sticks in the park

Hiii! Thanks for stopping by my blog. My posts here have been non-existent for the past few weeks because, as I mentioned earlier, my computer was dying on me, little by little. This weekend was the last straw. This girl 'needs' internet.

A couple of weeks ago, Abby, the boys & I headed outside after work for some play time in the park. I am definitely appreciating the extra few hours of sunshine in the evenings. It's hard to believe that just a month ago it got dark at five and now the sun doesn't seem to set until after eight. I used to see Spring as a rainy, muddy pit stop that stood between me and summer, but I'm learning to appreciate it more.

While the boys tossed around the football, Abby & I romped around a bit.

Although Victoria Park isn't technically a 'dog park', lots of owners give their pups some off leash time here. I'm a little hesitant to let her off-leash unless there is another dog to keep her close. She is so easily distracted and tends to wander jet off at high speed when she gets her first taste of freedom. Luckily for her, though, there were a ton of sticks laying around so I decided to chance giving her some freedom. Luckily for me, it worked!

I leave the leash on her, so she's easier to grab.

When we try to play with her outside, whether it's with a ball, bone or her favorite stuffie, she wants nothing to do with us; but all we have to do is find the biggest, baddest stick and she is all over us. She is a wild-dog through and through.

I hope you all have a lovely, relaxing Sunday!

technical difficulties: round three

I think you should know that my computer is dying a slow and painful death. On top of getting a new hard-drive to the tune of $200 in January, my power cord recently decided to give out on me.
Thankfully, the roommate B has an old Dell, so I've borrowed his cord in the interim.

Un-thankfully, I also have a persistent parasite of a Java virus that refuses to let me use Firefox or upload photos. Oh, and I should mention that it's been exceptionally well trained in the art of hiding from my anti-virus software.

In two days, D & I are making the hour long bus ride to the Best Buy across the bridge. In two days, I will be around $1000 poorer. And, in two days, I can write a proper blog post.

Woe is me.

Love,
Janelle

turquoise & caicos: late night manicure.

I had this semi-intellectual post planned for today about recent books I've read and ones I hope to read soon.

Instead, I'm sharing how painted my nails tonight. And yes, this warrants an entire post because I haven't had them painted since November (Gasp!). I used to do my nails in this style all of the time. It was my signature style in sophomore year of my undergrad: diagonal color stripe with silver sparkle bottoms.

Don't look too close or you'll see the smudges.

This type of manicure looks fancier but it's actually easier for me. My cuticles are a jaggedy (made up word?) hot mess all of the time, so by doing clear sparkles on the bottom and colour only on the tips I don't need to worry about smeared polish on my skin. This works for me!

To get a similar look, place scotch tape mid-nail on the diagonal. Paint two thin coats of colored polish & peel scotch tape off before 2nd coat dries. Carefully fill in the bottom half of nails with clear, silver or coloured sparkles, doing extra coats if needed. Follow with a glossy top coat for lots of shine and staying power.

I don't always paint my fingernails, although I normally keep my toes painted in the summer. On my fingernails, I tend to go either completely bare or something extravagant. How about you?

 

Pssst: I'll be away this weekend to visit a close friend in my former university-town, so don't expect any noise around here until Monday. Hope you all have a great long weekend and that you get to enjoy some quality time with your loved ones. xoxo

easy mondays

I haven't quite been feeling well since late last week, but it's nothing more than a nuisance. I've got a bit of chest congestion and an occasionally nasty-sounding cough, but I've managed to avoid most of the icky symptoms most colds/flus bring like headaches, all kinds of nasal problems and body aches. That's great and all, but I somehow managed to get a tiny canker on the inside of my lip. Where the heck did that come from? I rarely ever get them, maybe once every 3-5 years.

The whole point of me filling you in on my minor sickness is to show you what I bought to treat myself. Do you guys do that, buy yourself something nice to make you feel better? At least this time my gift to myself has a meaningful purpose. I bought some tea from David's Tea! Nothing like hot tea to soothe a scratchy throat...

I brewed myself a cup of the oolong as soon as I got home and I must say, it was pretty flavorful. The peachy, nutty smell was so inviting! The flavour was not as intense as I would have liked, but next time I'll just steep it a bit longer. I drank it in bed while reading a few pages of my newest library find and chatting with D while he folded some laundry.

And this is how I ended my night.

Cuddled up on the couch with my unusually affectionate dog, sketching my future home, making fun of Cee-Lo's crazy outfit on the Voice and eating sour cream and onion chips. Perfect.

As much as I lament (and dread) Mondays, sometimes they just aren't so bad. Sometimes they're pretty good.

summer wish list 2012

Why is it that every Spring, I am convinced that I have no summer clothes? Where do all of these summer clothes go over the winter? I'm fairly certain it's my mind's way in rationalizing my need desire for new clothes. Or just an excuse to go shopping. Either way, here's what I'm lusting after for this summer.

Summer Wish List 2012

1. A navy maxi skirt

I've always been intrigued by the maxi skirt trend, but I never thought I could pull it off. I am a short-average height and always thought they would make me look stumpy. This is aside from the fact that I never knew how to style one without looking like a hobo. Enter Pinterest.

5 inch and up via pinterest

morgan and lua via Pinterest

cheyenne meets chanel via Pinterest

After searching for a while and being unable to find what I was looking for I bought this tea-length navy skirt from Old Navy last weekend. 

It hits me mid calf & has the perfect amount of swing. I plan on pairing it with a tight white lace tank or a colorful silk tank. I actually like that it's a bit shorter, showing a little leg! If I can find a colorful maxi for cheap before the summer rolls around, I may have to get that too, but for now I'll consider this item checked off the list!

2. A light-weight blouse

I also bought one of these last weekend. Specifically, this one from Smart Set.

It's actuallly a burnt orange colour, not red as it looks here. I love these blouses because they are beyond comfortable, keep me cool in warmer weather and can have a dressier look when paired with a good necklace and accessories. This one also has some ruched detailing in the back which makes it drape in a flattering way.

3. Bright coloured wedges

I want ones exactly like these, which Megan from Honey We're Home found at Target for $30. What a great find! I would also take them in yellow, peach or even green. So cute!

4. White lace dress

I finally found one I liked that was in my price range, actually way below it. I scooped up a lined white lace tank dress from Stitches last weekend for $13. I'll be sure to post a photo as soon as my camera is charged up again!

5. High-waisted bathing suit
I know you're probably thinking ugly, high leg cut, aerobics, 70's style but trust me! I'm actually pretty excited to try out this trend. My rule for keeping the look modern is make sure to show your belly button. Otherwise, you end up looking like you don't have one.

I can't find a picture of the exact shape of high-waisted hipster bottoms I'm looking for but these are close. They're pretty much the perfect shape for me.

via Asos

 For my body shape having the lower cut leg is the most flattering and I actually really like the ruching. I'm undecided on the red ones, but I think they could have potential paired with a white, string halter top. As for the blue patterned ones, I love them! I'd pair them with a white or navy wide halter top. I'm on the look out...

A few minutes later I found these ones from Forever21 for only $10, but they're sold out. These are exactly what I want!

6. A few chiffon/silk tanks

Basics, but dialed up a notch. I'm hoping for mint green, white and berry.

What's on your summer wish list? Will you be trying out any new trends? Leave me some comment love :)