aztec prints

Don't you just love an awesome sale?

This top was part of an awesome deal I scored at Biscuit General Store in Halifax a couple weekends ago. They carry a number of my favourite brands and labels including Free People, Kensie, BB Dakota, TOMS, Gentle Fawn (just to name a few). 

Outfit: Top- Gentle Fawn (Biscuit General Store) | Jeggings- Guess

Sweater- American Eagle | Necklace- Maison Scotch 

Shoes- Corso Como (Urban Shoe Myth) | Purse: Fossil | Watch: Fossil

I was in town for the ECFB (east coast fashion bloggers!) Unleashed event and Biscuit was celebrating their 16th birthday in business when I picked up this top. They were offering a pretty sweet deal to all their customers- and we bloggers were spoiled with the generous offer to buy 1 item and get the 2nd 70% off!

I found an awesome pair of green pants (which shall be featured in an upcoming post) and this Gentle Fawn top. I've been fond of aztec prints over the last few months, but hadn't quite stumbled upon the right pattern. I love this particular tee because the neutral shades blend nicely into my wardrobe and the cut and colours of this garments will transition easily between seasons. 

As a gal on a budget, my focus is on items that can be worn various ways and 1 important factor: the cut is appropriate so that I can include the garment in a business casual outfit for work. After all, purchasing a garment or accessory that isn't appropriate for every-day wear shortens the mileage you can get out of an item, seriously impacting it's cost-per-wear. Then you have to ask yourself: is it worth the $$$..? It may be worth a splurge, but sometimes it's better to put the item back on the shelf and wait.

Links worth checking out:

1. Simple price per wear calculator
2. Cost per wear calculator: great way to see how your money stretches long-term
3. Track exactly what you do wear-  here's how to create a spreadsheet if you want to see exactly how often you wear what items. This is an experiment I've decided to do!

mango tango

Outfit: Tee- RW&Co. | Pants: H&M | Necklaces: H&M | Shoes: Corso Como (Urban Shoe Myth)

Sunglasses: Joe Fresh | Earrings: Joe Fresh

These cropped pants I picked up from H&M when we were in Halifax the other weekend for the East Coast Fashion Bloggers meet-up. These pants weren't the perfect fit, I'll admit- they fit well in the waist but were a little overly spacious in the butt and pelvic region. However, I loved the colour and for work the fit was fine because it allows me to move around a lot and still be comfortable. For $17.95 who cares if you accidently sit in bubble solution or paint when you're sitting on the floor working with a child!

Actually the H&M experience was a little of a let down this time- the colours and designs (on the rack) were very promising, but once I got a lot of items into the dressing room, I found too many things didn't fit right, looker cheaper than usual, or were too sheer.

And unless I'm in love, I don't bother with sheer items because they doesn't stand alone as a wearable garment. If you buy a sheer blouse, you need to make sure you have the right fitting top in your wardrobe to make it decent in public situations. While it's strategic and sometimes acceptable to have your bra mildly visible, it's a no-go for every-day wear or work.

Normally I'm excited to shop H&M because we don't have one in our city and it's my go-to spot for super affordable basics and trendy pieces. Crossing my fingers for better luck next time!

#ECFBUnleashed!

Last weekend I headed to Halifax with a few other of my Saint John blogging pals for an east coast fashion bloggers' meet-up. Back in February, we all came together via twitter and then created a Facebook group to carry on the conversation about planning the 1st ever conference for fashion bloggers in Atlantic Canada- and for the 1st time we got to see just how many of us there were! I can't thank the lovely ladies Kayla (Short Presents), Jessica and Erin (Haute Halifax), and Sorren (Classic Noise) enough for how great a job they did planning and hosting the meet-up last weekend.

All graphics for the event, including the promo above

were designed and created by the talented Sorren.

Friday evening Candice (Brilliant Sugar), Barb (barbbarbbarb) and I packed my trunk full for a 24 hour whirl-wind trip to Halifax! I'm typically the crazy over-packer that brings a wheeled suitcase when everyone else can fit it all into a small overnight bag. I was happy to see I wasn't alone when I saw the girls stepped outside with their little suitcases on wheels too!

We were a little late (but still excited!) getting to Halifax, checking into the hotel and then grabbing a cab over to meet up for the first event of the weekend- a good 'ol wine and cheese party!

The following photos (from my Nikon and my Blackberry) document our little trip:

Here's what I wore to the wine and cheese party hosted at Jessica's place. 

This photo was taken with my phone because I didn't realize until it was too late

that my little digi cam was sans memory card and was, in fact, still in my DSLR upstairs!

As we pulled up in the cab, we could see the party in full swing through the front window! 

We also heard "Saint John's here!" as we closed the cab doors.

It's strange but wonderful to walk into a room of people you've never met 

but feel like you're in a room of old friends.

Barb had gotten a card from the Fashion East girls 

who we shared a cab with at the end of the night. 

It was wonderful to meet Meghan and Krista- 

major contributors to this Halifax street-style blog- 

who are both talented photographers as well!

They were such easy to talk to gals that gave some pretty great camera advice!

Back at the hotel, Barb reviewing her Instagram photos from the party.

Candace must have been reading my mind 

when she mentioned pizza in the elevator at the end of the night- 

I couldn't help but exclaim, "ME TOO!!"

Barb suggested this amazing veggie pizza from Alexandra's and 

I think it might be the best thing I've ever tasted!

After our late night snack, it was time for bed!

Random assortment of my purse contents, jewellery selection, and hair products 

sprawled out while getting ready the next morning.

You can see the fancy event schedule just down in the corner of the photo!

The Middle Spoon was so kind to open their doors earlier than usual 

to host our private function!

First thing was first: I needed my caffeine!

Mimosas! (With blackberries for a fancy touch!)

There was an assortment of complementary beverages and treats on hand- 

this adorable desserterie (and bar) was incredibly awesome 

for hosting our discussion & workshop!

Planners Sorren, Kayla, and Jessica review the give-away prizes from our sponsors!

The delicious spread

Can't resist the allure of a cake pop!

Typical bloggers, tweeting up a storm

(L to R): Jessica, Kayla, Sorren, Candace, Barb

(Right) Sneak peak at the goodies from sponsors!

(Left) In Barb's hand- the gift certificate we all received to Pretty Things 

along with the gift certificate to La Quaintrelle that she won.

Key items on hand: coffee (& refills!), my new Rebecca Minkoff purse, 

my Blackberry (although I have total iphone envy!) and my zip package 

I always have on hand when I have multiple papers and materials 

that won't fit in my purse.

Candace posing with the middle  spoon. :)

Close-up of Candace's beautiful gold bracelets and mint green nails.

I kept switching from Blackberry (to tweet photos!) and my Nikon.

Jessica & Kayla (with Meghan's hat) drawing the first prize winner!

(Left): Kate (O My Heart!) who did a great job as our key speaker 

& Barb wearing her fantastic Spike the Punch necklace

(Right): Mimosa close-up

Kayla displaying the goods before picking the winner 

Erin's excitement when her name comes out of the hat!

(L to R): Mo (Curvy Geekery), Erin, Sorren

Krista snaps a photo of our wonderful event planners!

(L to R): Sorren, Erin, Jessica, Kayla

The gals behind the 1st ECFB Unleashed meet-up!

Mo & Tosen (For the Love of Prints)

A blogger never goes anywhere without her camera!

I loved Erin's spike bracelet (and her heart t-shirt too)!

My outfit: 

Dress- BB Dakota ( Je Suis Prest Boutique) | Cardigan- Old Navy |  Necklace- Aldo

Flats- Corso Como (Urban Shoe Myth) | Belt- Je Suis Prest Boutique | Watch- Fossil

Leather cuff- ESquared Designs

Details shots!

Candace snapping an instagram of Kristin's (Doll Parade) beautiful shoes!

Comfy flats to get me through shopping later!

Shoes! 

(L to R): Jessica (far corner), Erin, Sorren, Kristin, Candace, Barb

A room full of beautifully-accessorized ladies!

(Left): Kate's gold arm jewellery

(Right): Barb's Spike the Punch necklace (top), Candace's pretty baubles (bottom)

A very late brunch at Le Coq with Sorren, Kate, Candace & Barb

Followed by shopping Biscuit's buy one get one 60%

(it was 70% for bloggers!)

off sale for their 16th birthday!

Unfortunately after a little downtown Halifax shopping and then a peruse of H&M, 

Candace, Barb and I had to jet set it back to Saint John- 

Otherwise we would have loved to stay for the rest of the weekend's events!

Photo Source: ECFB Tumblr

Blogger group photo at The Middle Spoon!

Front row (L to R): Barb, Meghan, Krista

Back row (L to R): Ashley, Tosen, Mo, Jessica, Erin, Kayla, me, Sorren, Kate, Kristin, Candace

Next week I'll share a little more behind about the ECFB event!