The Desert

Welcome to Palm Springs! I've been here for two and a half days. And two of those days have been devoted to shopping. Day 1 brought my Ma and I to Cabazon. The Outlet Mall. I didn't go crazy. I bought the striped tank you will see pictured below. And two dresses, a blouse and a skirt from Banana Republic. Re-reading this, I have come to the realization that perhaps that haul is crazy for some most people. Not me though. This was me practicing extreme restraint. I have to pace myself, you see. I have 3 more days here. Two of which will be more shopping days. One (tomorrow) will be a spa day. Tough life. I know.

Two things. #1: How could I not? #2: I spy with my little eye something small, fast and blurry.

Today's shopping excursion took us to Target, DSW and Stein Mart. I was hugely excessive successful at each stop. Target made me buy 2 blouses, a teal and black snake print body con skirt (sounds much more hideous than it actually is) and.......oh no! This is BAD. I can't remember the fourth item. Let's not read too much into this, ok? Next stop was DSW. Where three pairs of shoes just had to come home with me. It would have been cruel to separate them. Last stop Stein Mart. Which did not disappoint either. A very cool jackety sort of thing called out to me from the clearance rack. And when sale items speak to me, I simply can not ignore them.

Tomorrow will be a day at the pool and spa to recoup. We need our energy for the last two days of shopping.

j.

Saying Goodbye.

I said this many times this past weekend. To my best friends.  My condo. All of my furniture. And most of my belongings (except my clothes – who do you think I am?).  I had to say goodbye to Victoria. Where I have lived for the past 8 years. Where I went to school. Met my best friends. Fell in love for the first time. And even though I moved there after high school, it’s where I grew up.  It was my choice to go to school there. And to stay there once I graduated. It was something that was completely my own. It was, in the truest sense of the word, my home. While Calgary will always have my heart because my family still lives there. Victoria has my soul. So the biggest goodbye of all goes to my home. Goodbyes suck.

I knew it was coming for quite some time. I was ready for it. That is, until it came. My eyeballs would not stop leaking the day before I left. And the day I left. At home. At Sasha’s. At a restaurant (classy, I know). In the taxi. You get the idea. I know that I am going to be back to visit (and who knows what the future holds). And I know that distance does not stand a chance against the friendships I have in Victoria. But even so. All I can think of is two words. Goodbyes Suck.

Sash and I at Ferris' Oyster Bar on my last night in Vic. I actually managed to find a photo that did not show

 the alarmingly obvious bags under my eyes. Success!

I promise a palm tree filled post tomorrow. Live from Palm Springs.

j.

A Little Funny

Hi Friends!

I'm alive. Barely. Burried under mountains of boxes. I have 3 days left. Still lots to do. I'm not panicking. Yet. Which is a good thing. Anyways. I did see this commercial on TV and laughed. my. a**. off. What you are about to see is in no way me endorsing Walmart, per se. Nor am I suggesting you shop there. Do what you want. All this is, is a hats off to the creative folks in marketing. Cause this is some funny sh**. (I apologize for the potty mouth tonight)

Now I'm off to watch Twilight (insert wild, high-pitched screams) with Sasha. And later I'll be dreaming of when I get to shop Black Friday sales. Real soon. Can't wait.

Until then,

j.

Island Weekend

I hope you all had as happy a weekend as I did. Yesterday, I spent the whole day with my good friend Sue. Sue and I met at the school two years ago. And pretty much instantly clicked. Little did we know we actually had tons in common. She's been stuck with me ever since.

Being my last weekend in Victoria we did something that I've been wanting to do forever. Have my tea leaves read. Remember my love for tarot cards? Tea leaves are right there along with them. And there's a famous tea house in Nanaimo that does them. So we went. With a few stops along the way. Chemainus being my favorite. With the murals. And oh-so-perfect photoshoot backdrops.

stripe & floral scarf {gift} - forest green pea coat {Aritzia} - grey cardigan {Aritzia} - black denim skinnies {Old Navy} - green suede purse {Esprit} -

tan riding-inspired boots {The Bay}

We both had 15 minute readings. The reader was very eccentric. Pretty accurate. Our favorite part, by far, was how she talked over her shoulder. To, we're assuming, "the voices". She would start telling me something and then pause. Look over her shoulder. And say "Oh she is, is she?". And then she would relay the message. So great.

Happy Sunday!

j.

{Pseudo} Stylist For a Day

Working at a private school for the past 2 years allowed me to meet so many great people. So many new friends. I met up with one of them today. Rachel. And she could not be any lovelier. The sweet girl gives me kudos for my outfits each time I see her. She always makes me feel like a style guru (Oh wait. I'm not already one of those?). Anyways. I had a bunch of clothes ready to be given away. And I feel toward my clothes as most people feel toward fine pieces of art, the family dog, their child....You get the idea? I very much liked the idea of finding them good, loving homes to go to. Where there would be promises of being worn often enough to see the inside of a washing machine. A skirt can only dream. Anyways. Rachel was more than happy to oblige. And be that loving, caring home my clothing deserves. OK. This is getting a bit weird.

It was a successful day all around. Rachel got a pile of new (to her) clothes. I got to live the dream and play pretend stylist for a couple hours. And then I came home and had an excuse to use my free trial of Microsoft Publisher. Which I love. And now Rachel gets her own personal look book!

This is only one page. Of five. Because it's just too much fun. Yes, it's Friday night. No, I would not rather be doing something else. What possibly could be your point?

Thanks to Rachel for being my style guinea pig!

j.

New York City Bound

It's official. I GOT INTO PARSONS! The school of my dreams. Wild. Insert high pitched squeels, flapping arms and jumping up and down. That actually happened. This morning. And then I fell. True story. Doing a happy dance in my barren living room and I bail. Bam! On my butt. My supreme non-existent coordination and lack of abundant awkwardness amaze me at times.

Anyways. Moving on. Nothin's getting me down today. And here I was having a boring ol' week of packing and sorting and selling. It's craft room chaos. Seriously. And there's costumes as well. Because packing is WAY more fun in costume. (Don't knock it till you've tried it, folks). See that GIANT pile of craft supplies in the bottom right corner, below? That's all for donation! And it's not even half of it. Don't worry. I'm keeping too many several boxes of crafty goodness for myself too.

And just in case you wanted to see my Letter of Acceptance again. Bigger.

I am so excited. I don't have to keep saying "IF I get in, I'll be moving to NYC". Now I can say I'm moving to NYC! In January. Bah! There is SO much to do between now and then. 

Warning: I'm going to be busy like a bee this coming week. With packing. And sorting. And selling. And packingsortingselling some more. Ahhh. The life of a procrastinator. I wouldn't have it any other way. Moral of the story? You might not have to put up with my nonsense quite as frequently. But don't worry. Because I know you were. I'll be back in full swing after the 27th. Broadcasting from Palm Springs. Worth the wait. Promise.

j.

Biker Chic

A lot of time went into this photo shoot friends. I drove around in circles for quite some time (I'm sorry planet). I was looking for the perfect backdrop. You know. One that matched my outfit. Ultimately I gave up and pretty much ended right where I started. So the backdrops don't necessarily match my outfit. But I think it turned out okay. And I am completely obsessed with my Microsoft Publisher trial.

       

wood bead necklace {Banana Republic} - jean jacket {thrifted} - purple cardigan {Banana Republic} - grey cowl neck dress and black leggings {Aritzia} - floral and leather belt {the store that shall not be named} - black leather biker boots {Paradise Boutique} 

Warning: shameless horn-tooting ahead! I have extraordinary skills luck finding jackets that fit me exactly right at thrift shops. Like the one you see above. And the one you see here. Not only do I have a gift for finding perfect-fitting treasures, but I am also ridiculously bargain savvy. Sometimes I feel bad about my gift. And consider using it for the greater good. Just kidding. When it comes to shopping, I take more of a survival of the fittest kind of attitude. Anyways. Moral of this extremely modest story: the jean jacket you see above, fitting me like perfection cost me $4 folks. Less than my Starbucks. Not buying it would have been just wrong. 

j. 

I am thankful...

Happy Sunday Friends!

Did you have a grand weekend? I did. And for the amount of nothingness that yesterday brought, today made up for it. Big time. I can't even begin to tell you all the wonderful things that happened today. So I thought I would do two things. First. Share these pretty pictures taken by my friend d. walsh during our camera date in Sidney. Then make a list of all the things I was thankful for today. And prepare yourself for this list. We are talking earth-shaking here people.

A list of random and, at times, inconsequential things that, never-the-less, I am thankful for:

(in no particular order) 

• The 60-day free trial of Microsoft Publisher that brought you the above amazingness (and obviously my modesty right there along with it).
• That my bird friend stayed put long enough for one photo.
• That my bird friend did not poop on me.
• The thrift store we stumbled into that was having a 50% off sale. We are talking madcrazyarrestmebecausei'mpracticallystealing kind of deals.
• The 100% silk shirt that I bought for less than a toonie at the above mentioned thrift shop. Which is practically free.
• That I was able to control my gag reflexes long enough to pose in front of a fish market. I have got myself one uber-sensitive schnozz.
• That I managed to not look ridiculous in my jumping shots. Hahahahaha. Who am I kidding?!?!
• That I did not injure myself during the ridiculous looking jumping shots.
• That d.walsh did not make fun of me (too much) as I tested out new poses (aka tried to copy other, more fashionable, style bloggers that I am infatuated with, like her and her). Although at one point she did utter rather sarcastically...."the essence of pure grace". It was after the jumping shots. The really coordinated and not at all awkward jumping shots. You can tell I'm athletic right?
• That I have the time to spend an embarassingly long time creeping reading past posts on one of my fave blogs, The Daybook. I am completely obsessed (in a totally non-creepy, but rather really flattering kind of way) with Sydney. The girl behind it all. She is super stylish and writes very humorously. She taught me how to wear my belt like that and tie my scarf just so. Right after we french braided each other's hair while having a slumber party. I wish. (I promise I'm not a stalker).
• Chai Tea Lattes from Starbucks.
• Starbucks in general.
• The red lipstick I bought for $4.99 that doesn't clash horrifically with my hair (or so I think).
• The $100 gift certificate I WON to Cameron Rose. The cutest little shop that has mouth-watering jewlery made by local designers, a selection of Mat & Nat bags, and an assortment of kitschy novelty items. Translation: my heaven. I kept exclaiming "I would be happy with any one single item in this store" while we were inside. Anyways. It was a short visit. I bought a small gift for a friend and absent-mindedly entered a draw as the lady rang up my purchase. We leave and continue on and an hour later, while we were in the drug store buying my lipstick, my phone rings. It was the lady from Cameron Rose. She told me I won the gift certificate. I get to spend $100 completely guilt-free in a shop where I could literally buy anything and be happy? Say whaaaaa?
• Lists. That's all.
• Swiss Chalet. Rotisserie chicken. French fries. And extra Chalet sauce. Sunday night dinner has never looked better.
• The leftover sex in a pan (I'm really not a perv, it's a dessert) that is currently calling my name from the fridge.
• Early grey tea. Because tea makes everything better. And I am always thankful for tea.
• That my older bro proposed to his amazing girlfriend yesterday and she said YES!!!
• That I get to spend Christmas in Hawaii with my older bro and his amazing fiance, along with my parents and grandparents.
• That I get along so well with my brother's amazing fiance. Did I mention she's amazing?

There is so much more in life to be thankful for. Like good health, family and friends. That I know for sure. But for today, this is my list. This is what I am currently thankful for.

What are you thankful for right now?

j.

Winter Wish List

1. Blue suede studded loafers {Loeffler Randall}. Blue suede shoes. Bedazzled blue suede shoes. Need I say more?
2. I love me a little cape. Particularly this little plaid number {Dorothy Perkins}. Who else loves that it is perfectly acceptable for grown women to wear capes? Like we're super heros. Because let's face it. Most of us are.
3. Sexy. Nerd. Glasses. It's inappropriate to feel this way toward an accessory. And even more inappropriate to blog about it. But I do. And I just did. Moving on...
4. I am not only bursting with excitement at the plethora of possible post titles that this particular item will come with. I also happen to think fur vests look kinda badass. In a 1920's kind of way. This one will be mine {BB Dakota Janika via Urban Outfitters}.
5. I need (and I really mean need, not want) a pair of everyday winter shoes. But they have to be comfortable. And stylish (obvi). And go with everything. I'm sorta in love with these ankle booties {J Crew}. But the over-indulgent shopaholic with no limits in me wants a pair in each color. Sort of defeats the purpose of an everyday shoe...
6. I know it's very trendy right now. Which I kind of hate. But I can't help but love anything aztec. Seriously love. Like this beautiful sweater {BB Dakota via Polyvore}. That I would do slightly frowned upon things for.
7. I dare you to find something more festive than metallic finger nails. I dare you.

This post took an obscene amount of time. Obscene. It was supposed to be Saturday's post. Oh well. It was so much fun to put together my winter wish list. And I could have made it ten times longer. But I practiced restraint. Barely.

What are you asking for this holiday season?

j.

Vintage Plaid Meet Bicycle Tee

Remember when I bragged about this thrifted blazer being the perfect fit? You should. It was only yesterday. Well I thought I better put it into an outfit right away. I am all about separates. I hardly ever wear a matching suit. I hardly wear suits at all. But you get the idea.

Sasha Rae and I went for a walk along the ocean. In November I might add. And I'm leaving this place why? Anyways. It did cool off quickly as the sun set. But check out that sunset. It looks like the sky is on fire.

peach cobbler cashmere scarf {gift} - birdie necklace {gift, Violette Veldor} - button earrings {handmade} -

vintage plaid blazer {thrifted} - bicycle tee {Ricki's) - green suede purse {Esprit} - dark denim skinnies {Jacob} -

 brown peter pan boots {Aldo}

I feel an addiction forming. The best kind of addiction. A shopping addiction. But I already have one of those. What am I blabbing about then? A thrifting addiction. A shopping specialization addiction. The worst kind of best addicition. Awesome.

j.

Thrifted Thursday

Hello again friends. It's been a while. I know. But it's hard to blog about style when you've been wearing fuchsia sweatpants for the past 3 days. Trust me. Not a pretty picture.

I've had a very productive week on the selling stuff and sorting front though. But I did promise you all a post a while back about these two thrifted pretties.

        

                

You will all notice the handy little "before" tags on these photos. You probably think the "after" photos are below. Don't you? Oh dear. This is awkward. There are no "after" photos....not yet anyways. Consider this a sneak peek. A preview. Although I must say that I don't think either of these pieces need much alteration. Let's break it down. (MC Hammer is now going through my head. And now probably yours. You're welcome.)

Thrifted Item: Cranberry Plaid Suit

Made in: Great Britan

Made of: 100% Lambswool

Bought from: Value Village (VV Boutique, if you will)

For: $9.99 (BOTH items!!!)

What can can I possibly do to make it even more FAB, you ask? To the Blazer? Nothing. Not a single thing. It fits like a glove. Thank you very much. And to the Skirt? I say shorten it. To the top of the pleats. Make it a high-waisted mini. My only concern is the proportion. But I think it will look better. It's a lot of plaid right now. A whole lotta plaid. 

Next!

Thrifted Item: Navy Blue Sailor Dress

Made in: Japan (guess based on language of tags)

Made of: 90% Acrylic, 10% Wool (tag was in Japanese...another perk of working at a boarding school)

Bought from: VV Boutique

For: $9.99

This little treasure only needs a few minor nips and tucks to make it suitable for the 21st century. So what am I going to do to the length? Nothing. Come on. Who do you think I am? What about that fit? A little nipping required through the waist. Easy fix. (Although I may still wait for my Nana's assistance...). Good plan. Just in case. The collar has got to go. Trust me. It will look way better. Way. And last but not least. The sleeves. I'm thinking shorten. Either 3/4 length. Or short-sleeved.

What do you think I should (or shouldn't!) do to these two thrifted gems?

j.

The Nautical Lumberjack

I'm starting to get that excited/anxious/can't sleep/can't wait feeling. You know the one. It's the same one you get before your favorite holiday. May that be your birthday. Or Christmas. Mine is Christmas. Or vacations. In this case it's both. But more imminently it's a vacation. To - arguably - my favorite place on earth. Palm Springs. More accurately, it's Palm Desert. Which is about 15 minutes away from Palm Springs. But they are basically the same thing. I've been going there with my parents my whole life. It was my family's version of a cabin. My parents are not "lake people". They are golfers. And Palm Desert has golf. So why do I love Palm Desert so much? (Do you even have to ask!?!). The Shopping! Lots and lots of shopping.

It has everything a girl could ask for.

A mall with the obligatory cheap trendy teeny bopper stores that I can't help but still shop at, like Forever 21 and Charlotte Russe? Check.

An outdoor market with hundreds of different vendors ranging from artwork and lawn ornaments to jewelry and watches? Check.

An outlet mall several kilometers long (and do I have to remind you of my lust for outlet shopping)? Check.

 

A swanky shopping section that's fun to pretend in but only in my alter universe could I afford anything in any of the stores? Check.

And if that was not enough to get any shopaholic's heart racing. I have recently been inspired to start researching another kind of shopping. A type of shopping that I have dabbled in. And loved. But have never tried in Palm Desert before. Thrifting! There are lots of thrift stores in the area and even more white tops with loads of dough (no disrespect). I am so excited to see what's in store for me. 

faux fur ear-flap toque {H&M} - black hooded jacket { Uniqlo, NYC} - striped sweater {Jacob} -

floral tank {Target} - blue denim skinnies {The Gap} - wooly boots {Winners}

More on my newest Daily Blog Read/thrifting inspiration/girl crush later.

Until then,

j.

Plaid & Cozy

These photos were taken by my good friend Sue. Up in Shawnigan Lake. Right before we met our friend Leah for dinner. OK. Fine. They were taken right when we were supposed to be at the restaurant. Which then made us 10 minutes late. (Sorry Leah).

I have to tell you the most amazing thing that happened on my way up to Shawnigan yesterday. It was a beautiful day in Victoria. Blue sky and sunny. I began my drive in this gorgeous fall weather. Now this happens from time to time on the Island. I drove through a few different "weather systems" (I'm making up this term because I have no clue what the real name is) in a span of only 30 minutes. I went from sunny to cloudy and gray to sprinkling to RAINING and then through a sun shower. Complete with a rainbow. But we haven't even got to the most amazing part yet. I saw the end of the rainbow! Right in front of me on the highway. And then I drove through it! Through it. Through a rainbow.

Not going to lie. Did a double check in the rear-view mirror for any bouncing gold coins or small green-loving men. Came up empty (shocking).

Nevertheless, I still drove through a freaking rainbow.

red & black plaid button-up {Jacob} - black wool vest {courtesy of bestie, Sand} -

black denim skinnies {Old Navy} - tan riding-inspired boots {The Bay}

And yes. I know I've worn these boots in nearly every outfit post thus far. But I love them. So (politely) get over it.

j.