WE ARE THE LUCKY ONES

Dilemma: It's -15C outside with a freezing windchill and you're supposed to be going to the biggest party the city of Winnipeg has ever seen--what do you wear? GO! 

Trick question. It doesn't matter what you wear--your goose-down jacket is going on top of it anyway, unless you want to catch hypothermia/die on your way to the party. Thank god for coat check, though, otherwise we'd also die from over-heating! As far as shoes go, good luck wearing anything other than closed-toe leather platforms, because I already warned you: baby, it's cold outside. And, you know, slush really kills suede. 

Anyways, despite the big chill, I stuck to the most sensible heels I own and paired it with one of my vacation purchases--and favourite dress to date--this insanely versatile cape dress. I found it in sketchy store hidden within a maze of lots of other stores and it was the last one in my size--there was no way I was going home without it! As for the look I was going for...I decided on futuristic elfin superhero. No explanation needed.

The party itself was fantastic and had a great atmosphere. Lots of interesting people wearing chic outfits...basically, it was fashion girl heaven. The music was great too, I especially loved Flo's live show and crazy hair! And that one really sassy back-up dancer who was working it like no other. (Seriously, it's my new life ambition to dance like him.) 

All in all, it was an amazing party. What an incredible way to celebrate SANDBOX's very last issue! Jeff, Braden, Suzy, and Vanessa, outdid themselves with this party and have done such a fantastic job with the magazine. I am so very proud to have been a part of it and will miss it immensely. I have no doubt that long after the last issue has sold out, Winnipeg will still be talking about the gem that was once SANDBOX magazine! 

Wearing dress bought from random Mall of Asia store, second hand and F21 chokers, eBay rings, American Apparel mesh leggings, clutch from Town Shoes and Calvin Klein boots.

BYE BYE PARADISE

So my plane touched down about 24 hours ago, and after refusing to succumb to jet lag, I proceeded to sleep for my usual 5 hours on a school night then went to school the next day, totally jet lag-free. The secret is to drink lots of water and only sleep when it's dark outside, even if you have to go over 12 hours without sleep (which I've done). I swear I've crossed like 14 time zones each way and never had any problems adjusting to time. Raez = 1, Body clock = 0 

Anyways, I'm glad to announce I'm officially back to blogging (and school and work and life) after an incredible three weeks in the Philippines! I've got stories to tell and pictures to show, but I'm going to keep this entry short and post more on my vacation later, because I've got an important event I that really want to talk about!

SANDBOX, the Winnipeg-based fashion magazine, is announcing their final issue after an amazing two-year run. To celebrate their 298 contributors and all that they have achieved, SANDBOX is throwing a huge blowout party to launch their biggest issue yet! The party will be on Saturday, January 28 from 10:00 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. at the Winnipeg Art Gallery and will feature a live performance by Flo, debuting her new single and two levels with two DJs: Hunnicutt & Co-op (downstairs) and Chelsea Taz Marinelli (upstairs). Tickets are $10 and are available at RRC Mercantile, UofW Info Booth, UofM Answers, Hush and Rhymes with Orange. Sounds like the perfect place to dress to the nines and hang out with some of Winnipeg's most talented--I wouldn't miss it for the world!

BITTERSWEET

Hope everyone had a fantastic last day of 2011 last night! I sure did. I won't get into the details, but I certainly had a great time with the people that mattered to me the most and ended the year with a blast! I don't think I'll ever forget one of the most hilarious nights of my life, that's for sure ;) 

Anyways, I suppose that the first day of the new year is a time to commemorate all that was good and epic in 2011. And you know what, epic is the perfect word too! Although my new years resolution for 2011 was to "act my age" it ended up being more "coming of age" than anything. Instead of living in the moment, partying, and being reckless like I had set out to do back in January 2011, I was faced with important life choices and the obstacles that followed. This past year, I accomplished pretty much everything I said I'd do back when I hit my 17th half-birthday: I graduated, moved out, got a second job and applied to university. Looking back at that post and realizing how ambitious I was, is truly nothing compared to the feeling of looking back and being able to say, yes, I did accomplish that.

In the end, I suppose that my 2011 new years resolution was a total bust. Despite my best efforts at "acting my age" and letting go, I stuck to my truest self and proved that I will forever be one of those old souls (as much as I hate to admit it). Still, just because I totally disregarded last year's resolution, doesn't mean I won't make another one this year! A little tweak here or there, nothing too major this time. 

Here what I'm working on in 2012:

Smiling at eye contact with anyone and everyone. I've been told I look a bit intimidating because I always look so serious. Now's the time to flash my parents' $4k investment right? Those braces weren't for nothing!

Spending more time with friends I barely see anymore. Losing touch with reality when you're always so busy sucks, but so does losing touch with your favourite people. 

Become a better conversationalist. I'm generally good at conversing and communication, but you know how there's always that one person at any given gathering who is a natural social butterfly, flitting about from one conversation to another, thus always keeping the party fresh? Yeah that's who I want to be by the end of the year. 

Anyways, I've got a wake up call for 3:30 AM to catch that plane that'll take my dad and I from Winnipeg to Minneapolis, to Japan to Manila. I won't be blogging for three weeks, but you can follow me on twitter and instagram for sporadic vacay updates. I'll leave you with this YSL Le Smoking/Bianca Jagger-inspired outfit as a parting good bye. 

Wearing a jacob tuxedo blazer, thrifted gold silk top and silk pants, calvin klein pumps.

DIY MAKEUP PALETTE

Hope everyone had a great Christmas! Or if you had a terrible one, at least it's over until next year, am I right? I'm just glad I made it through Boxing Day alive. I did feel a bit ill after my 8 hour shift and ended up knocking myself out with NyQuil for over 13 hours, but what's a little drugged out sleep every now and again? But now that Christmas/ Boxing Day/ my Ryerson Portfolio is behind us (just shipped that sucker out today, can I get a hell yeah?!) may I redirect your attention to the next anxiety-inducing thing?

Basically that 3 week trip to the Philippines I've casually mentioned a few times on my blog and/or twitter? Well it's in 5 days!!! GASP! Talk about anxiety. If the nearly 24 hour flight (or rather, series of connecting flights) with my endearingly obnoxious dad doesn't kill me, I'm sure the exposure to sudden heat and lack of internet will. Also, my laptop, Gala, has separation issues. *le tear*

ANYWAYS. Can I re-redirect your attention to this makeup palette DIY? It's pretty easy to do, not to mention, the perfect solution for travelling makeup fanatics like me.

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SPLIT

Ah, Christmas Eve: time to eat, drink and be merry. And you know, spend time with your family and all of that other sentimental stuff that I'm not a very big fan of, but whatever--tis the season, right? I'm actually feeling less "bah humbug" this Christmas compared to last year, but that may be due to the fact that I'm just relieved/ecstatic/proud that I managed to finish my Ryerson entrance portfolio before school ended for the holidays (!!!) Okay, so it isn't official until I finish my essay and ship that sucker to Toronto, but I finished like 95% of it, so I'm allowed to be excited, k? 

As for the outfit, I couldn't decided between silver and gold so I just gave up and wore them together, then paired it with my Jekyll/Hyde tights to carry on that split personality theme and added this fur collar just for the hell of it.

Anyways, I better get started on that essay. I won't be blogging again until after boxing day, so I wish you all a very merry Christmas! 

Wearing vintage fur collar, thrifted gold silk top and sequin shorts, American Apparel leggings, thrifted clutch and Vince Camuto booties. 

FOOL PROOF

With only 11 days left until my Ryerson portfolio is due, I really haven't got time to spare on elaborate beauty routines. Keeping it simple while still making a statement is really as easy as two strokes of eyeliner and heart-attack inducing neon yellow nail polish.

And there you have it. Non-fuss, fool-proof, busy-person makeup. 

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH

When the going gets tough, the tough wear leather pants. 

Not gonna lie guys, but this month has been super hectic. I've always been the kind of person to spread myself thin, to take on too many things, perhaps too many to handle. I think it's because I'm the ambitious type, with the "I can do this!" kind of mentality. For as long as I can remember, that's how I've always gone about it--juggle a million things at once, stress out about everything, put things off, then at the last minute work super hard and surprise everyone (even myself) with the work I produce. Somehow, beneath the turmoil and stress, things always worked out, and they worked out for the better. I guess that, like a lump of coal, if you put me under enough pressure, I will eventually turn into a diamond. Or a cubic zirconia, whatever.

There is also a long story of exactly why I'm stressed out, but if you just read the bolded italicized letters, that will summarize it real quick: my Ryerson entrance portfolio along with my photography assignments at school (which aren't due until February) are due in 18 days!!! December 22 is my absolute last day at school (where I do all my work) before the holidays (which I fully intend to work two retail jobs simultaneously BTW) and if I manage to make it through Boxing Day alive, I will be heading to the Philippines for a three week trip in January! (hence the shortened deadlines!)

Yep, that is all. I'm going to try to fit in a few hours of sleep now, night night!

Wearing random tank top, vintage leather pants, Calvin Klein pumps, Casio and vintage watches, necklace c/o La Dama