May Snapshots

Follow me on Instagram: @angelaremondi | @inventedromance

Guys I don't even have anything to say in summary about May because I can't believe it's actually over. Wasn't it just winter like a week ago? It's June now? Seriously?

• I fell in absolute LOVE with Joyous Health and Oh She Glows this month. I've started taking a new (more positive) approach to the way I think about my health, food, and my body, and these books/ blogs have been absolutely instrumental (insert a-ok emoji here)
• Our group of friends has had a lot of fun nights together this month! I gotta say I really do love havin my pals in town :)
• Little Maya turned one year old on May 5th! Cinco de MAYA!!!... I am way too proud of the discovery of that connection.
• The Sunparlour Players played at Loplops this month and it was such an incredible show!
• My friends and I had a get-together to celebrate Mark and Em's birthdays, which happened to coincide with a whole slew of important dates!
• The boys can be pretty cute when they wanna be.
• I tried out lots of healthy and yummy recipes this month #nomnom
• Mark left to join the army this month, so we had a little get-together for him!
• I gave my bike a makeover and I am in love with its new look!

I actually wasn't even able to cover everything with that little collage. Some other notables of this month: Mike and I celebrated our three year anniversary, Mike has been working on a political campaign so we've been going to lots of events and hanging out with his poli friends, I made healthy snackies with Laur and Amanda, my mom retired and we had a fun party to celebrate, our staff had a going away party for Mark, I was asked to participate in Modcloth's Uniquely You campaign and WON (!!!), and I have been apartment-hunting up a storm. Whewf. This month was actually cray, y'all. Just cray.

April + May Haul

I've avoided shopping for the most part over the past few months, but I have managed to scoop up a few good deals in April and May!

(grey tshirt and baseball shirt: boathouse | blouse: via @shopsavscloset)

I've been loving simple and basic looks, and this grey t shirt from Boathouse has been SUCH a staple this month. I wear it as often as I feel I can get away with. I was also so lucky to win cute items through an instagram auction on @shopsavscloset! This white blouse is so pretty, and I love sheer white fabrics and lace for summer months!

(grey and white patterned kimono: boathouse | white lace kimono: urban outfitters, via @shopsavscloset | floral kimono: garage)

As per usual, kimonos appear to be taking over my closet. I now own at least 6 and can't possibly imagine what other variations I might decide to purchase, but I wouldn't be shocked if more kimonos make their way on this blog in the near future.

(brown dress: via @shopsavscloset | floral maxi dress: boathouse)

(wedges: urban planet)

I rarely wear the heels and wedges that already sit on my shoe rack, but I couldn't say no when I saw that these wedges were only $10!! I'm planning on wearing them for my grad ceremony so I can justify this purchase as a necessary one... moi ha ha. I also bought a few basic pairs of flats this month! Footwear is always difficult for me during the summer and hotter seasons, but I always seem to wear flats until they fall apart, so I never have enough!

A Retirement Party

(dress: gojane | lace kimono: urban outfitters | shoes: ardene | necklace: american eagle | purse: aldo)

Last week, my mom celebrated her retirement with a whole slew of friends and coworkers! Mike, Laur, and I also joined for the festivities and it was actually a lot of fun. My zia made a secret trip up from Toronto to surprise my mom and it was absolutely adorable. My uncle Neil also attended and made a hilarious speech!

This outfit was another hectic and rushed decision, but I was happy with the outcome! I haven't worn this dress since last year but I'm not really sure why! It's so comfortable and flattering. And this kimono is actually something I won in an instagram auction at @shopsavscloset. I've always been such a huge fan of Savannah's so I was really excited to inherit some of her adorable clothes! My package finally came in last week and I practically squeeled. This kimono has already gotten a lot of wear ;)

I've had an incredibly busy week of working (always working), going away parties for Mark, driving with Amanda, bike re-decorating, apartment hunting, little political events, and all sorts of fun things. Hopefully I will get the chance to blog about all that stuff soon but who knows if I will get any time this week! I hope everyone out there in the blogosphere is having a wonderful week and enjoying some nice summer weather! :)

Springtime Simplicity

(top: roots | skirt: garage | belt: h&m | bag: ardene | shoes: ardene | bracelets: smart set)

I have been all about loose-fitting tees these days. Earlier this week, Laura and I had plans to go for dinner, and I just wanted to throw on a t shirt and leggings and roll out the door. Instead, I put in slightly more effort, and donned my favourite maxi skirt. The result was still incredibly comfortable, but I felt put together enough to go out into public! Lately I've really been loving simple, relaxed looks.

It may sound insignificant, but this is one of very few outfits that I actually bought everything I'm wearing... other than my accessories... in the Soo! Items I've bought online or out of town tend to take over my closet. I actually haven't been buying very much these days (in town or online). I would say I deserve a pat on the back, but it's mostly just because I'm broke and am beginning to panic about saving up for school. Classic.

Modcloth's Uniquely You Campaign

Earlier last week, I was thrilled to be contacted by Modcloth to participate in their Uniquely You campaign in association with Wanelo. They provided me with a photo of one of their gorgeous dresses, and asked me to build an outfit around it!

I was so excited to see the beautiful floral print on this Garden Home Tour Dress. I've always been smitten with florals and romantic prints. This dress is right up my alley and I could definitely see myself pulling it out for a summer party.

I wanted to play up the femininity of the dress, so I paired it with pieces that were softer in colour and had more feminine details. The dress is so bright and vibrant that I loved the idea of pairing it with soft pastel accessories, to allow the dress to really stand out and remain the center of attention.

• The Elegant in Any Occassion Watch is so simple, pretty, and unique.
• The Make Persimmon of Yourself Bag is the perfect touch to any outfit- that colour is so gorgeous, and the cutout detailing is lovely.
• I loved that the Retro Rosie Earrings and Rosette the Stage Hair Comb could add to the floral theme in a more subtle manner. Plus- I think this comb would be the perfect accessory to create a simple, retro hairstyle.
• I was really inspired by the vintage vibe of the dress, and immediately thought it would look great with some t-strap heels. The colour of these Get It, Got It, Go-See Heels is perfect, and they felt like the perfect retro addition.

This outfit has me itching for summer weather, barbeques, and sundresses. I hope it's given you some summer inspiration as well! If you'd like, you can take a look at my Wanelo storyboard, and be sure to check out all of the other adorable dresses at Modcloth!

Apartment Wishlist: Bathroom

(1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10)

Remember when I mentioned making Pinterest boards upon Pinterest boards as an outlet for my moving-out excitement? Now is the time for me to start sharing some of my inspiration with you all!

This shower curtain is the original item that sprouted into many Pinterest boards. I absolutely fell in love with it when I saw it on the Urban Outfitters website, and quickly formulated a little dream bathroom around it. I really like the idea of a mostly-neutral bathroom, with colours being pulled from the shower curtain in towels and linens. I also love the idea of wire storage baskets, and all of the labelled house items from H&M are TOO cool.

I've been trying to think of rooms that will suit my personal style, while also keeping Mike in mind, since we will most likely be moving in together soon after I'm done my next year of school. This shower curtain is actually Mike-approved! He said the flowers were balanced with the stripes so it isn't too feminine. WOOT. The little grooming bag from Modcloth would also be perfect for all of Mike's stuff (so I can take over the rest of the bathroom with all of my makeup and hair supplies heh heh heh).

If you would like to take a look at my full bathroom wishlist, you can see it here!

Elsewhere on the Web

Please note: I do not officially have OCD. No tests have been run, no diagnoses have been made, and I can recognize that it is, in fact, a very serious disorder. I do, however, have some serious problems with obsessive organization and compartmentalization, which have not allowed me to rule out the possibility of OCD. Keep that in mind for the following post.

This blog is, for the most part, private from the majority of people I know IRL. I like it that way, and it will probably stay that way. But once in a while, I want to do some blog-type things on other websites, and my brain starts glitching out. My solution has been to make alternate accounts on essentially all of my favourite social media sites hahaha! Please forgive how unnecessary this is and disregard just how obsessive I can get. But if you'd like, you can now find me on new, work-in-progress Invented Romance accounts on the following:

Instagram

Tumblr

Pinterest

And as always, you can find me on Bloglovin, Chictopia, and Twitter. Takin over the web.

A Birthday Extravaganza

(kimono: boat house | tank: joe fresh | skirt: h&m | flats: ardene's | necklace: american eagle | bracelets: smart set)

Saturday night involved a multitude of celebrations! Em and Mark hosted their joint birthday, but it also happened to be Mindy's birthday, and me and Mike's anniversary. We all got together for a BBQ and drinks, and played a hilarious drinking game called "What If." T'was a grand old time.

I had some major outfit confusion before going out! I had no time to get ready and sent Mike a bunch of different photos of jumbled outfit photos, which he was not helpful with hahah. I ended up pairing this brand new kimono with a black skirt from H&M that I've had for months and never wore! I was really happy with the outfit I settled on but I can't believe how white my legs look compared to the rest of my body... how sad.

I bought this kimono earlier this week because I was stranded at work in my uniform, and going out with Mike and some of his friends immediately after my shift. I knew Laur already owned it and felt like a poop friend for copying her (for like the 80th time). When I confessed to her that I bought it, she confessed to me that she bought a kimono I already owned a few months ago and just hasn't worn it in front of me! We now own 3 of the same kimonos. It was hilarious, and we should just accept that we have been buying the same clothes since the age of 10 and probably always will.

It was a really fun night! Mike and I also had some lovely anniversary celebrations and gift exhanges. And I finally saw Amanda yesterday for a granola-bar-making date!

But I've been hurting for some time to myself. I've gotten very good at faking cleanliness and a good night's sleep. I keep thinking of ohw glorious it's going to be to be done these two jobs in August and just have some time to like... sit down for a few minutes.

Hope you are all enjoying life and getting the chance to sit down and whatnot!

Three Years with Mike

Yesterday, Mike and I celebrated three years together!

Normally this is where I would put a cute little photo of us from over the years, but Mike is camera-shy and blog-shy so who knows if that will ever happen! You'll just have to trust that there is in fact photo evidence of our relationship in existence somewhere.

I'm very grateful to have spent three years with such an amazing guy by my side. We've had so many amazing memories, we've laughed together and grown together, and he truly is my other half. Every day is better and better with him. But I don't mean for this to deteriorate into mushiness so I will just end it here.

In summary: YAHOO, three years, that guy is the absolute best, I'm a lucky girl, love, sunshine, rainbows! :)

Polka Dot Peplum

(cut-out peplum sweater: modcloth | jeans: american eagle | boots: ardene's | necklace: american eagle | bracelet: smart set)

This past weekend, a group of friends had a little get-together! We had a lovely time and this proved to be the perfect outfit. The sweater is cozy but so flattering! And I felt comfortable and casual, but the top provided just enough dressiness that I didn't feel too bummy. The cut-out and peplum are such fun touches :) I ended up trading in the heeled boots for more comfortable flat ones though!

I've been feeling bitter and discouraged about life-stuff these days. Currently the thought of that one-way ticket to Mars doesn't sound too shabby. Le sigh.

May Goals

I have one major goal this month, and it's pretty straightforward. I want to take a new approach to my own health and wellness. I've been reading Joyous Health these past couple days and it has been super inspiring! Already I have been motivated to change my thinking, show myself some love, and eat mindfully. I will probably write a whole big bloggy post about it!

Also this month:

• Make taking care of myself and my surroundings more of a priority. Mostly the simple things that get pushed farther and farther down the To Do list in favour of more exciting activities.
• Introduce a little zen into my life. Meditate and relax and do yoga and think more positively (apparently negativity has been a big problem for me these past few months lulzies)
• Clean out my closet! Sell come clothes to make some moolah. And also replenish the basics that have been worn out/ that I've been putting off for too long.
• Make some small preparations for my big move in August!