Black & White

 oh yea, hi! It's been awhile. No excuses, just pure laziness. And busyness I guess.

My favorite part of the year is coming to an end. Oh, how I will miss summer.  And wearing dresses and not having to deal with wearing tights and heavy winter jackets. No matter how hard I try, I can not for the life of me find a happy medium between stylish and warm winter clothing. I much rather wear dresses, but as the temperatures get cooler I find the need to cave in and wear pants and tops. Of course, I always find I don't have enough items in this department so I did an little bit of online window shopping this morning at F21 Canada. Apparently, I am liking black and white this season.

xo,

melissa

New couch phase one...

Ikea Karlstad Sofa

When I moved from my old house to my new house I did not take a lot of furniture with me. Instead, I've been picking up pieces here and there.  Mostly second hand finds aside from a few new things like the lamps in my living room and now this new sofa.  I have been searching for a long time (as Jana can attest to) for a new sofa that was within my budget yet fit my style.  As you already might know, anything that has a mid-century modern styling (new or old) can be pricy.  Enter IKEA, known for it's streamlined, budget friendly furniture.  Somewhere in cyber space I found this couch from IKEA that a few people have 'hacked' to make it look even more like a mid-century modern piece. 

This Karlstad sofa hack from My So-Called Handmade Life is my inspiration for my sofa.

I already ordered the custom, tapered legs from Uncle Bob's workshop (in Early American stain) and they should arrive in mid-February.  Next up with be attempting some faux tufted buttons for the back cushions.  But first I need IKEA to get the Karlstad pillow cover back in stock so I can use the fabric to cover the buttons. 

Hopefully this all goes to plan and I will have a semi-custom mid-century piece at a fraction of the cost of any of the ones that I have been drooling over online.

In the meantime, I think it looks great as is!

Ps. IKEA online shopping tip: IKEA will ship anywhere in Canada or the US (the closest one is about eight hours from me), but the shipping can be pricy.  I think the standard truck delivery rate for my area was 129$.  It's definitely worth the wait to order a few things at once so you can save on shipping.  I also ordered a makeup vanity that I will blog about later.

xo,

melissa

bettie page bangs...

I've always admired bangs from a far, or tried the side bangs, but not really bangs because I'll just pin them over here type bangs.  But man, do I ever love Bettie Page style bangs, every time I see someone with that style I stop and stare.  Maybe not the best idea, but I just get an instant hair crush.

This morning I tried a very badly done faux bangs look, but now I want to cut my hair more and more!!

Maybe someday I'll be brave enough...

xo,

melissa

We bought a zoo....errr, I mean a house...

we bought a house.

today was the closing date and it's official: I am a home owner once again. 

except this time I am on my own, and it's completely scary.

avery and I love this home.  I mean, we LOVE it. it's a cute '60's bungalow where my retro furniture feels at home. we feel at home.  from the original honey floors to the claw foot tub we feel at home.

the best thing about this purchase is that we actually moved into this house fifteen months ago as renters.  now I don't have to pack or move a box, but I do get to paint and make it more of a home for us.

it was anticlimactic today to 'close' on a home that we were already living in. it doesn't quite feel real.  we didn't celebrate, we didn't have a party, not even a cupcake. but while I was doing the dishes this evening we had an impromptu chase around the kitchen island and my heart leapt for joy. together we are home. and it's awesome.

I can not wait to build this more into our home.  

future plans include a fenced in backyard next spring, as well as a new side entrance.

down the line we hope to reno the bathroom in the basement and add a fireplace down there as well. 

for now we are awaiting a new back door and are slowly picking out paint colors for each room.

a lot of fun, love and laughter awaits us here.

in our home.

xo,

melissa  

I love goooooold...

(said in my best Goldmember voice)

I think midi rings (rings that only fit to the first knuckle) are the cutest little accessory and I have been searching for one for a few months now.  I spotted this little number when Missglamorazzi posted that she was going to be a guest bartender with Baublebar. At first I was happy to find a midi ring that was gold, and had a bow (my fav), but I was also a little bummed that it was from Baublebar because I had tried to shop there before but they didn't ship to Canada.  Boo.  

However, now they DO! Yay! So, I immediately broke my no-shopping rule...and also broke my rule that I wouldn't buy ANYTHING without telling Jana first (b/c she already bought me a Christmas prezzie, and was worried I would order the same thing). Bad girl.  But also, happy girl! I signed up the Baublebar and made my first purchase.  The ring hasn't arrived yet, but I'm pretty anxious to add it to my small accessory collection.

To help spread the Canadian LOVE, Baublebar has offered a 20% discount for me to use on my next purchase, but also they are letting me use it up to ten times, so that means I can share it when friends! Here you go ladies!

code: CA20_9HLOY6

Shop quick though, the code expires on Tuesday, October 15th, 2013

Happy Turkey Weekend to my Canadian friends!

xo,

melissa

 photo disclaimer: I may look like a giant in these photos but it's only because the ceilings in the sunroom are slanted.  I'm not really seven feet tall.  In case you were wondering...

Important to note: new nude shoes! Trying to break in these puppies...

dress: threadsence necklace: bizou tights: american apparel shoes: spring

Tada! Introducing the newest girl to the household.  Lindsey, from the Coach Madison Collection.

I have been adoring this bag from afar for quite some time now.  I love how it's big and hobo-ish, but also has a cross body strap (a mama's lifesaver!).  For Christmas, Kate (from O My Heart) got it in black and I have been drooling over her instagram pictures ever since.  She confirmed it's awesomeness  and after a test run in the Coach store I knew the bag had to come home with me.

Unfortunately there were only two left in Canada, so I had to order it from another Coach store in BC.  

Today it arrived.  And yup...I made a good choice! It will be a great summer bag.

(what's up with my face? I am so not tan)

 Very excited for some spending adventures with my new bag.

xo,

melissa

oh hello...

A trip to the coach store last week let me test out a bag that I have been lusting over for some time now.  It wasn't available in store in the color I wanted, so I had it shipped to me from another Coach store.  

It just arrived!! Which one is it?

I'll take outfit of the day pics after work and show you!

;)

xo,

melissa

i heart basics...

 I've been trying to weed out my wardrobe this spring.  Tossing things I don't wear into a give away pile.  Discovering I have twenty too many t-shirts. Anxiously awaiting to put my fall/winter dresses away.  But discovering that I needed some more basic pieces.  Something I can thrown on with tights and heels or ankle boots and I'm ready to go out for a drink or dancing.  Definitely not something I would ever wear to work! I always seem to gravitate towards the one basic black dress (like above) all the time.  Thanks to H&M I was able to add a few more basics to my closet on the cheap.

I picked up the above dress in royal blue and in a wide black & taupe stripe.

 I picked up this dress in the same neon pink as the first picture.  For 14.95$ for each piece I consider that a steal!

 Kicking myself for not picking up the above skirt ($6.95 in black because I love the combo with the blouse.  I did grab it in the same wide black and taupe stripe as one of the dresses. 

I also grabbed this skirt on clearance for 10$ A great basic that I can also wear to work.  

More bang for my buck on the deal...gotta love that!

I also grabbed some basic heels as I needed some mid-heel basics that I could wear to work and they are comfy to wear for a night out as well.

 Black Heel

Nude Heel

Here Avery is modeling my nude ones, he loves shoes!

xo,

melissa

want vs. need...

I'm all Cheers in Sundae Dress by Bernie Dexter

I think I need this dress.

And then need a boy to take me out on a date.

Love, Love!!

xo,

melissa

living my dreams to the max!!!

 you guys...i won the lottery!! YEP!! Since May, seven girls and I at work have been playing the weekly lotto.  We play the same lotto (lotto max) every Friday and by our tickets from the same store each week.  We got lucky with the draw on September 14th, getting six numbers plus the bonus in the draw! Missing the 20 million dollar jack pot by just one number, but snagging us a sweet second prize of $367,896.30$ split between the eight of us.  Super rad.  I was in a daze for a few days trying to wrap my mind around cashing a cheque for almost $46,000.  That's a big deal for this single mama I've gotta say.  It's a nice big security blanket for Avery and I.  We haven't quite decided what we will do with our winnings, but for now they are tucked safely away.  Every now and then we look at our bank balance and smile. :)  Here are a few pictures from our trip to ALC headquarters to pick up our winnings....

xo,

melissa

imaginary birthday wish list....

 In case you haven't checked your calendar lately, my birthday is in nine days!! I've compiled a little imaginary birthday wish list...i say imaginary because i usually receive birthday cash, except from jana, but she bought me a prezzie already! so maybe my birthday cash could go towards one of these pretties?

lola

ring

bracelet

 

Chanel sunglasses style 5205 (how cute are the bows on the sides?)

purse

happy birthday to me!!

xo,

melissa

swappies!!

 another round of clothes swapping with jana!!
finally i got to borrow her arrowhead dress from ruche! it's a little longer than i would generally go for in a dress since i don't have the longest legs on the blog but the pattern simply makes up for it! i just love it!

and of course i had to try and match my eye shadow to the dress incorporating some browns and navy blue.  i used all shadows from my Urban Decay 15th Anniversary Collection from the neutral side i started (from inner corner out) with vanilla (shimmery white gold) then midnight 15 (oyster pearl with silver glitter) and midnight rodeo (medium metallic brown with silver and gold glitter) finishing off with ace (dark gunmetal shimmer) on the outer corner to smoke it out a bit.  lined my upper and lower lashes with black out (darkest, most saturated black).  i'm seriously having way too much fun with smoking my eyes lately!

(on the phone w/ my mama)

AND! did ya see that Urban Decay released the new palette NAKED2?? I don't even own naked 1 yet (but i ordered it!) but naked 2 looks pretty fun too....i may or may not have put my name down on a waiting list.....what? i like shadows....and i looooove neutrals....i think i can do some pretty sweet 'smoked' looks with that palette that will be great for the office!

yes, i realize that is just way too much excitement to have posted about eyeshadow....

xo my lovelies!

melissa

randos...

a few internet randos that i'm likin' lately...

candles

crosley record player

pillow

measuring spoons

silk creme foundation

boots

snow flake garland

 vintage jewelry box

coasters

boots

window shopping makes me happy.

xo,

melissa