Things in my life are currently going swimmingly

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Admittedly, the photo is not current. We were filling up the pool and too impatient to wait. I was really excited to have these sunglasses, I miss them.

Admittedly, the photo is not current. We were filling up the pool and too impatient to wait. I was really excited to have these sunglasses, I miss them.

I like to use that phrase because I really like swimming cause its super good for you, and my exercise/therapy of choice. (I credit it with healing my pelvis post-haste!) When I say something is going “swimmingly”  most people give me a rather dry look.  Whatever, some people find no amusement in such things as silly expressions, enjoy your boring lives.

Today, I am proud, and excited to say I am officially done college! You are looking at a real life Legal Administrative Assistant.  I didn’t really seek out the typical college experience, I took a quick course and I loved it.  I got an early practicum back in January, and since finishing it, have been working (like, for money) in a law firm. So far, so good.  One thing about blogging that actually surprised me is how many of my favorite bloggers are also lawyers.  I think because of the commitment a blog takes (used to those long hours) and the need for a creative outlet after so much… law.   How amazing would it be to work for Jenny, or a lawyer to be like Courtney? Everyone says I should go to law school, but the time.. and the loans.. THE COST!  Too much for me, so I’m a lawyers go-to-girl instead.  I had a job 5 months after starting my course, rather than after years of school and tons debt.  I like to live vicariously though them, I dream of running off to LA or NYC all the time.  Usually LA wins the mental battle royale because they don’t have snow there… its snowing in Alberta today.  Thankfully for me, I only have one more day in this  godforsaken province and then off to Denmark with my grandparents to visit our family, I’m especially excited to be reunited with the beautiful Andrea!  Currently last minute packing and procrastinating as always.  I will try to post a little while away, but it is a vacation!

Before I get to jet set away tomorrow my youngest brother graduates from high school.  I would not say I am looking forward to enduring the long ceremony, but we’re pretty proud, so I’ll make an appearance I guess.  I mean really, if he had failed, we would all have pretended not to be related to him, cause it is just high school, but still.. it’s a momentous occasion, especially since he’s the youngest. I’ll share some photos after – homeboy is reppin’ the kilt and I cannot wait to see it.  If only I could stop over to see my family in Scotland while across the pond.  Can’t have it all I suppose!

xo, aiyanajane

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flower power

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floral skirt, bright bag for summer

||  skirt by TOPSHOP  ||  heels and blouse by LeCHATEAU ||  bag – thrifted  ||  aviators by ARDENES  ||

Apparently April showers bring May flowers… well all we got here in April was snow, not rain, and so May is feeling distinctly flowerless (although now its nearly over things are finally blooming) I threw on this jersey floral skirt to add a little floral to my life, in shades of blue and green of course, because I’ve been living in those tones lately.

I’ll tell you a secret, this skirt is really a tube top with an elastic bust – its such a perfect summer piece, as a top or as a bottom.  When it comes to clothes, as far as I’m concerned, there’s no rules for how to wear them.   A lightly draped “skirt” paired with a silk blouse and belted at the waist is a summer uniform for me.  Today, we finally have the rain we’ve been waiting for, so hopefully we’ll see some more flowers blooming soon!

Happy Humpday!

xo, aiyanajane

black//white

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Black and white outfit with red heels

|| blazer, belt (similar), heels, clutch by LeCHATEAU  || leather shorts by JESSICA SIMPSON  ||

I mentioned before that I bought this blazer right before I lost a bunch of weight, then it was too big for me to wear and I was sad!  Never one to give up a great piece over something simple like size, I decided to cinch the waist in with this kimono inspired leather belt.  Okay, its actually pleather… but guess how much it cost me? 50 cents – YEAH BUDDY.

Bold stripes and shoulders on this blazer tend to make a girl look boxy, especially when wearing a couple sizes too large – an obi belt cinches the waist and breaks up the stripes, giving the illusion of a tiny midsection.  I love the natural texture of the (faux) leather paired with the bold graphic stripes – leather shorts and an over-sized patent envelope clutch play it up even more. Black and white continues to be one of my favourite trends for spring, maybe its my inner Canadian but I love punching up this trend with a pop of red – these suede platform pumps are perfect.  My little brother gave me these shades after I complained and complained about how the nose piece of my aviators gets tangled in my hair, causing some serious white girl problems. He’s the best, I always steal his sunnies and he always lets me – I’ve never worn white sunglasses before but I like these ones, maybe because the arms are black, or maybe because they were free!

I mentioned before that I love jewelry with a story- I brought this panther bangle back from Punta Cana, then it broke!  Fortunately for me I have the most amazing grandfather- the man can fix anything, and he fixed my bangle for me with a little welding or soldering or something.  Every time I look at it I think of a beautiful trip and my sweet grandfather.  My Celtic knot ring is from Scotland, the turtle ring is from my uncle’s store in Kensington, the gold branch ring is from another local boutique, Purr.  I tend to fidget, so this way each twist of my ring takes me back to a memory with my family somewhere special.  Speaking of somewhere special, I leave for Denmark in just a few days- I am so excited you guys!  So much to do in the next couple days to prepare!

xo, aiyanajane

Inspiring Blog Award

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Happy Monday, since it’s the long weekend it feels much more like Sunday today, I’m totally thrown off… I shot some looks this weekend that I can’t wait to show you. (Soon!) In the meantime, I wanted to thank June for presenting my such an wonderful award I really appreciate it! Check out her blog Always Sunny in June.

very-inspiring-blogger-award

Okay, so there are rules for this award:

1. Display the award badge on your blog

2. Announce your win with a post and link to whoever presented you with the award

3. Present 7 awards to deserving bloggers

4. Drop them a comment to tip them off after you have linked them in the post

5. Post 7 interesting things about yourself

Alright so interesting things about myself…hmm

  1. I grew up on a farm. Farm people do not find this interesting, but city people seem to.
  2. I’m a great cook, but a terrible baker. This is because I fail at following directions and like to just make it up as I go along! I’m also very impatient, I tend to cook at MAX POWER.
  3. Everything is my favourite! (You might have noticed..)  I’m not a half-way person. I love completely, not a little.  The things I like, I REALLY LIKE.. and the things I hate, I HATE.
  4. Most people would never guess that a heavy metal show is my favourite type of outing.  I’ve been going to shows regularly since I was maybe 15? A few favourites are Korn, In Flames, Lamb of God and As I Lay Dying.  Only recently has my musical taste mellowed a bit, I used to be all metal all the time, I never actually dressed the part though!
  5. I love the water.  A friend of mine who is very into astrology is always telling me “you’re such a cancer!” and in some ways it’s very true.  I’ve been a swimmer all my life, I don’t ever remember a time I wasn’t in the water.  I sometimes think I find winter here so hard because everything is frozen, no movement, no life. Water  is life. It’s the most important thing and I urge you to inform yourself about what is happening to ground water here in Alberta, and all over the world.
  6. I am the biggest animal lover (but not in the PETA way) I just… I look in their eyes and I see their soul (to quote life of Pi).  There is nothing like the bond between animal and man, growing up on a farm I’ve had almost every kind of pet you can imagine.  When people say they don’t “like animals” I immediately distrust them and assume they are most likely a murderer with an affection for lamps made of human skin.  
  7. I feel like I am a hippie at heart- I often find myself wishing I was born before these modern times.  My dearest ambition is to construct my own hobbit house and withdraw from society, to be a writer and just have a menagerie of animals to hang out with.  It would be marvelous.

Some inspiring blogs:

  1. http://leecastillio.wordpress.com/ 
  2. http://joyfitnessandstyle.com/
  3. http://vogueandheels.com
  4. http://chiclycute.com
  5. http://lozwold.wordpress.com
  6. http://trendtakeover.com
  7. http://themidwestmaven.wordpress.com

xo, aiyanajane

summer & life begins over

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denim, linen blazer, and heels by le chateau  ||  blouse by smart set ||  sunnies by rayban

Happy Friday everyone!! What are your weekend plans?  I’m hoping to spend lots of time outside and go see The Great Gatsby this weekend, but first I wanted to reread the book.  I can’t wait to see this movie, Carey Mulligan has been my girl crush for ages and I cannot wait to just drool over all the costumes and glitz and glamour.  It’s gonna be gorgeous, darling.  Have you seen it yet, what did you think??

I’ve taken to dressing up my basics lately – a blazer and dark denim are such a simple go-to for me, wearing an all too familiar color scheme by now in shades of blue and grey.  A pretty detail I can never resist is rosettes, they just add such femininity to any outfit, this top has been a long time favourite of mine.  A linen blazer over the light tank keeps it cool enough for the warm weather, but professional enough for the office.  I get away with wearing denim nearly every day to work – a dark wash pair can be so versatile, especially when paired with heels.  I actually loathe most dress pants (ill-fitting and uncomfortable things that they are) and would much rather wear jeans and a blazer than dress pants and a blouse. For those of you who only get to wear denim on Casual Friday, I feel for you, truly.

I’ve been so busy finishing up school, working, and helping out my family, May is just flying by! Only 3 days of classes left, and 9 days until I leave for Denmark, I am so excited I can hardly contain myself!  Honestly this quote is just exactly how life feels right now- suddenly Calgary is green, there are flowers (like, outside!), people are happy again.  Its beautiful, and its all rushing by so quickly!  I snapped a few shots for you, and now time to sit back and enjoy what summer is meant for- reading books in the grass under the trees.  What does summer mean to you, any favourite summer reads?

xo, aiyanajane

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Favourite Things

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|| denim by american eagle || shoes by guess || watch by la mer || bag by co-lab || leather jacket, tank, pashmina by le chateau ||

When I’m in a rush (which in the morning I often am) I tend to go back to pieces that I really, really love. My favourite color is teal blue, like when you look at the ocean and its the most magical shade – I pretty much like any color remotely close to that blue-green spectrum, which is why this pashmina is possibly my favourite scarf I own. I bought it while I was working at Le Chateau, and I NEVER bought stuff right when it came in, but this scarf was different, as I opened the stock box and unwrapped it from its plastic tomb, I just knew that scarf needed to come home with me. I never regretted it. Maybe this is why I’m okay with no kids – I treat clothing like my little rescue babies. You’ll come home with me my pretties, and I will love you, you will not be forgotten at the back of some unfashionable closet somewhere.

I have similar feelings about these pants ($11), shoes($60), bag ($40) and jacket($35). They have a few things in common, all were on sale – the shoes, bag and skinnies at Winners, the jacket I got at a Le Chateau outlet for half off the sale price. If you go to an outlet and hunt through the racks of polyurethane you will be sure to find a few genuine leather or suede pieces at really great prices! The key to great bargain shopping is patience. I prefer to go alone so no one is waiting on me or, alternatively, slowing me down!

Shades of blue pair so easily together, most people don’t realize that blue is practically a neutral itself!All these pieces are current (or in the jacket’s case, long term) infatuations, so wearing them all together of course just makes me happy. When you are wearing something that makes you feel happy and confident it shows – pairing my trusty leather jacket with trendy mint pants and these killer metallic heels spiked my confidence through the roof. (Okay it didn’t really until I wore this to pick up groceries after work and turned heads in every isle I walked down. I’m certain its the shoes, I caught more than a few people staring at them.) I know Safeway isn’t exactly a catwalk, but the point is that dressing well will lead to feelings of confidence! I’m not the first woman to think so either!

xo, aiyanajane

chanel date with destiny quote

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