Fashion Blogs

I have been a lover of blogs since I became a techno nerd. Its true! I had one way back in the day when livejournal was everyones main place to go and since then I've enjoyed creeping and reading others. There are blogs for everything and everyone. I used to write a daily "what I did blog" until I realized I'm crazy boring.... then I started this one and its still boring but meh. No one reads it.

My love of blogs stems from the interactions of its readers. Want to get a question answered? Join a community blog and ask away and then come back and read the comments. You get real advice from real people who have been in the same situations. I love reading about my various medical issues (Graves & Celiac) because I get to find out how others are coping; What medications they take; Tricks that they have learned; And of course, Gluten-Free recipes. Its one thing to read about it in a book but online, where others have commented, you know if the advice is really good... and if the recipe is worth trying! Recently I have discovered Fashion Blogs and have fallen in love.

I was surprised when I actually liked working in retail and ever since I started at Tabi back when I was 15, I have loved to work with clothing. Feeling the difference between the fabrics. Seeing the differences in the cuts. Helping people with various body shapes find what works for them. I really upgraded when I went from working Tabi to working at Roots. During my first year at the MicMac store, I started to really get into fashion, but it wasn't until I joined the Spring Garden store that I was hooked. Partly it was because of the girls I worked with, and partly because the Spring Garden store had such a larger selection than the MicMac store.
I was no fashionable when I was a teen. I pretty much rebelled and went the opposite way that most girls went. I remember spending grade 5 and grade 6 living in black leggings and super baggy t-shirts. I didn't want to look like everyone else. I didn't want to wear kaki pants. Then I went further away from the others. I dabbled in super baggy pants. I work tank tops with flannel shirts overtop. I went from only wearing leggings to only wearing jeans. I was almost in high school before I joined the "short t shirt" club instead of always wearing mens' shirts. Then high school....... oh dear.

Actually I look back and love it. I was an individual. My friends were all individuals. We didn't care if we wore the latest look, instead we enjoyed being ourselves. I think this is one of the main reasons why we are pretty much all still friends. We had figured out who we were and embraced it. I went through a period with some purple streaks in my hair (c/o some purple kool-aid - my mom was not impressed). Bracelets were one of my loves. I wore them everyday from wrist to elbow. I had a pair of mens jeans (they were so comfy!). I did own pleather. I had a shirt made of netting. University I wore a lot of Roots (because I wore it to work before or after class and didn't want to change).

I feel that by working with clothing (and trying EVERYTHING on) you get a good sense for what works on you and what doesn't. I'm a huge believer in trying things on. I know now that I have a super long torso so all those short t-shirts don't work on me (on other people they hit at your belt line, on me the hit at my belly button). I am curvy. I have to be careful about pockets. Working at Garage was an interesting experience as they are geared towards young teens.... thing 12, 13, 14 year olds..... I was 23, 24 working there. Again, working there you have to wear the clothing so you figure out what works for you and how to make something match you instead of you matching the clothes (been 16 once, don't want to look like I'm still 16 - although I have been asked if I am a high school student volunteer at some schools that I work at). I've learned not to really care what size the label says - it doesn't matter. What matters is that you like what you are wearing and that you look good in it.

I love leggings (I think it kinda brings me back to when I was little). I'm on the fence about jeggings but mostly because I have yet to see a good version of them. If a pair had the right wash and look, I might pick a pair up. I love dresses for work. I have lots of cute flats and a few pairs of nice heels (still scared of them since I sprained my ankle). I do shop too much because I get an idea into my head or when I see something I can picture an outfit that I need to have and wear. I'm trying to streamline my closet with pieces that I can wear for work and wear when I'm going out with friends. It is slowly working.

While fashion blogs are awesome ways to get ideas of how to wear something or what is "in style" I have mixed feelings about them. I like reading them but some of them are all about just taking a picture and showing people what they are wearing everyday. I like to look good... but I don't look picture perfect every single day. If I'm just going to the laundromat, I'll just throw whatever on and pull my hair back. Makeup? Ha! Not unless it is a super special occasion. That said I'll still continue to read them. :)

I'll end this with a question.... what is your favourite item(s) in your closet? Can be a new item or old one.
Mine are my brand new Steve Madden black heels. They have a small heel (1.5") and a round toe. The heel is also a bit thicker (not chunky but not skinny like stilettos). I also love my purple bench hoodie (because it is the best shade of purple!)

Oldies?

So I have the habit of making myself feel old by realizing that the kids I teach know nothing about the bands that I used to love. Check out some oldies below (They may not be "good" but they definitely bring back the memories).
P.S. You want these for yourselves, then check out iTunes :)


I totally used to know the whole dance to this one!



Again Kristen and I used to be able to do the dance :P


This song Screams Jr High Dances to me



I used to <3 Sugar Ray
This one screams Saint Anne's Trip to me... and that crazy time we went to the OLP concert and met up with people and had a fun but really random day.


Well this one is only because I recently saw the Movie "Date Night" and he was in it and he wasn't wearing a shirt.....

Adventure in PEI

Matt unfortunately has been working like crazy the past few months.  So last weekend when he had Sunday off, we went for an adventure. :) We headed up to the North Shore to a spot called "Thunder Cove". It's not that far from Charlottetown but is it ever pretty. Here are a few of my photos  from that day.

Now (hopefully) Back to Regular Blogging

Hi All!
This summer has gone by in a flash! Old Home Week starts tomorrow here on the island which here means that summer is pretty much over. There is an old folk lore that states that the wind always changes to come from the North during the Gold Cup and Saucer Races, to help push the horses on. All I know is that today feels like fall. There is a nip in the air.

So lets see, my summer... Well I worked a whole lot in May and June, then Matt and I headed down to my parents new cottage (literally across the street from the old family one my grandparents bought). It is so nice to be able to see the water and hear the waves at night. It is also a real house. Mom and Dad will probably be selling the place in Colby within the next year or two. They plan on keeping something in the city (apartment or condo) but want to enjoy the perks of my Dad's job and traveling everywhere. Plus visiting Lo/Seb in BC and Matt and I here in Charlottetown.

View from the Deck :)

New Cottage!

I spent a weekend in Halifax to attend Natalie and Dan's Wedding back in July. It was so much fun to see them get married since we all met at UMPI  and were there at the beginning of their relationship. The UMPI crew had a great reunion at the wedding and in our hotel room.  It was so much fun to see everyone and hear all their stories. It sometimes feels like so much has happened since Maine, but then it also seems like no time at all has passed.

Hannah, Erin, Shannon and I getting ready for the reception

The next big thing that happened this summer was that my little sister Laura got Married!  I'll post more pictures on that later but she was such a happy bride and so excited to be starting her life with Sebastien. She had a super day for a wedding (although Dad would say it was a bit too hot). As I type this, she and Seb are now driving across Canada to their new home in Victoria. 

Steve (bestman), Seb, Pascal (groomsman) and of course, Lo 

Trip to Toronto

I want to figure out and be able to make custom blog designs and layouts. I love doing digital scrapbooking so this really shouldn't be a huge leap yet for some reason I can't find out enough information on how to do it. BOO! Its the combination of the art and the programming that I like the idea of .... hopefully I'll figure it out someday.

So a few weekends ago, Mom and I went up to Toronto for two nights to go to Steve's Wedding. I've known Steve since we were babies and we were really lucky to stay good friends even when he and his family moved to New Orleans at the end of Grade 8. We had a great time, did some shopping on Friday after we arrived, met up with Step

h in downtown Toronto on Saturday before the wedding then went to a great wedding reception.

Steph and I at St. Lawrence Market

CN Tower

Steve and Jenn's First Dance as Husband and Wife

Steve and I

Easter

Somedays I think I need to get a life... other days I think I have too much of a life. I think it all works out in the end.... right?

Matt and I had a wonderful, quiet Easter here in Charlottetown. I did a big Ham and lots of veggies and it turned out really good if I do say so myself. The only huge downside was that on Thursday night, someone stole our license plate off the back of our car. So I had to report it. Then Saturday I was doing a quick errand when I got caught diving my car (with no plates which they told me I could do when I reported it stolen) and given a warning ticket. So for the rest of Saturday, all day Sunday and all day Monday we did not drive anywhere. It was gorgeous out, so it wasn't really a big deal until I realized I had to coach swim team on Monday at 5pm up at CARI (by UPEI) and I live downtown near the water..... took around 45 minutes each way to walk there and I only had one kid there to coach! Got a new plate yesterday (and was a few minutes late for work which as most of you know I HATE being late for anything) and then today I found 1/2 of the old plate on a neighbour's lawn. It was missing the last digit (2) and the registration sticker. I guess its okay that they only wanted the sticker and my old plate is not going to be used for some crime... right?

In other news I've joined the gym again. Since I'm subbing and getting random hours/days, I figured I needed something productive to do other than shopping, when I don't work. I joined last Thursday and have gone every day except yesterday (too busy with Work and getting the license plate stuff and band concert). My goal it to keep me moving so I try to do a day of cardio then a day of cardio and either arms/legs. For cardio I've been doing 20 minutes on the elliptical, 20 minutes of the bike and some swimming (normally 50 lengths of their 15m pool but today I only did 20 since I was tired and walked to/from the gym).

Oh! I've made Matt an icecream cake from scratch for his birthday tonight. I HOPE it turns out well...... it was a bit messy to put together. He specifically asked for one 'cause he knows I can have ice cream but not DQ cakes because the chocolate crumbs in the middle are made from wheat cookies and have gluten. I wanted to do curry for supper (one of his favorites) but the mix I normally use was sold out at Sobey's. I'm going to try the other Sobey's before or after swim team and hope they have it. If not I guess we can have leftover ham :P

March Break

So it is March Break and it is starting to feel like spring. I really do enjoy spring. The days are getting longer, the sun is nice and warm and strong. Watching the world come to life again. There are bits I don't like.... like the mud everywhere, but this year I have invested in a nice pair of rain boots. I love them. Got them at my current favourite store... Winners. They are nice and tall, brown and pink with polkadots of various other colours. Everyone who has seen them thinks they are very me. I couldn't NOT buy them for $25. Winners has been having a lot of really nice things or rather I've been finding all the really nice things there lately. I'm still rocking the dresses. I have so many.. oops. But they are so nice and comfy to wear but they look nicer than a t and jeans. Plus many can be dressed up for work with the right accessories.

Nothing really happening on the job front other than they are trying to hire french immersion teachers now. So I'm making up my cover letter and editing my resume. Subbing has been going okay - some weeks I've been getting a lot of work and other weeks hardly any. I'm glad this week is March Break, I had to have a tooth extracted on Monday and have been sore and swollen ever since. So I'm kinda glad I don't have to turn down work or have to explain to the kids why I don't want to be talking a lot.

Mom, Dad, Laura and Sebastien are coming up this weekend for a visit. Dad's birthday is on Sunday and he wanted us all to be together. I did offer to go home to Halifax but he decided to come up. They will come up on Saturday and we're going to go to Sims Steakhouse and Oyster bar for supper. They wont be staying at our place (too small for that) but will be staying at the Delta which is right downtown and only a few blocks from our place. It should be fun.

I love my family, I really do. But.... I'm getting sick and tired of them ALWAYS going "How are you feeling.... oh I/someone I know found this website about being gluten free"..... I'm the person who has celiac. I'm the person who has to live this. But you know what? For me, it is NOT hard. I don't miss bread. I really don't. I like to cook. It is easy to cook "traditional" meals with veggies and some sort of meat. They are naturally gluten-free and taste so yummy and tend to have leftovers. Its not like our meals are boring. I make spanish rice, chilli, Roast Beef (and stew from the leftovers), I've learned how to make gravy without flour. Stir fry's are good as long as I use a gluten-free Soya Sauce. I've finally found a good gluten-free pizza crust. Taco's are gluten free (as long as I use the hard shell kind). My food is healthy and natural. I love fruits and veggies. I'm making smoothies. I'm not starving like my Mom seems to think. I'm feeling good as long as I read the labels. I'm not wasting away... if anything I'm gaining weight since I LOVE food so much.

Impatient

I believe that everything happens for a reason but I'm getting impatient.
I want a full time/permanent job. I want our own house. I want Matt do be done this project and to be able to spend time with me instead of working 18 hour days and all weekends.
I am so fortunate to be getting a fair amount of work. I keep getting it at one of two schools which means I am getting to know the staff and students at these schools. I'm also making an effort to work on my french and to improve it. I'm getting into the habit of watching french tv when I'm home. Even if most of it is english shows that have been dubbed, it is still good practice. I'm also getting good at not only understanding what is going on but this week I've professed to the point where I can watch/listen to french tv while being on the web (perez, facebook, etc). I also have noticed an improvement in my french.... just on friday I was teaching grade 1 french immersion and at the end o the day the kids were colouring hearts to make a valentine's day wreath. I went over to check with one kid and said "ahhh vous avez cree une suite, rouge, rose, rouge, rose, rouge, rose" but all I could think afterwards was "wow my r's were really rolling and sounding good!" Oh also.... grade 1 french immersion, on a friday, of a week with mostly indoor recesses due to it being too cold out results in kids bouncing off the walls..... I mean grade 1's bounce on a good day but holy moly were they wild! I love it but by the end of the day, I was exhausted!!

I've also realized recently how much I LOVE cooking and baking. I don't try to do super complicated things, but still I do enjoy the time I spend in the kitchen. I don't have the luxury to be lazy anymore - as most "fast" foods contain gluten. I have to cook from scratch. Recently I've learned to make chilli, and tonight I made a pork roast for the first time. I've done pork chops but never a pork roast. I did it in my slow cooker which I love for doing roasts and chickens. Tonight's was a bit dry but that was because i forgot to put potatoes in the pot, so the stuffed potatoes took 40 minutes to cook in the oven. I've had great luck this winter in making applesauce from scratch. Not only is it pretty healthy, but it makes the apartment smell good AND is good hot and cold. I've also been trying to eat a lot more fruits and veggies for snacks/lunches. So far it has been working well although I feel weird to pull out my lunch and have an apple, an orange, some grapes, some carrots possibly some strawberries. I wont say I've given up on making a good gluten free bread, but have decided to do it on my time, instead of forcing myself to do it in order to have sandwiches for lunches. Rice cakes work well for a carb (which I do seem to crave) and the plain ones are good with bruchetta mix. I've still not tried to do my own flour mixing when doing gluten free baking , but have a few in the cupboard that I want to try to use. I've been keeping with mixes as I feel they have better turnout rate.... although really its only been like 50/50 at the moment. I also have learned that I need a few more basics for my kitchen.... like a dutch oven and a proper round cake pan.... you should see me using my corningware to make a cake :P It works and that's all that counts.

Lazy Saturday

So today is Saturday, January 2, 2010, a palindrome if you write it this way 01/01/2010 (same backwards and forwards!)
Matt and I had a lazy day, although it did not start that nicely for me. See Matt is a night owl and loves to sleep in, so since he has been on vacation, he has gotten into the bad habit of staying up way too late and sleeping most of the day away. Since vacation is almost over (boo!) he decided to start setting his alarm for earlier times to get him into the habit of getting up before noon (good idea for work, right?). So this morning as I've decided to go back to sleep since I'm battling a cold, his alarm goes off at 10am and keeps going off for a long, long time. Of course then I couldn't get back to sleep and he is dead to the world. Go figure. At noon I finally went to get him up and moving as we had a few errands that we wanted to do today. Nothing really big or serious. I wanted to go to the Mall to pick up a few things and he needed to exchange a video game from ps3 to xbox and we needed to go get a few things at the grocery store.
After that we came back and I watched some of the Torchwood/Dr Who marathon on Space and made some hodgepodge Chilli - I stuffed it full of al kinds of veggies and ground beed and beans and such. It was so good for supper. Plus there are lots of leftovers. So now we have beef stew leftovers and chilli leftovers for this coming week. I love leftovers for supper during the week... just heat up and go! My weeknights tend to be quite busy with swimteam and such that not having to worry about what to make or being able to make it quickly is certainly a plus. Also with all my food issues, knowing for sure what is in my supper is also good to know.
I had some pictures to post but I'm being lazy and don't want to go into the next room to get my camera cable, so they will be posted later.
Hope everyone is nice and bundles up at home. It is only really windy here but there is the chance of snow/rain/ice..... seriously I enjoy the weather way too much! :P

Welcome 2010

It is the first day of the new year and I am looking forward to what the fates have in store for me.
2009 was a memorable year and while I would not change anything, I am glad it is over.
I started the year by wanting to take a photo each day... that only lasted 30 odd days. I started substitute teaching. I had pneumonia, I was luck enough to get two contracts teaching at two different schools, I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, I knit my first pair of socks, I went to Florida and Disney with Matt, started speaking french again, had my first summer off as a teacher, started taking and loving yoga classes, and severely sprained my ankle.
There are so many things that are going to happen in this next year and I'm sure the year will fly by as quickly as the last. I do have some dreams and hopes for this coming year.... to get a full time permeant placement, to hopefully go on a fun trip, to maybe even get a new car and possibly apartment. As for resolutions.. I don't really have any. I want to continue putting myself first with my diet, exercise and wellbeing. I want to continue to eat healthy (which isn't really a choice but a necessity.... No Barley, Rye, Oats or Wheat due to Celiac and limited Milk and eggs due to slight intolerance/allergy).

I've been having some trouble with gluten-free baking. I'm okay with the everyday cooking but its when I try to make bread or other treats that I am having some troubles. In "normal" baking, gluten (found typically in your flour) is what gives viscosity and extensibility to the dough. If you have added yeast (say for bread) then gluten allows for the carbon dioxide bubbles given off by the yeast to be trapped, making it rise. After baking, gluten stabilized the final shape of whatever you are baking. This makes gluten free baking hard. You have to use various different types of flour (corn flour, rice flour, tapioca flour, potato flour, etc.) So far I've been experimenting with different brands of mixes (think like a cake mix). Some have turned out alright but others.... well not so good. I find the dough can be really sticky and hard to work with when mixing or shaping into a loaf of bread or into biscuits. Most have turned out in the end pretty edible but not great and nothing like the "real" thing. Oh well.
I was very lucky to be gifted with a lot of gluten free products for christmas, mixes and such, so I can't wait to try some of them.