What to Wear...To a Holiday Party!

What to Wear...To a Holiday Party! by vodka-caviar featuring a lace shirt

Recent Summer Shoe Purchases!

Recent Summer Shoe Purchases! by vodka-caviar featuring leather ballerina shoes

Since I was unemployed last summer I obviously didn't make too many unnecessary purchases {sadly}! So after 2 full summers of the same shoes and sandals I was in desperate need of some new footwear for both work and everyday! I made a Forever 21 purchase online and picked up a pair of these strappy sandals in brown for $45. Next up, I was in terrible need of a new pair of ballerina flats! I loved the ALDO ones I bought maybe 2 years ago so I tried to find a similar style and grabbed a pair of cute pink flats called Adrirawien for $60. Finally, this past weekend I hit up the Niagara Outlets with my friend before her birthday party. Nine West was having a sale buy 1 get 1 50%! I obviously couldn't pass that up! So after much deliberation I decided on these and these! A fairly successful shoe binge! All I need is new pair of flat sandals and I think I'm all set!*

weekend roundup!

This past weekend was the first LONG weekend of summer 2014!  The weather held up for the post part! It was such a busy weekend! Saturday was my best friends 30th birthday!!! So we went wine touring in the Niagara Region which is always a good time! Got our nails done, had a delish dinner in Niagara Falls and watched some Fireworks!  Sunday I took my mother out for a post Mother's Day {boozy} brunch at the Ancaster Mill. If you haven't been I HIGHLY recommend it! The food selection was amazing and the mimosa's we flowing! Monday I got the chance to meet up with some of my other besties for some patio drinks and ice-cream, caught a few rays and had dinner with my parents! Nothing CRAZY but busy and friend filed just what I need to pass the remaining days! Below are some snaps from the weekend! I also did a little shoe shopping but I will post about that later!!!*

 our DD for the day!

 

 first tasting of many at Flat Rock Cellars

 

 love this!

 

aging wine

wine tasting outfit of the day!
Cardigan: Forever 21  Tank: Forever 21   Necklace: Aldo  Pants: Dynamite

 

Birthday Girl!

 don't be fooled by the melon

Effy baby & mama!

a boozy brunch

The Ancaster Mill

 

exhausting run at the park

weekend snaps!

This past weekend I celebrated my 28th with 12 of my closest friends! It has been 2 years since I've celebrated my birthday with all my friends and it was such a good opportunity for all of us to take a minute to slow down from our uber busy lives and re-connect! I really didn't take too many photos of my party {I totally spaced and got too excited} but below are the snaps I did manage! During the day by best friend and I went to The 10 Spot Beauty Bar to indulge in some nail pampering with Gel Colour Manis and some nail art! Then it was time to party! The night started off at my condo with Prosecco Punch and some nibbles then it was off to The Drake Hotel for a late dinner in their Sky Yard! Post dinner we migrated over to a cute bar in Toronto's Little Portugal  called Camp 4 for some cocktails and dancing! It was such a great night and I'm so lucky to have such a solid group of girl friends!*

birthday nail art from The 10 Spot, ring from Aldo $10

 

Happy Birthday chalk board message!
{ignore the messy kitchen}

 

 

my loves

 

Birthday outfit*
Skirt: Top Shop $88  Crop Top: Top Shop $15  Necklace: Aldo $20 Shoes: Nine West {gifted}

 

menu & martini's

 

my best & I

 

 

 



weekend snaps!

This past weekend my boyfriend and I ventured off to Detroit. Not the most beautiful and safe place to be heading to but... it was his birthday...concert tickets were purchased...so Detroit! I really only have one thing to say about Detroit.....culture shock. People think Toronto is dangerous. I feel 1000 times safer here than I would ever feel in Detroit. The city is totally bankrupt and abandon. Buildings are falling apart businesses have totally relocated to other parts of Michigan and I didn't feel safe walking to my valet parked car, let alone walking downtown to the concert. But it was such a super fun weekend...our hotel room was amazing we stayed at the Motor City Hotel and Casio {felt like a mini Vegas}....with terry cloth robes, a mini bar, room service and a huge sunken bathtub.... I didn't leave the room except to go to the concert! Here are a few IPhone snaps!*

I did!

have to love the $10.00 magnum....!

view

concert outfit

{Dress: Target    Jacket: Olive and Oak    Boots: Aldo}

hotel lounge...delish Fig Martinis!

 

 

 

The Fillmore

 

these chandeliers were to DIE...so vintage

more....

 

 

Dallas...

The Look for Less

I mentioned in my Friday Favorites post last week {here} that I love these Givenchy Shark Lock wedge boots. So....I have been searching the internet like a mad woman since then to find a similar pair for less...aka The Look for Less!  All I can find are these Aldo Penvy wedge boots for $100. I may go try them....any thoughts on where I could find such a beautiful boot for say under $1900?! Let me know in the comments! But for now here is what I've found!*

The Look for Less! by vodka-caviar featuring aldo necklace

I have always coveted J.Crew products! I think they have perfected chic and versatile business casual for women, making getting dressed every morning easy and fun for the modern day working ladies out there. However, Canada has yet to get J.Crew stores {or at least a J.Crew near me}! As far as I'm concerned J.Crew really jump started the Bauble Necklace trend with their gorgeous statement necklaces {seen here}. As amazing as a 14k gold chain with imported gems sounds, these beauties are always sold out, and lets face it, I'm in no state to go to spend $130 - 250 on a necklace to wear to work! ALDO always has great finds, and they follow the trends and fads so finding that Look for Less is always easy! H&M and Forever 21 also do an excellent job of creating highly popular looks for a beauty on a budget shopper!*

LOVE it or LOATHE it? by vodka-caviar featuring a hidden wedge

I was out at the mall with my friend last weekend; and as I was browsing ALDO I noticed they had quite the selection of these Hi-Top Wedge sneakers....when they first debuted last year I was actually taken aback by how ugly these shoes are. I really don't understand the trend {these are right up there with the horrible Stiletto Timberland's J.LO use to rock here} their chunky and gaudy and now include over the top embellishments. These wedges trick people into thinking your laid back, casual and sporty but in my opinion you look like you're trying way too hard to impress. If you want a wedge why not strap on a cute pair of espadrille wedges?  Sadly, these "sneakers" are everywhere right now and seem to be here to stay thanks to major celebrities and models endorsing them {Miranda Kerr, Jennifer Lopez, Beyonce and Elle Fanning} and designers jumping on the bandwagon and charging crazy amounts for these ugly shoes {Marc Jacobs, Giuseppe Zanotti and ASH}. I guess the major question here is do you LOVE or LOATHE this trend? Obviously I LOATHE these shoes and wish they would just disappear! Do you own a pair? Are they comfortable?! Let me know what you think!*

The Look for Less! by vodka-caviar featuring pointed ballet flats

I am all about designer products, but lets face it; unless I save for months and months there is no way I can afford a $500 pair of shoes or a $1,000 purse. I'm always on the hunt for the same look but for a fraction of the price, so I decided to share my findings with you! For my first "The Look for Less" post I chose the super cute Metallic Toe Ballerina Flats! There are so many amazing designer options out there Kate Spade, Lanvin and Miu Miu but there are also amazing affordable options out there as well; these Charlotte Russe flats achieve the same look as the Lanvin shoe but for only $23! Some other options can be found at Aldo, Forever 21 and Top Shop. Happy shopping!*

12 Days of Favorites*: Day 4

12 Days of Favorites*: Day 4 by vodka-caviar featuring tall pants