Two Years Together

April the 13th: two years ago to this day, To Vogue or Bust was born! I started the blog because of a career-related decision, but it has grown in very unexpected ways and I’ve come to love it like my own little baby (which, in a sense, it is). Thank you thank you thank you to everyone who’s taken the time to read it and who has supported or contributed to it in one way or another – I appreciate it beyond belief!

I thought this little milestone would be a good opportunity to share three other definining things in my life with both my new and old readers, so without further ado, they are…

The ocean.

 
This summer will be the first time in a long, long time that I’ll be far away from an ocean and to be perfectly honest, it kind of scares me.

Hands down, the most vivid memories of my childhood are swimming in the ocean with my family. My dad would throw pennies in the water and we’d pretend to be mermaids and track them down. We were all competitive swimmers growing up, so we had the stamina to spend the whole day crashing through the waves, viciously swatting at each other underwater to find the pennies.

I would definitely say that more than anywhere else in the world, when I feel like getting back to myself I just need to be in or near the ocean. There’s something extremely reassuring to me about it, not to mention it’s also been my playground since I was a kid.

My strong love for the ocean has also apparently translated itself into my weird sartorial proclivity for blues and greens – that little selection pictured above is just a few of my many water-hued pieces!

The year I was a mute.

I’ve probably mentioned this before, but English wasn’t actually my first language – French was. I was born in Québec and didn’t know any English until we moved out to Vancouver.

The culture shock must have traumatized me quite a bit because the year following our move, the only person who I’d speak to was my older sister, who had to translate everything for me from French to English.

Apparently, when I did finally speak English at the end of what must have been a very arduous year for my parents, I just screamed broken strings of the language while precariously teetering on a stool, turning beet red in the face.

After being transferred to an English elementary school in Grade 3, I got made fun of for having an accent so my teacher encouraged me to read and write. It was that push that really got me hooked on literature, which is why I am a dork who has not one, but two “I ♥ English Literature” shirts. And I quote Steinbeck…yeah.

My little language mix-up has actually worked out for me in an amazing way: not only do I now have two languages under my belt, but it helped me find my passion in life: writing!

Le jock.

If you’ve been reading my blog for awhile, you probably already know I’m a bit of an exercise nut. When I was younger, I played just about every sport under the sun, and pretty intensely too. District field hockey, rep level soccer, swimming, water polo, track, gymnastics, acro, volleyball…I did just about everything. Now I stick to running, weights, biking, swimming and soccer, but it’s still more than enough to keep me active.
I would say the most defining part about all the sports I did was that it gave me a really healthy sense of self and I never battled too much with body image, something which seemed like no big deal when I was younger but proved to be more of a rarity as I grew up and saw what lots of girls had to deal with.
When you’re focused on what your body can do for you in terms of strength and not how it’s failing you in terms of aesthetics, it’s hard to hate on it all that much. That, and to be perfectly honest…I think muscles are beautiful! Take a look at Jessica Biel.

—–
With that, I’m off for the weekend on a cabin trip with some girlfriends! I won’t get to do a cabin visit to my own place on the Sunshine Coast before I go to Toronto so this will be the next best thing (well, actually my friend’s place is like a woodland spa, so it’s more than that).
Hope you lovelies all have an amazing weekend! xx

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Leave a Comment

52 Comments

  1. 4.13.12

    Thank gosh you started this blog, i love reading your posts!
    Happy Birthday blog! (:

    souvenirspourtoujours.blogspot.com

    x

  2. 4.13.12

    Happy birthday to your blog, Alex! Thanks for sharing these anecdotes. You're so lucky to be bilingual 🙂

    xo, alison*elle

  3. 4.13.12

    Happy blog birthday!! Finding your blog when I first relocated to Vancouver has been so helpful- It keeps me inspired and keeps me in the loop as to what Vancouverites are doing! Also, I can totally relate to the water thing since I'm originally from Florida I lived in the water and I miss it so much.

  4. 4.13.12

    Happy 2 years! I just celebrated my 2 year blogaversary too : ) You are so lucky you can speak another language, I really wish I could. I guess it's never too late to learn, right? Have a great trip to the cabin!

  5. 4.13.12
    Joana said:

    Happy Blogversary! I did not know these things about you, but then again I'm quite a recent reader of yours. I love the sea too, but don't like exercise that much (only walking!) If you ever want to speak in French, tell me – I love practicing! (I'm Portuguese).

    xo Joana

  6. 4.13.12
    Shannon said:
  7. 4.13.12
    Indy said:

    Wow, happy anniversary!

  8. 4.13.12
    Carmen said:

    Nice to know those things about you! And happy blogiversary 😀
    xx
    http://www.clothesandcamera.blogspot.com

  9. 4.13.12
    hattitude said:

    Hattitude Style Blog

    happy 2 year blogiversary!

    i was a competitive swimmer when i was younger too. i loooved coming out here to vancouver and being near the ocean. don't go swimming in lake ontario back in toronto (polluted and disgusting!) head up to wasage beach or muskoka for some cottaging beach days!

    talk soon wild child
    -Hattie
    Hattitude Style Blog

  10. 4.13.12
    Sunkissed said:

    I'm so happy for you Alexandra 🙂 Its always refreshing reading about family stories! Here is to many, many more years of TO Vogue or Bust <3

  11. 4.13.12
    claude said:

    'bon anniversaire' pour le blog alors 🙂
    love the little insights!
    bon fin de semaine, enjoy

    xx
    claude

  12. 4.13.12

    Happy 2 years blog , Alexandra. Love reading and know more about you.
    xoxo
    Christy

    http://am2pmchic.blogspot.com/

  13. 4.13.12
    Wren said:

    Congratulations on two years! Those are some pretty powerful milestones. I'm excited to see what the next few years have in store for you.

    Wren

  14. 4.13.12

    Happy birthday, bloggie 🙂

    BTW look at this labrador vid. I was DYING omg http://fuckyeahlabradors.tumblr.com/post/21039786161/videohall-dog-keeps-falling-asleep-but-wont

  15. 4.13.12
    Rachel said:

    Happy blogging anniversary! This is such a cool post I learned so much about you! I didn't knowww that French was your first language! That is awesome! And i'm LOVING the field hockey stick— I played in college and I miss it so much! I've been a sports junkie my whole life too– it's nice to know another athletic person with fashion sense 🙂

    Have a great weekend! XO
    Rachel

    glamhampton.blogspot.com

  16. 4.14.12
    Naghmeh said:

    Happy Blog Birthday!!!! you've done such an amazing job and here's to more amazing blogging!
    xx

  17. 4.14.12
    Well... said:

    Happy Blog Birthday! Congrats on its success too.
    And wow, I never knew these things about you! Thanks for sharing 🙂
    Haha, glad you got the hang of English. I really wish I spoke a second language. I'm considering investing in a Rosetta Stone program.
    Also, I didn't know you were into so many sports. That's awesome! Just two years ago I finally joined a team and this year I got to play varsity basketball and volleyball. Its been such an invaluable experience. I definitely had some body image issues before, but now that I can see what my athletic build can do for me, I can actually appreciate it.

    Trendy Teal

  18. 4.14.12
    Cee said:

    Happy blogiversary, my lovely pal! I will be forever grateful to our blogs for bringing together the bizarre but obviously wonderful duo that we are 😉 I hope you have many more amazing years of blogging ahead of you, I'm so glad to know that at least I'll be able to see what's happening in your life while you're away. [Seriously, how did we live before the internet?] Hope you have a wonderful weekend ahead!
    xox,
    Cee

  19. 4.14.12

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  20. 4.14.12
    Anonymous said:

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  21. 4.14.12

    I loved reading these stories about you! Especially the fact that you are bilingual! I am so jealous! Sadly I took both two years of French and Spanish in high school, and then followed that with two years of Italian in college, and I remember so little (or it's a bastardized combination of the three)!

    Happy Blog Birthday! I am so happy to have found your blog 🙂

  22. 4.14.12
    Kelly said:

    congrats alex!! happy birthday to the blog!

    xoxo
    http://offkellyshanger.blogspot.com/

  23. 4.14.12

    congrats on the second anniversary. i love your posts – you make them so cute – i love the part how you didn't speak english, but french. you are really cool!

    xoxo, andie
    Fashionista's Pick

    ENTER MY GIVEAWAY HERE

  24. 4.14.12
    amuseume said:

    Congratulations fellow literature nerd!! You've certainly accomplished quite a bit in your two years so a proper celebration is well deserved.

  25. 4.14.12

    Beautiful post, and congrats on the blog!

    xoxo Sootjeelina <3

  26. 4.14.12

    Happy Two Years!! Congrats, and I love your 3 other life defining moments, very momentous! 🙂

    <3 Kelly

  27. 4.14.12

    Happy two years sweetheart! I love your blog! It's just so inspirational. You've inspired me to continue getting fit &, would you believe, me not being very sporty at all, I have actually started doing "lady" weights!! Who would ever think?
    Suzi x
    For the Love of Audrey

  28. 4.14.12

    congrats! and so many more.

  29. 4.14.12
    Natalia said:

    Congratulations on having such a great blog! I was a bit surprised to learn that you're bilingual but I guess languages are the best gift one can receive, you're very lucky!

  30. 4.14.12
    Elisabeth said:

    I started reading this post and got scared! It resembled my own post so much! Amazing, on the same day you started your blog, I went on my first date with my boyfriend, haha! What are the odds, really? I guess the 13th of April 2010 has a special meaning for both of us! Thank you so much for your kind comment!

    xxx
    E from Helsinki
    http://dragonflyelisabeth.blogspot.com/

  31. 4.14.12

    Happy 2nd blog bday, dear! <3

  32. 4.14.12

    Congratulations on two years! And good luck on your move and internship 🙂

    katiesbliss.com

  33. 4.14.12
    yiqin; said:

    aww congrats! you have a great blog 🙂

  34. 4.14.12

    Happy second birthday! xxx

    South Molton St Style

  35. 4.14.12

    massive congratulations on this wonderful milestone Alex!!!! you’re the cat’s meow, the dog’s howl, the beauty in the eye of many beholders and in short you're literally the be-all and end-all of fashion buck stops. way to rock on and with each season of style.

    i do know about the ache to be near the ocean. when i lived in T-dot i used to have major withdrawal and beg my boyf (at the time) to drive me over to "The Beaches" and get revitalized, it's really nice there, you'll see :)))

    now wait up and shuuuuut the front door! i didn't know English wasn't your 1st language or that whole story about coming to Vancouver. wow, i'm beyond impressed and in awe even more as to your fusion into such a huge lifestyle change. incredible and very cool!

    have a fun time at the cabin lovie, enjoy and soak it all up. xo ♥

  36. 4.14.12
    Marisa said:

    Happy 2 years to your blog Alexandra! Such an amazing accomplishment and thank you for sharing those big three moments in your life. I'm sure your move to Toronto this summer will be another positive life changing experience and can't wait to watch you on that journey through your wonderful blog!

    Marisa
    http://style-rhapsody.blogspot.com

  37. 4.15.12
    Romi Ya said:

    Happy 2 years!! These pics are so pretty! 🙂

    //Romiya Fashion Inspiration Blog//ONLINE STORE/GIVEAWAYS COMING SOON!

  38. 4.15.12

    Happy blogger birthday!!!!!
    I love ocean too!! You are very fortunate of knowing two languages as well as you do!!
    And I´d love to be as keen as you are in sports…
    Enjoy your girlfriends´weekend trip!!
    xoxo
    MY LITTLE SUEDE SHOES

  39. 4.15.12

    Happy 2 years! 🙂

  40. 4.15.12
    Eloise said:

    Happy Blog Birthday!

    xx

  41. 4.15.12
    Sam said:

    Happy Second Blog Birthday! And congratulations on two successful years, may you continue to inspire us with your stylish outfit posts and great ideas 🙂

  42. 4.16.12
    t said:

    Congrats on two years!

    http://initialed.blogspot.com

  43. 4.16.12
    Heather said:

    Happy blog birthday 🙂 I'm so glad I found your blog and that we are blogger buddies 🙂 You inspire me!

    XO
    http://www.pearlsandpaws.blogspot.com

  44. 4.16.12

    Aw, happy b-day! Still love visiting this blog!

  45. 4.16.12

    Really beautiful & inspiring post Alexandra! Congrats on your blog birthday, it's a pretty big accomplishment 🙂

    <3 Shawna
    Serpentine Streets

  46. 4.16.12
    becks said:

    Congrats and Happy 2 year! So happy I found your blog x

    http://www.beckspick.com

  47. 4.16.12

    Well cheers to your 2 year blogging anniversary! Congratulations! I feel the same way about the ocean. I'm so lucky to have lived near it for most of my life!

  48. 4.16.12
    Alison said:

    Congratulations on your blog's 2 year anniversary! That is such an amazing accomplishment!

    http://www.stylingmylife.com

  49. 4.17.12

    what a beautiful and thoughtful post. Thank you for sharing such an intimate part of your life~ it sure shows what kind of character you have, and how determined and amazing you are. COngrats on your blogs 2 yr, and for many more to come! I'll continuously be a fan and follower =)

  50. 4.17.12
    Jules M said:

    Congrats on two years blogging!! You have a great blog and are an awesome writer. Glad I found you 😉
    http://creativelystylish.wordpress.com/

  51. 4.18.12
    melissa said:

    COngratulations!!!! 2 years blogging, keep it up xx

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