Day Old Muffins

This outfit is a little old (pre-christmas), a little cheap (because I'm only using it now), but still decent if you warm it in the oven (i've got no parallel for that - any ideas?).

Red Berry shirt, Rich&Skinny jeans, Franco Sarto flats

I found this shirt at Sweet Pea during one of her many amazing, pre-Christmas sales. I was drawn to it because of its gray-ness, the knit texture, sleeve ruffles and the zipper on the back - unfortunately not seen here due to my forgetfulness during the photo session. On the up-side it means I will get to unveil the zipper next time! The ruffles add necessary detailing that bring the shirt to the next level while creating a gentle, gaga-esq shoulder line. 


The Franco Sarto flats are also a fantastic addition to my wardrobe bought on sale, at John David shoes, with my Christmas bonus. It was quite exciting, I have been stalking these flats since September. I saw them and just knew that they would fit right in with my closet, becoming fast friends with my Franco Sarto pumps and my Nine West peep toes. I just could not justify the $140 price tag at the time - one day I'll be able to,  just not yet. Needless to say I was uber excited to find that John David shoes had an awesome sale and my bonus just covered their purchase. I have noticed that they scuff up floors easily (trail from the water cooler straight to my cubicle) and squeak when I walk (no sneaking up for me) which makes not paying the full price for them even better. I think our relationship will only continue to get better with time.


Finally, please notice the print in the top right image. It is my english bulldog, Rataxes. Jack and I have wanted an english bulldog since before the general public realized they're adorable and they became trendy, however now that they are trendy they are also insanely priced and as a side note - our apartment does not allow pets. In lieu of a real Rataxes Jack designed us this guy which is also wonderful because our great big brick walls needed some art. I just wanted everyone to see this thing that I love, thank you all.

Boots Restored!

While reading my daily blogs I have begun to notice a trend. A pattern that only emerges once the weather darkens, the snow and slush pile up and the sidewalks become littered with salt - the demise of boots. Obviously boots should be worn in the colder months however most of us don't have the pleasure of living in warmer climates and therefore must take our beloved boots out to salt-covered, slushy streets that test the very fabric of our favourite boots whether we want them to or not. 

I, like many, have spent way too much money on new boots only to see them surrender after one harsh winter. I have even been so foolish as to buy two of the same boot two years in a row, knowing that it likely only had a season in it.  

This year, I got tired of not being able to build up my boot collection. This year I took two pairs of my Steve Madden boots, with torn up heels to the local shoe repair - Moneysworth&Best - to see what they could do. My brown SM weren't so bad, they had a stronger heel to begin with so the repair was quick and easy - $15. My black SM were awful. Holes so big I finally realize why people kept mistaking me for a hobo - not to say I didn't enjoy the extra change.

My poor Steve Madden boots. No heel. Giant hole. Sad life.

Repaired! A small patch, more noticeable with a camera flash on them than day-to-day. Tall(er) heel. No hole. Good as new... maybe a little dirty, but that's an easy fix!

 For $45, they removed the old sole, added a new one, added a slightly higher heel, put a very inconspicuous patch over the large hole area and cleaned the boots up good as new! They also told me that the best way to prevent this from happening is to have a slightly higher heel added upon purchase (which the store likely will not do, but someone like a shoe cobbler could for much less than $45).

What I loved about this experience is I now have a two-boot collection (not including rain boots) which I can continue to add to in various styles rather than repeatedly replacing staples.

Christmas Cheer

Just a quick, albeit semi-late, message wishing everyone a Merry Christmas! Hope you all had a wonderful last few days and can escape returning to work for a few more!

Tweed and Ribbon

The countdown is on! Yes, I realize it may be a little late to begin a countdown 3 days before the big day however tonight I watched Love Actually and wrapped Christmas presents and it's all beginning to sink in. Then, even though we will be hauling all the presents from house to house in 2 days time, I placed them under my tree and boy does it look festive. Christmas trees just look so much better with piles of presents at the base.

tuttle frock, mac&jac cardigan, hue tights, franco sarto pumps

So this is the newest addition to my closet and my tuttle collection. As with all my other tuttle dresses, this dress came from the Sweet Pea Collection and is more than I could ever imagine! While it is the same cut as the jazzy blue number I always rave about, this piece is slightly longer and therefore work appropriate! Huzzah! The fabric is also a nice thick tweed which makes it great for the winter. When I first saw this dress I grabbed it off the rack so forcefully that when I was pleasantly surprised when the display did not crash at my feet. I'm sure the ever-prepared Joey foresaw this type of situation and reinforced the shelving before Christmas shopping.
 This dress was meant for me. The tweed; gorgeous, warm and classic. The grey; my favourite colour - this blog was almost named grey noise. Clever, i know, unfortunately it was already taken. The detailing, oh the detailing; gentle and modern, subtle yet bold, effortless. You may not believe me but I didn't even notice the matte design throughout the tweed at first. I love how I can be so oblivious sometimes because it makes discovering these 'extra' things so much more wonderful! Get ready to see this one on repeat.

I have arrived

I did it. I finally bought tall socks. I've been reading blog after blog and seeing them used in so many wonderful ways and although I'm a little late, I have arrived. It feels pretty exciting. I now own a charcoal pair and a white pair. Unfortunately they are not over-the-knee as I could not find any (that's what I get for living in Nova Scotia and being no where near a target) but on the plus side I haven't updated my boots so they are tall enough to be seen!

press cardigan dress, le chateau scarf, american apparel slip, american apparel leggings, hue socks,
steve madden boots

I think this outfit worked out well. I enjoy this cardigan dress with its soft fabric and high comfort level but am often wary to put it on. This material is only good for so long before it becomes stretched this way and that, ending up loose and out of sorts. I still need to figure out how to wear a belt with it properly so if you have had an epiphany, please let me know. I also tend to wear it the same way every time, so any ideas on switching it up would also be greatly appreciated!

bulbs, trees and batman

I am excited to finally share my Christmas decoration with you! Luckily I was able to decorate before I lost all my motivation and creativity, something I didn't see coming but often occurs when my brain is at max capacity. This loss isn't so bad, for the most part I stay content or at least indifferent and calm. I only really run into trouble when trying to speak (cannot find the words, any words), while working on fun home-made gifts for my loves (cheerio art anyone?) or while trying to get a start on all the post 9-5 creative projects I've signed up for.

Although I have been seeing a lot of this style of decorating this season I am pleased to smugly let you know I have so been doing this for the last 3 years. hmmm, maybe i should not be smug and find a new way to decorate? Either way I still love this style. Bulbs are so quick, easy and fun. They add a splash of colour and festivity anywhere you can get them and they aren't to bulky to cause frustration. Our tree is covered only in bulbs. I'm not against ornaments. Bulbs are just simple and easy to work with, ornaments take searching and a revisiting. The only non-bulbs on our tree are the cupcake ornament, courtesy of my sisters, the lights and Jack's batman, he guards the presents. My favourite bulbs are the matte taupe and purple, but I like how the sparkly ones balance the tree.

Jack and I make our own Christmas cards. Jack and I tend to send our Christmas cards very late. You may only receive a Christmas card from Jack and I around New Years... Happy New Years! I love this card. Jack drew the reindeer and screen printed it on sheets of white paper. I mixed the colour and helped the screen printing process, mostly by playing with the paint. This year we were really into the same paper so that was easy. That may sound funny but there has been a lot of negotiating over paper in the past - paper weight? colour? white? off white? pattern? red/green? silver/gold? you can see how it may go. We're silly. To make the most out of our paper we made two different styles... soo fancy!

Freedom?

Guess what, guys? I think I have Stockholm syndrome - no lie. Yesterday was Saturday - as I'm sure many of you may have noticed - which meant that I had my whole closet at my disposal, no restrictions; pure freedom. What wonderful things did I accomplish with said freedom you may wonder? I chose ALL items from my 30 for 30 challenge - I am not joshin' you! While I am very excited that I have now technically created 31 outfits, I feel as though I may need to spend some time getting re-acquainted with my closet.

Stockholm syndrome or not, I did enjoy this outfit. It was pretty cold out yesterday and with brunch, TRON and Christmas shopping on the list I knew I'd have to be outdoors, walking around, braving the cold. This ensemble allowed me to stay comfy and toasty while only being mistaken for an old man once. Who knew old men wore oxfords and old man sweaters!?

Remix Revisited

It's only been two days and I'm already missing the remix challenge. I think Kendi summed it up well all the options just seem so overwhelming; I had become comfortable with my limitations. Considering how I'm feeling about my new found freedom I'm happy to report that the last two days weren't as lazy as I had originally planned. I did, however, relish my flats in a way I never felt possible. Although my laziness didn't materialize in my outfits, it did emerge in the mornings, before work when I didn't push myself to do the photo sessions. Never fear though, this was just a temporary lapse. I have enjoyed the personal style blogging and will definitely continue the outfit posts.


For now, please enjoy a recap of the thirty outfits as well as my top 5 favs.

a word of advice if you are thinking of doing the remix challenge:
When you're choosing your pieces pick items that you love, items you can already imagine mixing into at least two outfits. Then choose items you loved when you bought but haven't been wearing much since. This way you'll be able to rely mostly on items you're comfortable with while pushing yourself, and discovering more about yourself, on days you're brave. 

These are my favs, what are yours?

This is it

I first came across Kendi's blog a week or two prior to this remix challenge. I loved her look, style and challenge proposition but was confused about how it could work for me, a girl with no blog. I had been toying with the idea the idea of a blog on and off in months past but could never nail down a topic. Of course, I loved a number of personal style blogs, borrowing inspiration from many a posts, I just felt as though I was not as experienced fashion-wise as the rest and therefore had no place displaying my attempts as advice.

Why I remix
A week into the challenge, I finally decided  - on a whim - to join in. I remixed because I wanted to discover more about my closet, more about blogging and more about myself; whether I could handle these restrictions or if I would crack. I also love a great challenge and the idea of limiting myself was exciting. Limitations... exciting? Yes, they are. Limitations are exciting because once you enter the real world with bills, debt and 9 - 5 jobs that don't cover everything you'd like them to, the fun of shopping can become less care-free and a little more worrisome. I remixed because I realized that learning to mix and match my current items - especially a small portion of them would make me feel clever and remind me that I have a whole side of my closet that had yet to be discovered.

What I learnt
Remixing has taught me a lot of things about my closet, blogging and myself, but I will stick to only telling you 5.

1. I was right. I do feel clever and see my closet in a new light. My move now is to push myself out of my newly established comfort zone and new go-to outfits and begin incorporating other forgotten gems.
2. My style is something worth showcasing. Everyones support has been so overwhelming and encouraging. I love finding people who share my style and others who challenge it, provoking me to try something new; something bold. I love knowing that I have inspired someone in the same way I have been inspired - past and present.
3. I can get over my  camera-shy tendencies and begin to have some fun having my picture taken; even to the point where I am excited for my next outfit post... and believe me, there will be more! I owe a lot of this to my wonderful boyfriend, Jack, who makes the photo shoots so much fun and gets me to try something other than looking at my feet.
4. I LOVE tall socks peeking out the top of boots! I seriously cannot wait to try this. I know I am late to this trend but I am often late to trends so I'm used it. I just hope that I have not missed the season... too much snow means salted streets which means I live in my tretorns.
5. I need to learn how to style my hair in a new way. Straight hair and bangs are great and I enjoy them, but I need to mix it up once in a while.

Kersh cardigan, Kensie blouse, BCBG skirt, H&M belt, Hue tights, Steve Madden boots

For my last outfit, I decided to try something new. Not only have I not paired these items together before, I have never combined grey and brown before! I had used all my great go-tos so I figured the only way to go out with a small scale blast would be to push my boundaries and try to create a new gem. I was little wary that the length of the skirt would clash with the height of my boots but I received quite a few compliments at work today which put my mind at ease.

I'm a little worried about tomorrow. I'm a little overwhelmed by the looming freedom to roam my closet as I so choose. I suppose we'll just have to wait and see how it will work out!

Those were the days

I'll admit it; I get a little jealous. I see so many 30 for 30 blogs filled with tons of cute, fun outfits and I yearn for the days when I was still a student and the only dress pants I owned were for my business presentations. Those were the days, I miss my daily dose of jeans. Today is my second-last remix outfit and I am trying to plot a big finale. It was during my scheming that I had my bout of nostalgia when I realized I still had a few greats up my sleeve but they all incorporated jeans - ha-rumph. Technically my work doesn't have a dress code so I think I could wear jeans tomorrow but I need to stay far far away from those flood gates.

Halogen jackets, 'a' shirt, Club Monaco skirt, Club Monaco belt, Calvin Klein tights, Franco Sarto pumps

This was another first for me. Although I had paired the shirt with the skirt before, I had always worn the shirt untucked. Tucking the shirt into the skirt and pairing it with the belt really cleaned up the look. I really enjoy how the bagginess of the skirt contrasts with how fitted the skirt is. I still can't decide if the pattern of the tights conflicts with the pattern of the shirt but the tights were subtle so I think I got away with it. I have to admit that I still get stumped with the neck of the shirt; i don't know which way to flop it. Today I tried to think of it as a scarf instead; it helped a little. 


Here's hoping I can work some magic for tomorrow - I may just plan ahead rather than groping around my closet in a rush tomorrow morning.

What's a girl to do?

Not going to lie - I'm a bit of a crank today. I didn't mean to wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning but I rolled over, opened my eyes and there it was. 

So what is a grumpy girl to do to combat the blues? Well, shopping it out. So is calling in sick and crawling back under the covers. My answer: tuttle. obviously. You've all seen this one before. Same basic idea with a new twist slash switch up the cardigan, boots and tights. I also added this jacket but only wore it for half the day.

Please excuse some of the photos, they are slightly hilarious. Halifax had an intense wind warning and on-and-off rain all day. I was trying to be brave; take advantage of a semi-warm day and a break in the rain. Surprisingly - great for my mood. Not surprisingly - horrible for my hair.

Halogen jacket, mac&jac cardigan, tuttle dress, Club Monaco belt, Hue tights, Steve Madden boots

Back to Reality

I almost wanted to skip posting this remix outfit and pretend that I stayed in sweats all day Sunday. The outfit is not horrid - in fact it's one of my favourites. The issue lies with how recently it was worn. Usually, I would never dream of committing this cardinal sin of repeating such a bold piece so often in so few days but I am dangerously close to the end of this challenge and living life on the edge. I also waited a silly amount of time to tag this one in and feel I owe to myself to mix it at least one more way - a dressier way. Additionally, keep in mind that the last time I wore it was to work and last night was for my friend's birthday dinner where nobody from my work would be in attendance.

Club Monaco boyfriend blazer, tuttle dress, Hue tights, Steve Madden shoes, necklace from Biscuit

My mantra: I love tuttle. I love Sweet Pea. I love this dress. It is so much more versatile than I originally imagined (just wait for spring when I pair it with my grey converse). It can go day to night easy peasy and loves to be taken out and shown off. Pairing the black blazer tones down it's edge and makes it a great choice, and one of my favourite choices, for a late dinner.


This is also one of my favourite photo-shoots. We stopped by an un-finished road to get my pictures and I was super brave and didn't even make Jack hide the camera when people walked, or drove, by. This may seem silly but is a big deal for me!

We were on a break...

Sorry about my sudden disappearance; my weekend was a lot busier than I had anticipated. Don't worry though because I have vowed to get caught up and blogged up by tomorrow at the latest.


Saturday night we had a Christmas party. It was lovely. Lots of friends, some family, too much food, a few too many spirits and therefore, some trouble. The evening started out rocky when we had an argument. I had had enough. It's not that I wasn't committed; it was just that the evening was special and I wanted something new. Against my better judgement, I cheated. It's not that I don't love my 30 items or value the amazing experiences we've had these past 26 days, I was just drunk off excitement and Christmas spirit. My vision was cloudy and my morals, lax. Before I knew it I has wandered into the forbidden section of my closet and had thrown myself into a luscious dress I bought last year. A dress that I had worn once, flirted with often and eventually forgot. I know I should have been stronger and not given in on a whim, but the temptation was too great; the fabric so soft and new. I regretted it immediately and the next morning my remix and I had a good chat and decided to finish what we started.

Monoreno dress, American Apparel faux leather leggings, Franco Sarto shoes

Quick note: dress obviously from Sweet Pea. Did I even need to say it? This store is my go-to for a reason.

The time has come

Today I finally wore my favourite dress. I have been saving it since the very beginning of the remix challenge and was beginning to worry that it may get skipped completely. I was worried that I had waited too long to throw it in and the time had passed; there were no more dinners or weekend events left to fit it in. I had finally resolved to wear it tomorrow during that day but knew that wasn't practical just because I have too many errands and chores, most involve cleaning or moving. I had never considered wearing it to work because it is quite short but then I realized, it's winter! This realization that it's winter is not usually accompanied by an exclamation point. I severely dislike winter. I do not enjoy being cold, having my face become blotchy the minute I leave my apartment or salt ruining my footwear. However, in this case winter is a wonderful thing. Winter means tights. Nice thick tights that make short dresses seem not so short. It also helped that I only had a half day of work today so I knew if I felt inappropriately dressed I would have an escape. As soon as I got to work I conferred with my friend, Jenny, and we agreed that the tights, boots and cardigan toned it down enough to make it work friendly. Phew.

MEXX cardigan, tuttle dress, Hue tights x2, Steve Madden boots.

Obviously my favourite dress is by my favourite dress designer - the wonderful Katrina Tuttle, and from my favourite dress store - the ever impressive Sweet Pea. I know I've said in the past I'm afraid of patterns and I always thought I was, that is until this challenge. This challenge has really showed me that although I may have previously been afraid of patterns I have recently become quite comfortable with them. The pattern on this dress is by far the best pattern I have ever seen. I love how it seems very geometric and modern yet also looks like a water colour painting. The colours are all amazing and they all look fantastic together. When I first bought it I was wary of how bold it was and how much attention it may draw to me while walking around in it during the day {Halifax tends to lean more casual often than not}. Since I was so smitten with the dress I very quickly got over this shyness, paired it with some grey converse and took it out the farmers' market and we've been inseparable ever since. Have I adequately expressed my love?? 

You may have noticed I put hue tights x2. That's because I layered a grey pair of tights underneath my purple tights to create a darker purple. I felt the lighter purple was a little washed out and wanted a darker more opaque tight. Since shopping is currently frowned upon I doubled up.

I think I mentioned I got my haircut last Saturday. Well my bangs have grown slightly and are past the awkward just-cut phase so I chose a few photos that highlighted an old favourite and my winter must-have; blunt bangs. I call them a winter must-have because summer is hot so blunt bangs become crusty bangs. Looks like you've got another check in your 'pro' column winter... just you wait, you haven't won yet.

It's all in the tights

The closer we get to Christmas the more insane life gets which is unfortunate because all I want to do is decorate my fake tree, relax, watch christmas movies and drink egg nog. So I must apologize for this will be quick and dirty. If you're jonesing for a longer read check out my tree story post. Some weird real-tree-angst over took me this morning and I could only express it through an overly dramatic short story.

lovelygirl shirt, Club Monaco skirt, Club Monaco belt, Hue tights, Franco Sarto pumps

I have had this one in my back pocket from the beginning of the challenge. These are all pieces you have seen multiple times in various ways, but I just love how they come together in this outfit. You've already seen me gush over this shirt before and boy would I like to again, but I've got to keep this short... ok, maybe I will say a few words. I love how this shirt makes me feel when I wear it. It's so comfortable and the pattern makes me feel feminine and graceful but bold and strong at the same time. This feeling extended to my entire outfit as the pencil skirt reinforced the feeling of femininity and gracefulness while the belt supported the boldness and strength. I love these hue tights. From far away the pattern isn't immediately noticeable and I like that subtlety; the quiet statement of it all.

Tree Story

We had to give up our real tree. It was a sad day. We didn't want to just throw him on the side of the road like he had never mattered; never meant anything to us. It would have been depressing to watch him outside in the wind and the rain while we sit inside with a hole in our hearts and our livingroom, a hole where this tree used to be. A tree sized hole. Instead we made sure that he got a good home. Called around. Jack's sister, Ruby said she'd take him off our hands - take good care of him. She's going to put him up and decorate him. Turn off his Christmas lights each night before bed so he knows someone still cares. We were told we can visit him on weekends and even Christmas day- we haven't been able to see him yet, he needs time to adjust.


We have a new, fake, tree now. We try to act as though no tree came before it, as though no all-encompassing emptiness exists within our household, as though nothing is missing. We took it out of its box and stacked it, carefully spreading its tips by threes and then fanning out the rest. We tell it that it's a good tree, and try not to remember how the he smelt as we smile at it reassuringly. How he soaked up water and light, so full of life and promise. 


This weekend we're going to decorate our tree; show it how wonderful it is, how wonderful it can be, how much it means to us. Then we'll sit back, turn on its lights and think of what's to come, allowing the memories of a different time drift away, ever so slightly.

Whammy!

As in double. Double whammy. I did it again folks. Two outfits, one day. 

Today rather than coming home, changing into sweats making dinner and settling in for the night I had a friend-date to try on bridesmaid dresses (yes you, miss mary townsend!). To be honest I contemplated wearing my sweats to the bridal gown store but realized that would likely be frowned upon and my friend-date, Lorrie, agreed. So what's a girl to do?? Certainly she cannot get back into her office wear, she's already shed those 9-5 clothes and refuses to look back. The answer was another 30 for 30 Remix outfit which was fine with me. 

Tulle oxford shirt, BCBG skirt, Club Monaco belt, Silks tights and Franco Sarto pumps

Today was another new one for me, I love when I discover a new combination of some old favourites. I've been wanting to figure out a way to work my oxford into work wardrobe and I think I just may have it! I love how the shirt is casual a loose and how the skirt brings it in and cleans it up. I felt very brave pairing my checkered tights with this outfit because technically I mixed patterns - which is something I have never done, at least not knowingly. It's something I admire so much in other people, I just have yet to figure it out for myself. So I began with baby steps. You may not be able to tell buy my oxford has pin stripe pattern; pin stripes and checkers = mixing patterns! 

For this evening's outfit I threw together some layering magic to ensure I was toasty while out in the stark cold evening. Once again this is a new mix of items, one I've never attempted before. At times the outfit felt a little bulky but it's to be expected when you have a long sleeve layered under a three quarter sleeved coat with puffy shoulders.

Halogen jacket, tuttle&leonardo shirt, Rick&Skinny jeans, Steve Madden boots.

Please forgive the low-res photos. Since it's night the lighting was not ideal for clothing photos so I have to lighten the three images on the right so you could see the layering properly. The two photos on the left haven't been changed. I wanted to include both so you could see the combo while getting a better idea of how the colours work together at their richest tones.

Bulky or not, I found this pairing of items fun, comfortable and most importantly, warm. I am planning on using this one again and possibly pairing the top half with a black skirt to make it office friendly. 

Side note: The necklace from yesterday's outfit was from the now defunct Peep Show. It is made of painted wooden beads and I am considering trying to recreate it in new colours.

Have I already worn this one??

The answer is no, but kind of. I wore the shirt and jacket combo for remix outfit#8 but the pants, shoes and necklace make the combo brand spanking new...ish. 

Halogen jacket, Kensie blouse, BCBG slacks, Club Monaco skinny belt, Franco Sarto pumps

Between this outfit and Remix #8 I definitely enjoy number 8 better; the aubergine and white just seem to pop against the full black. Another way I like to wear this outfit is with my black tee swapped in for my white shirt. I think that I will save the white blouse and jacket combo for the skirt and use the black tee and jacket combo when wearing the pants. I love how the splash of green from the necklace helps to highlight the aubergine and show it in a new light. This green and purple somehow seem made for each other.


I love the colour and cut of these slacks but ever since the dry cleaners shrunk my pants I just don't feel the same way I used to. I included an image of the hemline against my heels, do you think the slacks are too short to pair with this shoe? I may be a little more worried than I should be, however when you're my height half an inch can make all the difference. 

Seven Secrets

I got tagged by Rose of Lovely Ladypants McGee to expose seven secrets about myself and then tag seven others to do the same. I'm pretty new to the blogging world so I don't know if how great I will be at this but let's see how it goes!


1) I am very camera shy and have been modest and humble in front of the camera for the better part of my life. Usually, if you put a camera on me you can be sure that I will begin to smile awkwardly, push my chin into my neck, talk, blink, fall; basically acy a mess and ruin a picture. This challenge has really pushed me to become more comfortable in front of the camera - although I still am at my most comfortable when posing while looking at the ground {fear of my soul being stolen and all}. I am even beginning to have some fun in front the camera, you may have seen me jumping in my one of my last posts. This fun may come from the fact that Jack, my boyfriend, has been a great sport and my photographer for this journey. He began it as a favour but has realized it can help strengthen his photography skills so now he has a vested interest too. Since he's been doing so much for me now I have to be a good sport and start to try a little harder for him.


2) I have many guilty pleasures and they all include the CW. I don't know what it is, no matter how the years may pass I still love teen girl drama. I'm not talking about high school fights among friends, I'm talking about Gossip Girl, Vampire Diaries, 90210, Hellcats… did I miss anything? I also love Hillary Duff movies, anything with Amanda Bynes and now movies starring Emma Stone. I never had a drama filled high-school existence and maybe it's why I adore this genre so much now. Seriously, don't judge me. I swear I'm a good person.


 3) I love documentaries and tv shows about drugs, gangs, rap (and that is not a typo, I mean rap, as in Biggy) and murder. I'm not sure when this began. I think it dates back to a morning when I was 21 or 22 and a little hungover. There was a documentary was on MuchMusic about Biggy Smalls and Suge Knight. Obviously most people are aware of the situation, however having grown up on NOFX, Sublime, S Club 7 and the Backstreet {I have a complicated palette} rather than rap and R&B, I was not one of these people. Since then my tastes have been refined and I will not fall over myself for just any drug and gang filled entertainment that comes my way. Now I opt for the better options like the Corner and the Wire - both amazing.


4) I have thoroughly enjoyed the 30 for 30 Challenge. I loved re-discovering my wardrobe and pairing items together that I hadn't previously considered. I have been very good and only have worn items from the 30 for 30 except for when I'm at home lazing in my sweats and sweatshirts. I cannot wait for the next challenge.


5) I may have to cheat a little and wear a non-challenge outfit in the upcoming week. I do not want to cheat and I want to get through this challenge with a clean record. However, it is the holiday season and I have a party this Saturday, which will be day 26, and I simply would not be able to forgive myself if I passed up a chance to dress up for the holidays! I will be wearing a challenge outfit all day long but will change into my bad outfit for the night. But don't worry, it's not cheating if the challenge and I are on a break for the night… right??


6) I have wanted to begin a blog for a long time but could never find the courage or settle on a topic. Well, I have yet to finalize the topic although the 30 for 30 Challenge definitely offered me a starting point and the courage has made enough of an appearance, although I foresee second guessing myself for a while to come. I have been loving the experience even though it has been a lot more work that I expected. I enjoy exercising my writing skills and know I care about my blog because I become frustrated when I catch myself being lazy but don't have the time to stop a minute and edit. I also did not realize how easy it would be to connect with people through blogging and I've been loving the sense of community, getting to know new people and reconnecting with old friends. I will definitely continue to blog once the challenge is complete.


7) I love to colour inside the lines, literally; this isn't an analogy. When I was younger I was obsessed with staying inside the lines, I just loved how it looked. I think I saw a big kid do it once. They would make a dark red line right inside, and all around, the pre-defined black line and then would lightly colour in the rest of the area. I remember being amazed by how quickly a crummy colouring page could be turned into something vibrant, bold and beautiful and my deepest desire was to accomplish the same thing. I guess this could be a little symbolic of myself however, while I would not dare to cross outside that black line on page I occasionally allow myself that freedom in life.


Now I don't think I have become acquainted with seven bloggers yet so I will tag  a few 30 for 30 remixers I've been following throughout the challenge. What would a nerd wear, a pretty penny, simple subtle style, la belle vie, hello, monkeyface, closet comforts, and chai love you.

A victim of the weather

Mondays were made for t-shirts, or perhaps t-shirts were made for Mondays; either way the two of them are definitely besties. In fact, this tee is the only item that was carried over from the outfit I had initially planned to wear today. As per usual Halifax's rainy, windy weather threw a wrench into my wardrobe. Some slacks can hold up in the rain, the ones I had my eye on get wet, and then they get wrinkled. Instead I opted for tights; easily soaked but quick to dry and no one's the wiser. Fresh off my purple-tight success I decided it was time to pull out the burgundy, a colour suspiciously similar to my "Just a Little Rosti" polish which sadly did not make it to Monday. I'm still slightly wistful at the thought of having chosen a pair of patterned tights instead however my outfit was seriously lacking some colour and I think the tights helped shake the monochrome.

Valerie Dumaine cardigan, Black tee, Club Monaco skirt, Club Monaco belt, Hue tights, Franco Sarto pumps

I bought this cardigan two years ago during one of the only boxing day sales I've been fortunate enough to make it to. I had been stalking this cardigan for months leading up to the purchase, never sure if I could make the style my own. As I walked into Biscuit I was sure that it would be gone and I would end up flitting around until I found something suitable to make up for the loss. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surpirsed. I love all the subtle ways it is detailed. The slight ruffle and puff on the shoulders. The seam on the top part of the bust and the lace detailed above that seam. The black ribbing on the wrists of the sleeve and down the buttons. It's all so very feminine and soft. It's also very warm and cozy making it the perfect addition to fight off Halifax's crummy weather. I saved this cardigan day after day of the challenge knowing there would be a day that would call for its rescue, my only regret is I didn't get to call on it more often.

Oh Christmas Tree?

We finally got our first Christmas tree! The weather this weekend tried to thwart our efforts but we persevered, running to the lot the minute we had a sunny window of opportunity. It took fifteen minutes and a jean sacrifice {I'm hoping sap comes out easy} and it is up in our livingroom standing tall. Although, because we have 12 ft ceilings it doesn't look that tall. i'm going to move the tall bookcase into our bedroom in hopes of creating an illusion that it's taller.

Now that we have this tree I need to face the harder question of "How do I decorate it!?". I must admit I am slightly overwhelmed. I just don't know which direction I would like to take this in. I already have decorated the majority of our apartment so the stage has been set and colours are in place. I know I should incorporate some of the colours into the tree but I also realize the tree is a statement and as such it could stand alone and have the whole apartment still work in harmony. I'm also struggling with style. I know that I will go with the white twinkle lights and that I have always admired very simply decorated trees but how simple am I willing to go? Also, bows? I like the idea of them and am in love with them when the decorate the trees found in high-end boutiques but will that work in my house - do I want it to work in my house? As for the topper - I have never been a fan; not of stars, not of angels not of santas. I think this is the same problem I am facing with choosing colours for my portfolio site design; it is such a statement to have this one thing stand out above the rest and no item I find seems worthy.

As you can see I am thrown through a loop. I do not know which direction to take this and I have millions more queries than I have disclosed to you. Any advice? Any favourites of your own? 

My current decorations include:
vases filled with bulbs - blues, pearls, silvers, silver sparkles, taupes
a small tree - decoaretd with similar bulbs, white lights a small red and green bells.
little red, green and silver gift confetti scattered under the little tree.

I don't think there's room for gold but other than that I don't have many vetos in place just yet!




Update: Apparently you cannot have real Christmas trees in apartment buildings. sad life. now to find our beautiful tree a new home.

Lazy Sunday: Outfit #20

This morning I woke up to cloudy skies with patches of blue indicating that I may have a window to get my Christmas tree! I quickly got up, searching for any clothing items that qualify for the 30 for 30 that I have yet to wear together. I was severely disappointed  when I realized that my skinny belt did not transform my oxford shirt in a way that both excited and surprised me. I was on a mission so I didn't have time to spend my morning mixing and matching so I opted for Plan B. What is Plan B you ask? Cardigan, tee, scarf. You may remember the basic recipe from last weekend. It's a great fall back, even though I feel slightly dull for not trying a little harder.

Kersh Cardigan, Black tee, Rick&Skinny jeans, Steve Madden boots, Esprit Scarf

You'll have to forgive me; I was very fidgety during the photo shoot. I had keys in my jeans pocket which were stabbing me as keys do when shoved into tight jeans. I included a close up of my hands to show off my new OPI - Just a Little Rosti at This. I have never been a big fan of red nail polish, always fearing the show and attention of it all. I think that's why I like this shade so much, the red is dark and much like the tone of my Ski Teal we Drop.  I have been going a little nail polish crazy lately, overwhelmed with all the shades out there that I enjoy. I wanted to make sure I showed it off because I've gotten paint stuck on my nails so I have to re-paint tonight, what a shame.

For lack of a better title.

I decided that this year was the year we would get our first Christmas tree! I inherited I small fake tree from a friend who was moving and although I love it and it's adorable, I'm ready for the big leagues. I couldn't decide for the longest time whether to make the leap and I feel that I must disclose my cons, they are pretty amazing. {Note: Jack and I still spend Christmas with our families because if we were in our apartment Christmas morning there would have been no pro/con tree list.}

Con - pine needles all over my apartment. 

Con - I don't have a tree base. 

Con - Watering a Christmas tree is awkward and annoying and I don't want to do it often. 

Con - If I don't water it, it will dry up and there will be pine needles all over my appointment.

Con - I love giant trees (because I'm a giant). Giant trees need lots of water and have an insane amount of pine needles.

In the end the tree won out over my laziness and I am excited. We were going to pick it up yesterday but it has been raining non-stop in Halifax and a rainy tree is definitely a con, so instead we went to see Morning Glory with Rachel McAdams, Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton and so many more great people. I loved it. There were some points I found disjointed and I was a little confused about how the love story evolved but overall, great time, great decision. What stayed with me the most was the dress Rachel McAdams wore to her interview at NBC. It was definitely not a dress I would ever choose to wear to an interview but for the sake of movie magic; it was totally believable. So, for your viewing pleasure, the mystery dress:

Another one Bites the Dust

This morning I got my hair did. I made the appointment at the beginning of November when my hair was driving me insane. I had just had a bang trim so I made the appointment for a few weeks later so they could grow out again, however by the time this weekend came around my hair and I were no longer on the outs. I know how I am, and I love my hair dresser, so I kept the appointment, got some movement added to get me through the winter months and some blunt bangs for the holiday season. David, my hair boyfriend - we've been together for about 8 years and are still going strong, is currently perfecting his curling technique using a flat iron. I love when he takes on such projects because I tend to benefit, for example; I've gotten a quick how-to curl my hair and a free stylin during my last 2 visits! I am someone who loves to be pampered and even more so, loves to play dress up.

tuttle dress, Club Monaco belt, Hue tights, Steve Madden boots, Hair by David

Jack and I decided to have a little fun with the pictures and since it was raining out we had to try and make them exciting inside. Obvious answer? jumping! The jumping was fun and hard to master. This is actually the only picture where my face isn't twisted into some weird grin which works out well since it also has the clearest image of my dress. Jack was also being hilarious today so I'm either laughing, post laughing or warning him not to make me laugh in there pictures.

We're getting into the point in the challenge now where you've seen most of my clothing and I've discussed the pros and cons of each piece. I counted this as a different outfit than the first time I wore the dress because a) I did not include a blazer or cardigan, b) my tights are different, c) my boots are different, d) I wore my belt. Works for me, 11 left to go.

Friday Two Two

I had packed it in and was down for the count when we decided to venture out to our friend's show. Although it was a Friday, I had settled into the idea of an early bedtime and some tv. So, when we made the decision to go I was moving at a snail's pace and dragging my feet, that is until I realized this meant a new outfit! Two outfits in one day you ask? I know, insanity. Well, not really. Before this challenge began it was very normal for me to begin the day dressed one way and change once or twice before the day was through. I quit this behaviour upon beginning the challenge because I feared I may run out of options. Now that I am more than half finished the challenge I'm not as worried and I am simply growing impatient. The impatience isn't so much a result of the the Challenge itself as it is the pressure of the upcoming Holiday season and my desire to wear pretty dresses outside of my 30 items.

MEXX cardigan, RW&Co shirt, Rich&Skinny jeans, Steve Madden boots and Tretorns for later.

The show was at a dive bar with a brutal draft so it took a while to put together something warm but nice, but not too nice. I finally had my outfit finally decided on, had finished snapping some pictures and was about to leave when I realized it was raining. I know that I did not include these rainboots in the 30 for 30, but seriously, what's a girl to do? ruin her shoes? I hope the moderator will give me a pass on this one!

fee fi foe fay, I smell friiidayy

This morning, as I began to put on the outfit I had chosen last night I remembered a shirt. A shirt, I had not yet worn. A shirt, I had forgotten was included in my 30 for 30 options. A shirt, that is warm, comfy and perfect for a rainy, dreary day such as this. I rudely told my bf blazer, "better luck next time sucka!" and hung him back in my closet while grabbing my soft, sweet alternative from the top shelf. Some days the tailored stiffness of a jacket is something you just want to live without.

Banana Republic sweater, Rick and Skinny jeans, Steve Madden boots

I have a love/hate relationship with this sweater. I love the style; the buttons on the left shoulder, the thickness of it's stripes. I dislike that it isn't quite long enough on the bottom, that it doesn't hang more loosely off my chest (I may have to take the blame for that one) and that it stretches after one use. I've taken to wearing it with a new pair of grey Kensie jeans, ordered from Beyond the Rack, my leather coat and a colourful scarf requiring me to improvise since the jeans are not a part of the challenge and it is too cold and rainy for such a coat. I was happy how this combination came together and was very happy I chose to wear my faux pearls, which had been an after-thought.

Thursday is the best day!

I woke up today singing Florence and the machines. I have listened to Of Montreal, Arcade Fire and Sleigh Bells yet the song plays on. Now I am playing detective; trying to find the source.  Why was the song even in my head this morning when I woke up? Was it because of the youtube video I watched with the baby that goes nuts for the song? Or was it when it was performed two nights ago on Glee? Unfortunately I do not have this song on my iphone, I just never got around to getting it which is strange considering I drop everything when it comes on so I can have a 4minute and 10 second dance party. Around noon this morning I decided it didn’t matter; that, as a result of this song being in my head, my day was exceptionally great.

Vero Moda dress, Kersh Cardigan, Hue tights, Steve Madden booties, necklace from Sock It To Ya

This dress is a staple in my life. I think I have expressed this once before and I stand by the sentiment now. I was able to wear this outfit throughout my 8:30 - 5 workday and then out to dinner and drinks afterwards with a group of my women colleagues. As a lover of clothes and a girl who wants to complete the challenge before holiday parties begin, I was hoping for an outfit change between work and dinner but was pleased to be able to wear this and feel comfortable in a different setting. Once again I have offered up the question: Did I choose the right shoes? I went with the black booties, a practical choice forces by the rain; however, was it the right choice fashion-wise or should I have chosen the pumps? 


I feel as though I over-killed on the outfit photos though. The outfit is fairly simple; not too many pieces and so not too many angles needed to get the feel of it. However, while choosing which images to use in this post, I accidentally placed the photos in a way which inspired my layout. Once I was hooked on the layout I decided it didn't matter if I was being repetitious, I needed to pull it off and 6 large blocks with 2 thin blocks would do so. This may sound a little OCD but I'm sure some of you may understand...

old is the new, new

Here is a new twist on an old recruitment ad I created a few weeks ago. The original appeared in the Chronicle Herald which requires ads to be in black and white unless you opt to pay for colour at the low price as your first born child. As I have no children to speak of and no one to steal them from I had to go with the black and white option. This ad however, will appear in a University Engineering yearbook so colour was more of an option.

Initially I couldn't decide on a text colour for the "Graduate Engineers". I flip-flopped between the same yellow as used in "careers" or having it remain the initial white. I found when I coloured it yellow, the top of the ad became too heavy with yellow creating a sense of un-balance. Eventually I noticed the colour I had been passing up {the only other colour in the ad} tried it and loved it. I like how the colouring highlights and targets who we are trying to recruit. I also like how the colouring creates a visual connection between the person in the foreground and the focus of our recruitment. When designing an ad for a defence contractor it is easy to be mistaken for an army or military recruitment ad. Being able to create a connection between the photos used and the actual positions being offered helps to ensure that not only will the message be received by the right audience and we won't be passed over. 

Wednesday Peaches

Wednesday Peaches is an actual thing, I'm not just throwing a bunch of nonsense words together, although you may not know that if you didn’t grow up in my house. In case you're trying to guess, good guess but it is not that we were given peaches on Wednesday. It was the nickname my mom gave me when I was little; I don’t know where it came from. It’s possible it was because I was born on a Wednesday and my head was shaped like a peach or just my mom likes combining words that sound nice together …either way it works as a title and my weekday-title-naming-streak continues!

MEXX cardigan, tuttle dress (a la Sweet Pea), Hue tights, Steve Madden booties

I had some difficulty deciding whether to go with the purple tights or some grey tights, the booties vs the black boots or the cardigan vs my boyfriend blazer. After putting Jack through some grueling “which is better” this is what I got, and what I got is either the best combination of items or an outfit courtesy of Jack tiring of the game. I can’t blame him though considering he was woken up 10 minutes prior and had yet to drink his coffee. 

Rather than the bf blazer I went with the cardigan-dress combo sans belt creating a relaxed look that is still office-appropriate as a result of inherent elegance of the dress.  I think it’s funny that I did not include a belt after yesterday’s rant however I’m happy to prove that not only can a cardigan-dress combo can work without a belt but the absence of the belt creates a completely different feel. I opted for the booties rather than the boots because I realized with 15 more outfits to go I’ll want to wear this dress again and it may just fall on a weekend. The purple tights also tipped my decision towards today’s combination of pieces. I purchased these tights last year from Sock it to Ya and although I love the idea of them (I have been crushing on light mustard yellow tights for a while now too) I rarely know what to do with them.