Après Sea

Because our weekend wasn't busy enough, we had a birthday party to go to following our naval adventure. It was a family thing, as another cousin was having a milestone birthday! We were headed there straight from the boat, so a quick change of outfit was required. Boy am I glad I chose an off-the-shoulder top as the heat was killer! I decided on shorts and flip-flops to keep it simple and functional. It turned out to be a fabulous party filled with outdoor activities, family stories and great food! This is exactly my kind of party!

Top: Zara | Shorts: Old Navy | Earrings: Ricki's | Sunglasses: BP. (Nordstrom) | Flip Flops: Old Navy

Sea Breeze

I got a major boat upgrade this weekend! Lucky for me, a cousin invited us to spend a night on his yacht. Of course we accepted the invitation with glee! The weather was uncooperative on the Friday evening, so we stayed in and played a board game. Saturday proved to be great weather wise, so we took the vessel out for a cruise. It was very windy, as I think you can tell by the pictures! Regardless of the breeze, it was warm and sunny. Perfect for a dip! I had worn my striped navy shirtdress, because I could knot pass up the opportunity of wearing something nautical on a boat... Big sunnies and an even bigger hat were the perfect finishing touches!

P.S. I was so excited that I forgot to take a swimsuit picture, so I added a previous picture wearing the same swimsuit.

Swimsuit: La Vie en Rose | Dress: Dynamite | Hat: Hudson's Bay | Glasses: BP. (Nordstrom) | Earrings: A Touch of Whimsy | Flip Flops: Old Navy

Ace of Lace

This lace dress is simple, yet trendy and classic all at once. The ivory lace is timeless, the fit and flare shape is flattering and the neckline is both interesting and modest. These elements all contribute to making this dress the perfect summer pick for almost any occasion. It makes me feel instantly put together and provides a blank canvas on which I can create a multitude of outfits. This dress really is a staple and gets an A in my book! For today, I was inspired by a piñata. My colour inspirations came directly from the beach bag. The peach belt, yellow earrings and purple shoes all tie into the palette of the bag. Seeing as it's summer, and I'd rather go to the beach than to work, I figured carrying around a beach tote would soften the blow!

Dress: Gabby Skye | Belt: Old Navy | Earrings: RW&CO | Bracelet: Pandora | Tote: Old Navy | Shoes: Zara

TBT - Make Some Bloom

This dress screams springtime to me. The bright-coloured spots on the mint background is fresh and reminds me of a bouquet of flowers. This little number would be perfect for any Easter celebration or a picnic in the park. The accessorizing possibilities are endless seeing as there are so many different colours to choose from. You can emphasize the pink, or the yellow, or both! The ruffle details just add the special touch of uniqueness without going over the top. A fun, versatile print with a perfect feminine touch make this dress a definite keeper, and repeater!

Dress: Shelby and Palmer | Necklace: ebay | Earrings: Pandora | Bracelet: Pandora | Shoes: Old Navy

At First Blush

This dress was love at first sight when I got it last summer, and I still adore it! The maxi length is perfect and not too long, the soft pastel print is calming and the neckline is interesting in all the right ways. It's light, breezy and comfortable! What more could I ask of a maxi? I chose to wear a turquoise cardigan because it picks up on the subtle hint of the hue in the print and brings it to the forefront. Simple blush accessories were added to complete the look and tie it all together. Even though it's hot out, sometimes a light chiffon maxi in a refreshing colour palette is enough to keep you cool!

Dress: RW&CO | Necklace: Reitmans | Earrings: Pandora | Cardigan: Jacob | Sandals: Qupid

The Humble Graphic T

I like a witty graphic tee! This one definitely states the obvious, right? Haha, ok, maybe my head is a little bit big when I say that... Either way, part of me likes to believe I am contributing, in my own way, to the world of fashion and that said world needs me more than I need it! Maybe it's a bit more of a give and take relationship, and a harmonious one at that! As long as everybody gets along, it doesn't matter who needs who! For today's outfit thought, regardless of what my shirt says, I feel I could have used my friend Fashion to steer me in the right direction. This look has a lot going on, and I'm not sure all the elements work together. I took a major risk with this look and wore it with my head held high. Hey, not all of my looks are winners...

Skirt: Dynamite | Blouse: Jacob | T-shirt: Zara | Earrings: A Touch of Whimsy | Bracelet: Pandora | Shoes: Vince Camuto

Navy or Knot

Ready or not, here is today's outfit! I chose to wear my navy ikat print dress with my orange belt, which I wore knotted at the waist. A couple hints of turquoise finished the look. I like jazzing up dresses with simple lines and more subtle prints with pops of unexpected colour. To me, navy can be a bit dark and harsh for summer. By adding orange and turquoise, it brightens it up a bit and keeps it fresh. A classic wardrobe staple can be revitalized with clever accessorizing and worn all year round! How would you jazz up a classic navy dress?

Dress: Nina Leonard | Belt: OE Moda | Earrings: Olivia Welles | Shoes: Payless Shoe Source

Zig-a-zig-ah!

This dress makes me wanna dance! It's so bright and colourful I feel like I should be dancing the merengue somewhere tropical! The asymmetrical hem also adds an interesting finishing touch. An unexpected hemline with a bold print makes for one knockout dress! When the temperature rises, so do the hemlines! This spicy little number can take you from cocktail hour, to dinner, then the club! It's the perfect summer weekend go-to. Do you have a go-to brightly-coloured summer dress?

Dress: DEX | Earrings: Olivia Welles | Bracelet: Pandora | Shoes: Zara

Ahoy Girly!

Ah, a very feminine version of a nautical look. I like to take a typical dressing style and put my own twist on it! For today's look I was inspired to pair my white and navy crochet dress with red fringed sandals. I tend to automatically pair red with my navy and white... Not a bad habit to have, as it is a timeless colour combo. I added a skinny navy belt at the waist for definition and that was that. Sometimes there is no need to over-complicate things. Simple looks can make big impacts if done well. Point and case, I was asked if I was going to a wedding today by, not one, but two separate shop associates! I was left a little stunned as I was simply dressed for work. I guess the outfit had that wow factor that somehow got lost on me...

Dress: Joe Fresh | Belt: Old Navy | Earrings: Smart Set | Sandals: Banana Republic

Double Pastels

You can't go wrong when combining pastel hues. I always find they go well with one another. The lightness helps avoid clashing of the different tones. I paired my very light mint dress with a light yellow cardigan and earrings. I opted for a darker shade of mint for the shoes and felt they completed the look rather well. They really stand out against my darker summer skin tone. Actually, I always find I look darker when wearing whites or pastels. Perhaps it's because the contrast is greater. Either way, I like how it makes my outfit pop as opposed to washing me out. Pastels tend to do that... 

Dress: Dynamite | Cardigan: Jacob | Earrings: RW&CO | Sandals: Bamboo

TBT - Short Slither

Nudes and neutrals are huge right now, so I figured I'd throwback to an outfit that is right on trend. Black bermudas are an office summer stable in my book. Just trade your dressy black pants for shorts in the hotter months and call it a day. I paired the shorts with my snakeskin top and taupe short-sleeved blazer. I decided on an off-white belt to really delimit the top from the bottom. I like the contrasting effect it has on the look. The same principle could be applied to wearing a black belt with white shorts. Try pairing your nudes and neutrals into an outfit with interest and dimension. It is possible!

Shorts: RW&CO | Top: Jacob | Blazer: Dynamite | Belt: Smart Set | Earrings: Smart Set | Sandals: Payless Shoe Source

Sunshine Yellow

Monday mornings can be fun too. Just mix up a few prints, add a pop of colour and you'll be as cheery as can be! I can't get enough of my yellow pumps lately, I find them perfect for the sunny weather. How can you not be happy when you wear bright yellow shoes? Every time I get a glimpse of my feet, I smile! I also chose yellow for the way it pops against the busy black and white prints I decided to mash together today. I find these stripes and graphic lines go together very well. They are similar enough that they don't clash, but different enough that they make a cohesive impact. My outfit was all about being loud today!

Skirt: RW&CO | Top: Dynamite | Necklace: ebay | Earrings: H&M | Shoes: Zara

Short Story

Our long weekend seems to have gone by in a flash and before you know it, it's time to head home. I opted for and easy casual look for the car ride. All my items, except for the necklace, was previously worn at some point. Changing up jewelry is an easy way to create a new look with stuff you've already worn during a trip. It's easier to pack jewelry than it is to bring extra outfits you might not wear... After all, I was on a casual easy weekend and was not out to impress anyone with my clothing choices. Even though I always put thought in what I wear, I chose to focus less on that and more one enjoying myself this weekend. It's all about priorities!

Shorts: Dynamite | Tank: Old Navy | Necklace: RW&CO | Earrings: Banana Republic | Hat: Dynamite | Sandals: Carrini

All Sun and Games

So the forecast for our fun little getaway was not great. It rained pretty much all day on the Saturday, at least until around 5 p.m. As much as I was prepared for that and enjoyed coulouring in the gazebo, I was hoping to do some of the activities the place had to offer. As soon as the skies cleared, I put on my swimsuit and tried my hand at paddle-boarding. I'd been wanting to give this a go for a long time and the opportunity finally presented itself. Turns out I was ok at it and didn't fall off, which means success in my book! We then were lucky enough to go on a sunset air-boat ride, during which we saw a rainbow and a bald eagle in flight. It was awesome! You really feel like you're flying! Afterwards, we enjoyed some pizza and headed for a couple rounds in the sauna, hot tub and cowboy shower. Once I was refreshed, it was time for a big campfire and homemade strawberry rhubarb pie! The day might have started out a little gloomy but, in the end, we made the most of our weekend!

I ended up wearing a few different outfits, but repeated many items. I try to keep things simple when packing for a small weekend getaways. There is no need to over pack and repeating items is the way to go! I wore the first look for lunch at the chip stand and a couple errands in town. The second was obviously to take part in all the water-related activities and the last look was worn for the campfire. A little sweater is great for when the sun goes down and pants and long sleeves are a must to keep the bug at bay!

P.S. Sorry for the frizzy hair, I had forgotten to take outfit pics on the day of, because I was in the moment, and taking them at the end of day means my hair was in contact with the humidity and went crazy.


Look 1 - In Town
Jeans: Zara | T-shirt: Banana Republic | Necklace: Dynamite | Earrings: Banana Republic | Scarf: Saachi | Flip Flops: Old Navy

Look 2 - Lakeside Activities
Swimsuit: Zara | Necklace: Dynamite | Earrings: Banana Republic | Flip Flops: Old Navy

Look 3 - Campfire Hangs
Jeans: Zara | Tank: Old Navy | Earrings: Banana Republic | Scarf: Saachi | Sweater: Jacob | Flats: Old Navy

Roadtrip Threads

I have no vacation per say planned for this summer, but my weekends sure are jam packed! I wore this casual look on our most recent road trip. I knew I'd be in the car for a few hours and we were headed to a B&B in the country. I figured denim shorts and a t-shirt would be perfect glamping attire. I added some flat sandals, delicate gold jewelry and a straw fedora to add feminine touches to the look and soften up the rougher edges. Is was rainy on that day, so I was happy with my choice of clothes. Nothing that would get to ruined should I get stuck in a downpour... I also wanted to wear something that I wouldn't have to change out of once we got to our destination. I wanted to keep my dressing planning to a minimum this weekend.

Shorts: Dynamite | Top: Banana Republic | Necklace: Dynamite | Earrings: Banana Republic | Hat: Dynamite | Sandals: Carrini

Touch of Turquoise

Move over thunder storm and make way for my pretty floral skirt! Haha, that totally worked by the way. The clouds parted and made way to the sun just as I was getting ready to leave the house! See, a positive attitude can change the weather! Ok, maybe not, but I like to think it did today. I wore my multi-coloured skirt with an old turquoise t-shirt and turquoise belt. I added yellow espadrilles to finish off the look. I feel so girly when I wear midi skirts, there is just something about the shape that makes it a classic. I do however feel the vintage vibes from the embroidered details and pleating of the skirt. It's totally fifties style! But, by infusing it with bold colours, it gives it a modern twist. I love it when two styles collide!

Skirt: Zara | T-shirt: Smart Set | Necklace: Smart Set | Belt: Smart Set | Earrings: Banana Republic | Bracelet: Pandora | Espadrilles: Bamboo

Neon Brights

Bright, bold and beautiful! I think it's no secret I like to wear bright colours during the warmer seasons. Since it's hot and sunny outside, I figured it was time to wear the neon orange skirt. I was then inspired by the pastel necklace to pick out the other colours of my outfit. The only thing is, I decided on the bold counterparts of those pastels hues. So, I matched my skirt to a fuchsia cardigan and yellow pumps. At the last minute I added the Kelly green earrings, just for the hell of it! I really like the final look, the necklace really brings it all together. I think this might be my brightest colour-blocked outfit yet!

Skirt: J.Crew Factory | Cardigan: Jacob | Necklace: MARK by Avon | Earrings: Kate Spade | Shoes: Zara

TBT - Baby Blue Canvas

With its baby blue hue and its pretty pleats, this dress is simply darling! This outfit is a perfect example of a cute summer look that is office appropriate. The dress has spaghetti straps, so a blazer or cardigan is a must. I opted for a short-sleeved beige blazer and decided to belt it at the waist to give the look more definition. I matched my jewelry to the gold hardware of the belt and finished off with canvas peep-toe pumps. Although the blue is a pastel shade, it really stands out against the neutral elements of the outfit. It gave it that light, airy feeling one seeks in the summer, but remained suitable for the boardroom. Just because you're going to work, doesn't mean you have to wear stuffy clothing!

Dress: Smart Set | Blazer: Dynamite | Belt: Smart Set | Necklace: (old) | Earrings: Smart Set | Bracelet: Pandora | Shoes: Shoe Company

Mermaid Tale

I feel like I should be under the sea with Sebastian the crab in this outfit! The high-low hem of this seafoam dress sort of reminds me of a mermaid's tail. The way the "tail" of the dress moves in the wind is reminiscent of the fluidity it would have under water. It just glides lightly in the breeze. When I added the fuchsia belt, I was getting major Ariel vibes. Her seashell bra is purple and her tail is green so the fuchsia and seafoam aren't far off from that colour combination. Finish off the look with some nude wedges that are the same colour as beach sand and you've got one Disney-approved outfit!

Now, on to the mermaid tale. As a kid, one of my all-time favourite Disney princesses was Ariel (big surprise)! I remember this perfectly slanted rock in the water near the shore on the beach we used to go to. It was a ringer for the Ariel rock! I am dead sea-rious! My sister and I would sit on it and sing just like in the little mermaid (minus the big wave splash behind us). We begged my mom to go to the beach just so we could channel our inner Ariels. While I should have stuck to simply sitting pretty, my sister had the vocals to rival any mermaid. Girl can sing!

Dress: Suzy Shier | Belt: Smart Set | Necklace: Kendra Scott | Earrings: Smart Set | Bracelet: Pandora | Shoes: Forever 21