Fall Flavour

The air is nippy and the leaves are changing colours, fall is definitely here! It can sometimes be hard to drag oneself out of bed on a Friday, especially when the days are getting shorter and the sun is not up yet... That is why I decided on wearing a PJ-like outfit. Soft pants, a loose, silky cami and a knitted overpiece where the perfect combination to get me through the day. I also opted for a fall colour palette with the oranges, reds and tans. Lace-up flats are as comfortable as slippers, but are way more on trend, so that was my go-to in the footwear department. This outfit can take you from work, straight to the couch for a Netflix marathon! There is no better way to ring in the weekend, (for hermits like me, anyways!)

Pants: Dynamite | Camisole: Dynamite | Sweater: George (Walmart) | Earrings: Payless Shoe Source | Purse: Luigi Dei Medici | Shoes: Old Navy

TBT - Autumn is in The Air

I wore this look a few years ago and still love the colour combination. Navy, mustard and light grey forma great fall palette. The muted tones pair nicely with the yellow of the changing leaf-colours outside. I love getting inspiration from nature! Although I'd still wear this outfit today, I unfortunately cannot because I no longer have this cardigan. It is bitter sweet because it took me years to find the perfect mustard cardigan. This one was 100% merino wool from J.Crew and was perfectly cropped with the most precious ruffle colar. Unfortunately, it would appear (by the state in which it was returned to me) that the poor sweater was put in a dryer as it is now felted. It is completely ruined. I knew I was going to lose some of my clothing collection, but the loss of this piece could have been avoided, and that it what upsets me the most... The search for the perfect replacement continues.

Top: Jacob | Cardigan: J.Crew | Pants: Jacob | Belt: Garage | Earrings: (old) | Bracelet: Pandora | Boots: Yoki

Chambray Layer

  
I opted to wear my black maxi dress today. Seeing as it is sleeveless and has quite a high slit, I decided to wear my chambray shirt over top to minimize the amount of skin exposure. A hint of leg is ok, but if I was showing off the arms with that, it would be a bit much for an office setting... I finished off the look with hints of metallic in the necklace and shoes, just to add a bit more glitz to my outfit. Lastly, I grabbed my grey fringed purse, as I feel it perfectly adds that touch of casualness. Yes, I realize I have elements that make the look more casual, while others add pizzazz: it's all about balance!

Dress: Venus | Shirt: Old Navy | Earrings: Payless Shoe Source | Necklace: Reitmans | Purse: H&M | Shoes: Me Too New York

Stripy Scarf

I love how a simple neck scarf is the perfect finishing touch to a basic look. It adds a bit of effortless flair and really brings the outfit up a notch. Skinny jeans and a striped top is definitely a staple outfit of mine, which often ends up being the building block to a more complex look. Today, I jazzed it up with a colourful scarf and black lace-up flats. Both accessories add interest to the look and make it trendy as well. Ghillie flats and chocker-style neck wear are all the rage this fall. I updated my usual style with this season's go-tos to keep things fresh and unexpected! How do you incorporate new trends into your style?

Jeans: Second yoga jeans | Top: Smart Set | Scarf: Zara | Earrings: Payless Shoe Source | Flats: Old Navy

Bright and Chilly

So, I guess summer isn't quite over yet. Either way, the mornings are definitely getting crisper, hence the addition of a cardigan to today's look! I'm still hanging on to the summer colour palette of turquoise and coral, but I added a few autumn hues to transition the dress into the next season. The metallic tones of the flats and the jewelry paired with the chartreuse make for a good hint into the fall palette that is just around the corner, without completely being out of line with the summer vibes. How do you transition your summer pieces into fall?

Dress: Banana Republic | Cardigan: Old Navy | Earrings: Payless Shoe Source | Necklace: Smart Set | Bracelet: Smart Set | Flats: Old Navy

Drive-In' it Old School

  

Date night at the drive-in! I really love this old-school activity. It's like going out to the movies without leaving the comfort of your couch. It really is the best of both worlds! Plus, tonight's line-up was vintage as well. You can't go wrong with a double-feature of Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Top Gun! I decided on sweat pants and a cape to stay cozy. Let's face it, I chose a cape because it was going to serve more as a blanket than anything else... I was so comfy, I ended up falling asleep during the second movie! My outfit was then perfectly styled to meet my needs! I girl needs her beauty sleep every now and then. This is a perk that you don't get when sitting in a theatre, falling asleep is frowned upon, but all bets are off in your own car!

Top: Dynamite | Pants: Walmart | Cape: Dynamite | Shoes: Me Too New York

Last Colour Hurrah

 

 

Seeing as summer is pretty much over, I figured I'd wear a bright colour combo one last time! Teal and coral is one of my favourite combinations and I so happen to have those two colours on hand! They also happen to pair well with my scarf, so I added that to the mix also. I wore this look on a Friday and had a girl's night planned. We went for drinks and desserts (the essentials) before hitting the theatre for a good chick flick: Bridget Jones's Baby! I was in dire need of a night out and this did the trick! Girl time is always time well spent!

Jeans: Jordache (Walmart) | Tank: Walmart | Blouse: Smart Set (donated) | Scarf: Shiraleah (Nordstrom) | Earrings: Payless Shoe Source | Shoes: Old Navy

Reverse Stripes

 

Here I go again with the black and white stripes! I've got some catching up to do on my print-mixing! I wasn't sure about paring this top with this skirt, but in the end I really liked it. I took a risk and it paid off! The top and bottom were a perfect contrasting-print match! I think this only worked because the size of the stripes is pretty much the same. Had the stripes been thinker in one of the two pieces, it might not have worked so harmoniously. I also couldn't resist adding a sleeveless blazer to the look. Hey, it's a favourite piece of mine for a reason, it completes just about any look! Add-in black lace-up flats for my stripe-effect and I am basically a walking piano! This outfit might have been hard on the eyes, but it was music for my soul!

Skirt: Dynamite | Top: Reitmans | Sleeveless Blazer: Dynamite | Earrings: Payless Shoe Source | Flats: Old Navy

TBT - Alma Mater Colours

So, this outfit was worn on the first day I started working for my alma mater. I figured it would be very appropriate to wear the school's colours of grey and garnet. I remember inheriting this skirt from my sister years ago and decided to wear it with my trusty burgundy blouse. The entire look is very preppy, school-uniform like. It also makes me feel a bit like Hermione because of my somewhat untidy hair... I figured if there was ever an occasion to wear a pleated plaid skirt, it would be on a back-to-school kind of day!

Skirt: (old) | Blouse: Dynamite | Necklace: Dynamite | Earrings: Claire's |Bracelet: Pandora | Boots: Call it Spring

Rockabilly Red

 

 

My mojo is back and the creative juices are flowing once more! What a joy it is to be back in my own clothing! It's really great to have prints back in my life. I didn't realize just how much interest they infuse in a wardrobe. Being the print-mixer than I am, I was having major print withdrawals! I decided to go bold today and wore my classic white and black polka dot dress. For some reason, I always think of Minnie Mouse when I see this dress and my instinct is to always pair it with red... So I added the red scarf and sandals to the mix and finished off the look with a denim jacket. I'm getting major 50's Rockabilly vibes from this outfit. It just gives me the urge to swing dance!

Dress: RW&CO | Jacket: Old Navy | Scarf: Zara | Earrings: Payless Shoe Source | Sandals: Banana Republic

Polka Dots and Plimsolls

  

Yay for overalls! I'm so happy I got these back because I remember how hard it was to find some sleek black ones. I decided to pair them with a polka dot off-the-shoulder top for an interesting combination. I really like the resulting look! A little edgy, a little playful and a little sexy. I decided to roll the cuff of the pant legs and wear my white canvas plimsolls to complete the look. I feel this would be a perfect look for a fair or even to go to Disneyland... I'll keep that in my back pocket! Although I wore this to work, I kept a bright red scarf warped around my shoulders to make it more modest. The scarf matched my lips so it was all good!

Overalls: Zara | Top: Zara | Earrings: (handmade) | Sneakers: Old Navy

Mimi's Back!

 

Words cannot express what it feels like to be wearing my own clothes again! Today is the first day I get to wear an outfit comprised entirely of my own clothing. I had a shipment delivered over the weekend and was like a kid on Christmas morning! It took me no time to sort through it and hang it in the closet. Who knew I'd be so excited to see stuff I've been wearing for years? The old saying that absence makes the heart grow fonder definitely applies to me and my clothing. We're tight! Now, I don't yet have all of my closet, but I figured I wouldn't be needing summer stuff in the foreseeable future. I also have not gone through the many boxes of unsalvageable clothing yet. I think I will want to take my time and mourn, so to speak, the pieces that did not make it. I think seeing the items with my own eyes, seeing what state they are in, will help me accept the fact I no longer have them. I personally feel the exercise will give me some sort of closure. It will also allow me to make a list of things I will want to replace. But for now, I'm thoroughly enjoying the clothes I do have! It has never been more apparent to me that wearing something you love, gives you that extra boost of confidence. I am definitely smiling from ear to ear. My partner said it best when I came down the stairs today. He said: "You look like yourself again!" I could not have said it better myself! It's the small things!

Skirt: Zara | Shirt: Old Navy | Belt: Old Navy | Earrings: Payless Shoe Source | Necklace: (old) | Shoes: Kiss & Tell

It's All in the Collar

Although I got to go through the racks of my clothing and select some stuff, it won't arrive for a couple days. Since the seasons are changing, I need warmer clothing. It will be nice to wear my own clothing again! The comfort that will bring me is beyond measure! I am very appreciative of the donated and borrowed clothing, and feel I made the most with what I had. It was not an easy thing, to swallow my pride and set aside the importance I normally put into my outfits. For the last month, I've been extremely grateful I had something to put on my back and will never take that for granted again! One thing became very clear to me, clothes does not make the person, no matter how often that is said. Clothes is merely the outer shell we put on to face the world. A person is made from within, and that is what really counts. I'm realizing how blessed I truly am and how humbling this experience is proving to be. The journey is just beginning, but I feel I will be able to get through it helped by what is inside me and not by what envelops me.


Pants: Dynamite | Belt: (donated) | Top: Reitmans (donated) | Earrings: Payless Shoe Source | Shoes: Payless Shoe Source

Operation Clothing Rescue

 

Today was a very big day for me. It was the day I visited the warehouse where all of my clothing was taken to be cleaned after the fire. I had previously received the list of all non-salvageable items and I must admit, I had a good cry while reading the list and recognizing some beloved articles of clothing. I know it's just stuff, unimportant stuff, but I can't help it if I am attached to my clothing. It's a big part of who I am. I'm not saying it defines me, but it's always something I've been passionate about, so it is extremely difficult to part (unwillingly) with items I still loved wearing. After having lost so much already (practically the entire contents of our home), I was holding out hope that my clothing would be mostly spared... I like to think I'm a positive person, so I was not thinking about the potential losses with regards to my wardrobe. I figured there was no use fretting over the "what ifs". I was dealing with one thing at a time and now was the time to face the facts and find out about the fate of my clothing. I literally sobbed over the list, I simply could not help it. I feel I needed to let it out and feel all the feelings for what they were in order to be able to move on. I have yet to see for myself the damaged items, but I will take my time to go through the boxes and mourn, so to speak, bits of my collection. After that, I will be able to draft of shopping list to try and replace a few of the favourites. It will not be an easy task, as a lot of items are unique, but I will take my time and I know I will one day feel like my closet is complete once again.


Shorts: American Eagle | Shirt: American Eagle | Earrings: Payless Shoe Source | Necklace: Dynamite | Sandals: Birkenstock

Finishing Touch

 

A scarf can really make an outfit and today's look is a prime example of that! I was able to dress up a basic white t-shirt and jeans by adding a brightly coloured scarf. The red pompoms really sand out against the white and turquoise print, making it a great focal point. I was lucky enough to find this scarf on clearance at Nordstrom and figured it would be a simple way of stretching the minimalist wardrobe I currently have. I've said it before, but accessorizing really is the key to making the most of a few basic pieces of clothing.


Jeans: Jordache (Walmart) | T-shirt: Dynamite | Scarf: Shiraleah (Nordstrom) | Earrings: Payless Shoe Source | Sandals: Birkenstock

TBT - Showing Off my Stripes

I am definitely experiencing more nostalgia than ever when doing these throwback pictures. I don't know if this top survived, but I know it was a very unique piece. That's what made me fall in love with it! It is a high-low top in an animal print. It's a fun, expected cut in a somewhat timeless print. Surprisingly, I had found many different ways of styling it and really hope I will get to wear all of those pre-planned outfits one day. I do happen to know that the pictured necklace is unsalvageable... The pop of coral really brought a nice does of colour to the look. I kept the other elements neutral and the look came together effortlessly. I happen to remember I had a bit of a happy hour get together with old colleagues the day I wore this. It makes for a happy memory!

Top: (old) | Shorts: RW&CO | Belt: Smart Set | Necklace: Fame Accessories | Bracelet: Pandora | Earrings: RW&CO | Shoes: Shoe Company

Pastels & Denim

 

I was given this denim skirt by my mom and decided to pair it with the coral blouse and light yellow tank I was also given. I figured the entire look would come together with the addition of this heavy, pastel ribbon necklace. This is an old necklace that I had tucked away in a drawer in the bathroom. Ironically, my least worn jewelry survived the smoking and that's what I'm wearing now! I've always loved this necklace, the only downside is its weight. The thing weighs a ton! I liked that I had a couple tops in the same shades as the necklace. It allowed me to wear it and make the most of my outfit possibilities.


Blouse: Smart Set (donated) | Tank: Joe Fresh (donated) | Skirt: Armor Jeans (donated) | Belt: American Eagle | Necklace: Aldo (old) | Earrings: Payless Shoe Source | Flats: George (Walmart)

Morning Chills

 

 

Layering season is upon us! There was a heavy fog this morning, and I found myself reaching for a sweater. Besides, I was going into work on a day off and figured I'd wear something cozy. Skinny jeans and a sweater was a winning combination. It was a very productive day. I listened to a Disney playlist and the day just flew by! I can always count on Disney tunes to lift my spirits.


Jeans: Jordache (Walmart) | Tank: George (Walmart) | Cardigan: Champion (donated) | Earrings: Payless Shoe Source | Shoes: Payless Shoe Source

Formal Repeat

I wouldn't typically wear the same, or almost exact same, look to two formal events within a couple weeks from one another, but I'll make an exception! Seeing as this is my only formal dress, my only formal shoes and my only clutch, I guess that's what I'll be wearing to the wedding! After all, this dress is super cute so it's not as bad as it seems. It just goes against my dressing habits, that's all. And we all know how hard breaking a habit can be, especially when I don't have the desire to break said habit... Anyways, I'm sucking it up and wearing my cobalt lace dress, and that's that! It was absolutely wonderful attending our friends' wedding, it was just want we needed! A healthy dose of fun, laughter and lots of dancing!


Dress: Banana Republic | Earrings: Kendra Scott | Necklace: Kendra Scott | Bracelet: Pandora | Clutch: Aldo | Shoes: Banana Republic