Fashion Giveaway

In case some of you were interested the Lanvin for H&M dropped this past weekend and a fellow blogger is offering a giveaway of these lovely earrings.



See details here.

DAY 18 : Tutor threadz

Sunday I tutor an acquaintance at the municipal library. I've been tutoring this student since before I started my Education degree, so it's kinda nice to still see her now that I'm a teacher!

Sooo I kinda recycled my Thursday outfit which you didn't see. I was going to title that post Black and Brown. Should this be a debate or is it ok to pair black and brown? Unfortch the pic doesn't show it well, I'm wearing black jeans and the stripey brown cardigan with my brown wedge boots. I've never been a fan of this colour pairing, and this was more a result of desperation on Thursday morning but I've warmed to the idea, what do you think?



Jacket Maxstudio; cardigan boutique in Old Pasadena; jeans Gap; boots Winners; purse from Florence; awesome headband DIY.

Also after looking at yesterday's post I remade the bow on my DIY headband smaller. At first I thought it was the wool that was too thick making the bow stand up, but it was evident the bow was just too big when I compared the original photo with my own.

Happy studying!

Closet Aside : DIY Ear Warmer Bow Headband

After some intense shopping on asos on my day off I stumbled upon this and thought 'I can make that!'





What do you think?

I really don't have an interesting outfit today we did some holiday shopping, and I resisted! Hubby did get me some prezzies though!

So I thought I'd share with you my holiday nail polish shade. For Fall I've been going nuts for the second year in a row for my Metro Chic from Sephora by OPI. I have a shimmery gold that would make a nice holiday colour, but this is Chick Flick Cherry from OPI, I thought it was a bit dark at first I had wanted a classic red, but it's really growing on me and against white and black it really pops.



Actually it looks pretty bright in the pic and I have to say my manicure skillz are getting seriously bad (in the wickedest way)!

Closet Lust: Birthday Wish List

I've been wanting a certain iconic quilted bag, obviously waaay out of my price range. What do you gals think of getting an inspiration? I kinda love this one which also reminds me of Philip Lim's Edie. I also love the convertible straps, even the red one attracts me!



via Onze

By the way I love this Montreal boutique featuring local products and a various price range. They have the best accessories and have great Christmas presents options at various prices and have a promotion right now 10%, 20% or 30% off if you buy 1, 2 or 3 items. Two is easy with the affordable accessories!

This sweater makes me want to snuggle down with some hot cocoa and do nothing. Please, more.



via Gap

Lastly I had found the most perfect inspiration of this Kenneth Jay Lane ring (which I didn't know at the time) and for the life of me I can't find it again!



I've found the perfect pyramid earrings and just want a statement ring to go with it, although I usually don't really like sets...

Day 14 : Hump Day

This week is really blizzing by... in a good way, except it's my last ped day (this Friday) until Christmas! I'm sorry the outfits have been lacking, Tuesdays are full days for me.



Jacket Triple 5 Soul similar here; Cardigan Gap; Tunic Banana Republic; Legging Jacob; Boots Winners.

And just an bonus feast your eyes on these!



the recipe is here

Hubby and I are about to dig in!

Closet Aside : Autumn in a muffin

So not quite what you were thinking of but I have no photog tonight and trust me the auto-portrait skillz are bad (in the regular bad way). So to distract I want to share my favourite autumn recipe. It's adapted from a friend's recipe for which I do not have the source for, original ingredients and measurements in ().

apple walnut muffins



3/4 cup multigrain (whole wheat) flour
1/2 cup all-purpose (spelt) flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground allspice
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs
3/4 cup (1 cup) brown sugar
1/2 cup (plus 3 tbsps vegetable oil)
1 1/4 (1) cup applesauce
(1 cup pecans or walnuts) I top each muffin with a walnut half

(Heat oven to 400F.) I've used this temp but did 350F for 25 min.

Stir together flours, baking powder, baking soda, spices and salt. Whisk together eggs and brown sugar until well combined, then add oil, a littel at a time, whisking until mixture is creamy. Stir in applesauce, then fold in flour mixture until flour is just moistened. Do not overmix. Stir in nuts.

Bake ~20 minutes.

As you can tell I try to healtherize them I even added a couple tablespoonfuls of bran. I love them for a quick breakfast.

Enjoy!

Day 11 : Dinner with the In-laws

I do actually really like my in-laws, but I was being rushed and this coat bought one size too big at Off Saks makes me look square so I was trying to give myself a shape! This is as much smile as hubby could get out of me...



Coat MICHAEL Michael Kors; Purse MICHAEL Michael Kors; Cardi J Crew; Cords True Religion; Boots Winners.

Closet Lust : Christmas List

No shopping has made me go on an online shopping frenzy, does that count? Is it wrong to window shop? Is it more the act of buying that's not allowed?

Either way, this may illustrate the point of the remixing exercise although I am wildly looking forward to shopping the rest of my closet!

These textured tights in a lovely wine hue would surely add character, texture and colour to any outfit!



via Gap

I've been wanting a double duty purse with short handles and a cross-body strap for a while and when I treated myself in Paris this summer that was the only thing missing from my coveted 24 heures from Gerard Darel, but this lovely purse from J. Crew would fit the bill, it does have a Marc Jacobs feel to it with the turnlock.

I would also love to have a pair of pleated high waisted cropped pants. Sounds like an atrocity I know, but I really love the androgyny of this style, I'm just not sure for footwear in my cold climate.



via Zara

Zara does offer a nice array of footwear too, at the beginning of the season I was really gunning for oxfords or motorcycle boots, and I ended up with a lovely pair of conservative and very useful booties, but I will watching for a few of these to go on sale!
























via Zara
here and here

I tried on the strappy ones and am a bit concerned about comfort but at a reasonable price I wouldn't say no, a nice reasonable alternative to Vivienne Westwood's iconic pirate boots. My colleague came to work wearing the oxford booties and told me she found them quite comfortable.

TBC, because obviously the closet lust never ends.

Day 10 : Post Parent Teacher Meeting Chillax

After spending a (well deserved) day in my jammies planning all along to go for a run we went to meet up our favourite double date partners. This is more pure military...

Day 8 : Ped Day

I know I know I've been neglecting! This is a two days ago post and yesterday again something as silly as my life got in the way of me snapping a shot... Sorry!

Tuesday was a Ped Day and I had a workshop conference to attend.







What do you think of my military and marine inspired look, I call it Elle in the Navy! See how I wore the bold stripes on the weekend!

Day 6: Make Up

To make up for a lack of Day 5 I put up two outfits for Saturday, a day at the mall outfit:



Beret Benetton; Scarf BR; Handbag Gerard Darel; Jacket Danier; Top Joe Fresh Fall 2010; Jeans TJ MAxx (Paige Premium Denim); Booties DSW (Naturalizer).

And a family supper followed by drinks outfit:





Top BR; Cardigan Club Monaco; Leggings Jacob; Booties DSW (Naturalizer); Hat Club Monaco; Jacket Danier.

I know what you're going to say... Mall? MALL?! But Christmas shopping is too hectic in December and it doesn't count if it's not for me an absolutely necessary! (Please agree.) And those earrings I got at BR that I thought would be perfect for someone else but ended up getting them something better well it's not my fault they would be perfect for me...

Closet Aside : First Harvest

Aside from being a shopaholic clothes horse, I also love food and am always on the lookout for good food. That being said health is also important and sometimes there has to be a compromise. But one thing I love to eat regardless of its health benefits are sprouts, so when I saw hubby's cousin growing her own I was piqued. Then I ran into this little locally made gadget at Montreal's food expo I had to have it, that doesn't count as shopping (my friend Em assured me!).



Here is my first harvest!





This is a mix of red clover, white radish, lentils and mung beans sprouts. Additionally Gadget can be used to make tofu and various vegan 'milks', as in almond, soy, etc.

Closet Lust : Equipment Silk Shirt

Carine Roitfeld's (the French Anna Wintour that is to say editor of Vogue France) husband has reincarnated this shirt and now imitations are everywhere. Club Monaco has a version, Jacob has a version, but Joe Fresh has by far the nicest in 100% silk in a nude hue at a ridiculously affordable price (39$). I heart.

Wear with pencil skirts, skinny jeans,... leather shorts if you dare.



via Net-a-porter

Day 4: Short and sweet

Here it is! No feet on the second, still working on it...





Jacket Banana Republic; cardigan Club Monaco; Top Joe Fresh; Necklace Banana Republic; Skirt custom; Tights Simons; Boots DSW.

Day 3: Wing It Wednesday

My colleague lovingly calls Hump Day Wing It Wednesday, in reference to our shortened schedule allowing us to improvise our lessons (I'm a Math teacher!)

Ok we're working on the photography skillz. There is definitely an improvement.



Outdoor: Hat Club Monaco; Jacket Danier; Scarf Banana Republic; Purse Gerard Darel (a little honeymoon gift). Indoor: Cardigan Club Monaco; Top Banana Republic; Jeans Gap; Boots Winners; Bad Hair on the house!

This is the face of an Elle full of culture and bbq goodness. After school, I hit up Le Musée des Beaux Arts to see the Otto Dix exhibit followed by a visit to Le Boucan. Much better than scowly morning face!

A+ (Quebecois for 'Later')

Day 2

So apparently I married hubby to take the world's least flattering picture! Additionally when I asked where my feet were, he responded 'They're THERE!' and promptly made the camera stop working. It was way too early anyway...



Top Banana Republic; cardigan J Crew Outlet; legging Jacob; boots Winners; necklace Gap, scowly morning face Priceless.

I would've done a second shoot but it's been a long day and I'm sweaty and in my workout clothes and every part of me is calling for pj's so hopefully the next picture will be better (and with feet!).

Day 1: Monday Blahs

Yes I did the dorkiest thing ever, I recreated my outfit on my spare room bed! I thought I'd be able to take my own pic but it was an epic failure...



Jacket Banana Republic Fall 2009; Scarf Banana Republic Outlet; Hat Club Monaco Winter 2008; Sweater Club Monaco; Shirt Banana Republic. (Whoa I need new places to shop!)

So this is a pretty standard outfit, my usual shirt and v-neck go to... so I'm totally cheating it by showing the outdoor version with my jacket which is not counted in my 30... it's outerwear! If you're not bored enough I wore this with black trousers and my black booties.

Hopefully inspiration will hit later this week...

30 for 30 items

Drum roll please...



Left to right : Club Monaco Fall/Winter 2009, Gap Fall 2009, boutique in Old Pasadena, J Crew Outlet.


Banana Republic Fall 2009, J Crew Outlet, Gap Summer 2010, Banana Republic Summer 2010.


Banana Republic Summer 2010, Banana Republic Fall 2009, Banana Republic years ago.



Clockwise from top left: Joe Fresh Fall 2010, Joe Fresh Fall 2010, Tahari, Club Monaco Summer 2010.


Clockwise from top left: J Crew Outlet, J Crew, Club Monaco; custom, Marciano, Club Monaco.


Jacob Fall 2009, True Religion Fall 2010, Gap.


TJ Maxx (Paige Premium Denim), boutique in Edmonton (J Brand).


Clockwise from left: DSW (Naturalizer), boutique in Paris, Winners, Winners.

The first thing Miss A said was 'Where's the colour?' Well this is what happens when I am limited, I play it safe! Neutrals, neutrals, neutrals! I want everything to go with everything and to suit as many moods and situations as possible... it's not called a challenge for no reason. Also my camera skillz aren't up to snuff yet taking away from the hues of my colours...

Let the remixing begin... see you Monday!

Dread

While indulging in my newly found singledom for this Friday evening (hubby working the night shift), watching ALL NEW What Not To Wear's and eating chocolate... I'm realizing how agonizing wearing 30 items of clothing for 30 days will be. For me.

Now I've always known in my hearts of hearts that I only really wear 20% of my clothing 80% of the time so it shouldn't be too hard, but you know that feeling when you're packing for a trip... like what's one more t-shirt? Or like another tank top takes no room!

Anyway what's your vote on a layering clause... like plain ts and tanks, do those count?

I'm only at a total of 8, but counting shoes is just cruel!

Stay tuned for my 30!

Opening ceremony

I am creating this blog to accept my sister, Miss Adventure's challenge of 30 for 30 Closet remix.

I was already on a shopping ban until the dreaded Christmas shopping season, but I broke it this weekend (darn sales at Club Monaco)! Hopefully accepting this challenge will keep me on track and maybe I'll learn a few tricks along the way!

Stay tuned!