Thursday, July 31, 2014

July Snapshots


Follow me on Instagram: @angelaremondi | @inventedromance

I had another busy month in July! I feel like I've been constantly on the move, despite having very few shifts. I unofficially finished my job at Bookstore #2, and handed in my notice at Coles. I'm easing into the no-work life and I have to say, I don't hate it. My bank account sure does though.  I've had some other big moments this month, too:
  • Mike and I travelled down to Sudbury for the Northern Lights Festival, and got to see Tokyo Police Club!
  • We spent the whole weekend in Sudbury browsing and having some nom noms.. travelling with this guy is some of the best stuff ever.
  • I also went camping with Mike at Pancake Bay! We started this camping tradition 3 years ago and have been loving it ever since :)
  • I bought a MacBook Pro for school! IT'S SO FUN :D and a huge improvement from my 6 year old Toshiba that had a crack down the screen, a broken cord, and sounded like an old engine.
  • Amanda, Alyssa and I had a fun night and went to Rotaryfest to ride on the scrambler and other such festivities.
  • Both my aunts came to visit from Hong Kong and Toronto and we did a whole bunch of fun stuff together! I also received a trip to Hong Kong as a graduation present from my Zia Nancy and I am so excited to visit her next year!! Simply cray.
  • My lovely friend Maria was in town and we went on an awesome hike together! We also got lost in the woods. It was mildly frightening. But mostly fun.
  • I've really gotten in the groove of doing lots of biking and hiking and running! It feels great to be so active and be out in the sun all the time. I am absolutely dreading winter's arrival and hope I don't become a lazy butt (Spoiler alert: I will most likely become a lazy butt)
  • Amanda and I have gone on lots of walks with Leland this month, and one day we even brought Maya! Keeping track of those two got crazy.
I also had some fun nights with my friends! Amanda, Laura, and I had a whole slew of charming little girls' nights. And I also had a fun night of drinking with Mike, Em, and Laur. It's so great to see my friends so much and I'm going to miss the poop out of them come September.

And now we've reached August. This is the month!! Never thought it would actually arrive. I've got big changes and big occasions and big trips coming full steam ahead and I'm not so positive I'm prepared. I guess we'll just see, won't we?

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Late Night Carnival

(top: garage | skirt: garage | shoes: steve madden | necklace: modcloth | bracelet: h&m | belt: forever 21)

I've had lots to keep me preoccupied these days, because my aunts were both just in town from Toronto and Hong Kong! We did lots of fun activities together, like get pedicures, browse downtown, go shopping (where I bought these cute Steve Madden shoes!), visit my Nonno, and go out for some ice cream and yummy dinners. Perhaps the most exciting part has been my graduation gift from my aunt from Hong Kong- I came back from the bathroom at dinner the other night, and she had left a card at my seat. When I opened it up, it said "Coupon- good for one round trip from Canada to Hong Kong!" I nearly peed myself and had a heart attack, I'M SO SHOCKED AND SO THRILLED!! I can't wait until I can go next summer once I'm done school!!


Anyway, back to the main point of this post. Last weekend also happened to be Rotaryfest in the Sault... every year the city comes alive with rides, concerts, and activities and vendors by the water. I didn't get much of a chance to check it out this year (they also didn't do a Second Stage which is normally my favourite aspect of the festival -_-), but I did join Alyssa and Amanda for a jaunt through all the activities one night. We ended up going on the Scrambler, which caused me to scream and nearly puke. I normally love and do well on rides and roller coasters but it was actually so scary!! Carnival rides are so rickety and I have such a hard time trusting them!! After that, we went on a fun little drive and chatted away the way we always do!!


For our little night together, I wore my favourite maxi skirt from Garage with a ballerina top! It's definitely one of my favourite outfits. It's so easy to wear, I feel elegant when I do, and it's SO comfortable and breezy. Every lady should own a few maxi skirts, they are simply an essential clothing item. I will not accept any other opinion hehe.


Hope you're all having a great summer and have had the chance to check out a festival or two!! I can't believe it's almost August. I say the same thing every month, but this year is really just flying on by, isn't it????? Blargh.

Sunday, July 20, 2014

Apartment Wishlist: Entranceway

(1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8)

Most people probably don't make wishlists for an apartment entranceway. I get that. I totally get that. But I am someone who not only thinks a lot about the items they would like immediately beside their front door, but also someone who formulates a little collage featuring said items. And then blogs about it.

I think of entranceways as your immediate look into a person's home, and for that reason it can be pretty important! It's your first impression and can set the tone for the rest of your spaces. Why not fill it with adorable things?

I like the idea of keeping things organized right from the get go: a place to keep coats and hats, a tray to throw your keys in, and ample shelves for decorations, or whatever you may need to store by the door. I also love the little chalkboard sign to leave notes for any roommates or significant others that you may be sharing your space with :)

Not only is the entranceway your first glance into a home, it's the last thing you'll see on the way out, so why not set a reminder for all the important things facing you in the outside world? This doormat is the perfect reminder to make sure you have all of your important items on hand before you leave. I also love the "Adventure is Out There" print, as some encouragement to face whatever the world has to offer :)

Friday, July 18, 2014

Northern Lights Festival

(crop top: garage | skirt: urban outfitters | kimono: boathouse | flats: ardene | necklace: american eagle | bracelets: smart set | purse: aldo)

Earlier this month, Mike and I were super excited to attend a music festival in Sudbury, about three hours from home (also the city where my family is "from"- not including Italy- and lived for most of my life... kind of my second home). It's a festival held every year called Northern Lights Festival, and this is the second time Mike and I have gone together!

The first time we went was in the early days of our relationship, and we were so excited to see Joel Plasket and Yukon Blonde (two of our mutual favourites), among many other amazing artists. This year, we went mostly just to see Tokyo Police Club, another favourite band. We spent Friday at the festival, and explored cute shops in downtown Sudbury for the rest of the weekend. We had SUCH A BLAST and I hated having to return home! Classic. If only vacays could last forever AMIRITE.


I dressed light and breezy for the festival, since we were spending all day outside! This skirt from Urban Outfitters has been one of my favourites (and I also own it in black), but I really don't wear it enough! And I got a little balls-y and sported a crop top! I am generally not at all a crop top kind of person, but I thought it paired well with my high waisted skirt. I felt trendy but still covered up, which is key for me. I personally think that anyone can pull off trends that might seem risky if you pair it with the proper items! Go for it, gurlz *girl sticking out hand emoji*

I also made sure to layer my outfit with one of my kimonos, since it would be getting colder throughout the evening. WHAT CAN'T YOU WEAR KIMONOS WITH, I ASK YOU??? It ended up being the perfect outfit for the event... I felt comfortable, cool, and venue-appropriate. A winning combo.


We hadn't heard of most of the bands that played throughout the day (most were Sudbury local), but we were pretty impressed!! Sea Perry, and The Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer caught our fancy in particular. Seriously guys, they were super talented and fun to listen to. Take a looksee at those linkies. Tokyo Police Club ended up being absolutely fantastic, obviously. Their show had tons of energy, everyone was dancing at the front of the stage, and we had such a great time.


I'm looking forward to next year :) This festival has become somewhat of a tradition for us, and I'm hoping I will have even more amazing bands to tell you about next July!!

Monday, July 14, 2014

Calm, Cool, Collected

(leather jacket: h&m | top: boathouse | leggings: garage | flats: ardene | necklace: modcloth | bracelet: h&m)

This has very much been one of my most-worn outfits this summer. Sadly, a jacket or sweater is required more often than not during this chilly summer. While I don't want to riddle my blog with weather talk, the fact that I am wearing a leather jacket in July cannot go unacknowledged. It's just too sad you guys.


But yes: I CANNOT GET ENOUGH of this breezy oversized tee! It has become such a staple in my closet, and is also making me more appreciative of the other tees that have laid untouched in my closet. I am a much lazier, more simple dresser in the summer. When I don't have layers to work with, my outfits become much more casual. While I love throwing on a cute sundress or skirt during the summer, my day-to-day uniform is often something along these lines. I have to say, as much as I LOVE summer, I'm a little bit excited for fall to come so I can get a little more creative with layers once more (plus I am totally that girl on instagram with the pumpkin spice latte whose favourite season is autumn... guilty as charged).


What are you guys feeling this summer? Has the hot weather made you turn to more simple outfits, or are you still getting creative with your wardrobe?

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Apartment Wishlist: Living Room

(1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14)

Here we have another apartment wish list!

These are all pipe dreams at this point, since my apartment next year doesn't even have a living room! But in the future, once I have an apartment that does have a living room, I might like something along these lines! I love neutrals and greys with pops of colour, and I like that this colour scheme isn't too girly. I also love the fun twists (like the paper deer head, perfect for a vegetarian like myself haha), and different patterns.

I think I must be a bit of a pillow fanatic. Anytime I browse around for house things, I am drawn to cute pillows with fun patterns or colours. I will probably throw dozens of pillows on my future couch and hopefully people will be able to actually fit their butts on my couches. I've already purchased this pillow in a light grey colour for my bedroom next year!

I have also been working on a few needlepoints to hang up and I'm pretty excited about it. This may or may not make me a grandma.

Monday, July 7, 2014

An Island Daytrip

(dress: h&m | chambray top: american eagle | belt: h&m | mocassins: minnetonka | necklace: american eagle | bracelets: smart set | bag: roots)

I'm really starting to suck at this whole blogging thing! To be fair, I have been a bushy beaver these days. I've had lots of figuring-stuff-out to do, in addition to trying to maintain a social life and work schedule. It looks so basic when I write it like that but I swear I have actually been busy. My big move is fast approaching and I hardly know how to handle myself!


The other weekend, when Mike and I had a few days all to ourselves, we took a trip to St. Joe's Island! I wore a pretty sundress but otherwise kept it pretty casual and adventure-ready. Mocassins and a chambray top were definitely ideal for a breezy and comfortable summer outfit.


And obviously I took a tourist photo in front of the giant loonie.


We drove around and took a look at all the pretty scenery, hit up the local stores, visited Fort St Joseph and the Marina, and had some Island noms & baked goods :) It was such a lovely summer day and we had a marvelous time. Days like these definitely make me wish that I lived in an eternal summertime and also that I never had to return to work. SIGH. Back to reality though EH GUYS?


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Wednesday, July 2, 2014

July Goals


It is simply freaking me out how quickly time is passing. JULY. JU-LY. Why is it that Winter drags on and refuses to leave and makes me a big old miserable mess, and Summer has to fly by quicker than I can fully appreciate it? Living in Northern Ontario is the pits.

I only have one full month of living in the Soo, and depending on when I *officially* decide to leave my job, just about a month left of work! I definitely have moving and nesting on the brain. Now that I have a place to live next year, and a fairly good idea of the way it looks as is, I've been planning how to make it my own little pretty home! That's definitely a priority this month, in addition tooooooo:

  • Finish making purchases and plans for my apartment next year! Get myself organized and excited and start packing.
  • I have lots of little crafts and projects planned, so I'm hoping to put a dent in all that jazz this month!
  • Enjoy the summer to its fullest potential. This upcoming month is set to include at least one music festival and one camping trip, and I'm sure many other as-yet-unplanned festivities! I want to have lots of fun with my friends and soak up the sun this month.
  • Which means not letting work cramp my style. I have one month left of part time retail misery! I want it to be a good one with minimal stress and minimal irritation. Fingers crossed.
  • If I could not eat like a pig and move my booty a couple of time this month then I will be an accomplished woman.

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