baby it's cold outside...

I don't think I've ever paired this top with bottoms other than a pair of leggings- just because of it's long, loose fitting nature. I try to fit loose tops with form fitting bottoms, just to have some shape to the ensemble. But since I've got a number of outfits left in the remix of 30 days, I am going to have to try something other than the usual formula to strength 30 items into 30 outfits!

That's one good point to this challenge I've been embarking on with 336 other bloggers that Kendi Skeen of Kendi Everyday started and arranged. The challenge of making your items stretch in your imagination and coming up with other combos and outfits that you may not have put together before: stretching outside the usual and still being stylish!

The Outfit

(Faux) leather jacket- La Classe Couture- Winners (Toronto, Sept '10)

Top- 03 Everly- Pseudio (SJ, Oct '10) 

Black leggings- TNA- Aritzia (Toronto, Sept '08)

Booties- Aldo (Toronto, Sept '10)

Belt- Le Chateau (Halifax, Nov '07)
Long-sleeve tee- H&M (Toronto, Sept '10)
Necklace- Anne Marie Chagnon (Montreal, June '09)


The first...well, second...snow this season (the first occured very late on Halloween night and melted as the sun came up) I grabbed my camera and tripod, deciding it would be a good idea to catch the flurries in my outfit photo. I feel this outfit lacks a little creativity...perhaps a belt, but it was just one of those days where I needed to be out of the house quickly and the top priority I required of my outfit was comfort- my job often has me sitting on the floor, climbing under things; so really, a restricting outfit in anyway isn't practical. I wished I could wear more dresses and skirts day to day, but for the same reasons that doesn't really work out either! (Hence while I wittled my selection down to just one dress for my 30 items).

The Outfit

Military shirt- Mango (Toronto, June '10)

T-shirt- American Eagle (SJ, Oct '10)

Cords- American Eagle (

Shoes- Aldo (Halifax, Sept '10)

Necklace- Charm Diamond Center (gifted from B, May '10)

Can't believe this marks the last day on November! Since the Holidays draw closer, Ive converted my shopping wishlist (see the tabs at the top of the page) into my Christmas wish list!

the exception...

When I signed on for the 30 for 30 Fashion Challenge, I stated my one exception to following the complete set of rules: I planned to follow the shopping band except on the day of the states shopping trip I had previously planned with my sister and Mom. Yet, I wanted to take part in the challenge when Kendi was asking who wanted to participate in the 30 for 30. So here was my compromise I stated in my disclaimer: if anything was to be purchased on that date, it could not be worn until the 30 days have past.

So it was this past Thursday that I got up before the crack of dawn, picked up my sister from her apartment and met our parents to head down across the border to shop in Freeport and Portland, Maine. I started my morning with a thermos of Starbucks VIA instant coffee- it was early enough that I couldn't stop and pick up a latte- my alarm went off at 5am precisely. We hit up the outlet stores in Freeport and then headed down to Portland to the mall and TJ Maxx. I didn't get home and in the door until after 3am and it was 4am before I was asleep. This intense almost-23 hour shopping extrazaganza threw me off track and that's why I've been a little behind in blog posts, and well, sleep.

I assure you,  I've continued to take outfit pictures each day so it's just a matter of doubling up on post content to catch up!

So, back to outfit number 5 of 30: what did I wear for that really long day of shopping?

The Outfit

Faux leather jacket- Winners (Toronto, Sept '10)

Grey knit sweater- In Wear- Peepshow Girly Boutique (Halifax, Spring '08)

Spotted Top- 03Everly- Pseudio (SJ, Oct '10)

Black leggings- TNA- Aritzia (Toronto, Sept '08)

Booties- Aldo (Toronto, Sept '10)

Necklace- Splurge (Halifax, May '08)

I have to admit- these are not exactly the best pictures of me...but it was after 3am and I had been napping in the car for the last stretch of the drive! With this outfit, you have comfort- good for sitting in a car for a long drive- as well as layers- good for walking between indoors/outdoors when walking shop to shop. 

I'll share so of my finds from the shopping trip in an upcomming post! 

and they all fall down...

It was about time I caught some of the scenery our climate is famous for in my photos. Reds, yellows, oranges- it's like the trees are ablaze! To me it's a bittersweet moment: beautiful and picturesque, but also a forewarning that soon they'll fall, the snow will come and I will need to put on my hat and mittens! (I really prefer the seasons where I don't have to wear a thick coat...) I take it for granted I guess, but if I moved down south, guaranteed I'd miss the annual spectacle where mother nature is just showing off.

The Outfit

Ruffled cardigan- Kensie- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, Feb '10)

Leggings- TNA (Toronto, May '09)

Top- 03 Everly- Pseudio (SJ, Oct '10)

Booties- Aldo (Toronto, Sept '10)

Chain belt- Baubles (SJ, Spring '08)

Necklace- Anne Marie Chagnon (Montreal, June '09)

You'll also notice I actually wore my glasses during the photoshoot. Typically I only wear them on days when I'll be starring at the computer screen for prolonged periods or if I'm just at home relaxing. Today was just one of those days where my eyes needed a break.

wedding dress shopping!

Saturday I went wedding dress shopping with my mom and two younger sisters at Lockhart's in Sussex! I tried on- or should I say tied into!- some beautiful dresses. I said to our consultant Patti that working in a bridal boutique must be a workout in itself, because some of these gowns were so heavy! I had previously tried on a wide collection of lovely gowns from Heavenly Gowns in Saint John, but needed to be sure that I was making the right choice is purchasing my favourite I had choosen prior to today.

Walking into the building that day I though I had an idea of what I wanted- and even that changed to some degree! My original criteria as of 10am that morning when I arrived for my appointment were as follows:

1. No train or a bustle
2. Dress needs to be relatively light-weight
3. Sweetheart neckline
4. A-line skirt (no drop waists)

Let`s just say that the dress I am going to purchase this month has eliminated at least two of my previous criteria, and one of them I never though I'd changed my mind on. Comes to show that you need to try everything on and have some great help! Heres are cropped samples of my favourite four dresses. ;)

Of course, I can't tell you which photo is THE dress yet, but you can feel free to use your imagination and guess!

On both occasions that I've gone and tried dresses on, I made sure I wore a comfortable outfit that isn't risking wrinkles and is quick and easy to pull it on and off! Saturday's outfit included a new top from the Pseudio that I found during my animal print hunt the day before. The girls there were so helpful and great with feedback- thank you!

The Outfit

Sweater- InWear- Peepshow Boutique (Halifax, 3 years ago)

Top- 03Everly- Pseudio (SJ, Oct '10)

Leggings- TNA (Toronto, May '09)

Shoes- Sam Edelman- Winners (SJ, April '10)

Purse- Coach (Toronto, Sept '10)

Heart locket- Splurge (Halifax, May '08)

Hope you have a lovely Thanksgiving and lots to be thankful for! I'm thankful for my wonderful friends and family!