Mended

I forgot to take photos of nearly every outfit I wore over Thanksgiving weekend, so all you get is this fairly simple outfit from Sunday. The dress by itself is pretty but a bit boring, so that's why I threw on the bright scarf as a belt. It's been about a year and a half since I last wore this dress, because one of the buttons came off, and yes, it took me this long to sew it back on. I tend to be a horrible procrastinator when it comes to mending my clothes, and half the time they just end up in the garage sale pile because I'm too lazy to fix them. But ever since I read the book Overdressed, I've taken to working through my mending pile in the evenings, because now I realize it's important to care for the clothes I have, and not just toss them out when they're missing a button or have a hole.

Dress: vintage

Red scarf worn as a belt: thrifted

Black tights: Forever 21

Black heels: DSW

Sunglasses: Oscar de la Renta from TJ Maxx

Earrings: gift

And here are some awesome photos of me and my brothers on Thanksgiving. I'm not sure we've ever taken a "nice" photo together, but we always take fun ones. Here's triple suicide...

...awkward smiling...

...and Gangnam Style...

BT & An Overshare.

So apparently, dogs get periods. Who knew, right?
(can we detect my self-directed sarcasm?)

My procrastination bites me in the ass again. For those of you with female puppies - don't wait too long after they turn 6 months. Now poor coco will be in her uncomfortable (yet hilarious!) diaper for a few days and I'll have to wait 3 months to get her spayed. *siiigh* Maybe this will finally teach me to stop putting things off.

am I an awful mother for posting this? haha, she just looks so confused at the whole situation.

Oh right... the whole fashion blog thing...

shirt - Suzy Shier (2009); vest - H&M (2011); skinnies - Smart Set (2010);
flats - Steve Madden (2009)

nugget wrap bracelet - Stella & Dot (2011); watch - Guess (2010);
La Coco Chain - Stella & Dot (2011)

Sadly, I didn't have enough pictures of either the vest or button down to do a "Ways I've worn"... its a good thing they're finally getting some camera time!

Procrastination should be my Middle Name.

And so another week begins... And I have an exam this saturday...
I'm trying to be good and spread my studying out this time instead of just cramming Friday night. We'll see how this works out.

At least the weekend was entertaining... for the most part. I had a long over due housewarming party last night for my relatives. It was quite entertaining watching 25 people try to squeeze into my tiny kitchen, but that's where the party always ends up being, doesn't it? My next house will be 90% kitchen to avoid such chaos.
I also received some absolutely lovely gifts. I think my family secretly thinks I'm an alcoholic as the majority of them were booze related. Not complaining though! The next time I have company we'll have lots of fancy glasses and no one will be stuck sipping wine from awful paper ones!

Not what I wore to my housewarming, but an outfit nonetheless... it's overdue.

tank - Smart Set (2010); cardi - Dynamite (2007); skinnies - Gap (2010)

It's Puppy Love!

I’m really good at disappearing for long periods of time, aren’t I? At least I have good excuses…. Usually.
I would love for you all to meet the newest addition to my family, Miss Coco Pasqualina!
I’ve wanted a dog for as long as I can remember and thoroughly did my homework. I decided on a little pug because their lifestyle suits my own, and let’s face it, they’re so damn ugly that they’re adorable. I originally went to a pug rescue as I would love to give an abandoned animal a loving home, but my applications were never approved because I have no experience with dogs. I will definitely keep Under My Wing Pug Rescue in mind for my next one though.
Of course her name is an homage to the eternal icon Gabrielle Coco Chanel, but the “Pasqualina” was so dubbed by my lovely gma who claimed that she had a good friend back in Italy with a scrunched-up face just like little Coco’s who went by that name, and now refuses to call her anything else. Haha, she’s a lovely woman sometimes, isn’t she?

Anyways, I assume having a new puppy is along the lines of having a small child. She wakes me up at crazy hours during the night, ALWAYS wants to play, and is teething, so she insists on chewing everything! Fortunately, no shoes were harmed… yet.

I'm completely and totally in love!

Bows & Blabber

So after someone was spontaneously let go from work the other day, I decided it's probably best to stop creeping blogger on a regular basis during office hours.
Lame, I know, but I'd really like to keep my job... you know, for food and shelter and all that jazz. So please excuse my lack of comments & posting... It's not that I don't want to, its just that I can't.
I miss it already.

But today I'm off sick, so ya know, I can blog stalk all I want.... and finally get around to posting this outfit from last weekend :)
The epiphany is kind of a big deal in my family, so last Saturday night we had another gigantic dinner at my aunt's house. Honestly, how am I supposed to get in shape and be more conscious of what I eat when there is all this deliciousness around me all the time???

blue bow dress - Betsey Johnson (mine since 2011)
tights - Ardene (2010)
boots - Franco Sarto (2009)

I would like to take this opportunity to formally then Megan for the swap! I LOOOVE this dress, and I can't wait til the weather gets nicer so I can bust out the wedges! You're a doll with impeccable taste!

Friend Friday & Fifteen

Friend Friday: Burn Out Baby

1. How many hours a week do you spend blogging? Has that number changed since you started blogging?
Actually BLOGGING, not nearly enough, especially lately, but my number of posts have increased since I first started... I've just been swamped with life these past few weeks, but it happens!
As far as READING blogs, its pretty much on a continuous basis during the day... It's my way of winding down, and I love it. I would estimate 15-20 hours a week... sometimes a lot more haha.

2. There is always more you can do, write, read, comment on... how do you limit your time spent on these tasks?
I admit, I read blogs at work. I try to give myself a good 15 minutes for every couple of hours, so I don't have a LOT of time to leave as many comments as I'd like, but I try! I always tell myself I'll get back to them on the weekends, but they end up being way too busy. Surprisingly I get most of my blog related things done on the clock.

3. Have you experienced Blogger burnout yet? How have you dealt with that?
Oh Yes. In fact, I feel like I'm nearing it now.. but more to do with the fact that nothing fits anymore so getting dressed is frustrating rather than being bored of the actual blogging community. Challenges usually lift me out of this funk like my "Loved & Forgotten" Challenge, but until I add to my wardrobe (which is against 30x30 rules) I don't see this one lifting in a hurry.

4. This time of the year is always a lot busier than any other time. Will your blogging change as a result?
It already has :( But I will get back to a much more normal routine once work slows down and I get some boxing day shopping done to fill the new holes in my wardrobe!

5. Could you forsee a moment in which you are not blogging anymore? How would you identify that it's time to walk away?
At this point in time, definitely not. It's a hobby I've stuck with MUCH longer than any other I've taken up on a lark. And the blogging community makes me feel so warm & fuzzy inside!! I feel like I've made some genuine friends, which is something that doesn't come easily. I don't see myself being able to walk away without some serious withdrawal! To quote an overly-played, famous-for-talk-singing-and-autotune-and-not-much-else-dumpster-diver, "your love is my drug." haha.

As always, thank you ModlyChic for putting this together!

And now an outfit that I'm not overly proud of, but hey, i'm no quitter! I'll make it through all 30!

5. tunic - ebay (2010)
10. cardigan - Urban Behaviour (2010)
20. jeans - Smart Set (2008)
27. ankle boots - Spring (2010)
.. and yes, i realize I'm in socks... but the boots were part of the outfit, removed for the indoors.


And this is me enjoying some delicious BBIWM (pronounced bih-youm). Banana bread infused with mango, My cousin's creation, at a family get together.

17-18-19

Playing catch up with a few outfits...

On another note, the weekend was fabulous! Celebrated my cousin Shannel's 19th birthday with dinner and drinks at Foundation in the market, and then headed to Sotto. Not my scene, but fun none the less. Ever seen Jersey Shore? I think those kids would love it there. haha. Even my aunt came along... and damn does she ever have some dance moves!

Yesterday we headed to my dad's for a BBQ. It rained like mad so we were sequesterned to the house, but it was still a good time, and I got to catch up with my step-mum's sister Mary who I haven't seen in years!

And now on to the outfits!

SEVENTEEN:

7 + 16 + 30
wood bangle - Vintage (mom's!)
belt - Smart Set (2010)

EIGHTEEN:

8 + 15 + 24
belt - Jacob (2010)

NINETEEN:

10 + 18 + 30

hat - Aldo (2010)
bag - Aldo (2010)

Also, I've received the Pay it Forward Dress in the mail! Look for a fabulous outfit soon & be sure to let me know if you'd like to be the next to receive this super cute garment!

Italian festivities

Today I went shoe shopping with the intent of buying something colorful and summery (and flat!) to add to my collection seeing as how most of my shoes are very neutral, an most of my clothing is either black, white or an earth tone. Instead I came back with a pair of white and a pair of brown shoes. Needless to say, I failed at my goal, lol! On a positive note though, both pairs (both American Eagle from Payless) came to a grand total of $24. So I guess in retrospect I didn't fail TOO badly!

I DID however wear wonderfully bright shoes (one of my only pairs besides the pink guess heels that frequent this blog) last Sunday. Seeing as how it was the kick off to Italian Week here in Ottawa, I decided to show a little of my Italian roots with some bright red shoes, (I avoided the green as it's Italian week and I didn't want anyone to think it was Christmas!).

Worn Sun, June 13th:
Where? St. Anthony's Day Parade/Start of Italian Week

Little sis Stefanie, cousin Amber, and Myself

cardigan - Costa Blanca (2007)
dress - Costa Blanca (2006)
clutch - F21 (2008)
shoes - Steve Madden (2006)

And a snapshot of some of the fam that came out to watch the festivities!

Summer is for BBQs!

Don't mind the playground in the background... For some reason, family parties always end up with random trips to the park. But seriously folks, where were these amazing structures when we were younger? I just remember these giant wood monstrosities with at best a slide, a fireman's pole, and some random swings.

Worn Sat, June 5th:
Where: Family Party

tank - Joe (2009)
vest - yde (2009)
jeans - Guess (2007)
belt as bracelet - thrifted (200?)
flats - Aldo (2009)

My Uncle insisted he needed 50 candles for his 50th birthday.
Happy Birthday Dan!

Convocation!

Last Friday was Convocation!

Although I feel like I was seriously misled by American movies, (no caps! no pomp and circumstance! no valedictorian!) my Graduation was pretty amazing! I had a chance to rock a seriously fabulous dress, all the parental units got to meet up, and our Chancellor (real name Tom Jackson) was Billy Twofeathers from Shining Time Station! Ohhhh early 90's children's shows... how I miss you.

This post is a little picture heavy, but can you blame me?

The girls.... minus my BFF. Damn you for not being a business student! haha.

Receiving congrats from the Chancellor

J & myself!

Fancy scenic shot of the river that runs through campus.

Nonna, myself and mom. haha poor girl forgot her sunscreen!

And of course, my fancy dress made by myself and my grandmother!

pearls - Gift from god-parents (1998)
dress- DIY (2010)
shoes - Trendzone (2010)

Fun with the Fam

Saturday night was my Uncle's 85th birthday party, so while our elders drank and gossiped, us young-adults and kids headed to a nearby park!
Who said these things were just for kids?

okay, so how cool is this thing?

hat - Aldo (2010)
tee - F21 (2009)
sweater - Winners (2010)
jeans - Garage (2008)

Swing life away!Cristina proving once and for all the child-like size of my feet.

wedges - Fergie (2009)

As you can tell we made the most of our time! And although we got a few odd looks from passers-by, we had a blast doing it!

I have always loved fashion

  My mom Gossamer Wings 

always dressed my sister and I

 in amazing outfits

Most of our clothes she made.

looking back at pictures of me

I remember how much I always 

was thinking about clothing 

and the surrounding 

colors 

shapes 

and textures around me

I forgot that it has always been my 

Obsession

Take a look:

My mom holding me

here is my sister and I

then

now

easter outfit 

then

now

some bath tub pictures