The Freshman 15

I gained weight. It sucks. When I weighed myself on the cursed scale a few weeks ago, it has been brought to my attention that I gained around 10 pounds within the last year or two. Now I’m not looking for sympathy or anything, but maybe relate to those who are also trying to get back on track.

I remembered reading horror stories about people gaining fifteen pounds in the first few years of college, and I would do the evil laugh because those people lived in dorms and partied all night. Well I live at home and my drug of choice is caffeine.

During the past few years my lifestyle changed in small but significant ways. I started going out with friends more often for greasy pastas and Indian curry, I rode the bus less often, and I’d often spend weeks at a time sitting motionless on my couch reading a useless philosophy textbook. Contrary to what some people think, I really doubt it’s ever one Thanksgiving dinner or breakup that makes the difference. It’s the lifestyle habits I perform everyday that turned me into an unhealthy lard of fat. So I need to make small, but permanent lifestyle changes.

So, from now on, I will document once a month my path to Broccoli and Pilates Heaven. I don’t have a specific goal in mind, but there are small goals I want to fulfill every month.

For the month of April, my goals are to:

1.     Eat out only ONCE a week. Eating out often is a death sentence, seriously. You never know how much fat and cholesterol you’re injecting into your body until six months later, when you receive the bill around your inner thighs.

2.     Eat only ONE small snack every night after dinner instead of five. Usually, I’ll have a fruit, maybe a popsicle, and then if I’m going to stay up really late then a Nutella sandwich…how am I not obese yet? Which leads to my next goal…

3.     Go to bed before midnight every night. It’s embarrassing to admit that I often go to bed at like 2 am. But hey - I’m a university student. That’s my Get Out of Jail card.

This is a text-heavy post but I’m in a painful 3-hour class as I write this.

TOODLES.

Xoxo Cat.

PS – I would like to note that I am NOT a clinician, and the majority of my documentation will be personal, anecdotal experiences rather than medical information. For a wonderful, in-depth, critical examination of the way we eat I recommend www.weightymatters.ca, which is written by a certified family physician. 

Bright Pink Blazer

As soon as I got the bright pink blazer from Banana Republic it became an instant favorite. I will always be a neutrals person, but a Basic Bright Blazer (call it the BBB) is so versatile and really makes it look like I put in some sort of effort. Not to mention it also makes people stare at you. 

I know the sunglasses make me look so conceited, but I figured it’s time I gave a crap about my privacy. Like, what if a potential employer one day finds my blog and scoffs at my 10+ floral print wrap dresses?! I’ll have to explain to her that I got them all on SALE!!

On a completely unrelated note, I’ve been obsessed with this song and the band One Direction. It cheers me up every time. My music taste, as my dear boyfriend describes, is “pathetic”. Well I can’t help it if listening to Justin Bieber at the gym is helping me get from reps 12 to 15. 

   

It also makes me SO nostalgic for high school!

Xoxo Cat

Look What the Cat Dragged In

If you signed up to receive Banana Republic newsletters (which I recommend), you may have received this in your inbox:

It says, "Do not forward". Haha. Well, technically I didn't.

I never shop at BR unless it’s at least 40% off a cheap item, or 50% if it's pricey. They have these offers about once a month, but you need to be on their newsletter.

Here is my haul. I typically don’t like to post hauls, because they make me look even more materialistic than I actually am, haha. But I’ve hardly had time to take pictures! It’s been raining for a week straight.

These were taken with my new phone.  Time to switch back to the old camera! I took for granted how good that thing was. 

Petite XS

This was on my wish list for a long time. Thank goodness I waited for the 50% off, because I was about to settle for the 30% a few weeks ago. As with other button-down shirts, it was too small in the bust area, and looser near the midsection. I recently discovered you could get custom-made dress shirts for a decent price by custom tailors. I have lost all hope with dress shirts I find in stores, so I’m optimistic Balsam Tailors can help me.    

Size 0

This wasn’t on my wish list, but I fell in love with the saturated color. Perfect for spring/summer!     

Finally, this is not from BR, but I ordered this adorable pair crochet shorts after seeing them on oh so…vonnie and There’s Something About Kerri 

You can get these here. Don't forget to signup and receive 25% off as a first-time customer. 

It looked amazing on both those bloggers – so summery and flattering. It’ll be a good two months before I can wear them, but I can’t wait. I’m thinking flowy silk blouses and espadrilles with those shorts.

PS – I’m really slow with responding to comments! That will change!

Xoxo Cat. 

Reveal: Salvatore Ferragamo

I haven’t been doing many OOTD shoots recently because I’ve been feeling like poop. Partially because the clouds really constantly rain on my parade, and because my old J Brands don’t seem to fit anymore. Hm….

So I did what any sane person would do.

Pics were taken with my new smartphone! Finally joined the 21st century lol!!

I went and picked up something that was on my wish list for a long time. Ok, obviously shoes don’t make you happy in the long run, but for the sake of this fashion blog, let’s pretend it does. I get compliments on my black pair pretty much every time I wear them, and they’re very practical so they are a decent investment.

Now if only the rain would stop…

Xoxo Cat

Should I or Shouldn't I?

This is going to be a rather frivolous post.

A few days ago I was browsing through Nordstrom’s site, looking to see if it’s worth making another trip down there or not (hey, it’s exams time, I get bored easily) and my heart jumps a little every time I’m at the McQueen page.

I know. I need some new hobbies.

As some of you know, I currently have this one:

I wear my scarf every time I’m in my usual, rather boring outfit of blazer-n-jeans. It really does make me look like I gave a damn in the morning. Now I’m lusting after another scarf, in the coolest color combination every made:

So should I be saving my pennies and dimes for this?!?! Yes, I already have a McQueen scarf, and yes, it’s navy like mine, but coral print instead of yellow/mustard.  I just love the colors in this scarf so much. Decisions, decisions.

So what do you guys think? Would you double up on a closet favorite?!

This isn’t even a “First World Problem”, but it certainly is a difficult “Fashion Blogger Crisis”.

Xoxo Cat. 

Marni for H&M Debuting March 6th

To be absolutely honest, I’ve never been really excited about overrated designer collaborations with mass retailers like H&M and Target. I always thought it was counterintuitive to the philosophy of luxury fashion houses to mass produce their designs. Perhaps I’m just bitter that I can never get up early enough to actually see remnants of the collection that everyone snatched up 5 minutes after the store opens?

Nonetheless, I would love some pretty little prints in my closet this Spring, and where better than to find them at the launch of the Marni for H&M collection next Tuesday!

You can preview the entire collection here

 Some of my favourite pieces:

1. Coat, $149

This is by far my favorite piece. I love the short sleeves and cape-like shape that is present throughout the Marni collection, but this coat is particularly a good bang for your buck. I saw it worn in the ad campaign with a belt, and it was SHEEK.

2. Printed dress, $99

Of the entire collection, I would bet that this dress would probably sell out the fastest because it is the most wearable and versatile piece with a beautiful print. There is also a colorblock version of this dress. Both are perfect for summer.

3. Blue polka-dot blazer

This could look amazing, or ridiculous. On the website the color is so vibrant, and I could see it being an amazing statement piece. I also love the clean, simplistic design that juxtaposes the busy print.

Will you be checking out this collection?

Xoxo Cat.

P.S: You know it’s exam season when all the bloggers start posting much less frequently, LOL.