Long Overdue...

Yo...it's been a while...

I have been neglecting on my blog far too long.  So I thought why not start all over again with something new.  I've been so busy with work that I don't have the time to really have any "ME" time.  I wake up, go to work, come home after work, do my time wasting activities (Facebooking, Instagraming, Twittering, YouTubing but of course...), and go to bed right after.  For the past few months, I have been doing this non-stop where I realized that I have been missing something in my life...something that shouldn't be avoided...something that I needed to do...which is.....

SHOPPING!!!

I know what you're probably thinking...really Jess?  You haven't shopped in months?  Tis very so true...I don't really like to shop, because it's basically spending the money that I really don't have.  When I see a deal or good quality items, I will go ahead and purchase it.  Since I've been living with my boyfriend, I've been so conscience of the things I buy since I got bills to pay, if you know what I mean.

ANYWHOOOS...as I mentioned in the beginning, I wanted to start something new...So this is my first installment of......

- A Newly Threaded Love-  

A segment of posts where I visit stores/boutiques that are new or existing to me.  I thought it would be interesting to do since Vancouver has so much to offer, fashion wise.  I love visiting new stores or mom + pop shops.  You can always find buried treasures in places you never expect to be in.

My first "ANTL" shop will have to be where I went today.  It's called...

Ever New, as Forever New, is actually an Australian company and is quickly branding out worldwide.  It is quickly being recognized here in Vancouver, as there are two store locations, one in Pacific Centre and the other in Richmond Centre.  

I went to Richmond Centre today and recognized the store right away.  One of my besties mentioned the store name for me as she bought me adorable accessories from them.  I really like the style of this place.  It's got everything a women needs.  It's fashionable, not too flashy, but has a hint of edge to it.  

Here are some pieces off there website (Stores will have different items at this time):

 

I'm loving this collarless jacket.  What I love most about it is the detailed zippers, so you're able to make the jacket shorter or leave it longer.

  

 Loving this dress.  First off, it's a High Low.  Secondly, it's sparkly!  And Third, love the sides.  And also it's black.  I love black.

Oh yes...Did I mention that they have some cute and adorable accessories?

Here are two cell phone holders that I received as birthday gifts.

Some adorable bow iPhone4 clutches.  This is perfect to have if you're going out for a night in down town partying.  It has card holders for your basics and a small pocket to place your cash.  I hated bringing a purse when I used to club.  It was always a hassle to find your phone if you needed it or locating your money.  I wish I had this when I was in my clubbin's days HAHAHA!

This make up bag was on sale for $14.95 CAD from $24.99 CAD.  I love the little gold clasp.  They had a red one but the clasp wasn't working functionally so I went with the white.  I'm not so keen on white, just because I'm really bad with my belongings and they get dirty so easily.  And relax folks, I know you see the security tag still attached.  I didn't steal it...This just means I need to make another trip there and find more things!!!

I was in need for new shoes and I didn't think that Ever New would have any.  But I spotted these Black Suede Wedges where I instantly fell in love with.  They only carry full sizes, which is a bummer because I am a dead on 5.5, but I got a 6 and it fits amazingly.

Ahhhh shoe-gasm.....I love these.  It was marked $69.99 CAD, which I was hesitant at that moment, because I had that thought in my head where it said, "Sheeze girl you can find something similar like this at ROSS!"  But they were super cute and I loved how comfortable they were so I decided to go with it.  When I went to pay, the cashier gave me the best news ever.  The shoes were actually scanning as $49.99 CAD.  STEAL!!!

It was such an awesome deal, that the sales associate who was helping me said I convinced her to get a pair herself.  HAHA I'm a bad influence.  I highly recommend anyone to go check out Ever New.  I'm always looking for new stores and boutiques to find my own style.

So tell me:

Are there any places in Vancouver that I should check out?

Which stores are your favourite places to find your own style?

Leave a comment or a suggestion below and thanks for stopping by today.

Until next time.

Nails and Diablo 3

I've been lacking on doing posts lately.  I've been so caught up with work that I barely have anytime to sleep some days.  I thought I'd do a quick post on some Spring Pastel Nails Art that I've had as a past manicure.

Items used:  Hello Kitty Nail Art Stickers (Sephora), Essie Eternal Optimist, Sparitual Native Rock, OPI Top Coat, OPI Base Coat, White and Silver Striper (Daiso)

I didn't really had a design in mind, so I just kind of went for it and see what my results was.  I can tell you however, I wouldn't justify spending another $8.00 for those HK nail stickers (Actually my mum was at Sephora one day and saw them so she HAD to get them for me... -_-). They weren't staying on my nails very well and they peeled off really easily.  Not even 2 coats of topcoat would seal it.

You can tell I got a little lazy, but I really do adore these two colours.

Here's the colours in a different lighting.

Ever since the night I went to night market, I couldn't stop my self from purchasing nail art stickers, nails art tools, glitter, and all that jazz.  I found out that the little spot that I always went to in Night Market, opened up a Kiosk location in Richmond Centre.  So of course, I went and found an awesome gift package that had a stamp kit.  I was reluctant at first to get the stamp kit, just because I wanted only the Hello Kitty stamp.  When I asked the associate how much it was for just one stamp plate, she said it was about $3 to $5CAD.  The kit was under $20CAD and you got a bunch of stuff in it too like a nail polish (colour is random) and some glitter bottles (also random).  The associate lady was awesome though, she said to me that if my kit doesn't have the Hello Kitty stamp, she'll just exchange it for me.  So sweet of her!  But load and behold I got the HK stamp!  I also purchased some nail stickers, because who doesn't love random art on your nails?

Crazy right?  I bought this for under $30CAD.  It was worth the buy, and it came in a little cute red package.

7 stickers for $10CAD....SCORE!

My HK stamp...I can not wait to use it.

The random nail polish and glitters.

I've also created a habit of going through the Beauty Aisle in London Drugs and Shopper's Drug Mart to take a peek on what kind of nail varnishes they stock.  Some days they have sales in the Beauty section, so I always tend to stock up.  I'm currently in love with the pastels and mostly the mint green.

Items Used:  Revlon Minted, OPI Alpine Snow
Tools Used:  Dot Tool from Richmond Night Market

I had a lot of fun making this one.  I finally found my dotting tool, and decided on some fun polka dot designs.

That's about it kids.  I've been keeping this post in my edit pile for quite some time now, and I finally got the chance to finish it up.  Sheesh, I've had it sitting here since April.  Work's been busy.  Also...Diablo 3 came out just a few days ago too.  I just got up to Level 12 and using a Demon Hunter.  Sick shit it is.  PM for the email or tag name.  

Alright.  It's 1:30AM and I've got work in the morning (craps).  Night kids!

What pastel colour would you paint your nails?

 also

If you're a Diablo fan, what type of character is your favourite?

Who Said Frat Boys are Jerks???

Saw it..."AWED" it...LOVED IT!

Vancouver boys represent.

 

Fishy Kitty Doggy

Fish fish fish fish fishy tails!!!

Helloooooooooo everyone!  How are we all doing today???  Hope everyone is getting stoked for the weekend because I am ready for this week to get over with.  Anyways, I got extremely bored last Friday since I woke up really early for god knows what...and had some free time so I decided to attempt my first fish braid...

It's not the best work of Fishtails ever, but it was sufficient enough for me that it made a difference on my hair style that day.  It seriously took me a good 45 minutes to even start up on braiding my nest trap.  First time I gathered too much hair.  The second time around I completely screwed up alternating taking hair from one side to the other.  Then the third was just when I was almost done, had literally about 2 inches left when I had to help my bf with moving things (I was literally about to cry at this point).  By my fourth try, I told myself, if I can't do it and make it somewhat nice looking, I will give up completely on doing Fishtail braids. Thankfully I did good and it looked alright.  I'm not good at hair.  Believe me.  I get so damn flustered when it comes to teasing, combing, styling and just uuggghhh!!!!  I hate being a girl sometimes.  Anyways here's some googled pictures for your sheer entertainment.

AWWWW a kitty! 


Speaking of kitty...I have an awesome story that leads to another Kitty.  After coming home from a horrendous day at work...I literally didn't want to do anything for Valentine's day.  I just recently got back into a relationship, and we normally don't do the whole month anniversary thing, but he's been speaking non-sense ever since we've been dating that he will wow me on V-Day.  I'm sort-of kinda an anti-V-Day just because I think it's such a pressure pusher to anyone and everyone who's in relationships and all and even to single people too.  I will admit it though, it's nice once in a while to be appreciated and to have that significant other express their feelings for you with whatever creative way they can.

So, I came home, knowing that we weren't going to do anything and knowing that once I reach upstairs I will be going straight to the bedroom to change into my comfy clothes and just plopping into bed, when I saw this on my dresser.

LIKE OH MY G!!!!!

I kinda did freak out...because it's a FRIGGIN' HELLO KITTY BOUQUET!!!!! Just right when I was going to do my "AAWWWW EEEE HUNNIE!" squeal squawking that I do, he surprised me again with having dinner ready for me that he claimed he slaved away for a good 3 to 4 hours.  He made me his somewhat famous baked Salmon with special sweet and spicy marinade, Szechuan style green beans and prawns, Baked ham fried rice with cheese, and of course for dessert, homemade Vanilla and Coconut creme brulee.  I honestly wished I took a photo of everything he made, but I was famished and I literally ate everything within minutes.  It was a good thing he made extra creme brulee...I had 2 servings to myself......I'm a fattie >.<   

Anyways, time for bed.  My lil pup Kyo has been so patient with me.  He's been wanting to snuggle with me and wouldn't leave me alone, so I placed him on my lap while doing this blog and he's just peacefully chilling on my lap.  Such a good doggy.  I hope you all had a good Valentine's Day or Single Awareness day.  

If you did celebrated V-Day, either you're in a relationship or single, what did you do, and if you got a lil' present, what did you get?

   Until next time peoples.

<3 Jess and Kyo

DOV 2012

It's one of those things Vancouverites would do...be a tourist in their own city.

I have a guilty pleasure of doing this.  Every year local Vancouver restaurants are part of Dine Out Vancouver 2012, which consists a three/four course meal at a flat fee rate.  Now, seeing as though I've been attending this annual ritual since I've lived in Vancouver, of course I had to take part of it's customs again.

I went to two places, Ciao Bella on Denman Street and The Observatory on Grouse Mountain.  I chose Ciao Bella after hearing from my bf that he likes small and REAL (and yes he emphasized on the REAL part) Italian restaurants.  I looked up the restaurant and menus offers and though it was a good choice.  It was small....and I mean REALLY REALLY small. It's not that big of a restaurant probably max 50 seating at least, but the atmosphere is charming.  Greeted by an Italian man with the whole Mario and Luigi mustaches and a live piano player. I wasn't able to get any photos from Ciao Bella (pooey) but was able to get a few in from The Observatory.  I love fine dining, and once in a blue moon I would treat myself to a four-star restaurant dinner. Like C.B, The Observatory was small as well, but the service and the scenery was really special. We didn't get a window seat, but we were close enough to get that beautiful view of the Vancouver night life.

I chose the Goat cheese salad as my appetizer. It really is a big block of goat cheese...you see those mini greens...yay...that was the "salad". Tasty though because I love cheese.  I didn't get a shot of my boyfriend's squash soup, because it was damn tasty. Probably the best thing I have ever had.

I ordered the Seared Cod for my entree, I wanted fish anyways and it was super buttery. Loved seared anything. Accompanied with chorizo, turnip puree, with chickpeas and micro greens...super fancy

My boyfriend had the lamb loins. And yes that's how tiny the serving was.  Accompanied with a turnip layered cake and some veggies with a red wine reduction sauce.

And of course, the most important course of all....DESSERTS!

Poached sliced pears in a cinnamon based sauce with a mint foam and a creme brulee with orange sorbet.

All in all, I had a great time there and the service there was remarkable. Only thing I'd had to really add, which I do believe a lot of people will agree with me on this, is that the portions were way to small. Now I know it's like a tasting menu for new customers and all, but for the amount you pay you should think you deserve another piece of the lamb loin. 

Anyways, hope these photos didn't make you hungry. TTFN.

If you went to DOV this year, which restaurant was your favourite?

New Years Reso...New Post

I've realized that I am really neglecting on my blogging. Even though I'm completely still new at it and have no idea what to blog about...I should make a stand and make it a new years resolution to at least blog once a week about anything. 

Well today will mark that fresh new start.

I've been doing a lot (and I mean A LOT) of online window shopping. I love window shopping. It makes me want to actually save up, pick my most wanted, budget myself, and then shop my heart out. Today's guilty pleasure would be this uber awesome website here.

I am completely floored and in love with this concept of shopping accordingly to your zodiac sign. I think it gives someone the chance to have fun and be creative with their own creation, with some guidelines. So, I'm a virgo and this is what the their stylist has come up with.

Super cute eh? Details of the complete outfit can be found here.

I absolutely adore the top, especially the colour. I'm always scared to try colours and patterns because I like my greys, blacks, cremes. I'm a natural kind of girl, but if I see something that's really intriguing and something that I know I can pull off with the right accessories, I'll add it to my wardrobe.  

Speaking of wardrobe...I finally organized my SUPER TINY closet space at my boyfriends place. I literally have no more space to put any more clothes. AGGGGRRRHHHHH!!!

But on the bright side...It's well organized (maxi-dresses to casual dresses to dressy dresses/short sleeved shirts to long sleeved shirts/sweaters to blazers/dress pants to jeans to skirts/ and then light jackets for layering) and all colour coordinated...Yup...I'm a bit of a nut... 

 I still need to go to IKEA and pick up a small dresser to put my bras and panties in. I have a huge Hello Kitty bag that has all my goods and it sucks trying to hunt those bastards down, especially when I am running late for something (like work >.<)

How do you organize your closet?

Until next time...