grey day

pants (Laura); wrap top (Banana Republic); grey tank (Fairweather); shoes (Spring); ring (Banana Republic)

I am in love with the colour grey right now!

And one of my favourite combinations is grey and yellow. Swoon.

As you can see, wrapping is one of my favourite things to do. I recommend it to everybody! Ha!

Have a fantastic weekend!

*hugs*

grey pants (Laura); black turtleneck dress (Reitmans); pink bow belt (Walmart); grey headband (sister's room); pearl studs (gifted)

I'm still playing around with location photographs and this whole self-portrait thing. It's a challenge.

This pink belt was the very first belt I bought after seeing belts in a blog. You can't totally tell from the photograph but it's pale pink and wide. I bunched the turtleneck dress up a bit to make my leg line look longer, yet still keep my torso long. I find with having big girl ta-tas, belts can be tricky and break up the body in unflattering ways.

It just means I take more time playing around with an outfit...and who doesn't like playing dress-up!

*hugs*

jazz hands.

black dress (Banana Republic); grey sweater (Jacob); grey boots (Aldo); tights (Addition Elle & Shoppers Drug Mart); earrings (Laura); necklace (H&M)

This was definitely out of my comfort zone...though I do realize upon looking at the photos that I should have added a belt to the black dress for definition...

Firstly, I have large calf muscles. Yeah, that's how I'll put it...Ha! So, finding a pair of boots that would fit over them was amazing...truthfully, I wasn't looking that hard because I just figured they didn't exist.

Secondly, I also am not very partial to my legs. Yeah, that's mean of me to say about myself...I'm trying to fix that. So, wearing this dress on its own (I usually wear it over a pair of skinny jeans) is quite the feat for me.

Overall, I felt really cute in this outfit! And, that is what matters most...right?

*hugs*

p.s. I totally borrowed the idea of doubling up my tights to get a darker look like leggings...I attribute this idea to many other blogs I've read in the past...sorry that I can't remember who I got the original idea from. Genius!

colouring.

purple top (Le Chateau); greyish-brownish pants (Laura); grey heels (Winners); fishnet stockings (Shoppers Drug Mart); silver bracelet (gifted); silver earrings (Laura)

I find myself attracted to jewel tones and fun tops.

This is probably because I need that spice to my wardrobe since my pants are mainly dark on the bottom. As I am heavy chested though, I wonder if bringing attention to my top half is the way to go. Articles I read always say to add colour to the face and when I wear this top, people stop me to tell me they love the colour and design. Ultimately, I wear it because I simply love it.

And, that - to me - is what fashion is all about.

*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*

it's my birthday, and i'll cry if i want to...

white pants (Reitmans); silver top (Winners); black and grey cardigan (Forever 21); silver flats (GAP); silver hoops (Laura); silver necklace (birthday present from manfriend!)

Why am I crying on my birthday?? Because everyone is showing me so much love! I truly truly truly feel blessed today. I awoke with a smile on my face and came into work only to receive loving and happy voicemail messages, email messages and even a balloon-o-gram!! I never really celebrate my birthday - ususally because I'm always working it, and they've never been a big deal in our house growing up. Let me tell ya - I was missing out! I just love the love. Love.

I also love my outfit today...I feel very New York chic. You know when you look at someone and they just ooze style out of their pores....well the ideal in my head is a woman walking the streets of New York in a wide-leg trouser and a very monotone colour palette with flats. It just screams chicness and style to me. Plus, being a larger gal, everyone always says to go for the black. Steer clear of light pants. I bought these last year for $15 and have definitely gotten my money's worth out of them! Style knows no bounds, right?

I had a lovely lunch with my beau and we'll be going for ice cream tonight after dinner. He gets to meet my brother and sister...should be fun!

*hugs*

terrific tuesday

grey pants (Laura); denim dress (Zellers); beaded necklace (gifted); pearl studs (gifted); grey heels (Winners)

As I was making my Polyvore this morning, I went to touch my necklace to compare it with the picture and found it wasn't there! A coworker was with me in my office when I realized it fell into my shirt and bra so I pulled it out and it was quite the sight! Nothing like starting your morning off with a really good laugh!

My manfriend (not quite at boyfriend/girlfriend status yet) gave me a Starbucks card last night - just because. I love just because gifts. I often give my friends and family just because gifts. So, I was really touched - and it's just a Starbucks card. I really really really like him. And it's not just the Starbucks card. Ha!

This is another easy go-to outfit and I haven't worn it in awhile. I love grey and yellow together. Such a nice contrast. And other than the few pieces I bought myself 2 weekends ago for a business trip, I have not and will not be shopping until Greece. Even then, I'm going to hit up some cheapy places for little skirts and dresses - easy to pack and great to hang around the village in.

Happy Tuesday blog pals!

*hugs*

purple - the colour of royalty and Prince

black pants (Reitmans); purple top (Laura); black wrap (GAP); black tank (Dynamite); purple shoes (Le Chateau); silver hoops (gifted); silver ring (?)

I'm in mid-arm-toning season so wearing sleeveless tops doesn't always sit that well with me. Funny thing - I bought 2 sleeveless wrap tops this past weekend. How do I get around this dilemma? In the past I wouldn't have bought them or would have let them sit in my closet. Now, thanks to the fashion blog world, I layer like a pro and have gotten so much more use out of my closet. With the top ensemble I've got sporting today - I found 2 skirts that would look awesome with it - making summer dressing a much easier task than I anticipated.

My favourite season is fall. I love fall clothes - the excitement of back-to-school shopping (even though I'm done school!) Summer has always been the exact opposite. I feel like my pasty white flabby parts are overexposed. I have since learned to love linen and dresses and skirts and pedicures and deal with short sleeves and -gasp- even go sleeveless sometimes! I've especially had to embrace the summer since I'll be in Greece for some of it and it won't be sweater weather.

Tomorrow is one of our Radiothons. It's the local country station that runs it and country music by its very nature is sadder than normal. Even for an upbeat song! So it lends itself well to children's stories. They are long days for me. Up at 3:00 a.m. and in bed around 10:00 p.m....only to do it over again for 3 days. Needless to say, I will be setting up my outfits for the next 3 days tonight. Talk about good preparation!

*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*