MAXImum Fun

This weekend was fantastic. I really wasn't ready for it to be over so soon.

Niagara was fabulous! I met some amazing people, ate good food, danced and had an awesome time. I am now exhausted (and kind of cranky), so I'll make this quick.

Here's an outfit featuring my new maxi skirt from.... Walmart. I didn't think I could possibly love Walmart more, but when I saw this beauty on the rack for $16.99, I fell in love all over again. Cheap toiletries, a grocery store and now cute skirts? Love.

Shirt and Belt: Forever 21, Skirt: Walmart, Sandals: Old Navy

Thrifting Away

I am off to Niagara Falls for the long weekend (HAPPY BIRTHDAY CANADA!), but I leave you with this outfit featuring one of my first ever actual thrift store purchases - this purple skirt! *slow clap*

When we first arrived in Canada in 1993, my whole family was taken to a church downtown Ottawa and led into a musty basement full of used clothing. A couple of kind nuns measured and fitted us all with new wardrobes....perfect for spring/summer 1965. I remember my parents laughing at our new outfits on our way back home, but I knew they were just making light of a difficult situation, trying to hide from us kids the real pain they must have felt. It was there that our second-hand lifestyle began. For a while, everything we owned was used - more accurately it was donated. All of our furniture, our dishes, all my toys, my clothing - everything was someone else's. I remember wondering what it would be like to own something that no one else had touched before. As a result, I developed a serious aversion to thrift stores, garage sales and hand me downs. The mere smell of a thrift store reminded me of those difficult years.

Over time though, things have changed. I first started shopping at thrift stores for Halloween costumes, then ugly sweater parties and most recently, inspired by some great bloggers, I've also started browsing for actual clothing items. The other day, I finally took the plunge and made my first purchase. Three items: this skirt, a scarf and a yellow blazer. It's a slow start, but a start nonetheless.I plan to go back in search of a denim vest (or a denim jacket to DIY into a vest).

This skirt was $4.99 and has pockets. Love.

T-shirt: Garage, Belt: Forevew 21, Skirt: Value Village, Shoes: Winner's

Flower Child

I've been wanting to wear something with a floral print, because I'm loving it this season, but it turns out that the only floral thing I own is this fall H&M dress. Who knew?
Anyways, I think that the bare legs + purple shoes + light cardigan + bright pink nails took this outfit from fall to perfect for a warm summer day.

Dress and Belt: H&M, Cardigan: J Crew, Shoes: Nine West, Bracelets: various

On an unrelated note, I watched the end of the Spain vs. Portugal Euro 2012 soccer game yesterday, and it got me thinking that there really is no winning when it comes to team sports. I almost failed grade nine gym and never played team sports until I joined a recreational beach volleyball league like a month ago, so obviously I'm very qualified to speak on this subject

So....on the one hand you have hockey, and the finals are ridiculously long and go on for what seems like months. Best out of 7 games? Really, that's too TOO much.

But then on the other hand you have soccer, and yesterday because this one Portugese player, missed this ONE single penalty shot, his team is out and the other team is now in the finals. WTF? They've been preparing for this for FOUR years, they've worked their asses off and played for 120 minutes in this game alone, only to crash and burn based (mainly) on a random stroke of bad luck? That blows. There you have it, my well informed and deeply insightful sports commentary. You're welcome.

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!  

A Long Weekend, Sunshine and Three Best Friends

This weekend was more than fantastic. I took Friday off, the weather was absolutely perfect and most importantly two of my bestest best friends were in town. YAY!

My bestie Tiffany moved to London a year ago (so long!) to persue her dream career in PR, she's obviously kicking ass and taking names so they're keeping her for another year. I have always known that this girl can do anything she sets out to do, and this move to London has confirmed it once more. She is absolutely brilliant and is a bigger star in my eyes than all the celebs she handles on the red carpet.
Patrick has lived in Toronto for a while now, so he's closer but we still don't see each other as often as I would like (aka every day). He's just the funniest, most talented person I have ever met. The man can sing, act, dance, direct, and make a mean logo. No big deal. (Not to mention he should be the one with the personal style blog, seriously.)

When we get together life just makes sense. We laugh until we pee, we speak in tongues, we sit in comfortable silence, we confess, we give each other advice and we just have a great time. I might still be looking for "the one", but I've already found a couple of soulmates! (with matching tats to prove it!)

Balcony Brunch with the Besties. (They'll probably both hate me for posting this)

 How fab is she?

I miss them both SO much alrady, and if I think about it for any longer I'll start to cry....so..... moving on to what I wore on Friday.

Check out these neon shorts that I bought at the blogger sale. (Ummmm sorry that the pics are so bright you can barely see them, it was sunny and my photographer had to pee)

These babies caught my eye as soon as I saw them on the rack, and even though I wasn't 100% sure they fit right or that they were especially flattering, I just had to have them. I started out the day in my black wedges, but unfortunately those slaughtered my feet and I had to take them off as soon as we got to the nearest store. I ended up purchasing these babies for 20 bucks, which was an unexpected dip into my monthly shopping budget (sad), but had to happen because I literally couldn't walk. The wedges looked much better, but I kid you not when I tell you that I had open wounds on the bottom of both of my feet which required a first aid kit, various creams and balms from my parents' medicine cabinet, a homemade bandage dressing and 2 full fays of awkward limping. Not. Ok.

Shorts: Vero Moda; Shirt: dress, H&M, Emergency Sandals: Old Navy, Necklace: Joe Fresh

Where Have You Been?

I've been MIA lately and it's a little bit because my computer at home was being ridiculous, work has been busy and we haven't had time to take photos AND mainly because of French. I've been studying like a mad woman/ sitting around waiting for my teacher to grace me with her presence. Both took up my whole weekend, and I am none too pleased about it.

So what happened while I was gone? My best friend came home for a visit after being away for a year, and it's been so great. Seeing her just made me realize how much I had been missing her, and the fact that she's leaving on Sunday (already!) makes me want to cry. BUT, I'm trying not to because there is still plenty to look forward to, including this Friday which I'm taking as a vacation day and will spend with her and our bestie Patrick. Can't. Wait.

I went on a second date that involved two wheels and a helmet. Enough said.

I made my first ever legit thrift purchases (aka. I bought things I actually want to wear, and not just as Halloween costumes). I'm nervous and excited to throw them into the rotation.

I learned that I have more patience for people's BS than I thought, as I spent a total of 6 hours waiting for my French teacher this weekend. Gross.

Here's an outfit from the other day that I saw on Pinterest and had to recreate immidiately.

Shirt: Levis, Pants and Necklace: Forever 21, Shoes: Nine West, Belt: my mom's, Gold cuff: blogger sale.

James Dean, for Sure

I'm watching Nik Wallenda walk on a tight rope across Niagara Falls. He's tethered to the tight rope but it's still completely insane and so scary. People have crazy dreams and it's so cool that they set out and achieve them.

Less impressive than a death defying walk on a tight rope....but still the perfect for a spring day at the office, is my outfit from Thursday.

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend. I'll be studying for my French exam both days. Fun.

Blazer: Simon's, Tank: H&M, Skirt: Forever21, Shoes: Target