Fashionably Late

As my fingers got stiff and I felt the cobwebs forming in my brain, I decided some blogging was in order, and what better way to get back into the game than through some fashion writing. I’ve put together a few of my favorite outfits from over the last few months which range from casual to dressy. Note how my hair goes from long to medium length to short in this span of time :P

The first outfit in the panel of four below was put together for a fun day of mini golfing. Not only was the fedora a stylish accessory, it also helped shade my eyes from the sun (which did nothing for my golfing skills – I still came in last!). The second outfit was a cute, girly look that I decided to wear to class on a day when I felt like dressing up. The light, breezy attire in the third panel was chosen for breakfast at Cora’s, while the last one was the outfit of choice for the movies.

I picked up the fun, flirty summer dress below from Ardène’s and it’s one of my favorites because it’s so comfortable to wear and does not require any ironing. I paired it with black ballet flats and a black wristwatch to give it that Spencer (from Pretty Little Liars) feel.

The next outfit is perfect for a hot summer day. Tucking the top in gives the look a nicer shape.

This is one of my favorite looks for summer:  crop top paired with high-waisted jeans, oxfords and a flower headband. I love the whole bohemian, carnival vibe it exudes!

This next look is what I picked for my Masters graduation ceremony. While the dress was my choice, it was my sister who picked out the necklace to add some contrast. I threw in a pair of black heels with red detail to bring the whole outfit together.

My desire to wear maxi dresses is often challenged by my height (or lack thereof!), but I do manage to find some in my size. The gold headband crown and cardigan give it a Greek goddess feel.

The following look is different from the rest – I decided to go Indian with a traditional churidar in a deep purple.

The lace waterfall skirt in the picture below was hidden away in the back of my closet, so I decided to dig it out and introduce it to some sunlight. I never wore it because I didn’t feel like I had the right top to pair it with. The best part about the skirt is how it perfectly matches my MK rose gold watch with bone pink detail.

Happy styling!

Holiday Recap

Being back in Waterloo for my last term has got me determined to do as much as possible and to take advantage of this beautiful weather. Returning with a new, albeit temporary, hairstyle made me feel that this term is going to be different!!

The cold months of winter had me huddling inside the apartment, cranking up the heat and watching Drop Dead Diva marathons, but those days are long gone. I am now yearning to walk outside and experience the beauty of nature that I took for granted back in my native land of Sri Lanka - moving to Sharjah made me miss the sound of birds chirping or the sight of a squirrel scampering along a telephone wire. These were replaced by sounds of traffic and the sight of shopping malls (not that I'm complaining about the latter though :P). Even though my calves are feeling the brunt of my nature walks, I'm glad I decided to venture out and explore the neighborhood. Seeing sights in the daylight that I had only previously seen at night was refreshing. The evening sunlight reflecting off the waters of the lake reminded me that God's creation can never cease to amaze. Discovering little bursts of life in the form of colorful flowers or animals was a pleasant bonus.

I have come back rejuvenated from a two week pampering session at home courtesy mummy dearest. This Easter break was a learning experience - I became a semi-expert at preparing milk for, feeding and burping my adorable, 2 month old niece. I even somewhat grasped the art of diaper changing! My kindergarten memories were rekindled in an attempt to entertain my little lady bird with a string of nursery rhymes (thank God for Google!) and my entertainment skills were put to the test, the best reward being the smiles and laughs I received from her. I would love to say that she misses me as much as I miss her, but I'm not even sure she realizes that I'm gone (as would be the case with any 2 month old baby, I presume).
I'm also glad that I got to celebrate my birthday with the family and a delectable strawberry cake :) Bowling and monopoly with the cousins was another highlight of the vacation.

Having the chance to dress up and wear make-up made me feel all girly ( although I was a bit rusty with the eyeliner and I'm not too sure my eye make-up was entirely symmetrical).

Meal Plan

One of the greatest challenges that I face in the land of maple syrup, aside from dealing with the cold and avoiding goose poop, is planning my meals. I was warned by family and friends that when living alone, the temptation to order a pizza every night or alternatively, skip every other meal, is lurking around every corner. Therefore, I was determined to not let laziness get the better of me and to eat healthy.
Of course, it involves a certain amount of planning (I even drew up an Excel sheet!!) to ensure I get a well-balanced meal, three times a day. This was, at first, a daunting task considering that this is the first time I'm living on my own and that I have courses, TA work, cleaning and laundry to take care of! However, I have come to enjoy the process of deciding what to eat and preparing the food itself. I resolved not to succumb to the enticing print of the takeout menu, and instead cook nutritious meals at home. This does mean overcoming some hurdles such as the lack of cooking equipment and ingredients, but that's where the miracle of the Internet comes in - just type 'simple recipes' into Google and you're good to go!
I especially relish the task of being creative with my breakfast; I'm churning out smoothies, fruity crepes and yummy breakfast bowls, though I do occasionally resort to oats when I'm pressed for time. Here's a simple recipe that's packed with flavor - mix an egg, milk, sausages, spinach and cheese in a bowl and microwave on high for 45 seconds, take it out and push the edges in and put it back in for another minute et voila:

The other day, I decided to experiment with shrimp and I can say with some certainty that I was quite successful in satisfying my taste buds. However, when it comes to cooking traditional dishes, I feel my results leave room for desire, but I blame it on the dearth of the requisite ingredients in this dear town of Waterloo. I also like to dabble in putting together desserts to indulge my sweet tooth and these include bread puddings and homemade ice cream. It's as easy as blending frozen banana coins and some almond butter (you can substitute peanut butter if you wish) to produce an iced treat!

Something else I have learnt while in  Canada is to be self-sufficient - when it comes to lattes! I can never be sure when the closest coffee shops are open, so I have some supplies on hand that are very handy when I need to make a white chocolate, berry mocha or a mint chocolate latte! Here is one of my recent creations of refreshing minty, chocolatey and coffee goodness:

Despite these culinary adventures that I am savoring, I cannot deny the fact that I'm counting down the days till I can eat a home cooked meal by mother dearest - nothing beats the added flavor that a little mummy's TLC can bring!

Happy cooking!!

The Canadian Experience

This is a post that has been loooong overdue, but it's here at last, and I finally have the inspiration to put pen to paper - or finger to keyboard in this virtual case. I have spent two months here, and I am proud to say that I have survived thus far without too many predicaments. I have experienced snow (a very moderate amount though) and the joys of lugging heavy groceries, along with the tricky situation of sorting laundry into lights and darks. These have all helped me grow (well, not literally - I am still my original height of under 5 feet since 5th grade), and taught me how to be independent.
On August 26th, 2013, I bawled my eyes out at the Dubai International Airport - to which photographs will testify - and boarded a 14 hour flight to Toronto. I would say we (Mum and I) were off to a good start when a kind soul agreed to switch seats with me so that I could sit next to my mother. From that moment onward, everything was a learning experience and as difficult and emotionally draining as it is to be separated from my family, friends and home, I am thankful that I got this opportunity to try something new. I really do believe that God is strengthening me and giving me courage while building my character.
One thing that I had to program into my brain (which it was very unwilling to accept) is the 13% tax that you have to pay on everything, but I do love how you can return and exchange your purchases at any store! Also, Tim Horton's: enough said!! Another thing that amazed me was the beauty of the fall colors, and I am blessed to have a beautiful view from my apartment window. As the leaves fall and we turn the clock back, it's time to bring out all the fun winter clothes - colorful scarves, cute hats and warm booties (who says you can't be fashionable and functional at the same time?). This is definitely one of the plus sides to the cold.
Making new friends is also a wonderful experience - meeting people from different parts of the world with interesting cultures and backgrounds to share is opening up my world. It's interesting to find out how much we have in common despite living thousands of miles apart. For instance, I found out that my Jamaican friend also loves jack fruit, just like me! Of course, there are times when I terribly miss home, and in fact, the other day I even threatened to get on the next flight home, but thank goodness for Skype and smartphones! While I am most certainly looking forward to going back to Dubai for the Christmas break, I feel quite at ease in my quaint little apartment room I call home. I put my creative streak to good use in decorating my room so that it feels cosy and welcoming. I have to admit, having a Michaels store just fifteen minutes away is an added bonus (while simultaneously being a strain on the wallet :P).
Those are all my random ramblings from my scrambled brain for the moment. Hopefully, there'll be more (organized thoughts) following soon.
Here are some snapshots of "The Canadian Experience".

The view from my window

The mesmerizing jellyfish at the new aquarium in Downtown Toronto

Just a little something to remind me of home

Two of my favorite things: fashion and art

New book, New York

My love affair with New York has been rekindled thanks to my latest read, The Charm Bracelet by Melissa Hill. Having ticked off Paris from my must-visit-places list, New York is next and hopefully, I'll soon be able to spend a vacation (preferably Christmas) there. The hustle and bustle of the Big Apple combined with all the skyscrapers and lights has a certain appeal that has had me itching to pay it a visit. It is a city that is full of energy and this aspect is brought to life in Melissa Hill's novel. Set in NYC at Christmas time, it tells the story of single mother Holly O'Neill and the journeys she is taken on by a charm bracelet that she finds at the store where she works. The book had me at the words 'vintage clothes' and I've been hooked on it ever since.

Being the owner of a charm bracelet herself, Holly knows its value and the sentimentality associated with each charm, and so she resolves to track down the owner and return the bracelet - not an easy task considering the size of New York and the sheer volume of people residing in this remarkable city. Taking into account the fact that she has a ten year old son, Danny, a job and a Christmas dinner to juggle, Holly has her work cut out for her. The new and peculiar personalities she meets along the way make for a very interesting tale. Even though she hits certain road blocks as she progresses, her determination pushes her forward and over the hurdles.

Running alongside Holly's story is that of Greg Matthews. Initially, his connection to Holly and the bracelet is not very clear, but as we read on, we start figuring out the relationship. It's amazing how two totally different people who were never even aware of each other's presence can be brought together by a piece of jewelry. Greg is experiencing a liberation that comes from quitting his job as a stock broker to pursue his dream of photography. Unfortunately, this emotion is not shared by his girlfriend, which puts him in some hot water. To me, it's clear that they aren't meant to be together, and we see how their relationship develops (well, more like deteriorates) through the chapters.

I enjoy the way the author describes some of the key New York sights and locales, which keeps my mind's eye quite busy. Every time I pick up the book, I feel like I'm hopping on a jet plane and zipping off to the City of Lights! And I'm glad that this kind of trip doesn't need a passport or a ticket ;) Melissa Hill incorporates flashbacks into the story line so that we can understand the significance of some of the charms on both the bracelets. It amazes me how small pieces of gold or silver act as storytellers and offer vivid glimpses into a person's life.The story does end with a slight surprise and a cliffhanger because it leaves the readers wondering what happens to Holly and Greg. However, I see this as an opportunity for the audience to take the reins of imagination into their hands and paint a pretty picture of what could happen next.

Happy reading!

Shopping with the Enemy

Don't let the title of the post scare you - it's the name of one of the books I read recently. And how could I resist a book about shopping? This one is for those times when you want a light read without having to concentrate too much. The book chronicles the fashiontastic adventures of two mothers and their daughters, taking you through the roads of Europe and across the pond to New York.

The central characters are Annie Valentine and her daughter Lana, and Svetlana and her daughter Elena. Svetlana owns a fashion company based in NYC for which Elena and Lana work. However, the mothers and daughters don't always see eye to eye in business matters and this leads to quite some drama. Add to that an Italian spa vacation turned kidnapping rescue mission, and you've got yourselves a thickening plot.

Annie, who is a TV fashion presenter, has lately lost her mojo and feels out of touch with the world of style, and so Svetlana proposes a spa vacation in Italy to soothe frazzled nerves and revive inspiration. However, things don't exactly go as planned when Svetlana's sons are kidnapped by her ex-husband, and Annie is enlisted to be the chauffeur/bodyguard on the assignment to recover the boys! What follows is a dangerous and sometimes funny road trip to Austria. Though I have to mention, kudos to Annie for putting up with the overbearing Svetlana.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, Elena and Lana, together with their designer Gracie, are working behind their mothers' backs to rejuvenate their failing fashion label, Perfect Dress, by revamping the designs and making them more current. A tight budget and boy trouble make this an equally bumpy ride as their mothers'.

One of the unique features of the book is that each chapter starts with a detailed description of a character's outfit along with its estimated cost, which can serve as inspiration for aspiring fashionistas. It has the prefect combination of family drama and adventurous thrill to guarantee you a fun-filled time.

Lone Wolf - the ending

I finally inched my way to the end of Jodi Picoult's Lone Wolf. The secrets that emerge, the bonds that are re-forged and the surprise ending all contributed to the confirmation of my gut feeling that the Lone Wolf would be a good read. It is a story that is rife with drama and high on emotions, and so sometimes, it's difficult to take it in all at once - hence, the staggered reading pattern I adopted.

It wasn't necessarily a happy ending, but that depends on the perspective from which you view it. Usually, when one door is closed another one is opened, so tragedy can somehow be turned into  joy. When the truth is revealed bit by bit, the puzzle is completed. The final picture goes to show that everything isn't always what it seems to be. Several of the choices that the characters make are with good intentions but have devastating results, which lead to the Warren family slowly being torn apart. Jodi Picoult shows how, through a disastrous car accident, the family is painstakingly knit back together.

When reading this book, you can't help but join in with the characters in pondering on the value of a human life and whether anyone has the right to take a person off life support. It's such a sensitive matter that never has a black and white solution. The arguments on both sides seem valid, but unfortunately, there is no answer that can please both parties. The case in the book is rather unusual because two siblings are fighting against each other to gain custody of their comatose father, each wanting a different outcome for him. The motivations behind their desires are not as obvious as they seem at the beginning. At the end of book, the brother and sister are able to overcome their differences (and six years of separation) to see eye-to-eye and make the inevitable decision regarding their father's life.

My conclusion on the book is that it is very interesting and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who isn't necessarily looking for a light read. I enjoyed my journey through the book and look forward to more work from Jodi Picoult. The next book on my reading list takes me across the seas to America and my bags are all packed!!

Happy reading!