90s and Now

The 90s was the decade that probably was the most influential on my own personal style, given that was the decade of my teen years. I love that the 90s seem to be sneaking back in - slip dresses, combat boots, monochrome dressing. I've done a tiny nod to the 90s here with a tank over a button up shirt. 

Style tip: It can get bulky looking if you try to do this with a thick weight button-up. Make sure the one you pick is thin. 

 Details

Shirt and hat: Forever 21

Tank: Uniqlo

Jeans:Zara

Coat: Banana Republic

Boots: Town Shoes

Earrings: H&M

I actually wore this ages ago (Boxing Day, hence the stocking on the doorknob), but I've been really behind in my blogging these days. Blame it on all the good books I'm reading!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Thanksgiving Stretchy Pants

I now own three pairs of these Uniqlo pants. They come in handy when there’s a high chance you’re going to overeat (a given for Thanksgiving). They’re also really comfy for traveling in and work appropriate if you have a casual office like I do.

Details

Top: Topshop

Pants: Uniqlo

Shoes: Tory Burch

Bracelet: Alex and Ani

Necklace: Banana Republic

When you're helping prepare a meal for 37 people (yes, really!) you have to make sure you wear something you can move in and no droopy long sleeves. These 3/4 sleeves worked out perfectly.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

My June 2017 Purchases

Every month, I break down my clothing expenses and share them. My quarterly budget is $500. This amount 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. Since I've been keeping a budget, I'm much more careful with what I buy, and I will return stuff at the end of the month if I'm not crazy about it after hanging it in my closet.

June had me buried in shopping bags. I went a bit nuts, true, but I did save the bulk of my spring budget for the June sales, knowing that it's the best month to shop for summer clothes. I did a bit of shopping when I was in Toronto, but I was pressed for time and exhausted so I didn't get much. I bought so much this month that I'm actually going to spread it over two posts.

Chokers: Topshop

Reg $25, on sale for $12

I love these! They're so delicate and pretty. I've not actually worn them all together yet as I love them individually. I also bought some glitter socks from Topshop which I haven't included here. I was on such a mission in Topshop! The SA's were laughing at me because I took in two armfuls of clothes and barely bought anything. Such is life when you're working on a budget and can only buy stuff you LOVE.

Cardigan: Wilfred Free for Aritzia

Reg $65, on sale for $52 (clientele sale)

The Zlata is one of the pieces I can never get enough of. I bought it last year in ashen (seen below) and am always reaching for it. I didn't even know I wanted the navy until it was in my hand. The navy isn't available on-line for some reason. I guess I was lucky to have found it in-store.

Mine's in navy.

Kimono: Talula for Aritzia

Reg $55 on sale for $41 (clientele sale)

I had to have this print! It's so pretty and has great colors in it. The fabric is amazing too. Talula is one of Aritzias least expensive brands, and I love a lot of their items.

Sneakers: Adidas Stan Smith for Aritzia

Reg $110 on sale for $75 (regular sale)

I've been wanting Stan Smith's for well over a year now and I doubt I'll find a classic color for less than this price. I had a hard time deciding if I wanted the white with black trim or these all whites. I'm happy with my choice though! They are sooo comfortable!

Earrings: Topshop

Reg $14, on sale for $5

I have a few pair of ear jackets now and I really like wearing them. They can take a basic outfit up a notch. These are one-piece but look like two pieces.

Tee: Topshop

Reg $48, on sale for $29

White tees with a little something extra are always useful to have in your closet! This will look great with blue or black jeans or a little black skirt.

Camisole: Uniqlo

Reg $29, on sale for $13

The fabric of this cami is great. I'm actually regretting not buying another color.

Pants: Uniqlo

Reg $30

I bought a similar pair of Uniqlo pants in San Francisco a few years ago and I said if I ever found them again I would get another pair. My original ones are still going strong after four years and tons of washings. They are amazing to wear on planes. They're pretty close to leggings but they have back pockets so I can call them pants.

I'll post the rest of my June haul soon. I really feel like I have a ton of new stuff to wear! I need to be better at actually getting some wear out of my new summer clothes, especially since we have such a small window of actual summer here in Nova Scotia.

See you next time for the rest of my June shopping bags! I'll do my $$ totals at the end of the next post.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Giraffe Day

The day I was looking forward to the most in Palm Springs was our visit to The Living Desert. It's a beautiful zoo and garden located in La Quinta, about a half hour from Palm Springs. I've always loved going to zoos, even more now as an adult than I did as a kid. I was very impressed by The Living Desert in terms of how much space the animals had and how they were treated. The zoo also does a lot to help animal conservation and has a rehabilitation hospital on site. 

Details

Tee: Uniqlo

Shorts: Aritzia

Sneakers: Converse x Missoni

Bag: Michael Kors

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Sunnies: Coach

Bracelets Alex and Ani

For $5 you can feed the giraffes. You get four carrot sticks and lots of photo and video opportunities. I could have stood there all day and fed this guy!

My sticker says "I fed a giraffe"

The zoo volunteers were so knowledgeable and friendly.  They didn't mind answering all of our questions even though they must get asked the same thing so many times every day. The good thng is that they move around, so they're not always volunteering at the same exhibit.

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

LA Shopping

I got in a few hours of shopping in LA, despite having the flu. Everything below was bought with birthday money - so it doesn't count towards my shopping budget. Yay!

Shirt: Topshop

Reg $58, on sale for $30

The softest plaid shirt I've ever owned. I should have bought two in case something happens to this one!

Skirt: Topshop

Reg $50

My old denim skirt was in need of replacing. This fits the bill - long enough for work, yet a good weekend length too.

Earrings: House of Harlow via Nordstrom Rack
Reg $35, on sale for $11
I have a few pairs of HoH earrings now and I really like the quality. They tend to be quite simple. but edgy at the same time. These are rose gold- hard to tell with my closet lighting.

Shoes: Toms via Nordstrom Rack

Reg $54, on sale for $35
I always thought my feet were too narrow for Toms. Turns out, I just had to size down. I was torn between three different pairs - these won out.

Shirt: Uniqlo

Reg  $20, on sale for $6

I wish every basic tee in the world was made just like this one! I was really drawn to the pattern. When I wear it, I feel like I'm wearing a painting!

Shirt: Uniqlo

Reg $15

A different shade of blue. I like it! I wish I could shop at Uniqlo more often - such a great spot. 

Top: Uniqlo

Reg $20

Basic white tops are what I reach for so much in the summer. They tend to go with everything!

Bracelet: Alex and Ani via Nordstrom Rack

Reg $38 on sale for $19
White tee, denim, and this bracelet = my summer uniform.

Shirt: H&M
Reg $15
I always need new stripes pre-summer. It's my thing.

Bag Pom: Topshop
Reg $9
The bag pom I was eyeing here at home was like $30 - no thank you.

Shirt: Bieber merch
Reg $50
Sooooo overpriced, but like I could go to a JB concert and not pick up a souvenir. I wasn't sure I could get a glossy photo back to Canada without bending it, so shirt it was!

Tanks: H&M
Reg 2 for $10
No picture needed. Basic blue and white tanks. I'm really liking the H&M tanks lately!

Surprisingly, I didn't pick anything up at Zara. I find Zara very hit or miss. I buy everything or nothing. I was so thankful for the birthday money, otherwise I doubt I would have bought much of anything. The Canadian dollar is so low!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl 

A Day in 90210

Beverly Hills - that's where I want to be! We kept singing this to ourselves as we made drive after drive down Sunset Boulevard between Hollywood and Beverly Hills. So many pretty houses, such clean streets, lush gardens, and gorgeous stores... 

Can I just say I'd like to own every single thing in Saint Laurent, including all the men's sneakers? Someday I'll own a Burberry trench coat (probably from the outlet) and a Chanel bag (maybe) but until then I can just dream.

We strolled down Rodeo Drive and found ourselves at The Montage for lunch. We ate salads in the Beverly Canyon Gardens and people watched. Okay, I admit I was really hoping to catch a glimpse of Justin Bieber, but it wasn't meant to be.

Window shopping on Rodeo

The Montage

We visited The Beverly Center, which is a lovely shopping mall with mostly higher end stores but also has Uniqlo and H&M. I was so stoked to shop at Uniqlo as I hadn't been to one in three years. They are planning on opening in Toronto sometime this year at Yorkdale and the Eaton Centre.

Details

Cardigan: American Eagle Outfitters

Top: Uniqlo

Shorts: Banana Republic

Sandals: Aldo

Sunnies: Coach
Bag: 3.1 Phillip Lim for Target

I hope you enjoyed tagging along for the day with me in Beverly Hills. Have a great weekend!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Me Day

A few hours on my own in the mall, and I definitely know how to spend them!

I'm pretty average in the make-up skills department. I love getting my make-up done by a pro and soaking up tips on how to use makeup to make it look natural. I especially need help in the foundation and concealer department since I've been using these more lately (thanks spotty skin). 

I had my face done at Sephora Halifax last weekend (free with my upgrade to VIB status), and I really loved my make-up artist Mary's skills. I have my eye on the few of the products she used, but I'm making a vow to myself to use more of what I have in my stick now before buying any more. I really liked the Urban Decay finishing spray. It made my skin look really fresh. My eyes were done with the Urban Decay Gwen Stefani palette.

Before leaving Sephora, I was sure to spritz myself with some perfume - Atelier Cologne Mandarine Glaciale. Usually, I visit the store during the week and I can't wear perfume to work. I haven't smelled the new CK2 yet, but I'm curious to!

After Sephora, I hit up the Aritzia sale (oops, I did again) and will be sharing a couple of new things I bought in a few weeks when I do my shopping budget post.

DAVIDsTEA was my next stop, to stock up on a few new teas to help get me through my 30 Days to Wellness (more on that in a later post). I picked up The Glow, Serenity Now, and Cinnimon Rooibos Chai (caffeine free).

Details

Vest: Club Monaco

Sweater: Old Navy

Hat: H&M

Pants: Uniqlo

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Bracelet: Gift

Boots: Town Shoes

All of that was accomplished in under two hours! A perfect amount of time to feel like I had a bit of a "Me Day".

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Little Penguins

Sometimes when I need a pick-me-up, I'll watch a live penguin webcam. It's impossible not to smile! Imagine my disappointment when at the Vancouver Aquarium, the penguins were standing together in a little clump... doing absolutely nothing. Maybe they were protesting the weather. The little guys in my photo aren't real.

Details

Jacket: Tommy Hilfiger

Tank: Diesel via Winners

Pants: Uniqlo

Sneakers: Keds

Bag: Coach

Necklace: Stella & Dot

Terrifying!!

Excuse my lack of writing in this week's blog posts. Our house is turned inside out at the moment, and I have no time for my usual effort!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Necessities

So. Much. Snow.

All. Winter. Long.

This coat has made it a bit more bearable.

Belt is off center!

Details

Coat: Cole Haan from HR2

Sweater: American Eagle Outfitters

Scarf: Gift

Pants: Uniqlo

Boots: Call it Spring

I don't mind spending money on a warm, comfy, practical, and stylish winter coat because it'll get worn soooo much for months on end. I have a few other winter coats, but for the really cold days (i.e. most of them), this is the one I'm sporting. I love the belt and gold details, and I love that it was half-price.

What's your favorite cold-weather item in your closet?

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

How to Dress for Serious Shopping: Black Friday

There are average shopping days when you might be able to pull off wearing cute heeled boots, and then there are days like Black Friday where you must dress for comfort at all costs. This week's Friday's Fancies challenge was to come up with an outfit to withstand the chaos that this shopping day inevitably brings.

Black Friday started as an American idea - massive sales the day after Thanksgiving to get everyone going with their Christmas shopping. The custom has trickled into Canada over the past few years, in hopes that big sales north of the border would keep Canadians from traveling out of country to shop.

Details

Sweatshirt: Old Navy

Pants: Uniqlo

Scarf: American Apparel

Bag: Coach

Boots: Call it Spring

Earrings: Gift

I hate wearing a jacket while shopping (too bulky) so I chose a sweatshirt and cozy circle scarf which should keep a girl warm enough to leave the coat in the car (provided it is an indoor mall shopping experience). The crossbody bag means hand-free access to grab-worthy finds. Flat boots keep the feet happier than heels. Jewelry was kept to a minimum in case the sales were good enough to require quick changing - in addition to gifts, Black Friday is also a great time to snag the items on your list that can't wait for Santa, like holiday dresses and sparkly tops.

Stop by to see what the other bloggers chose for their shopping attire!

Good luck next week for those of you who will be heading out to brave the Black Friday crowds. Here in Halifax, the Big Black Bow event will be happening at Halifax Shopping Center! I know where I'll be at lunchtime...

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Skulls and Camo

 I got a little pattern happy here, but kept it to small doses. This is the first of two posts from my mini-vacation to Ontario on the weekend. Fall was in all it's splendor, and I took the opportunity to pose with the creative yard stuff my BFF had going on. The most creative thing I have in my own yard is a yellow patch on the grass from over-fertilizing (perhaps my own take on camo?)

Details

Shirt: American Eagle Outfitters

Pants: Uniqlo

Shoes: Gap

Scarf: Gift from BFF

Bracelets: Forever 21

I like how this scarf looks floral and feminine from a distance, but when you look closely... there are skulls! I love girly skulls. 

Do you like skulls? Camo? Stripes? Polka dots? Plaid? What's your pattern obsession? All of the above for me please!

XOXO

Glitterary Girl