These ones are, in my opinion, a bit biker-chic with the zippers and detailing and they have a very comfortably sized heel (not that I need it or anything!). They go great with my trench, and in my wardrobe these days, that is the only thing that matters. I wore them to work this week with this red button up from Roots (which is super long and I adore) and leggings from Jacob (which are the ultimate tall-girl legging). I added a black belt later, which didn’t make it into the photo. In full disclosure, these boots were a gift and I will definitely keep wearing them through the winter. I am actually really excited about how warm my feet will be this winter.

Until then, I leave you with this gem. I have an affinity for sequins and this dress alone makes me think I am ready to get married immediately. Tim? Let’s elope on Friday.

After reading about the pinterest challenge on Young House Love, Micaela suggested on our facebook group that we do the same thing!  Now that was August 2nd. More than a month ago, and finally, I give you our first submission!

My pinterest is chalk full of pretty pictures of wedding plans (yea, for me, the furthest person from marriage), food, clothing and accessories. I’m always looking for ways to DIY accessories, and when I saw this bracelet, which has all of my favourite colours in it, I knew I should make this:

I went to Michael’s and got my supplies:

1 big chain

4 different colours of embroidery thread

1 package of clasps

The full price of all of this was about $10.

Since there was literally no way I could find of taking this chain apart, I decided that it was juust long enough to fit around my write twice.  

At first I made it into a necklace to see how it would look:

But it had a lot of embroidery threat at the back which you can’t see right now, and it looked like too much threat all in one necklace. Here is the finished product:

I wish I had had a better chain, but that piece is the only good one that I found. I found it on a random rack and couldn’t find the rest of it’s family ANYWHERE, so I had to settle for that. Worked pretty well though, and I love the colours!

My luxe life of fake-ployment will be ending as of this week. And by luxe I mean scouring job sites and CharityVillage (my life) and scheduling ‘information interviews’ and volunteering and rolling eyes at immature teenaged coworkers and people who take themselves too seriously and stress and anxiety about job interviews and resumes that nobody reads even though hours were spent perfecting them and tearful phone calls with best friends and closed eyes when ATM’s puke out bank statements and a month of crying every. single. day and days that not a single limb is moved, not even to get food, then that one day of OMFGTDHRCIAARPA!IACTSIAMAPW! (translation: OMFG the day has really come I am a real person again! I am contributing to society in a meaningful and positive way!).

I used my new job as an excuse to buy some more Big Girl Clothes (yea, I know. I already had a Big Girl Job but you know, new city, new job, new clothes, am I right?). And I am planning my first day of work outfit. It’s like the first day kindergarten outfit – your mom dresses you in whatever outfit makes you look the most angelic so your teachers will love you (bow ties for boys and flowery dresses with matching sun hats for girls). Or the first day of middle school outfit – well, it probably has purple grape juice stains on it, but as long as you can wear it on the tire swing then it doesn’t matter. Or the first day of high school outfit – you want to wear exactly what everyone else will be wearing (Silver jeans and a Tommy Girl three quarter length top). And the first day of University where you want to look like a fun party girl, somewhere in between a bookwork and a slutty whore – yea, I said it – (flower in hair, layered white and pink tank tops, pink cowboy belt, dark wash flared Von Dutch jeans and pink flip flops).

The first day of work outfit is very important, and says a lot about a person. While I do allow for redemption in some situations, I am a big believer in first impressions being the most important ones. The first day on the job outfit has to say a.) you’d probably want to be my friend b.) yes I am old enough to have a Real Job (apparently I look really young sometimes) c.) I will bring delicious food to luncheons d.) I’m awesome to work with on committees and special projects e.) I will never cook microwave popcorn in the kitchen microwave (the worst) f.) you’ll never roll your eyes when my name pops up on your caller ID g.) I am in no way annoying at all and have the perfect amount of independent work and socializing. It’s also tough because you don’t exactly know what everyone else is wearing (see title of post), and I need to know what the office culture is – how basic outfits are or how outrageously people dress or how many people wear leggings underneath dresses and is that okay and are skinny legged pants okay (really, this is my biggest fear because I just want to wear these every day for the rest of my life).

Do you remember what you wore on the first day of your job? Am I the only one who reads way too far into this decision? WHAT DID YOU WEAR I NEED HELP BEING COOL.

I’ve been seeing this picture circulating around tumblr for quite some time now, and just recently have I discovered that the amazing designer is Jan Taminiau. Taminiau is a dutch designer with gorgeous hand sewed pieces. I’m a sucker for tiny embellishment’s, sequins, pearls, and anything hand sewed, no matter how long it takes. My favourite collection has to be Reflections.  I am loving the big shoulders and sequins.

-all photos via jantaminiau.com-

As for the whole ‘making people laugh’ thing, well, I like to think I make you laugh every so often. Although, some ridiculous outfits of days gone by have definitely incited giggles and stares from the girls, so perhaps I am on the right track with the outfits posts. I’ve since chucked the zebra striped pants and I don’t wear bright orange tutu skirts with brown flowered blouses and rain boots anymore, and I feel like ‘Toronto Leah’ has good style, and I’d share that style with YOU!

Out of all of these though, my 2 favourites are the one shoulder yellow dress, and the white skirt, which also comes in black and you could basically wear it with any colour top, which I love!

Have found any favourites in this line?

Postcards From Italy from ForYouLoveMe on Vimeo.

Craazy hand dancing video!

From one of my favourite fashion blogs- The Blonde Salad

I ended up getting these Mephistos in black.  Although they kind of look like a sleeping bag, my feet have never looked smaller (well, as small as a size 11 can look), and have never been warmer in the snow and slush.  They fit like a comfortable running shoe, because that is what they used to be.  Mephisto’s Allrounder running shoe was so popular, they decided to add onto it and make it a boot. Best decision they ever made.

This year for christmas I decided that I wanted nice leather boots, that were also waterproof and comfortable.  The search started, and I started to get irritated.  If the foot fit, my calf was too big for the boot.  If all I needed was one size up and they didn’t have it, my calf fit perfectly.  I have size 11 feet with larger than normal sized calves, which doesn’t translate well to buying a nice pair of boots in Rideau Centre.  On Monday I decided that I was going to buy boots that day, and went into a store I wouldn’t regularly go into- Aerosoles.  I’d never even gone in that store before, but my first time in there I found the perfect boot. They had size 10 AND 11, and these boots have a calf extension zipper.  And you know what? The circumference around the calf is so large without it, I don’t even need it!  It is nice if I am wearing a pair of pants that don’t tuck in with it zipped normally though.  So to sum all of this up. I love my boots!

Kate and Hailey are coming to Ottawa this weekend with 2 of our aunts and I couldn’t be more excited to see them and show them Ottawa!  Kate hasn’t been to visit since I’ve been in school here, and I think that a visit with Hailey is the best way to make the first visit memorable.