November loves of my life...

As this month comes to an end, in reflecting on it, I realized that I fell in love this month - twice. With inanimate objects, but let me tell you about them...

First, while in New Orleans I passed a store window and spotted a pair of leopard booties. I was looking at them, they were looking at me, and that was it. Love. I have loved the look of leopard booties for a while, but as with most animal print, I find it very hard to find the right look. You don't want a discoloured, or inexpensive looking print/fabric (which is why I barely buy animal prints - I'm VERY picky). Then comes the shoe itself. Must be comfortable, versatile and beautiful! These booties fit all the criteria for me. They also looked looked an awful lot like a pair of House of Harlow boots I had been admiring from a distance for months, but with out the super extravagant price tag. Since bringing them home, I've worn them and handful of times and am also going to put them up in the ranks of one of the most comfortable pair of shoes I own. What a bonus!

My second love was more of a splurge. It's a Rebecca Minkoff purse. Enough said? Probably, but I will go on. These bags are one of my favourite lines of high-end designer bags. I fell in love with the Mac line and finally got one to call my very own! They're all great but I got drawn to this particular one because it was the most beautiful colour of vibrant purple, and is patent leather, which is not for her designs. When I got it I was more in love with it than I thought. It's just got the nicest detailing and it the perfect colour. Just love. Totally worth it!


Have a great weekend and enjoy this last day of November! Can you believe tomorrow is December already?!?!

Phone Etiquette Game

The other weekend we had a surprise party for a friend, and the way we delayed her arrival was by another friend saying she left her phone at home and had to go back to get it. Left her phone at home. Of course upon hearing that one would understand the urgency of having to return to retrieve it! But if you really think about it, isn't that a little crazy? Leaving your phone at home is A) a problem in the first place and B) worthy of stopping everything to go get it. Our world has changed, big time! Everyone has got a cell phone that they have with them always.

While reading the December Marie Claire, I came upon a whole section that had to do with phone etiquette which I thought was very interesting and important. With this changing world, some traditional manners seem to have gone out the window - maybe it's time to bring them back. Traditionally, when hosting friends, if you home phone would ring most people might ignore it (unless of course a guest was MIA). Well would you answer your cell phone at this same party? Would you answer a text? This is no different. The world will survive for the amount of time it takes to have a dinner party. Same for going out. Your home phone is not there so you would have to check your messages when you return. A cell phone should be the same. There's always that ONE person though who can't seem to let go. The first person to pick up their phone.  Enter: Cell Phone Roulette. The games rules are as follows:

1. Hand over your phone: when you sit down all phones are stacked face-down in the middle of the table. 
2. Ignore the noise: if you hear a buzz, ring, or ping, ignore it. Stay strong. Who exactly do you think you are that you have to answer? Don't flatter yourself. Be strong. Also, turning off noises might help. Word to the wise, vibrate is not equal to silent. In fact, it can be the most annoying of all notifications. Ever hear a phone vibrate on a table? Awful.
3. You cave, you lose: first person to reach for their phone loses. If you're at home, you do the dishes or some other agreed upon punishment. If you're out, you got the bill.
4. Or Share the victory: split the check or the chores, and when you do check your phone after all is said and done, notice that the world is still turning. 

I say give it a go this holiday season! 

What Would Anna Do?

Previously I wrote a post about graphic shirts, and how to rethink and rework them by dressing them up! Well, it turns out, graphics can be more than that. They can also carry an important message. For example, when in (fashion) doubt, "What Would Anna Do?".  I mean, as the editor-in-chief of American Vogue for the last 24 years, she WOULD have all the answers. It's definitely fun to play with graphics and I think this new Sauce shirt just does that, while still keeping it classy, just like Anna would want... :)

P.S. I wore this shirt last week and someone asked who Anna was. Even after I told her she still didn't know. I don't know how that is possible but if you are in the same boat, the character of Miranda in the book/movie "The Devil Wears Prada" was loosely based on Anna. She knew that reference!

A good life...

SNOW & Cyber Monday

Winter Wonderland in Tremblant, Quebec last year

Every morning when I wake up for work I have my shower, do my hair and make-up, get dressed, then as the final step, I walk towards my (black) curtains and throw them open as if to say "HELLO WORLD!". Well this morning I did exactly that, but what caught my by surprise was that old man winter had come by in the wee hours of the night. Everything is covered in snow! Although very unexpected, I'm okay with it. Its been fairly cold lately and this blanket of snow helps ease that pain by visually telling me winter is quickly approaching. It also helps the abundance of Christmas decorations I've been seeing, feel a bit more appropriate. But only a bit - we're still in November after all! 

But enough about the weather, today is another special day - Cyber Monday! Always the Monday following American Thanksgiving and Black Friday, Cyber Monday is the number one online shopping day of the year. The last 3 years Cyber Monday has been breaking it's own record of online spending on this day, and this year is expected to be no different. Apparently Americans will likely spend about $1.5 billion dollars online today. WOWZA, right?! Just like Black Friday, Cyber Monday has made its way to Canada as well! Cyber Monday also tends to have bigger sales too. Will you participating in today's online shopping spree event?

Throwback Thursday: Bridesmaids

One of the best (comedy) movies ever created is Bridesmaids. Hands-down. One of my favourite scenes was everything that happend with Kristin Wigg on the plane, so when I stumbled upon this meme I thought it would be perfect to take us back down memory lane!

Also, Happy American Thanksgiving!

To Shop or Not To Shop...?

That is the question of the week. There's nothing I need per-say, but I can always find SOMETHING. But this week is a special week, being the week that ends with Black Friday. Normally an American tradition, I am pleased that over the last couple of years the super sales and super savings that come along with Black Friday have made their way to Canada! Some retailers have already started with the savings by having "Black Friday Week" sales, but overall, the big deals will happen at the end of the week. So if ever you were to restrain yourself from going to the mall or browsing online, now is the time. Unless of course you're scoping out the scene of what you want to buy in the hopes it will be heavily discounted. I've already started taking note of which retailers on this side of the border are participating...

Will you be partaking in Black Friday sales? I will certainly be popping online! Can't hurt, right?!

Winter Whites

The old fashion rule of "no white after Labour Day" needs a little reworking I think! 

I will agree with no white jeans. I will in most circumstance also agree with no white footwear. Nothing that screams SUMMER which both tend to do for me. I think you need to use your judgement and go with your gut. But what about a cocktail dress? or a white suit? Are they not classics? Why yes, I believe they are! Take a look at these lovely celebrities rocking some winter whites on the red carpet recently (yes, a couple are more cream, but the others are WHITE) . I think they look gorgeous. White doesn't seem inappropriate here, it's almost unexpected and that to me is what makes it so stunning! I am just loving this look right now.

What do you think? Is it pushing the limits or breaking boundaries?

Jenna Dewan-Tatum, Sienna Miller, Diane Kruger, Ashley Greene, Gwyneth Paltrow, Julianne Hough

The Little Things...

I recently saw this Andy Warhol quote and I loved it. It kind of put into words the way I tend to think. Way to often we take things for granted, or don't appreciate all the good in the world. It's easy to just stop and think about where you are, what you're doing, who your with, and just feel this warm grateful feeling. Just have fun and find joy in everything. Make everything and every choice exciting! Easier said than done? Well practice makes perfect and I think it's a great way to live your life.

There's another modification to this that also expresses the way I think. That would be to let the little things that would normally bug you (or the average person), not even minutely affect you. Put things into perspective. Someone driving too slow? Who cares, it's only for a moment. Coffee is too hot? It will cool. Too cold? That's what microwaves are for! And so on. This mindset works for bigger things too, trust me. Even when it's tough, life is GOOD!

The Big Easy!

Jackson Square

As I alluded to in a post last week, I recently went to New Orleans! I didn't want to report on it until I got my pictures sorted out to share and now they are.

This was a trip I had been thinking about doing for a while. I always had the fall in mind as well for when to go. This fall all the pieces came together and I made it happen! It was just me and a friend and we went down at the beginning of the month for a long weekend. It. Was. A. Blast. There is no place like New Orleans. Nadda. One of the initial motivators for me was that I heard it was kind of like Vegas, and outdoor Vegas. And I really liked Vegas. After being there, I can totally see why! It's the same party-party atmosphere and energy, everyone is having adult beverages all day long and on the streets, and when you're on Bourbon street it's just bar after bar after bar. It's crazy!

On top of ALL that it's a gorgeous city. I'm not one to say "ooooh, it's full of culture and history", but man, is it EVER full of culture and history! We went on a couple of tours that showed us around the French Quarter (where we stayed) and learned so many interesting things about that history. It was actually super cool and added to the experience. The horse and buggy ride around the French Quarter was recommended to me and surprisingly was one of my favourite parts of the trip! As far as the culture it's so cool and laid back. The buildings are French, Spanish, and Caribbean inspired architecture - at least during the rebuild after the great fire of New Orleans (see, history!). It's a very unique look. It seems like wherever you go you can always hear jazz or blues music in the air. The food is unique too! Creole and Cajun. Lots of seafood (but lots of NON seafood choices for someone like me who doesn't prefer it). There's something for everyone! Also worth mentioning was that everyone we met was super friendly! 

It was a place that was on my bucket list and I can now check it off! If you've not been, I highly recommend it. I think it's only a matter of time before I make my way back there... :)

Must-try New Orleans cocktails from right: Pat O'Briens (World Famous) Hurricane, Hand Grenade, Shark Attack - with names that like, it's a wonder we survived!

I want to live in Jennifer Hudson's closet

For real. It's not necessarily because she has great style, which actually she does, but rather because she's got a good vision when it comes to what a closet should look like. She recently bought a house and had the closet of her dreams designed and built. I couldn't help but share.

Check this thing out!

Do you believe in magic...?

I do.

Skyfall

I love James Bond. A lot. So you can imagine I was outstandingly excited for the lastest Bond, Skyfall, to come out. I went to see it at an pre-screening this past Thursday night. It was everything I had hoped it would be, and maybe more.

Whether you know James Bond well or not, most people know that this latest installment starring Daniel Craig has been a very different kind of Bond. It's darker. It starts Bond's story from when he became 007 (in Casino Royale) and develops the character and why he is the way he is. I also find they leave out some of the farcical James, and some of the cheese. These latest movies are also very intelligent. The third movie holds true to that. What I rather enjoyed, is that now that we are on movie number three, the story of the Bond we know and love is developing further! Certain characters have appeared for example. Another thing was this movie release coincides with the 50th anniversary of Bond. There are endless references (both subtle and not so subtle) to the previous Bond movies. I found that quite fun of course, but you can still enjoy the movie if these go over your head. I almost feel like a Bond geek because they all/most stuck out to me! (Who am I kidding, I'm totally a Bond geek)

So more on the movie. As one would expect it is a total action flick. As previously mentioned, it's so intelligent. The acting is also worth noting as it was incredible. There has never been a Bond actor that has been nominated (for their Bond performance), but I kind of think that might change. Javier Bardem... WOW! He was the villain and he was mind-blowing in my opinion. Another nomination I could see is Adele getting nominated for writing/performing the theme song. That's an easy prediction though. Bond songs have been nominated in the past, but maybe she'll be the first to win?

I can't possibly go on without giving more away - I highly recommend going to see it. It's outstanding and my love for James Bond is only stronger from it.

Me and James

A Poem Before the Weekend

This weekend in Ottawa is the annual Wine and Food Festival! And what a festival it is. It's essentially a trade show where people wander around in search of sample food and drinks. I like that you can always see your staple vendors - whether a favourite local restaurant, or your favourite brand of wine - but also, it's a great place to try new things out! It's also an excuse to get dressed up and go out (in the afternoon) and have fun with friends. This year a friend of mine is making it her birthday celebration! I anticipate lots of wine and good times. Before signing off for the weekend, I wanted to share with you a quick poem:

Must See TV: Damages

Damages was a show that I had read about briefly but didn't know much about. I knew who was in it - Glenn Close and Rose Byrne. I knew that it was supposed to be smart. I'd also heard it was a good show to watch if you liked to see business appropriate fashion. The hook for me though, was definitely the cast. Glenn Close makes pretty good choices if I do say so myself, and I've grown to love Rose Byrne since I first saw her in one of my favourite movies, Wicker Park.

Enter, once again, my Apple TV and Netflix. I swear they will be the end of me, or at least my social life. Damages is of course on there. And if I like it? There are five seasons ready and waiting for me to enjoy. And boy, do I not only like it, I love it! The acting in it is phenomenal. The only thing better is the writing. Each season starts with a teaser or something that is happening in the "present". Then the meat of the episodes are "6 months ago" and sooner as the episodes progress until you catch up to the "present". There are so many twists and turns. It is such a strong and intelligent show. As each season ends, you are also left with the curiosity of how there can possibly be a next season, but then there it is. As far as the type of show - they are lawyers and the story line follows an intricate case as well as their personal lives.

I'm only on season 3 but I am hooked. My roommate is caught up in it too. But we have to hurry, according to this promo poster I found the next season starts in January! 

Invisible Crown

It's Wednesday! Middle of the week, but I'm only just starting my week off. I was on vacation this past weekend (more on that later). I got back Monday late afternoon, and yesterday was mainly dedicated to unpacking and napping. I capped off yesterday with a delicious dinner out with the ladies in my family. Today I am back to reality feeling well rested and like I can take on the world! I'm wearing my invisible crown today. Are you wearing yours?

Sh*t Fashion Girls Say

This is one of my favourite videos ever on the internet ever!  Starring P'Trique (who is now a viral/internet sensation) this is play on the popular Sh*t Girls Says (in case you couldn't tell). This is part two, but I think it's the better one. It's hard to pick a favourite part or line but one of them is definitely "I'm just going to have a personality drink before we go". Enjoy!

Dance

In the spirit of the weekend I am sharing a song that has quickly become a new favourite. The song is Dance by Rebecca and Fiona. It's a relatively unknown song by a relatively unknown group, but I am loving all their music from their album "I Love You, Man" (nothing to do with the movie). It's dance music, with a bit of an indie and 80's vibe to it. Enjoy!

Accessorized with Bubbles

I'm not sure if you are familiar but there is a necklace that is circulating around Pinterest, the blog-o-sphere, magazines, TV, you name it! That necklace is the J.Crew bubble necklace. It retails for a whopping $174 dollars. I've seen the odd blog here and there that talk about getting it different places like eBay - it usually comes from China in this instance and the quality is iffy (that cheap brassy metal and such...). Others have gotten a deal like Groupon, but they are based in the States (as a Canadian, that doesn't help me much). 

After deciding I would one day just buy the necklace for full price, a website presented itself to me and my wallet rejoiced! Enter: Hello Fab. I heard about them through another blog - they make J.Crew style jewelry (not just the bubble necklace), sell the pieces at a reasonable price AND ship to Canada! Right away I ordered my coveted black necklace, and decided throw in a yellow one for good measure. The necklaces were $22/each (helllooooo savings!) and the shipping was a flat $12.95. The email said I should get my package in 14 days and I almost exactly did. No duties on it either! I loved their selection of colours and styles. I will definitely be shopping there again and soon!

All in all it was a great experience, I have the necklace I've been eying for a while, and saved a whack load of cash! I'm also one step/necklace closer to my resolution to accessorize myself. Doesn't get better than that!