Last summer outfits.

Forever 21 top; American Eagle jeans; Target sandals; Fossil watch

My coworker said it best. It's time for us to pull together as many final summer outfits as we can before it's too late. I know I'm antsy for fall, but I can't help but take this summer style out for another spin.

I was out with Marianna again last night taking more photos of her fall products. As you know, since I haven't shut up about it for like a week, I'm beyond excited for her new store launch. Anyways, this is the outfit I wore for our little photo shoot. Which was great. Until some old guy on rollerblades stalked us for five minutes. Cool dude, cool. We really aren't that exciting.

In other news, I'm off to Sudbury this weekend to spend some quality time with some friends. It'll be quiet around here without my computer, but I will definitely be back next Tuesday. Don't miss me too much! Kidding... please miss me so I feel good about myself? ... Kidding! ... or am I?
Well, now this is awkward..

BYEEEE.

It's today!!!

Finally the day has come!

I have been working with someone who has become a wonderful friend over the last few months. I'm sure you've seen me talk about Castellammare Jewellery before, right? Well the founder lives in Ottawa, just like me, and she's re-launching her brand with her own website! I've been helping out in a few little ways, but it's made me so excited that I have to share. 

Castellammare Jewellery necklace & bracelets

She's celebrating the re-launch by adding new pieces to her shop, some seen here. I am modelling a customized bangle stack, her tassel necklace, and her black-metal "ball" necklace. But, what's totally awesome is that she's introduced a TONNE of rose gold pieces! Check it. I swear you won't be disappointed. 

Also, if you head on over to her new site, Castellammare Jewellery, you will probably see pictures of my neck. What a nice neck, right? It's pretty cute. 

OH! and I almost forgot. She's got STELLAR door crasher events going on. From today until Sunday, there will be a featured piece for 50% off the regular sell price. Check back daily 'cause they're all are really good.

Pieces of advice.

Ok so this photo was taken a couple months ago, but I was watching Modern Family then too, so it counts.

So I was watching Modern Family yesterday and stumbled across the episode with the Phil's osophy book. And you know what? I thought it was completely brilliant.
If you aren't watching Modern Family, you probably should. It's hilarious. 

Anyways, I took away a couple pieces of advice that I decided I'd share with you:

1. When life gives you lemonade, make lemons. Life will be all like "whaaaaaaat?!"

Isn't this great advice? Throw life off course, go down an unexpected road, do something different. 

2. The most amazing things that can happen to a human being will happen to you, if you just lower your expectations.

Sad, but in many cases true. A bit depressing, so don't dwell on it.. But when you expect less, you're often pleasantly surprised. 

Thanks Phil Dunphy for your inspiration. You are an intelligent man, my friend.
Now, time for me to go make some lemons from my lemonade. Now, how do I go about that exactly?

Stay tuned for tomorrow's post... I'm pretty excited about it!

Little striped dress.

 

This doesn't happen very often, but I am blogging the outfit that I am currently wearing. How is that for real life?!

Today I went shopping and splurged on a few things- another pair of jeans (same style as these, but in a different wash), a light chambray top (cause I still didn't own one), a couple scarves and other basics. With a limited shopping budget, I'm trying to be very careful about what I'm spending my money on. I think I did pretty good today. No more shopping for the next month for me!

Do you stick to a strict shopping budget or are you flexible with what you buy?

Quote of the day.

via 

Hey life, are you listening? Right now I'm a little frustrated with you.
Your constant changes and your ability to surprise are what I love and hate most about you.
And often, I don't understand why certain things happen the way they do. Reality never seems to make sense to me. What's up with that?

-----
Sorry I am so backed up on blog reading. Things have been busy! I will catch up this weekend, I promise. 

It's coming: Fall Fashion.

Fall is just around the corner, and I'm getting more and more excited about it by the day. Mostly because fall is my favourite season to shop fashion. Layering? Love it. Boots? Love 'em. Cozy lattes in hand? You betcha.

So you won't be surprised when I tell you these recent pins are what I hope to live in this fall:

Khaki jacket, black skinnies, perfect boots, moto-chic bag

waterfall sweater, distressed denim, camel tote, basic white tee

Flannel top, cozy scarf, great sunnies and fashionable latte (yup)

What's your favourite season to dress for?

How to find the perfect jeans.

Gap pants and bag; Windsor top; TOMS shoes

The other day I set out in hopes to find the perfect jeans. Usually I find decent-fitting jeans and just settle. 100% of the time I need a belt because they fit in the legs, but not in the waist. Or they just fall down because my butt isn't big enough. True story.

But then, I found them. The perfect jeans. The wonderful ladies at the store were a HUGE help and this is what I learned:

1. Try on different styles. If you're looking for a skinny jean, try on a straight or boot-cut too. That's what happened to me; their skinny and jegging styles didn't fit properly, but their "real straight" cut was perfect.

2. Go up or down a size. Proportions change with sizing and you might find a better fit in a size up or down. Again, that's what happened to me. I went a size down but worried the legs would be too tight. They ended up being perfect.

3. Note the material. Will they stretch? Do you want them to stretch? Keep that in mind when choosing the right size.

I wore these jeans all day without a belt. I've NEVER been able to wear jeans without a belt. Ever. And I love them so much I'm definitely going back to buy them in a different wash.

There's really nothing better than a perfect pair of jeans.

That time I went to paradise.

Last weekend I joined my friend and her family at a cottage they were renting. Three days of perfect weather, sunshine, beach and friends? YES PLEASE. Here's a snapshot of what we did.

 And every single day was finished with a beautiful sunset over the water. Each sky was better than the previous, and of course I had to take pictures of them all.

Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend. Enjoy the last little bit of summer we've been given. 

What my friends think I do.

This is just a silly post to hopefully get you through your Thursday...

As a style blogger, I sometimes ask girlfriends for photography help. You know, to take a few shots and not laugh at me. This time my friend Kelly wanted to be in front of the camera. Below she shows off her outfit she calls "Old Faithful"- always there for her when she doesn't know what to wear:

 

Thank you, Kelly, for reminding me to never take myself too seriously :) 

An ode to my furry friends.

So I wore this shirt to work the other day for a bit of fun. 

My boss asked me... "what does your shirt say?"

(If you can't read it, it says The entire cat population is my best friend.)

Then she asks me if I like cats, and if I had them growing up. 

I started babbling all about my wonderful furry friends I grew up with.

And got overly excited.

And started flapping my hands.

Actually.

It was embarrassing.

Moral of the story: Please don't ask me about my shirt. It will be embarrassing for the both of us.

A last hurrah for summer.

Target dress; Call it Spring sandals; Fossil watch

This weekend I'll be taking one of my last summer trips.
Tonight I'm heading to a cottage with my bff and her fam-jam.
It's going to be 4 days of bliss, sunshine and relaxation. Seriously, I need it.

I won't be bringing my computer, which means I'll probably suck at being on the blogsphere/ commenting on blogs/ generally being a good internet person, so no hating, kay?

But I will be back with mucho fresh content as I will likely have my camera out 99% of the time.
Have a great weekend friends and see you all on Tuesday!

Long weekend casual.

KS tee; American Eagle jeans; H&M clutch; Call it Spring sandals

Yesterday was a holiday for us Canadians. Well, most of us. I met up with a girlfriend and we toured the city looking for a great place to eat.

We came across Farmteam Cookhouse, and having debated going there many times, we decided to try it out. All I can say is holy YUM! I had the gourmet veggie sandwich and it was possibly the best sandwich I've ever eaten.  Then we went up Elgin and got some gelato. Heaven in a cup, I tell ya.

The weather was perfect, the sun was shining, and I spent the afternoon outside with a great girlfriend. This is what long weekends are made of.

Some more man-style.

A few months ago I posted some of my favourite man-style looks.  Partly for the fashion, partly for the eye-candy.
Well, it's Sunday, and we all deserve a little bit of eye-candy.
Here you are ladies; some fashionable men to feast your eyes on.

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

Oh... Hi Ryan Gosling!

The thing about small towns.

The thing about small towns, is you go along in your early years meeting people who love it and will never leave, or hate it and can't wait to turn 18 and run as far away as possible. I was neither.

Going to university a mere 45 minutes away kept me close enough to visit, but gave me enough of a change. Living in the city is definitely different than having a forest in my backyard.

These days, I am enjoying being a city girl. I love being 2 blocks from my grocery store. No car payments means a little more money in my pocket. I can go anywhere and do anything within a 10 km radius. At any time. Also the fact that there are no mosquitoes is kind of amazing.

But I come home often to visit my parents. Part of it is to see them, but another part of it is to wind down. City life is a little busier than life out here. You can get caught up in the movement and all of a sudden your head is spinning.  Coming home gives me a chance to breathe, take a few minutes for myself and relax.

This is where I like to come and read. By the river. It's peaceful, beautiful and rejuvenating. I fall in love with my small hometown all over again in moments like these.

You never know where life is going to take you. In a year or two I may be hours away in an even bigger city. But I will know that a part of me will always belong to the countryside. A part of me will always call this place home. And who knows, maybe someday I will end up back here.