work it wednesday...

Last week I used Polyvore to show 3 ways I would style a Rachel Zoe blouse I've been coveting. This week I thought I'd pull an item from my own closet to show you how I've remixed it within my wardrobe.

Michael Kors Jada Bootie

Piperlime | The Urban Shoe Myth

A fall footwear staple for me has been this bootie I purchased back in September. I really love this wedge- it's more supportive than your typical pair of heels and is comfortable enough to wear when I know I'm going to be on my feet for a prolonged period.. It's a shoe that can easily be dressed up or down the neutral colour allows it be mix and match with a wide variety of colour palettes.

What has been your favourite shoe to wear this fall? 

Click the image below to pop on over (to The Good Life for Less blog) and see how other bloggers have styled the wardrobe item or trend of their choice this week!

smoking slippers...

This week I'm craving....the "smoking slipper".

Essential a delicate loafer-style flat with a pseudo-tongue, this shoe has caught my eye recently in magazines and fashion blogs. They come in a variety of colours and materials. I love an opportunity to wear heels, but day-to-day, for me, it really isn't practical. In my outfit posts I only share outfits that are functional: that I've worn outside the house. And often that requires this gal to wear a flat or a shoe that I can easily move around in or drive my standard! Below are some prime examples of how flats can be both beautiful and functional!

You can click on the links below to find out cost and where to purchase:

(Left to Right; Top to Bottom)

1. Sam Edelman Alvin | 2. Steven by Steve Madden Madee-R | 3. Steve Madden Madee 

4. Steve Madden Madee | 5. Sam Edelman Adena | 6. Steve Madden Madee

7. Steve Madden Madee | 8. Jeffrey Campbell Elegant | 9. Kelsi Dagger: The Frances Shoe 

I think I'm torn between the Sam Edelman studded ones and the Steve Madden leopards! Right now new shoes aren't quite in the budget, so I'm putting these on my wishlist for now!

Do tell: are you a fan of the smoking slipper? Which is your favourite?

3 things: make-up basics

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It seems that I'm always runnings late or rushing from one thing to another. I don't always have time to get detailed with my make-up so sometimes I need to prioritize! If I could only pick just 3 things to apply in the morning before I run out the door, I'd have to say these 3 items would be it:

Waterproof Mascara

Long-time wear without the undereye smudges- I always choose a mascara that is waterproof. While I'm not partial to this specific type, Cover Girl's Volume Exact has been the cost-effective choice laying on my dresser lately. 

Bronzer

When your skin is as naturally fair as mine, a little bit of a tan can make a difference! Rimmel's Natural Bronzer is a popular choice among my friends. Under $10 and accessible from almost any drug store, this bronzer comes in a few shade varities, applying fairly and blending fairly evenly. A quick brush across the cheeks, nose, forehead, and under the eyes quickly adds a little colour.

Concealer

This item may be more of an investment, but it is definitely worth the cost. I've tried many concealers to combat and cover-up my undereye circles and this is my favourite product to date! I've been using Chanel's Lift Lumiere since Laura at Perfumes Plus introduced it to me. Another great aspect- it colour corrects. This eye contour concealer only comes in two shades: light and dark, but they work on a wide variety of skin colours! The product applies as a liquid and goes on smooth, effectively covering the desired area without appearing too thick.

If you had to narrow your make-up bag down to only 3 things, which would you choose?

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3 things: tropical inspired nails

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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?

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Charity Chic...

Have you heard about the charity event that has women emptying their closets in the masses? Maybe you've heard about two ladies I know running around the city filling up their cars with gently used clothing, shoes, and purses? Dominique and Emma have been picking up donations left, right and center- I transfered my 2 large bags this afternoon into the back of Emma's little red car.

Event planner Dominique Leger (Red Hot Events) has had plans for this little shopping extravaganza for a few months now and this Saturday is the day! All of these gently used goods will be part of a special sale this Saturday, May 14, with a part of the proceeds going to Romero House! It's like a clothing swap- and you get to invade the closets of multiple Saint John women all at once! Click the photo below to check out the event on Facebook:

Can you still shop if you don't swap? Of course! You can get in on the goods for the $20 entrance fee (that is going to a good cause!)- and if you have made a donation, the fee is dropped to half (only $10). Your ticket gets you Swap Shop dollars to spend for an afternoon of shopping with your gal pals! It's like getting Monopoly-like money to get to spend elsewhere than on Park Place! (You can always replenish your wallet with more Swap Shop dollars if needed!)

I took this opportunity to really thin out my closets and pass up those items I haven't worn in a while. I've been better at purging over the last couple of years and realizing that if it doesn't fit or if I haven't worn something in months (unless it's a special occasion dress!) that it's time for me to find those items a new home. I've finally faced the facts- I can't resist some good retail therapy, so there are always new garments coming in. Like the motto of our Rhoda sales- it's out with the old and in with the new!

And here's just a little sampling of what I pulled...

Pants: R&W Co. trousers, Banana Republic white dress pants, LaCoste jeans, mulitple pairs of Mavi jeans

Tops: Club Monaco blouse, Kenneth Cole short-sleeved jacket, Kensie tee, R&W Co ruffled tank, Abercrombie & Fitch shirt dress

Tops: Club Monaco top, French Connection sweater, cashmere sweater from Aritzia, Nougat London cardigan

Belts: Michael Kors and Dolce & Gabbana

So if you want to donate from your closet, there are still drop-offs scheduled for this week:

• Tonight (Wednesday) 8-8:30pm @ KBM Community Center in Grand Bay
• Thursday 4:15-4:30 @ Quispamsis Elementary School parking lot
• Friday 4:30-4:45 @ Islandview Elementary School by the playground

Be sure to contact Red Hot Events if you have items to donate but can't make these locations/times!

Be sure to tell your friends and I hope to see you Saturday afternoon!

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my first guest post...

On Tuesday this week, I had my first opportunity to do a guest post for blogger pal Becca Jane while she is away in North Carolina for 2 weeks on vacation. Becca, siutated in Ottawa, is a fellow fashionusiast who writes her own fashion blog, Along the Shore. Click on the photo below to check out her blog, my post, and a cute peacock print dress I picked up from >Je Suis Prest Boutique recently!

Speaking of guest posts, I have several lovely bloggers lined up to cover for me during the week or so surounding my wedding (June 4)! While I'm off planning the last details and tying the knot these fabulous ladies are going to share their own style and beauty/fashion perspectives!

And don't forget to enter the newly launched Urban Shoe Myth Giveaway to win a $100 gift certificate to their beautiful store!



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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!)

An interview with Kate...

You’ll find my favourite little shop on King Street once you climb all the way to the top! Silver Daisy Designs, run by a mother-daughter team, is a unique uptown boutique that opened its doors this past summer. I first popped in for a visit after I caught view of their cute display window while roaming uptown one day. Remember the feature I did on their store back then?

I recently met up with the lovely Kate Lordon over a cup of coffee to chat about the recent changes to her store. I had heard that she was bringing in clothing and I wanted to get all the details! Within recent weeks Kate has brought a few lines of romantic feminine pieces but she plans to add to the labels she’s currently carrying.

So what clothing types can you expect to find on the racks at Silver Daisy Designs? Kate says she’s looking to bring in looks that are girly, comfy-casual, and boho chic for starters. She aspires to fill the gap of what Saint John doesn’t have, but has a need for. She wants to offer her customers items that are feminine, fun, and affordable.

I wanted to get Kate’s perspective on what inspired her to make the shift in merchandise in her store. She excitedly talks about how she dreams of creating a girly one-stop-shop. She’d like to see women be able to come in and be able to find their make-up, outfit, and accessories all in package: a retail haven where you can indulge and spoil yourself! And now seems like a perfect time with a fancy new shoe store opening up next door in March!

Along the tiffany blue walls you’ll also find such treasures as hair accessories, jewellery, cosmetics, hand bags, and bath and body products. They’ll be keeping a small section of giftware and of course Silver Daisy will still be an excellent source for Matt & Nat purses! We’ll be seeing another purse line coming in as well as bold costume jewellery, more sterling silver jewellery, bridal headpieces, and prom and romantic headpieces.

Kate creates some pretty stunning pieces of jewellery. I asked her about her creative process. Her favourite materials she loves working with are crystals and sterling silver. She indicates that she strives to create pieces that are unique and have an elegant aspect to them.

What other things for spring can we expect to find at Silver Daisy Designs? Kate is forecasting opaque tights in bright colours, floral and lacy garments, and just more clothing and jewellery in general!

You can check out Silver Daisy Designs on their website, on Facebook, or stop by for some retail therapy at 80 King Street in uptown Saint John!

If you haven't already had a chance to enter the giveaway, click here to enter for the chance to win a beautiful necklace and earring set and a $50 gift certificate from Silver Daisy Designs!

black dog boutique's grand opening...

Friday night I found myself at The Black Dog Boutique, a cozy boutique found below the big red 2-4 on Germain Street.

Inside, Jill Kimball, owner of the Black Dog, was hosting the celebratory Grand Opening of her new store, which had opened it's doors to uptown Saint John last month.

Meet Oli. Official greeter and bow-tie clad inspiration behind The Black Dog Boutique.

It takes a special canine to be considered trustworthy amongst racks of beautiful clothing.

I'd describe The Black Dog Boutique's selection as comfortable chic and sophisticated refinery. You have many quality, well constructed garments. I love the variety of prints and rich textures as well.

In the back, where the dressing rooms lie, a group gathered, glasses of bubbly in hand. In attendeance were two of the Mill Rats players, mingling and politely ensuring everyone had a drink in hand from the champagne fountain.

Everyone was mixing and mingling in the dressing room area referred to as "the boudoir"

Here's the lovely and charming Jill with the ever-gentle Oli

Local uptown shop owner Kiera Fraser (Je Suis Prest Boutique) dropped in to browse the latest shipments found on The Black Dog's racks and support Jill in her grand opening.

Jill's current garment selection varies from She Bible, based out of San Fransisco, to the organic, east coast based Toggery. Also in stock are beautiful pieces from Montreal's Valerie Dumaine and Eve Gravel.

Personally, I tried on an Eve Gravel black and cream belted skirt with pockets and fell in love. (Naturally, I had to adopt it.)

If you haven't had the opportunity to check out The Black Dog Boutique, you really should stop in and see Jill and Oli!

my top 10 favourite remixers...

As you might have known or heard me mention, 337 bloggers participated in the 30 for 30 Fashion Challenge as started by Kendi of Kendi Everday. I have to give credit to all these bloggers: living on 30 articles of clothing for 30 days and not shopping: now that's a real challenge. For those who were able to follow the rules religiously I admire your strength...and for the rest of who might of, er, bent the rules a little...well I think we all learned a thing or two from this challenge, gained some insight into our styles, and learned a few things from each other.

Kendi of Kendi Everday

Kendi, on the 3rd round of the 30 for 30, makes remixing look effortless.

She sweet, stylish, modest, and I enjoy the sense of humour with which

she writes her blog posts. Her blog is a must-follow!

Check out her round-up of outfits for this 30 for 30. 

There are a number of bloggers I came across through this challenge that I will be adding to my blog roll, because they inspire me and I truely enjoy their style. I checked out the blogs of fellow remixers gradually over the course of the challenge. Here are my top 10 (aside from Kendi, of course) favourite remixers (in no particular order) that I'll continue to follow (and suggest you do too!):

1

Jen Lula of Jen Loves Kev

A blog I had heard about previously, but I didn't quite get acquainted with

Jen's blog until this challenge: and I'm glad I did!

2

Keira of A Pretty Penny

APP was a new and pleasant find for me!

3

Tania of What Would a Nerd Wear

I've followed her blog for a while now and I'm impressed that she always

makes the time to look good while battling the stresses of grad school!

4

Sydney of The Daybook

I'm a newcomer to Sydney's blog about life with her

husband and her adorable sense of style.

5

Linley of Dwelling & Telling

Linley has great, creative personal style and although Dwelling & Telling

isn't purely a style blog, I hope Linley continues to share her personal

style and outfits with us! 

6

Liz of 26 & Counting

Liz's blog was developed through her pursuit of assembling fun and office

appropriate outfits. I recently encountered 26 & Counting by randomly

clicking on links to fellow remixers' blogs. 

7 

 Ashley of Hudson's Happenings

Ashley's blog may focus on her family's day to day life events,

but I hope that she too continues to showcase her unique

and bold sense of style! Ilike how she remixes!

8

Linda of Rose a la Mode

I came across Linda's blog recently and enjoy her

well-put-together outfits!

 

9

Bre of 27b

I'll give Bre credit for the most interesting prop I've ever seen in an outfit photo!

 But that's not the only reason I've included her in the top 10...be sure to check out her blog.

10

Jill GG's Good Life for Less

Stay at home mom of 2: Jill happens to be one best dressed momma!

I've followed her blog for a while now. 

 Who are your favourites from the 30 for 30?