Lust for life.

With the sudden and unexplained passing of my second cousin, who was only 20 years old, shit got real fast.  Regardless of how horrible and baffling this death was, which it was, there is a light at the end of this dark and gloomy tunnel, and I'm sure she would be happy to know that.  I now realize how precious life is, how quickly things can change and how you seriously need to do everything in your power to make the best of your life, whatever that may be. Do what makes you happy. Don't worry about trivial shit like money. (and I'm speaking mostly to myself here) Don't concern yourself with what other people have that you don't possess. Tell those you love, that you love them. Be nice and friendly. do what you want and need to do to make every second of your life enjoyable. Just be happy. Because you never know when things can turn upside down in a matter of seconds. 

With that in mind, I made a list of all the things that I need to do/change/acquire so I can practice what I am preaching:

1. Go to New York  

Because I've always wanted to but thought I needed tons of money to do so. Now, I'm saying Fuck it. Why wait? Now is as good a time as any.

2. My Job. The fire under my ass has reignited and I now fell the motivation I was losing, slowly but surely, to get my financial planner credentials. Though its not an overnight process, my studying has picked up ten fold. And though studying to me, or anyone for that matter, doesn't constitute a fun and fulfilled life that I've been going on about, it is a means to and end. However, now more than ever it is more important to hone in on the hobbies that get me though the day. I need to do instead of say. 

 3. and I believe most importantly, make time for all those people that I love and love me back. Too often, I become this hermit-lone ranger-couch potato-kind of beast that just wants to be left to her own devices, don't want to go out, just want to plop my ass on the couch and watch my shows and though, I will still do that every so often cuz it does actually bring me joy (its the simple things), I'm going to make an effort to see my friends more, to call my little sister and brother more, and to make sure my family and husband know how much I appreciate them, because sometimes (mostly during PMS) I can be a ball breaker (my hubby can attest to that)

4. Stop being a ball breaker. 

5. Get a Fancy Schmance camera. One with a tripod and a self timer. Because I love this here ol' blog and though it would appear as though I neglect it I think about it all the time. It brings me much joy and I need to show it that it makes me feel as such.

6. Stop worrying so much about money. I recently read a blog post from Chelsea Talks Smack that really pulled on my heart strings and just coincided perfectly with everything that I've been feeling lately. I urge you to take a look, its an awesome blog. I'm a go with the flow kinda person everywhere else but when money is involved. When it comes to money I become this monster who truly believes that cash, money, yo is the be it and end all of happiness. Its NOT, it really really isn't. I need to stop thinking like it is or I'm going to turn into this miserable crabby ol' shrew that has nothing but bags of money and lots of cats. (okay, I'm exaggerating, but only to get my point across more efficiently.) 

7. Do more DIY projects, cuz I love doing shit myself. 

 Whats on your list?

Cheers,

Mara

This post is dedicated to my little cousin Nikki, I will always remember you and what you stood for. I'll meet you up there when its my turn and we'll party it up together with John Lennon and Jimmy Hendrix, whom I'm sure you're already friends with.

XOXO

Creativity is a bitch

But god does it ever feel good, when it works in your favour. Finally I feel it surging in my veins. I'm pretty sure it has to do with the shinning sun, whatever the reason, I'm embracing it and hopefully there is no turning back.  

these babies have finally come out of hiding. I've had these wedges for a crazy long time and surprised that they are still revelent today.

D.I.Y. jean jacket vest. I won't bore you with how it was created as I think its pretty self explanatory. 

All baubles are from H & M.

Watching a previously recorded episode of Glee and can't seem to concentrate on the task at hand, so I think its best to end off here. 

Cheers,

Mara

Now where did I leave off?

So last time I was here, I discussed my impending birthday, which was a blast, by the way!!!  We went out on the 26th of March and bowled our little hearts out.

Saturday I awoke with a fierce hangover which was to be expected. As the day wore on I began to feel like my now 28 year old self again. As night fell I begin to feel what I thought was the hangover returning for a little "eff you Mara, your not getting rid of me that easy" second round, but it actually turned out to be was me getting sick as a dog, just in time for my actual birthday on the Sunday.

I had DUH...Duh...duhhhhhh...Bronchitis!!! Are you freaking kidding me?

But there is a light at the end of this dark and gloomy and sicky tunnel...I was able to stay home from work, watch all the HBO TV my little heart desired and my wonderful hubby got to wait on me hand and foot! I actually didn't want to get better, but can you really blame me for it? However, getting better is what I did and just in time to fine tune the Surprise party plans I was making for the hubby's 30th Birthday. Which just happened this past weekend and it was amazing to say the least. We actually got the party sponsored by Carlsberg beer, meaning they donated 5 cases in exchange for pictures featuring people partying and drinking their beer,  Those 5 cases aided in the quest to get around 30 people good and drunk and the band Finger Eleven (who's good friends with my hubby's best friend) even stopped by to wish him a happy birthday. It was awesome and he really felt loved, which is all I could ask for.

 The Office reference

Hubby taking a picture with Scott Anderson, the lead singer of Finger Eleven

CARLSBERG!!!
Now, my lovelies...I'm finally ready to make my blog top priority again, after everything is now out of the way and my focus is, er...re-focused.

Its good to be back.

Cheers,

Mara

Early Birthday Present!

If there is one thing to know about me, its that I'm extremely impatient. Thats why when my hubby had wrapped my birthday presents almost two weeks early, I begged him everyday to let me open them. Finally he gave in reluctantly, and I'm so glad he did, because these babies need to be on display, not wrapped up suffocated in their tiny little shoe box.

Gosh, their pretty. I can't wait to wear them! Thanks Hubby!



Cheers,
Mara

All dressed up and nowhere to go outfit post.

Ahhhh....Spring is in the air, can you feel it? Its also my favourite month of the year, March (my birthday is around the corner) so it was a no brainer today when I finally ventured outside into the warmth and into Forever 21 and saw these shoes that spoke to me, uttering the words "Hello, lover" a la Carrie Bradshaw in Sex and the City... 

(oh why do all the good shows have to end?)

Shoes~ Forever 21 ($35)

Blazer~ Thrift ($12)

Dress~ H&M ($10)

Belt~Thrift ($2)

Spring time is for lovers and outfits that show your legs.

Cheers,

Mara

I'd like you to meet my new love...

Like I said in the previous post, I gots myself a motorcycle jacket. And I'm in love. No matter what I'm wearing, I put that shit on and I feel cooler. 

Its inevitable. 

H&M Motorcycle Jacket~39.99

There is something to be said about an article of clothing that has the ability to change your mood. 

Cheers,

Mara

Totally diggin' this look right now

I've searched far and wide (within reason) for a flowery print dress, reminiscent of what I would have worn for my grade 6 class picture underneath a long crocheted vest and a velvet choker of course . I've looked everywhere for chunky heeled lace up boots of which I had a plethora of back in the day. Oh, if only my grade 6 self would have known how much I would have wanted these babies in the future I wouldn't have to resort to making collages through polyvore. Whoa is me.

I do have the motorcycle jacket and the aviator glasses, the tights and a ring sort of similar...so really I'm almost halfway there to successfully owning my dream outfit!! (of the moment) but like many things that seem unattainable I will lose interest soon enough. In the meantime, a girl can dream can't she?

By the by, I truly appreciate those who are following along and leaving messages, its great to be part of a community that accepts you with open arms for expressing your thoughts on this old thingy called the internet.  Thanks a bunch!

Sheer Brilliance...

Just stumbled upon this blog:

 Fashmatics...

and I am in love. 

Check it out for yourself and you'll see what I mean. 

Your welcome. 

Cheers,

Mara

Mark Fast

Do not get me wrong, I love the fact that Mark Fast is becoming known for using "Plus Size" models in his runway shows. It makes someone like myself who hasn't fit into a size 0 since birth feel good about themselves, which is hard to achieve after watching a runway show no matter who you are, so I applaud Mark Fast for his efforts. 

With that being said, one would think that if you were going to go ahead and use bigger girls in your shows you would do whatever it took to show the audience and the disbelievers that they look just as good, if not better then the skinny bitches models normally used, so as to promote the use of heavier girls to model the designs in more runway shows so that people like myself that don't fit into sample sizes can watch these shows and want to buy the clothes that these designers are trying to sell (run on sentence I know, but Im trying to make a point here...)

So my point?

Seriously Mark! Im not a designer, nor a runway model, but I know for a FACT that showing undergarment lines is a big NO NO for the runway, (or for anywhere for that matter) but as you can see from the photo above that wasn't even thought about when you put this plus size model in a dress not for a plus size model. duh.

To me, it would have made much more sense, and might have even flattered her figure, if she wore something like this:

 

right?

Now my point... Well...my point is, there are clothing styles that certain people can't pull off, big or small, it really doesn't matter. You can't expect to fit a plus size model in a "tube dress" and have it look the way you want it to look. So next time you want to advocate the use of bigger girls on the runway (of which I applaud) PLEASE make sure  a) the clothes flatter the model so as to accentuate the fuller figure, not make a mockery of it and b) make sure no panty lines are showing!!

Follow these simple yet effective rules and we have ourselves a deal!

Got it? Good.

Cheers,

Mara

I got more layers than an onion...

Actually, no I don't. With me, what you see is what you get.  I'm a pretty simple chick, a pretty low maintenance simple chick. I like what I like and I'm okay with that. I'm also okay with layering (weird segway I know)... as seen on a few of the runways at NYFW.

It has inspired me to explore this trend within the confines of my own closet. Because not only am I a simple chick, Im frugal (some would say cheap!) as well, and can't bring myself to buy the massive amount of clothes I yearn for on a day to day basis. So here I am trying my best to interpret what I see in a way that makes sense for me. and hopefully looks good.
You be the judge....

I thought the first major snowfall deserved its own photo shoot.  

PS: Yes, I am 27 years old and wearing an I Love Vampires T- shirt 

(it was $5 at walmart...couldn't resist)

PPS: No, I am not ashamed. 

Cheers,

Mara

Wednesday Work Outfit

Now I realize this outfit ain't nothing special.  But I like it. I like it because this little dress I picked up from an FCUK outlet in the States (gotta love state side shopping) for only $25 US is perfect for work, casual wear and dressing up for a night out of town. Not only that, I can wear it in the summer by itself and in the winter paired with some thick tights and a cute little cardigan. 

And a belt is a must accessory for this little number. It just adds a little extra while accentuating the waist, giving the illusion of an hour glass figure even if you are a total pear shape like moi!

And though you can't really tell, the neck part ties up in a cute little bow....how sweet!

PS: don't judge the douch-y posing, Im still learning and by learning I mean copying the posing I see on some fabulous blogs I see out there in the blogosphere, and by copying I mean not looking anything like what I mean to look like...but I digress. 

Cheers,

Mara

How we spent our Valentines Weekend!

This is huge for us! Our closet size was laughable so we bit the bullet and went to IKEA and bought ourselves a beast of a wardrobe.

Isn't it pretty!

Now we are no longer forced to have 4 shirts to a hanger anymore, let alone share a 4 foot closet between the two of us!!

Even better is the fact that I have more room to buy new clothes!

Its a dream come true I tell you!

Disclaimer: I would not recommend assembling furniture from IKEA with your significant other on Valentines Day as it might result in being the most unromantic way to spend the special day.

Cheers,

Mara

Viveinne Westwood Lady Dragon LOVE HEART Shoes.

 

Seriously! How amazing are these shoes? 

If/when I get these babies on me tootsies, AQUA's barbie girl will start playing in the background and my measurements will be a perfect 36-24-36.

  I just know it. 

Cheers and have an amazing long weekend!

Mara