Capital Catwalk: Her Campus uOttawa

Events

Finally, I am proud to call myself a uOttawa alumni! hahaha

Capital Catwalk featuring Chantal Sarkisian Mode XLusive Ottawa Fashion Blog and Ottawa Lifestyle blogger

Please join me and Her Campus uOttawa for an elegant evening of fashion and entertainment in honour of The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. Her Campus uOttawa is hosting their 4th annual charity fashion show, Capital Catwalk, at the EY Centre on January 30th. In keeping with their tradition, there will be a silent auction, marketplace, entertainment and of course, fashion!

I am honoured to be MC’ing the event alongside Rayhan Pitigala, uOttawa student and health writer for Her Campus uOttawa.

Some of my favourite local designers will be part of the Fashion Show and I can’t wait to present them!

Buy your tickets now, because this event will sell out quick! There are still opportunities for sponsors and vendors in the marketplace, just send your inquiries to Monica. Rates are super affordable and 100% of the proceeds go towards the ORCF.

I’m a little anxious for my debut, I have to admit. I feel quite old amongst the student crowd! Please come out and support the event, if not to encourage me! Hope to see you there.

!!!GIVEAWAY TIME- I have 2 tickets to the event with your name on it!!!
Leave a comment below with an outfit idea for me. I will select a random name on Monday January 25 2016.

Her Campus uOttawa is an online chapter magazine at the university of Ottawa. The magazine is written and run entirely by students. In the past, HCuOttawa has raised money for The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation, The Canadian Lupus Society, and The Ottawa Regional Cancer Foundation. In addition to hosting an annual charity fashion show, the magazine also hosted their first ever student leadership conference last year, and will continue to host the conference each year because of its success. Due to HCuOttawa’s viral and unique articles and large-scale and extravagent events, they have been crowned a Pink Level Chapter by Her Campus National and continue to uphold the title for a second year in a row.

 

 

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Transformation: Why vacationing scares me

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Well here we are, it’s January 2016, exactly one year since I started my transformation journey. I just came back from a one week all-inclusive vacation in Cancun, and my worst nightmare has finally set in. I have no joke, gained 12 pounds. It all spiralled downhill since the Christmas celebrations in December. How could I have let this happen?

I promised I would be good. No desserts, no fried or breaded foods, light on the drinks. I got this. Nope. I was on a rampage, and could not help myself. I overindulged, over ate and over celebrated every, single, day. Now I am embarrassed, ashamed and I feel defeated. I need to find that motivation again. And fast!

“Tomorrow – I’m gonna have salad”, that’s been my mantra over the last year when I had a bad food day. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not obsessed with food, it’s just that I’ve worked so hard to get where I am and all it took was a lousy glutinous week down south to ruin me! The worst part is the food wasn’t even that great. I mean, not really calorie worthy, ja feel?

I tried to be somewhat active. Went for walks, played beach volleyball, participated in the group Zumba class, floated in the water… but it was not nearly enough movement.

I just feel so bloated, and swollen. I feel like the combination of flying and sun does that to you. Maybe it’s from the plane ride? I am so scared to get weighed it at Weight Watchers… I feel like I need a good week to cleans the bad habits out of my system. You know, like “I’ll have the water and salad, hold the dressing” kinda meals for 7 days, while I quiver and sweat out the excess lard through my pores #Rehabstyle.

I know I can do this! I just need some motivation from you, my readers. I also have a new pair jeans I bought last month, I should use them as a motivational tool. They were the smallest size I’ve ever owned… I hope I can squeeze back into them soon. I won’t even try until I lose a few pounds. It would just be too cruel to do it now.

Other than that, my trip was excellent. Lots of relaxing, unplugging and creating of memories with my family.

Anyway, thanks for listening. Just needed to vent. ?

Strategically placed behind my husband and sucking in the tummy- the only way to take a photo in my bathing suit! Also, in this pic I’m wearing an Addition Elle bra as a bikini top (it’s on sale now!)! It’s so supportive, fun and comfortable.

PS- Please do not take this post as an opportunity to sell me any weight loss regimes, products or services. I am so tired of being bombarded with sales pitches, because I choose to talk about my weight. I got this. Thanks!

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In hindsight: Reviewing 2015 Goals

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Some of you may not know this about me, but I have been blogging for over five years. I started creative writing on my blog to get better at it and to use it as my public journal. An escpae for creative ideas and a place for me to look back on. Every year, since I started blogging, I evaluate the goals I have set for myself. This is the first time, that I am carrying over the “In hindsight” series, as they usually live on my “Me So Pritti” blog.

Here are the goals I set for myself in 2015 (from In Hindsight 4):

  1. Finish kitchen renos on time and on budget– YES! My sexy kitchen is done and we don’t have (that much) residual debt from it. Our current debt is from other bad habits (#shopaholic #2016resolution).
  2. Lose 25 lbs (joined Weight Watchers  a few weeks ago and getting a personal trainer in January)– YES! I have lost (on a good day) 20 lbs since I started my new weightless journey. I do really need to get back into high gear though.
  3. Do more activities as a family (zoo, camping, vacations, road trips)- YES! We went to Papanack Zoo this year, we went camping in Ithaca this summer and visited friends in Thunder Bay and we are leaving for Cancun on Saturday!
  4. Get guitar lessons- Unfortunately not achieved.
  5. Perform an open Mic- Unfortunately not achieved.
  6. Buy my husband a truck of his dreams (SAVE!)- Soooooo, I bought a new car instead and he has my old SUV which is his new truck?
  7. Get myself a new car (SAVE MORE!)- yes! See #6. Look at me killing 2 birds with one stone.
  8. Travel to Italy or Armenia (SAVE EVEN MORE!)- I wish. All hope is not lost.
  9. Kick butt at Go-to Girl- Can’t wait to share what I have been working on for the new year!!!
  10. Nurture my plus-size fashion blog Mode XLusive– I am going to go ahead and say HELLZ YESSS!!
  11. 5 year plan… buy a second house, have another baby… a girl this time 😉 Sadly, nothing to report on this front.

I love this. I love seeing where my head was at. I can remember vividly what I was going through last December. I was stressed out, just like I am now, but the priorities were different. The focus has shifted. I really recommend this exercise to everyone!

Ok, now for 2016:

  1. BUDGET-Get a grip on spending, pay off small credit card debt and start mega-saving.
  2. HEALTH- Maintain weight loss and lose more if possible (no pressure). Maintain workout schedule and running. All this while protecting my lower back and shoulder.
  3. FAMILY- More of it; time and members. Register Victor for swimming and gymnastics.
  4. WORK & LIFE BALANCE- Finds ways and time to tune out and to kick butt all at the same time.
  5. ART- Start painting and drawing again.
  6. MUSIC- Get guitar lessons and perform an open mike song.
  7. VACATION- insert Italy/Armenia trip here. Also See #1.
  8. WRITING- Start my first kids book, have an article published on Huffington Post and take on more paid work.
  9. DECLUTTER- my life, my house, my friends, my stuff, my clothes.
  10. MODE XLUSIVE- keep blogging, grow my Instagram account and do more TV gigs.
  11. FIVE YEAR PLAN- Buy a second house as a rental unit.

Ok, I think that about sums it all up! Whoa, I have a LOT of work to do, and I better get started! What about you? Do you set yourself goals? Do you review your past year? What stood out for you the most? Have I possibly inspired you to do the same?

Thanks again for tuning in and have a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

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Confessions of an Ottawa blogger

Fashion Talk

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I don’t know about you, but I love a good secret. So today, I am sharing a fun post, featuring my fellow Ottawa bloggers! I asked them to share a little secret and make a confession! Let’s see what they had to say…

“Every time I travel, I treat myself to a designer splurge purchase that I usually budget for. I bought a limited edition Hermès scarf at Harrod’s after having too much champagne at lunch that was a total impulse buy. I’m too ashamed to say how much it cost. I was overcome with guilt, especially after my husband gave me the stink eye for the rest of the afternoon that I returned it about an hour later. The salesperson who helped me looked at me like I was a piece of garbage. LOL! Lesson learned: do not shop while under the influence.” Dominique www.styledomination.com

“I always say I’m going to make my pay checks last and that I won’t spend any extra money on clothing or accessories unless I need it! Or that I’ll re-wear what I already have. But every time I get paid I seem to forget my promise to myself and I wind up buying pieces that leave me eating Cheerios for almost every meal! Oops ?” – Alexa www.thepolishedpretties.com

“I don’t tell my fiancé what I spend on clothing, makeup, etc. And when he does ask I either tell him “it was on sale” or “it was only $20!” Boys just don’t understand these things! Lol” – Jenn www.loafersandpolish.com

“I buy a white t shirt almost every time I shop.” -Jane www.dalybeauty.ca

“I plan my vacation outfits in advance but am often up super late packing at the last minute. One time, I pulled an all nighter before my morning flight just picking out damn clothes!” -Amanda www.acoest1984.com

“Everytime I go out shopping I need to remind myself over and over again “no, I don’t need another LBD or other black clothing item” otherwise I’m sure my entire wardrobe would be black clothes with colorful accessories and shoes.” – Stephanie www.stephaniewhite.style

“I love fashion but I’m addicted to yoga pants. I probably have 30 pairs, maybe more. I’ve got long ones, short ones, 80s stirrups, black, turquoise, mesh, neon pink, graffiti, the Williamsburg Bridge, mountains… I even have a pair with the solar system. I love to wear them to work out or to think about working out (#NetflixAndChill).” -Amy www.amyin613.com

“I have one too many items in my closet with tags still on them that I’ve never worn. Some have been in there so long, I can’t even picture myself ever wearing them now. I should probably be trying to sell them :S” -Coralie www.coraliescloset.com

“I am addicted to sunglasses. Every time I go shopping I am looking at the sunglass section and usually walking out with a pair…or three! I have a drawer dedicated to all my sunglasses…..I think I need an intervention!” -Kay www.countrymeetcity.wordpress.com

Ok, so I guess now you are waiting for mine… I have a few!

I am a true shopaholic. I have taken over 2.5 closets in my house and have 2 chest of drawers literally bursting at the seams. I am never satisfied with the amount of clothes, bags and shoes I own and I simply want more of everything! I am an emotional shopper. Lately, I have been on a rampage, and it needs to stop. I will definitely consider this for my 2016 New Years Resolution (coming soon!). But most of all, I am tired. I am tired of looking for room to stash all my stuff!

Also, this quote is 100% accurate depiction of my life.

MY GREATEST FEAR IS THAT WHEN I DIE MY HUSBAND WILL SELL MY STUFF FOR WHAT I TOLD HIM THEY COST

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