It’s getting easier

March is going out like a lion, and I kinda feel like a lion today. I’m cold (it snowed a little overnight and it feels like early winter now), irritable, and a little jumpy. It’s probably because I’ve decided to stop eating refined sugar again, and I have a container of fancy chocolate-covered marshmallows in the kitchen for my nephew and I suddenly desperately want to tear into it and shove all of them into my mouth. I think I should put them away. Out of sight, out of mind, right?

Soïa & Kyo trench coat (from 2008) | Club Monaco top | lululemon Wunder Under pant | Steve Madden boots | Marc by Marc Jacobs Preppy Hillier Hobo

My Saturday morning, errand-running outfit. Can’t tell from this picture, but I’m not wearing any makeup, as usual on Saturday mornings, and I don’t care.

March flew by, but I think there was some good stuff in there. I decided it was time to get back to my good eating habits, so I’ve cut out wheat and dairy in addition to sugar. I think I’ve found my willpower again, which is nice, because it seemed to have left me all winter. This time, I’ve decided to concentrate on what I can have rather than what I can’t have, and that helps. I know it gets easier the longer I stick to it, today is just a bad day because of the marshmallows. I don’t even like marshmallows but I want them because they’re there!

I also decided it was time to try to get more fit, and I can’t let my hatred of the gym stop me. I’m walking as much as possible, and I’ve been trying out some 10-minute FitSugar videos. 10 minutes works for me  I’m in such terrible shape that at first I could only get through 5 minutes at a time, but it’s getting easier. And because I’m inherently lazy, ten minutes at a time works for me.

(I’d love to say that a desire to be healthy has motivated me to exercise and eat well, but it’s really because I’ve gained some weight over the winter and none of my clothes fit comfortably anymore. I feel shallow, but whatever it takes, right?)

I’ve also been cooking more, watching the rest of Downton Abbey, reading a little (re-read Tim Gunn: A Guide To Quality, Taste & Style), and uh, shopping more.

This was my March damage:

  
 
Marc by Marc Jacobs Preppy Hillier Hobo | Anthro Tartlet Burst Top (Deletta) (in navy, bought on sale)
Anthro Drape & Scallop Top (Weston Wear) (on sale) | Puma Rudolf Dassler Rhythm ballet flats (on sale)

It seemed like a lot more than that, but probably because the Marc Jacobs bag was a splurge purchase, and I had the extra money from my tax refund. The bag was love at first sight, I loved both tops enough to buy them at full price so sale was a bonus, and I couldn’t resist my favourite comfortable flats (I own these in black and white) in teal and on sale. I’m not sticking to my resolution to buy one item a month, but I’m still doing a lot better than I used to.

Get these away from me…

You give me miles and miles of mountain and I ask for sea.

I know I’ve complained about the weather many many many many times before, but as I’ve also probably already said, I wouldn’t be Canadian if I didn’t. I complained about it being too hot too early in the year last week, and now that it’s back to more normal colder temperatures this week I want some of that warmth back, but not too much warmth because I actually prefer to be cooler. Oh man. Am I nuts or what?

Anthro Tartlet Burst Top (Deletta) | J.Crew Jenna’s Cardigan | Anthro Acting Out Skirt (Cartonnier) | Wolford Satin Opaque Tights | Michael Kors shoes

I think the term might be “never satisfied,” actually.

I’ve also said this before too, but I can’t believe March is almost over and I have no idea where the first three months of the year have gone. I haven’t been around much lately, but I’m working on that, hope to be back to posting more often soon.

Something old, something new, something blue.

I’ve had this knit dress for over a year, and I’ve worn it a lot. I love the simplicity and the effortlessness of it. But it’s not something I “remix” per se, because I just like to wear it as it is. No belt, minimal jewellery, maybe different shoes. I don’t think I’ve worn it with these shoes before.

Anthropologie Network Dress (Velvet) | Matsu necklace | Michael Kors shoes

It’s also an amazingly forgiving dress when you’ve put on a few pounds like I have (working on it).

(I look a little vacant in this picture, but I couldn’t help it…it was early in the morning.)

Soïa & Kyo jacket (from 2007) | Tory Burch Reva flats (from 2009) | Marc by Marc Jacobs ‘Preppy’ Leather Hillier Hobo (from last week)

The Marc Jacobs bag was my huge splurge of the month, thanks to a large tax return. It wasn’t on my radar until about two weeks ago, when I went with a friend to Holt Renfrew at lunch so she could look at wallets. I saw it, saw the colour, and fell in love. With my love of teal/turquoise, how could I resist? (I still blame my friend though.) I’ve been carrying it for a week and it’s incredibly practical too, I put my work security badge in the ID tag and the outside pockets are fantastic for my phone and keys. So I don’t regret it.

But I still had to balance it off with some older pieces. I bought these Tory Burch flats at Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego in October 2009. This Soïa & Kyo jacket is 5 years old and one of the first things I bought when I moved to Toronto, and also started my love of Soïa & Kyo coats. It’s starting to show it’s age a bit, but I don’t think it looks dated and I’ll probably keep it until it falls apart.

I don’t normally include bags in my outfit photos, so how awkward do I look trying to hold it?

Feeling off-kilter.

I walked home after work and nearly melted in the sun, and I’m pretty sure I have a tan on my left arm only, because I didn’t take my friend’s advice to turn around halfway and walk backwards, to tan my right arm. Trees are starting to bud and I saw some crocuses on my way home. I was out in my neighbourhood later this evening, and it definitely felt like early summer, not late March. It is still March, right?

I’m having some serious mixed feelings about this unseasonably warm weather we’ve been having in Toronto. On one hand, it’s great. I love sunshine and warm (but not hot!) weather. I love spring. I love bare legs!

Jacob sleeveless top | Anthropologie Rosie Neira cardigan | Hilary Druxman necklace | Anthro Goban Pencil Skirt | Bos & Co heels

It’s also hard to argue with the uplifted moods of everyone around. People are discernibly happier everywhere. Amazing what a change in weather will do.

The morning fog is pretty cool too.

But…

It’s late March, not mid-May. Warm weather and bare arms and legs this early in the year is throwing me off. Obviously I’m resisting diving headfirst into spring; I’m not ready to switch out my fall/winter clothes yet and I’m still stubbornly sticking with black. And like Jesspgh, it makes me nervous. My sister says she fears snow in July, but I’m thinking the opposite. I fear it’ll be a scorcher of a summer, which means I’ll be hiding out in my condo with its blissful central air because it’s too bloody hot for me to go out and do anything. I happen to love cooler weather (not cold), and I hope this doesn’t mean winter in Toronto is a thing of the past.

I hate to be a stick in the mud when everyone else is so happy, but apparently I’m just Miss Doom and Gloom. It just doesn’t feel right to me.

Stairs, my mortal enemy.

I came home after work this evening to find that the elevators in my building were out of service. All of them. I live on the 17th floor. So after I walked 6km (3.72822715 miles) home, going the the long way (it’s usually only 4.5km or 2.79617037 miles) and picking up a few groceries, I had to climb up 17 flights of stairs. I hate stairs. My asthmatic lungs hate stairs. I’m great on flat ground, I can walk forever (well, at least 6km in an hour), but throw a hill or a flight of stairs in front of me and I’m dying. After about 6 flights, I had to stop every two floors to catch my breath.

Maybe I should practice taking the stairs every now and then just in case that happens again.

It was another gorgeous day here in Toronto, with spring temperatures. I had my first bare-legged day of the year (not on purpose, I got a run in my tights when I got to work and decided just to take them off), and my first lunch on the patio of the year. Not bad for March 14th.

This was my outfit with tights:

Anthropologie Tiny cardigan | Banana Republic camisole | Anthropologie Goban Pencil Skirt (Maeve) | Wolford Satin Opaque Tights | Michael Kors heels

Will came home about an hour ago and said the elevators are fixed now. Just my luck.

This week I’m…

1) …wearing black and blue. Because I’m nothing if not predictable when it comes to my colour palette.

Anthropologie Pezza Dress | J.Crew Jenna’s Cardigan | ayala bar necklace | Wolford Satin Opaque tights | Michael Kors heels

2) …giving my hair a break from my flat iron and curling wand. It probably needs it. I’m still blow-drying, but only to take the moisture out. I’m trying to embrace my natural hair texture, instead of constantly fighting it. I’ll go back to wrestling it into submission next week.

3) …cooking up a storm. I recently bought the cookbook Poulet, stuck Post-It notes on the pages with recipes I want to try, and then promptly started cooking other recipes.

Turkey meatballs in tomato sauce for spaghetti and meatballs.

Chicken adobo, the dish of my peeps! Except that there isn’t a definitive version of a dish, everyone’s mother makes it differently, and I’m sure I’m making it wrong. It tasted good though.

That’s enough already, cheer up.

I spent most of February being pretty miserable. I was still reeling from changes at work, I was cranky and unmotivated, and I’m pretty sure I ate most of my body weight in sugar. I’m feeling better now, and now it seems stupid that I spent so much time wallowing in self-pity. I mean, seriously, I need to get over myself. It’s never as bad as I make it out to be!

Other than that, February was a month of British TV shows (watched both series of Sherlock and started Downton Abbey); only one book read (The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender), probably because I spent so much time watching British TV shows; unseasonably warm temperatures; and a little bit more shopping than I planned.

I bought this Hilary Druxman hand-wrought sterling silver necklace in Ottawa at Bija Bijoux. I love Hilary Druxman designs and I love the hammered silver. Not entirely cheap, but I like supporting a small Canadian artist, and still cheaper than anything I might remotely like at, say, Tiffany & Co.

I haven’t been inspired by Anthropologie lately, but I couldn’t resist the Tartlet Burst Top. It’s teal and it has a fun detail. I like it so much I’m tempted to get it in navy too.

Okay, so two pieces, it’s not a lot. But it’s still 100% more than the monthly shopping “quota” I’d set for myself for 2012. I could spend some time beating myself up about it…but I think I won’t.

Up next for March: more Downton Abbey (I’ve only watched the first few episodes), maybe more reading, more fitness, more cooking, and generally better spirits.

Club Monaco Kelsey Dress | Anthropologie Orchard House Cardigan (Rosie Neira) | necklace made by me | Wolford Satin Opaque Tights in Admiral | Tory Burch Reva flats