Friday night date night with my boo.  I was so exhausted all day Friday that I got home and basically collapsed on my bed for a good three hours.  I knew I had to meet Marco at 8pm so naturally I decided to shower and actually get ready at 7pm--duh.  I made it to the restaurant on time and this is what I wore for a casual dinner.

Outfit deets:  Old Navy tee (old), William Rast denim (from Winners) & leopard Gap wedges (old).

I haven't done any online shopping in months--I think the Romy's were the last thing, which was end of August--but I bit the bullet on this bag after seeing it in Evelina Berry's haul video.  Instead of purchasing through Romwe for $60, I found a link for the same purse on eBay for $18.  It finally arrived and is okay.  I'm not crazy about it, but it's okay for now and for the price, no big loss (shipping was free & there was no duty).

For dinner we went to Open Rice for Asian cuisine and I wanted something light and not deep fried or tons of white rice.  I chose an Asian pear salad with walnuts and two shrimp rice wraps.  It was such a fresh, light yet filling dinner and so delicious!  I left feeling satisfied and happy I made healthier choices for that meal out (I love eating out but don't always make the healthier choices when I do; I love burgers and will sub in a salad instead of fries, but let's be honest, it's still a burger!)

Oh! And Open Rice has a Groupon right now if you're in Ottawa and want to check it out.  

Saturday morning we hit the gym and then ran some errands, but first, lunch!  We ate at Chuck's, which is literally a little deli inside a connivence store.  I really wanted breakfast but had totally slept in so it was  after 2pm by the time we were eating--and of course no one good serves breakfast after that time.  The chicken-bacon-veg panini and lentil salad with caramelized onions I got was a-maz-ing.  I actually can't wait to get this again.

Saturday afternoon outfit for getting groceries, running errands and whatnot.

Outfit deets:  F21 jacket, Zara sweater, Jules & James tank, Bongo jeans & Qupid boots (old but just starting to wear them this year).

On Sunday evening I had a girl friend over and I made dinner, she brought the wine and the conversation flowed through 1am.  I made spaghetti squash with a turkey sausage-veggie marinara sauce.  I've never made spaghetti squash before and it turned out so good!  It's so easy and obviously healthy--woot!

On Sunday morning I met Marco at the gym.  Afterwards we went out to breakfast at our fave spot and demolished the goodness we'd done at the gym--clearly.  I thought I'd share my plate before and after; the bacon tasted yucky so I left it but hello gluten!  Yes, I devoured it.

Later on, I met Sarah at the mall and we shopped around for a couple of hours.

Outfit deets:  Mexx cardigan (old), A.Co Designs trapeze tank (old), American Apparel leggings & Aldo boots and cross-body/clutch.

We finally got an H&M in Ottawa which is just about the most exciting thing that's happened in shopping since Forever 21 came a couple years ago--I know, crazy, right?  Anyways, it opened on Thursday and here it is on Sunday with a velvet rope & line up.  Ugh.  Fortunately the line moved fairly quick but the people inside was just stressful and annoying.  The line up for the fitting rooms and cash was insane and after 20 minutes I booked it out of there with zero purchases.  You win this round H&M, but I'll see you another day.

Sunday night nail painting.

When I started this blog it was a fashion blog and over the years--almost four, to be exact--it has turned into more of a lifestyle blog.  I like sharing things on here like my weekend recaps and the like, and have recently gotten really into YouTube--not that it wasn't obvious--which is a great extension of my blog.  All that said, despite the changes in direction, the one that has always remained the same is my goal to be relatable.

Am I?

When I write and post pictures, it's in an effort to share with you the daily, or weekly happenings in my life.  Some weekends are more exciting than others, but most weekends seem more exciting than they actually are.  Don't get me wrong, I have great things in my life, like everyone, if you... what is it they say, count your blessings?  I just think reading through the pages of someone else's life/blog can sometimes come off as so exciting when really, it's just bacon & eggs at a bar & grill.

I can absolutely say that yes, there are some things that have happened to me in the past year or so that have been extra awesome; Vegas, becoming the Place d'Orleans Fashion Vlogger, modelling for PDO's Christmas campaign--which, btw, was my first time modelling for realz--and again in the Spring for a Pinterest contest, going to Mexico for my birthday and so on.  That said though, these are things that still kind of blow my mind and make me blink twice thinking, 'Uh, did this just happen?'

Then of course, there are the things that are so normal, the every day stuff that most of you don't see, or know about.  I go to work, Monday through Friday and yeah, it's okay.  I live in a very small apartment and use a shop vac as my vacuum--I'm serious.  If you've been reading for a while, you know I've been through a difficult hardship--and if you don't, you can check my About Me section, it's easy to figure it out.  I drive a nice car now, but drove a crappy car for 10 years--and am also paying out the ass for this very nice car.  Don't get me started on filling up my gas tank #alwaysonempty. 

I have insecurities, bad hair days and still don't fully know how to match my foundation and set my concealer.  I never really want to go to the gym, don't like cooking that much and never make my bed.  All very, very ordinary things.  Shall I go on?

I just really want, for when anyone comes here, to my space, my blog, to feel comfortable, happy and enjoy the 'experience'.  I love reading blogs, but I hate getting those envious feelings about others.  Ugh.  Makes me angry with myself because we don't know what goes on behind the scenes, we only see the highlight reel.  So let me know, in the comments section below, what would make my site more relatable?  What would make me more relatable?  Is there anything you'd like to see--how about me without make-up? #yikes--that I haven't already shared?  Post it down below and let's chat about it.

PS - That couch I'm sitting on up there is eight years old and the MacBook put a dent in my savings.

Oh my goodness, what a weekend! I love me some long weekends and this was no exception.  Although my Thanksgiving plans were minimal, the rest of the weekend did not disappoint.  This post is definitely photo heavy, so I'm posting the majority of the pictures after the jump.  Read on for a mini photo diary of what went down...

Friday night I went to my boyfriend's place and he whipped up a killer meal: lobster, king crab, asparagus and scalloped potatoes.  What?!  Yes.  Unreal and this actually happened... and we also got into a big fight over something silly #keepinitreal so yeah, that actually happened too (ha).  Real talk (all good now!).

Saturday morning we hit the gym together and these are my shower flip flops (intriguing, I know).

Saturday.

Outfit deets:  Dynamite jacket, Cynthia Rowley tee, Joe Fresh shorts (first time wearing them, finally!) & Ardene flats.