Sometimes

Sometimes, the people you love will let you down.

Sometimes, your trials will seem to be more than you can bear,

Sometimes, even sleep won't give you solace,

Sometimes, your tears will keep you from seeing what lies ahead,

But sometimes, the light at the end of the tunnel comes quicker and brighter than you ever thought possible.

 

Knit Blazer - Theory, Silk Skirt - Banana Republic. Patent Pumps - Coach, 

Watch - Michael Kors, Necklace - Kenneth Jay Lane, Belt - Vintage

 I'm sorry I've been MIA, missed you all. Will be catching up soon!

xx Ela

Coming Soon...or Not

Lilac Blouse - SO OLD, Pants - H&M, Shoes - Seychelles, Belt - Vintage

I was trying to capture the ruffled detailing...not sure if I succeeded

While recently out for dinner S and I were discussing blogging. I told him a friend of ours had a blog.

S: What??? If --- can have a blog, why couldn't I?

Ela: Nothing's stopping you. What exactly would your blog be about?

S: [Thinks for a moment] Lady Kaka and husband abuse...

Ela: Do you mean Lady Gaga???

S: [Blank Stare] Lady Kaka and husband abuse...I'll let my public know it doesn't just happen to the elderly. [Shoots me a knowing look] 
Ela: Mmmmmkay. [Heck if I know what he's talking about]
S: It'll be huge. Like big. Real BIG. People will know me as 'that [insert blog name here] guy'.

Ela: Pardon?

S: You know, people will stop calling me by name and I'll just be that guy

Ela: So what'll you call your blog?

S: [Thinks for a moment] Full Stop. [Jazz Hands]

Ela: [Looks around to see who saw that] OK...

S: I'll also blog about fashion, parenting, medical advice...

Ela: You do realize, we don't have kids?

S: Your point?

Ela: And what makes you qualified to give medical advice?

S: My blog is there to entertain people. What does yours do?

Ela: [Stumped. I blog about him so he has a point]

S: Oh and so I don't have to respond to comments, I'll just vlog.

Ela: You won't even let me post a pic of your eye on my blog. But you'll do a vlog?

S: Not on your blog. On mine.

Ela: Whatever. I won't even follow your blog.

S: Then you'll be one of the few.

Ela: [Blank stare]

S: I'll take your blog down.

Ela: [Snorts]

S: Letterman and Leno will want me on their shows. 

Ela: Leno...never mind...

S: I'd probably get my own talk show.

Ela: Of course you would. [see here] 

On the drive home:   

S: Or Period. Just Period. I could call it 'Period'.

Ela: So...you'll be 'that period guy'? Exactly what kind of readers and comments do you hope to elicit?

S: Well, I don't have to call it that. But whatever I call it, it'll be good. Real good. 

Later that night: 

S: I wonder who invented popcorn?

Ela: I dunno.

S: I think I'll blog about that. Yeah, I'll blog that my grandfather invented popcorn.

Ela: ???

So, if you see a new blog out there, with some guy dishing the latest scoop on Lady Kaka, spewing false claims of *husband abuse*, and his "grandfather's" claim to fame for inventing popcorn, let me know. You'll probably hear about it before I do. He'd never do it though. He's all talk. It wouldn't bother me if he did though. I'd read it [secretly]. Would you want your significant other to have a blog?

xx Ela
Happy weekend, folks! 
Remember to use FRIENDS15 to receive 15% OFF at my store MyDesignerFinds.com  

HURRY sale ends this weekend!!!

Talking in Circles

 Red Cropped Blazer - Available for Purchase HERE

Jeans - Mavi, Pumps - Coach

Little Rus was so sweet to pass this onto me. This lovely lady was one of my first "followers" ever. I remember visiting her blog and thinking, "she wants to follow me?". We've been commenting back and forth ever since. And she has no doubt become a friend. She's fashionable, smart, kind and sweet. She has such a nurturing way about her, I get the feeling if I were to visit her in England, she'd take very good care of me. I feel very lucky to have her friendship.

When I started blogging I never thought I'd make the friendships that I have. I never imagined I'd be plotting states into Google Maps to see how far of a drive it'd be from Toronto to [insert bloggie friend's state here]. I'm a little late in the game but I think blogging came into my life at just the right time. Now I know I received this award before from my lovely friend Jaime and I passed it onto all my readers, this still stands because in case you didn't know, I love unexpected surprises and *meeting* all of you has been one of the best surprises yet. This time round, I'd like to say a little something about 5 great gals. Gals?

Kym - She calls me her "half name twin", I always wanted a twin (and a set of twins but that's another story) so I always get a kick out of it whenever she refers to me as such. Maybe it's because she's Canadian, fluent in Engrish, makes fabulous tees, sends me candy or just knows the right thing to say - all the time - whatever it is, she's stolen a piece of my heart and makes me want to visit BC. 

Jennifer - If you've read her posts, you know it's pretty darn obvious why she gets paid to write. If you haven't read her posts, what are you waiting for? Get. Well, read the rest of my post and then, get. I especially love the excerpts from her travel journals. And with every post, she lets you into her life - the ups and the downs. She's amazingly funny and bold(she once asked Juliette Lewis if she worked at a thrift shop, LOL), I've just discovered she's actually quite crafty(think necklaces not evil plans), she's got heart, and to top it off, she doesn't even know just how beautiful she is. Go tell her. 

Mayra - First let me tell you, I cannot stand bananas - pretty tasty in banana bread (with chocolate chips, please) and let's face it, without them they'd just be bread, and I do like them in banana splits...again without them it'd just be splits ice cream. But ask me to eat a banana on it's own...um, no thanks. But this banana, I love! She's spunky, candid, funny as heck and beautiful to top it off. In high school, I'm pretty sure she always sat at the cool table, heck she probably invented it. But behind that spunky exterior, she's a real sweetheart, no doubt her mom would be, is, so proud. 

Liz - Taking a look at Liz, the first thing you may notice is her unbeweavable hair but make no mistake, that's the least of what's unbeweavable about her. Let her in your life and you'll never want to let her go. She's warm, funny, has awesome taste in boots(with a T and has the pics to prove it) and is a real sweetie. I had a super tough day just the other week and she completely got me through it. Maybe it's because I knew all my BFFs were at work during my meltdown but 2 names popped into my head at that moment and Liz was one of them. Lucky for me, Liz was home that day and gave me all the time I needed. I kinda feel like one of the reasons she was meant to stay at home that day was to help me out. Pretty sure the Lord knew I'd need it. Thank you, Lizzy Whizzy, you don't even know. If my brother was old enough, I'd be hooking it up, all I'm saying... 

Kristen Sara - This little lady, is the main event in Wisconsin. Seriously, when S and I make the trek there - it'll be to see her(and eat some lots of cheese). Now this may take a while, so I hope she hops over to Toronto sooner than later :) She is so sweet after reading her posts (and the comments she leaves me) she makes me want to use terms like "sugar plum" and "honeybunch". I would but I don't say such things...unless I write *love*letters to S when he ruins my kitchen utensils or reeks havoc helps around the house. She's beautiful, funny and crazy humble (this girl won't admit how fabulous she is). Her head is in the books a lot (she's a law student) but she always finds time to let you into her life and into heart. She's got a big heart, no doubt. But I've already made room in there, so don't all line up now and take my space ;)

If I didn't mention you above, please don't take it to mean that your friendship means any less to me. If I'm on your blog spewing nonesense leaving you comments it goes without saying, I heart you. Thank you to everyone who comes here day in and day out and reads the blog that is my life. I love reading each and every one of your comments. I love visiting your blogs and learning more about you. And thank you to all who choose to follow me. And if you're new to my blog - nice to meet you! Leave me a comment so I can visit your blog :) 

And since we're ALL friends, take 15% off any purchase at my store MyDesignerFinds.com

When sending the purchase request, just mention - Friends15 in the Subject.

I've added new items so do check it out!

HURRY 15% off ends this weekend!!!

Happy mid-week everyone!

xx Ela

A Little Behind

 

Dress - Winners, Blazer - Zara,  Crossbody Bag - Vintage Gucci

Boots - Seychelles (again I know, pretty much all I wear in the Fall)

I tend to behind on awards...mostly because I stress about who to pass them onto, especially because I don't like leaving people out. Please bear with me.

Nubia at Nubia's Nonsense was so sweet to pass this onto me. Is it weird that I don't know what it stands for? Maybe she thinks my blog is as refreshing as lemonade? Or worth $0.50 a pop? Or that I look like I just sucked a lemon? Whatevs. It's awful cute. Especially since I always wanted to set up a Lemonade Stand when I was little but never did do it. Thank you, Nubia! 

Now passing onto some refreshing blogs: BonBon Rose, Fancy Pants, Oofa Luffa Le, vitaMinn Style and Wendy Brandes Jewelry.

Ashley at Breakfast at Saks was so kind to pass this onto me...a month ago. Eek! Sorry and thank you! I'm supposed to list 10 things about me, but maybe 5 quirky things will do:

1. I won't wear any open-toe shoes unless my toesies have been painted. Ever.

2. When walking next to someone, I always need to walk on the left side. If I'm on the right, it completely throws off my equilibrium. Though if someone is at my left and my right, I'll be fine.

3. I always wake up hungry. Even from a 20-minute nap. Which leads me to believe I burn a lot of calories when I sleep. Who needs the gym?
4. I can't eat salads with mayo in them like egg salad, potato salad, etc. I can however, eat a tuna sandwhich. It has mayo, I know.
5. I am a clean freak and always hated dirt and/or getting dirty as a child. My mom once caught me violently scratching at my arm, which was torn up and pretty much bleeding. She was so concerned (probably figured I'd lost it at the tender age of 3) she aked "What are you doing???" With tears in my eyes, I told her I was trying to scrub the dirt on my arm but couldn't get it off. I pointed at the "dirty spot", which she had pointed out to me the night before.

It was a mole. Of course my mom knew it was a mole. She thought she was being *funny*. Yeah, I still hold that one over her head.
Now passing onto some cuties: Janetteria, Made You Blush, Ocean Dreams, Sour Cherry and While We're Waiting

 

Have a great week, everyone!

xx Ela

Zip It

About 2 months ago my aunt told me she was getting married.

Yay, right?

Um, not so fun when you can't share it with anyone. I was sworn to secrecy.

See, my Cousin T had just gotten engaged that same weekend.
So my aunt told me I had to keep it a secret. She didn't want to steal Cousin T's moment. Yup, she's sweet like that. 
FINALLY, it's out in the open. She's holding it in Arizona...next month.

Originally we thought the wedding would take place in Niagara, which is a 2hr drive from Toronto. Easy Peasy. But now S and I are scrambling to book a flight to Arizona.

Here's a snippet of our phone convo. It's a typical example of how I can't hold his attention for more than 2 minutes when he's working:

Ela: Hon, do you know if flight prices change throughout the day? And if they do, do you know what time they are cheapest?

S: Hmmm....that's a really good question. 

Side Note: Um, hello, do I ask any other kind?

S: [Pause]. Let me put it this way...

Long pause. (Ela silent with anticipation)

S: I...don't know.

Ela: Well, since you put it that way (rolling eyes) then that makes sense. Thanks for clearing that up. Remind me again why I tell you "you're the smartest man I know"?

S: [Chuckles] Oh wait.

Pause. (Ela *again* silent with anticipation)

S: It's 36 hours.

Ela: What is?

S: To drive there. Non-stop. 
Ela: Was that even at option? [Definitely NOT an option]
S: But wait. We could leave from Detroit!

Ela: ??? Mmmkay...we'd still have to drive to Detroit first, which would still make it a 36hr drive. Either way you cut it, babe...still 36 hours.
S: Huh? No. Fly from Detroit...

Ela: ??? Um

S: [Chuckles] Sorry, I think you've lost me. I should get back to work.

Thankfully, I don't let our convos lead me to think two minutes of me is actually the maximum amount of time a person can handle. As if. Hello, give me at least 5. However, I've come to accept that unless I can integrate technical jargon into our conversation, if there's something I need to say that requires a coherent response, I better make it quick. At least when he's at work.

Anyway, back to what I was saying, ever had a secret you were dying to share?
xx Ela

p.s. In case you didn't know, this is what I look like when I'm "zipping it". Weird, it's also what I look like when I'm picking crumbs off my lips. I tried the finger at the mouth to say "shhhhh"...that didn't work out so well. I did however, manage to channel Austin Powers. 

This tee had me at the zipper. I love that it actually works, I can zip it up midway as I did here OR if I really wanted to, and had the waist of 6 month old, I could zip it up all the way to my chest.

  

Tee -F21, Ankle Zip Pants - Zara, Backzip Heels - Jessica Simpson 

Ring - Winners
 
It's hard to tell but this ring has 10 hearts dangling from it. I just heart it.
Happy weekend, everyone!
p.p.s. The night I wore this, S told me I looked "different somehow" that I looked "Asian". Seriously, I'm speechless. After 15 years...wtheck did he think I was?