Jacob dress, Urban Original faux fur shrug, Sirens leggings, Ardene necklace & Forever 21 bracelet

This is the dress I bought on Boxing Day from Jacob.  I was so excited about it and it was my most expensive purchase of the day at $50 (it was 50% off).  It's made from silk and was a great tunic length, loose fitting but still skimmed the body and was just overall chic.  You know what's not chic?  When your dress rips up the back (oh, that sounds familiar) within the first hour of wearing it.  Awesome.  Not.  Yeah and we had already left the house when my dress split about 6 inches at the top.  Fortunately the fur shrug covered it until we got home, and good thing because when I leaned across the dinner table, rrrrrrriiiiiippppppp, the little-hole-that-could got even bigger.

I went home, steamed the dress (why?  I don't know...), grabbed the tag and receipt and headed back to the store feeling defeated.  I knew it was the only one they had in my size so the chances of getting another one were slim (but would I want another one anyways considering what happened?).  When I pulled the dress out, before even showing the girl what was going on in the back, she jumped in and said, 'Did it split up the back?'  Why yes, yes it did, and she swiftly grabbed another dress, just like mine, that someone had returned earlier with the exact-same-problem.  Oh well.  Not meant to be.  I'll buy something for spring with my $50 in-store credit.  And hey, at least I got these fab outfit photos out of it.

 Joe Fresh jacket, Stitches top (last seen here), Bongo pants (last seen here), Promise heels (last seen here), 

Emily Elizabeth necklace, Swatch watch & Aldo ring

I asked hubs to snap my photo with this outfit (as I've been totally slacking on outfit photos as of late, did you notice?  I know you did.  And it's not because I don't want to capture my outfits, it's just been bad timing lately) and handed him the camera.  The rest of the conversation went like this:

Hubs:  Uh oh... change battery pack.

Me:  What?!

Hubs:  Change battery pack.

Me:  No.  You're kidding.  It doesn't say that.

Hubs:  (showing me the camera screen) Yes, it says 'change battery pack'.

Me:  Well, we gotta capture this apple-green-ness that's happening here.  Let's use your iPhone.

And so we did.  Hence the semi-blurry photos, but I'll take 'em (hopefully you will too?  Ha, you have no choice I suppose).

On a clothing note, I was told by about 5 people how 'springy' I looked when wearing this jacket and while there is still tons of snow on the ground and spring seems years away, I can dream... and dress for it.

So I'm back home from my weekend away.  The party was fun and it was great to see family.  Lots of driving though (about 5 hours each way) but fortunately my Dad did all the driving and we hitched a ride.  Feels like I barely got a weekend because there was so much traveling!  I guess this coming weekend can't come soon enough (look at me, wishing the days away - oops).

We are out of town this weekend for my Uncle's 60th birthday.  We are back at the hotel now and I had to snap some shots of this place.  We always stay here and were expecting the usual low-budget digs (aka floral everything) - turns out, they've totally revamped the place and it looks awesome.  Super modern and chic, and the rooms are no different.

On our way here, we were ahead of schedule (which was great considering we left at 6:45am) so we were able to stop at (my fave) H&M.  I picked up several things (I'll show you those later) but it was a mad dash.  I had 45 minutes to shop the massive store, try on (30 items) and pay - it was very rushed, but I'm so grateful I got to go.  We then checked into our hotel and headed to the party.  Great people, spread and afternoon.  After the party today, we went out to eat with the whole fam to Tuckers Marketplace.  I ate so much, my jeans are very snug, however, so worth it - what a great meal. Tomorrow we head back home and I'm excited to get home, but we've got a long drive ahead of us.

 

My sister is one of my best friends.   I couldn't nor wouldn't want to make it through my days without her as she is (1) so much fun, and (2) is an amazing support system.  I met the girl when I was just 3 years old and while she used to annoy me, a lot, we are now closer than ever.  

Now that's not to say we haven't had our fair share of disagreements; her copy-cat tendencies, my dependency on her to play with me (that's what sisters are for, right?), and everyone being convinced that she was the perfect child (I mean, she did used ask if she could go to bed when she was tired... who does that?  Don't even get me started on that fact that she used to 'tell' on herself when she did something bad)... and I was not.  

However, there have been many great things about being sisters; me knowing exactly how she's feeling and being able to speak for her for several years when we were younger, 'No, she doesn't need to go to the bathroom, Mom', having someone to dress up in ridiculous costumes with on random days, and of course, in the later years, party with, laugh with, and share secrets with.  

Sister, you're amazing and I love you and I'm so lucky to have the best sister in the world that is you.

 

Lately I've been using my iPhone to snap various pictures of styles I'm feeling in magazines.  It's a great go-to when I'm feeling less than inspired and also makes me feel less guilty about chucking my magazines (I have a sick collection, literally sickening as I need to get rid of it, that has amassed over the past decade or so).  I love being able to refer to the photos when putting outfits together or planning a shopping trip.  These are my most recent favourite looks.

 

Mexx dress, Aldo flats (last seen here), unknown tights, Suzy necklace & A.Co Designs bracelet

Dresses with pockets.  Seriously awesome.  I have a few.  I've insisted a few.  This one is no exception.  I bought this dress three years ago and still wear it, still get compliments on it, and still love it.  I've never belted it nor worn it without tights, and I think I've always worn it with flats because the hemline is quite short on me.  Sometimes you get stuck in your own fashion box and can't see beyond it, and while I certainly think it's important to step outside the box often, it's almost just as important to know what works and to sometimes stick with it.

My mom & I went shopping and out to dinner on Friday night and it was such a great night.  We spent so much time in the store that in the middle of trying on tons of clothing, an announcement over the loud speaker came on advising us they were closing!  We were totally shocked as the time passed so quickly and we were having a ball.  I bought several things but the 'splurge' ($80) of the night were these black Guess slingbacks (sneak tweet).  They were on an end cap of an aisle amongst other shoes, the only pair, and in my size!  I snatched them up and brought them into the fitting room with me and tried them on with the clothing I had in there and it was a no brainer.  They came home with me that night and I've already worn them two days in a room.  Love at first sight.