Tuesday, February 28, 2012

tiaraiconmallory squeal

Scarf- The Shop of Worldly Delights; Coat- Gap
Pigs are by far my favourite animals (sorry Marley & Mama!) I've previously expressed my intention to one day own two pet pigs named Petunia & Priscilla (now I just have to convince my man that he also has the same dream!) So when I saw this adorable handmade pig scarf (aka Malorie Squeal) on Laura's etsy shop I just knew I had to have it.  Paired with my pink Gap jacket- I'm squealing for joy and oinking with glee!


Dress- Gap; Tights & Cardigan- Swapped; Boots- Aldo; Belt & Bracelet- Thrifted; Nail Polish-Deliciously Dark by Rimmel
And just to prove that even fashion bloggers wear the same ensemble more than once, here's how I styled this dress and cardigan during my summer trip to San Diego.


As March is just around the corner (yay Spring!) I'm aware that Google will be cancelling Google Friend Connect in a matter of days. Besides switching our profile to Google+, do you know of any other ways to keep GFC so that we can keep our followers and friends intact? 

Monday, February 27, 2012

tiaraicondiamond on a landmine

T-shirt- Billy Talent concert; Tights- Forever 21; Heels, Cardigan & Necklace-Swapped

I usually dress in girly clothing with feminine silhouettes but sometimes I get the craving for a rock and roll ensemble that's a  little rough around the edges (now that being said my definition of rock & roll is most likely different than most- I still like to incorporate a pair of heels and some cute jewellery into the mix!) My weekend getaway to Montreal provided me with the perfect excuse to participate in Inspiration Monday, copying the grunge-chic style of Drew Barrymore.


 

{Billy Talent is one of my favourite Canadian bands and I've had the privilege of seeing them perform live- what an unforgettable concert!}

After bidding adieu et bon voyage to my sister on Friday (I miss her already!), my man and I drove 2 hours to Canada's most European influenced cities, Montreal, Quebec.  We stayed at a funky hotel, danced the night away with some old and new friends, indulged in bottle service (and suffered the consequences the following day) , watched a lot of hotel room tv and ate the best guacamole I've ever experienced at a cute little resto called Tequila Taco.  Sometimes a couple of nights away is all it takes to unwind from the stresses of everyday life.









Whether you have the luxury of going away for the weekend or you treat yourself to a staycation, make sure to find time for some rest & relaxation because life is hectic!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

tiaraiconsister style

After days of talking about it, my sister Stephanie and I finally mustered up enough energy (watching Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, eating Swedish Berries and doing face masks can be exhausting!) to create a sister remix (inspired by Heather & Kayla!)

We chose this beautiful blue and white bamboo patterned cardigan that I found at my favourite thrift store for only $4.99 with the tags still on! Steph's looks are perfect for the colder months while I was remixing with visions of sandy beaches dancing in my head!

Pants & Belt- Thrifted; Top- Swapped; Shoes- Payless

{I know I was harping on about white pants, that is until I thrifted this pair of white flared pants that fit like a dream! Now I'm on the white pant bandwagon, just not sold on white jeans...yet}

Jeans-Stitches; Top-Jacob; Shoes- Swapped; Belt-Costa Blanca; Necklace & Watch-Thrifted

{Isn't Steph so pretty? She's almost 4 years younger than me but many people think she's my older sister or that we're twins.  She has an adorable smile with a cheerful personality to match!}
Skirt & Belt- Thrifted; Top-Swapped; Shoes- Payless

Top & Dress (worn as skirt) Smart Set; Boots- Spring


"In the cookies of life, sisters are the chocolate chips." 
(author unknown)

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

tiaraiconsimple

Top, Skirt, Necklace & Ring- Thrifted; Shoes- Walmart; Heart Ring- H&M; Glasses-Gucci; Tights- Forever 21; Nail Polish- Deliciously Dark by Rimmel
Two posts and two different pairs of glasses in one day- I'm on fire (more like I'm trying to catch up with all my outfit photos!) I promise you the sister remix is coming soon, we thought we'd take them last night but Mardi Gras had other plans for us including dueling pianos (so much fun- thanks for the idea Brett!), balloon animals, some dancing and delicious Fatty Fat Fat cocktails (and yes that was the real name, probably referring to the intense calorie count and what it could do to your body if you drank too many!)
These photos were taken on Saturday after my work day, followed by a mani/pedi with my sister. It's a simple outfit where emphasis is placed on the accessories and texture of the top and tights.  My hair is looking wild and frazzled but hey that's what you get when you don't know how to use photoshop- the real deal!

"Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication." -Leonardo da Vinci

tiaraiconGlasses USA.com {Product Review}

Dress- Swapped; Belt- Thrifted; Boots- Spring; Glasses- c/o Glasses USA; Tights- Forever 21; Bracelets & Watch- Gifted; Ring- Zellers; Nail Polish- Deliciously Dark by Rimmel
I recently had the opportunity to review a pair of glasses from GlassesUSA.com , an online shop that believes that 'seeing properly shouldn't be a luxury, it should be a necessity'!

I was impressed by the wide selection and affordable price point of the fashion glasses and prescription glasses from GlassesUSA.com and the option to view yourself wearing the glasses prior to purchasing via their virtual mirror. 
 
When I was 8 years old, I wanted glasses so badly that I begged my Mum to take me to the optometrist.  As soon as I started reading the chart, I realized that I was having trouble deciphering many of the letters and have been wearing glasses ever since.  I have a prescription of -6.5 in each eye so getting my lens thinned is a necessity. GlassesUSA.com provides recommendations for lens thickness so that you don’t look like you’re wearing a coke bottle on each eye!

I chose this pair of purple frames because as someone who’s always wanted purple hair, I thought that purple glasses was a more professional way of making an outfit pop! You can shop eyeglasses by frame type, shapes, styles, materials or brands (including Lacoste, Calvin Klein, Kenneth Cole and Coach). 


{Full disclosure- GlassesUSA.com provided me with this pair of glasses for review however all opinions expressed are mine.  I have not been financially compensated by GlassesUSA.com for this product review}


GlassesUSA.com has provided my readers with a discount code Blog10 to be applied when you buy glasses from their site and there is currently free shipping on all US orders if you use the coupon code freeship10

Monday, February 20, 2012

tiaraiconwardrobe

Pants- Thrifted; Turtleneck- Club Monaco (Swapped); Necklace- The Bay; Bracelets- Gifted; Shoes- Winners; Nail Polish- Deliciously Dark by Rimmel
 My man and I rarely argue but one of our biggest fights was when we were assembling this 8 foot tall Ikea wardrobe. Ikea home assembly...enough said! When I moved into his one bedroom condo (over a year and a half ago), my possessions consisted of 2 cats and enough clothing to stock a department store.  Not having enough closet space, my man bought this monstrosity of a wardrobe for me as a welcome gift.  It currently holds my blazers, blouses, sweaters, pants, jeans, workout clothes, pajamas, tanks and tees and my huge collection of dresses and skirts live in half a closet.  I can't wait until the day when I have enough space to house all my clothing in the same space- any of these walk-in closets would do the trick!  


For once I'm actually posting the pictures on the day I wore the outfit. Today was Family Day which is a provincial holiday so I spent the day wearing a bathrobe but had to eventually get dressed for a dinnertime work meeting. I'm trying to wear clothing that hasn't yet seen the light of day and I swapped this striped turtleneck months ago but wore it for the first time today.

 Speaking of family, my sister is still in Ottawa visiting, and we'll be doing a sister remix sometime this week (we had planned it for today but general laziness got in the way). To all my American friends, Happy President's Day and to everyone else, I hope you had a great weekend!

Saturday, February 18, 2012

tiaraiconnautical cheap

Pants, Top & Shoes- Thrifted; Blazer- Swapped; Necklace- Vintage; Nail Polish- Dreamer by Revlon
I'm someone who takes a while to warm up to trends.  I bought my pair of coral pants a few years ago, before coloured trousers were all the rage.  I've been seeing red jeans all over the fashion blogosphere, on the streets and on the catwalks but didn't think the style would work for me.  So when I found these red skinny jeans at my local thrift store for $4.99 I was pleasantly surprised by how they fit and how easily they could be incorporated into my wardrobe.  Now that I've finally embraced red jeans, I hope they don't go out of style anytime soon because I'm already envisioning all sorts of different ensembles featuring my new find!


I call this look 'nautical chic cheap'.  The whole outfit was under $50, the necklace being the most expensive item!

Navy blue striped top- $4.99 (thrifted)
Navy blue pinstripe blazer- free (swapped)
Red jeans- $4.99 (thrifted)
Grey heels- $15.99 (consigned)
Silver spoon necklace- $19.99 (vintage)




My sister was behind the lens for this photoshoot and captured my improving balancing skills (thanks to Body Flow) as I was trying to put my boots back on without my bare foot touching the snow!
Jacket- Old Navy; Mittens & Scarf- Gap; Boots & Belt- Thrifted

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Friday, February 17, 2012

tiaraiconplaying catch up

Too many outfits, not enough time.  I've gotten into the habit of taking daily outfit photos (if the outfit wasn't photographed, it's like it never happened) but haven't quite yet perfected the skill of blogging everyday.  Because sometimes life just gets in the way, you all know how it is! My lovely sister (who you'll virtually meet on Monday's post) is up visiting from Nova Scotia on her University's spring break so if you notice my absence in the blogosphere it's because we're most likely doing something girly or acting like tweedle dee and tweedle dum!

{work outfit}
Dress (worn as a skirt)- Ann Taylor Loft; Cape, Necklace, Bangles & Boots- Thrifted; Tights- Forever 21; Glasses-Gucci
Sweater (worn like this) & Skirt- Forever 21; Boots- Aldo; Watch- Fossil; Necklaces- Thrifted; Ring- Logan Antiques

{cooking class outfit}
Dress- Spoof (Toronto boutique); Blouse (worn like this)- Ann Taylor (Thrifted); Boots & Headband- Aldo; Earrings- Roadtrip (Ottawa boutique)

{work outfit}
Blazer & Pants- Thrifted; Top- Ann Taylor Loft; Necklace- Swapped; Ring-Smart Set; Shoes- Payless

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

tiaraiconrain, rain, won't you stay?

Skirt (worn like this) & Top (worn like this)- Thrifted; Pantyhose- Walmart; Shoes & Necklace- Swapped; Bracelets- The Bay; Umbrella- Sakroots (gifted); Nail Polish- Dreamer by Revlon
Usually I'm the first chanting rain, rain, go away but not this time. The dreary conditions meant I could finally test out my new umbrella which was gifted to me by my Aunt & Uncle over the holidays. Besides being colourful and fun, the best part about my Sakroots parapluie is that it's eco-friendly and proceeds go towards supporting the Nature Conservancy's Plant a Billion Trees campaign. Now that's one altruistic umbrella if you ask me!



Rain, rain, won't you stay and wash my balcony crud away? 

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

tiaraiconHappy Love Day

Corduroys- Gap (thrifted); Jacket- Ann Taylor (thrifted); Scarf & Shoes- Swapped; Necklace- DIY; Nail Polish- Cherries in the Snow by Revlon
 "Love can draw an elephant through a key-hole" -Samuel Richardson


Ah Valentine's Day. Many see it as a Hallmark holiday but did you know that it was originally celebrated by the Romans as a festivity of fertility?  Men would draw a woman's name who would then become their mating partner for the next year.  Talk about leaving everything to chance! (Hopefully it wouldn't be like dodgeball in elementary school where I was always picked last.  I wouldn't want to end up with this guy!)


As cheesy as the holiday may be, at least I get I have the freedom to choose my mating partner (and he's pretty cute!) so it's a day to celebrate love and companionship. My man and I followed in the tradition of last year and kept it low-key at home.  We ate cheese, fancy dips and chocolate fondue and watched West Side Story (is it just me or is Maria very unconvincing as a voluptuous Puerto Rican?




I came home from work to a dozen roses (which I usually find predictable but the proceeds go towards the Canadian Guide Dogs for the Blind which makes them smell that much sweeter!) and an adorable high heels card with the most charming inscription.


"If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you" -AA Milne
 





What did you do this Valentine's Day? Or did you forgo the holiday and indulge in Galentine's Day celebrations instead?