THE LONDON PROJECT.

Here's the final video we worked on while in London for a couple days. 

You can see my blog posts of day one and day two as well, which focus more on the outfits. Hope you enjoy the video! You can try out a Nokia Lumia for free if you're interested, details here.

See you!

PHOTOSHOOT.

Back in November, I had a photoshoot at a makeup academy (which is why these photos feature pretty heavily digitally-enhanced makeup), and today I got to take a look at them for the first time! I went downtown today to discuss future plans for modelling with my agency, and hopefully, I'll be sorting things out and on my way soon! 

In other news, the metro newspaper interviewed me last week and today the article was published in the newspaper (it's also online). It was so crazy sitting in the subway today and seeing everyone around me reading the paper, wondering if they were reading about me...whilst I was sitting right there. Hopefully Nokia will post the official video of my trip to London soon and I'll be able to see all the projects come to life! 

SE FAIRE DES ILLUSIONS.

Yesterday was quite a strange day, to say the least. 

It started at 4 in the morning, when my fire alarm went off. Now, I don't usually react to my fire alarm because it goes off every week for unknown reasons. This time though, a fireman knocked on my door and was telling everyone to get out. Turns out there was a dangerous quantity of carbon monoxide in my house, which you wouldn't be able to see or smell because CO is a color-less, odorless deadly gas. Pretty interesting way to start the day! Later I went into town with my friend Julia and we shopped around, and I finally found the hat of my dreams which I had to immediately change into!

Of course I fell asleep at 19:00, which irked me, but considering that my day had already been 15 hours long- it was all the justification I needed.

See you soon! 

xo

Coat: ZARA (similar) / Camo shirt: vintage / Jeans: Hudson Jeans / Black boots: Seychelles / Hat: H&M (similar) / Purse: Celine Luggage 

SNOWY STABLES.

A preppy, riding-boot accessorized outfit is quite unusual for me. I found these topshop boots a month ago, tried them on, and for whatever reason decided not to get them. Thankfully when I came back a couple days ago, they were marked down more than 70%. Total steal for the quality and how wearable they are! 

The Ray-Ban aviators are also a brand new addition to my wardrobe. They are a part of the new Summer 2013 collection, and despite their current out-of-season appeal, I love them to pieces!

Also, yes, I finally decided it was time to start wearing an actual coat, unlike this outfit post.

Are you proud of me? My blood temperature is!

See you soon,

xo

Coat: Romwe / Jeans: Hudson Jeans / Boots: Topshop Premium / Purse: 3.1 Phillip Lim / Sunglasses:  Ray-Ban / Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs / Buckle bracelet: Chicnova

LAST DAY IN LONDON.

Coat: ZARA / Silk Tank: Wilfred / Jeans: Hudson Jeans / Boots: Jeffrey Campbell 'rumble' / Beanie: Urban Outfitters

Ah, the second, and unfortunately last post about my trip to London, which consisted of one full day, and a half day. 

The half day was reserved to shopping, checking out the city, taking a typical bus tour, and an afternoon tea at the Charlotte Hotel. To our luck, it didn't rain while we were there, so the weather was thankfully cooperating with us! 

We started with breakfast at The Riding House Cafe, where I got a cute parfait bowl and a fresh juice. We went off to shop around Oxford street, stopped at the famous Selfridges, I finally got my hands on some Laduree macarons, we had a magnificent afternoon tea, and before I knew it... it was time to go back home. 

I have a leftover 10 British Pounds, so that means I absolutely must come back soon! ;)

In all seriousness, London is a phenomenal city, and I have to thank Nokia for the amazing experience. I couldn't have pictured a better weekend! Soon I'll share the video we worked on, and the limited edition LeiVanKash piece will also be announced.

Talk soon,

xo

LONDON CALLING!

Last friday night I arrived in London after a smooth 6 hour flight from Toronto. As you all probably know, I was the winner of the Nokia x LeiVanKash contest back in December and got to take a trip up to London to design a limited edition piece of jewelry with Leila!

The first day started really early, and we pretty much got straight to work as soon as I came downstairs from my hotel room. We were filming all around London, but while working, I thankfully got to take a tour around the city and check out Big Ben and the London Eye. We walked around several markets and cafes, went to Libertys, got pizza for lunch, and then finally it was time to design with Leila. The whole time I was overwhelmed with inspiration and encouragement, and I seriously have to thank Leila for the guidance! It's amazing having someone to look up to as a mentor. We ended the day off at a dim sum restaurant, and then I evidently crashed from a very tiring, but amazing day.

Cashmere sweater: Maison Martin Margiela x H&M / Jeans: TopShop / Combat boots: Steve Madden / Purse: Celine Luggage / Jewelry: LeiVanKash

ROUGH DIAMOND.

I found this gorgeous bracelet a few days ago, and fell in love.

This friday I'm heading to London to design a piece of jewelry with designer LeiVanKash! I'm pretty sure it's going to be the best weekend of my life- and I can't wait to document it all! See you all soon!

Purchased from Urban Outfitters.

THRIFT SHOP.

Lavender sweater: ROMWE / Lace skirt: ROMWE / White High-tops: Converse 

Truth be told...

I don't think I've ever been as cold as I was while shooting these pictures. 

I often get asked: "Sonya, aren't you cold in just a sweater in the winter?" Or.. "wow it must be really hot in Canada!" Yes- I am very cold while shooting my winter outfit pictures. But allow me to explain, they in no way realistically portray what I wear when it is -4 degrees outside. The reason I don't wear jackets often is because: 

a) I am a summer-fall outfit kind of girl. I love skirts. I don't like tights on me. I don't like puffy winter jackets.  I am also in denial that it's not hot outside. I like to think of the winter as a temporary cold front.

b) I have two winter jackets that I switch between. I don't think it would be very fun to show outfits using the same exact articles of clothing, so I kind of just subtract those pieces.

So no, it is not blazing hot in Canada. It is cold. I am just insane =) haha

Additionally, I wanted to make a list that is actually very relevant to my life right now: 

How to make the most of the winter. 

I really really don't want to count down the days until summer, because that's not living life to the fullest. If I can't escape the cold- I have to learn to like it. So here is a list I made:

My wonderful friend Anat posted a gorgeous outfit post on her blog, check it out!

See you soon 

xo

GIVING UP ISN'T AN OPTION.

Hey hey!

So I thought I'd do something a little different today: share a lesson I learned recently. For the past three months, I've been trying to sell a super over-priced blender I purchased this summer because I just wasn't into making smoothies anymore (it's way too cold and I'm over it). I got offers every day to buy the blender for way, way under how much I was generously asking for. I just kept the ad up because I was frankly too lazy to take it down. Well, three months later, someone took my offer and I sold the blender yesterday.
What has this taught me? Or rather, re-assured me?

Don't give up. Don't settle for less than you are asking for. Someone out there will agree with what you require. Not everyone will, but that's okay- because agreeing to sell yourself, or sell something, for less than it is worth is essentially giving up your dignity.

You will ultimately earn people's respect by setting standards and morals you stay true to regardless :)

Cardigan: Style Stalker (bought on PLNDR) / Camo shirt: vintage (similar) / Jeans: Citizens of Humanity / Red booties: Shoedazzle (similar) / Purse: 3.1 Phillip Lim / Chain necklace: Forever XXI

TWENTY THIRTEEN.

Happy New Year!!

I had an unforgettable night yesterday, thanks to my amazing friends and the incredibly kind-hearted spirit of Toronto last night. I don't know, maybe it was because most of us were "champagne happy", but everyone's positive attitude had an almost euphoric effect on me. I spent the actual 3-2-1 countdown running on the street, some random man gave me a rose, I got pushed into a strip club (whilst screaming "no please I don't want to get raped"), had a couple encounters with my subscribers, and then obviously froze to death because it was -3... and I was wearing a skirt. 

Nonetheless, I decided to finally wear my new studded denim jacket today, paired with my favorite everyday jeans and some combat boots. I call it effortless bad-ass, or what have you. 

Don't get too carried away with your resolutions and don't verbalize them until you're already doing something to achieve your goal. I'll be seeing you all lots this year and hope to be even more active on my blog. Despite the gross weather :)

See you soon!

xo

Jacket: ChicNova / Grey sweater: American Apparel / Black jeans: Hudson Jeans / Sunglasses: Ray-Ban / Beanie: Urban Outfitters / Purse: 3.1 Phillip Lim / Watch: Marc by Marc Jacobs