Glitterary Girl x Short Presents

Today, I'm guest posting on a blog that I have so much respect for! Kayla and I met a few years ago via the little Halifax blogosphere and she' s been a wonderful inspiration to me ever since. Her blog is filled with healthy recipes, fun fashion, and she does a great job of covering all sorts of fun events in the city.

Please head over to Short Presents to see an outfit I styled that is totally fit for the sprinter (spring ... but really still winter) that we have this year. Big thanks go out to my friend Brett from Brett Locke Images for putting up with me and the weather! A few other east coast bloggers have guest posted for Short Presents this week, so you can check out their contributions too.

Here's the link!

Thanks a million to Kayla for the opportunity to collaborate. Make sure to keep your finger on the pulse of her blog - it's fabulous!

XOXO

Glitterary Girl

Sparkle Chucks

Finally! After a yucky, snowy, wet winter, I was so eager to wear these shoes again. These were my post-reception Bourbon Room secondary wedding shoes! Being as glaringly white as they are, I need to be careful where I step. Unlike regular Chucks, which look great a little bit beat up, I think these ones need to stay pretty clean to look right.

Details

Jacket and Scarf: Gap

Jeans: Diesel

Shirt: Old Navy

Sneakers: Converse

Watch: Guess

Bracelet: J Crew

Glasses: Burberry

This was the first time wearing my new Gap utility jacket and I love it! It's the perfect weight for this time of year and has lots of pockets. It drives me nuts when jackets have no pockets!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Review: Forea Luna Mini

I love trying new things. I could spend hours wandering around Sephora, picking up every tube, jar, and box. I don't even care if I buy anything necessarily. My favorite days are when a consultant comes up and offers me a sample of what I'm looking at. Yay! Sometimes I'm too shy to ask for samples.

Certain things can't be sampled though, and that includes this next little gadget. The Forea Luna Mini is a skin care tool that would be in direct competition with the Clarisonic (which I've never tried). My reasoning for wanting to try the Luna Mini is I really like the idea of having every last bit of makeup removed. I ALWAYS take off my makeup before going to bed. Being on the other side of 35, I also want to be sure that the skin care products that go on after cleansing are being absorbed fully, which apparently doesn't happen if your skin isn't properly cleaned.

So why not Clarisonic? I did some research and realized that with Clarisonic, you have to buy replacement heads. The Luna Mini has no heads to replace. I also didn't like the idea of what might be lurking in the Clarisonic bristles, no matter how well you rinse them. 

I had a decision to make with the color, as it comes in several shades. The turquoise won. It matches our countertop.

I've been using the Luna Mini for about two months now, and I haven't had to recharge it. I wet my face, apply my cleanser of choice directly to my face, then turn on my mini. When you turn it on, it buzzes for about 15 seconds and then there is a pause, which prompts you to move on to the next section of your face. I do left side of chin and left cheek, right side of chin and right cheek, nose, and then forehead last. After one minute it pauses three times, and then I turn it off. I don't use it to take off eye makeup. I do that after using the Mini, with a dedicated eye makeup remover. 

I rinse my face well with water, then pat dry with a towel. 

So, what do I think of it? 

I like it! Admittedly, I don't have what you'd consider "problem skin". I'm not prone to breakouts, nor do I have oily skin or large pores. Since there wasn't really anything I was trying to fix, I can't speak to how well it resolves skin issues. I can say that it makes my skin really soft and feel super clean. I'm glad I bought it, and I will absolutely continue to use it, but if it broke, I don't know that I'd rush out to replace it unless I noticed issues with my skin after stopping it. 

Here's a photo of what I'm using right now for my skin at night. 

Washing face: Luna Mini and either Body Shop Nutriganics Foaming facial Wash or Peter Thomas Roth  Anti-aging Cleansing Gel

Treatment: Either Body Shop Vitamin E Overnight Serum in Oil or Ole Henrickson Pure Truth Youth Activating oil

Moisturizing: Body Shop Nutriganics Smoothing Night Cream

Eye cream: Body Shop Nutriganics Smoothing Eye Cream

Do you use a facial cleansing tool? Please share your opinion!

The Luna Mini retails for C $159 at Sephora.

XOXO

Glitterary Girl

The Laziest

When no one is home to take your photo and you have way too much to do to take the time to haul out the fancy camera you forget how to use... a blogger will resort to almost anything for an outfit shot. That includes taking a mirror selfie in the closet.

Details

Jeans: Joe Fresh

Button-up: Old Navy

Shirt: H&M

Shoes: Tory Burch

I wore this to check out the "new" Halifax Central Library, which I cannot believe I hadn't visited yet. I'm blaming that on wanting to go in January when the crowds would be less and then the winter of doom hitting. What a beautiful spot! Tons of light, so much space, and great book selection. I picked up Wild by Cheryl Strayed and it looked like no one else had read it. I'm only a few pages in, but I can tell already that I'm going to like it. 

I was excited to try out the Pavia Cafe inside the library, but it was really busy and there was no where to sit and enjoy whatever I was going to indulge in, so I will save it for next time! 

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

The Struggle is Real

To celebrate the lack of snow on the back deck, I thought it would be a great idea to try some outfit shots. Holy shadows!!! The back deck was too bright, the front porch was too dark. There was nowhere that was just right. 

Details

Jacket: Gap

Tee: Forever 21

Pants: Banana Republic Factory Store

Sneakers: Converse

These pants are one of two new pair I bought recently for work. Turns out I like them for weekends too!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Bare Ankle Party

Yahoo for the return of bare (white and pasty) ankles! The no-socks count for this week has been three days.

Snow has drastically receded in our yard. The lamppost is fully free, the shrubs are totally exposed, and all that's really left in the front yard is the bank near the road.

Details

Blazer: Ann Taylor

Shirt: Forever 21

Pants: Banana Republic

Shoes: Gap

Bag: Kate Spade

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Glasses: Burberry

I've worn these pants a lot lately. The pictures aren't very clear but they are faux suede and really soft. I hesitate to call them pants as they are pocketless in the back and skin tight - so in following the "leggings are not pants" rule - I will always be wearing these with a longer shirt.

Have a wonderful weekend full of fun!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Wedding Wednesday: Can We Get Married at the Mall?

Is it not totally fitting for a style blogger to have a wedding reception at a restaurant in one of the best malls ever?

Now,  I'm not saying I chose Maggiano's because it was in Fashion Show Mall, but the location certainly didn't hurt!

Our Hummer driver dropped us off at the entrance to TopShop, which was just perfect for some in-store shots.

Hmm, does plaid go with tulle?

Why can't my hair look like this every day?

By the time we walked through the mall to the restaurant, my dress had very effectively swept the floor, complete with straw wrappers, napkins, and several plastic utensils hiding underneath. Ugh.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Monday Right Now: 04/13/15

Reading: Is This Tomorrow by Caroline Leavitt. I'm really into coming-of-age stories lately. This one is great! Kobo tells me I'm 79% done. The Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker is what I read previously and it was a fun and easy read - one I zoomed through.
Writing: Just blog posts and care plans at work.
Clicking: Who What Wear, blog posts, The Weather Network (to make sure there's no more snow)
Seeing: Sunset over the golf course. It's still snow-covered but I'm guessing there will be grass poking through by this time next week!
Smelling: Ketchup chips. I was so good today until now...
Hearing: The washer and dryer running. I was in such a good mood today. It was 12 degrees, the sun was shining, I had on shoes with no socks, and a brand new pair of pants. Then - to thank me for feeding them for the past week - a bird pooped on me. On my new pants. I'm washing them for the second time.

Watching: The Royals (think Gossip Girl, but with a royal family and set in England), DWTS, season two of Hart of Dixie, The Social, and I'm finishing season two of Orange is the New Black.
Feeling: Happy because I spent the weekend with one of my best friends, who I rarely get to see. We did some shopping, had some great food (including Tim Tams) and caught up! If only she didn't live five hours away by plane...

The cookie of true friendship.

Wearing: Fuzzy robe. My pants have bird poop on them.
Anticipating: The weekend (as always). Also, in two weeks I'm going to be making a big change with my hair as long as I don't chicken out!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Non-compliant Clothing

What to do when your outfit of choice doesn't co-operate? Think outside the box!

This is a dress. It simply cannot be worn as a dress because it is so static-prone. After unsuccessfully trying to wear it twice - once with bare legs and once with tights - it is now a tunic to be belted, pulled up a bit, and worn with jeans.  

Details

Cardigan, belt, and tunic: Forever 21

Jeans: Guess by Marciano

Sunnies: Coach

Boots: Call it Spring

Bracelet:  J Crew

Nails:  c/o OPI "Lost My Bikini in Molokini"

I wore this for Easter. There was a ton of snow (still is...) but it looks deceptively spring-like on our front step!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Optimal Comfort

So I have been living in a cave for the past ten years. How am I just realizing how great the Shoppers Optimum rewards are? Sure, I've been collecting them for ages, but have I been strategic about it? Nope.

I managed to score 13,000 points on Saturday by spending less than $60. I didn't even buy anything frivolous (don't you be judging my Nutella). This is what I wore for my point-collecting.

Details

Cardigan and Necklace: Forever 21

Jeans: American Eagle Outfitters

Boots: Call it Spring

Shirt: Gap

Hat and Bracelet: Le Chateau

Glasses: Burberry

I only have 4,000 tiny little points to earn before I hit the motherload ($175 free)! I'll be waiting for a spend your points event so I can get $200 instead.

Do you have any points programs that you're crazy about?

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Color Blocked

Do you ever see something in a store and know that you HAVE to have it?

That happened to me with this dress! I love when it happens at Joe Fresh, because that usually means the item is affordable. I snagged this on a tax-free day, too.

Details

Dress: Joe Fresh (still in stores and on-line)

Jacket and boots: H&M

Clutch: Coach

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Bracelet: Banana Republic

Nails: c/o OPI Infinite Shine in "You Can Count on It"

R and I went out with friends for dinner at Il Mercato at Sunnyside Mall. I had the most fabulous mushroom pizza there, and it was big enough to take half of it home!

I hope everyone had a great Easter weekend and there was some chocolate involved! I need to get mine out of sight ASAP...

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

My Monthly Purchases: March 2015

Every month, I break down my clothing expenses and share them. I used to have a monthly budget, but partway through 2014, I switched to a quarterly budget of $500. This can be rolled into the next quarter if it's not all spent. My goal is to keep my out of pocket expenses within $2000 a year. Gifts and gift cards don't count towards my budget.

My budget got a $200 injection this month from birthday money. This left me with $370 to spend for the month. Good thing, as I wasn't expecting to have to buy a new pair of boots!

Long Sleeve Tees: Gap
On sale from $25 each to $6 each
I bought this navy and white striped long sleeve tee (worn here) and the same one in plain black. My previous Gap black soft shirt has a hole in the cuff.

Sweater: Gap
On sale from $55 to $24
I'm drawn to olive green even more than usual lately. I've worn this sweater and it's super soft, but a bit short. I wear a long tank underneath. It would probably be a great length on most people who don't have the torso of a Dachshund like I do.

Shirt: Banana Republic (no longer available on-line)
On sale from $50 to $14
It's a boxier fit than I usually go for but I loved the bold print and can't wait for warmer weather to style it with my windowpane TopShop pencil skirt.

Shirt: Banana Republic (no longer available on-line)
On sale from $75 to $24
R and I made an impromptu trip to BR last weekend with the goal of finding stuff for him, but this tee ended up in our shopping bag as well. Love the mesh! I feel like my wardrobe is slowly turning into a Banana Republic store.

Boots: Aldo (no longer available on-line)
On sale from $160 to $110
My winter boots felt uncomfortable one day. I took them off and saw that the heels were worn right through! Then I panicked as I knew the serious snow boots would be leaving the stores soon. These were the third ones I tried on and they are really comfortable and have great grip. They'll be something to look forward to wearing next winter! Please...not again til next winter...

Cardigan: Forever 21
Regular price: $19
I was browsing on-line during a free shipping event and saw this. I like how it's kind of draped and unstructured.

Shirt: Old Navy (no longer available on-line)
On sale from $27 to $22
I really love the look of this paisley button-up. I think it will look great styled with a denim skirt or shorts (come on, July).

Shirt: Joe Fresh (no longer available on-line)
On sale from $19 to $7
I was on a hunt for a green plaid shirt. The length of this one is perfect. It covers the bottom enough to be worn with thick leggings. It's in the laundry. No picture for you.

I also bought a pair of grey sweater tights from Target (on sale from $12 to $8). I've worn them already - very comfortable and soft  - and they stay up!


Original value of items: $467
Price I paid: $240
I saved 49%
Total for the quarter (January- March) $570 - $200 birthday money: $370


I'll roll what's left ($130) forward into the next quarter (and maybe even further forward to our New England trip this summer).

On my radar for the next few months are a pair of mid-rise destroyed jeans (my current ones are far too low and five years old), something fringed (probably a skirt...), and a new pair of sneakers.

I'm linked with Franish today along with a bunch of fellow fashionistas - check out what they scored in March!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Well Planned

How much effort do you put into your daily style choices?

Being a style blogger, it's probably not a surprise to learn that I plan what I wear almost every day. For me the morning is not an inspirational time, and if I decided what to wear at that time of day, I'd be in very boring stuff.

Here are a few of my tips to make getting dressed a bit easier.

1) Think about your day ahead.

Will you be going to work, shopping, hanging out with friends, or going to a swanky restaurant? You don't want to be in an outfit that isn't appropriate. If you come up with something that doesn't fit your plans, take a picture, and save it for another time! Some of my favourite outfits have been imagined at the strangest times and jotted down for future reference.

2) Have a few pieces "on deck".

On Sundays, I pull a few items that I want to wear for the work week ahead. I try  to choose things that I haven't worn in a while - that keeps me from constantly wearing the same things. Each night, I'll pick something from that selection and put together a whole outfit, including accessories. On the weekends, I'm a bit more unstructured, as I'm usually getting up later and not in as much of a rush.

3) Try to curate your wardrobe so it can be mixed as much as possible. 

Yes, I know those yellow, blue, and red printed pants are super-cute, but what are you going to wear with them? Oh, you have one shirt that looks ok? That is SO not enough. You will be sick of that outfit after wearing it twice, and you'll never wear those pants again. Neutrals and solid colors are the best choices for a mixable closet. They can always be jazzed up with accessories. If you really crave a print, pick one with an "easy color" in the mix (e.g. black, white, navy) so you will likely have more options that will go with the print. Denim and chambray pretty much go with anything!

4) Plan a back up

If I'm going somewhere important, I plan an outfit and then loosely plan an alternate. I've had times where I was sure of what I wanted to wear somewhere and then changed my mind the day of. Having an alternate will prevent panic mode, and consequently "closet bomb".

5) Have a formula for an easy look that can be worn almost anywhere. 

My easy outfit formula is jeans, a "nice" tee, and a blazer. I can wear this to work, to the mall, to the library, or out to dinner to most places. Wearing flashier accessories can do wonders to "dress up" an outfit formula.

6) Browse for inspiration

I regularly check out fashion sites (www.whowhatwear.com is my favourite) and magazines for inspiration. I buy magazines monthly (3 for $10 at Wal-mart) and cut out my favourite outfits. To be honest, I don't refer to them all that often, but they are nice to have in case you feel like you need a nudge in the right direction.

Please share your own style advice for making your day-to-day dressing easier!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl