Kat’s Closet – Weekend Edition.

Sometimes I’m a bit of a hermit. The status took over this weekend. And I’m okay with it.

The fall breeze has no doubt landed on our city. And I’m okay with it.

Friday night I left my apartment after ten for a late night dinner in Greek town. I love the possibility of visiting so many different cultures within such a small radius. It’s one of the perks of living in the big city. And I love doing the opposite of what others are doing at that time. The restaurant was perfectly peaceful as a result. And this is what I wore…

Blazer – Gloss
Shirt – Gap
Jeans – J Brand
Knee High Boots – Zara
Scarf – Zara
Flower Pin – Zara
Lipstick – Russian Red – MAC


I went home to my Hamptons this weekend. Fact: when I go home I tend to wear the same sweater/hoodie for three days and borrow all other necessities from my younger sister. She’s okay with it. The simple life is so refreshing. I’m trying to take as much advantage of it as possible before weekends start filling up with the NBA season. A walk on the beach, football Sunday, a book, Sudoku, boardwalk run, blogging, windows down driving country roads, Starbucks chats and the Walmart run was about it! And layers. Lots of layers… and fam jam love. -k

Sweater – Aritzia
Jeans Shirt – Zara
Jeans – Urban Outfitters
Infinity Scarf – Calvin Klein
Hat – Roots
Shoes – Converse

Kat’s Closet – Dusty Rose.

Once a week my roomie and I take a night to catch up. This is the first time I’ve had a roomie other than a boy I lived with for five years. And it’s a perfect fit. We both live a hustle of a life and it’s nice to have a common understanding. We see each other only in passing some days, handing off coffees, short stories and funny ‘you’ll never guess what happened’ moments.

Last week we started the evening at Fiorio’s 35th Anniversary party. The amazing salon and staff have been keeping me prettied up for the past couple of years; all wonderful, talented people. Then we talked about taking over the world over a bottle of vino and some late night dinner. I like these nights.

It’s that transition between seasons right now where you mix and match summer and fall garb. Everything was coming up roses… -k

Blazer – Gap
Sweater – Roomie’s
Sequin Shorts – Club Monaco
Shoes – Aldo
Purse – Vintage

Deuces.

Peace is a wonderful feeling. Peace of self, the unpredictable… peace of mind, spirit, the people who surround you, your confidence and the discovery of the individual you were meant to expose to the millions of people who swirl by you without notice. As the rain showed up unexpectedly today and someone I haven’t spoken with in a while text me unexpectedly today, I started thinking about the people who come into your life for a beautiful moment, leave a mark and then vanish without a wave goodbye. Sometimes you don’t even realize they have left until an epiphany swims through your mind in an everyday moment and you realize that you learned this lesson from them. Like the one I loved for a quick moment and enforced that I was good enough without a distressed mask, taking it with him when he left. And the one that taught me to laugh and dance again because this is my happy place and disappeared mid twirl. And the one that kicked my ass when I was crawling because I’m a fighter and have never turned down a challenge in life. The wind closed these doors when I wasn’t watching. And I am thankful for the late nights and endless conversations and spontaneous masterpieces and unasked for guidance. Now adding it to my book of life. -k

Creativity Overload.

There’s a dabble of art in everything you do. And then those creative types who need it in their lives for a natural high take it to the next level. And when those creative types join forces to make art I call it creativity overload.

I have so many talented friends covering different outlets of an artists life. Using their hands, bodies, voices, minds, paint brushes, cameras, microphones and tap shoes. And every now and then we come together and intertwine our strengths to create something new. In the journey  down the road of creativity I have always believed in helping each other out. It’s a heck of a journey so why not make magic together and help someone find their next open door. Karma is an awesome thing.

A few weeks back I joined forces with Toronto based photographer Valter Mendes (@mendesphoto) and Toronto based make-up artist Jasmine Duffey (@jasmineduffey) for a creative. We dragged our suitcases, Starbucks and stirring minds to the Gardiner underpass in the east end and let the setting sun and surroundings tell us what to do. They did. And this is just a glimpse of what happened…

It was a pleasure working with these two talented folk. Check out their work!
http://www.mendesphotography.com
http://www.morecheek.com

Kat’s Closet- TIFF 2012

And on continues just another manic Monday. It’s been a whirlwind month, ticking off days towards another change of pace. Sipping multiple coffees and squeezing in some final late nights before the transition into another basketball season starts.

TIFF is one of my favourite times in the city. Busy streets and restaurants, beautiful people from around the world and the magic of the movies.

I hit the scene in a pretty simple palate. When the weather starts getting a bit chillier I always tend to grab the black, white and greys. I’m not sure what it is. Maybe just a refreshing something new after a summer of brights. Here are three looks from my week. I doubled up on some pieces but that’s the beauty of finding some real good staples; the mix and match game. And happy new week to you. Make it awesome. -k

Silk Blazer – Zara
Shirt – American Apparel 
Lace Shorts – Urban Outfitters
Silver Collar – Zara
Shoes – Kelsi Dagger
Headscarf – A random piece of fabric in my closet

Shirt – H&M
Leather Skirt – Vintage
Necklace – Zara
Shoes – Michael Kors
Purse – Zara

Silk Blazer – Zara
Pleated Shorts – Skirt
Corset – Jacob
Knee High Tights – The Bay
Shoes – Kelsi Dagger

Now Boarding; Direct Flight to What You Want.

I’m a reader. I’m a writer. I search for inspiration and motivation because it keeps me on a direct flight to what I want.

I’m a reader. You know that moment when you find a book that holds onto you with urgency and guidance? I’ve had so many moments in novels where I’ve said “Yes, I know exactly how you/that feels <insert characters name here>” outloud and I get really on edge and just want to tell someone about the coincidence but they wouldn’t understand because they most likely have not been within that moment themselves. So it ends up quoted in my journal and remains a beautiful little secret between the pages and me.

I’m a writer. I had a sleepless night and it reminded me of these words I wrote on a similar eve.

dancin’ like a dandelion.
something sour in my milky way.
i’ve never seen my street corner so still.

the only piece of sky i see between the towers grabs my face and tilts my chin.
my god the stars are so bright for competing with city lights.

you told me that you don’t sleep between two and four.
i said my cave allows me to disappear and ignore.
and here i am eyes wide awake.
unsettled. 

I search for inspiration and motivation. You know how hard it is to go with your heart? To let those words of “Do you think this is wise? It’s more likely you’ll fail than succeed in this business. This path has no money…” go in one ear and out the other. Especially during those sensitive first steps. I do. Because I’ve been there. I’ve lost people in my life because of these choices. I’ve gained people in my life because of these choices. And I’m thankful for the ones that supported my vision and smile because I’m smiling.

I always tell people that you can do what makes you happy. And you need to figure out how. The pieces come together. Now to zip back to the reference about a character in a book that you can relate to… it’s like they’re speaking your words and thinking your thoughts. I watched the documentary Being Elmo last night and the featured man, Kevin Clash, was speaking my words and thinking my thoughts. He knew what he wanted and never let anyone crush his dreams. And because he believed and had goals and put forth his whole being into getting what he wanted; it happened. Naturally. I don’t like the word coincidence. When two roads cross out of the blue it’s just timing. It was supposed to happen. And the right thing takes time. That’s exactly what happened in his life. I had a humbling moment of something similar this week. It’s nothing more than realizing you’re in the right place. I highly recommend this documentary. He’s selfless, ambitious and his story is remarkable. Maybe because I get it but I think you might too. -k

If everybody else your age is doing something very different than what you’re doing, there’s always going to be someone saying to you you might not succeed with it, you might not make any money with that… there’s always going to be some type of obstacle in the way. All of those things will go away if you really focus on what makes you happy. -Kevin Clash

Kat’s Closet – Work Mode

These are my favourite days. It doesn’t matter if I had a sleepless night due to my brain spinning creative mumble jumble of the next days events or uncontrollable factors that punch you in the gut when you’re not looking. This is exactly how it was, actually. (Hense the quiet week on the blog.) And as I sat backstage anticipating show number two, mic’d up, graffiti enhanced script in hand, holding the third coffee of the day, throwing myself into a new challenge; this was perfect.

I really believe the truth within comes out in what you wear. Out of every sleeve/button/cuff/seam in your closet you put this on today for a reason. So this was my professional look with a Kat twist.

It’s a new week. Make it awesome. -k

Plaid Shirt- Zara
Blazer- H&M
Pants- Zara (They’re lace! And they’re a staple in my wardrobe.)
Shoes- Nine West
Flower Pin- Zara (This changes everything!)
Lipstick- ‘Lady Danger’ MAC