In a moment of unbearable boredom (ah, my exciting Friday night) - MY WEDDING DRESS IDEAS

Nobody panic.

I'm only 18 - WELL, OFFICIALLY 18 TOMORROW ON APRIL 20TH, 2013. 

(WOO!!!)

Therefore, I am not getting married for a very long time.

With that said, I AM EXTREMELY bored at the moment as I spend my TOO EXCITING Friday night before my birthday at home, watching wedding shows on TLC.

(Anybody else obsessed with wedding shows, ie: Say Yes to the Dress, I Found the Gown, Four Weddings, etc.?)

Now anyone who knows me really, really well knows my obsession with weddings.

I told The Boyf, who so kindly did NOT freak out, that I am indeed obsessed with weddings and if I were not pursuing a career in nursing, I would probably pursue a career as a wedding planner or wedding dress stylist.

With that being said, after watching about 1 000 000 & 1 wedding shows for awhile now, I've developed a PRETTY good idea about what my future wedding dress will look like.

THE DRESS

I'm not that big on DESIGNERS, I only really know a few; namely, the most well known ones (ie: Wang, Pnina, Lazaro, Paloma, Sottero, A. Angelo).  To me, as long as it fits well and looks really good and I absolutely love it, it'll do just fine.

I do see myself as being the traditional bride.  This means something white/oyster/pearl/ivory, something a-line with a slight poof OR a ballgown.  Strapless. Sweetheart.  Roushing (sp? I never got how to spell that word properly).  Touch of bling.  Classic but with a little.. PIZAZ.  Ya feels me?

Now - the budget.  I really don't believe that you should be spending more than maybe $3500 - $5000 on your wedding dress.  If budget permits by that time, I would probably cap my budget at $5000 max (and if possible, that includes alterations and the veil).

 

Alfred Angelo: http://www.sophiesgownshoppe.com/alfred-angelo/80ww2w65w

What caught my eye with this one is the sparkles on the bottom and the roushing (sp? LOL IDK W/E).  I am a big fan of sparkles but not TOO much of it and I know that the whole bottom is decked out in sparkles but in my opinion, it's so small and gives the right amount of shine; tastefully done.  I also love that the roushing is done right on the waist area, really gives the illusion of an even tinier waist.

Maggie Sottero: http://www.sophiesgownshoppe.com/maggie-sottero/80ww2w25ww3

I absolutely LOVE the top of this dress! The bead work is impeccably done and I love the detail along the waist! Also the chiffon-type bottom makes it extra cute - chiffon means it's lightweight, comfortable and easy to walk down the aisle/dance with! 

Paloma Blanca: http://www.sophiesgownshoppe.com/paloma-blanca/80ww2w69w

I really do love roushing, my future wedding dress most DEFINITELY has to have roushing in it.  It makes you look so much thinner and it just make the dress hug your body in all the right places.  #WerkIt.

*Pnina Tornai: http://www.pninatornai.co.il/eng/video1.aspx?pid=1629

Ughhhh, I LOVE LOVE LOVE this one!!! The detail along the waist, the detail along the neckline, the corset bodice, the layered bottom - LOVVVE! Well obviously, who doesn't love Pnina?  Here's to my dreams of hopefully one day being able to afford one.  Cheers!

Despite any expectations I may have of my future wedding dress, I do know that my expectations will change throughout the years and who knows?  By the time it does come around to my wedding, I may want a fit & flare, mermaid!  

Like I said, as long as it fits well, looks good and I absolutely love it - I'll be a happy cookie bride! 

To any brides or bride-to-be's out there: GOOD LUCK AND HAPPY HUNTING! Have a fabulous dress, a fabulous wedding and a fabulous marriage! 

Cheers.

Sty xo

  

Anxiety Levels At An All-Time HIGH

You know what's very annoying?

Let's start from the beginning.

I'm a senior in high school this year and most of you know that this year is probably one of the most important years of your life.

It determines SO much of your future:

- Where you go after high school

- What you'll do after high school

- What you'll do after any post-secondary education you'll take

.......It basically determines a lot of the most important things in your future.

Now, I applied for the nursing programs (BScN > the degree) at 6 schools:

- McMaster University

- Western University

- University of Ottawa

- Ryerson University

- Laurentian University

- Brock University

.............And I haven't heard DIDDLY from any of them!!! 

Now I know it's still very early and I have a long, long time until the deadline to hear any news from any university but it's SO hard to be optimistic when EVERYONE around you is getting acceptances left and right!!! 

Don't get me wrong, I'm so happy for everyone and they deserve every acceptance they get but I mean c'mon, man......... WHERE'S MINE?!

Just ONE. Just ONE acceptance, PLEASE.

Well.............. I gotta' work my bloody bottom off for those straight 90s this semester so I can be guaranteed acceptances for April or May. 

Good luck to me!!

Good luck to those who are in the same situation as I am and congratulations to those who have acceptances already! So lucky!

GOOD LUCK TO ALL SENIOR STUDENTS, WE CAN DO IT!!! 

WORK HARD, STAY HUMBLE!!!

Cheers.

Sty xo

Ps: Out of the 6 universities I applied to, my top school would be Ryerson. 

Next to that would be U of O and next to that would probably be Western.

REVIEW: Essence Stay With Me Longlasting Lip Gloss

I've only just recently started to really get into make-up.

I'm in the "building" stages of my current make-up collection but I have been watching many Youtube Gurus educated me on what's good, what's not, what's new, etc., etc.

I've found something new myself.

It's a drugstore brand and although I'm not ENTIRELY sure if they're ONLY sold in Canada or not (I've really only seen them in Shoppers Drugmart - a drugstore that's only available in Canada), they're very readily available to us Canadians here anyway and VERY, VERY inexpensive. 

(Most of their products are under $5!!!) 

I've only bought their lip glosses so far and they are probably the best lip glosses I have ever used.

Here are the 3 that I do have:

 Deep Rose (Dark, mauvy-pink)

 My Favorite Milkshake (Peachy, pink-nude)

Me & My Icecream (Baby pink)

 Some swatches:

 The names just make it SO much more adorable, LOVE the names.

 Top swatch: Deep Rose

Middle swatch: My Favorite Milkshake

Bottom swatch: Me & My Icecream

Pros of this product:

• VERY pigmented - true to colour
• The applicator makes it easier to put it on your lips
• Not sticky at all
• Has a nice taste (almost vanilla-y)
• Smooth consistency
• VERY, VERY inexpensive (THEY WERE ONLY $2.99 EACH!!!)
• Very natural on your lips
• Great on any skin tone 

Cons of this product:

• Not very long-lasting at all (you'll have to re-apply throughout the day)
• Not a large colour range (only 4 colours - the only colour I don't have is a dark, red, vampy sort of colour)
• Hard to find (like I said, I've only really seen it in one drugstore here in Canada [Shoppers Drugmart] and I'm not entirely sure if they're available in other countries)

I don't really have an issue with re-applying the lip gloss, it really is no trouble at all and these colours are what is suited best for my skin tone anyway so really, on a personal level, I find this product almost perfect for me.  For someone who is JUST starting on make-up, it's really hard for me to find GOOD quality, affordable make-up (since I'm starting, I really don't want to splurge on anything yet) and these lip-glosses have just done the trick for me.

I wear them almost every day since they're really good every day neutrals.  To anybody that can get their hands on them, I HIGHLY recommend them, they're really great! 

Toodles.

Sty xo

Snow Day! + Beyonce Appreciation Post

Now I live in Canada, Southern Ontario (the Greater Toronto Area region) and right now, we are said to be experiencing the heaviest snow storm we have ever experienced in years.

25cm-50cm of snow!

Hence, NO SCHOOL! WOOHOO!

What a good day for a snow day considering how badly neglected my Math homework and Kinesiology homework was last night. 

Yay for 3-day weekends.

Anyway, on this day of being snowed in, I've done pretty much nothing else but watch fashion videos and watched countless videos of this fierce goddess right here:

Photo link: http://www.gq.com/women/photos/201301/beyonce-cover-story-photos-gq-february-2013#slide=1

I have been a HUGE Bey fan from Destiny's Child, I'm A Survivor days to just a few days ago when she ROCKED the Superbowl 2013 half-time show.  There are just 1 too many reasons on why I really love this woman.

I'm not really a die-hard/hardcore B fan but I am a BIG, BIG fan and I'm super bummed out that I can't see her perform here at the ACC this summer. *Tear.

To be quite frank, nothing says, "FEMALE EMPOWERMENT" like Beyonce.  She has truly taught women of all ages all around the world to embrace womanhood and be confident in our own skin; I see her as the spokesperson for all of us "fierce women" out there (WHICH WE ALL ARE).

She's just amazing.  She's an amazing performer, a loving wife, a beautiful mother and just an all-around GREAT person, you know? 

Now I recently watched an old Ellen DeGeneres interview with Beyonce and they talked about her I Am Sasha Fierce album and about her "other persona." 

Beyonce said that yes, while she enjoys her upbest/up-tempo, "va-va-voom" music (ie; Diva, Single Ladies, Ego, Who Run The World, etc.), she really just enjoys singing her more vulnerable, emotional, honest ballads even more (ie; 1+1, Halo, If I Were A Boy, Smash Into You, etc.).

She said that these types of songs were a more HONEST interpretation of who she really is as BEYONCE and it's more true to her character which I personally think is just BEAUUUUUUTIFUL.

You go, Bey!

Despite her amounting success, she continues to remain so humble and so down-to-earth.  She's just so REAL and so..... HUMAN (which is very hard to say in many celebrities in Hollywood).  

I think it all comes down to her genuinely GOOD music, her humbling/down-to-earth personality and her ability to stay FIERCE without being "in your face" about it is why I truly love this woman.

Beyonce gets 11/10 stars in my book. 

Anyway.............. it's still snowing QUITE heavily outside and my dad & grandpa are trying to shovel their way out of the snow but really, I don't see any point in shovelling right now when the snow is just coming down harder than ever.

Oh, Canada. Our home and native land.

I'm probably going to spend my day off doing homework, working out, eating, cooking, watching fashion videos, reading fashion blogs, watching movies, talking to my guy, what have you.

Have a good one.

Sty xo

OOTD: Happy 18th birthday to my love.

(I do apologize for the iPhone quality, it's late, I'm bored and I have yet to take "proper" OOTD pictures)

So as my first "OOTD" on this blog, I thought I would choose one that was recent and a little bit on the dressier side (dressy for me, anyway).

I chose something recent - my boyfriend's 18th birthday. 

We did nothing too extravagant but still, perfect, nonetheless.

Dinner and bowling. What a night.

What I wore:

Black Velvet Maxi Skirt  - Goodwill, $3

Sheer Black Animal Print Collared Shirt - Winners, $8 (or around that price range, I really don't remember to be honest, it was a while ago)

Knee-High Black Boots (Not pictured) - Forever XXI (Online), $24 (again, around that price range, don't remember exactly, it was a while ago)

Anyway, I'll try to post more OOTDs on this blog more often (AND with proper pictures once I find good lighting, space and get a better hold on my T3i) when I can.

Cheers.

Sty xo

DEANDRI'S INSTAGRAM GIVEAWAY (My first time EVER winning any contest EVER!!!)

ACKKK!!!

I'm in a current state of shock, happiness, bliss and absolutely everything good in life.. and I have been for the past 24 hours!!!

Why is that, you may ask?

Well..

As a proper shoe fanatic and fashion enthusiast, I am well obsessed with everything from Jeffrey Campbell to studded denim to Doc Martens to collar details.. THE LIST IS ENDLESS! 

My current fashion obsession for about a month? 

ONE WORD: DEANDRIS.

For those of you who don't know, Deandri is an amazing clothing which a girl called Deanna Richmond has started (22 y/o & from LA).  Deandri sells everything from clothing to jewellery and (probably the most exciting part for me) HANDMADE SHOES!

Yes, HANDMADE shoes, my darlings!!!

Now Deandri (www.deandri.com) also has an Instagram (@deandri) and on their IG, they hosted a giveaway where 2 winners win... (dun dun dun) A FREE PAIR OF FREAKING SHOES!!!

And among the two - ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

I WON I WON I WON!!!

Now you can imagine my sheer and absolute delight - as a person who has never (EVER EVER) won ANYTHING in ANY contest her entire life & who's brain functions as 50% fashion, 50% everything else - when I found out I won!

I have literally been busting my BUTT posting submission after submission after submission (after submission.. after sub-- you get it) on MY Instagram (@ohmystysty) trying, hoping, praying that I win and to my fortune, I did. 

So this post serves to do a few things:

- Gush and gush and gush about my first time winning any contest ever

- Expressing my everlasting gratitude to Deandri for allowing me a free pair of BEAUTIFUL (AND OH MAN, DO I MEAN BEAUTIFUL) pair of shoes which I have been proper obsessed with what seems like forEVER

- Promote such an amazing, one-of-a-kind, handmade, BEAUTIFUL brand and try to convince you lot to pick up a pair yourself

I hope you were okay with me expressing the magnitude of my happiness at the moment. 

When I receive the shoes that I chose, I will make a proper post about it, pictures and all! Who knows? I might even make a SHOE UNBOXING VIDEO? ;) 

Ciao!

Sty xo

Disclaimer: Deandri did not ask me to promote them in any way possible, I am not getting paid by them.  I am merely promoting them solely on my own, they have not asked me to do so.  Other than the free pair of shoes I won on their Instagram Giveaway Contest, I am not receiving anything from them whatsoever by promoting them in this post.

Welcome to Blog World, Sty!

Well aloha, Blog World!

This is my first post out here and I'm not quite sure what to do with my first post but I guess a little introduction would be nice! Haha. 

Well, I'm Stiffra Armamento but I really go by Sty (I prefer it to be that way anyway, haha).  

Why did I start a blog?

To share my love for FASHION with the world and be part of a community who shares the same passion as me!

So yes, my blog will be mainly fashion-related but as my header would suggest, I will also be posting miscellaneous posts once in awhile, probably about food or.. whatever! Hehe.

I'm still working on getting my blog up and running but here's my 'hello' to you all lovely people out here! 

Stick around and I won't disappoint,

Sty xoxo

PS:

I do have a Twitter and an Instagram and you can follow me both at:

@OHMYSTYSTY

While my Tweets are mostly about what crosses through my mind every hour (sometimes every few minutes, I won't lie, hehe), a lot of my fashion-related pictures are on my Instagram!