pink lemonade margaritas...

Sometimes nothing is better than a Saturday night with your girl friends. Doing your make-up together, sipping on wine or cocktails, and laughing at each other's stories. I've had a lot of fun the last two weekends, having the opportunity to hit the town with some of my favourites.

Pink lemonade + skinny girl margarita= one tasty drink!

I need this Urban Decay palette Katie has.

Arm party!

I never really go anywhere without my camera.

We ended the night with an appetizer and socializing at Britt's pub.

The Outfit  Dress: Jack BB Dakota (Je Suis Prest Boutique) | Wedges: Aldo | Tights: Walmart

Belt: Eddie Bauer | Cuff bracelet: Esquared (Silver Daisy Designs) | Bangles: Aldo | Necklace: H&M

Sweater: Press (Je Suis Prest Boutique)

Find it online: dress, shoes, similar belt, similar necklace, similar cardigan, make-up palette

How was your weekend? My weekend was a blast- double date with friends at a local sushi spot on Friday, the Urban Glam party (featuring new holiday wear from Je Suis Prest Boutique and The Urban Shoe Myth) followed by dancing at the Canterbury, and then coffee and browsing the Christmas flea market yesterday. It's funny how the weekends are supposed to be our down time from the week- but I like to pack mine with as much time with friends as possible!

Stay tuned! Tomorrow the photos from the Urban Glam party will be up on my blog and the Facebook page. Thanks to the girls at Je Suis Prest, Urban Shoe Myth, and Design 4 Space for an amazing time! The added bonus is that proceeds from the evening went to a great cause: The Coverdale Centre, a drop-in centre for women in Saint John providing shelter and case management services to assist in addictions, mental health issues, employment and affordable housing.

floral & fur...

If there's one thing I've learned in the last (almost) 2 years of reading (and writing) fashion and style blogs, it's that being stylish doesn't always have a guaranteed or straight-forward recipe for success. Knowing your body and what you can pull off is an important aspect, but experimenting with different layers, textures, and colour combinations can be a fun exploration because in fashion, sometimes anything goes! (But it doesn't always.)

I've expanded my own personal style from the "shirt + pants + shoes = outfit" formula. I've learned layering pieces and accessorizing is a way to add interest or sophistication to an outfit. I've also learned that sometimes with outfit experimentation comes a hit or a miss.

This fall I've been inspired by other bloggers to up my efforts at finding new and interesting ways of combining and layering different textures.

The Outfit  Skirt (Old Navy) | Top (Jack BB Dakota, Je Suis Prest Boutique)

Sweater (American Eagle) | Necklace (Banana Republic) | Tights c/o We Love Colors

Boots (Born, The Urban Shoe Myth) | Beret (H&M) | Bracelet (Aldo)

I have to say, this beige sweater has been an all-time favourite and go-to of mine over the last few years. It's a nice neutral colour and, well, I love anything with a hood!

I can't believe that the holidays are closing in on us! Although I'm not over-eager enough to have pulled out the Christmas decor just yet, I have started planning what events and parties I'm going to attend. First up: the Urban Glam holiday party hosted by Je Suis Prest Boutique, The Urban Shoe Myth, and Design 4 Space this coming Saturday night (after having a peek at the Santa Claus Parade of course)! 

Will I be seeing you at this Saint John fashion event?

accessories photoshoot! (part 1)

Recently I met with Joanna Carson Skead, manager at Handworks Gallery, to collaborate on an accessories photoshoot and display some of the beautifully crafted jewelry they have in-store. Handworks Gallery, located in uptown Saint John, carries works created by over 80 artisans in New Brunswick. They carry an assortment of one-of-a-kind pieces that include pottery, jewelry, wood turning, blown glass, photography, paintings.

Choosing a number of beautiful pices from their glass cabinets, I had such a difficult time narrowing down my favourite pieces for the photo shoot- I fell in love with so many! After selecting half a dozen looks, Joanna and I took to the beautiful lobby in Center Beam Place to photograph the jewelry, styled with my outfit. All photos were taken by Joanna with my camera- we had fun picking out the different structural and textile elements in the lobby to use as backdrops!

(Large earrings and 22kt silver & gold necklace- Clare Bridge Designs)

(Necklace & sterling studs- Jeneca Klausen; Black onyx ring- Chris Danisch)

(Heart charm bracelet & pearl drop necklace- Jonathan Corey; Sterling earrings- Jeneca Klausen)

The Outfit

Dress: Jack BB Dakota- Je Suis Prest Boutique (Nov '10)

Top: LuLu*s (ordered online, Jan '11)

Tights: ModCloth (ordered online, Jan '11)

Flats: Aldo (ordered online, Oct '10) 

My favourite piece out of all the selections above would have to be the sterling stud earrings by Jeneca Klausen. It wasn't displayed in the pictures above, but one of the studs is actually intentionally larger than the other (with the larger one being featured in the photographs). Which pieces above are your favourites?

Be sure to follow Handworks on Facebook and Twitter!

P.S. Tomorrow I'll feature another few sets of jewelry from Handworks Gallery!

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coffee dates...

As you can see, these outfit shots were taken before the snow melted...thank goodness it's gone! It's almost like an ugly memory to see it in the background for this post! This outfit I wore on a typical Saturday morning: heading uptown and grabbing coffee at Starbucks. That's what you'll find me doing most Saturdays, despite the time of year!

The Outfit

• Sweater: American Eagle (SJ, Sept '09)
• Tank: Jack- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, Feb '11)
• Jeggings: Guess- Envy (SJ, Dec '10)
• Boots- Aldo (gifted from parents, Dec ;09)
• Purse: Fossil- Manchester Shoe Salon (gifted from B, Dec '10)
• Necklace: Aldo (Toronto, June '10) 

These boots along with my black ones have been my footwear MVPs this winter- they keep my feet warm and dry and can be dressed up or down so easily! As much as I love my boots, I'm happy to start wearing more of my other shoes again. Socks are really only a seasonal item for me...once it's warm enough, I tuck them in my drawer and leave 'em there until the weather gets cold again. I've already been wear flats and no socks...so happy to finally see Spring!

I think I wore this particular outfit the day a bunch of us sipped on lattes and divied up our group We Love Colors order. Coffee dates are the friendly meet and greets that frequent my schedule. You know you might be at Starbucks a little often when they remember your order at more than one location...

 

interlude from the elements...

I'm sure you're all getting a little tired of seeing my living room wall by now! Unfortunately weather hasn't been particularlyn friendly enough to be standing outside without being bundled up! If we aren't experiencing a snow storm, we're being attacked by the wind chill! Hmmm...I really need to beef up my efforts in finding some interesting, but sheltered locations for photos. 

I'll admit, I'm a little jealous of southern style bloggers who have such picturesque outdoor backdrops in their outfit photos this time of year! Thankfully, the sun came out in full force this weekend, and despite that the city is still buried in snow, the atmosphere was a little reminiscent of spring!

(Please excuse my dirty boots)

The Outfit

• Jean dress: Jack BB Dakota- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, Jan '11)
• Floral top: Aerie (ordered online, Spring '09)
• Pink pantyhose: American Apparel (Halifax, April '10)
• Belt: American Eagle (SJ, 9 yrs ago)
• Boots: Aldo (gifted from parents, Dec '10)

The photos above were shot in front of the snow banks at the end of my driveway! With more snow expected this week, I'm not too sure where we are going to put it all!

Oh, and here's something to break those winter-time blues! On Thursday (February 10), Manchester Shoe Salon is lauching their Super Savings Days- buy a clearance item at 50% off and choose a 2nd clearance item at 75% off!

P.S. Be sure to enter the Silver Daisy Designs Giveaway!

hand-me-downs...

It's not very often I get to benefit from a situation like this, but my sister bought a beautiful pair of purple pumps that just didn't end up fitting her properly. She gave up and kindly offered them to me, in mint condition! And that's how I inherited the.! As the eldest child I never got hand-me-downs. And while I'm certainly not complaining, there are definitely perks to taking on someone's pre-loved items.

And while we're on the topic, I believe I may have dropped a hint about Rhoda's earlier this week...again,  Kiera of Je Suis Prest Boutique has rounded up a bunch of fashionable ladies to sell our previously loved clothing at Rhoda's Flea Market. Come visit us on Sunday, February 20: it's an awesome way to score a new wardrobe on the cheap! Mark this in your calendars ladies! 

The Outfit:

• Purple sheer top- Jack BB Dakota- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, Jan '11)
• Grey dress- Jack BB Dakota- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, Nov '10)
• Argyle black tights- Ricki's- (SJ, Dec '09)
• Purple shoes- Guess (from my sister, Dec '10)

Since I purchased this Jack dress, I've only worn it on special occasions: a Christmas party, Christmas eve. Last week I threw this purple top underneath to dress it now and try for a more casual day-look. I've made this conscious effort lately to dress for how I want to feel. Don't know about you, but I always feel uplifted when I have an excuse to put on a pretty dress! I've decided that maybe I don't need an excuse!

 

je suis prest boutique's style challenge

I appologize, I know I promised a post on my shoe collection today, but I just needed one more day to finishing prepping the post...but in the meantime, I do have some pretty good news...

My favourite boutique placed two new shipments on their racks last week. I told Kiera that I wasn't going to have enough money to eat if she kept bringing in such pretty items! 

If you're in regular attendance at Je Suis Prest Boutique, you'll be happy to know you can win a $100 gift certificate to the uptown boutique and as icing on the cake, you'll also get a one hour session with photographer Sean McGrath (value of $250)!

All you need to do is post a picture (or two) on Je Suis Prest Boutique's Facebook page wall up wearing your finest from the store before or on January 19 (2011). Select finalists will be choosen for everyone to vote on. On January 31, Kiera will tally the votes to determine the winning fashionista! Get all the details here.

Which leaves me to my dilemma...of my many outfit post I've done wearing items from Kiera's store, which one to enter..!

Last week I wore an outfit featuring a new spring item at Je Suis Prest Boutique: a Jack BB Dakota jean dress:

The Outfit

• Jean dress- Jack BB Dakota- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, Jan '11)
• Short sleeved tee- American Eagle (SJ, Winter '09)
• Purple tights- Ardene's (SJ, Oct '10)
• Belt- Winners (SJ, Spring '09)
• Booties- Aldo (Toronto, Sept '10)
• Necklace- Anne Marie Chagnon (Montreal, June '09)

So be sure to visit Je Suis Prest's Facebook page and post your entry! Good luck to all the fashion-loving ladies of Saint John!