HIMYM

The problem with watching 3.75 seasons of How I met your Mother in two weeks is that, while hilariously funny and my NPH crush has grown, it makes me look at my wardrobe with sad puppy dog eyes. TV shows set up an unrealistic expectation that we will have something new and interesting to wear everyday. TV shows also make me think I should wear dresses everyday, and oh how much better and more fun my life would be with a plethora of fun cute summer dresses in my closet! Which leads me to do stupid things like order this from shopbop;

On the plus side it's totally work appropriate (with a cardigan or blazer) but I did fall off my 'no new items in the closet until you graduate' plan.

blaaaaaaaaaah

It's a lovely spring day, sun in shining and it's above freezing, I should be jubilant right? Somehow between end of school, work and travel I've managed to run my body into the ground. I've been eating like crap for the past far too long and my energy levels have taken a nose dive. The only problem is, with school and work I have no time to cook healthy meals. The alternative of eating healthy meals out is a no go because my finances are sadly lacking due to the aforementioned traveling. On the plus side my skin did stop freaking out about constantly changing the water softness through travel (seriously scaly legs once I get NYC) any tips of energy boosts that a) don't involve caffeine or drugs and b) don't take up a ton of time?
In the meantime I'll be watching season four of How I met your Mother. <3

On Collecting

I am not new to the collecting circle, I've more or less been collecting all my life. First Grand Champion Ponies and Pony Club books, then swords for a short period of time(it was my tomboy stage) and so on and so forth. I've always loved jewellery, have never been without at least one piece on me at all times. I love looking through my mothers jewellery boxes and asking her about the story behind each piece. I just did a google search about jewellery collecting and all that came up where either shops selling their collections or advice on how to make the most profit from your collection. This saddens me, as why would you bother collecting something if only for a profit?
For me collecting is a labour of love, not of profit. I never think of the resale value of any of the pieces I add to my various collections from Jewellery to Books. I don't intend to sell them, hopefully down the road I'll have a child or a niece or nephew who will take an interest in my collection as I have with my mothers.
For once I'd just like to find a site that talks about the love of collecting, not the profit.

Temple St. Clair

This is the Peridot Bombe ring, and my god what a statement piece.
While in NYC two thing happened, While at the Strand I came across this book entitled Alchemy, by Temple St. Clair all about her jewellery collections and her inspiration. As I had no idea who she was even though I thought the book was lovely I passed (that and I had a ton of book already and a long walk ahead of me) Then when I went to Saks to get my skirt, I popped into the jewellery department and lo and behold, there was Temple St. Clair. Needless to say I fell in love. Except with the prices (one ring was $9000, I almost has a heart attack) Until I can afford her lovely work (which will be a miracle if it happens) I'll just stalk her web page and buy her book.


This ring I saw in Ruballite and I like it with the bright pink stone so much better. So pretty and simple a setting though, it reminds me of the Jewellery the women I met from Bangladesh wore.


These rock crystal pendants are what she's known for. This one is actually quite reasonable at $400, whereas all the others are in the $1000+ range.

Bon Voyage!

One of the things I picked up in NYC, a DVF skirt in the Bon Voyage print, it's so cute and cheerful I can't wait for warmer weather to wear it! My trip was great, I'll be posting a recap later on but for now I leave you with this brilliantly chavvy picture my friends took of me in my new skirt, my new top and some purple zebra print wayfarers. So much fun.

What a Long Strange Trip it's Been...

Well November was a hard month, and so was December. January was filled with antipathy, but with spring around the corner (6 weeks according to our rodent friend) I find my fingers itching. Itching to share what I'm reading where I'm going and what I'm interested in. It also helps that in exactly 5 sleeps I'll be in sunny Arizona for 1.5 weeks and then seven days after I get back in NYC with C and N. Still haven't applied for my British Visa, but as I've postponed any moving to a new country until next January (my credit cards need paying off first) I'm in no rush. I still hate my job, but it's OK. I'm only there in this location for 3 more months (pretty much one of which I'm away for) and then I'm back home with my mum. This summer/fall I intend to volunteer my little butt off to spruce up my resume (the local library, an arts festival and my sisters school) as well as a new part time job working for the Learning Centre for some extra cash. I'm getting organized and starting to pull myself out of this cycle of depression. This blog may change a bit in content, maybe less fashion and more books. But the heart is still the same.

Alysia

Just taking a small break to recharge my batteries. The last few weeks of November are always hard, with midterms and finals for school. Plus this Saturday will be the 5th anniversary of my dad's death, so I'm going home to visit his grave. Will hopefully be recharged and ready to blog next week.

xxx
Alysia

Wrock?!

And here I thought I was out of the Harry Potter Fandom more or less for good. Why is it that it keeps sucking me back? With Wizard Rock for the love of all that is holy! (For those who don't know, Wizard Rock is music based on the Harry Potter books. With bands like Harry and the Potters, Draco and the Malfoys, The Parslemouths, The Ministry of Magic and so on) I guess I just have to resign myself to the fact that the Harry Potter books may be done, but my love of the books may never die. I the meantime here are some of the song I love, 99 Deatheaters and Snape Vs. Snape.

Hoodies

something about the weather, when it drops below 5 degrees I grab my hoodies and pretty much live in them, fashion be damned. As I have somehow misplaced my old favourite grey one, I'm looking into replacing it. I got a pink one from joe fresh the other day, but this Roots one has also caught my eye. I love the longer style, and it may just find its way into my closet if it stays this cold.

Well Rounded

I had a very educational weekend. I finished Pride and Prejudice for the billionth time, finished the Count of Monte Cristo. I went to the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum for those who don't know) to see the Marie Antoinette dress on display and became a member. I also updated my Librarything acount (the literature one, not the history one. I'm so far behind on the history account I'm scared to try and catalog it all) I love it spending time doing 'intellectual' things. My time at work really gets me down so doing things purely to further my personal education always makes me happy.

xxx
Alysia

Barney?

I just realised my pea coat is kinda the colour of Barney the dinosaur.
FUN.
Doesn't make me love it any less though.

xxx
Alysia

Perfume and Cashmere

Last Friday I finally tracked down a shop in Toronto that sells L'Artisan perfumes and purchased my much coveted bottle of Dzing! The shop, Noor Boutique is very lovely, the girl who helped me was very helpful, even supplying me with multiple samples of what she thought I might like based on what I already did like. I'm currently in LOVE with L'artisan's Mechant Loup (the Big Bad Wolf) which is going to be my next perfume splurge.
I also picked up a lovely dark grey (shocking) cashmere cardigan (even more shocking I know, my wardrobe is just full of surprises) and guess what? its v-neck! Why I'm such a rebel. But it is long and it was only $89 and it wasn't from Jcrew, it's from Zara. It's my new fav as I've worn it every day.

xxx
Alysia

Belated Birthday

So even though my birthday was back in September I was in such a funk I didn't really get myself anything, except my glasses. With the ecconomy in the state it is I really want to even more buy peices that will stand the test of time. I'd like to expand my jewelry collection a bit. I love love love rings. I wear two everyday (One is the one my mum was given as her 10Th birthday present by her parents, it's yellow gold with a pearl and the other is the Cameo I got last Christmas from my mum) they're great, very elegant for day to day but I'd like something with some oomph. Seeing as my men prospects are non-existent and regardless I don't want to rely on a man for things, I want to get this for myself. Something that I would normally never get, a total splurge. The first round of nominee's are all from Tiffany & Co.



First up is this lovely cushion cut Amethyst ring. On the side of the ring it's stamped/engraved with Tiffany & Co. It's $1350 and the only I haven't seen in person yet. It's kind of like one that I saw at another store (sadly this one though much better priced was in rose gold, pushing it out of the running) This is the downside to this ring. I know if I searched for it long enough, I could find a similar ring for much cheaper. Which is probably what I'll do.



Next up is from the Paloma Picasso's Sugar Stacks ring collection. These rings are meant to be worn together, or individually. At $1100 this is the least expensive of the three Tiffany rings I'm looking at. I also love the shape of the stone. It's so different than most contemporary cuts, it's almost like it's more authentic, but in a candy way. I really really like this ring, and I may get it anyways even if I do pick something else as my birthday present as say maybe a Valentine's day gift.



Last up is also from the Paloma Picasso's Sugar Stacks collection, but this one is a Rubellite stone instead. At $1700 this is the most expensive one of the lot, and also the one I'm leaning towards. My research into rubellites tells me that they're a type of Tourmaline, the only tourmaline's to get their own name (others are referred to by their colour) I think this would be a fabulous addition to my slowly growing collection, and I love that it's pink. Fuchsia even. You don't see many fuchsia rings out there and it's individuality are what draws me to it. It's more than what I wanted to spend, it's even the same price as the Chanel bag I originally wanted. But on the other hand, a ring will last much much longer than a purse. I'm still on the fence, and I'm not going to rush to purchase any of them. But hopefully with some mediation I will come to the decision and be happy with it.

HSM3 Part 2

This played before the Bolt Preview. Best sumarization of HSM ever :D It was great though I was a little drunk for it (What, it was a 9.50 showing... We had to kill time somehow) God, what good clean fun! Go see it if you can.

Brody and LC

Probably one of the best commercials this year.

And my winter coat couldn't have come at a better time, it snowed yesterday. Woo!

Franc-O-Phile

So we all know I'm a total Franc-o-phile (and Anglo-phile while we're at it). I'm obsessed with their culture, and language. I've always wished I payed more attention in French classes when I was in school, so I've decided to take on teaching myself with books as much as possible. Hopefully I don't fail too much.
xxx
Alysia

Winter Coat Solution

Well, it's not as fancy as the other two, but it's cute, bright and cheerful. And I can always get a longer dressier coat later on in the season, plus this was 20% off. What do you all think? What colour scarf/gloves should I wear with this coat?
xxx
Alysia

Thanksgiving!

Going home for Thanksgiving! (Canadian Y'all) See you all Tuesday or Wednesday! I love extra extra long weekends (OMG more than one day off at a time? what is the world coming to???)

xxx
Alysia

Winter Coat Conundrum

So unfortunately my favourite Calvin Klein pea coat that I've had for three years (I got it for $150 at winners) is done. The lining is shredded and it's not worth it to get it relined. Lets have a moment and sigh over my favourite coat.

Ok onto getting a new winter coat! As to the fact that is was 3 degrees Celsius this morning I think I need to step on it. Originally I was going to get the above coat. Had it ordered and everything, but then JCrew ran out and my order got cancelled. Tragic. Now I'm looking atthis one from Anthropologie (the Souris River Overcoat for those who aren't Canadian) But is it a little much? Clearly I'm madly in love with it. It's stunning. But is it too much? Should I go more plain? Or should I splurge on it and maybe pick up a cheaper plain pea coat for those days when I need to go incognito. Decisions Decisions...

Thanks!

Just wanted to say thanks to the lovely girl who stopped me last night getting off the subway and complimented my glasses, jacket and purse. You totally made my night, and I hope you have as much luck finding glasses as I do :)