Spring Cleaning

khaki tunic, old navy {gifted} | black leggings, joe fresh | black hunter rainboots  {gifted}

accessories: cognac high socks, joe fresh {gifted} | leopard-print scarf, h&m 

first ladybug spotting of the season for me!

Today was spring cleaning day.  Well, the start of it anyway.  And the hubby always starts in the most important room of all, the garage.  And I go on poop patrol.  :(

Sorry, that was too graphic.  Let's just say I love my dog lots.  Cuz I'm not sure in what other circumstance I would do that for someone/thing else...... just sayin'..... :)

Oh and don't worry, I didn't do any sort of clean up with the leopard print scarf on.  But that would have been pretty sweet if I did.  I would soon come to be known on our street as the crazy lady who does yard work in leopard print... haha, that would be awesome..  who knows, high heels could be next!

As we speak, er, write, Tyler is out on his bike for the first. ride. of. the. season.  Let's not undervalue this moment, shall we?  He cleaned the garage and tinkered on his bike all morning.  Now, he's off enjoying his Saturday afternoon... I guess that's cool and all.  :)

Speaking of "working all morning and taking the afternoon off", I suppose it's my turn to figure out something to do on this beautiful afternoon.  

I'm on a shopping ban, so there goes that.

Maybe I'll go get a Starbucks and buy a new magazine and take it to a park.  Naw, that sounds like way too much work.

I could just creep on Pinterest and Blogger all afternoon... ya, that sounds like a way better plan!  And just so I'm "enjoying the afternoon" and all, I'll take my laptop out on the deck.  Perfect. 

Hope you're having a happy weekend wherever you are! :)

xo ~ Jessica

Brand New Buttons

Hi friends!  :)  Welcome to Day 1!  So full of zeal!  So full of enthusiasm!  I should come back and read this post on Day 19.. hahah.. 

I'm just gonna say that I love this outfit.  And mostly because I stole the concept from Pinterest.  Ahh, Pinterest.  I have a feeling I am going to lurve you through this challenge.  This is my first 30x30 since I started a Pinterest account and it may just be a game-changer.  And for that, friends, I am very excited.. :) 

(It doesn't take much).

On a totally different note, I just got this skirt back from my tailor, who sewed on a button that had fallen off.  (No, I don't sew.  Not even buttons.  Yes, I want to learn. But in the meantime, I am too lazy.  Plus my tailor is in the same building as my dry cleaner, so it just works out perfectly with my laziness.  One stone (stop), two birds (errand completed).  Boom.

Anyway, they sewed brand new buttons on it for me.  When I was examining their work once I got home, I was kinda surprised to see the old ones gone and new ones in their place.  At first I was like, awwww, thanks, tailor-lady!  They looked smart, clean and felt firmly fastened.  But now I'm kinda like, awwwww, boo, tailor-lady!  I miss my old buttons!  They were perfectly round and a distressed vintage-y gold colour.  Truthfully, the buttons were always my favourite part of the skirt.  

But really, whatever.  They did a great job and probably thought they were doing me a favour.  But.....  

I mean, maybe they could have checked with me (common courtesy)..?  Deep down, I know they are just buttons.  And there IS gold in them.  Just mid-80's major-shoulder-pads-blazer-buttons gold. In the middle of a navy button.  :(  Not the same. Ah well, I digress.  See below if you are *super* interested in seeing them up close. 

 denim skirt, gap | blue checked button-down, joe fresh | sparkly loafers, spring

 Mom!  You were outside with these shoes on! I can smell it on you! I'm telling! Daaaaddddddd!  Mom is wearing outside shoes on the inside!!

 Accessories: cream flower, gift | coral skinny belt, joe fresh | grey tights, zellers

the close-up you were all waiting for.  i know it. :)

So, what do you think?  Would you be mad about your tailor taking liberties with your denim skirt buttons?  Or would you be ok with it?  Or would you like a pomegranate smoothie?  Because really, if were asking questions here, that's really the important one I'd like answered.  And yes, my answer is yes.  I would love a pomegranate smoothie.

Until next time

xo ~ Jess

PS I just realized that I never put the link in to Kendi's 30x30 Remix Rules in yesterday's post.  Opps.  Sorry 'bout that!  I've fixed it, but if you are too lazy to go  back to yesterday's post (so wouldn't blame you.  SO wouldn't) here is the link right here!

{Spring 2012 30x30 Remix}

WHEEEEE!!! I am so dang excited to be doing another 30x30 remix!  I have been wanting to do one for a while (remember that crazy idea I had when I said I was going to do outfit shots on our cruise and document a Holiday 30x30??? hahah.. ya, that never happened........ obviously...) so needless to say I am chomping at the bit!  

Anywho, if you are new to Just Us, can I just, right quick, introduce you to the 30x30 Remix concept?  It's not my idea and I am not the first person to ever to it, but I kinda sorta love it and have actually gotten into the habit of applying it to how I dress everyday.  (Hi my name is Jessica and I dress myself everyday.  So novel, I know.)

The basic outline of it is, you choose 30 items from your closet (including footwear) and remix them into 30 different outfits for 30 days. :)  Accessories don't count (belts, scarves, purses, flower clips, etc and jewellery, if you wear it).

You can read about it all here and if you play around on her website, you probably can find all the remix's Kendi has done.  

{Just as a side note, I love Kendi.  Everyday.  (hahah.. see what I did there?) But I really do.  Her style speaks to me.  She keeps it classy, but isn't afraid to sass it up.  I love her. LOVE.  Side note over.}

I have done two remixes myself (a winter one and a summer one)... I am excited to do a spring one!  Really that just means a combination of winter and summer stuff right?  'Cuz one day it could be 15 degrees and the birdies are chirping and the next day we're getting pelted with a sleet storm.. So, I am excited about the challenge of trying to combine these two seasons without looking like a complete wacko.  Wish me luck.

Oh yeah and did I mention that there is (generally) a shopping ban during the 30x30??  :) 

So let's get started shall we?!  Below are the items I have chosen for this remix and starting tomorrow, you'll get to see my pretty little face (HA. HA. HA.  you can take that as a sarcastic or evil laugh. It's up to you, really.) for the next 30 days as I stumble/fumble/rumble (what?) my way through this challenge.  I forewarned you that you might not be able to get rid of me now that I'm unemployed. ;)

  Here we go!

{SPRING 2012 REMIX}

_______________________________

TOPS

white ruffle front-tie blouse,  gap

chambray button-down, joe fresh

gold sequin tank, joe fresh

black knit v-neck sweater, stitches

striped ruffle tee, joe fresh

polka dot blouse, effeti moda, via winners

red striped long tee, gap

neon yellow ruched tee, suzy shier

blue-checked button down, joe fresh

 _______________________________

DRESSES/TUNICS

khaki tunic, old navy {gifted}

teal shirt dress, sears

plaid shirt dress, sandwich {gifted}

 _______________________________

BLAZERS & CARDIGANS

black blazer, dalia {thifted}

navy/camel blazer, h&m

peach cardi, part two, via dots

long coral cardi, joe fresh

grey cropped jacket, kensie girl, via dots

 _______________________________

BOTTOMS

black leggings, joe fresh

green pleated maxi skirt, solitaire, via winners

army green skirt, joe fresh

beige crinkle skirt, joe fresh

brown/black pleated skirt, smart set

purple plaid skirt, mexx {gifted}

demin skirt, gap

 _______________________________

FOOTWEAR

{left to right: black/wooden heels, payless | coral peep-toe pumps, ruche | brown boots, alfred sung pure (zellers) | black hunter rainboots {gifted} | leopard-print flats, stitches | sparkly loafer, spring}

Well, welcome to my wardrobe for the next 30 days! :)  I am so excited to get started!

And if anyone wants to join along with me, leave your blog link in the comments below!  We can inspire each other to see it through!  :)

{Personal opinion: I'm pretty sure this pretty gal would rock a 30x30 and imma just say she should think about it.......... end personal opinion ;) ;)}

Soooo.. see ya tomorrow?!  Ya, I guess so! :)

xo ~ Jessica

DIY: {Simple Chevron Painted Travel Clutch}

Hello friends! :)

I hope you are all well.. We have been doing swell over here in the Brake household, but I'm not gonna lie.. it's be non-stop since we got home from our holiday... which makes for one very worn-out Jessica.  :(

I'm not complaining (ok, maybe a little.. haha), but life has been a whirlwind is every sense of the word.  We came home to the most house showings we've ever had since we put our house on the market.  Those first seven days after we got home I think we averaged two a day.  Oy.  

So after a month and half of house-craziness, we took it off the market.  There was no movement on it whatsoever and we just felt it was the right thing to do for this present time.  

I'm also winding up my job at Travel Alberta Central.  March 27 is my last day of work and then I will be.... laid-off.  Such a weird thing... I've never been laid-off.  It stinks majorly.  I'm not going to get into now, but it's definitely has played a role in adding a wee bit of stress into our lives.. But what can we do?  Nothing.. so we accept and move on.  That all said, I still will miss this job so much and my co-workers.  

But I am looking forward to what's around the corner.  The coolest part is it's a surprise!  I have no idea what's around the corner and I'm starting to be filled with a little anticipation! 

So needless to say, I have been craving a creative outlet.  I have found little time for doing something crafty, but I finally decided enough!  I gotta make time!  

So when my boss discovered these travel clutches when she was cleaning out some shelves at work, I thought, perfect!  They were very functional inside with a place for your passport, boarding pass, cards, ID and cash....but....  

That logo!  Awful!  I mean, I love you and all Travel Alberta for the job and stuff for the past year and half, but I'm sorry... you're gonna have to go!

So I googled "how to paint a purse" and this little gem came up!  Not only did it teach me how to paint a purse but it also gave me the inspiration for my design!  Win-win! :)

Supplies are simple and basic.  Acrylic paint, foam brushes, Mod Podge, painters tape and a damp cloth to first clean the surface of the purse with.

 Let's get started!

 After cleaning the surface, I Mod Podged the front pocket that I would painting.  Once dry, it would act as a base for the paint.  

 Once MP'd (Mod-Podged), I painted the entire area black.  

 Then the hard part started!  I started off by taping off the corners for the minty-teal colour.  (LOVE this colour by the way!)

 Next I taped a strip on both sides for the light coral colour.  I just edged along the mint-teal colour with the foam brush.

 Then I taped off the last strip for the grey.  This was the hardest because I had to line up the middle to make the "chevron".  It's not perfect, but it'll do.  And to be honest, I kinda sorta like it not perfect. :)

 After that, I painted the "triangle" area black again, just to give it a more uniform look.

 Once everything was dry, I MP'd the entire thing.  This step is key to giving that "finished" look.. :)  Oh yea, I forgot to mention I taped the bottom too.  It's got a curved edge, and I wanted something straight to work with, so I taped just up a smidge from the curve.

 Finished product!  Whee!  Now I have an actual travel clutch for my documents and passport when travelling! Whee!  :)  This makes me uber excited!

 Nice spring-y colours too!

Let's go travelling!  Any takers?!  :)

I hope you have all been wonderful!  I'm sorry I have been so neglectful on my blog.. But trust me friends, this is just the calm before the storm.. don't forget, in one weeks time, I won't have a job, so you might not get rid of me on here! hahah.. 

Any fun crafty projects that you've been up to?  Let me know.. I'll need something to fill the days to come... :) 

Until next time...

xo ~ Jessica

My Favourite Pins

So I have been dreaming of  having a dressing room lately.  Such a self-indulgent dream, no? :)

In real life, if we were to create a dressing room, it would definitely need to be a "his-and-hers" kind of theme.  Can't leave the husband out in the dark.. haha.. :)

Anyway, here are a few of my favourite pins, as of late.. My favourite one is the top image.  But take out the bulky black framed mirror and substitute it with the twinkly gold one, like the bottom image. :)  

That attic-turned-dressing-room is amazing though... I love the sky lights.. what a dreamy place to get dressed everyday.... :)

 via

 via

via

What have you been loving lately?  My mind has been all over the map, lately, but I always seem to go back to dreaming about a dressing room... Oh and in other news: spring, please come soon.  Apparently, mint green is the colour for spring 2012.  And I must admit, I'm loving all the minty things I am seeing on Pintrest and some of my fave bloggers.. (I like her front-tie blouse)..  

Oh, however, I did, do a beat-the-winter-blues-and-take-advantage-of-the-end-of-season-sales mini shopping spree on Monday.. I went to Dots and scored 4 items for $17!  Yes!!  A knit sweater, a light weight ruched turtle-neck, a peach-coloured cardigan and a floral wrap dress!  So, please, spring, hurry hurry so I can wear those last two new goodies!! :)

Until next time!

xo ~ Jess