Cardigans & Blazers Week

After doing a rather thorough tidy this weekend, I decided to count my blazers. Twice. I didn't quite believe the number the first time. Sure enough, both counts came to 15. When I recounted the tale to my mother, she commented that maybe I certainly took Stacey and Clinton's advice on creating structure and fit to heart. I mused on that thought as we perused my preferred Value Village location, carefully avoiding the oh so tempting blazer section.

Again, I mused on this point as I edited the outfit pictures from the last week. Of the four pictures, I had a strong preference for two outfits that featured blazers, which made me feel powerful and pulled together over the two outfits that featured cardigans that made me feel shapeless and schlumpy.

Today, I'll show you the cardigan outfits, taken out of comparison with the blazers, in order to examine them in their own merit.

And yes, the pink with the red belt was my Valentine's day outfit, worn in participation with EBEW - despite posting a week late, and therefore not eligible to link up, I still played along!!

Check back on Thursday to see the blazers. I will note, that since taking count, I did weed out 4 blazers... expect to see those on a Monday post soon!

Dear Louis Riel, you rock my socks

A few years ago, following the trend of our neighbouring provinces, Ontario and Saskatchewan, Manitoba decided to create a new holiday. While it was set the same weekend as the generically named "Family day" found in other provinces, Manitoba sought input from elementary schools for the name of this glorious mid-winter long weekend. Despite the day having no firm grounding in history, we now proudly celebrate Louis Riel* day. And by proudly celebrate, I mean we sleep in, drink our double-doubles (which is Canadian for "I want 2 containers of cream and enough sugar to make me diabetic in my coffee, please), and continue to procrastinate everything we wanted to get accomplished that weekend.

And that is why this post is so late.

*Depending on whose version of prairie history you want to read, Louis Riel was either the first prairie hero, or the first prairie terrorist. Since being honoured through the naming of this random long weekend, the balance has swung in his favour. Ok,that may be a huge oversimplification.

All right, back on track. Here's this week's "cut"

Why did I buy it?
It an attempt to bring pattern into my life, I just started buying everything that was patterned and on sale.

Why it worked?
I wore it a lot. I liked it. It reminded me of scrubs, but hopefully more flattering.

Why didn't it work?
It requires ironing, and it can only really be styled one way.

How have I worn it?

What will happen to it?
I've passed it on to my sister - it's more her than me, I think.

Feb 11 - 17th

It was a long week - mostly because I started my work week on Sunday, not Monday. I complained to Tiffany that working all week, keeping up with school work, and trying (and failing) to keep my life together was hard... and then realize she does all that AND is a mother, so I feel bad for complaining. I have this constant feeling of accomplishment, being so busy, but no feelings of relief, nor really anything tangible to show for it! (Hence yesterday's missing post)

I think the sudden busyness has really made me love my random opportunities to snap photos of random part of my day - a moment to find beauty in the chaos.

Like the random pieces of history scattered along the day - from the painted advertising of the Nutty Club, to the City of Winnipeg crest on the base of the streetlights downtown

Even though we live right on a major thoroughfare / highway, we're not far from a great little residential area with some great trees and green spaces (ok, white spaces, it is winter)

I even had a day when benches just looked beautiful, whether waiting for the bus, or boarding it (please note: Winnipeg does have a number of newer buses, just the express routes, since they don't run all day, tend to get whatever left in the garage)

And even the cityscape itself, whether it's construction at the MTS exhibition hall, or the Manitoba Hydro building.

And, of course, this find was just adorable!

Outfit Recap

Some weeks, I love not taking pictures because it means I don't have to always look picture worthy.

Some weeks, I love not taking pictures because it means I don't have to always crack under the pressure.

Pinspiration found here!

 This outfit was my favourite for the week. It's simple and comfortable, but still pulled together.

Inspired by me!

 This outfit was the favourite among my co-workers. You could tell it was Friday - I was wearing my casual socks. (ugh).

Inspired by me!

 And this outfit makes me laugh - can you get more preppy than khakis, and a sweater over a button down shirt?!?!

Wake up!

My alarm used to go off at 6:45. I'd finally get out of bed at 7:30. Figuring I needed more sleep, I switched my alarm to 7:00. I still get out of bed at 7:30.

My brain says that alarm should just go off at 7:30. Of course, 7:30 is pretty tight, considering we leave for the bus at 8:00.

Naturally, my brain decided to stay up late and search Pinterest for ideas. Of course, there were lots of pics of interesting alarm clocks, motivational posters about waking up, and ways to stay out of bed. Of course, I have an alarm clock, I know my motivation, and I have no issue staying out of bed. I just need a way to get my body out of bed.

I then browsed the Googles, and found some gems. Naturally, there was the advice that you'd expect to find: avoid having caffeine before bed, create a bedtime routine, don't go to bed angry. Of course, these address a different issue: falling asleep - a problem I don't have an issue with.

The only piece of advice that I found immediately relevant to my problem (getting out of bed) was to physically create a routine. In the middle of the day, simulate going to bed - put on your jammies, turn out the lights, and crawl into bed. Then set your alarm for a minute or two later, and immediately get out of bed when it goes off. You're supposed to repeat that 3 times a day, every day until you are able to jump out of the bed when the alarm goes off in the morning. A little strange, but would work in theory.

Do you have any secrets to how to convince yourself to get out of bed in the morning?

Valentine's Day

I came home the other day and saw that Shabby Apple was featuring me on Twitter as a great example of Valentine's day fashion, for wearing this.

Of course, I had to wear the same dress for Valentine's day. Ok, not Valentine's Day, but to be posted on Valentine's day. Last time, I went with brown, this time, I went with black. Naturally, I had to wear it with my black patent leather shoes with red heels.

Hope you are having a great Valentine's day! My goal for the day is to make time to spend with Scott - even if it's only holding hands on the bus!

Curating my closet

Why did I buy this?

I didn't buy it - I received it as a Christmas present many years ago

Why does it work?
It's super cozy

Why doesn't it work?
It gives me rectangle body.

How have I worn it?
I haven't - on this blog!

What will happen to it?
I'm going to harvest it for wool to make something else. And steal the American Eagle tag and throw it on something super random.