Wine So Fine

If you live near Halifax and haven't been to a Port of Wines Festival, you need to make sure you attend the next one! My first experience with the event was on Friday night, and it did not disappoint. Imagine my delight to enter a huge room with hundreds of wines to taste. Did I mention the cheese plates? Swoon....

Details

Top: Joe Fresh

Skirt: Club Monaco

Bag: Call it Spring

Boots: Nine West

Earrings: Beck & Boosh

Bracelet: Banana Republic

My hair is a bit shorter and the blonde is back, baby!

The outfit was a bit strategic. The flowy shirt and stretchy skirt were so I could eat and drink to my heart's content without worrying about belly bloat. The shoes were one of the more comfy pair of heels I own and had no chance of falling off my skinny feet. The cross body bag (hands free!) allowed me to juggle wine and food at the same time. That is how you dress for a wine show!

My wine buddy for the night had on a super cute jumpsuit from Warehouse in the UK. I wish I'd have gotten a full shot of it, but you can at least see the pattern in the above photo.

I can't begin to list all of the wines I loved from the festival, but one that stuck out in my mind that is local is Bliss by Avondale Sky from Newport Landing, Nova Scotia. It was so fresh and easy to drink!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Army Green

Along with navy blue, army green plays a big part in my closet as an "almost neutral". Yes it's a color, but played properly, can step in to complement almost any outfit.

Details

Vest: Envy

Skirt and sandals: Topshop

Tee: Gap

Bracelet: Beck & Boosh

Watch: Stolen from Hubby (Movado with a Fossil strap)

Necklace: Joe Fresh

Both my tee and my skirt have busy prints, but with the vest breaking up the transition, it tones the outfit down a lot. I wore this to work, but this is the type of outfit you could wear running errands, to a casual dinner, or on a coffee date.

I just want to pull that wrinkle out over my chest...

This is a fun time of year for style. Summer staples can get paired with pops of autumn attire. We've been having a super September here in Nova Scotia. If you have any style questions, feel free to drop me a line at jennifermerlin14@gmail.com . You can also find me on Instagram: jennifermerlin14

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

Perforated

I've got a thing lately for perforations. I bought a holey tank at BR in black, as well as this crisp pretty top.  Blueberry yogurt, iced tea, and root beer were consumed by me today, and they all ended up in my mouth and not on my shirt. Winning! (I ate other things too but the ones i mentioned had the most potential for disaster).

Details

Shirt: Banana Republic

Pants: H&M 

Shoes: Aldo

Bracelet: Beck & Boosh

Glasses: Burberry

Happy to report that I'm 6/6 in days I've been working out, and I officially started P90X3 again on Monday. I had to put my alarm on the other side of the room so I'm forced to get to of bed, but I'm getting it done!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Petite Black Tee

So, I'm in a bit of a funk lately -low energy, headaches, and lack of motivation to be active. I want comfort food, blankets, and cozy socks. I'm quite sure it's 99% due to the weather, so I'm not exactly concerned. I know I'll snap out of it soon. In the meantime, I will absorb joy from things like chai lattes, good books, and fun tees.

Details

Blazer: A/X Armani Exchange

Tee and necklace: Forever 21

Jeans: Diesel

Glasses: D&G

Booties: c/o Nine West Mic Mac Mall

Bracelet: Stella & Dot

Earrings: Beck & Boosh

Enjoy your week, and send some snow melting vibes in my direction, SVP!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Winter White

I'm a daredevil.

I wore white in March, in Snowvascotia, where there is snirt (snow + dirt) everywhere.

It inspired me to write a poem:

Driveway sheet of ice
Cross fingers on descending
Damn it, the plow came

Details

Sweater: Club Monaco

Jeans: Joe Fresh

Snood: American Eagle Outfitters

Boots: Call it Spring

Bracelet: Beck & Boosh

Necklace: Origami Owl

Enjoy the weekend! Hope you get up to some fun!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

Detail Fail

Don't quit your day job, R.

Necklace is wonky in every single photo. Le sigh. Good thing I love him.

Details

Vest: Vero Moda via Envy

Shirt: Joe Fresh

Jeans: American Eagle Outfitters

Hat: Le Chateau

Earrings: Beck & Boosh

Necklace and Bracelet: Stella & Dot

Shoes: BCBGeneration

Sunnies: D&G

These earrings are so cute! Agggh wonky necklace!

Enjoy your weekend! I'm having another girls' day on Saturday - full of good friends and fall fun. It's a day of surprises so I'll tell you all about it next week. Til then...

XOXO
Glitterary Girl

My Monthly Purchases: September 2014

What a fabulous September it has been! It was packed with social activities (a lot of them wedding-related) and it's been sunny and quite warm most days.

I haven't really switched gears to fall yet - I'm still in the transitional phase. Most of my fall clothes are still packed away and I haven't even pulled out my boots. Tights have not been on my radar either... though one of these years I may crack and buy leg warmers... I think I could possibly pull them off if high boots were involved. Maybe I can stave off true cold weather until after we return from Vegas - fingers crossed!

Here's a rundown of what I bought this month. I'm linked with Franish, so head over and see what everyone else snagged!

Dress: Banana Republic
Discounted from $175 to $50
Do I need another LBD - probably not. It fit so well and was so cute... I'll be bringing this to Vegas for sure! This is listing on-line right now for much more than I paid for it in-store.

Earrings: Beck & Boosh
Discounted from $12 to $7
I finally had a chance to check out the Beck & Boosh kiosk at Mic Mac Mall. I've been eyeing these ladies on social media for quite some time. Their jewellery is so cute, unique, and affordable. Check out their website!

Tee: Target
Regular Price: $17
See my full post on this purchase here.

Shirt: Dynamite
Discounted from $40 to $28
This one one of the options I bought for the first part of my bachelorette party.  I meant to return the shirt I didn't wear, but I really liked it. I like the length of it - perfect for leggings or jeggings.

Shirt: Dynamite
Discounted from $30 to $21
I ended up wearing this to the earlier events of my bachelorette party - see the look here. It was really comfortable and I love the faux leather detail on the back.

Scarf: H&M
Used an H&M Conscious coupon. Regular $13. I got it for $8
I love the dark orange of this scarf and it's the only thing I've bought that's "fall-ish". I'm excited to pair it with my denim jacket.

Belt: Forever 21(not available on-line)
Discounted from $7 to $5
I purchased a beige waist belt to go with a sheath dress I bought last month.

Vest: Smart Set (not available on-line)
Discounted from $60 to $12
I've been wanting either a leather or denim vest for some time now. This is super soft faux leather and I can think of so may ways to style it.

Scarf: H&M (not available on-line)
Discounted from $13 to $7
My old black scarf has seen better days, so I bought a new one.

Value of Items: $367
Price I Paid: $155
I saved 58%

The end of September officially marks the last day of the third quarter. I spent $414 this quarter, leaving me under budget again (yay!), thereby allowing me to spend more in Vegas! If I add the fourth quarter budget ($500) to the money I had left over from earlier months (about $150), then I can spend $650 for the rest of the year... or  can buy barstools for the new house. We'll see where the money ends up!

XOXO
Glitterary Girl