weekend wardrobe...

Just a few (overexposed) shots of what I wore out and about yesterday afternoon... the sweater was a sweet thrift store find that I scooped up for $3 last year, yet somehow it hadn't seen the light of day until this weekend. It's soft and cozy, plus it's long enough to throw on over leggings and not feel scandalous... always a bonus, right? It reminds me of something my mom would have worn in the late 80s/early 90s, complete with shoulder pads (which I ripped out immediately) and a wicked crest detail. What can I say? Some things just never get old...

Outfit details: sweater and belt- thrifted; Tshirt- Joe Fresh Style; leggings- Aritzia; bag- vintage Liz Claiborne; necklace & ring- Forever 21

Sunday spotlight...

I thought it would be fun to start a new weekly feature, spotlighting fabulous bloggers that I love... You know, bloggers who are exceptionally creative and stylish, and clearly love what they do. Sounds good, right? Well, voila! Sunday spotlight is born.

First up is the lovely Natalie of I Heart This Blog... Nat is a friend of mine, and I couldn't think of a more perfect candidate to kick off this new feature. Not only is she beautiful and incredibly stylish, but she's super smart and witty, which is evident throughout her charmingly written posts. With her impressive accessories collection, mid-century modern decor, and beauty product knowledge, Nat is a blogger after my heart... and hopefully yours as well. xx

a thrifting I will go...

I decided to spend my afternoon off thrifting and antiquing today, which is pretty much my all-time favourite passtime... My first stop was Value Village, and although it was nowhere near as fabulous as the one in Victoria, I still managed to scoop up a couple of scores. I've been on the hunt for a pair of vintage cowboy boots for ages now, so you can imagine how psyched I was to find these powder blue leather boots for a mere $7.99! Woot woot! They're super comfy and in great condition, which makes me a very happy girl... Next I found a red plaid blanket, ideal for cuddling up on the couch or picnicing in the summer, and for only $2.99, it was waaay to cute to resist. I also picked up a forest green snakeskin belt there, as well as a just-for-fun ring in honour of my new province... And all for under $15, might I add! Man, I love thrifting.

Next I stopped at an antique mall, where I had to seriously restrain myself from buying all their incredible collectables! I managed to be good though, and only bought an Italian glass vase in a gorgeously vivid blue (the photo doesn't do it justice), as well as a matte white Kaiser vase that's the perfect addition to my little collection... Double fist pump! All in all, a perfect afternoon...

lipstick jungle...

I've been getting a lot of messages lately asking what kind of lipstick I use, so in the interest of saving time, I thought I would just answer that query in post-form... well, I only ever use one lipstick, and it's Estee Lauder's Nectarine. It's super creamy and smooth, so it never dries out my lips... plus it smells faintly of fruit, which is far more pleasant than chemically scents, right?

What lipstick/gloss do you wear? I wanna know! xx

floral prints and pagodas...

Outfit details: dress and necklace- Forever 21; belt- thrifted; blazer- Wilfred; velvet turban- American Apparel

eye of the tiger...

OK, so I know my shirt isn't exactly "tiger" print (duh), but this just felt like the right title for this post... plus I might be known to annoyingly sing "eye of the tiger" when I win at games like Boggle, Connect Four and cards... gracious, huh? Anyway, I found this top, which I bought well over a year ago, at my parents house when I went home for the holidays... I don't know why I didn't bring it with me when I moved out here, but finding it again somehow felt like seeing an old friend. It's so flowy and comfortable to wear, plus the print is just all-around rad. What can I say? Reunited, and it feels soooo good...

Outfit details: silk top- Joe Fresh; stirrup pants- Gap; hat and necklace- Forever 21; purse- thrifted; shoes- Versace; rings- YSL and Forever 21

new purchases...

After a quick trip to the mall last week, I couldn't help but notice the huuuuge sale signs plastered all over Zara... I heart that store in a bad way, but I didn't have time to check out all their reduced offerings, so naturally I made a mental note to dash over there as soon as school (and snow) permitted... which, luckily for me, turned out to be yesterday afternoon.

I spent a good hour trying a million different things on and imagining how they could be incorporated into my wardrobe... pretty much the ideal way to spend a day if you ask me! Anyway, after exercising some serious self-control, I left the store with an adorable red plaid dress that has the cutest back cut-out (pictured here), as well as a plaid high-waisted skirt in brown, caramely hues (I couldn't find the exact one online, but this came closest). And with both items coming in at just over $50, my little "afternoon delight" proved not only fruitful, but guilt-free... Outfit pics to come!

luxe adornments...

Mr. AIF's lovely and thoughtful sister surprised me with the most darling little necklace this Christmas... and naturally I couldn't wait to show you all! It's an adorable sterling/white gold plated lariat that hangs perfectly and goes with virtually everything... plus the little birdie reminds me of Twitter! How many necklaces can you say that about?

80s purple...

...well, not exactly. But my top is purple and my skirt is quite 80s... does that count?

Outfit details: silk top: thrifted; skirt and necklace- Forever 21; belt- Diesel; clutch- vintage; rings- YSL and Forever 21

Yoann Leoine for Lipton Tea...

Have you guys seen Yoann Lemoine's commercial for Lipton's green and white teas? It's so well done (no green screen!) and amazingly whimsical that it makes me yearn for a delightful tea party of my own... minus the floating of course. Check it out!

LIPTON - Green Tea & White Tea from Yoann Lemoine on Vimeo.

a winter's tale...

These might just be my favourite photos of all time, taken over the holidays while still in Vancouver. We went for a walk with Mr. AIF's lovely mother to Jericho Beach, the most stunningly beautiful place you could ever imagine... it has nothing, however, on the duck pond and bridge located next to it.

The pond glistened in its icy serenity, while the reeds that flanked it stood tall and stoic, slightly powdered with a touch of frost. The ducks slipped and fell as they scrambled to gobble up the crumbs people threw them, children ran about playfully, and bundled-up couples strolled hand in hand, revelling in the beauty of nature. It was perfect.

I didn't have my camera with me, and cursed myself for not coming prepared... honestly, Vickie! So the very next day we went back, camera in tow, to snap some outfit shots against the most magical of magical backdrops. I seriously froze, but it was so worth it... I hope you guys like them! xx

Outfit details: dress- H&M; belt and boots- thrifted; necklace- Pyrhha; jacket- Sirens; scarf- gifted

le weekend...

Outfit details: plaid blouse- Mysi Majority; skirt- Winners (super old!); denim jacket- Costa Blanca; belt- Betsey Johnson; headband- Urban; necklace- Pyrrha; ring- YSL; bracelet- Rachel Rachel Roy; purse- vintage; tights- Nicole Miller; shoes- Forever 21