#ThriftStyleThursday- I'm a '90s Chick! (I don't care, I love it!)

I've been waiting for the perfect time to throw that song into something, and this week's #ThriftStyleThursday theme was my chance! I inquired with Martyna over at Spoolish about how to join #ThriftStyleThursdays, and now I am a part of it!

When I think of the '90s, I think of my childhood. Being born exactly in 1990, I grew up with some of my favourite TV shows being the Fresh Prince, Saved by the Bell, Boy Meets World (Topanga!!), 7th Heaven and cartoons like Johnny Bravo, Animaniacs, Felix the Cat, Dexter's Lab, and most of my favourite movies involved Disney princesses. The one thing that I remember really clearly about the '90s was SO. MUCH. COLOUR. Neon, crazy patterns, crop tops (which are all over the place now) and denim of every shade.

Being stuck in a fashion slump, I didn't think I'd have much for this week's theme, but then I looked into my closet and pulled out these three items. I remember buying these shorts last summer but never quite having a chance to wear them, and the shirt I got at a Stitches outlet but could never pull together fun, interesting outfits with it.

I love the back of this shirt- unexpected details like that make me happy!

The shoes not pictured in the outfit were actually free, through a university-wide clothing swap on campus this year. I wanted a pair of nice neutral oxfords but didn't want to shell out money at the time, and the next day I went to campus, found out about the clothing swap and ended up getting these! They looked brand new when I got them..I just happen to be really rough on shoes. 

[Shirt,Stitches -$3] [Shorts, H&M- $5] [Shoes, Ardene-free through clothing swap]

(PS: I know that technically I posted this on a Wednesday night, but I didn't want to forget!)

For some more takes on this week's thrifty theme, check out these lovely ladies!


❇ Aligator Toe ❇ Being Zhenya ❇ Bethie the Boo ❇ Buttons and Birdcages  ❇ Confessions of a Refashionista ❇ Eclecticity ❇ Erika’s Style Diary ❇ Lipstick and Yarn ❇ Muddy Flowers ❇ Rachel’s Lookbook ❇ Sandpaper Kisses ❇ Sincerely Miss J ❇ Sistas From Cali ❇Slight Impression ❇Snippets with Alex ❇ Spoolish ❇That Cheap Bitch ❇ The Two Cent Chick ❇

Chocolate-Almond Oatcakes

It's been a week since I've moved back home....and I am already starting to get bored. I don't have a summer job, so a lot of time is spent in and around home.

To combat today's dose of boredom, I decided to bake. I wasn't in the mood for a full-fledged meal, or a complicated dessert, so I went to something that I knew would be delicious no matter what-oatcakes.

Steel-cut oats were a huge breakfast staple this year. I enjoy the chewiness of them, and it was a breeze to make the night before and put into individual jars for the week. On the weekend, I used oats on top of pancakes to add both taste and texture, as well as keeping me fuller for a longer period of time.

Oatcakes were introduced to me on one of my practicum blocks. It was a cooking day with the kindergarteners, and we made healthy oatcakes together.

Now, I'm not a huge health person, so I took a basic oatcake recipe and jazzed it up. By jazzed it up, I mean I accidentally poured too much vanilla extract and cocoa powder into my oatcakes. Best mistake ever.

Chocolate-Almond Oatcakes-makes 12-14
(adapted from Edible Noir)

2 cups rolled oats
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup brown sugar (I used white sugar, and it is a bit sweeter)
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
3/4 cup margarine or butter
1/4 cup water
Optional: chocolate chips, walnuts, almonds, etc.

• Preheat oven to 375 F, and grease a large cookie sheet
• Mix together all dry ingredients
• Once dry ingredients are mixed, incorporate all wet ingredients and mix until a dough is formed
• Using a tablespoon to measure, form dough into small balls. Place onto cookie sheet and flatten tops
• Bake for 10-12 minutes

These babies are delicious with a pat of butter, jam or even some Nutella! 

Thrift Store Haul- Book edition

I went to the thrift store today and did a silly thing (although I like to think that I am planning for the future)

I went to the Salvation Army during their book sale. The way this limited-time sale works is that all books are 77 cents each- or 10 books for $5, 20 books for $10

Being the future planner that I am, everytime I go to a thrift store, I end up buying a least one children's book, if there are any.  I've built up my collection over the past few months!

Here are my latest additions to the growing collection! 

And here is the entire collection, in all its glory! Most of this has been thrifted over the past 6 months, and it's only going to get bigger!

What are some of your favourite children's books?

Influenster #imPressManicure Voxbox

After a year of working hard, I am proud to say that I am all done teacher's college! I am now back home, contemplating my next move, and waiting to start some additional teacher courses.

As you may realize by now, freebies are most definitely my favourite thing-getting packages in the mail just makes a day fantastic! So when I got the email that I qualified for the next Canadian Influenster Voxbox, I was excited. 

I got the package sent to my home address, and received it when I came back this weekend. 

                                  

A plain white box with two colourful shades of nails

This box was the Influenster imPress box. The imPress manicures are a set of stick on nails-no glue needed, and boast a staying power of up to 7 days. I was a bit apprehensive, because I've previously had poor experiences with stick-on nails and short staying powers. 

As seen above, I got two different colours for the nails- bright Barbie pink and beige with a black lace print. They were a bit difficult to apply, because the backing on the adhesive side sometimes wouldn't come off in one piece, but finally I got them on my nails.

I have no photos of me wearing the nails because... they didn't last long on my fingers.  I don't do much heavy duty work, mostly just typing, dishes and whatnot, but I found that the nails would fall off doing these small things. Two tips started fading after two hours!

My verdict: While they would be great for events like parties and going out, for everyday wear I'd stick to a good-quality nail polish and an amazing topcoat.

The Tea Addiction Continues...

If you've read my 'About Me', you'll know that I am hopelessly addicted to David's Tea. I'm just a sucker for the flavours and varieties they offer. 

Today as a treat to myself, I went and splurged on 9 teas. 

Allll the tea!

Granted, my splurges are about 10-20 grams of each flavour, so maybe this is more of a sampler than a splurge. 

Top Row:
Ceylon Star (black tea), Organic Cream of Earl Grey (black tea), Chocolate Macaroon (black tea) and Shooting Starfruit (white tea)

Bottom Row:
The Spice is Right (green tea), Guava Cadabra (herbal tea), Organic Creme Brulee (rooibos tea), Just Peachy (herbal tea) and Organic Splash (green tea)

To me, all of these flavours are perfect for summer. The herbal and green teas are light, fruity and perect for iced teas, while the black and white teas are perfect as an evening sipper, or as iced lattes.

I'll be enjoying them in this beautiful mug that was given to me. 

                                           

Graduation present for finishing teacher's college! 

What are your favourite teas? Have you delved into the world of loose-leaf tea?