Aaand it's gone.

Have you ever had a blog topic randomly pop into your head while you were in the shower/grocery store/car wash/wherevs where you think, "omg, this is GENIUS! I will be able to write for HOURS about this!," only to sit down at your computer hours later and have absolutely nothing to say?

Yeah. I really need to write stuff down.

blazer - Dynamite (2011); tee - Jacob (2011); jeans - American Eagle (2012); boots - Spring (2010);

 necklace - Stella & Dot (2011)

There Will Be No Encore!

I took these photos after work the other day and I guess the flash by the window alerted my neighbor to my activities... next thing I knew I had an audience.

Safe to say I won't be taking photos here after it gets dark anymore... 

I don't know how you ladies with your tripods in public areas do it! I got embarrassed in my own home!

cardigan - Armani Exchange (2011); dress - F21 (2011); belt - Dynamite (2008); 

boots - Thrifted (2010)

Feels like Spring

Today was freaking gorgeous! Finally, spring-like weather! 

I tried to rush home and take some pictures outside in the sunshine, but of course, got stuck in rush hour traffic and missed the last little bit. I'm actually looking forward to "Springing Ahead" the clocks Saturday night.

This outfit's from last week, hence the heave knits!

 

cardigan - A|X; shell - BCBG; skinnies - American Eagle; booties - Aldo 

Ways I've Worn this BCBG Shell...

Lazy Weekend

I have been such a disgusting, snotty, mess these last few days! This cold has been building up for the last week, and I think it's finally gotten the better of me. Hopefully with lots of R&R this weekend (and maybe a bit of alcohol... you know, to kill the germs...) I'll feel much better come Monday.

So this is what I wore before I felt like death... 

cardigan - Jacob (2010); tee - Swap (2011); jeans - Bluenotes (2012); 

knit cap - Spring (2012); otk boots - Spring "Baldi" (2012)

Yes, those are new boots... I've kind of broken the shopping ban... I was good for a long while though, and I'm still shopping on a tight budget. I'll do a round-up post shortly.

Clueless Pairings

Am I slow? Does anyone else not get/enjoy closet couture?

Back in 1995 when I first saw "Clueless" I was completely enamored with her computer based closet program. Still am actually. You'd think with all the crazy technological advances that have been made this past decade someone would have cashed in? Either way, I'm still on the hunt! If anyone has a recommendation, I'll take it.

Also, whatever happened to weardrobe?

And no, I don't consider polyvore an equivalent! As if! I like, totally need someone to tell me when I'm mismatched!

is that really a "mismatch"? i kinda like it... haha.

Until then though, randomly pulling combinations from my closet will have to do!

button down - Walmart (2011); vest - YDE (2009); jeans - American Eagle (2011); 

necklace - Stella & Dot (2011); boots - Thrifted (2008)

Other Ways I've Worn This Denim Button-Down...

Mother Nature is a Tease

This past weekend was just plain blah. Huge amounts of snow and crazy winds kept me in hibernation mode. While I did manage to get some laundry done and organize a few future blog posts, the rest of my weekend was pretty much a write off. Yay for hot cocoa and chick flicks!

Before we got the random dump of 6 inches of snow though, it was actually starting to feel a little like spring around these parts...

And nothing says "spring" like a sheer floral blouse!

blouse - Jacob (2010); jeans - Bluenotes (2012); belt - Dynamite (2010); 

wedges - Aldo "Mignona" (2010)

Ways I've Worn This Sheer Floral Blouse...

An Oldie but A Goodie

I realize that the Christmas Tree in the background kind of dates this pic, but I never did get around to posting this outfit... what with my breakdown and all, haha.

Anyhoo, I wore this on Christmas Eve and loved it. Something about leopard print paired with red just screams "Festive" to me!
I love how versatile both this skirt and top have turned out to be!

leopard tee - F21 (2011); pencil skirt - Jacob (2010); caridigan - Dynamite (2009);
belt - Gift (2011); heels - BCBG (2009)

Other Ways I've Worn This Forever 21 Leopard Tee...

Don't forget!
You can always click on post labels to see other ways I've remixed items :)

Long Weekends

Ottawa Fashion Week kicks off tonight, but I won't be in attendance :(

Those of you who are going will have to fill me in on the wonderousness!

Fortunately, I'm missing it for an awesome reason - visiting a very good friend in Kitchener that I haven't seen in FOREVER! Yay for long weekends :)

Fellow Ontarians - How will you be spending your holiday Monday?

tee - Zara (2010); cardigan - Urban Behaviour (2010); jeans - Dynamite (2009);
necklace - Stella & Dot (2011); ankle boots - Thrifted (2008)

Yum.

Just a quick little gush about last night...
I quite possible have the most amazing boyfriend in the world. I thought the dinner was amazing, but even more so was the adorable card and gorgeous diamond necklace... love you.

Le Tartuffe was DELICIOUS! I tried foie gras for the second time in my life, and was completely blown away by the scallop and lamb dishes.

Dessert of dark chocolate and pecan pie and strawberry crumble with olive oil infused ice cream (top),
and a dulce de leche creme brule with banana bread (bottom). Yum.

Oh, and I wore things the other day.

draped cardigan - Jacob (2011); tee - walmart (2011); jeans - American Eagle (2011);
biker boots - thrifted (2008)

Loving Love

Couldn't help but get a little girly and giddy when I threw on this skirt!

I'm a sucker for days that celebrate love. Valentines, Mother's Day, Anniversaries...
We're heading to Le Tartuffe tonight for dinner. The site and menu look amazing, so I'm incredibly excited. I'll let you know how it goes :)

Do you have anything planned for your loved ones this evening?

tee - Smart Set (2010); skirt - Walmart (2009); heels - Xmas Gift (2011);
bracelet - Kenneth Cole, nail polish - Essie "Bachelorette Party"

Check out Everybody, Everywhere for more gorgeous Red & Pink outfits!

Revamp?

NYFW is upon us and I can't help but be slightly jealous of all the fabulous New York bloggers who get to attend! I love my small intimate readership and the fact that I feel like I know a little something about all of you... but sometimes we all get a little green-eyed, no?

ANYWAY.

If you haven't noticed the new header/sidebar, I'm trying to revamp a little around here. Feedback is VERY much appreciated. I'm liking my header, but not so much the buttons... And I'm wondering if I should keep it all a little more minimalistic?

Hmmm.

tee - Jacob (2011); vest - Old Navy (2010); necklace - Smart Set (2010);
leggings - Jacob (2011); boots - Roxy (2011)

Back Again

"Hell, I need you. I’m a mess without you. I miss you so damn much. I miss being with you, I miss being near you. I miss your laugh. I miss your scent; I miss your musk. When this all gets sorted out, I think you and me should get an apartment together."
- Champ Kind, Anchorman

Pretty much sums up my feeling lately towards the blogosphere.

I know I've been MIA for a while. I tend to manage stress poorly, have mini break downs, go into hiding, and resurface much later a healthier, saner, person. Thanks for sticking around.

So I'm back! And with a vengeance!
... or at least a new outfit.

I was fortunate enough to get some gift certificates for Christmas (oh god, that seems like eons ago now!) and managed to snag a few new items. I'm still technically playing by the rules... I just have more inventory to go through now!

striped tee - Smart Set (2011); draped knit vest - Smart Set (2011);
pants - Max/Miley (2009); boots - Roxy (2011)

2011: A Year of Outfits

With 2012 just around the corner, I thought I'd take a look back at some of my favorite outfits from the past 12 months.

I rang in the new year with a blogger swap :) That gorgeous Betsey Johnson number on the right was a part of my haul. While it hasn't made another appearance on the blog to date, seeing it in my closet makes me smile.

February was a tough month for me, full of decisions to make dramatic life changes. I think I tried to reflect "strength" in my outfits by attempting to toughen up my look while still sticking with the girly accents I love like frills.

March consisted of more girly essentials like full skirts and sheer details. This month I focused on reconnecting on a deeper level with some amazing girl friends. I could have never gotten through that period without you ladies!

April was amazing. I got settled in my brand new house, and met the man of my dreams unexpectedly. The outfit on the left is actually what I wore on our first date :)

Yay for the warm weather finally moving in! I practically lived in skirts last spring, and these are just a few of my favorites! I welcomed a new member into my family last May too, my gorgeous little pug Coco.

More tough decisions this month! Although I had new expenses (love you Coco, but jeez, you get pricey sometimes!), I threw caution to the wind and decided to leave my "safe" job.

New job, new challenges, and a whole new level of awesome. I lived it up last summer with lots of BBQs with family and good friends.

August involved a wonderful trip to Seaside Heights and New York City with my man. Posting was sporadic, but you stuck with my anyway... thanks lovers!

Amazing times in September. I vowed to get a few last wears out of some of my favorite summer pieces, and had the privilege of attending Ottawa Fashion Week SS12.

Halloween hijinx and good times all around. There's something special about decorating your house for a holiday that I just loved. Oh, and I got to be blonde for a day.

In November I started my Buried Treasures Challenge, which forced me to explore the contents of my closet in new and exciting ways.

Which brings us to the end of the year... I figured you guys were having holiday outfit overload so I'm just sharing a few of my more casual looks here.

2011 was Amazeballs.
Here's looking at you 2012!

Feeling Festive

I'm a tad late with this outfit, and I completely failed at taking outfit pictures on Christmas day, but the plan is to re-adorn myself and share them before taking off on the 7th.
We all know how much my blog promises are worth though... I apologize ahead of time!

This outfit is from the 15th of December... it feels like forever ago now! We had our intimate staff party at The Shore Club, a gorgeous place downtown. Believe it or not, I was UNDER dressed, but I still love the ensemble anyway.

blouse - H&M (2011); skirt - Jacob (2010); necklace - Stella & Dot;
belt - Vintage; shoes - BCBG (2009)

Ways I've Worn this Jacob Red Pencil Skirt...

Put a Cap on It

Preparations are almost complete, and Christmas vacation started a few days early.
Bliss.
Now to just sit back, relax, and let the holiday festivities unfold in front of me.
I love this time of year.
I can't wait to see family and friends, and enjoy the food, the gifts, and the fun.

knit cap - H&M (2009); knit vest - Dynamite (2009); necklace - F21 (2011);
tee - Dynamite (2010); skinnies - Smart Set (2010); boots - Thrifted (2008)

Ways I've Worn this Blue Knit Vest

Six More Sleeps!

Can you believe Christmas is less than a week away? The month has just flown by!
Fortunately for me, I'm done all my shopping and only have baking left to do...
Unfortunately for me, my uncle will fly in from Atlanta this week and insist we do some last minute shopping on the 24th.
I pretend that this annoys me, but after 10 years of doing of tradition, if it didn't happen, I'd probably end up disappointed.

sunnies - Michael Kors (2011 - thanks Christine!); cardigan - Smart Set (2010);
necklace - Stella & Dot; dress - Dynamite (2010); skinnies - Gap (2010); boots - Sirens (2010)

Church Time

Last night I went to mass for Santa Lucia patron Saint of the Blind.
Now I'm not a religious person - I like to think of myself as more of a spiritual individual - but I did enjoy myself. My young cousins on the other hand did not.
It reminded me so much of when I was younger and dragged to church every Sunday with my mother. I hated it. And it probably has something to do with my current dislike of organized religion. But this got me thinking about time.

When you're young, time seems to stretch on forever. You can't wait for the next day to come and you feel like it always takes an eternity to get here. Maybe that accounts for why they find church so excruciatingly long? As an adult on the other hand, time just flies. There are never enough hours in a day to accomplish everything you plan to, and you dread the next day and the additional tasks it will bring. The hour one spent in church is nothing more than a blip at this point and seems far less boring. You listen to the stories, and the time passes quickly, rendering it far more tolerable.
Does that make sense?

What I wore to church last night...

Blouse - Vintage (mine since 2008); skirt - Smart Set (2010);
tights - Hue (2010); boots - Spring (2011)

You can check out my challenge progress here.

NW: In the Navy

A bit belated with my Navy... by only about 4 days, so really, in the World of Mel, that's pretty darn on-time. You're welcome :)

I'm really loving this man-sweater. Paired with skinnies and a gold chain, I think this worked out pretty well. And to think - I found this in my mom's donate pile back in the fall and never actually thought I'd wear it.

My female boss affectionately told me I look like a Japanese school girl (she meant this as a compliment! I do think I looked pretty kawaii!)... and yes, we have this kind of relationship.

sweater - ???; sheer blouse - Jacob (2010); skinnies - Gap (2010);
boots - Sirens (2010); chain - Stella & Dot (2011)

Ways I've worn this Sheer Blouse...

Also, I'm super proud to say I'm kicking ass at this shopping-ban thing. I've been VERY tempted, but in the end, will power prevailed!

Grey & Brown

Neutrals week continues!
Nope, I haven't forgotten, I've just been so freaking tired lately that all I want to do when I get home is sleeeeeeeep.

It seems that no matter how much I get, I could always use more... does anyone else ever feel like this?

Anyhoo... Tuesday was Grey:

tee - Esprit (2011); cardigan - Jacob (2011);
pants - Max/Miley (2009); boots - Thrifted (2008)

And Wednesday was Brown:

tee - F21 (2011); cardigan - Jacob (2008); skinnies - Smart Set (2010);
boots - Sirens (2010)

I'll be sure to update my closet tomorrow... but right now.. you guessed it! Sleep!

BT & Black

It's the beginning of Neutrals Week! (Thanks Kiki & Meg for putting this together!)

I thought it would be fun to combine this challenge with my own.


First up is Black. Easy enough.... until of course you go to get dressed and realize everything black you own is in the wash. Go team me.

blouse - Ricki's (2011); cape - LeChateau (2008); trousers - Gap (2010);
Heels - Aldo"Moos" (2010)

Other Ways I've Worn these Gap Trousers