white denim...

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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!

 

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underground...

Last Thursday marked the first official Saltys: Saint John's social media awards. It was large gathering at the Saint John Ale House to mix, mingle and announce the winners:

Twitter Person of the Year: Anne McShane @feelgoodsj (Owner of the Feel Good Store)

Best Facebook Page: Hemmings House Pictures (Filmmakers)

Coolest Blog: Saint John Ale House- Peter Stoddart (Local restaurant) 

Best Use of Social Media in a Campaign: Mel Norton Campaign for Common Council (City Councillor)

After the event, a few of us including Kate (O My Heart!) and Kiera (Je Suis Prest Boutique) headed downstairs to the pub for a drink and a bite to eat. I took advantage of being parked in a heated underground parking lot and shot my photos with the help of my trusty tripod afterwards!

The Outfit

• Pink t-shirt: Joe Fresh Style (SJ, Jan '11)
• Pants w/ suspenders: ASOS (ordered online, Jan '11)
• Pearl necklace: Forever21 (Montreal, June '10)
• Pearl bracelet: Le Chateau (Halifax, Fall '07)
• Black flats: Aldo (ordered online, Oct '10)

This year has really been a year of growth for social media. More than ever people and businesses alike are looking to find information, seek entertainment and communicate via mediums such as blogs, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube... I know they are a huge connection for me and my blog.

pirate pants...

So I'm fairly certain that I got a few interesting looks last week we I sported these amazingly comfortable pants that I picked up at The Black Dog Boutique. However, store owner Jill (queen of effortlessly cool style) and I have a shared love for this pair of Valerie Dumaine (Montreal designer) trousers (we both own a pair). They really have more versatility than perhaps perceived upon first glance. In future outfit photos, I'll show you how!

Anyways, as I mentioned in Friday's post, more loose-fitting slacks will be popping up this spring to compete with the lately-loved skinny pants. Mens-inspired trousers are not only comfortable, but they will definitely have a place in up and coming trends.

The Outfit

• Blouse- H&M (Montreal, June '10)
• Pants- Valerie Dumaine- The Black Dog Boutique (SJ, Jan '11)
• Necklace- Forever 21 (Montreal, June '10)
• Headband- Silver Daisy Designs (SJ, Sept '10)
• Boots- Town Shoes (Halifax, Oct '07)

Not only do I love a comfortable pair of pants, I also have a penchant for lovely headbands and showy fascinators. One place I look to find hair accessories would be at Silver Daisy Design on King Street. Coincidently, tomorrow kicks off a giveaway from Silver Daisy Design and lovely owner Kate Lordon!

Be sure to pop by tomorrow!

playing catch-up....

So Ive been a little behind lately on my outfit posts for the 30 for 30 Fashion Challenge. In order to play a little catch-up I'm going to double up on outfits in my 30 for 30 posts starting this morning. I have to say, this challenge has proven to be trying in a number of ways...and I have to remind myself that the rest of my closet is off limits! It's been an interesting experience, but I can't wait to make use of my full wardrobe again- and just in time for holiday events and parties! I can say that finally I managed to find a spot to hang my 30 items...that didn't include the back of my couch...

The Outfit

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

Blouse- H&M (Moncton, Aug '10)

Belt- Winners (Toronto, Sept '08)

Skinny grey pants- RW & Co. (SJ, May '10)

Shoes- Aldo- (ordered online, Oct '10)

Necklace- Forever 21 (Portland, Nov '10)

Hat- H&M (Moncton, Nov '10)

Scarf- Winners (SJ, Feb '09)

The Outfit

Top- Gentle Fawn- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, Nov '10)

Skinny jeans- Nissi- Pseudio (SJ, April '10)

Sweater- Kensie- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, Sept '10)

Boots- Aldo (gift from my parents, Dec '09)

By the way, all these Black Friday sales, even if they are just online for us Canadians, are oh so tempting! Emails from my favourite stores with discounts are continuously taunting me! Must...stay...strong! 

multipattern harmony..

So I'll admit, I've sort of bended the rules for the 30 for 30 challenge.  I realized a few flaws in my choices that was making it difficult to maximize my 30 items to their full potential. I've decided to swap out a few items- but only because they have not been worn to date....so technically, I still won't be wearing more than 30 items in 30 days! So I hope this might remedy my offense...

I have a hard time committing to clothing selections in advance- just ask anyone who has seen my packing. Disaster. So the problems I have encountered: I threw in a pair of wedges and a pair of cage heels into my 6 picks for shoes, but as much as I love heals- I don't wear them day to day because they are not practical for my job. (Hence why you are always seeing me in those black flats!) I've traded them both in for 2 pairs of flats:

And the pink dress with black knit overlay: I forgot how short it was and it just has not been a practical choice for day to day wear! It does look super cute with pink pantyhose and a long sleeved black tee under neath, but unfortunately not appropriate for day to day. I swapped it with another dress than is easily paired with leggings:

I have to admit, the 30 for 30 is really making me miss other items from my closet! I no longer take my extended wardrobe for granted, that's for sure! And now, without further delay, I give you my next outfit as part of the 30 for 30:

The Outfit:

Dress- Buttons- Francesca (Portland, Nov '10)

Sweater- Dynamite (gifted from Katie)

Leggings- TNA- Aritzia (Toronto, Sept '08)

Belt- Chinese Laundry- Je Suis Pest Boutique (SJ, Oct '10)

Shoes- Michael Kors- StyleSense (Toronto, Sept '08)

Necklace- Forever21 (Portland, Nov '10)

I have to admit, my black leggings have become a little thinner for wear and I am definitely going to need thicker ones for the weather! I'm looking for a pair with quality thickness in the material as well as a thicker waist band. If you could leave a comment as to where you've gotten your favourite leggings from, I'd really appreciate the suggestions!

feeling fur-tastic...

Maybe it's all the episodes of The Rachel Zoe Project, or the soft, cozy feel, but I'm completey obsessed with faux fur this season. I even found myself trying to secure another BB Dakota fur vest from TJ Maxx before I realized it might be enough to already have 3 [faux] fur pieces...

I didn't realize how warm it was until I was already out the door to meet my mom and sisters at Heavenly Gowns to order bridesmaid dresses, but it was 16 degrees (Celsius) out! Not exactly your typical southern New Brunswick weather in mid November! Despite the fact that the faux fur was then a little over the top, it completed outfit number 7 and if Rachel Zoe can make it work in LA heat, I think I'll manage to avoid heat stroke in a mere 16 degrees! I was happy to see that my favourite store owner had her faux fur on too when I went to pick up my ticket for Je Suis Prest's Holiday Fashion party coming up this week!

So, onto my casual, comfy outfit I remixed and wore Saturday:

The Outfit

Black tee- Joe Fresh Style (SJ, Oct '10)

Fur vest- Jack- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, Sept '10)

Boyfriend jeans- iT jeans- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, Aug '10)

Necklace- Forever 21 (Portland, Nov '10)

Shoes- Aldo (Ordered online, Oct '10)

proud peacock

Props to you girls that take your own photos for your blogs! And if you don't have a tripod and/or a remote, I applaud you. It's not easy without the feedback of a photographer to do that work for you! Yesterday Ben was out (and therefore off duty) and so I though I'd try and do my photos independently. With the lighting trials, finding a steady surface for my camera, and coordinating with the timer, this session took a lot longer with less success. I couldn't quite catch all of me in the shot so I might have gotten a little lazy...to make up for it I lined up the  procession of photos posted in a way so I didn't miss any outfit details!

I'm not as knowledgable as I'd like to be about photography and cameras, but with time I hope to learn more! I currently use a Panasonic Lumix (keepin' it easy, keepin' it light) but someday would like to upgrade to a bigger beast. Am I able to find a tripod that will hold or support my little camera when taking photos? Is this possible?

The Outfit:

1. 
   
   Green tank dress- H&M (Stockholm, Jan '08)
2. 
   
   White cardigan- Aerie (Fredericton, Spring '09)
3. 
   
   White belt- Chinese Laundry- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, May '10)
4. 
   
   Silver flats- Sam Edelman- Winners (SJ, April '10)
5. 
   
   Green purse- Guess (Paris, Jan '08)
6. 
   
   Peacock feather hair accessory- Forever 21 (Montreal, June '10)

Today's post was named in honour of my fun hair accessory. I love feathers (texture), especially peacock feathers. I have a bunch of them saved up to be used in some way as decor for my wedding...

Oh, and please fill out the content poll at the top, right hand side of the page! I'd like to get feedback on what type of posts you'd enjoy seeing! I've also come up with more ideas for blog posts I'll share with you all soon.