Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Hallowe'en


Isn't the above pumpkin so cute?  I wish I could say it was mine but it's Ashley's (I did ask if I could 'borrow' her idea but alas did not end up carving a pumpkin this year).   I didn't dress up this year either like I have in the past.  One thing I did do, though, is eat far too many Candy Kisses and treats, oy.

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Sunday, October 30, 2011

Bedo



Bedo is killing it this year with their F/W collection.  I was in the store a couple weeks ago during my trip to Montreal and was drooling over almost every piece.  I walked away empty handed (didn't want to spend $80+) but even love the way they've styled their collection.


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Thursday, October 27, 2011

Two Photos

 Joe Fresh jacket (last seen here), H&M dress, unknown tights, Aldo heels (last seen here) & Suzy necklace

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Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Quinoa Cakes & Vegan Broccoli Soup


Joy the Baker is my favourite food blog.  Not only does she whip up amazing desserts, dinners, appetizers, cookies, cakes, breakfasts, soups and more, she's hi-larious.  No seriously, she is.  And witty, she's so witty she's makin' all the kids want to be just. like. her.  I have made several of her concoctions before (my fave ginger cookies are courtesy of her) and this time I took on two recipes at once.  At once!  Quinoa Cakes (with some stuff in 'em) and a Vegan Broccoli Soup.  And hot damn they were good.  Seriously, this girl knows what she's talking... er... cookin' about.  Don't take my word for it (or my photos, because not only  is girl a phenom chef, she takes extraordinary photos too), check her out.






* I modified my recipes a tad just because I didn't have a few ingredients.  Here's what I used in lieu:
Sage instead of cumin
Lime juice instead of lemon
No olives
Cilantro instead of parsley
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Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Questions?


I recently discovered the 'Comments' tab within blogger and realized I can view all my most recent comments (doesn't matter what post it was left on) without having to open up each post.  Many of you are probably saying, 'Duh!' right now, but I didn't know! 

Reading through your comments totally brighten my day and you, my lovely readers, are so sweet.  I am so grateful for each and every comment you leave.  Thank you for coming to my blog, commenting and interacting with me.  I love blogging and knowing you love my blogging too, makes it all the better.

I just wanted to mention that I have noticed (I have missed several) comments left where a question has been asked.  I typically don't respond in the comments section as I'm not one to go back to see if a blogger responded to me there.  I'll try to go to your blog and respond but often times the commenter doesn't have a blog.  I just wanted to remind you that you can always ask me (anonymously too, i$ you'd like) questions through my Formspring page.  It's easiest for me (and you) as all the Q's & A's are in one place.  So feel free to use that.

Thank you again for reading, it really means so so soo much to me.  xo
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Office with a... View?


After a year of being told and untold many times that I would be moving offices, it finally happened, and I got a window.  Woohoo!  The view isn't spectacular (a roof and connecting building), but in the winter, the snow squals in this little alcove are awesome and it's a window, hell-o.  I'll take a window over no window any day and this is a refreshing change since I've been located in the basement* for over a year now.



* It's not really the basement of the building, more like ground level or a walk-out basement, if you will (aka you know the bugs you might come across in your basement?  Well, you might have come across them in my office.  Ack!).  There were windows, just none near my office so natural light is a refreshing change.
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Monday, October 24, 2011

MTL Purchases

 H&M purchases: dress, zipper snood, skinny pants, top, dress, bubble skirt, cropped skinny pants, dress


 F21: skirt, skirt, dress, skirt


H&M: silver & gold necklaces


Jacob moto-jacket 
This wasn't a purchase yet given to me from my girl friend that I stayed with as she didn't want it anymore.  
What a score, 'eh!?


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Friday, October 21, 2011

Grey'd Out

 Ashley B jacket (last seen here), Old Navy tank, Jacob skirt, Aldo booties, 
Joe Fresh necklace, H&M bangle, Bay ring  & Gucci shades

The weekend is here!  After a long week at the office, which included moving offices, I'm completely exhausted and in need of a good sleep in.  Can't wait to do so tomorrow morning and enjoy the fall weather coming our way this weekend.  What do you have planned?

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Thursday, October 20, 2011

Holding a Baby

I'm not really a baby person.  Does that sound bad?  It's true. I'm not one to ooh and ahh over a baby, coo at them or really take any interest in them.  It always felt awkward, and weird, like I just didn't get it.  I sometimes felt weird being a girl who wasn't into babies.  I've never been one to yearn for a child or wish away my freedom (aka baby-free life) too soon for a baby, and while I would like that someday, not just yet, please. 

However, that is slowly changing.  Instead of feeling 'meh' about babies, I'm starting to really like babies.  I even request to hold them when they are around and I like to make those silly noises and talk in that elevated voice.  I'm even quite comfortable holding a baby, whereas before it was total awkwardness.  And while I'm no where near to being close to wanting my own, I'm kind of digging babies lately.  How do you feel holding a baby?



* That cutie that I'm holding above is the reason I attended a baby shower back in the spring.  Isn't she adorable!?

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Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Shift

Costa Blanca blazer, Old Navy tank, Boom Boom pants (last seen here), 
Gap wedges, Suzy belt worn as a necklace & F21 bangle

I've noticed a shift.  A change of sorts.  When I started blogging, I was all consumed with other fashion/person-style bloggers, couldn't get enough, fashion, fashion, fashion.  Well, apparently I'm growing diverse in my ripe ol' age of 27 as I'm beginning to see a shift.  I'm now more interested in content, not just fashion.  I want to read what you have to say, even better if it's the nitty gritty of random weekends, how cooking something ended up a disaster (or an amazing dinner party), or simply how the previous evening went down.  Sure, pictures to accompany these words are great, but I find myself coming back for more and more... words.

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Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Best. Roomate. Ever.

Have you seen this Craigslist ad?  I laughed out loud, multiple times.  Click here for the larger image.



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Monday, October 17, 2011

MTL Weekend Recap

Heading to MTL on Saturday

My weekend in Montreal was top notch (I never say that in real life) and so much fun.  I arrived at my girl friend's place around 10am, we chatted for a bit and then off we went to shop downtown.  If you've ever been to St. Catherine's Street in Montreal, you know how awesome it is.  If not, let me describe: blocks upon blocks of great shops, massive stores (Forever 21 is four floors. Four. Floors. {!}), tons of places to eat and just packed with people.  Stylish people (and some not so stylish people, but I love seeing the stylish ones as they seem much farther and fewer in between in the city I live in).

I told her that I needed at least two hours in H&M and after parking her car, I asked if that could be our first stop as I knew it'd be where I'd drop the most dough.  Was it where I dropped the most dough?  Yes, yes it was.  How much you ask?  Too much to disclose (just kidding, Mom).  Lastly, did I actually need the full two hours?  I needed more.  Two floors of H&M heaven, how could I not?  After carrying around a truckload of clothes on one arm and digging through racks with the other, I thought my clothed arm was about to fall off when my girl friend came to the rescue and took the massive pile so I could finish the store.  Next thing I know, she's worked out an arrangement in the fitting room (see photo below): my very own rolling rack of all the clothes I collected and need to try on (thanks sweet H&M sales girl).  I added a few more to that rack before venturing into the fitting room.  I emerged with several unique pieces and not a single basic (good girl).  I felt proud that I didn't cave and buy three more white tank tops and two in black, yet instead I focused on silk blouses, skinny pants and some amazing jewel-toned dresses.

After H&M we hit Forever 21 and I spent the rest of my time (and money) there.  It wasn't too busy but the fitting room lines were pretty long (as per usual).  I picked up far less than I did at H&M but still some great buys.  I'll share my purchases soon!

I have to mention this, while there (around 5pm) we experienced a Occupy Montreal.  Right down the middle of St. Catherine's Street, hundreds of people swarmed the street and walked up chanting and shouting and holding signs.  I wish I had of had my camera with me to snap a video as a picture wouldn't have done it justice (however this video was taken exactly where I was standing, right out front of F21).  I guess the protest was regarding Wall Street and started in the Financial District of MTL.  It was quite the sight to be seen: all these people yelling and walking amongst the cars in the middle of the street.  Nobody in their car could move until the 'parade' was over, and just when you thought it was over, they turned around and came back down.  They were people with megaphones, people with signs, people yelling, people chanting, people encouraging others to join them (ie. 'Dans la rue, avec nous!' translation: 'Come in the road with us'), and people videoing the crowds reactions.  Pretty interesting.

We finally headed home around 6pm and ended up ordering chinese food and staying in and catching up (over some red wine, of course).  It was perfect and productive as we cleaned out her closet and styled up some great outfits while at it (and she generously gifted me with a faux leather jacket she was done with... because I need another faux leather jacket, but in my defense I do not have one in this colour).  We crashed late after the perfect evening in.

Sunday I headed home in the late morning and spent the rest of the day tidying up my place and relaxing.  How were your weekends? 

 My rack at H&M

 Purchases (and sore feet)

Take-out (in actual chinese take-out boxes!)


Update:  Check out what I purchased in MTL.
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Saturday, October 15, 2011

Weekend Trip to MTL

All packed, ready to go.  I'm on my way to Montreal today to visit a girl friend and have a girls weekend.  The plan was for me to go with two other friends, but it didn't pan out at the last second and so it's just me and my MTL friend.  The plan is to shop till we drop, eat some delicious food, consume one too many glasses of wine at her place, and catch up.  It's been forever since we've done it and will be my first time visiting her since she moved away a year and a half ago.  Not only am I looking forward to seeing her but during our shopping trip we will be hitting H&M, and as you might remember, we don't have one of those in my city, and I'm so pumped.  I told her I need at least two hours in there and I should get my fix.  Have a great weekend!

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Friday, October 14, 2011

Look Alike

 La Classe Couture jacket (last seen here), Old Navy dress, Aldo boots, Suzy belt, Le Chateau pashmina,
Sirens necklace & Auslini bangle

The other day while at work, a same-floor coworker exclaimed to me, 'You look just like my friend Laura!' turning to her friend the, 'Doesn't she look just like Laura?'  We'd never spoken before, and so I laughed and made a joke, 'Well I hope that's a.. good thing?'  Of course it was, she exclaimed.  She now calls me Laura every time she sees me.

About a year ago another same-floor coworker, a man this time, noticed a sparkly red (decorative) shoe I keep in my office atop a filing cabinet (you know I love shoes).  He started calling me Dorothy (as in the Wizard of Oz) and it kinda just stuck.  Over the months he'd call out to me in passing, 'Hey Dorothy!' until one day I was in the (very large) cafeteria at work in line at Tim Hortons.  I spotted him a couple people ahead of me, and when he was leaving, he saw me and shouted out, 'See you later Dorothy!'  When my turn came to order, I approach the cashier, ordered and then he said, 'Do you prefer Dora or Dorothy?'  I laughed and finally said, 'Amanda'.  He looked confused, with purpose, and I explained it was a long story.

Last summer while leaving work one day, one of the security guards asked me if my mother still works here?  I must have looked puzzeled because the other security guard chimmed in that it wasn't me, but this girl Laura that works here (hey, waitaminute...).  I guess people were getting her mixed up with me too because we sort of know each other and got to discussing it one day.  Now we laugh and tend to amicably call each other, 'Twin' when we see one another (as in, 'Hey Twin, how are you?').

Regardless of how laughable the experiences are above, I'm never phased or insulted when someone says I look like someone they know, or makes up a cute nickname for me.  Actually, in all honesty, I'm often intriguied by the unknown person they are talking about.  Could I really have a 'twin' in the city?  Have you ever been told you look like someone?  What about a celebrity?  Apparently she is mine.

Just call me Laura Dorothy Laura.

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Thursday, October 13, 2011

Grey Hair

Before                                                                                  After  

I got my hair done by someone new one month ago, and she turned it grey.  Okay, let me start at the beginning.  I was looking for a new hair colourist and was at the point where my roots were so bad I couldn't take it any longer (ever let your hair get to that point?  I always do, it's bad, but I do it every time, le sigh).  So while grocery shopping one evening, I was walking behind a pretty blonde (with the perfect shade of blonde) and boldly asked her where she gets her hair done (this was, of course, after I complimented it).  She gladly told me where she normally goes and I booked an appointment the following day.  

When I got to my appointment, I met with my new colourist and she seemed very nice.  I described to her how I came to be in her chair that day and she knew exactly the girl I was talking about  from the grocery store and described her to a T.  She said she knew what kind of blonde I meant (beige, not golden, ashy but platinum...) and while I sat nervously in the chair trying to focus on the stacks of magazines I pulled, I couldn't help but worry.  Sure enough, I had reason to.

When she finished toning my hair, the wet result of the blonde was far from what I was used to.  It was not a bright, vibrant, platinum blonde, but a dull, dark blonde (if you can even call it that).  I decided not to worry as the real test would be when my hair was fully dry and styled.

While she blow dried my hair, we talked about the blue shampoo blondes should use to brighten up their blonde and remove the gold (I have been using blue shampoo for years, once a week). and other topics  I tried not to peak at my hair as she was drying it, but a few quick glimpses here and there were not proving to be very promising.  Once she was done drying and styling my hair, I was just about to get out of the chair when it was evident; I had grey hair!  I commented to her about how grey it looked and she said something along the lines of, 'Oh that girl you saw likes it really ashy to ensure it doesn't go golden'.  I tried to smile but it was forced.  She could tell.  She told me to not use my blue shampoo and reassured me that after a few washes, it would be less grey.  

I then proceeded to pay the most expensive hair bill I've ever had in my entire life (more like two visits for the price of one!).  I wanted to cry.  Not what they quoted me on the phone and I wasn't happy?  Awesome.

I left the salon hoping it was all in my head.  I walked confidently through the mall (fortunately it was almost closing time) until I stopped in at a store and caught my reflection in the mirror.  Sheer horror.  Grey.  Seriously grey-green hair.  I wanted to wrap a scarf around my head and run to my car.  I called my best girl friend almost in tears and she met me at Starbucks.  I was scared to get out of the car to show her, let alone the world (dramatic, yes, but cut me some slack).  She (gently) agreed it was kind of grey, very dull and not at all like the colour I normally get.  I proceeded to spend the next hour mulling with her over how to fix it (this included texts to her own colourist, a conversation about dish soap as shampoo, and making bad decisions).

The next day I decided to call the salon to get it rectified, if possible.  They were accommodating and said I could come in that afternoon (thankfully) to try and do something.  When I got there, my colourist wasn't mean, but she wasn't the happiest to see me.  She proceeded to use a very strong shampoo to wash my hair four times to remove some toner.  It helped.  I was less grey, but my blonde was still dull.  I left feeling better, but still not feeling like myself.

Four weeks later, and lots of shampooing, and my hair looks normal in that pic above, but in real life it's still not what I'm used to.  Lesson learned: next time (I will have to find another new colourist) I will bring photos of myself with the blonde I like, as well as some photos of blondes.  Oh, and I won't pay an arm and a leg for a trim either.  

Ever had any bad hair experiences?




* The photos above have not been modified in any way.  
That was my actual grey hair two days after my appointment.  
The 'after' picture is about two weeks later.
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Wednesday, October 12, 2011

What I Wore for Thanksgiving

TFNC top/dress* (via Asos), Dynamite shorts, Aldo booties (last seen here), unknown tights, 
Auslini bangle & Suzy earrings

My family celebrated Thanksgiving this year on Saturday.  Partly because my sister is engaged and her fiance always does theirs on Sunday and partly because we had family come from out of town (yay!) to celebrate with us.

I wore the perfect outfit for eating and I got to rock my new faux leather shorts with tights for the first time, a massively flowy top that I ordered from Asos months ago (and it's been sitting in my closet) and booties.  The weather was warm (mid-twenties) and beautiful.  A true Indian Summer Thanksgiving.  And of course I ate a ton of food (yes, I went back for seconds, and yes I had not one but two pieces of pie) and enjoyed every bite.



* I bought this top/dress in a size large, hoping it would be flowy.  I got more than I bargained for as it's quite large.  I definitely should have ordered a medium but didn't want the hassle of making the exchange, etc.
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Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Hear That?

 Banana Republic top (last seen here), Dynamite skirt (last seen here), Nicole Marciano pashmina, Sirens belt, Liliana wedges (last seen here), A.Co Designs pearl bangle, F21 bangle & Suzy necklace

Late night sounds:
* wind
* sirens
* rumble of cars on the street below
* low music
* my neighbour getting home
* my mind telling me to turn off the computer and go to sleep...

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Monday, October 10, 2011

Lui

Don`t ask a man what`s important to him, 
just watch how he spends his time.   -unknown
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Friday, October 7, 2011

So There


Photos: 
1. Self explanatory.  
2.  Roses from my mom's garden (frost warnings in effect lately so they won't be lasting much longer, sadly).
3.  An outfit I didn't photograph but with three pieces I love (belt, necklace & skirt).

Friday!  You are finally here and you have been missed.  I'm so excited for this long weekend, mainly to catch up on sleep.  I've been pulling late nighters (not to be confused with all-nighters) all week and when you're supposed to get up at 6:15am and you don't get up till 7:15am, that tends to make one verrry late for work.  I have this problem though: I hate going to bed.  I love to sleep in, I love getting my rest and feeling rested, but I hate going to bed.  No matter what time it is, there is always something I could be doing.  It's like I feel like I'm going to miss out on something.  It's 1am?  I'm sure there is something I can do to pass the time... other than sleep.  Ya.  It's that bad.  So, this weekend, sleep... and lots of eating.  It's Thanksgiving in Canada this weekend and since I'm a huge turkey fan, I cannot wait for that delicious meal.  Gobble gobble.


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Thursday, October 6, 2011

MOH in Waiting

My girl friend just got engaged!  Guess who has been asked to be the (lucky) MOH?  Yours truly.  That's riiiight.  Which means I'm going to have mega hands full as my sister has also asked me to be her MOH and the weddings are within a month of each other and happening next September and October.  Wowee!

A couple weeks ago we went wedding dress shopping for her, for the first time evah and it was awesome.  She's already narrowed it down to two.  Or so we thought.  We are now going to be checking out more bridal shops tonight!  

I, of course, played photographer and ensured to get multiple pictures of her in every dress she tried on  and while I can't show you those, I can show you the photo I snapped while waiting for her to emerge in the beautiful white dress.  Oh hello there, it is I, your local Maid of Honour, just hangin' out in the dressing room waiting for the beautiful bride. 
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Fending off a Sweet Tooth

 Cavalini jacket (last seen here), Merona cardigan, Mexx top (last seen here) & fur snood (last seen here), 
H&M pants, Glaze booties (last seen here) & Joe Fresh necklace

I have a major sweet tooth.  Ask me what my favourite dessert is and I'll shout out, 'Pie!' in 1.6 seconds flat.  Offer me some chocolate?  Don't waste time with words, hand it over.  Ice cream sundae?  I'm in.  I struggle constantly with my sweet tooth.  Seriously.  If it would be healthy (and I wouldn't gain weight), I would probably eat desserts and treats 24/7, I just love sweets so much.  However, it doesn't work like that (duh) and I have come up with a few ways to curb my cravings.

Chew gum

I chew gum for obvious reasons: fresh breath, taste, and of course, to stave off cravings (and prevent snacking).  The later doesn't always work though, after the flavour is gone I'm searching for something tasty, and another piece of gum doesn't usually cut it, but it helps, in the interim.


Brush your teeth.

I find this the most effective, however, I'll sometimes resist from doing this because I know it will work (how silly is that?!).  Once you get that clean, minty taste and feeling in your mouth, cravings are often abolished.


Snack on something healthy.

If you are legitimately hungry, or need to snack, grab something healthy.  I like the combination of apples with cheese, Kashi cereal (GoLean Crunch is my fave). almonds, or (the semi-indulgent) a banana with Nutella.


Give in.

If you absolutely cannot get rid of your craving, give into it.  Have a small piece of chocolate, or that pie that is calling your from your kitchen.  Just do it.  And then tomorrow, don't give in.  See what you just did there?  Give and take.  Err, take and give?

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