Outfit deets:
* DIY Tina Turner concert top (thrifted for $2 & cut up; I used THIS tutorial, sort of) which I made for the gym and have only worn it out instead.
* F21 liquid leather bralette (I'm loving bralettes lately and never go bra-less but did on this day...).
* H&M skirt from my trip to Toronto Fashion Week (part 1 & part 2) in March 2013 (see the vlog / video I made HERE).
* Accessories:  F21 bangle, Ardene cross-body/clutch & Gucci shades.

Happy Wednesday everyone!  How has your week been thus far?

Monday night was awesome, I went on a double date to an Industry Night dinner; basically what that means is a special dinner, mainly for people in the serving industry (I'm not one of them...anymore), that is put on by a top chef of a restaurant in Ottawa.  I had vaguely heard of this before, but never been.  

It takes place on the last Monday of every month and is a four-six course meal for $25.  The word meal is relative as the portions were sharing plates between the four of us, except the main dish--shared between two--and the dessert where everyone got their own.

The restaurant that was putting on this month's evening was Town, a restaurant that I would say is a mix between Italian and French food.  A place I've been to once, been meaning to go back to, and really loved (have the meatballs, if you go). 

We tried a variety of food, and this is definitely a meal you need an open palette for; not for the picky eaters, that's for sure.  We had things like smelt fish, octopus, porchetta, lamb sausages etc.  I am a big food lover and not shy to try anything so this was right up my alley!  Everything was delicious, but the octopus and lamb sausages took the cake for me.  

I ended up vlogging our evening and am currently editing the footage to share with you very soon!  Here's a peak at my outfit from Monday night.

Hope you're having a great week--cheers.

 




Outfit deets:
* Smart Set ruffled neckline top which you have seen with dark denim (a favourite post, too).
* Sirens dress pants (old) that are actually long enough for me to wear with heels (shocker).
* Accessories:  H&M belt, Bijoux Terner bangle, Bay ring, Gucci shades & consigned necklace (no brand).

I love love love mixing stripes with leopard and this was kind of my first time doing it.  Later that week I did it with polka dots.

So, how is everyone doing with their Christmas shopping?  I'm rolling along quite nicely, considering how stressed I was last week.  Do you ever find that one awesome gift for that one person and feel so much better?  Like a whole bunch of stress has been lifted as you can now focus on the small stuff, last minute items and stocking stuffers.  I'm so excited for Christmas and while my shopping isn't yet complete, I'm getting pretty close and that's a relief.

Happy 12/12/12!
Outfit deets:
* H&M sweater that I've had for a couple years but it was one of those items I didn't wear for a long time and now I wear it all the time.  Also seen here with my 'niece'.
* Smart Set cami (so basic and I own it in almost every colour of the rainbow as it works under just about everything).
* Target pants that I picked up in Florida.  Love love love these and they are super comfy.
* Sbicca wedges, also from my trip to Florida.
* Accessories: MK watch (which was a Christmas gift from my parents), A.Co Designs necklace, Suzy ring, Good Works leather wrap bracelet & Mexican bangle (brought two of these back, one for my sis and one for me; they are officially our 'Mexican sister bracelets').



And of course one from Instagram...

Smart Set denim jacket, F21 tank, Bongo jeans, Aldo wedges, Cutey charm bracelet, gifted bangle & Pandora bracelet 

While getting dressed yesterday morning I pulled out my pink denim pants that I haven't worn since Christmas 2010 (and that was the first time I'd wore them after they sat in my closet with tags on for close to six months).  I'm not sure why, they just didn't scream at me to wear them (I certainly wear my red pants quite a bit though).  However, after pulling this outfit together, I think these pants are going to get a lot more play.  I felt so good in this outfit and although pink pants aren't something I've seen others wearing, that just might make me love them even more.  

Are you rocking the coloured jean trend (yet)?
  
Now the fun part: Cutey contacted me and asked me if I'd be interested in owning one of their charm bracelets and hosting a give-away for you (my uber wonderful readers).

I was pretty pumped as this was before Christmas and before I got my Pandora bracelet.  Since I wear my Pandora everyday (so rare for me with any jewelery, but I love it that much), you can see both bracelets in the photo above, however, Cutey charm bracelets are fraction of the price and already come with several charms on them!  They even have different clasp styles to choose from (depending on the bracelet) so you can pick your favourite, too.  This is definitely something I would wear frequently and layer with other bracelets, a watch, even my Pandora (as I am here).


Want to win one?

Entering is easy:
* Visit the Cutey website
* Leave a comment telling me what your favourite piece is (+ your email address)


Winner will be announced this Friday!

_______________________________________________________________

The winner is Kate!!  Congratulations & thanks to all for playing.  xo


Urban Behaviour sweater, H&M tank, Stitches skirt, Sirens leggings, 
AMI boots (last seen here), A.Co Designs necklace & Suzy ring
While visiting my BFF in Toronto I was telling her about my newest colour combo obsession, navy and black.  She said that she was always told, as a kid, that if you wore the two together, you'd look like a bruise.  I never heard that before, although I did hear other 'fashion rules' (ex. blue and green should never be seen...., etc.).  And then she put on a green top with a navy blazer (and looked awesome).

So this sweater is just like this one, but navy, which I cut in half to make into a cardigan.  I was so impressed with myself (wow, I used scissors) and excited to wear this one.  I mean, I know it wasn't hard to do, but I took a sweater I hadn't worn in a couple years, and I've been wearing it quite a bit now - how's that for shopping your closet!?

So lastly, how was everyone's weekend?  I know I didn't post, I was pretty sick all weekend long, just feeling crappy and laying low (which you might think would inspire a post, but I was just trying to stay away from the computer for once... which isn't easy since I'm obsessed!).  I did, however, get a bunch of cleaning done around the house and a ton of laundry - it's like I have all the 'good' and 'favourite' items ready again! Yipee!  I need to pick my Christmas outfit this week.  I stay at my parent's house on Christmas eve so I have to plan and pack something for that day.  The last two years it was a dress of some sort, with leggings... this year?  I don't know, I can't predict the future, but I could see it involving leggings. 
 

  
 Ashley B jacket (last seen here), H&M top (last seen here) & tank dress, Sirens knee-patch leggings, Le Chateau boots (last seen here), Club Monaco scarf, Mexx necklace, Mexican bracelet & unknown bangle

I got home on Tuesday night and immediately undressed and climbed into bed.  I was exhausted.  Sometimes I just do that, get into bed as soon as I get home (and we're talking late afternoon here, it's not like I'm working till 9pm).  Last night was no exception.  Fortunately, husband was home and he made me dinner and snacks which we ate together in bed while watching Sunday's episode of Dexter.  So enjoyable and just what I needed.  



Ashley B jacket (last seen here), Club Monaco top, Smart Set cami, H&M skirt, Gap wedges (last seen here),
Suzy belt & bangle, Le Chateau pashmina, Aldo ring & Joe Fresh necklace

Upon arriving at work the other day I realized I'd worn a very similar variation of this outfit  in the spring.  Funny I didn't realize that while getting dressed.

In other news, I took a really bad fall on Thursday night.  I was heading out to meet a friend and had thrown on some A&F sweatpants I'd cut into capris.  I slipped on my flip flops and headed out.  It was pouring rain and we have a deck on the front of our house.  While standing under the awning of the house at the door, I clicked my car doors unlocked and went to make a run for it.  Bad idea.  The combination of rain, on wood and me in flip flops made the deck super slippery, and with my second (run) step, my feet flew out from under me and I landed at the top step (of two) on my tailbone and slid down the stairs and rolled onto the pavement.  I swear my feet were higher than my head and it just happened so fast.  So there I was, lying on our driveway, screaming in pain, in the pouring rain.  It only took a few seconds to realize I was all alone (hubs was working) and I seriously needed to get up, if I could.  Just then, a man came running up our driveway (he'd heard my screams, but hadn't seen it happen) with his dog.  I was so grateful to see someone.  He helped me up, carried me onto the deck and sat me our deck furniture.  I sat there sobbing, covered in dirt and all wet.  He stayed with me until I was able to get up and go inside.  I guess my adrenaline was pumping because I walked into the house (in a lot of pain), grabbed a gel ice pack and layed down on the living room floor, crying hysterically.  I called my parents and they rushed over, with my sister (who was over there for dinner that night).  I layed in the living room crying and icing my tailbone / back, in so much pain.  Finally, after about a hour of laying there, my sister helped me roll onto my side so I could take some Advil from my mom.  About 15 minutes later, I tried to pull myself onto my knees with her help and the help of a chair.   Eventually, with lots of pain, I was able to sit on the chair (with one buttcheek hanging off as I really did a number to the left side of my tailbone / lower back).  I was unable to walk, and moving was really awful.  My sister had to drag me to the bathroom and eventually up to our room to go to bed.  On Friday I went to the chiropractor (my sister took me) and had x-rays done and an adjustment (and I'm not one who normally goes to the chiro, just FYI).  Upon leaving, I was walking with barely any limping and actually felt better.  However, still very very sore in my butt, back and neck.

Today I'm still in pain and have a hard time getting comfortable (sitting, standing and lying down hurts), but, it is definitely getting better.  I'm on the mend and am able to walk around normally, do stairs, etc.  Just trying to not make any sudden movements, I have to turn my whole body to talk to people (versus just turning my head) and am moving slowly.  However, I will survive and I am just so grateful to that man who helped me, and that I have such amazing friends and family to help me.

{ just got these babies fixed - new heel caps }



Joe dress & flats, Stitches skit, Garage jean jacket,
Le Chateau pashmina & necklace (similar here),
Aldo bangle & purse, Ardene fishnets, iPhone

The title of this post is fitting because  1. It represents a sailor term,  2. It's a inside joke between my sister and I, and  3. Said (awesome) sister took these photos (thnx Jr!).  Not only is this outfit sailor-inspired, but it brings me back to a current fave.  It also gives you a peak inside a day without heels.  How often do you see me in flats?  Not very often, but I certainly welcome it when it happens.  And lastly, when I saw my parents my mom asked me if this was a new dress (which I usually answer back with, 'What constitutes new, exactly?') and this was no exception.  It may be hard to believe, but, I bought this dress over a year ago and this was the first time I finally wore it.  Well, it turned out to be just the right day for it.


After reading Emily's post on stripes, I found myself looking for more 'French-inspired' attire.  Does this include stripes?  Of course it does!  And although I'm no stranger to the stripe, it's always nice to freshen it up.  Not only do stripes remind me of the French, but my mind also wanders to a nautical theme.  Check out some of my picks below.



Adidas Celebrate Stripes Top $102.56

Rare Metallic Vertical Stripe Bandeau Dress $100.86 { my fave }

French Connection Candy Stripe Dress $168




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