urban jungle...

Sometimes it can be fairly difficult to find an obscure location to shoot outfit photos that's for sure! I managed to tuck away in a corner uptown- with it being noon, the sun was too bright and there were lots of people out and about on their lunch hour! I've gotten the hang of choosing the best physical settings and natural lighting for my photos, but I still have so much to learn about the potential of owning an SLR!

This dress was a BB Dakota pick from Shopbop after winning Jessica's blog giveaway a few months ago.

The Outfit Dress (BB Dakota- Shopbop) | Tights (American Apparel) | Top (Joe Fresh)

Booties (Michael Kors- The Urban Shoe Myth) | Necklace (Aldo) | Bag (Coach)

And I was lucky enough to have Barb pick me up these tights from American Apparel during her vacation in Halifax a few weeks ago. (Thanks again my friend!) I'd have to say for opaque tights, American Apparel are my favourite. They lean on the more pricey side of things, but they general stay intact if you don't swipe and snag them with rings (like I tend to do...)

Coloured tights are always a fall must-have on my list! I've managed to gather a good collection- all that is missing is mustard and camel! What are your favourite colours for tights/pantyhose?

Pssst. I have three giveaways coming up on the blog soon!

Have a great weekend everyone!

last call for knee socks!

I feel a little like I below on a mountain top with braids or yodelling in this outfit, but sometimes it's a little fun when your outfit takes on a bit of character (without looking like a costume). I think this is officially the last time you'll see these shorts before spring. I've tucked a few more things away in my seasonal bin downstairs and it's almost time to lug up the heavier coats and boots! After all, I'm pretty sure I spotted frost on my car's wind shield this morning (from the warmth of my living room of course- one benefit of having your office at home).

Click the links below to see where you can the find these items online.

The Outfit  Vest: H&M | Blouse: H&M (similiar) | Shorts: Old Navy  

Socks: American Apparel (similar) | Bracelet: ESquared- Silver Daisy Designs

Necklace: Aldo Accessories | Booties: Michael Kors- The Urban Shoe Myth

Yesterday, one of the local radio stations was talking about taking bets on when we'll have the first snowfall (of at least 1cm- gross.) Last year it was right after Halloween. Starting to think about snow has meet thinking of ideas of how to capture interesting outfit photos without resorting to my living room wall as the back drop. 

Any good suggestions for interesting locations sheltered or indoors once the dreaded winter hits?

I'd love to hear your suggestions for keeping it interesting down below in the comments! Also, just feel free to say hi. :)

Fashion Forward...

Two weeks ago, Uptown Saint John hosted Fashion Forward...An Uptown Affair for the first time. Considered Saint John's version of Fashion's Night Out: many Uptown shops stayed open late to spoil their customers with special deals, draws, and promotions. There were plenty of demos and samples- and many stores served food and some even a glass of bubbly!

The Outfit:  Skirt: Gentle Fawn- Je Suis Prest (SJ, Oct '11) | Necklace: Aldo (Moncton, Aug '11)

Blouse: Mink Pink: Silver Daisy (SJ, Oct '11) | Socks: American Apparel (Halifax, Mar '11)

Trench: BB Dakota- Je Suis Prest (SJ, Sept '11) | Nails: Essie- Walmart (SJ, Sept '11)

Shoes: Michael Kors- Urban Shoe Myth (SJ, Sept '11) | Belt: Eddie Bauer (Moncton, Aug '06)

I wore this outfit wore that evening in pursuit of the best deals with friends. I ended up with a top on lay away at Silver Daisy, boots on lay away at Urban Shoe Myth, a new sweater (already featured on the blog) from Je Suis Prest, and then cheetah print pumps for 20% off at Manchester! To check out the photos I snapped at various stores throughout the evening, be sure to take a look of the photos I posted on Facebook later that night:

• Photo Album: Fashion Forward...An Uptown Affair

blogger party!

Last night was Saint John's first blogger meet-up. It was a chance for bloggers who write about some aspect of fashion- whether it be personal style, lifestyle, photography, hair, or design- to gather together and, for some, meet for the 1st time in person. And what better than an opportunity to drink, eat, and be merry all while amongst beautiful shoes?

Huge thank you to the fabulous Urban Shoe Myth for hosting our blogger party last night. And great thanks to the chef extrordinaire Jesse Vergen and Peter Stoddart of the Alehouse for sponsoring our gathering with some beautiful spreads to feast upon!

Twitter: @UrbanShoeMyth | @SJAH_NB | @JesseVergen

The Urban Shoe Myth: 78 King Street

Did you know that you too could host your own shoe shopping party?

Click here for more details.

Blogger gathering, beautiful shoes, and one stylish mannequin (dressed in Je Suis Prest!)

Bloggers chatting over punch and deliciously prepared food from the Saint John Ale House

2 planks of tastey food prepared

(Some of those veggies are right from Jesse's own garden!)

(Left): Jasmine & Candice outside while we shoot our outfit photos | (Center): Kelly tries on every black boot in the store | (Right): The magical room with all the shoes

My favourite shoes at the Urban Shoe Myth (ok, so I couldn't pick just one..or two!):

1. Nine West | 2. Steve Madden | 3. Stuart Weitzman

4. Kenneth Cole | 5. Miz Mooz | 6. Dolce Vita

7. Minnetonka | 8. Frye | 9. Born

I tried #6 on- now on my wishlist- & already have #9 on lay-away.

Thanks to Kate for snapping my outfit photos!

The Outfit: Sweater: Pink Martini- Je Suis Prest (SJ, Oct '11) | Belt: Old Navy (SJ, Sept '11)

Necklace: Banana Republic (Freeport, Nov '10) | Dress: Pink Martini- Je Suis Prest (SJ, Sept '11)

Earrings: Kate Spade (ordered online, July '11) | Tights: American Apparel (Halifax, Winter '08)

Shoes: Steve Madden- Urban Shoe Myth (SJ, Mar '11)

Thanks to all the lovely bloggers who could make it out this time around! I think we'll see this become a seasonal event!

Attendees:

Barb Crawford- Barbbarbbarb

Candice MacLean- Brilliant Sugar

Kate McLean- O My Heart!

Adam Donnelly- ADonis Style

Emma Barlow- Full of Fabulous

Kelly Lawson- LensView

Judith Mackin- punchinside blog

Leigh-Ellen- Little Waterlily in a Big Pond

Kate Lordon- Silver Daisy Designs blog

Jasmine Grimes- Follow in My Fabulousness

crop top...

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One trend that has come back this summer has been the 90's crop top- but with its own twist of course. Unfortunately this is a tricky look to pull off and not flattering at all. I'm not in the tip top shape I want to be (but I'm working on it!) so belly-baring tops are off the table for me. The twist to wearing a crop top this summer is to pair it with a high waisted pant in order to allow more women to pull this look off and look good doing it- the idea isn't to try and bare a lot of skin. Less is more!

Where top crops tend to be flowy, this look doesn't tend to look good with my body type, they stop right at the widest part of my body- my hips and cover up my more narrow waist. On the end, I look wider and boxy: not flattering.

But with the crop top below, I just loved the pattern and decided I'd wear it with a pair of jean shorts as a beach cover-up. Then, I got the idea of belting it with a high-waisted skirt to keep it modest but also work with my body's curves.

The Outfit

• Crop top- American Eagle (SJ, July '11)
• Skirt- American Apparel (Halifax, April '07)
• Belt: Eddie Bauer (Moncton, August '06)
• Necklace: Banana Republic (Freeport, Nov '10)
• Hat: Gap (Moncton, July '11)
• Scarf around hat: Coach (Toronto, Sept '08)
• Espadrilles: Steve Madden- The Urban Shoe Myth (SJ, June '11)

Sometimes we have to remember that all trends aren't going to flatter all body types (I know I've stayed clear of a few myself)- or you can transform or modify them to make them your own! The most important thing is knowing what you feel comfortable it and knowing what looks good on you! Just like it's never truly one size fits all, it's never should be one look suits all.

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Saint John Cut Revisited

In early March, I participated in Saint John Cut: a fashion photo shoot bringing collective of creatives together in Uptown Saint John's White Room. Among the crew there was a stylist, make-up artist, bloggers, models, and photographers. Included in the group of local photographers was the talented Sheldon Parsons.

More recently Sheldon kindly gave me a CD with the high resolution images he edited from the photoshoot.

Below are a sample of the photos from my photoshoot with Sheldon at Saint John Cut:

{headband, top: Free People, skirt: Free People, belt- Nicole Lee- all from Je Suis Prest Boutique;
hosiery- American Apparel; shoes- Steve Madden- Urban Shoe Myth} 

Not only does he produce great work, I find Sheldon to be someone who is extremely easy to work with. It can be a little daunting working with a professional- especially when you are used to having just a tripod hold the camera when snapping your photos! I find his relaxed, friendly personality will definitely put you at ease.

There's been some great local photographers I've had the pleasure meeting over the last year- Sheldon is definitely one of my favourites who's blog and work I enjoy following. Below I've included several of my favourite photos from some of his recent projects:   

{Clockwise from top left: Photoshoot w/ Chantel, Photoshoot w/ Fantasha,

Je Suis Prest Boutique Holiday Party, Fran @ Saint John Cut}

{Clockwise from top left: Photoshoot w/ Fantasha, Jeanne Beker @ Heart Truth Fashion Gala,

Wedding photoshoot, Photoshoot w/ Olivia}

Be sure to check out an interview Barb did with Sheldon on her blog a few weeks ago, browse out his amazing work, and follow his photography on Facebook!

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mother nature...

I appologize for the lack in blog posts last week- my laptop was attacked by a virus and frustatingly enough I wasn't able to remove it myself. I took my computer over to Cyber Solutions on the lower west side, and after paying double for priority service, my baby was back in my hands in less than 24 hours. All I have to say is beware of the Win 7 Anti-Spyware virus- it's a hoax that hackers have set up to get you to buy their program online that will supposedly wipe your system of viruses you supposedly- but actually do not- have. Even if you're like me and aware enough not to fall for this scam, it still interupts everything you do on your computer and doesn't allow you to open some programs. Frustrating indeed. Thankfully I'm back into the blogging swing of things!

This outfit I wore a couple of weeks ago to have coffee with Natalie from Manchester Shoe Salon uptown at Starbucks. Of course, this was followed by typical browsing of the uptown shops. I'm happy to say that I'm slowly phasing out this winter coat. In fact, yesterday I was out running errands only wearing a cardigan over my tank top! It's officially starting to feel like spring!

The Outfit

• Dress: Lush- LuLu*s (ordered online, Jan '11)
• Sweater: American Eagle (SJ, Sept '08)
• Pantyhose: American Apparel (Halifax, Apr '10)
• Wedges: Aldo (ordered online, Spring '10)
• Belt: H&M (Darmouth, July '10)
• Head band: Club Monaco (Halifax, July '10)

Have you entered the Band Geek giveaway to possibly win a lovely head band of your choice? Only 2 days left to enter!

  

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