Weekend Wear and Need Advice

The days here are finally getting sunnier and taking pictures is starting to get a little easier again :)  I think I am still bracing for another possible snow storm since we got hit pretty badly with one last week :(  But, I'll try to think of more positive things.  For one, this outfit made me happy!  It was worn on a warmer weekend and I was thrilled to be able to leave the Winter coat at home if even just for a day:

Leather Jacket:  Danier (Canadian Store) size 2XS

Jean: Gap Jean Leggings 00R

Boots:  Me Too size 7

LOL you guys must think that I wear these jeans all.the.time.  In fact - ummm I do wear them often! But these pictures were actually taken on the same day as I took my Petite Fashion Challenge #6 pictures so please don't think I wear these jeans every chance I get (even though I do).

Scarf: dara dot designs
Top:  Mexx XS

I do however wear this scarf every chance I get because it's so soft and cozy and I love the bright colour.  I can also get away with wearing a really bright lipstick too!

So...here is where I need your advice.  I'm becoming a bit overwhelmed with maintaining both of my blogs (in case you didn't know my other blog is:  Toronto Beauty Reviews ).  The original reason why I started Curls and Pearls was to share my style/clothing journey or whatever you want to call it with other bloggers and to get feedback and advice.  I have always maintained that I am NOT a fashionista by any means.  I just know what I like and hope that it fits me properly LOL!

Anyway, my other blog is a bit more my comfort zone (even though I don't put that many posts up!).  It's also a journey for me, I absolutely love the world of makeup and cosmetics and am by no means an expert compared to so many of the ladies out there.  But, among my group of friends and family I'm the one with the answers.  And if I don't know the answers then I'll know where to find them.  Someone suggested to me that since both my blogs are still fairly new I should consolidate them. 

This is where I need YOUR advice!

I purposely left the separate to begin with since as most of you know I have a side Avon Business.  My beauty blog was meant to share my knowledge, thoughts and opinions with people in my real life many of whom are my customers and co-workers.  Of course other people whom I haven't met will be reading as well.  But I never shared my Curls and Pearls blog with anyone except a select few close friends of mine.  I felt kind of...silly...I guess is the word.  I don't mind asking my virtual friends and bloggers for advice but for some reason I didn't want my real life people to be involved.   Now I'm having second thoughts due to the time constraints and I'm getting a bit tired of trying to maintain essentially two identities ;)

Do you share your blog with people in your real life?  Is it strange?  Also, would it even make sense for me to merge the two as they are so different from each other? Also, there is the matter of all my followers on my blog and on my twitter account (I have two of those too!).  If I did merge the two, what would I call it?  I don't know that Toronto Beauty Reviews makes sense for a merged blog but I really love the name!  

I would LOVE to hear your honest thoughts and opinions.  Your advice means the WORLD to me!

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Return of the Really Wide Legged Jeans

I have this thing for really wide legged and flare pants. I don't know why and as a petite it's definitely not the first item of clothing I should be drawn to!

I have been really excited that these are coming back and showing up in stores everywhere, I've actually been drooling over these ones from the Gap:

Sydney of The Daybrook who stands at 5'3" wears them incredibly well.

I actually already HAVE a pair of really (really, really!) wide legged jeans that I debuted during the Petite Fashion Challenge #1 - Do a Petite Don't!

So from a recent outfit here is the return of the Really Wide Legged Jeans:

 Jeans:  Parasuco size 25

Blouse:  mark by Avon size Small

Scarf:  dara dot designs

Boots:  Me Too size 7

I'm also wearing a non petite friendly blouse (another petite don't) which my husband calls my pirate shirt (remember Seinfeld?).  This blouse is super long - it could probably work as a dress on me!

 Not entirely sure that this outfit worked out but I felt comfortable in it and I was making use of some items in my closet that I don't wear too often.

I don't know yet if I'll give in and get yet ANOTHER pair of jeans as it's really dress pants I should be shopping for, but I just love those Gap jeans so much! 

So what "don't" items do you still insist on wearing? (I hope I'm not the only one!)

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Taking off the Layers

I'm all about layering, layering, layering. It's definitely a necessity right now. I rushed home yesterday and jumped right into bed watching old movies with the husband ;) - it was supposed to be -19°C and -28°C with the wind chill! I drive to work and have my heated seats to keep me warm -  I don't even know how you ladies that commute in weather like this manage to stay warm AND stylish at the same time!

Here's a typical "layering" outfit and me removing the layers LOL (Don't worry, it's PG)

Jeans:  Banana Republic 0P (similar style here)

Blazer:  Mexx XS

Scarf:  dara dot designs

Blazer unbuttoned....

Blazer off....

Sweater: H&M XS

Scarf off...

Sweater off!

(love the bit of sparkle - makes me feel special :P )

Top:  Mexx XS

Ring:  Avon size 5

Did you enjoy the show?  hahaha TOTALLY kidding!

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Giveaway Time! Featuring Dara Dot Designs

As promised I've been working on a new giveaway!  This giveaway is to celebrate reaching 100 followers on this blog :)  When I started this little blog I remember when my friends in the petite community all started following  and I was soooo excited!!!  I have only one friend IRL that I discuss this blog with on a regular basis so she thought I was pretty funny when I started.   I never ever thought I would have 100 readers!   It seriously excites me to no end!

For this giveaway I thought long and hard about what I wanted to do.   I really wanted to give away something unique and preferably Canadian made.

I had first heard about Dara Dot Designs while looking at my sister in law's friend's photography as she did a shoot for Dara.  I loved her stuff but back then I was very hesitant about online shopping.  I hadn't heard about Etsy yet and I didn't have a pay pal account!  Then I stumbled upon Dara's site again while searching for make up artists in the Toronto area for my friend that was getting married.   If it weren't already meant to be I actually met Dara by fluke at the One of Kind Show in December.   Fast forward to a few weeks back and I signed up for Dara's mailing list and befriended her on Twitter.  I had wanted to buy stuff for myself and a friend of mine so I also picked up a little something as my giveaway.  Phew, what a long story LOL!

This is taken off of the Dara Dot Designs website:

Designer, owner and Fashion Design grad, Dara Frydman, fell in love with the idea of applying her design background and use of textiles into her accessories. Incorporating a variety of fibres and skins such as felt, bamboo, leather, stones, and metals; each unique design strikes an eclectic "arts and crafts" feel.

I love her designs because they are simple but very different.  And they are so versatile!  She is not only a Canadian designer but she is based in Toronto AND she is a fellow petite standing proud at 4'11"!!!!  It was totally meant to be ;)

Here are the two items I picked up for myself (and me trying to mimic the different ways wearing the scarves :P ):

Dara Dot Designs Ruffle Scarf in Blue/Cranberry Leather

Dara Dot Designs Loop scarf in Cerise

The model does a MUCH better job of showing how to wear the scarves in different ways.  Check it out if you have the time:

dara dot designs promo from Justin Borja on Vimeo.

And to one lucky winner I will be giving away one Ruffle Scarf in Blue/Grey Leather:

***Please note:  All items were purchased by me from Dara Dot Designs.   I am now an affiliate of Dara Dot Designs so if you click on the sidebar icon and make a purchase I will receive a small commission!***

Rules:

Open to all readers.

Mandatory:

1. Follow my blog using Google Friend Connect (click the "follow" button on my side bar)

2. Check out Dara Dot Designs and let me know what your favorite item is

3. Leave me an email where you can be contacted

Bonus Entries:
(+1) Follow me on Twitter

(+1) Tweet about this giveaway

(+3) Add my giveaway button to your blog side bar

<a href="http://curls-and-pearls.blogspot.com/2011/01/giveaway-time-featuring-dara-dot.html" TARGET="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3aPzD2PBzHNqFXtw6DC4gjgNmqdQT5a-wN76IuaXg1LgnQXYEpeh-Bh0EteaLGZpcAPbVZPFcveTnlWMzFYauiTU2OcPVUyROeT7GoHold7RGPzjunePYqsdfxt7ON2UvbawcxAU0kbA/s288/Dara%20Dot%20Designs.jpg"></a>

Please fill out the form below and Good Luck! (Don't forget to scroll down and click "submit" at the end)

***Giveaway ends Sunday January 30th, 2011 at midnight EST***