Opposites Attract with Halifax Shopping Centre

It's alarming how many hours I spend in the run of a month at Halifax Shopping Centre. I work a very short drive away from the mall, so I often pop over at lunch to grab a bite and/or a drink and wander in a store or two.

When HSC asked me to pick some items for their Opposites Attract feature, I was more than happy to offer my choices for splurges and saves that are in the mall right now.



HSC generously gave me a gift card to bestow on one lucky blog reader. You get the chance to have $50 to spend at HSC if:

1) You leave a comment at the end of this post (please leave your e-mail address)

OR

2) Come over to Glitterary Girl on Facebook, like the page and leave a comment on my HSC post. The contest closes Feb 5/14 at 11:59 p.m. Winner will be contacted Feb 8/14.

You can sign up for The List here and get in the loop with contests, offers and fashion advice from HSC. I also have another few picks to share with those people who are signed up for the list.

Thanks so much to HSC for the opportunity to share my style!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Blurred Lines

As I've said before, whatever did we do when all we had to choose from in denim was blue, black, and grey? No colors, no flowers, no patterns, no coatings? How boring we once were!

Details

Jeans: Gap Factory Store

Shirt and shoes: Le Chateau

Blazer: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target

Bracelets: Stella & Dot

Necklace: Gift

I quite like the subtle stripes in these jeans. Vertical stripes elongate! Since all of my height (yes, all 5'3'') is in my torso, anything to make my gams look lanky is welcome in my closet.

Nails: Nicole by OPI in Back to Reality...TV

What's your favorite non-traditional denim?

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Great Picks 2013: Part Two

Today I'm sharing Part Deux of what I consider to be my best purchases of 2013. These are items I love to put on and will log lots of wear-time in the future.

Skirt and Boots

A skirt that's made well, a great length, a great color, inexpensive ($30) and is fun to twirl in. One of my very favorite shopping memories is busting through the door of Target and filling my cart with 3.1 Phillip Lim stuff (with NO competition for pieces unlike many stores which had near-riots). February 9th is another collection launch (Peter Pilotto) and you know where I'll be at 8:00 am that day.

Thanks to the nice salesgirl at H&M who alerted me to these sweet boots at a crazy price (marked down from $70 to $10). I was shocked at how comfortable they are.

Puffer Jacket- I'll show this in a post in the near future!

Pretty much a necessity to own one of these types of coats in Nova Scotia. I was searching for one and found it at HR2 (which is a discount Holt Renfrew) in Toronto. Cole Haan $198.

Booties

These are probably the most worn footwear I own right now. Flat, black, and basic - they go with almost everything and are great for work and weekend wear. Aldo $100 (on sale now for less).

Skirt

For $5, this was a steal. I often find gems like this at Crimson Clover. It's got just the right colors in it to go with almost anything and it's a good length for work.

Here's hoping that 2014 bring me some more great additions!

XOXO

Glitterary Girl

Out with the Old

I reached into the coat closet the other day, looking for my black winter vest. I pulled it out, looked at it, and put it back. That's how you can tell when something has overstayed its welcome in your wardrobe. If you don't want to wear it, no matter what your mood, you won't wear it again.

It's the perfect time of year to replace your winter style basics, because they're on major sale right now. I've scored deals on scarves, gloves, sweaters, and this vest recently as stores are making room for new spring arrivals.

Yup, I know, I need them hemmed.

Details

Vest: Joe Fresh (on clearance now)

Sweater and shirt: Smart Set

Jeans: Rock & Republic via Crimson Clover

Boots: Old Navy

Bracelets: Stella & Dot

Earrings: Gift

Do you have any winter pieces that need replacing? Now's the time!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Great Picks 2013: Part One

I was inspired to write this post by Jill, whose blog I've been following for a few years now. I already did a post on my favorite outfits of last year, but this is one on my favorite pieces. These are what I consider the smartest purchases - the ones I will get the most use of and won't tire of wearing for a long time. I'll share half of my picks this week, and half next week.

Denim Jacket

I was so happy to see a large selection of denim jackets this year. They are the perfect topper to a cute summer dress. I got this at Old Navy for $25.

Bright Heels

These are so fun and unbelievably comfortable - as are any shoes I've ever worn by Nine West. I bought these at The Shoe Company (on-line) for $60.



Wallet

Coach sends out 25% off coupons to their mailing list all the time. I took advantage and bought a new wallet when my other one bit the dust. After almost a year of use, it's still going strong and I love that I picked such a bold color. This was $105 after the discount.



Coated Jeans

These are great for venturing away from basic denim. They're comfy and sit in a nice spot on the waist. These were $63 at Gap.

There's the denim jacket again...

Striped Sweater

The colors in this sweater were what drew me to it. I'm a sucker for orange. It's cozy but could still be worn on a cool summer evening. This was deeply discounted for $35 at Club Monaco.



One thing I noticed when harvesting these pics from previous blog posts, is how infrequently I've blogged about some of my favorite items. As much as I love those shoes, I've only worn them once! I'm sure I'll get mileage out of them in the summer. They were a late season buy last year.

Make sure to check back next week for the second half of my picks!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Gwen Stefani for OPI

Just in time to perk me up from the winter blahs, I got an e-mail from The Summit on Spring Garden Road inviting me to the launch of the new Gwen Stefani for OPI nail polish collection.

It was so hard to choose my manicure, as all of the colors looked amazing. I finally decided on gold (Love.Angel.Music.Baby) with a black accent nail (4 in the Morning). No top coat needed!

Indoor lighting

The finishes on these shades are very unique. Love.Angel.Music.Baby is a gorgeous matte gold. It looks like it would be gritty to touch, but it's actually very smooth. I keep wanting to change the name of this polish to Rich Girl though...

The finish on 4 in the Morning looks like smooth matte leather. Apparently when you add a topcoat (which is not how the polishes were designed to wear), you can see tiny gold flecks in it.

Susan (spa owner) was a pleasure to chat with during my mini manicure and the attendees left with a mini polish to try at home. I got Hey Baby- a  creamy hot pink. I feel like I already have a few polishes similar to this one, but a girl really can't have too much pink, can she?

Thanks to The Summit for having me!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Style Tricks for the Lazy

You know those days where you want feel good about what you're wearing but you just want to be comfy? Enter one of my favorite trends ever - the stylish sweatshirt. This is the second sweatshirt buy for me in the past few months. This one is darker grey and has faux leather accents while the first one (seen here) is a lighter plain grey.

Details

Sweatshirt: Smart Set

Shirt: Suzy Shier

Jeans: Old Navy

Boots: Aldo

Necklace and Earrings: Stella & Dot

There are many ways to dress up a sweatshirt, including adding a collared shirt, a statement necklace, or a scarf. A leather jacket and a sweatshirt are also easy ingredients for great street style.

How do you like to dress up a usually casual item in your wardrobe?

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Nifty Fifty

For Christmas, Santa brought me a new lens for the new camera that I still barely know how to use. I did some on-line research and decided that a lot of bloggers love the 50 mm lens for outfit shots. I just took it out of the box on the weekend and started playing around with it. I forgot my tripod though, so these shots are courtesy of mama (she sometimes cuts off the top of my head).

Details

Sweater: American Eagle Outfitters

Shirt: H&M

Jeans: Guess by Marciano

Boots: Aldo

Bracelets: Stella & Dot

Watch: Guess

Earrings: Gift

Oooh, I like the blurry background.

All the details in the shirt act like a statement necklace - a great $5 find!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Currently 01.12.14

It's a lazy Sunday following a big rain and windstorm last night. It was so loud! I'm surprised that there isn't more debris around the neighbourhood. Most of the snow is gone, which makes things look kind of blah. I'll take advantage of the thaw by wearing some skirts to work this week... and I will try my best to get a work outfit blog post. I never want to drag out the tripod after a long day, but I need to start.


Reading: I'm in the middle of reading a book on my Kobo - Twenty-Six by Leo McKay Jr.It's set in Nova Scotia and was inspired in part by the Westray mine explosion of 1992. I was thirteen at the time of the disaster, so I still remember the events, but they have a teenage spin on them. 

Amazon

Writing: I've been working on our wedding website on theknot.com (285 days to go!)

Listening: To constant football commentators (why do they have to yell all the time?) Is it almost time for the Superbowl? Red Hot Chili Peppers are playing half-time so I will be doubly excited for end of the season and listening to my favorite band.

Thinking: I'm going to have a hard time finding wedding shoes. I need something pretty but not boring, with kitten heels. Please, Nine West, create me something.

Smelling: Glitter and Gold tea from DAVIDsTEA. It's my favorite lately.

DAVIDsTEA

Wishing: We had a housekeeper. Not looking forward to cleaning today. My weekly big clean somehow got switched from Thursdays to Sundays over the holidays and I need to switch it back.

Wearing: Honestly. Pyjamas. Joe Fresh to be exact.

Loving: My Vitamin C products from The Body Shop. I don't think my face has ever been softer. The microdermabrasion is not exactly comfortable but I love the results! The skin boost is amazing as a primer. 

The Body Shop

Wanting: A good few hours at Forever 21. Just might be happening this week! I love the look of this long white sweater to wear with leggings. 

Forever 21

Needing: To get back into a real workout routine. Just as soon as all the Christmas decorations get removed from the gym room. T25 it is!
Watching: Too much TV lately! I'm watching the second to last season of Desperate Housewives on Netflix and Six Feet Under (re-watching Season One).

Feeling:Kind of blah today. I had a migraine last night and still feeling the aftereffects.

Clicking: Blogs, theknot.com, and wedding invite sites. We're still trying to decide if we're going to do paper or e-invites. I think we'll get at least a few paper invites done for keepsakes.

I'm linked up today, click below to see

That's what's new with me lately! Thanks for reading!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Snowmageddon

Last Friday was a blizzard. An honest to goodness, can't-see-ten feet-in-front-of-you blizzard. The actual snowfall amount wasn't too crazy (30-40 cm I think) but the wind was fierce and there were whiteouts.

I decided to take the bus to work because I was too scared to drive myself. Mental note: Do not wear non-waterproof mascara in a blizzard because you WILL look like a raccoon at work.

Thankfully, my co-worker lives close to me and drove me home because the city pulled the buses off the roads before they closed my office. The drive home was a bit scary as the road was completely white and you couldn't tell the difference between road and snowbank.

Details

Jacket: Dynamite

Sweater: Bootlegger

Jeans: Joe's Jeans

Boots: Old Navy

Scarf and Gloves: H&M

Necklace and Earrings: Gifts

Bracelets: Stella & Dot, Forever 21

Hat: Gap
Nails: Sally Hanson Pacific Blue and Essie Peak of Chic

It was hard work to get up the driveway!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Lobster Day

Nova Scotia is known for its lobster. I don't like thinking of how they are prepared, or breaking into them, but if the work is done for me, I love to eat them! R's aunt generously treats us to lobster every Boxing Day. I try to wear something comfortable but polished, and push-up sleeves are a must!

Details

Cardigan: Gap Factory Store

Shirt: Joe Fresh

Jeans: Guess by Marciano

Boots: Steve Madden

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Bracelet: Forever 21

Nails: Essie Skirting the Issue

Some of my other Nova Scotia favorites are maple syrup (almost the season for it) and blueberries (way out of season). Halifax is also known for its donairs, which apparently are VERY hard to find outside of Atlantic Canada.

Do you have any local food loves from your area?

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

My Monthly Purchases: December 2013

One of my favorite things about my blog in 2013 was the addition of the monthly purchases post. It makes me somewhat accountable for what I buy, considering I'm trying to stick to a monthly budget.

Early December tends to be a slow shopping time for me, while later in the month, Boxing Day sales usually seduce me. I bought some items from Zara on-line, but sadly they weren't suitable and I had to return them (transparent plaid pants... really?). Thankfully, returns are free from Zara!

Suede gloves from H&M (no longer available on-line)
Discounted from $29.95 to $7
These were just too cute to leave for the price! They fit me (size small) which is rare because my hands are tiny. Most of my mittens and gloves are neutral colors so these are a great addition, and our winter has been brutal already, hence the need for fun outerwear to keep me sane.

Sparkle Skirt from Joe Fresh (no longer available on-line)
Regular price $29
For the past few years, I have been eyeing the holiday collections from Joe Fresh and I almost bought a sparkle skirt last year. This year, I knew I'd be going to dinner and a concert for New Year's Eve and didn't want to be in a fancy dress so the obvious choice was a sparkly skirt that I could dress down with a plain top.

Black top from Joe Fresh (no longer available on-line)
Discounted from $19 to $6.94
A week after I bought my sparkle skirt, I saw this top on clearance and decided it was the perfect pairing. The scoop neck dips lower in the back. I was in far to big of a rush on NYE to get a blog photo, so at some point when I have time to get a bit glam, I will put on my NYE outfit and post it. I'll do a countdown and everything...but no confetti.

Black shirt from H&M
Regular price $12.95
I have way too many black shirts but I really liked the sleeves on this one. It's very cute and I'm surprised the price was so low.


Everything below was bought with money saved on a price adjustment on a Christmas gift! 

Plaid shirt from Old Navy  (no longer available on-line)
Discounted from $28 to $14
A plaid shirt was on my list of items to snag after Christmas, as the one I already own has been through the dryer too many times and the buttons are starting to gape. I love the bright colors in this one! Navy and green is one of my favorite color combos.

Chelsea boots from Old Navy
Discounted from $37 to $18.50
This purchase was meant to be. I was walking through Old Navy, mentally complaining about how the desert boots I was wearing were hurting my feet, and I saw these on for half price. To the donation bin you go, desert boots.



Black and white merino wool sweater from Club Monaco
Discounted from $90 to $30
A white sweater was also on my wish list. I was planning on getting plain white but I really liked the softness of this one, and while it might not be quite as versatile as plain white, it will get a lot of wear.

Two layering shirts from Smart Set (black and gray)
Discounted from $29 for 2, to $6 each
A decent selection of layering shirts are a must for me, and these ones are really soft and comfortable. Very basic, you don't need to see.

Sweatshirt from Smart Set (no longer available on-line)
Discounted from $35 to $18
I already have a lighter grey sweatshirt but I couldn't resist the faux leather detailing on this one. I hope the sweatshirt trend sticks around... so comfy and so fun with a statement necklace.

Total purchases for the month: $148
Total value of the items: $310
Saved 48%

Net spending (minus the Christmas money): $55 

I've crunched the numbers for the year and my grand total of spending on clothing was $2093. My goal expenditures was $1700, so I was several hundred dollars over. Considering the amount of clothing I bought this year, this actually seems like a decent price! Especially considering there are ten pairs of shoes included in that figure!

How did you do with your expenditures in 2013?

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Surviving the Sales

There's nothing quite like Boxing Day sales to make a style blogger's head spin. Was anyone else awake at 4:30 a.m. on the Zara website?

I was quite well behaved! Two items from Zara (on-line, returned them already), one item from Club Monaco (which likely would have been more if the store hadn't been 700 degrees... not a great climate for crowds and small dressing rooms), and three items from Smart Set.

Details

Sweater: Club Monaco

Jeans: Gap

Boots: Call it Spring

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Bracelet: Gift

Boxing Day sales don't actually happen here in Nova Scotia until the 27th as the stores are closed on the 26th. Work got in the way most of the day, but after the job was done, I hit Halifax Shopping Centre. I can't say enough good things about the RBC Avion Holiday Boutique... I'll miss it so much!. Cardholders had preferred parking, free beverages, treats, and coat/parcel check. There were also comfy chairs to relax in, and it truly felt like an oasis within the chaos of the mall.

How dd you fare in the Boxing Day sales?

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

The White Christmas

Happy New Year! I'm incredibly excited to be celebrating the start of what's sure to be a big year in my life. Personal plans for the year include getting back in shape and getting married (preferably in that order). Blog plans  include continuing to make connections, learning how to use my new camera properly, and keeping tabs on my spending with my monthly clothing budget.

Rewinding back to last week, here's what I wore on Christmas Eve. I was a little oversparkled for work, but whatever - it was a half-day.Typically, Nova Scotia has a green Christmas as the snow doesn't usually arrive until January, but this year it was super-white! We've had more snow than I ever remember having in December. Pretty to look at, not so pretty to shovel.

Details

Blazer: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target

Tank: Old Navy

Jeans: Calvin Klein via Costco

Boots: Le Chateau

Bracelet and Necklace: Stella & Dot

Did you have a white Christmas where you spent the holidays?

XOXO
Glitterary Girl