flower power

Capris, Top & Bracelet- Thrifted; Shoes- Fergalicious by Fergie

I think I need an intervention from my floral pants addiction!  You've all seen these bad boys (worn here & here) but did you know I recently thrifted another 3 pairs? I therefore dub this week "flower power" as I debut my various botanical bottoms!

My Dad (who I haven't seen since Christmas) happened to be in Ottawa this weekend for work, so it was great to spend some time together!

"To be overcome by the fragrance of flowers is a delectable form of defeat."  (Beverly Nichols)

microwavable fedora

Top- Gap; Shorts, Fedora, Shoes, Purse, Necklace & Bracelets-Thrifted; Ring- Smart Set; Nail Polish- Rich in Spirit by Nicole by OPI

I love hats as I think they're the perfect accessory to funk up any outfit! My black & grey fedoras are great but I wanted something lighter for the summer months.  When I saw this straw fedora for $4.99 at my local thrift store I scooped it up but quickly got to thinking about hygiene and how buying a used hat is almost like buying second hand undergarments (eeek!).  I still really wanted the hat so my Dad suggested I microwave it to ward off any unwanted critters (double eeek!) So in went the hat for 15 second heated intervals, followed by a quick tumble in the dryer.  Good riddance, used hat creepy crawlies!

I wore this outfit today (wow, actually posting on the day I wear the ensemble, that's rare!) while furniture and appliance shopping with the man for our new house (we move in July 31, I can't wait!) The sales guy told my man he looked like a University Professor and I looked like a designer (maybe in our next lives!)

Have you ever bought a used hat? What are your second hand no-no's?

old soul

Top (worn like this)- Smart Set; Skirt (worn like this)- Spoof (Toronto); Necklace- E-Bay; Bracelet- A SweeT; Shoes- Suzy Shier (Beverly Hills)

When people meet me they tend to say things like "oh you're so young", which often throws me off guard because despite my physical age, I feel much older than my years.  My Mum says I've been like that since a child, I was always quite serious and contemplative.  I remember visiting Toronto as a child (which was the big city compared to where I grew up in suburban Nova Scotia) and giving all my spending money to the homeless and vowing that I would one day open a shelter (and this was before I started primary school!)

I'm a worrier by nature and I tend to be overly sensitive toward others (hence studying Social Work in University and becoming a vegetarian). My man is 13 years my senior but I don't notice it until others mention it, because to me, we are on the same page in life. Sometimes I get along better with colleagues my parents' age than my peers and my days of drinking excessively and dancing the night away are far behind me. That's not to say I don't like to have fun, I'm eccentric and silly (and love children activies like playing board games and visiting Lego Land), but sometimes I feel like I'm a 54 year old trapped in a 24 year old body..which to me is the best of both worlds!

Do you act your own age or do you feel younger or older than your physical self?

secret society of vegans

Pants, Shoes, Denim Jacket & Purse- Thrifted; Bowtie- Shop of Worldly Delights; Tee & Buttons- Lava Vegan  

My health food challenge is now complete and I have been eating and living as a vegan for just over a month now, thanks to the support and expertise of Ottawa's own Wellness Warrior! The transition from vegetarian to vegan was easier than I thought, having previously coated everything with excessive amounts of cheese! I've had a slight intolerance to dairy products since I was a child, so I noticed that my stomach felt much better these past 30 days and I was able to digest food more easily.  I am very excited to continue with this whole foods, plant based diet as not only is it super healthy (when done properly), it also removes a dependency on factory farming and is kinder to the environment & animals (my original motive for becoming a vegetarian a few years ago was for animal rights reasons). 

Everyone always asks "what does a vegan eat" and assume it's mostly boring salads but I can assure you it's anything but.  Here are just a few of the dishes I created during the challenge (oh yeah, another great thing about this diet change was having to be more creative in the kitchen so I now enjoy cooking and eating food that is homemade, healthy and tastes great!)

{Lemon & raspberry cupcakes}

{Homemade pizza crust with baked veggies & nutritional yeast 'cheese' sauce}

{Cornmeal crusted spicy tofu & a fresh garden salad}

{Homemade black bean guacamole with veggie chips}

{Protein salad with marinated tofu & homemade orange juice, hemp hearts and miso dressing}

{Maple marinated tempeh soft tacos with Laura's homemade mango pico de gallo}

{Bananas, dark chocolate chips and hemp hearts muffins}

{Smoky tempeh baguette with edamame hummus, served with organic veggies & fruits}

"The love for all living creatures is the most noble attribute of man." -Darwin

marina moments

I spent the past week in Marina del Rey, California for a Dress for Success worldwide conference (gathering with affiliates from all across the world, to attend workshops and network).  I was a panelist for one of the workshops and even though public speaking is one of my fears I am happy to say it went very well.  Celebrities Kim Kardashian & Jeannie Mae spoke at the event and I had a great time sharing and learning from the other ladies (and a few men).   I only had a few hours to myself out of the busy conference schedule, so I took the opportunity to explore the picturesque seaside town (I blew my shopping budget on the first day when I discovered the Australian fitness store Lorna Jane!)

{Cheerful flowers lining the main roads}

{I love seagulls, they remind me of childhood summers spent on Nova Scotia beaches}

{Room servive after a long day of conferences- veggie quinoa burger and tomato & cucumber salad}

{Beautiful floral decorated home}

{Accepting a Rookie of the Year award on behalf of our Board of Directors}

{Quiet landscape en route to Venice Beach}

{You know you're in a seaside village when...}

{Scenic Marina del Rey beach}

cigarette pants {neon}

Pants, Top, Cardigan & Ring- Thrifted; Shoes- Priceless UK; Bracelet- Boutique in Montreal; Scarf- Boutique in UK; Nail Polish- Pink a Boo by Essie & Gold Digger by Aldo

If I had to choose my favourite style of pants it would have to be cigarette pants. Slim fitting & cropped with a slight flare at the base, they remind me of something Audrey Hepburn would wear with a flowy blouse and head scarf while driving in a sassy convertible (or masculine black Audi in my case). Here are two ways I've worn these pants to work recently, the first look was for a casual Friday and the second for a volunteer recruitment session. 

{Today is neon day, a trend I am slowly but surely introducing into my closet, one lime green scarf at a time!}

Cigarette Pants; Scarf; Brooch, Bracelets & Shoes- Thrifted; Cape- Gifted from my Mum (worn like this); Striped Tank- Gap; Briefcase- Heavens to Betsy

What's your favourite style of pants?

coloured floral printing

Necklace- c/o Castellammare Designs; Pants, Denim Top & Cardigan- Thrifted; Shoes- Priceless, UK; Ring- Forever 21; Nail Polish- Fuchia Fever by Revlon

My thrifted floral pants have come out to play again, this time as part of my 'interior designer' ensemble that I wore while staging our condo (with much more comfortable shoes!) My man and I move into our new house at the end of July so I have started drawing inspiration from home magazines, decor blogs and tv shows.  Right now we only have enough furniture for a one bedroom condo so decorating a three bedroom house will take creativity as our mantra is cheap and cheerful (which was also the theme of my Mum & Step-Dad's wedding and it was a hoot!) The thing we're most excited about is having an outdoor space to call our own and plans for a veggie garden, cat playground & entertaining oasis are already being drawn up.  

I'm participating in Megan & Keely's fashion challenge and combining this and that with my 3-in-1 outfit (floral, coloured bottoms and patterned bottoms).   

Who or what inspires your home decor?