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,

 

In A Funk?

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,

 

Blazers

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

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

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....

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!

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,

When All Else Fails...

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,

This Year

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

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

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!

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,