Welcome 2013!!

First Christmas & New Year in TO

Hello everyone and welcome back to the daily life and grind. My heartiest wishes to all for a fabulous New Year and a warm welcome back to Style Scribbles. As you might have noticed, we have gone through some changes and have updated our blog with a new look for 2013.

The changes in looks aside, we are still the same featuring what's in trend and what we love to talk about. We are also looking at new sponsors and brands to collaborate with, as a step towards growing up and are planning to incorporate more reader interaction in the year to follow!

But this post is dedicated to wishing you all a very warm new beginning and to share our holiday memories, fun and frolic with everyone. Talking of holidays, this year was a fantastic one for me and S. We bought some mah-jo-rrr gifts for each other and shopped a lot. Oh! and then, there were gifts for our babies (read Olive & Phoebe, the barking half of our household :-P)

We spent Christmas with friends and went snow tubing and skiing in Barrie. Also cooked a lot and ...well... ate a lot too :-P.

The gifts started with a very well needed component for my blogging and S's wants in general :) We got our first DSLR, Nikon D3100. We are still practicing and experimenting with it but soon, the crappy photos on Style Scribbles will be replaced by great shots from my Nikon!! Yay!

Next in line was a sewing machine, I needed to start my own and progress more as a designer. We got the Singer, Fashion Mate and well, in between all the festivities, I haven't yet got the time to open it, but will be trying it out soon. Got to find a nice spot in the house and set up my work station first :)

Also we got cute little mutlucks boots for our dogs, this being their first winter in Canada and first time with snow, we were a little paranoid. But I believe they handled snow much better than we imagined and they even love playing in it, once they are all bundled up, of course.

We got winter boots for ourselves too, from 'Spring is here', there was a huge boxing week sale and we got amazing deals. Will upload pics of our shopping soon. Also acquired courtesy of the boxing week sale are, a whole new gym wardrobe from Adidas, new pair of denims for me from H&M, replenishment for the toiletries basket from 'Body and Bath works' and new bedsheets and covers from Ikea. The kids (read, dogs) also got a whole lot of soft toys from Ikea, they were all on sale.

All in all, we had a shopaholic Christmas, how was yours? Did you end up getting a lot of goodies in gifts or did u too get out and explore the boxing week sales to fetch the much needed supplies?
Do share your holiday fun with us and keep coming back for more. Be Yourself! Be Awesome!!xx

nikon D3100 by stylescribbles featuring laura mercier

Singer fashion mate, image taken off the internet

 

 

 

 

BFF's

I have BFF's!!! Not what you think, I'm referring to ...my Broad Feet n Fingers. That's what I am calling them from now on "my BFF's".
And after twice spending money on Aldo shoes (around $150) I have finally realised my feet will never feel comfortable in one of them again...ever...never again :(
It's a sad thing as many a times I have come across such cute little affordable numbers, mostly replicas of big brands but alas! my feet are too broad in the front to peacefully settle down inside Aldo shoes for a full day...
Which brings me to next point! As you all know, I have been moving countries for a while now and was always prepared to re discover sizes and shapes according to my body every time I settled in a new country, but never in a million years did I think of my feet!
So, in India and South Africa I knew I had broad feet because once in a while I would try a friend's sandals or compare my feet to S's and so on, but I never faced any problems finding my size or in this case, my shape of shoe...(except for when I would go shopping for running shoes, can never be too careful there)
But since I moved to Canada, not one pair I have bought doesn't hurt, be it heels, flats, any other kind of footwear, they are all simply too narrow at the front.
Makes me think why? And to top it all, the other day I saw a shop, basically payless, they had this whole different section marked for broad toes. Now that to me is just like someone being made to shop from the plus size stores. It hurts!
This is something I will definitely get to the root of but in the meantime, share with me if you have the same problem shopping for shoes. Any other troubles you go through while shoe shopping or are you genetically blessed with a figure perfect toe?

weekend DIY

So the summers are at their peak and we were looking to do something new and fun for the weekend, now three months in Toronto and we are kind of still furnishing and decorating our new home. The dining area had been an empty space to play ball with the dogs for a while now and after much discussion we realized that we will never settle for the classic dining table and wanted something more sleek and simple yet different for our space. The final verdict was that we need a bar height table, that will more often be used as a bar than for dining ;), with stools facing the TV, right behind the leather couch.
We had been looking around online as well as local stores for something that matched our style, fit and budget. With not much success, we figured it was time that we dealt with a little DIY of our own. Now, having never built anything, let alone a whole table to be a place for conversations and fine dining, we wanted to keep it simple to make sure it turned our sturdy enough. Our basic design was a 40x16x75 inch plan that finally became a 41x16x78 inch bar.
We used pine, specifically knotty pine for the rustic, roughed up look we desired and select pine for the base, also we chose to stain it with a single layer of green tea color with a lot of rubbing it off and sanding involved after, so now the table looks like it was probably the pride of a road side pub for years before we rescued it (love that look).
Initially we were suppose to border it on all four sides, but considering we have no tools to cut/ chop wood/ planks at home and we got them all cut to size at the home depot, our borders for the length came our about 2-3mm longer than required and we just simply chose to avoid and put them only on the two shorter edges (sides) looks cool though (check out the pics at the end).
Also, the green color we chose, out of many reasons, one was the eclectic feel that our living room has till now and the fresh/stark contrast it will be to the rest of the stuff. We also used brass screws, angle joints and corners from the top, making them as visible as possible, as opposed to the normal thinking of hiding any nails. Also being first timers at it and crazy as we are, we let the glue stain our sides, the crooked edges go willy-nilly and we refused to fill any gaps created during gluing. All this turned out to give exactly the kind of feel we wanted for the table. It looks like it's right out of an old country hotel at Jaisalmer in India (those of you not familiar with this place, Google now), or from a crafty resort in some artsy town.
Okay, enough talk, check out our newest treasure (such tables if in the size we wanted were going for CAD500-600 +delivery and we made ours in just CAD150/- sweet I'd say!
P.S. We are yet to buy the bar stools, we were planning on white (it will seat three comfortably, so three stools). Also S has now gotten such a hang of it and it was so much fun and therapeutic that we have decided to build our own TV unit (in a turquoise/ sea blue) and coffee table (in chalk white stain) soon.
Oh and there was a piece of the wood left, we stained it to match the pub table and will make it into a tray with door handles on the side to grab it, soon. That chair with a green piece of wood sitting under the money plant- that's it, also the money plant has been planted in an empty coffee tin.

how not to move countries

Internet issues and slacking off on blog posts...
I would like to apologize to all my avid followers and regular readers for being so 'not-in-the-present' and hardly posting on the blog. Even when I have a million things to share, my very slow internet speed (currently using my phone wifi, waiting to get a cable line done up at my new home) exempts me from posting lengthy articles and pictures. It does feel sad to have so much to say and then just pilling it on my laptop for a later opportunity. Hopefully by mid May, another 2 weeks or so, I will be back in full swing. Until then, hang on to your wild side and stay blessed. Love and peace to all. xo

P.S. please excuse my absence from twitter and facebook for the same reason!

How I soiled a $100 bill…

The New*BEE* in the beehive

So, yeah, my Internet has been playing tricks on me all this while and although S enjoys a super fast Internet speed, I am stuck at home for the time being with Fido. It gets irritable slow while connected to the laptop via wifi and uploading pics gets next to impossible. I am saying all this to justify my absence from the blog, well to a point my laziness also is to be blamed, more so my impatience I guess!

Well, for the new readers, let me tell you, I just moved from South Africa to Canada, feels like the Sun was my best friend as I miss it the most ;), so do my dogs who came with us. You’ll see a few pictures of Olive (my MALE Jack Russell! Yeah! About that some other time) looking like Snoop Dogg in his track suit inspired black velvet hoodie. He has totally fallen in love with sweaters and I am scared, if I stay here for the rest of my life, he might just take over my ‘fashion designing’ career and start one of his own with just the winter range for him and his four legged friends.

Oh and please keep in mind, pictures will keep uploading at their own pace, hate slow Internet but stuck with it for a while. I also have to start job hunting soon or maybe look at colleges, still trying to decide. Also took a gym membership last week, have to at least start going there, or start with road running. The list of things to be done and to start with is pretty long, so let’s get to the fun part right away… shall we…

My shopping has not been much so far, to be blamed are the biting cold weather and my to-do list that keeps me on the go 24X7. One thing I did buy was the Abercrombie hoodie, as I mentioned in my previous post and later spent $100 on Aldo shoes, which ended up being a big mistake!

How I soiled a $100 bill…

I have lately been walking a lot, like ‘A-LOT’ lot! Been walking to places, to house viewings, just to grab a bite to eat or to go to the mall, it’s my life now! So! I needed the perfect shoes that were sans heels, easy to slide into, covered just enough to protect me from the cold and pretty and well! Different *read- Not Boring*. So last I walked into Aldo and got me the prettiest pair of lemon yellow brightness you could ever find. One problem- they were suede!! So this guy at the counter talked me into buying a spray *pics at the end* and a brush by Aldo of course claiming that they will help protect and clean my suede shoes. I wasn’t so sure so I told him, I will be walking a lot in these, taking my dogs for a walk, walking on wet grass and all, I didn’t think those were right for me. But it was my day for a mistake, he claimed and promised that after I spray them with that protecting ‘spray’ soil, mud, water, etc will glide through them as if oil on a balloon or whatever and the brush is an easy clean to be used whenever necessary.

So, I bought it all, $10 each for the spray and the brush and $80 for the shoes. I bought them, wore them and walked in them L after a daylong flaunting my latest favorites, I noticed visible spots (even after the spray) and tried to clean them, which the brush did initially. But whenever I go out they get dirty, which that salesman promised won’t happen, and every time I clean them with a brush, I notice it feels like it’s brushing the suede, like sandpaper, I am scared if I continue that, it’ll make holes in them and the wear and tear with be beyond repair. So for now, I am walking around town in spotted yellow wonders, who cares (maybe I do, but I should have known better). Always remember, suede shoes are not for walking! NO. Period!

Check out the pics, that I’ll post soon when my Internet wishes, they don’t look so bad, but do not trust Aldo when they claim to make your suede spotless regardless of where you wear them to. NA-aah!

OK :( sadly my internet connection is beyond slow! no pictures anytime soon I guess... so much to share, so many posts in draft..there's a backlog I never imagined possible..SADLY :(

much luv n luck to all..xx

my latest haircut

So, I know it's been a week, since I got this hair cut (actually 10 days I guess) I have been so busy running around, never got a chance to post the pics, so today after a lazy shower I decided that its time.
Well, here are the pics, I even dropped the hair dryer while at it, hence holding it firmly in the later pics, LOL
It seems not so perfect as it was the day I came from the salon, but the hair dressers always have a million products they use on me and I don't really do that lengthy a process while getting ready. Although, I must say, I used my usual L'oreal ultra shine shampoo in the pink bottle, but just to give it a try got the volume boost conditioner in the mauve/ purple bottle, it does work wonderfully. My thin hair suddenly feels playfully voluminous and much similar to the way they would after a salon visit!!

And, the morning after look, just when I don't seem to have time before getting my dogs out for their walk, I can easily tuck my hair behind my ears and looks ready to go, totally loving how shorter the hair, the more hassle free it is to look groomed :)

P.S. this post makes me realise, how much I need to hit the gym :p

My first week in Toronto

The Initial touchdown

So we had a flight from Johannesburg to Dubai (8hr long emirates economy) not a bad way to travel but more leg space is always welcomeJ. After a 5 hour layover at Dubai, we headed towards the check-in counter for our very long and hopefully very sleepy 14hr long flight for Toronto. Just trying our luck, we asked the man behind the desk, if it was a possibility for us to get the emergency exit seats, a little more leg room, if you know what I mean and as if good karma had been waiting to shower us with gifts, we got upgraded to the business class of the A380, that we were in, just like that. Yup! It was a blissfully pleasant and the most comfortable flight I ever had, never wanted it to end, felt even like in a bond movie at one point, but yeah, all good things and especially the free ones end soonJ.
P.S. I and S both got these lovely little welcome kits with Bvlgari goodies inside, will post pics of them soon! How happy we were with all the bubbly flowing and the muffins circulating and the massages and all…

Oh and special mention, and pics coming soon of how we traveled and touched equator and North Pole at the same day!

So the landing was perfect, the luggage collected and we got to our hotel by evening. As much as we wanted to explore the city, the jet lag set in and within seconds of lying down on the bed I was fast asleep. Don’t know when exactly S fell asleep too but the next thing I know, I woke up at 2 in the middle of the night feeling fresh as a daisy, again the time difference meant it was actually 8 am in South Africa, so I actually brushed my teeth, had breakfast and slept again…hehehee!

The New*BEE* in the beehive

It has been just about 4 days for us here in Toronto, and our baby bums *puppies* have also arrived safely. A special mention for Global Paws, South Africa for the pleasant flight and all the arrangements they made to make sure my little hearts don’t panic much and get a safe transit. We are all adjusting, mah-jor-ly to the cold weather.
P.S. All your fashion sense runs out of the freaking chimney when it’s as cold as it is here, for spring! All I have been wearing is a black woolen pair of tights/ skinny trousers, random racer back and halter neck tees layered inside and an Abercrombie and Fitch navy hoodie, that was my first purchase here, along with it extremely thick socks and flat soled iron fist shoes that are my favorite to run around in, as people in Toronto, unlike South Africa WALK! Yup guys, we *yes, it’s WE now*winks* walk to places, there’s a crowd on the streets, it’s lovely; it’s lively and so very friendly. We totally love it here, even though sometimes my legs hurt ;-).
We are house hunting these days and as it progresses there will be lots of pics of the new place, in the meantime I do apologize for back benching my blog, it’s not every day we move a continent now, is it?

Oh and I haven’t been gyming or exercising of any sort, just a hell of a lot of walking, hopefully the calories I gulp down in excitement will not be that mean to me :). Have a lovely weekend everyone and please spare my lack of presence as an exciting adventure is ahead. Will totally keep you all posted on how the changes feel after moving three continents in three years *some stats* love and luck to all. xx

NOTE: Yesterday, after about 2 hours of writing this post, we found the perfect apartment on the 14th floor with huge rooms and a walk in closet ~this girl is set!!! pics coming soon :)

So, here are a few pics, as I promised...

yup tht's it! got an upgrade to business class, just lyk tht,...see we are such people, everyone whats to please.. LOL 

that was my nirvana for the next 14 hours

tht's S enjoying a movie while relaxing in his massage bed, sipping some bubbly ;)

Olive after arriving to Toronto, slept lyk a baby as soon as he sat down besides me on the hotel bed

Phoebe wasn't that far behind, slept like a log for hours and was probably the most jet lagged out of us 4

the view of lake Ontario from our new home (balcony)

Another one from the balcony

the day we moved in...

view of downtown from the guest bedroom in the night (could not get a better picture, it was so mighty cold that I refused to open the window to take a snap. period! ;)

another one from the study/guest bedroom..