The long and short of it

Posted on May 13, 2013 by Carrie

J. Crew chambray top; Zara skirt; zeroUV sunglasses; Forever 21 necklace; Brandy Pham ring; Tiffany & Co. pearl earrings & silver bead bracelet; Daniel Wellington watch; Burberry clutch; YSL sandals and lipstick

So I cut my hair. I’ve been thinking about for a while now, but I wanted to wait until the weather warmed up. Nothing worse than having short hair during the month of March (see reference). What inspired the change? Claire Underwood from House of Cards. If I could be any TV character, it would be her. And Peggie Olson from Mad Men. Underwood carries herself very well as a woman, and her demeanor is remarkably composed. She’s also very smart, charming, and ambitious, but what I love most is her chic and sophisticated style. After watching her in season one, I became obsessed with having short hair again.

When I tell people I want to cut my hair short, they always try to talk me out of it and proceed to remind me how “pretty” my hair is. I’ve always felt defined by my long hair as if it’s the most beautiful thing about me, and for this reason, cutting my hair short felt like shedding a layer of misconception about my own beauty and traditional beauty in general.

We all know that men love long hair, but why? Because it’s more pretty, more feminine, more attractive, more traditional. But who cares what men think. What do women think? About beauty? About short hair? Most importantly, what do women think about themselves? I truly believe how a woman feels about herself is what defines her inner and outer beauty.

So what do I think of my new hair? I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT. Long hair is beautiful, but it’s also safe and boring. Short hair on the other hand is unpredictable. It has the potential to be pretty and feminine, but it can also be chic and elegant. I also like that short hair looks a little androgynous, a little unfinished, a little bare.

Thank you to everyone for all the flattering and gushing comments. I feel so shy and bold at the same time. It’s only day three of short hair, but here’s to a new and exciting journey.

Where I come to feel the sun

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Carrie

J. Crew top; Zara skirt; zeroUV sunglasses; House of Harlow necklace; Daniel Wellington watch; Marc by Marc Jacobs bag; Aldo sandals

It seems we totally skipped spring and went straight into summer. The weather this past week has been consistently gorgeous. Because our winters are so long, I can’t help but feel grateful for all this warmth and sunshine. If this is a taste of summer, we’re in for a good one this year.

Lately I’ve been telling myself, “short-term sacrifice for long-term gain.” I rarely hear this expression used, and if it wasn’t already an established saying, I could swear I came up with it myself. It’s too soon to reveal details, but if all goes well (cross your fingers), change is definitely on the horizon.

P.S. We’re also going to our first Cirque du Soleil show this evening. Should be awesome.

Sun in the sky, you know how I feel

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Carrie

Breeze driftin’ on by, you know how I feel
It’s a new dawn
It’s a new day
It’s a new life
For me
And I’m feeling good
- Nina Simone

Zara top; Joe Fresh wide-leg pants; H&M denim jacket; Ray-Ban aviator sunglasses; House of Harlow necklace; Brandy Pham bracelet & ring; Daniel Wellington watch; Marc by Marc Jacobs bag; Aldo sandals

As someone who’s very fortunate to be doing something they love, I place a very high importance on loving your job. I know it’s not entirely realistic in today’s economy, where the jobs you want are few and far between. I also understand that eventually people have to settle for something, anything, to make a living. I get all that. But if it’s possible to find a job that will pay you to do what you love, it’s so worth it to search, hold out, and fight for that job.

I’m one of those lucky souls who knew exactly what I wanted to do going into University. I landed my dream job upon graduating, and I’ve been working in my related field for almost three years. Although my search wasn’t as hard as some folks, it also wasn’t easy. I had to settle for a really crappy job before getting my current job. That job I took only lasted about a month because I had too much sense in me to keep working a job I hate. So I quit. Best decision I ever made.

However, doing what you love comes at a cost. Being a counsellor isn’t the most prestigious or glamourous job. It does not pay as much as a lawyer or an accountant, but it’s my passion. I go into work everyday, and I love what I do. How many people can actually say that?

Currently, my job is going really well. At the beginning of the year, my supervisor offered an additional role to my current position. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do, but the opportunity wasn’t there before. Since taking on this new endeavor, I’ve grown and blossomed immensely as a counsellor. I even received glowing feedback from a well respected co-worker on how advanced my skills are for such a young professional. It was both humbling and validating to hear such feedback. I’m at a good place in my career right now, and this is only the beginning.

Feelin’ the same way all over again

Posted on May 2, 2013 by Carrie

Norah Jones

1. Saturday brunch at Over Easy Breakfast with Husband and good friend, Andy
2. Buying wine at Wine Ink on 17th Ave
3. Vintage Coach purse, H&M sunglasses, and iced coffee from Phil & Sebastian
4. Sun setting on an amazing weekend with friends

The weekend seemed so long ago now that it’s Thursday, but it’s worth mentioning nonetheless. On Saturday night, we had a little birthday party for Husband at our place with a close group of friends. He normally doesn’t make a big deal out of his birthday, but seeing as it’s his big 25 and his last big birthday party was when he was probably thirteen, it only seemed fitting (and about time) that we celebrated his birthday with awesome friends and cake vodka. Thank you, friends, for the good times and fun memories.

April was a good month. I managed to blog two outfit posts and finally shared some of my favorite recipes. I also got to celebrate my mom’s birthday and then Husband’s birthday. Three out of four weekends we spent with friends and family from out-of-town. There was dinner, wine, and coffee with great friends. And SO MUCH EATING (refer to my Instagram).

But I’m glad it’s over. Time to slow things down instead of constantly being go-go-go. Although I’m all about having fun and living life, starting today, I’m reorganizing my life and focusing on more important things. That’s all I’m going to say for now.

In other news, I booked my ticket to Ottawa to visit my sister this July. Originally, I wanted to spend the Canada Day long weekend in Ottawa, but I unfortunately missed out on the tickets available via Air Miles. Oh well. I’m excited to see my sister again and to spend some quality time catching up.

May will be a busy month, but I’ll still be around. Keep checking back.

The lives we live, the wars we wage

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Carrie

Sleeping at the Wheel, Matchbox Twenty

H&M turtleneck; UniQUEEN tweed jacket; J Brand pants; Tiffany & Co. pearl earrings; Brand Pham necklace; vintage Coach purse; Vince Camuto pumps

It’s only Wednesday, and I already feel incredibly beat. With the weekend being exceedingly eventful, we weren’t able to stay on top of our usual responsibilities; therefore our week has been off to a rough start.

Truth be told, we would much rather stay home and do nothing after work on weeknights, but some weeks, it just doesn’t happen. On Monday night, we went out for dinner at Model Milk with good friend, Jackson, and his lovely girlfriend. Last night, we hung out with my sweet friend, S, at her gorgeous loft in Inglewood. Tonight, I’ll be working late, and Husband will be attending a seminar on doing his MBA at Ivey and then going to a hockey game. Thursday and Friday, I’m attending a training on Trauma: Responding to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Needless to say, this has been and will be one crazy week.

On a completely different note, I’m so over winter. It’s late April and we’re STILL getting snow. However, this gives me time to flip my closet. Lately, I’ve been doing some accessory shopping online in preparation for summer. Can’t wait to wear skirts, shorts, and sandals again.

Once this week is over, things should calm down a little bit. Looking forward to having some normalcy back in our lives.

That is all.