30 Jun 2016

TBT - Purple Print


A simple coloured jean with a printed top is a classic combination. Ok, it might be a bit of a twist on a classic, coloured jeans as still fairly recent... Either way, the basic of wearing a printed top with a solid colour that picks up on the print is a simple outfit styling technique. If it isn't broken, why fix it? Sometimes, it's nice to stick with simple styling tricks, no need to always get super crafty. The focal point of this look is the top, so I reached my goal of styling it in a way that puts it on display. Mission accomplished!

Jeans: Old Navy | Top: Smart Set | Earrings: (gift) | Bracelet: Pandora | Sandals: Old Navy

29 Jun 2016

Pyjama Party



This is my I-don't-feel-like-getting-dressed look. I have to go to work, but I can't wear my pjs... or can I? Yes, I can get away with wearing a pyjama-comfort level outfit without it being actual pjs. Soft pants are total heroes in this specific line of dressing. They are constructed and loose-fitting like pjs, but in more office-appropriate materials and patterns. I added a slouchy t-shirt to the mix, but picked a metallic one to distract a bit from the plainness factor and added a couple touches of gold with the jewelry and shoes. Flats are basically outdoor slippers, so that was a no-brainer add-on. So there you have it, a perfectly acceptable pyjama-inspired look for the office!

Pants: Dynamite | T-shirt: Banana Republic | Earrings: Reitmans | Necklace: Dynamite | Shoes: Old Navy

28 Jun 2016

Whimsical Biker



Casual Tuesday is a thing in my book, sometimes. I decided on brown biker jeans with a light polka dot shirt and fuchsia flats for an easy look. I had a full day of work, appointments and date night, so I wanted an outfit that would take me from one place to the other seamlessly. I wanted to be comfortable and practice, hence the flat footwear! The longer pants took me from day to night and the pop of colour matched my purse, so it was a win-win! 

Jeans: Zara | Camisole: Smart Set | Blouse: Old Navy | Earrings: Aldo (gift) | Purse: H & S Collection | Purse Pompom: Garage | Shoes: Qupid

27 Jun 2016

Ray of Sunshine



Nothing brightens up a day like a cheery outfit! The sun was shining bright on the first day of summer, so I decided to channel it in an equally bright orange dress with hints of turquoise. Both these colours looks great against sun-kissed skin and I was really feeling this look. It was just what I needed to give my Monday a bit of pep! I can never get enough of turquoise in the summer and orange is one of the cheeriest colours out there! Combining the two seemed like a no-brainer! I like to infuse a dose of fun in my summer dressing!

Dress: Jessica Taylor | Cardigan: Jacob | Necklace: ebay | Earrings: Smart Set | Belt: Smart Set | Shoes: Michael Antonio

26 Jun 2016

Garden Variety



This outfit is the basics of summer dressing: shorts, a t-shirt and flip-flops. I did not over think this look as I simply needed something quick and easy to do a bit of light gardening (i.e. weed pulling and bush trimming). I figured the dark shorts would conceal dirt while the navy t-shirt would conceal sweat spots... It was a brutally hot day and, although I was working in the shade, I was definitely sweating buckets! (Cute, I know!) Whether you are gardening, or simply running errands, or anything else really, a short, t-shirt and flip-flop combination will be your trusty go-to summer outfit. It's common for a reason, it works for everything!

Short: Smart Set | T-shirt: Old Navy | Flip-flops: Old Navy

25 Jun 2016

Dare to Bare




Ok, so I decided to take a risk on this casual Friday. I really wanted to wear my striped off-the-shoulder top, but I was afraid it might be to risqué for work. I took a leap of faith and paired it with distressed jeans and bright green sandals. I also decided to wear my hair down, as I figured it would hide the evidence a bit. By wearing long jeans, paired with the longer sleeves of the top, I wasn't showing skin anywhere else but my shoulders. I dared to bare a little, but I did it in a tasteful, somewhat conservative way. I'm not saying I could get away with this in every work setting, but mine has a little wiggle room! It's ok to bend the rules every now and then!

Top: Banana Republic | Jeans: Smart Set | Earrings: Kate Spade | Sandals: Banana Republic 

24 Jun 2016

Stripes and Sequins



A little stripe, a little bling and budda boom, budda bing! Those are the building blocks of today's striking look. I like to make a statement with my outfit and today's is loud and clear: I won't be blending into the décor in this black and white look. You can't miss me! Its summer and I like to spice things up in the wardrobe department, so I paired a black sequin cami (subtle, I know) with a striped pencil skirt (again, subtle) and a black sleeveless blazer to make it work for the office! Add some caged sandals to the mix and you end up with one eye-catching get-up. Why blend in when you are meant to stand out?

Skirt: Dynamite | Camisole: Joe Fresh | Sleeveless Blazer: Dynamite | Pendant: Reitmans | Earrings: Reitmans | Shoes: Vince Camuto

23 Jun 2016

TBT - Corporate Print


Printed pants can be styled in a way that makes them appropriate for a corporate setting. This particular pair is a small print in varying shades of blue, which makes it a more subtle print. I paired the pants with a crisp white blouse and a navy blazer that pick up on some of the colours found in the print. This look follows a basic outfit building formula that is: pants, blouse and jacket. Today's look is a twist on the basic outfit because of the print of the pants and the statement bow of the blouse. Sometimes it can be fun colouring outside the lines!   

Pants: DKNYC | Blouse: Smart Set | Blazer: J.Michaels | Pearls: family heirloom | Bracelet: Pandora | Earrings: X Crystal | Sandals: Payless Shoe Source

22 Jun 2016

A Year of Posts

Today's post was my 365th! That means I've already posted a year's worth of daily outfits! That's four seasons of looks, ranging from casual to formal! I figured I'd take a look back and see what patterns emerged in my dressing habits. It's sort of nice to have a repertoire to look back on and see what my personal style really is. I like getting the big picture!


1. Black to basics
First things first, I realized just how often I wear black and white outfits! I mean, although it was no mystery that I wore them, I simply did not realize just how often. No matter the season, I love my black and white outfits. I guess there is something to be said about the timelessness of this combination. It's a classic for a reason! Here are a few of the looks I wore this past year. This collage really shows just how versatile a seemingly simple dressing technique can be.




 2. The weather factor
I talk about the weather... a lot! In most of my posts, I discuss the impact the weather had on my outfit choice. Come to think of it, it is one of the biggest factors in determining what I will wear on any given day. The weather also has an impact on my mood, which in turn effects what I chose to wear. I am also inspired by nature or seasonal holidays when it comes to putting certain colour combinations together. I wear warmer tones in the fall, cooler tones in the winter and bright colours in the summer. It has never been so apparent to me how much the weather dictates my dressing. Very interesting...

3. The weekend uniform
So this next observation has been pointed out before. It became very apparent to me that during the cooler winter months, I tend to hibernate. That is to say I do a lot of cocooning and spend time indoors. To hibernate like a pro, one needs to dress in cozy and comforting clothing such as leggings, sweaters and knit socks. And so the weekend uniform was born! I mean, I systematically wore combinations of leggings or skinny jeans with big comfy sweaters and thick socks or slippers. How could you not curl up next to a fireplace with a good book wearing this kind of outfit?




 4. Colour Chameleon
I most definitely do not shy away from wearing bright colours, and often all at once! For as long as I can remember, I've always been a fan of colour. As a kid, I used to wear a rainbow beaded bracelet every day to make sure I was always wearing every single colour. Although I knew I wore colour, I did not realize the level of variety of colours my closet contained. The following are some of my brightest, boldest looks of the past year.  



5. The cherry on top
I have a penchant for pretty toppers! I've been wearing hats for ages, long before the infamous floppy hat made its comeback! I find hats complete outfits so well and really give it that certain je ne sais quoi. Hats used to be integral parts of every outfit and I'm sad that society no longer wears them with such flair. Since I live in my own little bubble, I wear mine with my head held high! Behold some of my fancy millinery!


 

6. Jail Bird
Stripes. Lots and lots of stripes. Vertical, horizontal, diagonal, I simply cannot have enough stripes in my life. Even though I am a general pattern lover, stripes really take the cake in my book! It must be engrained in my DNA, my French is really showing in my undying love of stripes! If your eyes can take it, here is my stripe-y montage!


7. Bottoms up!
I am no stranger to printed pants. I don't know why I love a printed bott0m so much... Perhaps it's the unexpected factor of boldly wearing crazy prints on a bigger level? I also love the way the prints move when I walk, it really gives a look interest! Let's not forget it makes it that much more fun for print-mixing. I love fully printed looks, from top to bottom! Below are a few of my crazy pants!

8. Rainbow Collection
I like dresses. Forget the LBD or the LWD, I have a little dress in every colour! Bright coloured dresses are the perfect backdrop for statement accessories. They also makes getting dressed a breeze! By owning dresses in solid colours, it gives them that versatility factor. You will get more wear out of a solid coloured dress as you can style it countless ways! Behold the following exhibit!



 9. Garments on repeat
As I was scrolling through the gallery, I noticed some items crop up more often than others and I thought it would be interesting to see which items got the most wear this year.


The first one that caught my attention was the striped poncho. I had purchased this piece on a whim in the sale section and figured I'd get a few wears out of it and call it a day. Turns out, I really like wearing it! Looks like I always wear it as part of a monochrome palette. Perhaps I will try to style it in more colourful ways next!


 



After seeing the above pictures, I guess it's obvious I love my grey OTK boots! The versatility of these boots is never ending and they are extremely comfortable to boot! Ha!

This past fall, I added a couple new faux-fur vests to my closet and they turned out to be wonderful pieces. They are the perfect finishing layer to a cold-weather outfit without adding too much bulk. Feast your eyes on the fuzziness below!

I clearly favour sleeveless over-pieces. The sleeveless blazer was also one my staple pieces of late. I feel they add just the right touch to an outfit. It's like a half-layer, it adds dimension and interest without being the focal point of the look.


My most-loved accessory this year was definitely my flannel checked blanket scarf. I seriously wore this thing every chance I got! It is soft, big, warm and a girl's best friend in the winter. The award for best scarf goes too...

I guess that very last picture embodies all of my favourite things: stripes, poncho, OTK boots, blanket scarf, monochromatic palette and print mixing! I feel like cI ould write my own lyrics to the Sound of Music's song...

10. People's Choice
Last, but not least, is YOUR favourite posts! That's right, I thought I'd have a look to see which posts were most popular with my followers. Below are the top three ranking!


In 3rd, we have : La Nuit émergente

In 2nd, we have: Meadow Yellow


And we have a tie for first place with Snow Way! and Sunset Maxi!
So, this wraps up my year in review! I hope you've enjoyed the walk down memory lane with me. It sure gives me perspective and insight in my dressing habits. I look forward to seeing what this next year will bring and hope you will all stick along for the ride!

Mimi