Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Dating & Red Flags

Outfit deets:
* Brody Myles top via Winners, seen here with red pants and boots.
* InSight skirt (new!) via Winners.
* Vince Camuto 'Kastern' sandals (new-ish!) which you've seen with here with my crochet shorts.
* Payless nude pumps (new-ish!) which I've worn a lot including with dark denim skinnies and a purple top as well as with a thrifted purple dress.
* Accessories:  Aldo necklace, F21 square bangle & Gucci shades.

Let's talk about dating.

Dating can be fun.  Dating can be exciting.  Dating can be complicated, exhilarating and nerve-wracking.  Dating can be down-right disastrous.

I think we have all had our fair share of good, bad and ugly dating experiences.  My question is though, when you see red flags, when do you throw in the towel?  How bad does it have to get before you say goodbye?

I think it's important to set standards for yourself, of what you will and will not accept when it comes to choosing a romantic partner.  I think those standards can get a little foggy when you are wow'ed by other things that seem so great, and at the same time compromise is also important.  They always say hindsight is 20/20 so often looking back upon an experience you can say, 'Yes, there were many red flags that I chose to ignore'.

Be brave if you comment, what is the longest relationship you've had with someone that you knew was not a good fit for you?

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Monday, July 30, 2012

Weekend Recap: iPhone Snaps

 Killing the week with one last workout on Friday before the weekend.

Arm stacks.

 Wearing my new DIY mint top again.
Outfit deets: A.Co Designs top & necklace, Seduction skirt, Club Monaco Belt & Dollarama ring.

 Ridiculously oversized (and delicious looking) cinnamon buns at Baker Street Café.

Brunch with a girlfriend on Saturday (and they had my favourite tea in the little silk bag!).
 
 Club sandwich (on home-made bread) with home-fries and fruit.

My niece, Piper.
 

Actin' a fool.
Outfit deets:  F21 top, DIY cut-off denim shorts & Misbehave sandals.
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Saturday, July 28, 2012

The Look for Less


J.Crew 'Ultra Eyelet Shell', $114  sale $58.99




Forever 21, Sleeveless Eyelet Top, $27.80




Forever 21, Suedette Eyelet Top, $18.80


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Friday, July 27, 2012

Neon + Navy

Outfit deets:
* Wild Rose top (gift from a friend for my birthday, via Winners) which is shorter on the sides so I have to wear a tank/tube top underneath, but with the wide v-neck, it's great for off the shoulder.
* Sirens shorts in neon pink which I'm obsessed with (seen here with a lot of colour).  I picked up an orange pair in Florida from TJ Maxx, then found these pink ones when I got back home, and most recently picked up a lemon-lime pair.  These neon shorts have officially become my go-to for dates with my girlfriends, nights out and afternoon family get togethers.
* American Eagle wedges (I wore these in the winter with tights and added fur like with this add fur DIY).
* Accessories: MK watch, Mexican bangle & Dollarama hoop earrings.

Oh Friday, thank God you're here.  This has been one of those week's where it's not planned to be busy, but then turns out to be busy.

On Monday morning to work, my car broke down, so I sat in the 8:30am heat for about an hour for the tow truck to come.  On the bright side, I got to enjoy some beautiful morning sunshine and weather. 

My car was towed to my parent's house as my Dad is a (retired) mechanic and can often help.  After two days of trying to diagnose the problem, ordering parts and trial and error, he found the problem and saved me over $500 (aren't Dad's wonderful!?).  In the mean time, my girl friend was driving me to and from work (so sweet) and another picked me up one night to hang out and dropped me off later.  Two nights ago I went and test drove a car I'm in love with and now have a lot to think about.

What's up this weekend?  I'm planning to do a lot of sleeping in (too many late nights this week and I'm spreading myself thin) and spending the rest of the time outside and with my girl friends.  I can't wait for the clock to strike 4pm today, that's when the party truly begins.

Have a great weekend!

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Thursday, July 26, 2012

Boy Style

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Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Covet


Pour La Victoire 'Mai', $250  sale $175

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Tuesday, July 24, 2012

The Condo Story: Purchasing My Own Place

Outfit deets:
* Fresh top (from Winners) which I've had for several years but don't think I've worn on the blog.
* DIY denim shorts which although I made them a couple years ago, I never wore them much and now I'm wearing them frequently; case in point, out dancing two weekends ago.
* Sam Edelman 'Sophie Low' wedges (new, ish!) which I absolutely adore.  Not only are they comfortable but they are stylish and a lower heel than I'm used to.  Seen with white skinnies & two shades of green.  (BTW, size down about half a size, I totally could have gone with the 9.5).
* Accessories: various bangles & Gucci shades.

It was simple: two bedrooms, a balcony, in-unit washer and dryer, hardwood, higher level floor, within the city and within my budget.  Those were the things I was looking for in a condo.  It wasn't too much to ask for, but for my budget, it was a little sparse looking.

I had been working with a realtor for about a year, on and off... most recently, on.  He sent me listing after listing (automated, to match my specific criteria) and nothing fit the bill.  We went to see place after place after place, one came close, but ultimately, nothing felt like 'the one'.  Although I was in no rush to buy (I love where I live, but ultimately I am renting and owning is ideal), it was getting a little frustrating after a place I thought was maybe the one, slipped through my fingers.  Turns out it was not the one and that happened as this was about to.

Then I found it.  The one.

A brand new build, located in the city and not even started yet.  The downfall?  Will be ready in November 2014.  The optimistic spin: more time to save even more money to put down (and have a smaller mortgage in return).

I walked into the sales office a few weeks ago on a Wednesday evening after getting a spray tan with no idea what was about to happen.  I thought maybe I would go in, get a price list, find out I couldn't afford it and walk out. 

Not the case.  At all.

I told the sales woman I needed a two bedroom, but that a one bedroom plus den might work.  We looked over the floor plans, prices and options.  I started to get excited.  The smallest one bedroom plus den was pretty nice.  And within my budget.  She told me the higher the floor, the more expensive.  Now, since I currently living in a high-rise on a high floor, I'm only interested in moving somewhere with a view.  The view I have now is pretty awesome, and it's so nice to be up high and as a safety factor, I like that I can leave my bedroom window open at night.  Then she told me only the 11th floor was available for this unit.  All other units were sold.  My heart dropped.  I probably couldn't afford the 11th floor.

She showed me the price list.

Then my jaw dropped and I tried to hide my excitement: I could afford the 11th floor.

I knew I couldn't sit on this, as it was such a great deal, it could be sold the next day if I didn't act immediately (there is only one of this unit, per floor, and all other floors were sold).  I gave all my information and we made an appointment for me to come back three days later to seal the deal with a deposit and signature (and to call them if I changed my mind).  I took my sales package, price list and floor plan and bustled out to my car in excitement.

The following evening I met with my mom to tell her what had happened, show her the sales package and share my thoughts.  By the end of our two hour coffee sesh, I convinced her I was serious and this was it.  She took the paperwork home to share the exciting news with my dad.  On Saturday, I asked my parents to come with me to the sales office where I would be putting down my deposit and signing the paperwork.  It was such a surreal moment and so very exciting!

So, enough chatter, here are the deets:
* One bedroom + den (aka walk-in closet / dressing room)
* Hardwood floors
* Granite counter-tops
* Stainless appliances
* Breakfast bar
* In-unit washer & dryer
* A balcony off my bedroom (sliding doors) and living room (regular door) with glass railings
* Indoor salt water pool
* Gym
* Underground parking (which you purchase on top of your price)

So now I just have to be patient and watch the next two years fly by (ha, right) before I can move in.  I'll keep you up to speed on the progress and all the fun details and ideas I have (I certainly have time for it).


Pssssst!  Those photos above?  That's me standing exactly where my condo will be built.  Exciting!

And here are a few from the sales office & signing my paperwork:
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Monday, July 23, 2012

Heat Lightening at Night


We just had the most wicked heat lightening storm before a crazy downpour.  I managed to capture a few cool photos on my iPhone and had to share.

(No added effects to the photos). 

Did you see this cool shot I got of lightening last month?

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