Outfit deets:

* Zara sweater (with La Senza bandeau underneath) which you've seen in a cream colour with a black skirt and also with my chartreuse lace ruffle shorts.

* H&M pants, worn in the same spot two years ago with white and wedges again (and one of my favourite outfit posts).

* Aldo wedges (love these) which you've seen with a hunter green chiffon top & skirt recently and with denim and an unbuttoned button-down.

* Accessories:  H&M belt, MK watch, A.Co Designs bracelet, Suzy necklace, Gucci shades & random bangle.

Do you ever feel like you're running on half a tank?  That's pretty much how I've been feeling for the last three weeks or so.  It's been busy, to say the least with my trip to Vegas and then my sister's wedding.  Additionally work has been crazy and I stayed two hours late Monday through Wednesday last week.  Throw a personal life into the mix and half a tank feels more like a quarter tank.

Tonight is exciting though; I'm heading to the mall where I am the new Fashion Vlogger and we are going to be filming a b-roll for my upcoming videos.  This will be the little 'intro' that goes at the beginning of each haul video I produce, which is pretty cool.  My first haul video will be up soon and it will include all the items I purchased during the shop-off challenge that I competed in and that ultimately won me the contest!  I can't wait to share with you all.

In other news, I've joined a volleyball league with some friends that plays on Thursdays and I'll be starting tomorrow.  I'm kind of nervous.  It's been three years since I played organized volleyball so not sure how my skills are going to hold up!

Hope you're all having a great week!

Outfit deets:

* H&M dress (worn as a top) which I purchased in Toronto almost two years ago.

* H&M pants that you've seen with wedge boots and a sweater and when I dressed up as an Elf at Christmas.

* Kelsi Dagger wedges that I wore with a skirt and new specs.

* Accessories:  Aldo belt, Walmart necklace & Joe Fresh bangle.

I feel like I have some serious writer's block right now.  What to talk about... what to talk about...

 Outfit deets:

* American Eagle cardigan, fairly new but was on super sale & you've seen once before with a skirt and my neon orange Louboutins.

* Sirens top (new!), I picked this up about a month ago and have already worn it twice (including the day my J.Crew bubble necklaces arrived in the mail).  I love the colour, the ruffle and there is a zipper detail (and another ruffle) on the back.  

* H&M white denim pants that I've worn with lots of colour on Easter.

* Sam Edelman 'Sophie Low' wedges (new!) that I've already worn at least four times since getting less than two weeks ago.

* Accessories:  Suzy necklace, Gucci shades, Old Navy (green) bangle, garage sale charm bracelet & F21 faux diamond bangle.

An frequently asked question but one that's response can be so hard to put into words.

I have had trouble expressing how I feel in the past; not wanting to hurt someone's feelings or give them the wrong impression, so I go along with whatever it is they want (I'm talking minor things here people, like weekend plans).  I was always nervous to say how I really felt in fear it would come across the wrong way or they would perceive it incorrectly.  A problem that most people who know me intimately might not think I have.  You see, I have been described as outgoing, friendly, loud, bossy, someone with a strong-personality... confident.  You wouldn't think someone with those traits, those qualities, would have a hard time speaking their mind.

And sometimes I don't.  Sometimes I speak my mind very clearly.

But sometimes it is much harder.  Sometimes I fall into the 'yes-trap' and have a hard time saying no.  Sometimes I accept invitations, plans, ideas when I really don't want to.  And hey, sometimes it's great to compromise, but when you find yourself saying yes when you really want to say no more often than not, that's when a change is due.

About a year ago, a friend recommended a book to me: 'The Disease to Please' by Harriet B. Braiker (a Doctor) and within the first 20 pages, I was totally doing the, 'Yes, this is so me.  I'm so this type of people pleaser!'.  There are three types of 'pleasers' in the book and your type is established through a series of mini-questions and surveys.  It's shocking how accurate it is.

I didn't end up finishing the book, just got busy with other stuff, but I really feel like the first quarter of the book already fed me so much.  Already fulfilled me so much.  It was a little bit eye-opening and surprising too.

I have been working on saying no over the past year.  This has to do with people-pleasing; always wanting to say yes to please others.  It's not easy, but over time it gets easier.  I read a fantastic quote though, about a month ago, "Learning to say no can be very difficult at first because the people around you that have been interacting with you have become used to you saying yes.  The other person may get angry, and then you have to know that their anger has nothing to do with you.  It has to do with them.  Just remember to say to yourself: When I say no to you, I'm saying yes to me."

Isn't that so true?

Outfit deets:

* Old Navy button down that I've had for years.  The last time I wore it was with dark denim (flared this time), no cami underneath and the same belt!  Sub-concious inspiration?  Also seen with a leopard skirt and the white/grey striped version.

* Smart set cami.

* Sirens jeans which I don't think I've blogged before but do wear them frequently.

* Aldo wedges which I picked up last fall and am so glad I did because they are chic, comfy and easy to walk in.  Plus I love pairing them with jeans.

* Accessories: H&M belt & thick bangle, Old Navy bangle, Pandora bracelet & Suzy rings.

I am a bad reactor.  

If someone does something I don't like, namely someone close to me, I might react badly.

I like to be in control.  You can't always be in control.  Someone who likes to be in control but isn't can sometimes have a bad reaction.  

Whoopsies.

I have discussed negative qualities on my blog before; we all have them, it's inevitable, but it's how we handle those traits.

I had an interesting discussion with my parents last weekend about reactions.  Without going into too much detail, my Dad (who I consider one of the most laid-back people I know) offered up some advice on this topic.  Now, before I spill the words of wisdom, you must know that this is a very simple piece of advice, but very difficult to execute:

Don't react.

That's it!  That's it?  Yes, that's it.  Simple and effective, but certainly not easy.  

A counselor once told me when you are put into a situation where you emotions are getting the best of you, your brain immediately turns to 'fight or flight'.  If you take the simple step of taking a deep breath in through the nose and a big exhale through the mouth, the two options (fight or flight) will dissapate and you will be able to more calmly react.

So with those two words of advice, I have been putting this to the test since Monday, and you know what?  It kind of works.  That's not to say I didn't want to errupt at times or fly off the handle (or actually did for that matter), but it did put a thought into me that I've never had before: don't react.

Try it for yourself and see if it works!

And one from Instagram (follow me):