What Im Wearing

I am in fact alive - nobody panic!

Ive been really lucky, and found myself working a tonne! Besides freelance stuff, I/m now working at a really cool boutique in Inglewood that combines shopping and professional styling in a really positive, self loving environment! Check us out @ espyexperience.com. Follow us on instagram, facebook and twitter!

Working in a place where people trust you to tell them what to wear, makes my wardrobe an even more essential part of how i present myself. The idea isnt to look overly professional in the traditional sense, nor so "trendy" that your look becomes intimidating or fussy. Ideally you want to look current and quintessentially like YOURSELF - your clothes should reflect your mood, personality and obviously FIT well.

Heres some looks Ive worn in the past little while (some for work, some not)

*Confession - most of the following outfits are the result of a very successful trip to Forever21 in Chinook Center. Tonnes of inexpensive pieces to add into a summer wardrobe! PLUS Mario and I recently booked our first trip to mexico, so most of my purchases had summer/vacation in mind! WOOHOOO!!

LOVE Tshirt - Forever21

Legging - H&M

Peach collared Hi/Lo Shirt - Suzy Shier (15 bucks in tonnes of colours!)

Necklace - Joe Fresh

Wide Brimmed Fedora - H&M 

Black knit tank - espy 

*The classic palette of the fedora will make it super easy and versatile for summer days! A great way to finish a simple denim short & Tshirt Plus the wide brim updates the style, and makes it feel a little more bohemian!*

Jack Daniels Tee - Mario's (DIY project!)

Pink Jeans - Garage

Necklace - Vintage

*Old Tees should always be given new life before you throw them out! (at least try) Cutting, Sewing, Re purposing is easier than you think! Google it!*

Bandana Scarf - espy

Black Tshirt Dress - H&M

Boots - ALDO

*This dress is amazing for lounging around, layering, its easy to dress up, AND will be great with boots/flats/sandals!

This is a little sneak peek from our Espy 'era' photoshoot. The shots turned out amazing and the best news is that I got to keep this incredible vintage dress!

Thanks Christy Swanson and Cole Hofstra!

Pan Fried Tuna 'crabcakes' with Spicy Mayo

HEY GUUYS!
It's been a while huh? Mario and I have been so busy getting our lives together here, that my fun blog project took a backseat! NO MORE! Im back baybee!

I've gotten a full time position styling at espy and have been adjusting to working again and planning Marios Birthday! *Video to be posted* It feels great to be working again, making connections and meeting people in our new city, makes it feel much more like a home! SO - I'm back blogging everyday and I thought I'd start with todays dinner!

Outfits to come - but were gonna start with this super surprising WINNER! TUNACAKES! sounds only aaaight - but tastes wicked!

YOU WILL NEED:
2 cans of tuna (flaked)
1 squirt of mustard
2tbsp mayo
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1 egg
1/4 FINELY chopped onion
1/4 finely chopped green pepper
1tsp seasoning salt (or salt and pepper)
1 tsp chilli flakes


SPICY MAYO - combine mayo and hot sauce to your taste!

1. combine all patty ingredients in a bowl (be sure they bind together nicely - adding extra mayo or breadcrumbs respectively)
2. form into patties
3. fry on medium heat (3minutes per side)

DONE!! Serve with Salad and Spicy Mayo!

What Im Wearing

Far too much romance for blogging this weekend folks! Mario and I discovered $3.25 Pints @ Hudson's on  13th Ave SW and 4th St, sampled delicious baked goods at Sunterra Market on 1st SE and hit the Glenbow Museum for Fred Herzog's Street Photography exhibit - really worth checking out.

It was a warm day in our so called frigid city... no need for a jacket. So naturally the question becomes, which sweater?? With a pair of light floral jeans, I like to keep the top within the same tonal family to avoid it looking too fussy.

Pants, Bluenotes

Sweater, Kohls

Sweater, Winners

Sweater, H&M

FYI - Didnt end up wearing any of these. Wore black jeans, blue mens button up, navy knit on top w/ combat boots and beanie. Preppy AND edgy.

What's For Dinner - EASY Mushroom Chicken

Since tomorrow is 'Grocery Shopping Day' - tonight's  dinner had to come entirely from the pantry/freezer. This recipe is simple, rich tasting and the oven really does the work for you. You can serve your mushroom chicken with mashed potatoes/vegetables or rice, but I'm making mine with egg noodles and some extra veggies.

 OVEN @ 350

YOU WILL NEED:
Splash Olive Oil
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can sliced mushrooms **Chopped fresh mushrooms are better if you have them
1 cup Milk
1 Clove Garlic CHOPPED
1/2 cup Grated cheese
1/2 package egg noodles
1 zucchini chopped
S&P + 2 tsp poultry seasoning

1. Rub S&P and poultry seasoning onto chicken and brown in a skillet with a small amount of olive oil.
2. Place browned chicken in baking dish with vegetables.
2. Combine milk and soup, garlic, and cheese and pour over Chicken and Veg
3. Bake for 40 minutes or until chicken is cooked through
4. Serve over egg noodles/mashed potatoes or rice + a big salad.

What I'm Wearing

This was the first thing I tried on this morning, but my hopes for bare thighs were dashed when I opened the balcony door. BRR!

Doesn't change the fact that I love the combo of the sexy body-con dress and thigh highs with decidedly un-sexy accessories like a military jacket and beanie. This type of juxtaposition always makes for an interesting outfit, and is a super easy styling trick to try with your own closet.

Dress, Joe Fresh

Socks, Jacket, Glasses, H&M

Hat, Ardene

I ended up in my coziest ZARA sweater with a pair of TOIGHT grey skinnies - I topped it with a matte black down jacket cut like a motorcycle jacket. 

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Jeans, Tote, Glasses, H&M 

Boots, ALDO

Hat, Ardene

Sweater, ZARA

  Back home later this afternoon, I wanted something a little comfier. If I were wearing it out, I would add something dramatic at the neck, and wear with my fave little booties. Its a simple navy blue knit which I picked up on sale recently (between seasons is THE best time to get deals!), paired with a pair of Uh-mazing pants I found at WalMart if you can believe it! theyre a loose fit, in a light cotton, with a great ethnic print and a  paperbag waist.

Sweater, Laura

Pants, Walmart

Boots, ALDO

20 Minute *light* Carbonara!

This is one of our all time comfort foods, and a go-to on a cold day. Its suuper simple, even though it looks like a restaurant dish! Ready in 20 minutes, and all the ingredients are in your kitchen!

YOU WILL NEED:

Spaghetti

Bacon/Pancetta

4 eggs

1 cup milk

1 cup pecorino/Parmesan Reggiano

S&P

1TSP Parsely 

1. *Timing is important here* Heat skillet to medium/high and bring pot of water to a boil.

2. Put bacon/Pancetta in skillet, and drop pasta.

3. MEANWHILE - mix cheese, milk, pepper, salt, parsely, and egg WHITES in a bowl *set yolks aside in separate bowl*

 4. When bacon/pancetta is done, chop and SAVE fat. When pasta is done - drain and return to (low heat) pot.
5. Moving quickly - add fat, pancetta, and sauce mixture into pasta. Stir to combine
6. Egg yolks will thicken sauce as you stir into pasta.
7. Portion into bowls, topping each with egg yolk, parmesan, and parsely.

**SERVE IMMEDIATELY - heat will cook yolk as you stir it into the pasta!** 

Bedroom Headboard DIY

Today I came across this IKEA meter fabric I had saved during the move - I KNEW I'd find a home for it.
Ideally, I would stretch it on a large canvas stretcher, or use it to upholster a simple headboard - but since we are renting and on a limited budget as we save for a house - we hung it from floor to ceiling for HUGE impact and NO cost.

For me, there is nothing sexier than a soft set of WHITE sheets. I got this set from Joe Fresh, a great quality waffle knit cotton that makes our down comforter feel even more luxe. I like to keep my bedroom simple, and throughout my (many) moves - often stick to black and white, bringing colour only with a few accessories. Here I use a Magenta silk pillow as the ONLY colour in the room. Everything else remains neutral and calm.

*The frames at the side of the bed need to be hung. However I will hang them behind the lamps, as opposed to eye height as usual. It makes it feel more personal, as if they are meant to be on the bedside table.