Feeling Savvy and Glamarous

I'm kind of in love with this Tolani scarf...

And have to admit it was love at first sight when I first saw it over at Savvy Mode when the savvy and stylish Savvy Girl (SG) and the lovely people at Chickdowntown were hosting a giveaway to win it. SG picked it for its Missoni-esque print, which is actually what it reminded me of too. Figuring it was too amazing to win, I was hesitant to enter but I couldn't pass it up. It's not often givewaways are open to us Canadians and I was enamored with this scarf. How incredibly excited was I to learn I had won?!? Thank you so much SG and Chickdowntown!!! I love it!!!

This is what awaited me when I came home Thursday night. Eek!!! It was like Christmas came early. Packaging is everything and well, that just hyped me up even more. I wanted to tear it open a la Tasmanian Devil but constrained myself and took a picture first. I ripped through gently unwrapped the tissue paper, and squealed like pig smiled like a kid that had just been given a second helping of ice cream knowing full well they didn't finish their dinner. Not that I pulled any strings to win this - only that I don't win giveways (HA, I can't say that anymore) so I felt a little guilty. Aside from the beautiful print, this scarf is soft, warm and perfect to nuzzle in on a chilly or windy day. Yet at the same time it's lightweight enough to wear in the Spring or on a chilly Summer night. And the best part, I knew exactly what I would wear it with first. SG had asked entrants to describe how they would wear it. I immediately envisioned one of my black leather motorcycle jackets, my eggplant maxi dress and tan boots. But make no mistake, I will be wearing it with everything.

Scarf - All Mine Tolani, Leather Moto Jacket - Ralph Lauren, 

Eggplant Maxi - Romeo & Juliet Couture, Boots - Seychelles

I've had this jacket for 8 years. I bought it the year I got my first FT job at an Ad Agency. Where I was paid with Monopoly money less than what minimum wage is now and splurged one day after work. People look at me like I'm lying whenever I tell them it's 8 years old when they ask, "Um, can you please tell me where you got your jacket?" But I'm all for sharing where to get the goods.
And this dress, since getting it in March, I've worn it twice a month every month. I figure I'll keep it up till the snow makes it impossible to do so.

Also, just before our trip to Arizona, this came in the mail. The lovely Nubia at Nubia's Nonesense hosted a giveaway. Little did I know that her idea of a "giveaway" meant she would give this super cute zipper headband away to every single person who entered. Yup, believe it. She works freelance for gla.Mar.ous and together they gave away this fabulous sequined number. They sell a number of amazing headpieces, buy yours here. Thank you, Nubia and gla.Mar.ous!!!

If you don't hate me already that's not enough, I also won a fabulous giveaway at I Know, Right? It's a lovely necklace Jennifer made herself and I am anxiously awaiting it's arrival. I'll be sure to devote a post to it because there are a multitude of reasons why I'm so happy I won it. Thank you, Jen!

Needless to say, I feel incredibly lucky and undeserving of all the goodies that came my way. Almost as blessed as I feel to have met some truly amazing people since starting my blog in June. Thank you to all my readers and followers ~ thank you, friends :)

Hope you all have a savvy, glamorous and lucky week ahead!

xx Ela

P.S. Giveway coming very soon...stay tuned!

Roasting in Arizona

If I had to sum up our Arizona trip in one word, it'd be "hot". Seriously, did not know I could sweat like that in October. And if I never attend an outdoor wedding in the boiling sun again, I think I'd be OK with that. Funny how amazing and beautiful an outdoor wedding in October sounds, but in reality, seriously...it's like sitting in a sauna, but with a dress and heels on. 

Dress - Bob Mackie Studio, Shoes - Seychelles

The wedding was beautiful and I tried not to cry like a baby. S took over 600 photos but since most of them involved people, I can't post them since only two of my cousins know about my blog...I can't even post shots with just the three of us because they haven't *approved* said photos. So unfortunately I don't have much to share.

This is me during the 10:30am cocktail hour...lugging a bag of Godiva chocolates, which amazingly did not melt, to the reception.

 

The resort where the wedding was held. Never before, have I wanted to jump into a pool more.

Some memorable moments from our trip:

1. My brother walked into a cactus. Seriously, the boy needs a haircut. When your bangs or fringe or whatever you want to call them, get in the way of your vision...dude, get a trim.

2. S loves to take photos but being in them, not so much. He did however get his picture taken before the wedding...by a speeding camera enroute to the wedding. And how lovely that we have to wait till the ticket gets sent to the rental car company before it gets passed onto us, which means we get to wait even longer to find out how much it's gonna cost us. The suspense is *killing* me. Thanks, babe. What a lovely souvenir.

3. Seeing my 10 San Fran cousins after about 25 years! Two of them are twins and I could only tell them apart by their tattoos.

4. Having a bad episode with mexican food. Let's just leave it at that.

5. Having a bad episode with chicken two nights later. Again, let's just leave it at that.

6. Shopping at one of the biggest F21's I've ever been in. We spent at least 2 hours there and lost each other every 10 minutes.

7. Watching S get into 3 other cars before going with the one we rented. Now I know how he feels when he watches me try on shoes.

8. Having our GPS tell us that it would take 5 1/2 hours to drive from Phoenix to Tucson. What the heck??? I nearly died. Good thing I figured out that some bozo had set it to avoid all highways. Who does that??? We got there in under 2 hours.

9. Freaking out because I thought a creepy crawly was on my leg, only to find out the strange sensation, was my leg...sweating. Did not previously know what that felt like. Or that my leg was even capable of doing so.

10. Witnessing my Aunt say "I do", to her Mr. Right. Made everything else, worth it.

I've missed you all so much! Can't wait to catch up with each and everyone of you.

Happy weekend, loves!

xx Ela
UPDATE: I haven't had the chance to comment on some of your blogs - AND I NEED TO - because for some reason, the Comment Box isn't popping up...I'll check again and hopefully comment soon!