Grey Days, Big Coffees

Pink Martini trench {old, similar} | sweatershirt {last season, similar} | faux leather leggings {similar}  | chucks
necklaces c/o Pearls for Girls NA & Stella & Dot

There's something about grey days that calls for big coffees... or multiple coffees, or multiple, big coffees. I can't say exactly how much coffee I had this weekend but I most certainly over-did it.

If you follow me on twitter you may have seen my news - Jack & I are on the move again! This time we're headed to Toronto! I recently accepted a new position at my company. Since my new team is in Toronto and the city has a strong Television & Film Industry (Jack's line of work) we realized it's the right place for us right now. We will most definitely be bummed to leave Montreal -it's such a beautiful city- and all our new friends but are also very excited to explore Toronto and start a new adventure!

The big move happens June 1st which means all our weekends are now booked up with apartment hunting (from afar), downsizing, kijiji-ing, packing and saying goodbye to our favourite restaurants....and friends, of course! During this time my current love of simple, relaxed outfits may become a full blown obsession. Now that I think of it, perhaps the grey days aren't to blame for my severe coffee intake this weekend after-all...

RAIN PREPAREDNESS

Pink Martini sweater [similar] | Talula oxford shirt [similar] | faux leather pants [similar] | DV booties [similar]
Longchamps bag | necklace c/o Pearls for Girls | American Apparel umbrella

Nothing beats the threat of a light misting than a beyond sweet umbrella. Especially when said umbrella is a strapping young duck eagerly waiting to provide shelter. Jack found me this little fella while we were in Boston a couple weekends ago and I couldn't have been more pleasantly surprised or happier! Being from the east coast I have extensive experience with endless grey days, mistings, light rain, heavy rain, rain warnings and full on hurricanes and I've gotta tell ya, investing in darling rain gear is the first step to "enjoying" the weather.

Luckily, we didn't deal with much more than a light rain as we explored the various campuses and ate our way through Cambridge. Based on this week's weather forecast I'm guessing you'll be seeing a lot more of Monsieur Duckworth on here (of course I named him! wouldn't you?)

 

lust list :: Spring 2014

I'm not sure whether I shared this with you but I put myself on a clothing spend freeze from January until March. I chose to do this after picking up so many lovely pieces in Boston and on my trip home over the holidays. I wanted to make sure I really wore the clothes I had been investing in rather than getting wrapped up in buying all of the new, pretty shiny things.

The verdict? I did VERY well. Only breaking twice! Once for comfy cool pjs from the Gap (75% off) and once for a Joe Fresh Breton stripe to replace last years breton who lost a fight with a purple bottle of polish. i. am. clumsy.

Breton Stripe dress | Grey Pullover | Jean Jacket | Light Pink Skinnies | Structured tote | Cheetah kicks | New Rain boots
Mint Crossbody bag | watch | bracelets 1, 2 | mint chucks | Tortoise Shell sunnies | Spring polish 1, 2, 3

This weekend, we are heading to Boston... again! We loved it so much in December and it definitely needed another weekend of exploring. Why not, right? To top it off, this weekend will mark the end of my spending moratorium - perfect timing, considering my growing spring wish list. Throw in a forecast of a balmy 10 degrees and I'm in heaven.

What's on your spring wish list?

exciting VS lazy

pink martini dress [last season] | BB Dakota trench | American Apparel belt | zara flats 

As you are all well aware, my ability to post in a timely fashion is a little under-developed. It's not that I don't want to share all the exciting things going on, or outfits I'm wearing to the exciting things it's just that, well, there are exciting things to do! Annnnnnd there's also that part where I'm forgetful and slightly lazy, but only because of my love of sleep and TV [Mad Men? Game of Thrones? Arrested Development? guuuuys, when did TV get SO darn good!?]. Okay... so maybe I'm lazier than I thought but so what? At least I got dressed on my birthday - there's proof of it right. up. there.

Faculty Style

Ellison blazer [similar] | dress c/o Sugarlips | Rudsak clutch [similar] | peep toes [similar]

My work trip to Halifax in April coincided perfectly with Lainey Gossip and Vitamin Water's Faculty of Celebrity Studies. I went to this event last year and had a fantastic time so I was very excited to get the invitation this time around. My friend, Lorrie & I showed up "fashionably" late - which is actually just regular late but with a nice PR twist - but just in time for a couple cocktails and a few treats. 

Although I don't actively follow celebrity gossip both this year and last major celebrity events happened right before the event [Reese Witherspoon and Kristen Stewart] so I was up to date. I had a fantastic time listening to everyone discuss celebrity mothers and branding, weighing in from time to time and finding out that my favourites seem generally nice in person [you can stop worrying now, it seems both Emma Stone AND Matt Damon are genuinely nice]. I'm already looking forward to next year!

me telling everyone why I don't want Brad Pitt on my perfume

our fuzzy iPhone snap

Event Wear

Stop Staring frock [similar] | Club Monaco belt [similar] | Matt & Nat clutch | Nine West peep toes [similar]

In the last month I have organized a regional annual event for my company and acted as wedding coordinator for a coworker! Both required a lot of time, planning, nail biting, coordinating, managing and fretting but I thoroughly enjoyed them both immensely. There's just something wonderful about working on a project from concept to realization. Planning all the details and logistics, problem solving, working late nights and finally, seeing all that hard work in action... and then working a little harder during the event, and after. It's just oh-so-magical. sigh I truly love it. I am definitely considering a new career focus.

In any case, this trusty frock was my go-to in both instances. It's professional, clean and elegant - everything I want when I don't have time to worry. No layers bunching, collars wilting or skirts wrinkling. Simple, easy, done. lovely.

Spring Fling :: product review

dress c/o eShakti [similar] | nude pumps | Matt & Nat clutch 

A little while ago, longer than I'd care to admit, eShakti contacted me about reviewing their Spring Line. I was familiar with the brand having seen some of my favourite bloggers sporting their frocks and agreed to check them out. I took my time choosing a dress, so long that the ones I settled on quickly went out of stock [people must love them!] a number of times. When I finally spotted the above I just snatched it up without a second thought.

I was pleasantly surprised that I got to choose my neckline, skirt length and pockets or none. I checked out a couple other dresses and the options even extend to inclusion of embellishments and sleeves! I absolutely love this flexibility as we all have been the victim of falling in love with a piece of clothing only to realize that the sleeves hit you all wrong, the neckline just doesn't work or the hemline, though appropriate on your friends, makes you look like a lady of the night... and I don't mean catwoman. 

Well, this lovely came together just right. I not sure about you, but it has me dreaming of a bike ride and a picnic and that suits me perfectly. I'm so pleased I may just get myself a post-birthday gift - which one do you like best?

Strapless Poplin dress | Colorblock Stripe Jersey jacket | Contrast Printblock Georgette dress | Emmeline dress

Smitten

dress c/o Sugarlips | DolceVita booties | Longchamps bag | Vince cardigan 

Smitten with the weather. The gorgeous, no-cardigan-needed weather. 
Smitten with my new tresses. Cut by the talented Mischaela at Bowtique. 
Smitten with my weekend. Family, friends & back home to my husband for a lovely Sunday.
Smitten with this DRESS! Seriously - short, sweet, scalloped; what more do I need?! Sugarlips strikes again! They have become my go-to for darling little pieces I can wear on repeat. This dress fits like a dream and I've got my eye on a couple of it's friends 1, 2, 3. Who knows what will happen, my birthday is coming up next week after all...

Striped Intentions

Jack by BB Dakota leather [similar] | Joe Fresh dress | Urban Outfitter booties | Matt & Nat bag [similar] | Target necklace [similar]

Would you look at that - bare legs! Seriously, never thought I see these stems again! As exciting as it was, it was also, quite frankly, a little distracting. The bright white glow I could see out of the corner of my eye kept distracting me. I spent the day almost too aware that I had legs.

Has that ever happened to you? Or are you all like, calm down now Sorren, we all have legs and most of us don't forget over this fact over winter. Well to you I say, congratulations. I applaud you on your memory, common sense and mild winter climate. For the rest of us, we'll continue to enjoy the small wonders life throws at us as summer comes and we remember that we have [gasp!] arms.

lusting :: spring 2013

Club Monaco Hayley Knit dress || BaubleBar Sienna wrap || J.Crew Mila Novelty Ballet flat || 3.1 Phillip Lim Sheer Sleeve pullover || Club Monaco Natalia sweater || Sanctuary Vegan Sleeve Army jacket || alice + olivia Waxed skinnies || BaubleBar Lilac Chevron Fringe pendant || Reed Krakoff Boxer in Taup Multi || Anniel Floral Print oxfords || Hunter Regent Apsley Riding boot || Ray-Ban New Classic Aviators || BaubleBar Enamel Stud bangle || Butter London polishes || Dorothy Perkins umbrella

The snow hasn't even melted and I can feel my gaze wandering - wandering to sunnier, warmer days. At this point I'll even take slightly sunnier and warmer days. Honestly guys, I'm not picky, I just would like to get away with not wearing three pairs of tights every time I venture outdoors. Until then, I will just continue to lust after beautiful clothing and parka-less days.

I was actually inspired to put together this rounds' lust list by the Reed Krakoff bag. I stumbled upon it, drooled on my laptop and passed out. When I woke up I knew I needed to find other worthy pieces that made me feel the same. A few days and a couple concussions later, I've gathered together these swoon-worthy lovelies. 

What to Wear to an Exhibit Opening

Club Monaco boyfriend blazer [similar] and tunic [similar] | Kensie shorts [similar] | Nine West peep toes [similar]
derng, H&M and Joe Fresh bracelets | bag via Biscuit [similar] | polish - essie action

When . Friday, Mary 18th
What . Opening Gala of the Skin Exhibit at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
Weather . warm... ish

Back in May, I won a couple tickets to the opening of Skin: the Seduction of Surface exhibit at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. The event was amazing; sipping stiff cocktails, munching on popcorn and chatting with lovely people. We stayed upstairs mingling for the beginning of the evening, awaiting the speeches introducing the collection and then moseyed downstairs to take a peek. It did not disappoint. I loved the various ways in which "skin" was interpreted and variety between each of the pieces. 

Without a doubt the main attraction of this exhibit is Jana Sterbak's Vanitas: Flesh Dress for an Albino Anorectic. This piece is reconstructed each time it is shown. It is created from 50 pounds of raw flank steak that is stitched together and hangs on a dress form. Over the course of the exhibit the heavily salted meat will cure, drastically altering the appearance of the work. I definitely plan on stopping in before the completion of the show to get a peek at the transformed piece. 

I've included a couple snapshots below, but nothing that shows the extent of the exhibit by a longshot. This is definitely a show you don't want to miss!