Gap jacket (last seen here), Grace Elements top, Urban Behaviour sweater (cut in half to be a cardigan, last seen here), Forever 21 skirt, Guess heels (last seen here), Givenchy tights, Suzy belt & necklace, Club Monaco scarf, Dollarama sunnies & Auslini bangle

Monday is back again.  The weekend was good though, so let's hold onto those memories.  My weekend involved take-out times two, moving relatives, an attempted movie, an open house & time spent with my favourite people.  Oh, and and I washed my bedding.  Mmmm clean bed sheets, don't you just love that?

A high light of my weekend goes something like this:  I thought, for a few weeks now, that I had lost my (only) pair of designer sunglasses I've ever owned.  I've had them for less than a year, and wear them every. single. day.  Love them.  I'm not really one who owns much designer stuff either, so this is kind of a huge deal, you guys (after I discovered them missing, I bought the Dollarama sunglasses on my face you see above.  See?  Not owning a lot of designer stuff over here).  

An-y-wayz.

I have been pretty upset since that fateful day I opened their beautiful case to find them not there.  I was so diligent too, always using the case, always keeping track of them, how could I let this happen?!  I searched high and low, but kept it on the DL because I'm ashamed.  How could I lose something so small yet so expensive?  

So Friday night I'm at my parent's place in their garage, and only by fluke was I on the phone and didn't go inside just yet, when I looked up to see my Gucci shades sitting on the a shelf!  What!?  All this time!?  It was like the angels came down from the heavens and sang to me.  Okay.  Not quite, but I was pretty damn excited.  And relieved.  And I can tell you all this now because they have been found.  When I went inside my parent's were all nonchalant like, 'Oh ya, we forgot to tell you they were left here a while back...' but then again, my mom has no idea what Gucci is.

 Joe Fresh top & skirt, Aldo wedges (last seen here), unknown tights, Club Monaco belt, 
Ardene necklace & Costa Blanca bangles

These photos were taken at 5:10pm.  Welcome to November.  It gets dark so early now, it's almost depressing.  The only thing that is saving me is the still-visible grass.  If you could advise the weather man to prepare the snow for Christmas Eve, that'd be great.  Just great.

When I put on this skirt with the chocolate brown fishnets, it just felt too scandalous for work.  The skirt is somewhat on the short side for me but I didn't want to give up the look of texture on my legs.  In a quick decision (as I was running late) I decided to try layering my tights and it worked.  Chocolate brown opaque tights underneath the chocolate brown fishnets I had initially chosen. 
 
 Smart Set trench coat (thrifted) & Stitches fur stole
Dynamite Blazer (last seen here), Violet & Claire top, H&M pants, Guess heels,  
Suzy belt, Walmart watch, Tiffany bracelet & random bangle



Whoopsies!  I took these photos back in August (aka pre-grey hair) and never got around to posting them, and so, here we are.

So it's Friday! Woohoo! Okay, not exactly true, but tomorrow is a holiday which makes this weekend a long weekend and who doesn't love that? 

So lately I've been noticing some changes.  Body changes.  Dun dun dunnnn.  What's up with that?  Is my age catching up with me?  On top of that, to make matters worse, I'm suddenly addicted to chocolate.  Okay wait.  That's not true.  It's not exactly 'suddenly', and the boat-load of on-sale Halloween candy I bought after Halloween doesn't help, but... well, okay, scratch that point.  However, I'm having a tough time getting to the gym.  Ugh.  I'm still going like two or three (ambitious: four) times a week, but it's a struggle to drag my ass there.  Unless it's for my Monday night zumba class, then you know I be gettin' my groove on.  So, I guess that's just my body telling me it's time to switch up my routine and so I did just that Wednesday night by hitting a Body Combat class.  It's an MMA (mixed martial arts) class (at GoodLife) and it's killer.  I did it a couple years ago a few times with a girlfriend, but hadn't been since.  What. A. Workout.  By the end of the class I was drenched (got the visual?) and had a hard time lifting my arms up in the shower.  Success!  Hopefully I will be able to work this class into my weekly 'routine' once or (preferably if I can motivate myself) twice a week.  However, now that the weekend is here, it's strictly sweets and no gym!  Hoorah! ...er, wait, do you think that could my problem? ;)

Ashley B Jacket (last seen here), Stitches sweater, Old Navy button down, Dynamite skirt (last seen here), Glaze booties (last seen here), A.Co Designs wool & leather scarf (last seen here), Suzy belt & Auslini bangle

What's with me and grey lately?

As I sit here and type this I feel happy.  My life is (somewhat) in order, my laundry is done, my belly is full, my place is (somewhat) tidy and I feel good.  Things are falling into place and it feels good.

I had a Skype date with my BBFF the other night.  Always good to catch up with that girl, and although thousands of miles apart, it's almost as if it isn't... almost.

And in other exciting news, I got a new laptop.  Yay!  My old one konked out on me after over six years and I have finally entered the twenty-first century.  It's nice to have some speed and have something that doesn't take 12 minutes to shut down.  It's also super pretty too.

Finally, can you believe Christmas is less than two months away?  Love it!  The stores are putting out their holiday products, seasonal music is streaming through the speakers, and there is no sign of any (icky) snow yet.  It's like a dream.  I've even already started my shopping, slowly but surely.  When will you start?

Old Navy jacket (last seen here), H&M top, Zara pants (last seen here), Aldo pumps (last seen here), Dollarama earrings, unknown belt, H&M snood & bangle

I love inexpensive accessories (it means I can afford to buy more, right?) and love stocking up at H&M, Forever 21, Sirens, and lately, Dollarama.  Yes, the dollar store.  You'd be surprised what you can find there (if you haven't already looked) and why pay more than $1 for a pair of silver hoop earrings when you don't have to?  And nobody knows the difference!  Exactly.



 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.

 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...

 Gap top, Mexx skirt, Anne Michelle heels (last seen here), Joe Fresh belt,
Suzy necklace, Bay ring, F21 & Mexican bangle & BCBG beaded bracelet

Goodness*!  It's the last day of August; hard to believe. This month my resolutions didn't sit too well with me, and by 'sit well' I mean I barely followed them.  It's as if I forgot I'd made them... funny how that happens.  Onto the list!

1.  I have spent many-a-time lake-side this summer, which I'm super grateful of.  It's so nice to get away on weekends in good company.

2.  I used Instagram a lot more than before (twice counts, right?)

3.  I didn't go thrifting once.

4.  Resolutions #3's outcome didn't help me save money this month... I just shopped at regular retail stores instead.  (oops?)

5.  I didn't just run 1km without stopping, I ran 2km.  Woot.  Woot.

6.  I wore sunscreen on the tops of my hands once.  I blame the non-sunny days.

* I've been using the term, 'Goodness' in regular everyday life.  It's strange.  Where does one pick up this sweet, but slightly senior-citizen-like term?  I'm not sure.  Someone tells me something shocking, 'Goodness!' I say.  I burn the dinner, insert-the-term-here.  I'm talking to a friend and they show me a new purchase, 'Goodness.. that's pretty'.  I forget to do something... you know the drill.  The word is really quite versatile.  Try it.  You might feel 70+ yrs. but maybe I'm starting a trend.  Just sayin'.
 H&M blazer (last seen here), H&M dress (worn as a shirt), H&M pants (last seen here),
Ash booties, Costa Blanca belt, Deux Lux bag, Suzy necklace, F21 ring & Zara cuff

Apparently I'm a walking billboard for H&M in this outfit (and I didn't even realize it until I started typing out the deets).

So I have been on a real bag binge lately (wtf) - I've been having so much luck in the purse department, it's getting a little ridiculous (and I am stopping immediately... or am I?).  This one is new and is by Deux Lux (pronounced: deluxe, for all your non-French speaking people out there) and I picked it up at Winners for a cool $60.  Normally I tend to keep my purse purchases under $50, so this was a splurge (for me. What!?).  However, I have since found the bag online and it sells for $150 (insert happy dance here)!

So last week was super hectic, hence the lack of posts, but I've got a few lined up for you this week, so check back.  And I know, the give-away, I haven't forgotten, I swear and you've all been so patient... it's coming!

So this was the first time wearing my new Ash booties (that I'm completely in love with, for the record).  When they arrived in the mail, my Dad was curious to see what I had ordered so I showed him.  His response?  Silence.  And then, "Oh... interesting'.  I laughed and told him he didn't have to like them, and it was okay (I think he then breathed a sigh of relief).  I understand not everyone has the same taste in shoes as I do, and that's okay.  I sometimes like 'out there' shoes and while there aren't for everyone, these booties got many looks and several compliments (bonus!).

Ross dress, Sirens bolero, Jeffrey Campball sandals (thanks to this girl), Auslini bangle, Aldo necklace & clutch

My weekend has been interesting; I've not only had a great one, it's been a huge learning experience.  Over the past few months, I've started to realize just how important communication is (it's huge), and you'd think I would know that (or anyone would, for that matter), but I didn't.  I never realized the powerfulness behind communication and talking things through.  I've also learned that you should never take anyone for granted.  They could be gone at the drop of the hat but if you're really, really lucky, they might still stick around.  You know who you are, and I'm so grateful.


I wore this outfit to a baby shower in the Spring and totally forgot to post about it, so, here we are.
 A.Co Designs circle vest (last seen here), H&M tank & skirt, Urban Original belt,
Spring sandals, Joe Fresh necklace & Auslini bangle

Lately I find myself much more drawn to my flats than my heels.  It could be the warmer weather (flats are less fussy) or just the fact that I'm prefering comfort over... well... uncomfort?  Yes, I admit it, as much as I love heels, they aren't always comfy.
So two weeks ago I went to a (beautiful) wedding ceremony and reception.  The service was beautiful, outdoors (it was a hot and sunny day) and in a gazebo and the bride was stunning.  The reception was at a super upscale hotel in their outdoor pavilion, and so chic.  Everything from the dress to the cake was perfect that day and I think I speak for everyone when I say it was an amazing day and night.  However, due to the fact that it was an outdoor-ish reception, the mosquitos were a tad prickly.  The next day I had nine bites on one foot and six on the other.  Nine on one foot.  Can you believe that?  I must be pumpin' some pretty awesome blood... it's either that or the fair skin - they see right through me.
 Anne Michelle heels (last seen here), swapped out for my flats during my lunch hour... and the rest of the day.

Seduction sweater, Dynamite skirt (last seen here), Aldo wedges (last seen here),
Dynamite belt, Joe Fresh necklace, Ardene & F21 bangles

Okay, it's been two weeks since I blogged (unless you count the Covet post I threw up last night).  You're probably wondering where I've been (or maybe you could care less - ha)?  Well, I've been going through some life changes and I'm not quite ready to talk about it yet, but I'm around and alive.  I'm under construction, so to speak. I miss you all terribly and haven't had a stable access to Internet for a while, which definitely affects my blogging.  However, that has changed and I'm getting back into the swing of things.  I have some exciting news coming up and a give-away too!  Stay tuned my lovely readers, I haven't forgotten you, so don't leave me now.

Go girl.

Go boy.

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