Monday, February 28, 2011

Snoop Bloggy-Blog


...thats the title of my post today because my hairstyle is VERY Snoop Dogg in Long Beach, California circa 2001:
courtesy of http://www.360waves.net/



photo by Kanga




BF blazer: H&M
sweater: Aritzia
leggings: Costco (I just discovered they have AMAZING leggings)
boots: Miss Sixty
watch: Guess


This weekend, my BBF (Best Boyfriend Forever) celebrated his 94th birhday (hahahahaha....hes old.)  I baked him some delicious goodies filled with lard & sugar so he can hurry up and die and I can run off with his millions........


Homemade Bacio cake (inspired by Baci candy.)  "Bacio" means kiss in Italian.  In FierceWithAHighWaist speak, Bacio means hard-work.  I was up at 8:30am baking this shit from scratch, roasting the hazelnuts and stire-ing the dark chocolate.  It was worth it.....the outcome was probably the most fluffy flourless chocolate cake Ive ever had.



Amaretti cookies.  Perfect with your morning cappucino.  My mommy gave me a great tip to add a smidge of cocoa to the recipie;  next time I will also add a few teaspoons of amaretto liquer to punch up the almondy-ness.



Ladies, gotta keep 'em fat and faithful, right?


FIERCEWITHAHIGHWAIST

Friday, February 25, 2011

Black & Hot Pink Black & Hot Pink Black & Hot Pink..........

I DOUBLE DOG DARE YA to look at my new Hot Pink Wellies and not crack a smile.......


photo by Deana


Gingham shirt: Bluenotes
Black skinnies: Old Navy
watch: Garage
Black pashmina: Miami Airport
Hot Pink Wellies: Old Navy
hot pink nail polish: co-ordinated with hot pink wellies ON PURPOSE


My stay-cation was wonderful (thank you for asking).  Basically the only thing on the the list I accomplished was COOKING & EATING a ridiculous amount of food.  I made a "from scratch" meal everyday, but ended up wolfing it down like a Rottweilier before I had a chance to take a photo.  Here are a few of my culinary endeavours:


Fresh Oysters with lemon, horseradish, & hot sauce (Im obsessed):


Homemade bocconcini, basil, & tomato pizza:


Homemade Proscuitto & spinach pizza:


Salmon soft tacos with mango & avocado pico de gallo:


Coconut popsicle (amazing):


As you can see, I accept & embrace my gastrosexuality to the fullest extent.
WE'RE HERE.  WE'RE QUEER. GET USED TO IT. *massive belch*


FIERCEWITHAHIGHWAIST

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Stay-cation

My co-workers and I gang-raped Spice Route last night.  In my opinion, its still one of the most beautiful bar/lounges in Toronto.  I drank my way down the Martini list.......then decided to chug half a bottle of beer at the end of the night.  Best/Worst idea Ive ever had.  Hence my puffy/pale appearance today:


photo by Kanga
sweater: Aritzia
Lili: Ebay
shorts: Urban Outfitters
leggings: Zara
boots: Ebay
watch: Guess


I am beyond ecstatic to announce that tomorrow I am starting a 5 day stay-cation!  A stay-cation is when you book vacation time off from work but arent travelling anywhere.  Its a blissful opportunity to really enjoy your home and the city you live in.  It also offers you a chance to run all those little errands you normally dont have time for during business hours.  Here are a few things I have planned for my stay-cation:

- sleep until 11am everyday
- do a wake 'n' bake if the mood should strike me
- go see 127 Hours starring my future baby's daddy: James Franco
- go to the gym everyday
- clean my condo from top to bottom
- go for a tan
- treat myself to a Mocha Frappucino from Starbucks
- grocery shop at the St. Lawrence Market
- cook breakfast and/or lunch and/or dinner everyday for the man in my life
- go on long walks with Bearoo
- get a pedicure and/or a massage
- refuse to go to bed before midnight
- take advantage of the mild weather by debuting Minky in Toronto
- dye my hair
- end each day with a "Grape 'N' Goose" (Grey Goose vodka & grape soda)
- walk to Aritzia on Bloor Street
- learn how to use my new cell phone (The Motorola Flip - super adorable!)
- re-organize my closet


.........basically GTL plus.


FIERCEWITHAHIGHWAIST

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Best In Show

A hearty congratulations to Hickory - the Scottish Deerhound who won Best In Show at the 2011 Westminster Dog Show in New York City!

Westminster Dog Show Judge with Winner Hickory
courtesy of  http://www.dnainfo.com/
Of course, I love ALL dogs, but dayum.......cuteness obviously holds zero merit with the judges.  I have no idea what components win a dog the "Best In Show" title, but I know that being a judge at the competition would be a dream job for me.  I'd also offer my stylist services free of charge to the dog owners/handlers.  Frumpy-ass polyester suits and orthopedic shoes when youre on live camera for an internantionally renowned competition??  OH HELLS NO.........


Here are some notable (translation: smoochable) faces from Westminster 2011:

courtesy of http://www.alerts24x7.com/
http://www.media.kansascity.com/

courtesy of http://www.mr-arora.com/


courtesy of http://www.newstimes.com/
courtesy of http://www.thebizstart.com/

Wow.  These babies give a whole new meaning to the phrase: "a face only a mother could love."  Speaking of a face only a mother could love, heres what I wore today:




courtesy of Kanga
 dress: Aritzia
fishnets: Pacific Mall
shoes: Aldo
watch: Shoppers Drug Mart
ring: Mom's from Pakistan


FIERCEWITHAHIGHWAIST

Monday, February 14, 2011

I Grub You

I spent this past Valentine's Day weekend surrounded by my first true love: FOOD. 

Most people who appreciate the fine art of enjoying food call themselves "Foodies."  Not me.  I would never consider myself a foodie.  I am a straight-up "Gastrosexual".  Heres the difference: a "Foodie" has discerning tastes, a refined palette, and looks for only the highest quality "chi-chi" ingredients & methods of preparation.  A "Gastrosexual" just loves to eat super-yum things.  We dont care if its high-brow or low-class.....we will devour a Pogo with mayo & ketchup with as much gusto as a spoonful of beluga caviar topped with quail egg.  We eat at truck stops, street vendors, & our Mama's house as well as 5 star restaurants and private tastings.  We live to eat; our passion for food borderlines on lust.

Heres My Super-Yum V-Day Menu:


Buffalo Mozarella, Grape Tomatoes and Fresh Basil skewers (drizzled wth olive oil & balsamic)


Freshly-shucked Oysters with lemon, grated horseradish, and Franks Red Hot sauce


Lobster that was alive 45 minutes ago (look closely, its winking at you), steamed with celery


Homemade sage-infused turkey sliders with spinach, brie, avocado & hot peppers


Bottle of Mateus Rose wine......so light & fluffy it almost tasted carbonated


*Remember:  If youve ever eaten some delicious food and enjoyed it so much it caused you to feel sexually aroused, YOU MIGHT BE A GASTROSEXUAL.  Speaking of sexual arousal, heres what I wore today:



courtesy of Deana

BF blazer: H&M
BF shirt: costa blanca
leggings: Urban Outfitters
boots: Miss Sixty
watch: Guess



FIERCEWITHAHIGHWAIST

Friday, February 11, 2011

Day & Night

I love multi-purpose clothing.  When a piece is versatile & beautiful enough to go from day to night, casual to dressy, work to party, warm to chilly.........it really turns my crank.  Especially living in Toronto, where our climate is defined by 4 definite seasons.  And especially for a girl like me, who is more temperamental than a chow-chow.

Here is an example of a how I transitioned a simple dress from H&M from being work-appropriate to fiercewithahighwaist-central.  All it took was a few accessories and a shit-load of makeup.......

DAY

photo by Kanga
dress: H&M
cardi: Ebay
belt: Aritzia
tights: Calvin Klein
boots: Miss Sixty from Ebay
makeup: non-existent

NIGHT

photo by Kanga
dress: H&M
Lili: Ebay
belt: Aritzia
tights: Calvin Klein
platform booties: Aldo
make-up: you could stand up a pencil in that shit........




FIERCEWITHAHIGHWAIST

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Baby's First Mink

photo by Kanga
vintage cardi: Ebay
dress: Garage
leggings: PINK by Victoria's Secret
vintage boots: Ebay
watch: Guess
ring: gift from Dad


At this point we all know I love fur......yes its wrong.....yes Im a terrible person......blah blah blah TURN THE EFFING PAGE.
Great, now that thats settled, Id like to introduce you to the newest member of the FIERCEWITHAHIGHWAIST family:  Minky!!  Shes a beautful vintage tapestry cape stole from the 60's, and she should be arriving any day now.  She will be my first mink & I cant wait for her to get here!  I plan on belting her and wearing her with skinnies; its very rare to find a cape/stole thats nipped in at the waist.  Maybe its my excitement talking, but I have a feeling her pictures dont do her justice. 

Wow.  This must be that glow pregnant women talk about.


MEET MINKY:






FIERCEWITHAHIGHWAIST

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Back In Black

I LOVE wearing black.  Eternally chic & slimming with a touch of bad-ass......


photo courtesy of Kanga
 BF Blazer: Costa Blanca
tank: Urban Outfitters
skirt: Garage
belt: Aritzia
leggings: H&M
boots: Ebay
watch: Fossil

Im rockin the all black today because Im going to be spending the evening accumulating as many karmic points in heaven as I can by volunteering at a charity event.  Shocking I know, because usually its my heart thats black as tar.  But despite my superficial obsession with all things vanity related, I really do believe the most chic accessory is a warm heart and a willingness to help others.  Thats the true definiton of being FierceWithAHighWaist.

Anyways, enough of this "after-school-special" bullshit.  To all my single ladies, volunteering is an amazing way to meet quality men.  Im not talking about ladle-ing out mashed potatoes at the local soup kitchen, I mean volunteering at an upscale charity event where the tickets are 300+ bucks a pop.  This is my second year doing it and trust me, the most eligible bachelors in the city come out to these things.  Not being in a "bar/club/lounge" setting takes a lot of the pressure off, youre NOT surrounded by a gaggle of girlfriends (which makes you more approachable), and the fact that youre a volunteer forces a man to look beyond the outside and see the sparkling personality that lies within.





HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!  Oh God, I almost kept a straight face during that last part!!!!!!!!!!




FIERCEWITHAHIGHWAIST

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Winter Blah Blah Blahs....

I am completely over wearing tights under everything.
I am completely over hat hair.
I am completely over wearing my downfill parka.
I am completely over salt stains.
I am completely over slathering myself with cocoa butter and still having dry skin.
I am completely over it getting dark at 4:45pm.
I am completely over the sky being a non-descript off-white colour.
I am completely over exhaling a cloud of smoke even tho theres no cigarette in my hand.
I am completely over the lack of colour in my skin.
I am completely over the fact that theres still another 2 months of this bullshit ahead.
I am completely over my lips chapping.
I am completely over my perpetually runny nose.
I am completely over wanting to do nothing but put on flannel PJ's and eat an entire casserole.

And apparently, I am completely over washing my hair:

courtesy of Kanga

courtesy of Kanga

cardi: Urban Outfitters
v-neck tee: Garage
belt: Aritzia
High-waist skirt: Urban Outfitters
tights: H&M
boots: Ebay
watch: Guess
braid: styled by Kanga....who secretly takes great pleasure in yanking my hair in every direction *bitch*


I am so envious of the male grooming ritual:  lather, rinse, step out of the shower and shake like a dog.  Washing & styling my hair is a 45 minute ordeal, and altho I feel lovely when my hair is done......I dont always have the energy to make it happen.  I realize that what Im about to admit acknowledges the fact that my superficiality has reached new heights, but Im gonna say it anyways:  My hairstyle plays a huge role in determining my mood.  I am in a significantly better mood when its clean and styled properly vs. I feel cranky when its dirty and thrown up into a bun or braids.

Who needs paxil when you have a hot roller set??


FIERCEWITHAHIGHWAIST

Friday, February 4, 2011

Thank Dog.

First things first......

courtesy of Kanga
plaid bf shirt: Winners
cargo leggings: Costa Blanca
boots: Miss Sixty
watch: Fossil
ring: Puerto Rico
hair inspiration: Farrah Fawcett


On Wednesday, God took a giant white shit all over Toronto.  Not only were the streets absolutely covered with snow, the wind was blowing something fierce (withahighwaist) and it was well below -10.  As I was trudging home thru this winter wonderland.....still freezing despite my winter boots, scarf, touqe, and mittens.....I saw a homeless man sitting on the street bundled up in a parka.  I must admit, when I see homeless people my first reaction is not always sympathetic.  I feel like if I can get up everyday and go to a job that I hate so much it makes me cry, why cant they do the same?  People, especially men, who expect handouts and dont work sicken me.  I will always have respect for the working man.....and pretty much anyone who has a job. 

Anyways, as I passed him, I noticed a black mass on the floor beside him.  I looked closer and noticed it was a beautiful large dog laying in the snow, in sub-zero temperatures, under dirty blankets and several large pieces of cardboard.  I think I actually felt my heart break.

If this story is not a testament to how wonderful dogs are, I dont know what would be.  Despite the fact that this beautiful animal was freezing cold, dirty, and homeless, it was sitting there peacefully (but obviously uncomfortably), not uttering even a noise of discontent.  This is the beauty, the heartbreaking beauty of a dog: they know how to be a loyal friend like no other.  They will put their own comfort & needs on the backburner to make sure ther masters are ok.  They will follow you to Hades itself just to be by your side.  They stand by you, strong and without judgement, and offer themselves to you.  They could care less about anything superficial that everyone else seems to notice: weight, appearance, finances....they just love you. 

Right now, as I type with tears in my eyes, I think of my little friend & companion, Bearoo.  2011 will be our 10th year together, and just like that homeless pooch on the street, he has stood strong & unbroken by my side thru thick and thin.  Even when I lose my patience with him, he loves me.  Even when I gain 5 lbs, he loves me.  Even when I have no money in my bank account, he loves me.  He loves me, he loves me, he loves me.  The concept of "he loves me not" does not exist in his world.  He longs to be near me always, he is quick to lick away my tears when I cry, and when Im sick...no exagerration.....the little guy keeps a candle-lit vigil by my bedside.

I dedicate this post to my Bearoo.  Thank you my darling, my silly little thing, my best friend.  Everything I know about loyalty and unselfishness is because of you. Just when I think its impossible to love you more, you do something....one of your silly little looks or tricks.....and my heart grows even bigger for you.  Your love for me is perfect; and I am a better woman/friend/lover/sister/daughter/human being because of it.  I know youre a big boy now, almost 11 years old, and I know youre time here is limited.  I want you to know that this fact fills me with such a deep, searing pain that I dont even allow my mind to wander into that territory.  But for now, youre here with me, and I promise I will do all in my power to keep you healthy, comfortable, and happy.  All you have to do is keep loving me and be adorable: 2 things that thankfully, you are a master at.  Mommy loves you more than you could ever dream of.


For all you do,  THANK DOG.




collar: Louis Vuitton


FIERCEWIHAHIGHWAIST

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

LE LOOKBOOK

My apologies for the bombardment of moi.....but sometimes its hard to keep up with the fiercewithahighwaisted-ness of it all.........

MONDAY:

photo courtesy of Kanga
 cardi: Aritzia
tank: Wilfred from Aritzia
bandeau: Calvin Klein
skirt: Garage
tights: Aldo Acessories
boots: UO
watch: Shoppers Drug Mart


TUESDAY:

courtesy of Kanga

 fur vest: Ebay
tee: UO
belt: Aritzia
trousers: Wilfred from Aritzia
booties: Aldo

WEDNESDAY:


courtesy of Kanga

 dress: Costa Blanca
cardi: Aritzia
belt: Aldo
tights: Pacific Mall
socks: stolen from brother
boots: UO
watches: Guess

THURSDAY:


courtesy of Cher

boyfriend blazer: H&M
bustier dress: Costa Blanca
tights: Calvin Klein
booties: Aldo
watch: Guess

FRIDAY:

courtesy of Kanga
 shirt: Aritzia
jeans: Garage
fur vest: Ebay
boots: Ebay
watch: Guess


GOD that was exhausting, but like the Queen song goes:  "One week of fiercewithahighwaist is better than a lifetime alone......."


FIERCEWITHAHIGHWAIST