Top 10 of 2012

As the year comes to an end, it's a time to look back and think of the memorable moments and times that have occurred in the past 365 days: the time you laughed so hard you peed your pants, the time you were so upset you ugly cried and of course the time you were so excited about a purchase you happy danced! So here you go, friends. Here's my 2012 shopping roundup!

1. Moschino Belt

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2. YSL Cuff

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3. Michael Kors Rose Gold Watch

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4. Spiked Heels

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5. Neon Rebecca Minkoff Mini Mac

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6. Arabic Name Necklace

7. Rose Gold Bracelets

Splurge Handbags Boutique

8. Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara
                                                   
9. Burberry Flats

Shop here

10. Faux Fur Snood

Club Monaco

Hope 2013 brings just as much, if not more, shopping joy! What were your fave items of 2012?

New Year New Look

Christmas has come and gone so there should only be one thing on your mind now (with the exception of your plans to return the not-so-spectacular items you may have gotten from the distant relative) - "what am I going to wear on NYE??"

My suggestion is breaking the sea of common black strapless dresses with something more fun and vibrant. If you're worried that a coloured frock may look too day time then glam it up with some great accessories!

New Years Outfit by n-daj 

Dress - Lanvin

The rest - Asos

The one downside to looking great in this number is that you may have to put up with people coming up to you to say "Orange you glad 2012 is coming to an end?".

Merry Christmas!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas filled with fun, happiness, and well..prezzies :)

The Liebster Award

                                       

A couple of days ago I was nominated for the Liebster Award by Charlotte's Couture! As a new blogger on the scene, I was very excited to be recognized by another fashion blogger. The award is given to blog with less than 200 followers to help spread the word in the blogosphere. 

You'll receive the award from a blogger who has already received it. You are asked to answer the 11 questions given to you by the blog that has nominated you. Afterwards, you are asked to create 11 questions of your own for another 11 blogs with less than 200 followers. It's basically like a blogger chain letter.

Here are my answers:

1) What is your favourite item in your closet and why?

My Moschino belt. (Technically, it's not IN my closet..but I just love it!)

2) If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go?

Disney World.

3) What are you aspiring to do?

Wear stilettos forever.

4) Coke or Pepsi?

Neither.

5) Who inspires you?

Mrs. Taylor on FNL. She's so cool.

6) Who or what has made the biggest impact in your life?

No clue.

7) Describe your style

Me.

8) Who is your favorite designer?

Depends on the item.

9) What is your favorite trend?

Leather details. Leather jackets. Leather pants. Leather tops. (I feel like I'm Bubba from Forrest Gump talking about shrimp here)

10) What are you doing for the holidays?

Watch Project Runway marathons on TV.

11) What is your New Years resolution?

To finally buy that Louis Vuitton tote I've been eyeing.

Here are my 11 nominees:

1) An Odd Girl

2) emilyannestyle

3) A little look to my looks

4) Colorful Blast

5) Fashion in this Place

6) Anna in Fashion

7) Casual Clothes for Less

8) Jessie

9) Fiona and Fashion

10) 24 Hours of Fashion

11) Fashionosaur

Here are my questions for them:

1) Would you ever rock a Canadian tuxedo?

2) If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

3) Would you rather eat chips for 3 days straight or cookies?

4) If you had twins, would you dress them identically?

5) Feathers or sequins?

6) Smokey eye or bold lip?

7) Who is your style icon?

8) Favourite TV show for plot?

9) Favourite TV show for fashion?

10) Flats or heels?

11) What do you consider as the worst fashion faux-pas?

Would love to read your responses so please leave a comment here when you respond :)

The End of Gossip Girl

Millions of girls and tens of boys tuned in last night to finally discover a secret so well kept that it battles the mystery of the Caramilk bar - who was Gossip Girl. And while the viewers sat on the edge of their seats with their headbands in place (bow always on the right like Blair once said) to discover the identity, there is no doubt that they were also wondering how the fashionable Serena and Blair were going to round up their 6 season run. 

With two weddings in one episode, it was looking like a wedding gown face-off. Blair Waldorf was definitely off to a good start in an amazing powder blue Elie Saab gown. Beautiful wedding gown fever came to a halt when it was time for Serena Van Der Woodsen to tie the knot in what looked like a gold lame/tulle collision gone wrong. Although I'm not sure how that collision could ever go right. I couldn't agree with @sparklequeen80 more when she said she looks like Glitter N' Gold Jem. Admittedly, I had to google what that was but just look at the resemblance! 

                                                 

What do you think? Which wedding dress do you like better?

Holiday Office Party

Holiday Office Party

Last night was the office holiday party, which was filled with laughs, jokes, talks of fist fights and overall good times. 

On me: 

Necklace - Banana Republic

Top - Forever 21

Skirt - H&M

Ring - Aldo

Tights - Steve Madden

Shoes - Call It Spring

Nail polish - Essie in 'Forever Yummy'

In collage:

Necklace - Elena Meyer

Top - Go Green

Skirt - Rickety Rack

Ring - J Hadley

Tights - Wolford

Shoes - Same as on me

Nail polish - Same as on me

Need Now

Skirt: Alice and Olivia 

If it was up to me, I would be in a leather suit everyday. Ok, maybe not to that extent..but there's no doubting my love for leather!

Currently in NEED of a pleated leather skirt as a fun escape away from pencil skirts.

Crop Top Christmas?

   

With midriff being the new cleavage, questions have risen. How much is too much? And where is it appropriate? 

Tons of celebs have put their upper two abs on display on the red carpet. I wonder if they save money on spray tans by just getting half their tummy tanned..hmm..but can this trend be transitioned to real life events and soirees? Perhaps even the upcoming company holiday party?

Saturday Style

Saturday Style by n-daj 

T-Shirt - T by Alexander Wang
Leather jeans - T by Alexander Wang
Booties - House of Harlow
Cuff - CC Skye
Stackable rings - Gorjana
Nailpolish in 'Forever Yummy' - Essie
Lipstick - MAC Cosmetics

After a long day of working - yup, on a Saturday :( - all I want to do is watch tv in bed and drink my green tea. A Saturday night perfectly appropriate for the sweater and yoga pants and I'm currently donning. However, for all the ladies getting ready for a night out, this would be a great outfit!

Stocking Stuffers - Under $10

Although finding diamonds in your stocking may be a little more "glam", there is nothing wrong with a tad less extravagant (but just as fun) alternative to wake up to on Christmas Day. Here are some items (all $10 or less) that are sure to fit nicely in your stocking!

1. Maybelline Cherry Me Babylips Lipbalm - $4

2. Headphones - $7

3. In Style Magazine - $7

4. Bahama Mama Essie Nailpolish - $10

5. Studs - $10

6. Candy - Does it matter?

Holiday Wish List

A girl can dream, can't she? 

Wallet - Burberry - Here

Pants - Tory Burch - Here

Flats - Tory Burch - Here

Cape - Elie Tahari - Here

Ring - Yves Saint Laurent - Here

Style On A Dime

1. Blazer - Dynamite - $49.90 - here

2. Top - H&M - $19.95 - here

3. Necklace - Forever 21 - $12.80 - here

4. Shoes - Aldo - On sale for $41.99 - here

5. Shorts - H&M - $29.95 - here

No one should have to ooze money to look good, honey. And no one should ever talk like that either..but that's beside the point. Olivia's Monolo Blahnik's alone cost around a cool $1000 yet this entire outfit will set you back a little over $150! 

Call Me, Maybe

I recently found out that I will be forced to pass in my Blackberry for an iPhone and it is with true mixed emotion. Yes, my Blackberry is currently put together with scotch tape, shuts down randomly, and lags like crazy, but I've had a Blackberry for years and it will be sad to see it go, plus I hate entering learning curves.

On a positive note, there are a lot more pretty options to dress up iPhones than Blackberries and that is def something that I'm stoked about! I can't wait to get a belt clip for my phone... jokes! I think I'd rather not have a phone at all and rely on fax machines as my mode of communication than have a belt clip. But back to pretty things, I can't decide on what cover to get and although I should probably go for a sturdy cover that will protect my phone from everything harmful in life, I will opt for what I think is cutest. It's equivalent to the pain over comfort mentality..cuteness over protection. 

Decisions decisions..what should I do??

From left to right: Marc By March Jacobs, Moschino, Rebecca Minkoff 

From left to right: Marc By Marc Jacobs, Tory Burch, Tory Burch

PS. If it wasn't for the unprofessional-ism of having bunny ears on my phone at work, I would totally go for that option. 

Peplum Ain't Easy

A quick recap of this week: getting a new phone, found my lost bracelet, the return of pizza day AND Black Friday sales! What. A. Week. Sure my new nickname at work today was "Shrimp Ring" because of something, that apparently was stupid, I said; however, thoughts of the shopping-filled weekend ahead kept me cheery. 

Here's what I wore on this cheerful day:

Top - Forever 21

Jeans - Current/Elliott (kinda digging the Stars version here)

Shoes - Aldo

Watch - Burberry

Bracelet - Forever 21

Ring + Necklace - Splurge Handbags Boutique 

Happy shopping, friends!

Mirror Mirror

   

Multi-hued mirror-like image dresses have made their way down the runway in previous seasons and continues to do so in Resort Wear for Spring 2013. The reflection effect on these pieces can give quite the slimming illusion, and I am all for that. 

Although the patterns can sometimes look a bit overwhelming and feel like colour exploded all over, you can still partake in this look with a more simple design. This is my subdued version of the trend, appropriate enough for the workplace. 

What Clogs My Pores

So you broke your shoe, eh? 

As unfortunate as that is, it's a pretty common event to have to revive a pair with a little TLC. In my case, TLC stood for "The Lunatic Cobbler". I noticed that one of my pairs of shoes needed some glue to prevent the strap from breaking off, so I took it to Moneysworth & Best at the Halifax Shopping Centre. Sadly, it wasn't a black and white scenario where a cute old man cobbler is making shoes while whistling Poker Face (just because he's old doesn't mean he's not hip). 
                                             

The lady at the store takes my shoe and tells me it will be ready the following week. This all sounds great so far. I return 8 days later to pick up my shoe..the worker can't find it. She opens a cupboard and piles of shoes just fall out as she is rumagging through...no luck. After around 20 minutes of waiting, she says that she will continue looking and will call me later that day. I didn't need to wear them that weekend so I was ok with it and left. 

A week has passed...no call. 

Paid a little visit, rummaged some more, no luck, another promise of a call. 

A week has passed...no call. 

Visit #3, more rummaging, no luck, another promise of a call and told no charges for the repair. 

A week has passed...no call. 

Visit #4, more rummaging, no luck. 

Then I get a call! Yippee. They say I don't have to pay for the repair and can pick it up. I should also point out that surprisingly throughout this entire process, not once did I give any of the workers there attitude. I said thanks and hung up. 

That same night, I go to get my shoe. I give the worker my paper slip that says "missing shoe" along with a description of what it looked like. She very rudely asks whether anyone called me. I tell her it's for the shoe that has been missing for almost a month, to which she snaps back and says "ok but did anyone call you??". After describing the shoe to her (nothing more than what was already written on the slip), she gives it to me and just stares at me like she is going to slap me at any second now. Then she questions why I'm not paying for it, despite it saying "no charge" on the slip and how I need to discuss it with her manager. And that's when I just decided that I've had enough being treated like an idiot by someone who looked like they couldn't wait for their shift at the mall to end so they could hit up their stash of special brownies, grabbed my shoe and just peaced that premise. 

Moneysworth & Best. I'm going to pass up the opportunity to be punny and play around with the name of your company since this experience has made it pretty obvious that you're not the "best". But to lose my shoe for almost a month, with me not once losing my cool throughout the entire process, is one thing but then YOU giving ME attitude about it at the end is quite possibly the most ridiculous thing any service provider could do.    

You're not even worth clogging my pores enough to cause an actual outbreak. You're like an under-skin zit that is trying so hard to make an appearance but can't push through because of pure stupidity. 

Not So Sweet Repeat

Dear Khloe, 

I'm all for wearing some fave pieces over and over again but sporting the same skirt on TV 2 weeks apart is a little too much. Especially when the whole outfit looks almost identical - practically the same shirt but in a different colour.

For that, I will say 'Come onnnn maaaaan'. However, kudos on not showing areola tonight.

Lunch Break Shopping

Dress: Tibi

Working downtown can be dangerous sometimes, and no I am not referring to drive bys. With so many great stores nearby, the occasional lunch break shopping incident is bound to take place. 

Today, I found myself at Foreign Affair trying on this great tribal print Tibi dress. Although summer just ended, it made me excited to wear it next summer paired with some gladiator sandals shopping in the day or dress it up with some fun heels and accessories for night time. Clearly, I HAD to make the purchase.  

I also found the glorious Elie Tahari cape coat I talked about here. It felt as amazing as it looks. I just wanted to caress it all afternoon but the fear of getting fired made me go back to work. Hopefully one day we will reunite.. 

Need Now

                       
I am currently on the hunt for this cuff clutch. You get to carry a clutch AND have both of your hands free. What a day that would be. Too bad I can't find it online anywhere!

Happy Halloween!

Shoes: Halston

Partaking in the festivities in a way I can get away with at work. Eating treats and wearing some spooktacular shoes. If you squint, the back embellishment kind of looks like a spider web? Kinda? Stretching it? Thought so. 

What Clogs My Pores

Welcome to the first ‘What Clogs My Pores’ post. The first of what I can only assume to be many because let’s face it, a lot of things displease me.

If you have seen me lately, my face is in need of a solid sandpapering session and I can give a little blame to the following: feet farts. No, I’m not talking about smelly feet or farts that smell like toe jam. I’m talking about the fart noises caused by the suction between heels and arches. It’s slowly but surely becoming the bane of my existence. It’s also extra annoying when it happens when you’re speed walking to the washroom, fake fart noises is just an additional sweet treat to capture others’ attention. Because when I'm trying to make it to the washroom before peeing myself, I'm always thinking to myself "if only there were fart noises to make this more fun". 

Feet farts – consider yourselves my latest insta-pimple. 

Friday Florals

Monday blues? Let’s think about Fridays instead! Where you can wear a slightly “sassier” outfit to work and have it fully justified because of Casual Fridays of course. Although you have to deal with the "It's Friday!" every time you get into an elevator at work..thanks stranger, I don't own a Calendar. 

Last Friday, I wasn’t feeling my typical go- to work-casual look of skinny jeans and a blouse of some sort so I opted for a denim shirt instead with a flower power party on my pants. I have been diggin’ the floral and printed pant rage and have been trying to “workify” them so I can take a break from the consulting grey and black colour scheme every now and then. I still have a hot pink pair that I have yet to test at work, this may be the week! So colleagues, if you’re reading – prepare yourselves!

This outfit worked nicely from desk to dinner. I just switched my trusty ol’ backpack with an oversized purple clutch, for a pop of colour, and walked out the door.

Shirt: PacSun; Shoes: Aldo; Clutch: Splurge Handbags; Watch: Michael Kors; Ring: Forever 21 

What are your thoughts, friends?

Running Sucks

Shop here

Maybe “sucks” is too strong of a word, or maybe I’m just bitter because I break out into an itchy mess every time I attempt to even jog for 2 minutes – I’m allergic, the world doesn’t want me to exercise :) But when I saw this track suit, something about it just made me chuckle.

This track suit is made by Wildfox, a brand that although has only been around for 5 years, has made quite the impression on young Hollywood. Here’s Miley Cyrus, Ashley Tisdale, Alessandra Ambrosio, and Ellie Goulding wearing the same Wildfox Seeing Stars Lennon Sweater ($198).

$200 for a frayed sweater, it’s a great time to be alive. 

Mother Nature - You Fiery Minx

It’s a sad day when you realize that it’s officially starting to get cold out and you haven’t even worn all your summer outfits yet! Although Fall dressing can be fun with all the printed tights, boots, and scarves, I’d prefer the bold bright prints of the summer any day. However, I’ll try to be more positive about the season change and just think of the fact that my growing waist line is harder to notice underneath jackets and capes. Jalapeño poppers..come to mama.

While the cold weather is inevitable, looking good during that time isn't for some. Here are my picks for some must-have outerwear.

1. Leather Trim

Nothing makes me feel more badass than a little leather, with the exception of my throwing stars maybe; however, I don’t find leather jackets that warm and I prefer a longer coat so I don’t get a cold bum, which is hard to do in leather without looking like you’re auditioning for the back alley version of the Matrix. The leather sleeves on these coats gives them just enough edge so mother nature knows who not to mess with.

Left: Alexander Wang              Right: Zara

2. Cape

The only thing that has been stopping me from fighting crime in the winter is that I couldn't find a cape warm enough. Now I guess I have no excuse. Thieves and berry ticklers - watch out! I love the rich colour of the teal Elie Tahari cape below. It would be great with elbow-high leather gloves or a suede pair in a complimentary jewel tone to cover up the bare arms.

Left: Elie Tahari                       Right: Banana Republic

3. Statement Colour

Add a little 'oh hi' to any gloomy grey day in a bold coloured statement jacket. The red coat had me at 'bow'. 

Left: RED Valentino                         Right: ASOS

4. Trench

Inspector Gadget definitely knew what he was doing when he put that jacket on. There are no indications of the trench coat ever going out of style and nothing makes me think of Burberry more than the trench coat, which they have managed to make quite iconic. You can even make your own Bespoke Burberry trench coat on their website if you're willing to cough up the thousands of dollars. 

Left: Burberry                           Right: Gap

      I will leave you all with this video. It’s not gonna be hot everywhere, it’s not. And you DO need a jacket. 

     Stay warm, friends. 

 

Stella and Dot jewelery party

Sparkle, shimmer, shine, and cookies was how I spent my Sunday afternoon, which was a nice change from my usual Sunday routine – watching a marathon on TLC and regretting my late night delivery from the night before. After my cookie overload and panic attack over all things pretty, I slapped myself, gave myself a pep talk in a..zen..corner, and got my act together enough to enjoy the sparkly fun. 

My "I'm just here to look" mind set quickly changed after I saw these green pear shaped drop earrings. I loved how they looked like they once belonged to some classy old lady that croaked and decided to leave these to me. I suppose some people may call that 'vintage looking' but I'm going to coin the term 'croak-chic'. I also liked the matching ring but had limited myself to one item only, a decision that I think I regret more than the chicken bologna donut I just consumed. 

Left: Liz Drop Earrings    Right: Suzanne Cocktail Ring

Another fave piece at the party was this multi-coloured necklace. I love all the oceany shades and it makes me sad that summer is over. It would be cute with a white summer dress and coral heels for another pop of colour. Sigh.  

Serenity Necklace

All in all, it was a great day. Thanks Sparkle Queen for hosting!

Pink isn't just for babies

I first came across rose gold a few years ago and I’ve been hooked. It complements any outfit and you can mix it with other metallics without clashing. The hardest part was deciding on which items to invest in. But ever since Sophie’s choice was resolved, it’s been my jam.

Currently wearing: Michael Kors watch. H&M bracelet.

Accessories in this hue were the first to capture my attention on wrists, fingers and necklines but the rest of the body must have filed an affirmative action suit because it’s appearing on clothing, purses, makeup, shoes, and more. So girls, get rosey and shimmer your days away!  

Boys, don’t feel left out. Real men don’t just wear pink anymore. Real men wear rose gold! Michael Kors and Burberry are only a few of the brands to have rose gold watches for men. The man bling doesn’t end there, it has made its appearance on cuff links, tie clips, and man tiaras. Ok maybe not tiaras. Although everyone deserves to be a princess for a day.

Lanvin cuff links and tie clip. Burberry watch.

It may seem like the sudden invasion of rose gold is trendy but I definitely think it’s becoming more of a staple. So the next time your birthday or Valentines Day comes around – remember this - roses die but rose gold is forever.