Diary of a Real Girl

A bit of a long one today, so I will just jump right in.

I am sure you all are feeling it lately…summer is COMING!!! The days are getting longer, the sun is getting warmer, the grass is getting greener – spring is here!!!

For some (most?) of you, you have already had warm temperatures and what not for the past while, but for us up North, it’s only just beginning, and after 6 months of winter (yep, 6 cold, long, snowy months!) you had better believe I make a big deal out of spring! So I am sharing a few tips that I use to get myself into that “spring mood” and out of my winter funk (so far, it’s working pretty well!!)

#1 – Jump, don’t step, out of your comfort zone : go out and buy yourself something (an accessory) in a colour you wouldn’t ordinarily do. Step AWAY from the blacks (even the navies, though that is in right now, more on that in #3). It can be a bag, a bracelet, some shoes, a jacket (look at the ones at the end of the page) – SOMETHING that screams look at me – and then OOZE confidence knowing you did something you wouldn’t ordinarily do!

#2 – Put some Spring in your step : New Shoes don’t have to cost a lot – especially when they are BOGO right now! Go out and buy yourself a pair of springy wedges, flats or espadrilles. EVERYTHING seems to be either flat or wedged this year which I think is nice…no need to totter around on stiletto heels in the heat…

#3 – Try a new trend : Ricki’s (my fave!) is REALLY plugging the Nautical theme this year…this is an old trend coming back, but I really didn’t appreciate it when it first came around. I am not a navy person, but pair it with red (garnet or ruby red, not crimson) and you will make all the sailors stop and stare. I personally picked out these pieces for myself: this dress (GORGEOUS ON!!!), this sweater (super cute with my white wide leg pants) and this cardigan (which I am rocking today with a simple white t-shirt, silver earrings and jeans – and of course red flats!)

#4 – Go Au Natural : Spring is all about looking fresh and clean. I RARELY use my hair straightener or hair pins in the spring/summer unless I am going for a certain style (I wear a lot of french rolls and what not in the winter time, I don’t do this in the summer).  I just picked up this bumble and bumble surf spray and so far I am loving it!! If you are wearing your hair down it gives you that tousled, wind blown look. If you are wearing a ponytail it gives it a messy wavy look instead of a perfect cheerleader pony, and if you are pulling it into a messy bun it gives lots of texture and roughness (so it looks effortless).

As for makeup I wear: light foundation (or tinted moisturizer) with sunscreen (ALWAYS sunscreen!!!) – or if you need more coverage they do that too! A few swipes of mascara (I was accidentaly given black/brown of a different formula the other day and I am growing on the “natural-ness” of the color…I like it a lot now!) and a little gloss (I prefer grapefruit or apricot, both awesome!)

#5 – Get Chunky : With your jewelry that is!! Go for something bright and bold – turquoise and coral are ALWAYS amazing!!! They are GREAT additions to a nice light summery outfit!!! This site has some neat trends, and though I did buy a couple of their pieces at a party the other day – I found them to be quite expensive. You can purchase similar items at most stores – H&M, Le Chateau, Ricki’s, Aldo, etc. Since these are SOMEWHAT trendy items, it’s best to not pay a lot for them since they go in and out. SOME pieces – like I said, turquoise and coral are ALWAYS popular in the spring/summer, so if you see something you REALLY love within your budget and you think it will last, definitely snap it up!

#6 - Put your feet up : And make em pretty while you are at it!!! Splurge and get a pedicure, or take some “you” time and do one yourself!!! Soak your feet, scrape the nasty bits off, slather on some cream and paint them a FABULOUS shade. I suggest the “South Beach” collection by OPI. Seriously, this collection has EVERYTHING – you can go safe with “Sand in my suit” (light beige) or “Suzi and the lifeguard” (light pink), you can go fashionable with “Done out in Deco” (light grayish purple) or you can go wild with “Conga-line Coral” (Coral, duh!) or “Feeling Hot-Hot-Hot” (Coral-ly hot Pink) – those last two will transition BEAUTIFULLY into summer if you get some colour during the warmer months (unlike myself!)

and lastly, even though it has nothing to do with Fashion (though taking pictures has become QUITE fashionable!)

#7 : Be one with nature : This is something I have not appreciated as much as I should lately!! Get out in that warm weather (with some sunscreen!!) and enjoy the loveliness out there!!! Check out Jaime’s blog sometime (hopefully she gets her new camera soon!) – I really like not only the yummy food pictures but that she strays away from the regular “Food Blog World” and adds pictures of things she sees every day. And since she lives in beautiful Nova Scotia, it is definitely a treat for those she shares it with!!

So even if you don’t have much to look at in your area (I know I don’t!), take a walk in a new area or go on a nature hike or even just fire up the BBQ and grab a fruity drink and just ENJOY the months to come!!!