Packing

Thanks to this 4-day weekend, I had plenty of uninterrupted time to pack for my trip. So I had a little fun with it. I turned on some jams (hellloooo UK playlist!) and played dress up for a bit putting some outfits together for my days and nights in Cardiff, Edinburgh, Glasgow and London. 


Here's what I packed for two weeks in the UK:

five tanks

(Top-Bottom):  lace-backed tank - Smart Set; blue tank - F21; navy henley tank - F21; fuchsia tiered tank - Old Navy; watercolour tank - American Eagle

three tees

(L-R): white v-neck tee - K by Kersh; grey v-neck tee - American Eagle; peach artist tee - JCrew

five long-sleeved tops

(L-R): striped tunic - Jules and James; striped button top - F21; navy striped top - Zara; black crop top - American Apparel; v-neck rolled sleeve top - TNA

(PS: I only packed three striped tops...I have about 7 and had originally planned to bring 2 more!)

two 'other' tops

pink shirt-sleeved sweater, lace linen tunic - both H&M

two cardigans

both Old Navy

two 'going out' outfits

Paisley Tunic - H&M; Black Mini-Dress - Urban Behaviour

(Note: I don't plan on going out only twice...I just plan on hitting up casual pubs more than dress-up clubs...I think.)

two pairs of jeans and one pair of shorts:

white cropped jeans - Gap; dark jeggings - Old Navy; khaki cuffed shorts - Gap

(Not pictured - three pairs of black leggings - essential!)

two jackets

green army-inspired jacket - H&M; black rain jacket - Columbia

two scarves

leopard-print scarf - Gap; pink scarf - gift from D's parents

four pairs of shoes

OTK boots - Suzy Shier; gladiator sandals - Target; flats - Spring; chucks - these puppies are so old I can't remember where I bought them! 

three bags

black canvas cross-body bag - H&M (I bought this when was on exchange in Tampere, Finland in 2005 and I've brought it on every trip I've taken since then); small brown saddle bag - XOXO via Beyond the Rack; black leather clutch - Gap

too many accessories

silver bangle - F21; silver chandelier earrings - Expression via The Bay; silver teardrop earrings - Expression via The Bay; large pearl studs - F21; bronze half-moon earrings - Smart Set; Indian-inspired green loops - gift from J; black lace earrings - H&M; bohemian leaf earrings - F21; gold peacock earrings - H&M; sunnies - F21; b&w feather earrings - Aldo; long charm necklace - Target; long gold leaf necklace - F21

And for fun? My ipod (I've finally jumped on the Angry Birds bandwagon...I know, about time right?!), The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (my book club's next pick) and The Rough Guide to Britain (after 2 strikes with 2 separate Lonely Planet's, I'm trying something new).

And so that's it lovelies. As of tomorrow afternoon I'm off! I didn't have time to organize posts while I'm away, so please stay tuned and I'll be sure to come back as soon as I can! Have a lovely couple of weeks!

xo J.

Pre-Departure

Lovelies,

I'm SO sorry for being away so much. I'm full of excuses - the boy finished school moved home for a few months and I've been preparing for my trip to the UK on Tuesday which meant both busy home and work life. Blah blah blah.

Sooooo, guess what?! I'mleavingfortheUKonTuesday!!!!!!!!! So. Excited.

When booking our flights, J, M and I had trouble finding some good dates for flights at good prices. We ended up choosing Air Transat and saving a bunch, but were at the mercy of their infrequent flight schedule. And as a result, we're home for the Easter weekend (meaning we can't use the 2 extra days off to save from using vacation days) and can't leave until Tuesday. This means waiting. And I hate waiting! I just want to go now! I'm just SO excited! Wheeeee!

But really, I love Easter weekend, so it's nice to be home. I love 4-day weekends, and there's something about holidays where everything is closed, forcing you to do something nice like take a walk or even just stay home and enjoy time with loved ones. D and I have had a great couple of days voting, lunching, going to movies, going for walks in the neighbourhood, watching playoff games at the pub...and it's all made even better by knowing I don't have to go back to work this week! Yay!

Here's my simple and comfy outfit I wore to go prom dress shopping with D's sisters yesterday...an exhausting but fun day!

Shirt: American Eagle (stolen borrowed from D)

Grazer Cigarette Pants: BDG from UO

Flats: Spring 

'Scuse the photo...D took them and we were in a super rush. But this was the perfect spring shopping outfit. Unfortunately it's still not warm here in Ottawa (it was SNOWING on Thursday and it's been super windy and cold) so I still can't bring out the skirts and sandals :( Thankfully London is unseasonably warm right now so I'll get me some spring this week!

Happy Easter!

xo J.

FBFF - Friend Friday: Gratitude

I know, I know...I've been somewhat of a stranger lately...I've been unbelievably busy with life that I haven't had the time nor energy to post outfit photos. The boy moved home last week which is lovely, but we're still settling into a routine, so I'm a bit off-kilter with my days and haven't had a chance to take photos, etc.  But thanks for sticking with me! I'll get the hang of it eventually, I promise!

Today's FBFF is another great topic - gratitude (it's also the one-year anniversary of FBFF! Yay!). There are so many people in my life I'm grateful for, so am super pleased to have an excuse to give them a shout out (not that I NEED an excuse!).

When it comes to me personally - I owe a lot of who I am to:
My parents. Hands down, they are the most important people in my life and I am eternally grateful for everything they have done for me and my brother. Don't get me wrong, they can make me mighty frustrated and I don't always see eye-to-eye with them on my life choices (or theirs!) but when I think about everything they've done for us and the sacrifices and hard work they put into raising our family, it makes me tear up just thinking about how lucky I am. My parents started with very little, but were always able to give my brother and I more than we ever needed in life...and while it wasn't always as much as others around us were given (we went to high school in a pretty well off neighbourhood and definitely didn't have as much as most), they worked so hard to give us a better and more fortunate life than they had. And in doing this, I think they taught my brother and I strong values of hard work, being good people and respect for others...all qualities I try so hard to carry with me as I become a "grown up" myself.

Of course I also owe a lot of who I am to my bf, D. We have had our (sometimes un)fair share of difficulties in the 4 years we've been together (mostly due to the last 2 years being long-distance) but he has been an amazing support and best friend to me and I love him more than anything. He has always accepted me for who I am and has always encouraged me to be myself, no matter what.

D and I at Machu Picchu, Peru in August 2010

When it comes to me professionally - I owe a lot of who I am to:
Keeping with the fam theme, I'd have to say first and foremost my mother. She started working when I started primary school and showed me that it is possible to raise a family and be a strong, professional, successful woman at the same time. She literally started from the bottom - as a typist - and has worked her way to a respectable policy job that she is proud of. And I've always looked up to her for it. But I also owe a lot of who I am professionally to the amazing people I work with. There are a few very difficult people in my workplace to deal with, but there are even more amazing people who not only support me immensely, but also make me laugh on a regular basis and who make coming into work fun. These people have become very close friends over the years I've been in my job and I can't imagine making it everyday in my work without them.

When it comes to the art of blogging, I'm grateful to these people for helping me through some rough spots:
Well, I'm still so new at blogging, but I'd like to give a shout out to my girl Nini for encouraging me to finally get my blog up and running (something I'd always wanted to do but never had the courage to actually get it done).

I'm also grateful to my other friends IRL who have blogs and help encourage me: J, M, and R.

Third, I'm grateful for Lisa from archives who was the very first (non-IRL-friend) comment on my blog (hahaha, is that creepy?)! I was flabbergasted that anyone out there in blogger-land had even read my blog, and better yet, left a great comment to boot. That one comment really made me feel really legit as a blogger!

Finally, I'm grateful for everyone who has followed me on Friend Connect, commented on my posts with such encouraging remarks, or who has even just visited! I still find it amazing that anyone is interested in what I wear or what I have to say, but I'm so grateful for each and every one of you!

One blogging challenge I'm grateful happened because it made me stronger was...
Starting a blog! Getting over that hurdle of just sitting down and starting a blog was NOT easy. Before-hand, I focussed too much on worrying about what people would think or that my clothes and my stories weren't "good enough". But just starting and getting myself out there helped me SO much...it helped me realize that I don't actually give a crap what the nay-sayers might think...and that if I want to post my outfits, I will! And seeing others out there in the same boat as me, or those who enjoyed fashion blogs as much as I did really helped encourage me and get over the fear.

To my readers, I'd like to say...
THANK YOU! Blogging really is a community, and without each other, we'd never be here. I am so grateful for everyone's encouragement, sweet comments and support. I may not have the most popular blog, but that makes each and every reader that I do have all the more special.



Love love love!


xo J.

FBFF - Friend Friday: Spring Trends

After a hiatus last week, I'm back to FBFF this week. And I'm super excited about the topic - Spring Trends!


What are the top 5 Spring trends that you are looking forward to seeing/sporting this season? 


Not sure how much of these are on the Official Spring 2011 Trend Alert, but here are 5 things I'm loving this spring: 





FBFF - Friend Friday: Spring Trends by TheJMay featuring crop tops


Leopard Print 
I just love the little hints of leopard print that have popped up this year. I think adding just a hint of it adds some fierceness to what could be an otherwise drab outfit. 


Wide Leg Jeans 
After years of skinny jeans, it's refreshing to see some flare again. I love the look of huge jeans with an awesome pair of platforms underneath. Kendi and Krystal both rock this look. 


Stripes 
I know this isn't a trend new for 2011, and stripes have been around for a while, but I still see them everywhere and I still wear them allthetime. I don't know what it is about them, but I just love the classic French look. 


Earth Tones 
Colour blocking is huge this season, but it's not a trend I've been able to master myself. But thankfully spring 2011 seems to be a dual-colour-palette year and earth tones are also hugely popular. 


Mulberry 
I just love love love the Mulberry bags I've seen all over the place. Must. Find. Acceptable. Knockoff Inspired Piece.


xo J.

April (snow) Showers...Bring May Flowers?

When I woke up this morning, it was raining. By the time I left for the bus, the rain had turned to giant, wet snowflakes, pelting me in the face as I walked. Oh, Canada.

And if Mother Nature refuses to bring on spring, then I will! Heeellllooooo light coloured prints!

Blouse: Jules and James (10$!!!)

Navy cardigan: Zara

Cognac belt: Urban Behaviour

Trousers: Gap

Wedges: Payless

I began a "transition" at work today...and after months of frustration, working with new peeps and on new stuff was like a breathe of fresh air! Now alls I need is some REAL fresh air. Anytime now Ms. Nature. Anytime.

xo J.

Gratitude

I'm still getting used to the idea that I'm a 'blogger'. Balancing my time between after-work drinks, the gym, housecleaning, work and whatever else seems to take up all of my free time, I'm still adjusting to adding blogging to the list of things I need to do everyday. So I haven't been very good at responding to all the great comments I've received. 

I'd like to say a big THANK YOU to all you lovelies who have started following me, have been commenting such sweet posts, and who have been so supportive and encouraging. I sincerely appreciate it...it all means so much to me!

via

xo J.

PS: No FBFF this past week...the topic was "Rules of Engagement" re: blogging and as a fairly new blogger, I didn't feel I really had anything substantial to contribute. Next week (this coming Friday) is about Spring Trends! Eeeee! I'm excited!