when it's a favourite

green top (Banana Republic); polka-dot sweater (Ricki's); jeans (Reitmans); shoes (Winners); necklace (Banana Republic)

This is one of my favourite shirts.

The sleeves are little caps; the colour is gorgeous; it's flowy but not too loose. Just lovely.

I ruined it over the weekend at a work event. I wore a chain necklace and it caught on the silky material. I was so bummed! For my birthday, my coworkers gave me a gift certificate to Banana Republic (my favourite place in the world, next to Winners) so I am hoping I find it there again.

This sweater surprises me. I have dressed it up; I have dressed it down. Who knew polka-dots would be so versatile. I honestly thought it would sit in my dresser and I wouldn't wear it often because it's so memorable. Love when things surprise me like that!

I am throwing a surprise baby shower for my goddaughter this weekend - I'll post lots of photos next week!

Have a wonderful weekend lovies!

*hugs*

wrap it up!

cardigan (Forever 21); pants (Reitmans); grey tank (Fairweather); necklace (Banana Republic)

Since I wore a wrap top earlier in the week and liked how it looked on me, I decided to re-create a similar silhouette with an open front cardi. I love the material of this one - so soft!

I really like how it turned out. Some people thought it was a top and with the belt to the side, it looked like a one-piece.

So part of dressing my best means highlighting my small-ish waist. Ok :)

*hugs*

hanging out.

top (Winners); black capris (Reitmans); bead necklace (Jacob)

Nothing too exciting here.

I spied these capris hanging in my closet and then my eyesight fell on the purple top. A match was made!

Sorry it's so dark...I think my favourite pose is leaning against the wall. Ha!

Have a great hump day folks!

*hugs*

colouring.

jeans (Reitmans); coral wrap-top (Banana Republic); black tank (Fairweather); earrings (ALDO); necklace (Pish Posh); ring (Banana Republic); shoes (Le Chateau)

I have discoverd that wrap-tops are super flattering on me.

I do have to be careful though because of the hefty heavies I carry up top. Ha! It can throw off my body proportions.

It's a long-standing joke between my b/f and I about dinner. He usually cooks and he has yet to see me really make him a meal. I'm a good Greek girl and let me tell ya, I can cook. Problem is, I can cook large quantities. I have to figure out how to tone it down for 2!

Last night I tried my hand at chicken cacciatore. I was actually really nervous to make it for him. In the past, I've made fajitas, egg mcmuffins, etc you know...little things. This was a meal. So...it turned out AMAZING! Seriously. Am definitely gonna float my own boat here because it was delicious.

I can cook! Or atleast I have proven to my love that I can provide meals for him.

*hugs*

weekending.

Sunday: jeans (Reitmans); grey top (Winners); black jacket (Reitmans)

Friday: brown capris (Suzy Shier); white top (Ricki's); denim jacket (GAP); statement necklace (Banana Republic)

Was it gorgeous weather where you were this past weekend?

It was amazing here!

Friday my boss let me go home early so I could run some errands and make dinner for some friends. I started off making quesadillas and they turned into fajitas! Super yummy nonetheless. My outfit was inspired by Kimberly at Fab Finds Under 50 (the first blog I ever started reading!) I've mentioned before how I love jewellery from Banana Republic and that's where this is from.

Sunday was so beautiful that the b/f and I went downtown to what we call our Market area. We ate lunch on a patio and strolled the outdoor vendors. I felt very chic walking about with my sparkly top. Sequins for day? Yes, please!

*hugs*

oversize.

top (H&M); pants (Reitmans); shoes (Winners); necklace (Banana Republic)

I love this top.

I first ever saw it on a blog I read (I have forgotten which one) and then on a shopping trip to Montreal, found it in H&M!

I love it but while it fits in the sleeves, it is a large shirt. I'm thinking of taking it to my tailor to see if she can do anything with it. Pull it in somewhere...not sure...

My eyes are red because I spent the afternoon meeting some hospital families that we are featuring at our annual Telethon. We watched a preview of their pre-taped stories and wowzers...kids are amazing. I can't really say more than that. It definitely makes you feel good about being alive and healthy.

Hug a loved one today!

*hugs*

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*

five.

black pants (Reitmans); black dress (Banana Republic); black cardigan (Old Navy); shoes (Payless); gold chains (grandma); whistle chain (stole it from the b/f)

I was super duper feeling this outfit yesterday! I felt chic and comfortable. It could also be because I cleaned out my closet this past weekend. Oh yes. And actually got rid (well, donated) several items of clothing I have been holding onto for several reasons but never really wearing. I am very proud of myself :)

I am very much into layering right now - as you may have read in previous posts. I feel that it provides me with a bit of maturity and professionalism and will help me transition into bigger and better things at work. What's that old saying - dress for the job you want, not the job you have?

In other news, I have 5 followers. Woohoo! Not quite sure what that really means but it's kinda fun to see. So, thanks and welcome! Glad you seem to like what you see/read.

*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*

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*

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*

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*

standin' and shootin'

black dress (Reitmans); purple tank (Fairweather); black tights (Shoppers Drug Mart & Addition Elle); silver stud earrings (gifted); silver chain necklace (Reitmans)

I have to give major props to those talented bloggers that can take self-portraits.

I am standing on a toilet seat trying to get a decent shot of myself to post.

I'm nothing if not entertaining :)

*hugs*

jean-y.

denim dress (Zellers); black pants (Reitmans); cowlneck sweater (Tristan); diamond studs (Banana Republic): necklace (Le Chateau); grey socks (Dynamite); black boots (Winners - not shown)

This look is derived from 2 different blogs I read last week...one blogger put a cowlneck sweater under a dress and another blogger talked about wearing a denim dress in a different way - et voilà!

My weekend was super relaxing! I found out some good friends are expecting a baby; another good friend got engaged; and I now await the 3rd piece of good news (bad news can't be the only thing that comes in 3's).

*hugs*

training.

black pants (Reitmans); white top (Ricki's); burgundy coat (Ricki's); ring (Banana Republic); pearl earrings (gifted); black boots (Winners - not shown)

I was out of town for work this week. And travelled by train. I heart travelling by train. I like to pretend I'm going on some 1940's voyage...though I'm not entirely sure what that relates to...but I like to feel like I'm in a movie and people are wondering where that girl is off to.

I'm alone in this feeling I'm pretty sure...right?

*hugs*

finally.

black pants (Reitmans); green top (Banana Republic); skinny black belt (borrowed off a dress); gold necklace (TopShop); pearl earrings (gifted); black high heels (Winners - not shown)

Finally. A camera pic of my outfit.

This was taken at the end of the work day so please excuse the very exhausted, yet trying to smile, look.

I treated myself to the top on the weekend because I hadn't gotten any clothes for Christmas - nor bought myself anything for awhile - so, Banana there I went.

*double hugs*

hearts ♥ and dots....

black pants (Reitmans); polka dot top (HandM); shoes (Payless); diamond studs (gifted); silver chain (Walmart); charms (gifted)

I am very winter today. Funny since it's finally summer temperatures but it was just easier to grab the black and wear it. Plus, I'm trying to wear things to work that I won't be packing for vacation and that way I don't have to wash them to get them packed. There is usually a method to my madness.

Is it ever too early to say I Love You? And not the I love you's to my friends and family because I say that all the time to them. I mean between the manfriend/womanfriend you may have. I can feel that we're on the verge of truly ruly uly being in love and saying it - and it's been a little over 3 months. Well, actually, it's been 3 months, 2 weeks and 1 day. Ha!

Is it ever too early to know that I'm going to miss him like crazy? And I'll only be gone for 3 weeks yet all of a sudden am really sad to leave. But super excited to go. What horrible feelings to be feeling. We've been spending gads upon gads of time together and at first, we thought maybe we should wean (sp?) off the togetherness but then thought why should we do that?? Only to be more miserable before we need to be?

Freaking matters of the heart, eh?
Geez.

I used to laugh and make fun of those suckers who cried at airports and gushed about how they were counting down the days until they could be together again. Umm. My apologies. I may be turning into one. Eek! This is almost as bad as when I realized I truly am a girly girl. Double eek!

*hugs*