Bit of Boho

A casual summer brunch would be the perfect venue for this slightly boho look. You can never have too many pancakes or too much bacon when you're wearing a flowy top!

Bit of Boho by jennifer-merlin featuring silver tone earrings

Zara top, 65 CAD / Topshop high waisted flared jeans, 97 CAD / Chloé open toe sandals, 565 CAD / Mansur Gavriel white backpack, 1,095 CAD / Marc by Marc Jacobs white wrist watch, 175 CAD / MICHAEL Michael Kors silver tone earrings, 71 CAD / Lancôme shimmer lip gloss, 23 CAD / Butter London pastel nail polish, 19 CAD

It's been far too long since I've bought myself a Juicy Tube. They used to be my favourite glosses ever, and I have no idea why there isn't one in my stash right now. While this gorgeous white bag is way way out of my price range, it's always fun to dream, right? I chose a tan coloured shoe to contrast the bag so things wouldn't be too matchy matchy. The studs are classy and understated.

Where would you wear this to?

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Sweaters in July

While my upper body may look seasonally inappropriate, trust that I can usually be found in a sweater on a summer evening unless it's really really hot. At the very least, I'll have one with me that can be tied around my waist if I don't want to wear it.

Details

Sweater: Banana Republic

Tank: Forever 21

Leggings: Sweet Legs

Shoes: Tory Burch

Bracelet: Random store in Newfoundland

Necklace: Tiffany & Co

Glasses: Burberry

Who watched The Bachelorette? Was anyone else surprised that she chose Shawn? I was sure she had a stronger connection with Nick. Bachelor in Paradise starts this weekend, and while I've only watched one season of it before, I'm going to give it a go again. Sometimes you just need some mindless screen time.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Date Night at Edible Matters

The rainy vacation week brought about a lot of dining out, and it was really fun! We've tried a few new places, including a spot I've been meaning to check out for quite some time - Edible Matters.

Located about 20 minutes from us in Hammonds Plains,  Edible Matters is a well known for both their baked goods and their meals. For date night, which happens on Wednesdays, they have a prix fixe menu for $60. Included is a shared appetizer, two mains, two desserts and two drinks.

R and I started with calamari and two glasses of wine (one red, one white). Lucky for me, R doesn't like to drink much so 95% of the wine went in my belly.

I thought the calamari was good. R wasn't as much of a fan. I find the real taste of most calamari is disguised by a heavy batter. This batter was really light and the homemade tzatziki was so tasty!

Next we had the seared salmon. I wanted us to try two different dishes, but in the end we both were craving the fish. It didn't disappoint - we both loved it. The sauce was mushroom arugula.

Besides the fish itself being delicious, the sides were fantastic. Potatoes and crisp peas were the perfect pairing.

We chose different desserts. R is a die-hard chocolate lover, and he picked the brownie. I love chocolate as well, but wanted something different, so I went with the goat cheesecake with strawberry compote.

R thought this was the best dessert he's had in a long time. Mine was delicious too, and I love that it wasn't a huge serving.

The whole experience was great. From the food, to the cosy atmosphere, to the friendly service, we were really impressed and can't wait to go back!

Thanks, Edible Matters!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

On a Whim

Vacation brings about thoughts of sun, beaches, drinks on a patio, sightseeing, and ice cream. Not so much this week. It's my first week off in the summer in years and it has rained. Every day. We've been trying to not let the weather get us down, but we've had to scratch most of our plans. On Monday, we decided to drive downtown and grab some dinner somewhere casual.

We decided on The Gahan House, right on the waterfront. It was busy, but we were able to be seated in five to ten minutes. R had the fish and chips and I had a quesadilla - both were excellent. We'll be back to try more menu items soon, I'm sure!

Details

Jacket: Guess (thanks, Vicky!)

Jeans and Shirt: Gap

Sneakers: Converse

Glasses: Burberry

Bag: Coach

Fingers crossed for a glimpse of sun in the near future!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Little Loves Lately: July 2015

Time to share with you a few of the things that I can't get my paws off of lately.

L'oreal Quick Dry SPF 30

Sunscreen has got to be one of the most necessary annoyances out there. I'm so strict with my application, yet every second of time I spend applying, I'm like, "when is this over???" Enter my dream product. This stuff sprays on really well and takes no time at all to dry! So much easier than lotion, and way faster dry time than any other spray I've tried. My only problem now is where to apply it. Inside on the laminate floors is not the answer, neither is the composite deck as it'll stain. My place of choice right now is the garage!

Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick in Color 865 (Magnolia)

I snagged this lippie during my Shoppers Drug Mart haul a few months ago. I really like the formulation and color of it! It goes on  smooth and is a great color for an effortless summer look. I can't put my finger on what it smells like. It's sort of fruity but subtle. It doesn't have super staying-power but it doesn't wear away quickly either.

Bath & Body Works Beautiful Day

My obsession with scents is evident by one peek in my linen closet  - which looks like a Bath and Body Works hand soap factory at the moment. My brother in law gave me a Bath and Body Works gift set at Christmas, and I saved it until now because the scent was more suited to summer. It's called Beautiful Day and it smells divine - daisies, apples, and peonies!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Wave After Wave

Summer... the season where all the N.S. bloggers have access to much better background scenery. Thank you Mother Nature. These photos were taken off the Purcell's Cove Road - close to where we got engaged two years ago.

Details

Tee: Smart Set

Shorts: H&M

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Sandals: Top Shop

Bag and Sunnies: Coach

Um, this bag is literally a third of the size of me.

I made a silly mistake last week. I reached over a boiling kettle and scalded my forearm- ouch! No sunless tanner for me until it's healed as I'd rather not mess with my skin tone. Last thing I need is a permanently bronzed patch!

Good thing red hair and pale skin go together. I feel a little bit less Casper-ish than I would with blond hair and no color.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Reception Remix

While it would be nice to have an endless supply of new dresses to wear to every single event, sadly, my life and budget doesn't allow for that. I'd rather spend money on a great wardrobe staple like jeans or a handbag that will get worn constantly than buying new dresses all the time that will only be worn a few times (or once!)

This dress was originally worn by me almost two years ago to a wedding, and last weekend I remixed it for a wedding reception we attended. Congrats Jenelle and Brandon!

Let's compare:

2015 version

Details

Dress: yest via Moments Boutique

Cardigan: Vero Moda via Envy

Sandals: Zara

Clutch: Danier

Bracelet: Gift

Earrings and Necklace: Beck & Boosh

I had my hair done by Urban 30 on Barrington St. Check out my Instagram (@jennifermerlin14) for a close up of the back.

2013 version

It's the same dress - but a longer cardigan, completely different shoes, and alternative accessories made things fresh. It also helps to recycle dresses to events that involve separate groups of friends.

I've had a few people ask for help this year in choosing what to wear as a guest to a wedding. Let me know if you want any advice- I'd love to give my two cents!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

My Monthly Purchases: June 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.

Necklace/Bracelet: Beck & Boosh via Pseudio
Reg $22 on sale for $6.50
Multifunctional pieces are so great. I love how this can be styled as a wrap bracelet or necklace. This is the third piece I own from Beck & Boosh (a company local to my hometown) and all of my baubles get regular wear.

Dress: Wilfred Free at Aritzia
Reg $110 on sale for $88 after price adjustment
At the opening event for Aritzia at Halifax Shopping Centre, I came home with this dress. I love how it can be styled as a shirt dress or left open as an overpiece. I could have came home with tons of items - but made myself stick with one! I took advantage of a price adjustment when the item went on sale.

Shirt: Banana Republic
Reg $85 on sale for $22
A simple (but far from boring) white shirt is a summertime essential. It literally goes with almost anything you own. This one has a fun zip detail at the back.

Top: Banana Republic
Reg $68 on sale for $15
Another interesting basic that goes with everything. It looks really cute tucked into a high waisted skirt!

Total value of items: $285
Price I paid: $131.50
I saved 54%

It's the end of a quarter! For these three months I spent a total of $510, which is normally $10 over budget. However, counting leftover birthday funds, I will still be rolling forward an extra $120 into next quarter.

I also ended up buying (with a gift card) a cute one-piece swimsuit and a sleep shirt form Victoria's Secret. I bought them at the start of the clearance sale, and then price adjusted two weeks later and saved myself $45!

On my radar will be a gold watch (still hunting), black heels, athletic sneakers (won't be included in budget) and black skinny jeans.

I'm linked with Franish for her budget post, if you'd like to see what some of the other bloggers bought in June.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl