While in Florida I did quite a bit of shopping, but surprised myself by sticking to a fairly good budget. I think I spent about $200 which made me feel like I got a fair amount of new stuff, but I didn't go overboard on the spending. I took photos of many of the items I didn't buy so I could share with you all here:
Ross:
1. I tried this dress on in two colours and it was just 'meh'. It was a little on the short side too, especially in the back (considering how covered up it is on top, this is something I would have wanted to wear to work but the shortness said otherwise).
2. This is the first hi-low dress I've ever tried on and while it photographed well, I didn't like it (it was one-sleeved as well).
3. This dress was a beautiful print but I'm kind of cinching it in the back, which you can't see; it was pretty paper-bag-ish on me.
1. Too nurse-ish and just awful all 'round.
2. Billabong but too tight and not flattering.
1. & 2. Calvin Klein and looking at these photos makes me regret not getting this dress, but at the same time, it just felt tight and restrictive. I also opted for another turquoise dress instead. In the end, my mom ended up purchasing this dress in red.
1. I can't remember the brand (AnnTaylor? Talbots? Not sure..) but this dress looks so pretty and flirty, but in real life, I couldn't get it zipped up in the back. Ha!
2. Another case of cannot-zip-up. This Jessica Simpson dress was girly and flirty but the fit was too small.
1. This top if from Charlotte Russe and I loved the fit but didn't love the colour combo.
2. This was a no-name type brand dress with optional pick-ups (meh) that I thought would be pretty layered under my white blazer... but, the straps were elastic and it just felt... dated.
3. Really pretty Calvin Klein dress but was too big and there were no smaller sizes.
Charlotte Russe:
1. I loved this top from CR but it didn't love me, it was a size XL and a large would have been a better option; sadly, this was the only on in the store.
TJ Maxx:
1. Another Calvin Klein dress that was far too small... and kind of ugly.
2. Max Studio dress with tiers: pretty and in a comfy jersey fabric (and look at that length! Awesome for someone as tall as me) but was too big and was quite loose (although doesn't really look that way, it was).
3. I can't remember the brand on this one, might have been Jessica Simpson but it was too tight, too short, too yuck.
1. I was hoping this ivory lace mini dress would be like that F21 version everyone seems to have. Nope. No not at all. Too big and the size down was too small.
2. Pretty satin top with a key-hole in the front but just wasn't feeling it.
1. I liked this thin-knit sweater but it was a size xs and while it didn't necessarily look it, it could have been flowy-er. The shorts were cute but I already had a couple pairs of coloured denim shorts so I had to pick and choose.
2. Wanted to love this peach sleeveless button down but hated it. The pants were a different story and they stayed in my cart until the cash register, where I put them on hold and never went back.
3. Same top as the first pic but a size small, which was better, but not good enough. Same deal with the shorts: money doesn't grow on trees. Haha.
1. Super billowy button down. When I say billowy, I mean massive. Too massive.
2. Yawn, this coral top was nothing special.
3. I debated on this black top but c'mon, I have a couple like it already so I passed. And side note: there are those damn blue pants again. See how much I liked them?
1. This was an O'Neill top and I loved the detail on he back, and I was going to buy it but then put it back. I'm not a huge red-top-kind-of-person and going bra-less is not an option.
1. I loved this pale pink tiered top but it didn't love me... and it washed me out bad.
2. Yet another Calvin Klein dress that was too small (see me stealthily holding the zipper in the back shut?).
Things you might like:
* Haul Video (Florida Purchases).
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Outfit deets:
* Cantas tee (local boutique) that I've had for a few years
* F21 skirt that I also have in blue/black
* Sbicca wedges that I picked up in Florida last month
* Bijoux Terner necklace, F21 bangle & (faux) Rolex
So I picked up a Groupon for a Barre Method class pass and went for the first time on Monday night. I am still sore. Soo sore.
I consider myself to be in pretty good shape; I try to get to the gym several times a week, I run frequently and can run a mile or more without stopping, I always take the stairs, I will park far away to get in more steps and sometimes go for power walks on my lunch hour. I'm by no means the fittest, leanest girl, but I do like to try and be healthy. I figured the Barre class would be tough, but was looking forward to it. Let me just start by saying, this class is no walk in the park.
Using your own body resistance, small hand weights, a ballet bar, a resistance band and a small ball is all you need for this kick-ass, one hour class. It's a combination of small, controlled movements that don't ever seem to end. When you're tired and ready to give up, the instructor pushes you to keep going for quite a bit longer and there are often no rest periods in between movements. It's killer, but such a good work out. By the end of it, I was sweating buckets (highly attractive) and my legs were shaking so bad (anyone familiar with the knee-cap shakes?) I thought they were going to give out on me.
My ribs feel bruised. I can barely walk down the stairs. I'm hurting, but it's a good hurt!! I highly encourage anyone to give one of these classes a try if you like to push yourself and try something new. The class targets your core, thighs and butt, and hell-o, who doesn't want to target those areas?
This is a (spray) tan tat. The most permanent thing to a tattoo that I likely will ever have. Tattoos kind of scare me, for me. I enjoy them on others but would you believe I actually have nightmares about getting a tattoo and being so remorseful I turn to hysterics? Weird.
Trying out Five Guys for the first time & la-huvvving it. | Friday night dinner out with beer.
Apartment city view.
Friday night's dinner: 1/2 Fish 'n Chips, 1/2 Burger
New trainers (from Marshalls). I have been in dyer need of new running shoes for the gym, but have been putting it off (see: would rather spend money on heels). I found these on the weekend, last pair, my size, and the perfect fit (plus they are neon, and I'm kind of loving that right now). So I bit the bullet and forked out the cash.
New (reversible) dress from Marshalls.
I discovered these crackers in Florida: Wheat Thins, Sundried Tomato & Basil and am obsessed. We don't have these in Canada and I brought back a huge box from Walmart... and they are almost all gone. Wahhhhh. | French onion soup
Bought some new shorts for working out from Walmart ($6!) and took them out for a run. Then I made nutella-crepe-roll-ups. Wah wah.
Friday's casual ensemble: jeans, hot pink & espadrilles.
Before & After
As my grandparents prepare to sell their home, they are slowing cleaning it out. They have us family over frequently to go through things and pick out items we might like to have. There have been several trips over there and several scores made, thanks to their generosity.
On my most recent visit, as I was looking around the basement, I saw this very old, powder blue book case that was housing stacks upon stacks of paper. I stood there staring at it, envisioning what it could be, but wondering if I would actually take the time to DIY it or if it would just be another, 'I'm going to do this-project' that gets put in storage (or a box!). I ultimately decided it would be a great storage solution for my small apartment and that I would make something of it.
I asked my Poppa if I could take it home and he looked a little stunned. Pointing to the bookcase he said, 'This thing? You want this?' and I smiled and nodded. Turns out, my great-grandfather built it decades ago and it was handed down; making this piece even more covetable, family history. He emptied all the papers from it shelves, dusted it off and I managed to pack it into the trunk of my car. I got to work almost immediately sanding it down and painting black (a can of paint I already had) and after a couple coats and some touch-ups, she was ready for decorating!
I have to say I'm pretty pleased, the overall project took about three hours and the end result is so worth it. When I showed my grandparents the pictures you see here, they couldn't believe it and seemed quite pleased with my project; I certainly am.
Outfit deets:
* Calvin Klein dress (from Ross) that was a birthday gift from my parents (that I picked out). First time wearing this!
* Dynamite faux leather, perforated blazer (a Christmas gift from my parents). Seen with a ruffled top and navy.
* Payless heels (new!). Love these and saw my mom rocking them and had to get a pair for myself (that's a first!). They have a snake-skin print to them and a lower heel, which is nice for those days where you want a heel but don't want 4+ inches. These are also super comfortable and when I went shopping with my girlfriend to get them, she picked up a pair for herself!
* Accessories: H&M necklace, Pandora bracelet, Suzy rings & Jacob bangle
Monday is here already! My weekend went by fairly slow, and I did quite a bit so I can't complain too much. That and with the weather getting warmer, it's getting lighter earlier in the mornings and the sun is staying out past 7pm making getting up for work on Monday not so bad (I'm grateful to have a job also, as there have been many lay offs recently and it's just awful).
Friday night I went for a massage after work at a new spot and it was amazing. The girl really knew her stuff and gave my muscles a good work out. Afterwards it was home to get ready and out to dinner. Saturday ended up being a totally impromptu shopping day with one of my besties and I finally got to check out the new Marshalls that just opened up here; and you guys, I picked up some killer finds (video coming) that I'm extra excited about. That evening was a birthday celebration for my grandpa (85!) and I hung out with some girlfriends afterwards. Sunday ended up being totally lazy (well, I did go for a 'quick' 2km run, which is pretty impressive since I never workout on the weekend) and while I felt a little unproductive and bored at times, meh, sometimes you need that on the weekend.
A look back at a few of my favourite outfits from this time last year...
Outfit deets:
* Joe Fresh jacket that I've had for maybe two years, and I love. It gets enough play although I've only blogged about it once with black skinny pants and some cool heels.
* Gap cardigan (old).
* Old Navy two-layer chiffon tank, last seen in Florida with lace shorts and gladiator sandals. I also have this beauty in a magenta flower pattern and an army green. Bought them all on sale at Old Navy (online) last summer for like $9 (okay, that's a lie, I bought the army green one full price, loved it so much I scored the others at the end of the season).
* H&M white denim pants which I've had for a couple years and have gotten a ton of wear (more lately than ever). Seen with a favourite gray sweater and over-the-knee boots and also with a turquoise top & wedges (and a bunch of Canadian geese).
* Diva Lounge wedges which I only purchased a couple months ago and am loving (sadly they are sold out). Seen with a pretty white dress and also in Florida (at the airport) and with denim shorts and a leather jacket on my birthday.
* Accessories: Nicole Marciano pashmina, Mexxnecklace, Dollarama earrings & ring, H&M bangle & Pandora bracelet
I celebrated Easter on Monday with my family. My mom had us all over for a big ham dinner (are you a lucky one that gets turkey for Easter? If you are, I'm jealous) and some delicious pie. My grandparents and parents gave us some sort of chocolate and we all had a nice visit. When I arrived I joked to my family that, 'Easter threw up on me!' as you can tell from the colours; I'm basically one big Peep waiting to happen. On that note, my mom decorated the table with Peeps and I pretty much ate them all.
At the last minute, just like last year, I decided to fly down to Cocoa Beach, Florida and spent eight days with my parents. They drive down every year and since I would be able to stay for free, I found a cheap-ish flight (just under $500), packed my bags, and off I went!
The condo they rent is right on the beach, but nothing fancy. A small one-bedroom with one bathroom and tiny kitchen. I sleep on the pull-out couch in the living room but the location makes up for any lack of space. You literally walk across the small parking lot and are on the beach; beautiful. The beach where we stay is not very busy at all, which is really quite nice. Since I was there during half of March Break, it was a bit busier than usual (I have been there four times) but you certainly aren't fighting for beach towel space; your closest beach go-er might be 100 feet away from you.
I didn't get much colour as I tend to try and be sun safe, which means anytime I was outside, I always wore SPF (30), especially on the beach. I forgot my hat so purchased one at Ross halfway through the trip to ensure my scalp and face were covered at the beach. On top of that, I like to joke that I'm albino as I don't tend to tan very easily (go spray tans!) and certainly am not going to get colour in just a week-long holiday.
I'd love to share some photos of my vacation with you...
This trip was exceptionally beautiful with weather above 80 every single day, sunny skies and breezy ocean winds. In the mornings I would wake up around 8:30-9am and often go for a run (or walk after I twisted my knee) on the beach which is a welcomed change of scenery from running on my usual gym treadmill.
I would often run down to the Pier (above) which was about a mile from our place.
The 'Sandbar Sports Grill' is home of their famous fish tacos, which I had never tried before. They have now become a favourite and I craved them for the rest of the trip. Unfortunately, we didn't have a chance to go back a second time.
Since we were so close to Port Canaveral, we would often see cruise ships coming and going out to sea.
... and others were spent on the beach.
I ate tons of yummy food while on vacation including the cheapest wings & bear ever (three of us ate for $19. 36 wings and six beer. $19. I'm not kidding. Is this normal in the US?!). I tried to stagger in some healthier meals and snacks as well (putting a bikini on daily will help this effort. Ha!).
Peanut came to Florida this year for the first time ever and endured the longest car ride of her life (~24 hours). From what I hear, she loved it and slept in between rest stops.
On my last night, I went down to the beach around 7pm to see the final cruise ship departing. It was breezy and cool and the ocean seemed to erupt under the overcast sky. Simply beautiful.
And of course on the day I left, it was beautiful and sunny, just like the previous seven days and I got in one last airport shot before flying the four-ish hours home.
You may also like:
* Vacation update (post written during my stay).
* Shopping in Florida: what I purchased + a video.
* Meeting Jamie of GlamLatte at the Orlando Airport.
* What I didn't purchase.
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