Wednesday, October 31, 2012

tiaraiconBOO!

Skirt & Shoes- Target; Belt, Clutch & Tank- Thrifted; Bracelet- Borrowed; Polka Dotted Hosiery & Trouser Socks- Zellers
 In celebration of the haunting holiday, I spent today clad in black and orange.  I was excited to debut both my sequined tank that I thrifted ages ago & these fabulous orange cut-out wedges bought for under $5 on my recent Target trip in New Jersey.




And now for some Halloween costumes...


We dressed up as Slash & Axl Rose (sexy version) for a night of drinking & dancing at a charity ball last Saturday night- rock on!


Tonight my costume was a bit more demure to hand out candy to the kids. I was a bumblebee and my man was a masked fish-head? This was our first year in a house so I was prepared for masses of costumed children but we only got 34 trick or treaters by the end of the night.  Ah well, more candy for me!

How did you celebrate Halloween?

Tuesday, October 30, 2012

tiaraiconbumblebee

Tunic (worn like this)- Urban Outfitters; Necklace- Macy's; Lacy Leggings- Smart Set; Heels- Consigned; Bracelet & Belt- Thrifted
 Day two of my black ensembles and I love how the dark shade acts as a neutral canvas, drawing your attention to the accessories. Today was unusually warm, after the strong winds of Hurricane Sandy's aftermath blew through Ottawa early this morning.  My thoughts go out to all those who live in the areas affected by the storm and I hope that you and your loved ones are safe and dry.  



I feel like a bumblebee in today's outfit which is fitting because that's what I'll be dressed up to hand out candy to the trick or treaters tomorrow evening.


Would you pair yellow with black or would you feel too much like the buzzing, stinging insect?

Monday, October 29, 2012

tiaraiconblack

Purse- Aldo; Larger Ring- Smart Set; Smaller Ring- Zellers; Shoes- Walmart; Necklace- Consigned; Pants, Belt, Top & Bracelets- Thrifted; Nail Polish- Blackest Black by Revlon & Happy Birthday by Deborah Lippman
 I'm typically a very colourful dresser but occasionally I gravitate towards the inky hue of nighttime skies.  Black is a powerful colour that many fashionistas choose as their uniform because it's sleek and slimming.  With the haunting holiday only two days away, I have decided that as my personal fashion challenge this week, I will emulate the sophistication of black cats using ebony shades from my wardrobe. 




Do you prefer wearing black or brights?

Friday, October 26, 2012

tiaraicon#OTTSTYLE

Dress (worn as skirt); Blazer; Blue Top & Bracelet- Thrifted; Necklace- RW&CO; Belt- Target; Knee High Socks- Urban Outfitters; Shoes- Spring

Ottawa, the capital city of Canada (Washington, DC's Canuck equivalent) and home to Prime Minister Stephen Harper & many Francophones is known for our Parliament buildings, the Rideau Canal (aka the world's largest outdoor skating rink), the Ottawa Senators NHL team and the birthplace of Alanis Morissette. We recently built the largest Ikea in Canada and according to Wikipedia, Ottawa is one of the most educated Canadian cities! What we're not as well known for is being a fashionable city (Montreal & Toronto 'wear' that honour). But all that is changing with our increasingly popular Ottawa Fashion Week, the influx of style bloggers and unique local retailers.

St. Laurent Centre, Ottawa's largest shopping mall is currently hosting a style contest.  Participants take a photo of their fab outfit and post it to Instagram or tweet it using the hashtag #OTTSTYLE or simply upload it directly to St. Laurent Centre's Facebook page.  Then it's up to the public to vote for their favourite ensemble and the lucky winner will receive an iphone5!


The contest is now closed and you can vote for me over here! The winner will be announced on November 3rd.



Do you live in a city famous for fashion?

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

tiaraiconsunshine


Dress (worn as skirt); Top; Blazer; Bracelets & Heels- Thrifted; Ring- Zellers; Knee Socks- Forever 21; Purse- Gap; Nail Polish- Stormy & Gold Coin by Revlon

Last week I was awarded the sunshine award by the beautiful mother & daughter duo Heather & Kayla over at H&K Style Journey and asked to share the answers to their 10 questions. 



1. Why did you start blogging? Who and what inspires you?

I started blogging after I graduated University because I had more free time (or so I thought), was in a boring job and wanted to do something more creative. I'm inspired by unique statement pieces, feminine silhouettes & the hidden treasures in my closet.  



2. If you could have one power what would it be (invisibility or flying)? Why?

I've always said I wanted to be able to fly like a bird, so that I would be in control of the flight, unlike with airplanes (one of my biggest fears). 

3. What did you want to be when you grew up?  What are you doing now?

I found a letter I wrote to myself 10 years ago saying that when I grew up I would be a lawyer (a fantasy that stemmed from Legally Blonde).  I am now trained as a Social Worker, working as a Program Manager with Dress for Success.  I'm still helping people, in a different (and far less lucrative!) way. 



4. Chocolate or vanilla?

Chocolate (dark) of course!

5. If you had to choose only one type of make up with you on a deserted island, what would it be? 

I'm not a big makeup gal but I do throw on facial bronzing powder everyday, us Irish gals gotta make sure we don't fade (or disappear) into the background!

6. Favorite book or author?

Sophie Kinsella- her sense of British humour slays me and my favourite book she's written is "Undomestic Goddess"



7. What is your favorite holiday and why?

Like most people I love Christmas because of the giving spirit and being surrounded by people I love.  This year my Mum & Step-Dad will be staying with my man, Mr. Marley, Mama Sita and I in our new house.  It's my first Christmas in Ottawa since I moved here 6 years ago and I'm looking forward to staying put and hosting my family. 

8. Cooking or baking?  What's your best recipe?

Cooking, my measurements aren't precise enough for baking! I tend to borrow recipes and I'm currently loving a roasted vegetable soup that I learned how to make at a Credible Edibles cooking class. 

9. What is an accomplishment you are most proud of in your life?

Making a life for myself in Ottawa.  When I moved here I had no family, friends or connections and now I feel like part of a community. 

10. Cats or dogs?

I think we all know the answer to this one- cats of course! Although my favourite animals are pigs (I stopped eating pork when I was 13 years old) and I dream of one day opening up a sanctuary for pigs who are saved from slaughterhouses. 


Are your answers similar to mine?

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

tiaraicont-shirt

T-shirt- JacobSkirt- Target; Cardigan & Belt- Thrifted;  Jewellery- Sears & Gifted; Shoes- Garage Sale ($2); Nail Polish- First Class by Revlon
I'm not a girl who does casual well and I rarely wear a t-shirt with jeans so when I decide to wear a tee, I like to pair it with feminine pieces like heels & a skirt to keep it from feeling too grunge.  This is one of my favourite t-shirts that I bought a couple years ago when I worked beside a Jacob outlet store (dangerous for my wallet!) & I love its whimsical print and muted palette. 
 

I've been sick these past couple of days and sweatpants/greasy hair outfit photos aren't exactly the height of luxury so I dove into my archives and found these photos taken over a month ago (hence my old hairstyle).  These pictures were taken in my clothes room, a small bedroom in our new house that my man is patiently converting into my walk in closet.  I can't wait to share with you the final results, I'm starting to realize how much clothes I truly own and the discovery is alarming (how can one person own so much stuff?)


What's your favourite way to wear t-shirts?

Saturday, October 20, 2012

tiaraiconin with the new

Skirt- Vintage (worn like this); Top, Blazer, Belt & Necklace- Thrifted; Boots- Aldo; Nail Polish- Fashionista by Revlon
 You may have noticed my new blog layout- thanks to the fashionista of many talents, Laura from The Blog of Worldly Delights for tranforming my vision to html! Change is good and it's refreshing and inspiring to revamp the outdated. 

 

As part of the new design, there are 5 tinfoil tiaras on the top right hand side of the page which link to different sites.  One of them is for instagram, I finally signed up although I don't know what I'm doing (I mainly use the pictures for twitter but look forward to following more accounts and checking out your pictures!

 

The last tiara is the one I'm the most excited about, my vintage clothing etsy shop coming soon! I've been working on curating and adding to my collection and hope to have the shop up and running in the next couple of weeks. The floral skirt I'm wearing today will be one of many things for sale so stay tuned!

 


Out with the old and in with the new!

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

tiaraiconboot it

Blouse- Smart Set; Skirt- Old Navy; Scarf- Thrifted; Boots- Sirens; Belt- Gifted from ML; Bracelet- The Bay

Remember when I was grumbling about autumn? That was before I re-discovered my boot collection waiting to be found in a garbage bag (forget cardboard boxes, I moved my clothing to the new house in  black contractor bags, white trash style!)


I bought these synthetic boots (this animal lovin' gal doesn't do leather, unless it's second hand and that's a debate in and of itself) a few years ago and a combination of their cheap quality and the harsh Canadian climate (these boots have seen their share of snow and no my feet have not stayed warm or dry!) these boots are about ready to get the boot. So I decided one last photoshoot was in order to bid them a proper adieu. 

(Author's note, all this boot chatter is really to divert your attention from the wrinkly mess that is my skirt.  Can I claim a phobia to ironing?)


This faded out photo is a result of the camera settings I had been working on during my first photography class (let's just say I'm not the best student, my feedback was that 'a couple of your photos are ok'... better not quit my day job just yet!)

Are you a boot scootin' boogie babe?

Monday, October 15, 2012

tiaraiconpublic speaking

Skirt- Old Navy; Blazer- Swapped; Red Top- United Colours of Benetton; Shoes- Urban Outfitters; Bracelet- The Bay; Nail Polish- Cherries in the Snow (red nail) by Revlon & Ah-Ha Moment (white tip) by Sephora by OPI
I hate public speaking. My hands get shaky, my face gets red, I stumble on my words and I get all sweaty.  At least that's what used to happen...

In Junior High School I was teased for being a bookworm and was so nervous to present in front of my class, I would be sick to my stomach.  My memorial poem was selected to be read aloud at a Remembrance Day ceremony in front of the entire school assembly and my voice was shaking so badly, I was sure everyone was laughing at me.  In High School and University I avoided classes that included public speaking and as a result ended up with a boring courseload and more assignments (the only presentation I gave in my four years of University was a group skit for one of my counselling classes). 

My current job requires me to present Dress for Success Ottawa services to potential referral agencies, community partners and volunteers.  In the past 10 months, I have given more presentations than in my academic career combined.  For my first few presentations I regressed to my Junior High nerves but over time I have relaxed and instead of memorizing every little fact, I speak from the heart with passion and confidence.  Sure my hands still shake and I stumble on the occasional word but overall I feel more in control and am conquering my fear of public speaking, one presentation at a time!


A recent intimidating presentation was at the Place d'Orleans Vlogger Search but once I got into the groove and found my stride, I had lots of fun sharing my favourite fall trends with the audience!


“According to most studies, people's number one fear is public speaking. Number two is death. Death is number two. Does that sound right? This means to the average person, if you go to a funeral, you're better off in the casket than doing the eulogy.” (Jerry Seinfield)


I wore this outfit last Thursday evening for a 30 minute presentation I gave in front of 40+ volunteers.  Although I was nervous, I received many kind words afterwards about how the evening inspired and fuelled their desire for volunteering.

Do you have a fear of public speaking?

Friday, October 12, 2012

tiaraiconabstract

Cigarette Pants- Old Navy; Sweater- Thrifted; Sparkle Tank- Swapped; Purse- Aldo; Snake Bracelet- A SweeT Boutique (Beverly Hills); Necklace- Vintage; Shoes- Guess (Dress for Success sale); Nail Polish-  No Shrinking Violet by Revlon

How wild are these pants? I bought them for only $10.99 online at Old Navy at the same time as my recently debuted white & mustard cigarette pants and I couldn't resist the psychedelic pattern, reminiscent of an abstract painting. I wore this outfit earlier this week when it was still warm enough to wear open-toed shoes.  We had our first snowflakes today so exposed feet are officially a thing of the past and it's time to dust off my boots for everyday wear.  You can't tell in these photos but this silver tank is iridescent and makes a great evening top (quite cleavage-y!) or worn layered for work wear.




Bright colours make me :) What about you?

Thursday, October 11, 2012

tiaraiconpop of pink for purpose

Dress & Bracelet- Thrifted; Tights- Hue; Boots- Spring; Scarf- Old Navy; Nail Polish- Sweet Tart by Revlon

For a gal who dreamed of going to law school so that she could wear pink power suits like Elle Woods in Legally Blonde, my closet is lacking in the girly hue.  I scraped and scrounged to put together two outfits to participate in Amy's Blogging for Breast Cancer Awareness link-up.  My sister in law was recently diagnosed with breast cancer which was a scare for the whole family but thankfully she is in remission and doing a lot better.  Breast cancer affects us all and October is awareness month to time to don some pink and show your support!




Speaking of female support, the United Nations has declared today the International Day of the Girl, a day to speak out against gender bias & give girls everywhere a voice, a chance and a future.  You can learn more about this powerful movement here & here



Here is another pink outfit I wore recently (I took photos too late in the day hence the dusky background).  
Blouse, Vest & Belt- Thrifted; Skirt- Old Navy; Shoes- Target; Tights- Forever 21

This month, wear a pop of pink with pride and purpose!