Happy Halloween!

It's that spooky time of year again! I love Halloween, mostly because I love anything scary and anything that involves candy (read: Smarties). The costume part? Well, I've been known to dress in costume outside of the holiday so it's just another day in that sense! :)

Most Halloween festivities happened over this past weekend (also referred to as Halloweekend). My costume? Paper Bag Princess! I loved it. Not only was it easy to put together, but it was easy and comfortable to wear! Getting in and out of it without ripping it... that was another story. Saturday was a scary-movie-marathon kinda day, which hands down, IS my favourite part of Halloween. Another thing I like about Halloween is the nostalgia. I had the best time trick-or-treating as a kid. Dressing up and filling your pillowcase with as much candy as you could manage. So fun.

The other Halloween-y thing I did was last week at work, we had our second annual pumpkin carving competition. Last year we (the marketing team) won! This year we came in second... although I think we should have won. Check out the picture of our pumpkin - it was a functional wine dispenser! Does it get any better than that?!

 Be safe and have a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

Style Icon: Lauren Conrad

Lauren is another starlet who came into fame from Laguna Beach and The Hills. Like Kristin Cavallari, I think that Lauren looks like the epitome of a California Girl. Her blonde waves are envied far and wide. She has a laid back style, but she is also the queen of party dresses!

Although she started with reality TV, Lauren has tried to separate herself from that piece of her past, and make a name for herself. She is an author; her books are for a young-ish audience and are super fluffy, but fun. They are based on a California girl who is asked to be in a reality show... I guess write about what you know! She also has a beauty book coming out and she is the subject of many beauty vlogs. I gotta say, she does know what works in that department! She is also heads up the fashion line Paper Crown. It's a fairly simple line, but it's quality and pricey! I think she did a great job with it. It's very her. 

If I have one suggestion for her, it would only be to lose the teapot arm!

Evolve

I had never heard this quote until last week but I thought it was quite true and important to share. And not just because Oprah said it :)

Fancy Graphics

Graphic t-shirts and sweaters have existed since the beginning of time (or close to it, right?). Regardless of the form that top comes in, it's usually seen as more of a casual piece. Well I think it might be time to switch gears and think of graphic tops a little differently. 

I've recently seen many instances where graphic shirts (ones with words over the ones with pictures) have been matched with some fancier pieces, like skirts and heels. In an effort to get more bang for your buck by getting full mileage out of your wardrobe, this is a good thing. And I happen to think it looks kind of cool! Everyone's seen a graphic shirt under a blazer - maybe this is a new version of that! Also the skirt/heel pairing allows you to showcase the top a bit more.

Outfit at NY Fashion Week

Rachel from Pink Peonies

What do you think of this style? Is it for you?

Horoscopes on Zodiac Chic

I am not one to necessarily believe in astrology or horoscopes, but from time to time I like to check them out and see what's being said about my sign and whether or not it rings true. I find horoscopes and zodiac facts to be more for entertainment than anything. Recently I found a Tumblr page dedicated horoscopes called Zodiac Chic. Their Zodiac Facts are definitely fluffy at times, but that's part of the fun. A couple of posts about Aquarius (my sign) caught my eye and I really felt like they rang true! Now from time to time I check it out, or browse through past ones to see what has been said about Aquarius. Here are a few of my faves: 

  110. Absolutely. | 71. Quite true

111. Who doesn't?! | 114. Hilarious but not wrong

Do you ever read horoscopes or do you believe in them? To see your sign, click a link below: 

Aries | Taurus | Gemini | Cancer | Leo | Virgo | Libra | Scorpio | Sagittarius | Capricorn | Aquarius | Pisces

Wedding Bells! Justin & Jessica

In case you didn't hear, Justin Timberlake and Jessica Biel got married in Italy this past weekend! Lucky for us, they've shared some pictures with the media so we don't have to guess about what they wore and what their wedding details are. I love weddings in general and am always curious about celebrity weddings. I am still wondering about Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds' wedding... 

But back to Justin and Jessica - the first picture released online (for more pictures you have to go buy People or Hello) shows a very excited Justin Timberlake and a beautiful Jessica Biel in a pink Giambattista Valli Haute Couture gown. Pink! I remember when I was a kid, I would dream of a pink wedding gown. Is it coming back? Or is it just an ode to their unique style. Either way, I think this picture is adorable. I bet it was quite the celebration!

Although it took me a little time, I decided I love the look. I don't think I'd do it myself (I'd want something more classic) but I love it. How about you? Too much? Too... pink? :)  

Whatever it may be...

Casual Sequins

When I think of sequins I automatically think about an event or occasion. I love wearing sequins for New Years, my birthday, Christmas, etc. What I never thought about until recently, was making sequins a bit more casual - a bit more wearable for any day. I saw on Pinterest several such outfits that took a sequin piece and made it more casual. Or rather gave a casual outfit some elegance and sparkle!

Now a days sequin clothing comes in all shapes and forms. You can get sequin blazers, tops, shorts, skirts, dresses, pants - you name it, they make it! Similar to clothes with leather or stud embellishments, these pieces are everywhere, and made to mix and match. Previously I had posted about how shoes can take a casual or comfy outfit to the next level - why not do the same with sequins? 

The pictures that really caught my eye have gold sequin tops mixed with a light denim. Maybe this hit home because I have a gold sequin top collecting dust in my closet. I have (sadly) only worn it once, and that was last New Years eve. Not only can you add sparkle to an average day (who wouldn't want that?), but a sequin top can become your ultimate accessory. Oh the outfit ideas... I can't wait to break it out now!

Flashback Friday: Double Rainbow

I couldn't help myself. I was browsing some viral videos and saw a clip of the oldie but goodie Double Rainbow video. I might be my all time favourite - kills me every time! Enjoy and happy Friday!

(Budding) Style Icon: Emma Stone

Great actress. Hilarious actress. Emma Stone has definitely earned her place as a Hollywood starlet. One thing I never thought about was her fashion sense. That is until she went on the Spiderman promotional tour this past summer. 

I don't know if she hired a stylist, or if she simply realized this movie was a big deal and she better dress for it, but Emma Stone wowed this year - BIG TIME. Her everyday style is as plain as plain can be - which is fine - but made these stellar outfits even more unexpected. I hope she keeps it up!

Emma Stone's Red Carpet Styles

The Color Run - Montreal

I did it again! This past weekend I ran another Colour Run race. It was held in Montreal this time, which was their first time holding one in Canada. Once again I couldn't have been happier with the organization of the race and the overall atmosphere - it was a blast!

I went with a different friend this time, and just like my first time, she was blown away and can't wait to do her next one! I'm definitely looking forward to my next one too... but maybe warmer weather! It was a bright sunny day but super chilly. 

Super vibrant picture of one of the many Color Throws

Just a couple of Color-ized girls!

What do you think?

I happen to believe that we are in control of who we are, what we do, and what we achieve. I also think it can start with attitude and mindset. If you can think it, why not also think you can achieve it? Some things are hard but those are usually the most worth it in the end. Of course there are exceptions to every rule, but don't use that as an excuse. Think you can.

Shopping Bag Art

I'm not sure about you, but when I go to an upscale store, or a unique store, I love saving the shopping bags. I don't know exactly why, but I think it's just another keepsake of a brand I like. These bags however, usually sit in a closet with other bags I reuse, but these ones never get reused themselves. I like to keep them in mint condition!

Apparently I am not the only one who does this. I recently saw a picture of someone who used these bags as art by framing them! What a great idea!

I think it's a very creative way to make use of these bags so that they don't collect dust, and a cool way to show your style/taste but in a simple way. My normal taste in artwork is fairly simple, so this would stay true to that since most bags are fairly simple in design. Gonna have to try it!

Must See TV: The Walking Dead

Last February I bought an Apple TV and almost immediately signed up to Netflix. Having Netflix has been incredible and allowed me to watch and catch up on all sorts of shows! Once such show is The Walking Dead. I'd heard about it from friends and on social media, but never caught it on TV so didn't know what all the hype is about. Netflix luckily had season one available! My roommate and I decided to watch one episode, which turned into two episodes, then three, and so on, and so on - this seems to happen a lot to us. Luckily, it was only a 6 episode season, so we zipped right through it! Unfortunately we were hooked and didn't have any more to watch. Until a week ago that is...

A much longer (13 episode) season 2 just became available on Netflix. We finished it in a hurry but now we only have to wait until this Sunday for season 3 to premiere! This show is a great show. In case the title didn't give it away, this show has to do with zombies. It's that whole Dawn of the Dead, 28 Days Later concept. The main character wakes up in a hospital only to discover that the world he knew is gone. There are zombies or "walkers" just about everywhere. Once reunited with his family, and the group of survivors they've been staying with, it's all about their journey for shelter or other survivors. And what a journey it is!

This show is incredibly intelligent and has stayed strong through both seasons. If this kind of genre is even a little bit up your alley, definitely check it out. Can't wait for Sunday! (Yes, another show to add to my Sunday collection)

Your Heart is Another Story

If you haven't seen the movie Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, I recommend you do. It is a very strange but very beautiful movie. I think this quote is beautiful (and true).

Style Resolution: Accessorize!

Every now and again, I feel the need to improve or change up my style in some way, shape or form. Once upon a time, I decided that I needed to shift my focus on shoes. Believe it. I only had a couple basics that I actually wore, and I needed to find different styles and colours, for different purposes and seasons. Well, that time has long since past but I have a new focus: accessories. 

When I say accessories, I mean mostly jewelry. Different types - necklaces, earrings, rings, bracelets - and different textures, colours, etc. As a kid I used to play with my plastic princess jewelry and mix and match the colours, and pile it on like nobody's business! I kind of want to do that, but the adult version. I think jewelry can really take an outfit to the next level and can also really showcase your personal style. I love the look of stacked bangles, that are not part of a set, but rather a collection of individual pieces. Same thing with necklaces. Different lengths, different embellishments, all layered together to make one look. 

For a few years now I've layered some of my more delicate, classic necklaces, but now I want to do it with more statement pieces. I started wearing a watch two years ago (when I got my first Michael Kors watch), but now its time to get some killer bracelets to create some real arm candy! 

Wish me luck on my accessory adventure! Do you have any style resolutions of your own?

What Not To Wear

In honour of it being Canadian Thanksgiving today, this post is  "What Not to Wear" when you put on a few pounds. Featuring: Lady Gaga. 

I'm not sure if you've heard, but there's been a lot of talk the past few weeks about Lady Gaga's figure not being quite as fit as it once was. She has come out and admitted that she has put on about 25 pounds. In response to all this negative attention, she posted a photo of herself in her bra and underwear to promote body acceptance - part of her whole "Born This Way" mantra. There have been so many fans replying with pictures of their own and thanking her for owning the way she is, added pounds and all. I actually think this is a wonderful thing, and it's situations like this that make me wish she wasn't so darn weird! Weird in the sense that I find some of her antics distracting from her message. Theses antics are where the "What Not to Wear" comes into play. 

I understand that you gained weight Lady Gaga, but maybe you want to just buy bigger clothes that compliment your body? As opposed to this:

Turkey Coma, Here I Come

It's (Canadian) Thanksgiving this weekend! This holiday and Christmas are the guaranteed times of the year that I get to eat like there's no tomorrow and fall into a self-induced turkey coma. It really is a beautiful thing. What's equally as beautiful of course, is having a 3 day weekend.

When I think of Thanksgiving I tend to think immediately of family - and that right there is probably what I'm most thankful for. I have a great family that is filled with love, laughs and support. Friends too, because friends are the family we choose ourselves right? 

What are you thankful for this year?

Seems appropriate... :)

Style Icon: Kristin Cavallari

Back in the day, Laguna Beach and The Hills were my absolute reality TV guilty pleasures of choice. If I'm honest I still miss them sometimes! It's on these shows that a reality star was born - Kristin Cavallari. 

Since then she's made other reality appearances, contributed to fashion lines, gotten engaged to NFL quarterback Jay Cutler, and just recently she became a mother. Just like Blake Lively, I always look forward to seeing pictures of her and what she's wearing. Unlike Blake Lively, I feel like she wears stuff that is not necessarily unrealistic for real life, or a non-Hollywood life. Fun dresses that show some leg for occasions, then very comfortable and practical wear for the everyday. No matter the outfit, they are so simple, fun and oh so stylish.

One last thing, let me tell you about that last picture in my selections... the one of her in that black dress. That is from earlier this week, just 2 months after having her baby. TWO months!!! Way to go Kristin.

Kristin's Event Style

Kristin's Everyday Style

I Love Katy Perry

I really do! I recently watched her movie, Katy Perry: Part of Me, and that's where this love came from. 

I've always enjoyed her music, and I've always thought she was a super talented singer (when you are singing alone in the shower or car, those notes are harder to hit then you might think!), but I never really thought much of HER. With her recent costumes lately - the bright candy themed concoctions - I didn't know what to make of her. After watching this movie, all that changed. No, I don't like the candy costumes, but I do like her. I love her. She is the bees knees. 

Firstly, this movie started and ended with fans talking about Katy and how she's inspired and motivated them. It's extremely touching. She might have an element of fantasy about her but she is also very much about being who you are and doing what you believe is right for you, and following your dreams.

This movie is divided into two very interesting themes: her tour and all its moving parts, and her life (past, present, future). I thought it was super cool to get a behind the scenes of her tour. Her costumes, her prep, her team, her travel, her interaction with fans, and of course her actual performances! So much goes into this thing, it's just incredible! Then the other theme of her life. Without giving away the story, I thought her rise to fame was interesting. Her motivation and spirit is quite admirable. She worked hard to be where she is, and she's still working hard. You also get to see bits and pieces of her love life, her marriage to Russell Brand. It's no secret that they are since divorced, but the movie happened to be filming while their marriage was unraveling. It's heartbreaking. 

Aside from the romance, you also get to see her with her family, and friends. She's just a normal girl living a not-so-normal life and I think that was my favourite part - seeing her laugh and joke, having a good time, and enjoying what's she's worked so hard to achieve. I do recommend you check it out for yourself!

Best Oscars Ever?

The Oscars are about to get awesome this year in my opinion! 

Just announced yesterday, Seth MacFarlane (of Family Guy fame in case you're not familiar with him) will be hosting this years Oscars!

"It's truly an overwhelming privilege to be asked to host the Oscars," MacFarlane said. "My thoughts upon hearing the news were, one, I will do my utmost to live up to the high standards set forth by my predecessors; and two, I hope they don't find out I hosted the Charlie Sheen Roast."

I think he is one of the funniest people out there and can't wait to watch him host.  That being said, we've had some OK hosts as of late, like Steve Martin & Alec Baldwin, Hugh Jackman, and Anne Hathaway (who co-hosted with James Franco, who I did not think was as great). But there have been more duds then not - even with people I love, like Ellen DeGeneres. 

I am rooting for him and I'm sure he won't disappoint. As he mentions in his above statement, he hosted the Charlie Sheen roast... which was not as a whole funny, but he killed it! I'm so excited I may start planning my "Seth-MacFarlane-is-hosting-the-Oscars" outfit! Just kidding... 

Now we wait. Until February.

There's so Much to Smile About!

Below is a picture of a Marilyn Monroe statue I saw in Chicago when I went earlier this year in April. She was HUGE! I'm so glad I saw it (and snapped a pic) because when I went back to Chicago in the summer, she was no longer there. 

Accompanying this picture are a few words of hers... my favourite being the last bit, because life really is a beautiful thing and there is SO much to smile about!