blogger shop finds...

it's not often you'll see me in a *short* dress. or tight. surprise! this one is both.  i debated buying it for some time, as it's so out of my comfort zone.  however, the little cut out hearts and the collar just kept appealing to me.  i had a credit from ruche burning a hole in my online pocket, so i finally caved and ordered it.  when it arrived, i wasn't sure.  i still haven't lost the amount of weight i'd been hoping to (as i continuously fall off the weight watchers band wagon)... but dominic liked it, so i kept it. and i'm glad i did. it's turned into a really fun weekend dress.  add a long cardigan, and i feel much more comfortable, yet still playful.  i've had it in my closet for a while now, and paired it with navy tights with cream crochet thigh-high socks over top and boots for winter/early spring.  now the knee socks just seem so fun for summer!

a fun factor about bloggers: not only do they point you in the direction of new places to find clothes, a lot of them also have their own online shops.  it makes ordering something even more fun, because you feel like you're ordering it from someone you know, even if it's just by reading their posts and getting a little peak into their lives.  the hot air balloon necklace i'm wearing comes from kate's shop Sweet & Lovely. she has so many cute and feminine items! i'm wanting this print for my wardrobe. and her ice cream sweater clips?? *love*

a few other bloggers i've bought from include Marissa's etsy shop, Stef & Erin's instagram shop, and Megan's shop my closet.  who knew online shopping would come in so many forms??

     dress/cardigan/socks: ruche
     shoes: bait footwear
     necklace: sweet & lovely
     

blogger thanks...

 as you can see, i read quite a few blogs.  they're such great inspiration; they teach you how to attempt new styles with your hair, and many of them have a 'shop my closet' feature where you can buy items from them at great prices.

 

i have to say, two of my favourite hair inspiration bloggers are veronika and katie.  they both have great hair, long with bangs, and are constantly trying new styles.  they're tutorials have been great for days when you just need something new for your hair.  i actually attempted one of katie's tutorials with this hairstyle.  of course, i don't have the knack for it, so mine are always a messier version of her tutorials.  

 

 i actually purchased this dress from another blogger, meg, from with a sentimental heart.  it was a vintage dress she found and added to her shop my closet.  it's even better in person than in the picture!  the fabric is heavier than i pictured, and the skirt fuller.  it's perfect for spring weather in Canada! i paired it up with a polka dot scarf, but it's great on it's own.

      dress: vintage
      scarf, earrings & shoes: ruche
      belt: came with dress from peacock plume
      tights:  we love colors

.....

even if you aren't a blogger yourself, these are some of the reasons to read & support bloggers.  i used to go to magazines for fashion and hair tips, but now i look to bloggers, and you actually get a bit of an inside glimpse into their lives, rather than just a short article on someone.  it's quite nice.

:)

inspiration followed through...

in one of my posts from last week, you'll notice i posted some pictures of zooey in some of my favourite outfits/styles that she sports.  one was a coral shirt dress and green cardigan, which i believe is an outfit from tomorrow's episode of the new girl...

here's my version!  a coral peter pan pleated dress and a forest cardi...

of course, even with our spring temperatures this week, it's still canada, and tights are still a must...

so i mixed it with black tights and black shoes, a zooey staple.

 

 and with the peter pan collar, i chose my peter pan silhouette necklace from etsy.

 

i loved this outfit, these colours, the flowiness... it was perfect for a springish day!

 

 

a la zooey style... i left out the bowler hat, although i was desperately wanting a green one for st patricks day celebrations on saturday! which, by the way, were pretty fun.  i somehow ended up in a scrabble game at the pub, with two buddies.  i won, and while i did not receive the highest scoring word ('versify' for a whopping 66 points), i was rather proud of my two letter move resulting in 42 points.

 

 

while i left out the bowler hat, i'll definitely take a mr. monogamy when i find one.

 

      dress and cardi: borrowed from melissa (asos and ruche)
      necklace: etsy
      shoes: lulu's
      tights: joe's for superstore
      glasses: rayban's

.....

happy monday to you!

girly friday...

like most businesses, our office is 'casual friday'... which means we can wear jeans!  i don't wear them every week.  i find in the past few months, i'm wearing jeans less and less.  i've finally discovered that wearing a dress isn't necessarily dressing up, and so i wear them probably 90% of the time.

years ago, i was a jeans and tshirt kinda gal.  with vans and converse sneakers. now, if i wear jeans, i need to dress them up and girlify them. such as today. jeans with flowers, lace, pearls, pretty heels... a very girly yet casual friday.

bonus: i just got this floral tank from ruche last week, from their latest lookbook.  i ordered it to wear with blush bow shorts in the spring/summer... but layering it under lace and with dark denim, i thought it was early-spring appropriate!  i absolutely hate buying a new item for the next season and it just sits in my closet, waiting to be worn. 

     top, jacket, shoes: ruche
     jeans: ae

.....

happy friday to you!  i'm off for a drink at the pub with my bestie... and somehow i'm more dressed up for the pub than i was for casual friday! 

:)

j.

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drawing inspiration...

 when you're about to rely on one of your ole dependable outfits, try to grab some inspiration from one of your favourite style bloggers...

this is what i did.  although this is the first time i've blogged this sweater dress (i think), i've actually worn it a lot, and have had it since ruche's "autumn in session" 2010 fall lookbook.  it's one of my 'dependable' pieces, especially on a day that i want to feel cozy.  my normal ensemble is with a plain taupe dress under it, brown tights, and my brown oxford shoes.  this is what i had originally pulled out of my closet to wear.  and then it hit me. wow, dependable. seeing as i had a few minutes to spare, i jumped online to quickly peruse my favourite bloggers to find a quick inspiration.

on my first glance, i spotted my inspiration.  mara, of m loves m, had a simple dress paired with teal tights (see here).  perfect.  but then i thought, instead of my plain taupe dress under, why not add something with a little bit of detail?  in comes the dover shift dress.  the lace around the skirt of the dress was at the perfect length to just sneak out, and the colour was just a few shades off of my sweater dress, allowing for that lovely teal pop not to be overwhelming.

thank you mara, for your lovely inspiration for this outfit. 

 
          sweater dress, dress, necklace, shoes: ruche
          tights: american apparel

.....

:)

j.

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i love me some swappy twirls!

pretty much the perfect twirling outfit.  it twirls perfectly, with a little bit of sheer-nesss.  hello girly, flowy twirl.  oh, how i've missed you.

i know, i've been 'slacking' with the posts this past week.  it's not that i haven't thought about writing and completely forgotten my blog.  it's that i've been busy after work.  since starting back on the treadmill, i'm back to feeling starved by suppertime, so when i get home, i'm immediately on the treadmill.  and honestly, you do NOT want me posting blog photos post run.

 in other news, melissa and i had a wii & wine night on saturday with our mamas.  a post will follow later this week.  yes, we actually took pictures.  sometimes for two bloggers, we actually *forget* to take blog pictures.  are these pictures "blog" pictures? no. they're actually embarrassing pictures.  but, as bloggers, it's our duty to post them, right?  (you need to agree with me so that melissa forgives me for posting embarrassing pictures of us!!).

other exciting tidbits:

i LOVE these glasses.  no more headaches at work! well, almost none.  but definitely no more pulling eyes! it's amazing what a light Rx can do for you! 

this weekend: star wars 3D! granted, it's episode I, which is my least favourite (Anakin kind of annoys me as a child)... but, lasers and light sabers in 3D? yes, i need to see it.  my mom is actually excited about it too.  apparently she's a closet geek! i'm so proud.

and finally: the sun was still up for pictures!  past 5:00pm! it's happening folks... daylight is staying!

          top: ruche (swapped with melissa)

          skirt, shoes, earrings: ruche

          tights: we love colors

          watch: guess

a very happy hump day to ya!

(said in my "top o' the mornin to ya" voice)

:)

j.

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happy birthday bestie...

today is my bestie's 31st birthday.  this gal has been my bestie since junior high. for her birthday, there's a few things i'd like to share with her:

1. you've turned me into a wino just as we enter our 30s.  i'm truly grateful to be out of my beer 20s.

2. you are the best gift giver ever, and i'm pretty sure i'm still single because all exes feel inadequate next to you.

3. you are almost totally incapable of speaking badly about anyone, and so having you as my bestie really brings balance to my life. earth + water

4. you are beautiful, both inside and out.

5. you are my favourite chick-flick buddy, because you now cry in them too, and no longer am i the only mushy one.

6. you are my forever wing night buddy, because you know to pick the bad ones out of my basket.

7. you make the best birthday cakes, even if the first attempt crumbles to bits and pieces.

8. you are an amazing mama, and blessed me with an amazing godson who charms me with fish kisses and ringalos, to which my heart sometimes feels like it could burst, it's so full.

9. you are the best dressed person i know.  aside from that stylin chick in the mirror of course.

10. you are my favourite ice-cream germ sharer on the planet.

i wish you the happiest of birthdays and an amazing 31st year.

loves.

jj

xo

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inspired...

dress & necklace: ruche, tights: american apparel, shoes: aldo, belt: melissa's

.....

just a quick post since i've already posted today!  have you checked out yesterday's sweetheart's  blog??  i found her via instagram, and i'm swooning over her style.  she's so romantical.  and she almost always has on white/cream tights... so... i figure, i can do it!  cream tights are really an effort for me.  i find i either look like a little girl or alice in wonderland.  but i just love them on everyone else... so after looking at her blog last night, i was inspired.

i didn't quite pull it off as she does, but hopefully with some time and effort, i'll get it!

:)

j.

an ornament swap!

back in november, i found an ornament swap that micaela (of dolce vita) was hosting!  such a great idea! i love christmas! i love sharing spirit! so why not??

my ornament swapper was holly, from running in stilettos.  

the plan:

find an ornement for $10, pack it with lots of fluff and stuff so it doesn't break, include a card stating why you chose the ornament you did, mail it out... then wait for your ornament to arrive.

and arrive it did, last thursday.

a gorgeous glass bulb with feathers inside, and a colourful card filled with warm wishes from holly.

thank you holly for the lovely surprise!

and thank you micaela for hosting this swap.

:)

merry christmas week!!