Pregnancy Woes

Posted on by barbara solomon

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So growing a human inside you may be considered one of the most beautiful and natural things that you can do as a women (if you so choose), but it definitely comes with a fair bit of discomfort. And I have gotten a decent mix of the common and not-so-common problems. From the obvious first trimester nausea and daily vomiting, to the unheard of pregnancy-induced carpal tunnel syndrome, that has developed this week out of nowhere. Let me tell you, it’s been a fun few months.

When your body feels like it’s out of control, it’s hard to feel like yourself. You spend so much time trying to “feel better” that you no longer are doing things that feel natural for you. I found myself living in sweats and barely leaving the house, and if I did, I rarely bothered to do my hair or makeup. Definitely a different version of Barbara.

But on the days that I did decided do my typical routine, I felt better and more normal, and it dawned on me that even though I feel discomfort, I can still try to pull myself together. I’ve always had the mentality that on the darkest days to wear the brightest colours, in order to cheer myself (and others) up and I had stopped doing the common sense things that have brought me joy for all these years.

So here I am, 22 weeks pregnant, in 6 inch platforms, cute glasses and a crop top, and finally feeling like myself.

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Top: A.L.C, Skirt: Topshop Canada, Frames: Joseph Marc C/O Clearly.ca, Shoes: Charlotte Olympia
See more of my style the bump posts here: 1, 2, and 3

New Year, New Glasses

Posted on by barbara solomon

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In grade 3 everything changed. I had gone to the eye doctor and received the news that I needed glasses.

This was the 90s and I picked out a pair of tortoise-shell, round-metal frames that I wore for the next few years. By grade 6 I was wearing contacts daily. While in school, at camp, basically anytime I left the house. I’d sleep in my contacts. Wear the same pair for months. And with this disrespect to my health as a youth, my eyes have suffered.

Last year, I made the decision to give my eyes the year off contacts and the proper care that they deserved. I got my eyes examined, and invested in new BlueReflect lenses that helped with the eye strain from starring at screens all day and night. Soon after, I noticed a difference in how my eyes felt and began embracing how frames can add so much style to an outfit. I started falling in love with this new accessory, and as I began growing my collection I feel in love with switching them up with each outfit. From bright colours to interesting shapes, glasses have become my go-to statement piece.

My vision for 2017, is to live a life in balance.

After the year-long break, I’ve stocked up with new contact lenses, with the goal to not only take proper care when wearing them (and never to sleep in them again), but to wear them in balance with my glasses. These are my newest frames to my collection, I love how similar they are to my first pair and how the retro-metal frame is back (did you noticed the throwback wraparound arms). Clearly and I have teamed up to offer my friends 40% off lens upgrades until February 15th, so you can start your year looking cute and feeling good. Just use the promo code BARBARA during the purchase. If you haven’t gotten your eyes checked in a while, I would recommend adding a visit to the Clearly store to your annual list of doctors and check-ups, with 3 locations – 2 in Vancouver and 1 on Queen St. in Toronto – it’s easy to book an exam and start your year seeing clearly. And make sure to tag your photos #SeeClearly for a chance to be featured on their social media channels weekly. 

Dress: Madewell, Jacket: Banana Republic, Boots: Zara, Frames: Joseph Marc Experiment-48 c/o Clearly.ca, Watch: c/o Daniel Wellington, Earrings: Hortense from Catbird
Photography by 2Boo Studio

T-Rex love

Posted on by barbara solomon

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I’m a T-Rex. At least that’s what I tell myself everyday. Allow me to explain.

A few years ago, when I was suffering from my first round of anxiety in my adulthood, my loving husband (boyfriend at the time) went out and purchased me a dragon (they didn’t carry dinos at the time) Kigurumi suit from Japan. His theory for the animal he chose for me was that, “no matter how bad my day was or how I felt, I could come home and be strong and brave like a Tyrannosaurus”.  And it worked, to this day I still come home, after bad days, and he’ll find me curled up in my suit.

So when Coach launched their Rexy collection in 2015 (as a bag charm), I was OBSESSED. It was on my wish list from the second I saw it on the runway. For F/W 2016, Rexy starred in her own capsule collection and appeared with her wild beast friends on bags, charms and some insanely amazing clothes (this jacket), and it was my chance to snag a piece. I must say it was love at first sight.

Coat: Banana Republic, Sweater: Alice and Olivia, Skirt: Tanya Taylor, Boots: Topshop Canada, Glasses: Kam Dhillon from Clearly.ca, Bag: C/O Coach
Photography by 2Boo Studio