VANCOUVER STREETSTYLE: Black Leather Biker Jacket with Black, Grey, White Tiered Skirt, Burrard Street

@j_tine on Twitter

VANCOUVER STREETSTYLE: Short sleeve jacket worn with long gloves, Granville

TBF SHOPS: WILFRED Black Leather Shorts from Aritzia

As some of you may know, I have been on the hunt for black leather shorts for quite a while now. I've searched high and low, from online stores like ASOS to classic stores like H&M and even at thrift stores (which I am not a "regular" at let's just say) but never found exactly what I was looking for.

I guess it's true though what they say about finding something when you least expect it or when you stop looking, because when I casually walked into Aritzia with a friend in hopes of finding her something, there they were - They spoke to me and said: "Hello Justine. Nice to finally see you. Look at me. I am black. I am (not real) leather. I don't have belt loops but an elastic waist instead. I am exactly what you've been looking for all these years months."

Okay, so maybe the shorts didn't really speak to me but all those points quickly added up in my head and persuaded me to make the purchase despite the price being totally out of my budget. But hey, they make me happy and whenever I clean up (more like scrape) the rice cereal from the floor or wipe the fruit puree off my face and shirt, I know I deserve something like this once and a while... yeahhhhh, that's it :p

No buyer's remorse here,
Justine

PS - They can be worn all year round so the CPW is like a dollar if I wear them at least 110 times...just sayin'.

TBF FASHION INSPIRATION: Christine Centenera in Baggy Jeans

Photo taken from STOCKHOLM-STREETSTYLE.COM

"CAN I GET A WHAT WHAT?" (Jay-Z feat. Amil and Ja Rule) is the line that popped into my head when I first saw this photo. How hot and gangster are these jeans that she's wearing? I can't get over them. All I have to say to end this post is: "Now can you bounce wit me, uhh... Bounce wit me, bounce wit me... Can ya can ya can ya bounce with me, bounce with me..."

VANCOUVER STREETSTYLE: Feathers and Leather with a cable-knit sweater (rhyme intended), Water Street

TBF LOOK OF THE DAY: I watch too much of That 70's Show (Featuring Wide leg pants)

VANCOUVER STREETSTYLE: An almost-theft-proof yet chic backpack

TBF LOOK OF THE DAY: Leather shirts rock (camel skirts)

If I wasn't broke, I'd wear:

What I'm actually wearing: Leather shirt from H&M, Skirt from Joe Fresh, Bag and Bracelet from Forever21, Boots from Gia

TBF LOOK OF THE DAY: A little silk with that rock n' roll

If I wasn't broke, I'd buy:

What I'm actually wearing: Blouse from Winners, Pants from H&M, Shoes from Forever21, Rings from Ardene's

TBF LOOK OF THE DAY: Hobos can wear fur too

If I wasn't broke, I'd wear:

What I'm actually wearing: Fur coat from Forever21, Pants and toque from H&M, Bag from Joe Fresh, Shoes from Zara

TBF LOOK OF THE DAY: Black Squirrel at the Park

If I wasn't broke, I'd buy:

 

 

What I'm actually wearing: Fur jacket and sequined black shoes from H&M, White tee and leather pants from Forever21, bag from Aldo, Sunnies from store in US

TBF LOOK OF THE DAY: Spring came a little early

If I wasn't broke, I'd buy:

I look like a total chump in the first picture (esp. with my fists all clenched up) so I put this picture up of my face to prove I'm not a grumpy old woman.

What I'm actually wearing: Pants and jacket from H&M, pumps from Zara, T-shirt from The Gap

TBF LOOK OF THE DAY: zebra print harem pants

If I wasn't broke, I'd buy:

What I'm actually wearing: Pants from H&M, Tank from Aritzia, Jacket from store in the US, Shoes from Forever21

TBF LOOK OF THE DAY: army green, mustard and black leather

If I wasn't broke, I'd buy:

What I am actually wearing: Army green jacket from H&M, Mustard knit scarf/Leather pants/sunnies/cowboy boots from Forever21

VANCOUVER STREETSTYLE: The updated baggy jeans, Granville Street

I predict that baggy jeans will be back in style as fashion always takes a trend a little further every year. A few years ago, we saw the "boyfriend" jeans and this summer I'm thinking we're going to see something baggier. This girl has the right idea, pairing her baggy jeans with a fitted leather jacket - keeping all colors light and airy.

wow. it's hard to come up with a witty title

This is my second entry and while trying to think of a title, I'm already having a mental block. I probably owe it to having a zillion things I’d like to write about. I used to snicker at some of the titles I saw while surfing LOOKBOOK or blogs in general but after 5 minutes of typing, deleting, typing and deleting again, I realize it’s hard to choose a few words to sum up a whole day or even to describe an outfit without sounding like I need therapy. For that reason, I: a) give props to bloggers and LOOKBOOK/Chictopia users who, despite sounding overly poetic and cheesy at times, come up with titles that are actually appropriate or enticing and b) have come to a decision that honesty and straightforwardness are the way to go.

So why don’t I start with the fact that I watched Black Swan for the second time today. If you’ve seen it and loved it like I did, you most certainly know exactly why I, being broke as a joke, paid to see this movie again. There is just something different about this movie that sets it apart from most films I’ve seen, usually with plots that are predominantly the same and endings that are unfortunately and disappointingly predictable, to say the least. Natalie Portman’s acting doesn’t usually do anything for me – it’s mostly her beauty and charisma that draws me to watch her movies, but her performance in Black Swan had me completely spellbound. Not to mention, this movie has also left me wanting to get some streaks in my hair and go clubbing. Anyway, I won’t bore you any further with my thoughts on each wonderfully put together scene as I don’t want to ruin it for those who haven’t seen this yet, so I’ll leave you with a photo of a real black and white swan (FACT: I didn’t even know black swans existed).

Here comes the fun part. Pictures of my very first outfit! Relax. It’s not going to be an exciting one. I had a family lunch to go to (father in-law's birthday) and as far as my family is concerned, I am broke as a joke, so when we get together, I don’t exactly dress to impress. In fact, I dress down a little and try to look slightly hobo to get some sympathy or even a free meal (that’s a joke btw, if you’re family and reading this).

Aldo black pumps, Forever21 sweater/jeans/backpack/black leather jacket, Joe Fresh sunnies

Here are the key pieces to get this look

 

I'll end this off with some photos of a few DIY projects my husband and I completed over the weekend.

Painted my fireplace tiles white (originally a peach marble-esque tile. yes, it was as bad as it sounds)

Installed some racks to hang a few necessities in the kitchen and increase counter space (not much but any is good)

Absolutely obsessed with plants that can live and thrive in water alone. The thought of re-potting scares me. And who can't appreciate the sci-fi-ishness of being able to see the roots?

I hate that my wall looks beige here. IT'S NOT. IT'S GRAY AND COOL and sets the perfect background to host these black and white photographs. These frames used to showcase my brother's personal photographs of Vancouver scenery but it was time for a change.

I wish I could have this poster hung up in every corner of our house. The simplicity of its design and strong, yet peaceful message is what every person needs once, twice or three times a day at least. The bright and cheery yellow color also brings some "sunshine" into my windowless kitchen :)

So I guess that’s that. It’s nearly 12:30am and while I normally try to get my daily To-Do List done at this time (while the boys are asleep), I am too pooped to go on. I recently also bought a candle that’s left me feeling a little lethargic – which means, YAY, it’s working!

Until my next attempt,
Justine

PS - I am the queen of "PS's" so don't be surprised if I've got one for every post. Anyway, I realized that I have made no mention of the little prince that rules my heart (and pulls my hair, all at the same time). Here's a photo of him trying to find parking at the Granville Island market as well as his cool way of showing that Velcro can indeed be hardcore.