It's Never Too Late



... to say Thank you. I am sorry. and I love you.

I have been very blessed to have met so many of you, many of you who are now my dear friends - an absolute huge bonus to blogging, yes? You have been my source of inspiration, strength, courage, support and most of the time, online styling advice. Sometimes, I am stuck on what to wear and how to style things and all I need to do is go to my favourite blogs and voila, instant sartorial inspiration that I can try to re-create!

Beautiful and Ethereal, oui?

If there's one very stylish blogger that leaves me (toujours) in awe of her sartorial choices is the beautifully elegant Rebecca of See You in Sweden . Her style and fashion - I can only admire from a distance because I know, I just don't quite have that cool effervesence to pull it off.

We share the love of shopping, Montréal and hockey. Okay, maybe she loves it more than I do and when I say hockey, I'm loosely referring to the hot players in that league too. But I'm from Canada, so I am required to say I love hockey by law.

Today, it is never too late for me to say I am sorry it took me this long. Thank you for the beautiful gifts and the lovely card you sent me. And of course, je t'aime ma belle amie Rebecca!

Mon premier vernis à ongles de Chanel!

You know how I know we could be really great friends? She gives Papyrus greeting cards too!

Busy Bee

Outfit details

Lace black dress - H & M, Gift from Pearl

Cropped leather jacket - H & M, Gift from Pearl

Suede Boots - Banana Republic, Gift from EM

Animal print clutch - Banana Republic, Gift from Cham

What and Where

You may have noticed that I have missed some posts on certain days and I have not been around to pop my pretty little (you may disagree but hey, I'm the one writing this post) head in your blogs. Why you ask? I have been a pretty little (just to prove a point) busy bee lately. Alright, the fact that I have been extremely stressed out doesn't help either but let's not dwell on minor details like that?

I have been invited to a few exciting events in the city: a gala, a Posh Wedding Show and a prestigious event that was organized by a 12-year old! 12! I was probably writing on my journal at that time on how I heart a certain boy, weren't you?

I bet y'all wanna hear about that, don't you? Well, as soon as J is done downloading all the photos, it's all yours! In the meantime, my dear friend Collette, who is awesome beyond words, have created an online support group for those of us who are in the journey of losing or keeping weight. If you ever need help on that department, you are not alone and we are here for you! Yes, I borrowed that from MJ himself!

For more details lovelies, please visit my gorgeous pals: Collette, Kimberly and Melissa!

Half Shot

You know when you say, the end of something that didn't quite work out - be it a project, a plan or a relationship, I did everything that I could do. I did my BEST.

You did everything and you did your best, yet, it didn't make whatever the endeavour was successful. I'm not sure if it's borne out of cliché that we say that or we truly did all that there is to be done. If I have to be completely honest, I have to admit that though I always try to do my best, I certainly don't - All The Time. It's certainly lousy to tell someone, ahmn... I did some kind of a half-assed job at this. I'm certainly surprised it didn't work out. No, that's not what we would say, what we'd all normally do is say - I am sorry but I really, really tried my best.

Well, did you?

How about we make a resolve that we should. That no matter how big or how small the goal is, whether to post more or to love harder - we will always, ALWAYS try our best. And in the meantime, if something or someone did not go our way, let us all remember to:



Twenty York Street Loves



I remember I first 'met' this gorgeous blogger with the  best selection of thoughtfully put together outfits (it's a wonder if she actually takes the time to select her pieces though I suspect she's one of those that can dress up in 3 seconds flat) at Khatu's Summer Contest. I remember thinking that this girl, aside from her obvious flair and sense of chic, has a formidable strength in her and an absolute confidence that radiates through her photos and her blog: thereafterish.

I was sold.

Please note of the lower case t thereafterish. and the period right after!  =)

She loves Fashion, Food and Fiction. Now say that 10 times as fast as you can! But this  Southern-California girl living in Detroit is more than just pink tutus and beautiful red lips, she's into green activism and she is currently training to be an Aesthetician with Aveda! So, when she writes tips about beauty and skin care and produce fantastic how-to videos on make-up, I listen. She rocks red lips like no one can and when it comes to her sartorial choices, this girl can do no wrong!
 


It is with utmost pleasure and great excitement that I introduce to you, this Friday's Twenty York Street Loves feature, my friend and my style and beauty guru:
 MAE LU.

On Style and Fashion...

What and who influences your style?

Unfortunately, I’m not too creative when it comes to dressing, so I just sort of pull whatever elements I really like from everywhere, magazines, street style blogs, fashion blogs, celebrity fashion galleries and try to incorporate it into my Office Lady style. But, although I would love to name specific people who bring it for me, and directly influence my daily style, I can’t! My main style influences are the limitations of working with an office dress code policy! And there’s the weather, too.

I do, however, LOVE Olivia Palermo, Chriselle Lim, Jessica Alba, Fearne Cotton. My favourite style bloggers are Valentine from Hello Valentine (helloitsvalentine.blogspot.com), Liz Cherkasova (sp?) of Late Afternoon, Rebecca Roe from The Clothes Horse, Lily Nguyen, my best friend, of Bleed for Fashion (bleedforfashion.com), Sandra Beijer from Niotillfem (rodeo.net/niotillfem), Juley of Swank Heights (swankheights.blogspot.com).

What's your favourite outfit you've ever worn?

Oh jeez! What kind of question is this! So hard to narrow it down to! I love most of the outfits I photograph, while hating just a bit at the same time. If I had to boil it down, it would be a couple of the outfits I wore last fall—I listed them right next to each other in my Favorite 2010 outfits post, what do you know!

For going out: Striped shorts, graphic T, sandals and lots of gold.

For work: man pants, a black tank, satin sash worn as a neck bow tie, my Dolce Vita April YSL knock-offs, and lots of gold jewelry.

Any childhood or early fashion memory?

My mother, when she was in her late Thirties, was still very fit, and she wore short shorts, graphic Ts, tube tops, waist cinching vintage dresses and lots and lots of jewel tones as well as tons of eyeliner and bright lipsticks. While she’s out of shape now, and her makeup is still very early 90’s… she really impressed on me as a child to dress for your shape. Unfortunately, it was advice I didn’t really embrace until my mid-twenties!

When I was a high school freshman, my father, who is very petite (he’s 4’9”!) let me steel his pin strip 3 piece bespoke suits. One suit was slightly bell bottomed, and one was very slim in its silhouette, I wore them to church, school and events so much the wool eventually wore out. At 14, I was wearing vintage bespoke menswear! He also lent me his paint spattered bell bottom jeans. Eventually I outgrew them, and they were either thrown away or donated. I wish I had had the foresight to save them for my kids!

Gotta ask this just for fun, fashion pet peeves?

Without question: Uggs. I don’t care how warm or comfy they are. They are extraordinarily repugnant. And often worn in the most inappropriate season! Summer w/ shorts? WTF? I also cannot stand muffin top. Please, ladies and gentlemen, dress for your shape. Nothing is less attractive than something that doesn’t fit properly. Wearing a size you think you still fit only brings attention to the fact that it doesn’t fit, which then emphasizes the flaws rather than enhancing them. It’s like concealer too light or too dark—it only draws attention to the problem, rather than correcting or hiding it!

This one is more subtle, but lots of people do it: don’t dress their age. A woman in her 40s wearing a fluffy, flouncy mini-skirt from Abercrombie & Fitch she stole off her daughter doesn’t look sexy, she looks confused, in denial of aging gracefully and in a sophisticated way, and really trashy. Conversely, a teenager wearing a strand of cloth supposedly that qualifies as “bottoms” doesn’t look mature, she looks like a street walker. There’s a thing about embracing your age, and it’s beautiful. Embrace the age you have when you have it, because soon enough it’ll be gone!

On Blogging...

Why and When did you started Blogging?


I actually started “blogging” before it was called blogging. Because I was born in Canada, but grew up in California, I had friends scattered up and down the West Coast. In high school, I started sending monthly “The Chronicles of Mae” types of letters which outlined my many misadventures to my friends. Then I started journaling on my computer, in addition to my many notebooks. That was like, 1998-1999? After I went away and then came back home from Uni in 2002-2003, I wrote on journal communities like Live Journal and Xanga and then set up my first real website and blog in early 2003. I called my updates “Daelies” (a play on the spelling of my name—stupid, I know!). At that point they still weren’t really called blogs. In January 2005, I met my husband, and days later I bought my first domain name and webserver space and setup my first Wordpress website/blog and have been running it since! My personal website’s archives go back to my Live Journal days in 2003!
It didn’t start as a conscious choice. I was already doing it and then there became a term for it… So I can’t honestly say I started. It was just always there, to me.

What makes you come back to visit a blog? Do you have blog(s)/blogger(s) inspiration?

I’m a writer, so when I find a blog that not only has an author who has amazing style, great photography, but a great way with words, or self-expression, I find myself drawn in. If a blog is slightly sparse on the verbal content, but what they do say resonates with me personally, I’ll come back again and again, because I feel like we’re kindred spirits. That’s how I make some great friends, too!

I also love visually striking blogs. Sites that are well designed, clean and really, really artful. Then of course, there’s the blogs who just have astounding fashion sense and a great photographer to boot. And there are some that just have really, really interesting lives and document every single moment of it, and I like those, too, because then my boring life seems less so, when I get to travel to different parts of the world with a single glance at a page!

Oh god, I can’t blog full-time! I wish! I don’t get how some of these blogs can actually generate enough revenue for these women to not only buy great items, but to also cut the day job! SMH.

No, I HAVE to work. I do freelance CMS editing (blog/content editing, slight design, coding, database management) for my husband’s design company. I also work full-time during the day as an Assistant Sales Manager/Benefit Specialist in a health insurance sales division of an international payroll record keeping company. It’s not fun, but I work with great people and have good benefits (hell, we’d better, we sell it!).

On Lovin' Life…

What 3 things do you wish someone had told you when you were younger?

1. Never let anyone touch your eyebrows until you’re old enough to know that thick is beautiful. – I let too many people tell me how to manipulate my brows, in the WRONG WAY, and by the time I got to college most of my beautifully thick brows had been plucked down so badly they were thinning and they never grew back. I LIVE BY eyebrow pencils & powder now.

2. Dress for your shape. – If you have big hips, no hips, big breasts, no breasts, embrace it. I spent too long hating my body for not having boobs, that I never dressed the way Olivia Palermo does—the stuff she can pull off….! No way Kim Kardashian can pull that off… Then I started hating my breasts when they finally did grow in, that I kept hiding them and wearing things that made me look fat because I didn’t embrace them.

3. Being poor means nothing if you’re creative. – I grew up lower middle class. Both my parents worked, and I got a lot of my clothes from bargain basements and second hand shops. I was embarrassed a lot, because my clothes weren’t the best, and often came home smelling funny. Now, vintage is more popular than ever, and some of the best bloggers know how to dress around vintage pieces. If you’re creative, having little money doesn’t mean you’re limited. I need to remind myself of this every day! I have NO shopping budget.

What's the most adventurous thing you've ever done?

Six years ago, I met my husband on MySpace. Five months of jet setting back and forth across the country left us both broke, and with a hard decision to make. So I gave up the sunny shores of San Diego, my job, being around family, and my best friends, and moved to the hilly north country of Detroit, Michigan and we moved in together after 6 months. It was the scariest thing I’ve ever done in my life, and yet, it was also the easiest and best decision I’ve ever made. We’ve been married for a year and a half now!

Describe your perfect day/perfect vacation?

Perfect vacation: breakfast overlooking a vibrant, turquoise lagoon, a trip into the city for an a bit of avant garde shopping and coffee, then a trip to a spa for the afternoon for facials, massages and floating around in the steaming baths, then dinner at a restaurant, followed by snuggling on the bed while watching our favourite shows. All in Reykjavik, Iceland—my favourite country on Earth. (We did this during our belated Honeymoon last September!)

3 Things I can't live without:

1. Cheese

2. Makeup (well I could, but it would really suck)—namely: eyebrow pencils, red lipstick and mascara.

3. Interesting things to read/see

I’d include husband and friend, but the question was “things”, not people.



Fill in the blanks…


Whenever I'm bored I usually read blogs, or watch YouTube skincare/beauty/music videos.

Don't tell my husband but I love expensive makeup.

This year, I want to find true purpose and direction, and earn money accordingly.

If I had superpowers, it would be wish fulfillment.

I wished Twenty York Street asked me about makeup and skincare!

Editor's note: Don't worry y'all, I think we're going to take Mae Lu up on her offer to be asked about beauty and skincare questions so stay tuned for that. here's the link to Mae Lu's must-see beauty video, I highly recommend to see it as you will find it useful to your daily routine and here's the links to Mae Lu's beauty posts, bookmark these pages, I sure did!

Find her on Twitter: @maeluu

 

Thank You For All Your Support



Thank you, I cannot thank you enough for all the unwavering support and your constant visit here at Twenty York Street. All 271 of you gracious and caring friends.

Today, I have to go through something important and though I am short on words, I am full of gratitude and thanks for all of you who takes the time to send me positive thoughts and energy.  As some of you may know, it's been a difficult path lately and I am going to need the strength and support of your prayers again today.

with love and thanks,

ML

You're Invited...

Who doesn't love weddings? Aside from the visually pleasing aesthetic of beautiful flowers, fabulous locations, thoughtfully chosen centre pieces and delicate laces, soft tulle, or light chiffon in the layers of the wedding dress - a wedding is just such a special day that celebrates so much emotion. I think it is the ultimate vow of commitment to love and live with someone else aside from one's self.

Maybe I'm a little traditional that way but weddings always warm my heart that to be invited to one is always a much anticipated event to prepare for and be excited about. Imagine how excited I am to be invited to, not a wedding but to the Posh Wedding Show at one of the highest peaks in the city - the Summit at the Marriott Hotel! A brilliantly lethal combination of fashion shows and all things wedding are sure to set you dreaming about walking to that altar!

There are so many modern, stylish and glamorous wedding vendors to look forward to so be sure to grab your Mom, family, friends are your entire wedding party as Wendy, the Event Director Extraordinaire of  Beyond Events (yes, BE was also at last season's Ottawa Fashion Week) has graciously offered TWO tickets to a lucky Twenty York Street reader to this Saturday's Posh Wedding Show! I know a lot of you ladies are in the process of planning your own wedding right now - how would you like thoughtful advice and stunning display from Ottawa's top wedding specialists?



So, leave me some sweet comments below if you want to win TWO tickets, visit these top notch wedding vendors and see you at the Summit on February 19 at 4:00 - 10:00 pm!

Tickets for the Posh Wedding Show are available online and at these three locations:

Lilac Lingerie

Mia Bridal Co.

With Love Bridal

 

And the Winner of this Posh Give-away is:

Ashelle

of Pink Love Beautiful Love Blog

It's A Casual Affair

Outfit details

Cashmere sweater - Banana Republic
Leopard print skirt - Costa Blanca
Beaded necklace - Banana Republic
Moto boots (not seen) - Old Navy

What and Where

Weekends are normally 'non-photographables' (I know, I just made that up) as I tend to lounge around make-up free in pjs, sweats or on good days, yoga wear (see below) but I didn't think that's something you'd be interested in, are you?

I didn't think so.

Then I thought about it, weekends are actually a great time to showcase sartorial choices that are a bit outside the box than my normal 9 to 5 outfits as those are always bounded by implied corporate culture. I can actually throw in fur, animal prints, boho, maxi skirts, rock 'n roll with moto jacket, skinny jeans and other types of clothing that I wouldn't wear to the office. So, here's my first attempt.

Do you like it? Is it blog worthy?

Do you have favourite outfits you only wear on the weekends too?



And don't even think I have forgotten about the Easiest Blog Project Ever! Almost 100 blogger friends signed up! Alright, 97 so we need 3 more and we can finally launch it! Got friends?

Pls. tell them!

Twenty York Street Loves



Just to show you how genuinely adorable is this week's Twenty York Loves Girl is, I'd like to share with you an excerpt of her response to me when I requested that I interview her for the blog:

OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG.

OMG.

ARE YOU KIDDING ME?! I'm flipping out- like jumping and bouncing. (and squealing). Yes. Interview ME? Yes, yes yes! I'm free- all the time for you!

I'm.So.EXCITED!

I met Kimberly or KP almost at the beginning of the creation of Twenty York Street and right from the start, she accepted me with warm open arms. This lovely force behind the very popular and beloved blog, Fashion Momma is not only someone who is beautiful and endearing on the outside but she also radiates of positive energy and enthusiasm even in the midst of darkness. I remember the exact post that made me drawn to her even more as it was so heartfelt, so honest and forthcoming that I admired her grace and courage to write about something so personal.

I can't tell you enough how much I love her! She has been a source of constant support and strength for me, whether she knows it or not. She is responsible for the huge surprise coming up in this blog very soon! On top of that, she is also celebrating a very special day in her life! Blessed with her awesome man, her darling Little S, all her loving family and caring friends (IRL and here in the blog world, let's all take a moment to wish KP a very, Happy Birthday!

Bonne Fete Ma Belle Kimberly!

On Style and Fashion...

What and who influences your style?

I think the “things” that influence my style most are the seasons, my lifestyle, color schemes and my mood, and comfort level. I’m a full-time, outside of the home, working mother, a wife to a wonderful man that works night shift, and I’m constantly GOING. Whether I’m running out the door to take my daughter (Little S.) to daycare (and praying I make it to work on time), coming home to cook dinner, running errands, visiting friends and family, taking Little S. To the park, or going on a date with my husband, I kind of never stop. My style is mostly defined by how warm or cool it is, how I’m feeling, where I’m going, and how comfortable I’ll be for extended periods of time.

The people who influence my style most are definitely fashion bloggers that I follow and my best girlfriends. I have four best girlfriends (C, W, JR, & JS, for all intensive purposes) and they all define a bit of how I dress. C is classically chic- all.of.the.time. She helped me reorganize my closet before I began my blog, and she is always beautiful. W is sporty and timeless. She has an incredible shoe collection and can rock some skinny jeans with her kickbum legs. JR is the mom. Her style is comfortable, easy, and cute. JS has to pretty much wear a suit every day and then... when it’s party time, those simple but stylish little dresses pop out of her closet. All with different personalities and different styles, these women have contributed to the demise of “Kimberly in plaid PJ pants.” It wasn’t pretty.

As far as bloggers, I take inspiration, literally from 150+ blogs. I like to see what people do and mix it up a little bit. I don’t think I’ve ever done a completely inspired-by-one-person outfit, but I definitely will take a top from one place and a skirt from another, add a completer piece and make it mine.

What's your favourite outfit you've ever worn?

Oh man. I have NO idea. Sweatpants and a t-shirt. OH, I lie. My favorite has to be my Christmas party dress from (smack in the middle of) this post. I was comfortable and felt really, really special.

Any childhood or early fashion memory?

A childhood memory that merges with a fashion memory for me is the day my little brother was born. It was the end of November and I was 6 years and 9 months old. Obviously, my parents were at the hospital, and my grandma was watching me at home. I was playing dress-up with clothes that were not season appropriate. When my mom went into labor, my grandma rushed me into the car. I was wearing a short sleeved, black and white cotton, houndstooth print top, that had a fake “school crest” on the left chest, with a matching mini skirt. I was SO COLD. My mom kept that outfit to remember that it was what I wore the day my brother graced us with his adorable and hard-headed presence.



On Blogging…

Why and When did you started Blogging?

I started blogging in November 2009. I began so I could motivate myself to get out of the “new mom rut.” You know, sweatpants, nursing bras/tanks, t-shirts, second/third/fourth day hair... I wanted to stay accountable for what I put on my body. I figured that, if I took pictures, I wouldn’t want to be sloppy. It worked (well, most of the time, anyway). I have lazy days. But, who doesn’t?

What makes you come back to visit a blog? Do you have blog(s)/blogger(s) inspiration?

If I find the content interesting and/or photos eye-catching, I’ll give a blog a one-week test drive. Maybe that’s not much time, but if I only see one post in a week, I’m probably not going to visit, again. Not until later, anyway. I tend to be mostly interested in style blogs that have a fair amount of text and photos (I probably write WAY more than I have pictures, but hey... what can a girl without a photographer do? Anyone wanna photograph me? Anyone? Bueller?). I also like to see/read something different than what is in a fashion magazine or on mainstream TV. Original ideas are key. If you’re a fashionable mom, I’ll probably stick around to find out exactly HOW you handle it all, because Heaven knows I barely make it to bed time. Bloggers that inspire me the most are Sydney of The Daybook, Melissa of A Working Mom’s Closet, Rochelle of Rochelle Approved, Collette of Statements in Fashion, and of course, the lovely ML of Twenty York Street. And no, she didn’t pay me to say that. She’s just that awesome.



I'm nosy, what do you really do for a living? Would you blog full-time?

I work as an administrative assistant in the English department at a university. I’m in charge of faculty and graduate student travel, audio/visual technology inventory and assistance, and other official clerical duties. If I was ever presented with the opportunity to blog full-time, I’d so jump on it! That would mean I could do what I love (write) and be home with my daughter (BONUS).

On Lovin' Life…

What 3 things do you wish someone had told you when you were younger?

1. Don’t walk barefooted everywhere. Your heels will not be soft.

2. It doesn’t matter if your skin is oily. Moisturize, anyway.

3. Stay in college as long as you can. College is hard. Big kid life is harder.

What's the most adventurous thing you've ever done?

I don’t think my mother... or mother-in-law would like to know the answer to this one.

So, I’ll pick the second most adventurous thing I’ve ever done! How about that?

Well, dangit, now I can’t think of anything else that’s adventurous, other than my one most adventurous thing. Fine. Let’s just say it has something to do with the art building in college. And my boyfriend. Who is now my husband. And we’ll leave it at that.

Describe your perfect day/perfect vacation?

Perfect day = coffee and eggs, couples massage with my husband, mani/pedi, facial, hair cut and highlights, unlimited shopping spree, 5 course (5 star) meal, and falling asleep in a California King, covered in goose down comforters.

3 Things I can't live without:

1. Toothbrush

2. Toothpaste

3. Facewash

Fill in the blanks…

Whenever I'm bored I usually read blogs or go internet shopping.

Don't tell my husband but I love falling asleep before he comes to bed so I don’t have to hear him snoring.

This year, I want lots of giftcards for every holiday, since I’m not allowing myself to spend money on clothes for 365 days.

If I had superpowers, it would be have dinner made, the house cleaned, and laundry done, with the snap of my fingers.

I wished Twenty York Street asked me about the challenges I face when I have to dress my ridiculously difficult and unique body type.

Hopewell "LOVE YOUR LIFE"

Today, let’s talk about something really important. Who amongst us haven’t tried a diet or two, exercised like crazy or fasted for a day (in my case, a couple hours max!) in preparation for an important event? I know I have but what I’m talking about is something more serious than that. This issue is close to my heart because of my work as a Yoga Teacher and Fitness Instructor and I also know of people dear to me who are going through these struggles.

Did you know that nearly one in five young women suffering from this disease does not survive? Anorexia and Bulimia are the most common chronic illnesses amongst young women. But serious eating disorders affect not only women as young men represent about 10% of individuals with eating disorders and are more likely to be affected by binge eating disorder.

It is a blessing that Ottawa has Hopewell - a non-profit charitable organization that was created in 1999 by three Ottawa mothers fuelled by a common goal to help their daughters overcome their anorexia. Recognized and supported by the professional community, CHEO and the Ottawa Hospital, the centre has become the place for information and support for those affected by eating disorders: anorexia, bulimia or binge eating.

The 3rd annual Hopewell "LOVE YOUR LIFE" Valentine's Gala

In order to raise the necessary funds to support its services, the third annual Hopewell “Love Your Life” Valentine’s Gala will be taking place on Saturday, February 12, 2011 at 6:00 pm. Once again this fabulous event will be held at the event partner’s Hilton Garden Inn.

This event will be a night of celebration and will include a delicious meal, a silent auction, an “Everything Hilton” raffle and musical entertainment from the Showtime Party Band. Other highlights will include portraits by photographer Erin Fitzpatrick and a Sip ‘n Tip with wine provided by Pelee Island Wineries.

All money raised from the event will help support Hopewell's programs and services. Join us and be a part of the celebration. Take this opportunity to “Love Your Life”!

Click here to see the flyer.

How to buy Tickets


Tickets can be purchased by contacting Hopewell directly at 613-241-3428 or emailing at info@hopewell.ca.

How to support

There are many ways in which you can support the Hopewell “Love Your Life” Valentine’s Gala

* Purchase tickets to the event for yourself, your family and friends.

* Donate a silent auction item.

* Sponsor the event. Click here to see details of the sponsorship package.

* Make a donation to Hopewell, http://www.hopewell.ca/content/donate.

And The Winner Is...

Congratulations to Twenty York Street's

TWO WINNERS:

Michelle of Miss Independent

Emma of Daily Clothes Fix

I swear this post is not extremely delayed because I am trying to build suspense... that's reserve for my poorly chosen outfits that I'm not quite sure if I should share with you. The reason that this announcement is way overdue is very simple - this may sound like a huge shocker to you (okay, try not to giggle here!) but I am getting old my friends. And with that, comes forgetfulness. Hence, I make list, list of things to do, to shop for, to pay, to achieve, all that great stuff. It makes feel accomplished writing things down, it makes me seem organize and efficient, especially when I actually get to check things off my ubiquitous list!

 

Yet, sometimes I forget to check the list or take it out of my purse so that's not much of a help now, is it?

Oy vey!

I bet you don't even remember what the give-away was. I posted it here awhile ago and so many of you entered so I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who entered! Don't worry if you didn't win because if you like give-aways (and please do tell me if you do), I'm thinking of hosting another one in the exciting event of getting 300 friends! That's probably a long way to go but it would surely be nice, wouldn't it?

Banana Republic's

Ariel Braid and Chains Necklace

• Poly-satin ribbon.
• Base metal setting.
• 12k gold plated.
• Spring ring closure.
• Measures 18" end to end.