Music Monday - Chasin' Lonely Again

There are so many reasons I had to share this tune. Firstly, it's by a super talented Island singer, Meaghan Blanchard. Secondly, it was filmed by a fellow I went to high school with - Neal Gillis,  who works for UPEI and has recently started Campus Sessions. It's a seriously good video series featuring local musicians and bands performing in various locations around the UPEI campus (They are all well worth watching, by the way). But best of all? This tune was filmed in the Robertson Library. The Library! I love it, of course.

Friday Favourites v. 4

This beautiful forest inspired post from the Hummingbird Girls

A picture that speaks the truth, especially as far as new shoes are concerned.

Every, and I mean every garment from Australian label Gorman

This fantastic tribute to Judy Blume (one of my all-time favourite authors) via HelloGiggles.

The two Sh*t Girls Say tributes that actually made me laugh (otherwise I'm getting pretty sick of all the parodies, not gonna lie): here and here.

An idea for the cutest mini meringue pies that I cannot wait to try via Girlcrush

This beautiful mix of songs I discovered via 8tracks.com, and have been listening to almost every day.

An excellent post by Justyna regarding the Bloglovin' awards which I think is totally worth a read.

The delicious smell of these "bubbleroons" from Lush, which I tried this weekend and LOVED.

A beautiful blog that I've recently discovered and am now avidly following.

Hilariously terrible album covers. Oh my gosh, did I laugh.

The fact that my favourite folk duo The Civil Wars are coming out with a book. A book! This librarian is happy.

Cardi-Clip

I think the longer I'm a Librarian the more I gravitate towards what fall into traditionally library-esque styles.  The latest example on my wishlist? The cardigan clip. I've been adding pretty and unique vintage ones to my ever-growing Etsy wishlist for ages, not to mention this lovely version from Ruche.  Famously sported by the always lovely fellow ginger Emma Pillsbury, they are right up there with vintage style cat-eye glasses on my list of librarian must-haves.

Ulyana

This lookbook featuring the debut collection from Ulyana Sergeenko for F/W 2011 has been sitting in my inspiration folder ever since I spotted it featured via Miss Moss. From there I checked out the full collection thanks to Vogue.ru and was instantly enamoured with the beautifully elegant  garments and impeccable styling. In spite of the fact that it's been posted around a few blogs here and there, I wanted to share it here because it's just too good not to.

If Fall and Winter looked this good, I'm excited to see what Ms. Sergeenko will offer come spring.

Congratulations to Jenny of Modern Modest Beauty and Melissa of Sigh Gush Gasp on winning the Shabby Apple giveaways!

Photos via Vogue.ru

To the Island

"To the Island" - Alex Colville

The breaking news in my world today is that I will be heading home to my beloved Island in the next few weeks to embark on a new job and have many new adventures. I will be sad to leave Ottawa behind, I have so many wonderful friendships here (hopefully those lovely people - you know who you are - will come visit. Hint hint!), but I am excited to spend time with friends and family at home too.

Here's to coming home, and to new beginnings!

Hungry Girls

 Most people who know me well know that there is not much I love more than thumbing through the pages of heaps and piles of cookbooks to discover tasty new recipes. I came across a series of hand sewn, beautiful illustrated and photographed series of cookbooks self-published by a group of girl friends in Australia and was instantly smitten with "The Hungry Girls"

Not only do I like pretty cookbooks, but I also really love the idea of three friends with a shared passion for food, photography and illustration coming together to produce such beautiful little tomes. It also doesn't hurt that the recipes inside are delicious sounding things like Yoghurt and White Chocolate Panna Cotta, Winter Veggie Pasties or Rainbow Chard and Ricotta Filo Pie.

I definitely plan on gradually adding all three volumes of the Hungry Girls cookbook series to my cookery library, but until then, I'm satisfied to take a sneak peek at more recipes on their blog.

Fat Cat

Librarians everywhere, rejoice! When these adorably comfy looking slipper-style shoes from Tibi popped into my inbox this morning I knew I had to share. Velvet? Check. Cats? Check. Comfort? Check.  I think I need to start saving some pennies up for this integral part of my new librarian-uniform. Next on the list - the perfect tweed blazer with velvet elbow patches.

Music Monday: Safe & Sound

I know what you're thinking - two posts in one day? Seems like a lot for me, I know. But when my lovely friend Catie shared the news that Taylor Swift had done a surprise performance with my very favourite musical ensemble, The Civil Wars.

Add into the mix that it is a song from the soundtrack of The Hunger Games, and I love it even more. I read all of the books as soon as I could get my hands on them and am beyond ridiculously excited for the movie which comes out SOON! Plus, it is actually a really lovely, very pretty song - so have a listen!

Shabby Apple Giveaway - Through the Looking Glass (Closed)

I don't know if you all are familiar with Shabby Apple, but it is a lovely online boutique filled with pretty vintage-style clothing and jewelry. I am so excited to partner with them to offer my American reader friends a chance to win the beautiful bauble that you see here (above left) - the Through the Looking Glass necklace. I chose it because I loved that it's a locket that will give a pretty fish-eye like effect to any photo you place inside. Pretty neat right?

Not from the US? Not to worry - I'm not ignoring you. I'll be picking two winners this time - and I'll be sending the second winner a $30 Gift Certificate to the Shabby Apple shop, just because that's how much I like you guys. Want to know what I'd use mine for? The pretty Fiamma earrings above - but that's just me.

Here's how to enter:
1. Hop on over to the Shabby Apple FB page and show them a little love by liking their page.
2. Check out the Shabby Apple shop and tell me your favourite item.
3. Most important - Give me a "USA" in your comment if you call America home, and I'll enter you in the necklace giveaway. Otherwise? I'll stick your name in the hat for the $30 GC.

Looking for more ways to enter? If an extra chance or two is your kind of thing, you can try the following -
Follow Lot 65 via Bloglovin' or GFC
Follow Shabby Apple's tweets

Make sure to let me know you've done so in the comments!

Pretty simple right?  You can enter until Sunday, January 22nd at 5:00 pm EST when I will pick the winners, who I'll announce on the following Monday.

The Joy of Books

My good friend and fellow librarian Lindsey shared this adorable stop-motion animated video with me and it is too good not to share with all of you. Isn't fun to imagine books overflowing with amazing stories and characters coming to life in a magical bookshop?

Happy weekend everyone!

Lemon Fresh

Anyone who knows me (or my shopping habits) well knows that a large percentage of my wardrobe comes from Canadian fast-fashion label Joe Fresh, and so when the folks at Flare posted a sneak peek at the soon-to-be-rolled-out Spring Collection, I had to share.

Once Christmas and New Year's have come and gone I start feeling ready for spring to hurry up and arrive, already. These bright happy pieces from the gang at Joe Fresh have definitely brightened up an otherwise dreary winter day.

I don't know if I'll dress in head to toe citrus-y lemon yellow (although I will note that lemon was far from the only colour on the Joe S/S '12 runway) come spring, but there are definitely a few pieces from this glimpse of the spring line on my radar. Namely the classic blouses with snazzy colourful collars, maxi skirts, and hopefully the adorable striped dress above.

If this preview is any indication, I'd say spring at Joe Fresh will be looking pretty darn good.

Update, Update! Peep even more goodness here and here- some fabulous pieces that I loved on the Spring runway including the Finnish-flag tunic and these amazing platforms



Photos via @FlareFashion

Wu-hoo

Although Target is finally coming to Canada (and to Ontario first, no less!), this Jason Wu x Target collaboration will not be.  I guess I will have to rely on shopping vicariously through American friends (hint hint?) because although I do like pretty much everything, there are a couple of items that I would really REALLY like to have.

That's right, you guessed it - the cat bag and cat scarf. I may not actually OWN a real cat (trying to avoid the single librarian cat-lady stereotype) but I do enjoy cat-emblazoned items and have started a bit of a collection (including this fantastic scarf). So obviously the above tote bag and scarf HAD to be on my must-have list from the Jason Wu x Target collab. I do like the rest of the pieces but they don't seem to me to be as covetable as the Rodarte line was, for example. I think it'd be pretty easy to find comparable looks and items elsewhere, but those cat accessories shall be mine.

Any US ladies want to help a Canadian blogger out? Seriously? Let me know. I would love you forever.



Photos via Flare.com

Music Monday: Trickle Down Rain

I've been meaning to share some songs by Catherine MacLellan for a while now. She's a singer-songwriter from PEI, although she is now based out of Halifax. I already love the songs in these videos, entitled "Trickle Down Rain" and "Now and Then", but I love the fact that they were filmed by a talented Island filmmaker and filmed in one of my favourite Charlottetown haunts (Green Man Vintage and Vinyl) even more.





If you enjoy these tunes, you should head over to visit a great PEI blog - This Town is Small, which features more great Island musicians who, like Catherine, also took part in the Small Town Sessions.

P.S. Check out this kind mention of Lot 65 on Sweetspot.ca - So excited about this!

Friday Favourites v. 3

It's been a while since I last posted a round-up of favourite discoveries from around the web, so I thought I'd share a few of my latest clicks with you all:

A captivating video by WishWishWish x Nadinoo.

These incredible book sculptures.

This flickr photostream by Alisa Demidova.

This spot-on video, "Just Keep It". Hilarious, and I totally relate! Especially to the dog-eared pages bit.

Seeing a beautifully decorated Ontario home represent on Design Sponge (Not mine though - I wish!).

These absolutely adorable gift bags.

A TARDIS purse? Sad that I didn't snap this up when I had the chance.

Allison's list of 100 great lessons and bits of advice.

An amazingly colourful and interactive art installation.

This beautiful poppy-print dress.

A delicately pretty sleep-set.

Although sadly already sold out, this peplum top via Ruche (If anyone's seen it available elsewhere, do let me know!)

A recipe I would love to try.

Hope you enjoy! And have a wonderful weekend1

From Russia, With Love

This stunning editorial from Vogue Russia featuring Canadian model Meghan Collison is blowing my mind. Styled by the genius stylist (and editor) Katie Shillingford and shot by Ben Toms, it essentially exudes exactly the feeling that I love right now - sparkling mod glamour? A total win in my books.

Aside from the gorgeous clothes from the likes of Prada, Miu Miu and Agent Provocateur, I couldn't help but gush over the glasses (of all things)! I have been wanting to add cat-eye frames to my  everyday-glasses-look and I have to say, I'm pretty much coveting every pair from this shoot, no question. And accompanied by fabulously glamourous retro hairstyles? You can't go wrong.

For the rest of the shots (and even more material for your inspiration folder), you can check them out here via Fashion Gone Rogue.