Hello readers! Now that we are wrapping up the holiday season, I thought I would wrap up the month with my monthly Instagram feature. I considered doing a yearly wrap-up Instagram feature, but I've only been using Instagram since August (when I started my blog) and it still hasn't become a natural part of my day to be posting on there. I'm just not naturally a shutterbug. Some people take out their camera to document everything (and then have an internet data plan to post photos on the run.) I just take photos randomly sometimes and then forget to upload them. Then later I look at the photos and am like, "Why did I take this picture?" So much of it seems dumb in retrospect. It's almost like you need that element of spontaneity for Instagram to be magical. Other people on my feed are anything but spontaneous - their feed is a carefully thought out portfolio and that's okay too. Their's are really pretty to look at.

(Looking at this collage, a lot of pictures from past Hallowe'ens and a zombie picture made it in. Umm... where's my Christmas spirit? Haha, oh well.) If you'd like to follow, I can be on Instagram @coinforthewell.

Top Row L-R

1) Giving kisses to zombies at an exhibit at the Monroeville Mall (the location where Dawn of the Dead was filmed.)

2) Doing some mad promotion for Blogger Fashion Week (I was a featured blogger) for Canadian consignment brand Trend Trunk

3) My "craft" center (mostly untouched items. Oh well, it looks cute at least! And my niece appreciates the fashion plates.) Featuring Fiona Hewitt products, a "What to Wear" nopepad by Knock Knock (which I had forever but didn't actually begin to use until I started blogging. It's the perfect way to plan outfits!) Also, a copy of The Button Factory. I haven't opened it in 2+ years, but I'm considering it. My purse is covered in Modcloth buttons. What's a few more?
Second Row L-R
4) Used a Hallowe'en picture from 2008 (so I'm 23 there!) to advertise for flapper week on my Instagram. Tried to make it Art Deco-ey by making it triangular, black and white and crackly. This was when I was deep in my Hello Kitty phase. It's actually a Hello Kitty flapper dress. It came with kitty ears headband and had a Hello Kitty patch on the skirt.
5) My parents took this picture of a cat on their fence. My parents like to take pictures of all the critters who live in their yard.
6) I hosted my first giveaway and I'm so happy with how it turned it! Congrats to winner, Brittany Epifane on snagging the $25 gift card!
Third Row L-R
7) I've been sleeping a lot this winter so I used this old photo of me and my cat, Merlin to demonstrate my feelings on things.
8) Received this postcard from Modcloth and it made me happy!
9) Got my mom a Modcloth dress for Christmas! So happy that I'm turning on the entire family to Modcloth. My mom now owns 2 dresses (the one above and this one) and a pair of boots. My grandma has this purse. I don't know if my sister has anything personally but she bought her hubby this t-shirt, after she fell in love with mine. Woot! Converting everyone.
Last Row L-R
10) A picture of my dog with a lady dressed as Santa at PetSmart a few years ago. This was the good photo. The other one, he wasn't having it.
11) A photo of what I thought was the Stanley Cup, at a Costco. Except it wasn't. The cashier had to dash my hopes and tell me it was just a replica. I should have known the Stanley Cup would never be in Windsor! Especially in a Costco of all places.
12) I posted this old Hallowe'en picture of me being Slave Leia (hanging myself by my chain) on an especially exasperated day. I'm feeling much better!

I celebrated my birthday with all the ladies of my fam last night. We went to The Keg. They weren't too impressed with me because I headed out there in sweat pants, sans make-up and without combing my hair. My sister put some jeans on me but I still wouldn't put on make-up or comb my hair. My birthday, my way! I just wanted to be comfy. Plus we were already running almost 30 minutes late for our reservation. Imagine if I had gotten prettied up?

Yes, I realize I'm a total goof. But I really like food. Then I proceeded to go home and eat doughnuts with my friends. Overall a good birthday!

Well, that's all for me! Talk to you soon!

Boxing Day / After Christmas Sales!

Typically, Boxing Day here in Canada was the one day where sales would be a huge blow out. This year though, I feel like sales have started since the week before Black Friday and just haven't stopped. I hardly blink at ads promoting "70% off!" anymore (especially because so many of them have that cursed "up to" disclaimer added. Then I browse the items and find most of the items have a 5% discount and there's only a few 70% off items. WHAT GIVES?!) I feel like all these sales have made me become more immune to them. Even my beloved Modcloth. I remember 2 years ago, EVERY TIME Modcloth had a promotion, whether it was a coupon code, a random sale, some kind of gift bag, whatever, I'd find money to participate. Because they were more infrequent. Of course, I love how often stuff happens because now I always feel like I'm getting a deal. However, there's no way I could participate every time Modcloth runs a promo. I'd be buying something nearly everyday! Pretty much all my past orders have had a coupon attached, were Stylish Surprises or were marked down 50-70%. Can't ask for more than that!

Anyways, I shall make this quick, quick because I need to go to bed so I can go to part three of Christmas dinner tomorrow! I already attended part one at my parents' house and part two at Logan's parents' house but now we have dinner with extended family. I realize some more sales will probably drop tomorrow but ah well. I will be eating turkey dinner and being all festive and stuff!

I'll also give you a lil update on my Christmas prezzies. Several items I received early but I shall still mention them. I got my handy camera tripod, a subscription renewal to BUST magazine, advertising space on Scathingly Brilliant, some gift cards to Chapters (book store), some random trivia books, Style Me Vintage - Weddings (even though I never plan on getting married. Just all the pics inside were so beautiful!), Coin a Phase Wallet, Get Your Filament Necklace (both from Modcloth), a purple leather agenda, a Dear Creatures romper (currently on route to me), a grey beret, a black circle scarf and some black gloves.

Now onto the sales! (Click on the picture to be brought to the sale page.)

Anthropologie

ASOS

Eva Franco

Forever 21

Lace Affair



Modcloth

Oasap

Pinup Girl Clothing

Sanrio

Shabby Apple
(the coupon codes are 25off, 50off and 100off if you can't read them! Expires Dec. 30th)

 
Storenvy (note - the discount doesn't show up until you click on the item)

Tobi
(code MERRYXMAS50)

Urban Outfitters

Unique Vintage

And because I love doing it, here are some of my picks.

1) Anthropologie 2) ASOS 3) Eva Franco 4) Forever 21 5) Lace Affair 6) OASAP 7) Sanrio
8) Shabby Apple 9) Storenvy 10) Tobi 11) Urban Outfitters 12) Unique Vintage

Phew! That was a HTML heavy post! That was my first time experimenting with hyper-linking so here's hoping everything worked! Hope you all had a merry Christmas! I shall continue to celebrate mine!

Flapper Finale

I'm finishing up my flapper week with a flapper print dress! I was originally going to do a flapper inspired outfit, but then I received this Myrtlewood dress in the mail (one that I had been lusting after in my previous post "Modcloth's Bea & Dot and Myrtlewood Have Stolen my Heart") and I decided to model a new outfit, instead of just re-creating a previous one.

I decided to include this post under Splurgy Sunday because it falls under a splurge for me! The dress retails at $89.99 but I found a large on ebay for $50 and altered it down to my size. Luckily for you readers though, it's currently on sale on Modcloth for $44.99! Total steal. It's a great dress. The print has a very subtle gold shimmer and when you descend stairs, the skirt very gently puffs around you. You can't help but feel like a princess.

(Shhh, don't mind the red eye. When I went to fix it, my editor thought my eyebrows wanted to be green for some reason.)

I also decided to try out some new make-up I got. It's 1920s style mascara by Besame. It's pretty darn nifty! It's mascara, eyeliner and eyebrow colour in one. It's cake style and activated with water. This is right up my alley because I only wear mascara 4-5 times a month. Tube mascaras dry out before I get my money's worth (although I try to milk them for all I can!) I tried this product out in all 3 areas. It's a little tricky on the eyelashes (it goops right at the lashline, so you have no choice but to wear it as eyeliner as well) but I love it as eyeliner. It's really subtle and doesn't smear. I might even wear it daily. And this is coming from a girl who wears eyeliner once or twice a year. It was a little dark for my brows, but I bought it in black. It might be better if I bought the brown colour. I might still keep using it, because again, it doesn't smear. My brow powders never stay in place. It's just a little bold and definitely makes my brows look way thicker than they actually are.

Also, while applying it, this tends to happen if you put the mascara on first (since the spoolie has mascara on it.) Will have to remember to put it on last next time.

Pictured: Cover Girl concealer in the lightest colour they have, Rosebud Salve, Besame Powder in Light, Besame Rouge, Besame Mascara

While doing photos, I kept running out of ideas for photos. So I tried to do the Charleston. If this is what made it in... you don't want to see the out takes!

Outfit Details

Fabulous Flapper Dress - Modcloth - original price $89.99, currently on sale for $44.99

Shoes - gift from my mom (they were her's)

Earrings - another pair of earrings from the Titanic collection (see more in my "Lots of Love for Luck Be a Lady Dresses"  post)

If you are like me and can't get enough flapper related goods, be sure to check out Unique Vintage's flapper section and Modcloth's "Gatsby Garb" section.

Well, that's all for me! I'm going to be taking a few days off to celebrate Christmas time with the fam! Hope you all have a happy holiday and I'll be seeing you soon!

Check out my other flapper related posts from earlier this week!

Three Gatsbys For the Price of One
Flapper Fun Brought to You by Etsy
Bright Young Facts
Modcloth Giveaway! Plus More Flapper Fun

Modcloth Giveaway! Plus More Flapper Fun

My birthday is coming up this week so I thought I would celebrate by giving a gift back to my readers! I couldn't think of a better thing to do than sharing my love of Modcloth. I'm giving away a $25 gift card to one lucky reader! It's the perfect time for this gift card with Modcloth's 50% off sale (it goes on until the first week of January.) You can really get a lot of bang for your buck! I was able to buy some cute pug earrings and an adorable cartoon style skirt that I've been eyeing forever for $30 shipped (I had a coupon as well.) I could have gone a little crazy on some navy coats (I've been dying for one) but opted that maybe I will get one after I actually get my birthday money!

Anyways, to enter, all you have to do is enter the Rafflecopter widget below! Since it's just a gift card that is e-mailed out, the contest is open to everybody! International peeps included. Contest ends December 27th (on my birthday.)

a Rafflecopter giveaway
In other news, I went out and hung out with some peeps at the bar, which is so, so great. I've been such a recluse that it's great that I got out. I didn't take any pictures because that would be weird if I haven't seen any people in awhile and I suddenly bombarded them with wanting to take pictures for blogging purposes. But we just hung out and played darts. I can't believe I won at darts last time I played! I could barely get any to hit the board. Even the board AROUND the board. They just kept bouncing off and hitting the floor.

For New Year's, I would love to host a flapper themed party. I have so many flapper style dresses and I'm super into the music right now. So is my boyfriend! That is why I'm super bummed that Baz Lurhmann's Gatsby didn't go that route. Boardwalk Empire is much, much better in that regard. My boyfriend plays several video games that has old timey music and I just eat it up. It's so good! I made a playlist featuring some music so hope you enjoy it!

 

And just for fun, I thought I would post this video! It's 100 years of fashion in 100 seconds! Neat right?

That's all for me! Talk soon!

Check out the rest of my flapper posts here!
Three Gatsbys For the Price of One
Flapper Fun Brought to You by Etsy
Bright Young Facts
Flapper Finale

Bright Young Facts

Back on the flapper train today for this edition of Factoid Friday! I haven't done a Factoid Friday entry for a little while, mostly because it's the most time consuming type of post to do (plus I think it's the theme that has the least interest.) First I read a book start to finish, then take that book and skim it again for facts (I thought of flagging pages while reading it to bookmark tidbits, but that just takes away from reading and felt too much like work. I usually read to unwind!) Then of course, I have to find things that happened that day in history and find interesting articles. For the articles, I usually bookmark them as I go along while playing on StumbleUpon, but if it's been awhile since I've visited that site and have no new material, I panic and go to Buzzfeed and MentalFloss and just post whatever articles on the front page look interesting. So not really ground breaking stuff, but I try my best! And I guess if it's posted on the first page, it would be a "trending" article, but probably also making the rounds on your Facebook newsfeed. Who would have thought that outfit posts would be less work?

The book I'm pulling my facts from today is called Bright Young Things by Alison Maloney.

Product Photo via Modcloth

 Things I Learned From This Book

*note, some entries are taken verbatim from the book - credit to Alison Maloney*

The word flapper originally meant a very young girl, likened to a young bird that is learning to fly. In northern slang, a flapper was a girl with flapping pigtails. "Flap" was also an ancient term for prostitute. These combined origins came to describe the 1920s flapper, who was known for smoking in public and wearing short skirts.
"Bathtub gin" wasn't distilled in a bathtub at all. It was nicknamed that because the bottles used to hold the liquor were too tall to be topped off with water from the sink so they had to use water from the tub instead.
The Moulin Rouge was destroyed by fire in 1915 but was re-opened in 1921.
Teresa Jungman, daughter of artist Nico Wilhelm Jungmann, a popular fixture of 1920s newspaper gossip columns, once disguised herself as a Russian royal at a party and approached a respected general and his wife. She announced that she would never forget the night they had together in Paris. Rather crossly, he told her he was only there for one night, during the war. Her response? "Zat was zee night."
The fashion forward cut their hair in the 1920s, either straight and glossy, or shingled (meaning cut shorter at the nape of the neck in a V shape.) Newspapers were so outrage that headlines shouted "Shingles Leave Girls Single."
Mary Pickford moved studios (to First National Studios) in the early 1920s for $675,000, the equivalent of over $10 million today.

The book has a lot, lot more! It's mostly about the celebrities of the era and the antics they got up to. They were honestly just as bad as some celebrities today! The book also goes into details about how to whip up some 1920s alcoholic concoctions, some 1920s jargon you can throw around in your daily conversations, tips on how to throw a 1920s scavenger hunt (apparently they were all the rage!), recommended reading, viewing and listening, and theme parties to throw (my favourite is "dress as you were 20 years ago." Even if you were wearing diapers back then!)

Around the Internet

18 Fabulous Photos of Famous Flappers  - Mental Floss (Thought I'd keep going with the flapper theme for some of the links too!)

A Christmas Wishlist in the 1920s - Buzzfeed (and throw the holidays in there too!)

Inside a Dressing Room at the Moulin Rouge  - Retronaut

Yummy You Sanrio Scarf Giveaway  - Trendy Techie (I'm getting this scarf for my birthday, but shhhh, I still entered!)

17 Really Strange Pinterest Boards - Mental Floss (a must see! I haven't clicked on the actual Pinterest boards but the article itself is really cool! Hey, everybody has their own interests. I have a Pinterest board of Modcloth items I own. It's nearing 300 items. I'm sure some people would think THAT was crazy!)

Then vs. Now - 1920s New York City - Buzzfeed (some areas look completely unchanged! Goes to show you how much development occurred in the 1920s.)

Two Times a Lady  - lovely brown and black look by Rebecca of The Clothes Horse.

11 Baby Naming Trends of the Past - Mental Floss - be happy you didn't end up with one of these monikers!

Typewriter Erotica of the 1920s - Retronaut shows us how a simple office supply can be sexy.

Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers for Grown Ups - Never Fully Dressed (Without a Style) Right on! It's like she made a wishlist specifically for me!

100 Pieces of Advice From 100 Year Olds - Mental Floss. Some of the advice is sound but some is so bizarre! It goes to show you that different things work for different people and you have to live your life in a way that's best for you!

Today is the anniversary of the release of It's a Wonderful Life. I read the synopsis on Wikipedia. How have I still not seen this movie? On my to-do list!

If you'd like to check out my other flapper related posts of the week, they are posted below!

Three Gatsbys For the Price of One
Flapper Fun Brought to You by Etsy
Modcloth Giveaway! Plus More Flapper Fun
Flapper Finale 

That's all for me! Talk soon!

Sale on Party Dresses on Modcloth!

I thought I would detour briefly from the flapper stuff to talk about sale things going on over at Modcloth. I can't resist talking about sales. Or Modcloth. Combined, it's my kryptonite. Also, I've noticed that "Thrifty Thursday" has turned into sort of "let's point out sale happenings" Thursday. Treasure Tuesday has turned into "Etsy Picks" rather than going to my favourite local vintage haunts, Wardrobe Wednesday has turned into Wishlist Wednesday (although I'm not sure what I was going for with "Wardrobe Wednesday" anyways. Surely I meant to post more than one outfit a week?) and Shenanigans Saturday has turned into whatever personal post didn't fit into the other days. To be fair, I came up with the titles before I started blogging and before I had written a single post, so I wasn't sure how things were going to go. I'm trying to not let the titles limit me or anything but I just take some liberties with where I squeeze my posts in. For instance, I started writing monthly goals on the first of every month. No matter what day the first falls on, I've got a plan on how to make it work for that day's theme. I actually have lots of different ideas I could do for each day, but laziness prevails and I keep doing the same thing. Must break these patterns!

Modcloth is running a promotion right now for 20% off party dresses. Interestingly enough though, while searching for my picks to feature, I found a huge amount of dresses for 50% off! I thought I'd feature a mix of both, all under $50, so I could include the advertised promo but also some really awesome dresses at a fabulous steal!

Masterful Maestro Dress - sale price $37.99

Eye on the Prized Dress - sale price $47.99

Interviews at the Party Dress in Black - sale price $41.99

The 20% off sale ends at 11:59PST tonight (12/19.) I'm not sure when this 50% off magic ends.

1) Mulberry Bash Dress - sale price $48.99

2) A Laud of Love Dress - sale price $43.99

3) Shoreline Soiree Dress in Stripes - sale price $38.99

4) Make the Rounds Dress in Medallions - sale price 39.99

Sadly, between buying Christmas gifts for the fam, scooping up deals on ebay (it seems like there is so much listed on there. Everybody must be selling their stuff in order to have funds for Christmas!) and buying on Modcloth (they have a new promo everyday practically!) I'm all shopped out. I don't have a single dollar to spend. I'm trying to scrounge together some monies in order to buy Christmas cards! The family might either be getting computer print outs or the same Christmas cards I've been giving them for the past few years. They're from a pack that is meant to be sent to multiple people (not given to the same person a dozen times, ha!) I would love to get a new party dress of course but I have enough party dresses to last me all year. If you happen to need a dress for the holidays though, now is the time to scoop one up!

That is all for me! Off to go hang with my boyfriend and his family for the evening! Talk soon!

Wardrobe Wrap Up - Fall 2013

Wowzers. I almost put Fall 2012! Where has all the time gone? Sometimes I still feel like it's 2006 (or 1998.) To think that it's almost 2014 blows my mind a little bit. This Buzzfeed article sums up how I feel perfectly. It's almost like I didn't realize how quickly time was passing until I sat down and analyzed it (thanks for pointing it all out to me, Buzzfeed!)

Unfortunately though, this fall hasn't felt like fall at all. It's felt more like winter. I know this winter is going to drag on for a long time because it was freezing and snowing in November. I want time to slow down but not in a miserable type of way. I want happy, fun time to be slow. I only want time to slow down if it's the kind that is meant to be savoured!

But enough of that. I complain too much. I feel like I'm turning into my Gramps. Always a cranky bear. Onto the point. I'm here today to post a wardrobe summary of my fall looks, since fall is almost ending.

Original Post - Pumped For Patterns

I started fall off with a love of patterns by modelling a retro style Louche dress and pretty Poetic License booties.

Original Post - Challenges Ahead

Next up, I experimented with some city skyline tights by pairing them with a 60s mod styled twofer.

Original Post - Reveling in Rachel Antonoff

I then modelled one of my favourite dresses, a plaid dress with a kitty shaped pocket by Rachel Antonoff.

Original Post - Lauren Moffatt For All Seasons

I took advantage of an exceptionally sunny day in my Lauren Moffatt skirt (that I got for a steal!)

Original Post - Premiere of Movie Monday!

I took inspiration from one of my favourite movies, Sound of Music, by wearing local Windsor, Ontario designer, Dilly Daisy.

Original Post - Scoring Authentic Vintage at Hallowe'en = Priceless

Was feeling fabulously retro in a thrifted 60s shift dress.

Original Post - Mmmm... Marmalade

Had an orange crush on this fabulous vintage inspired dress from Marmalade.

Original Post - Lots of Love for Luck Be a Lady Dresses

Became a little obsessed with the "Luck Be a Lady" dresses by Closet from Modcloth after modelling one here. Even got my mom hooked on them! Bought her one for Christmas (had her try it on to see if it fit, check out how lovely she looks on my Instagram!)

Original Post - Vintage (and Black Friday!) Edition of Thrifty Thursday

Experimenting with my first venture of an outfit post using indoor photography. Oy! Hopefully it will get better!

Original Post - Evergreen Envy

Squashed into a too small Rock Steady dress, just to rock a nice hue of Christmas green!

Original Post - The Dress at the End of the Tunnel

Some more terrible indoor photos (because I'm a cool cat who forgets to put on the flash) but good news is I match the heels of my shoes to my dress, woot!

Original Post - Polyester Paradise

For my latest outfit post, I wore a very cheaply made dress (it looks like a Hallowe'en costume in person) but it actually photographed pretty well. I might even try to rock it out in public sometime! I just have to remember to give it a good steaming first.

What were your favourite looks that you rocked this season?