Wrap It Up With a Bow

 

 

A little bit boho.  A little twist on the chambray shirt.  A little bow on the side.  What more could a girl want in a blouse?  I've had this in my closet for close to two months and I can't believe I haven't shared it on here until now.  Like the kimono I styled a few weeks ago, a wrap shirt was on my spring/summer wish list (see here).  I actually stumbled upon it when I was frantically searching for a straw bag that I could order online within Canada and I found it at Zara, along with this top.  The great thing about Zara now is that you can order and ship back for free.  I instantly knew I wanted this top and ordered it in both small and medium because I often find their sizing varies. For reference I keep the medium, mostly for the length. 

 

This blouse has too many cute details.  The obvious ones being that it's a wrap shirt, the side tie-up can be done in multiple ways but I prefer a big bow.  The sleeves have a bit of the balloon shape to them, the tassel tie-ups on the sleeves add to the boho, care-free style that I love for this time of year, and also the delicate embroidery ion the sleeves.  For $50 this shirt really had it all for me.  I can wear it casually out and about, or to work.  I can't wait to pair it with some denim and white shorts in the summer as I run errands around the city, or head to the farmers market. 

 

 

 

I recently wore this when we went out to watch the Cirque Du Solei show Crystal.  It was nothing short of phenomenal.  The talent, ability, strength, story, characters, were all incredible.  I was so glad we were able to share the experience with our girls as well.  They left inspired and in awe of the performance, and of course a huge appreciation for the arts and the performers. 

What are your wish list items going into summer? 

 

Shop This Post:

Crossover Blouse with Lace Trim (Zara)

Kate Spade Wallet (eBay)

 Guess Rhinestone Sandals (similar Guess)

Mother's Day Recap: Sometimes Low Key is All I Really Want

This post is a little behind but I was swamped both at work and home last week so it just didn't get done. It was such a  lovely weekend that I wanted to put it down on paper to share with others but more importantly to have to remember for years to come as well..  Mother's day is not an extravagant holiday for us.  In fact, we keep it super simple and have for years.  When the girls asked me what I wanted my answer was simple and completely truthful, "a picnic and a weekend of family time", and I feel like it's simply  implied that the girls would keep their bickering to a minimum.  We long ago abandoned the idea of $$ gifts, it's just not us, and instead have the kids create homemade cards, letters, or crafts to share with us.  We compile these into a large book that we add to every year after mother’s and father’s day.  This book is fun to look at as the girls have grown and their expressions of love have evolved with age. 

 

We kicked it the weekend by indulging in our first ice cream cones at the corner store following Anya’s soccer game. 

 

 

 

Saturday I surprised my mom and the girls by taking them all to get pedicures.  Though this was a great idea, the salon we went to created a rather unpleasant experience and we didn’t exactly get what we wanted but never the less we enjoyed our time together.

 

 

 

 

 

Sunday, I was awakened to a house full of decorations and love notes.  Anya had woken up extra early, 5:30 am, to decorate and then went back to bed.  I could read sweet, tender and heartfelt messages all day long.  The girls and Logan also brought me toast and coffee in bed, followed by sharing the most beautiful they've written with me.  I guess I am doing alright at this mothering thing. 



At 11 a.m. I was escorted out into a backyard that had been transformed into a tea party garden, fit for a queen and her princesses.    We enjoyed tea also known  as “Fresca”, a variety of snacks from the pantry, and  some lovely picture books.  The tea party eventually turned into “restaurant” play for all of us and then a lovely picnic lunch in the afternoon. 

Late afternoon Logan and I dashed out for a 10 km run in the sweltering heat, followed by afternoon naps.   You guys, one of the things I am most looking forward to in the summer and retirement are afternoon naps.  I love them.  

 

We wrapped the weekend off by having a BBQ in our backyard with my parents. 

 

 

This is pretty much the best kind of Mother’s Day for me, low key, time with the kids and Logan.  I don’t need more stuff, I just need to be grounded and removed from my never ending list of things to do, my phone and all social media.  I hope all the moms out there were made to feel as special as I felt on this day!

What are your traditions for mother's day?  Father's day? 

Now that father's day is just around the corner, please share with me your best homemade father's day gifts and ideas.   

Busy Mom Reading More in 2018: Book Review

 

Hi everyone.  If you read my goal 2018 update last week, you might be already aware that I wanted to read a book a month in 2018 or a total of 12.  So far I am doing pretty well and have completed five books in total, am almost done listening to two audiobooks and am reading my sixth.  Below you'll find a couple of 5 star books, a couple of 4 star books, and a book I didn't even finish.  Eek.  Enjoy and thanks for stopping by.

☆☆☆☆   Talking as Fast as I Can: From Gilmore Girls to Gilmore Girls, and Everything in Between by Lauren Graham  

 

If you’ve read my blog over the past year, you know I love Gilmore Girls and am now sharing the series with my girls as well.  Who wouldn’t want have the mother-daughter relationship of Lorelai and Rory?!? I picked this book up over the Christmas holidays, so technically it was my first book completed in  2018 .  It was an easy read, compiled of short stories from Lauren Graham’s life from an early age, to birth and growth of the Gilmore Girls, to the challenges that many face in Hollywood.  At times all I could hear was Lorelai in my head, and other times it was what I would assume is the  real Lauren.  Excellent choice for a beach or road trip read this summer.

☆☆☆☆  The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin

Our book club kicked off 2018 with this book, The Four Tendencies by Gretchen Rubin.  This is a book that helps you discover which of the four tendencies, upholder, obliger, rebel or questioner, you most likely resemble.   My best friend declared me an upholder even before I had a chance to research what the book was about or take the online quiz  (take it if you haven't done it yet, it's FREE)..  The author describes each of the tendencies  with insight, hilarious examples and backs it with research. Though I clearly identified with the upholder tendency, I also have large pieces that fall into the obliger category, specifically when it comes to working in a primarily collaborative workplace, where going full steam ahead by yourself would result in little getting accomplished, not to mention a complete breakdown of the collaborative process.  I didn't give it a five stars because I feel like it's not super simple to just fall into one category like the book sometimes reads. 

☆☆☆☆☆ The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

 

Finally five stars and not because I choose this book for book club.   Historical fiction, or regional fiction (not sure if this is a real category but a story that takes place in a country/culture I know little about such as the Kite Runner), have  become my favorite reads as an adult in my 30's.  The story takes place between WWI and WWII in France, with the main characters coming together in an unlikely search of a young woman.  Throughout their journey the story of heroic women comes to live as they  became secret agents during WWI.  Everyone in the book club LOVED this book.  The characters are rich, interesting, troubled, heroic and compelling. 

 

 

☆☆☆☆☆ I Let You Go by Clare Mackintosh

 

 

 

Giving it five stars, like the Alice Network, but for completely different reasons.  This is a fast-paced, criminal, suspense novel that develops all  the characters fully and makes you sit at the edge of your seat.  There are very few books now days that I will stay up past 11p.m. to  read, but this one did.  I read it in less then a week, which is quick for me.  Within the first few pages a death happens and your are thrown into a race for truth and justice, though the truth is often not what it seems.

 

 

☆☆☆  The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck: A Counterintuitive Approach  to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson

 

 

 

Usually, I am all over books like this but the first couple chapters almost had me throwing in the towel.  I swear and am rarely offended, but the word was used as a gimmick and it got old very quickly and became super annoying.  That all being said I am glad I pushed through because it became much more thought-provoking and less vulgar. There were some key lessons that I took away from the book is are:

 "Do Something" Principle (p. 158).  Even when you are feeling stuck, or overwhelmed, just pick a place to start and get moving forward in whatever, rather than just spinning.  I love this idea and try to use it whenever I am overwhelmed b the sheer amount of work that's on my plate.

 

"Action isn't just the effect of motivation; it's also the cause of it." (p. 160)

 

 

Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood

 

 

I quit reading it around page 235 out of 600+.  No review really except that it’s long.  The characters are more interesting then I originally thought they would be, and the writing was dense but draws you in.  My demise came when I left the book for over a week, and just didn’t find it compelling enough to return to, especially with over 400 pages to go.  😊  I think I’ll watch the Nextflix version instead. 

What do you do when a book just doesn’t draw you completely in?

Do you jump ship? 

Do you push on? 

How long before you throw in the towel?

 

 

Rocking the Pencil Skirt

 

I love a good pencil skirt.  Every time I wear a pencil skirt, I feel like a powerful, intelligent, witty, sexy woman.  When I am wearing a pencil skirt and blouse, I feel like I am channeling  my inner Jessica, Donna and Rachel from Suits at the same time.  A powerful combination. 

 

  

I usually don't spend a ton of money on clothing but a solid, black, pencil skirt never goes out of style so it's worth the investment to get one that fits you super well.  I generally prefer a high-waist pencil skirt so I can tuck my blouse in, but I know that not everyone is comfortable having their belly so exposed and that's a personal preference (disclaimer, I also have those days and there is not way I'd be caught tucking my skirt in and will likely be wearing a flowy tunic to hide the bloating). If you prefect to wear a top that isn't tucked in, I would stray away from super long or flowy tops.  Keep the top so it's hits you at the hip and helps define your shape.  Show off your curves ladies and be proud!   Either way, a nice structured pencil skirt always looks polished and feminine for any occasion and it's such an easy last minute look. 

 

Now I want to acknowledge and celebrate a blogging friend Ada from Elegance and Mommyhood on her birthday.  Happy birthday girl!   Ada has supported me and featured me on her blog a few times over the last couple of years.  She loves to play with clothes, colors and textures and brings in to life every week on Thursday over at her blog.  Hope over to the blog to see what she is wearing and what many other ladies, across the ages and the world, are wearing. 

 

A Message from Ada: 

"Every year that I have been blogging, since I became a mom, I thought it would be fun to have a Blog Birthday Party on my blog, including other fashionistas and blogging friends. It started in 2013 and this is the 6th year of this fun birthday tradition. When I first started it in 2013 as a beginner, I invited my closest 5-6 blogging buddies who came to visit, read and comment my blog on a daily basis. Over the last 3 years this fun party has grown and it has become a two-day celebration. This year I am joined by another 20 fashionistas who I am lucky to call my friends and who are all super stylish to boots. A lot of these ladies have been celebrating my birthday with me on the blog other years too and I am very glad and flattered to see them return. Thank you beauties for making this tradition super fun, joyful and fashionable once again! Cheers with a Pinot Noir! Here is to another year of getting older and hopefully wiser!!"

Onto the Link-Up Birthday Party!
 

An InLinkz Link-up

Continental Drift: Goals 2018 Update & Link-Up

 

Welcome to our Continental Drift linkup! The reason we are  dabbling at a link up was that we wanted to connect and learn from bloggers from all across the world about their passions and lifestyle.  We will host the  Continental Drift link-up the first of every month.  The concept for myself and my fellow hosts (Mutton Style & Sydney Shop Girl ) is that we, the hosts, will write a post about our life on our continent/Country/state over the past month (hence the name) and our favorite thing from the month.

 

Starting June 1st we will have a prompt that we are writing about.  You are welcome to join us using the prompt  or link-up with  any family friendly topic that you like,  be it DIY, cooking, sewing, crafts, lifestyle, de-cluttering, traveling, moving homes, fashion, style, beauty, make up, etc. Your hosts to this linkup come from UK, Canada and Australia.  Enjoy getting to know each other!

 

 

 

 

2018 is over  a quarter completed and I wanted to revisit my goals for the year both personally and on the blog.  I find that when I sit down to revisit my goals it paints a clear picture of what I've done and where I need to put more time and energy.  Though I generally stick to whatever goals I originally outlined for myself, I have learned that  it's important to readjust goals accordingly and I don't believe in doing stuff unless I really want to.  Anyway let's take a look at the 5 goals I had set for myself at the beginning of 2018.

 

1.  Swimming.  I am proud to announce that I completed a 10 week swimming course!!!  I learned to do  the front crawl pretty well, the back crawl okay, and the breath stroke and the whip kick not at all :)  I am now going to the pool once and week to swim laps and am able to do approximately 500m.  At some point, I would love to try out a mini triathlon but don't feel there yet.  My goal it to continue the swimming throughout the summer by trying it out in the lake once a week.  (see readjusting my goal for the summer)

 

 

2.  The "Wearing My Closet Challenge" in January was a hit for me, see post here.  I didn't buy anything new and I also lasted through February as well!!!  Recently I purchased a few pieces for spring/summer such as this bright yellow kimono, along with many other pieces that I will be featuring on the blog every Friday and on my IG (below are a few of the outfits that have been posted on IG).  Currently, I am sticking to my budget of $100/month, except for my trip to Portland, but I don't think I really need much else to get me through spring/summer at this point so I am thinking I'll be doing a no shopping May and probably July/August.

 

3.  Reading.  I am doing pretty well on my goal of reading 12 books for the year.  Blog post coming with my full book review next Wednesday, May 9th!

 

4.  Cooking.  I loved trying out new recipes from Hello Fresh, full review of the service and recipes found here.  I also have tried some great new recipes from my Yum & Yummer by Greta Podleski that I received for Christmas.  My two favorite recipes have been the Double Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake (super easy and absolute goodness in every bite), and the Sensational Spinach Salad that I've been taking regularly to work for lunch. 

 

 

 

 

5. Family Time.  We have spent tons of family time together over the first part of the year, hitting the slopes at a local hill, swimming, having cabin time, etc.  One of my specific family time goals was to get back into reading with the girls and  I've definitely made time to read with Anya since the new year.  We are trying to get back into a routine of having her read out loud to us right after supper and us read to her at bedtime.  Halie goes off and reads her own books but for Easter she received the book Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle that her and I are going to start reading together before we go see the movie.

As far as my goals, I will continue to make time to read daily with one of the girls, as I feel we are still struggling with the routine.  I am also happily reading a lot more and find tracking my books very helpful in ensuring that I carve out time to just read instead of watching TV in the evening.



Now please follow each of your hosts Bojana of Bodaciousblog, Sydney Shop Girl and Mutton Style  on at least one platform (Instagram, Twitter or blog) and comment on their blogs.  It would be great if you could read and comment on the blog above yours in the link up.  You might make a new friend. Please also do add a link back to our blogs on your posts to help the linkup grow.  Thanks for stopping by, we look forward to learning more about everyone!

 

An InLinkz Link-up

Hello Brightness: Yellow Kimono & Straw Bag

 

Spring  has finally arrived!!!  Last week we began the week with a snow storm and four days letter we were into full on spring with a balmy +19C.  All the animals, humans, in hibernation stormed the streets in celebration of the spring that we were all worried would never arrive!!!

Like many others we took advantage of the weather to get outdoors, get our scooters/bikes out and head downtown to walk by our beautiful river.  I of course took advantage of the weather, location and my new found spring energy to get a few outfit shots in.   

 

I can't think of a better color then the bright yellow to welcome spring!   I had been searching for a yellow kimono for quite some time and stumbled upon this one at Winners of all places.  Honestly, I had given up on finding it locally when to my surprise there it was.   I absolutely fell in love with it and immediately snatched it up.  I've already wore it over a tunic, a white tee, and I think it'll look fantastic with jean shorts during the summer. 

 

 

My other favorite spring/summer addition has been this Zara straw bag.  I really wanted the bamboo one form Amazon but getting it shipped to Canada was $$$ so I found this great alternative.  Zara now has a great return policy and I was able to purchase a few items without worrying about whether they would be the right size, since knew I could ship them back free of charge.  The purse is quite large and I am able to fit my wallet, make-up bag and there was still room for more stuff.

 

I hope that wherever you live you are enjoying the spring weather too.  This weekend I plan on having some patio drinks and getting outdoors with the family as much as possible.  What are your weekend plans?

Shop This Look:

Kimono:  Similar H & M; Similar #2

Straw Bag Zara

Guess Sunglasses (similar)