Presents!

Ack, I'm sorry for the delay in posting, but it's that time of year and I've been super busy with Christmas parties and stuff (none of which I remembered to take photographs at). I hope everyone had an excellent holiday! I'm super curious to see what everyone got, but first I'll show off what I got as well. On the Sunday before Christmas the bf and I went to his mom's house for early Christmas, as she will be gone during actual Christmas. It was a really fun and relaxing time. Ate lots of food, watched some movies and, as you can guess from the title of this post, exchanged gifts. The bf and I got her a Slap Chop, which she seemed to really like (she loves to cook). She got me a really awesome present of two delicious-smelling hand soaps from Bath & Body Works, some Black Velvet Apricot body butter from the Body Shop and a gift card for Browns (one of my favourite shoe stores)! Her fiance (who lives out of town) got me these adorable Christmas chocolates. They are so cute I almost don't want to eat them!

I spent Christmas Eve with the bf (since it's his birthday), then on Christmas we seperated to visit each of our families. This year was extra-exciting, since my brother and sister-in-law came out with their four kids. Kids always make Christmas more fun! I didn't end up finishing all the pajamas, but I guess they will have to be Easter presents! I was very lucky this year and got spoiled with presents. From the bf, I got a t-shirt, a super-long black scarf and a pair of green mittens (I won't lie, I picked them all out since he didn't know what to get). From my brother I got a fancy sewing organizer and a rotary cutter, which works really well and I'm a little scared of cutting myself on since it is really sharp. From my other brother and my sister-in-law I got money (which got spent on boxing day) and a gift card to go to the movies. From my parents I got a mat to go with my rotary cutter, a scarf, gloves, mango shower gel (my favourite), a new go-cup (since my dad stole my old one) and money (which I also spent on boxing day). From my aunt, uncle and cousins I got a re-usable shopping bag and a really pretty pair of earrings that were made by my aunt's friend Joan Irvin. Add to this some other gift certificates the bf and I got from some friends and I most definately got spoilt!

I'll show off my boxing day purchases tomarrow. I also went shopping at a different mall with my mom today and bought even more! I am definately broke now, but some of the stuff was very practical (oh dear, now I'm making excuses). I guess I'm a sale-aholic...

What did everyone else get?

A change of plans

Ok, I'll admit it, I'm lazy (and busy!). I knew I would be too tired to go to the fabric store where I intially bought all my fabric after work, so I decided to go to the giant fabric depot near my work on my lunch break. I'm both amazed and intimidated whenever I go there because it's turned away in an industrial park, a bit dimly lit and I always get lost when I go upstairs (It's big and made up of different rooms, including a room full of buttons), but I remembered where the flannelette was (corner of the second room) and so got quickly in and out in about ten minutes (a record for me in a fabric store). So in the end, I just went and bought new fabric and I'm not sure what to do with the old fabric, as spray and wash could not save it. But now my niece will have a nightie with bed-time bears on it instead. I still have a lot of work ahead though, but at least it's something I enjoy!

1 down, 2 to go...

So, I've finished the first of my three nieces' nighties and I'm actually quite happy with the result. Now I'm on to the 2nd , but I'm having a major issue because AFTER I cut out most of the pieces, I noticed a giant stain on the piece I had cut for the front. It's not really in a place I can hide it, so I'm off to the fabric store to see if they still have the fabric (I bought it a year ago, so fingers crossed) or buy all new fabric. Not impressed. And I'm kind of stressed because I'm should have started these earlier and Christmas is a-coming!

On another Christmas-y note, I did some baking for a potluck at work. The icing looks a little funny, but they tasted yummy!

Is it too early to start thinking about next fall...

That's right, I've been checking out the Pre-Fall 2010 collections. I'm not entirely sure where pre-fall fits into most people's wardrobes. Maybe it's what you wear in August when you are a little sick of summer clothes, but it's too hot to wear fall clothes yet? I'm not sure, but I do know that I totally love the Burberry Prorsum Pre-Fall 2010 collection. There are so many gorgeous coats and jackets! There are a lot of neutral colours that will go with most of what's already in your closet. Basically, I'm in love. (Photos from style.com)

I'm crossing my fingers I make it to this one...

Sorry for the break in posting, I had a busy, snow-filled weekend (with unfortunately, no pictures). I promise I will try harder to remember to take them! Anyway, I was talking to the girl in my design class who is a handbag designer (I was supposed to go to her show, but I had my driving nightmare and couldn't make it) and she told me about a cool event that Calgary Fashion is putting on this Friday and Saturday. It looks pretty cool and I'm definately planning on checking it out! Get more details here (and that's where the picure is from too).

Karl Squarepants?

I just wanted to share this with you. Apparently Karl Lagerfeld has designed a Spongebob Squarepants figurine that someone bought for a very large sum of money. Weird. (Photo from wwd.com)

Newest Sewing Project

I thought I would share with you my lastest sewing project. I've decided to make nighties for my nieces as part of their Christmas present. I have three, so I will be busy! I had planned to make C (the white one) for my youngest niece, but I didn't have enough fabric for the ruffle (I'm using fabric I already had), so it will kind of be a combination of C and D (the pink one and the white one). I'm using this cute checked fabric I was originally going to use for pj pants for myself. I'll post up my progress as I go (I'm still cutting) and will also show the finished product. Plus I have two more to do afterwards, so I'll have to sew like crazy!

Disappointment

So, I have some bad news. No photos from the event as I was unable to go thanks to Mother Nature. It started snowing around noon, but it was warm so the snow all melted on the road, then it snowed more and got cold and turned all the roads into sheets of ice. By the time I got off work at six, it was terrible. The make a long story short, I almost went in the ditch, slid sideways into someone, barely made it up a hill and, after three hours, was not even halfway home (my commute is usually twenty minutes). After three hours, I was fed up, but I had to wait thirty minutes to be able to pull off onto a residential street, since no one was moving as no one could get up a hill ahead. Finally I was able to pull into a residential area and park. So after trying to get home for three and a half hours, I started walking. After another hour and fifteen minutes, I made it to the nearest train station, where my boyfriend met me (thank goodness for cell phones). We took the train to the station near our house and walked the last twenty minutes home. I finally got home at 11:30, which meant I had missed the event (and had no car to get there even if I hadn't).

But on the bright side, I do have an outfit picture of what I wore today to go get my car (thank goodness a friend gave me a ride to it). And I'm even wearing the vest I got last week!

Vest: Juma
Tee: Bluenotes
Jeans: French Connection
Boots: Shelley's

Another Fashion Event

I really enjoy going to fashion event; I enjoy being surrounded by fashion and the people who love it. That's why I was excited when Sabra Mottram, a girl from my design class who also designs handbags, invited the rest of the class (including me) to her Fall 09 collection launch. I'm excited and I think it will be lots of fun. I've even convinced the bf to come. I'll post up pictures tomarrow. (Maira, if you read this, you are invited).

Jessica Biffi Spring 2010

Sorry for my absence and I promise to get an outfit picutre of my new vest, as well as a new hoodie my mom bought me as a pre-Christmas present (I know, I'm really lucky, plus it was 50% off and my mom can't resist a sale either).

Anyway, I just got around to looking at the photos from Toronto Fashion week (I know, I'm like a month late) and I totally fell in love with these dresses by Jessica Biffi. They are so pretty, but still really interesting. Also, I thought these jumpsuits look super comfy and I want one just to laze around in next summer (plus I kind of missed the boat on the jumpsuit trend last summer). The rest of rest collection was a bit too clubby for my taste, but if that's your taste, go check it out. Plus I have to love that she's Canada and came in second on Project Runway Canada. Check out her whole collection here. (Photos from torontolife.com).

Shopping goodies

I know that's it's almost time to start thinking about shopping for other people (and I actually have!), but I can't resist a great sale. Unfortunately, this sale was bittersweet, as there were some awesome deals to be had, but it also meant that a great store, Pink Sugar, is closing!

I tried on lots, but only ended up getting one thing, a awesome long knit vest. I've kind of been looking for a long vest for a while and so I was excited to get this. I'll probably wear it over the weekend and I'll try to get an outfit post. I wish I had a job where I could dress up more and not worry about spilling nasty chemicals on my clothes! Anyway, the vest is by Juma, a brand I've never heard of, but I really like it (and it's Canadian!).

Style Icon: Freddie Mercury

Freddie Mercury has been my idol since I was 15. While his voice is truly inspirational, he also had a great personal style. I know of very few others who can pull off a sparkly silver unitard! His onstage outfits are were dramatic, emphasizing what a great showman he was. However, I'm equally inspired by his offstage style whether it's a simple striped tee or an amazing floral jacket that I wish hung in my closet! What do you think? Are you inspired by any past or present musicians? (Photos from allthetests.com, frankpicturegallery.com, imageshack.us, tumblr.com, treesong.org, rockmusic.org)

Girl crush alert

Ok, is anyone else obsessed with the Plastecine's hair last week on Gossip Girl? I want the lead singer's hair so badly, especially her bangs! Best part of the episode.

Artwear Part 5

Boutik also took part in the ArtWear fashion show. My favourite part of their looks was the sparkles (I know, I'm a sucker for sparkley things)! My favourite look is the pink dress, which was a lot more vibrant in real life.

Artwear Part 4

Another boutique which took part in ArtWear was Mealan. I liked their pieces; they are very fun! I've never been to Mealan, but now I think I will have to make the trip! Plus, they have the cutest anchor in thier logo! I really like the plaid coat, the fur scarf and the purple-y stripe-y dress.