Friday, May 27, 2011

3 things: the bachelorette party



Tomorrow evening is my bachelorette: check out the sneak peek of 3 things I'm wearing to the party!

1. Silver Platforms

2. Necklace

3. White Dress



So excited to spend time with all my girlfriends and I'm especially excited that bestie and MOH Kristen is arriving at the Saint John airport from London tonight!








Wednesday, May 25, 2011

white denim...



I'm thinking with all the rain we've been seeing the last few weeks, mother nature owes me a sunny day come my wedding at the end of next week! (Knock on wood.) The countdown is on...so many things to do in preparation, but I'm a little all over the place in completing them. I'm just crossing things off my mental to-do list one thing at a time...as the day gets nearer, I seem to be hearing "what do you have left?" a lot more frequently (which I find a bit overwhelming!)- although I don't have any doubt it will all get done in plenty of time.

With the stress of planning this wedding as come much retail therapy. I'll admit it. It's sort of similar to the way I dealt with getting through grad school: I shopped to add a little balance.

On Monday I shared with you the new incredibly comfortable wide leg trousers I'm in love with (shall we say, the wide leg version of the jegging). On the same day, I picked up this pair of cropped white denim and come to find they were a perfect fit. Like most women, I have my own challenges finding the right bottoms, so when I find a pair I like they have to come home with me. So in the end, I just couldn't choose between the wide leg trousers and the cropped white jeans. My solution: I bought both of 'em



The Outfit:
  • Sweater: Joe Fresh Style (SJ, May '11)
  • Tank: Free People- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, February '10)
  • White crop jeans: iT jeans- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, May '11)
  • Sandals: Steve Madden- The Urban Shoe Myth (SJ, April '11)
  • Necklace: Forever 21 (Bangor, Nov '10)
  • Leather cuff: ESquared- Silver Daisy Designs (SJ, May '11)
I also fell in love with this leather cuff in robin's egg blue made by the lovely ladies of ESquared Jewels. These girls are some talented! I'm finding I seem to have an affinity towards pretty pastels and "Easter colours" this spring, despite the fact that they are not the most popular trending colours this season. Sometimes you just have to go with what you love!
 

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

wedding shower...



Today marks a week from two events: my last blog post before my wedding and the last day to enter the Urban Shoe Myth Giveaway! So be sure to get your entries in before the deadline to win that $100 gift certificate! A new pair of beautiful shoes could be in your future!

Below is the outfit I wore to my family wedding shower hosted at my grandmother's house. Although my last single girl post comes next Tuesday, don't worry, I won't be leaving you hanging! Until I return from the last minute wedding prep, nuptial celebrations, mini vacation, and then the aftermath I will be leaving you in excellent hands! Some of my favourite girls with great style will be filling in with guests posts while I'm away!



The Outfit
  • Dress: Red Berries- Sweet Pea Boutique (Halifax, Feb '11)
  • Sweater: Kensie- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, Dec '09)
  • Necklace: ESquared- Silver Daisy Designs (SJ, May '11)
  • Wedges: Aldo (ordered online, Spring '10)

The rose in the photos above comes from the dozen B was sweet enough to give me for our 4 year anniversary a little over a week ago. What girl doesn't love getting flowers?


  

Monday, May 23, 2011

the new jegging



Since the revival of 70's style, I've been seriously craving wide leg jeans. Not just a boot cut or flare with a fitted thigh- I wanted the real deal, but they seem challenging to find. Last Saturday I sat on the ottoman by Je Suis Prest Boutique's changing rooms watching and weighing in with my opinion as the Katies tried on pretty summer dresses. Then Joy, as she is oh so good at doing, holds up an item that she suggests I may like.

Although I had been determined to stay out of the changing room myself (because it all goes down hill from there!), I couldn't resist trying on these soft wide-leg trousers that mimicked denim. Essentially they were jeggings in wide-leg form: stretchy and comfortable. Of course, as soon as I got them on, they were as good as sold. As far as pants go, I've been a jeggings and skinnies girl for some time now, but I can tell you these are going to get plenty of wear within my wardrobe!
  


The Outfit
  • T-shirt: American Eagle (SJ, April '10)
  • Vest: American Eagle (SJ, Fall '09)
  • Trouser: !iT jeans- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, May '11)
  • Shoes: Aldo (Moncton, April '11)
  • Necklace: Splurge (Halifax, May '08)

If you haven't gotten around to it yet, don't forget to enter The Urban Shoe Myth Giveaway! And for those of you who already jumped at the chance to win $100 towards a new pair of shoes, there's a few more ways you can gain additional entries!




Friday, May 20, 2011

3 things: tropical inspired nails



My favourite nail colours of the moment actually come from 3 different cosmetic brands. Each shade to me has a perfect summer esthetic! Mint green reminds me of mint chocolate chip ice cream from the Pumpkin Patch, coral makes me think of beautiful tropical flowers, and light turquoise to me, is reminescent of Carribean waters on holiday.


 


1. Gargantuan Green Grape- OPI (Worn here)
2. Peachy- Gosh (Worn here)
3. Turquoise & Caicos- Essie (Worn here)


What nail shades are you loving right now?







Thursday, May 19, 2011

really want to win those shoes?



Have you already entered The Urban Shoe Myth Giveaway? Have you completed the steps towards earning the 12 maximum entrie? With just under 2 weeks left in the contest, I'm going to give you the opportunity to up your chances of spending that $100 gift certificate!

 
To earn the additional  entries you need to have previously submitted an entry to this giveaway. If you haven't, get started by clicking here first!
 
 For those 2 additional bonus entries:
  • Tweet the following: "I entered to win a $100 gift certificate to @urbanshoemyth on @mshopaholic's blog! Check out the giveaway here: http://bit.ly/lalnlK" (+1 entry)
  • Share the giveaway link on Facebook! (+1 entry)
Be sure to leave a separate comment below for each extra entry!


 
 Remember, This giveaway will be open until Tuesday, May 31, at 5pm AST. Good luck! Thanks again to The Urban Shoe Myth for teaming up on this giveaway! 
 
 
   
 

spring camouflage...



I think all this rain we've been drowning in has finally paid off- because finally I'm starting to see leaf buds popping up all over the city! Which is good with my wedding is coming up in 2.5 weeks! I'd hate to see the only greenery be fake with our black and white garden party theme!

I wore this particular outfit on a busy Saturday: first for coffee and shopping uptown with the Katies, then I was off to Charity Chic in search of great finds, followed by a 3 year old's birthday party, and finally a dinner and movie date with Tabor.

 


(Left) Pink OPI nail colour I had painted at Charity Chic.
(Right) Two shades of green nail colour (OPI Gargantuan Grape & Inglot 320) from early in the day


The Outfit

Dress: Lovelygirl- Twisted Muse (Halifax, July '10)
Sweater: Abercrombie & Fitch (Bangor, Nov '09)
Tights: We Love Colours in Mocha (ordered online, March '11)
Shoes: Nine West (Freeport, Nov '10)
Headband: Splurge (Halifax, Fall '09)
Gold necklace: Banana Republic (Freeport, Nov '10)
Floral necklace: ESquared- Silver Daisy Designs (SJ, May '11)


When I went to Silver Daisy Designs last week it was actually to look for a necklace to go with my ensemble I have picked out for my bachelorette coming up- however the new stash of ESquared Jewels caught my eye and I easily fell in love with a couple pieces. It took me longer to decide on what I had actually come for while this green floral Esquared piece was a no brainer. I just love the look and feel of what Erin and Emily create.

Remember I said to stay tuned to a special announcement on how you can gain yourself a few more entries into the Urban Shoe Myth Giveaway? Check back at noon today for more details!





Wednesday, May 18, 2011

lesson learned...



With a 25% off discount to Coach burning a hole in my pocket, I gave into a little retail therapy amongst all the wedding planning. My sister decided to go in on the order and we were both a little shocked in how much we had to pay for duty and shipping! Despite their US origins, it would be nice to not have to pay so much for a package coming from our neighbouring country. (I've spent less on goods coming from the UK!) It's also hard to anticipate additional costs from duty and taxes and it seems most of the good stores we're going to order online are across the border. 
   


The Outfit 
  • Purse: Coach (ordered online, May '11)
  • Jeggings: Guess- Envy (SJ, Dec '10)
  • Floral tank: Free People- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, May '11)
  • Cardigan: American Eagle (SJ, Sept '08)
  • Necklace: Aldo Accessories (Toronto, June '10)
  • Belt: French Connection (Toronto, June '10)
  • Sandals: Steve Madden- The Urban Shoe Myth (SJ, April '11)
  • Sunglasses: Michael Kors- TJ Maxx (New Hampshire, April '09)

However, I did later learn that I could have called the Coach store in Halifax and have them ship me the purse from their store for less...oh why didn'tI know this beforehand?  Despite the duty costs, I do love my new draw-string cross-body. (Once you go crossbody you never go back!) And we still saved more than a few pretty pennies with the discount. Now that it's all said and done with, I try to look on the bright side and pass on this little piece of knowledge so that someone else might benefit from my learning experience!
 
And speaking of savings- you could save yourself a $100 on a new pair of shoes if you've entered The Urban Shoe Myth Giveaway! Do it now! For those of you who already have, stayed tuned- tomorrow I'm going to tell you how you can get a couple more entries- even if you've already maxed out all the previous opportunities!
 
 


Tuesday, May 17, 2011

charity chic: the classy clothing swap



The last couple of weeks, Dominique Leger (Red Hot Events) with Emma Barlow (Darling Dilemma) have been gathering heeps of gently used clothing, purses, and shoes in preparation for Charity Chic, a clothing swap to benefit Romer House in Saint John.

Saturday afternoon, I ran into familiar faces in both the parking lot and the lobby of the Best Western- we were all ready to sort through other's closet contents to find new homes for all the goods!


Aside from the clothing and other goods- there were other ways women could catch in their swap dollars they were given with admission to the event. One such table was set up by SweetSugar.ca, owned by Leanne Cochrane, and manned by Emma's son Phoenix- literally a kid in a candy store!


Dominique was hard at work the last week of preparation unloading and personally labelling flats of water bottles to ensure the ladies shopping were well hydrated!


Another service offered at the Charity Chic event was having your brows shaped or make-up done by one the of the lovely ladies from Essential Esthetics!


A line-up definitely was in place to have nails professionally painted by two gals from Hair Affair & Co. including @PureStylist!


Below, Melissa enjoys the pampering and gets her nails done in a pretty coral.


The talented and beautiful  Kelly Lawson was on the scene, camera and equipment on hand to take photos of all the ladies who were game to plan with her props. Check her blog post and the fun and entertaining end result here! Below, on the left, style blogger Melissa and her sister Carla pose with their cute little mustaches! 


It was a hopping afternoon! With shopping, beauty professionals, candy, a DJ, and photographer on site it was an afternoon for women to shop, have fun, and truly enjoy themselves! I was expecting a fun set-up in which to browse the racks of clothing, but these ladies out-did themselves!


Below, event organizers Emma & Dominique (photo by Kelly Lawson) celebrate a job well done. Also available was draws for prizes from local businesses. A portion of proceeds, in hand with any left over donations from Charity Chic were donated to a worthy cause in Romero House. 

I personally picked up a pair of Joe Fresh grey heels, a purple Loft sweater and a new pair of diamond-patterned opaque black tights!

I'd love to hear if you were able to make it to Charity Chic Saturday and if so, what you managed to get your hands on!