suiting up.

black suit (Reitmans); green top (Banana Republic); necklace (Top Shop); bracelets (Club Monaco); shoes (Spring)

I love wearing a suit.

Even more, I love wearing a mix and match suit - instead of matchy-matchy. Now in this case, I do realize it's all black but it's a different textured black jacket than the pants. And I have a few other skirt and pant suits that I mix up texture and colour.

The touches of colour in the green and yellow make me feel very chic and dare I say, powerful when I have them together like this.

I have an extra bounce in my step and a twinkle in my eye and a sparkle in my confidence with this outfit.

Gotta love the power of a suit.

*hugs*

working rock star

black pants (Reitmans); black and white print top (Dynamite); black and white heels (Winners); silver hoops (Laura); silver bracelets (Club Monaco & Pom Pom)

Greetings and Salutations!

My weekend was astounding! The bachelorette party was so much fun...it was the perfect mix of chiling by the pool in the afternoon sun and partying it up at night on the town. I wore my new little black dress that my mama got me as a birthday present - for anyone who knows me, this is a big deal since I'm usually a jeans and cute top girl. I dress to be girl-hot not always guy-hot...but I was guy-hot. Ha!

I went to a museum exhibit yesterday to see Mummies - Secrets of the Pharaohs. It was very cool! Egypt simply fascinates me. From the pyramids, to mummification. They were beautiful people who loved living life and never feared death. We should all be so lucky and live life like that.

I'm in black and white today. Rocking the glam chic look at work. I feel like I should go out for drinks afterwards to not waste such a great outfit...ever have a really great outfit or hair day and no where to show it off to??

*hugs*

my bus driver

grey pants (Laura); blue top (Smart Set); black tank (Fairweather); navy shoes (Winners); silver bangle (Club Monaco); drop earrings (Tristan)

My face usually reads like a book. I have puppy dog eyes when I'm sad; they shine when I'm happy and I scowl when I'm frustrated. Needless to say I'm not a good poker player. I get too excited with a good hand and give it all away! Today is a frustrating day at work and so far most of my coworkers have apporached me to ask what's wrong and I hadn't even spoken a word yet.

I used to hate that everyone could read my emotions but after working at a children's hospital - I don't mind so much anymore. I'm a good, empathetic, happy person and usually I make everyone feel better about their day and themselves. I guess it's only right that I let it happen for me too.

I split my commute to work - either drive or take the bus - depending on my work schedule and meeting with sponsors and such. I don't mind taking the bus. The route isn't too long and I can get some reading done that I often find I don't have much time for otherwise. The driver on my first bus is a singing bus driver. I love it! Not everyone shares my joy it seems. This morning he announced that if anyone doesn't want him to sing, to please tell him when they board the bus and he won't sing for the stretch of road that he usually does. It was the saddest thing I think I've heard in a really long time. Who takes offence to a sweet older gentleman who sings these happy-go-lucky songs for all of 6 minutes on a long farm road?!?! I don't think I will ever understand mankind. Fortunately for this driver, many people on the bus felt the same as me and we encouraged him to sing his tune. He always gets a small round of applause and everyone on the bus is smiling after they leave. Why would anyone not want to start their day that way?

So, I'm pretty sure he doesn't read my blog about the clothing choices I make, I am dedicating today's blog to him - and to the other people in this world who try to make everyday a little bit of a nicer place. I hope you all enjoy a day full of song yourselves!

*hugs*

even better than black and white

trouser jeans (Reitmans); zebra top (Winners); black tank (Fairweather); black belt (Suzy Shier); grey wedges (Winners); silver bangle (Club Monaco); silver hoops (Laura); bag (gifted)

What's better than black and white you say? Black and cream. I love the richness and warmth that comes from that colour combination. I commented the other day how I'm not a fan of yellow/orange with black because I think it looks too costumey, but when paired with grey...why, it looks wonderfully chic!

So, I had a date last night. Don't yippee yet.

A friend set me up with a mutual acquaintance thinking we'd get along famously. This morning I sent her an email expressing my interest in what ways she thinks we'd get along...I'll tell you why...He cooked dinner for me at his house. Very sweet and not a bad cook. I excused myself to the little girl's room before dessert - I came back into the living room and there was my date in all his naked glory. That's right folks - n.a.k.e.d. Now, I didn't feel threatened or anything in this situation (and I trust my gut); it was just oddly strange and super weird. No other way around it. I kindly asked him to put his clothes back on all the while running our dinner conversation in my head trying to figure out what messages I sent him and how he got the idea to remove his clothing. Perhaps he overheated; obviously he is very confident in nature. The kicker folks? I stayed for hot chocolate because I didn't know what else to do. I did however down that hot chocolate in 2 gulps and excused myself for the night. Welcome to the wide world of dating. Sigh.

Needless to say, I now have a story for the masses. That's me - always looking on the positive side of things...my world is never just black and white. There's a lot of cream thrown in for good measure.

*hugs*

in order to be successful, you have to work hard

grey trousers (Laura); white tunic (Costa Blanca); purple belt (San Francisco); black heels (Winners); silver bangle (Club Monaco); pearl studs (gifted)

I wish I had a camera because this outfit looks much better on me than in a polyvore picture. I bought myself a white and black top/dress/tunic because I loved them both so much I couldn't decide which colour was better! I think the top/dress/tunic was originally made to be a dress but it's not legal for me to wear something at that length - trust me when I say no one wants to see that - so I paired it with a skinny leg and belt for better proportions. It worked! Rock glam. Sigh.

I am on a journey to better myself...physically, mentally, relationships, workwise - in all ways possible. I'm a good person. I'm a great person. I could be a greater person. At a meeting last night, the keynote speaker uttered a phrase that I have now post-it noted by my computer screen.

The phrase?

In order to be successful, you have to work hard.

Such a simple truth and utterly transferable to every aspect of life...well, to my life.

*hugs*

'cause you gotta have faith

pants (Reitmans); suit jacket (Banana Republic); white shell (Banana Republic); yellow shoes (Spring); chain bracelet (Pom Pom); silver bangle (Club Monaco); pearl studs (gifted)

This suit is navy in colour, hence, the pairing of the yellow footwear. I don't like black and yellow together as it looks too costumey - same with black and orange. Just me.

I know you've been waiting with baited breath about whether I spent the 30% off coupon at selected retailers...well kids, I DID! I bought 8 items (4 at Banana and 4 at GAP) which came to $150. Gotta love me some coupons! And a nice assortment of items to carry me over in the winter-almost-over-not-quite-spring-but-I-want-new-clothes-to-feel-good season. My purchases included jeans, the suit jacket I'm wearing today, a couple of work tops, a skirt, turtleneck and tshirts. Love them!

As you can see from the last few posts, I have worn my yellow shoes TONS! See how I wore them out last season? Well, the other day I felt they had a tinge of green to them so I asked some coworkers and they all said the shoes were lime in colour. I don't want to believe it but even my eyes can see a bit of the green. Oh well...I adore them anyhow.

To balance out this sometimes vain and mindless blog about shoes and shopping, let me tell you what I've been doing the past couple of days. I work at a children's hospital and this week child representatives from each paediatric hospital in Canada are in the city to meet each other. They are the most inspiring part of my job - and the reason I LOVE my job. To hear these brave children speak so openly and be so forthcoming about their illness puts the world into perspective. Suddenly, having to walk an extra few minutes because you had to park far from your building or having to wait a bit in a drive-thru for your morning coffee means nothing. My troubles may be my troubles but I have never had to fight for my life - least of all when I was 5. Our keynote speaker was a child who has to use sign language to communicate. Our keynote speaker. You could hear a pin-drop in the room when she "spoke". Needless to say, a large part of my job involves crying. Happy tears, sad tears, tears of laughter and joy and sometimes sorrow. And I wouldn't trade it in for all the clothes in the world.

*hugs*