Monday, February 28, 2011

Valentine's Day...

A little belated, but here is my outfit from my Valentine's date with B two weeks ago. (I also cannot believe how fast February flew by..and that we kick off the month of March tomorrow.) Essentially, I just wore the same outfit I wore to work that day; it seemed appropriate for a dinner date at Church Street. To tell you the truth, this wasn't exactly the outfit I started my day out in... I was actually wearing my Eve Gravel skirt that morning, rushing around to get out the door and in a manner that only a really clumsy person can achieve I managed to catch one of my skirt pockets on a door knob and practically tear the pocket off! (I know, sounds ridiculous!) Thankfully the skirt has since been to Asha's Alterations (my usual choice for tailoring, fixes, alterations) and looks good as new!
   

The Outfit
  • Black long sleeve tee- H&M (Toronto, Sept '10)
  • Beige skirt- Kensie Girl (Liquidation World, March '10)
  • Black leggings: C'est Moi- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, Dec '10)
  • Beige knit socks: American Apparel (Halifax, Feb '11)
  • Boots: Town Shoes (Halifax, Oct '07)
  • Feather earring: Little Burgundy (Montreal, June '10)
  • Animal print coat: Joe Fresh Style (SJ, Oct '10)
  • Black Snood: C'est Moi- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, Jan '11)

This week is shaping up to be a busy one! I'm looking forward to events such as the Fashion Social at the Canterbury Lounge (I had an awesome Saturday evening of dancing there this weekend with lovelies that include Kate, Kiera, Chantale, Nadine, Barb, & Candice!) and then the See Me gallery hop that was rescheduled for this Friday! Will I be seeing you at either of these events? Hope so!




Friday, February 25, 2011

gone fishing...

I wanted to start out this post by announcing the winner of the free ticket to Silver Daisy Designs' Fashion Social!
Congrats to Dominique Leger!

Thanks to Kate for kindly providing the ticket. I hope to see you at the Canterbury Lounge (@ 7:30pm) next Thursday (March 3) for a little fashion based fun all while supporting a local girl's health. All proceeds from the Fashion Social will be going toward assisting with the travel and medical costs associated with her treatment. You can purchase tickets at Silver Daisy Designs on 80 King Street. (Psst. You can also visit BarbBarbBarb for another shot at winning a ticket!)


So earlier this week I was driving through Rothesay, running a few errands, when I spotted all the ice fishing shacks on the Kennebecasis River, right off of the Renforth Wharf. It's been a really long time, but sitting down by this wharf (even covered in snow) reminds me of the many early morning rowing practices I crawled out of bed for. I loved being out on that water, with no sounds other than our oars hitting the watter as the sun started to come up over the hill. But this time of year this is the popular spot of ice fishing in the area.


The Outfit
  • Top: American Eagle (SJ, Dec '09)
  • Pants: ASOS (ordered online, Jan '11)
  • Belt: American Eagle (SJ, 7-8 years ago)
  • Boots: Aldo (gifted from parents, Dec '09)
  • Necklace: gifted from Kristen (Dec '09)

These pants were a pair I recently ordered from ASOS overseas. I always get nervous with online shipping and whether the fit willl be quite right. Thankfully this pair, along with another pair of trousers, fit perfectly. What wasn't so great was the bill I was faced with (despite the fact I scored on free shipping). Canada Customs charged me 18% in duty and then 15.3% in GST (over 30% of the package's worth)! Yikes! Thankfully the postman turned over my package and showed me what form to fill out to appeal the cost. Have any of you been hit with such high costs with international packages?



Thursday, February 24, 2011

Sean McGrath Photo Shoot (Part 2)

Outfit two from the photo shoot with Sean McGrath was shot in an alley uptown. The alley that ended up being more of a wind tunnel than a shelter from the gale gusts! We would take a few photos and then I would grab my jacket and jump up and down to stay warm while we waited for vehicles to pass by in the alley.   

Photography by Sean McGrath


The Outfit
  • White dress: Red Berry- Sweet Pea (Halifax, Feb '11)
  • Blazer: BB Dakota- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, Summer '10)
  • Thigh-high socks: American Apparel (Halifax, Feb '11)
  • Wedges- Aldo (ordered online, Spring '10)
  • Necklace- Banana Republic (Freeport, Nov '10)

I picked up these thigh-high knit socks when browsing the 80's reminescent American Apparel a couple of weekends ago while visiting girl friends in Halifax. As I approached the cash with them tucked under my arm, I noticed one of the sales girls was wearing the exact same pair. She was very enthausiatic about my choice, tossing up her skirt to show me how far they rolled up (secondary to letting me know she was wearing bloomers). She said they went up high enough to be like pants...and then just dropped the "like" altogether and next thing I know she was calling them pants! I loved her enthausium but can't say I agreed on the pants part...that was a bit of a stretch...

Don't forget! Today is the last day to enter to win a ticket to the Silver Daisy Design's Fashion Social. I'll draw a winner by random after the contest closes at 5pm tonight. The giveaway winner will be posted Friday morning! 




Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Sean McGrath Photo Shoot (Part 1)

Saturday afternoon I met up with local photographer, Sean McGrath, for a photo shoot in uptown Saint John. This outfit he shot atop the Brunswick Square parking garage. As you notice the wind blowing through my hair and my skirt, I can tell you it was not a warm breeze! I likely looked ridiculous dancing and spinning around to keep warm in between shots! The photo shoot was a lot of fun and flowed seamlessly. Sean was great to work with!

Photography by Sean McGrath
The Outfit
  • Dress: Lush- LuLu*s (ordered online, Jan '11)
  • Top: C'est Moi- Je Suis Prest Boutique (gifted from my sister, Dec '10)
  • Olive tights: American Apparel (Halifax, Sept '10)
  • Oxfords: Aldo (Halifax, Sept '10)

Check back tomorrow for "Part 2" for the photos of the second outfit Sean shot on Saturday!

And don't forget: you have 1 more day to enter to win a ticket to the Fashion Social hosted by Silver Daisy Designs! The event is to be held at the Canterbury Lounge next week on March 3!  


Tuesday, February 22, 2011

my first video post!

I've played with the idea for some time now in regards to doing a video blog post (aka vlog); whether it be on my shopping finds, my closet, or beauty products. I bought a mascara the other day on a whim and decided testing it out might be the perfect opportunity for a video!


Review of L'Oreal Paris Double Extend Eye Illumintator Mascara



Let's get a better look of the contrast before and after I applied the mascara. Keep in mind, that aside from the mascara, my make-up (including eyeliner) was applied prior to the video. Let's check out a before and after looks:
The Product Line...
With this product you have your traditional black as a base coat. For each eye colour there is a different coloured illuminator to be applied as the second coat to serve as a highlight for lashes.


Longevity Test...
This product not marked as "waterproof" mascara, which I would normally consider an essential factor when looking for a smudge-free product. I wore this mascara for the rest of the day. It held up through a windy outdoor photo shoot and a ladies night uptown! No smudges were spotted. I was pretty pleased. Especially given the reasonable cost (roughly $13.00 CAD), I'd recommend this product.

So there you have it! My very first video post. I'd love to hear your feedback as well as ideas of topics you'd like me to cover in a future video blog posts. Also, I'd really like to know what yout favourite mascara is and why?

Monday, February 21, 2011

one powerful hair dryer...

Saturday morning, I rolled out of bed and hurried across town for an appointment with my hair stylist at Reflections Day Spa (who also happens to be my aunt)! I'd been eagerly awaiting this appointment for a few weeks. WIth my colour faded and winter dryness in effect, my hair definitely in need of a pick-me-up!

Heather added caramel and blonde highlights to my hair with foils. As far as the cut, I went for a trim where I'm trying to grow out my hair for the wedding. Here's the "after shot" of my new 'do:



Here's an interest fact about my Saturday morning salon experience: I had my hair dried by a Ferrari engine. I kid you not! Ferrari has actually designed an engine specficially to fit in a hair dryer (the Babyliss Pro Voltare). Apparently it dries your hair in half the time. The world of hair care tools doesn't get any sportier than that!


(Photo: Nailtech Institute)



Saturday afternoon I met up with local photographer Sean McGrath for a photo shoot in uptown Saint John! I'll tell you, it was a windy and chilly day but Sean was great to work with and it was a fun experience (despite the fact that I was dancing around outside like an idiot to stay warm!) Look for those outfit photos in upcoming blog posts!

Tomorrow I'm featuring my first video blog post (vlog)- here's to hoping I'm not totally awkward!- to review a new cosmetics purchase.




P.S. Don't forget to enter to win a ticket to Silver Daisy Design's Fashion Social on March 3!


Saturday, February 19, 2011

Fashion Social!

Ladies, if you live in the local Saint John area, be sure to mark your calendars for the evening of Thursday, March 3! Here's a great opportunity to get a sneak peek at the new clothing lines at Silver Daisy Designs, while supporting an excellent cause. Silver Daisy Designs is hosting a Fashion Social at the Canterbury Lounge on March 3 with all proceeds going to support the medical and travel costs for local girl undergoing surgery a week after this event. She has made numerous trips to the IWK and Portland, ME, for treatment of a serious bowel disorder. So come out for a great time and to support a very worthwhile cause.

 As mentioned in a blog post the other week, Silver Daisy Designs is now carrying clothing! They'll be styling their models to showcase three different looks during the evening. The latest labels in store include threestones (based in Vancouver), and Moon Collection (out of LA). Aside from clothing, they will also be featuring bath products and make-up with a booth of tester products on hand for you to sample.

Door prizes will be available, as well as the chance to enter yourself into a few great things you'll find hanging in the store! Steph Downey of K100 will be MC'ing the event and DJ Fire will be on hand to supply the music!

Tickets for admission are $20, which also puts your drink of choice in hand. Here's another perk: bring your ticket to the store within a week after the event to receive 20% off a purchase at Silver Daisy Designs. You can purchase tickets at Silver Daisy Designs at 80 King Street in Uptown Saint John. Tickets went on sale this week and are limited in number!



So come on out to the Canterbury Lounge March 3 to check out the latest of what Silver Daisy is bringing into their boutique with their latest merchandise expansion, all while supporting the well-being and recovery of a local girl.

Now here's a fun little extra! Kate of Silver Daisy Designs has kindly provided me with a ticket to the Fashion Social event to give to one lucky reader of my blog! To be eligible to win you must be living or plan to be in the Saint John area on March 3. To enter to win a free ticket to the Fashion Social, just leave a comment to the post below!

Contest closes Thursday, February 24 at 5:00pm with the winner to be announced the following morning!








P.S. For an extra entry, you can tweet about the giveaway on twitter or share this blog post on Facebook! (Then be sure to come back and leave a 2nd comment to this post as your extra entry!)

Thursday, February 17, 2011

and the winners are...

Tonight winners for the Silver Daisy Designs Giveaway were chosen!
Thank you everyone for participating in the contest!
And a special thanks to Kate Lordon for providing these lovely gifts!


The $50 Gift Certificate to Silver Daisy Designs goes to...
Katie Rice!
The necklace and earrings designed by Kate Lordon herself go to...
Queen847!

Congratulations ladies! I'll be contacting you about your prizes.



Colonel Mustard...

...did it with the candlestick in the observatory!

I know, you must be incredibly tired of listening to me whine about the snow, cold, and the blistering wind on the east coast here. Because of yesterday's weather, outfit photos outside were a no-go...there was no way I was taking off my coat and mitts!

And speaking of outfit photos, I'm excited to have local photographer Sean McGrath snap my outfit photos (featuring a few new wardrobe additions) this Saturday! This weekend is fairly jam-packed! Saturday I'm subject my hair to a long overdue cut and colour, followed by the afternoon's photo shoot. That evening I'm looking forward to a girls night out uptown, anticipating that we'll end the night with a few dance moves at the Canterbury Lounge. Sunday morning, I'll be pulling myself out of bed bright and early and lugging my previously-loved items to Rhoda's for Out with the Old & In with the New! (I still need to do a final pull of items from my closests...the fact that closet is plural is largely why I need to clean out my closet again!) Hope to see you there!


The Outfit
  • Sweater: Kensie- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, Sept '10)
  • Dress: ModCloth (ordered online, Jan '11)
  • Leggings: C'est Moi- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, Oct '10)
  • Boots: Aldo (ordered online, Oct '09)
  • Necklace: Banana Republic (Freeport, Nov '10)
  • Headband: Club Monaco (Halifax, July '10)

Also worth mentioning: are you going to The Salty's (celebrating Saint John's social media community) tonight at the Saint John Ale House? (The event runs from 5pm-7pm). I'll be jaunting across town to get there after work today! Check out all the talk generated about these media award nominees on twitter via the hastag #saltys.

Don't forget to check back later today to find out the winners of the Silver Daisy Designs Giveaway! Thanks again to the lovely Kate Lordon sponsoring this giveaway by providing the beautiful jewellery set and giftcard to her store! I've also got another surprise for you all tomorrow...