elliven studio

Weekend Love

2012-02-24T12:28:00.000-06:00

Well, I've now been battling what I'm calling a "weird cold" since Sunday. It feels as though it's lingering, but not really getting worse. All I want to do is curl up in a ball in bed....something I very rarely want to do, so that's how I know I'm not feeling like myself.

Oh well, this too shall pass.

One thing that is making me smile everyday is seeing this sign outside our house. Yes, indeed.

We sold our house on Sunday, five short days after listing it. Everything was finalized on Tuesday. I can't even tell you how thankful we are. The market here is pretty hot, it is definitely a sellers market, we are so lucky.

Now we move onto searching for a home in our soon to be new town. I'm always on MLS checking to see what's new and can't wait to see which house we'll be calling home in a few short months. Totally exciting.

And now, I shall go and sip some tea and catch up on blogs. I wish you all a lovely weekend!

Cheers,

Julie

Embrace Colour!

2012-02-22T06:30:00.000-06:00

Friends, how are you? I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to neglect you, but things have been absolutely insanely busy here the past week.

I will update you as soon as I can with all of the goings on with the house.

In the meantime, I wanted to share this Target commercial with you. I only just saw it for the first time yesterday and absolutely loved it!

Enjoy!

Cheers,

Everybody

2012-02-14T06:30:00.000-06:00

I think it's time I share a song....haven't done that in a while. This song is used to celebrate the re-release of Lady and the Tramp. I absolutely love it, just makes me smile!

Enjoy!

Cheers,

Inspired by Fashion

2012-02-13T06:30:00.000-06:00

I don't often play around too much with hair styles. I'm not quite sure why that is, it's almost as though I don't think of it really.

So I decided to change it up a little bit last week. Nothing too crazy, but something different than just wearing it down, or pinning back a few strands.

blazer - old navy

tank - gap

necklace - forever 21

So, how about you? Do you style your hair differently everyday or every so often?

Cheers,

Inspirational Interiors

2012-02-10T06:30:00.000-06:00

Hey friends! Hope you're enjoying a lovely week! Any big plans for the weekend?

With the sale of the house fast approaching, I'm focusing a lot of my time on how I want to "stage" the house. It's basically my excuse to buy all of the decor items I've wanted to buy for who knows how long, but never got around to getting. I'm truly having so much fun perusing websites for inspiration. Today, I'm sharing with you my "pins" on kitchen/dining room centrepieces.

For the kitchen I want to go with a fresh feel. My favourite is these first two pictures below. Mixing some brightly coloured fruits with lovely tulips.

Source: decorpad.com via Julie on Pinterest

Do you love to use fresh flowers on your tables?

Cheers,

Miju and You

2012-02-09T06:30:00.000-06:00

arrow ring

Did anyone else spot this gorgeous ring in last week's Etsy finds? Oh my word this ring! I know, right?!

Seriously, this shop is full of gorgeous pieces. Rings, necklaces even lapel pins. Totally worthy of a peek. You can find the shop here.

Cheers,

Recap: Decor Purchases (With The Help Of Instagram)

2012-02-08T06:30:00.001-06:00

Last week I took some time to write out a list of items I wanted to buy to stage our home for when it goes on the market. I love love love to shop for the home. I now have a clear plan and shopping list to keep my head from spinning!

Here are a few of the items I picked up via instagram (gotta love instagram you can find me under the name elliven).

decorative grass for "his" bedside table

vase and florals for "her" bedside table

a few items that turned into....

this and....

this (this one is now in the downstairs bathroom)

a few floral touches

new iron decorative wall hanging (walls to be painted a slightly lighter colour)

I purchased the iron wall decor and the last set of florals from Pier 1, all other items were purchased at the Superstore.

I'll continue to share pics here on the blog, so stay tuned!

Cheers,

Inspired by Style

2012-02-07T06:30:00.000-06:00

Hey friends! I've put together a bit of stylish inspiration for you!

Source: sincerelyjules.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: peoplestylewatch.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: inhonorofdesign.blogspot.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: kendieveryday.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: cupcakesandcashmere.com via Julie on Pinterest

Cheers,

Inspired By Fashion

2012-02-06T06:30:00.001-06:00

Hello, hello! How was your weekend?

I find myself gravitating more and more towards chunky and layered necklaces. I've fallen head over heels for Lauren Elan's necklaces. They are perfection!

I've been playing it a tad bit safe lately when it comes to my wardrobe, so on this day, I went for prints along with a bright & bold necklace.

top - jacob

necklace - le chateau

watch - baby-g

Cheers,

Eye Candy

2012-02-03T06:30:00.000-06:00

How about a little splash of colour for this weeks Eye Candy post!

Cheers,

Last Week.....

2012-02-02T14:00:00.000-06:00

After several years, I finally found a perfect use & place for a crystal ashtray that was handed down to us.

cuddled up with my one of my loves

rocked one of the comfiest pairs of boots I own

patched some walls (apparently the boys think that walls are barriers that need to be taken down)

washed the walls

and painted the walls (how do you like my painting pants?)

then I rewarded myself & the kids (for being so good while I painted) with some take out!

Cheers,

Smythe Spring 2012

2012-02-02T06:30:00.000-06:00

Some people just "got it" and the lovely ladies behind Smythe are no exception. The Smythe Spring 2012 line recently launched and it's absolutely fabulous!

Here are a few of my favs:

source for all photos

And those are just a few....seriously, you have to check the entire line out. You can find it here.

Cheers,

What's in the bag?

2012-02-01T06:30:00.000-06:00

Thought I'd take the time do the infamous "what's in the bag" post!

Sooooo, here we go!

1 - the lovely Coach purse that hubs bought me for xmas (love the grey interior)

2- my new "Little Pink Book" a place to write my notes

3- iphone sleeve (made by yours truly) and iphone

4- epipen incase someone tries to feed me peanuts (yup, I'm allergic)

5- delicious watermelon gum

6- make up bag (full of mac lipglass!)

7- trusty wallet

8- ipod

9- yummy smelling hand cream

10- granola bar (you never know when hunger will strike!)

11- antibacterial wash

12- pen

I don't switch purses all that often, maybe once or twice a month and it's probably because I'm a tad bit lazy, but we won't admit that (wait, just did, didn't I....).

Hope you enjoyed this edition of "what's in the bag"

Cheers,

Inspired by Fashion: Cardigans

2012-01-31T06:30:00.001-06:00

I'm a huge fan of cardigans. I simply love wearing them. Not necessarily because I'm always cold, I think I just like the comfort they give me.

This is one of my absolute favourites, to the point that I need to remind myself to switch it up every once in a while! I love the ribbed neckline, the fold over collar and how it's slightly angled from front to back at the bottom.

I'm also really loving the colour purple right now. Might be hard to tell, but the t-shirt is dark purple. I never used to be a fan, but it's quickly growing on me!

sweater - gap

t shirt - gap

necklace - the bay

jeans - lucky brand

Please excuse the ray of sunlight....just wasn't working with me!

Cheers,

What's Happening

2012-01-30T06:30:00.000-06:00

So as you know, the shop is closing next month. When I made the announcement I mentioned that this year was going to be a busy year for our family. Well, I can finally tell you why! (although I'm sure many of you already know if you've been following me on twitter!)

Being that we are a military family, moving is part of our life (although it can be quite stressful when it actually comes time to do the move itself, we love this part of the job....having the chance to see our beautiful country and meeting new people). We've now be in the prairies for 8 years. We've enjoyed our time in central Canada, but we're very excited to finally have word that we'll be heading back to Ontario, where we are from. We're not going back to our hometown, but we'll be within driving distance, which is wonderful. Ontario is a gorgeous province, and we are thrilled to be calling it home once again for a few years at least.

So we are busy prepping the house for the sale and organizing all that needs to be done prior to the move. It's a very exciting time, but a very busy time as well.

One of the many things that I'm excited about is the chance to order some moving announcements! I've been looking around a little bit and these caught my eye....

moving announcement by paper fox design

float + taking off moving announcement by float paperie

house moving announcement by perideau designs

If you know of any beautiful moving announcements, or better yet, if you make some, let me know!!! I'd love to see them.

I do plan to share as much as I can with you here on the blog! How I'm staging the home, what I'm buying to decorate, etc. I'm quite excited about this part actually, going out to purchase decor items. I've been pinning inspiration pics over at Pinterest quite a bit lately!

Cheers,

Bringing the Outdoors In

2012-01-27T06:30:00.000-06:00

Source: thefashionhash.com via Hutton on Pinterest

I absolutely love how these branches bring the outdoors in. They are gorgeous. Wouldn't you just want to sit in either of these chairs with a nice cup of coffee and a great magazine? I think it would be heavenly.

So it's the weekend, any big plans? I foresee a lot of kitchen dancing, movie watching and max relaxing over here, just one of those weekends.

Cheers,

Eye Candy

2012-01-26T07:00:00.003-06:00

essie nailpolish

elizabeth and james heel

Cheers,

Inspired by Style: Lace

2012-01-24T06:30:00.000-06:00

Source: celebuzz.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: peoplestylewatch.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: whatkatewore.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: thesartorialist.com via Julie on Pinterest

There's been quite a bit of lace on the runways, red carpets and just in general lately, and I'm absolutely loving it! I just find lace to be so feminine and that it adds a beautiful touch to any outfit.

What are your thoughts? Are you a fan?

Cheers,

Last Week....

2012-01-23T06:30:00.000-06:00

we stopped for the train to pass....

I found a notebook that I swear was made especially for me....

I debated on purchasing a mirror (there are two here) to hang above our bed....

and went back two days later to see if it was still there.....it was!

I indulged in my absolutely favourite treat and hid them so that no one else would ~~steal~~ enjoy them

How about you, what did you get up to?

Cheers,

Fresh

2012-01-20T06:30:00.000-06:00

Source: housebeautiful.com via Julie on Pinterest

You know what I love about this photo? I love that the entryway is fresh, almost like you can't resist but to breathe deep breath and just relax upon entering the home. Isn't that simply priceless? Truly love it.

Have a lovely weekend friends. I'm planning on doing a little painting, time to paint the upstairs bathrooms, it's only taken me five years to do this, ugh, seriously! I've decided to go with Silver Drop by Behr (doesn't look this dark on the walls, but it gives you an idea what the colour is):

So friends, what are your plans for the weekend?

Cheers,

Accessorizing

2012-01-19T06:30:00.000-06:00

Last week while out shopping for some groceries I ~~made sure~~ just happened to pass by the Joe Fresh jewelry display. Seriously, it was full of beautiful pieces in an array of styles and colours. With my new goal of making fashion a priority in mind, I decided to pick up a necklace.

I chose this gorgeous one. I love the layering, the colours and the different materials. It's definitely a versatile piece and that is so important!

top - gap

necklace - joe fresh

jeans - lucky brand

Do you have a favourite "go to"accessory? Do you prefer necklaces, bracelets, rings or scarves?

On another note, you know what I find totally funny about looking at these pictures? When I looked in the mirror I thought my hair was really puffy but after seeing the pictures I was like "hmmm, it's pretty flat". How does that happen? I mean, how do we see ourselves so differently in a mirror vs picture? Note to self, add puffiness to the hair!

Cheers,

Inspired By Style

2012-01-18T06:30:00.001-06:00

There's been a lot of bright and bold colours lately. I'm loving this trend, I find the colours to be happy and perhaps they may make me feel as though spring is right around the corner! That alone is worth a million bucks, no?!

Source: lookbook.nu via Julie on Pinterest

Source: cupcakesandcashmere.com via Julie on Pinterest

I'm currently searching for a gorgeous pair of pink skinny jeans, fingers crossed I find them soon!

Cheers,

In A Funk?

2012-01-17T06:30:00.001-06:00

You know those days that you're just not feeling so great? Yeah, funks, that's what I call them. Well, on those days I think it's important that you

1 - acknowledge that it's a funk and that it will pass

2 - go into your closet and wear your favourite shoes/top/jewels/pants/dress, whatever it may be.

For me on this particular day I immediately went for my sequin top from Joe Fresh. Ahhh yes, nothing like some sequins to pick you right up.

I'm really going to have to find a better spot in the house to take these style posts until I can get outside. I know that I could take the photos outside, but I just don't really feel like getting pneumonia right now, so I'll stick with taking them indoors until the temps warm up a bit...right, okay so the photos.....

top - joe fresh

jeans - lucky brand

watch - baby g

boots - aldo

When you're wearing a top with lots of sequins, I don't really think that you need to wear a necklace, but that's just my opinion. These are another one of my favourite pairs of boots. Although, they tend to make me look short, then again, I am...anyhow yes, I love them because they have a flat sole, so I can wear them all day. Total perk!

Cheers,

Eye Candy

2012-01-16T06:30:00.000-06:00

Hey friends!

So every now and then it's nice to do a little shopping for yourself for no reason other than to make you smile. To pamper yourself!

I pulled together a few items that I would totally buy and that would most definitely put a smile on my face.....a little eye candy!

shoes - aldo

necklace - Lauren Elan

perfume - Oh Lola! by Marc Jacobs

iphone case - Jessica Swift

nail polish - Essie School of Hard Rocks

Purse - Tous

Ring - Forever21

Cheers,

Hair Styling

2012-01-13T06:30:00.000-06:00

So, as we're about to head into the weekend, I thought I'd share with you this fabulous blog with even more fabulous hair styling tutorials because who knows, some of you may just feel like getting your fancy on!

Source: thesmallthingsblog.com via Julie on Pinterest

Now go and get beautiful and have one awesome weekend, see you Monday!

Cheers,

Blazers

2012-01-12T06:30:00.000-06:00

I love them, I totally do. But, I only own one (gasp), I know right?!

I bought this one last year from...you guessed it, gap. I love pairing it with a simple t-shirt and then adding a gorgeous necklace or a scarf to finish off the look. On this paticular day I chose a new long sleeved top that has in my opinion, a stunning cowl. (I once again apologize for the poor quality of the photos...seriously, I am trying to figure things out and not just sitting here, drinking coffee wondering why they look the way they do).

blazer - gap

top - gap

jeans - lucky brand

I'd absolutely love to try on a Smythe Blazer, they are simply stunning, don't you think? That being said, I'm really happy with the blazers at Gap. They fit so well, they come in a variety of fabrics and styles and above all, they are versatile!

Cheers,

Curls and Print

2012-01-10T06:30:00.000-06:00

Hello beautiful friends! How is everyone doing?

So believe it or not, I have pretty darn curly hair. I love to straighten it, well, not the process of straightening it, that's a total pain but I love how it looks straight vs curly. That being said, it's kind of funny because I do love my curls, but just not on me. Weird huh? But this fighting them thing is getting kind of old, and so now I'm embracing them, working with what I have. If I don't like the way my curls are looking on a particular day I just pull them back into a ponytail, voila!

So here's to curls and prints! Hooray! (I apologize for the poor quality of the photos, I'm working on it, I promise).

top - gap

necklace - in honor of design (shop is no longer open, but she has an amazing blog)

So here's to working with what we're given vs fighting it.

Don't forget that you can save 30% on your order in the shop! I will be closing it once all/most items are sold!

Cheers,

Classic T-Shirt

2012-01-09T10:33:00.000-06:00

Friends, what's happening?! How are you? Did you enjoy a wonderful weekend?

So last week was the first week that I shared my outfit posts. I started with three posts in one week, well, maybe 2.5. Wow! I didn't intend on doing so many, but they are becoming quite a bit of fun. I'm going to have to do this weekly I think, maybe one a week, that should be good no?

I have quite a love for t-shirts. I fall head over heels for their comfort, but I also like them to have a little something on them.

This one here has silver foil patches on each shoulder and a zipper 1/4 of the way down the back. Paired with two necklaces and voila, perfecto!

boots ~ aldo - similar pair

t-shirt ~ gap

jeans ~ lucky brand

necklace ~ forever21 (beaded) & the bay

This is a typical outfit for me during the week. Comfortable for running errands, dropping the kids off/picking them up from school, etc. Love the boots are a perfect height so that they can be worn all day without my feet getting sore.

Cheers,

Decisions....

2012-01-09T06:30:00.000-06:00

I've never really been known for my decision making abilities. I ponder, I think, I debate, I wonder "what if", I worry.

It's taken me a very long time to come to this decision, but I now know that it's the right one.

I will be closing my Etsy shop, elliven. I think that this has been a long time coming, and it's very, very, very bittersweet.

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

~Steve Jobs

This year has been a very busy year here in our house, and it doesn't look as though things will be slowing down anytime soon. If anything, 2012 will be even busier than 2011 (more on that to come soon!!!). Something had to give. I slowed down production, I minimized my item list and yet I still didn't feel as though I could keep up. It's not just the sewing, it's all of the things that go on behind the scenes. Shipping, packaging, ordering, correspondence, promoting, photography, listing, etc.

Right now, I need to focus entirely on my family and what's happening here right now (again, more to come on this soon). Things are just so very busy and with my husband being deployed for part of the summer in 2011 and his schedule continuing to be somewhat demanding, I need to be here, 100% for my kiddos, my husband and myself.

That being said, is this a permanent closure….

Nope, definitely not.

Do I play to continue to sew….

Yes, absolutely!!!

Will I continue to create and design items while the shop is closed…..

You can count on it!

As to when the shop will reopen, I truly don't know as of yet, but it will most likely be sometime in the fall.

My dream has always been and continues to be to design and create beautiful pieces and to run and manage a successful shop. But, I truly feel that there is a long way for me to go and therefore only giving it 50% and getting to where I want to be, is just not realistic. I hope to come back with a lovely brand for elliven, to have a clear business plan and I'll be able to take things to the next level….

I plan to come back stronger than ever!

I will continue to blog and I hope you will continue to follow along!

I want to thank you. Thank you so much for all of your support, your kind words and love. It has meant SO much to me! I am truly thankful.

So here's to a new chapter….

and with that, I will be offering a closing out sale, a See You Soon sale.....

save 30% on everything in ths shop with coupon code: SEEYOUSOON

The sale will continue until all/most of the stock is gone. You can find the shop here.

Cheers,

First Week...DONE!

2012-01-06T07:00:00.000-06:00

top ~ gap

jeans ~ lucky brand

watch ~ baby-g (in pink)

Phew, the first week of January is almost over. So, how is 2012 shaping up for you thus far? I'm sticking to my goal to become more comfortable in front of the camera and to make fashion a priority. I have three more outfit posts lined up for next week and have shared some sneak peeks over on facebook!

Did you know that I cleaned out my closet? Yup, I did. I got rid of 70-80% of my clothes and donate them along with some purses I never use anymore. My closet is unbelievably empty, but I don't care one bit! If anything, I feel liberated....free, it's a good feeling, a fresh start.

I will begin filling those empty hangers slowly with pieces of clothing that 1-love and 2-cherish.

Oh! That shop announcement I spoke of earlier, well I'll be sharing it on Monday, don't miss it!

Have a lovely weekend friends!

Cheers,

Messy Hair

2012-01-05T07:00:00.000-06:00

Source: keikolynn.com via Julie on Pinterest

You know why I love this so much? I love this because to me, it would be a form of letting go and accepting. For me, it would have a whole lot more to do with than just hair. So, I'm pledging to embrace messy hair.....by the end of the year that is!

Print is no longer available, but you have to read the description, I love it!

Cheers,

On The Hunt

2012-01-04T06:45:00.000-06:00

Source: wendyslookbook.com via Julie on Pinterest

Saw this outfit and immediately fell in love!

Cheers,

When All Else Fails...

2012-01-03T07:00:00.000-06:00

Wear pink!

Because pink just makes me happy.

Yesterday we didn't get up to much, and because of that, I went for an uber casual & comfy cozy outfit. A simple white long sleeved shirt, topped with a deep V hot pink top and both paired with one of my fav jeans.

I made progress with my photo taking and allowed hubs to take the pics of me vs using a tripod (much easier). I am normally a total dork when someone is taking a photo of me and because of that, I end up making the most awkward faces....hoping to improve on that! I also would like to venture outdoors to take the pics, more options that way.

Cheers,

Twinkle Toes

2012-01-02T10:08:00.000-06:00

If you were on twitter last night, then you probably already saw these shoes that I was raving about. I'm a huge fan of Aldo Shoes, truly am. I love their versatile line and thus far, I've been beyond happy with the quality and make of theirs shoes and most importantly their customer service is simply amazing. I'm literally on their website everyday more than once a day, yes, tis true....no shame here!

Yesterday, I spotted a few pairs of gorgeous flats that I'd never seen before (hmmm, not sure how that happened) and I'm guessing I'll be owning one of these two pairs soon.

Source: aldoshoes.com via Julie on Pinterest

I love the glam that they can add to an outfit. That's something I'm big on, glamming up an outfit in the simplest ways and there's no doubt that either of these pairs would do just that!

So, how's 2012 treating you so far? We have this week off of school and then we're back to it again next week. This break has been absolutely heavenly for us and I hope it's been the same for you!

Cheers,

This Year

2012-01-01T12:53:00.000-06:00

Hey friends! How are you? Did you enjoy a New Years full of glitz and glamour? It's okay, neither did I, but we still had an absolute blast! We stayed here at home, ordered in some delicious sushi, had some tasty appetizers and just enjoyed our time together.

So, are you the type that makes new years resolutions? Me, not so much. But this year, I did. I'm beyond determined to become more fashionable and stylish and to be more comfortable in front of the camera. I'm not too sure whether or not I'll blog my goal, but I will most likely share pics here and there. Not necessarily outfit posts, but who knows, it may turn out to be just that!

So here's to 2012 and here's to making it a fashionable year!

Cheers!

2012

2011-12-30T13:01:00.003-06:00

Friends! How are you? How was your Christmas? Are you enjoying the holidays? We had an absolutely lovely Christmas here. We've enjoyed many lazy days and just hanging out together as a family, such a precious gift that is.

Can you believe that tomorrow is already New Year's Eve? Seriously, 2011 flew by!

I'm very much looking forward to 2012, it should be a very exciting year (more info on that to come). I also have a big announcement about the shop regarding some upcoming changes. Look for a post here the second week of January to find out what's going on.

Until then, I will continue to enjoy this "downtime" and the lazy days with my family.

And of course, I'd love to wish you a very.....

May you enjoy all the glitz and glamour that comes with ringing in the New Year and may 2012 be an amazing year for all of you!

Cheers,

Patience

2011-12-15T10:55:00.002-06:00

Have you ever seen something in a flyer and immediately said "I have to have that" and then head to the store only to find that they have every single colour of the said item but not the colour you were wanting? So you contemplate getting the item in another colour, but you know that you won't be entirely happy, not as happy as you would have been with the colour you originally intended on buying?

Well, that's exactly what happened to me. The item? A red sequinned rectangular pillow. One that would go perfectly with the green pillows we already have on the two leather club chairs in our living room. A gorgeous red that would shout glam and holidays!

So I waited, and waited, and waited. I checked and checked and checked, but nada. NADA!

Until today that is! I honestly couldn't believe it. I walked into the store and spotted two red rectangular sequinned pillows waiting patiently for someone to pick them up and bring them home!

Hooray, happy day indeed.

I am a happy lady today now that the pillows are in place.....ahhhh, a little glam in the living room...love it!

Sometimes being patient really does pay off. Can be easier said than done, but well worth it in the end!

Cheers,

Let's Catch Up!

2011-12-11T09:09:00.001-06:00

Okay, really and truly sorry to go MIA like that on you.

How are you? How are your holiday plans & shopping coming along?

It has been a wild, crazy busy couple of weeks here with family visiting, my husband returning home after being away for three weeks, the kids Christmas concerts, Christmas parties, swimming, shopping, etc. Wowza! I am finally feeling as though things are calming down somewhat (key word, somewhat). We have figured out what we have left to purchase for the holidays, we shipped off 6 parcels to our family members and today the kids and I will be going through their toys to figure out which ones they don't play with so that we can donate them.

Even though this time of year is absolutely crazy-insane, I really and truly love it! It is by far, my favourite time of year.....

The Christmas party was fun, however, I didn't get any outfit pics....my apologies. Next time though, I must remember to break in my shoes before wearing them for a night out. I'm just happy that I had brought along a pair of boots to wear to/from the party because they ended up being lifesavers on the way home!

Here are a few pics recapping our last week or so....enjoy!

the tree is up...hooray!!

nothing like a delicious snack to eat while watching Christmas movies!

some new clutches have arrived in the shop! love the pop of colour!

I took part in a lovely home craft show, all of the clutches are lined up ready to go!

two must haves for straightening my hair!

Cheers,

Weekend Recap

2011-11-28T06:30:00.000-06:00

Friends! So, how was your weekend? Did you get up to much? The kids didn't have school on Friday, so we had a long weekend, which is always nice.

Thought I'd do a little weekend recap with the help of instagram!

Here we go....

We woke up to a good amount of snow on Saturday, it was a nice treat!

The kids and I decided to make some delicious sugar cookies on Saturday. It was pretty darn messy, but so much fun! I couldn't find the recipe that I normally use, so I gave this one from Allrecipes a try, they are good!

And the weekend wouldn't be complete with a little holiday movie watching now would it? This is by far one of my fav holiday movies, I absolutely love it and this is definitely one of my favourite scenes! Can you guess the movie?

Cheers,

Behind the Scenes

2011-11-26T11:31:00.001-06:00

I wouldn't be surprised if I'm the only one who hasn't already seen this video since it has over 800,000 views...but incase you haven't seen it either I wanted to share it with you.

It's about the unbelievably talented Scott Schuman aka The Sartorialist. I really enjoyed watching it and getting the "behind the scenes glimpse" of how he works, hope you enjoy it too!

Cheers,

Brilliant!

2011-11-23T06:00:00.000-06:00

Found this brilliant idea on pinterest and wanted to share with you lovelies!

Source: Uploaded by user via Vanessa on Pinterest

Every anniversary, take a picture of yourself holding the picture from the year before.

Seriously, brilliant isn't it?!

Cheers,

DIY Houndstooth Heels

2011-11-22T06:55:00.000-06:00

I haven't given this tutorial a try, but it did catch my eye and so I thought I'd share it with you lovely readers!

Source: lovemaegan.com via Julie on Pinterest

What a statement, right?

Cheers,

Uncommon Goods

2011-11-21T07:00:00.000-06:00

I only just dicovered the website Uncommon Goods. It's full of in my opinion wonderful & unique but useable gifts for practically everyone on your shopping list this holiday season.

Here are a few items that I think our boys would absolutely love!

Source: uncommongoods.com via Julie on Pinterest

Definitely worth checking out!

Can you believe that there is less than 5 weeks until Christmas? Yes, it's true....let's all freak out for a minute (or two), okay?

Cheers,

Red!

2011-11-19T08:05:00.001-06:00

I am now the proud owner of a new pair of amazingly gorgeous red patent leather heels. Oh my word, I didn't realize I would love them this much.

My Christmas party outfit is nearly complete, I now am on the hunt for the perfect clutch. The shoes arrived at my doorstep yesterday and I quickly tore into the box. They didn't have any shoes in the store I went to, so I had to order them in. I was worried that they wouldn't be the right shade of red, but all my worries were out the window the minute I saw the shoes.

Take a peek:

aldo - moos in red

Aren't they lovely?

A few of you lovelies guessed the dress that I have chosen. I'm so glad I bought it when I did because it is now "temporarily unavailable" online. Phew, that would have been bad!

Here is the dress I'll be wearing:

Source: lechateau.com via Julie on Pinterest

I'm beyond excited to get all dressed up. Christmas parties are always so much fun and I'm sure this year will not dissapoint.

I hope you are all enjoying a lovely weekend.

Cheers,

IHOD Holiday Gift Guide

2011-11-16T16:13:00.001-06:00

Have you seen it? The IHOD Holiday Gift Guide is now live and it's a stunner! Filled with amazing gift ideas for everyone on your Christmas list!

-source-

The lovely Anna, from IHOD, has done a superb job putting together this dazzler, and you must and I mean must check it out!

You can view the guide here. Pssst....keep an eye out for some wonderful coupon codes!

Enjoy!

Cheers,

Found

2011-11-14T06:00:00.000-06:00

I'm pretty sure that I've found "the" dress that I want to wear to my husbands work Christmas party, I'm totally in love with it. It is one of the dresses that I posted here, but I won't tell you which one just yet, I'll keep you guessing.

I'm now thinking of what type of shoe to wear, I'm leaning towards a red patent leather pump, but we'll see. There are so many lovely options out there right now and I don't mind trying on a few pairs. Ahhhh, shoe shopping, so fun!

That being said, there's something about a fabulous red shoe paired with a gorgeous black dress.....

Source: everythingfab.com via Julie on Pinterest

don't you think?

Cheers,

Tis The Season

2011-11-09T20:05:00.003-06:00

Source: etsy.com via Julie on Pinterest

So, have you begun your holiday shopping? We had our first snowfall the other night, it's beginning to look at lot like Christmas out there!

I love the holiday season and all that it brings. Cozy nights, festive movies and delicious treats. Truly a wonderful time of year.

Will you be making many gifts this year? Do you plan to do some of your shopping on Etsy (I hope so!). I'll be doing a bit of both! I've already made a few purchases on Etsy and have a list of items I need to make. Best get to work!

Cheers,

Dressy Dress

2011-11-03T18:58:00.001-05:00

It's that time of year again...time for holiday parties! I love any opportunity to dress up all fancy, so I'm very much looking forward to going to my husbands work party.

I usually do a little browsing online to see what's out there prior to going to the shops and this year is no different. I thought I'd share a few of my finds with you!

Fun, right?! Yes!

Source: lechateau.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: bcbg.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: saksfifthavenue.com via Julie on Pinterest

Those are just a few! You can see more over on my "misc." board on pinterest!

Cheers,

Move Over!

2011-11-01T19:57:00.000-05:00

Well, was that a quick month or what?! Hello and goodbye October, my oh my!

I apologize for the lack of posts this past week, it's been a busy one. How are you all doing? Did you enjoy a fun Halloween? We had a blast! I absolutely love getting the kids all ready to go out trick or treating with Dad and then staying home to hand out candy....that's our ritual. It's such a treat to see all of the kids all dressed up and enjoying going door to door and then welcoming our trio back home and going through all that they kindly received!

Here are a few pictures from Halloween at our place.

And well, I have to admit that I'm totally excited that it's now November. November is the official kick off to the Christmas season here at our house, so why not begin by hanging the wreath on the front door?! Ahhh, yes.

Don't forget that you can pick up some unique and festive holiday notecard sets as well as gift tags in the shop!

Cheers,

Delicious!

2011-10-27T07:00:00.000-05:00

Well, the cooler weather has definitely arrived here in Winnipeg. The afternoons aren't so bad, but I'm finding the mornings and evenings to be quite chilly.

Our eldest kiddo still has a few more football practices and games before the season is over. We were out at the field for a 4:30pm game start this past Sunday, so I took the opportunity to make a deliciously yummy dinner using the slow cooker.

Slow Cooker Chicken Taco Soup

It's a really simple recipe and I highly recommend it (click on the link below the picture to go to the recipe). I substituted chicken stock for the beer, but otherwise I followed the recipe to a T.

The perfect meal for a cool fall/winter day!

Cheers and enjoy!

Dream A Little Dream

2011-10-22T20:27:00.003-05:00

I had a little down time and decided to make a treasury over at Etsy. Would love it if you would stop by to take a peek!

Cheers,

No Words Needed

2011-10-21T08:04:00.000-05:00

Except for one perhaps....

LOVE!

-source-

Cheers,

Getting Set!

2011-10-20T07:00:00.000-05:00

I'm starting to organize my holiday ruffled fabric cards and gift tags. There are already a few card sets listed in the shop, and yesterday I began photographing some of the gift tags.

I don't ~~ever~~ often use props for my product shots, but I really wanted to try adding a little festive spirit to these photos so I gave it a try!

What do you think?

Cheers,

Lovely Clusters Fall/Winter 2011-12 Catalogue

2011-10-19T18:13:00.000-05:00

I'm absolutely thrilled to have a few of my items featured in the Lovely Clusters Fall/Winter 2011-12 Catalogue!

It's full of amazing items, you definitely don't want to miss it! You can view the Catalogue here.

Thank you, Rachel and the Lovely Clusters Team!

Cheers,

Fantastic

2011-10-19T01:00:00.000-05:00

I love quotes, I truly do. They can take you from a a not so great place to a simply amazing place in mere seconds. They can inspire, they can give you courage, they can support you.

The lovely Jessica over at How About Orange shared some great ones the other day. Head on over to her blog see them...

Source: howaboutorange.blogspot.com via Julie on Pinterest

Cheers,

Pan Am

2011-10-18T01:00:00.000-05:00

Okay, are you watching Pan Am? I haven't missed an episode yet. I quite like it! I think they are going in the right direction. Granted, there's only been three or four episodes, but still.....I am enjoying it.

-source-

Did you see that you can watch interviews with The Real Stewardesses of Pan Am? Yup, you can!

So, are you watching Pan Am?

Cheers,

Obsessed

2011-10-17T09:24:00.002-05:00

I continue to be absolutely obsessed with footwear. Now that the cooler weather is here, I'm keen on finding a new pair of boots. These ones from Aldo caught my eye (oh how I love Aldo!). I'm loving both the grey and camel, they also come in black.

Source: aldoshoes.com via Julie on Pinterest

Cheers,

Fortune Teller

2011-10-12T01:00:00.000-05:00

Do you remember these? Oh, how I used to love them so much!

Source: shop.sycamorestreetpress.com via Julie on Pinterest

My friends and I would play with them all day long. I can't quite remember what grade or how old we were, but gosh, did we ever love making and playing with fortune tellers.

Did you?

Cheers,

Smiles

2011-10-07T18:41:00.000-05:00

I was grabbing some potatoes from the pantry to make home fries this afternoon and found this:

Made me smile. Nothing like a heart shaped spud!

Have a lovely long weekend to my friends in Canada and happy weekend to everyone else!

Cheers,

Matte

2011-10-03T01:00:00.000-05:00

Well, apparently I've been living under a rock for the past couple of years because I had no clue that OPI had a line of matte nail polishes (please say that I'm not the only person who didn't know this).

Source: nailstah.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: alllacqueredup.com via Julie on Pinterest

What do you think of this look? I like that it's different....

Cheers,

Spotted

2011-09-30T20:16:00.002-05:00

This bag, not much to it, but I love it....perhaps a little more than love

Source: katespade.com via Julie on Pinterest

Can you believe that tomorrow is October 1st? Wowza! I'm already thinking about Christmas and presents. I have my eye on a few wonderful gifts from Etsy....if you have a shop or can recommend any fab shops/gifts on Etsy, please share!

Have a lovely weekend friends!

Cheers,

Joe Fresh Jewelry

2011-09-28T16:58:00.000-05:00

I was out getting groceries the other day at Superstore and as I headed towards the baby section I spotted the new Joe Fresh Jewelry display, I was loving it! There was a great selection of brilliant pieces and they offer a superb variety. So many beautiful combinations and they were all so well priced, almost everything was under $20.

They don't have their entire line on the website, but here are a few that caught my eye:

Source: joefresh.com via Julie on Pinterest

I'm really wanting to incorporate accessories into my outfits more and I have no doubt that I will be heading back to purchase a few of these beauties!

Cheers,

Over or Under

2011-09-28T01:30:00.000-05:00

A great over or under your jeans kind of boot.

Source: aldoshoes.com via Julie on Pinterest

Cheers,

Spotted

2011-09-27T01:30:00.000-05:00

Spotted these shoes at Anthropologie and am liking them....

a lot!

Source: anthropologie.com via Julie on Pinterest

Cheers,

Want...

2011-09-26T08:48:00.000-05:00

Yup, I need to get myself to the mall to find and try on a pair of red jeans. I'm loving this look!

Source: chictopia.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: kendieveryday.blogspot.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: denimblog.com via Julie on Pinterest

How about you?

Cheers,

This Look

2011-09-23T07:04:00.002-05:00

Loving this look....

Source: lookbook.nu via Julie on Pinterest

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I'm enjoying sewing for the shop again and excited about all of the new colour combos that will soon be available. Also happy that this sinus cold seems to be taking a hike....finally, sure did do a number to us!

So yes, have a lovely weekend friends and see you on Monday!

Cheers,

A Touch of Green

2011-09-22T02:00:00.000-05:00

First, a very big thank you to the lovely Naina from Style'n for the warm mention about my shop! If you aren't familiar with Naina's blog, head on over there right now, it's fabulous. Great accessories, and beautiful fashion, a truly wonderful blog to read!

Green isn't normally a colour that I gravitate towards or use in my shop all that often, but I've been really digging it lately. So when I spotted a gorgeous shade of green twill cotton in our local fabric store there was no doubt that I had to buy some and find a way to work it into the the shop!

I decided to pair it with pink, of course, pink being my "go-to" colour. I have to say, that I'm beyond thrilled with the result of this colour combo, just wish I had purchased more of the green....

What do you think?

If you want to see more clutches that I've been working on or about to list, feel free to head on over to my flickr account!

I'm about to order a bunch of zippers, you can expect more bright and bold colours and a few new ones too. As well as some more dark clutches like the green one above....all just in time for fall!

Cheers,

Print

2011-09-20T04:30:00.000-05:00

The other day it was all about the nautical look, yesterday it was all about print with a touch of simplicity (necklace from The Bay).

I know that these past couple of photos are nowhere near the amazing style posts that other bloggers have, perhaps I should drag my tripod out of the closet to take some better photos. In the meantime I'm enjoying spending more time on my fashion choices as well as accessorizing and of course, sharing this all with you!

Baby steps....

Cheers,

Nautical

2011-09-19T08:37:00.001-05:00

Last Friday I went out with little J to do some shopping. I picked up a few shirts for myself, including this striped t-shirt from Gap.

I paired it with a beautiful necklace made by Anna from In Honor Of Design and some slightly flared jeans, also from Gap. A tad bit nautical and totally comfortable!

Cheers,

Weekend Update

2011-09-18T08:36:00.000-05:00

Hello, friends! I apologize for the lack of posting the past couple of days. I felt completely out or sorts last week, our first full week of school and with both kiddos going everyday. It will be great once we get used to our new schedule. Both kids are absolutely loving their teachers and classmates, so it should be a fun year!

With that, we had a great weekend here. I finally got back to sewing, it's been too long! I've added some new ruffle and sequins clutches to the shop, including one with a new colour combo for fall!

We also put up the vinyl herc I purchased a few months ago in our eldest sons room. I have to admit that it was a little tricky, and there are a few wrinkles, but it still looks great and I'll definitely be purchasing more!

I'll leave you with a few pics....new clutches and of course, the herc!

Cheers,

Dance!

2011-09-16T16:45:00.003-05:00

This song makes me smile and the kids and I love dancing to it....so I wanted to share it with you!

Happy weekend, friends!

Cheers,

Cute!

2011-09-12T01:00:00.000-05:00

Saw this belt over at jcrew.com yesterday, and fell in love! The bow is just too cute.....a great way to add a little flare to an outfit!

Also, today is the last day to save 20% on your purchase over at the shop! Use coupon code: CELEBRATE during checkout to save!

Cheers,

It's Mine!

2011-09-09T01:00:00.000-05:00

I gasped when I first saw this painting yesterday at Urban Barn. I love it, and need to have it! (please excuse the poor quality of the photo, took it with my iphone).

Cheers,

Simple

2011-09-07T00:30:00.000-05:00

Sometimes simple is the way to go....

Source: houseandhome.com via Jen @ Rambling on Pinterest

Wouldn't you agree?

Cheers,

Open For Business!

2011-09-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful long weekend!

And finally, I'm happy to announce that the shop is now open! Thank you SO much for your patience and for sticking with me during the summer break. It was nice to enjoy the summer with the family but I'm happy to be back!

Please note, although the shop is open, I will not be shipping any orders out until Sept 9th. So any orders placed between now and Thursday, Sept 8th will be shipped the morning of Sept 9th. Also, you can save 20% on your entire purchase with Coupon Code: CELEBRATE

Woot!

With that, I've added a few new clutches to the shop. Here's a peek:

I think that this is perhaps my favourite colour combo to date, was tempted to keep it for myself!

There will be a slight delay in new listings. I have to make a trip to the fabric store to stock up on a few supplies.

Also, you can expect to see a few new Holiday Ruffled Fabric Notecards in the shop soon too!

Cheers,

Want

2011-09-05T09:05:00.000-05:00

I saw this article over at People.com and immediately fell in love with the blouse that Pippa is wearing!

Source: people.com via Julie on Pinterest

I really love the how the arm bubbles slightly at the cuff and of course, the ruffle detail (even one with fewer ruffles would be fabulous). I think that this would be a great way for me to dress up a pair of jeans while rocking a pair of my new heels.

Cheers,

Navy...

2011-09-02T07:38:00.001-05:00

I'm totally digging navy right now. Navy clothing, navy accessories, navy shoes. Bring it!

This Kate Spade bag's lining is stunning!

Source: katespade.com via Julie on Pinterest

-source-

Navy blazer, check!

Navy paired with brown boots....oh yes!

-source-

Loving navy in weddings too:

Source: lemonandlavenderblog.com via Julie on Pinterest

Your turn.....are you feelin' navy?

Cheers,

Animal Print

2011-09-01T06:00:00.011-05:00

I have to admit that this is a look/trend that I never really saw myself getting into or liking. That being said, the more I see animal print shoes, the more I love them....yes tis true.

Look at the lovely Viviana in this photo, I mean...those shoes, wow! Well, the whole outfit is amazing, but I truly love those heels!

Source: thesartorialist.com via Julie on Pinterest

I think for my first pair, I'd go with heels....my go to store, Aldo, has a great pair that I think I may just have to try:

-source-

I'm not quite sure what it is that is making me all of a sudden like animal print, but I'm feeling it and think that I'm ready to rock the look.

How about you? Are you in?

Cheers,

Shop Update.....

2011-08-31T16:09:00.005-05:00

I want to give you a wee bit of a shop update. First, the shop will be re-opening at the end of next week, after the beginning of the school year. We have enjoyed a wonderful summer, full of family time. I think that this is the longest that I've kept my shop closed since I opened it up, wild! It allowed me to really and truly relax.

With that, September will be a "test" month for me. This break allowed me to realize the true amount of work it takes to keep the shop running. I feel as though perhaps it's taking me away a little too much from my family. The kids are still young and these years will be gone before I know it, I really feel that I need to cherish these next few years.

I've mentioned this before, I believe it was at the beginning of the year, so it's definitely been something that I've been contemplating for a while now. Sooo, we'll see how things go in September and I will make a decision as to what to do then. Be it keeping the shop open, going for a temporary closure at the end of the month, only listing items periodically or perhaps I'll only have a small selection of items and will re-list as they sell.

I'm having a tough time finding the right balance....

If I do decide to close the shop temporarily, I plan to continue to sew and to continue to sketch out designs because this is truly something that I absolutely love to do. I will just have to wait until I have a little more time to put towards the shop.

I have so much admiration and respect for those who take care of their little ones while running a successful business, it's more than a lot of work, I bow to you!

If you were wondering, I do plan to continue blogging if the shop does end up closing next month....

Cheers,

Polka Dots!

2011-08-31T06:00:00.000-05:00

-source-

This past week and a half all of the talk has been about polka dots. They are making a strong comeback indeed.

-source-

They can be found on practically any type of clothing, tops, pants, dresses, skirts, swimsuits and accessories too. There is enough of a selection to satisfy any type of polka dot craving be it large or small.

-source-

I personally LOVE white polka dots on navy, such a great combo and you can dress it up or down. Pair a navy and white polka dot top with your favourite jeans and a chic pair of brown boots and you're good to go!

-source-

So, how are you feeling about rockin' polka dots?

Cheers,

Braid It

2011-08-30T08:00:00.000-05:00

Have you noticed a slew of great "new" braids lately? Oh they are fabulous! I haven't tested any of them out....but I'm loving the looks!

The ladies over at The Beauty Department seem to be quite fond of braids and well, you can't really blame them I suppose. A braid is a great way to jazz up your hairstyle or to quickly and neatly tie back your hair. They've taken the time to post a few great tutorials for us to try:

You've got:

Emily, from Cupcakes and Cashmere, posted a great tutorial on how to make an oldie but a goodie, the fishtale braide as seen in this photo of hers:

Source: cupcakesandcashmere.com via Julie on Pinterest

You can find the tutorial here.

Other classic braided looks, the side braid and the front braid, really you can't go wrong with either. The front braid is fantastic for those of us with curly hair. Try adding some ribbon to tie your braid or weave it throughout the braid for an added twist!

Do you rock braids?

Cheers,

Do You Rock It: Nailpolish

2011-08-29T06:00:00.003-05:00

Source: instyle.com via Julie on Pinterest

So tell me, how do you feel about painted nails? Do you paint your nails on a regular basis? Only once in a while or for a special occasion perhaps? How about your toe nails? And do you have a go to colour or does your colour choice vary? Do you like bold, flashy or do you stick with neutral shades? Ahhh yes, so many questions!

It's funny how fancy I feel when I have painted nails...yup, fancy. I'm not quite sure what it is about it, but I really and truly feel fancier with some type of colour on my nails. My colour choices do vary quite a bit. From the ever-so-popular-at-the-moment grey to pink to green and my most recent purchase a steel grey that bodes a touch of purple.

Chanel has just launched three limited edition shades of blue polish (you can have your name put on the waitlist here).

Source: chanel.com via Julie on Pinterest

Will you be running out to buy some, or will you pass?

Me? I think I'd like to try out the one on the far right....lookin' very pretty over there!

Cheers,

Oh Joy....

2011-08-27T08:56:00.002-05:00

source

Allergy season, oh joy!

Every year, around this time I'm hit by allergies. It's terrible. If you have allergies, you know what I mean, if you don't, it's so frustrating. Itchy eyes, runny nose, itchy palate, itchy ears and irritability....joy. It feels somewhat similar to a sinus cold when it's tough to think and you feel as though you're in a fog.

I've taken my meds, the windows are closed and the a/c is on, but still, I'm feeling terribly off.

So I will be sticking close to home this weekend, counting down the days until allergy season is over (hopefully in the next week or so).

To my dear readers on the East Coast, please do stay safe this weekend.

Cheers,

Yes, I'm In!

2011-08-26T06:00:00.001-05:00

I have to tell you that one trend I'm all over is glitter shoes. Heels, flats, wedges, I'm in! Kind of a la Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz, don't you think?

Source: imdb.com via Julie on Pinterest

Yesterday, Kate Spade shared these lovelies on their facebook page and yes, without a doubt, I'll take a pair!

Source: katespade.com via Julie on Pinterest

I think it's the glamour that I love so much....you can have on a simple outfit, but the moment you slip your feet into these, you take that outfit to the next level.

I bought a pair of gold glitter heels from Aldo (they happen to be on sale right now at a great price!) and I just love them.

beckworth from aldo

I think next on my list will be a pair of silver heels and then perhaps a pair (or two) of flats....

Source: saksfifthavenue.com via Julie on Pinterest

Source: bloomingdales.com via Julie on Pinterest

What are you thoughts on glitter shoes?

Is it a "yay" or a "nay"?

Oh, and if you are wanting to make your own pair of glitter shoes, take a peek at this great tutorial posted yesterday on Everything Fabulous!

Cheers,

P.S. If you are rocking the glitter shoes, be sure to click those heels together!

Do You Rock It: Fedora

2011-08-25T06:00:00.000-05:00

Source: glamour.com via Julie on Pinterest

This is a look that I've wanted to rock for a long time now, but I haven't been able to find the right hat. Perhaps I have found the right hat, but my hair wasn't down when I found it, so I wasn't able to try it on and well, you know how that goes. Hats don't all fit the same, so you really never know what it's going to look like on until you give it a try.

Source: refinery29.com via Julie on Pinterest

Do you rock the fedora?

If so, hair up or down?

Cheers,

This look

2011-08-24T13:51:00.000-05:00

Source: glamour.com via Julie on Pinterest

I saw this photo and all I could think was how much I love her "look". The skinny jeans slightly rolled up paired with a simple yet classic brown belt. The open sweater (or is it a blazer??) on top of a versatile long-sleeved, white button up shirt and the heels, oh how I love them.

Yes, I love this look....

How about you? Have you seen a look lately that just was bang on with how you want to dress?

If so, please do share!

Cheers,

Great Talents Coming Together

2011-08-24T08:11:00.000-05:00

Sometimes a group of amazing people get together and combine their talents to create a spectacular product. That is exactly what has happened behind the scenes of the gorgeous e-mag (soon to be available in print as well) Pure Green Magazine.

Issue 6 was just released yesterday and it is stunning. The photography, the interviews, the recipes all fantastic, you will not be disappointed, it's a true labor of love.

You can read Pure Green Magazine here. And as if that wasn't enough, Pure Green Magazine also has an shop on Etsy where you can purchase prints from the magazine! Yes, it's true. The shop can be found here.

Want more Pure Green? blog : facebook : twitter

Cheers and enjoy!

Do You Rock It: High Bun

2011-08-23T13:17:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I asked if you rock pantyhose. I think it's safe to say that no, most of you don't.

Today, I'm wondering about your hair. When I think of the high bun, the first person that comes to mind is Kourtney Kardashian (seen below)

Source: celebuzz.com via Julie on Pinterest

I almost always have my hair up in a ponytail or bun when it's curly, but I'm not sure if you could classify the look as a high bun. So I'll say that maybe, sometimes I kinda, sorta do rock a high-ish bun. It would most likely be when I'm running and I'd pair the up-do with a stretchy headband.

So I'm asking you....

Do you rock the high bun?

If so, do you wear a polished look like Kourtney, or do you prefer a messier do like this:

Source: lookbook.nu via Julie on Pinterest

If you're wanting to rock the high bun, here's a great tutorial via The Beauty Department:

Source: thebeautydepartment.com via Julie on Pinterest

Cheers,

Do You Rock It: Pantyhose

2011-08-22T20:29:00.004-05:00

So, the lovely Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, is perhaps bringing back or maybe just bringing attention to wearing pantyhose. I have to admit, I don't know the last time I wore pantyhose....I am pretty sure I've worn a black pair in the past couple of years, but I definitely haven't worn a pair of nude pantyhose for many years.

Source: whatkatewore.com via Julie on Pinterest

It's not a look that I wear everyday/often, but would I wear them every now and then? Sure!

Do you read the blog What Kate Wore? I really enjoy it since I love Kate's style so much. If you're familiar with the blog, you'll probably remember seeing a post which included a poll on whether or not readers wear pantyhose and the results of the poll can be found here.

It wasn't until I read the post and then took a closer look at pictures of Kate that I even realized she was wearing any! Now that is impressive!

With that, I have a question:

Do you rock pantyhose?

If so, do you rock them on a regular basis or just every now and then?

Cheers,

Pssst... Please do bear with me as I'm trying something new with this "Do You Rock It" post. Hoping to make a series out of it.....stay tuned for more! Thanks!

Mini Recap

2011-08-19T09:01:00.001-05:00

This week was our first "back to reality" week with my husband returning to work after a four week vacation. It feels good to slowly regain a bit of a routine, but I'm nowhere near ready to jump in 100%....I plan to drag this out just a little bit.

Our eldest is playing football this year for the first time (finally old enough). He's been wanting to play for a while now, so to say that he's pretty excited would be a huge understatement.....he's ready to go! His first game is this weekend, can't wait!

I also shared a photo on twitter of what I found on my doorstep mid week.......

And so it begins....

Oh, and this post by Sydney....just love her!

I hope you all enjoy a lovely weekend!

Cheers,

Love

2011-08-18T06:00:00.002-05:00

I love this....

Source: etsy.com via Julie on Pinterest

personalized ribbon by the lonely heart

Cheers,

Getting Organized!

2011-08-17T07:31:00.000-05:00

I'm in the process of re-organizing several rooms in our house. Just getting rid of items we no longer use/want and trying to find ways to keep things clutter free.

I've adored the fabric buckets made by Lesley, the creator and designer behind the Etsy shop Smidgebox, for sometime now and think that they would look simply amazing tucked neatly away in the open boxed shelving units that are in the kids rooms.

Source: flickr.com via Julie on Pinterest

I absolutely love Lesley's attention to detail, just look at the interiors of these buckets and the perfect alignment of the stripes:

Source: flickr.com via Julie on Pinterest

She has such a great eye when it comes to pairing fabrics, ever so fun and playful, perfect for your little ones bedroom or playroom, or any room in the house really! They would even be a great way to organize your kiddos items in the car!

Source: flickr.com via Julie on Pinterest

You can read more about Lesley's work over at her blog, or you can visit her Etsy shop to peruse all of the other wonderful items she makes! She can also be found on facebook.

Cheers,

Playing Catch Up

2011-08-15T07:53:00.000-05:00

Hello friends! I hope you are all doing well! Today is the first day that my 2nd half is back at work after a long summer vacation. I'm trying to get back into a regular routine myself, slowly but surely.

I haven't been on pinterest, twitter or facebook all that much since the beginning of my vacation so I'm pretty far behind and am playing a little catch up. Amazing how much you can miss in a few weeks!

While I sit here checking what is new and what everyone has been up to, I thought I'd share with you one of the great decor items from Restoration Hardware's Baby & Child Line.....I wouldn't mind purchasing an item, or two, or three from there for the boys rooms!

Source: rhbabyandchild.com via Julie on Pinterest

Cheers,

Tous

2011-08-11T08:22:00.000-05:00

I was flipping through the September issue of Elle Canada when an ad for a handbag caught my eye. I immediately grabbed my computer and checked for the companies website.

I have to admit, I'm not familiar with Tous, and am slightly embarrassed and somewhat surprised by this as their handbags and accessories are simply beautiful.

They offer what seems to be a wide selection and variation in prints and designs when it comes to their handbags.

Source: shop.tous.com via Julie on Pinterest

You will also find accessories, watches, fragrances and more on their website all of which seem to follow the same Tous look, clean lines, beautiful colour combinations and completely feminine.

Enjoy!

Cheers,

Summer Vacation!

2011-08-06T18:58:00.000-05:00

Hello friends!

So, how is summer treating you so far? As you know, I've closed the shop for the month of August to relax and enjoy the lovely weather with my family. We just returned home after a week and a bit visiting our families back home. We had a great trip and I thought I'd share a few pics from the drive (two 12 hour days each way...yes, 12 hrs!) and such with you!

My plan is to re-open the shop in September. I have to admit that I haven't even stepped foot into my sewing room for a few weeks now, yup, I'm really taking a break. Once I get back into the swing of things, you can expect some new clutches made with gorgeous fall coloured fabrics and a few new sizes. I'm also going to see if I can get into a local craft show. I love craft shows and this one was fun last year, so I'd love to do it again. We'll see!

I will be posting every now and then during my break, I hope you stick with me!

Cheers,

Summer Newness!

2011-07-18T11:48:00.001-05:00

It's so hard to believe that it's almost time for me to close up the shop for the summer vacation. I've said it a million times, but gosh this year is going by quickly! We will be taking time to enjoy what summer has left to offer by going to the beach, having some lazy days and perhaps indulging in a few sweet treats!

While the shop is closed, I'll begin plugging away on the fall line. I'm such a huge fan of all and can't wait to assemble clutches inspired by the crisp, warm colours of the season.

But, before we jump to that, here is a peek of a few of the new summer clutches that I will be listing this week:

Don't forget that you can still save 20% on your entire Elliven purchase by using the coupon code: CELEBRATE during Etsy checkout. Head on over to the shop to save!

Cheers,

Blush

2011-07-13T06:00:00.001-05:00

Source: atlantic-pacific.blogspot.com via Julie on Pinterest

Saw this picture of the lovely Blair Eadie and immediately fell in love with her outfit! Gorgeous, don't you think?

Cheers,

What's Happening

2011-07-11T11:49:00.000-05:00

As you've probably noticed, I've been slightly mia lately. I will explain why in the coming days, but I want to thank you so much for sticking with me. Things in the shop have been slow going, but I do have some new summer clutches to list and am working on a new design, or two.

My plan for sometime has been to make a larger clutch, perhaps to use as a make up case, an organizer or just as a purse. I've been toying with measurements and finally made a prototype the other day. It measures 11 inches in width and 7 inches in height. Here is a peek at it incase you didn't see it on facebook or twitter.

I am happy with the result and think that I will make at least one more size, in between this and the skinny clutch that you can currently find in the shop. As for the sequin/ruffle placement of the one pictured....I may make a few limited editions for the shop, we'll see!

In other shop news, I've decided to extended the summer sale until the end of July! You can save 20% on your entire purchase with coupon code: CELEBRATE

Also, the shop will be closed for the month of August and will re-open September 6th.

One last thing, do you remember my previous post abut heels? Well, I'm making good on my promise and bought these the other day. Oh how I love them!

I hope you are all enjoying a wonderful July so far!

Cheers,