Sunday Right Now: 08.31.14 (1530)

I was so sad to learn that siddathornton has stopped doing her Sunday Currently posts! I didn't link up every week, but they were fun to do every now and then when I felt like it. I'm going to branch out and do my own list. I'm not making it a link-up for now, but please get in touch if you'd like me to. I may do so if I get enough interest!

right now....

Reading: Love, Anthony by Lisa Genova. This is a wonderful, character-driven novel about two ladies who have been touched by autism. I should finish it this weekend. I have a novel called The College Girl on deck. I've also been reading a lot of on-line news articles on palliative care at work.
Writing: I'm smack-dab in the middle of a long weekend in which I have a lot of "me-time" and "couple-time". I'm so happy to be spending a good part of the day blogging. Life has been incredibly demanding lately, and the blog had been neglected. I'm working on three posts today.
Clicking: WhoWhatWear, The Knot, everyone's ALS ice-bucket challenges.
Seeing: A relatively empty Starbucks. I am stupidly facing the bakery display case. A ginger molasses cookie is tempting.
Smelling: Ginger molasses cookies (help) and Juicy Couture perfume.
Hearing: Folk music.
Feeling: A bit chilly. I moved out of the sun because I was too hot after drinking my chai latte. I've moved on to a green iced tea, and I'm cold. On the whole, I'm feeling quite relaxed (bet that won't last long...) I'm also feeling very fortunate as the next few months are going to be filled with celebrations.
Wearing: Joe Fresh shorts, a black H&M tee, black Chucks, aviators, and Sally Hansen lilac nail polish a nabbed at Target for $2 the other day.

Anticipating: My bridal showers this month, several fun parties in September, and the Altuzarra x Target collaboration launching on Sept 14.

I hope you're all having a perfect Labour Day weekend.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

White on White

One trend this summer that I've been drawn to in particular is white on white. It looks so fresh! I think it can be translated to fall as well as long as you played with "autumn" textures like faux fur, wool, or leather.

Details

Tee: Old Navy

Skirt: Club Monaco

Sandals: Aldo

Bracelet: Forever 21

Hair Flower: H&M

This week has definitely been about wearing some of my favourite summer pieces, because you never know when the weather will turn! A little piece of me is kind of excited for boots and sweaters... and pretty much everything that is new in Banana Republic right now.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Wedding Wednesday: Night Skin Care Routine

A little while ago, I shared with you my daytime skin routine. I'm trying hard to be diligent with my skin in the months and weeks leading up to the wedding.  Nighttime skin care is quite important as your skin is very clean, allowing for anything you apply to really be able to sink in and do some magic!

I start by cleaning with the same thing I do in the morning, The Body Shop Nutraganics Foaming Cleanser.

Second is my Olay Regenerist Intensive Repair Treatment. I use this on my forehead and the smile lines around my mouth. It doesn't cause me any sensitivity, but my skin isn't very sensitive as a rule. I bought it quite some time ago and it was on clearance, so I'm not sure if it's been discontinued.

Third is The Body Shop Nutraganics Smoothing Night Cream. This leaves my face feeling really soft and well-moisturized.

Last is The Body Shop Nutraganics Smoothing Eye Cream. My eyes never feel dry after using this product. I love how the dispenser allows you to get the exact right amount, so you're not wasting anything.

That is my basic routine and then once per week I exfoliate and on another night I use a mask.

My go-to exfoliators are The Body Shop Aloe Gentle Exfoliator and The Body Shop Vitamin C Microdermabrasion.

I've usually been using some samples I've had of masks from The Body Shop, but last week I used a mask I found at Target, the Cucumber Peel-Off Mask by que bella. My face has been so soft ever since! I can get rough spots on my cheeks at times, and I have had none since I tried this mask. For $1.99, it was a great deal and I have enough left over to apply it again.

I buy my products from The Body Shop when they are half-price (happens once per month or so, although the products last a lot longer than that).

Do you have any night time products that are must-haves? I tend to be a product junkie! I'm happy with what I'm using now, but admit I really would like to try the new Clinique Smart Custom-Repair Serum.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

A Short Time for Shorts

Oh my gosh, it's the last week in August! Only one more week to wear "true" summer clothes. After this week, it'll be about transitioning to fall (here in Nova Scotia anyways). Better get your super-summery outfits in this week while you have the chance!

Details

Shirt and shorts: Gap

Sandals: super old and the brand has worn away :)

Sunnies: Coach

I'm not one to stick to the "no white after Labour Day", but I admit that full-on head-to-toe white is something I'll be doing this week and then not again until the bridal shower and wedding day.

What will you be wearing before the air gets chilly? Crop tops? Flip flops? Straw hats?

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Getting My Flirt On

I've always loved the idea of hair extensions but they weren't something I could justify splurging on. Until... I picked out a hairstyle for the wedding and my lovely stylist suggested I needed some more length and fullness to pull off the look I wanted. I can't say I was disappointed to have to buy them!

I bought my Flirt extensions a few months ago and left them with my stylist so she could colour them to match my hair. This week, I went to get my hair cut and coloured and tried on my extensions for the first time.

I was shocked at how well they blended in with my own hair - good job Lindsay! I had an old hair extension ten years ago - I bought it in Australia and it was synthetic, tangled easily, and I could only wear it in a ponytail. The Flirt one is real hair, and I can wash it and style it however I want to.

BEFORE

As you can see, my hair is barely passed my shoulders when worn curly.

AFTER

These are 16 inch Flirt hair extensions in the colour Lightest Blond. They have lowlights added to match my own hair.

Details

Shirt: H&M

Skirt: Club Monaco

Sandals: Madden Girl

Necklaces: Stella & Dot, Forever 21

Bracelet: Random buy in Newfoundland

I haven't worn the extensions for more than a few hours yet, but I will wear them to work soon, so I can get used to wearing them for longer periods. They seem quite comfortable so far! They are honestly so easy to put in and take out. Check out the Flirt website for all the details.

XOXO

Glitterary Girl

Wedding Wednesday: A Visit to David's Bridal

Dartmouth Crossing is home to a brand new store to make any future bride very happy. With stellar price points, some great designer labels, and tons of accessories, David's Bridal is a great one-stop shop. With my wedding not far off (9.5 weeks!) I was thrilled to get to go to a wedding store with absolutely no stress involved!

Along with bloggers Kayla (Short Presents) and Mo (Lion Hunter), I arrived at David's greeted by warm welcomes and a special tour.  The first stop was the silhouette wall, which is where the stylists often start when clients have no idea what they want.  From streamlined sheath to ball gown, these five ladies in white know how to work it!

Next we had a spin through the bridal gown section. I particularly liked the selections from Melissa Sweet. David's carries multiple sizes of each style gown so you can try a dress on that actually fits you, instead of trying on a dress that is pinned and clipped.

Pink flower!!

Luckily, we witnessed two future brides do a bell ceremony, which is a David's Bridal tradition where you make a wish and ring a bell when you choose your wedding gown. It was really emotional!

We visited the accessories section and saw the rooms where they dye the shoes and do the dress alterations.

The bridesmaids and special occasion section was huge!

At the end of the tour we got to try on some beautiful special occasion dresses and keep the one we liked the best! Mine is sleek, black, and quite formal. I look forward to wearing and styling it sometime when I have occasion to get really dressed up.

Kayla, me, and Mo

Thanks so much David's Bridal, for showing us a fantastic time at your gorgeous new store!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Little Breaks

When something stressful is going on, like moving, it's important to get away for a short break every now and then. R and I had no clue where we were going Friday night, but we knew we needed to chill. We started out heading to the movies, changed our mind halfway there,  and ended up doing a stroll on the waterfront.

Details

Jacket: Old Navy

Jeans: Aeropostale

Tee: Joe Fresh

Shoes: Cole Haan

Bag: Coach

Necklace: Smart Set

We picked up a bottle of Luckett's Phone Box White from Bishop's Cellar and came home to relax with a glass.

Have you had any great wines lately? I'm always looking for recommendations!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Little Loves Lately: August 2014

This summer has been a busy one! I thought I'd dedicate this edition of Little Loves Lately to things that have helped me unwind and re-charge.

1) Starbucks Cool Lime Refreshers

It's treat receipt time! Almost as good as Frappucino Happy Hour (but not quite). These have the caffeine kick of coffee without the coffee taste. Super thirst-quenching! If the barista is nice, they'll put a bunch of lime rings in it. I've needed the energy many afternoons this summer as I've been getting up earlier to work out.



2) Maybelline Bare Escape Nail Polish

This has been my go-to colour this summer. It's really clean looking. I'm all about solid nails right now - I think I made myself sick of nail art for the moment. There's something slightly therapeutic about putting a fresh coat of polish on, and it always makes me feel more pulled-together.

3) My favourite magazines.

Yes, I've been reading my usual fiction this summer, but I've also been enjoying my magazines as well. I'm always curious to hear what other people read - share your picks! I always get 3/$10 every month at Wal-Mart. I always get Instyle and People Style Watch. The third one varies, although it's usually Cosmo (which I've been much more impressed with lately), although the fashion tends to be on the younger/wild side (do I sound like a Granny yet?)

4) My friend introduced me to this wine not long ago and I can't wait to get a bottle for myself! Luckett's Phone Box White is delicious. I'd tried and loved Phone Box Red before, but didn't realize there was a white version. I'm partial to sweet wines (Reisling, Moscato and the like), so if you don't like a fruity sweet wine, I'd pick one of his drier versions (Tidal Bay is lovely).

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

The New Digs

Do I know how to work a shovel, or what?

Details

Hoodie: Under Armour

Jeans: Rock & Republic

Sneakers: Converse

Shovel: Borrowed

I'm very excited to share that when R and I get back from our wedding in October, we will be moving into a new house! It's been an incredibly busy year, but it will be well worth it once we've moved in and get settled.

These photos were taken a few months ago when we were breaking ground. If you've noticed I've been a bit scarce on Glitterary Girl lately, blame it on the house and all the (fifteen bajillion) decisions being made! Wedding planning has been happening in full force too.

Me breaking ground on our new house!

We're not moving far - five minutes closer to the city, but still in the same community.  I'll share some of the planning in future posts.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Monkey See

Inevitably in early August, I get a case of layer-itis. I see the new fall styles starting to appear on-line and in stores and all I want to do is pile the clothes on. Note to self: Do not wear a black cardigan to work on Aug. 6, as you will be melting by 11:00 AM.

Instead of making that mistake again, I will wear short sleeves tomorrow and stick with internet browsing the fall pretties for now.

Monkey See by jennifer-merlin featuring a brown dress

Zara brown dress / Mango long black cardigan / Topshop black pants / Zara Lattice Slipper / Tory Burch black leather purse / What Goes Around Comes Around yellow gold necklace

How great is that bag?

I hope you're still enjoying your little summer dresses and shorts, as in a few months we'll be back to "brrr" again.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Let Us Eat Cake

Great timing is... when you find out it's National Cheesecake Day five minutes before lunch. Guess who skipped the library in favour of a slice of s'mores?

Thanks to Sweet Hereafter for a fabulous lunch last Wednesday! My s'mores was in the forefront, my partner in nutritional crime had Smarties in the back.

Details

Shirt: Le Chateau

Pants: Joe Fresh

Sandals: Topshop

Watch: Guess

Sunnies: D&G

Necklace: Stella & Dot

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

My Monthly Purchases: July 2014

Here's where I share with you the clothing purchases I've made for the month. Instead of a monthly budget, I do a seasonal budget, which is $500 per quarter. Money I don't spent in one season, I roll forward to the next. I try as much as possible to wait for things to go on sale, as my closet really has no "holes" and my buys are almost always wants versus needs.

How has it taken me 35 years to realize that because Nova Scotia has a slow start to summer, there is no sense in buying summer clothes until July, when they're on clearance! Why buy them in April when they're not needed and full price?

Shorts: Gap
Discounted from $60 to $9
Distressed denim shorts were on my to-buy list. I was picky, tried on a bunch that didn't work, and finally found these.

Shirt: Smart Set
Discounted from $25 to $7.50
I had a shirt in the same colour that I recently retired and missed. Mine is grey but the same colour is no longer available. I love the zipper detail.

Tank: Banana Republic (different color)
Discounted from $36.50 to $11.50
Summer stripes! I wore this here.

Bracelet: Banana Republic (no longer available on-line)
Discounted from $45 to $10
I could NOT leave this in the store. I was actually giddy. My beloved elephant bracelet from Fiji lost a very obvious stone and is retired now, so I now have another elephant fix.

The rest of the purchases, I don't have photos for. I'll style them on the blog soon enough!

Tee: Gap (not available on-line)
Discounted from $20 to $4
I have an absence of red in my summer wardrobe so I bought a very basic soft red tee. I have the same one in navy from earlier this year.

Shoes: Gap (not available on-line)
Discounted to $6 (could not find original price)
Picture this: shiny light grey oxford shoes. Not sure how often they will get worn but they are very cute and the price was right. They will work well to toughen up a girly outfit.

Sandals: Le Chateau (not available on-line)
Discounted from $30 to $20
These were kind of bought on a whim. I felt like new shoes. They're ok but it's obvious the leather is faux. They're brown and have three buckles, one at the toes and two at the ankle.

Hat: Le Chateau Outlet
Discounted to $5 (could not find original price)
I needed a new summer hat that wasn't a fedora style. I bought an army green one with a brim

I also bought a few things for the wedding, but they don't count towards this budget.

I was well under budget this month (yay), which means more money to use in Vegas!

Value of items (estimated as I didn't know the original price of a few things): $282
Price I paid: $73
I saved 74%

I have $427 left to spend this quarter. August is always a hard month to resist as all the fall stuff is coming out.

I'm linked with Franish today - I LOVE seeing what the other bloggers bought!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl