On Being Social Media'd Out + How That Relates to Hot Chocolate

Hi friends. As some of you may or may not have noticed, my posts have been increasingly less frequent. When I realized this, many excuses came to mind like being busy with my new job, having no one to take photos of me, Calgary being too cold and so on. While those things may be true (especially the last one!), it finally dawned on me the REAL reason for my lack of posting. I'm social media'd out! And while I did just make up that term, it really is the best way for me to describe what has happened. I'm not saying this as an excuse or a complaint. In fact, it's really the exact opposite. In my job as a marketing coordinator, a large part of my daily to-do list is doing social media. This varies from long term strategic thinking and planning to day to day posts on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and even the odd blog post. Don't get me wrong, I absolutely love this about my job but it is now part of my job. I think a large part of me took to social media and this blog as a creative outlet when I wasn't getting that in my daily life. Now I do get it, each and every day and I couldn't be more thrilled. I'm not ready to let go of this wee little blog quite yet but I do have to admit to and be okay with the fact that I won't be posting on it as regularly as I had initially set out to do. In the meantime, if you miss me too much (and I won't hold that against you!), please come visit me at the Triple Flip blog! While I may be writing to tweens, it's still me coming up with the ideas and I bet you'll enjoy a thing or two over there.

Oh yes, why am I posing with hot chocolate you ask? Great question, I would've asked the same thing! The answer, in short, is because that is just how awesome my job is. I get to make delicious hot chocolate recipes, bribe my mom (with hot chocolate, of course) to take photos of me doing it and then call it a blog post. This is my job! This hot chocolate post will be up on the Triple Flip blog on Tuesday, December 3, so take a look if you want to learn how I made them.

j.

Working with Eleven Year Olds

 

plaid shirt & sweater {Old Navy} - jeans {RW&Co} - booties {Steve Madden}

It's been a long while and for that I am sorry! 

Things are off to a smashing start at my new job, I really couldn't be happier. A couple weeks ago, I organized a double photo shoot, which is two girls in the morning and two girls in the afternoon. While this may sound like a piece of cake to you, I can assure you that it's not. I can also assure you that I now know why my coworkers looked at me like I had fallen from the crazy tree when I suggested this plan. Anyways, they let the new girl play crazy (joke was definitely on me...) and I had two sets of eleven year olds come in and model a couple outfits each. Now, I had been around models here and there when I was in NYC but this was just a bit different. First off, these girls weren't models because we use real customers and fans of the brand as our models. Second of all, they were eleven. Each set of girls were best friends, which makes it really fun, but it also makes it challenging. Challenging in the sense that fighting over which washroom to change in and competing for best pose are normal occurrences. If you've spent any time around eleven year old girls, you may have an idea of what this double photo shoot was like. Don't get me wrong, the girls did great and we got a ton of awesome photos. But it was four straight hours of high pitched chatter, references to One Direction, and lots and lots of giggling! Besides needing an endless supply of energy, I did learn a few things throughout the day. First, never give them the choice of what to wear (and if you can tell that one girl didn't love her first outfit, make her second outfit really special). It's also quite important to keep them focused and on track - never let them look at the photos during the shoot and don't be afraid to kick mom out of the room (politely, of course!). Help them let their guards down by letting yours down too - if you want them to be goofy, you better be goofy yourself! And last but certainly not least, brush up on your tween pop culture because once they tell you they don't listen to One Direction, Selena Gomez, Katy Perry or The Biebs, you will have NOTHING. Nada. Nilch.

As crazy as having back to back photo shoots was, they were a ton of fun...so fun that I'm having another one on Friday! (only a single one though....I did learn from my crazy)

j.

Calling All Booties

 

 

top & jeans {RW&Co} - booties {Dolce Vita via Century 21} - watch {Target}

So, I have a bit of a thing for ankle booties. What exactly is a bootie anyways? Is it a cross between a boot and a shoe? (I'm trying really hard to not make a joke about something called a "shoot" right now...). I'm sure there are varying definitions, but in my head a bootie is exactly that. A nice mix of a shoe and an ankle boot. This pair happens to be one of my faves. Partly because it has a hidden wedge heel so I a) feel taller b) can still walk (because of the wedge) and c) feel like a secret-keeping rebel (because of the hidden wedge heel, of course). Also, a fun little tip to spice up a pair of boring old booties is to swap out the regular laces for a different colored pair. Trust me, instant transformation, even more instant satisfaction.

I'll let you in on a gross little secret. I have upwards of a hundred pairs of shoes. I've never actually counted - partly because I'm scared to know the truth but mainly because there are just too many shoes - but I know it has to be close. Many of these shoes are booties (or ankle boots, or whatever you want to call them). They just seem to be the perfect complement to any Fall outfit. Warm feet without hot legs (this sounded much better in my head). Can be worn with skinny jeans, skirts or dresses. Oh, the possibilities!

Anyways, things are starting to get a bit weird so I'll stop. But do yourself a favor if you don't already have a pair (or ten), and go invest (at Target) in some ankle booties for the Fall.

j.

Fancy Sweatshirts + Fashion Fails

sweatshirt {Old Navy} - chambray shirt {Forever 21} - skirt {Mexx} - tights {Gap} - booties {Topshop}

At work we've been talking about the fancy sweatshirt trend that we see popping up in both womenswear and kidswear. I am quite excited about this particular trend. Partly because it gives me a valid excuse to dress like a fourteen year old girl but also because it gave me a valid...errr okay just an excuse, to buy myself a fancy sweatshirt. As many of you know, the quickest way to my heart is by putting words on a piece of clothing. The actual word "heart" on a piece of clothing...didn't stand a chance.

You know how sometimes, you get really excited to wear an outfit but for one reason or another, something just doesn't quite jive right. Most of the time it just sneaks up on you but with this outfit, I saw it coming. I knew as soon as I pulled on my skirt that the cotton tights I had chosen were a bad idea. It's kinda like how when two magnets get near each other they're compelled to stick together. Well, consider my tights and skirt a pair of really strong magnets. Every time I walked or really even moved my legs at all, my skirt would inevitably get stuck to  my legs and bunch in unfortunate ways. I really should've just switched my tights or skirt (how 'bout one with lining...), but I was running late, had a vision, couldn't find any other tights, was too stubborn to change skirt because of stupid girl stuff, I didn't. So anyways, to wrap up this marathon of a story about tights, without better judgement, I wore something I knew was bound to malfunction. And so it did. And so I received not one, but two stink eyes as I walked by with THIS happening. And this, my friends, is known as a #FashionFail.

 

you're welcome :)

j.

Seriously Flipping for My New Job!

sweater, jeans & boots {Gap...didn't even plan that!) - necklace {gift from kiki}

I have some seriously great news to share! I've finally landed myself a job and it's not just any old job. It's THE job. The job I wished for, the job I would've happy danced for in NYC, the job I never thought would come along in little old Calgary. But it did, and I got it! Certainly not for lack of trying either. It was a long and intensive process, involving videos, a couple of interviews and on the spot brainstorming challenges. It's everything I hoped for and more, and the thoroughness of their hiring process only confirmed the type of company I thought they were and the caliber of the people who work there. Without further ado, I am so pleased to tell you that I am now the Marketing Coordinator at Triple Flip!

Triple Flip is an activewear company for young girls - aged six through twelve (or so). It was founded in Calgary in 2005 and has seen impressive growth over the past eight years. We (we!) are about to open our eleventh retail store in Toronto and also have an e-commerce website. The clothing is fun, vibrant, athletic but still stylish and everything I would've flipped for when I was a young girl. I've only been there for about a week and a half but already I am loving it (huge understatement). I get to do everything from social media to organizing photoshoots and even naming new products and describing them in what we like to call our "flip voice". For those of you who know me, know that this is basically the cat's pyjamas/bee's knees/peanut butter to my jelly. Yeah...so I'm excited.

The owner/founder/CEO (this woman!) is unlike anyone I've ever had the pleasure of meeting. She is an extremely savvy businesswoman (obviously) but also has such a passion and energy for what she is doing. She is the most involved CEO I've ever heard of, which is so refreshing, because she genuinely cares and has an interest in every aspect of her business. She is an expert communicator, listens to what you have to say and shows a vested interest in you. The last thing I'm going to share right now is about how she introduced me to the whole company. She sent this incredible welcome email out to everyone that basically described everything I've done and where I've come from - the stuff that my resume shows as well as what I'd added in my interviews. I know none of the things she said were news to me, but it was how she said it and interpreted it that blew my mind. She made me sound really, really amazing. I mean, this email you guys was so amazing that I may have forwarded it to my parents (since they're the only ones I can not so humble brag to) and am thinking about printing it out and framing it (ok...not really...but maybe printing it). There was one line in it that had me so excited because it has been something I have never known how to put into words. She defined my personal style, just by listening to what I said and adding her own twist. She described me as a "fashion curator for my wardrobe, which is a thoughtful and eclectic mix of treasures found and patterns mixed". And that, my friends, is where all my dreams came true and my heart burst into a million tiny pieces of pure joy.

Needless to say, I am beyond excited to have this amazing challenge and opportunity ahead of me, and this company and the people behind it make me want to be better and do better each and every day.

j.

Getting a Head Start on Halloween

shirt {DKNY} - jeans {Gap} - boots {RW&Co} - purse {Target} - necklace {NYC street vendor} - rings {The Bay}

My sissy (in law) snapped these pics of me outside of Value Village before we headed in to search for some 60's inspired garb for a Mad Men themed costume party. I have to tell you that now is the time to hit up the thrift stores if you're in need of a Halloween costume. There was so much good stuff that I ended up not buying anything costume related (obviously I still bought two other "real life" items, who do you think I am?!). The choices were abundant and I got overwhelmed by the possibilities. A strong contender was a royal blue 100% silk sequined number with fabulous shoulder pads. Think Vanna White in the late 80's. In hindsight, I may have to go back for that one...

Other standouts included grass skirts (I mean, who doesn't want to wear a grass skirt?) and rubber snakes attached to shirts (what?). And since the following onesie is just too good I will leave you all with this...enjoy and happy Sunday!

j.

If you could describe yourself in one hashtag, what would it be?

 

tee & watch {Target} - skirt & long necklace {Loft} - heels {Kelly & Katie via DSW} - star necklace & karma ring {Silpada} - bow ring {Madewell}

I have been asked some pretty off-the-wall questions in interviews before, but the above question is probably the weirdest (and best!) one I've gotten thus far. I'm not sure what it says about me that I didn't find it that odd at the time nor did it take me long to think of my answer. Almost immediately, after a small chuckle, I answered "hashtag stripes" or #stripes, if you will. It came to me very naturally, even before I realized I was wearing a striped skirt, only further proving my point. I then followed it up with an anecdote involving one of my NYC girls (hey Andee!) tagging me in an Instagram photo of Joe Fresh striped shirts, only because it reminded her of yours truly. What can I say, I love my stripes and those who know me, know that.

Oh, and I'm pretty sure having an answer right away just means I'm a big social media nerd. And I mean #BIG. ;)

j.

New Hair + New Shoes = Blog Post

 

 

 

t-shirt {Gap} - skirt {J. Crew} - sandals {Le Chateau} - rings {The Bay} - necklaces {UO, etsy, Madewell} - 

wrinkles in skirt {bedroom floor}

So I'm really digging the casual tee paired with a dressier skirt thing these days. This outfit was my attempt at that but really the skirt should be a bit fancier than this one. Maybe with pleats or something. Because pleats mean fanciness. 

Tomorrow is my birthday, Friday is the day I leave for Phoenix and Saturday is the day I melt into a ginger puddle in the middle of the desert. But at least I got my hair did and bought myself a new pair of shoes before the aforementioned melting. So that's something.

j.

That Time I Wore a Football Tee & Baseball Hat and Called Myself Sporty

hat {Target} - tee {H&M} - pants {Joe Fresh} - shoes {TOMS, thrifted}

Next Friday my whole family (aunt, uncle, cousins and babe too!) leave for Phoenix to celebrate my grandma's 90th (!!!) birthday. While we're there, a bunch of us are going to a real live baseball game. Naturally the first thing I do is go shopping for a baseball tee to wear to the game. I didn't find a baseball tee but I did find this football jersey tee. This is not the first time I have sought out something to wear to a sporting event. Right before I left NYC, I went to a Rangers hockey game wearing a Rangers tee I had purchased a few days before. 

I asked a guy friend if wearing a football tee to a baseball game would make me look foolish. He said no (I'm sure he actually meant yes) so I'm going with it. Rest assured if I find an actual baseball tee before the game, I will buy that too. You can take the shopper to a sports game, but you can never take the shopper out of the girl....or something really poetic like that.

j.

j. loves {her} style: The Original Boho

Remember when I tied a scarf around my head and called it fashion? Well, I got that idea from my favorite boho beauty, who also happens to be my bestie. This is Sasha Rae and I will always love her style. Sash is one of those people who just naturally pulls stuff off. I mean, this girl was rocking the lace bralettes and band tanks waaay before they were cool. But she always looked cool doing it, if you know what I mean. While she certainly has a natural style and is, of course, drawn to items that reflect it, she is probably the most thoughtful shopper I have ever known. She may actually be my shopping opposite. Where I base decisions on emotion and immediate satisfaction, Sasha weighs the pros and cons of each and every purchase, does a complete wardrobe inventory to determine the item's need and has likely placed it on hold every three days for the past two weeks. 

In the end, she winds up with a perfectly curated and unique wardrobe that is 100% true to her personal style. Perhaps she may be on to something...

j.

Some Advice to a Younger Me

sunnies {OASAP} - necklace & shirt {Target} - shorts {Jacob} - belt {Loft}

Oh, hi guys! So, as we all know from the amount of DIY projects I have instagrammed lately, I still don't have a job. This week, though, I heard from a company that I would love to work for. It's a girls' clothing company and as part of the interview process I had to make a video that embodied the brand's image. Well, I live for this stuff. I felt like I was back at school and was just assigned a cool project (nerd alert). I don't want to give too much away because I will show the video here (eventually) but this assignment has me jazzed. It really made me realize how much I was missing being challenged creatively. 

Over the past two days, I have been recording some female friends and family answering the question "if you could talk to a younger you, what advice would you give her?". It has been the most fun! Everyone is getting into it. There has been a lot of laughter, the best facial expressions and a healthy dose of awkwardness. The themes so far have definitely been "be yourself" and "be nice". Having only been thinking of this for the last 48 hours, I thought of a few other things to add.

To 13* year old me,

Learn what it is you love to do and do it. Never belittle your passion. Know that this is only the beginning of your story and you have the power to change it. You're not as awkward as you think (okay...maybe you are). Also, don't worry because everyone feels the same way you do.

Love,
27, almost 28 year old me

j.
 

*this is my chosen age because I felt like this is when I would want to give myself advice.

The Perfect Denim Shorts

heart blouse {sample sale} - shorts {Gap} - sandals {Aldo} - sunnies {Target} - bracelet {NYC flea market}

Shorts and I have had a rather fickle relationship over the years. For the longest time, I just didn't wear them because I hate my knees, they're too tight, Victoria isn't hot enough of stupid girl stuff. In recent years though I've mended my relationship with the short and slowly started to introduce them to my closet again. Since our reconciliation I have been searching for the perfect denim cut-off short. I have bought two, thinking they could be THE ONE but alas they were not. Then, out of nowhere (OK fine, I was at Gap), I saw this pair on the sale rack. I had recently purchased two new pairs of shorts, and while we are on good terms, I didn't want to rush things. But this pair was SO soft and I knew as soon as I held them up that they could be THE ONE. I tried them on and my gut was right. THIS pair of shorts guys! I can't even. It feels like I'm wearing sweat shorts but hopefully doesn't look that way.

Anyways, moral of the story is that I'm a weirdo when it comes to shorts but I LOVE this pair. That is all.

j.

Some Paisley + Why Target will be the Death of Me

dress {Target} - sandals {Aldo} - earrings {etsy}

I'm not even sure if paisley is still in style but I've always had a soft spot for this print. I have to say the shape of this dress is making stars align and unicorns appear for me. I have to thank Target for bringing this dress into my life but I also have a few bones to pick with them. They came to Canada and while I was a bit skeptical after visiting one in a mall, a free-standing location opened up and decided to be all awesome and stuff. I may have gone to Target more than three times in the last ten days, I may have purchased three dresses from there in the last week and I may have said no to a pair of sunnies only to go back the very next day to buy them. I may have.

Please Target, stop being so awesome and Canadian already (kidding, don't you dare).

j.

The Head Scarf

scarf {Winners, I think} - dress {Target} - sunnies {Urban Outfitters} - sandals {Steve Madden via Century 21}

Let's talk about the head scarf for a minute. I'll be real honest here folks and admit that I needed to wash my hair. Instead of doing that, though, I decided to try out tying a scarf around my head like a karate kid hippy (both names that I was called throughout the day). I should rewind for a hot second and tell you that I totally completely ripped this look off of my bestie, Sasha Rae. She wore it (under the same circumstances, I should add) last weekend in Vancouver. If people's lack of commentary about the scarf is any indication of who wore it best, than I am in trouble. The commentary wasn't negative, in fact it definitely had positive undertones and top notes, but the main theme had sort of a confused yet amused vibe. I have never worn a piece of clothing that has garnered this much attention before. I was offered scarves by two sales people in two separate stores, one of which was a bookstore and every person who saw me mentioned it, pointed at it or made a joke about it within minutes, often seconds, of seeing me. 

People's reaction to the head scarf was definitely much stronger than I ever anticipated and while I had thought that I might feel self conscious about it, I decided to own it instead. I really enjoyed wearing it and basking in the little alter-ego that it created for me. I also have to say that as a bangs girl for many consecutive years, it was a welcome relief from what usually happens in the summer (read: sweaty brow).

j.

People who give their dogs a human name + me wearing a "Blossom" hat

 

 

 

hat {Old Navy} - shirt {Winners} - shorts {Old Navy} - bracelets {NYC boutique} - necklace {Banana Republic} -

 sandals {Steve Madden via Century 21} - dog {Jimmy}

My neighbor's dog came into the back lane while my sis-in-law snapped these pics of me. He was quite curious and decided that simply going about his own business was not an option. He especially loved it when I scratched underneath his chin and even asked me to dance at one point. If this wasn't enough to win me over (it was), turns out his name is Jimmy. Jimmy! Like the tall, gangly boy in your grade 8 math class. After this encounter with the dog that has a human name, I have since had the discussion, on more than one occasion, about how funny and great this concept is. My sis-in-law wants to name her (non-existent) french bull dog, Frank whereas I think it'd awesome to have an english bull dog named Lucy. Equal parts strange and awesome.

In other, entirely unrelated news, I have come to the realization that my brand new sun hat looks an awful lot like Blossom's hat on the popular 90's sitcom. And as awesome as that resemblance may sound, I'm pretty sure it's not. I am one sunflower short of chopping my hair into a bob (been there) and busting out my denim overalls (I wish).

j.