monday inspiration

Saw this floating around facebook, and thought I would share it to get your creative juices flowing! Excited to try this!

Happy Monday (I think)!

Happy Bestie Day!

Today is the second annual Best Day (as per hellogiggles )! I wanted to post this earlier and wish my besties a great Bestie Day, but work got crazy (as you can probrably tell from the lack of blog posts over the last little while...ahem...). But it's never too late, is it?!

SO HAPPY BESTIE DAY! I have many people I consider to be my best friends, but today I will honor a few of the amazing gals in my life who I am so blessed to know.

Hannah Love Yoon and I met in Uni. This is an old photo of us. I haven't seen her in 2 years as she is living in Korea. :(  I miss her.

Jena and I met in high school, and though we don't see each other often, we have a bond where time changes nothing. She is soon to be a mama to a beautiful little boy, and I am so excited to meet him when he arrives!

Laura and I met in a spanish tutorial in University, and realized we had more in common than just our names. She makes me laugh, and brings out my a bit of my radical side!

Bethany Marie Tulloch is what Anne of Green Gables would refer to as a kindred spirit. This photo says it all. She has moved miles and miles away because she got married this past summer. I miss her very much.

And I would be leaving a VERY important person out if I didn't name my sister Melissa as one of my besties. We've been through out whole lives together, and have always remained close. Love you sis!

 I have TONS of other women in my life that I consider besties, but there are more Bestie Days to come over the years, so never fear!

Hope you have an amazing Bestie Day!

ruche chose my love story!

A few months ago, Ruche, one of my fave new online shops (check out the shop here) posted on their twitter and blog that they were going to begin featuring love stories that were submitted by readers/customers. On a whim, I decided to write the love story of me and the man in my life, and sent in the story to Ruche. In a way, I think I wrote it down more for personal reasons, so that I could document our story for us.

Fast forward a few months late, and I received an email from that they had chosen my story for their blog! I was so excited, having almost forgotten about the entire thing all together. And the fun part is that I didn't even tell my boy that I submitted it. He was so touched when he found out.

Here is a sneak peek below, but if you want to read the whole thing you will have to click on the link and read it on the Ruche site. Enjoy!

Love Stories: Connections

I had never really believed in the idea of a love that was “meant to be”. I think I told myself that I didn’t necessarily believe in “the one” because I didn’t want to feel the pressures of finding, or not finding, that specific person.

That all changed when I met my one, and only, great love.

Rob and I met about a year after I moved to Toronto at a church that I had started attending. I instantly recognized him as the drummer in a band at another church I had gone to a few times during my undergrad years in another city. We chatted quickly about the few people that we knew in common, and about how he too had moved to Toronto, about two years before I did. I thought nothing of it other than being one of those coincidences in life. It was a little funny that none of those people introduced us, however, and that we had somehow connected on our own....

Read the rest here!:

http://shopruche.blogspot.com/2011/08/love-stories-connections.html

being a nerd about your job is cool

I will be the first to admit that I am a nerd. But I think that everyone is a bit of a nerd about some things in life. I've been thinking recently about jobs, as I finally embark on a career that really means something to me...and I've decided that I'm kind of a nerd about it.

For the first time in my life, I feel that the work that I am doing is meaningful, and I actually enjoy it. I'm finishing up my last few days as an intern at Amnesty International (which I wrote about here), and was just offered a full time fundraising position at the Canadian Foundation for AIDS Research. I'm extremely excited to start my job there!

Since studying fundraising and learning more about the world of charities, I've realized that I'm a bit of a nerd for my chosen career. The first place I go on a charity's website is their donation page, I get excited about writing grant applications, and I love meeting other fundraisers...in short, I majorly nerd out.

But I don't think that this is a bad thing. I think I've been waiting to feel this way for a very long time. I'm sure that everyone has these same moments, whatever industry you work in. For me, being a nerd about my work goes hand-in-hand with contentment. I also think it makes me work harder and go beyond the call of duty, simply because I WANT to learn more and be challenged.

Do you ever feel the same way? What about your job makes you nerd out?

If you haven't found a job that makes you feel like this, I sincerely hope that you too can find a career that makes you a huge, self-proclaimed nerd!

shameless promotion

So as the girlfriend of a musician, I clearly have an obligation to promote my boy's band.

His band is called Hotkid and they just released this new video on Friday. Please enjoy and pass along! Also, see if you can spot me!

lauren moffatt fall 2011

I haven't done a designer feature in a long time, but that's partly been because some of my favs haven't released their fall collections yet. But they are starting to emerge, slowly but surely! I can't believe we're at this point in the summer already. August always seems to fly by as we grasp on to those last days of summer. I love summer, but I also love the fall, and a big part of that is because of fall collections!

Earlier in the year, I featured Lauren Moffatt's spring/summer collection. I had just discovered her, and totally fell in love with her designs and styling. And I have NOT been disappointed by her new fall collection!

I'm starting to get some really great fashion inspirations for this fall already! But trying not to get too far ahead of myself, and concentrating on enjoying this last month before the sun starts to set earlier.

snippets of summer

I love snapping pictures with my phone because it's so easy. I wanted to share with you some of  my summer, and thought that posting some of the photos archived in my phone would be the best way.

Here's a bit of what I've been up to:


1. Trying macaroons for the first time!

 2. Strolling around my city in the evenings! I feel so blessed to be living here!

3. Going to LOTS of my boy's shows. (He's hidden in the back on the drums)

4. Brunching!

5. Enjoying the peonies that popped up in my front yard!

6. Watching my boy open the first night of their tour with this little Canadian band (aka Sloan).

7. Attending weddings in large fancy hats.

8. Eating ice cream treats with sister!

9. Going on biking adventures with friends!

10. Spending lots of quality time with my man!

I'm loving this summer, and I hope that you're loving it as well!

simple

It's a rainy, foggy day so I wanted to just feel comfortable today. This is a simple, no-fuss outfit thats perfect for the weather. We haven't had rain in quite awhile, so I don't mind it today. It's a nice change of pace from the heat-wave of last week. I am hoping though, that the weather improves for the long-weekend we have ahead! Looking forward to a bit of a break from my very hectic week.



Vintage 1950's umbrella. Ring and bracelet from Aldo Accessories.

 

Thrifted black flats

 

Thrifted pink button-up blouse (one of my fav shirts!)

Cheap Monday jeans

Hope the weather is great where you are! 

sticking with it

So I'm going to take a break from my normal posts, and do one with a little more writing. I've been thinking about this whole blog thing lately, and feeling slightly unmotivated. That got me thinking about one of the first posts that I did, Committment Issues . I publicly stated that I was going to remain faithful to this blog, and I think that means that I need to push through even when I feel unmotivated or uninspired...or simply when life becomes busy. I do think its ok for me to go a week or two there without posting, because lets be honest, we all get busy now and then, but I need to push myself to maintain some consistency.

I started this blog as a creative outlet for myself, so I want to make sure that I allow myself the time in my schedule to be creative. I've recently started writing for a website and blog of an non-profit organization (more details on that later), and it got me thinking about calling myself a blogger if I don't actually blog.

All I want is for this to be a venue for me to be creative, share a bit of myself, and to just be REAL. And, alas, sometimes that means sucking at this whole blog thing.

But that's ultimately what commitment is all about isn't it. Sometimes its easy and fun, and other times its harder and you need to just keep going no matter what, whether its in your career, relationship, or with your hobbies. We all have times when we feel like giving up.

I've been learning a lot about sticking to my commitments this year, and hopefully I'm doing better. And hopefully those lessons are paying off.

What about you? Do you have areas of your life where sometimes commitment seems a little hard? What do you do to stick with it?

lo's favourites 10

I'm back! Opps, bit of an unplanned hiatus there. Seems to be happening quite a bit this summer. What have I been up to? Mostly working and enjoying the summer!

Just thought I would share some fun fav things!

Fun DIY project of adding vintage wallpaper to the inside of plain envelopes! From Project Wedding

Amazing stretch jersey dress from Spotted Moth

Such a cool idea for old vintage suitcases! I love finding these, but never have a use for them. Now I do! Simple instructions on Design Sponge

Bah! Cutest kitchen appliances ever from Big Chill! Never though I would get excited by an oven before!

Polka dotty fun from Topshop

Fort idea! I've been wanting to build a fort for the last little while, but it's been brutally hot. Going to reference this for later! Again from Design Sponge

It's been a massive, record break heat wave this week, so I've been trying to survive. Also have acquired a few new wardrobe pieces that need to be shown off. Stay posted!

happy birthday canada!

Today Canada turned 144! We are still so young! I celebrated by meeting friends in a big downtown park and just relaxing. It was so perfect! Plus, the boy returned this evening from being on tour again, so that completed my day nicely!

Friendlies!

Another friendly

My rusty old bike, and my new maxi dress! Reminds me of fireworks, which seemed appropriate for the occasion!

wednesday

Is it weird that I whenever I write the word Wednesday, I have to say it "wed-nes-day" in my head?
It's definitely Wednesday, and I'm definitely looking forward to this long weekend.

Is anyone else feeling the mid-week lull?

crazy pants

Meet my crazy pants...well technically, crazy onesie....cause its all one fantastic piece. I actually purchased this last year at the vintage store I used to work at, but didn't end up wearing it very much. This summer it's become a favourite item and is getting lots of wear. It's fun, bright, and SO incredibly comfortable! I even had a random man on the street refer to them as MC Hammer pants. I'll take it! Best compliment ever!

vintage Cartier bag

Also, I would like to introduce you to my new shoes from modcloth.com. These puppies came to me all the way from LA, and were worth all that postage.

vintage sunglasses, bracelets from Aldo Accessories

This outfit make me so happy and always puts me in the best mood for my day! What item in your closet makes you smile the most?

a place for the ladies

Want to be inspired by cute, funny, and interesting things? Then head to my new favourite website, hellogiggles.com! This is a place for gals, and gals only!

Co-founders Zooey Deschanel, Sophia Rossi, and Molly McAleer have created a brilliant website full of everything a girl needs/loves. There is something on there for everyone, and I have to say, the website lives up to its name. Lots of giggles there. All the writers on the site are bloggers from all over (a few from Canada) and from all age groups (there's one blogger who is 12 years old!).

Some highlights include the reality tv episode recaps (so funny), the "cuteness" section, and the "how to" section.

This is definitely a site not to be missed by any fashion savy, compassionate, witty, sarcastic, handy, and powerful woman. So get clicking ladies!

http://www.hellogiggles.com/

I have a new job!

So I know I've been absent the last week and a bit, and I've felt horrible to all my blog readers, but I've been busy transitioning from classes to work and its felt like a bit of a whirlwind. But I'm finally getting settled in!

I'm interning over the summer as part of my graduate program at Amnesty International! Amnesty is an organization that works to promote human rights around the world through advocacy and research. I'm so honoured and excited to be given this opportunity. I'm only 2 days in, but I feel like it's exactly where I'm meant to be. I'm so inspired by the people that I'm working with, and the work that Amnesty does as a whole. There's something so incredible about being surrounded by people who have a real sense of purpose and excitement about their jobs.

They set up a nice desk for me, and I snapped a few pics on my phone that I'm sharing with you so you can get an idea of where I work.

My lovely and BIG desk!

I have office supplies!

Thank you letter madness!

My position at Amnesty is assisting with the monthly giving program in the Fundraising (Resource Development) department. I get to connect with donors and talk about why the work that Amnesty does is so important.

SO, visit the Amnesty website (www.amnesty.ca), read about what we do, get involved, and spread the word!

And I promise I will be better at blogging! ;)

polka dots

Went to the Clothing Show downtown this weekend, and came home with this polka dotty number....

Cardigan from Costa Blanca

Top from Garage

Vintage polka dot PANTS (bet you thought it was a skirt, huh?!)

Vintage suede wedge sandals

Vintage belt, earrings, and bracelets. The BF wanted me to include the tree in this photo, hence the weird pose

So happy that summer seems to finally have arrived in Toronto! Feeling inspired for some fun, summery outfits. I promised that I would reveal the Mod Cloth shoes, and that promise will be fullfilled, my people. Coming soon! I also want to point out that these photos prove why I could never be a good model :)