oh where, oh where are my winter boots?

Do you ever have that ONE thing that you are looking for? One thing on your list and nothing else..Well, right now, there can only be one thing on MY list of things to buy. ..WINTER BOOTS (my one exception!!) I have been searching since last year for a good pair of winter boots. I started looking last year, and I never found the perfect pair. So, I toughed it out for the winter with my cheap old pair (which started to get a hole in the heel, and my feet got soaked a lot of the time, sadly). I thought, "I will find the perfect pair....eventually!" In the end, I never found my new pair of winter boots. Luckily last year's winter didn't seem to last too long!

And so this year, the hunt begins (again)!! I am looking for a simple, leather boots, very low heel, warm, and good quality (heel/sole & material).

I found a pair while I was in Toronto this past week at 'Winners'. They are Ralph Lauren $129.99 leather (brown) boots, size 7.5. I bought them (as a back up) while still searching for the same style in black. I found out the return policy was after 10 days, I would get a full refund. And so in those 10 days, I was hoping to find the same pair but in black to replace the brown ones.  I brought the boots back home with me to Ottawa. Here, i continued my search for the boots at almost every single 'Winners' in Ottawa. I found a size 8 (too BIG) and a 6.5 (too tight!), and more brown pairs! Not what I was looking for. I finally decided to just return the ones that I had already purchased. Although I really like the brown ones, I felt like a black pair would be more practical and easier to match with my winter wardrobe (clothes and coats). And as my sister puts it, "You don't want BUYERS REMORSE"; where I would regret buying these without being completely satisfied and always wanting more. Since I am only allowed to buy one pair, I felt like waiting to find a pair to my standards was worth it! What do you think..good decision??

boots I originally purchased.

boots I was searching for but couldn't find!

I just want the search to be done! The thing I dislike most (possibly even more than not shopping at all) is looking for that ONE item and not being able to find it. I am the kind of person to just leisurely shop, and will buy whatever I like when I see it. I eventually bought so much of everything, that I never actually had a list of necessities (aside from these winter boots). Shopping was like therapy for me...super calming and worry-free! It's my 'sanctuary', and now it is ruined by this annoyingly ridiculous chase.

If you are looking for winter boots too, I hope you are having better luck than I am!
Love,
T

for the love of a "good deal"

So, 'A' and I are back in the same city. After starting this little 'project', I think that it has definitely brought us closer. In the past, we still kept in touch and got together whenever we could. But, I feel like in doing this challenge, it is making us realize how much we think alike. We are finding new things about ourselves and more things we have in common. Just recently, we met up and tried to start a new part in our challenge, we wanted to introduce a section called "Clothing Re-Invention". Where we would like to alter old clothing and make them new again! However, it is taking us longer to start then expected. We began looking at some of the potential clothing to use for this project, but somehow got sidetrack and talked for hours on a lot of things happening in our life; basically a huge catch up time for the past 4 years of university. Good times for sure!

Anyways, while we are usually on the topic of shopping/fashion, it was bound to come up in this particular conversation. We talked about how to us, shopping is not just about us buying loads of merchandise for ourselves. When we shop, the satisfaction (a lot of the time) is in finding that amazing deal; something unique, useful, and at a good price (of course)! And when we find this great deal, it doesn't necessarily have to be for us. As long as someone we know is getting the good deal, it is still most definitely satisfying for the both of us. We can resist for ourselves (sometimes, because we realize that we have too much already), but will try to convince another to buy it just because of how much we think it is a good deal.

I wore this dress to a wedding this past weekend. My favourite part is the detailing on the shoulders; very origami-like
The shoes I paired with the dress! [Comment: "those are beautiful shoes!" - my mom's great aunt (made my day)]

For example, when I was shopping with my friend last in Toronto, we were searching for a dress for her to wear to a wedding. Therefore, it wasn't a dress that I needed at all, it was all for her! And so our search began. She tried on so many dresses, and she wanted to find the perfect one for the wedding. So, we came across this great dress, 100% silk, black & simple, with a dash of purple colour. Everyone needs something like that, don't they?? I mean, it wasn't exactly the kind of dress she envisioned herself to wear to this particular wedding, but it was a great dress! and everyone needs that "little black dress" somewhere in their closet! And, to top it all off, the dress' Original price: $129.99 and Sale price: $69.99. To me, this was a great deal - for quality, style and use! What do you think?? I tried my hardest to convince her that she "needed" this dress, but I failed. I wanted someone to have this dress. Her will power was too strong. In the end, she didn't end up buying the dress. And, as for me...a little while after, I ended up buying the dress because I loved it so much haha. Also, I believe that 'A' and I saw this while we were shopping a long while ago, but it was too expensive at the time.

If you would like some company on finding your own deals, I would gladly come with..&be your "personal shopper"? I promise I won't buy anything for myself!

Love,
T.

Why does my life feel more exhausting without school?!

So, since 'A' has been bugging me to write more..here it is! 

SO, everyone STILL doesn't believe that I can do it! Although 'A' and I shop frequently together (whenever we're in the same city), talk about shopping whenever we can (sharing our thoughts about fashion), updating each other on the latest trends, fads & styles...for some reason, most people think it COULD be possible for 'A' to complete our no shopping challenge, but for me...it's another story. I wonder why that is? Yes, I do shop a lot and I admit my wardrobe does not technically NEED more. But, I could have will power too!

When telling friends and family about the challenge, some of the responses are:

"Are you crazy?"

"That is so unreasonable! You can't do that"

"You will not last! I guarantee it"

"You can't do it...I will give you a million dollars if you do" [hope this one actually comes true!]

"I will buy you something big at the end of it"

"That sounds interesting, but are you sure you can do that??" 

When telling others about the "gift rule" (allowed to receive gifts, but will not be able to use until the 365 days are up) I've been told "Why would you do that? That is disrespectful to the gift giver. They want you to enjoy the gift! If you just let it sit there for a year, that is just rude!" 

I love the encouragement!

I am determined to prove everyone wrong..I WILL COMPLETE THE 365 DAYS! 

It's actually strange, lately I haven't really thought much about shopping. I will admit, there are a few times that I am just "in-the-mood" to shop (just one of those days). But for the most part, I have definitely kept myself busy doing other things. 

I am currently trying to set up a portfolio and website that will include all my previous work I have done during my university years. It feels like it is a never-ending process; almost as if I was back in school. 

I have also been volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, they are currently doing a build in Stittsville (woot!) It is super tiring but I love it. I have always wanted to work with Habitat, and I finally got the chance this summer/fall! The people there are great, and I love hearing stories about their experiences with Habitat (and just life in general, since they are all most likely at least double my age:) It is also an awesome new experience for me.

And then last, I am still working as a server at Wasabi Sushi Restaurant in the market downtown Ottawa as a part-time job while I continue looking for another job. Although I only get 2-3 shifts a week, I am surprisingly super tired from work. It is almost always the night shift, and just being out and getting home around 11:30pm each time, makes me exhausted (especially when the bus ride is about an hour...one way!)  

Also, whenever I am at home, my parents always have a never-ending chore list to do! So that's an added BONUS!! *cough cough*

Anyways, that is what I have been up to these days.

I will try to write more..

Talk soon! 

T.

p.s. sorry if this all sounded super random...definitely not as structured as 'A', but that's me!

Rain Rain Go Away...

 I really regret not buying rain boots before we started this no shopping thing.  I use to think that rain boots were ugly and looked too childish.  But I have come to realize the practicality of rain boots.  As a university student who walks pretty much everywhere they are essential.  Yet  somehow after 4 years here I managed to not own a single pair.  Perhaps it's because I think most rain boots are ridiculously overpriced, look too childish on me and the fact that I will only be on campus for one more year.  I did look at some but my favorite (shown below) was sold out by the time I found it! Sooo sad =(

Burberry rain boots from theOutnet.com, they were only $30 btw!

At this point I'm wondering if I should break the rules and just go get a pair?  They are a necessity, my cold wet feet are suffering...at least I bought my raincoat before September!   What do you guys think????

Love,
A

NY Fashion week review

I know it's been over a week since NY Fashion week ended but here's my brief review.  Better late than never!
This was the season for shiny, colour, print and the unstructured.  Designers were certainly taking risks for RTW spring 2011,  and even the normally reserved ones stretched themselves.  I was surprised to see Herve Leger's bandage dress actually take on a very different form for once, with added ruffles, lace and grommets.  Victoria Beckham certainly pushed herself and her collection contained more unstructured dresses for once.  Vera Wang went more edgy this time with lots of loose pants.  One of my favorites, Monique L'huillier played with print this season and the results were amazing, see below.  

Another collection that is always on my radar is Marchesa, they always have dramatic dresses but this year they also added harlem pants.  There were still plenty of dresses though, here's my favorite. 

The laser cutouts are insane!  Rebecca Minkoff makes great bags but this year she was able to style models from head to toe.

 I love her styling and this is one collection that I will try to replicate with my own wardrobe, so stay tuned for pics. One collection missing from fashion week was the Row, MK and Ashley's high end line.  Unfortunately their samples didn't arrive in time so they will be showing their collection in Paris.  It's too bad because I was looking forward to their collection, although I must admit I like their Elizabeth and James line better (which just added shoes btw!). Well that's all for now, there are just too many shows to write about, London (finished), Milan (ending), and Paris (starts this week...I'm so excited)!  I so much more to Blog about, but I just have too much work.  One week till I reunite with T =)


Love,
A




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