February 2012
22 posts
2 tags
Sick...
Sorry for the silence.  I am at home in bed with a fever - I haven’t had a fever since I was a kid.  Not fun.  Not fun at all.  In undergrad, I think I had a much harder time getting tests and exams deferred when I was LEGITIMATELY sick becasue I never had a fever, and I only rarely had swollen glands.  I think the doctors at  the student health center thought I was full of shit.  But...
Feb 29th
3 tags
Still Winter?
A quick preview of this weekend (droopy ponytail and all…).  The rest of the photos will be posted in a day or two. I am getting anxious for spring and really want to be done with the winter coats and boots.  It seems that every other blog I read is showcasing spring fashion.  Ottawa, on the other hand, is still most definitely in the middle of winter (we got another 20+ cm of snow on...
Feb 27th
1 note
11 tags
Last Weekend...
I have been debating whether I should put these photos up.  This is definitely not my favorite outfit, however it is what I wore last weekend when Kevin and I finally went to check out Ottawa’s new Ikea store (biggest in Canada I believe).  Ikea was packed.  There were people everywhere.  All walking slowly.  The parking lot was also a disaster.  All in all, it was a bad experience and we...
Feb 25th
3 tags
Kanata Fashion Blogger Feature
As I mentioned in an earlier post, I was selected as the Kanata Fashion Blogger of the Week.  This has nothing to do with the (former) City of Kanata (which is now part of Ottawa), instead it is a Canadian fashion blog network.  Each week the network chooses a Canadian blogger and does a series of profiles on that person.  You can check out the profiles of myself and other great Canadian fashion...
Feb 25th
12 tags
Mellow Yellow
Row 1 Rag and Bone Lemon Yellow Blazer Old Navy Cap Toe Ballet Flats Patterson J. Kincaid Comellia Chiffon Blouse Row 2 ASOS Slot Portfolio Clutch Old Navy 3/4 Sleeve Button Tab Top Old Navy Mini Messenger Bag Row 3 Diane von Furstenberg Minkino Top Steffen Schraut Cashmere Cozy Cardigan (or see Gap’s version here) Old Navy Charmeuse Tab Sleeve Dresses Row 4 Diane von...
Feb 23rd
10 tags
Ready for spring...
Today I received a tweet letting me know that I was Kanata Fashion’s blogger of the week.  I am very honored :)  You can read about me and other great Canadian fashion bloggers on their tumblr page. Blouse:  Liz Claiborne, thrifted (tags on!) (similar here and here) Wide-leg dress pants:  Gap (similar) Necklace:  ZAD (similar here and here) Metal bracelets:  Mexx and gift Leather...
Feb 22nd
1 note
10 tags
Wishing it was a holiday...
Yesterday (Mon Feb 20) was Family Day in Ontario.  For all those who had the day off, I hope you had a wonderful holiday :)  For everyone else who had to work (myself included), I hope your workplace was empty (becasue all your co-workers decided to eff the system and take a vacation day), and I hope you were able to get a lot of work done, or catch up on sleep, or whatever else you do at the...
Feb 21st
8 tags
Lace and dots
This was an unsubmitted picture from the Winter Remix Challenge.  For those who are getting tired of seeing the same items remixed.  These are the last pics from that batch of photos…for now :)  I was actually in California on business for most of last week, so it was very handy to upload remix pictures instead of carting my camera and tripod down to LA.  Lace top: H&M, worn...
Feb 20th
8 tags
Returning
Dear spaghetti sauce: why must you always get all over my white table cloth.  In other news - this is a very casual outfit for a very casual Friday.  Blazer:  J.Crew (sooo cozy - similar here) Tank:  Banana Republic (similar or here) Jeans:  Banana Republic Wide Leg Denim Trouser Cuff:  Lulu’s (similar) Necklace:  Amrita Singh (similar) Flats:  Cole Haan ‘Air Andi’ gold...
Feb 17th
1 note
9 tags
More remixing
Today’s photos are from the What I Wore Winter Remix Challenge.  I haven’t worn these pants since the fall (here and here) becasue I didn’t think they were very ‘wintery’ (and because I felt like a wannabe-teenager when I tucked them into my winter boots).  However, something lead me to pull them out of my closet for the remix challenge.  While I am certainly not...
Feb 16th
1 note
4 tags
Can't think of a creative title...
Wool jacket:  Banana Republic (similar here) Silk blouse:  J.Crew Elodie blouse (similar here and here) Pants:  H&M  (similar here and here) Bracelet:  I forget… (similar here and here) Clutch:  Vieta (similar here and here) Shoes:  Rock & Republic ‘Nika’ (similar here and here.  I just found out that Kohl’s is now carrying an exclusive lower-priced line of...
Feb 15th
11 tags
Happy Valentine's Day
I wish I could say I had a red-and-pink-themed outfit to wear for valentine’s day, but, to be honest, I almost totally forgot about the pseudo-holiday.  Instead, I am posting one of my yet-to-be seen remix outfits that contains at least some red (a colour I don’t often wear).  This way, at least my blog is slightly “festive”.  That is, if you call my thrifted plaid shirt...
Feb 14th
1 note
3 tags
Winter Remix Challenge
Last week, Jessica from What I Wore announced a Winter Remix Challenge - an opportunity for readers to submit outfit photos showing how they restyled a particular piece of clothing.  Below are my submissions: Outfit 1 & Outfit 2 - coming up soon (I have a slight outfit post backlog at the moment) Outfit 3 & Outfit 4 Outfit 5 & Outfit 6 Outfit 7 & Outfit 8
Feb 13th
1 note
9 tags
A theme...
I have been working on a DIY project on-and-off for the last week.  Hopefully I will have it done soon.  Can’t wait to post it :)  Yesterday I made dinner for one of my girlfriends.  We spent hours talking and catching up (it was one of those great cathartic girlfriend talks).  It’s amazing what a good conversation can do for the soul - today a feel far more relaxed than I have felt...
Feb 12th
1 note
16 tags
Gold Flats
To follow up yesterday’s post about my gold Cole Haan Air Andi ballet flats (also seen here, here, and here), I made a follow-up collage of currently-available versions.                      Top Row Lanvin Metallic Leather Ballet Flat or similiar Marc by Marc Jacobs Newbark Love Metallic Flats 2nd Row Repetto BB ballet flats Sam Edelman Bina flats PUMA Sport Fashion Rhythm flat ...
Feb 10th
8 tags
With a bit of gold...
A really simple outfit.  Not much jewelery (other than my go-to diamond studs - a gift from my husband), and pretty simple clothing choices.  I am slightly embarrassed to admit that I have a “clutter room” in my house.  It started off as an office/sewing room, but turned into a place to dump all my crap. It’s so bad that my office has “moved” to the kitchen table,...
Feb 9th
9 tags
Part 2
I loved this outfit so much that I decided to take post two separate sets of photos - one with the polka-dotted blouse on (yesterday), and the other with the blouse off (today).  Even though removing the blouse is a simple change, it almost looks like a completely different outfit.  Sequin Tank:  J.Crew Blouse:  Winners (similar here, here and here) Pants:  J.Crew Paley pant Earrings: ...
Feb 8th
8 tags
Warm weather please
I want the snow to melt asap so I can actually wear these heels outside.  Unfortunately, old man winter is still forcing me to wear big clunky boots to trudge through the snow.    Did anyone catch the groundhog day predictions?  Please tell me spring is coming soon… Sequin Tank:  J.Crew Blouse:  Winners (similar here, here and here) Pants:  J.Crew Paley pant Earrings:  Nine West...
Feb 7th
1 note
2 tags
Blog updates!
(image via Pinterest) I spent a good portion of my Saturday tinkering with my blog.  Most notably: 1) You can now subscribe to Laura Wears via email.  Simply enter your email in the box on the right, and my blog content will be emailed to you every time I update.  It is powered by FeedBurner - a Google project (ie. it’s legit & won’t send you spam). 2) I made an...
Feb 5th
10 tags
Looking forward
I found this dress last night during a quick thrifting pit-stop.  I love love love it.  Normally I lay my thrift finds on the living room floor to photograph them (here and here), but I really wanted to show off this dress by wearing it instead.  Now I just need an invite to a destination wedding so I can wear the dress in real life (after it gets back from the dry cleaners - I just dropped it...
Feb 4th
1 note
9 tags
Feeling almost normal
Remember my rant about Banana Republic and polyester from this post?  Well, I gave into the overprice polyester as soon as they had a 40% off sale.  I am so weak.  On the plus side, I can see myself getting a lot of wear out of this blouse this summer.  Although, part of me worries that the print is a little ‘old’ for me…   Like I should be discussing fake teeth while wintering in Florida. ...
Feb 2nd
8 tags
Recovering
This cold really hit me hard.  Yesterday, I finally managed to put regular clothes on [read: not pajamas] and drag myself to see my doctor.  As expected, he told me I wasn’t dying, and sent me home with some stronger meds and directions to frequently gargle with salt water (to soothe the anger in my throat).  This is essentially what I wore, with the exception of the heels and lipstick [I...
Feb 1st
January 2012
19 posts
6 tags
Thrift Finds 3
This week I thrifted three items: 1) Pink blouse. (wish it was silk, but it’s polyester).  $12.99 at VV - yes, I know, I paid waaaaay too much for polyester…  The says Hiroko.  While I really want it to be a Hiroko Koshino, it is probably something less interesting.  I did a quick online search, but didn’t come up with any leads…  2) Cropped black jacket.  $5.99 at VV. ...
Jan 31st
9 tags
The blues
I am sick today…  My friends and I were recently talking about colds - we never used to get really sick as children or teenagers.  Worse case scenario, I had a runny nose, but I was still able to go to school, play volleyball, work at my part-time job, etc.  Now as an adult, I find myself getting sick ALL THE TIME.  I am already on my second cold of the new year, and January isn’t...
Jan 30th
1 note
18 tags
Wish List...
Just a few of the things that I have been lusting over recently… Top Row Banana Republic Mod Print Pintuck Shell Jacob Pintuck Blouse Gap Leather Crop Moto Pant Middle Row Kenneth Cole New York Au Cafe Heel Fossil Vintage Reissue Weekend Bag (or in Canada at The Bay) Karen Walker Perfect Day Sunglasses Alexander Wang Chloe Sandal Bottom Row: Tinley Road Color Block Bloussant Day Dress...
Jan 27th
1 note
8 tags
Disco Inferno
When I was putting this outfit together yesterday morning, Kevin, taken by what he calls my “70’s print shirt”, decided to start singing Burn Baby Burn.  After unsuccessfully trying to justify this blouse, I gave up, gave him a kiss, and left for work.  Apparently, after 8+ hours, the joke didn’t get old - I was welcomed home to more Burn Baby Burn and some Disco...
Jan 26th
1 note
12 tags
Plaid and stripes
Is it Friday yet?  Better yet, I need a holiday.  Sadly, I won’t be getting time off work for the next few months.  Yes, there are worse things.  No, that doesn’t really make me feel better. Plaid shirt:  Jones New York, thrifted (similar) Sweater:  Joe Fresh Jeans:  Banana Republic (Currently on sale here and here (similar).  These pants are cut very large and the length...
Jan 25th
4 notes
8 tags
Public Speaking
Today I had the pleasure of speaking at a local high school about my career choices.  This is the 3rd (or 4th?) year I have been asked to come speak.  Hopefully this means I am doing a good job.  With the exception of one student who fell asleep in the front row (eeeek), I think everyone was pretty engaged.  I should point out, I can’t judge the sleeper too harshly - that used to be me. ...
Jan 23rd
2 notes
12 tags
Layers
Naturally, I didn’t wear these shoes out into the snow (as per last Thursday’s post).  I am so happy I finally figured out how to take half-decent photos indoors.  It makes my life so much easier on cold and/or snowy days.  Plaid shirt:  Jones New York, thrifted (similar) Lace top:  H&M, worn backwards - you can see the tag in a few shots Sweater Vest:  Bootlegger,...
Jan 21st
3 notes
9 tags
Thrift Finds 2
This week I thrifted these three items: 1) A Jones New York plaid shirt - $9.99 at VV.  I figure it is time to jump on the plaid bandwagon.  2) A Mac & Jac silk empire waist top.  The empire waist is not my favorite silhouette, but for $4.99, I bought this top anyways.  Maybe it will grow on me… 3) …and finally, the piece-of-the-day, a white Danier Leather tiered pencil...
Jan 20th
2 notes
8 tags
Good deeds
On Tuesday, Ottawa and surrounding area got hit by another snow storm.  After doing 40 km/hr in a near-whiteout for most of my drive home from work (with the exception of the time I spent at a dead stop due to traffic volume and accidents), the last thing I wanted to do was shovel my driveway.  In fact, I had partially convinced myself that, since it was going to snow all night too, perhaps...
Jan 19th
2 notes
4 tags
Coming up eventually...
I bought these shoes for New Year`s Eve festivities.  Unfortunately, plans changed, so I have yet to wear them :( Shoes:  Sam Edelman ‘Scarlett’ heels
Jan 17th
1 note
7 tags
Friday & the weekend
This is my work outfit from Friday.  I think the top says casual Friday while the bottoms say work wear.  The best of two worlds maybe? This Saturday, I took my camera and my defective shutter releases into Henry’s Camera for some help.  My new shutter release didn’t work either leading me to think that perhaps the port on my camera had stopped working.  I was pretty depressed...
Jan 16th
1 note
8 tags
Homemade
My mom made this sweater for herself in the mid- to late-80’s.  A few years ago I noticed she had it in the ‘to be donated’ bag, so I quickly snatched it up.  Something about donating homemade clothing breaks my heart.  Plus, I remember her wearing this sweater when I was little.  In fact, I had a matching pink and blue sweater (also homemade!).  So for a variety of sentimental...
Jan 13th
4 notes
10 tags
Mild
There were taken earlier in the week when it was somewhat mild out (although as soon as I was done taking pictures, I immediately put my coat back on!).  I was browsing around the Banana Republic site today, and I was surprised how many of their tops were made of polyester.  Don’t get me wrong, polyester is fine for F21, Joe Fresh, and Old Navy, but from Banana Republic I expect to see...
Jan 12th
1 note
12 tags
Resolutions
While I am normally not big on resolutions, today I took time to write down a list of things that have really been bothering me, and the steps I feel I should take to help fix some of these situations.  I also wrote a second list about things I would like to see other people in my life do to also help fix some of these situations.  My resolution is to openly discuss my concerns  in a...
Jan 10th
2 notes
9 tags
A Thrift Payload! (aka Thrift Finds 1)
On Saturday I was going stir-crazy so I decided to take a break from studying to check out my local Value Village.  Much to my delight, I came home with two great skirts and a silk blouse.  It baffles me what people give away.  All three pieces are still very much in style & in amazing condition! However, the story of the night was a RED Valintino pencil skirt that I found for $9.99. ...
Jan 9th
4 notes
3 tags
Procrastinating - GF Shortbread Cookies
The other night I REALLY did not want to do school work… Bad because I had a 6 page report due on Monday morning, but good because I did found time to make some gluten free shortbread cookies - yum!  This recipe on Food.com is amazing!  Even Kevin, my gluten-loving husband raved about these cookies.  While this is not the best presentation possible, the cookies were still delicious!!
Jan 8th
3 notes
11 tags
Nesting Behaviour
Something about winter triggers my cleaning-cooking-crafting behaviour.  But what is most surprising is that I actually have a desire to cook and bake.  To Kevin`s despair, I am not much of a cook.  Normally.  However, today I have a batch of blueberry-banana muffins in the oven and have a Thai chicken recipe picked out for dinner.  Very odd.  A significant number of these pictures turned...
Jan 7th
1 note
10 tags
Girl's night out
I need a new shutter release ASAP.  I tired to get some closeups of my hair, but the shitty focus ruined that plan (I am still focusing on an object, starting the autotimer, and then running into the picture area and removing the object before the camera goes off).  Essentially I braided one side of my head in a loose braid all the way over to the location of the side-bun.  Judging from these...
Jan 4th
2 notes
8 tags
Getting better at taking indoor photos & an...
I can’t believe the holidays are over - for me, it feels like they just began.  After a whirlwind of family, friends, and more family, I am ready for a real holiday.  It seems that when you get to that certain “responsible age”, Christmas and New Years become more of a mad rush between commitments rather than a relaxing time.  Having said all that, I definitely personally...
Jan 3rd
1 note
December 2011
14 posts
5 tags
Dinner with the Family
Kevin took my pictures today because my shutter release stopped working (total piss off!).  This was the first time someone else took my pictures - normally it is just me, my camera, and the wireless shutter release.  It was a little intimidating to have Kevin behind the camera.  There were a lot of pictures with me laughing from embarrassment & my total number of pictures was only about 15...
Dec 29th
1 note
9 tags
...and the dressed-down version
As a continuation of yesterdays post… As I mentioned in my last post, I am moving home today.  Hooray!  Going back to my old job will be interesting - for a lot of reasons.  From a fashion standpoint, I have had a lot of freedom of dress over the past few months.  There wasn’t much in the way of a dress code, which means there wasn’t much in the way of dress pants or ties...
Dec 21st
1 note
8 tags
The slightly dressed up option...
This outfit had two iterations.  Today’s post will show the slightly dressed up/work party option.  Tomorrow’s post will show the dressed down/work & last-minute Christmas shopping option.  Not really sure why I decided to reverse the chronological order of these posts - just felt like the right think to do… My fall work assignment finished today.  While I am torn about...
Dec 20th
8 tags
Thrifted Leather Skirt
I love this outfit, but HATE these photos.  I wimped-out on Friday and shot these pictures indoors.  As the temperatures drop, I am finding myself resenting the thought of taking pictures outside.  This is made worse by the fact that I have to shed my “winter armour” - my coat, mittens, and toque - to get an actual outfit shot.   I thrifted this leather skirt for $9.99 at Value...
Dec 18th
11 notes
2 tags
Snapshots
A few pictures from around the house… I took these pictures a few weeks ago, just as I was starting to get into the Christmas spirit… 1.  Fake flowers that permanently reside in our bathroom (thought the colour was festive) 2.  My current table centerpiece - spray-painted leaves and balsam fir boughs (DIY-ed by yours truly!) 3.  Feather wreath on bathroom door (I love it!)...
Dec 13th
1 note
11 tags
Let the sun shine in
I am loving how these pics turned out.  The streaming sunlight was definitely not planned - rather it was a happy byproduct of my previous failed photo attempt… Early in the day, I went to take pictures in my favorite parking lot de-jour, but my shutter release would not work (becoming a common problem in the cold weather).  I don`t have words to explain how pissed off I was that once...
Dec 10th
3 notes
11 tags
Dotty
A few days ago I received a very nice email from a reader asking me to do a hair tutorial (for the look in this post).  Unfortunately, I don’t own a video camera so a video tutorial is not possible.  Instead, I will try to find something online that is similar…  (give me a few days). Also, I heard that the blog is not always loading properly in Internet Explorer.   Hopefully Tumblr...
Dec 9th
5 notes
5 tags
D-I-Y: Ribbon wrapped trees
I was trying avoid school work this evening, so I got creative… I have seen many these paper trees all over the internet.  I am sure I am not the first person to think of wrapping the “tree” with ribbons, however I thought I would post my version anyways… Materials Paper (I used thicker card-stock scrap-booking paper) Scissors Glue Ribbon  Time ~ 30 mins   Put glue...
Dec 9th
4 notes
7 tags
A little green
Today, after grabbing dinner at the mall (the food court has far more choice than my fridge at the moment - don’t judge), I wandered into H&M.  After trying on a bunch of items, I bought nothing.  Not because I didn’t find anything I liked, but because I don’t NEED anything new & because I made a pact with myself - no more frivolous shopping! Anyways, while I was...
Dec 8th