Remix: Vintage ivory blouse

I highly recommend that everyone have at least one basic ivory blouse. I bought this at a thrift store around three years ago and it is still finding its way in constant rotation in my closet. It's so versatile and easy to style. Here are five fun ways I've worn it in the past.

Blouse: thrifted via Beacon's closet

moving on.

I've been procrastinating on writing this post all morning. And here we are in the afternoon and finally I've started typing. something.

Even though I'm sure I've made up my mind and everything is said and done, I can't help but feel a little hesitant when I say that this is my last post on Idee Geniale.

After two years and much growing up, I've decided to move on to a new, more me blog. Not to say that this blog isn't me, but I feel like my life has changed and I am no longer attached to it like I used to be. I always said that I would quit as soon as it felt more like a chore than a hobby and so here we are.

I've thought about a lot of things that i could've done instead of just calling it quits; a new blog layout, more lifestyle posts, not posting as often, letting go of sponsors, but all of that wasn't enough for me to be able to really feel happy about continuing with this blog.

So with all of this said, I've moved over to a new blog, new layout, and new beginning. I really hope to see some of you that have been following me from the start or even to the new friends that have just found this blog. You can now read what I'm up to at : www.uneviegeniale.blogspot.com.
{I'd really appreciate it if you'd update your links to my new blog and getting the word out there. }


Thank you to everyone that has been kind enough to follow, support, encourage me throughout these years. I've made a lot of really great friends and hope to meet a lot more of you guys someday.

You can always email me at: melsonier {at} gmail {dot} com.

nail art

Just a little outfit post for you. I love how sunny these pictures are, as they were taken on Monday morning before heading to work. It's the only time that Soner and I have during the week to take them. He started a new job a little while ago and now works nights.  Our schedules couldn't be any more opposite right now but at least we still have the weekends!

So I wanted to show you these cool little nail appliques that Veronika introduced me to. They called Sally Hansen Salon effects and come in a variety of little designs for your nails. I decided to add my own little touch by painting only one finger and the rest cute little flowers. They claim to stay on for 10 days but i think mine has already reached it's limit at day 6. But I still think that I will try them again. They're so fun for summer party's!

Well, i'm sure everyone is gearing up for this long weekend either in Canada or here in the US. We are planning on going camping upstate, it'll be my first time up there so it'll for sure be interesting. Anybody else got some fun plans?

Outfit:

top}Think Mink Pink Shirt c/o Modcloth

skirt}c/o Lulus.com

ring}Clydes Rebirth

shoes]thrifted

belt}thrifted

Dans la cuisine: Blueberry Pancakes

Growing up, it was always tradition that Sunday mornings were to include pancakes. This was sort of our treat for going to church, a pretty sweet trade-off really. Keeping with tradition, I love making these on lazy Sundays and of course, they're always from scratch, just like my dad used to make...except mine are now vegan. I made these on Sunday and funny enough, while on skype with my sister right before getting in the kitchen, she had just finished her own blueberry pancakes over on her end of the pond. You can't mess with tradition.  

What you will need:

1 cup of flour

1 tablespoon of sugar

2 tablespoons of baking powder

1/8 teaspoon of salt

1 cup of soymilk/ricemilk

2 tablespoons of canola oil

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 handful of fresh blueberries

What you do (skip over the pictures):

1. Pre-heat a flat bottom pan or griddle on medium heat. 
2. Combine all dry ingredients into a mixing bowl and gently mix together
3. Add the liquids and mix until you have no more clumps
4. Add blueberries, or chocolate chips work too!
5. Your pan should be hot enough by now, pour the batter into 4 equal pancake shapes. 
6. Once you see bubbles starting to form on top of the batter, that's when you test your flipping skills and turn them over. 
7. They should be a nice golden color on both sides when they're fully cooked. 
8. Enjoy with maple syrup, fresh juice and berries. 

swap time

Let's see, where to begin?? First off, this super colorful plaid shirt founds its way to me via Nashville. I did a swap with Alyson, of Alyson is Neat a few weeks ago and have been loving everything she included. Swaps have been helping me cope with my no-buying ban I implemented this year and I've been going strong for 6 months now {with the exception of swimwear essentials} . More on the ban will be coming up later.

These pictures were taken on Saturday. It was spent running errands for the apartment and of course hitting up the farmer's market. I think we've kind of slowed down with getting it all set-up but we really want to finish it up so it's ready for when my mom comes to visit in Just about 3 weeks. Then we headed out to the city to meet up with Nickie, Kelly, and Alex. it was so much fun meeting these girls and taking them out around town. I hope they had fun too.

Outfit:

shirt}Cheap Monday, via Alyson

skirt}AA, thrifted

sandals}thrifted

belt}thrifted

sunglasses}Kensie

bag}thrifted

summer lookbook

  Happy Friday everyone! I wanted to share with you this super cute video from my friends over at BC Footwear . I'm pretty much in love with their Summer line! I would like one pair of each please.

BC Footwear Summer 2011 Lookbook Video from BC Footwear on Vimeo.

Now I'm off to go ride my bike... well not just yet but hopefully sometime this weekend. What are your plans for this weekend?

mullet head

I didn't realize this until I saw these pictures that I have a sort of mullet. It wasn't intential and I hope it's not horrible but it is a little funny. I thought Monday was going to be a little cold out so I dusted off my tights and paired them with this {too} short polka dot dress that I've been meaning to wear. Unfortunately, the weather was NOT as expected and I was way too over dressed for the day..well except for in my office where the temperatures make you feel like you're still in December.

Someone asked me about my gym routine and I just wanted to answer it on here in case anyone else was wondering. I do have a gym memebership but these days I've been having a hard time finding the time to go. I try to work out at least 4 times/ week and that includes doing about 4o-45 minutes of cardio and ending with some yoga/stretching, and a few crunches. That's it. Unfortunately I haven't been motivated to do anything else and am just trying to get back to my ideal weight... I focus more on how my clothes fit instead of the number on the scale.

Outfit:

dress}Zara, via Annie's shop

tights}c/o Welovecolors

shoes}Jeffrey Campbell

tote}c/o Swap.com

the beach

On Sunday afternoon, I played hooky from any chores, errands, and responsibilities {which is a very rare thing} to go down to the beach. It was a beautiful afternoon spent with my boyfriend, body surfing, reading and munching on some snacks. I took a few pictures.

*This last one was taken at a seperate beach while we went on a little adventure. It reminded me of that boat they visit in Never let me Go, the saddest book/movie ever....

I feel like since I moved to the city, the beach has been just a memory from my West coast days but this Summer I've already been twice! It's definitely one of my new favorite places to go.

photo booth

On Saturday at the meet-up we had a little make-shift photobooth set-up complete with props. My camera was held hostage on it's tripod for most of the event but in the end, I got all of these funny pictures to take home. Here are some faves.

Thankfully Veronika had her camera with her and snapped a few pictures of the event as well.

Well, that was all folks. It was a great time, followed by a nap, some food, and a drink. Hope you all had a great weekend! 

meet up

Just a quick post to say thank you to everyone that stopped by our Blogger meet-up today! Such a wonderful group of ladies! I'll have more pictures up from the makeshift photobooth soon. 

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!