Outfit deets:
* W118 by Walter Baker peplum top (from Winners; newHere in red & blue).
* Mexx bubble skirt (old) which you've seen (a long time ago!) with a denim jacket & belted (this post is almost embarassing), and in my parent's garage & similarly in grey (on contrary, love this post).
* Zara heels (new!) which I've worn the heck out of in a matter of two weeks.  I love these shoes so much and they are comfortable (way more comfy than my newest Prabal Gurung neon heels).
* Urban Expressions purse; I normally carry this purse only in the fall, but recently broke it out and am loving it for Spring. 
* Accessories: Auslini bangle, H&M necklace & Gucci shades.

Happy Friday everyone!

Last night my bestie and I hit up Le Nordik nature spa, which is like an indoor/outdoor spa with tons of different baths (read: pools) that have different temperatures, various saunas, lounges, an infiniti pool, a restaurant, fire pits, bean bag chairs, hanging chairs, hammocks, and loung chairs distributed throughout the property, which is located in the the middle of a forest.  It's stunning and beautiful, and oh-so-relaxing and it was my first time there.  We spent the majority of our time in the hotter baths and experienced a really cool sauna aromatherapy show (I almost didn't last in there, it got that hot).  After a few hours, we bunked up in our fluffy towels in the lounge and had some wine and gourmet appetizers (I tried a wild bison sausage and she had a roasted olive plate).  I didn't snap any pictures as I left my phone in my locker and it was a night to disconnect and unwind; you know, without technology.

This weekend is a long one and I'm so glad it's finally here.  The days seem to be filling up, which is so much fun because I love being busy, but with relaxing type plans, know what I mean? 

Tonight I'm going on a date, tomorrow there is a shopping date with a girl friend, tomorrow night there a birthday party for another girl friend and on Sunday morning I'm getting together with a different girl friend for brunch.  On Monday I have a volleyball pre-season practice for the upcoming session which starts next Thursday.  See?  Busy, but enjoyable, relaxed plans.

What are you up to this weekend?  Have a great one!


Outfit deets:
* Joe Fresh trench jacket, seen before with a dress and tights.
* Le Chateau sweater (new!).
* Alfred Sung skirt (old).
* Aldo wedges.
* Accessories:  H&M bangle, Swarovski bangle, Suzy Shier necklace & Urban Expressions purse.



In case you missed my 4 Ways to Wear a Sequined Skirt video, I thought I'd share the still photos I took while making it.

Since the holiday season is upon us, there are often holiday parties to attend and cocktails to sip.  And what if you don't have a holiday party to go to, but just want to wear those sparkly, sequiny, shiny and fancy items that are bedazzling the stores right now?  In this case, a sequined skirt.  Well, I've got an option for everyone.

From left to right:

1.  Casual glam.

Pair your v-neck t-shirt with your sequined skirt for a laid-back look.  Add some cap-toe pumps, a long necklace and chunky bangles to complete the look.


2. Office glam.

A patterned top and leather-accented blazer make the perfect business meets sparkle attire for the office.  Add some peep-toed slingbacks and a chunky necklace for some edge.


3.  Feminine glam.

A sheer campus top in a festive colour take this skirt from day to night.  Pair it with some sky-high bronze metallic heels and you're ready for dinner with your man.


4.  Edgy glam.

I took a men's white tee from Walmart and cut it into a tank top for this look.  I made the sides extra open so the black lace bandeau would peek through.  Add opaque tights, wedge booties and a chunky necklace to party all night long.

1.  Joe Fresh tee, H by Halston shoes, Ardene necklace & Bijoux Terner bangles.
2.  Jessica Simpson blazer, Smart Set top, Guess shoes, Bijoux Terner necklace & Detox cuff.

3.  Urban Planet top, Smart Set cami, Bamboo shoes & Ardene necklace.
4.  Walmart men's tee (cut up), Ardene bandeau, unknown tights, Aldo boots & Dynamite necklace.
Outfit deets:
* Urban Planet top (new & purchased during the shop off for the Vlogger contest).
* Smart set cami.
* Dynamite ruched tube top worn as a skirt.
* Aldo wedges (last year but still available!) which you have seen with denim skinnies.
* Accessories: Aldo rose gold leaf necklace, Gucci shades & MK Watch.

Life is cray cray (crazy) right now & I feel like I'm going a mile a minute!  

Sorry for the lack in blog posts this week thus far, I haven't even done my Weekend Recap yet despite having an amazing and busy weekend because I wanted to post about winning the Vlogging Contest first and farmost and I seriously am running from one thing to the next!

Work has been nuts, my personal life has been hectic and I still haven't packed my bags for Sin City yet (and um, we fly out at 6am tomorrow... less than 24 hours!).

I will be bringing my laptop with me to Vegas in hopes to stay in touch and promise to have some fun stuff lined up for next week (and my sister is getting married next weekend too!  Eep!).


Outfit deets:
* Jacob sweater (thrifted).
* Smart Set skirt (last year).
* Qupid sandals that I worn on my birthday in Florida this year, last year in Florida (with a similar skirt) and with a pretty floral dress I belted once.
* Accessories:  J.Crew bubble necklace (got a couple more).

Thank you to all who voted yesterday.  Today is the last day to vote so please, please take eight seconds and vote for me to become my mall's fashion vlogger for the next six months.  Every little vote counts, so thank you!

So, a 'brief' Xtreme Waterparks update:

We got to Calypso around 8am (with our Starbucks & SPF) and met with our contact point, Rachel.  From there we went into the park, filled out our waivers and headed to the first slide in our swimsuits.  The park was still closed at this point so we had the entire place to ourselves with people catering to the camera crew and us (so sweet).  

We started on a group ride where the four of us sat in a large tube in a circle and went down a super steep slide and into kind of a half-pipe wall and down (a boomerang-like style).  It was a little scary but really exciting.  We did it five more times including having a camera man come down with us twice.

From there we moved on to the scariest slide in the park: AquaLoops.  This was the slide I was the most scared for and I was literally shaking.  I didn't think I was going to be able to do this floor-falling-out-from-under-you-and-dropping-50-feet... but after lots of encouraging words from my friends and the film crew, I actually did it.  Twice!  Talk about terrifying, exhilarating and something to be proud of!  We did this slide twice; the first time was normal and the second time we each took our turns holding small Go-Pro hand-held cameras to capture our faces during the ride down.  Check out the demo video of this slide.  Cray.

We took a short lunch break and refueled.  From there, it was onto a fast-four-person-tube slide with a steep 90 foot drop.  Pretty freaky the first time, especially when our friend in front flew up about four feet in the air (yes, the camera caught it!).  We did this ride five or six times and it was the tallest tower of the park.  We climbed a lot of stairs.

Afterwards we climbed the same high tower to ride a two-person tube slide that had an even steeper drop; while sitting in the front I seriously thought I was going to somersault forward at times.  Freaky!  We did this one six or seven times until we got every angle on camera possible.

In between doing slides the camera crew would interview us individually, ask for high enthusiasm but to also be real.  They would film us running up the stairs to the slides from behind, then get us to stop and film us from up the stairs while we came towards them. They filmed us getting on rides, excitedly talking before getting on, getting off the rides, high-fiving and expressing how we felt after the slides.  It was so much fun!

By the end of the day, a whopping nine hours had been spent climbing over 150 flights of stairs (not kidding), riding some of the scariest slides, by-passing all the people in line (and pissing some of them off until we'd say, 'We're filming a TV show!'), and having the times of our lives.  We have been told that our episode likely won't air for a year or two but until then, you can check out the Travel Channel on YouTube to see other previews of Xtreme Waterparks.

Outfit deets:
* Zara sweater (new!) which I posted on Instagram and seen in my Zara haul video.
* Dynamite tube top worn as a skirt.
* La Senza bandeau (old).
* Aldo wedges which have been loved, and loved, and loved.  They are two years old and I've worn them with a grey pencil skirt & thin knit teal sweater, also with a top and skirt I made myself (a favourite post, actually) when these shoes were brand new, with a navy blue dress and lastly with a gauzy, draped vest I made.
* Accessories: Mexx necklace, F21 bangle, Gucci shades & A.Co Designs bracelet with charms.

I want to talk about confidence and being secure in yourself.  I think many people think these things come from having a perfect body, nice clothes and lots of money.  While these things help, they don't create confidence.

Confidence, self-assurance and being secure in yourself come from within.  It doesn't matter how big your muscles are (boys), or how thin your thighs are (girls).  In fact, sometimes these things are a pure facade for insecurities.  It's important to keep in mind what is important; kindness, honesty, and being true to yourself.  

The best confidence builder?  I think it's personal achievements and accomplishments.  Whether it's getting a good mark in school, praise from your boss for doing a good job, learning something new (and rocking it!) or simply doing something that pushes you outside your comfort zone.

Doing it on your own is key.

Being handed things is nice, and easy, but does it give you confidence?  Does it assure you, internally, that you could have achieved it on your own?

The answer is often no.

Proving to yourself, first of all, and then others, that you are capable is what will boost your confidence.  Don't do it for anyone else but yourself, others will notice when you are least expecting them to, and that, that makes it all the more gratifying.

Have you pushed yourself outside your comfort zone lately to build confidence?  If not, do it before the week is over.  Set one or two goals and go for it!  What is the worst that could happen?

Here are my goals for this week:
* Go on the scariest slide at the water park (that I really don't want to do!).  COMPLETE.
* Meet someone new.
* Make my new boss feel confident he can count on me just after a short six days of working together.
* Play in a baseball tournament and actually make an effort to catch the (scarily fast) ball (that is coming towards me.  Eep!).

Outfit deets:
* Smart Set cami.
* Seduction skirt (old) which you've seen with a navy tee and red flats.
* Sam Edelman 'Sophie Low' wedges (new-ish) which I'm wearing 24/7 it seems; seen with my DIY denim cut-off shorts (when I purchased my condo), also with white skinnies & shades of green.
* Accessories: Club Monaco belt, A.Co Designs necklace & a close up of my arm stack.

I have been driving the same car for almost nine years.  NineYears.

Long time, 'eh?

So lately, there have been a few things happening with my car, and it's needed some loving.  Half a new exhaust system here.  A new wheel barring there.  And so on.  Fortunately my Dad is a (retired) mechanic and can sometimes do the work for me, and more importantly, taught me how to keep my car nice.

So a week ago, on a Sunday afternoon, while visiting my parents, we were laughing at how none of us were very sure how much longer the 'Silver Bullet' would last (yes, she has a name).  She is 12 years old, after all, and anything can happen.  And so, we started to peruse the AutoTrader, talk cars, and so forth.  And while it seems every Spring I seem to do the, 'This is the year, I'm selling my car and getting something else... finally,' but this Spring I didn't want to do that.

I'm finally settling back into life, getting my finances in order and feeling pretty good.  The thought of a car payment (after so many years without) is a little terrifying to me.  I know for most people, a car payment is just something in life, but when you have gone for years upon years without one, you grow accustom to that extra cash every month.

I figured, at this point, I will drive my car into the ground (versus selling it for peanuts now) and then buy something.

Well, 'then' might have come sooner than later.

Last Monday morning on my way to work, my car broke down.  I wasn't even halfway there and I took off from a set of lights and she did not like the feeling of second gear.  Nor third.  Nor back to second.  

Uh oh.  

I pulled over as she chugged along and called CAA immediately.  They eventually sent a tow truck while I waited for over an hour in the humidity.  Fortunately, after three days of work (trial, error, research, ordering parts, installing, etc.), my Dad was able to fix the problem (and save me about $500), however, who knows when and what will happen next.

And so, the process of, 'Operation (maybe) buy a car,' has potentially begun.

Has anyone purchased a new car recently?

Outfit deets:
* Costa Blanca top (new & thrifted) which I have in white and seen with a black, lace (thrifted) pencil skirt.  I bought the white one many years ago in a size small.  This black one is an extra large.  The white one is far too tight for my liking (it looks pretty tight in these pictures, but I liked it like that, back then) now so I'm happy I found it in black as it's such a pretty top.  Smart Set cami underneath.
* Tribal skirt (thrifted) which I've worn twice already (love it) but this is the first time on here.
* Guess pumps (which you've seen a million times).
* Accessories: Emily Elizabeth Jewelery necklace, Joe Fresh bangle (gifted from my sister for my birthday), F21 bangles & Gucci shades.

Wednesday!  Hoorah!  Middle of the weekend closer than ever to the weekend.

This week has been kind of a slow week, and yet I feel so exhausted.  On Monday evening, my girl friend and I helped another friend start packing up her place (she's moving in a month) and she made us an amazing dinner.  Afterwards we indulged in The Bachelorette and strawberry shortcake.  While I've been hoping to get some sewing done, it just hasn't happened, but I have stayed on top of my dishes, which is pretty incredible (my nemesis).

This weekend is my sister's bridal shower and I couldn't be more excited.  It was a surprise, but unfortunately someone ruined it (doesn't that just make you so mad when that happens!?), however, it's still going to be an amazing day.  So between doing last minute prep for that, getting organized and enjoying the beautiful weather, well, I guess it's understandable that I could use some extra shut eye.  But, it's summer, and I always say, 'Who cares, it's summer!  We can sleep come winter!'  And it's true.  I want to make the  most of my summer, even if that means being a little more tired than normal as these are the best days of our lives and we should enjoy them!  

Have a wonderful day.  xo

* Gap denim jacket (thrifted & DIY'ed), Mexx dress & Suzy necklace

* Smart Set denim jacket, H&M (white) bubble top, F21 top, Zara pants, Aldo wedges & Suzy belt 
(this outfit is from the day I went to get my hair coloured)

* Old Navy top, Sirens jeans, Aldo wedges & H&M belt (full outfit post)
* Sirens cardigan, Old Navy top, Vigoss jeans & Aldo wedges
* Joe Fresh sweater & tank underneath, H&M jeans & Aldo wedges
* Gap denim jacket (thrifted & DIY'ed), Mexx dress, Givenchy fishnets & Urban Original boots (same as above)
* Garage denim jacket, Sirens tee, Garage skirt, unknown tights, Bamboo boots & Le Chateau necklace
* Smart Set denim jacket, F21 tank, Bongo pants, Aldo wedges & Mexx necklace (full outfit post)

* F21 top, Sirens jeans & Joe Fresh necklaces 
* Dynamite blazer (one of my favourite outfit posts ever), Winners top, Sirens jeans, Bumper booties & Mark necklace

* Joe Fresh dress & unknown tights (full outfit post)
* American Eagle cardigan, Winners top, Joe Fresh skirt, Bumper booties & H&M necklace

* Dynamite blazer, F21 top, Sirens dress pants, Joe Fresh belt & Suzy necklace
* Old Navy button-down, Sirens jeans & H&M belt (same as above/full outfit post)

* Dynamite blazer, Winners tunic, Sirens leggings, Aldo booties, vintage necklace & thrifted brooch

 
* Joe Fresh jacket, Urban Behaviour top, Foxy jeans, Aldo wedges, Auslini bangle & Bijoux Terner necklace

* F21 jacket, Lily Pulizter top (thrifted), Seduction jeans, Joe Fresh flats & Jacob bangle

 * A.Co Designs top, H&M pants & Suzy necklace

* F21 top, Stitches lace top, Urban Behaviour skirt, Aldo wedges & Suzy necklace

* Dynamite faux-leather blazer, H&M dress (worn as a top), Stitches skirt & Suzy necklace (full outfit post)
* Alainn Bella sweater (won), H&M pants & Mexx necklace
* F21 sequined top, H&M tank underneath, F21 pants, Aldo flats & H&M necklace

 
* Dynamite jacket, Le Chateau pashmina, H&M pants, Gucci shades & Urban Expressions bag
* H&M jacket (thrifted), Dollarama ring & Urban Expressions bag

 Outfit deets:
* American Eagle cardigan (new!), I saw this sweater about a month ago while shopping with the BFF but passed on it.  After giving it some though, I should have purchased it and made an impromptu decision to call them and see if, by chance, they still had it (it was already on sale a month ago) and they still had one in medium!  I rushed to the store and picked it up in purple as well for $14 each.  Score (plus another neon item to add to my collection).
* Winners top that I bought over a year ago and wear quite frequently.
* Jacob skirt (old) and seen in one of my first outfit photos with a big orange necklace from India and nude fishnets.
* Christian Louboutin wedges.
* Accessories: vintage necklace, Auslini bangle & Suzy ring.
 
I'm getting my hair done this Saturday.

Conversation with someone went something like this:

Someone: (looking at a picture of me) "Wow, you're not really blonde anymore!"

Me: (looking at my roots, cinging) "What?  Yes I am, I just need to get my hair done... and having my car impounded and ticketed recently has left me with lack of funds."

Fast forward one day later & I have book an appointment for this weekend.

Okay then.

But in reality, it really is time to get these roots touched up.  I always wait till I'm at the I-can't-stand-this-any-longer point, where even my fresh, clean hair looks greasy due to mousey roots and/or I look as if I'm coppin' a half-way-to-ombre look, when in reality, I'm not.

And I mean... it was February when I got it last done.  If that's not getting your money's worth, I don't know what is.

 


Sorry for the lack of quality photos lately, my camera battery is dead and the charger is no where to be found.  I figure, better something than nothing, right?  Right?  Say right...
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