Online Gems

So I realize money does not buy happiness but oh the things I would buy if I had more of it. Most people know that I am a jewelery addict. I spend far too much time looking at jewelery only to realize I really can't justify buying most of it. For almost any accessory I say the more extravagant, the better!--- which usually means my taste ends up costing quite the pretty penny. My biggest weakness is rings! I swoon at the sight of a huge statement ring, or a double or triple fingered ring-- some people call them tacky-- but there can never be quite enough embellishments!
I thought I would give you a look at some of the things I've found online and kept my eye on lately!

Earrings:
I actually keep things pretty simple when it comes to earrings. My hair is down most of the time so earrings kind of get lost behind all of the curls.

So this is called an ear cuff. I'm not sure if I'd actually wear one but I thought I'd show you guys and see what you think?!


These are the 'I Ain't Lion Earrings' from Modcloth.com-- My dad used to call me lion because of my mane of red curls so I've always had a soft spot for them. Plus these are just so regal!


These are from a really cute website called Spottedmoth.com that Thea showed me. Maybe these go back to my love for The Little Mermaid.


Bracelets:
I recently started wearing bracelets again when I found a vintage gold charm bracelet of my moms-- I broke one of the charms and now I can't wear it for fear I'll break more. Now I'm on the look out for a similar one.

Combine my new love for charm bracelets with my love of the preppy-style crests and you've got a winner!


I just think this fox is so cute and unique!


Talk about a splurge and a half-- This vintage Chanel bracelet is $1,267.14!!


Necklaces:
I find necklaces kinda awkward to wear because sometimes when they go over top of my shirt I feel like a grandma-- does anyone else have this problem? So the necklace either has to be super long or shorter than the top of my shirt.
If I could get away with it I would love to wear more necklaces like this one:
This is called a 'Cross Harness' and I think its soo cool that it wraps around the body. Micalla (at Ottawa Fashion Week) had some amazing pieces that almost looked like tops in their own right!


Possibly my favourite necklace EVER! I've thought about making it but I dont think my craft skills are up to par-- I've had my eye on it for a couple years but just cant justify it.


Rings:
Rings are by far my favourite! These are just a couple cool examples (the list could seriously go on and on and on... and on!)

This one screams Lady Gaga (well subtle Lady Gaga anyways) Its a hinged metal armour ring and its wicked!


This is a Juicy Couture cluster ring with pearls-- its so pretty and feminine but is still a nice big size.


I want a link ring sooo badly!!!


This is the 'One in a Million' Ring from Modcloth-- Its like 300$ but its soo cool. I wonder if it would stay on well?


Other:
I am in love with this removable epaulette brooch I found on ASOS.com-- I am addicted to epaulettes on my tops and this is a genius idea because you can add it to every top! Good thing I don't own it because I'd be tempted to do just that!


I think its a good thing I'm not rich because this would be NECESSARY for my Lady Gaga costume--- Its $422! Buying this for cheap is silly.. buying it for that much is a crime!

Aimee told me that I could do anything with my day off except online shop and write on my blog-- I found a way of doing both! oops! If I could find a job doing this, oh the happy girl I'd be!

Melody made me Smokin!

Working at HUSH means that I not only get to meet lots of really cool people on a regular basis, but it also means I get a lot of amazing and fun opportunities! Yesterday was no exception!!
Melody is a freelance makeup artist who has been a part of several HUSH events and workshops. She is also a beauty expert for Rogers Daytime TV and does regular segments on their show. This week she was showing the viewers how to do Metallic Smoky Eyes (aka combining the metallic trend that is so hot and popular right now with the more classic Smoky eyes). So lucky me, I got to play model for the morning and get my make up done for the day!

We got to the studio early so that Melody could prep my face for TV. She 'smokified' one of my eyes and left the other one so she could show everyone on the air.

Melody and I right before the show. One eye down, one to go!

Then right before we went on air, Melody stuck a white adhesive pad under my eye. I am completely blanking on what these are called because I lovingly referred to them as eye bibs and neglected to remember their original name-- shameful I know! Basically they stick out so they are a little plate under your eye, so when the dark makeup is applied, none of it gets all over your face-- eliminating a mess and saving time!!

I sat between Melody and TL (the spunky and amazing co-host of Rogers Daytime), so that Melody could apply the makeup and show everyone how the Smoky eye is done. The coolest part was that instead of using a gray tone (which is what I think of when I think smoky eye), she used bronze and gold metallic tones-- which I love!! Those go much better with my skin tone and hair colour anyways, plus it adds an interesting element and something different!


The segment was almost 10minutes and yet at the end of it I could have sworn it was under five-- it went by super super quickly!!
I enjoyed every minute of it and loved what Melody did! She is one of those people that just exudes confidence and you can tell she's comfortable in her skin, which is so refreshing! Now that she's done my make up once, I'm not sure how I will ever leave my house in the morning without her. I loved my accented eyes -- obviously-- but funnily enough my absolute favourite part was the evenness of my skin tone. It's a good day if I put concealer under my eyes, but she used foundation, concealer, eye primer and even under eye brightener! It takes longer but I think its worth it-- I think there may be a new convert to the makeup world!


Here is a link to Melody's blog and the products that she used on my eyes:
Melody & Jezebel: Metallic Smoky Eyes w/ Urban Decay, NYX & E.L.F.

I even scored mascara out of it--> New 'Hyperlash' by Smashbox-- try it you'll love it!!
Thanks so much Melody, I had a blast!!
-B

Always a Bridesmaid...

Nowadays when a bride asks someone to be her bridesmaid, it usually involves helping out with wedding prep., maybe planning a party or two and wearing a dress that matches the tablecloths.

These are all harmless things so naturally the friend accepts without putting much thought into it. What she fails to consider are the century old superstitions that come along with the role of the Bridesmaid and the risks that they involve.
There has been evidence of the role of the bridesmaid for thousands of years. According to pagan folklore, the original purpose of bridesmaid's was to confuse evil spirits from bringing bad luck to the bride on her wedding day. Despite this risk, these bridesmaid's viewed their position as an honour because of the protection they were bringing their friend by putting themselves in danger of bad luck.
And yet since that time the role has completely shifted.
This brings to mind the old adage 'Three Times a Bridesmaid, Never a Bride'. It is possible that this phrase came from the fact that putting yourself in that dangerous position three times, ultimately jeopardizes your own chances at a happy marriage.

As well, part of what it means to be a Bridesmaid is to get all dressed up and put on display. During the sixteenth century, it was believed that if no one thought you were desirable after looking your best at three different weddings, you'd have no chance of ever marrying!
The phrase has now come to refer to someone who often gets second place but can never quite win, leaving single women all over to feel like they can never quite measure up. Thus, the risk of being a bridesmaid has switched from a physical risk to risking your social status and possibly self esteem! Other silly myths and superstitions have come around to compensate for this: If a single woman catches the bouquet, she will be the next to marry. If a bridesmaid sleeps with a piece of wedding cake under her pillow she will dream about her future husband.


The reason I've been thinking about this at all is because I, myself have been a bridesmaid three times and I am coming up on my fourth time with Aimee's wedding.

My first time as a bridesmaid was in 2004, when I was16 for my oldest sister Andrea and her husband Max. (Apparently during a time before digital cameras were invented. Read: No picture of me in the gorgeous Navy full length dress I wore)

My second time as a bridesmaid was in 2008 for my best friend Angela.

Another risk is that Brides may do things like this!


My third time as a bridesmaid was this past summer for my best friend Marieve.

Me, Marieve, Meredith and Jessica.

Can you tell that I completely adored these outfits?! A skirt is revolutionary as an amazing bridesmaid outfit!! Love!

All were gorgeous weddings and I have been very lucky to have had nice bridesmaid dresses/outfits!
Now that its my fourth time being a bridesmaid, a new adage comes to mind "ALWAYS a bridesmaid, never a bride". This saying has been around since the middle of the 19th century. People have sung about it, written about it and even used it in advertising campaigns!

In 1927, Listerine benefited from single women wanting to get married by telling them the reason they weren't married was because of Chronic Halitosis (a word the company made up!) --- a.k.a women were single because of bad breath!



One ad specifically geared towards weddings was of a woman named Edna.

"Edna's case was really a pathetic one. Like every woman, her primary ambition was to marry. Most of the girls of her set were married-- or about to be. Yet not one possessed more grace or charm or loveliness than she.
And as her birthdays crept gradually toward that tragic thirty-mark, marriage seemed farther from her life than ever. She was often a bridesmaid but never a bride.
* * *
That's the insidious thing about halitosis (unpleasant breath). You, yourself, rarely know when you have it. And even your closest friends won't tell you. "

I feel like I could write a-whole-nother blog about that ad: Women's primary ambition is marriage, the tragic thirty-mark.. Sounds eerily familiar! Good thing Listerine will solve all of these problems!

Now does this mean that since I have been a bridesmaid three times that I am entirely without hope of ever marrying?
Luckily for me, apparently there is a twist to the old three times a bridesmaid, never a bride--- If a woman is a bridesmaid seven times, she will marry very happily! (Or is it 27 times?) I guess I will have to find some more friends! ;)

Besides the wonderful ladies that I have had the honour of 'maiding to' are definitely all worth any risks that may come my way as a result!
-B

The Fashion Keeper: Glamorous night at Hush Clothes

Hey Guys!
I guest starred on a local Ottawa Blog and so I thought I'd share it with you!
She is super sweet and she wrote all about HUSH's latest Holiday Party--- with pictures (including one of me!)
I put my value village dress to good use that night.. and luckily it came bedazzled so I didnt even have to add the details.. just a few safety pins and voila!
The Fashion Keeper: Glamorous night at Hush Clothes

I saw the night through a different set of eyes since I was working the party. The store was jam packed and crazy busy all night! There were a bunch of HUSH regulars so it was super fun to get to catch up with everyone and a couple of girls I know even showed up. Free manicures, Free makeup, Free treats-- 20% off discounts! Its probably a good thing I was working to keep me from buying anything!! I hope we do it again next year because it was a hit!!

-B