Posh & Paisley

Getting Noticed

I walked into Flight Centre today to see if I could find a cheap vacation for February. I need to get away to some sand and sun, or else I'm going to have a nervous breakdown.

I've even lost my perpetual tan and I probably need to guard against burning my skin now. I really like this poolside paisley tunic by Shoshana from shopbop.com for those long lazy days beside the pool, mojito in hand...

Working Woman

I've started a new job.

Gone are the days of sand, sun and fun... instead I'm looking for corporate gear like this pencil skirt and top from Banana Republic.

As soon as things settle and calm down a bit, I'll be sure to post more regularly. For now I need to focus and get my footing before I can coast along. I hope you understand.

I sure miss you though, dear reader, do come back.

xo

S

Painting the Town Paisley

I really enjoyed being in beautiful Quebec City this past week and even had the chance to stop by Trois Rivieres and Montreal on my way back. A couple years ago I spent a few weeks in Trois Rivieres studying French at the University of Quebec and it was really nice to be back there after all this time. I even had the chance to have the most amazing Caesar salad of my life at this little Italian place on the downtown strip.

Montreal was fantastic as well, and particularly so because I had an amazing dinner at an awesome Indian restaurant called Atma. It was a gorgeous little place on the plateau and the food was just simply to die for. Since then I've decided that I love Indian food almost as much as I love Persian food, and that's definitely saying a lot.

Which brings me to a few weekends ago that I spent at Shima and Ram's wedding, remember I told you all about the lovely two days I spent with them? Well, they had some fabulous food and it should be noted that the majority of the food was NOT Persian. The Persian restaurant that they had ordered from (called Shomal or North Restaurant) was a no-show on the second day and quite rude to Shima on several occasions.

It saddens me to have to give Shomal some bad publicity, but even though the food is usually quite fantastic, they definitely need to step it up on the customer service department. I can't imagine how stressed Shima must have felt on her special day without having to deal with mean people on the phone all afternoon. The worst part is that the food didn't even show up, and had she not been so smart and relied solely on their catering services, her wedding plans would have been ruined.

I just hope that Shomal realizes that you can't do stuff like that to people. It's just not right.

Now, I'm sorry for the digression, but the topic of food always gets me excited and ahead of myself. In fact so much so that I didn't even get the chance to mention that today's photo is of me in Montreal, in a pretty paisley number that I picked up from a trendy boutique called Honest Ed's. Ha! If you live in Toronto you'll know that Honest Ed's is no trendy boutique... just go ahead and Google it ;)

If you can tell me exactly how much I paid for this top, I'll give you a prize.

Ogling Paisley

A rough night yesterday. My good friend Shima is getting married on Saturday (can't wait for the big day!) and the girls and I decided to take her out for a night on the town.

The night started out innocently enough, with a beautiful wine and cheese spread, good music and great conversation which steadily evolved to a loud, crazy night of clubbing at Menage nightclub.

Boy has the scene ever changed at that place. It was tough finding anyone over the age of 22, and so instead of guy watching from the comfort of our VIP booth, I contented myself with ogling the stylish ladies in the club. I happened to see two paisley prints, but only one stood out as a stunner for me. It was a dark blue halter that aside from the colour, largely resembled this one by Charlotte Russe, an inexpensive San Diego based company that I find does paisley really well.

Note the gorgeous weaved collar and open tie back and the ultra low price of $20. Where else can one find such attention to detail for twenty bucks?

Definitely not at any club I know. In Toronto, twenty dollars won't even cover the tip you're expected to pay the annoying hostess, that's on top of the cover charge, the drinks and bottle service, and of course the cost of all the hot new clothes/shoes/accessories needed to go out in the first place. Clubbing in Toronto is tough, but thankfully, wearing paisley to any occasion doesn't have to be.

Just More Paisley To Love?

When I first heard about this guy who was suing an Orlando based dating agency, I thought that he just seemed petty and crazy... but now, after being in Orlando for the last three days, I can't help but sympathize with the guy.

You see, he claims that the agency promised him sophisticated, professional and slim women. Instead all the women that he has ever been introduced to were “predominantly and severely overweight, and of low social economic status.”

Now I don't know about the low social economic status part, but I do know that he is one hundred percent right on the money with the predominantly and severely overweight part. I am astounded by the number of overcrowded fast-food restaurants I see, by the large portions that everyone loads on their plates, and by all the rolly polly children I see everywhere down here in Orlando. People are not exercising and they eat like crazy here!

I also don't understand the constant reliance on their huge gas guzzling cars. People should definitely try to walk a little more around here instead of constantly blaming the heat and the lack of sidewalks.

Today, my sister and I chose to take up the challenge and actually walk the 3kms to a bunch of the local tourist attractions. We found that the Orlando heat is actually quite nice to walk in, meaning that when well equipped with water and comfortable shoes, the heat was actually a nice dry heat, and a nice contrast to Toronto's humid, smoggy, 40 degree Celsius summer weather that we are used to walking around in.

Also, we debunked the no sidewalks myth, and found beautiful tree lined sidewalks that the city has so graciously spent hard earned tax dollars on. The entire time we were walking, we only saw two other people walking, and they were tourists from England. To prove today's sidewalk escapades, I am including a few pictures.

See, lots of sidewalks! And we didn't die of heat exhaustion.

Now, there is nothing wrong with packing a few pounds to your frame, and I personally love a bit of meat on the bones, so as long the heart is kept happy and healthy. Exercising, walking, going to the gym, a healthy lifestyle is what it's all about.  People just have to make sure to put on cute clothes like the one above by Baby Phat and feel good about themselves and I'm sure that then the agency-suing schmuck would definitely love a strong, healthy confident, plus sized woman. It's all about how you carry yourself!

Guido! More Mojitos Please!

I am sitting in a kaftan by the pool side, in Orlando, as I write this.

It's a blistering 33 degrees Celsius and a humidex of like a hundred. I'm starting day one of my vacation with my little sister Kiana.

I am so excited to have a few days to myself and with my dear Posh & Paisley, to revamp and recharge. I am so psyched to get back to posting everyday, as it's so unlike me to be skipping days and missing posts.

I'm going to keep this post short though, because I haven't slept in about 43 hours and I keep dozing off mid-sentence... I'll surely get you all caught up in the next few days though, don't you worry.

I found this Ted Baker paisley kaftan on the Asos online fashion store, and it is out of stock. Lucky for me, I've already spotted it in one of the Orlando malls, and I want to go back for it. The only thing is that Orlando seems to be Paisley heaven, and in the six short hours here, I've already spotted a gagillion paisley things everywhere! Now I just wish I could remember which store it was that I saw this kaftan... Good thing I have a whole week of shopping and exploring on my hands anyway.

Aisle or Window?

My flight for Orlando leaves at 6am on Sunday Morning. Ouch right? Especially since I'll be out very late, attending a wedding the night before.

I think that comfortable is the only way to go and I'll be wearing a sweatshirt and sweatpants on my flight. Even though I am usually one for dressing all chic while travelling (for this I've been bumped to first class many a times), I think that this 6am flight calls for something a little more low key. 

This paisley sweatshirt from Aeropostale would look sweet when paired with these green terry cloth sweatpants from Victoria's Secret. 

A tiny spritz of some light perfume (so as not to suffocate my fellow passengers) and these Prada ballet flats  would be just perfect.

The whole look, tied in with some bling like this large gold ring by Nancy Gonzalez from vivre.com. will surely set me apart from all the other sweatsuit wearing shlubs. 

Taxi!

I've bought tickets to attend three Hot Docs documentaries today. 

I'm feeling a little contemplative, a little artsy and looking to achieve the relaxed yet polished look of this pretty model.

I also have a date in the evening and need the outfit to take me from day to night. Especially since I wont be able to travel back and forth easily between films, home and date thanks to the TTC strike.

This Toronto Transit Commission strike has me up in arms and you don't want to get me started on the issues that I have with the blood sucking TTC Workers Union and the monopoly the whole commission runs in Toronto.

So instead, serenity now, and I'm going to go back to looking at this pretty paisley outfit and try to take inspiration from it.

If I was a UK resident, I may have been able to easily order this paisley pussy-bow shirt off of the Asos online fashion store, but then again, if I were in the UK, I would also have been able to travel around the city by metro right now...

Sigh.

Ooh, in case you're wondering (I know you'll ask) the date is with that cutie I met at a wedding a while back. It's nothing serious, but it's actually really nice hanging out with him once in a while, and not have him act like we are getting married all of a sudden. Cause what the heck is up with all these clingy guys that think three dates means you're engaged all of a sudden? I know right?

I'll let you know more about the films and the date tomorrow, for now, I am off to wash my hair and hopefully get over my TTC woes.

xo

Summer Lovin'

I'm counting down the days... C'mon summer, get here already.

I have all kinds of plans for you.  Countless summer dresses, light and colourful ballerina flats along with halters, shorts and skirts galore.

This Guess halter is a winner. Bright, cheerful, just right for my summer. So hurry up already, God knows I'm not gettin' any younger!

xo

I love this Coppelle Paisley Alessia Blouse from J.Crew. Actually I've been really impressed with J.Crew lately and kind of wished that Canada had its stores in our malls... sigh, I guess that a trip to Buffalo is in the cards for me in the very near future.

I can see myself wearing this blouse this summer, in the fall or even a few years from now.  The cut is classic and the large paisley pattern makes for a fun modern look.

I love the idea of pairing this with gold jewellery and these amazing wedges by Michael Kors.