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How I Spent My Summer Vacation (or: Oh Yeah! I Have A Blog!)

I really slacked off on my blogging duties over the summer. In my defense, there’s just so much going on that it was hard to find time to sit in front of a computer and write (I mean, other than the eight hours a day I do that at my day job…) let alone think up some sweet blog posts and take pictures for them.

So what have I been up to all these non-blogging weeks? A surprising lot for someone so admittedly lazy, actually…

(Click below to see this rather lengthy post about my summer vacay!)

Double Double

During the spring and summer, I pretty much live in lace and/or mesh tights. It's been kind of a bummer that it's been way too cold to wear them for months now. Then I happened upon an article that suggested layering a pair of opaque tights under your mesh or lace ones to winterize them. Genius

[These and all other black tights pictured below from H&M. Floral lace tights from Next. Similar lace tights in black from Le Chateu]

I tried it for the fist time a couple weeks ago and was very pleased when my boss's super-stylish wife complimented me on my tights.

Although all of my examples use black tights, I think this would look great will pretty much any colour combination... so long as you don't use white as the base. I have a feeling that would just make it look like you have really pale  legs...

[White crescent pattern tights from American Apparel]

[Pink geomesh tights from American Apparel]

Think you'll try out this idea? Send me pictures if you do!

Hat-trick

During 30 for 30, I made the mistake of going to the mall with my favourite shopping partner: my mom. Then, I made the even bigger mistake of checking out the clearance shoes at The Bay. Then, I made the biggest mistake of all: trying on a pair of Nine West flats that I absolutely adored. They fit like a glove. I was gutted that I couldn't buy them right then and there.

Fast forward to a couple weeks ago, just after the 30 for 30 ended. Once again, I found myself in The Bay with my mom. I sauntered over to the clearance shoe rack, fully expecting my beloved Nine West flats to be sold out...

 

But there they were! In all of their embellished, just-my-size perfection! One single pair in my size. It was meant to be, non?

My luck continued the other day at Winners. Ever since The Glamourai unveiled the bag she created for Coach, I have been lusting after a grey drawstring bag. Last week, I saw one I loved by Nine West in a magazine (I can't remember exactly which one, and I'm far too  lazy to look it up), but it was nearly $100, and I'm really trying to stay on a strict budget.

To my surprise, I found the exact. same. bag. at Winners only days later... for less than half the price!

I was worried at first that I wouldn't be able to fit much in this bag. I'm tired of having to transfer loose cards and money from purse to purse because my bag is too small for my wallet. I had nothing to worry about, though. This baby holds loads. Let's play a little game of "what's in Julie's bag", shall we?

(Note: My usual mess of crumpled up receipts have been removed)

We've got:

• BlackBerry Torch (inside the case)
• flats
• keys
• comb
• gum
• two lip glosses
• wallet
• change purse

Not bad, right?

My third score came in the form of a free (yes, FREE!) necklace rack. Every once in a while, someone in my building will leave a box of random stuff in the laundry room with a "Free!" sign on it. This was one such item.

I'm thinking of calling her Cleo Jr...

Ever the ham, Maury decided he wanted to be involved in this photo shoot as well.

What are some recent deals you've found? Do you have a particular store where you always find good deals? Tell me about it in the comments!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

 
If you've read my previous blog posts, you might have noticed that when I get into something, I get really into it.  Like Halloween, for instance. 

Christmas is no different.  I am a (proud) Christmas nut.  And to me, the Christmas season starts just as soon as Starbucks starts serving their red Christmas cups.

I've been dying to write about my love of Christmas since... well... since about May when I started this blog.  But I promised myself I'd at least wait until the first snowfall.  Well, friends, it snowed in Waterloo today!  Sure, it didn't stick to the ground, but it still fell from the sky so it counts.  No matter what you try to tell me, it counts.  So get off my back!

So, due to my afforementioned total dorkiness, I decided to dress "Christmassy" today.  I happened to be reading the holiday issue of Lou Lou (a good issue so far, I must say) last night, and decided to take a cue from their cover girl Taylor Swift and incorporate some extra sparkle into today's outfit.

Tank tunic: Suzy Shier | Sparkle cardigan: The Bay | Necklace: Top Shop (a souvenier from my UK trip)

And because a sequined cardigan and a sparkly, multi-stranded necklace weren't quite enough, a few more sparkly goodies...


L to R: Earrings: Dorothy Perkins (again, UK) |Cameo ring: Ghost Love Jewelry | Line ring: ...I've had it for so long, I can't remember!|Oval ring: Le Chateau (a couple years ago)

Is anyone else as nutty for Christmas as I am?  What really gets you in the holiday spirit? Do you change the way you dress around the holidays?  Could I possibly ask one more question to end this post?

Inspired By: Little Edie

Note: All of the Grey Gardens screen grabs in this post are my own.

I watched Grey Gardens for the first time last night while taking a break from my South Park marathon. It was absolutely fascinating.  I can't believe I hadn't watched it before now!

For those not familiar with Grey Gardens, it's a documentary about a mother and daughter - Edith and Edie Beale, better known as Big Edie and Little Edie - who live together as near-hermits in the Hamptons.  They were relatives of Jackie O (whom I love - my friend Stephanie put it best: "Jackie O is totally right behind Audrey Hepburn in terms of, well, my love") and were put into the spotlight two years before the documentary when they were ordered to clean their home or be evicted. Jackie O ended up hiring a cleaning crew so that her aunt and cousin could keep their home.

While I watched, I was struck by Little Edie's gorgeous turbans.  Apparently Little Edie had alopecia, and wore the turbans to cover her hair loss. I particularly liked how she added brooches to jazz them up. Say what you want about her state of mind - this woman had personal style in spades.

Inspired, I decided to try the look out myself (including the awesome winged eyeliner she wore for the second half of the documentary).  
Scarf: The Gap
Brooches: Inherited from my gorgeous (and always stylish) Grandmother

While I probably won't be rocking this look at work or the supermarket any time soon, I have a feeling it will definitely make an appearance during my next cottage weekend.  And, truth? I may or may not have worn it the rest of the evening until I went to bed.  Shh!

By the way, scarves weren't the only awesome pieces that Little Edie showed off.  Check out her great patterned tights and gorgeous maillot (and, naturally, two more delicious turbans).

Throughout the documentary, you see a number of photographs of both Edies in their youth.  Check out this one of Little Edie at 24. Gorgeous, non?  

Interested in checking out Grey Gardens?  Watch it here!

The Price is Right: Accessory Overload

Sooooo... I may have gone on a bit of a spree tonight. I started out looking for a pretty new dress to wear to a bachelorette party this weekend, but somehow ended up with loads of accessories, and no dress. Luckily, most of the stores at Conestoga seem to be having sales, so many of my finds were $5 or less.

And really, this spress is not entirely my fault.  You see, I've been reading The Glamourai a lot lately, and I think her amazing, over-the-top (but in a good way) jewelry inspired a few of my choices.

 
Clockwise from left:
Yellow belt - Suzy Shier (SALE!)
Black chandelier earrings - Jacob
Statement necklace - Suzy Shier (SALE!)
Gold and turquoise cocktail ring - H&M
Gold and red stacked rings - H&M
Gold earrings - H&M
Lace tights - H&M
Black and silver stud earrings - H&M
Black studded belt - Suzy Shier (SALE!)

Here's a closer shot of the H&M rings

Since all the items were reasonably priced (many $5 or less), the only problem will be deciding which ones to wear first!

The Price is Right: Sale Sunnies

 
A couple weeks ago, Laura headed out of the office for lunch wearing the most gorgeous pair of vintage-looking sunglasses. I was happily surprised to learn that they were $6 at Walmart.  I refuse to spend a lot on sunglasses because I'm clumsy and absent-minded, which results in most pairs I buy getting broken or going missing a month or so after I get them.

Laura's great find inspired me to search out some great deals on sunglasses. In turn, the search inspired me to pick up a couple pairs for myself. Needless to say, it was quite a pleasant way to pass an afternoon.

Here are the 3 best deals I found:

Suzy Shier, reflective aviators. $10

Like the Mykita and Bernhard super-reflective aviators that SJP wore on the SATC movie poster? Suzy Shier has a strikingly similar pair at a much more appealing price.

 

 

Old Navy, assorted styles, $9 - $14.99

Their collection is weighted heavily to plastic frames rather than metal, but they offer a variety of colours.  If you're feeling adventurous, try the very pretty oversized teal and peach pair. For a more classic look, try the  tortoise-shell pair pictured above.

(And while you're there, be sure to check out their amazing new selection of sandals. They've branched out from the standard rubber flip flops into some jeweled pairs.)

Ardene, assorted styles, 2 for $15

This was my favourite stop of the day. Whether you're partial to aviator, over-sized, or Ray Ban styles, you're bound to find a few pairs you like. My favourite was this brown pair that reminded me a lot of Laura's sunnies that started the hunt in the first place.  At 2 for 15, you can buy a pair in every colour for every outfit.