this is the second installment of ‘super stylin’ blogettes’ and i’m choosing my favourite fashion blogger looks from the past week! if you want to know more about a specific look, click on the blog name below the photos.

do you have a favorite fashion blogger i should know about? leave it in the comments below and i’ll check them out – maybe they’ll be featured in the next ‘super stylin’ blogettes’ post!

this time tomorrow – krystal, san francisco
the mint colored jeans with the relaxed fit mint colored knit is so casual but it’s kicked up to a chic look with the bow-detailed pumps. adorable!

girl with curves – tanesha, san francisco
i am simply in LOVE with this look. the deep green and navy pair beautiful, and the belt gives a beautiful hourglass silhouette at the natural waist. this is my fave look of the week!

stylestruck – olivia, vancouver
printed party pants are all the rage this season, but these ones keep it classic with the nautical colours. paired with a simple silk look blouse, it’s such a ladylike, classic look.

miss melissa – melissa, vancouver
what a sweet way to work your neutrals. the shoulder pouf on the blazer and statement necklace give this look just the right amount of edge when paired with the a-line skirt and classic patent pumps.

i simply adore this gold lamé sweater from h&m. it’s a total trend piece but for $9.95 (!!!), it’s something you can update your wardrobe with, and once you’re over it, no guilt. win, win, win!

hello lovely readers! i was recently featured on ‘made by girl’ with an article i wrote on renting entitled ‘the good, the bad and the UGLY’. i took a few snapshots of my apartment to include with the article, so i wanted to give you lovlies a peek into my space. it’s in a state of flux right now; with my boyfriend moving in, there will be BIG updates coming over the next few months (as you can tell by my bedroom, a tad girl-i-fied which just won’t do for him!)

my apartment is the best of all worlds: the location is central to everything, the building is heritage (1900′s) but completely re-finished (granite etc.) and spacious at just under 1000 sq ft. the downside? one bathroom and no outdoor space, but you can’t have it all and even though i’ve been known to be extremely picky, this fits my (our) lifestyle perfectly.

i’m so excited for updates which include changing my current bedroom into a dual office, moving into the bigger bedroom, new kitchen chairs, replacing the bookcase in the dining room with a more modern piece, replacing the tv bench that i’ve re-purposed as a catch all (yuck!), new dining room light fixture… i could go on! it’s a dynamic project and i’m excited to sink my teeth into it.

i’ll have a new set of photos once everything is complete full of fresh ideas and inspiration for your space.

check out my feature after the jump for those of you who are interested!

The GOOD

In this day and age, who likes an ironclad commitment?  (Unless you’re a woman rapidly approaching her mid thirties… but that’s another article for another time). Choosing to live in an apartment equals “freedom”.  For example: the neighborhood takes a drastic downturn and stilettos are now more of a weapon than a fashion must this season?  The warehouses next to the cannery have been converted into opulent concrete lofts and that’s where you’d like to relocate? 

Simply pack up stakes and step… that easy!  And hey, if your fridge breaks simply speed-dial the super and your problem of warm white wine is someone else’s problem. You won’t even have to break a perfectly manicured nail opening a toolbox!

The BAD

Picture this scenario: you’re about to leave the apartment at 8am and running late… your chatty/nosy neighbor is locking up the same time and is ready for a chat. That’s right – living in an apartment means a lack of privacy. They can hear you, and worst of all – you can hear them, and their bad taste in music (is Nickelback at 11pm really necessary?)

Someone is always ready for a chat;  don’t let network TV fool you, it’s usually not a handsome French artist or an interesting and glamorous flight attendant next door.  My advice? keep your neighbors at arms length or before you know it, they’re standing at your door with a cup of coffee, a rash they want your opinion on and the latest building goss.

The UGLY

You have an invisible roommate – your landlord, and he has more say about what happens in the apartment as you do, so cozy up!  Maybe you’d like to spruce up your space with a fresh coat of paint in this year’s pantone pick?  Check with your invisible  roommate.  He may say yes, but the stipulation? You must paint it back before you leave, or there goes your damage deposit.  Maybe your dishwasher model is closer to what the Flintstones’ originally used?

Getting it replaced will most often be a struggle. The best advice: do whatever it takes to stay the landlord’s favorite tenant above everybody else in that building.  That’s right, we’re talking birthday presents, Christmas presents, plenty of “please’s” and “thank you’s” and even accompanying their visiting mother-in-law to her eye-appointment. No one said getting what you want was going to be easy.

this week was hectic but i was able to squeak in some fun. my v-day was uber special and i bought a new pair of shoes from zara (seen in the look above!).

on a personal note, i just wanted to thank everyone who takes the time to visit and comment on the blog. your encouragement and interest in {the sparkle} means the world to me. have a wonderful week! x

a spotlight on where i keep my i see noise print // ava with her pops on a sunny sunday afternoon // sparkly pink and red v-day nails // a grey on grey on grey outfit // before heading out to sunday dinner with my bf’s fam // scored half price fancy chocolates on feb.15th – everygirl style!

do you follow the instagramin’ yet? here i am!

this weekend, i’m celebrating a vip’s 30th birthday; i’m bringing the sparklers, of course. have a fantastic weekend! x

feast your eyes on coco chanel’s apartment

healthy chips… think kale

this is how to get a ‘top knot’ aka a really cute bun! (something i wear a tad too often)

apartment gardens… hey, why the heck not?

photo credit: pinterest

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11

which of us isn’t crazy about accessories? picking up a fun new lipstick, beach hat or pair of sunnies can be quite little thrill… and don’t even get me started on shoes (guilty: 100 pairs and counting! eep. to quote a famous heroine “i will literally be the old lady who lived in her shoes”). annnyways, lets get excited for spring! a lot of these items are totally budget friendly, by the way. love that!

p.s: just freshened up my wardrobe for the upcoming season and purchased those dior sunnies. adore. them.

p.p.s: have you entered the giveaway for the GORGEOUS gold vintage print yet? it ends on monday, so you only have a few more days!

one of my go-to meals is what i call ‘the kitchen sink salad’, meaning ‘use what you have’ and ‘create a masterpiece’. what i love about this version is the mix of flavours and textures, the simplicity and unpretentious approach. not to mention it’s filling and nutritious!

my version is dressed with a drizzle of balsamic crema… yum!

as you’ll see, it’s as simple as chopping up a few things and tossing them in. one knife, one bowl, one cutting board. swap out one ingredient for another, play with balance and make it your own.

p.s: i’ve started a recipe index where you can find all of my recipes in a snap. visit and bookmark it! {the sparkle} recipe box

last night, it was all about the red. it is the colour of love, afterall! my boyfriend gifted me my first (and only) pair of louboutins for christmas a few years ago, and i’ve only taken them out of the box a few times. although louboutins are definitely more mainstream now, for me, they are special and thus strictly reserved for special occasions. slipping these babies on for dinner (as mentioned here) was such a treat, and paired with mac ‘ruby woo’ red lippy, i felt super ‘sparkly’!

when my boyfriend told me he had planned a special evening out for valentines, not only was my first thought ‘what should i wear?’ but actually ‘what shoes am i going to wear’? isn’t that what we always ask ourselves… or is it just me?! (disclaimer: we’ve known each other for 8 yrs so he’s downright giddy when i throw on a pair of heels for an outing… sad!)

these sweet, sexy and trendy picks are what i’d love on my feet this year for a romantic night out with my sweetheart. which ones define your personal style?

1 // 2 // 3 // 4

p.s: do you like this post? treat the social buttons below like my ‘tip jar’ or comment to show some love! xo

WINNER: congrats to kristin from fancythingsblog.com! this gorge print is yours! (chosen via random.org)

thank you to everyone who entered. more fun giveaways coming up!

—

about a month ago, i found the amazing I See Noise on etsy and immediately fell in love. i couldn’t press the ‘buy’ button fast enough. within days, i received my very own glossy, 24k print and it’s a fave addition to my space! since then, the brand new line scored a spot at lynn steven boutique in vancouver. these prints are H-O-T!

each gorgeous fashion inspired print is handmade by vancouver blogger, randa salloum – talk about talented. she’s also generous, because she’s offered a giveaway for {the sparkle} readers!

the prize:

this lovely 8.5 x 11 vintage perfume bottle one of a kind print

how to enter (for up to two entries):

one entry:

• comment below to confirm how many entries and include your twitter screen name

• follow {the sparkle} and I See Noise on twitter and post the following on twitter:
  RT and follow to enter to win a vintage perfume print from @erincg & @ISeeNoisePrints #iseenoisegoldprint http://wp.me/p20Mgk-pf

AND/OR

second entry:

• like {the sparkle} and randa of ‘I See Noise’ on facebook and leave a little “hello” on each page

contest ends:

• monday, february 20th, 2012 at 9am PST
• the winner will be announced here on this page shortly afterwards.

GOOD LUCK, ladies!
*contest open WORLDWIDE!!!

p.s: I See Noise also does custom prints upon request!