Sprained Ankle Resolutions

Back in early November I sprained my left ankle. Its been bothering me as I was out for run in 10°C sunny weather. The conditions were perfect, I felt like I was running my fastest, my speed possibly having remained from when I had run the Underarmour East Side 10k (an amazing course, tempted to do it again!). I set a Personal Best having trained my heart out. Then I was distracted during this sunny November run, and I sprained my ankle upon hearing a dog barking in the distance on a wet leaf. Go figure, right?

Getting a sprained ankle has made me feel more determined to get back out there and run more.  I'm not built with crazy healing abilities so I've been couch surfing and watching Netflix. But all my laziness has accumulated to me signing up for 1 .... 4 races this year. 

To slowly ease back into running I signed up for 3 races associated with Try Events. 

 First off is the 5km walk/run option for the Chilly Chase. This seems quite straight forward as it follows the seawall from Science world all the way to Stanley Park. 

In March is the Hot Chocolate Run by Try Events which is also a run walk option but in the 10km distance. 

Then I signed up for the BMO Half Marathon yet again, for May and hope I can finally shave off the time! I will try to fully commit this year and not slack off during the final weeks. 

Then hopefully, maybe fingers crossed (I've talked about this for two years Lululemon) will I get to run the Lululemon Seawheeze in August. I've dreamed, hoped, wished and sighed at all the runners whilst I myself could not get an entry for 2 years now. And I have NEVER run it still. (Some of my friends think I'm crazy for possibly wanting to put myself through suffering). 

My list isn't over yet! I also signed up for the Historic Half also by Try events in November to round out the year. 

Here's to hoping the physio pays off! 👻👻👻 

Winter Opulence

Welcome to my faux dreamy winter wishlist, Santa can you see this? 

I kind of went over budget this year with a certain CC purchase if you know what I mean. Here are some things I'd buy had not done major damage:

1. Vivetta Face and Hands cotton shirt 

Something about this shirt is understated luxe. I would wear this with a leather moto jacket, and black jeans or a black skirt on the weekend whilst having my Lucky's donut and coffee. Oh so chic. This would also work in white, but I don't have the best track record keeping my white tops crisp.

2. Roberto Collina Oversized Sweater

Green, once a year I get this obsession for green. My boyfriend isn't a fan, it's not his favourite colour. I used to hate green as well but greens that mimic shades of the northern boreal forest (hello geography major) make my heart sing. This sweater, the draping, want, need, love.

3. Sparkle Tweed Dress 

I've never mentioned that I love J.Crew. If I lived in an alternate timeline I would have definitely fully embraced the preppy styles as a sales associate / store manager somewhere in the US (limited stock of products in Canada. This dress represents that reverie. ♥






Till next time. 😘

Post Summer Edit

If I wanted to be a basic b*tch over the summer, this is what I'd buy. Oops, clearly I was busy over the summer because I never ended up posting this!

1. Valentino Rockstud Jelly Sandals 

I saw my friend wearing a fuchsia metallic pink version of these, and they looked so cute! I was completely obsessed, till I saw the price tag. If these aren't the most extra overpriced pair of jelly flats, I don't know what is.

2. A Gold E Parker Shorts

I don't know about you, but every year when it reaches that sweltering hot heat, all I want to do is lounge around in denim shorts. I'm on the taller side and when i wear a skirt, I inevitably every end up flashing the sidewalk and all the onlookers from the "breeze". And in this heat, I don't like having to double up with booty shorts underneath the skirt, because it just makes it all the more hot. I'll stick to shorts thank you, I have these in black, and white would be a clean alternative.

3. MG Rosa Bucket Bag

Okay, yes I have one of the original in flamma but the heart wants what it wants. This bag was kind of a fad, but the shape is timeless and I can't help but smirk when I see people traipsing around wearing a bucket bag inspired bag (LV Neoneo, Sezane Bucket, Linjer). The bag is so structured that I have grown to appreciate it more than if it were slouchy. (I could rant on an on about this bag, maybe I should at some point). But I need something small and cutesy and I need it now.

Backpack Dreams to Reality!

I've always admired the aesthetics of a nice leather backpack.

Mackage Tanner Backpack

Jump to 2014 when my bag obsession really began, I wanted a backpack that was understated but edgy. Not similar to the average "school" backpack, but one that catered to someone older, and looked more refined. A bad backpack is one of those cheap flimsy branded sporty ones seen on the kids at the mall.

I used to want a monogram backpack, but after seeing Aaron Carter onstage at Fortune Sound Club with a ginormous bedazzled watch and a LV Monogram Christopher PM backpack (yes, I did go there). I'd say its better to leave those kinds of wares to the celebrities and ludicrously wealthy. Monogram seemed a but gaudy, even the attempts to modernize it has me on the fence (I see you Mini Palm Springs backpack).

It was like a calling, I found a beautiful Mackage backpack when I was scrolling through Instagram. Unfortunately, this particular bag was sold out everywhere as it was first released in 2013. It resonated with the edgier black shiny 8 Hole Doc Martens and green army jacket look that I had (post-modern grunge anyone?). Maybe I was justifying the purchase of a $400 backpack, but it was a nice contemporary-modern version of a classic backpack.

If the bag looked too expensive, there would be the risk of pickpockets. If the bag was too small I'd only be carrying the bare necessities. The nylon version of this bag at Holt Renfrew was $645! Something about seeing a nylon bag with leather straps made me unsettled, but having seen the bag even though it was of a different material had me obsessed.

I eventually found the bag on Ebay and purchased it off a seller in Montreal, QC. Nightmares began when I unraveled the bag to find a terrible lingering second hand smoke smell. I eventually got a portion of the bag refunded to get cleaning supplies. Once the backpack was resuscitated and smoke free, I used it like no tomorrow! The pebbled leather is sturdy and scratch resistant. The interior is lined in a microsuede with a internal zip pocket, with two other pouches, and the side of the bag has a semi-hidden small zipper pocket also.

Part of me wishes that I purchased the bag brand new instead on Gilt when I saw it months later, but this bag has been through thick and thin. It kind of makes the bag edgier. So to speak, it has been roughed around the edges.

It makes for a great day bag as it can fit a large wallet, keys, waterbottle, bullet journal and a lightweight jacket/sweater, and my lunchbox.

Until next time!

My backpack!

An Ode to Running

Running is how I like to stay fit. Each year, well almost every year since 2012, (skipping 2013) I've run the BMO Half Marathon in Vancouver. (Yes, 21.1km!)

My exposure to long distance running began from runs completed during Phys Ed in high school. I'd huff my way through those runs, and be thankful I even managed to run the distance (a measly 1.5km). I also joined cross country because my long and gangly awkward self did not fare well in team sports. In the spring I'd join Track and Field, and even tried short distance sprinting but I didn't have the explosive energy to make the cut! What with lack of fast times from the 100 meter dash or the endurance to run 400 meter sprints, my butt was whooped. Figuratively and literally (literally being the pain in my butt from trying to sprint 400m). I stuck to the "field events" and only participated in team relays.

After high school I looked forward to joining Track in university, but student life does not pave the way to pay for equivalence in tuition for gym membership or to joining the ever elusive university team (which, you also had to fork over money and commitment for). I wanted to stay fit and challenge myself so I started running longer and farther.

To this day, I give credit to my running coaches throughout highschool, as I was motivated to take on long distance running as it was, seeing how innate it had already become to them. Running was a great way to get my mind off of school, my part time job, and my then boyfriend (goodbye teen angst). What keeps me running now aren't these things at all, it's more about the personal challenge, and pushing my body to the limit. I'm no expert, but I can't see a life without running part of it.
























I ran the Vancouver Sun Run a hand full of times, the Fall Classic, Scotiabank Half Marathon, the Rock and Roll Half Marathon (now discontinued, it was the most beautiful course), and every year I train for the Vancouver BMO Half marathon. I found an amazing run guide that's kept me motivated and on track, take a look at it!!

Every time I go out to get a fresh breath of air (cue the rapper Drake's - Fancy) , I know I'm out for an adventure. Something about being stuck in a gym just doesn't entice me. (I know, girls and our love for cardio ). I make sure my running form is in check, plug into my running playlist to help pass the time. And then I run.

The Stanley Park Seawall and I

Chasing this Lovely Sunset!

Colours for Spring

Yes, I spell colours this way because I'm Canadian. Here are some item's I've been obsessed with lately. AKA Things I would buy if money grew on trees and my wallet would not have a burning hole in afterwards. 

1. Givenchy Small Antigona 

1. I cannot say enough about this Givenchy Mini Antigona, I have a mini in black. At first when I purchased this I thought it was too small, but it works wonderfully as a crossbody and despite its boxiness the tapering at the top allows the bag to stick closer to your body rather than jut out awkwardly. Currently its on sale and in this gorgeous baby blue shade that is perfect and crisp for spring. 

2. Frye Ellen Deco Button Short Boot

2. These boots are Frye's?!? They look like the child of a YSL Suede Boot and the Chloé Suzanna Boot without the hefty price tag. These are as seen on Megs of Purseblog (my favourite blog for all things purse related!) I see myself wearing these all throughout spring summer and fall. They have a chic boho meets motorcycle badass vibe to them. The boot hits higher on the ankle meaning I am not limited to wearing them with ankle socks.

3. Theory Whitney Shoulder Bag

3. At first I was obsessed with the Chloe Nile Bag, then I found out that this bag came out prior to the Nile. I was intrigued as it seems that designers have redux's(?) of the same purse. The tortoise ring detail is much more carefree than the brass ring of the Chloe. Furthermore there have been issues with the Chloe ring rubbing on the leather leaving stains on lighter coloured leather. I have a Chloe Faye mini backpack which I will do a review of this winter.  

4. Botkier Carlie Block Heel 

4. There's something about a suede slide sandal that alludes me every year. Will I bite the bullet and go for it?? As dreamy and soft this colour looks, I think I will go for something more along the lines of pink, nude or grey in a criss-cross sandal pattern. The shallow heel here will make it look less casual but I imagine myself falling flat on my face. Yes, I'm clumsy.

As ever, purse obsessed. 💖

My Classic Camera Bag

I couldn't contain my excitement

My boyfriend and I are quite minimal. We don't tend to shower each other with gifts for "special occasions". He knows that I'm extremely picky and we usually end up asking each other if there's something that we're eyeing. Most often, I end up treating myself, and my heart was set on the Gucci Disco Soho. I previously only had contemporary designer mini bags (i.e. Rebecca Minkoff and Mackage).

I fell in love with the design of the Disco Soho bag designed by Frida Giannini, creative director for woman's ready-to-wear and accessories for Gucci before Alessandro Michele took over. With the impending price increase and rumours of the bag being discontinued, I scoured Purse Forum for more info. Even thought the tassel turned some people off from getting the bag, I adore it, and the new versions of the Soho come without a tassel. I wanted to purchase the bag second hand, but this being my first Gucci purchase I didn't trust that I'd be able to authenticate it myself. 


I had previously stepped into the Gucci Store on Georgia Street in Vancouver about a year prior and really loved the look of the bag. Even though the GG logo is quite large, it is one uniform colour and still subtle without being an over the top in-your-face designer bag. My mom has a vintage Chanel Camera bag that I absolutely adore, but I think the Gucci is the one OG bag that I won't tire of and is more youthful and timeless (not to mention within my price range of ~$1,000). The bag's dimensions are 8"W x 6"H x 2.5"D, and it has a linen cloth interior with two inner pockets, making it easy to find items inside. 

With my should I or shouldn't I bag purchasing thought process out the window, I went into the Gucci boutique store under Hotel Vancouver on Georgia Street. They said they only had a few Gucci disco bags left in stock, black or rose beige (red was sold out!). I tried on Rose beige, and as beautiful as it was it didn't have the ooomph factor of the black against the light gold hardware. Ultimately,  I decided on classic black, it is an original classic, and I wouldn't have to worry about colour transfer. Eep! I fell head over heels and handed my plastic over. 

It wasn't till I had walked home to my boyfriend's apartment (whilst carrying a Gucci bag feeling super extra) and opened the box and dust bag that I thought to myself, this one's a keeper. 💕

Fresh Out of the Box and packaging!

Cue Lego hands, also the sun was so bright that I was frowning ☹, not complaining about the sunshine though! 📷 : @80km2e 🌚❤️

A post shared by Amanda T. (@amandaasaur) on Feb 26, 2017 at 2:57pm PST

P.S. I know we're not all predisposed to drop 1.5K on a purse. Here are some alternatives that are odes to the camera bag. 

Status Anxiety Plunder Bag

Status Anxiety is a company based in Australia and this bag is wonderful. I have seen the camera bag in Plenty Stores (in Canada) and the leather on this black one seems especially durable. They also make a duffel bag that is similar to the Alexander Wang Rockie bag without the studs. 😏

Alexander McQueen Crossbody Bag

Alexander McQueen makes a great alternative.

 

Saint Laurent Loulou camera bag

Again, if money is no object I would recommend this bag from Saint Laurent, people say the bag is more durable and will hold its shape, and it has similar aesthetics to the Soho Disco.

If I could steal her closet...

As a Canadian, I have a soft spot for tv shows filmed in Canada. Que the walk down memory lane with shows like Breaker High, Smallville, and current comic to animated to Netflix series Riverdale. The show Schitt's Creek  is no exception, and has me completely charmed! It was recommended to me by my cousin and his girlfriend and I didn't think much of it until I started watching. From season 1, I became completely absorbed into its riches-to-rags (vice versa of rags to riches) story line. During the winter holiday, I binged the rest of season 2 and 3, leaving my boyfriend in the dust. He was off obsessing over the new season of Black Mirror which too intense for me to watch and have a restful night of sleep afterwards.

David Rose's Sweatshirt

A definite highlight of watching this show is seeing how each character dresses. The Rose's bi-curious son David Rose is very fashion forward, wearing only minimalist shades of black and grey. Sometimes however, he plays it up a bit by wearing items such as this adorable "Love Me Tender" sweatshirt. He also has been sighted wearing uggs as his slippers at home (Yes, Uggs are for home wear only).

Sometimes, I get so inspired by the outfits that I scour the internet to find out the  clothing worn by the characters on tv on sites like Worn on TV  What blew my mind was that this show was not featured on the list of TV shows (because Canada).

(Update 02/23/18: They have since added Schitt's Creek as I made a suggestion to them)

Alexis Rose, David's younger sister is seen in Rag & Bone Newberry booties, frilly asos dresses, Celine luggage purse, and her style constantly changes. She is seen clad in boho chic, western inspired outfits that encapsulate her personality. See the pictures below and you'll get what I mean! Until next time.