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! 

black with flecks of gold

Thursday night was Je Suis Prest's fashion show and holiday party hosted at the sophisticated Canterbury Lounge. Of course you can count on me to take pictures of all 20 dresses to be featured an upcoming post. So, don't worry if you weren't able to make it or wasn't able to get a ticket before they sold out, I'll redeliver the experience to you as best as I can in blog post form!

Before I headed out to a baby shower for a close friend last evening, I popped in to check out the newly opened Black Dog Boutique, which you will find on Germain beside the new Relish gourmet burger joint (which I still have yet to try out). This boutique is a charming space with beautiful decor and a lovely clothing selection of quality items. I have pictures of the shop and plan to share them in an upcoming blog post!

This outfit marks being 1/3 through the 30 for 30 challenge! I wore this ensemble to the Viva La Diva event Wednesday evening at Market Square. (Blog post for this event is mid production!)

The Outfit

Black long-sleeve tee- H&M (Toronto, Sept '10)

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

Booties- Aldo (Toronto, Sept '10)

Gold & black necklace- Banana Republic (Freeport, Nov '10)

Long gold necklace- Banana Republic (Freeport, Nov '10)

Gold bracelet- American Eagle necklace (SJ, Fall '08)

Gold headband- Splurge (Halifax, Fall '09) 

Faux fur coat- Joe Fresh Style (SJ, Oct '10)

This outfit includes the most basic of my 30 for 30 pieces. I added instant glam to the outfit by layering gold necklaces and then throwing on my faux fur coat. It's amazing how far a little accessorizing can take you.

country casual...

The first thing I aim to achieve when I put an outfit together is comfort: fabrics that have movement and flexibility; clothing that layers well. This is the 2nd wear for this flannel button during the 30 for 30. It's probably the most casual piece I added to the set and it's been worn both times on lazy days, running errands and just needing to get from point A to point B. I met my friend Steph for coffee uptown and then we browsed the shops as well as the Christmas Craft vendors in Brunswick Square. Businesses and shops have been decorated for the Holidays since the cobwebs and jack o'laterns of Halloween were put away, but this Sunday kicked off Christmas shopping and extended hours...the Holidays are really starting to set in!

The Outfit

Plaid flannel shirt- Joe Fresh Style (SJ, Oct '10)

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

Belt- Eddie Bauer (Moncton, Aug '06)

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

Gold bow necklace- Splurge (Halifax, Spring '09)

Sunglasses- Michael Kors- TJ Maxx (New Hampshire, April '09)

This week is going to be a busy one for me! Monday evening, I attended Reflection Day Spa's Customer Appreciate Event- for which a blog post will follow this one later today. Tonight is Market Square's Viva La Diva fashion show and event, which will be followed by Je Suis Prest Boutique's sold out Holiday Fashion Party at Canterbury Lounge- both events that I've very much been looking forward to this month!

Other fun events that are on my list include Rhoda's Christmas Celebration Flea Market at Harbour Station as well as Saint John's Santa Claus Parade. Check out more uptown events via the Uptown Sparkles, list found on the Uptown Directory.

If you are attending Viva La Diva this evening, I'll see you there!

P.S. Just wanted to let you in on something I'm very excited about: I'm hosting my first blog giveaway later this week! Stay tuned ;)

first out of the pile...

Right now, I kid you not, my chosen 30 are sitting around my dining room table, hung over the back of chairs and separated into categories (i.e. top vs. bottom). I will admit, you look into my closet and it doesn't look like I removed anything at all- it's still jam packed! Given that, it's probably a good experiment for me to be participating in the 30 for 30 Fall Challenge- live on the wild side and experiment with the bare minimum.

So as I start this fashion challenge, I also have a storage challenge: where do I put these clothing items so I can pick them out easily from the rest of my wardrobe I am ignoring for the next 30 days? Hmmm, let me get back to you on that one...

Yesterday I kicked off the 30 for 30 with a plaid flannel button up and some denim skinnies: something comfortable on the rainy drive back from my girls' weekend in Moncton.

Outfit

Plaid top- Joe Fresh Style- Superstore (SJ, Oct '10)

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

Black flats- Aldo (Ordered online, Oct '10)

Jacket- Winners (Toronto, Sept '10)

Purse- Coach (Toronto, Sept'10)

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

You really can't tell in these photos, but it is raining in the background (for the 3rd day straight).

I was impressed with myself: for a girl who's just embarked on a shopping freeze, I didn't go buck wild with my spending leading up to it. I think I'm starting to feel wardrobe saturation...for now. Until next season when I'm hit with new look books and trends. All I bought while away was this grey beret for $12.95.

I did not include coats and jackets in my 30 items- our climate is too cold this time of year in New Brunswick that they are a daily staple. Depending on the weather on any given day, I may need a different jacket to prepare me for the elements!  

hello fall!

So today signals the first day of fall....at least the weather is still favourable (I don't have to grab more than a cardigan on my way out the door yet). I do have my eye on a Jack faux leather jacket at Je Suis Prest when the cooler air invades.

This past weekend B and I headed to Halifax to celebrate our friend Shannon's last days in Canada before she flies off to New Zealand to work and explore for a year! Although I'm excited for her and to read the blog she plans to create to keep us updated, she will be missed! We did some of our typical Halifax activities with our favourite people- brunch at Cora's, shopping on Spring Garden, cocktails and dancing!

Saturday morning the sun was bright but the breeze was cool. I grabbed separates that would be appropriate and comfortable for the weather:

The Outfit:

• White blouse- H&M (Moncton, August '10)
• Skinny jeans- Nissi- Pseudio (SJ, April '10)
• Brown flats- Aldo (Ordered online- Spring '09)
• Purse- Guess- Walsh Lugguage (SJ, Feb '09)
• Necklace- gift from Kristen (Toronto, Dec '09)
• Brown belt- borrowed from Jenny's closet
• Wooden bangles- borrowed from Jenny's dresser

I want to remind you that tomorrow is the eye makeup workshop at Perfumes Plus that I am very pumped for! Be sure to look for a post to cover any fabulous techniques or products I learn about from makeup artist Laura!

Have you bought your tickets yet to Brunswick Square's Fall Fashion Preview next Wednesday (September 29)?

This weekend I'm very excited to head to Toronto with my friend Sarah to visit Kristen for her last weekend in the big city! She moves across the pond to London the following weekend!

style of destruction...

Prior to this summer, I had never bought an article of clothing that already came with holes or tears in it. And usually, when I had a piece that developed a hole, it was time to say fair well to that shirt or pair of pants. I've seen plenty of destroyed denim in my day but never tried on a pair until my IT! boyfriend jeans. I fell in love with them for their cool, casual, and comfy appeal.

But then I did something I never thought you'd ever find me of all people doing. I tried on a black tee that already looked like a cat had brutalized it. And I loved it. I've always try to be so well put together and matchy-matchy but one thing that the world fashion has taught me, is that you don't always have to follow rules so rigidly: try new things, be creative, try something a little out of your own norm.

When I first saw the Alternative Apparel shredded v-neck tee in Je Suis Prest earlier this summer, I really didn't think it was for me. Then, sometime later, I spotted Urban Revision's artsy form of the stredded tee on Breakfast at Sak's blog, and it gave me a new perspective. It's edgy: it makes me feel a little rocker-estque.

The Outfit:

• 
  
  Black destroyed tee- Alternative Apparel- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, Aug '10)
• 
  
  Skinny jeans- Nissi- Pseudio (SJ, April '10)
• 
  
  Hooded cardigan- American Eagle (SJ, Sept '09)
• 
  
  Necklace- H&M (Toronto, Dec '08)
• 
  
  Sandals- Clarks- Winners (April '10)

That night we were heading out to the boonies to a party at my friend Shauna's (complete with fireworks!) 

What are your thoughts, would you buy a pre-destroyed item of clothing? Or is it just not for you?

rock chic

Last Friday, I had a few drinks with Shauna and Carolyn before we headed up to the usual watering hole, our city's irish pub O'Leary's. Before I headed across town to join the other girls, I was pulling articles of clothing out of my closet, trying to decide what to wear. Our original plan was to head down to the boardwalk and have a couple drinks on the patio, but as I was getting ready to get out, the clouds opened out and down came the rain.

I figured sitting outside was likely going to be a little too wet after the cats and dogs started to come down. I wasn't entirely sure if I should still dress as warmly as I had planned to before. I had a tutu skirt on one side of my bed and a pair of skinny jeans on the other. I usually like to dress up in a skirt every chance I get. Eventually I went with the jeans, figuring it was more practical, whatever we ended up doing. I decided layers was the best way to go and I pulled out a leather cuff I hadn't had a chance to wear yet. I piled on the necklaces and went with an edgier look.

The Outfit

1. Silk tank with beading- Matty M- Winners (Toronto, Dec '09)
2. Grey blazer- RW & Co (SJ, May '10)
3. Pin-stripe vest- RW & Co. (SJ, Sept '08)
4. Skinny jeans- Nissi Jeans- Pseudio (SJ, April '10)
5. Black heels- Guess- Winners (Toronto, Sept '08)
6. Metal flower ring- PGal's Closet (Rothesay, Aug '10)
7. Heart locket- Splurge (Halifax, Spring '08) 
8. Big link necklace- American Eagle (SJ, Dec '09)
9. Long multi-charm necklace- H&M (Toronto, Dec '08)
10. Leather wrist cuff- male accessory section @ H&M (Dartmouth, July '10)

Finally planning to check out the recently opened Canterbury Lounge this weekend! Can't wait!


Please help me win a Marc Jacobs purse! Click here to visit Chictopia's Facebook page and "like" my comment on their wall (you have to "like" Chictopia first). To enter the contest we had to leave a comment with our 5 essential items in our bag. The girl with the most "likes" of their wall comment will win a Totally Turnlock Percy Bag from Marc by Marc Jacobs! I have until this Sunday (August 15) to seek all the help I can get! If you have a minute, please help me out!

quest for the green shoes...

Last Sunday, Kristen and I headed out to browse shops on Bloor Street West in search of a pair of green shoes I could wear for my wedding (see previous post) and any other beautiful finds that might cross our path.

 

The Outfit

1. 
   
   Green military shirt- Mango (2 days prior in the Eaton Center)
2. 
   
   Braided belt- Eddie Bauer (Moncton, 4 yrs ago)
3. 
   
   Skinny jeans- Nissi jeans- Pseudio (Spring '10)
4. 
   
   Sandals- Clarks- Winners (Spring '10)
5. 
   
   Sunglasses- Michael Kors- TJ Maxx (April '09)

So the last picture shows one small problem I encountered last weekend- a cold. I had a hard time speaking and my voice varied from sounding like an elderly woman who's just smoked 2 packs, from a creepy whisper, to a raspy version of my former self. But I wasn't going to let that slow me down- I carried cough syrup and Advil cold & sinus around like they were my best buddies. I'm still suffering from said cold but at least I don't sound nearly as awful!

Our first stop was to H&M. I have to hand it to this store- this is a great place to buy trendy pieces without breaking the bank. Most of the time I splurge on tops and dresses- because they tend to be the pieces that make an outfit for me and finding the perfect fit in a pair of pants might be more of a challenge. I decided that I had already bought enough new clothing to cover my upper half and today was strictly about covering the bottom half! I scored at H&M with 3 pairs of shorts for only $20 each, and 2 cute skirts (one of which was only $15). 

As for the shoe search, this venture wasn't successful this time around but I will keep looking! And I wanted to thank everyone who sent me links to green shoes already- I so appreciate the help! I haven't found anything that quite fits what I'm looking for, but I've got 12 months to go! Please do send any other suggestions my way if you happen to wander across something that might fit the bill!

Here are the lovely shoes we did encounter that afternoon in the shoe section of Holt Renfrew!

Hello Jimmy Choo!

Darling Dior!

Pretty in Prada!

Glam Miu Mius!

(Yes, I am attracted to shiny objects...)

I know we all recognize these shoes!

Carrie's wedding shoes from the 1st Sex and the City movie!

I dream of owning a pair of Manolos...

Aw, Lovely Louboutins!

(from his wedding collection)