HOLIDAY DRESSES.

c/o eShakti dress

It's that time of year again. Lovely ladies everywhere are looking for that perfect holiday dress. Whether you've got a Christmas party, New Years party, or even just a family get together, a beautiful dress is a must.

When eShakti contacted me to review one of their products, I chose this dress with my work's Christmas party in mind. I had gotten another dress from H&M, but I didn't think it'd be fancy enough, so I returned it. This? I can work with this...

The best thing about eShakti is you can customize. For this dress, I removed the pockets because I didn't want anymore fabric added to my hips. I also customized the length by choosing "above the knee". Technically, I would consider this knee-length. I expected about an inch or two shorter, but it's still pretty as it is. And it's better to be too long than too short, since it's for a work function.

Anyways, I'm totally excited to style this for my work party! The lace overlay is SO delicate and the hemline is gorgeous. I encourage you to stop by eShakti to check out their dresses because today the entire site is 35% off! That's a mega deal.

Happy weekend to everyone!

* This dress was provided by eShakti for the purpose of review. All opinions are my own.

BABY, IT'S COLD OUTSIDE.

See? So much cold, and so much snow.

So I made some soup.

Sweet Potato Coconut Curry Soup to be exact.

I recommend it. It fights cold.

CASUAL DRESS.

Old Navy dress; Call it Spring scarf; Payless boots

I wore this to work the other day, and my boss goes "Oh... Why are you wearing a dress?".
I guess I don't wear dresses often. Somehow this outfit was a shock to him.

Should I wear dresses more often?

I just really like pants...

BASICALLY PYJAMAS.

This look is basically pyjamas for me.
Nothing cozier than warming up in my large, comfy poncho.

Happy Monday!

GOOD-BYE FALL.

I took this photo a number of weeks ago, when the trees were changing colours and the grass was starting to lose it's lustre. 

As I sit here, large snowflakes are tumbling past my window. I can't see the ground from this angle, but I imagine it's much different than this. 

Today I start playing Christmas music. It only seems fitting with the first snowfall of the year. The holiday season is starting. 

But I feel alone. 

It's an odd feeling. Like I should be experiencing this time with someone else - family, friends, anybody. 

But I'm sitting by myself in my apartment staring out the window. There's nothing wrong with being by myself, except this feels like a sort-of-magical-moment and I wish I didn't have to experience it alone. 

Maybe it's the Christmas music making me emotional.

Or maybe it's the snow.

Or maybe it's that I still don't have snow boots and I need to go get groceries.

Damn. 

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: SHOP LOCAL.

Isn't Christmas gift shopping basically impossible? Or am I the only one who feels this way? These days it can be hard to find something personal for people. At least at the mall. Sometimes you need to look elsewhere.

This year I'm shopping local, keeping my business inside Ottawa for Christmas gifts. Why? Well, along with the unique-ness of the gifts, I also get to support entrepreneurs from my region and give back a bit to my community. What better way to spread Christmas cheer?

If you're in Ottawa (or even if you're not, and you like to explore new and unique shops), here are a few really great places to pick up gift ideas:

1) Castellammare Jewellery.

Castellammare Jewellery Sparkle Ribbon Bow Necklace in rose gold

I haven't stopped talking about Ottawa-based jewellery company Castellammare Jewellery for a reason. For that jewellery loving friend/wife/girlfriend/mom, this could be your one-stop-shop. Quality product at a great price. And so much rose gold. You are guaranteed to find something for everyone. Check out the regular shop here, and their Etsy shop here. Sometimes they have a slightly different selection on both sites.

2) Purple Urchin.

Purple Urchin was started a few years back in Sault Ste. Marie and Ottawa, Ontario. Basically they make soap and other skin/beauty products with no chemicals. Most of their products are 100% vegan-friendly and all are 100% vegetarian friendly and biodegradable. I was at Terra20 this weekend and picked up a few of their products, including their lip balm, chocolate face mask, and lemon meringue hand balm (all pictured above), as gifts. They've got an online store too, which is a bonus!

3) Locally-Owned Restaurants.

(Pictured: Grilled Octapus @ Town. Kelly & Jenna, I knew this photo would come in handy one day!)

Who's tired of Lonestar, East Side Mario's and Boston Pizza, raise their hand. *raises hand*. If you're going to take your friend, family or significant other out for a great meal, treat them to a local hot-spot.  Something native to the area. Over the last few years, Ottawa has developed a unique array of original restaurants. One of my recent favourites is Town. Focusing on locally sourced food, they say every dish is a story about the great region we live in. Personally, I love their ricotta stuffed meatballs and their grilled octapus is delish. I've got a Christmas dinner date with a girlfriend, and I'm excited to try something else fantastically tasty.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. There's much more to choose from, if you look hard enough :)

Now, I wish you luck with the rest of your Christmas shopping. Please wish me luck, too, cause I'm not done just yet...

THAT'S A WRAP.

Costco wrap sweater; American Eagle jeans and plaid top; Payless boots 

I bet this post title has been done about a million times before, and probably even a couple times by me. But how else am I supposed to draw you to my awesome super comfortable wrap sweater? I basically live in this thing. It's fantastic.

I bet you're all tired of these boots. They're my fall go-to's. Since it's been getting cooler outside, I need all the leg coverage I can get. Unfortunately, after three years under my ownership, they're falling apart. There's a hole in them, and the material is starting to peel (yay for not-real-leather shoes!!!). Time to replace them? Or wait for clearance prices in a couple months? Guess which one I pick...

RETURN OF: THE COFFEE DATE.

Ladies and gentlemen.

Well mostly ladies.

Do you remember our coffee dates? Well, last time we had one was back here when I made all you jealous of my Easter candy stash (I just made myself jealous looking back).

Well, now that the cold weather has returned, I can start drinking coffee again without getting the sweats. For reals.

This means, return of the coffee date!

Actually today I'm drinking tea. It's called Alpine Punch from David's Tea. It's part of their winter collection, but I'm lucky I still had some left-over from last winter. It's a rooibos tea with apples, almond flakes and some coconut. Sounds wacky, but I think it tastes pretty fruity and awesome. I put in a bit of maple syrup as a sweetner and it's good to go!

Yesterday I got my hair chopped off. You'll still see a few outfit photos in the queue where it's longer, but soon, my friends... Yeah okay, maybe 3-4 inches isn't a big deal but it's cray for me. It's above my boobs now! Oh god, I just said boobs on my blog... Moving on.

My parents got me some new fuzzy socks for my birthday. I've been wearing them all weekend. They're better than slippers, I swear. It's like walking on clouds when they're new!

Yesterday I went to the mall with a plan and a list. I had a bunch of things to buy for myself that I've put off (oh hello winter, yes I will need snow boots soon, I am aware). But you know what? I only completed about half my list. Half! That's pathetic. And I didn't even find winter boots. Why are they all so gosh darn expensive?! Worst part is, the longer I leave it, the busier Christmas shopping is gonna get, and THEN I'm fighting people.  :\ 

Happy Sunday, hope you're all having a relaxing weekend!

FRIDAY SHMIDAY.

H&M top; American Apparel leggings; Payless boots; Castellammare Jewellery necklace

Ya that's right. I'm mad at Friday.
On Wednesday it felt like Friday. It wasn't, so I was upset.
On Thursday it felt like Friday. It wasn't, so I was even more upset.
And now that Friday has come around, I'm just annoyed with it.
Seriously. Why couldn't it be there when I needed it on Wednesday?
Ugh. So by-the-book, Friday is.

FEATURE: BABES & GENTS CLOTHING.

Can I just say I love Ottawa? I'm so lucky to have grown up near such a great city, and moving downtown was the best decision I made. But part of what's awesome about Ottawa is the budding entrepreneurship. As you all know, I've been working with Castellammare Jewellery, an Ottawa-based online jewellery store. And today I get to introduce you to Babes & Gents Clothing, a new streetwear brand from Ottawa. 

I had the chance to interview Amir, owner of Babes & Gents Clothing, to learn more about the brand and clothing line. Also, these awesome shots? From their lookbook - check it!

What made you decide to start your own clothing line?

I come from a visual art background (acrylic paintings) but I never could connect with my customers, so after a friend suggested to put my art on tees and sell them, a spark went off.

I love how closely Babes & Gents is tied into art. Why did you make this a focus?

The focus of the brand is changing for the next spring/summer collection, but art will always be part of the brand, since it’s a big part of me. And to answer your question, I got into this business because of the art, and now I’ve realized that I got to treat it more as a business, simply because the best art doesn’t necessarily always sell!

Your brand generously donates 10% of its profits to UNICEF. What inspired this decision?

I’ve been taught to always give back from what I make to people who need it the most, and also because I believe people (especially children) are a lot more important than dogs or the environment.

Where do you draw inspiration for your shirt designs?

This first collection was based on all my art aspirations, and I wanted to give a taste of what is to come in the next 5 years. Each design will become its own collection in the near future.
Back to your question though, these works all have different inspirations behind them, and those inspirations come to life a little bit more with the feel that one might get by looking at the look-book (check out the look-book here).

If you could get Babes & Gents on any celebrity in the world, who would you chose to show off your clothing?

I would have to go with Kanye West. He is my idol in every way, especially on the creativity front. 

There you have it folks!

Check out Babes & Gents here.

Personally, I've got my eye on the cute love birds crop tank. 

You can follow along on twitter here.

*Photos courtesy of Babes & Gents lookbook. 

ON TURNING 24.

Forever 21 sweater; Gap jeans; Call it spring boots; Joe Fresh jacket; 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target purse

So yesterday was my birthday. I turned 24. And you know, I don't feel any different.
I guess that's what happens when you're the baby. You're born late in the year, when everyone else around you has already hit that age. You're the last one, so it doesn't feel new.

I didn't do too much this year, but I saw some of the people that I love.
I went for brunch with Marianna on Saturday. We went to Art Is In Bakery, and I've explained my love for this place already here. This is where she took these outfit shots for me. Thank you!!!

Then in the evening I went for dinner with another friend, and we went back to her place, opened a bottle of wine and hung out. What else do girls do best?

On Sunday, I went for dinner with my family and then came home and had some pretty great berry flan dessert. Flan. The word flan will forever be funny to me.

I might be 24, but I never said I was mature. :)

INSTAGRAM ME VOL. 2

My favourite blanket // Leaves have fallen

Charles // My boss gave me fake fangs, so I used 'em

OOTD // ditto

Running and gym accomplished // First "holiday" drink of the season

Time for scarves // Blast from the past

OOTD: OUT & ABOUT.

These outfit shots were taken during my recent trip to the big T.O.
When walking around the city all day, your outfit needs to be easy and comfortable.
I love my faux leather jacket because it's the best wind-breaker I've known, and it rocks.
Heels? No thanks. These shoes are a few years old and fully broken-in for walking all day.
Jeggings have enough stretch for comfort.
A striped shirt is classic.

So there you have it. My out & about outfit.

Happy Friday everyone!

HEY, IT'S NOVEMBER.

November is here. Well, it's been here for a few days, but I just can't get around how quickly this year has gone by.

For me, this month is usually defined by the following: first snowfall, my birthday, fuzzy socks, bare trees, rain, heavy jackets, cold, and just generally dreary. Before the first snow, we endure a few weeks of cold rain, cold wind and blah weather, and it just sucks.

But I was lucky to snap some shots recently with Marianna, when there was still some colour on the trees. With this cold weather comes jackets, and variation is key for the next 6 months. I love the texture on this one - it's tweed and it's awesome. And it's warm. Everything I need for November.

LESSONS.

Via

I think reflection is an important part of learning who you are, and "knowing yourself" is the best thing you can do. I think a lot, but that's part of what makes me me.  And I'm not going to feel bad about it.

In fact, in all of this thinking I have learned some valuable things about myself and my choices, i.e. why I make certain decisions, what things I value most, and where I hope to be eventually. I've also learned some general things about life. For example:

You have to be okay with not knowing. You won't always have the answer, you won't always be given a reason, and you need to be okay with it. You need to accept it and move on. There's no point in hanging on, you will only be disappointed.

You are in control of your happiness. Whether you like it or not, it's you who controls it. A lot of life is about perspective. Do you think positively or negatively? If something throws your life off-balance, do you sit back and let it happen, or do you take control and drive your life back on track? It's your choice.

Let those who matter to you know. No one wants to wake up one day and realize they lost the chance to say how they felt. When was the last time you told your family you loved them? When was the last time you told your best friends they meant the world to you? Be grateful for the people in your life and let them know it. 

Optimism can get you far. Truth. Again about perspective- it's much much much easier to live life on the bright side. Don't let negative people get you down, because surrounding yourself with them will get you down. I promise. Pessimism will convince you that certain experiences or chances aren't worth it. Remember that your glass is half full. Think of all the things that make you smile and try and see the good in every situation. You'll feel lighter, fuller and happier. You will get farther.

So tell me... do you think a lot? Do you sit back and evaluate?

MOTIVATION.

Tommy Hilfiger top (via Costco); Payless shoes; Call it spring scarf

I've been slacking on the blogging front. Slacking on reading blogs, commenting on blogs, and even updating my own.

It's been hard to motivate myself recently. Taking outfit photos is harder these days. When I get home from work, I force myself to the gym. If it isn't a gym night, I make a good dinner. By the time that's done, I just want to relax.

Reading blogs should be relaxing, but recently it hasn't been. It's felt like this chore - clean up the blog feed, read half the posts, comment quick to move to the next one.

It's been a few months since this feeling has crept up. I don't know, I guess I feel like I have less time to do things these days. I have been keeping pretty busy, so maybe that's part of it. I don't know.

If I'm quiet around here, this is why. I just have to figure out what my next step is, and it's probably taking a small step back for now. I'm not gone for good, I'll just be a little quieter for a bit. That's all.