CoCooning

I know it's the height of summer but I've been a bit of a homebody lately. It's not a melancholic thing, I've been reveling in the comforts of home; my trinkets, home-made coffee and a new stack of old-school records that one of Renegade's patients so kindly sent our way. I've also been practicing my written Farsi and finding little messages from Renegade hidden beneath the pages. I find the shapes and forms of my native language to be so beautiful. I can literally sit there for hours tracing each curve. I think this mellow mood comes down to the fact that my tired traveling gypsy feet are enjoying having a home... a place to keep my collections of vintage buttons and old photographs of complete strangers that I find at antique markets. I like cat girl, she has a mischievous smile that I recognize, plus anyone who loves cats has got to be a kindred spirit... don't you think?

Happy Weekend.

xo Ashi

Ashi's Outfits

Yes, even the simple outfits count...

Actually, I have no desire to walk out the door looking fab and innovative each time.

 I've got my timeless staples and they work just fine for me.

Skinny dark jeans, check.

Stripes, check.

Vintage heels & clutch, check.

Vintage gold jewelry, check and check.

Striped boat neck top: thrifted  {Bristol}

Dark, high-waisted Jeans: Nudie Jeans Co. 

Gold cuff: thrifted

Red patent leather  clutch: My CoCoon Vintage 
Red heels: vintage , Stella Luna  {Toronto}

xo Ashi

Summer Special

I adore our summer weekend routine. 

Friday night brings on the living-room dance parties... Saturdays we rock the market 

{and afternoon naps}... finally Sundays are saved for the beach and Renegade's famous roast. I'm trying to cram in as many summer outfits as I can before our sleepy, sun-filled existence comes to a chilly end. Not that the heat is letting up, but I think I'm experiencing a mid-summer crisis. I was feeling the urban peasant look this past market.... Dear Renegade was looking dashing himself in his western top and vintage denim vest that I found for him at the Portobello Market in London.... but I'm not allowed to talk about that so I won't.

Floral peasant top: thrifted, vintage  {Seattle}

Jeans: Fidelity {this Canadian brand produces killer & affordable denim}

Silver cuff: thrifted

Suede fringe purse: thrifted, vintage, Beacon's Closet {Brooklyn} 

xo Ashi

Moving On

I've been hesitant to admit this, but our time in our beautiful London flat has come to an end. This past weekend Renegade and I donned the matching aviators, filled ourselves with extra strong coffee and drove a big truck to London to fetch our stuff. As much as I loved the place, it didn't feel quite like home, especially for dear Renegade who has grown up in an older, slightly haunted, house all his life. Although he did see the massive potential in the place as I did... it kind of gave him the heebeejeebees. Plus, we've come to learn, we both crave community as much as we do a killer pad... We've certainly found that in Brighton!

So, Goodbye London House!

 We'll miss the amazing fireplace, space and of course our local Jedi-Robe outlet... but I have a feeling what's coming up next will be so worth it.

xo Ashi & Renegade

Bits & Bobs

Sure, I have my culinary specialties, but Renegade is the head chef in our family. 

Lucky me, the man makes a mean sunday roast... and lasagna and... well you get the picture. I guess my talent in the kitchen is more in the beautification process....

 I have knack for nicknacks and this week has been the ultimate in finding retro trinkets to spice up our cuisine. The 70's mugs look like they came straight out of this dude's house. I think I will save them for sipping organic hippie teas called 'hairy crab' and the such. 

Now, the bird sugar pots {correction: egg coddlers. Who knew eggs need to be coddled!} are my absolute favourites. These porcelain darlings were only £ 3, but after a quick chat with our dial-an-antique-appraiser Anne it turns out they are worth much more. Although in the words of my dear Renegade 'I'd never sell it'

xo Ashi

Ashi's Outfits

As you can see my summer sailorette wardrobe craze is not passing any time soon...

and why should it, nothing says summer in Brighton better than a little red white and blue.

These 70's, navy, high waisted bell-bottoms come from that vintage stash I stumbled upon in North London. Personally, I think the high-waisted look is a tricky one to pull off, if you don't have the right silhouette. The belt and wide flare on these babies makes it way too easy to rock the look with that authentic vintage look. Throw in some sky high platforms and I'm expecting a call from Charlie any minute now!

Navy high-waisted flares: thrifted, vintage 1960s {London}

Naval tube top: thrifted, DIY  

Beaded necklace: thrifted, vintage {Brighton}

Suede fringe purse: thrifted, vintage, Beacon's Closet {Brooklyn}

Shades: vintage, True Value Vintage {Vancouver}

xo Ashi

The Girls of Summer

I've been dying to post these photos of my two Vancouver home-girls, Mairin & Marie. Today's Marie's Birthday, so what better chance!

{Mairin's was on May 10th, silly me for forgetting to post}

These snaps were taken last year in Vancouver on third beach, the best hang out for carrot sticks and tarot readings. 

Now that the weather gods have finally granted Vancouver the summer it deserves, I know this exactly where my girls will be... looking fabulous and sun-kissed as ever!

Happy Birthday  ladies!

xo Ashi

Viva la Vida

 I'm not really one for saints or prophets, but I believe in Frida Kahlo. The mexican artist was born on this day, so today I'm remembering this icon who has been such a huge influence in my life.

 I know many people and nations have tremendous love and admiration for her. Her work is so gut-wrenching, beautiful and visceral it's hard not to feel connected to her.

Personally, I fell for her love of animals, her endless strength, her deep connection to her roots and how she always felt blessed; even while suffering. 

A few years ago, I had the chance to visit the Frida Kahlo museum in Coyoacan. Known as La Casa Azul {the blue house}, this is the house where she was born and died. Naturally when I visited, the place was packed, with line-ups stretching out the door and round the block. When I finally made it into her room, which features her famous four-post bed, somehow I  found myself separated from the crowds and alone in the room. This room itslef had a beautiful, vibrant energy to it. 
I can't really explain what happened next, but I suddenly felt this huge wave of emotions run through me and I burst out into a flood of tears. These were the wailing sobbing kind that I couldn't politely hide, so I ran out of the house while concerned people watched on. It was later explained to me by a woman who works at the museum that my reaction was very normal and that many visitors have reacted the same when upon entering Frida's room. 

  This isn't meant to be a ghost story, but a reminder to..... like Frida used to always say, 
Viva La Vida, Live the life

{Happy Birthday Frida Kahlo}

xo Ashi

Ashi's Outfits

A little snap from my Saturday market outfit this week. This 1960's vintage, floral number was waiting for me in the back of a thrift store in North London. I walked in and asked the lady working the till if they ever had any vintage items. 

'Well I do have this box in the back where I have been storing some older items from this one donor', she answered. 

Turns out this donor was exactly my size and this 'box' was harbouring an amazing stash of 60's and 70's vintage. Gold! Perfect for those sunny market days.

Dress: thrifted, vintage 1960s {London}

 Boots: thrifted, Friperie Renaissance {Montreal}

Plants and Animals

Pretty slow day at the market today... perfect for grabbing the camera and getting to know your neighbours. The Upper Gardner street market actually has some really cool vendors... there's the polaroid guy, the cupcake girls, vintage vinyl dude and our new favourite green-thumbed duo Charlotte and James who run Yukka & Stamp. 

Now these guys are not your average horticulturists. Similar to us, they believe in a zero waste mentality and pay homage to a William Morris moral 

'have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful'.

They do this by collecting unloved or forgotten objects and turning them into homes for plants. They pot plants in anything from old cameras to tea pots to vintage tins... and the results are so industrious and charming. Call it the ultimate house warming gift, we're smitten for these recycled gems.

xo Ashi & Renegade

Home Sweet Home!

We're wishing everyone a Happy Canada Day!!!

These holidays mean so much more to me now that I am far from home. Funny enough, I think I'm even more Canadian now that I'm living abroad. I still have the accent, I still quote everything in dollars and I still go to get into people's cars from the driver's side. Call me Shania Twain!

 I mostly miss the landscapes and all the different neighbourhoods that I've lived in; from Strathcona, to Mile End to Leslieville... I remember the cafes, the bike paths and mostly the beautiful people. 

I would have a Molson Canadian to commemorate the day... if they had any out here. I guess I'll just continue being super polite and friendly to everyone I meet. 

xo Ashi