if I have enough of what I "need" and "want" to keep up my personal style. Like many women, I've been socialized to desire and literally embody the fashion industry and its dependence on material consumption and capitalism. Look at the first photo. Girls are taught to consume from an early age. (Also, why are all the girls in the photo white and thin and conventionally good-looking?) But it can be tiring, and, as Sydney pointed out, it sometimes feels trivial and even narcissistic (as I've said here and here). There are is so much oppression in Canada and the U.S. (caused by the very systems that I utilize and enjoy!) and here I am obsessing over a Roots bag that I got on sale and I am so so so happy about it. I'm not trying to make us feel guilty for material consumption. I just wanted to express how this negotiation of fashion and personal style, at least for me, is ripe with complex feelings that are often very difficult to negotiate. Do you feel this way, too? What are your thoughts? xo Caroline

Recently.

Bowling.

Citadel Hill.

Reflection.

Paper Cranes.

New lip liner.

Hand-made card.

Pretty house. 

Buds.

Daffodils.

Rainy day.

Vintage buttons on a cardigan, as seen here.

Bloom.

Late-night notes.

Trees and blue sky.

DIY rope necklace.

Eerie fog.

Kiss kiss.

DIY tassel earrings.

Growth.

Chiller at Second Cup.

Bedtime.

Fog and sun together just this morning.

Beautiful flower that I don't know the name of.

Eerie fog from this morning.

As you can tell, I'm slightly obsessed with capturing this Maritime fog.

Ocean-view. More fog from just this morning.

Thought it would be fun to change up how I showcase my Instagram photos this time. Here's a little peek into what I've been doing the past few weeks! Don't forget to follow me on Instagram @thefeministajournals. What have you been up to recently?

Today is a busy day! I have to get my ass into cleaning mode and as usual I'm on the computer. Bah. Jimmy's friend is visiting tonight until Sunday and I've got a hot date with a friend this afternoon (who's leaving for France tomorrow and I will miss her sooooo!!). Finally, I have a massage early this evening! Which is much needed after all this computer staring and desk sitting. How's your life going? xo Caroline

Strappy Stilettos.

Beehive and Bourban

Late Afternoon

Tuula//In Her Stilettos

Ahh! Super pumped about finding these vintage heels (first photo) over at Beehive and Bourbon's Etsy shop. They have great pieces at fair prices. Although I don't have many opportunities to wear four-inch heels, I've been wanting a pair of strappy metallic pumps for ages. And this pair was only $20! I will add them to my heel collection--I now own three pairs! Hopefully you will see some of them on the blog soon. What about you, would you wear this trend? xo Caroline

Easy Spinach Quiche.

This quiche is to die for! I made it last week for dinner and thoroughly enjoyed it! (Who doesn't love breakfast for dinner?) It's so easy to make and doesn't require a lot of ingredients, two things that are crucial in recipes I use. Enjoy!! xo Caroline

Spinach Quiche

Courtesy of Smitten Kitchen

Ingredients:

1 3-ounce package cream cheese, room temperature

1/3 cup half and half (or milk)

3 eggs

1/2 an 8-ounce package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained

1/2 cup grated cheddar (gruyere works well, too)

1/4 cup grated Parmesan

4 to 6 green onions, thinly sliced (1/2 cup finely diced red or white onion or shallots work as well)

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon pepper

One pre-made pie crust, or your favourite pie crust recipe, like this one

Directions:

Preheat oven to 425°. Beat cream cheese in medium bowl until smooth. Gradually beat in half and half and eggs. Mix in remaining ingredients. Pour mixture into prepared crust. Bake until crust is golden brown and filling is set, about 25 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before serving.

New In: Cuffs.

American Apparel top// ASOS pants and cuffs// Browns ID oxfords// DIY hairpins

I recently bought these cuffs from ASOS because they went on sale. Although they are heavier than I hoped (there are some drawbacks with buying online!), I'm still happy with them. I've been wanting a pair of gold cuffs for awhile now because they add a simple sophistication to almost any outfit. I'm all about focusing on one (maybe two) accessories. Love it!

Well, it's the weekend! What are your plans? I'm very excited to spend the day with my beautiful friend Katherine tomorrow! Details to come next week! xo Caroline

Views.

These are some more photos from Sunday. After we ran around the graveyard taking photos, we visited a beautiful park called Sir Stanford Fleming Park, which is on the opposite side of the peninsula from Halifax. Even though it was so cold that we could see our breath, it was so worth every moment of being wayyy under-dressed. Oh my was it ever breathtaking! Afterwards we journeyed down the cost, coming across a little hiking trail that hugs the cost (the last two photos). We didn't hike it, but hope to go back on Saturday. Though while we were there we saw some lobster fisherman and the breathtaking open ocean! I will really, really miss this. xo Caroline