Wedding Wednesday: The Shoes

"Do you have your dress?" is almost immediately followed by, "Do you have your shoes?"

For me, the shoe shopping wasn't agonizing or drawn out. The day I ordered my dress, my mom and I saw a pair of shoes at John David in Halifax that fit my criteria of:

1) Pretty
2) At least moderately comfortable
3) Less than 3 inch heel
4) Affordable (sort-of...)
5) Wearable again
6) Will stay on my crazy-narrow feet

I thought about the shoes for a week, then went and bought them. I knew there was only one pair in my size so I didn't want to chance them getting scooped up.

I stare at my shoes a lot. About once a week I will walk around the house in them. You don't get to see them until the wedding, but I found some other lovelies that will perhaps satisfy your wedding-shoe lust.

Crazy Wedding Shoes by jennifer-merlin featuring peep toe booties

Kate Spade slingback shoes / Jimmy Choo pointy toe shoes / Christian Louboutin peep toe booties, $915 / Kate Spade high heel pumps / Christian Louboutin studded shoes / Iron Fist high heel pumps

My shoes actually look rather similar to one of the above pair. Which one? I'll never tell...

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

True to You

R and I headed to downtown Halifax several hours before the Pride Parade started. We had a task at hand (wedding band shopping) and weren't planning on staying around for the parade, but certainly got a taste of the vibe in the city. So many people in such fun colours! Then there was me in my neutral outfit. Ho hum. However, I was happy with what I was wearing, and isn't the whole idea of pride being true to who you are?

Details

Vest: Vero Moda via Envy

Tank: Banana Republic

Shorts and belt: Joe Fresh

Sandals: Topshop

Bracelet: Stella & Dot

Necklace: Forever 21

Bag and scarf: Coach

Sunnies: D&G

In case you're wondering what's in the tumbler, it was Magic Dragon from DavidsTea. Yummy!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

The Chambray Skirt

It's no secret I love me some chambray. Is there a more versatile fabric? It goes with everything. Now I get to wear it in skirt form as well, thanks to a mega-sale at Gap.

Details

Shirt: Old Navy

Skirt: Gap

Shoes: American Eagle Outfitters

Sunnies: Coach

Necklace: Tiffany & Co

I wore this for a community BBQ we had at R's clinic. The day was hot, but this outfit was pretty airy. I've had a big craving to buy lots of stripes lately, but I try to remember how many stripes already live in my closet. What are your summer clothing cravings?

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Tangello

This skirt packs a punch and is a tad on the short side, so I'm careful in choosing what to pair with it. The longer sleeves on this top balance out the shortness of the skirt, and the muted grey and white lets the orange stand out.

Details

Shirt: Old Navy

Skirt and sunnies: Gap

Belt: Joe Fresh

Sandals: Topshop

Bracelets: Stella & Dot

Like having my own wind machine....

I hope you all took advantage of National Ice Cream Day yesterday! I had a little scoop of Marshmallow Sundae Sprinkle (I think that was the name...). It was deeeee-lish!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Window Shopping

It's not very often that I go shopping and don't buy something. I think it might be the impending wedding costs that are making me think twice about my spending. Even though I was carrying no shopping bags, I had a great day in downtown Halifax with my friend (and photographer for the day - thanks Em).

Details

Sandals: American Eagle Outfitters

Tank: Smart Set

Cardigan: Gap

Shorts: Gap (on super sale now, but mine were even cheaper in store)

Bag and sunnies: Coach

Bracelet and necklace: Stella & Dot

I'm proud that I held out on buying these shorts. I waited til they went on sale (and not just a wee sale, a massive sale... $10). I can think of a trillion ways to wear them this summer. They might be my official Saturday uniform.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Wedding Wednesday: Daytime Skin Care Routine

I like to think I generally take good care of my skin. I've been wearing SPF every day for over ten years, I've been using night cream and eye cream faithfully since my late 20's, and I never EVER sleep with makeup on.

With the wedding a few months away, I questioned whether I had to make any big changes to my routine. After some careful thought, I decided to invest in a few more products and actually use them rather than spend a lot of money on facials. I LOVE facials, but wedding prep s expensive enough and where I don't have any major skin issues, I need spend my dollars on something else.

My daytime routine is more simple than my nighttime routine.

1) After working out (which I will share the details of in another wedding prep post) I wash my face in the shower with The Body Shop Nutriganics Foaming Face Wash. 

2) Once I'm out of the shower and dried off, I immediately apply The Body Shop Nutriganics Drops of Youth. I've been using this product for almost a month now and it is ahhhh-mazing. It gives my skin a glow that nothing else does. I can tell if I forget to use it (which doesn't happen often) and it does wonders to reduce the little lines on the sides of my eyes.  A little goes a long way - I only use a drop or two.

3) I'm not too picky with that I use for SPF. I've tried a few from The Body Shop, but I'm not a huge fan of their SPF 30 product. In the winter, I use SPF 15, but in the summer I always wear SPF 30. Right now I'm using Olay Complete.

4) The last thing I use before make-up (which in the summer is often just concealer and BB cream as far as face products go) is my Vitamin C Skin Boost. from The Body Shop. It makes my skin really soft and acts as a primer. Plus, it smells like oranges which is a great scent to energize you for the day!

I am by no means an expert on skincare, but this routine has been working for me! I'm going to be diligent with it all the way up to the wedding. I have a Love Your Body membership from The Body Shop, which always saves me 10%, and I also only buy my products when they have 50% off skin care (which happens about once a month). I don't have to restock often as it takes me at least three months to get through the products. I just keep a mental note of what I'm getting low on, and when a sale pops up, I buy.

Did you do anything special for your skin before you wedding?

XOXO
Gltterary Girl

Shoes Optional

After a really busy week at work, I reserve the right to kick off my shoes, even for a blog post. This was my casual Friday attire.

Details

Jeans, Top: Joe Fresh

Sunnies: American Eagle Outfitters

Bracelet: Banana Republic (on sale now)

Cutest!

I hope everyone has a fabulous weekend. My Saturday was great - very social and not one bit productive! Exactly how a July Saturday should be!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

CUT and Noble

As circumstances have it, the only wedding left for me to attend this year is my own! That means my summer weekends are much less packed than usual. It leaves lots of time to explore, including local spots.

Last weekend we got together with some good friends (both local and out of towners) for a dinner at CUT. What a great place for steak lovers! They have a steak-school demo before you order so you know what the difference is between all the different cuts.

After CUT we checked out Noble (the secret password bar under the Middle Spoon) but I was way too full to have any food or drink besides a mocktail (which was lovely). What a fabulous atmosphere, and I love how you leave through the back door (so mysterious). Next time I'll make sure I go on a less full stomach so I can try a drink. We were warned - the drinks are strong (3 oz)!

Details

Top: Le Chateau

Skirt: Banana Republic

Shoes: Nine West

 I'm trying to force myself to wear things on the weekend that I can't wear to work (i.e. short skirts/dresses). I super-love this miniskirt and it certainly doesn't jive with my office (even though we can be fairly casual if we choose).

I'm getting lazy with making sure I get accessory shots and I'm also mostly using my phone to snap pics (bad blogger girl). These are my trusty Halifax hill heels that once got me from the Lower Deck to the McDonald's by Public Gardens with no blisters!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Gimme Some Sugah

I love a good stroll on the waterfront in Halifax, but sometimes the crowds are not my idea of fun. I prefer to go on a weeknight when there are usually less people around (and shorter lines at the ice cream shops). Call it antisocial or call it instant gratification for my sweet tooth.

Details

Sheer Top: American Apparel

Skirt: H&M

Sandals: Topshop

Bag and sunnies: Coach

I find it so hard to choose what ice cream to buy. So many stores, so many flavours within each store... R said I chose this one at Sugah because it matches what I was wearing. If I did, it wasn't consciously!

What's your guilty pleasure summertime treat?

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Orange is the New Accent

I love a dress that can be accessorized a million different ways! This comfy little sundress by Sarah Stevenson for Target has so many colours in it. I decided to use orange as my accent but could easily have picked almost anything!

Details

Dress: Sarah Stevenson for Target

Belt and necklace: Smart Set (belt came with another dress)

Sandals: American Eagle Outfitters

Bracelet: Stella & Dot

I was trying not to grit my teeth at the incessant noise of the robin that lives near us. It sings CONSTANTLY from 5 am to 10 pm. When do they migrate again?

Enjoy your weekend everyone! Stay dry and safe for the storm!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

My Monthly Purchases: June 2014

I'm excited to tally things up this month as it's my first time doing a quarterly budget instead of strictly month-to-month. I had some wiggle room with June as I under-spent in April and May (thanks to lots of birthday money).

I had $244 left to spend in June - let's see how I did.

Sneakers: American Eagle Outfitters
Discounted from $27 to $8
I love my Peter Pilotto for Target slip-on sneakers but they are very bright and don't go with a lot of things. These are neutral and comfortable.

Shirt: Old Navy
Discounted from $15 to $10
A classic striped shirt that can be worn to work or on the weekend. Seen here on the blog.

Sleepshirts: Victoria's Secret
Discounted from $65 to $19 (for two of them)
Incredibly soft and comfortable. I have lots of pants/shorts for sleeping and these are something great and different. The other one says "Another One of the Girls Angels". I also bought a few really cute  and deeply discounted bridal things that are being filed under "wedding budget".

Bikini Top: Victoria's Secret
Discounted from $34.50 to $8.50
There used to be a time when I'd never wear a mismatched bikini, but those times have changed. I love not matching! I bought a turquoise strappy top to go with my navy bikini bottoms. Sorry, I couldn't find it on-line.

Headband: Lululemon
Regular price: $18
This keeps my hair out of my face while doing P90X3 and is wide enough not to slip off. Can you believe I am onto my fifth week of the program and right on schedule with no missed days? Me neither.

Skirt: Club Monaco
Discounted from $150 to $41
This is replacing my old black pencil skirt. It still has that silhouette, but has some interesting details and leather trim.

Skirt: Gap
Discounted from $60 to $6
So cute. Way too short for work, but great for a humid summer day.

I also bought a dress from Club Monaco that I won't show, as I think it'll be my wedding rehearsal dress. I've had my eye on it, and found it on sale from $229 to $69.

Value of items: $599
Price I paid: $180
I saved 70%.

Quarterly results: 
April - $143 (divided into the stuff I bought and the stuff I got for free for my birthday)
May - $113
June - $180
= $436

I was $64 under budget for the quarter. 

I'm not sure yet if I will roll this over to next quarter.... or maybe save it for Vegas (that sounds like a better plan).

I'm linked up with Franish today. Check out what the other bloggers bought in June!

Do you budget? How did you do for June?

XOXO
Glitterary Girl