finito!

Skirt- Thrifted (remixed like this and this); Jacket- Thrifted (remixed like this and this); Heels- Aldo; Beret- Alfred Sung for Zellers; Nail Polish- Static Electricity by L.A. Colours (blue) & Happy Birthday by Deborah Lippman (sparkles)

I can't believe that the summer edition of Kendi Everyday's 30x30 remixing challenge has come and gone.  I found the summer challenge was much more difficult than the winter version but like last time, I loved finding new and creative ways to mix and match my existing wardrobe.

Take-aways from the challenge (click on the bold words for more outfits)

-I love myself with a tan (fake or not)

-I really don't like light pink on me (in fact I donated this top to a local thrift store)

-My new favourite clothing colour is yellow

-I am hopeless when it comes to hairdos

-My Mum should have been a model posing coach

-Wrap dresses look great as tops (especially if the material is lightweight)

-My balcony could do with a scrubbing

-I should wear my glasses more often

-Drinking wine while posing for outfit photos might send the wrong message...

-and last but not least- I love colours & patterns

I thought it would be fun to end the challenge with the same skirt I started my remix with.

{Click to make the photo collage larger- #16 is when I discovered spray on tanning...My favourite outfits are #3, 9, 14, 18 & 23 and my least favourite are #2, 8, 13 & 21}

**Pssstt I'm the featured blogger today over at a local fashionista's blog, Petite Adventures- check it out here and say hello!**

organized to a 'tee'

Yellow Pants- GAP (remixed like this); Striped Top- Thrifted (remixed like this and this); Blue Blouse- Thrifted (remixed like this); Sandals- Old Navy; Belt- Thrifted

When asked about my organizational skills in a job interview I answered with honesty "my schedule is organized but my workspace never is".  (Surprisingly enough I got the job and am still in it).  With the exception of a three hour time frame right after cleaning day, my condo looks like a war zone with clothes in piles everywhere and untouched bills scattered across my desk.  One aspect of my life that I like organized are vacations.  It seems contradictory to most people who want to relax on their holiday but I like to go on excursions, explore the local area and have a sense of accomplishment.  

On my October trip to California, I had a detailed itinerary even going so far as picking restaurants (and sometimes even my meal) ahead of time.  My home boy and I leave for our trip to San Diego (his business trip) and Hawaii (my belated birthday gift) in 1 week (eeek!) and besides booking our flights and reserving the hotels, I haven't planned a thing.  I've been so busy with life that my vacation organization has taken a back seat.  I plan on doing some last minute planning this weekend because as nice as lying on a beach is, I need some adventure to keep me stimulated!

few words

Romper (worn as shorts)- Thrifted (remixed like this); Tee- GAP (remixed like this and this); Heels- Fergalicious by Fergie; Necklace- DIY

In my last post I talked about what a chatterbox I am, but today (in true Emily contradictory fashion) I am a woman of few words.  Having worked a 2-in-1 yesterday (that's my clever phrase for extreme overtime), I am beyond drained.  It's not so much the 16 hour shift that will kill you, it's the day afterwards.  Waking up today was worse than pulling teeth and I am pretty sure I just glared at my poor man as a morning greeting (eyeshades still on my head and earplugs still firmly rooted in my ears!)

I think the Red Bull is starting to kick in...

When you're exhausted are you grumpy and silent (like me) or can you still muster up energy?

complimentary love

Skirt- Thrifted (remixed like this); Chambray shirt- Liz Claiborne (remixed like this); Wedges- Steve Madden; Ring- Zellers; Belt- Thrifted; Hair clip- Handmade by Pink Beautiful Love

I am rarely a woman of few words.  When my main man and I go out for dinner, I tend to yak yak yak and he often nods and makes encouraging noises.  While this used to irritate me (don't you have anything to say?), I now appreciate it as it gives me an opportunity to vent.  My ex was even more of a chatter box than I am, so much so that our conversations were riddled with interruptions as one of us tried to blurt out a story before the other started their speal.  In this way I love my silent partner because when he speaks it is usually something worth saying whereas I like to share (in excrutiating detail I'm sure) every little fact about my day. 

Heck my man and I couldn't get any more different.  He likes to relax, preferring to spend his weekend on the couch watching movies or playing video games whereas I need to be on the go, with lists of things I want to get accomplished.  He knows exactly what he wants out of his life and I sometimes feel like I'm hurtling through it all blindly, not knowing which way to turn.  He likes R&B music, I like country, he loves a juicy steak, I'm a vegetarian.  Not to mention the 13 year age difference (that sure makes generational references difficult!)

I look pretty mean don't I! And tough too because I'm violating that loading zone! (oh dear that didn't sound right...)                  Shorts- GAP (remixed like this); Top-Mexx (remixed like this and this); Wedges- Steve Madden; Belt- Thrifted; Necklace- Dragon Moon; Glasses- Gucci

But you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way because if you had the exact same personality and interests as your partner and friends, what would be left to share?

(Oh and if you hadn't noticed I'm wearing this lace shirt backwards to really remix it up!)

Do you believe in the saying: 'opposites attract?'

secret keeper

Shorts- H&M (remixed like this and this); Blouse- Thrifted (remixed like this and this); Sandals- Target; Belt- Banana Republic (Gifted from 20 York Street); Clutch- Thrifted; Bracelets- Dragon Moon & Thrifted; Sunglasses- Aldo; Nail Polish- Habit by LA Girl Addict

I've never been great at keeping secrets, so when I decided to plan a surprise birthday party for my main man, I thought I would blow the cover.  However over a month of planning has come and gone and last Tuesday was the night of his soiree and he didn't suspect a thing.  All of his friends showed up on time (which was a miracle in itself) and I grinned like a cheshire cat when everyone yelled SURPRISE! He told me it was his best birthday ever and lots of sweet nothings were whispered in my ears afterwards.

I ordered two dozen custom made cupcakes from Geek Sweets of his favourite video game The Witcher and the family crests from the HBO show Game of Thrones.  The best part about the cupcakes? They tasted even better than they looked!

Random fact about me- I am fine when it comes to blowing up balloons but when it comes down to tying them, I am a lost cause.  Not only is it painful, the end always slips off my finger resulting in a deflated balloon.  So I had the ingenius idea of tying the ends with ribbon thinking that would do the trick.  Instead they slowly but surely started to shrink...

...which resulted in this note that he was apalled I left on our front door! ;)

Don't despair- I didn't bare my belly for his birthday soiree- I wore this dress (albeit not part of the 30x30).  I wore my high waisted shorts and tucked in blouse for a leisurely stroll through the humidity that is Ottawa.

candy striper

Dress- Anthropologie (remixed like this); Belt & Clutch- Thrifted; Earrings- Aldo; Shoes- Pierre Dumas

When I was younger I dreamt of being a candy striper. Wearing the cute red & white striped uniform while helping patients in the hospital seemed like the perfect fit for me.  So in High School I applied for a voluntary candy striper position at my local hospital.  I even remember asking in the interview if I would get to wear the uniform.  Unfortunately the answer was no, I guess these sexed up nurse outfits had been made redundant decades ago (although having someone who looked like this tend to my bedside would probably make me feel better in a heartbeat!)

This is my Super Candy Striper Pose.  Even though I couldn't wear the cute uniform, I still loved my voluntary position in the hospital, especially working with Alzheimer patients (my Nana had dementia so it is an illness that is near and dear to me). 

I feel like a whirling dervish!

Ok, ok I got another spray on tan (I think I'm addicted- although it does fade drastically after your first shower)

This is what I would wear as an adult candy stripper I mean striper :)

inspired by...

Skirt- Thrifted (remixed like this and this); Dress (worn as a top)- Thrifted (remixed like this); Sandals- Old Navy; Earrings- AMH Style; Nail Polish- Polished by Revlon;  Snake Bracelet- A SweeT

I've been running out of steam for my recent 30x30 remixes so I called upon inspiration from some of my favourite fashionistas.  Like Shopping & Spreadsheets, I included a solid colourful skirt in my remix and have found it is one of the easiest things to mix and match.  I wore my snake bracelet, which if I had to pick a favourite piece of statement jewellery this would be it.  I almost like it as much as Chic on the Cheap loves her gorgeous starfish cuff (which I am seriously lusting after!) I was having one of those blech hair days so I pulled my hair into a tight bun and by the end of the day I was suffering from major 'angry hair' as The Closet Shopper would say! To add a completely different look to this remix, I wore my Canada Day dress as a top, making sure to tuck it in nice and tight so I didn't have any weird thigh bumps.  Instead of tucking in the built in belt, I tied it around the skirt to tie the outfit together.  And I threw on my 99 cents jelly flipflops from Old Navy because well they're comfy, cute and match the dress! I felt pretty, fresh and inspired in this outfit, a good day all in all!

For all you smaller chested ladies (like me), a wrap dress does wonders for your chest.  Not to toot my own horn or anything but check out that cleavage!

This is what I would look like as a snob (think Olivia Palermo- although when you look as good as she does I can imagine it's hard not to be a little self-involved!)

from work to wine

From Work...

Skirt- Thrifted (remixed like this and this); Top- Mexx (remixed like this); Sandals- Suzy Shier; Bracelet- Aldo; Earrings- Vintage

Yellow Shrug- Thrifted

Come visit me at twentynine where I'm guest posting today, showing you how to take your look from day to night by simply changing up your accessories! 

(If you're wondering why my skin colour has changed drastically since my last post it's because these photos were taken pre-spray tan, so technically it's not my 21st outfit but more like my 15th but hey who's counting!)

To Wine!

Shoes- Pierre Dumas; Clutch- Spring; Necklace- Smart Set

i'm a big kid now

Tee- GAP (remixed like this and this); Skirt- GAP (remixed like this); Shoes- Fergalicious by Fergie; Earrings- Betsey Johnson (worn like this); Headband- Goodie

I mentioned a few months ago that I had been accepted to complete my Masters of Social Work degree at my alumnus University.  However it didn't feel real until today when I registered for my graduate classes.  Research & Evaluation, Advanced Theory of Social Administration & Policy and Women & Social Policy are just a few of my courses and I am nervous yet excited to start this new chapter in my life.  The Master's program is only a year and my scholarship covers half of the tuition so this was one opportunity I just couldn't pass up.  In two months I'll be a 'graduate student'- I just love how that sounds!

This is pretty much how I dressed while in University while I was in my undergraduate studies so I plan on staying fashionably conscious for my Masters as well! Nothing like a great pair of heels and a cute outfit to keep you looking studious!

Dress (worn as a top)- Topshop (remixed like this and this); Trousers- Thrifted (remixed like this); Sandals- Old Navy; Earrings- Homemade by my Mum; Nail Polish- Polished by Revlon