Shoe Binge

Trying to make up for lost time (or posts?) so I wanted to share a recent shoe binge that I went on since discovering gojane.com; an amazingly diverse and reasonably priced online shoe, clothing and accessory site. After seeing these beautiful yellow wedges on A.Co, I HAD to get them in Pink...... and then order two different pairs of heels....... then another pair and some flats! It really is like a crack addiction sometimes, isn't it?!

Top to bottom: Oversized Buckled Wedges (they come in yellow, black and white as well), Velvet Butterfly Caged Heels (these did come in black too but they only have nude left) and Faux Patent Espadrille Wedges (no longer available).

Top to Bottom: Play for Peeps Faux Patent Pumps (available in black & beige too) and Pointy Laser Slit Flats (only color left is this champagne, wish is really gold in person).

Now I can't wait for Summer to hurry up and get here so I can wear these! Here are some of the new additions settling into their new home; not the red peep toe pumps & flats as I just got them today at work.

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Which Necklace to Wear with Which Top?

I came across this handy little guide on Facebook and wanted to share it with you. I have never really had any strategy to choosing my necklace; I think I kind of just go with the colors of the outfit or what I feel like wearing that day. Maybe subconsciously I take the neck shape of my shirt into consideration but I doubt it!. Sometimes I think no necklace looks best -- to keep it simple. 

This guide for choosing necklaces takes the guess work out of which one would compliment your top the best. I broke the collar shirt rule today by wearing a longer necklace rather than a short pendant as this guide suggests and I still think it looks okay. But if you have no idea where to start with choosing an accessory, these pictures should help :-)

Source: Polyvore Blog

Rule breaker!

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Boo Hoo

A fellow former Kingston turned Ottawa resident who also has an amazing blog, called Hippie Lace, featured a really cool online clothing site boohoo.com on her blog. When Emmett Katherine mentioned that they offer free shipping for Canadians on orders over $35, I immediately had to check it out. They offer great fashionable clothing for men and women along with shoes and accessories for really reasonable prices.

I had been coveting  some leather leggings for Fall, but didn't want to go full on leather for this look. I think that all leather would make my thighs look a little thundery :-) Sorry for the self deprecation but we all have flaws we have to work around don't we? I found the perfect pair of partial leather leggings on boohoo.com:

Madison Leather Look Thick Leggings $30 CND

These are great because the leather panel is below the thigh so my problem area is solved! These retail for $30 (great price point right?) so in order to get the free shipping I needed to spend a little more, so I picked up these super funky earrings that I am really excited to wear:

Cynthia Studded Earrings $10 CND

These two pieces came to $40 CND and will be arriving either Wednesday or Thursday of this week, YAY! I really hope the leggings fit, but if they don't BooHoo has a 14 day return policy. You do need to pay for the shipping to return the item. 

I really don't know why more Companies that sell merchandise online don't offer Canadians free shipping on orders over X dollars, they would get so much more business if they did. I don't know how many times I have talked myself out of buying something online due to the cost of shipping. Boohoo's shipping rates are posted on their website and they ship all over the world.

I hope you enjoy looking through Boohoo.com and I will post the leggings (if they fit) and earrings in an outfit post once they arrive. I hope that the quality is decent as the prices are low, stay tuned to hear what I think!

Biker Friday

Does anyone watch the TV show Sons of Anarchy? Or maybe your significant other does? It stars Katy Segal (aka Peg Bundy) and Ron Perlman as the Matriarch and Patriarch of the Biker Gang called the Sons of Anarchy (airs on FX). I've watched a few episodes of this show and it's a very intriguing portrail of the struggles and drama of life in a biker club. Watching this show got me thinking about the rugged style of bikers, how it has influenced fashion. We used to only see Bikers wearing leather jackets, chaps and big bulky biker boots; now biker style has seeped into the mainstream box stores that appear on every corner. For example, the below T-Shirt was a gift from my Roomie that she picked up at our local Giant Tiger. Biker chic at GT Boutique? Ummm..... okay! 

I personally love biker style, it's so free and dangerous looking. How can you not feel like a bad ass when you have on a leather jacket and biker boots? I don't know how bad ass I feel in a SOA T-Shirt from Giant Tiger, but in the Fall I would love to pair this T-Shirt with my faux leather jacket, skinny jeans and my flat riding boots or sexy high heels. Stay tuned for that!

Photo Source: www.stuffpoint.com

www.ashfootwear.co.uk

www.ca.allsaints.com

All White with a Pop of Colour

Today's outfit is inspired by this Pin I found on Pinterest; one of my daily amusements to get me through the thrills of working a desk job. From an all white outfit to an all white room, adding a pop if colour to this virginal pallet is something that always looks fresh and breezy.

 These photos were taken this morning before work from inside my closet, which I will show you one day when it is better organized.

Jeans: Jessica Simpson Forever Skinny Jeans, referenced here

Top: Dynamite, referenced here

Tank underneath: Wal-Mart

Shoes: Novellino, worn here and here

 It is a shame that the colour of these shoes doesn't show up well on camera. They are a shinny purple that matches wonderfully with my Coach purse.

 Necklaces: Ricki's and Dynamite

Some of you might not think wearing all white is going to work. You might feel that it will wash you out, or make you look like a walking marshmallow. I hear you! But here are some tips to wearing all white that might help:

• Make sure the whites match. Pairing an off white with a bright white might come off as sloppy
• Keep your lines clean. Overly pouffy white on top and bottom will lend itself to marshmallow land :-)
• Add a pop of color. I would have worn this outfit with beige heels and been just as pleased but adding colour really gives all white a nice punch.

For a different take on all white check out Tinfoil Tiaras and how she paired her all white dress with some really cute accessories.

Bright Sun Shinny Day!

As I have mentioned before, I am SO NOT a morning person, I am literally dragging myself out of bed after hitting the snooze repeatedly. Confession: if I am having a particularly pathetic morning, I sit down in the shower for a couple of minutes. I just sit there under the water wishing I could go back to bed. Does anyone else do this? Please say yes! LOL.

Once I eventually get moving though, usually after the caffeine hits the bloodstream, I am really to take on the day. Here's a snap of what I eat for breakfast at work every weekday morning.

 This is a blow of Sally's Organic Cereals that I previously blogged about here. I sprinkle a mix of ground flax seed, additional oats, some dried raisins and pumpkin seeds. This is super filling and really  satisfying. Tastes great too!

Another way to wake me up in the morning is wearing something with color. Bright, brilliant color! I don't own many pieces in yellow, but this dress is a favorite of mine because it is so happy looking. I bought this last year to host my Rommie/BFF's first baby shower. Super stressful day but I can't proudly say I got through it without loosing my marbles.

Dress: Jacob

Belt: Bought this in Montreal, can't remember where but I wear it often.

Shoes: Adlo, seen here

Best part of this dress, the not so obvious pattern in white!

What do you do to get through the morning grind? Please share your tips with me in the comments! I obviously need them :-)

Melmac xoxoxox

Zig! Then Zag!

Two of the BEST things I love about Spring/Summer are:

1) Not wearing socks.... who's with  me?
2) Skirts/dresses to work or to play

It is the most freeing feeling to throw on a skirt or dress and some heels or flip-flops and go. I also feel like my tops have new life breathed into them when paired with a sharp looking skirt.

 Top: Dynamite

Skirt: BCBG

I tend to shy away from busy looking prints for tops. Reason being that with my bust size and big hair; bold prints can look overwhelming on me. I normally choose clean lines for tops that are a solid color to not make me appear too top heavy. BUT when I saw this top from Dynamite I thought it might work and be a good change of pace from my typical top choices. This print top does work! It is a zig-zag pattern that draws the line of the waist in while adding pops of color. The top is flowy but has a cinched waist so it doesn't look like Maternity wear.

 Close up of the top

 This necklace is a personal favorite of mine. It was bought for me in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico in 2011 and when I wear it, I am always reminded of that amazing trip!

Shoes: Nine West, my most comfortable pair of heels!

Randomness on a Tuesday

 Good Morning All! Hope everyone is having a wonderful Tuesday. This will be a very random post so my apologies but sometimes these posts are the most fun to write.

First we had some visitors stop by our pool the other day. A female and male duck appear every spring to take a dip, splash around and say hi to the dogs. You can only see the male in this picture but soon after I took this another male duck swooped in and there was a bit of a love triangle going on and the female flew away with male duck #2 to leave this little guy all alone. I know how you feel bro!

A friend of my Roomies dropped by a couple of weeks ago as he was in town for business and brought over this AMAZING rum called Kraken. It's spiced and sweet so if you don't like that type rum you will probably not enjoy this; I however LOVED it. I actually drank it straight over ice which I never do; it was that good.

For those of you wondering what a Kraken is, it's basically a huge mythical Octopus.

Very cool display of the Kraken Rum.

Photo source: www.retailhellunderground.com 

And more randomness with this picture of me ready to head out the door for another glorious day at work <insert sarcasm here> ;-)

Blouse: Ricki's (love this as it doesn't need to be ironed that much)

Belt: Le Chateau (very old)

Skirt: Ricki's which you have seen here

Bag: Coach, referenced here

Some Lace and Layers

 Top: Dynamite mentioned in this post

Jeans: Jessica Simpson Kiss Me Jeggings seen here and here and here. Yes I wear these a lot!

Necklaces: Dynamite (both)

 Shoes: Nine West seen here

Happy Friday Everyone! Have a fantastic weekend and see you on Monday oxoxoxoxox

Dig It

I saw these Isabel Marant Heels while browing through Pinterest but can't seem to find them online....like to buy.....like NOW!!!! LOL I almost don't care how much these are, I needs to have'em :-)

The metal ankle strap is the clincher for me, so unique!

If anyone knows where you can buy these online, please leave a comment and I will be your BFFL! ;-)

Working with Stripes

I just bought this amazing striped skirt from Ricki's last week and I am obsessed with it. Normally stripes on the bottom half are a No-No for me as they can make you look wider but the pattern on this skirt is really flattering.

 I paired the skirt with a white T-Shirt and a Black Blazer with the sleeves rolled up for a less stuffy look. (Clothing info to follow)

 Skirt: Ricki's

T-Shirt: Joe Fresh

Blazer: RW Co.

I love this look! It is great for work and will take you into cocktail hour if need be. The design of this skirt would work on many body types and will go with just about anything. I am going to try to pair it will something red for an upcoming post. Stay tuned!!!!

Have you ever bought something that you thought wouldn't work and are pleasantly surprised when it does?

Casual Friday

 Shoes: Aldo, seen HERE as well

 Shirt: Dynamite

White Tank: Unknown

Jeans: Jessica Simpson Kiss Me Jeggings, seen HERE

Necklace: Dynamite seen HERE

Side View

Look down from above

How awesome is it that the weather is finally sunny and warm! If you are reading this from Colorado or Minnesota I am very sorry to say that it is tremendous outside here in Ottawa and most of Ontario. But don't worry, your summer will come just as ours did :-)

With the warmer weather here, we just had our Summer Dress Code email come out (I work in an office). It stated that Gentlemen could not wear Shorts or Sandals and that the women could not wear Spaghetti Straps or Flip Flops (women can wear shorts). Ummmmmm... WHAT?

First I would think that women wearing shorts is at much higher risk if violating the appropriate barrier as we often would wear short Shorts. Men however often wear longer shorts so what is that about?

I do agree with Men not wearing Sandals. Sorry Guys but the majority of you are about 10 years over due for a pedicure.

And no FLIP FLOPS! Now I do wear some form of dress high heel or wedge most days but sometimes a girl needs to give her feet a break and that's where I have a problem with no Flip Flops. 

Come on!  Flip Flops = Summer

Does your work have a Summer Dress Code? If so, do you agree with it?

Dig It

I am so digging the color green right now, more specifically an emerald green. I came across this dress on ASOS.com and immediately loved it. It is the ASOS Skater Dress With Ballet Wrap And Short Sleeves in green and it is $38.29 CDN. I find v-necks very flattering for us bustier gals and the wrap dress is the perfect figure flattering shape if you are a more boyish body type.

I have SO MANY dresses already that I really shouldn't get this but I likely will :-)

Dressy for a Friday

Happy rainy Friday!

Blazer: Le Chateau

Tube Top: American Eagle

Jeans: Seven for all Mankind, seen here

Necklace: Cleo

Rings and Earrings: From Mexico

Nails: Sally Hansen Insta Gel Strips (more to follow!)

 Down from above

Shoes: Aldo seen here

I love getting my nails done, Acrylic, Gel, regular Mani...I love'em all! But what I don't like is the time that it takes to drive to the salon and sit there for an hour or more. It just seems to take so much time and we all don't have enough of that. So when I came across this product from Sally Hansen, I thought I would give it a try. Here's what you do:

1. Push your cuticles down 
2. File your nails 
3. Apply the gel strips & file those to the shape of your nail 
4. Apply the gel coat and place your nail under the LED light to cure
5. Wipe off the access with an alcohol pad that is provided and voila! 

Now the applying and filing of the nails with the strips can be tricky. I found some YouTube videos that were super helpful:

The Sally Hansen video from their website
This one with a review
And this one I really liked

My verdict, I loved the way they turned out, they are shinny and with the help of the videos, weren't as hard to apply as I thought. It was my first time applying these so I am sure I will get better the more I do it.
My criticisms of this product is that on the box it says "2 Easy Steps"..... ummmm no. There are several steps so the box is a little misleading.
Also not ALL of the strips will fit your nails so I would maybe try Sally's gel polish to get a better gel manicure. I already know how to apply nail polish pretty well so it will just be easier overall.
But I would use this product again!

Polka Dot Continued....

Wanted to follow up on this post for the Polka Dot Dress that I purchased at Cleo over Easter Weekend in Kingston, Ontario.

 Fully Polkie!

 Love the detail of the fuchsia lining.

Down from above. Shoes are Nine West.