Update

een so busy with the baby (she turns 4 months in 2 days!). Also my in-laws were in town for a month for part of October and November. However, I want to get back in the swing of things and post more frequently. I know I've been totally neglecting the whole basement reno reveal that I was posting back in the summer. I'm still not done with decorating, but who is? I guess I'll start posting little posts here and there of how my basement looks like in my next post. I also have future ideas on what my next project will be so keep your eyes open. In the meantime I'll show you my outfit of the day from last Thursday. I was doing a few errands. I still want to lose about 8-10lbs, but I'm not too worried about that now…

OOTD: Prada Baroque sunnies, Saks cape, J Crew Heart Sweater, YSL arty ring,
J Crew Pixie Pants
Excuse my unmade bed. I was in a rush to go out.

I love my Prada sunnies! Such a statement piece.

Forgot to add my new MICHAEL Michael Kors Small Jet Set Saffiano Travel Tote that
I got from my husband for our 6-year anniversary back in October 21. I completely
forgot :-S

Also wearing my Kate Spade watch that I talked about here.

And my beloved YSL Arty Ring. I've been hearing that ever since YSL's new Creative
Director, Hedi Slimane came on board they are discontinuing the Arty rings (and
some other YSL products like the Chyc Cabas to name a few). Is this true???
I may have to get some more Arty's before they are gone forever…

I love a good sale

f you guys know me, you know I love a good sale. Who doesn't, right? Almost all the designer items in my closet were purchased on sale.

Last Tuesday I went to the mall and I spotted a huge sale on designer items at Holt Renfrew Last Call. Almost all their denim were 80% off on top of their already marked down price! I guess they were trying to get rid of their summer stock in preparation for the fall season. Then their other clothing items were 30-80% off. Initially I was going to get a pair of J Brand jeans in neon pink. I think they were $129 (already marked down from $239) + another 80% off. However, the checkout line was huge and my daughter started crying like crazy so I had to leave the store to feed her. By the time I went back those jeans were gone. I'm glad they were too because I got myself a pair of polka dot Paige denims. Yes, they are pretty trendy, but I think they will be easier-to-match than the neon pink pairs and I think I can still wear these going into the fall/winter season. Plus, I'm not sure if the whole colourful denim trend will be in fashion next summer.
I'm still trying to shed the extra 10lbs that I have (I already lost 20lbs of my pregnancy weight), but you can see how I look wearing them in the photos above. I also found this photo (see below) that I found online of a model wearing these jeans. I don't like how this outfit was styled (too flashy), but you get the idea how it will look. I think it'll look really great with my black motorcycle boots.
BTW, I got the jeans for just under $30!

I also got myself a beautiful silk Equipment top for 40% off. Initially I think they were $230, but it was marked down to $139 + I got an extra 40% off. I got this teal-coloured top for about $94 with taxes. I know that's still quite expensive, but I've always wanted an Equipment top. It feels amazing on and it looks great with cut-off denim shorts.

New shadow box & hair pins

esterday I went to the mall with baby K (my newborn 2nd child for those of you who didn't know. She was born on July 21) because I needed to get out of the house. I've been cooped up inside because a) the weather's been crappy lately and b) I've been so tired during the day because baby K is a night owl! I wanted to check out Indigo because it's one of my favourite places to get home décor stuff for a reasonable price. Plus, one of my favourite bloggers lately- Stephanie Sterjovski had a shadow box that I've been going gaga over. She had used it to store her jewelry and I just loved the look of it. She mentioned that you could get similar ones at Indigo and West Elm. I checked out Indigo's website and I noticed they had them. They didn't look exactly like hers, but I needed to have it. I got the more rectangular-shaped one for $39.50CAD. I then stopped by J Crew and saw these cute hair pins on sale for $3.99. I thought it would look so good inside the shadow box so I picked up 2. As soon as I got home I displayed my new Oia Jules bracelets that I got from a previous haul and I also put my June/July/August ring in there. The box is now sitting in one of my bookshelf compartments in my office and I just love it!

Close-up of the hair pins.

Stephanie is holding an Oia Jules giveaway right now so go check it out!

Stocking up before the baby is born

ll I've been doing lately is stocking up on things before my 2nd baby arrives (due date is July 21). I know that it'll be hard for me to go out in the first month after baby Kendall is born because I'll probably be getting no sleep and getting used to the schedule of the baby. So I've slowly been purchasing items on my shopping list in preparation for that.
One of the things on my shopping/wish list were these Anthropologie bowls that I first saw at a photographer's studio a year ago. They are made in Japan and come in the most beautiful patterns. I love how the inside of the bowls also have the patterns. I've seen people use these bowls as serving bowls and even to store their jewelry. I'm not sure how I'll be using them, but I just know that I needed to have them.

Look how pretty they look stacked on top of each other.

I got these bowls for $10/each. They also came in a bigger size, but I liked the smaller size.

I think there were 2 other patterns that I didn't purchase.

I'm so excited to have these in my home collection :-)

So while I was at Anthropologie I noticed a sign that said 25% off of the already reduced sale items. I love Anthropologie, but I find their price point to be a bit too steep. So when I saw this sign I immediately browsed the sale section of the store. I found this beautiful tunic top with an asymmetrical hem that was by the brand Leifsdottir. It was originally $268CAD, but it was reduced down to $49.95 + an additional 25% off. Score!

I wore this top on my 2nd last day at work- July 11. I love how I can wear it after I have the baby.
I refuse to buy maternity clothes! 

The colour of this top is gorgeous.

My favourite part of this top is the beaded detailing.

This is the back of the shirt.

Isn't it gorgeous?

I love finding deals like this. It just makes my day.

Day 2 of basement renos

ay 2 of basement renos (May 1):

So for those of you who want to just see the before's and after photos you may not be interested in the step-by-step process, but I would like to document it. This is our first renovation project ever and it really is our baby project.
Day 2 consisted of the framing. We are putting 1 washroom, a guest bedroom (with a closet), an office for my husband, a main living area (that includes a play area for our son), 2 storage rooms (1 under the stairway and converting our old cold room into a storage space), and a furnace room.

What you are seeing ahead is the framework for our future bathroom. You can see they put up a vent
and some pipes. It's not a huge washroom, but it'll have a standing shower, a toilet and a sink.

To the right of the washroom (not connected) is going to be the guest bedroom. We had thought
about getting a nanny when our 2nd child is born, but I don't think we are going to have one anymore.
I feel uncomfortable having someone living with us. Plus, this is a good bedroom to have for my
in-laws when they are visiting.

To the right of the bedroom is going to be the furnace room. We decided not to finish that. It will just
have a door with a light.

Another look at the furnace room.

This is the view from the bathroom to the other side of the basement. They didn't start on the framework
for the office. It will be just in front of the cold room.

The cold room (or our future storage room) is just beyond those concrete walls at the far end.
The office will be just in front of that with french doors opening to the main living area.

Here is the cold room. You can see they sealed that little hole that was on the top right that was in
day 1 of our renovations. It will now be used as a storage room where we are going to put a freezer
and some of our miscellaneous items.

The fuse box will be in the office.

My husband and I stopped by a lighting store to buy lights for the office, bedroom and the storage rooms. Our main area will have pot lights, but we opted not to have them in the rooms because it would have been uber expensive.

The light above is the light I chose for the office and the guest bedroom. It's really big and modern
looking. I think it will look great.

It was also on sale for $109.99. Down from $149.99.

The light on the top right (turned off) is the light we chose for the storage rooms. It's simple and it
was only $17/each?

I really like the look of a fabric couch, but I knew that with the play area we were putting in the basement and with another kid in the way it would be virtually impossible to keep the couch clean. My husband really wanted to get a leather sectional for the basement. I finally relented and we actually found a leather couch that we both fell in love with. It's a mushroom colour- a grayish brown and I like the classic shape. It's also super comfortable.

You can see that even my son liked it. He was climbing on it and even jumping on it. I felt so bad because
the owner was watching him like a hawk.

We are getting this couch delivered sometime in early June. Can't wait!

7.5 months pregnant

ith my first pregnancy (almost 3 years ago) I always regretted not taking more pregnant photos of myself. It's hard because when you're pregnant you feel huge and uncomfortable. The last thing you want to do is take photos of yourself. However, the very few photos I do have of when I was pregnant is something I look at time and time again. It's such a special time and knowing that you had a living being growing inside of you is something truly amazing.

I thought I would share with you guys a few photos of myself now at 31 weeks.

Yeah, it's totally uncomfortable and tight, but I'm so thankful that my pregnancy is going really well.
I can't really eat too much because I feel really full/tight even when I eat a little bit because
there is literally no room to expand!

My first trimester I experienced horrible cystic acne on my chin area and cheeks, but my 3rd trimester is
going really well. My skin is back to normal. Phew!

What I wore today. I've been wearing a lot of dresses and leggings. No maternity clothes for me.
I just shop for things that make me look trendy that I can also wear after I have the
baby. BTW, did I tell you guys what we're naming our little girl? We are naming her Kendall.

A little haul and a little update

got back from my Vancouver trip last Thursday night and I have a little haul to show you guys.
I didn't go too crazy with shopping, but I picked up a few things that I'm in love with.

On another note, I know it's been a while since I posted last, but I'm just so busy these days. We actually started our basement renos this Monday and my house is a disaster zone. I've been taking photos daily so I'll post those up soon. I can't wait until it's all finished! Now, onto the haul:

One of my first pit stops in Vancouver was to Aberdeen Centre in Richmond to go to Daiso, the Japanese dollar store. I don't have it where I live and I loved it last time I went.

I picked up several treat cups. You may wonder why I bought these, but I stock up my craft box with
things I see for future use. You never know when these will come in handy. I can already see myself
using these when I'm planning my daughter's 1-year old birthday. BTW, did I mention that I'm having
a baby girl??? These come in 32 count. 

I also picked out a round one. These are size 8's. Not sure what that means, but it's smaller than a
cupcake wrapper. I can see myself putting amuse-bouches in here. These come in 72 counts.

Lastly I picked out a rectangular-shaped one with polka dot patterns. Aren't they cute? These are all
food safe because they are lined with a coating on the inside. They are also microwave/oven safe.

I also got 2 packs of stickers. Again, I don't have a use for them yet, but I just love the button and
patterned circles.

You may wonder why I picked out bamboo forks, but I hate the North American ones that I see.
These are so much prettier. I know I'll find a use for these in the future.

Another store that I always check out when I'm in Vancouver is Paper-Ya in Granville Island. My husband always groans when we go there because I'll literally spend an hour in there while he sits outside. It's a beautiful store stocked with cool papers, craft stuff, little gifts, etc. Here's what I got:

Japanese washi tape. I have a small collection at home, but I decided to pick these up because
I have never seen a pattern like this before. These are great to use when wrapping gifts or using it as
an accent on something.

Aren't these the cutest straws? They are paper straws that are made from food safe paper and ink.
They are by The Sugar Diva.

I also got 2 25-packs of treat bags also from The Sugar Diva. I love the chevron pattern and I can
imagine myself using these as loot bags sometime in the future.

One of the days we were in Vancouver we drove down to Seattle to go shopping. We stopped by Seattle Premium Outlets, Nordstrom Rack and Alderwood Mall. I hate shopping in Canada because the taxes are so high and plus, they mark it up way higher than our US counterparts.

At Seattle Premium Outlets I picked up 1 thing for myself- a Kate Spade bow ring. I think I paid $27
for it? I think it was close to $50 regular price. I absolutely love it. I was also eyeing a bright, neon
pink purse, but passed on it. I now wish I got it…

I picked up 3 things from Alderwood Mall. First is this Willow & Clay navy blazer. It reminded me
so much of Smythe blazers, but for a fraction of the price. This was around $90?

I also got a blue and white polka dot top. I love how it's longer at the back. It's very flattering.
I refuse to buy anything maternity as they all look so frumpy, but this one I can totally wear and still
look trendy. I think this is by a brand called Soprano? This was around $40?

Lastly I got a pair of TOMS. They are the Palmetto Seasonal Classic Slip-On in the colour purple.
I was eyeing this for a while, but I didn't want to buy it in Canada because it was so much more expensive.
I think I got it taxes in for $56?

Back in Vancouver I got an email from Holt Renfrew saying that they were having their Spring Bloom promotion. Basically whatever you buy (excludes some brands) you would get 25% of your purchase price back in a gift card. I decided to get get something that I've been lusting after for a while.

I got the YSL Arty Ring in pink. It's the most gorgeous ring and I can't stop looking at my hand every
time I wear it. I got it for $265CAD and I got $66 back in a gift card. I might use that towards another
item on my wish list- the Kate Spade Gramercy Grand Watch.

That is all for my little haul. I'm now 7 months pregnant and ready for the baby to come out! It's becoming
really uncomfortable now.