Minimalistic | Black x Gold

 I find opting for a simple piece of jewelry can often leave a bolder impression. 

Hence, why my ever-growing jewelry collection has become very minimalistic in the past while. I gather pieces here and there, and find the more simple it is, the more I wear it. 
I'm particularly a sucker for gold, since I find it always has the ability to liven up any outfit, no matter how plain.

Minimalist jewelry is great to pair with almost any style, giving a sophisticated and sleek look, effortlessly.
Whether it's work wear, casual wear or even dressy, it's easy to tie in since it is so understated.
You can't really go wrong! 

As the saying goes, less truly is more. 


Here are some of my favourite pieces I recently bought; All from Topshop's 'Freedom' collection.

This bracelet is one of my go-to essentials! The bold lines make it a great statement piece without looking too overpowering or garish. This works so well by itself that it doesn't need to be paired with much else.

ISO 200  |  S 1/13  |   F5.6

The simple 'V' shape creates such a dynamic look, without being too distracting. The lightness of it still manages to keep it quite feminine and pretty. Perfect sleek addition to any girls outfit.

ISO 100  |   S 1/13  |  F5.6

These rings were bought in a multi pack of eight. They came as a mixture of regular rings and midi rings... which I love! This is a fun look that adds a bit of quirkiness to any ones accessory game!

ISO 100  |  S 1/5  |  F 4.00

Competition Fashion

The temperature is dropping outside but it's heating up for Ryerson's Varsity Figure Skating Team as they enter competition season. Here are some tips on how they find the perfect balance of staying cozy and looking cute rink-side.

Keeping warm is definitely key for skaters as they spend hours at the rink physically competing and cheering each other on from the stands. Team spirit is evident and together they make quite an entrance arriving coordinated in their gorgeous jet-black down-filled matching Team Canada Goose jackets.  

1/60,  f.5.6,  ISO 3200

Individually they also exude confidence and originality while keeping toasty warm. 

Steph shows her personal style by bundling up in a classic plaid scarf she found at Target.

1/60,  f.5.6,  ISO 3200

Mel shows her team spirit by wearing her Ryerson beanie sponsored by Adidas.  

1/80,  f.5.6,  ISO 3200

This supportive look continues down to Julia’s feet as she sports a Ryerson cobalt blue pair of Uggs.

1/100,  f.5.6,  ISO 3200

Figure skater fashion primarily focuses on function - staying warm and secondary on following current trends while simultaneously supporting University Team colours too. 

You can easily use these skater styling tips when dressing for everyday chilly winter weather or next time you come out to support a Ryerson University event at the rink (such as the Figure Skating OUA Championships February 13-14th). Either way you will beat the chill and heat up some attention in these fun frosty fashions. 

There's a First Time for Everything

Early Sunday morning, the snow is swirling outside.  Who knew dark days could bring such bright light?  What's a girl to do, but to stare out the window and reminisce about the past?  

I got an email from my boss about a very recent accident the night before that could have nearly taken her and her husband's life and couldn't help but think about the long 8 years I've worked under her tutelage.  I started going through my jewellery box, full of memories of the time I spent with the company, and decided my first blog here, would be dedicated to her.  

ISO 400, 1/160, f. 5.6
Kari (my boss) owns a jewellery company called Zuka Artful Accessories.

She was a lot of firsts for me.  She was the first person to give me a job based on my skills.  She helped me produce my first piece of jewellery.  She helped me design my first piece.  And she inspired me to reconstruct my first broken jewellery piece into something new again.

ISO 400, 1/100, f. 9.0

 This was my very first purchased piece:  Hooped earrings made of swarovski crystals and mother of pearls.

ISO 400, 1/160, f. 5.6

 I named this one La Vie En Rose and this was a design by me based off of one her original designs.  It was the first time I had any creative control over any piece.

ISO 400, 1/80, f. 5.6

Between a friend and I, we broke my then new Aldo necklace, and instead of throwing away all the pieces, I divided the pieces and with all the skills I learned from Kari, I made them into asymmetrical earrings.  It was the first time I designed anything on my own. 

I've learned a lot from this woman, and hope to continue to do so.  Wishing her a speedy recovery.

Subzero in Suburbia

The past few months in this beautiful city have been anything but fashion friendly. 

Layer after layer does not help with keeping chic; but sometimes us fashion girls gotta do what we gotta do! 

Waking up in the morning for an 8am class is hard enough but trying to look good, well you girls who do it are all super women! I know I barely roll out of bed, attempt to throw my hair up and groggily look for some comfy tights and the warmest sweater I can find. 

Although it is a new year, so I thought I might as well try and kick out the old, lazy habits and actually invest in looking fun and fashionable while also attempting to keep warm. 

This look is one of my favourites as it is stylish and surprisingly enough, keeps you warm!! 

1/320 ISO 2500 F4.0  

These adorable, plaid jeans are from Forever 21 along with the brown suede booties and velvet crop top. 

1/320 F4.0 ISO 3200 

The fur coat and sheer blouse can both be found at H&M for reasonable prices! 

1/320 F4.0 ISO 2000 

So why not end this horrid winter season in style? We may not be able to say when winter ends but we can have a say in making it more fashion friendly! 

1/320 F4.0 ISO 3200 

January Favourite of the Month

As the month of January is coming to an end and yet more snow is to come, this red chunky scarf has been (and will continue to..) keeping me warm and bright.

Shout out to my dear sister back home in Vancouver, who knitted this for me in empathy of surviving below -10 weather for the first time...

(For those of you who are not familiar with Vancouver weather, it snows once in awhile with the cold weather rarely going down lower than -5 but, it's a rain city.)

F6.3  1/13  ISO 1600

I love the fact that this scarf is wide, long and voluminous for me to wear in multiple ways while adding colour and character to my outfit. 

Two of  my favourite ways to wear it: 

F6.3  1/13  ISO 1600

The "knot", a simple way to block the wind while looking stylish and it keeps my face warm as I dig my face into the scarf...

F6.3  1/13  ISO 1600

And I like to just throw it on my shoulders like a shawl when in indoors to keep myself cozy; also because like the way the scarf drapes.

Although I am ready to meet and greet Spring/Summer, but seems like this red fellow will be at myside little bit longer...

Sport, Light and Motion

An experimental shoot using a cheap flash unit and gel colour filters. Capturing motion in a long exposure and a dark room. 

32mm ISO 100 f/9
1 second, overexposed (OE) 0.8 stops

A fashionista with the want to train her mind and body will need the proper gear. Training starts from the ground up, so what could be more important than the proper shoes? Of course keep in mind the type of training you'll be up to.

32mm ISO 100 f/9
1 second OE 0.6 stops

In January winter colds, and even in winds of fall and spring, a great pair of running tights is your best friend.

35mm ISO 100 f/8
1 second OE 0.7 stops

Jackets too. Express your individuality and pick from the huge variety of running jackets on the market today. Sportswear is a niche market seeing tremendous growth; who doesn't want cool, comfortable clothes that you can move in with ease?

22mm ISO 100 f/8
1 second OE 0.7 stops

The Running Room reflective jacket comes in over 30 colours.

26mm ISO f/8
1 second OE 0.7 stops

Pick your sport and find the gear with the purpose, comfort and colour that fit you. And always remember to hydrate!

22mm ISO 100 f/8
1 second OE 1.2 stops

Welcome to our class blog! This is an example for you:

It was a cold October night in 2010 when Ryerson fashion design student Megan Mcwade hosted the "Zombie Walk the Runway" at the Church at Berkeley on Queen Street East in Toronto.

f.2.8, 1/60, ISO 400

 Models with special effect makeup walked the run way in original Ryerson fashion student designs, complete with decayed flesh and tilted dismembered bodies. Even the servers for the night walked with a dragged leg or stared eerily at patron's fresh human brains.

f.2.8, 1/60, ISO 400

 The real story of the night was the fashion however. Each garment that zombie-walked down the candle-lit runway was impeccably constructed and suggested design innovation which dwarfed the zombie spectacle.

f.2.8, 1/60, ISO 400

Audiences left the re-purposed church that evening amazed by the showmanship and creativity of Ryerson's  students.  They all left with their brains intact.