Friday, March 25, 2011

Lunchtime Lookup - March 25th

Photo by Pink Sherbet Photography.
It's Friday! Thank goodness! Even though it was a short week for me, the weekend could not have arrived quickly enough!

To help your Friday go by faster, here are a few links with which to waste some time, my pet!

If you know how to sew, Bitter Betty Blogs has a great and simple tutorial on how to make a box pleat skirt for springtime. I'm picturing a whole spring wardrobe of these in the lollipop colours above!

Remember last week when I posted the link to bubblegum vodka? Well, Leethal has a companion recipe for orange cream liquer, which apparently tastes like a creamsicle... Danger!

There is something about this photo from The Sartorialist that really does it for me - I don't think I could pull it off, but it's fun to think about!

How much do I want this Bluetooth glove? So much! Rachel at Instructables shows how it's made.

Once Wed has a DIY to make ombre napkins, but I'd love to use the same technique to dye sweet little summer nothings... Like the cotton slips I talked about in my Anticipating Spring post!

Zoetica Ebb at Biorequiem has a very comprehensive guide to dying your hair bright colours. I'll just direct people here from now on when they ask about my pink hair...

For those of us for whom Zoolander is the ultimate guilty pleasure movie, ("They're break dance fighting!"), Movie Recipes has a recipe for Dirk's Orange Mocha Frappucino... If you dare. *shudder*

An adorable pleated tote tutorial at Thimble - hello my new beach bag!

Have yourself a wonderful weekend, darling! I hearts you!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

A Little Bit of Heaven - March 24th

Me and Katie texting and tweeting away in the front row at fashion week.
As she commented on Facebook, "What did people do at fashion week
before smartphones. Also, we are some pale, pale girls."
Truth.
Hello lovely!

It's Thursday! That means it's time for the great big love list for the week!

I had an amazing week, how about you? Here's what I love!

Katie Katie Katie. There isn't enough that I can say about how wonderful she is. She's a fantastic companion for fashion week (even though sometimes photographers think she is my girlfriend because I tell her I love her all the time and we hold hands so we don't get lost in crowds), she's beautiful, she's stylish… I'm so lucky to have her as a friend!

Roasted, salted peas. Oh my gosh you guys. These are so delicious. They seem like they'd be healthy but they're totally not! They are so good.

Munching on nori. I've started just snacking on nori (yes, the seaweed that you buy in sheets for sushi!), and wow. I love it. It's the right texture and saltiness that I need when I'm craving chips, while being vegetables! It's 10 calories a sheet! (Not that I'm a calorie counter, but still, it's nice to know that it's not going to make my clothes fit funny...)

My morning cocktail. I take a whole mess of supplements every day, everything from multivitamins to extra calcium and vitamin D at night, but I've recently added two capsules of bee pollen (which smell amazing), two capsules of maca root powder and three ginko bilobas. It totally jump-starts both my brain and my body, and it gives me more energy than I thought possible! I think this is maybe the first step in getting rid of my morning coffee, because when I take those I simply don't need it! It may be a caffeine-free 2011 yet!

Meeting Ashley Parsons of Sugarbum Designs! Katie introduced me to her on Saturday night, and I was completely starstruck! She is so beautiful and so sweet! She told me that I looked like a cupcake and that was pretty much the best thing anyone has ever said to me! She has also invited me to spend some time with her in her studio! When that happens I will totally tell you all about it!

Hiring new staff. I met incredible photographer Jesse Hildebrand on the weekend, and he has agreed to come on board as the official Your Sweet Bippy staff photographer! Keep your eyes out for guest post street style columns to come from him, as well as other pictures…

Making big plans. I am making big, big, big plans for this year. I have a huge goal for the end of the year and I am trying to figure out how to put it in motion. I have been talking about a lot of interesting collaborative projects… And lots more in store for the blog!

Scribbling in my Moleskine. I love the way the paper feels.

My fashion lookbook. I sometimes feel like my magazines are precious but lately I've been cutting them apart willy-nilly and have been pasting up the images I like in a sketchbook.

Honourable Mentions: Kissing * Exclamation points * Kiss of the Spider Woman by Manuel Puig * Getting invited to clothing swaps * Anticipating tomorrow night's Girlie Night with my ladies * Foursquare! So dorky! You can totally add me if you want to see what I'm up to! * Curling or crimping my hair

I just remembered this song this morning! Boogie boogie!

They played this on the radio last week and it's been in my head non-stop. You're welcome.

What about you? What are you thankful for? What do you love? What makes your heart sing, you pretty little thing?

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Anticipating Spring!

Photo by Pink Sherbet Photography.
Loveliness!

It's officially springtime! Aren't you excited!?

Even though  there's still some snow on the ground, it's not too early to start thinking about summer, and how you can prepare for it! Here are some ideas I've had of things I'd like to get done over the next month or so...

Try a new fitness regime, something that you love and that is fun for you. Apartment613 had an article on staying in shape in strange and wonderful ways, and it  made me really want to do some trampolining and to break out my dusty hoola hoop!

Start planning your summer travel. I may be going to St. John's this summer, and if that's the case I need to start really looking at flights and the like!

Get new bedding and pyjamas. There is something so great about crisp sheets in the summer. I really want a set of yellow cotton sheets and a sweet little Betsey Johnson nightgown.

Clean out your closet and plan your sartorial direction for spring and summer - be sure to include lots of colour!

Find a new summer scent - I am currently coveting Love By Kilian, Cara by Farmacia S.S. Annunziata dal 1561, and Mon Parfum by M. Micallef, because I want to smell like cake and all three have strong vanilla and caramel notes to them!

Change up your skincare routine - what your skin needs in the winter is not the same thing that it needs in the summer months! Lighten up on the moisturizer, and maybe find a cleanser that battles the greasies a bit more.

Since you won't have to wear hats for much longer, find little trinkets you can pin in your hair!

Choose a summer anthem - mine is totally "Got to Lose" by Hollerado...

It's just so great and anthemic! 

Make a new friend who wants to go for bike rides to the beach with you - I made friends with a girl at work named Laura who is super-fun and loves both the beach and bike rides! We have big plans, I tell you.

Make sure your camera is in good working order, and make sure that it's portable!

Pick up some summer beach reading - I'm going to look for Archie comics at the thrift store!

Plan out what delicious veggie-heavy recipes you're going to try, or better yet contemplate a raw vegan diet for the summer! There's no better time than the summer when everything is fresh and delightful! I know that when I'm eating all vegan that I feel great, and eating raw food gives me such energy!

Drink lemonade with bourbon - this was named my official summer drink of 2009, and I still love it! I can't wait to start sipping it again!

Get new sunglasses - it's fun to try a new look for the summer.

Replace your flipflops with real shoes - with all the great spring and summer shoes coming out, there's no excuse to be wearing something that are barely shoes at all.

Speaking of foot-baring, get a pedicure. Get rid of all that scaly winter nastiness from your tootsies!

Pick up the pace when you walk and take the stairs when you can - your legs and bum will get all toned up for short skirts and bikinis!

Find some second-hand cotton slips, dye them and embellish them to wear over tank tops this summer as dresses - I am totally picturing this worn with short cowboy boots and a great satchel, and in my head it looks adorable.

Make sure your air conditioner is in working order! Now's the time to make sure!

Put some baby wipes and a spray bottle of distilled water with a couple of drops of geranium oil in it in your fridge, along with aloe vera gel or spray. You'll thank me when you can spritz and wipe yourself down with nice cool cosmetics in the heat of summer!
 
What about you? What are some things that you do to get ready for the change of season?

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Things I've Learned From Reading The Bombshell Manual of Style


Twice a year at work, there's a gigantic book sale that's run for charity. Not only does that mean I get to donate all my books that I won't read again (of which there are always many), but it means I get to pick up new books for a song!

As someone with an unabashed love for self-help books (but less of a love for spending big bucks on the latest craze), this works out pretty great if I don't mind being patient.

At our last book sale, I picked up a copy of Lauren Stover's The Bombshell Manual of Style. I'll admit that I was attracted to it because of the illustrations - they are done by Ruben Toledo, who also did the illustrations for Nina Garcia's The One Hundred.
Toledo's illustrations are exaggerations of beauty, but the palette he uses (especially in his watercolour illustrations) makes me swoon! I just love it!

While I do love the illustrations, and it was an entertaining read (mostly for the glimpses into the lives of classic Hollywood bombshells like Marilyn Monroe and Sophia Loren), I wouldn't recommend it if you were paying for it (maybe get it from the library!).

The author implies a lot of chaos into the life of The Bombshell. Spilled champagne, temper tantrums, missing shoes… Quite frankly, these are all things that make me get really tense! I could never just “enjoy the ride” of a lifestyle like that!

The majority of the pages were used in discussing outer beauty (90 pages) and lifestyle (57 pages), with a mere handful discussing the psychology of The Bombshell (I prefer my self-help with a little more meat on it), and a few pages at the end dedicated to horoscopes and a quiz (because books are no fun unless they're like Cosmo!)

Regardless, there are a few points from the book that I'm happy to take away and incorporate more into my everyday life…

  • Show your vulnerability
  • Being beautiful and being brainy aren't mutually exclusive, work on your inner life as much (if not more) as you work on your outer life
  • Being appealing to people you want to attract is never trashy or trampy
  • Dignity and confidence!
  • Believe in the fantasies you create for yourself and make them a reality; if things don't go your way, bounce back and succeed another day!
  • Enthusiasm is much more interesting and appealing to be around than studied cool
  • Showing compassion is more important than showing leg
Have you read this book? Do you have thoughts on it? What life lessons would you add to the above list?

Friday, March 18, 2011

Lunchtime Lookup - March 18th

Photo by Marcelo Trad.
Hello pretty pottets!

It's Friday! It's Ottawa Fashion Week! My brain can't think about anything else!

Here are some things to entertain you on this wonderful day!

Sal at Already Pretty has a great article called Change Your Style, Change Your Life. It spoke to me!

This photo of James Franco by Terry Richardson makes me smile. So does this one of Lady Gaga is amazing.

In the same vein of what I wrote about on Wednesday, Ari at Advanced Style has a story on dressing to impress yourself

Gala Darling has a great little history of Biba.

Oh dear. Bubble gum and spring fruit-infused vodka at Taylor Takes a Taste.

For the flat-chested among you, DIY ribbon suspenders at P.S. I Made This.

Coilhouse: “I would rather be a cyborg than a goddess.”

Whip Up has a how-to on making jewelry from old t-shirts. I would love to make some of these pieces for the summer! 

CRAFT has DIY tassel earrings - although I think I would make these much, much longer!

On Instructables, how-to make a sparkly LED tutu???!!! YES PLEASE. Also, this layered tulle dress!

iHanna made her own 2011 planner. Some great ideas here.
Oreo-stuffed chocolate chip cookies at Amandaeleine. I take no responsibility.

Making living your dream less terrifying, The Blog of Author Tim Ferriss tells us, “Good News! You Don’t Die.”

... love Maegan teaches you how to make your own crystal and grosgrain ribbon necklace. I think I want to make one with pink ribbon for springtime!

Jessica Mullen provides a free downloadable PDF of her Daily Self Love Worksheet - I love this!

I love love love these B-movie purses!

Also, I love this Shrinky Dink bracelet on the Country Living website by Cathe Holden. 

That's it for me! I hope you have a wonderful weekend! I'll be at the National Gallery all weekend, but if you follow me on Twitter you can read my tweets about fashion week! And I'll have my thoughts posted next week...

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Ottawa Fashion Week Tickets Winner - Is It YOU?

Photo by André Bergeron.
You guys! It was so nice to have so many entries to this contest! It was also really sweet that so many of you gave reasons for why you wanted to win the tickets… I wish I could have given each of you tickets!

Sadly, there can only be one winner… And the winner is (drumroll please)…

Anna Bailie!

Congratulations, Anna! Please flip me an e-mail to claim your fabulous prize!

The winner of this contest was selected using random.org.

A Little Bit of Heaven - March 17th

Photo by mccheek.
Hello my wonderful little love minxes! Happy St. Patrick's Day!
I hope you are having a fantastic week! I've been making all kinds of fashion week plans, and I've loved reading all the entries on my Ottawa Fashion Week ticket giveaway post!
And guess what you guys? I'm giving them away today!
But first, to whet your appetite, here is un petit liste of all the things that have made me smile this week!
  • “Britchy” - okay, so at work we have these spam filters, and you can't send a swear in an e-mail or it will not go through. Last week my friend Jaime was out sick and e-mailed me and said that she was feeling “britchy” to get around the spam filters. And I laughed and laughed and have been using it ever since!
  • Listening to the Pink Mountaintops' record Axis of Evol while baking cupcakes - I had a relaxing day on Sunday which involved baking!
  • Reconnecting with old friends at random stores - I ran into a friend I hadn't seen in nearly seven years at Home Outfitters on the weekend!
  • My new phone - an LG Optimus named Ophelia!
  • Getting taken for lunch dates while I'm at my office job!
  • LCD Soundsystem in my ears on my way to work!
  • Staying on top of taking my vitamins - I always feel so much better and have so much more energy when I take my vitamins regularly, although I have been accused of being an old lady when they are all dosed out in my little teacup every day!
  • Trying out new supplements - I just got some maca powder in capsule form and I'm trying that out. It seems to give me boundless energy!
  • Grocery shopping - not only is it super-fun for me (because really, let's face it, any shopping is fun for me, and justifiable shopping is even better), but I love the feeling of abundance I get when I come home and put away my groceries and I can open my fridge or cupboards and know that I have so many delicious, healthy things to eat!
  • Eating breakfast - I used to hate eating breakfast, but I've been sucking it up lately and having a piece of toast with peanut butter, orange juice and tea, and I am always surprised by how awesome it is!
Honourable Mentions: “We're BFFs, Jes. Get it straight.” * 2+hour Sunday afternoon naps * Giving things away on the blog * I got new boots to sport at Ottawa Fashion Week! * Photobooths (again)


This video!

What about you? What is making you squeal with delight on this wonderful Thursday? Tell me in the comments!

And stay tuned later today for the announcement of my Ottawa Fashion Week ticket giveaway!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Act Your Age… Or Don't

Photo by Elana3.
I was talking to my parents on the phone over the weekend, and the subject of my latest hair colour decision came up, which happens to be Special Effect's Cupcake Pink. One of them (and in all fairness, I can't remember which one) said, with a note of dismay, “I just thought you'd have outgrown that by now.”

I laughed it off and said something along the lines of, “Well, I love it,” and moved on with the conversation.

But after we hung up the phone I got to thinking about the difference between being “age-appropriate” and being an individual who can show their personality through their clothing and presentation.

I also recently got a question for my Apartment613 column (which will be answered in an upcoming column) from Nadine Thornhill, a fellow columnist and wonderful blogger. She asked about the appropriateness of miniskirts past the age of 35 - as anyone who has even a passing acquaintence with What Not To Wear is familiar with the sign that shows up in the credits that says, “No miniskirts over 35”.

Here's the thing about Nadine - Nadine is gorgeous. Like, drop-dead stunning. Like, her husband is a lucky, lucky man. She's also a runner with amazing legs. (I've taken her shopping, and I've seen her in shorts.)

To me, there is no reason that she should shun miniskirts. She has a lot of class and a lot of style, and a miniskirt on her looks cute and summery and kicky and fun, never sleazy, never skanky, and certainly never mutton dressed as lamb.

I think on of the main reasons that the What Not To Wear folk foist so many “age appropriate” rules on their victims/subjects is because the vast majority of them have no sense of style themselves and simply don't know what works on them and what doesn't. People of any age should shun a miniskirt if it doesn't fit and flatter them.

Another problem is that the term “miniskirt” is pretty broad, and can mean anything between approximately 20 centimetres above the knee (about mid-thigh) to just barely covering your lady bits (which, let's be honest here, is really just a wide belt). A miniskirt that shows some cheek is not right for anyone, but a miniskirt that's slightly cheeky? I have no problem with a 35-year-old woman with great pins rocking that!

The thing about clothing and physical appearance, the secret, is that you can wear whatever it is that you want. With a few caveats, of course.
  • It has to fit.
  • It has to flatter you. (Even if you love love love orange, if it makes you look like death you should probably stay away from it.)
  • You have to own it.
We are all free to be whoever we want. If you want to be a walking contradiction, a whirlwind, a mind-bending Sphinx-like riddle, someone who is happy with themselves & doesn't answer to anyone else, you can be! Let criticism roll off your back. Embrace your individuality. No one is stopping you but yourself.
                                                          - Gala Darling
Of course, you know that means I'm keeping my hair pink, crimping it from time to time, and wearing whatever outlandish concoctions I come up with from my tickle trunk of a wardrobe!

*****
A reminder that today is the last day to enter my fabulous Ottawa Fashion Week ticket giveaway! The contest closes tonight at midnight.

On a more serious note, the tragedy in Japan just keeps getting more and more horrific to hear about. Please consider giving a monetary donation to the Red Cross. I've added a Hello Bar up at the top of the blog so donations can be made to the Red Cross. Please help in any way you can.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Controlling Your Communication

Photo by Laila.
I've been writing this blog for a while now, and every once in a while I get asked questions in e-mails by people who are looking for life rather than fashion advice. I usually answer those questions privately, but (with the sender's permission) I decided to answer this one here*.

I had a falling-out with a girl last year (over a guy). I've apologized to her, and while I know that she and I will never be friends, I'm doing my best to just move on with my life. Part of that means I don't read her blog or follow her on Twitter, because I know that she's still not over it and she talks about me on there sometimes. Which, you know, I don't have a problem with, because if that's how she's dealing with it then fine.

The problem comes up when other people start getting involved. She and I have a lot of mutual friends who do read her blog, Twitter, Facebook, etc., and they always seem to want to tell me when she says something that could be even remotely taken to be about me.

I know that she's just being malicious because she's still hurting, and I know that she's not going to stop saying things about me, but I want to make sure that I stop hearing about it!

Every time it happens, I talk to the person who passed the information along and tell them that I don't want to know what she's saying about me, but every time it happens it's another person!

I don't know what to do anymore. I feel like every time I hear something she's saying about me it prevents me from moving forward and I just get angry at her all over again!


This must be very frustrating for you! It probably seems like you are doing everything you can to avoid being brought down by someone else's bad feelings about you. It's good that you recognize that she's still not over it. I certainly hope you know that any criticisms she is sending your way at this point are actually not directed at you! People tend to criticise that which they don't like about themselves.

The bigger problem is how to deal with the communication coming from other people, letting you know what she's saying about you. I think you're taking good, strong steps in the right direction by being very clear about the fact that you don't want to know what she's saying about you to the people who pass the nasty bits of information on, but you know that you need to do more.

Luckily I have a few ideas! (Mostly because I have been in this position myself rather recently…)

First of all, you need to make sure that you are treating people the way you want to be treated - this means that if you are a bit of a gossip yourself, or are saying to people, “Guess what so-and-so said about you on their Twitter?”, you need to stop right now. You can't expect people to treat you any differently than what you put out there yourself.

Gossiping is a very hard habit to break! You might want to try something like what I did when I was trying to stop saying negative things: I wore a rubber bracelet around one wrist, and every time I said something negative I had to change it to the other wrist. My goal was to keep the bracelet on the same wrist for a week. It was hard work, but after a few days it actually got easier!

Secondly, since it seems like you are pretty social media-savvy, you might want to consider issuing a “blanket statement” on your blog, Twitter or Facebook, something along the lines of, “Please don't tell me when I'm being talked about”. It's a bold move, but it may make your life easier if everyone you know sees that. And if they then try to pass along some nasty bit of news, you can just direct them to where you said that!

Finally, if someone comes to you and says, “Guess what she said about you today?”, you can always say that you don't want to know. You need to be firm! Stand your ground.

The most important thing to remember about communication is that the person sending the communications out isn't the one that is in charge of how you receive it. You can always choose to not listen to negative things directed at you! It's just like changing the channel.

I wish you all the best in this!

*If you want to ask me a question, please feel free to e-mail me at jes.lacasse@gmail.com. Also, please don't forget to enter my fashion week tickets giveaway! The contest closes Wednesday, March 16th at midnight!

Friday, March 11, 2011

A Little Bit Of Heaven

Photo by Pink Sherbet Photography
One of the things I've missed the most about not doing any sort of regular posting is this feature! Compiling lists of all the things I've loved over the last week is such a good way to reflect and to be grateful for all the good in my life!

Let's dive right in!

  • When my colleagues bring me chocolates - especially fruit creams!
  • Big chunky platform boots + leggings + (summer) dress + blazer or cardigan - this has turned into my winter uniform! I hate wearing pants (I really, really do), and a skirt with tights is just too chilly to wear in the depths of winter in Ottawa!
  • Reading the archives of recently discovered blogs!
  • Pink hair! More to the point, Special Effects' Cupcake Pink!
  • Ottawa Fashion Week! Plotting my outfits for, dreaming about, scheming about!
  • Super awesome fun date nights!
  • Making new friends! I recently became friends with a girl at work on whom I've had a “friend crush” for nearly five years! She bought a DVD and some fabric from me, and we started chatting, and we have so much in common! We are now planning all kinds of fun bike rides to the beach this summer.
  • Getting set up to sell things on eBay! I'll let you lovelies know when I've stuff up for sale!
  • Taking better control of my diet - I've once again gotten “nailed to the V” (as Michael refers to it). This means I've gotten back into veganism after definitely falling off the wagon over the Christmas holidays. I had a really hard time getting back into it! I blame cheese. But I'm there again, and it feels great!
  • Quitting smoking! For good this time!
  • Putting on my face - there's something to be said for the time you take in the morning to put your face on, no matter what your routine entails. Think about it - you're spending 5, 10, 15 minutes + caressing your own skin. It doesn't get much more radical self love than that!
  • My Moleskin “book a month” planner! This is the first year I've had one, and I adore it! I love how small each notebook is, they fit perfectly in my handbag! Although only being able to plan a month at a time is pestering me, I've been decorating each month's book with little images I find that I love!
  • Photobooths - such a super-fun date activity!
  • Cleaning up the music drive on my laptop - when Michael gave it to me, it was all filled with music I had never heard, and I'm finally exposing myself to it all! I have found some real treats! Like Badly Drawn Boy, godspeed you! black emperor, Los Campesinos!, and all kinds of hip hop!
  • Double dates! I am going on one on Saturday night!
“Once you can accept the universe as matter expanding into nothing that is something, wearing stripes with plaid comes easy.”
                                                                 - Albert Einstein
Don't forget my Ottawa Fashion Week contest! You can win tickets! It closes next Wednesday (March 16th) at midnight! The winner will be announced on the 17th!

And what about you, my sweet little peach? What makes you happier than happy today?

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Ottawa Fashion Week Contest!


*Sorry loves, this contest is now closed*
My little darling beautiful sweet peaches!

I have been absent from the internet for a long time, because, well, I don't have internet at home anymore! (This started out as a budgetary decision, but has turned into something more…) I'll be getting it again sometime in the near future, but to tide you over, I'm having a contest!

I'm giving away two day passes for Ottawa Fashion week! They are for the Saturday, and have an $80 value!

I am SURE that you want them. So here's how to win:

1. You must leave a comment on this blog post to be entered into the draw for the passes. Please leave only one comment.
2. To increase your chances of winning, you can link to this contest on Twitter! Make sure to include @JesLacasse in your tweet so I know you've done it!
3. Tell your friends on Facebook! Post a link to this contest on your profile page and send me a message to let me know you've done it!

The winner will be announced the morning of Thursday, March 17th (that's right, St. Patrick's Day).

Good luck, my sweetnesses! I can't wait to see the lucky winners there!