Ever been to a clothing swap?

I just went to my first one ever and had a great experience! I teamed up with some fellow GTA fatshionistas from the fatshionista (plus-size fashion) community and we organized a mid-winter swap on Sunday.

I think it went pretty well! We started with a brunch for the organizers beforehand, followed by the swap proper.

The normal fatshionista! swap location downtown Toronto was undergoing some changes, so this time it was held at a plus-size consignment shop in Vaughan. What a perfect place to hold one! They provided us with space to dump our stuff, beverages, mirrors and changerooms, plus we all received a discount on any of their inventory. In the end they also had first dibs on the leftover clothing. Anything that would sell they took, and the remainders were donated to a women’s shelter.

I didn’t have a ton of stuff to contribute, but a few of my tops and skirts were snapped up lickety split that day. It made me feel good to know that they were going to someone who would love and care for them the way I did!

Some women brought absolute MOUNDS of clothing to donate. It was truly spectacular.

Overall it was a really great experience. I met some new friends, got to parade around in all sorts of clothes and be paid compliments and of course no one can deny the thrill of the hunt! There’s nothing quite like finding an amazing dress or pair of jeans that fit you like a dream and are FREE!

I really lucked out at this particular swap, and I can’t wait for the next! I’ll be posting some photos of the things I got, but until then here is a list of what I came home with:

• 1 pair dark wash jeans that make my ass look great
• 4 gorgeous vintage dresses that highlighted all my assets. I finally understand why women love vintage so much! Vintage clothes really beautify the female form!
• 1 nice Nygard summer suit set, with skirt
• 1 denim skirt
• 3 Torrid vintage-inspired dresses
• A few miscellaneous tops

I’m really stoked about all the dresses I got. They’re ones that you can’t get in Canada and they look SO GOOD. I will totally be doing outfit posts

I was hoping to find some shoes as well, but most of the selection there was for the bigger sizes so I didn’t get anything. My mom actually came with me to this event and while she didn’t get quite as much as I did I know she got some nice things for her upcoming trip to Mexico. She came home with me for dinner after the swap and we modeled all of our new clothes for each other.

I’m really glad that I participated in this. It helped me clear out some of my older stuff (which I had been meaning to do) and I met some awesome gals while I was there. I will totally hang out with them again!

I love the idea of a swap… and I got out of this one without spending a dime! Can you believe that? I’m really pleased with myself. I’ve had the “shopping itch” for the past couple of weeks, but couldn’t justify spending any money right now (it’s been an expensive few months!) so this swap satisfied my urges while keeping me frugal!

I’ve been exposed to more fashion and I hope to keep incorporating more of it into my life, and I’ll also be doing some photo shoots in the spring with the photographer that came to our event. Yes, my friends! Ginger is going to be a model!

Vogue with me now!

LOL

it’s just to help her beef up her portfolio, but it will be a lot of fun for me! I get to dress up, get my hair and makeup done and pretend I’m someone else for the day.  Plus I’ll be helping create art

So, THAT is how I spent my Sunday! I still have to report on the rest of my activities, and do that dang shoe post *glares at Pear & Melanie* but keep your eyes peeled for a quick Clothing Swap FAQ!

Ahh, I can finally get back on track!

Can you believe that January is over already???

At times it seemed like it was dragging on, but now it feels like it went by in a flash!

Both me and my blog turned another year older, I had a great birthday party, several blogger meet ups, a crazy couple of weeks at work and I finally got to see Mr. Darcy.

It’s been quite the month!

Despite the migraine that crippled me at 4am this morning, I woke up today feeling like it was a fresh start. It wasn’t til I needed to get out my February TTC pass that I realized it was a new month already!

For some reason I feel different today. A little more vital, a  little more calm. It could be because I finally got a chance to relax after my crazy week. I even ate an apple before work today (unheard of!) and tested my pH for the 21-day challenge. (6.4 for those that are interested. Looks like I’ve got some work to do!).

Tonight I have plans to get sweaty, intimate and rough with a group of men… Get your mind out of the gutter! I’m going to fight tonight! J So I can fit in my Greens+ after my session. I feel a little more motivated to go. It’s the first time in a while I’ve woken up and haven’t felt like crap, so I think it’s a sign. Plus, I watched Whip It (Ellen Page & Drew Barrymore) last night which is a cute film about roller derby and it was so cool! I’m inspired to look into it more, see if there is a derby around here. I don’t know if I would actually participate (but wouldn’t that be SO COOL?) but I would love to watch and get my fill of aggressive moves and speed! LOL

Fingers crossed the rest of the day goes by without too many “argh!” moments. I want to keep this loose feeling for a while longer.

I don’t know what’s gotten into me lately, but I REALLY want the following:

Morocco Snake print bathing suit by Monif C

Marilyn short convertible dress in fuschia, also by Monif C

Blueberry Babe hand-painted heels by Jellyfish

Black Diamond Platforms by Iron Fist

Flaunt dress (in any colour!) by Kiyonna

Fierce Leopard Dress also by Kiyonna

I’ve been spending a lot of time thinking about fashion lately which isn’t necessarily a good thing! Because then I end up with lust for so many items…

A lot has been going on for me lately. A lot of good stuff, and a lot of mundane stuff. I think I’m so wrapped up in dealing with it that I haven’t been able to sit down and blog about it.

It’s not that I don’t have free time–it’s just that my free time is consumed with thoughts and plans and worries and the types of things that eat your time before you know it!

I wish I could write more about it, but there are some inner conflicts right now and I think its better that I wait and form my thoughts before blurting them out here on a public blog.

I feel like something big is coming. I have no idea what it could be. It could be good, bad, neutral, and in any sphere of my life. I’ve never been wrong about this feeling before. Something is coming but I don’t know what. It’s like scenting rain on the wind. Will it be a big storm? A warm shower? A little drizzle? Who knows?

All I know is that it will bring change to my life. Hmmmm.

.

Fingers crossed that it is a good, painless change.

OK, I have another confession to make.

It’s about the Genuine Health 21-Day pH Challenge.

I haven’t started it yet. I was supposed to start it at the beginning of the month, and look, it’s the 25^th already! For shame!

I feel even worse about it because

1)      The Genuine Health people are awesome (Aurea, show this to your boss!) and very knowledgeable and helpful and I feel like I’ve let them down.

2)      I REALLY need to do this.

On the special pH section of the website (here) you can take a quiz to see if you’re too acidic, and there’s information on what excess acidity will do to your body. Well let me tell you, I am in a bad way right now. My skin is retarded, my digestion has just been shot for the past week or so (possible stomach bug but I think it has more to do with my poor food choices lately) and my energy is down which means that my vitamin levels are likely out of whack.

If there was ever a good candidate for balancing their pH, it would be me!

I like the GH products, like their Healthy Skin Chews (I eat them at my desk) and their  Greens+ Instant Smoothie. When I take them properly, I can really see the results. I feel better, I have more energy, my skin glows, I can focus better at work and even my mood improves!

I just have to make sure to take them. They don’t even taste that bad… but I just can’t seem to work them into my daily routine. I guess that is more a reflection on my routine than on the products themselves.

This month I wanted to try and establish a routine, but it seems my life is not conforming to my wishes right now! Late nights, crazy schedule, new and exacting demands. I have a lot going on right now. But if I don’t take care of my health then I will experience burnout soon. Which is why I really want to start my pH challenge, and why I am putting this up for the world to see so you can push me and remind me to do this!

Health is an important thing. If you don’t have your health, nothing else in life is worth it. I’ve just passed my quarter-century and have been making changes in my life. I think this is the year I need to focus more on health. Healthy body, healthy mind.

If you would like to join me in the 21-Day Challenge (along with your 30 Day Shred challenge! LOL) you can find out more information on the Genuine Health website, or their Facebook page. I like the Facebook page for the discussions and tips that are on it!

Forgive me readers, for I have sinned. It has been 7 days since my last confession update.

You know, I thought January was going to be a really boring month. It usually is. No one has money, the weather stinks and people just want to hibernate.

I came into this month all ready to go with some new personal projects of mine (21-day pH challenge, going to the gym more, reading some of my many books) and I haven’t done a darn thing yet!

This month has really surprised me! Between the Mr. Darcy drama, increased responsibilities at work (yay!) my big-ass birthday and more, I’m having difficulty just trying to find the time to do my hair! Sheesh!

I wonder if February will be the same? I feel like it’s creeping up so quickly!

So I just wanted to let everyone know what’s up with me these days. I will definitely have more in the coming weeks because I DO plan on doing the pH challenge (Genuine Health is running it and it sounds really interesting to me! Check it out!) and I have a few other product reviews or mentions to get through.

Oh… and I’m seeing Mr. Darcy tomorrow night. What will happen? No one knows! He may be a total jerk outside of work and “only” have an hour for me… or it could turn out that he’s totally awesome and is willing to dump his gf for me (not likely). OR the most likely option is that he’s just cool and wants to be friends.

I feel like my life is a bizarre soap opera, so stay tuned, fine viewers and see what drama unfolds!

Oh, in an effort to get some reader involvement, is there anything you guys would like me to write about? I’ve got some ideas bumping around in my head but they need a bit more form. They’re more my thoughts about certain topics, maybe a little personal stuff. *shrugs* It’s easier to write if you have a topic in mind, so…. suggestions?

I am SO PROUD of my family!

I just found out that my uncle who is a captain for Air Canada volunteered his time off the clock to fly a relief jet down to Port-au-Prince filled with supplies and support workers. On the way back they brought home sick and injured Canadians. His flight was the first non-military aircraft allowed to land.

Here is the email I received from my aunt:

Hey guys Uncle was on the CTV news last night!  Uncle took a volunteer group for Disaster relief to Haiti yesterday.  He flew the Air Canada plane out of Montreal at 6:00 am yesterday with armed police guards, nurses, doctors, medical supplies and a bag of $90,000 in his hand just in case they got into trouble and he needed to buy something.

There was no control tower so I am not sure how he landed but he said he was almost hit by a plane while they were sitting on the ramp.  He was way past the legal time to fly but he waited at the airport until they collected as many sick and injured people as possible to take back with them to Canada.

He arrived in Montreal last night close to midnight, absolutely exhausted!  Before he left (we got the call just the night before) so in the morning we contacted various people in our town who needed to get medical supplies to their contacts in Haiti.  He met a lady who ran to the drug store in town and cleaned them out, wrapped up the supplies and gave him this huge box to take with him on the plane.  When he went through security they didn’t want to let him go so he demanded to see the manager and the manager just waved him through without even looking at the box.  No rules apply when you are in the middle of a disaster!

He had to have armed guards to protect him and the plane because of the unrest and violence in the country.  Air Canada wanted that plane back!!

He told me he saw things he couldn’t even put into words.  He should be arriving home any time now and I can’t wait to hear his stories.

It was so cool seeing him interviewed on the CTV news though!  He looked so professional…not the funny Uncle that we know.  But most importantly he made it home safely!!  I just got a call from Air Canada and they want to debrief with him re: the flight.  They are planning another one and they want him to do it again…you know once is enough.  He’s home safe now and it was exciting and everything but I don’t really want him going back again…

We are glad to have him back. I had no idea that he would be doing this! I scooped some photos that he took while there (below). I don’t think they let him leave the airport (or possibly even the plane) for safety reasons. I never realized how valuable and at risk my uncle could be!

I’m going to email him and see if he has any stories to tell.

If you would like to help the Haitians, these are the two major organizations you can donate to:

DOCTORS WITHOUT BORDERS / MÉDECINS SANS FRONTIÈRES (MSF) – CANADA

Canadian Red Cross

Well, my birthday week is officially over now. I’ve had my birthday, my party, and the requisite parental visit bringing things to a close.

Everything went surprisingly well this year. Could this be signaling a fresh start to my life? I hope so.

I’ll detail the rest of my week later perhaps. Right now I just wanted to make a list of the books I have received recently. It’s crazy! I love reading (and everyone knows this) but I’ve got enough reading material here to challenge even a bookworm of my status!

Since Christmas I have received the following:

The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies: The Classic Regency Romance – Now with Ultraviolent Zombie Mayhem!

Jane Bites Back: A Novel

Vows And Honor #1 Oathbound

Vows And Honor #2 Oathbreakers

Oathblood

Traveling With Pomegranates

Shoo, Jimmy Choo!: The Modern Girl’s Guide to Spending Less and Saving More

This list doesn’t even cover all the other books I have received through swaps or borrowed from friends this month!

Looking at the list I also noticed an odd trend… it seems that I am attracting quite a few books dealing with Jane Austen and the supernatural (zombies, vampires). What does this say about me, I wonder?

Guess what guys?

It’s my birthday!

And my blog’s birthday!

2 years blogging already… can you believe it?  That’s like old-geezer age in teh intrawebs world.

Here’s to at least 2 more! LOL

I’ve been reading a bunch of horoscopes for the new year lately. This is a fantastic time to read them because it’s the beginning of the year and they’re out in abundance. All the major news outlets usually have at least a small blurb on them, and some of the bigger astrology sites will even offer some free detailed reports for the year ahead.

I’m a planner and I love to know what’s going to happen…so I can plan for it! LOL So horoscopes really hit the spot for me in terms of entertainment and gentle guidance. Some people like to dismiss them as some silly frou-frou thing that flakey people like, but I think that’s too harsh of a rap.

I like to think of them as good reminders and guides for daily life. They remind you to appreciate what you have, (or to hold your tongue!) and often offer advice that is good at any time; even if they don’t “come true” at the end of the day. Sometimes they also can inspire hope and positive thinking, which in itself is quite beneficial and can become a self-fulfilling prophesy.

I particularly enjoy reading personal profiles and the weekly, monthly and yearly readings that become available. Some horoscopes are better than others…and some are eerily accurate. I REALLY like those ones! Everyone loves to hear about themselves and I am no exception! So I thought I’d share some of my favourite astrology websites with you.

I don’t have very many since so many places want to charge you an arm and a leg for a simple reading. In theory I could go off and learn how to read the stars on my own, but I just don’t feel like it. I already read tarot/oracle and pendulum and don’t really feel like learning a new technique! I’ve also got some friends who can do readings for me too, if I need it.

So long story short, these sites offer some pretty decent astrology readings at everyone’s favourite price of FREE!

Astrodienst

This one is pretty cool. They give you free daily horoscopes (filled with useful anytime advice!) in addition to decent samples of their many reports (love, compatibility, career, health, etc.). You can sign up and input your exact birth information to get very detailed reports that are specific to you and not just your sun sign!

The full reports will cost you, as will the extended daily horoscopes, but I find the shortened versions quite good anyway.

I’ve actually purchased a couple of the more in-depth reports for myself. Just for fun, really, but they do make you think more about things in your life, and can give you some insight into certain issues.

This is a cool site to explore.

AstrologyZone

This lady whips up some awesome monthly forecasts for free. While they’re not as specific as the Astrodienst ones they’re still pretty good.

I love that they’re long and cover a lot of aspects in your life, plus her writing style is engaging. They include advice, anecdotes and special dates to look out for. I look forward to reading mine every month!

January is supposed to be awesome for me. (I’m a Cap) We’ll see how things pan out!

AstroCenter.com

The classic. I’m pretty sure that everyone has heard of this site before. Nothing too fancy, but it includes your Chinese horoscope plus a numerology reading for the day. I think there’s even a tarot card of the day!

A little on the fluffy side, but it can be a good pick-me-up in the mornings and every once in a while it’s accurate! (only once in a while though…)

Those are my top 3 so far… Plus I read the Globe & Mail and Toronto Star horoscopes every day, as well.

Do you have any websites that you like to get your horoscopes from? Have you ever gotten a spookily-accurate one before?

Share in the comments!

PS…would anyone with divination talents like to give me a free reading?