Thursday, May 30, 2013

tiaraiconinstagram party


Skirt, Belt, Top & Bracelet- Thrifted; Hat- Joe Fresh (Gifted); Heels- AMH Style (Ottawa Consignment Shop);  Purse- Hidden Treasures (Dress for Success Ottawa Fundraising Sale); Nail Polish- Purple Pop by L'Oreal & Pineapple by Joe Fresh

This past weekend I attended an Instagram party hosted by Billings Bridge shopping centre in support of the Ottawa School of Art.  I joined Instagram (you can follow me here) a few months ago and love how it can turn regular camera photos into works of art.  The folks at Starfish Events did a wonderful job planning the event and the proof was in the details.  Great music, delicious candy bar, Instagram shaped cookies, spin it to win it game, photoshoots, interviews and shopping, it doesn't get much better! I was thrilled to be a part of this event & fellow Ottawa blogger Darcy said it best "Billings did an awesome job of making us normal folk feel like minor celebrities for a day."
{About to get my shop on at Smart Set}
{This is what $50 of accessories looks like}
{My good friend Kelly & I in front of the Instagram wall}


What's the most unique party you have ever attended?

Friday, May 24, 2013

tiaraicon#gobillings & purple passion

Skirt - Target; Top- Jane's Again (Consignment Shop in Wolfville, NS); Shoes- Spring; Belt, Bracelet & Rings- Thrifted; Purse- Dress for Success Fundraising Sale; Glasses- Glasses USA; Nail Polish- Purple Pop by L'Oreal

If I could wear one colour for the rest of my life it would be purple.  The majestic hue of magic & mystery, it makes me feel at once both feminine and ferocious.  So on a particularly rainy and dreary day this week, I decided to wear a monochromatic ensemble of purple on purple on purple on purple (you get the point!) and I loved the end result. 





Ottawans, Billings Bridge shopping centre is hosting an Instagram party tomorrow (Sat Apr 25) from 11am-2pm which is described as:

"an afternoon of celebrating photography, the arts, refreshments and prizes in support of the Ottawa School of Art. We are asking shoppers and tenants to Instagram their most inspiring and creative pictures and tagging them #gobillings for a chance to win the grand prize - an exclusive Billings Bridge and Blacks sponsored prize valued at over $2500." 


When I first moved to Ottawa and was attending Carleton University, I did my grocery and clothing shopping at Billings Bridge and so it holds fond memories for me.  I am looking forward to reliving my University days tomorrow with some Billings shopping (who knows, maybe I'll buy something purple!) & hopefully some prize winning from the spinning wheel.  Hope to see you there!


If you could only wear one colour for the rest of your life, what would it be?

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

tiaraiconmiss emily brown

T-shirt (worn like this)- Zara; Shoes- Target; Bracelets- Aldo; Earrings- Joe Fresh; Pants (worn like this) & Clutch- Thrifted
This past holiday (Victoria Day in Canada) weekend was primarily spent doing projects around the house, organizing my closet and cleaning.  To break up the chores, I saved the evenings for entertainment.  Saturday night a friend and I went to see "In the Next Room" (a hilarious play about female hysteria and vibrators) and on Sunday night I watched Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith (I'm officially hooked on the series!) while sipping wine & eating homemade oatmeal cookies.  Friday was date night and my man and I did something we don't do nearly enough, went to hear live music. 

The band was called Morlove and the lead singer's name was Miss Emily Brown.  The band hails from Vancouver and plays orchestral folk music.  Not my typical genre (I am a country music fan), I heard about the group from a family friend who jokingly asked if I had a musical talent she didn't know about, seeing as the lead singer and I share the exact same name.  I am so glad I went to the show as my ears were treated to magical melodies, beautiful harmonizing and intelligent lyrics. 


Morlove's opening act was Hannah Epperson, who used a loop pedal to record her violin playing which gave the appearance that you were listening to a whole orchestra instead of a solo act.  For only $10 a person, the show lasted almost 3 hours and left both the man and I energized for the rest of the evening.  I bought Hannah and Emily's CD's and can't wait to recreate the experience at home. 


Have you ever stumbled across a band by accident? Was it a pleasant surprise or a disappointing letdown?

Thursday, May 16, 2013

tiaraiconurban zebra gardener

Capris (worn like this)- Old Navy; Blouse (worn like this)- Allegro (Ottawa boutique); Earrings- Roadtrip (Ottawa boutique); Necklace, Purse & Shoes- Thrifted; Rings- Gifted; Toe Nail Polish- Crazy for Coral by Revlon; Finger Nail Polish- Flirt by Revlon

Enough black clothing for me, it's back to brights and patterns! When my man saw my outfit today he said I looked like an "urban zebra", sounds cool to me! I don't typically shop online but I made an exception last year when I saw these zigzag capri pants on sale for $10 at Old NavyThrow in a free shipping promo and I'm sold! 

I spent some time before work this morning weeding my lawn (in a much more practical & therefore less fashionable outfit of sweats, a tank & sneakers).  As a first time homeowner, I wasn't aware how much yard work would be required and how pesky dandelions are!  I am told the hedges behind me are called bridal spirea and they are gorgeous at the moment as they are in full bloom.  But again, another high maintenance task as they require trimming (which I can't seem to do straight so they end up looking like the zigzags in my pants!) I'm not a natural when it comes to gardening but I'm learning as I go and may even do some landscaping design this weekend!


Do you have a green thumb?

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

tiaraiconblack & braids

Jacket- Clothing Swap; Pants, Belt, Blouse, Shoes & Necklace- Thrifted; Earrings- Aldo; Rings- H&M & Gifted; Nail Polish- Flirt by Revlon
As a colour addict, it's rare that I wear an all black ensemble.  However, when I do, I like to add interesting accessories (my favourite combination being gold & black) to transform the outfit from drab to fab.   Last fall I even completed a personal fashion challenge to wear all black, all week (look 1, 2, 3 & 4) but by the end of the week I couldn't get into my brights fast enough!
This past weekend I started watched Star Wars for the first time (my parents were Trekkies, what can I say!) and I love Queen Amidala's eccentric updos.  For a subdued, daytime work look I chose to wear two twisted braids.  When my man saw my hair he said "well don't you look dainty."  (dainty I can do, just call me china doll Emily!)

Do you prefer to wear brights or black?

Thursday, May 9, 2013

tiaraiconaccessory addict {scarves}

For my fourth instalment of my accessory addict series (previous posts: shoes, jewellery & hats), I confess to you my love affair for scarves.  Much cheaper than shoes and more universally flattering than hats, they are a great way to add visual interest to your outfit. Out of curiosity, I counted my collection and I own 52 scarves, one for each week of the year!  I like wearing scarves in my hair, around my neck, as a belt or tied around a purse.  

{Smart Set}
{Boutique in London, UK}
{Thrifted}
{Smart Set}
{Thrifted}
{Thrifted}


For more scarf inspiration, here's a fun video on 25 different ways to tie a scarf.
{Thrifted}
{Boutique in London, UK}
{Smart Set}
{Vintage}
{Old Navy}
{Consignment shop}
{The Shop of Worldly Deights}
{Bought at Dress for Success Hidden Treasures sale}
{Vintage, worn as a turban headband}
{Thrifted}
{Thrifted}
{Thrifted}

Are you a sucker for scarves like me?

Monday, May 6, 2013

tiaraiconred {clothes}, white {legs} & blue {nails}

Jacket & Shoes- Thrifted; Dress- Sears; Bracelets- Gifted; Finger Nail Polish- Dreamer by Revlon; Toe Nail Polish- Static Electricity by L.A. Colours
Today I am dressed like the American flag (with red stripes, white legs & blue nails) wearing a dress I bought recently at Sears. I usually just walk through this department store to get to the rest of the mall but the 50% off dreses sign enticed me so I stopped to browse.  I love the soft fabric, draped neckline, cinched waist and $25 price tag and may just have to return to buy the same style in navy!




Warm weather has finally arrived in Ottawa (after 6 months of snow!) so you will see me almost exclusively in dresses and skirts for the next few months (so if my glow in the dark limbs offend you, you may want to stay away!


I don't typically wear matching manis and pedis but instead choose a colour (in this case blue) and paint my toes and nails with differing shades for a streamlined look that's not too matchy matchy. 

What clothing do you gravitate towards come spring and summer heat?