Closed

Between deadlines at work and keeping a gym routine, I have been able to avoid the mall during lunch breaks. Imagine my surprise when I saw this.

Right beside is this.

At the end of the corridor...

Whew! Just under renovation.






Across that is...

Another store under renovation.






Lastly, the saddest picture (to me). This used to be my favourite Tristan branch. No more brick-and-mortar in BC but their head office promises online service (fingers drumming and holding breath).

The big dollar store has closed down too. Sometimes, January is just not the time for bargains, huh?

Fur neck wrap

Before Christmas, craft fairs seem to pop up quite conveniently. I've been curious about one in particular for several years -- Poirier Craft Fair held in Coquitlam Sports and Leisure Centre. It is usually held the first weekend of December. As luck would have it, my daughter was invited to dinner and a hockey game by her girlfriend's family. My husband and I decided to go out to Chada Thai (Coquitlam) for dinner then to the Fair.

So many things to see - jewelry, home-made baking, jams, knitted wear, more jewelry...I had to restrain myself from buying from the first few sellers by the entrance door. The goods are spread between three buildings. At the last building, there was a display of faux fur neck wraps and silk scarves. I have seen the silk ones before (not often and at finer stores) but these faux fur ones are new to me.

Here it is without my coat.

The lovely lady behind the table patiently showed me the proper way to wear the wrap, many times reaching over to position the crystal at the v of my coat. Her name is Mala.

I spent more time practicing how to wear this than speaking to her. After a while, we attracted a crowd.

I couldn't capture the brilliance and beauty of the Austrian crystal magnetic button. The inside lining is of embroidered Chinese silk which, to me, makes it that much more exquisite.

Mala, proprietor, personally attends trade shows. Her site offers retro brooches and buttons. Next time, I want to pick up one of her silk scarves.

For those who are interested in her products, click here for her website.

Pretty white stuff

Saturday morning, out the window, I was greeted with beautiful blinding white stuff - snow!

Unfortunately, there's the not so beautiful part - shovelling! My daughter loves to 'help' when my husband goes out there.

Luckily, my commute to work takes me from garage to garage so no need to overdress. I know the day will come when I receive a note from Human Resources telling me that my carpool spot is being revoked but until then, I always give thanks for the privilege. I do welcome the Winter season as I love wearing tights. At Winners (Canadian), I spotted some colourful thick cotton and woolen tights. Will have to investigate for possible outfit match-ups.

Kersh cardigan (I buy most of mine from Plum)
brown sleeveless tank (old)
H&M skirt with back zipper opening
Guess by Marciano heels

I have not had a chance to read other blogger posts but maybe tomorrow (earned day off from work)…


Thanks for dropping by!

Dark amber blouse and Taupe pants

Happy New Year everyone! Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. Now…we resume blogging posts. I seem to have amassed thrifted items over the last few months. Today I am showcasing a silk blouse bought two months ago but the sleeves were (what else) too long and I could not find the time to take it to my tailor. I may have to get it shortened some more.

Being silk, it floats nicely on the body. I like its classic rather than fitted shape (no clinging). Just love the rich colour. Reminds me of supple leather purses.

Moda International $8 - 95%silk 5%spandex
Charles by Charles David heels

The pants are thrifted as well but the lining had been removed before I bought it. The wool blend is soft, not itchy, against the skin and I have a Spanx pant lining so I don't miss the lining. My tailor had to remove the cuff and use that to lengthen. Imagine that -- I actually had to ask my tailor not to shorten the hem but to make it longer!

Talulah Babaton $6 - 60% wool 36%polyester 4%lycra

Above, I belted over the blouse but have worn it tucked into an aubergine wool skirt.

Tahari skirt $3.75 (yep, thrifted)

Other than the taupe and black, I'd love to pair this blouse with other colours. What do you suggest?

Hair updo clips

How do you ladies find good lighting for outfit pictures? With the shorter days, I find it difficult to take pictures after work when it is already dark. It is light enough in the morning before we leave but there is never time. I recently bought a smaller camera that fits in my purse. My goal is to have hubby take pictures during our lunch hour. These days, though, both of us are always rushing to the mall in search of items that my daughter has on her Wish List or for her school concert (or replacing yet another piece of clothing that she has outgrown). All done with love, I assure you.


I thought I would post some hairclips that I have tried. These were from Save-On and Superstore (both Canadian but could probably find in any American drugstores). They ranged from $6 to $8.

On the left is the Bun Spiral, Modern Updo in the middle and Spin Pin on the right.



First is the Bun Spiral. Here is the back of the package. Gather your hair and twist around the base of your ponytail. Slowly screw the Spiral around your hair bun until it touches your scalp.

No matter how I tried, it always turns out into some variation of this fail.

Maybe my hair is too thick so I tried a half-updo.

Works better but too bulky.



Next up is the Modern Updo. I'm including the back packaging in hopes that someone can figure it out. (pull it up then down??)

Here's another fail. My husband and I could not stop laughing long enough to take more than one picture.

The third one - Spin Pin - is the most successful hair updo accessory for me.

It is similar to using a basic straight hair pin except it will not fly out if your hair is thick like mine. After twisting your hair into a French roll, screw one pin slowly to include both the rolled hair and the hair lying near your scalp. Take the other pin and do the same but screw it from the top.

If I put the pins closely beside each other without them touching, it held my hair up well.

I nodded and shook my head more than gently (but not enough to give myself a concussion) and my updo stayed secure.

I always thought I could not do a French Roll since my hair is so thick. The Spin Pins allow me to wear my hair up stylishly on those days when a ponytail won't do. Hopefully, one of you will steer me to a YouTube or picture tutorial on how to use the Modern Updo pin.

Back draft - at Tristan

If you read my previous posts, you'll know that I often visit Tristan stores. While buying dress pants in (what else) camel-shade, a sales person showed me the matching blazer.

Now I'm not as picky as I should be when it comes to fitting. I'm learning from you lovely ladies but I do compromise. The front part looks so lovely in person. So I bought it with only two minutes to think about it (Hubby had to return to work for a meeting). When I tried it again at home, I turned to look at the back and was dismayed.

The jacket was too long for my torso so the vent kept wanting to open (causing a "back draft"). Even when the jacket was unbuttoned, it stayed open -- not as much but still annoyingly noticeable to me. For that reason, I've returned it. If you are at least 5'3", this would fit much better on you. I think Tristan is still having their 50% off sale. Don't be intimidated by the high-end display. March to the back of the store where they store more price-reduced items.

Click here to connect to their website. This jacket is not showing up on their website.

Excuse the shirt and pants. I just wanted to post this up quickly while the jacket is still in the stores.

Enjoy the weekend!

Skinny jeans love

At the cost of dating myself, I remember wearing skinnies back in high school. Now I know they say, if you're old enough to have worn them the first time they were in fashion…Ha! I've learned to ignore some sayings.

I tried a few jeans before I settled on this Gap jeans. I have found some other brands since that purchase but there's something about first love that makes you reach for it again and again. This is an easy pairing for me on casual Fridays.

I've worn them so much that the waist has stretched out more than an inch. That, or I've lost weight (not likely). To avoid having to pull them up so often, I found that a belt is a must. I tried the front tuck. Is it ok?

I rely on shirts and jackets to hide the gape at the back. (Looks like I might need a hair trim)

During their Black Friday sale here in Canada, I stopped by at Gap to find a replacement. Nope, nothing left in my size. I might just have to add these to the pile destined for my tailor.

Ladies who own Gap jean leggings: did the waist line stretch out on you?