easy breezy

Today Jeff and I went out for breakfast with his Mom, and prior to that we went for a walk and managed to stumble upon a Republic of Doyle taping, so that was pretty fun. We also went to visit Patrick and one of my wonderful besties, Maggie. We went to Harbour Main for a scrumptious traditional Newfoundland dinner and it was FABULOUS. Yes, it was that fabulous. Then we came home to a beautiful baby that I spent some time with and over all we had a wonderful day! Did I mention the weather was terrible? I didn't really care. I'm pretending not to notice. Also... I've had this shirt for a long time and up until now had no idea how I wanted to style it. Today I found some fresh inspiration so I just had to wear it. I promise, I'll be back into my thirty soon. I promise.

I'll confess something... I'm really new into discovering the blog world. I had only known of two bloggers up until Maggie showed me some of the ones she follows. I discovered Keiko Lynn because of a monthly email from a local store Tval who started writing a similar Make Up Monday column. Then Emily of Cupcakes and Cashmere. Those two girls sparked my love for style blogs. Only today did I stumble upon Visual Basic. I'm a little ashamed because of how popular Rach is... never the less... if you don't know who she is, she is a wonderfully talented artist and fashion blogger who writes columns and sketches other style bloggers. Visit her blog. Her latest sketch was of Jennie from Going West. I was inspired by second sketch. Easy and breezy! Now, my outfit doesn't particularly resemble hers at all, but I was so inspired to veer away from my 30 and dig out my chiffon oversized blouse and wear it!










Here's a picture of the wonderful Newfoundland weather we enjoyed while walking around the city. Sadly, I can't complain! A bit of fog is a good day for us! At least it was warm!

Outfit details:
Dress, Shoes, Collar - Forever 21
Chiffon Shirt - American Apparel

xo,
Courtney

a little bit of white...

...isn't a total crime when you're going to a wedding... right?

It was Jeff's father's wedding day! It was a short and sweet ceremony that took place in their back yard. I don't think I want much more than that when I get married. It's too much fuss! As long as I have the perfect dress, I don't really care what happens through out the day. Here's what I wore: a dress from Suzy Sheir, shoes from LuLu*s, and a necklace from Forever 21.







I haven't been able to wear my 30 items all within 30 days, but I will say this: the challenge has saved me money, so it is definitely worth doing. I am going to finish it! I think it's a perfect way to remind yourself of what you have and to appreciate every item in your closet. It was so nice wearing a different pair of shoes today. I've only cheated my 30 the past two days, so otherwise I've been doing great! Here's my day 9, folks. Forever 21 dress, necklace and flats. Soon enough I won't even need to list where I got my clothes. This is getting embarrassing.











I love that collar... It's been such a great way to jazz up an outfit! It was just what I was looking for this summer in a necklace.

Have a great weekend,
xo,
Courtney

inspiration for the heart

Love at first sight is easy to understand; it's when two people have been looking at each other for a lifetime that it becomes a miracle.

--Amy Bloom, best-selling author, psychotherapist, and educator

Life gives us what we need when we need it. Receiving what it gives us is a whole other thing.

--Pam Houston, author and teacher

It is not in the still calm of life, or the repose of a pacific station, that great characters are formed... The habits of a vigorous mind are formed in contending with difficulties. All history will convince you of this, and that wisdom and penetration are the fruit of experience, not the lessons of retirement and leisure. Great necessities call our great virtues.

--Abigail Adams, first lady (1797-1801)

"I wanted a perfect ending.  Now I've learned, the hard way, that some poems don't rhyme, and some stories don't have a clear beginning, middle, and end.  Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next."

--Gilda Radner

Happiness is a conscious choice, not an automatic response.

--Mildred Barthel, poet

lessons learned

So I've learned a little about doing a 30 for 30. My 30 on the blog are my 30 on the blog, but it's only a portion of my life. I cannot possibly show you my every day life because I change at least three times a day... but you'd be very proud, because I've been using my 30 constantly and interchangeably... but to take pictures of everything I've worn that day seems a little impossible. Unrealistic, even! For example, on Monday day 7, I wore my maxi dress probably the whole morning. Jeff and I got ready for a BBQ. I ran lots of errands. Jeff ran lots of errands. I played with Baby outside. We went for a walk in the park. I wore a beautifully obnoxious sun hat. I was dying to get a picture of my outfit. I absolutely loved it. We had a BBQ. But when company came I wanted to change. Lo and behold, when Maegan came over she decided to choose a new outfit and her and Julia took some pictures (THANK YOU). Even though I only had that outfit on for a few hours, I guess it counts more because it was worn socially... instead of to the supermarket. (But God, aren't maxi dresses the COMFIEST? So perfect.) Anyway, I guess what I'm saying is it's stressful trying to find time to take nice pictures every day!

Outfit details:
Shirt - Smart Set
Shoes, Shorts, Necklace, Sunnies - Forever 21

Styled by Maegan, who I hope will do a guest post sometime :) She stayed over the night of the BBQ, and the next day we took the baby for a walk. I had a great day! Before the walk, we enjoyed the sun and Baby played in her pool. She has been walking around all day today (it's freezing cold) saying "wah-ter wah-ter wah-ter" and whining her heart out next to the patio door. Holy breaking my heart! I took her up to the bath to splash around but it wasn't the same. Come on sun!

Outfit detials:
Queen's Wardrobe Scalloped Shorts
Nude flats - Spring
Tank, Necklace - Forever 21
Bandeau - Urban Planet

By the way guys, I'm watching Ellen right now... I really want to read Ricky Martin's book! Who else is watching?

xo,
Courtney

watercolor

Today I had plans to hang out with my sister, and an invitation to a Christening. We didn't make it to the Church service, but Julie, Jeff and I went to the party afterwards. It was great. Julie occupied their dog, and I held baby Rachel. How cute is she? Let me tell you. She has the best eyes, and the clearest, purest face. She looks like a little angel! We went to the Wok Box too, and it was excellent... even if they gave me chicken instead of beef in my stir fry. You win some, you loose some. The wedding is next week! Will I break out of the 30 for 30 mold to go to the wedding? Yay or nay. I may. But here's what I wore today:

Outfit details:
Blazer, Chiffon Tank, Necklace, Shorts - Forever 21
Belt, Bandeau - Garage
Purse, Shoes - Spring

Looking at these pictures make me a little nervous. I didn't realize these shorts were SO short until just now. Uh oh. Too late to swap them out now. Maybe I won't wear them out to any more special occasions. Also, it was so windy today. It took me a while to chose pictures that didn't make me look like I was blowing away.

xo,
Courtney

Day 4 & 5

It sucks I didn't get a good picture of my day 4! I'll have to take them another time. I wore my seafoam green necklace with my satin shorts and green lace back top. Day 5 I wore my fringe back top... With the same shorts. Heart necklace. The only thing not from F 21 is the green tank from Garage!

Click on the pictures for enlargements.

Notice Mia's finger prints in my mirror? Oh so classy.

Unfortunately the sun made my pictures turn out horrible! I needed sunglasses! Now I know for next time. I also think this is my new favorite shirt.

I'll post today's once I get out of my pajamas! This update has been brought to you from my iPhone and that is why it's not as pretty. Apologies.

Xo,
Courtney

hello sunshine!

The sun peeped through the clouds for a second today. It was a good day.

Outfit details:
Shirt - Bootlegger
Shorts - Forever 21
Flower necklace - Forever 21
Leaf necklace - Smart Set
Sparkles of Hope bracelet
Armani Watch
Shoes - Spring

xo,
Courtney

Easy as 1-2-3

I have to be brief today! Really sorry! It's taking a chunk out of my day even to get this up for you guys! Today I have to prep for my Kindermusik classes tomorrow afternoon. Jeff and I had to run out and pick up a counter top for my Mom because she had no other way to get it back to her place. Jeff's been trying to get the playhouse up for quite some time now, and we had some family in for supper so I had to make sure that it was tasty. Mia and I played a lot. We had a really good day. Originally, I wanted to wear a dress today, but I realized (and thankfully so) that the dress is meant to be worn in Fall. It's a burnt orange and it's lined so it's warm! Much needed now, since the weather has been horrible... but I didn't want to be warm in front of the stove all day. If I finish studying early, I want to bake something for Meg since I'll see her on Friday. But moving on to the outfit... Since the dress didn't work out, I had to go to the next easy choice!

Outfit details:
Romper - Garage
Jean Jacket - Urban Planet
Pearls - F21
Shoes - Spring

Until tomorrow,
xo
Courtney

Rainy Mondays...

Can it get much worse? Did I pick the wost week of summer to start my challenge?

Yes, it can be MUCH worse. Yes, I picked the most God awful week to start my 30 for 30 remix. There is rain in the forecast for every single day this week! It's also pretty chilly. It's okay... I'm not discouraged. Just feeling the pull to be a little more creative. To be honest, I'm just happy I am not choosing items today.

Outfit details:
Tank top, Jeans, Bracelet, Earrings - Forever 21
Lace Crop Top - Garage
Shoes - Spring
Necklace - Smart Set

Until tomorrow,
xo,
Courtney

P.S. As I wrote this post, I spilt pepsi all down the front of my shirts. Glad I took these snaps early. I'm a walking disaster waiting to happen. I'd like to let you all know I'm still wearing a tank from my 30 items!

30 items

For an indecisive person, this was so hard! I had no idea how hard choosing 30 items would be...
xo,
Courtney

fashionista!

The fashionable woman wears clothes.
The clothes don't wear her.

--Mary Quant, Fashion Designer

blogger inspiration

Happy Saturday!

When I woke up this morning, it was pouring rain and dark and just plain miserable. I moped around for a bit after my baby went to spend the day with her Dad and then I plopped down on the couch and started reading about the 30 for 30 challenge that Kendi, from Kendi Everyday, created. The challenge is meant for you to rediscover your own sense of style and to fall back in love with your closet! How fabulous is that! It has two guidelines: Choose 30 items and make 30 different outfits. If you can, don't shop.

Okay, Kendi. I'm ready. I bought three new things at the mall today at the Christmas in July sale and I have all my impulse shopping out of the way. My 30 for 30 challenge starts July 18th.

While I was reading Kendi's blog, this outfit caught my eye. This is outfit number 25 in her 30 for 30 summer challenge. It so minimalistic, yet so fresh and vibrant. I love it. So with that as my inspiration, this is my plain white tee outfit:

By the way, when I got up to pick out an outfit, the sun was out! Overjoyed.

Outfit details:
T-Shirt - Smart Set (ages ago)
Skirt - Forever 21
Shoes - Lulu*s
Necklaces - Forever 21
Earrings - Charlotte Russe
Bangles - Forever 21
Sparkles of Hope bracelet - gift
Purse - Unknown! I bought it ages ago...

I'm excited to pick out my 30 items... What to choose, what to choose :)

Also, I'm planning on recording a few music videos for the blog this week. I have a few songs in mind! Now to just get the job done.

xo,
Courtney

Details

My current everyday wrist wear:






Crystal bracelet: grad gift from my mother and father
Sparkles of Hope bracelet: I wear this for my Nan who died of cancer. My Mom wears one for her too. These are really popular! Tara Oram is the spokesperson for it. It is for the Dr. Bliss Murphy Cancer Care Foundation.
Armani watch: unexpected birthday gift from my wonderful boyfriend!

Xo,
Courtney