Okay so I've completely been MIA on the blog scene, and as much as I've missed it, there's just been so much going on lately. As you'll notice in my previous post, the birth of my nephew, Zion has kept me busy hanging on his every "coo" and smile (even if it is just gas)! Besides the new addition, there's been a subtraction that's left my family greatly saddened.
On January 26th, my Gran passed away. She passed peacefully, and with her family around her, which is a blessing. I'm still reeling from how quickly it seemed to happen. I really was hoping for more time, but I'm moved to thankful tears every time I think of how I had the chance to speak with her while she lived with us. I can't contain my emotions when I think of how I finally got to express what my dreams and goals were, and have her understand my heart behind things. The first time I told Gran I wanted a career in fashion, her response was, well.. grandmotherly. She worried that the industry would be too cold, too cruel, too materialistic. In the last months of Gran's life, I was able to share with her my love of creating, my desire to make sure my business endeavors ALWAYS gave back in some way or another, and how my heart ached to be able to use any platform I was given in this life to inspire others.
Life without passion isn't life at all. Gran's passion was her family. We were so very blessed to call her ours. The example she and my Grandpa (Poppa as we call him) gave us of love and family life is apparent in their children and I'm sure will be the case for her grandchildren. Some times I break down crying, because I wanted Gran & Poppa to be there to see me make something substantial of my life. To "make it". I worried the place I'm in right now wasn't enough, that I'd wasted too much time, that I was too old to try something new. When I finally broke down in tears and told my mom how I felt, she told me that Gran had told her that she was so very proud of the steps I was taking to get to where I wanted to be. I'm so far from perfect that it's not funny, and I still have so far to go, but hearing that Gran understood that I was doing my best means the world to me.
This morning I woke up early to do yoga. I really focused on clearing my mind of all the clutter, and being thankful. During my morning routine I stepped on the scale & realized that I've lost over 70lbs! It hasn't been over night, and there's been some ups & downs (actually a lot of ups & downs) but lately I've had so much peace and focus on my goals and it finally hit me how major my accomplishment is. That's when the tears happened. I thought back to two and a half years ago. I'd just had to attend the second funeral in a year for another close friend of mine. I was a huge, unhappy mess of a girl who really struggled to make it through the day, let alone plan for a future. It was a ridiculously dark place in my life. I remember days where I'd fall asleep at my desk, and I was ALWAYS late for work. I would cry at the drop of a hat.. and all that came flooding back, and the way my late friend, Jakub, would always tell me how I was a total fox & to not let anyone tell me different. I didn't know how he could say something like that to someone like me.. I was huge, and I felt horrible. This morning, I finally understood. What I'm becoming is from the inside out.
The changes that I've made are spiritual, emotional, and now they're bleeding into the physical. I feel that every day I'm growing stronger and learning more about myself, and what I'm capable of. I'm about to sell my car, pay off my debt, and travel this summer. I've been offered a trip to Cancun, which I cannot turn down, I'm excited for Vegas with my girlfriends, and hopefully California come fall. I have a huge care package on its way from a well known design school in San Diego, and I've been speaking with the Admins about finishing my Bachelors in Design..
So... this! All of this! This is what I've been keeping in my heart, and the dedication to getting into shape mentally, physically, and emotionally, has left me a little behind on the blogging. I'm somewhat elusive when it comes to keeping up with the posting, BUT I do promise to update on all the exciting things that are happening at some point or another, because I need to remember exactly how I feel in these moments.
xx
& the winner for biggest distraction goes to..
Okay - it's been over a week and I said I would keep things updated, however, between work, my workouts, and this little bundle I've been MIA. Can you blame me?
My sister and I have been spending time together {mainly because I can't take my eyes or my hands off this little guy} and I must admit, faced with the choice of being behind a laptop or glued to a computer or watching him make noise in his sleep, baby Zion will ALWAYS win. That said, I'm currently catching up Fashion Week shows {London & New York -- yes, I'm that behind right now.. shameful!} & will post my favorite looks & my most sought after items shortly!
xox
xox
Sorry for the mini hiatus..
Okay, so I honestly meant to keep updated with my anticipated shows & what I loved from last year & hoped to see this season... however, this weekend was full with two birthday parties {one taking me out of town for a 24hr vacation} and then Family day yesterday.. that said, I'm thinking of doing one large post now as it doesn't make much sense to follow the "Tomorrow's most anticipated" approach, in hindsight. Stay tuned!
NYFW: February 8th, 2013
I have to say spending this morning with a hot cup of tea, streaming NYFW's live coverage of shows was enough to make me happy I rolled out of bed & came to work.
With today's shows beginning to wind down, I'm starting to get excited about tomorrow... As for a few shows I've missed, I'll be glued to my laptop the moment I get home tonight to catch up!
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| Classy classy classy! Old elegance & a neutral pallet were so chic! The fur coat on the left had me dying! |
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| Gold hardware, mixed media (if you will) with sparkles, velvet, silky finishes, and fur! Totally diva worthy & the jewel tones thrown in for good measure had me giving this collection a round of applause! |
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| Lace & Silk, Fur & Velvet, Sheer blouses & accents.. The clothes really speak for themselves on this one - looks like Rebecca Minkoff & Nicole Miller were thinking the same pallets with a slightly different take. Overall, I loved it! |
I can't wait to see the evening portion for tonight & make a mental list of what I would buy if I could buy! There was a particular grey knit sweater with a button up back at Nicholas K that I couldn't take my eyes off of, and Richard Chai Love had me thinking I'd be set if I was ever half of one of those couples that liked to compliment each others' outfits {will I ever be that in love with anything but Fashion? I doubt it.. but it was a funny thought}. Timo Weiland's collection looked beautiful from what I could see on Twitter & Instagram..
Whose collections are you most excited to see tomorrow?
xx
NYFW: February 7th, 2013.
By now fashions' elite are, no doubt, beginning to arrive at the opening night AMFAR New York Gala.. For the sake of feeling better about myself, I've decided to pretend that my invitation was lost in the mail. Way to go Canada Post! Of course I had an outfit picked out; I was ready to hop the next flight to the East Coast, but I just couldn't leave the office. I'm up to my eye balls in solving the worlds problems.
In all seriousness, though, as I mentioned in my last post: I'm more than a little excited to see what certain designers {whose collections tugged at my heart strings & inspired me last year} will put down the run way tomorrow...
Catching my eye immediately are Nicholas K, Richard Chai Love, and Edun. These designers captured my admiration last year & had me lusting for a bigger paycheck {and more closet space} with which I could collect piece after piece!
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| Nicholas K design team Nicholas & Christopher Kunz draped fabric beautifully in what I'd call cowgirl meets grunge. The earthy & semi-sheer pieces as well as the leather accents inspired so much lust in me! |
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| Richard Chai had me in love with the idea of floral-esque coats & blazers, as well as mixing patterns. I only hope to one day master mixing patterns as it makes my heart go pitter patter! |
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| What can I say about Sharon Wauchob? I love her design, and for Edun this is ever so true! Splashes of bold color, animal prints, gorgeous draping & fit paired with knits & chunky coats.. honestly what more could I ask for? The woman had me drooling! |
xx
- Anxious Fashion Addict.
It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year..
Forget Valentine's Day, forget my birthday, and forget Christmas.. It's finally arrived:
The beginning of Fashion Weeks world wide! As we speak some of the most glamorous & prestigious designers, editors, and fashion lovers prepare for a whirlwind of a week the entire cosmopolitan world cannot wait to take in! Of course this excitement is split bi-yearly over Fall & Winter collections and Spring & Summer, however, living in the great North of Canada, I have to admit Fall & Winter fashions hold a special place in my heart! I've been pining over the NYFW schedule for a while now.. stay tuned for my posts on the shows I would give my first born to attend {just kidding... or am I?} & the reasons why I can't wait to see what they send down the glorious runway!
xx
Fashionably yours,
Green is the new Black..
I can't seem to recall the exact place I found the quote... or who can be credited for it, but I remember reading at a very young age "The greatest accessory to fashion a woman can possess is an attractive physique."
My search to be as fit & stylish as possible has lead me to LOVE juicing. It's not for everybody, however, it's an amazing way to keep make sure you're getting all of your greens! Not everyone has the will power or time to shove 8-10 servings of veggies down a day, I sincerely admire you if this is you!
Today I traded in online "window-shopping" for grocery shopping. The mission was simple - create a green juice that tastes great & helps me get as many green fruits & veggies as possible... after all "Green is the new Black!"
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Ingredients:
6 Kiwis, peeled 3 Granny Smith Apples 2 Celery stalks 1 Bunch of Kale 1 Cucumber 1 c. Spinach 1 c. Coconut Water |
I prefer to use a juicer for the apples, celery & cucumbers, while mixing the kiwis, kale, and spinach with the coconut water in a high speed blender or magic bullet will make sure you're not wasting most of your produce as pulp.
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| To avoid the giant mess I made, make sure to lower the spout on the juicer. I'm sure you already know this - I'm probably the only one who would make that mistake... |
Once I'd juiced the cucumber, celery, and apples, I put two packets of Matcha {I use the kind my company carries, however, this is optional & I add it for flavour, digestion aid, and metabolism boosting properties}.
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| I combined all items in my Blendtec blender & hit "whole juice" which blends it on high for about 45 seconds. |
I'm crazy about how delicious this juice is.. It's definitely going to be a staple in my juicing routine. I could probably get away with less fruit & more greens {lowering the carbohydrate amount}, I'll continue to experimenting. Try juicing for health & let me know how you like it!
Stay beautiful!
xx
Interior Inspiration: Life in Black & White..
Anyone who knows me or follows me on Pinterest could tell you what a sucker I am for monochromatic colour schemes. There's just something so clean & crisp about black and white {& all the shades in between}. I always feel it leaves so much room for colour in other places - a vase of peonies, that colourful book with the clever title on the coffee table, a piece of art with a story behind it..
Now not everyone has the funds to hire an interior designer, but with so many ideas floating around the internet constantly {and most people on a budget} there are plenty of ways to spice up your place & bring a little class and opulence into your life without taking too much out of your shoe fund.
| {Cue Gato Barbieri's Last Tango in Paris}
On my little list:
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| 1. Frame your favorite quotes & hang them from the wall for inspiration - Frame here- 2. Liza Pendent Lamp Urban Barn 3. Tipperary Crystal Pillar Candle holders House of Fraser 4. C'est La Vie Pillow Urban Barn 5. Dalton Mirrored Accent Table here 6. Makassar Ebony & Peach Reed Diffuser Amazon 7. Faux Mink Throw Amazon 8. Striped Bench |
Why not save your pennies for that chandelier you've always wanted, add some flare to your life with new wall paper or your favorite monochromatic shade of paint.. perhaps black if you're really adventurous? Whatever it is, I believe everyone deserves a touch of elegance in their lives!
I know what I'm putting money in my piggy bank for.....
I know what I'm putting money in my piggy bank for.....
Keep it Classy, babes!
xox
Lazy Gourmet: Protein Paleo Bombs...
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| Nutrition Information: {Per six pieces} Cal: 378 Protein: 50 Fat: 18 Carbs: 10 Fibre: 4 |
I decided to try something new for dinner {thanks for that Pinterest via Modern Paleo Warfare}. I'm always searching for new ways to make delicious food that suits my dietary needs, which are an eclectic mixture of eating for my blood type meets pescitarian-without-the-dairy meets Paleo meets... well, you get the idea. Needless to say, dinner was delicious! If you're like me and looking for something low in carbs & high in protein, give this recipe a try!
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| Ingredients: 3-4 eggs 1 can of tuna (I prefer Albacore as it's not fishy tasting) 1 clove of garlic 1/3rd of an avocado (I use it for good fats & as a mayo sub) 1/2 c spinach finely chopped 1-2tbsp olive tapenade Pinch of pepper or other spices for taste. |
While the eggs are boiling, you'll want to chop the garlic & spinach into small pieces to make them easier to mix with the other ingredients.
Once this is done, mix tuna, garlic, avocado, spinach & olive tapenade {or any other ingredients you want} until everything is nicely blended.
You'll want to cut the hard boiled eggs into halves and remove the yolk. Scoop out 1-2tbsps of tuna mixture & roll into a ball. Place into the egg white halves.
Voila! You're done! Super quick, easy, healthy & delicious. I decided to top mine with sliced black olive & enjoy with delicious carrot salad my dad had made.
Hope you enjoy them as much as I did! Get creative, try different fillings & mixtures - if you don't like tuna, perhaps chicken would taste good! Whatever you do, don't let healthy eating become boring because it's essential to your physical & emotional happiness!
Stay gorgeous, lovelies!
xox
It's okay I'm a "Thriver"
I started this post out wanting to put "Survivor", however, in lieu of my constant desire to do more than just "good enough", to constantly push myself to be better, I had to change it to a more appropriate title.
Life recently has been hectic and full of heart-breaks and set backs to say the very least. Family & personal matters have proven they are more than capable of becoming overwhelming. I am, at heart, an empath and aspiring philanthropist. This means while wanting to help those around me, I often struggle to separate their emotions from my own, and to properly compartmentalize my time to ensure that I stay healthy & successful rather than letting the emotional weight of my surroundings cause a mental collapse. Winter definitely has brought some of the biggest challenges I've faced to date. I was hoping that in blogging I would find a way to paint a beautiful collage of who I am and express things that are important to me and true beauty is not always in the happiness; so here it is - my first post that is written on a rather serious note. Time to get personal {not to worry, there's a point to this - I promise.}
Things can't always be roses & sunshine. Please don't get me wrong, I'm a firm believer in dancing in the rain despite it being the byproduct of a storm, however, there's a point in time where things, in one way or another, can and most likely will take a turn for what seems like the worst. My mission these days is to prioritize my life and make sure that I'm savoring these growing pains. My mantra, in the words of one a woman I admire greatly, Kelly Cutrone, is and remains:
It's not a breakdown, it's a breakthrough!
This thought constantly running through my mind has been such a place of solace for me. Knowing that no matter what life has thrown at me, cliches aside, things often seem toughest right before we "strike gold" and reach a revelation that scream so loudly we literally have no choice but to accept it & change our universe to accommodate it as truth. For anyone who follows my Twitter account, you can see the thoughts in form of 140 characters sprinkled in between the rest of my daily life.
I'm just over the half-way mark for what my friends & I are calling "Sober January". This started last year, and I was actually admittedly excited for January to arrive this year. During the first month of the year, I do a detox and I abstain from alcohol and try to eat as healthy & clean as possible. For many people this may be the norm, however, at the ripe age of 25, it seems I'm smack dab in the middle of a culture that is so saturated in distracting my age group. Party party party... At times it seems we forget to have substance & settle for substance abuse.. I'm striving to not be that type of person any more. I know I have potential, and in turn, a lot to offer. With a clear head, I have decided that from now on I should celebrate when there is something to celebrate, and when a reason eludes me, I will act accordingly, putting my nose to the grindstone and getting to work at creating things I can be proud of.
I've been known to hide away in the gym for hours, and as any personal trainer will tell you: You cannot get what you want by letting other people do the work for you. You must be willing to take the steps to being healthy and make a conscious decision to excel. In my case, the "work" in question is dealing with my Grandmother's diagnoses with cancer - being told by doctors that she most likely will not respond to any further chemotherapy {I don't believe that modern medicine determines our path & allotted time, however I believe it's healthy for me to start dealing with the possibility that things are beyond our control & spend as much time with my family as I can}. Other "work" I've had to come to terms with is watching my Grandfather deteriorate due to Alzheimer's Dementia and knowing that for both him and my Grandmother, our time with them is precious.
I'm currently in a place where I'm so thankful that a choice to follow my January tradition. I know that had I not chosen to spend this time with my family, and to abstain from any sort of activity that distracted from doing so, I would look back and have so many more issues to try and over-come.
Life is far from perfect, but I'm learning where to put my energy, slowly, but surely. My addiction to social connections, and social media came to a head Tuesday afternoon when I abruptly decided to deactivate my Facebook account. I believe that social media in its forms, used in the correct context, can be amazing. Social media can propel your brand, connect you with instant news, and even provide amusement. At this point in my life I'm not in a place where I feel I should be devoting so much of my time to this particular outlet. I don't believe that exposure to what my 800+ acquaintances and friends are doing, thinking, or feeling at every moment of the day is profitable or healthy for me. I'm not saying I'll never be back, however, I definitely need to take time to decide how and why I want to use the site, and whether it's a tool or a hindrance. Right now, it's hindering me from living in the moment. I cannot stress how important I believe living in the moment and taking everything you possibly can is for those of us who wish to be fulfilled, happy, and thrive. Perhaps I feel so strongly about this because my desire is to have a career in the arts & my constant need for inspiration to be successful means, at times, disconnecting.
All in all, I just wanted to paint a bit of a picture & give some insight into my mental space in this present time. I promise not to weigh down the good with the bad and I promise to always see the beauty in the things around me, even when they're anything but perfect. What I hope to speak with this post is that whatever you're going through, lovelies, I want you to do whatever it takes to find support you need, clear your head, see every situation as an opportunity to grow and make memories {even if they're memories of some of the toughest times where you think you can't go on - trust me, later they'll become a place for you to draw your strength from}, and be present.
xox