As promised, I pulled together some looks for Valentines' Day. Hopefully this is some kind of help to someone as I really didn't feel like doing this (ha!). It was late by the time I got home last night, I'd been to the gym, for a (spray) tan and out shopping and running errands. Playing dress up was the last thing I felt like doing, but I like to keep my word, and in the end, it's good inspiration for me as I would wear each and every one of these looks (...well, maybe not the first one simply because it's so damn tight and that doesn't really work for me lately since I'm obsessed with all things flowy... and I like to eat...).
All of these looks are inexpensive and easy to recreate, with pieces you already have in your closet. I love the idea of using red and pink together for Valentines' Day, it's so girly and fun, so why not? Also, don't be afraid to swap out the jeans for black (or grey) pants, a top and skirt for a dress or heels for flats (although I did include one flats option!). Furthermore, I will be wearing tights with my outfit as I live in a cold climate, so improvise: black opaque, patterned or nude fishnets all work. Be creative!
Happy Valentines' Day!
1. Giant Tiger lace top, Smart Set one-sleeved sweater, H&M skirt, A.Co Designs necklace & Joe Fresh pumps
2. Joe Fresh top, F21 skirt, Sirens belt, Aldo flats, Suzy headband & Walmart necklace
3. F21 jacket, Love Couture dress/top, Walmart jeans, Joe Fresh necklace & Mitzy pumps
4. Gap cardigan, F21 top, H&M skirt, Suzy belt, Dollarama hoops & Report Signature heels
5. Dynamite top, Walmart jeans, Suzy necklace & Guess slingbacks
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1. & 2. Hangin' with my favourite 'neice'.
2. Valentines' Day outfit options (check back tomorrow for some ideas on what to wear).
3. New magnetic nail polish from Nail Polish Canada (review coming soon).
4. Chocolate croissants.
5. New jeans (a brand I haven't worn since high school).
6. & 7. I finally bought myself some real hair extensions (buy them here)!
8. Grocery shopping.
9. Saturday (and Sunday) morning breakfast: flax pita french toast (with real maple syrup).
Are you the winner of the Cutey giveaway? Find out HERE.
I think being a woman often constitutes to having some sort of f'ed up image of our bodies. With 'perfect' bodies being thrown in our faces everyday (tabloids, advertisements, the 'net, etc.) it's hard not to get a complex sometimes over things that maybe we shouldn't.
While I'm a confident person with fairly high self-esteem, I certainly struggle with body image. Some days are better, some days are worse. Some days I'm giving myself a pep-talk in the mirror to redirect my focus to a more positive outlook or trait. It doesn't always work, which sucks, but I do what I can. And while I could work out more, I could eat less treats, I don't think having the 'perfect' body will ultimately make me happier (some days I think it would, but c'mon, that's so unrealistic). I would feel deprived of my favourite things (dessert and free time!) and still think I could look better. It's like a vicious, never ending cycle.
How do you break the cycle? For me it's about eating well, working out and taking the time to make myself look good.
The first two are rational, they make sense, it's obvious. I try to workout at least three times a week, sometimes this doesn't happen, and that's okay, I'm just conscious of getting a little more daily movement in (parking far away, taking the stairs, etc.). As far as eating goes, I try to eat healthy and keep the treats to a minimum, but that doesn't mean I don't have treat binges every now and again... or weekly (oh chocolate & pie how you are my nemesis).
The last one is a little more superficial, but it works. If I look good, it often results in feeling good so it's a doubly pay off. For me, having a bit of a glow via spray tan makes me feel good about myself, as well as wearing something I love. Now, for all you 'I-tan-easily-girls', you can just be quiet, but if you're a self-proclaimed-almost-albino like yours truly, you know what I'm talking about. A glow is (sadly, IMO) infinitely prettier (on myself) than my regular pasty skin... and it combats fat days too. Two birds. Ha.
As far as wearing something I love, you all know that I'm a huge sale shopper and while money can buy you really nice things, it's creativity that dictates wicked personal style. Creativity is not expensive (case in point). Work with what you've got, and if you need some wardrobe sprucing I suggest hitting the thrift store before the regular store and get yourself some inexpensive, unique finds.
I wish I could say everyday I wake up and go, 'I love my body! I feel good! Everyday I feel gerrr-reat!' but, such is not the case. Some days I need to convince myself and but mainly I just need to accept myself. Acceptance is the first way to learn to love yourself, which although not an easy task, something you can work on everyday. When I'm having a 'fat day' (we all have them, right?), I try to shift my focus onto a body part I like. If that doesn't work, repeating in the mirror, 'I look good. I look good. I look good...' until you believe it might work (I know, it sounds a little crazy right, but don't knock it till you try it!).
How do you accept your body 'flaws'? I'd love to hear your tricks.
(Image via WeHeartIt)
Donna Mizani Spaghetti Tulip Maxi Dress, $487
Beautiful dress. Price? Ouch.
(Found via RamShackleGlam)
1. Rolled oats with dried cranberries, milk & ground flax seed
2. 'Healthy' Grilled Cheese (made in the oven on 12-grain bread, no butter and real marble cheese)
3. Honey-garlic grilled chicken, kidney bean salad with feta & boiled cauliflower
1. Scrambled egg (whites) with broccoli, onion & cheese
2. Baked salmon, quinoa & broccoli/carrots
3. Chicken Kiev (from a box!) and a spring mix salad
4. Grilled chicken, quinoa topped with black beans & a spring mix salad
1. Mini Eggs &vanilla frozen yoghurt
2. Yoghurt, Kashi GoLean Crunch & raspberries
3. Cottage cheese with mixed frozen berries
4. Vanilla yoghurt with crushed Crispy Crunch chocolate bar on top
1. Avocado
2. Grilled chicken, black bean salad with feta & mashed sweet potato
3. Raw almonds
4. Home made felafel
1. 12-grain bagel with low-fat peanut butter (Kraft is my fave) & ground flax sprinkled on top
2. Breakfast at the Hilton (buffet): Scrambled eggs, bacon, home fries, grilled veggies & milk (my fave!)
3. Easy microwave egg-white omelet with a peppermint tea (frequently my daily Monday-Friday breakfast)
4. 12-grain bagel with peanut butter and a steeped tea (two milk, one sugar)
1. Fried egg 12-grain bagel sandwich with grape tomatoes, marble cheese & spinach
2. Low-fat cottage cheese with cinnamon
3. Tuna melts with avocado on top
1. Spring mix salad with grape tomatoes, feta and whatever else I threw in there
2. Carrots & hummus
1. 'Healthy Fish & Chips': baked salmon with garlic & cilantro with home made sweet potato baked fries
2. Bacon, eggs & grilled potatoes
3. Tuna, mayo & cubed cheese (what!? I didn't feel like cooking)
4. Meatloaf & baby carrots
1. Purchased roast beef salad with tomato, hard boiled egg, mayo & lettuce
2. Breakfast wrap from the caf at my work (eggs, bacon, a hashbrown, lettuce & tomato in a whole wheat wrap. Oh. Ya.)
3. Spring mix salad with dried cranberries, unsalted sunflower seats, feta cheese, grape tomatoes and ground flax (no dressing)
4. 'Gourmet' hot dogs (wrapped in a flax seed pita with mustard, swiss cheese & then I added spinach) with veggies 'n dip
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