Birthday surprise

Look at this face,
I know the years are showing
Look at this life,
Still don't know where it's going...

I don't know much,
But I know I love you...
That may be
All I need to know

Look at these eyes
They've never seen what matters
Look at these dreams
So beaten and battered...

I don't know much,
But I know I love you
That may be
All I need to know

I got a beautiful gift for my birthday from somebody very special!  It came a few days early which means I only get to appreciate it longer.  It was hand made by a girl who custom makes beautiful jewelery!  This one was designed specifically for me and it's called "The Veronica".

I wanted to give a special shout out to Helena from Feenie Beadie who designs all her jewelery herself, there are so many stunning creations!  A lot of the designs can be seen from the front and back of the necklaces.  They are so stunning, mine is made out of Swarovski crystal and black onyx, as well as sterling silver.

I am off to Ottawa and Calgary for the next few weeks!  Look forward to a lot of Canadian culture in my upcoming posts.  For now just a couple random outfits and of course my necklace!  Enjoy.

My cat is currently attacking this necklace as we speak!  Black onyx, crystal, and silver!  So beautiful and there's even a part that dangles around the back of your neck.

I look grumpy!  Ignore my scowl it always comes out for pictures.

Part that dangles over your shoulder!  It was really hard to capture and I hope to get a better picture of it soon.

Getting ready in my bathroom!  Thank you so much for the necklace honey <3 <3 <3 :)
And now for a few pictures from the last couple days..

Trying on a new dress from my friend Elyse!

Just a casual Sunday outfit!  Super comfy and all jersey cotton.

Dress:  Forever 21
Skirt:  Aritzia
Tube top:  Old
Clutch:  Coach
Pumps:  Zara
Necklace:  DIY by my girl Helena!

Xo Veronica

Black & floral

This is my hour, I'm never going to bed.
The sky is still black, but begs to be red.
I just put my book down, but it begs to be read
I'm not nod, I'm not napper, never rest my head.
Some days I feel I'm getting smaller and smaller,
But some nights, I seem to grow taller and taller.
And we keep shrinkin' and shrinkin' but this will not finish.
You're never nothing, if you didn't disappear.
Just when I discovered the meaning of life, they change it.
Just when I'm loving life, it seems to start raining.
I pulled the sail safe switch, sea sail and I'm into the stars.
I love the rain out my skies. The sky's now red, my eyes reflect jets.
Smiling at this blessing, this life is the best.

I came to this world with nothing
And I leave with nothing but love
Everything else is just borrowed 
- EVERYTHING IS BORROWED - THE STREETS

My new job requires me to wear all black, but I never seem to run out of ideas on how to mix blouses and skirts I already own.  The serving pouch requires a belt so I mix and match those too!  All black can get really boring especially in the summer, this may have been my inspiration to purchase a few floral printed items recently.  Summer 2010 is swimming with flowers, and they are a great way to brighten up your wardrobe.  Here are some photos off the runway that really inspired many summer collections found in a store near you.

Pictures from http://www.style.com

 Dolce & Gabbana

Thakoon

Dennis Basso

Here are a few bargains I picked up as well as an outfit on my way to work!

New floral dresses and skirt

Dresses, 10$ each, Suzy Shier
Skirt, 5$, Urban Planet

And now for a quick outfit: me on my way to work.  I have done a lot of shopping and I have a week off soon to go to Calgary and relax so expect lots of photos when I am not so busy!

Some simple accessories.  The necklace is diamond and was a gift from my mother!  You can see my biggest harp in a couple of the photos.


Black lace skirt, Guess
Nude pumps, Zara
Nude bag, Steve Madden
Blouse, old from when I was 16 and worked at Starbucks!

Have a great weekend everyone!
Xo Veronica

Old School Road

You know that I love you,
Baby, but you just won't let me.
You know that I love you,
Baby, but you just won't let me.
Every morning I get up, I sip my cup;
My eyes get red, no-one to help me.
One more thing I'd like to say right here,
Baby, but you just won't let me.
One more thing I'd like to say right here,
Baby, but you just won't let me.
I'd like to say: baby, you so nice...
I'd like to do the same thing twice, yeah!
-DO IT TWICE -- BOB MARLEY

I love Bob Marley especially when the sun is shining!  The weather has been so nice around here I just had to get outside and take pictures!  I am pretty bad at taking photos of myself but I plan on going around with my girl friend to a lot of beautiful locations I drove past today to shoot.  We have talked about some themes and I have many more in mind, and along with her creative input I plan on shooting some great editorial style photos.  I think she would be a stunning model and photographer and her energy would really enhance my blog.
I am going to Calgary in a couple weeks to visit my best friend Natalie too, can't wait!  She has great style and has always been camera-happy.  I am so excited to see her.
My birthday is less than two weeks away and I am going to be working (it's a Friday night) but that's okay!  I am getting pretty old anyways and I don't really want to celebrate it, and there is always Calgary to look foward to, amazing shopping!
I was thinking about what it would like to work in a retail store as I was laying outside soaking up the sun on a Monday.  I hit a few malls and they were completely dead and amazing as it was to shop, it must be really boring to work there.  I am a night person and as much as I love browsing stores I couldn't stand being stuck between four walls for so long during the day unless it was a Holt Renfrew or other huge department store!  I love bartending and I know women that do it into their 40's because of the money.  However, I want a career in fashion and writing!  How much creative input can you possibly be allowed at stores that are shipped ready-made clothes?  I have heard horror stories of people working in retail and I have friends who work twice the hours I do and still don't make as much money.  Not to brag but I am wondering if the discount is really worth it and if any of you enjoy giving up your days to work in a clothing store?  Is it worth it for the LOVE OF FASHION?
Without further rambling, I present you two outfits with the SAME PAIR OF SHOES.  They are so comfortable I could not take them off my feet.

 Totally cheesy smile!  In my front yard, wearing shorts I cut myself from jeans and a shirt I picked up at a thrift store with my friend Rachel, who I plan to do photoshoots with in the near future!

 Outfit with a simple black sweater and my super comfortable shoes I love!

You can see my chocolate lab and his tongue at the door!  His name is Bosco, after an episode of Seinfeld.  (George's secret code.)

Being silly with my camera in the bathroom while getting ready and blow drying my hair.

Shorts and shoes!  On my way out the door.

Out in the boonies where I call home :)

Pulled over to take some landscape pictures, the sky was so beautiful on my way down to the city.

Next afternoon, on my way to a graduation dinner.  It was beautiful again so I pulled over again and took more pictures!  Street sign in the boonies!

Really bright sun!  Squinting big time.

Graduation dinner for my girlfriend at the Mandarin just outside the boonies. 

My two ladies and I at dinner, congratulations Jen!  I know you read my blog and you are a sweet heart as well as beautiful!

 Jen and her Strawberry Daiquiri at dinner after her graduation from University and College.

Mini cowboy hat in the rearview mirror of my lil sis Caleigh's car!  She's such a country girl or as she calls herself a "hick" where I am only a "wannabe hick" because she's always lived in a rural area and I only moved up here when I was 18!  Thought it would be a great way to end the post, since my location is a lil' country.  (Even though I can drive downtown Toronto within half an hour!)

Sorry it was so long!

Outfits:
Day 1
Shorts - DIY Guess jeans
Top - Urban Behaviour bought Thrift
Shoes - SPRING 29$
Necklace - Forever 21

Day 2
Skirt - Zara
Tanktop - Forever 21
Necklace - Forever 21

I'm off to surf all your blogs now :)

Xoxoxo
Veronica

Love changes

What am I doin’? What am I doin’?
Oh, yeah, that’s right, I’m doin’ me
I’m doin me
I’m livin’ life right now

And this what I’ma do ’til it’s over
‘Til it’s over
But it’s far from over…..

- OVER -- DRAKE

Looking back on scattered memories I have of growing up and becoming a woman, I realized that there have been so many changes and that change is inevitable, but it got me thinking about what is important.  What matters more than material objects are the relationships you have made, the wisdom you have acquired, the lessons you have learned, and most importantly the relationship with yourself that has grown, developed and hopefully strengthened over time.
I have had a lot of hardships in my life and faced a lot of adversity.  I had so much resentment growing up for the spoiled people around me who seemed to have everything handed to them on a silver platter.  Growing up, other children used to taunt me for what I wore, for being 20 or so pounds overweight, for being pale, the list goes on.
I did not have the finances available to me to buy nice clothing and so I wore hand-me-downs and the same things over and over from seasons too far past to even recognize.  Many girls I went to school with would never wear the same things twice and were given expensive cars and designer purses prior to their 16th birthday.
I was born in a town I watched turn into a city; close to Toronto and surrounded by what is commonly referred to as a "bubble", where people live ignorantly and blissfully with their riches and gossip.
Most people will say one thing to your face and then go and say something completely different behind your back, and girls often wear the same brands, even exact items, and end up looking like one generic style.
I have since moved out of this city and had many life changing experiences; I have been introduced to more culture, different lifestyles, and genuine people that have taught me appreciation, released my resentment, and most importantly strengthened my self esteem.
Looking back I must point out that where I used to feel jealousy, anger, and hate, those are feelings that don't reside in me any more and I love life every day.  The people who I used to envy have only made me stronger and more dedicated to an artistic, individual, honest life free of negative influences or opinions.  In a few famous and cliched words, "your hate has only made me stronger".

I thought I would show a few pictures from my past, just me being me!  (With some extra weight kicking around!  Curves are beautiful and I definitely miss mine.)

My prom dress, big smile and too much make up.  2005
Dress, Marciano
Necklace, Le Chateau

Representing Canada Day in Ottawa,  (day before my birthday) on my 19th.  2006
Dress, Guess

On a boat cruise about to enjoy some Mahi-mahi.  Dress was borrowed from a girlfriend.  2007

 

Just practicing my bartending skills on the way downtown.  2007

Jeans, Guess.

Ringing in New Years 2008 with my best friend in the whole world!  Love and miss my Natalie <3 

That's all for now...

Still practicing with my Cannon!

Fantastic photos soon :)

Xo Veronica

Outfit - Rebel without a cause

Just gonna stand there
And watch me burn
But that's alright
Because I like
The way it hurts
Just gonna stand there
And hear me cry
But that's alright
Because I love
The way you lie
I love the way you lie
I love the way you lie
- I LOVE THE WAY YOU LIE - EMINEM FT. RIHANNA


I have been saving up for a new camera, but my dad was so generous and bought me one two weeks before my 23rd birthday.  I am now on my way to professional blogging.  There are a bunch of ideas running through my mind about what I could do to make my posts more interesting, unique, and varied.  I am no longer pleased with the style of my layout or even the content of my posts; a re-design and re-evaluation is in order.  I can't wait to show you what I have in mind!  I have been quite busy with two jobs, but I am going to have a BIG surprise soon.

Today's post contains a few new items I picked up.  The photos were taken with my brand new Cannon rebel.  This is the first time I've used it but practice makes perfect!!  I am in a bit of a hurry this afternoon to get to work (as usual) but I snapped some photos of some items I picked up the other day, (I had some extra money to go shopping!) as well as a sneak peak inside my closet.  Enjoy!

A photo of me in my bathroom, holding my brand new Canon rebel! I am still getting used to all the settings.

Close-up of the detailing on the necklace and skirt, both from Forever 21.

New dress!  I love how my new camera captures details, especially on patterns.  I picked up another dress that was more than twice the price, but I fell in love with the nautical pattern and how it fit!

Streaky bathroom photo!  I am working on this guys :)  I even have a tripod, now I just have to figure out how to use it.

My nautical dress!  The zipper detailing will work perfectly with a pair of gold or red shoes.

 Skirt was on sale but still pricy.  This was the last item I picked up but I justified it to myself since a lot of my denim skirts are a size 27-28 waist, and I'm down to a 25.  I might do a post to sell some of them since I have tons that don't fit anymore.  Both the black tank top from the first picture and the white one were only 2.50$ !  I picked up four.

Skirt:  Guess 50$ on SALE
Leopard print dress:  Forever 21, 17$
Nautical dress:  Aritzia 50$
Tanktops:  Forever 21, 2.50$
Skirt and long cross necklace:  Forever 21

Thanks for following :)  Once I get to 100 followers I will unveil my new blog link!!! 

As promised, here is a sneak peak into my closet:

Just one section but as you can see I am pretty big on colour co-ordinating.  Does any one else do this as well?  ;)

Xoxoxo
Veronica