Well Hello There!

Wow, talk about a long hiatus. Since my last post (2014! WHOA!) A lot has happened...and I mean a lot. This blog was essentially created for me to document my days as a young single twenty something year old just trying to figure stuff out, like adulting, love, fashion, cooking, career, etc. I've always dreamed of living in the city, being this independent woman, cooking fresh pasta, wine on hand listening to a jazz vinyl as I overlook the skyline. Welp kid, sorry to say but not everything turns out how you daydream it would be, but it can get darn close. Here are some of the things that has happened to me since my last blog post.


I fell in love with a really cool dude
I quit my job
I lost 27 pounds
I moved out of my parents place
I moved in with said really cool dude into the city
I gained 20 pounds ....it was all the brunching
I finally got to see Mariah Carey
I lost a  job :( But worked 3 new ones within these years
About 50% of my friends are now married
Moved out of really cool dude's loft into our first place
Landed a cool job working within the Jewellery industry
Just turned 28 and finally updated my blog after 5 password attempts into said blog.

Cheers to 2017, hopefully it won't be another 4 years for me to update this thing ;)

Spring Forward

Hello again,

It's been a crazy year & I've been M.I.A (yet again)! Life is weird, growing up is....well weird, becoming an adult has been quite the journey and throughout the cliche roller coaster rides I've been on I am nonetheless excited for what is to come. With that said, let's finally proceed to Spring!!!!!

They say if something scares you, then you should pursue it. Grizzly bears scare me -I'm not exactly going to go on a grizzly bear scavenger hunt anytime soon. New beginnings are also scary and starting a business is definitely terrifying and so I've decided to take the jump and open up an etsy shop with my dear blog's namesake Carousill. It's still in it's very baby steps so feel free to re-follow me as I go on this adventure. To those who actually read this - big thanks for sticking by me despite my inconsistencies, I pinky swear this time I'm not going anywhere ;) Below is just a sneak peak of some of the goodies I've been working on.

Let's *Clink* To That

 some reworked personal pieces

I stated briefly in my last post many moons ago that I started making jewellry, using this blog's namesake. So far business has been fruitful with the support of my friends, family, and by word of Carousill instagram. I've been pretty lucky starting out and have even made nice relationships with some suppliers. Things have been moving along and it all came together when I got my custom stamp from Kid Icarus . Right now I'm in the process of building my etsy shop, so that in itself is a journey on it's own, but I'm enjoying every minute of it. I can literally feel myself growing up, as this brand comes together. I decided that I don't want to subject Carousill to just jewelry but that I want to present it as an overall lifestyle accessories brand. I feel pretty weird calling my endeavors a brand, but if there's one thing I've learned from working in social media it's that everything you post, or put out there impacts your personal brand (a.k.a who you are!) I even wrote an about summary:

Inspired by nostalgic moments & a childlike wonder of pretty things. 

An object be it piece of jewelry, a candle or that lip balm in your purse is something you subconsiously carry with you through rites of passages, like a wallflower. Each piece I create is made with care, nothing but good ju-ju, and a hope that these accesories will someday accompany someone through their adventures.

Like a carousel, it's a ride that changes motions through every tune, but goes in circles none the less. 

As a child I've always loved going on carousels, they were pretty, fun, and it was the one ride you didn't have to be scared to go on because you just knew you were going to be okay by the end of it. This is how I view life and want to convey this through the things I create. It also helps that my name rhymes with it so I just changed some letters around ;) 

swaggie bags I gave to my guests

I recently invited some close friends over to celebrate a soft launch with me, we had rose wine, fondue and an overall good time catching up, reminiscing of our younger years (we're only 24).

Happy New Year

I will admit I've been a bad blogger in the last couple of months. Transitions arn't easy, so long story short, I've been really busy with life. Excuses, excuses, excuses...I know! 2012 has been quite the challenging year for me. Life subtracts and then it adds, changes happen and sometimes for the better. So for those who actually read this silly blog of mine, expect some big changes for 2013! For those of you who actually missed me here's what's been going on in my life for the past 3 months through instagram pics:

 

I turned 24 and the responsibilities hit me, but I'm loving every moment! The shoe pictures represents my career walk, I went from one job to another within a span of 3 months. So for these past few months I've been hustling. I've also started my own jewellry company called yours truly: Carousill, making jewellry is not only super relaxing for me but it lets me tell a story through the pieces I make, each piece is one of a kind, made from a different mood of mine, weaved for those who want a piece it's a story combined worn around a wrist, neck, ears, & fingers. As corny as this may sound I've found my inner peace. What I hope 2013 for all of you, is that you too find your inspiration, and the challenges you crave! Also expect this little blog of mine to showcase some pieces I make, and the process. I'm really excited for the New Year, new beginnings, new jewellry, new people to meet along the way..I'll also be doing some giveaways too, so keep posted ;) xo Geri

Workaholics and WTF happened to September?

Hello readers, well to those who actually take the time to read this silly blog o' mine! 

First and foremost sorry for totally skipping September, balancing work and blogging is actually pretty gotdamn hard. With that said here's what's been happening in my super mundane Canadian life, I've been in quite the slump, other than working and the occasional sleep-in's I was feeling rather uninspired  for about a week or so until I discovered the show Workaholics. I came across Workaholics during one of my daily youtube marathons, after about 10 seconds in and about 20 videos later I was hooked. It's basically a show about 3 college friends who happen to live and work a 9-5 job together. They drink more than they work, and why they're still employed on the show is beyond me, the point is this show is awesome, super funny, and the guys are actually pretty cute...so win/win. Aside from me being almost obsessed with Workaholics, September flew by very quickly. It's always THE month for big change and transitioning. As some of you may know September is a huge deal in the fashion world and landmarks a lot of upcoming trends. I'm still not really over summer but I'm ready  for fall so the question I've been asking myself for the past month is how do you mix summer and autumn into your everyday wear? Here are just some of my fave Summer turns into Fall trends that I've indulged in the past month- pics are all from my instagram :)

Mix and match dark lipstick and camo to bright shoes and nails. Print on print action with similar colours but different textures. Taking the candy coloured hair trend but transitioning to darker hues think licorice, dark reds, burgundy, to purples!

8 Bit Fashion: An Invading Trend

 

As we enter the second part of the year and Fashion's most coveted season, there is a resurgence in 90's trends...I'm talking about pixelated prints! Move over navajo hello space invaders. This season's trend is reminiscent of those Super Nintendo games your older brother use to spend hours on. It's been seen around the runways for quite some time now.

  

But it wasn't until last year when Japanese designer Kunihiko Moringa based his whole collection on 8-bit for Anrealage during Japanese fashion week, which leveled up the trend.

This year French designer Sabine Ducasse uses 8-bit with a twist but instead of using fabrics, he irons perler beads which one can obtain at any Toys R Us. Creating colourful pieces that not only catches the naked eye from a 100 mile radius, but into unique wearable pieces. Expect this blossoming trend to re-enter it's way into the future. If you still can't get enough of these itty bits heres a blog dedicated to your favorite designers runway pieces but in super low pixelated but high illustrated resolution Fashionary

Something Old, Something New, Something Chic

Model Jackie for American Apparel 'Advanced Basics' Ads

You know that famous saying 'always listen to your elders' well it seems some designers are doing so by using older models in their Fall/Winter 2012 Campaigns. Not only is it refreshing from the usual youthful fresh faced models you see down the runways,  theres a whole new 'it crowd' in the fashion scene and they're over the age of 50. During Hot Docs this year, HBO released a documentary called About Face: Super Models Then & Now the doc explores the lives of some of Fashion's famous faces who've graced the covers of magazines and dominated the runways for decades. Lanvin recently released their Winter ads which celebrates "individuals with individuality a true reality and not reality stars" which features 82 year old former Ballerina Jacquie Murdock amongst other unique citizens.





Not only are designers using elder models as muses there is a whole blog which garnered numerous articles, and interviews and even a documentary dedicated to New York's stylish senior citizens called Advanced Style . Browsing through the blog you not only get inspired to take a trip through your grandma's closet, but you suddenly get inspired to actually step up your vintage game. The use of older models this year is not only refreshing but it makes you look at the clothing from a different perspective. Our eyes have adjusted to looking at fashion's latest trends on young up and comers. Age is a taboo in the fashion industry a model in her late 20's is basically almost considered ready to retire. With these new campaigns not only does it showcase the clothing in a new light, it's a reminder that style is ageless.

Winspiration board: My Favorite 90's Movies

I've been feeling very nostalgic lately. Maybe it's because Summer's almost over, when were near the end we always somehow crave the beginning. Maybe it's because growing up, the end of Summer usually meant you have to make the most of the last couple of weeks before school starts, so theres more memories to remember. I also found a Selena CD at my nearest thrift store and have been listening to it NON-STOP, so that's probably another reason why I've been feeling nostalgic. I've always wanted to make an inspiration board based on some of my all time favorite 90's movies. The movies I've chosen are movies I can literally watch over and over again and never get sick of it. These are the movies where you'd randomly get a flashback of a scene and suddenly want to watch it or find yourself subconsiously shopping for outfits that are similar to the outfits worn in the film. Here are some  boards and items I've chosen based on the film's style:



  Crybaby
Johnny Depp was probably my first badass crush.I remember watching this movie for the first time on MuchMoreMusic and thinking how weird it was due to Hatchet Face's funny expressions, and wondering if Ricki Lake was pregnant or just fat (There's nothing wrong with that BTW). After a couple more years and some replays I started to really appreciate the film, it's comedic timing, and rockabilly expression. Everytime I vist Retro Row in Long Beach California I can't help but think of this film, even strolling through Kensington Market I get 'Crybaby' vibes.




  Jurassic Park
Need I say more? This is a movie I personally believe is fashionably underrated because everyone's too caught up in the dinosaurs, which is understandable..I mean c'mon it's dinosaurs. This movie also made me want to become an archeologist, just to wear those cool hats, and the abundance of earth toned clothing. I recently purchased an olive green military vest, which is a great layering piece and perfect for Autumn and would come in handy should I ever want to try my hand in archeology (just kidding). Another thing to keep an eye out for this season is camo jackets, I'm currently on the hunt for the perfect cameo jacket. It's not only super versatile but it looks great when paired with bright lips.



and lastly my all time favorite film


 
 Selena
'Anything for Selenas' This movie has so many quotable lines, and the outfits my god! I remember watching this movie in the theatres with my mom and in awe of J.lo's beauty. The sequined bustiers, the evening gowns, and the bold matte lipcolours, made me want to grow up quick, to the day I would be allowed to wear makeup. To this day I am still obsessed with this movie and can pretty much quote it from beginning to end.Whenever I see a sequin bra I can't help but smile because all I can hear in my mind is 'busti ca-ca'.

Kesington Market & Pedestrian Sundays

Last Sunday was Pedestrian Sunday, it was filled with bubbles, laughter, and great deals. 

It was the first one I ever actually participated in and it was worth it. Pretty Freedom & Anice Jewellery were having a cute event called #DrinkinginLA (aka lower augusta) which was alot of fun, saw alot of familiar faces and it was super busy too which is always a good thing. I don't know if I'm just getting older or if I just hate crowds but theres something very claustraphobic about being in big crowds. Regardless of the heat, and the amount of people it was a great day to be out. My pictures turned out over exposed due to sunlight so I decided to spruce it up and make them look whimsical. I also added a video for your viewing pleasure

Floral Embellished Shades

Summer is close to ending with August just around the corner. Why not turn old summer sunglasses into works of art! This trend was first spotted on the runways of Dolce & Gabanna fall 2012 and became a hit DIY on the blogsphere. I instantly fell in love with these shades, and attempted to recreate

them myself.

 

 Here’s what you’re going to need: -old shades -goop glue/or crazy glue anything that will really hold the flowers in place -clay flowers, which can be found at your local craft store ( I got mine from Michaels for $1.49 a set) Also, if you really want to DIY you can make your own clay flowers using resin or polymer clay -tweezers

Before gluing your flowers onto your shades, really plan it out first. Fortunately the flowers I bought were made to look like a fondant and were meant for scrap booking, so they already had a sticky side on the back and were easy to move around and remove. Once you’ve planned out where you’re going to place the flowers, use your tweezers to carefully glue the back side of the flowers and place them on your shades.

 

Once completed let it dry for a whole day before showing them off to your friends! my instagram: geritron