Gingham, polka dots, lots of peach, and my favourite kitty necklace

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Outfit details
Prescription eyeglasses: (frames) Venus Eye Design V-12 Gingham headscarf: eBay Peach pearl earrings: Claire's Adorable sterling silver and Swarovski crystal kitty necklace: gift from Tony ♥ Grey shrug: Fairweather Peachy-pink peasant style top: Thrifted Black bangle bracelets: Claire's Peach rose bangle: Forever 21 (I think) Grey bangle: etsy seller RecycleBuyVintage Vintage black velour pencil skirt: etsy seller Lady Kitschener's Vintage Emporium Polka dot purse: Payless Nude and black seamed stockings: eBay Black pumps: Payless Lip colour: MAC Russian Red

Photography by Antonio Cangiano                                         ♥ ♥ ♥

Last month I showed you a part of my parent's lush, gorgeous garden, and today you get to see the deck that overlooks said verdant backyard oasis. Much like the garden itself, my parents built their home themselves (my parents run a reno business) from the ground up a few years ago. It had been a longstanding dream of theirs to do so, and they did a terrific job of creating a cozy home that's just perfect for the two of them (with room for the many friends and relatives who love to come and visit).

Though our condo is two floors, we don't have a deck (as is quite common with condos), so I just love spending time on my parent's. The view looks down over part of Penticton, as well as a neighbouring tree covered hill - and of course down on their lovely garden, which was especially green when these photos were taken earlier in the season.

Interestingly, it occurs to me as I'm writing this that I was wearing my beloved Swarovski crystal kitty necklace in the last set of photos taken at their house, too. This wasn't intentional, but it's not surprising either, as I simply adore that necklace (a gift from Tony) and slip it on almost as often as my equally cherished strand of pearls.

Perhaps it's the influence of my 80s childhood (when this colour combo was quite popular), but I've always loved black and pink together, or in this case black and sweet peach with a touch of charcoal grey thrown in for good measure. It can be elegant or fun, youthful or deeply chic, just depending on the pieces and how you style your overall look, and is a combination I reach for often.

I like mixing patterns in the same outfit, but usually try to ensure that they match or are similar in some capacity. In this case my polka dot purse and gingham headscarf share the same two classic colours, so they work harmoniously together (and, I think, add a fun dose of cuteness to this look).

Way back at the start of the year in January I talked a bit about some of the issues I have with my hair. Though I did get it cut shortly there after (and have maintained, more or less, that length ever since), the other concerns remain, chief amongst which is the ongoing (it started when I was 14) thinning issue I have. The problem is getting worse and at times it's getting trickier to hide or mask the problem (especially since I have more thinning happening on the top of my head than on the bottom areas).

Not that I really mind (loving these pieces as I do), but I've been wearing more headbands, headscarves, kerchiefs, and hats this year to try and hid some of the thinnest areas, while still trying to maintain some semblance of volume on the bottom (which isn’t very thick thick these days either).

It's a losing battle, I fully know - a point I've made about as much peace with as I can. A wig (or wigs - why stop at just one?) is in my future for sure, but for the time being I'll just keep making the best of what remains on my head (and hope you'll forgive the sparse patches that appear in some photos of my hair).

On a more upbeat note, let's chat about this black vintage pencil skirt. It's a definite cornerstone piece in my wardrobe and one that I reach for all the time. Given it's hue and shape, it's about as versatile as a skirt can be, especially since it also hits at a great below-the-knee length that I just adore (if it looks familiar, that's likely because you're remembering it from posts such as this and this one).

In my opinion, so long as you enjoy wearing skirts, a skirt like this is one that every gal needs in her wardrobe (trust me you'll get a massive amount of mileage out of it).

Though these photos were snapped a few weeks ago, with autumn on the horizon, it won't be long before all that greenery in the background at my parent’s house starts to take on a gorgeous rust, gold, and scarlet tinge once more. As a result I'll soon have a whole new colour palette to (hopefully) model against in the coming weeks. How exciting!