DIY Flower Crown for Wonder Forest

Happy Friday Noobs!  I have another guest post for Wonder Forest , a step by step photo tutorial on how to make your own Flower Crows - the perfect accessory for the summer!  Check it out and let me know what you think!

- Joëlle

OOTD - One Piece Aritzia Jumper Casual

Happy Thursday, Noobs!  As promised, today's post is showing how I style my Aritzia black jumpsuit for casual errands. This jumpsuit took me through a day of errands - from groceries, to braving Ikea to find patio furniture and then shlepping said furniture all the way up to our apartment and setting it up.  By dusk it had gotten a little chilly, and I had yet to take my little Fritz out for a walk.  As you can tell by his face, my chihuahua is completely unimpressed by the situation - who ever heard of a dog who doesn't like walks?  Read on for additional photos and all outfit details.

OOTD - One Piece Aritzia Jumpsuit Dressed Up

As you can probably tell by reading my previous posts, I love comfortable clothing - if it feels like wearing pyjamas then I'm most likely all over it.  I also enjoy versatile clothing, pieces that can take me through many different looks and seasons because let's face it - this Noob is not rich.  Anything that can help extend my wardrobe get's an 'A' in my books.  This one piece jumpsuit fits all of the previous criteria - it's incredibly light and comfortable to wear and can be easily dressed up or dressed down to accommodate a variety of different looks.  Perfect! I've hardly taken the jumper off since I got it (which you can see from the slight wrinkles - whoops!) Read on to see how I styled this versatile Aritzia jumpsuit for more of a dressed up look.

30 Before 30 - An Update

To get back to the original reason that I started this blog, my 30 things to do before turning 30, I thought that I might try to knock another task off the list.  I went back to review the list and, after much deliberation, finally decided that for the month of June I will be going vegetarian.

To most, changing your diet to vegetarian for a month is no big deal - I am not most.  My appetite is constantly somewhere between 'hungry' to 'ravenous.'  If someone ever needs a breakfast/lunch/dinner/snack companion, even if I have just finished a meal, my usual response is 'Yeah, I could eat."  My love of eating knows no limits - to the point of actually getting anxiety after finishing a meal thinking about how long it will be until the next.  It's pretty crazy.  To top everything off, I am also a huge meat eater so the month of June is going to be interesting.

I wanted to try a vegetarian diet for a few reasons.  Number one to challenge myself, but also as a way to force me to incorporate more vegetables into my diet and to become better at planning my meals (I have a feeling that being a vegetarian takes lots of planning.)  I also know my own limits, so in order to preserve my sanity for the month of June, I will also be eating fish. (I know, I know - that is not vegetarian but pescatarian.)  Including fish into the diet may sound like cheating to a lot of you, and maybe it is, but I don't want to set myself up for failure right from the get-go.

Onward to a vegetarian-ish diet for the month of June! Let me know what you think, and if you have any tips or advice for my journey.

-Joëlle

OOTD - Madewell Transport Tote

It's a beautiful day here in Toronto, and in typical Canadian style I am shedding all of my layers and busting out all of my summer gear at the mere sight of the sun.  Today was hardly beach weather, but my poor climatized body could not tell the difference.  Before I knew it, I was dressed in my shortest dress, bright scarf and a hat I typically reserve for tropical resort vacations.  The best part about the incredible weather was the first day that I could bring my summer bag into rotation - the Madewell Transport Tote in English Saddle.  I may be jumping the gun a little bit in anticipation of summer - but I couldn't be happier.  Read on for additional photos and full outfit details.

OOTD - Patterned Jogging Pants

The Victoria day long weekend is drawing to a close, and I am so sad to see it go.  As soon as I quit my complaining about the weather in my last post, Mother Nature pulled through and blessed the city of Toronto with a gorgeous holiday Monday.  My husband and I took full advantage of the day - riding our bikes along Lake Ontario, having lunch on a patio downtown and just enjoying the city.  Not wanting the day to end, we decided to dress up and get a few drinks to celebrate a great weekend.  I last wore these pants here during chilly weather, and am happy to report that they transition nicely for the summer as well.  The material is so light and silky, that they almost feel like pyjamas; add the drawstring waist and you almost feel like you're cheating wearing these pants out - so comfortable.  Read on for additional photos and outfit details.

OOTD - Blush Maxi Skirt

It's the start of a long weekend here in Canada, our Victoria Day weekend, and it's chilly! The temperature has taken a nose dive and we in Toronto must dress accordingly to save freezing off our behinds.  This poor blush maxi skirt - originally purchased to be a breezy summer outfit staple must again be paired with a long sleeved knit (seen here as well.)  What's a Noob to do other than plop on a floppy wool hat, grab a sweater and say a small prayer to the sun goddess for warmer weather to come soon.  Read on for additional outfit photos and details on how I styled this blush maxi skirt for the cooler weather.

Three of the Best Decisions For My Wedding

Photo by Rachelle Rousseau Photography

We're approaching wedding season, and I am substantially more relaxed than this time last year.  It will be a year since our wedding in August and I am happy to report that instead of mulling over flowers and seating charts, my biggest decision these days is weather or not to have that second gin and tonic (okay third, but who's counting.)  I learned a lot throughout my wedding planning process (see the post here) and now as I reflect on the entire experience, I can really pinpoint those things that I did right - decisions I made during wedding planning that made my life easier.  Eager to share the knowledge, read on to find out the three best decisions I made during our wedding that made my life much easier.

OOTD - Casual Monday

Monday always finds a way to creep up way too soon.  After an incredible weekend full of sunshine, good food and amazing friends the last thing that I want to deal with is a Monday - and a chilly one at that!  Warm Spring weather has left us just as quickly as it arrived here in Toronto, and we're back to below-average temperatures and the awkward in-between season dressing that comes along with it.  My casual Monday outfit had me wallowing in some of my most comfortable clothes - boyfriend jeans, a leather jacket and a huge leopard scarf (plus a pretty crazy "I don't give a shiz" hairdo.)  Read on for additional photos and outfit details.

OOTD - Spring Weather Feat. Frye Carmen Harness Boots

Spring, my old friend - you're finally here!  Nothing like waking up on a saturday morning to sunshine outside, the smell of budding flowers and the sounds of birds chirping in the background. (Just kidding! I truthfully woke up to the sounds of traffic, the smell of construction and slightly hungover - but the former statement sounds much more magical.)  

Yes, the warm weather has finally arrived and I couldn't be happier.  There's a cool breeze, so diving right into summer dresses and sandals isn't weather appropriate just yet.  I chose to ease my way into the mild weather by pairing one of my favourite summer dresses with a cozy knit cocoon sweater and some heavier boots.  This is my favourite time of the year - not too warm and not too cool so if this weather keeps up then I will be one happy Noob.  Read on for additional photos and outfit details.

Braided Half Crown - Easy Hair Tutorial

You can see a running theme in my hair tutorials - easy, simple and casual.  I have said it before, that I am barely a hair person, but am always after super simple styles that make it seem as though much more effort went into the look than it really did.  The braided half crown is one of my go-to styles when I'm after a romantic, bohemian look but don't have a lot of time to fiddle with my hair.  Read on for step-by-step instructions on how to achieve this pretty braided half crown.

DIY High Waisted, Destroyed Denim Shorts from Old Jeans

Check out my latest guest post for Wonder Forest - how to DIY your own high waisted, destroyed denim shorts from old jean (or "mom jeans" as I call them!)  

I picked up an old pair of jeans from my local thrift shop for a whopping $3.99 and transformed them into a cute, on trend pair of shorts that could rival those being sold for much more in retail stores - easy!  

Check out the post here, or by clicking on the above photo, and let me know what you think!

-Joëlle

OOTD - Chicago Style

A big hello from Chicago! My weekend getaway to the Windy City has largely consisted of eating at much-hyped restaurants, exploring and people-watching.  Chicago style is definitely casual - I'm talking yoga pants, North Face shell jackets and brightly coloured running shoes.  As someone who changes out of her runners to make the 2 minute walk to the car from the gym, it's been an adjustment.  Needless to say, my style doesn't really fit - but one of my favourite things about travelling is experiencing the distinct culture of the destination and Chicago is no different.  This outfit is a typical night time dinner look for me.  Read on for additional photos and outfit details.