I was a Merit Bursary Award recipient!

A couple months back I applied for the Merit Bursary Award.  It's an exclusive award that recognizes student across the GTA that have faced hardships but have continued to be active contributors and leaders within their communities and school.  I thought I'd give it a shot because I had already applied to other scholarships and had two teachers who had already written me several reference letters (thank you Ms. Morrison an nd Ms. Kimmel!), and a lot of the questions the application asked for I had already written down in some form or another.

Last week on Monday, I received an email from the Merit Award congratulating me on being selected as a recipient.  This has been the biggest monetary award that I applied to and won thus far, and I was so surprised.

This Tuesday (June 5th) was the award ceremony which was held downtown and generously hosted by FASKEN.  My incentive for going was that the email stated there would be 'light refreshments'.  The refreshments came through!

At the ceremony, they said that 180 students had been selected out of 600 plus applicants.  On top of that, I was 1 out of 14 applicants who received the $2000 award, which most people are given the $750 or $500 award.  Hearing that along with all the incredibly successful guest speakers was invigorating and inspiring.

The above picture is everybody from my school who won an award.  Congrats girls!

I'm thinking of making a separate post about all the scholarships and bursaries I received.  It won't be anything like how I got a free ride with $100k in scholarships but I do want to show the reality of someone who does apply and does receive some free money for postsecondary.

I had a fun time talking to these wonderful people.

Yes, I was the only one with turquoise hair there.  It definitely made an impression.

Of course, I took this opportunity to take outfit photos.  I was downtown on a Tuesday evening, if I didn't it would have been a crime.  Therefore... crime avoided.

I'm always sceptical when my mom tries to take photos of me, but I actually quite like these.  A little VSCO editing here and there and whabam.

What I am Wearing:

Blazer: Thrifted Jones New York

Dress: Thrifted H&M

Shoes: Internet Girl via Depop

Purse: Thirfted Vintage

Hair: Manic Panic in Voodoo Blue

University Offers + March Break Plans + Catching Up - Life Update

Jacket Thrifted

Shirt Thrifted

Pants Thrifted

Christian Dior Reversible Belt Thrifted

Headpiece UO

It has been so long since I've written a blog post.  I almost don't know where to start.

I got offers from all the universities I applied to!  This has been a super exciting experience and I love every minute I get closer to actually living out my uni experience.  Guelph and Trent are my top choices, but it seems like I'm leaning towards Trent.  I got an offer to their Medical Professional Stream, which is a program you take alongside your bachelors and provides you with mentorship, wonderful opportunities, and a great group of like-minded individuals.  I suppose more updates shall follow this about accepting, moving in, and yaddi yaddi ya. (!!!!)

Keeping on trend with this excitement (!!!!!!), I'm going on a school trip to Rome and Greece over the March Break!  I don't think I've made any sort of mention about this incredible opportunity, but I am so stoked to immerse myself in the culture, history, and beauty of these countries.  I plan on documenting every single day of the trip, so please keep me accountable.  I leave in six days...

Also, Demi is currently touring.  The coolest part is that she is coming to Toronto on my birthday!  Unfortunately (but really not that unfortunate) I will be celebrating my bday on the trip :)

Man, I it's so hard to resist the urge not to put an exclamation point after every sentence.

All these photos are ones that never ended up being enough for their own post.  I've been working on a year-long project that I plan on releasing here January of 2019.  So Although I haven't been posting much, I've definitely been taking at least one outfit photo a month for this secret project.  Sneak peeks of said project can be found on my blog and Instagram because I couldn't help myself (but I don't blatantly state that's what they were from).

As for other bits and bobs I'm doing...

I've got my play performance in May

I'm still sewing my prom dress for May?June? (I don't actually remember when it is)

The HOSA conference is the end of March, so I need to study study study

Oh and did I mention Demi is touring

I've basically put this post together because I missed blogging and wanted to share some cool pics from my phone.

At the beginning of January, I visited the Christian Dior Exhibition at the ROM with my friends Charlotte, Iris, and Terresa.  It was such an incredible experience getting to see up close the intricacy of each garment.  Although they did provide further pictures of the garments on a little screen, I would have loved if every garment had these extra pictures and lots more of them.  The garments were beautiful and because you couldn't touch them, I thought the set up of the exhibition didn't do them justice.  At least I've got a ROM membership (which my mom so generously gifted me for Christmas) so I am going again this Sunday.

Purse + Book Thrifted

Cat Jacket Thrifted

Scarf Hand-me-down (HMD)

Skirt Sewn by Me

Rainbow Fishnet Tights Christmas Gift

Shoes Aldo

Cat Jacket Thrifted

Leggings Lululemon

Shoes New Balance

Glasses Unknown (from Pacific Mall)

Thank you for reading!

Sophia

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Glitz and Blue Denim Flares

I'm 17 years old and I've never been to a high school party.  The friends I surround myself are just not party people, and neither am I.  I also chose not to attend school dances.  On one hand, I couldn't care less about parties and spending time near people so polar opposite from myself.  Then again, I'd be lying if I didn't admit a curiosity and desire to want to attend a party.  I've read so many YA books, especially as a preteen, and I've seen A-Z when it comes to teen movies.  It's only natural curiosity that I should want to experience, if for only one time, a real high school party.  I doubt I'd enjoy it in the moment, and I'd absolutely feel out of place, but still I want to know what it's like.

All things said, the only party I will probably ever attend will be prom.

 These past two years, my reading as definitely matured.  I've found a keen interest in nonfiction science books.  I notice that now whenever I read a teen novel, I don't enjoy them as much as I used to.  Perhaps it's because they literally talk about kids my age, and I can hardly relate to their

 lives.

 Sheer glitter top is thrifted

Blue tank is maybe Aeropostale?

Jeans are thrifted

Puma suede platforms are thrifted

Purse is thrifted

Thanks for reading,

Sophia

Elevated Comfy & Long Live Flared Jeans

I have been watching too much Masterchef.  But I couldn't think of a better title :) Mirroring Masterchef essence, everything must be elevated.

I tried to sell my clothes to Plato's Closet and they gave me a pamphlet with trendy pieces they buy.  The girl behind the counter quickly took a sharpie and crossed out flared jeans basically saying, "oh, these don't actually sell for us".  Perhaps flares are last season, but I've just begun sporting them.

On a side note, I can't stop singing Tell Me You Love Me by Demi Lovato.  The problem is I only know the chorus because the song hasn't come out yet and she is killing me with these teasers!  

Sometimes I think her style of singing is slowly diverging from my taste.  Then she shows me I'm a fool for even doubting her.

This is a thrifted outfit except for the snoopy shoes which are consignment.  I'm seriously loving how most outfits I wear these days are fully thrifted.  I've come a long way.

I'm also thinking of growing my hair out?  Maybe bangs too?

I really love how these photos came out.  The colours are so vibrant

When fashion imitates nature

Last year I took a break from following fashion weeks and keeping up with trends.  This year around, I'd really like to post shows and designers that I find stood out to me and that I thought were new, refreshing and inspiring.  Those reviews should be coming out soon seeing as NYFW has just began yesterday :) !!!

Thanks for reading!

Sophia