Well, hello, there friend! Happy Thursday!
So, this article is about 15 days overdue but, you know what they say, better late than never! 🙂
If you read Volume 1 of The Colour Study, you know that my goal in this little experiment of mine is to switch up the aesthetic of my Instagram page on a monthly basis, as to fit a certain season, mood and maybe even evoke a certain type of emotion from my followers. The first month, October, I opted to start strong with a bold colour, orange, and if you remember, I mentioned that for the month of November, I wanted to choose a theme and colour that is a little bit softer and more neutral in tone. However, I didn’t compile a nice little overview for you of how it turned out, which is so not fair, or cool, especially if you don’t follow me on Instagram (which you totally should, it’s essentially my life at the moment, I love it SO much! ;))! And so, it is time for a #ColourStudy update (YAY!)! Let’s begin, shall we?? 🙂
Lately, I’ve been really enjoying beginning the month with a flatlay (a photo taken of a flat spread of products, clothes or, really, anything laid out) featuring an illustrated calendar by the lovely Kerrie Hess. Not only are all of her pieces gorgeous, but it encourages me (and hopefully you, too!) to get into the right frame of mind in order to accomplish the goals I have set for myself for the month. I did this in October, when I learned about Kerrie’s FREE #khcalendar project (get yours here), and November was no different. Isn’t it puurrttyyy?
HONESTY TIME: I’ve been contemplating opening my own stock photography shop for about 6 months now, as I truly have grown to love photography and taking still life shots has become a passion of mine as of late. However, seeing as I’d not done any kind of market research, I thought I’d see if there was even a little bit of interest by popping this photo up on Instagram. Good news, there is interest and this photo got positive feedback across multiple social media platforms (YAY!). I even received emails from a few very kind people to offer some words of encouragement (which have meant more than you will EVER know, thank you so much!). My little shop will open early next year (AHHH) and there will be an exciting giveaway of some “sample work” before Christmas! 🙂 YAHOOO! #bigthingscoming #2016WILLbegreat
Speaking of photography, I bought a new lens and speed-light back in November and I am so in love with the choices I made! I got a Canon 75-300 mm lens on sale and, though it was SO painful to see that money slip out of my bank account, it has proven, time and time again, that it was indeed worth it! 🙂 When I think of what I can do with my camera now that I’ve added this beauty to the arsenal, the phrase ‘in omnia paratus‘ (ready for anything) comes to mind… 😏😌📷
In November, I had the opportunity to travel to Niagara Falls for a writing workshop, which ended up being one of the best experiences of the year thus far. This photograph was taken as I leisurely sipped a cup of coffee and read Seventeen magazine before the day started, what fun! I haven’t decided if I should write about the experience on #BeautyBylaws, so I’ll leave it up to you! Comment down below or contact me via one of my social media profiles if you’re interested in seeing photos of the Falls and reading about the experience as a whole! 🙂
While obviously not the only food I ate in November, this is definitely what I’d consider the prettiest food I ate! I loooovvvveee me a good belgian waffle! ♥
My friend Corina is getting married (wooo!), and when she invited a big group of her girlfriends out to her first bridal dress fitting, I couldn’t turn the invitation down. As soon as I stepped into the magical world of Kleinfeld Canada (located at Hudson’s Bay in The Eaton Centre in Toronto), I swooned. The dresses, the bridal consultants, and…oh yea, the dresses were just perfect. What a lovely experience!
I posted this very simple photo of my coat on November 11, which, here in Canada is Remembrance Day. It’s a day for all to remember and appreciate the veterans (and active members of the Canadian Forces) who have fought and sacrificed for our freedom. I wore the symbol of this day, a red poppy, on my left lapel with pride and honour, and will always remember, respect and be grateful to anyone who has sacrificed yesterday for mine and others’ freedom today, forever and always. Thank you. #lestweforget
If you didn’t know already, I’m a bit of an architecture nerd. I’ve just always been enthralled by architectural design, specifically modern design. Thus, when I spotted this house on the way home from an errand run one afternoon in November, I simply had to take a photo. At a quick glance, it’s just another townhouse, but if you take a closer look, you can see some truly spectacular architectural details on this magnificent house, like the small rounded windows at the top, or the piping or trim above the second level (and plenty of others)! It’s a feast for the eyes!! ♥
It had been a while since I posted a photo of my precious calico cat on my Instagram, and as a proud mama, I seized the opportunity! This photo was actually put on my Snapchat first, which if you want to sneak a peek into what my daily life really looks like, follow me on there @beautybylaws! 🙂 #shamelesspromoover ;P
This photo totally broke the theme I had going all month, which I was very much aware of at the time, as well, but if you know me personally, you’d know that it wouldn’t and didn’t stop me from sharing it regardless! My friend Brooke & I went to see a live taping of The Social, which I feel like I’ve discussed before, so I won’t again. Essentially, though, four females host this super addictive Canadian talk show during which they discuss life, politics, health, relationships, fashion, beauty, food and more. The more important thing to note in this photo, though, is my facial expression. I was doing about all I could not to break down in happy tears, as Melissa Grelo, the beautiful woman on my right (far left in the photo), is one of my personal idols. I’ve been to see the show before, but I hadn’t ever met her and/or had the chance to speak to her until that very moment. Let me just say, she as effervescent and lovely on camera as she is in person, and I’ve got to say, her hair, makeup and general disposition – #GOALS! 😀 (I’ve been asked why I haven’t mentioned meeting the incomparable Jann Arden when talking about this photo/experience, and that’s because, I didn’t, haha! I said two words to her, “Hi Jann!”, before the audience coordinator snapped a few pics and we were off. She seems nice, though! :))
Things were getting mighty festive in my home towards the end of November, right down to the glittery, festive artificial pinecones lingering on our tabletops! 🙂 Plus, this photograph was my way of getting my theme back on track!
This motto/phrase is everything. I’ve been working really hard on concepts for my little shop, as well as documenting any and all dreams I have for future collections and/or separate projects. I’ve been really enjoying it, and I hope you do, too! 🙂 #LaunchingJanuary2016 #greatthingscometothosewhoWORK
The end of November means it’s the most wonderful time of the year (holiday season, YAY!), and with that, comes a trip to the Toronto Christmas Market, of course! 🙂 I had such a great time, it was really nice being able to enjoy it in the daytime, as last year I went in the evening, when it was already dark. The tree, the main attraction, is GORGEOUS! Again, let me know if you want to see a write-up about it and more of my photos from my day at the market! ♥
The last photo in this roundup is of my beautiful city, #TheSix. I’ve lived in the Greater Toronto Area for all of my 24 years on the planet and it is a magical city, if I do say so myself. I went on an photography mission on the last weekend of November, and stumbled upon this place with a fantastic vantage point of the city. I know that some people hate what Toronto’s skyline is becoming, with high rises being built one a penny, but I personally think the Toronto skyline is now, and will always, be beautiful, even on a cloudy day! Love ♥
As you can (hopefully) see above, the colours I chose for the month of November were a soft brown and gray. At least one of those colours is in all of the photos in this piece, and if you scroll through my Instagram feed to look at all of the photos from November, you’ll see the same holds true. I worked harder last month than I did in October to keep the theme consistent and to make sure that my photos had a similar aesthetic. The goal for my Instagram is always for the photos to flow and vibe when put together, and to therefore create a sense of peace within the feed. I found that with a softer palette, I didn’t have to work as hard at finding things to photograph, that softer browns and grays naturally appeared in a lot of the things I like or want to photograph, which was great. It didn’t turn out exactly how I imagined, but it turned out okay in my books.
The same cannot be said for this month‘s colour, red, but I am slowly getting the hang of this month’s theme, and I have thoroughly enjoyed the challenge of using splashes of red in my photos in different ways than just the typical, festive styles. I have to say, though this #ColourStudy of mine is challenging in many ways, it’s been very enjoyable and I’m hoping that you get as much pleasure viewing my themed photos as I do creating and styling them! 🙂 Want to follow along on the journey?! Follow me on Instagram here! 😉
This won’t be the last time you hear from me this month, I promise, but I feel compelled to say this, anyways: As always, I wish you a fantastic, happy, healthy and safe month, and seeing as this time of year is filled with holiday-related festive cheer for many of us, Happy Holidays! ♥♥♥
Until next month’s roundup…sayonara, friends!
Lots of love,
S♥
