Sunday, February 27, 2011

8. I love lazy Sundays.

Don't you love it when you can feel spring coming? I know I talk about the weather too much but today needs to be talked about. It rained like crazy yesterday, the wind was so strong it nearly blew me off my feet. But today, it looks like spring. It's sunny and probably chilly but not ridiculously cold. I can't wait for it to be warm.

I've decided to try to do OOTD recaps every Sunday/Monday. I'm taking pictures of my outfits most days, except when I think they're not up to par. That happens sometimes, I get lazy and stop accessorizing. I realize now how important that can be!

black Tommy cardigan / ss lace tee - samuel & co / green racer-back tank - garage / mexx suit pants


green wrap sweater - bluenotes / blue graphic tee - old navy / yellow tank - bluenotes / black pants - eclipse   

I wear a lot of green. The first outfit is from earlier in the term, same as in my header. I loooove the lace shirt. I've worn it that way a couple times but I'm actually proud of my remixing abilities, I've worn it backwards too. I actually think it looks better that way. There's pearls on top too, but you can't see.

The second is from this week. Work appropriate but sooo comfy. Layered tees for a bit of contrast and a sweater on top, of course. My building/office space is so cold. The dress pants I have on are from 2007, at least. Maybe earlier. I love having old clothes that can serve a new purpose.

I want to thank everyone for all the wonderful tips I've gotten! I now have a list on my BB of post ideas, and there's a lot. I'm getting inspiration from many many other blogs, obviously will credit if I end up taking direct ideas from them, Also a big thank you to my followers! I am so excited to have you guys reading my little blog! I squee'd with excitement (it was embarassing, I'm glad no one heard). If there's anything you guys think I should post on or any suggestions about layout or design, feel free to send them on! I'm always looking for ways to improve. And yay to 200 page views! That actually surprised me so much, I'm so honoured to know people are actually taking the time to read what I write. I think I'm really gonna like this blogging thing after all :)

Til next time!

Friday, February 25, 2011

Fashion-Beauty Friend Friday: Blogger Award Nominations

This week is a pretty cool topic for FBFF. It's the nomination time for the awards for the community. I've been looking through my blogroll and trying to decide who I think fits each category the best. Here's what I think!

1. Creative Juices (most creative) A Reason To Be Fabulous. Her style may not be the most creative of any blog out there, but I love watching Tiffany's outfits as they come up on her blog. Her color mixing really makes me wish I was brave enough to try it. And I love that the girl has a real commitment to wearing skirts & dresses all the time. I want to do this but I always get too cold.

2. The Real Deal (authenticity) Little Girl Big Closet. I haven't been reading her blog very long, but currently this for me would be Tara BB. I don't know what's been happening with her blog or in her life, but recently her posts have been very authentic and geniune. She seems like the type of person who really wants to know who's out there and have a connection with her readers. Always a good thing when it comes to blogging.

3. Spark Notes (most helpful) Already Pretty. This is an easy one. I've gone to Sal's blog a million times to look through her tips for how to dress, what to wear, or just how to get through things dealing with body image. Lots of cool stuff on her blog. Honourable mention goes to the no longer active Scholar Style Guide. Liz's wardobe inspired me to try layering over dresses, I haven't found the right one yet but I continue to revisit this site for inspiration.

4. Newbie (best blogger less than a year old) Dwelling and Telling. It hasn't taken long for me to become obsessed with Linley and her wonderful style and blog. Her sock-bun tutorial helped me find a new way to curl my hair, and my hair doesn't curl easily. It's great to see someone who's new like I am to really get into the blogging community and take it head on.

5. Can You Hear Me Now (most connected) Two Six and Counting. This one was a little strange to me. I'm not sure how other bloggers will take this category. I think it's having someone who will respond and be in touch with readers and actually listen to what people are saying. In my short time in the blogging world, I've found Liz to have the best response time. She takes the time to look at other blogs if someone leaves a link to theirs, which I've found not all people do. Her co-founding of EBEW helps too.

6. If I had a Hammer (best DIY) A Beautiful Mess. I haven't had a chance to check out Elsie's blog much, but I've seen her movement on many others. Project ReStyle is a great initiative to use junk that would normally be given/thrown away. It's also great to see how other bloggers restyle their crap, so you can try it too!

7. Tribe Leader (blogger who leads others and brings bloggers together) Modly Chic. This one goes to Katy. There's a few bloggers who have started movements or weekly posting topics, but Katy reigns supreme. FBFF is her brainchild and has been bringing us all together, even new bloggers like myself who've only been involved for a couple weeks. It's a great project and really brings together a community feeling.

8. Practically Perfect (most fashionable) The New Professional . This one's coming from the nerd-work clothes loving side of me. Angeline's work appropriate wardrobe makes me long for her closet to be mine. The mixing of patterns and colors all look fashionable but always manage to keep on the side of office-appropriate. Honourable mention in this category goes to the lovely ladies at Academichic. I've gotten many an outfit idea, or rather a longing for another item to add to my closet, from these girls.

9. Paint by Numbers (best beauty blogger) I decided I'm going to skip this one. I don't really know of any beauty blogs, and I didn't want to just find someone to pick them out. I'm sure there are many out there and I should probably start looking, but for now I'll just leave this category out.

10. Renaissance Woman (best all around blogger, fashion, beauty, lifestyle) Kendi Everyday. In my mind, how could this not be Kendi? I've been following her blog for a long time, without mentioning my love for it since I wasn't in the blog world, but now it's time to confess. This girl has serious style. She's responsible for the overwhelming 30x30 movement and has inspired the formation of many a blog. For one, she inspired my purchase of Steve Madden cognac boots, which are currently on my feet. Thank you Kendi, for inspiring us all the way you do.


So there's my picks! What do you guys think? Agree with any of my choices or think there's someone who better suits the category?

Til next time!

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Project 52: Week 7 & 8

I'm getting into a habit of posting Project 52 on Thursdays, so I think I'm just going to make a habit of it. I'm finally caught up to the week. Only took a month.

Week 7: Open Your Heart - This one has been following my winter theme that my pictures seem to be taking. It's kind of hard not to get swallowed up by all the snow. I had to shovel like mad on Sunday past, as I ranted about in an earlier post, and I have to accept that shoveling isn't as bad as I think. It's good, cheap exercise and it serves a really good purpose. That being, I am able to get out of my driveway when I do it. The shovel in this light looks like it wants to be used. I hope it stops snowing so I don't.




Week 8: The View from Here - This one's pretty self-explanatory. I'm in my favourite spot on my couch, working on my blog. The TV is just to the right, and I'm currently watching Friends :) I'm kind of loving how it's not completely dark yet and it's almost 6PM. There may be snow everywhere, but spring is coming. I can feel it.




I plan to get more creative with next week's theme. For now I'm just getting a picture to fit within the theme, but I'm going to start thinking more creatively within the context from now on. It's a project to work on my skills. Once the snow stops it will be much easier. Grey's tonight! Yay!

Til next time!

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

7. Don't you want me?

I'm writing this as I watch Glee. LOVE.

In other news, I've felt like a fashion blogger for the past two days. I looked damn cute I think. And took a lot of inspiration from other blogs I've been seeing lately. I'm trying to put more effort into my outfits and put things together that I wouldn't necessarily do. Nothing special here, but it's a process.


 
Vero Moda jacket / boatneck J. Crew tee / F21 skinnys / LeChateau necklace







    

Old Navy ls tee / Dynamite cotton skirt / patterned scarf from street vendor (Florence)


These are from the past two days. I know the pictures aren't the best, both taken with the BlackBerry, but I'm trying to find somewhere to take pictures that don't suck. And the black jacket in the first apparently isn't as flattering as I thought. It is when belted, but not so much open like that.

The second has one of my favorite scarves. I bought it on an EF tour for my Mom actually, but I didn't really realize at the time she doesn't wear scarves. Oh well, score one for me! I wear scarves all the time. And one of my favorite things about the second outfit are the fishnets I'm wearing, which you can't see. Too bad I ripped a hole in the fishnets by the time I got to work. Which was about 20 minutes after I had put them on. I had to double up for modesty, as the skirt isn't overly long, and I felt like a sausage. Real snug, but I'll be able to wear tight dresses with those tights if necessary!

Off to pay attention to my show! What do you guys think?

Til next time!

Sunday, February 20, 2011

6. On the bright side, I'm half-done.

I was going to title this another I hate snow post, but that's getting a little repetitive. I hate it, everyone hates it. I actually shoveled with an Aunt and Uncle of mine for 2 hours. There was about 4 inches of ice, solid. Along with like a foot of snow. Hating this city and it's non-plowing. My street wasn't plowed til 3. It snowed last night. I need to stop complaining.

This used to be my backyard. Then it snowed. Goodbye fence.

Anyways, another weekend over. Tomorrow makes the start of my 8th week in this work term. Yay! I'm getting into dressing up at least a couple times a week and liking using all my pretty clothes. Here's my outfit from Friday, my first post with clothes. I tried getting a full length shot but I need a tripod, or maybe just to find a better spot to take pictures.

pink ruffled tank - j.crew / light blue cardigan - tommy, gifted / tan skinny belt - dominion / navy cords - gap ($13 on sale!)
 I wore my pretty grey suede shoes with this, but no pictures of them sadly. I feel so silly taking pictures of myself even though I want to document my outfits. I'm going to try to get at least a couple photos this week. Any advice from other bloggers on how to really get into posting? I think I'm kind of all over the place now, and I need some help! 

Til next time!

Friday, February 18, 2011

Fashion-Beauty Friend Friday: Body Image

Oh dear. Another Friday, another set of questions. On body image. Eep. This to me is a topic that can be talked about in many ways. Some days I have a wonderful body image, I'm a goddess. Other days I'm fat and lazy and slobby. It all changes depending on the slightest thing.

Anyways here are the questions. I've been less slack this week, my camera practically cried when I took it out and started using it. (okay, I know it can't cry but it seemed happy. Or maybe that was just me.) I'm going to make a commitment to take time to be creative and do the things that make me happy. Like shopping. I shopped on Wednesday, and it was wonderful. More on that later, if I ever decide to post OOTD photos.

1. Since you started blogging has your image of yourself changed?
I've only been blogging since the beginning of February, so I'm gonna have to say no on that one. But I think it has changed since I've started reading blogs. I love discovering how other people approach their issues with their bodies, or disguise the things they don't like. Sally at Already Pretty has some great articles on body image, and being kind to yourself. I really do enjoy reading things that really make me think, about myself and about the perceptions of beauty.

2. Are you self-conscious about any aspect of yourself? If so, do you go out of your way to avoid it or do you post it/talk about it anyway?
I used to be incredibly self-conscious of my pale skin. Then I realized all the idiots (no offense) who use tanning beds are just going to give themselves skin cancer, while I (being the smart one) will have no wrinkles or age spots and will not have aged by the time I reach 40.

That said, I'm still insecure about my body as a whole. I do like most parts of it, most days, but I've gained a few extra pounds in the last year and I'm not happy about it. I want to get rid of it, but when I try to exercise I get so frustrated that I just give up. I feel like I'm not good enough sometimes. On good days, I used to think of myself as a leggy blonde with a tiny waist. I've come to realize though my legs are long, they have more fat than I want and my waist isn't as tiny as I thought. I'm coming to terms with the real me as opposed to what I want myself to be. It's not easy but it's a process and I'm sure it will be worth it in the end.

3. Based on how you are feeling now, what do you think the future holds in the evolution of your body image?
I want to say that I'm going to stop being stupid, learn to appreciate all the goods things about my body and just deal with the bad. I think it can and will happen, but I'm always going to have days where I don't feel my best. It's hard being a girl sometimes. I want and need to start exercising, but so I can become healthier. I think that's going to help me love my body more, even if the number on the scale stays the same.

4. Do you photograph yourself for your blog? If so, how do you feel about the experience when you're having your picture taken? If you choose not to post pictures of yourself, what prompted that decision?
I don't at the moment. I started this thinking I might start doing the OOTD photos or participate in some of the many awesome projects that the fashion blogging community has, but I can't decide if I want to. My biggest issue with posting strangely enough isn't related to my body issues. Sure, I think I look stupid in most pictures but I think I'd get over that with some practice. My biggest hold-up is where I live. I'm on an island. It's big but small in population. If I show my face, I don't know what I'd feel like to have someone say that they've seen my blog. I tend to ramble sometimes and what I say doesn't always seem to be something I want everyone to know. It feels so personal to me to have one, and I like anonymity for now. I may post outfits eventually, but for now it'll probably just be my clothes. They're so pretty, they deserve to be seen.

5. What would you want every person who struggles with body image to take to heart? You will have good days and bad days with your body. Not all days can be good. The most important thing I think is to be able to accept what cannot change, work on what can if you think you should, and appreciate what your body can do.

Yay for another Friday! For anyone else participating in FBFF, what do you think? What would be a piece of advice that you'd give on accepting your body? Post your link, I'd love to hear other perspectives on this topic.

Til next time!

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Project 52: Week 5 & 6

Another week almost over! I love Thursdays.

Week 5: Muse. I think that because this is such a broad theme it makes it harder to pin down. I have many things that inspire me at many different times. Sometimes it's just the light that comes in through my window, or an outfit that I love, or the beautiful scenery of NL (when I can see it if it's not fogged in or snowing) or just wanting to take more pictures of the people I love. I get a lot of inspiration from other blogs and websites too. Stumbleupon is really great for checking out random photography. So here's one of my muses. My pup. I love herrrr.



Week 6: Words. I used to be so in love with words. I read all the time still but I actually wanted to work as a journalist for a while, then an English teacher, and I'd still love to be an editor.  My Mom really passed on a love of reading, as she was a teacher, and though I don't always get to read as many books as I want, I always read something. This is a quote from Pride & Prejudice? I've never read it actually, but always wanted to. And this quote is unbelievably sweet.


I'm almost caught up! Plan on taking Week 7 Picture tomorrow then finally I'll be on track! 

Til next time!

Monday, February 14, 2011

5. Valentine's

Though I love weekends home, I do not love getting stuck on the BP. The roads were closed yesterday just after we left to drive back. Spent the night at the hotel and got up early this morning to drive in. Now I've got more work to catch up on...yay : |

I can't really decide what my opinion of Valentine's Day is. I think it's just a commercial holiday but I like the idea of it anyways. And I love dressing up in pink clothes to show the spirit. I'm having a pink week. I think the worst part about it is having too much chocolate to eat, but I always get my hopes up for something amazing but when the day is just like any other I get a little let down. I've been brainwashed. Boo.

This was the weather on the way out, and the same on the way back today. But the squalls really sucked in between. 


I should be off, I haven't eaten supper and chocolates just don't suffice. More from Project 52 later this week!

Til next time!

Friday, February 11, 2011

Fashion-Beauty Friend Friday: Color Wars

Yay it's finally Friday! I love this day! My weekends have gotten shorter but I embrace them so, especially since I'm going home for the weekend. Got to love 4-hr drives to get to my parents house, in my hometown. I sincerely love my boyfriend for doing the driving as well, but that's another story.

Anyways here's the questions! I'm going to have Week 5&6 of Project 52 to post on Monday, maybe earlier, because I am slack. So slack. It's still the sick holding me back, that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it :)

1. What color dominates your closet?
My closet has changed colors in the past 5 years I think. I was really into pink in my teens, early teens especially. Not like pretty pink, like cotton candy or bubble gum pink. That and baby blue were basically what I wore. As I've started to mature and develop a sense of style, my closet turned jewel toned with more cool tones like blue and emerald green. The cool tones bring out my eye color, which is a messed up mix of blue and green depending on what I wear. Purples and blues and greens and even some pinks (but not the cotton candy) all compliment my skin which is super pale. I pull off red hair pretty well too, and I've had it a lot in the past couple of years, which was accented by all of my green clothes. Edited photo below, what color do you think they are? Green-ish in that photo, maybe I'll post a better one later?


2. If money weren't an issue how would you change the color emphasis in your closet?
I gotta say, I probably wouldn't change much. I might buy more saturated colors in well made fabrics, like designer or whatnot, but apart from that I'd stay in my color family. Cooler tones look better on me, at least I think so. I'd probably start investing in colorful prints though, I've seen a million things from designers like Marc Jacobs, Alexander McQueen, and Jason Wu. Like below. Swoonnnnn.



3. What is your mantra about mixing colors?
I never go too bright or too obvious with color mixing.  I can do dark colors together, or some brights in the same family, but I get nervous with mixing. Yesterday was a bright day of mine, a bright heather blue shirt under a bright green cable knit sweater. In the same family I can handle it, but clashing or opposing colors scare me. This is part of the reason my bright purple tights have only been worn as a Halloween costume. I'm trying to be brave, I am, but it's so hard!

4. For you, how do you incorporate color into your outfits?
I need to have some color in an outfit. I can't do all neutrals or I feel too plain, but I can't go too bright or I lose my mind. I usually just add a bright scarf to keep the color around my face and brighten it up a bit. I don't do much costume jewelry, still working on wearing the pretty stuff I have. I go for months without changing my jewelry at all.



5. Which blogger(s) do you think do a good job of incorporating color into their wardrobe?
Without a doubt, Jess of What I Wore and Kendi of Kendi Everyday. These girls amaze me. They both remix the hell out of all of their clothing, and they seem to have no fear in mixing color.  Scares the crap out of me, but I try to look at their outfits and see things that I could do in real life, without scaring my coworkers.

And that's it for Friend Friday! Yay! I'm looking forward to the rest of them for this month, the questions are already posted and they're awesome!

Off to my weekend home. Til next time!

Thursday, February 10, 2011

4. One of my obsessions: TV

I am a TV-aholic. Even though I don't think that's a word, I'm totally it. My one true obsession is Grey's Anatomy. I've literally been watching it since it came on, I have every season except last years because no one remembers to buy it for me (and for a while I was just too poor to get it myself), and I will stay up late and not sleep right and be cranky the next day just to watch it. Big deal for me, I love sleep more than my boyfriend sometimes.

Just kidding, obviously. I totally love him. Most of the time. When I'm not tired.

Anywayssss. Grey's, and Glee, which is what I had hoped highschool could have been like for me because how awesome would that have been really, are my two mains. I've stopped watching as many shows this year, because now my bedtime is much earlier and I have no desire to stay up past it. However, in the past, I've had a much larger range obsession, including, but not limited to;
  • Grey's Anatomy
  • Glee
  • Heartland
  • Dawson's Creek
  • Gossip Girl
  • One Tree Hill
  • 90210
  • Private Practice
  • American Idol
  • America's Next Top Model
  • How I Met Your Mother
  • The Big Bang Theory
  • Gilmore Girls
  • Hellcats
  • House
  • Mad Men
  • Friends
  • Iron Chef America
  • Chef at Home
  • Priveleged
  • Saved by the Bell
  • Monk
  • Family Guy
  • So You Think You Can Dance
  • The OC
I think that's most of them. 25 shows that I have at some point pretty much dedicated my life to. Well, maybe. I've had at least a semi-obsession with them. The CW/WB shows have always been a hit, they're so drama filled. How could you not love them? And the Food Network wedged it's way into my TV schedule too. I didn't even include all the sometimes shows I watch, that I like but don't go out of my way to watch.

I am completely obsessed with TV. On the bright side, new Grey's tonight! Yay! Go to TV Fanatic for a sneak peak of P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing) which is tonight's episode!

I'm excited to see Lexie freak out! Ha!  

Til next time!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

3. I still hate snow.

I also hate the flu. I've been dying since Saturday therefore no way in hell am I being creative right now. There's also currently a snow storm raging outside my window. I may be staying home tomorrow, both in protest of not getting snow days and in the spirit of trying not to infect the entire office. Which I've probably already done, I got so many pitying looks today on top of the disgust.


This is what my night is consisting of. This, my care package from my Mom (I LOVE HER) and Glee. Puffs Plus with Vicks tissues, Ricola cough drops, Advil Cold & Sinus, Contact C Cold & Sore Throat, and Breathe Right strips. LOVE.

Must go watch Glee. Also love. Til next time!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Project 52: Week 3 & 4

No ranting today, I think I'm getting a flu. Boo hiss on my immune system. Anyways, here's the Week 3 & 4 pictures, will possibly post again tonight if I don't go to sleep at like 5.

Week 3: Shades of Grey - A light on the shed in my backyard. I feel like I can see the cold looking at this. 




Week 4: Soothing Repetition - This may seem strange to some, but my Blackberry provides me with soothing repetition of knowing my boyfriend is safe. The communication and texting for me really calms me down and lets me know that he's okay. I use my phone to communicate with my parents too, but more on the calling side of things. Texting may be a little juvenile sometimes, but it really just keeps me sane.

 

Friday, February 4, 2011

Project 52: Week 1 & 2

Project 52 is this really cool thing started by a group of photographers, under MCP Actions. Lots of photoshop tutorials, which I don't have and probably wouldn't use, but the idea seemed to be pretty cool. You can check out the details here: Project 52 Blog. They have set guidelines to doing this, but as I didn't start til late, I'm not following them and catching up first. I'll actually start the guidelines tomorrow, as the week starts on Saturday. This means I have to take the Week 5 photo tonight...oh boy. I'm fitting that into my schedule when exactly?

As I said, I'm a little bit of a failure at keeping up on deadlines. But I did promise to finish all of January pictures by the end of it. And I did, for the most part. So, here's the first week.

Around the House - this is what I see in my window, every morning when I wake up and get myself out of bed. An almost sunrise and condensation from cold windows and warm rooms. Taken with my Blackberry Bold.


I've got the two done, but they're not being posted right now as they're on my home laptop.  I always feel so flustered about posting more than once a day, but in this case it makes sense. I want to catch up. In general though, I don't want to put too much out there every day. I started this blog only this week, and I feel like I have so many ideas for outfits and photos and posts that I have to pace myself. I'll probably start doing a weekly outfit round-up like I've seen on many other blogs. I really should, because the outfit I'm wearing today, I gotta say, it's adorable.

Does anyone else find this? Like you have too many ideas and too many things to say all at once?

Must go get lunch! I've been busy...yeah, right. I'm just hungry haha.

Til next time!

Edit: Here's the Week 2 picture!

Illustrate A Song - It's pretty simple. I love the Backstreet Boys, and I have for a very long time. Taken out of order, yes, but that's okay. A Valentine's heart in the window illustrates perfectly a favourite song of mine, for me to show you the "Shape of my Heart"

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

2. I hate snow.

I truly dislike snow. I didn't use to hate it. Really. As a kid I'd happily frolick around, while throwing myself down inclines on things such as the death-toboggan and the ever-popular "Krazy Karpet". The times when a snow day actually existed, when the schools actually close on account of snow or blowing snow or slushy icy rain even. Those days, my friend, are over.

The real world sucks. I don't like the non-acceptance of bad driving conditions. MUN never closes, and apparently my current place of work doesn't either. Stupid Gov. In addition to nearly dying yesterday on the roads (thanks for that, City of St. John's, really) due to the non-plowing, I got to get up and do it all over again today.

After exiting the house at 7:36AM to start up and clean off my car, I managed to do two things. One, somewhat cover myself in snow and two, leave my BlackBerry in the house to stay warm. I'm so nice to it, clearly. I'm actually addicted to it, but that's another post for another time. I managed to make it to sign in by 7:57AM. 21 minutes to clear my car and do a 7 minute drive. There's probably more than one clock wrong in this situation, but we'll let that slide this time.

Another day, thank God this one's a pay day at least, and another full driveway to shovel when I get home. Oh the joys. No BlackBerry, no current pictures but I leave you with this little gem of my last super fun snow-filled day. *note the sarcasm, please note the sarcasm*


I don't want to go outside anymore. I love Newfoundland but it's winter bites the big one. Another productive work day I can tell.

Til next time!

P.S. Oh yeah, I have three of the pictures finished for the first four weeks of Project 52, the last takes a little more work. I'll post them as soon as I remember, or by the weekend.

P.P.S. Here's hoping I don't slide off the roads on the way home today!