Shot. Stolen. Wanted.

What I spy with my little eye... The random stuff I shoot, steal (or...borrow?) and the things I just can't live without

All things Neon - Giving the cold weather a kick in the crotch…

It’s been two weeks since the incredible heat wave took Montreal by storm. Short shorts, crop tops, sundresses, flowy skirts and sandals made their first appearances of the season… only to be abruptly abandoned and stashed away in the depths of our closets, as good ol’ Mother Nature decided to toss us yet another curve ball: cue the hail, drizzle, wind and dampness we’ve been experiencing as of late, and an inevitable switch back to sweaters, boots and wool coats.

I, for one, choose to ‘stick it’ to mother nature. If there’s a will, there’s a way… sort of. Although you will not find me sporting a miniskirt and sandals, I have decided that it’s time to channel the warm weather I so desperately crave by brightening up my wardrobe with some colourful neon pieces… I’ve also decided to start visualizing myself giving the cold weather gods, whomever they may be, a big fat kick in the crotch!!! Screw you winter - leave us alone already!!

CONFESSION: In order to fulfill this psychological mission, I finally succumbed to my self-imposed no-shopping rule. I think I may have lasted a total of one month… not bad, right? Not really. 

To quell any shopper’s remorse and/or guilt I may be feeling, I choose to look at it this way: Survival requires that certain rules be bent. This lapse in self-control can be viewed as a survival tactic of sorts. I am actively ‘willing away the cold’ in order to brighten up my spirits. Brighter spirits translates into being more productive; greater productivity leads me to feeling satisfied with myself; self-satisfaction leads me to becoming a more pleasant and optimistic person and so the cycle goes on… See? All good things!!  Take that guilty conscience! 

In other news, OPI has come out with some amazing new Shellack colours. For those of you who have not yet experienced the wonders of Shellack manicures, simply stated, this type of nail-care involves gel and UV lights. Although more pricey than your average manicure, investing in a shellack session means FLAWLESS nail colour for about 2 weeks (no chipping or breaking). You can literally walk out of the salon and smash your fingers against a brick wall, yet still sustain a pristine set of coloured nails (note: finger smashing is not recommended… I just wanted to reinforce my point). So, continuing with my neon-inspired theme, I chose to coat my nails in OPI colour Pompeii (see picture above). Quite fitting for my neon inspired assault against the cold and crappy climate.

****

~ OPI Shellack Manicure in Pompeii - Mai @ H&M Ongle & Coiffure (1600A Sherbrooke W. / 514.510.7594) 

~ River Island Neon Aztec Jumper available here: http://bit.ly/Hb29mz

~ Equipment Silk Sleeveless Shirt in ‘Cayenne’ available at Influence U (1476 Ste-Catherine Street W.)

So the Osheaga 2012 line-up has just been revealed and there are absolutely no words to describe how ECSTATIC I am.  For one, I have not been to a Snoop Dogg show in 10 years and for those of you that know me, it’s obvious that I’ve got nothing but love for the Snoop ‘D.O double G’ and the rest of the 213 crew (R.I.P Nate Dogg). The Black Keys are also set to perform, which I am so thrilled about! I’ve managed to miss their MTL shows TWICE in a row so hourraaay for them coming back (and hourraaaay to me for knowing about it more than 48 hours in advance). Although these two aforementioned performers go down as ‘legendary’ in my musical books, the most important reason for my utter delight in this line-up is…. FLORENCE FLORENCE FLORENCE!!! If you haven’t guessed it, I am a die-hard Flo fan… No words to describe how much I love her music. I can listen to her songs on repeat all day, every day and sing along until I am blue in the face (just ask my neighbors or anyone who has been in my car). I hate to admit this but my love for her was actually beginning to waver, as I could not understand for the life of me why she hadn’t included any MTL dates on her previous tour, nor her latest 2012 North American tour. To my relief, I’ve been proven wrong… How dare I be so fickle a fan? SHAME ON ME! Anyway, now that I know she’s on her way here, I can relax and continue to obsess over her incredible talent without feeling like a neglected fan. Florence, Snoop and The Black Keys aside, there are some other pretty awesome groups set to perform as well (other personal faves include Aloe Blacc, Metric, Bloc Party, M83… the list goes on). So that’s that. Just thought I’d spread the word and share my excitement!  PS: Tickets on sale this Friday @ www.osheaga.com

So the Osheaga 2012 line-up has just been revealed and there are absolutely no words to describe how ECSTATIC I am. 

For one, I have not been to a Snoop Dogg show in 10 years and for those of you that know me, it’s obvious that I’ve got nothing but love for the Snoop ‘D.O double G’ and the rest of the 213 crew (R.I.P Nate Dogg).

The Black Keys are also set to perform, which I am so thrilled about! I’ve managed to miss their MTL shows TWICE in a row so hourraaay for them coming back (and hourraaaay to me for knowing about it more than 48 hours in advance).

Although these two aforementioned performers go down as ‘legendary’ in my musical books, the most important reason for my utter delight in this line-up is…. FLORENCE FLORENCE FLORENCE!!! If you haven’t guessed it, I am a die-hard Flo fan… No words to describe how much I love her music. I can listen to her songs on repeat all day, every day and sing along until I am blue in the face (just ask my neighbors or anyone who has been in my car). I hate to admit this but my love for her was actually beginning to waver, as I could not understand for the life of me why she hadn’t included any MTL dates on her previous tour, nor her latest 2012 North American tour. To my relief, I’ve been proven wrong… How dare I be so fickle a fan? SHAME ON ME! Anyway, now that I know she’s on her way here, I can relax and continue to obsess over her incredible talent without feeling like a neglected fan.

Florence, Snoop and The Black Keys aside, there are some other pretty awesome groups set to perform as well (other personal faves include Aloe Blacc, Metric, Bloc Party, M83… the list goes on).

So that’s that. Just thought I’d spread the word and share my excitement! 

PS: Tickets on sale this Friday @ www.osheaga.com

The pics above (obviously stolen - see links below for product/pic origins and details) display a handful of items from my BAJILLION dollar spring wish list that I can in no way afford due to a lack of a steady paycheck, savings and an ever increasing amount of debt. But ALAS… a girl can always dream right?

Unless you live under a rock, it is clear that pastels, brights and flowy fabrics are among the top trends for SS’2012. I am by no means a “Fashionista”, however, I do love anything pretty, that fits well and that won’t necessarily break the bank. So although my first instinct is to gravitate towards the likes of ShopBop, Ssence, Singer22 etc.,  a sudden pang of guilt hits me as I reach the check-out page… Cue my undying love for Zara, a store that manages to nail it every time with affordable on-trend pieces that I can purchase practically guilt-free. Regardless, the above pieces sum up the spring vibe I’m going for (Note: should the fiance feel the need to spoil me with one, two or all pieces that is totally fine by me… just throwing it out there).

Product info in order of appearance:

Purse: http://bit.ly/zze0EJ

Jeans: http://bit.ly/zmFKnC

Flats: http://bit.ly/zpowtg

Dress: http://bit.ly/xOX00F

Silk pants: http://bit.ly/wqpfuJ

Sweater: http://bit.ly/AqMcIp

Blouse: http://bit.ly/zo1Nle

There is nothing better than the first spring-like weekend of the season, spent with close friends, eating great food and drinking excellent wines. Having had surgery this past January, I’ve spent most of 2012 in seclusion. This weekend, I bit the bullet and decided it was time to get back to what I know best: Eating, drinking, dancing, singing and staying up way too late.

The images above showcase my weekend in a nutshell… Highlights included an excellent Halibut dish cooked by yours truly; a late night dance marathon complete with all of us taking turns singing into a makeshift mic (i.e.: my hairbrush); the fondling of our Stewie doll; a drive through the old port (#note: this was originally supposed to be a walk… this plan consequently ruined by a killer hang-over); scarfing down my fave brunch at Cartet; recovering at my friend lyla’s with a nice glass of red while watching her trip out over a last minute work assignment; and lastly, a much needed latte from Lili&Oli. 

Saw this documentary last night and LOVED IT! If you’re a Tribe fan, a lover of jazz-infused hip-hop (think De La Soul, Native Tongues, Digable Planets etc.) or just looking to kill some time…. This is a MUST watch.