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*

mon obsession du jour

Shoes. Mon obsession du life.

I feel as though these are the shoes that would cover all my fashion needs and wants for spring and summer.

Remember every Sex and the City episode where you waited with baited breath to see what was adorning Carrie's tender tootsies? This is the power of the shoe. Atleast, that's what it does for me. I base entire outfits around a shoe. Heck, I couldn't wait to run out and buy the exact same yellow pair of heels that I wore out last season. It makes a cloudy day sunny; It makes snow melt; It makes a sad person glad. Completely frivolous and absolutely fabulous!

But, dear friends, don't forget the only rule a summer shoe wearer must abide by....

The pedicure. Don't leave home without it.

*double 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*

colour chameleon

trouser jeans (Reitmans); tan jacket (Mexx); red top (Costa Blanca); yellow shoes (Spring); necklace (Banana Republic); earrings (Dynamite)

Colour - two days in a row! This must be a sign that spring is indeed around the corner! Atleast it seems that it will be this weekend - can't wait for the great weather we're supposed to have!

I was inspired by a woman walking down the street the other day wearing tan and red...then a blogger that I read wore red and yellow...I put all 3 together! It worked really well - I have a feeling this is going to be a go-to outfit for the spring.

I received a 30% off coupon for the GAP, Old Navy and Banana Republic. I am really torn over whether I should shop or not. I am on a savings spree and don't really need anything. We'll see on Monday if I succumbed to temptation. I'm also going sapping on Sunday...some friends of mine have land at a sugar bush and it's time to collect the maple syrup! I've never done it before so I'm excited, plus, what a great way to spend time outdoors. Should be fun. Now, what does one wear to sap??

*hugs*

mon obsession du jour

Oversize clutches. My obsession of the day.

Whoever decided to take the delicate, small clutch of yester-year and triple its size - I LOVE YOU...whoever you may be.

I simply adore the polish, pizzazz and fun that a large clutch adds to an outfit. Going out for brunch with the gals; heading out on a hot date; adding that little something extra to a wedding outfit. You can't go wrong with these. They are almost always simple in design as their size makes their statement.

To the nay-sayers who hate that they don't have straps...straps are over-rated. The clutch isn't for someone who is looking for hands-free practicality. It's a fashion statement - and a darn good one at that.

I leave you with this thought...imagine you are walking down your main downtown street wearing dark denim, a white shirt, statement necklace and wait for it, an oversize clutch. You are the envy of everyone around you. Stand loud and proud. The clutch demands it.

*double hugs*

i am spring; hear me roar

trouser jeans (Reitmans); sheer floral top (Winners); blue cardigan (Zellers); nude tank top (Fairweather); yellow shoes (Spring); pearl studs (gifted)

I am so full of colour today...you would never know that half my closet is composed of black clothing. And it's making everyone around me happy and giving them springs in their step. Glad I could make the day brighter, one bright shoe at a time.

My beloved yellow shoes are on my feet for another year. I wore OUT the pair I bought last year... I wore them all spring, summer and into the fall and then they were done. Yellow shoes just add an unexpected element to an outfit. Speaking of outfits, my brother was rocking a plaid shirt with a striped vest this morning. He is definitely a fashionista. He's tall and slim so clothes just fall on him so well...not that there's anything wrong with cute and curvy (which is me) - clothes just fall differently on my protruding hips than they do on his non-existent ones.

The sun is shining and it's Thursday and only one more day until the weekend. Tonight I will be heading with a friend to the hall where her wedding reception will be held. I am her decorator so we're getting a feel for the place. It's 2 weeks away! They're getting married in a sugar bush. I'm Greek...we don't have small weddings. Heck, our Sunday lunches are never less than 20 people around a table. This will be a different experience for me for sure. I'm looking forward to it!

In Twilight news, I finished the 2nd book in the series last night and can't wait to get the 3rd! I am tired this week mainly because I'm staying up way too late reading about vampires. Umm, good thing I don't have an over-active imagination. I'd never sleep otherwise.

*hugs*