skirting the issue.

grey skirt (Ricki's); white ruffle shirt (GAP); black cardigan (Old Navy); black and white shoes (Winners)

I'm infamous for skirting the issue.

It took me forever to tell my parents more intimate details about my b/f. Skirting the issue.

I have trouble taking a good look at myself and where I want my life to be. Skirting the issue.

I haven't told my BFF what I think about some of her life choices. Skirting the issue.

Is it just another word for procrastination?

It's a very blah day today and from reading other blogs, others seem to be feeling the same way. I am going home after work to start the major clean-up that is my living space.

And, make better use of all the lovely skirts I have hanging in my closet. So, perhaps I don't have to make an issue over skirts anymore.

*hugs*

jump.

jeans (GAP); black long-sleeve shirt (Tristan); grey sweater (Simons); black boots (Winners)

'Twas a fabulous weekend, indeed.

A bit of a chill, but the sun was shining and as long as the sun is out - I am a giddy gal!

The b/f and I went to an antique show on Saturday and this is what I wore. I've never really been antiquing but have always been fascinated by the thrill of the find. I was quite surprised at the price of most items - very expensive. The best deal we got was 4 Vogue covers from 1925 - for $5. We're going to mount them to hang in the powder room.

Then my patient b/f accompanied me to a shopping mall where I was looking to purchase a skirt for church. I treated him to ice cream for his good deed :) And it was the first ice cream cone of the season! Even better.

*hugs*

smiley.

brown capris (Suzy Shier); black turtleneck (GAP); bead necklace (Banana Republic); boots (Winners)

Whoa.

Guy smiley in this pic. Well, girl smiley.

I didn't actually smile with my teeth for years. We're talkin' eons, folks. Then one Christmas when I was like 20 years old, I saw a picture of myself with a flash of pearly white and I was smitten. I've never liked the gap between my teeth (though everyone else thinks it's virtually non-existant) I can see it. In any case, I'm over it and definitely tooth-smile now.

Am also smiling because it's the weekend! Oh, and a coworker sent me a link to a site that has awkward family photos on it. Have you seen this beauty?? Ha! I am snickering just writing this thinking about the portraits. So mean. But, oh, so, good.

Have a smiling and feel good weekend!

*hugs*

shopping.

shoes (Winners); headband (Simons); sequin blazer (Simons); top (H&M)

This is what I bought in Montreal. The very best part is that they were gifts for me from my mom. It's my nameday on Sunday so she said I could treat myself. Yay mom!

The shoes have a removable ruffle which then makes them look like 3-strap Mary-Janes. Love.

I have a little obsession with cute headbands at the moment so this one fits nicely into my collection. I don't go for demure and sweeet. I choose statement pieces. Swoon.

The sequin blazer was a STEAL. It was regularly $185.00. I found it on a clearance rack for $9.99. Yup. And when I tried it on - everyone was scouring the racks to find another. I love those kinds of steals. Sweet.

I saw this top on a blog and then when I was in the store, spotted it on the rack. I knew I'd love it even more in person - and I do. Zing.

Have a terrific Thursday peeps!

*hugs*

the layer.

black pants (Reitmans); cowl neck (Tristan); button-down shirt (Banana Republic); wedge heels (Winners); lucite bead necklace (Banana Republic); belt (came with a dress)

This week is about the layer.

I went to sleep the other night trying to figure out what to wear on this day and came up with this lil' gem in my big noggin'. It didn't work out too badly (I don't think anyway).

I find I am adding belts to most outfits and top layers as well. It definitely makes me feel ready for work and any impromptu meetings that tend to pop-up at work.

Plus, I've gained some weight over the past little while and am determined to not buy any clothes to accommodate the shape I'm in - instead, I will get back to the shape I was. Don't get me wrong - I love who I am and what I look like (for the most part) but would feel just that much better if I was down a few pounds. I have no qualms about being a double-digit gal...I just want to be healthy and toned. That's my ultimate goal.
That, and running a 5K in May...I just may do it.

*hugs*

overlap.

black pants (Reitmans); purple top (Winners); black vest (Walmart); bead necklace (street vendor); stud earrings (Banana Republic); grey heels (Winners)

I am in dire need of re-organizing and cleaning out my closet. I seem to gravitate to the same items of clothing...and only because they are on the top of the clothes pile in my room. These 2 top pieces I must say are 2 of my best purchases ever...the purple top was $16 and the vest was $14. I have definitely worn each one more than 20 times since I bought them - worth every penny.

I do like how layering looks more polished and professional though. It adds a few elements to an outfit and makes it just that much more. I will need to figure out summer layering to give the same effect.

I had to bus to work this morning - in the cold and rain. I almost let it get me down but there is always a choice as to how one chooses to behave and I have chosen to make this a happy and productive day :)

Have a great Tuesday!

*hugs*

end of week.

jeans (Reitmans); jacket (Ricki's); top (Winners); black tank (Fairweather); necklace and earrings (gifted); shoes (Winners)

I always feel very chic and polished with this jacket. And normally I would wear it over a solid top but I had a lunch date on Friday and felt this would work really well. The top had similar colours to the jacket. I love how it turned out.

Side note: I saw the host of one of our television morning shows wearing this top on her show!

I went shopping in Montreal this weekend and hit up stores we don't have in my city (ie. H&M, Forever 21, Simons) I only bought a few items (I find the stores are very in between seasons right now) but the most amazing items which I will photograph and post this week.

Happy Monday!

*hugs*

noir.

denim jacket (GAP); purple scarf (gifted); black pants (Reitmans); white sleeveless top (Ricki's); black boyfriend cardigan (Old Navy); grey tank (Fairweathers); diamond studs (Banana Republic); short gold necklace (gifted); long gold necklace (Costa Blanca); black fishnets (Shoppers Drug Mart); shoes (Payless); eyeglasses (Gucci)

This has been a black and white week. That's usually my go-to colour scheme when I haven't planned any outfits.

I love pairing a denim jacket with work clothes. Pretty much pairing it with anything other than other denim. Maybe it's an out-dated rule but I'm not at all a fan of jean on jean (except if it's coloured...like grey or black).

I am totally jinxing the weather by saying this but the sun and 16 degrees all week has put everyone in the best of moods...I never want it to end. Though I would love it to get hotter. I'm definitely not a girl of the cold.

*hugs*

blacking out.

black dress (Reitmans); denim jacket (GAP); green scarf (RW&Co); white cami (Fairweathers); necklace (gifted); pearl studs (gifted); purple tights (Shoppers Drug Mart); boots (Winners)

Whoa - I am one pale looking lady.

To mix things up, I'm showing you what I wore to work and what I wore at work.

It also transitioned nicely into an impromptu get-together at a dessert restaurant last night. Carrot cake was calling my name.

I'm in a wardrobe funk at the moment and part of that is the lack of organization of my closet - my plan is to work on that this evening. Alteast get the closet somewhat organized. I have too much stuff in one little room.

*hugs*

doubling up.

black pants (Reitmans); white flowy top (Walmart); black vest (Walmart); black tank (Fairweathers); black stud earrings (Le Chateau); necklace (gifted); black boots (Winners)

The top part of this outfit I wore on Saturday (as per the pics in the blog below). I changed up the jeans for black work pants and added a skinny black belt to pull in all the flowiness (is that a word?) of the material. It seems to have worked pretty well.

I was on a cleaning spree yesterday...and cleared, washed and lined all the kitchen drawers and cupboards. It was quite the task but the sun was still shining when I got home and my energy was just begging to be put to good use.

The sun is out again today...I love the sun. Love it.

*hugs*

all because of you.

jeans (Reitmans); white flowy top (Walmart); black vest (Walmart); black tank (Fairweathers); turquoise earrings (Dynamite); black boots (Winners)

I have always been a well-endowed gal. Since taking and posting photos for this blog, I have noticed I am a bit of an 'apple' shape I think. In other words - I am full-figured, big-boobed and granny-smithed. Nice.

I must say, however, that I never would have thought about layering the vest over this top before ever reading your blogs. So many of you inspire me and force me to look outside of the norm when it comes to my clothes - and this has helped since I have a lot of clothes and try not to buy more, but use what I have instead.

I wore this for when my b/f met my parents for dinner on Saturday (which went really well!) And I have since re-mixed it and wore it to work today...with some little differences. No one knows that I wore it on Saturday so I felt safe enough to wear it today. You've done that before, right?

*hugs*

showering.

set of oven mitts and pot holders; embroidered kitchen tea towels; glass bowl set; Ottawa Senators baby bib; 3-pack of floating lemon candles (Dollarama)

My goddaughter is pregnant!!

Now before people start to ask how old am I and how old is this goddaughter...my g/d married a Greek Orthodox friend of mine. She wanted to be baptised in our church before marrying him and she chose me to be her godmother. So...they are now expecting!

I am throwing her baby shower with a mutual friend of ours. I LOVE throwing surprise parties. Love it. And right off the bat we decided to make this pretty and chic and not very baby (though there will be some baby touches here and there).

Our theme is lemon and lime with a bit of tangerine (all backed by white). The pics above are some of the prizes we will be giving out and all from the dollar store. Amazing. My friend and I are organizing this lil' shindig with the thoughts of things we like and don't like from going to so many of these showers. So, instead of bath bombs and candles and stuff that I personally never use - we have gotten them some nice gifts instead.

(Disclaimer: It's such a personal thing...I just don't like being gifted any sort of bath or candle product for birthdays, holidays, etc).

Since I'm the sale savvy shopper, I get the task of researching the prices for everything from decorations to cakes to prizing. I love this task. Seriously, shopping needs to be my career.

Have a fantastic weekend!

*hugs*

p.s. the b/f meets my parents tomorrow!!! eek and yay!!

scarf it down.

black pants (Reitmans); white blouse (Ricki's); denim jacket (GAP); green animal print scarf (trade show); trouser socks (Walmart)

Last year, I dragged my friends to a clothing trade show at a local university. I'm always up for trying new things in the city and had never been to it before. They were quite apprehensive to go and when we got there and the first few booths had not-so-nice clothing, they almost left me there to fend for myself.

We turned a corner and fell into a world of pashminas, Blair Waldorf-y headbands, vintage jewellery, etc and they were finally content.

At one booth, my sister wanted to buy a scarf and the deal was 2 for $5 or 1 for $10. Something like that. I couldn't find anything I liked and didn't want to purchase anything just to purchase something. I ended up buying this green animal print scarf through a lot of humming and hawing from the gals. I was annoyed with myself for spending money on something I was never going to even wear.

Well...I freaking LOVE this scarf! Its shape is like a large hankerchief and I love the way it polishes off my denim jacket and adds a little something when I wear it to work or over the weekend.

I've never told the girlfriends how much I really heart it! That can be our lil' secret.

*hugs*

slovenly.

earrings and ring (Banana Republic)

Have you ever heard of the word 'slovenly'? I heard it for the first time yesterday.

In general, it refers to being untidy in appearance. I thought it was a made up word. Ha!

It's been a crazy couple of weeks. I've been helping one of my best friends deal with the loss of her father and the b/f came back from the Olympics!

Today I am showcasing the accessories I was wearing yesterday. I'm on a gold kick, as well, love big rings and Banana Republic (who, in my opinion, does jewellery very well).

The sun has been shining for 5 days now with a temperature of 10 degrees Celsius (sorry US peeps, not good with the conversion) but it's definitely above normal temps and it's amazing!

*hugs*