E-Cards with Style: Paperless Post by Kate Spade

I recently invested in my first Kate Spade bag (the Juniper hobo) and now that I'm on their official mailing list (theirs and everyone else's it seems...my inbox is so full when I look at it these days!), I hear about all sorts of great Kate Spade news.


While most of the emails go to the trash bin (sorry Kate!), one caught my eye the other day.  Paperless Post by Kate Spade is her venture into the e-card business and on first glance, the e-cards are adorable! Whimsical details like polka dots, bright colours and cute sayings galore:

Signing up for Paperless Post is free and you can earn coins to use on their site by liking them on Facebook or Twitter.

Getting in the Groove

I've been at my new job for nearly two months now and I'm finally starting to get the hang of things.  Not only that, I feel like I've established a "routine" for myself.  As lame as this sounds, I am a girl that loves things to happen in their place and time, and a routine is something I cannot live without!  Luckily, having a routine is said to reduce stress by letting you concentrate on the things that need your attention and contemplation, at least according to this article.

Now that I'm in a routine...it's time to start getting exercise and sleep back as my priorities.  It's time to revisit Project Sleep and Project Exercise to buy an iPad ...and oh yeah, Project Expand the Mind.  Oops.  I may be over extending myself a bit with all these projects...but what's a life without goals and trying to make yourself better?

Stay focused!

Project Sleep

There are countless studies out there that talk about the benefits of having a good night's sleep...and by good night's sleep, the "experts" mean 8 hours a night.  Most people don't get enough this much sleep for lots of reasons, hence, many of us suffer from poorer health than we should.  I am one of these people.  I love my sleep, but I am almost resistant to falling asleep.  I cannot for the life of me relax enough to get to sleep these days and it is driving me crazy.

Part of my problem is that it takes me a long time to wind down and my "routine" has not a set time nor a set timeline.  Instead of fighting this, I've given into my inner sleep clock and decided to start relaxing much earlier in the evening  so that I'm ready to sleep by the time I hit the bedsheets.  I'm on day 4 of this and so far so good, though one minor hiccup yesterday when I exhausted myself from spending the day wardrobe purging.   Relaxing earlier means switching off the computer earlier, preparing for the next day much earlier (getting lunch together and outfit picked out) and eventually getting into bed much earlier.

It's hard to imagine a time where I could function fully on just four hours of sleep (ah those were the days, weren't they?), but now getting to bed a bit earlier and getting that extra bit more sleep is helping me feel much more productive throughout the day.  Fingers crossed that this is the start of a permanent, more healthy attitude towards sleep!

The September Issue: Glamour Magazine

In the quest to spend less of my money frivolously, I stopped buying magazines on a regular monthly basis a while ago.  I honestly didn't miss my monthly edition of Glamour, InStyle, Self, etc, etc because I was starting to feel like there wasn't anything unique or useful in them that I couldn't find somewhere else (i.e.:  blogs, websites, Pinterest).  This month, I did make an exception and picked up Glamour magazine's September 2012 edition, guest edited by Posh Spice herself, Victoria Beckham.  Truthfully I was only interested in reading about her, because I'm a big fan but I was pleasantly surprised by the entire issue.  There are great touches of insight about fashion from Victoria (as well as some "real life" stuff like her favourite quinoa pasta recipe), as well as tons of interesting features by talented bloggers like the Man Repeller, Emily Weiss from Into The Gloss and a funny commentary on changing your man's style by the delicious Jason Sudekis from SNL.   

I've already read the issue from cover to cover twice and am now obsessed with it as my fashion bible for fall.  Pick this one up now ladies (and men)...it's definitely worth your $5.99!

Expanding The Mind

Sometimes it feels like in the world we live in today provides so many distractions from intelligent thought.  Turn on the tv, flip open your computer, read a newspaper...it boggles my mind how much crap is out there that you can fill your head with.  Not to say I'm above any of it (the crap).  I am a self-admitted reality tv lover (hello Real Housewives!), I've been known to pick up a trashy magazine or two for the beach or an airplane ride, and most of the time when I get home from a long day at work I don't want to be watching the news, I want to catch up on the latest celebrity gossip.

But with all those mindless distractions, my brain is turning to mush.  Add that to the fact that I'm not learning anything new at work, haven't been at school in years (a place where one traditionally is supposed to learn) and rarely find time to sit down with a good book...and it really feels like I need to challenge myself.  I guess that's one reason why I'm looking for a new job, but if that doesn't pan out soon, I will have to find another way to expand my mind.

Some ideas to keep my brain sharp are reading about something that intrigues me (religion, politics, biographies), taking a class of some sort, or learning a new skill.  I also found some interesting articles about how to save your brain from "rotting", including this one about 11 ways to expand your mind.  The top the of the list was "question everything", which got me thinking.  If you want to spend some time reading mindless gossip, catching up on reality tv or doing nothing in particular, I guess it is ok as long as you approach those activities with a mind that is going to question and process the information, and the time you spend on those activities is limited.  Sometimes you do need some time to turn your brain "off" but you need to make time to turn it "on" too.

Motivation

Sad but true fact about me:  when it comes to working out, I'm a lazy bitch.  I will do just about anything to avoid having to exercise, even if it is a something that I enjoy, like zumba.  But...working out is a necessary part of life if you want to be healthy and be fit, so I have to find new ways to motivate myself.  Usually I only get to my breaking point when I look in the mirror or step on the scale and I am totally disgusted with my body.  That usually snaps me back to reality but at that point getting back to my ideal shape is all the more difficult because I've let myself go so much.  Not good at all.

The other day while trolling through Pinterest (yes, one of the things I should stop doing so much so I have more time to work out), I found a pin about motiviation which I've decided to adopt as my motivation to work out more often.  Essentially, every time you exercise, you tip yourself.  What you decide to do after a certain amount of work outs is up to you but it seems like a simple way to not only get motivated but also reward yourself if you can keep it going for an extended period of time.

Work out motivation, from my Pinterest board Skinny Bitch

I've decided I want an iPad and I'm going to work my ass off to raise enough to cover 1/2 the cost of one.  A qualifying workout will be physical activity of at least 30 minutes, which for me includes walking (could be at work on the treadmill at lunch or after dinner around the block with a friend) a yoga class at YYoga, or a simple set of exercises at home with my new resistance bands.  I'm REALLY excited about this plan, though I do foresee some hiccups that I need to be prepared for.  

First off, I could treat this just like any other "plan" I've had to get healthy and fall off the wagon.  Second, I haven't set a time frame for what's an acceptable amount of time to get to my goal, which could be an issue.  And last, it is summer and I have numerous plans in the next few months, including 8 days wine tasting in the Okanagan, two weddings and possibly a camping trip.  This could be difficult to sustain for many reasons but I think keeping my eye on the "prize" will be great motivation to get me to my goal.  It will involve some lifestyle changes but I am up for the challenge!  Wish me luck and hopefully soon this baby (in white) will be mine:

iPad2 in white:  my motivation to work out 30 minutes a day, at least 4 times a day.
If I keep it up,  I may have one by Christmas.

Making Waves

Something strange is happening to my hair.  After growing it out for the last year (it's nearly at the bottom of my shoulder blades!), I was almost certain I would have trouble keeping it full of body by now.  In fact, the opposite has occured:  I have more body in my hair and stranger still, I actually have some waves going on.  Now I'm totally lost when it comes to taking care of of my hair.  I used to have stick straight fine hair that couldn't hold a curl to save my life without massive amounts of hairspray (we are talking nearly a whole can).  How does one treat medium length, fine, colour treated wavy hair?  Especially when you are notoriously lazy about styling your hair yet totally a perfectionist who can't stand a hair out of place like I am.

Since there are an overwhelming amount of products and sources for research out there, I've decided to work backwards by looking for inspiration then trying to emulate them myself.  So fair, I am really digging Minka Kelly's hair - she has the relaxed yet put together wavy hair that I am hoping to re-create for myself.

Ignoring the fact that she is freakin' stunning,
I think I can make my hair look like Minka Kelly with a few simple steps.

 

I kind of like this new challenge and truthfully being part of the wavy hair club.  My sister, little niece and lots of my friends have wavy hair, so I'm in good company!

Styling Tips: For Girls with Curves

Figuring out how to find clothes that flatter your body type is a daunting task.  For years and years I had struggled with this myself, being short and curvy with small shoulders and big boobs (seriously, I'm not bragging, it's just a fact:  they are big!).  I used to spend hours upon hours going through the racks at clothing stores to find something that would fit me and flatter me, but to no avail.  I remember many times feeling very discouraged because I didn't seem to fit the mold of what was out there.  It wasn't a good feeling - I honestly felt my body was letting me down.  It was only when a friend said to me "woman, you need to make clothes work for you, not the other way around!" that a lightbulb came on.

From then on, the task was and still is to find pieces that flatter my small frame, big bust and curvy figure.  Thankfully, there are some great options out there now that retailers have figured out that not everyone is a 5'8, 120lb woman with no hips and that they aren't going to make any money ignoring this fact.  After years of research (aka shopping!), I've found some "style rules" to flatter my curves and help me feel put-together and confident about what I look like.  I also have a Pinterest board called For Girls with Curves that will hopefully inspire to dress your best with confidence but also some pictures of what to avoid.


Miss M's Tips for Styling a Curvy Frame:

1.  When you find something that fits well and is a wardrobe staple, buy multiples.  Similarly, record the style and fit so you can go back to the same store if you need to replace those items.  For example, I know the fit and length of pants at Ann Taylor and Banana Republic are great options for me, so I usually buy a couple pairs when I need to refresh my work wardrobe.  And while I might look elsewhere for other options, I don't waste my time hunting for the same fit somewhere else.  Once you know that something works for you, stick with it.

2.  Cinch that waist!  Belts have been huge over the last few years and here's why: cinch your waist with one and it instantly creates curves or if you have curves, flatters them.

Imagine this outfit without the belt: the ruching at the top of the skirt would create unnecessary bulk.
The belt brings everything in to flatter the waist.

3.  Balance your proportions - too tight and you will look hootchie, too loose and you will look bigger than you actually are.  For example, if you are going to wear a loose blouse, balance things out with skinny jeans.  Or, if you're going to wear wide leg jeans or pants, wear a top that is a bit more fitted.

Balance proportions - i.e.: skinny jeans with a looser top.
(Notice how this top is still cinched at the waist?)

4.  Find what works for you, that you feel comfortable and confident in.  Show off what you like about your body, and what you don't, find something that flatters that part not hides it.  For me, I wish my stomach was more like Britney Spears from 2006, but it's not.  So, I don't wear anything too tight in the midsection but instead try wear things that draw the eye upward (i.e.: to the girls...but in a classy way!).

A crossover dress is universally flattering but especially so when you aren't 100% in love with your midsection.

5.  Don't forget about your face!  It's great that you want your body to look great, but remember that your pretty eyes, fabulous smile or gorgeous hair are probably what people will see first when they look at you.  So, stop obsessing that you don't have Britney's 2006 abs, and smile for goodness sake!  People will notice when you are happy and that's what they will remember too.

6.  Last but not least:  Work it!  There are tons of gorgeous women in history that are curvaceous and proud of it.  Find a style role model who has curves like Kate Winslet, Christina Hendricks, Penelope Cruz, Salma Hayak, Jennifer Lopez....even Jessica Simpson if you are desperate...and use their confidence in their bodies to boost your own.  Tons of women out there wish they had a bit more curve to fill out their jeans or bras, so be happy that you aren't lacking in that department!

 

DIY: Low Back Bra

Low back dresses and tees seem to be everywhere right now.  Ever time I pick one up, I wonder what I could wear underneath.  Should I go Carrie Bradshaw and let my (pretty) bra show?  That's an option, but you gotta have the right look to pull it off.

Carrie B. showing her bra off in style.

Instead of going the visible bra route, there is also the low back bra.  Or, if you are feeling crafty, I found a way to transform a regular bra into a low back one through a blog called Tights and Tea:

You do need a sewing machine, but we all have a crafty friend or auntie or someone who can help out with the sewing part.  Even for a non sewer like me, this seems fairly simple.  Instead of buying a new bra, update an old one with some adjustments for a low back.  Check out the full instructions at Tights and Tees, and more fun crafts through my Pinterest board "She's Crafty!".

Prints Charming: The Real Life Edition

Once in a while I go trawling through my closet and "rediscover" what I actually own.  It's like shopping, but you don't have to spend any money at all!  I highly recommend it.

Anyway, while wading through piles of tanks, tees, dresses, etc I found the perfect "mixing" prints combination:  a leopard print belt over a flower printed tank.  Both items are fairly neutral, so it doesn't scream "I'm wearing prints!", but it's a pretty cute combo if I don't say so myself!

Hmm, maybe mixing prints is for me after all!

Literature 101: Book Clutches

Just when you thought I was going all shallow on you with my last posts about reality tv and hot actors in porn 'staches I'm going all literary on you instead!  I recently came across some pictures of celebrities with adorable book themed clutches from French accessories designer Olympia Le-Tan.  The handmade clutches have been seen on the likes of Michelle Williams and Natalie Portman.

Clemence Poesy and Natalie Portman with their Olympia Le-Tan clutches (via The Style Agenda)

It takes the right type of outfit to pull off a clutch like this.  I don't think they work particularly well with fancy gowns, but with trousers and a quirky blouse or simple shift dress, it is a really cute way to add some interest to an outfit.

Keri Washington holding a Kate Spade clutch (via InStyle)

Not ready to invest in one of these fancy bags?  You can make your own if you have a bit of time and the right tools.  See Kate Sew has a great tutorial, or if you're a Comic Con fan you could opt for a comic book clutch (via Lemon Lime Glitters). 

Weekend Project: DIY Sparkly Headbands

Via a great website called Flax and Twine, how to make these adorable sparkly headbands:

You can use irridescent beads (inexpensive) or rhinestones (pricier), but either way these headbands are a chic way to dress up any outfit, day or night.  Happy crafting!

Spring Cleaning

Spring hasn't officially "sprung" yet, but already on my mind is how I'm going to transition from the cardigans, long sleeves and boots that make up my daily work wardrobe to the skirts, dresses and sandals that will make up the spring/summer fashion season.  I know, I know...this is the biggest thing on my mind right now you say?  Well, in essence, yes because as a mega-type A personality, everything must be planned and in order in my life for me to be truly happy.  And you do want me to be happy don't you??

All kidding aside, the transition from seasons whether in fashion or food or gardening or home projects almost always takes some careful planning and reorganization.  You need new tools and the old ones have to go somewhere.   So, to go back to my original problem: how can I pack away all my winter stuff, bring out the spring/summer clothes, shoes & accessories, AND go through everything to ensure it still fits/is in good shape/is relevant without losing my mind?

BIG problem, indeed.  I've been reading about spring cleaning/preparing for a new season over the last few days and I've narrowed it down to three key tips:

1. If you haven't worn it/used it in the last year, give it away if it's in decent condition.  If it's not, throw it away.  Personally, I give some items away that I know I didn't pay a lot for at least every 6 months.  Everything else, I sell to a consignment shop, which leads me to point #2...
2. Don't under estimate the value of a piece that doesn't fit or you don't wear anymore:  sell it to a consignment shop.  You will never get the full price back, but you will get something for pieces that are in good condition and in season.   And who doesn't love a little extra cash in the pocketbook?
3. What you do keep, arrange in a way that you can actually see what you have to wear.  Group together items of the same type (ie: dresses, blouses, shirts) and invest in hangers that you can hang multiple items like skirts or slacks on.  There are lots of great products out there like belt holders, purse hangers, shoe hangers, etc that also help you organize multiples of the same type of item easily.  If you are really keen on organizing, you could invest in some divider tabs for your closet:

Last, but not least, if you want to stay organized once you are organized and not have all that hard work go to waste...put things back where you found them!

Fashion Blog Alert: Frills and Thrills

I am totally loving a blog I recently came across called Frills and Thrills, so I thought I'd share it with y'all.      It's written by a lady named Sam from South Africa (how cool!  always dreamed of going there).  Her most recent posts about NY Fall Fashion Week 2012 (she's got loads of pictures!) as well as a great post on "Anti-Valentine's Day":

There shouldn't be just one day in a year that permits you to be an impassioned, affectionate swashbuckling soul. Sometimes the sweetest of gestures are most surprising and appreciated when you least expect it. Anti-Valentine's Day should happen just once a year, but the essence of 'Valentine's Day' should be celebrated everyday. 

My definition of a great blog is something with style and substance.  We all love looking at fashion and being up on the latest trends, but you have to "keep it real" sometimes with a post about real life.  Will definitely keep reading this great blog!

Weekend Project: DIY Fancy Flats

I'm the first to admit that I'm not crafty but I do love being creative, which is why I love blogging and baking.  I'm trying to get into DIY projects more and I came across a tutorial on how to use scarves to make your flats fancier.

Fun DIY project via scarves.net

Thought I'd share this fun idea.  Enjoy!

Weekend Project: DIY Clutch

Looking for something crafty to do this weekend?  Refinery29 has a great idea:  make a bejewelled clutch inspired by a similar Prada clutch.  Very cute idea and it's inspiring me to get more crafty and maybe start making jewellry like some of my good friends do.

Fashion Websites: Refinery 29

As soon as I'm home from my "real" job and unwinding from the craziness that usually rules my day, I love visiting 3 or 4 (or 24...) different fashion sites/blogs to check out the latest style news, trend reports and beauty tips.  One of the sites I've discovered more recently is Refinery 29 and I'm so impressed with it so far.  It's very unique in the sense that it categorizes its stories by major cities like New York, LA and Miami, but also by topic like Beauty, Fashion and Shopping.  And if you weren't aware, I'm a mega type A personality, so anything that is neatly categorized, I'm instantly in love with.

Today their top stories range from finding a great parka, to celebrity baby news to how to find out what skin type you are.  I definitely recommend checking out Refinery 29!

Stocking Stuffer: Daily Diary

I am not one to give a lot of gifts around Christmas (except for my niece and nephew), but I thought I'd share for those doing some last minute shopping.  

Writing in a diary is pretty much reserved for 7th grade girls writing about their latest crush, however I think the Keel's Simple Diary is a pretty neat way to keep track of life's daily events.  Find it and other fun literary based gifts at Taschen.com 

Colours of 2012

Pantone named it's "Colour of 2012" today and it is called Tangerine Tango.  As strange as the name is, it is actually a gorgeous shade of orange, or as the press release says:  "Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy."  Hmm.  I think they are overselling it a bit, but I love the idea of a warm colour to ring in the new year.

Patone's colour of 2012

Now I am dreaming of 2012 in shades of Tangerine Tango and all the other great colours from Pantone's Spring 2012 Fashion Colour Trend report after looking at some of the creations inspired by them.

Tadashi Shoji dress in "Cabaret"

Lela Rose dress in Solar Power and Sweet Lilac

Barbara Tfank dress in Solar Power and Sodalite Blue

Countdown to: Cyber Monday!

Forget Black Friday...according to the New York Times, Cyber Monday is a better option for scoring the best deals this holiday season.  Personally, I love online shopping for its convenience, and even more so because sometimes I can't stand being in a crowd.  If I were to hit up a Black Friday sale, it would have to be for a really good deal on something I have been lusting after for a while, because the thought of dragging myself to a sale that hundreds of people would also go to is just stressful.

What about you?  Are you skipping Black Friday and going straight for the deals on Cyber Monday?  If you are, here are some of my favourite sites for shopping:

• Ebates - if you haven't signed up for Ebates yet, you need to right this moment.  First of all it is free, second of all you get access to some pretty sweet promotional codes for extra discounts and last you get cash back - I repeat:  CASH BACK - for any purchase from a website you jump to from their website.  So on top of the great Cyber Monday deals, you'll be getting some extra cash in your pocket around Christmas time in the form of a cheque from Ebates.  Join now!

• The Gap and Banana Republic- always are a go to for staple items for work and play.  When you sign up for Ebates , be sure to jump to either of these sites from there to get that cash back.

• Nordstrom is a must for designer looks, as is Revolve Clothing for designer jeans.  Bonus:  Revolve has free shipping to Canada.

What am I lusting after this Cyber Monday??  New boots!  Finding a pair of flat fall boots to wear with jeans and tights and a pair of high heel boots for work is my mission.

Frye Veronica slouch boots

Cole Haan boots with lace up detail

Wishing you a Cyber Monday full of great deals!