Monthly Archives: June 2011

On Turning 26*

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Shop Girl| 6 Comments

Today is my 26th birthday.

I was nervous about turning 26–it just seemed to make adulthood so… official. I remember my 16th birthday so vividly; how is it even possible that it’s been 10 years?

Ten glorious years.

I realized today that I have absolutely no regrets, and the future holds so much promise. Today I decided not look at 26 with anxiety, but with anticipation.

I have a feeling that 26 is going to be an exciting year for me. We are now homeowners and are continually progressing in our careers. I have the best niece and nephew that anyone could ask for, and my family continues to amaze me with how awesome they are. I have finally found an incredible, supportive group of girlfriends that I love, and I am married to my best friend and love of my life, who continues to surprise me as we continue to grow and learn things about each other.

I am working at a job that I love with all my heart for the first time in 10 years. I am excited to get up in the morning and go to work.

(Most days.)

Last year was amazing, and I think twenty-six will just be an extension of the magic that was 25.

…and today has pushed it off to a wonderful start.

I was up and out the door early as Value Village decided to celebrate my birthday with a half price day! I went early to try and avoid some of the madness, and walked out shortly after with four cute tops for $11. I spent the rest of the day enjoying a lazy, relaxing day at home, and tonight we are going to do something I’ve wanted to my whole life–we’re going to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

I bought these tickets months ago and I am SO excited.

In fact, we’re heading out the door right now.

Thank you so much for all your birthday wishes and love–it means the world to me!

I heart you all! xox

Posted in Exciting News*

Thrifty Thursday: Shorts & Shirts*

Posted on June 23, 2011 by Shop Girl| 2 Comments

Thank you.

I so appreciated all your words of advice and support regarding my last post. Many of you expressed an interest in wanting to know how I handled the situation, and after a lot of thought, I decided to let it go.

Should I have said something to this person? Maybe.

But I thought it would probably cause way more trouble than it’s worth. If they read my last post and even felt an uncomfortable twinge thinking that it may be them, then I’m good with that. If not… meh.

Not worth my time.

ANYWAY.

I am officially on summer holidays!!!!!! Let us pause for a moment and reflect on how magical this is.

(….)

I have had the laziest ever start to my holidays and it has felt so good. I finally caught up on my shows that I’ve missed since April.

(Umm… did you SEE the finale to Castle??? I sobbed. Heaving, enormous, crazy person sobs. HOLY FLIP.)

I rearranged my bedroom. When we moved in we basically just dropped all our furniture into places where they sort of fit and moved on to more pressing areas of the house. Yesterday I rearranged it to the way I wanted it, and made room for my dresser, which is finally underway! The Hubster has sanded the top for me, and next it’s off to the store to pick out some glossy white and grey paint! SO excited.

Also, I shopped. I shopped without time restraint. I shopped without feeling like my phone was going to ring at any second with a call to drag me back into work.

Today I drove over to my favourite Value Village in search for some summer wear, as well as my dress for July! The dresses were a bust, but I DID pick up a fab pair of shorts and a cute shirt!

I’m always on the hunt for cute, long shorts. I don’t feel that short shorts suit my body, and I love the look of a pair of shorts that falls just a smidge above the knee. So, when I tried these on I knew I had to have them on! They are a perfect fit.

After I picked these out I decided that probably needed a new shirt to go with them, right? Right. I found and loved this:

And here’s a close up of the detailing on the left shoulder:

Cute, no? It fits perfectly and is in like-new condition. WIN!

Then I found a pair of red patent Steve Madden pumps. In my size. for $10.

…that I didn’t buy. *sigh*

Ohhhh it was a struggle. I hemmed and I hawed for almost 15 minutes over these shoes. As you well know, I have long been searching for red shoes. My shoe collection is incomplete without them… and I was hoping that I could finally add a red pair to my closet.

I LOVED the round toe on the shoes, but I just wasn’t in love with the heel. This is basically what I want:

My Dream Red Pumps

The toe was the same on the shoes I saw today, but the heel was much chunkier. It just wasn’t quite the look I wanted.

Maybe I’m too picky, but I know I’ll find them eventually!!

Posted in Thrifty Thursdays*

What Would You Do?

Posted on June 20, 2011 by Shop Girl| 4 Comments

I really don’t think that I’m someone who is easily offended.

I am generally able to let things slide off my back and accept that sometimes things are said in a moment that aren’t a true reflection of a person’s opinion or feelings toward me.

I also always try to look for the best in people, and I am so aware of how my words and actions affect others, almost to a fault. I will bend over backwards to apologize and accommodate if I think that I’ve hurt someone. I don’t feel it’s my business to get involved in someone else’s personal decisions or business without being explicitly asked.

Of course, everyone will have a different opinion on the matter–that’s your right.

However, every once in a while something happens, and I have trouble letting go.

Every so often something is said that attacks something that I feel is deeply personal. Something that I believe that no one should have a right to get involved with or poke at, regardless of who you are.

Today was one of those days. I felt small.

I felt like I was less than this person, because of choices I’ve made.

Choices that were carefully considered, thought out and made because I knew they were right for me.

I tried to let it roll off my back–I know that it wasn’t done maliciously, but at the same time I felt like it was completely insensitive. A tiny jab that felt like an enormous cut.

Maybe I’m just overly sensitive; maybe I’m just having one of “those” days.

Or maybe I’m right.

So now I’m faced with the hardest decision of all: do I say something, or just let go?

What would you do?

Posted in Complaining about something*

Love & Marriage*

Posted on June 18, 2011 by Shop Girl| 2 Comments

What. a. day.

I just got home from a lovely wedding. My cousin got married today, and I made the long trek across the city to go and see her in her beautiful white dress.

I left here early so that I could stop and have brunch with two long-time friends on the way. I hadn’t seen either one in years–one since my wedding!–and it was so good to see them both. I know that our lives have taken us in different directions, but it was so good to sit down and catch up. Sometimes I really forget just how amazing my friends are, and I’m glad they are still willing to go out with me and remind me. :)

After brunch I met up with my darling brother Choppy and together we drove to Ancaster, Ontario. I have a confession: I rarely ever drive beyond Oakville.

(I like to be IN Toronto, okay? Okay.)

But, my cousin decided to have her wedding in Ancaster–right near Hamilton–so off we went.

I seriously couldn’t even handle how pretty it was. It’s situated on the side of a mountain and all the roads leading into the city are winding and green. Seriously. Trees EVERYWHERE.

And the view! If I hadn’t been driving I could have stared out at the view down over the city forever.

As it was, I decided to focus on the road. You know. To stay alive and stuff.

We made it to the wedding with seconds to spare, and my cousin looked gorgeous in her strapless white dress. From where I was sitting I couldn’t see the groom’s face, but I could definitely see the love in hers.

Weddings are just lovely, aren’t they? They always make me feel so happy and positive for the future. It’s really hard for me to believe that our big day was almost six years ago… someone once told me that time would fly, but I didn’t really believe them then.

…but they were right.

Days like today just make me want to pause time and hold on to a moment.

When did life start moving so quickly?

Posted in Cool Stuff*

A Summer of Dresses: Jordan*

Posted on June 17, 2011 by Shop Girl| Leave a comment

Have you been to see my new post over at The Shoe Digest yet?? SO EXCITING. :)

My lovely friend Jordan actually emailed me her post over a week ago, but in the haze of my death cold I somehow overlooked it.

*bows head in shame*

In any case, please take a moment and check out Jordan’s amazing dress–I’m seriously coveting it. I need a dress like this! New thrifting challenge? I think YES.

—————-

Greetings to all you Shop Girl readers!

My name is Jordan and I am totally thrilled to be appearing on Shop Girl’s blog this week with a totally amazing dress that I simply adore! Let me tell you a little bit about myself. I have been married for just under 5 years and have lived in 3 provinces and 5 cities during that time (we did a lot of cross country driving!). I am the mother of a very busy 1 year old boy and I’m expecting another baby boy this October. I work as a dance teacher and very passionate about all of the performing arts, and these days you can find me blogging at The Diary of a Dancer and a Frog Prince. While I’m originally from Ontario (Shop girl and I were friends in our single days!) I currently reside in Calgary Alberta.

And now onto my wonderful dress.

I saw this dress hanging on a rack in Winners 2 years ago and knew that I simply had to have it the moment I laid eyes on it! Yes, it was love at first sight. Normally I don’t pay full price for items…I tend to be a bargain hunter, but I was willing to pay the $30 price tag for this particular dress because I just LOVED it! Why do I love this dress so much you ask? Here are my reasons:

1) It’s long- and who doesn’t love a long breezy summer dress?!
2) You can wear it with flats or heels- while I prefer the look with flats I have worn it with heels and I think it still looks great.
3) It has a plethora of gorgeous colours making it super summery!
4) I bought this dress when I was completely not pregnant but it magically still fit me when I was 36 weeks pregnant last summer!
5) You can accessorize with a variety of coloured tops underneath to make it a little more modest and also a variety of jewellery styles.
6) It’s super versatile. You can wear it to anything from a walk in the park, to church, to a summer dinner party.

What more could I ask for in a dress? I dare say… nothing!

–Jordan

—————

The Project

If you’re interested in being featured with your favorite dress, here’s what you need to do:

1) Take a photo of you in the dress.

2) Write a brief blurb / post that includes the following:
–Introduce yourself
–Why do you love THIS dress?
–Where did you get it?
–How do you accessorize it?
–Where do you wear it?

3) Email it to me at [email protected]

…and that’s it! Easy as pie. I hope to hear from you soon!!

A Summer of Dresses: The Ladies*
Joanna*
Julie Bee*
Steffi*
Lacey*