143/ NO COMPROMISES

I'm not going to address my absence from this blog this time around other to say this; life is hectic. Life doesn't stop for anyone. Just when you think things couldn't possibly get worse, life finds away to bring you down lower. These past two months have been extremely difficult for me. But there's a light at the end of the tunnel. Things are getting better and my life is starting to come back together piece by piece. I've learned so much within these past couple of months. Some things (a lot of things) happened that I didn't want to face. I wanted to hide, and a lot of the time I did just that. People will tell you to face your problems head on and to never give up, but sometimes you just need a break. Sometimes you need a few hours (or days, or weeks, or months) to just gather your thoughts and come up with a comeback plan. And I've done just that.

Step one? Devote more time to my blog.

I really do love this thing, even though I keep neglecting it. I can't promise that this time will be different because unfortunately life does happen, but I'm trying my best.

Step two? Look killer. At all times. No compromises.

Everybody is different but I find that I'm happier when I'm dressed up. Clothes and makeup affect my mood more than I'd like to admit. My own personal movement right now is dressing up as a form of self care. There have been days where I haven't had the energy to keep this trend up, but once again, I'm trying my best.

I love the outfit posted below. The colours and fit of the skirt make me so happy. Whenever I wear it my attitude is instantly lifted. I receive so many compliments when I wear it, which is never a bad thing, and it is a great piece to wear on those days where it's just way too hot. The Kate Spade bag pictured below also gives me a lot of joy. I received it as a (very thoughtful) gift and I love how eye-catching the colour is; it flows beautifully with the skirt as well. The Topshop heels are a new purchase, and although I'm not able to wear them out and about yet due to my ankle injuries, I've been strutting around at home in them. I can't wait for the day that I'm able to show them off in public.

My personal style is never constant. One day I'll be head to toe black in a very minimalist and chic ensemble, the next I'll be rocking the hell out of a neon skirt like the one pictured below. Fashion, to me anyway, is best when it is unexpected and when it breaks all of the rules. My pledge to myself is to keep the content rolling on this blog and to further document my adventures in fashion. I hope that you all continue on this journey with me. See you all in a couple of days with a new post!

TOP/ H&M+ SKIRT/ Belle + Sky (via JCPenney) SHOES/ Topshop (via consignment)

HANDBAG/ Kate Spade (gift) NECKLACE/ H&M

ONE HUNDRED & TEN/ better late than never

Yesterday was a gorgeous day here in Ottawa and it seems as though spring is here to stay. I wore this casual outfit to work and then to hangout with a couple of my friends. We spent the afternoon grabbing macarons, coffee and hitting up the mall.

This look is definitely a huge leap outside of my comfort zone. If you're familiar with my blog (or with me in real life #PoorYou) you're used to seeing me in head to toe black but when I saw this stunning white top on a random rack at Macy's I fell in love. The fit is so flawless and it is so unlike anything else I own, I just had to buy it. I know I say this about every new piece that I buy but it is sincerely my favourite thing in my wardrobe at the moment.

White clothing has always scared me. I love* coffee but it seems to have a magnetic attraction to my clothes. Also throw in the fact that I am a complete klutz and it is a recipe for disaster. That, my friends, is why I stick to a strict uniform of dark colours only. I'm proud to say that I have worn this top a total of TWO TIMES now and I haven't spilled a drop on it. I feel as though I deserve an award for that. Am I finally becoming an adult?! I do realize that it is just a matter of time for when the spill finally happens but I'm embracing this change of pace for the time being.

Also can I just mention how perfectly my bag matches the 'N' on my shoes? I made sure to point that out to just about everyone I spoke to yesterday. It's one of the reasons I bought these shoes to begin with. It is such a unique neon coral so when I saw the shoes at DSW and my initial thought was my beloved Kate Spade bag. Don't you love when things like that just come together perfectly?

TOP/ Alfani Woman JEANS/ Jessica Simpson SHOES/ New Balance 

HANDBAG/ Kate Spade SUNGLASSES/ H&M WATCH/ Michael Kors

Pictures by Aurelia Cerquozzi and Liza Peralta

* Is there a more powerful word than love? Because I feel like saying that I "love" coffee is the understatement of the year. I live for coffee. I need it to survive. It courses through my veins. The way to my heart is truly through a piping hot Americano.

PS: How cute are Aurelia and I!? We finally have a picture together!!! Special thanks to Liza for making that happen.

ONE HUNDRED & FOUR/ what's in my bag pt 2

Since I've been talking a lot about handbags lately (what else is new?) I thought that it would be the perfect time to do an updated 'What's In My Bag?' post! I'm extremely nosy and I live for these sorts of posts. Lately I've been carrying my Longchamp Le Pliage bag but I've been switching it up the past couple of days and wearing my 3.1 Phillip Lim Pashli instead so that's what will be featured in this post. I'll try to find the names of everything pictured and add links if they're still available for purchase.

If you'd like to see my previous 'What's In My Bag' you can find it here.

NINETY-EIGHT/ birthday recap

I'M OFFICIALLY TWENTY-THREE! I’ve always been a huge fan of birthdays and this years has been truly remarkable. I’m so blessed to have such amazing friends and family. It’s unreal how much I've been spoiled this year, I really feel so lucky and fortunate for everyone, and everything, in my life at this moment.

My goal for this year is to try my absolute best to make it the most amazing and memorable year of my life to date.

My birthday is technically the 16th of December so it was a few days ago but I've been spending the past week either celebrating, working or Christmas shopping so I haven't really had a chance to hammer out this post. My birthday was celebrated from Friday the 12th up until my actual date of birth and I truly had a blast. From going out dancing with my friends, eating the best ice cream cake ever, to spending time with my loved ones and receiving the most thoughtful cards and gifts, to going to Montreal for a day and getting a new tattoo - this year's birthday was definitely one for the books. 

before we went out | my AMAZING blink themed ice cream cake | a very thoughtful gift from my best friend, Lisa

my birthday present to myself | lunch in montreal | aurelia's tattoo

the new love of my life | birthday brunch ft my new fav mug and suzyq doughnuts | j'adore

SEVENTY-FOUR/ spring '14 designer lust list

Although winter doesn't seem to be letting up any time soon - spring will be on its way before we know it. Here's a of a list of items that I'm totally lusting over for the upcoming season. I can't afford a single one of these items pictured, except maybe the beauty products, but it doesn't hurt to dream right? If I've said it once I've said it a million times - I have a fascination with designer items and it really doesn't look like that will be going away any time soon. So excuse me while I cry over the beauty in this post... I sincerely hope it inspires you as much as it did me.

I will be doing a clothing lust list soon. As you can probably tell every single one of the items on this post is an accessory. High end designers that make clothing for plus size women are few and far between (unless you have the money to dish out for custom pieces) but luckily a lot of plus size brands realize that we want quality on trend pieces as well. Lookout for that post sometime in the near future.

VERSACE white medusa duffle bag | BALENCIAGA buckle strap ankle boot | ANNA SUI lipstick in 'plum purple' | BALENCIAGA 'paris' perfume | MARC BY MARC JACOBS henry dinky 21mm watch | KATE SPADE large gold bracelet gramercy watch | MCQ ALEXANDER MCQUEEN safety-pin key fob | ALEXANDER WANG black 'dumbo rocco' bag w matte black hardware | LAVIN 'love' two finger ring | SAINT LAURENT small tassel crossbody bag in gold | VERSACE gold and orange pendant necklace | CHANEL illusion d'ombre long wear luminous eye shadow in 'fantasme'

* This is in no way a sponsored post. All thoughts are my own / click through to be linked to the product information. (flower image)

SIXTY-SIX/ birthday and christmas lust list

This is a bit of a lust list for my birthday (December 16th - mark your calenders!) and Christmas. I just want to make it clear to all my close family and friends - I'm not begging for you to get me these items. All I want from you guys is to see you on or around my birthday and to maybe split a bottle of wine and a wheel of brie around Christmas time - okay? I'm just nosy and I LOVE seeing other blogger's wishlists, so I thought I should join in on the fun and make one of my own. I added the links to buy the items if you're interested in buying them for yourself or gifting them to a loved one.

1. Louis Vuitton Neverfull GM in Monogram Canvas 2. Kate Spade black cat silicone iPhone 5 case 3. H&M leopard print lint roller 4. Joe Fresh Matte Lipstick (any colour) 5. 'AM' by Arctic Monkeys (CD) 6. TOMS black canvas shoes 7. Kate Spade 2014 17-month agenda 8. 'It's Kind of a Funny Story' by Ned Vizzini 9. 'Reflektor' by Arcade Fire (CD) 10. Marc Jacobs 'Honey' perfume set
11.  KIPPAN Loveseat from Ikea

FIFTY-EIGHT/ if i had a million dollars

It's no secret that I obsess over designer items, it's honestly like an addiction to me. I scroll through countless online shops and browse through tons of brick and mortar stores looking at amazing pieces that I'll never be able to afford - I don't know why I torture myself. Some people like to go to museums and look at the unbelievable art there, I prefer high end stores. I'm weird like that.

So far I've acquired some of my dream pieces, but the problem with fashion is that styles change every season. I've just been sticking with secondhand classic pieces that won't ever go out of style; it's more practical and wallet friendly. But of course every few months something new comes out that totally sweeps me off my feet and makes me look at my bank account and cringe. I keep telling myself that someday it'll happen, and I hope that someday comes soon. Sometimes I feel as though I'm far too materialistic for my own good...

ANYWAY, here are some pieces that I'm currently dying over from current collections, classic collections and past collections. They are mostly footwear, scarves or handbags seeing as the vast majority of designers do not make clothing in my size, not to mention the fact that I crave accessories.

Some of these items are obtainable, like the Michael Kors watch and the Kate Spade bangle, and some of them will probably torment me for the rest of my life, like the Chanel bag.

1. Louis Vuitton 'Neverfull' GM 2. Giuseppe Zanotti for Balmain buckle boots 3. Michael Kors silver 'Chronograph' watch 4. Kate Spade "Lights, Camera, Action / Steal The Show" bangle 5. Chanel 'Large Classic Flap Bag' 6. Charlotte Olympia red suede 'Bisoux' slippers 7. Tiffany & Co. Ziegfeld Collection black "Spinel" ring 8. Alexander McQueen tan leopard/skull print cashmere pashmina  9. Balenciaga 'Giant 12 Silver Town Bag' in black 10. Burberry stud detail belted rain boots 11. Christian Louboutin 'Gine' black and grey velvet flats

* I could have easily made this into a post about the designer handbags I want, but I decided to hold off on that. Another post for another day, possibly. I only added the three handbags I've been lusting after for what seems like forever. | All thoughts are my own, this post is no way sponsored by any of the mentioned retailers. | All images are referenced back to their original sources.

THIRTY-FIVE/ what's in my bag?

WHAT'S IN MY BAG?
Is anybody else obsessed with this type of post? No? Just me? Awkward.
I love nosy posts where you get to see a tiny bit into the life of a blogger. I live for random facts posts, favourite beauty products (be on the lookout for one of those in the near future) and of course the "what's in my bag" post. 

So what is in my bag exactly? A lot of random junk. Receipts, mostly. A lot of loose change. A hoard of lipstick. I try my best to keep it organized, but by the end of the week it is just filled to the brim with crap.

Here are the essentials: My coral Kate Spade wallet filled with all of my cards, receipts, cash (yeah right), ect. My black 160gb iPod classic and headphones - I can't stand 'earbuds', I have to have headphones. Business cards that I never ever hand out (photoshopped my number out). Mirror. 'Bubblegum' lipstick by Joe Fresh - my all time favourite. Moleskin journal and rhinestone pen. Blistex. Hand sanitizer, lighter, hand cream, all in a gold sequined pouch. My iPhone 4. Leather Holt Renfrew card holder with loyalty cards. Keys. Ray-Ban sunglasses that I've yet to get my prescription in.

* All pictures were taken by me.