Spoiled

I've been kind of spoiled lately. After being photopraphed by Danka one week, styled by Patrick and clothed by Sub Rosa Vintage another week, going back to dressing myself and taking pictures with my iPhone is just not that exciting. This lack of excitement is reflected in my facial expression in the photos below *sigh*
It's so easy to get used to the luxuries of a real photographer and other people's clothing/ style, but I'm plowing forward.

I realize that I have yet to document my new hair. Scandal!
I had been admiring and drooling over ombre hair for a while. However, I am addicted to highlights and love being a  blonde, so I wasn't sure if I could go ahead with it. Complicating things further, I had also recently fallen in love with Neris' hair (check out her blog here). Her blonde is so gorgeous - so I decided that if I chickened out on the ombre, I would copy her platinum locks.
Last Wednesday, I walked into my hairdresser's salon armed with pictures of Neris and examples of the type of ombre I wanted. I even had YouTube tutorials on how to do ombre colouring. Other hair dressers would have thought I was rude, or a crazy person, but she's been doing my hair since I was 17 so she's used to it. (Side note: over the phone she heard me say "auburn" instead of "ombre" and had already called my mom to warn her I may heve lost my marbles, and devised a plan to discourage me from going through with it. Love my hair dresser!)

In the end we both agreed that it was time for a change, and the ombre won. Even though it is darker than I am used to, I am slowly learning to like it. It's nothing drastic (for everyone else), but it's a big step for a blonde addict like myself.

Shirt and Skirt: H&M, Necklace: Joe Fresh, Shoes: Nine West, Bracelets: Forever 21.

Vested Interests

This vest. Oh, this vest.
I'm obsessed.

I must admit that I was tempted by its sudded cousin from Zara - flashier and three times the price. But being a grown-up is all about making difficult decisions, so I said "no" to Zara and went searching for an alternative that fit both my body and my budget. I dashed madly through the Eaton Center looking for the one.
My face lit up when I found this bad boy at Old Navy - it was love at first sight. I've been wanting to spend every moment with it since then, and today I wouldn't let 30 degrees, or my office job stop me.

This vest. It's love.

 

 

 

 

Vest: Old Navy, Shirt: H&M, Skirt: Joe Fresh, Shoes: Target, Necklace: By Sarah

Anchors, Away!

So, I am worried....what I thought was just a lingering desire to keep the cottage vibe going after last weekend, seems to have turned into a more chronic issue. I think I might like country music. More accurately, think I might like Luke Bryan. Last night I even had a dream that I met him at some sort of outdoor country hoe-down fair. On top of that I've always been a Taylor Swift fan, so really....I'm basically a cowgirl. I blame Sarah for all of this.

Below are some photos from my photoshoot with my friend Danka that I mentioned yesterday. What a difference a good camera and a great photographer make!

I'm wearing a pair of shorts and a chambray shirt because I'm a cowgirl this is basically my summer 2012 uniform. If I had known how much I would love these shorts from the Gap, I would have bought a pair in every colour. Seriously. They are fantastic and cover my whole butt which is a pretty big deal in today's day and age, not because I have a JLo butt (sadly) but because all shorts seem to be made for tweens only. Just the other day my friend Emilie and I were complaining about the fact that it's very difficult to find shorts for women of a certain age (aka. 25+). Everything is tiny, distressed, designed by Miley Cyrus or all of the above. So...here's to Gap and their age-appropriate shorts! Cheers!

I'm off to pack for my weekend adventure with my bestie Patrick. One more sleep until I get to see him. I can hardly wait!

 

 Shirt: Levi's, Shorts: Gap, Shoes: Target, Necklace: Joe Fresh

I really liked this shot of me whippin' my hair back and forth a la Willow Smith and had to post it. It reminds me of the type of hazard people face when I get on the dance floor. There is a 4 foot radius of styled, dangerously full of product curl around me. So, if you see me on a dance floor - watch out!

Double Denim

A sure sign that you had a fabulous time at a friend's cottage and are trying desperately to prolong the cottage vibe: finding yourself searching for the local country station to listen to in your car.
That happened. To me. Half an hour ago. (Sarah's going to love it)

This weekend was fantastic. From Friday's pool party with my colleagues to a sunny weekend at the cottage - I really couldn't have asked for more. Every weekend should be like it, and I am certainly NOT looking forward to being in the office for 8 hours tomorrow. *sigh*

Here's my outfit from Friday. Nothing says "casual Friday" like two denim pieces. Bless!

These photos were taken near my colleague's house, right before the pool party festivities started. As we were taking them, her girlfriend came home and caught us red handed. She was like  "why are you guys taking photos of each other?" and it was one of those moments that made blogging seem really silly.

But, I love it.  For example, the highlight of my Monday morning is going to be sitting down with a coffee and catching up with my fave bloggers - checking out what they were up to this weekend and how they were dressed. Looking forward to it!

Jacket: Guess, Shirt and Necklace: Joe Fresh, Jeans: Forever 21, Sandals: Zara

Highs and Lows

If I look angry in these photos it's probably because I was. (Or sleepy. Whatever.)
I'm angry over this whole Robsten fiasco - more on that a little later.

First, the outfit. Not much to say except that these wedges which were such an exciting purchase earlier this summer (only $24.99!), should basically come with a health warning : if you plan on doing anything more than sitting down while wearing these shoes, you may regret it and end up limping and hating life. 

These killers gave me THE worst blisters I have ever had in my entire life, on the pads of my feet. Yes, pads aka impossible NOT to re-injure yourself while doing such neccessary things as walking. This incident happened weeks ago and my feet have still not recovered. Why did I wear them again? Because I'm a daredevil, of course. (Also, I think they're so cute and look good with the mullet skirt)

Today's manicure! Purple polkadots!

Shirt and skirt: Foreever 21, Necklace: Joe Fresh, Bangle: blogger sale, Shoes: Winner's (do NOT buy them)

And now: my Robsten Rant. 

As we all know Rpatz (Robert Pattinson) and his soon to be ex girlfriend, KStew (Kristen Stewart) have hit a "little" bump in the relationship road.

By now I am sure that most of you know the story, but here are the cliffs notes: RPats and KStew have been dating for 3+ years (aka ever since they met on the set of the first Twilight movie). KStew recently played Snow White in the Snow White and the Huntsman, and yesterday we got to see pictures of her seductively hugging and sucking the face of the 41 year old director of that movie, Rupert Sanders, who happens to be a married father of two. Today the two of them issued seperate statements confirming the rumor expressing their regrets and sincere apologizies to their partners. 

KStew was all like "Woe is me, I hurt Rob, how terrible, I love him, I love him, I really really love him".  The whole unfortunate scenario caused a Twittersphere and Interwebs metldown, especially among the completely insane Twihards who don't seem to understand that KStew and RPats aren't actually Bella and Edward in real life. Everyone was all up in a tizzy like "OMG POOR RPATZ boo hoo, what a horrible day for him"

Now, I don't want to seem cruel. Getting cheated on is THE WORST and I can't even imagine what it must be like when the whole world finds out at the same time and is watching you. *Barf*

But, people need to get a hold of themselves. The fact that RPatz's 22 year old girlfriend (who he hooked up with while they were on set and during which time she was dating someone else *sound familiar?*) cheated on him isn't great, but the real scandal here is the fact that this fiasco threatens to break up a long standing marriage and a family. This scumbag director is a father of two. His wife was also in the movie. She has been nothing but supportive of him and this project. Their kids are old enough to understand the kind of pain this is surely going to cause the whole family. 

The fact that "Bella" and "Edward" may not spend a sparkly eternity together as a result of all this IS a shame, but nothing to make cray YouTube videos about. This loser man put his whole family on the line for a make-out session with an angsty, mostly greasy looking, ungreatful, whiny little "starlet". That is the real tragedy here.

Neon Pink

I really love this neon pink shirt from Joe Fresh and basically wish I could have bought one in every colour. Please excuse my empty belt loops (and ear holes). I don't have cable at my place, so on Sunday night I had a slumber party with my mom at my parents' house so I could watch the most important event of the television season: the three hour finale of The Bachelorette.
Naturally, in my haste to pack for both the slumber party and work, I forgot my earrings and the belt I was going to wear with this outfit. Empty belt loops are kind of a pet peeve of mine, but here we are.

A quick note on the Bachelorette: Can I please have a Jef of my own? Complete with rolled up pants revealing his ankles, skinny ties and fitted suits? *swoon*

 Shirt: Joe Fresh, Skirt: Forever21, Necklace: H&M, Shoes: Nine West

In other news, I am doing this DVD- based French course and it's so painful. I'm expected to do work on my own and then once a week an instructor calls me and we do an hour of convo together. Already this course has been a large shit show because everything about it is complicated. Today (after angrily calling the helpdesk) I was finally able to install and access the DVD, and WOW, I couldn't really believe my eyes.
This program is a) the least user friendly thing I have ever used, and b) older than I am.

Check out the screen shot below. That thing pops up on your desktop, above whatever else you may have been doing, and it's not much bigger than pictured. There is no option to maximize it, or minimize it. The module consists of 10 conversations that you have to listen to and asnwer questions about. There is no option to pause, fast forwad or rewind. You have to listen from the start, if for example, you didn't understand something in convo # 7 the first time around.

Also, the convos have been pre-recorded, meanwhile on the bottom of the screen there is a small (you can't make it bigger) window where the scene is acted out (really badly) by actors who are just mouthing fake words and making ridiculously dramatic hand gestures. The sound is completely seperate from the acting.  WTF?

Also....if you are wondering if that is someone dressed up as Santa Claus, the answer is yes, yes it is. The conversations are SO random. That particular one is a work meeting during which there is a surprise guest aka Santa. Whaaat? Another one is about a new secretary who comes in and talks about her love life and her many failed marriages. 

I. Just. Can't.

Is Turning Purpleish Blue

I hate this cardigan.

I bought it at the Gap during our last shopping trip to the US. "Colourful cardigans" were on my list of things I needed, and I just wasn't finding any (I had also tried on 30 jean jackets none of which fit me properly)....so when I saw this hot pink cardi at the Gap, I bought it in frustration without even trying it on. When I did try it on I realized it's really droopy - it's shapeless and just hangs there. This is only my second time ever wearing it, and although I do like it better tucked in, I'm still not very impressed with it.

Also, I saw the "grown up" guy in the same exact elevator again this morning on our way to work. It was all a bit "dark ironic comedy"...silently and sleepily riding in the same elevator back to work, a short 14 hours after we rode the elevator home together yesterday. Life's little patterns.

I have a thing for timing.

Yesterday, a light was out at a major intersection on my way home and traffic was moving at a snail's pace. I had to stop for groceries. He stopped to get wine. We ended up in the same elevator.
This morning I slept in and woke up at 8:00 am (aka when I usually start working). We ended up in the same elevator.
If not for these random events, I wouldn't even know this guy existed but here I am mentioning him two days in a row. This is why I love the movie Run Lola Run.
timing. blows. my mind.

Cardigan: Gap, Skirt: cc clothing swap. Shoes: Nine West, Bracelets: various + Small Town Catwalk Etsy Shop

Blue Moon

I recently got home from volleyball and I am exhausted. We played the top placed teams in the league tonight and it was so much fun. We played the best we have all season (even though we lost 4 out of 6 games). I finally got my heart rate up, broke a sweat and even sustained an injury. My first ever sports injury in fact! *slow clap*
I took a pretty hard dive right into the sand, and scraped my knee. It was worth it, because I'm pretty sure I looked totes cool and sporty while doing it. Amaze!

In my head this dress is something Kate Middleton would wear. Not sure why, because I'm pretty sure I paid like $29.99 for it a few years ago. Maybe it's the colour. No idea. In any case...let's just pretend I look like Kate Middleton whenever I am in this dress and call it a day. Thanks.

Also, today I got my mom to take these photos. It was pretty hilarious:
1. She was worried that her tomatoes didn't look nice enough for the blog (behind me).
2. She didn't really get blogging at all. When I told her it was for a blog, she thought blogging was online dating, until I explained that most style bloggers are women who check out other women's blogs and comment on each other's posts. Then she was even more confused as to why I bother/ potentially a little concerned.

Dress: Smart Set, Blazer: Simon's, Shoes: Target, Necklace: Joe Fresh

Video Killed The Radio Star

In 1993 I immigrated to Canada with my family from war-torn Bosnia. I have always been very proud of my Serbian heritage and have always had a strong connection to my Serbian roots.

Many years ago, a boy named Uros walked into a Serbian party, all alone. He was what I call an "undercover Serb" - someone who was a complete unknown in the community. We quickly became friends and learned that we are both type-A go getters who love volunteering and public humiliation speaking.

Since that day, he's been anything but undercover. Over the years the two of us have been involved in various Serbian community organizations. We were part of the Association of Serbian Students (ASS!), we hosted the Serbian Festival, we started a Serbian youth organization and hosted a Serbian radio show.

For our latest Serbdventure (copyright!), we are launching Serbian TV Ottawa - a community TV program in Serbian, produced by Uros and I, and hosted by us and two other awesome Serbs. When it airs in August it will become the third show of its kind in Canada and 6th in all of North America. Yay!

It was mainly Uros' idea, to be 100% honest, and it took some convincing to get me on board, but I'm glad he was persistant because I am so excited to be working on this.

Yesterday we filmed our first episode, and although it was way harder, longer and more awkward than we expected/ planned, I think we did a good job. For most of us, it was our very first time on camera so we have a long way to go, but I'm eager to learn and excited to be working with this fabulous team, especially Uros who always believes in me and pushes me to take on new challenges.
Thanks Urose! HGH!

Here's a breakdown of our evening:

It all began at 5pm with make-up and junk food in the Green Room. Perfect start to my TV career, I'd say.

If you knew me, you would know that I consider drinking Pepsi a sacrilege. I get angry when I ask for Coke and the server says "Is Pepsi OK?". If I ask for Coke, and it's not available you might as well offer me tomato juice as an alternative, because it is ABSOLUTELY NOT OK.
BUT, I was in a hurry and desperate and it's not my fault that Harvey's has delicious burgers and onion rings *drool*.

Uros and I ready for our close-up. I got to wear my new "J Crew" necklace, which Sarah brought back for me from Quebec City. I'm pretty sure that owning this necklace officially makes me a blogger. Also, I cleaned my shoes especially for the filming (look how shiny they are) only to find out they're not even visible on camera. Sad face.
I digress.

Unfortunately things were moving at a ridiculous pace, and I was pretty nervous so I didn't get a chance to snap photos of the rest of our team. But, do not be fooled - it is not JUST Uros and I. We have a wonderful community correspondant Milana, a sports correspondant Marko and Nikola who is helping us put the whole thing together. Go team!

 Here's one of Marko doing his thing, without a script! *amazing*

 

Uros and I getting ready to shoot. At least we kind of look like we know what we're doing. Fake it 'til you make it y'all!

Filming was a scary, awkward and fairly uncomfortable blur - so this photo is perfect. It was our first time in front of the camera, and let me tell you - radio and TV are not even similar. Sitting in these red chairs was super awkward. Holding the lady-like Kate Middleton leg cross was no easy task, and looking natural while reading from a teleprompter was basically impossible.

 "Try not to look like deer in the headlights" - camera man. Excellent advice. #fail

Seeing the unedited product was pretty terrifying. Hearing yourself is hard enough, but SEEING yourself as well? Ridiculous. Rest assured we won't be taking over Good Morning America any time soon, BUT that's obviously only because our show is in Serbian.

 
Congrats to the whole team! Looking forward to our first season! Ukljucite se!  

Bright Lights

Today my colleague asked "Where did you get your shirt....1989?"
I chose to take that as a compliment because I'm loving all the neon this season, and this bright shirt is no exception. (I wanted to get it in all the available colours, but settled for this one and the beige one that I wore here) What I'm not loving at all, is the fact that all my recent pics have been taken in this exact same corner - mais c'est la vie.

Shirt: Marshall's, Pants: H&M, Belt: Target, Necklace and Shoes: Joe Fresh, Bangle: blogger sale

Ps. Unfortunate Things I'm Realizing Thanks to my Blog #834759874593759834: Regardless of whether I need it or not, I always have a hair elastic around my wrist. Sometimes two. Sad.