welcome.2013.

Posted: January 11, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: DIY, Fashion.Fridays., Food., MANICure.Mondays., Music., People., Places., Shopping, Things., Wednesday.WishList | Tags: , , , , , | 1 Comment »

                                                                          Welcome

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If you don’t already know, this month marks my blog’s 1st anniversary! ;) YAY! Today, I’d like to share how it all began.

It was a year ago when I decided to start a blog in the hopes of encouraging creativity in my life.

Before getting married, I’ve always either worked full-time, or was in school full-time, or both. The first few months of being a housewife were great! I got to learn how to cook, bake, and manage the home altogether. However, I’m a quick study, the downside being, I get bored easily.

It eventually came to a point when I started feeling bothered when people asked what I did at home. (Like it’s a crime for a woman not to have a job and stay at home now?) They all most likely meant well, but all the questioning just made me feel so little, and it started making me question my sense of purpose.

This miserable introspection was the beginning of a beautiful journey. The life that would have just passed me by, has now been carefully chronicled on this blog. This entire year of blogging, helped me realize that what I did at home indeed had purpose and it brought me joy.

It is my hope to share this sense of purpose and joy to everyone!

Here are my 2012 favorites:

2012 Year-At-A-Glance

2012 Year-At-A-Glance

We brew joy here @joybrewed ;)

fashion.friday.

Posted: August 24, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Fashion.Fridays., Shopping, Things. | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

TGI Friday! ;-)

Now let’s talk fashion ladies!

1. Miz Mooz, Tamara Wedge Sandals- $41.00, originally $119.95 (Hautelook or Shoe Suite)

- peep toe, covered wedge

- zip back closure for ease

- 3.5″ heel

How do you like this beautiful blue wedge sandal so versatile you can pair it with probably anything? I love it so much!

2. Silver Jeans, Aiko Skinny Jeans- $27, originally $80 (Hautelook)

- skinny leg

- zip fly button closure

- slight front distressed look

This outfit is so casual-chic with this Silver pair of skinny jeans and flowy top. The jeans are dark but have a subtle distressed detail that make for a great pair for this coming Fall.

You could totally rock those Tamara Wedge Sandals with this outfit right? ;-)

3. Earnest Sewn, High-Rise Skinny Twill Jeans- $72, originally $194 (Hautelook)

- skinny leg

- zip fly button closure

- purple/burgundy twill material

This is a more dressy look with the structured jacket and the twill pair of jeans, but if you want to make it casual and bright, wear some color on your feet!

Those Tamara Wedge Sandals would also look great with this outfit! ;-) .

4. Calvin Klein, Madison Pants- $35, originally $80 (Hautelook) 

- straight leg

- zip fly closure

- 2 front slant pockets, 2 back mock pockets

This outfit totally sends out Fall vibes. I think these boring camel sandals aren’t the best for this though.

Now the Tamara Wedge Sandals we’ve been talking about from the beginning of this post would go so well with this number, picking up on the blue/green hues on that colourful top.

Have a great weekend everyone! ;-)  See you in September for our next Fashion Friday! ;-)

fashion.friday.july2012.edition.

Posted: July 20, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Fashion.Fridays., Things. | Tags: , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Today is my random Friday pick of the month! ;-)

So let’s talk about these gorgeous pieces I’ve picked out of the Hautelook sales events.

I want to start with this rich, black, structured bag that made my heart jump a bit.

1. Clo tote- by R & Em; list price $105, sale price $52 on Hautelook

- Dual top handles
- Detachable shoulder strap
- Magnetic snap closure
- Center zip detail
- Interior zippered wall pocket and two media pocket

I wish they made these beautiful heart-stopping shoes with kitten heels. I cannot walk in 5″ stiletto heels if my life depended on it! :-/

2. Saniano Pumps- by Enzo Angiolini; list price $110, sale price $38 on Hautelook

- Peep toe
- Pleated bow detail at vamp
- Satin upper
- Glitter heel and platform
- Approx. 5″ heel, 1″ platform

Since I might just keel over and die from the pumps I just showed, let’s move on to these sparkly and dainty flat sandals! ;-) Now this is more like it! ;-)

3. Persuit sandals- by Enzo Angiolini; list price $80, sale price $49 on Hautelook

- Open toe
- Strappy vamp with sparkly black rhinestones
- Ankle strap with zip back closure
- Approx. 0.25″ heel

Just because today is a rainy summer Friday, I chose to go with a neutral dress and accessories. I’m not in the mood for bright today.

I’m loving this figure-hugging taupe dress and the black belt with a bit of a punch on the buckle.

3. Valentino Jeweled Buckle Belt- by Valentino; list price $545, sale price $200 on Hautelook

Now I know I mentioned the belt, I’m not sure where you can buy this dress, but I’m sure you can find something similar in your own closet or in the mall. ;-) You can’t go wrong with a simple, taupe dress.

I hope this brightened up your otherwise rainy and gloomy Friday! I know it did mine! ;-)

Have a great weekend everyone!

fashion.friday.june2012.edition.

Posted: June 8, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Fashion.Fridays., Things. | Tags: , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Let me re-launch my monthly, recurring, Fashion Fridays since I’ve been so neglectful of my blog lately. I’ve recently perused the Forever21 website and here are some of my “SALE” picks! ;-)

1. Abstract Print Chiffon Dress w/ Belt- 7.99$, original 23.80$, Forever21

2. Coiled Thong Sandals- 8.50$,  Forever21

3. Rose Party Woven Dress- 19.99$, original 23.80$, Forever21

4. Lace-Up Tennis Shoes- 6.99$, original 14.50$, Forever21

5. Knit Flats- 15.99$, original 22.80$, Forever21

Now, who doesn’t want a good sale AND be fashionable at the same time?! ;-)

Have a great weekend!

fashion.friday.

Posted: April 27, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Fashion.Fridays., Things. | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

I’m launching another regular post on my blog, in addition to MANICure Monday. I decided to call it Fashion Friday. It will also be a once a month occurrence and it will range from clothes, shoes, bags/purses, and finally, accessories that I wore/have.

Most people forget about accessories when they think about fashion. You have to remember that, as small as they are, they give your outfit the final finishing touch. They can make the same drab clothes you wear look either casual, or dressy, depending on the type of accessory you choose.

On that note, I’d like to share with you a friend’s craftsmanship and creativity. Kat had an online jewelry store on Etsy before, but has decided to move to another webstore. Today, I am proud to feature Virukka’s jewelry that I own and wear a lot.

I am showing 2 photos of the same items under different lighting. Aren’t they gorgeous? All hand-made by Kat! ;-) (Buy them here and here)


These are my absolute favorites, especially the green ones! ;-) (Buy them here)


This necklace with a red pendant (right, top and bottom) and a 32cm long chain, is one of my faves too! (Buy it here)

I know some of the items I have aren’t on her website anymore, or they come in a different color. (What can I say? the perks of being Kat’s friend? ;-) ) That being said, she is very nice and could accommodate custom-made orders if you prefer certain colors that aren’t on her webstore.

*** Ok so this is a little late addition to my post, but my lovely friend Kat has just found out that I featured her and her store on my blog, so she just told me that she will give a 15% discount to all my readers until Mother’s Day! ;-) Just use code: joybrewed

Hope you liked my first Fashion Friday post! ;-)

my.flare.faves.

Posted: April 13, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Fashion.Fridays., Things. | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment »

Last year, Aji won me a magazine subscription to this, through Fido (our mobile carrier). I just got my 4th one the other day; They started coming in last February and I’m to get 6 issues for free. I’ve decided to put together a compilation of my favorites, from the magazines I get. This one’s for the month of May.

My FLARE FAVES: May 2012 Issue

These are some of the featured shoes and accessories I would love to get. Top left, wedge sandals have sparkly rhinestones. Top right, open-toed heeled shoes have lace. Bottom left, pointy-toed heeled shoes have a floral print all the way to the heel. Who wouldn’t love this bracelet, bottom right? The heart shaped charm has the word “Mother” written on it. What a sweet Mother’s day gift!


Sometimes, you just need that ‘special occasion’ dress. Here are some that I really liked from Flare, May issue. (Ok so the bottom left one isn’t so special but it’s such a nice ensemble I decided to add it to this one) ;-)

Stylin’ it:

I am loving the Chanel lipstick (top left) and the green spectacles (top right). Bottom left, shows Parisian fashion being effortless. Bottom right photo shows how beautiful, properly applied liquid eyeliner should look. ;-)

A-List Locks:

These are a few haircuts/styles you can try. My personal favorite is the mid-length, straight-cut with bangs sported by Rose Byrne.

Which shoes, dresses, accessories, hairstyles do you like best? Let me know your thoughts! ;-)

Have a spectacular weekend!

rebel.boots.for.spring.

Posted: April 13, 2012 | Author: | Filed under: Fashion.Fridays., Things. | Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

I never used to be a fan of online shopping. I have been a subscriber of this website for some time now though (unfortunately, you must register to browse the awesomeness of their products!). Fortunately for you, I took snapshots of the site while I was logged-in.

Here are some of the goodies in the online shop:

Here’s some more:

Aren’t the items all gorgeous? It’s like a Social Shopper or a Groupon type thing, only better! ;-)

Anyways, I digress.

As I was saying, I like going into stores and trying on clothes, more than flipping through online web stores. I like feeling the material and personally seeing to it that the clothes or shoes fit well and don’t just look nice on photos. Well, I think it’s safe to say, I’m slowly turning a new leaf. (Guess who’s turned me?) If you haven’t guessed it yet, Belle was the one who referred me to Hautelook. Her love for make-up = my love for shoes and purses. You will find that this online shopping site carries a wide variety of things from make-up to shoes, to purses, to home decor, etc. It also carries a lot of name brands you’re familiar with. You will find some brands you’ve never heard before though, but will realize that they are really affordable, on top of their ‘pretty factor’. If you like online shopping for a bargain, this site is most definitely for you!

If like me, you live in a one-car household, you learn to plan your activities well, or in my case, change your shopping style altogether! ;-( Our town has very limited shopping options and shops have varied store hours on different days. You see, by the time we’re done eating dinner and have relaxed a bit from our meal, the malls have already closed. I’m also not one to go into the mall and rush into buying things. I like to take my time and compare similar items in different stores, so I could make an educated and well-informed decision about what I’m buying. I found that with online shopping, you can do that too (minus feeling-the-material and trying-things-on part).

See what Aji brought me from our mailbox:

I love that the shipping packaging is very neat and put together. (shipping arrives on time and always has a tracking number)

Without further ado, here’s my new pair of spring boots, all for the price of $22.


I got a bit curious so I checked. Apparently, these beauties originally cost this much!

Yay for new boots and tons of savings! ;-) I’ve tried them on and they are comfortable. I think they will be my staple shoes for spring 2012.

Happy Friday indeed! ;-)

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