Poncho Style

It was so mild the other day, I went out just like this. I even took off the scarf at some point! We are finally moving into our house today. Mind you, it is not completely finished yet, but livable. So we packed all of our 12 boxes and mattress and moved in! This means I am finally getting the remainder of my clothes delivered as well. Ma wardrobe has been reunited at last. Now, I have to wait for the rods and shelving to be installed in my walk-in before I can even think of sorting and organizing my closet... For now, I'll still be living out of boxes, here's to hoping I find the items I'm looking for with ease. I had worn the above outfit the previous weekend, when we went preliminary furniture shopping. It only took us five or so hours, but we settled on a couch and picked out the fabric. It's the waiting game all over again... I swear, I am being pulled in so many directions at once, it is extremely stressful and somewhat overwhelming. Thank goodness for my amazing partner. His multitasking skills and total involvement has made this process so much more bearable!

Leggings: Dynamite | Turtle Neck: RW&CO | Poncho: Dynamite | Scarf: Old Navy | Socks: Old Navy

You Ain't Green Nothin' Yet

The other day we went to a house party for a friend's birthday. Seeing as it was a low-key affair, I opted for distressed jeans and a sweater. I also ended up putting socks on, even though I'd much prefer be bare foot... The hair turned out a bit bigger than I had anticipated, but: big hair, don't care! It was nice being back in our old neighborhood surrounded with familiar people. Soon enough, we'll be back for good! This experience has made me appreciate my neighborhood a whole lot more! Definitely counting my blessings and not taking anything for granted.

Jeans: Zara | Sweater: Zara | Necklace: Reitmans | Belt: Banana Republic

Printed Prep

I've sure gotten a lot of mileage out of these printed jeans in the last few months. Their blue and white palette is easy to match and the small print makes them versatile. Seeing as they are a bit more relaxed and fun, I decided to pair them with a structured navy blazer and plain white T to add a level of structure. The top of the look is very preppy, while the bottom is more free-spirited. They combination is well-balanced. Give your tailored pieces a new life by styling them in a casual manner. Don't be afraid to mix and match your dressy and casual pieces. The combinations can be refreshing!

Jeans: H&M | T-shirt: Dynamite | Blazer: Banana Republic | Earrings: RW&CO | Necklace: Dynamite | Boots: Henri Pierre

Seafoam Bloom

Who says florals are only for springtime? I say you can bloomin' wear them whenever you want! This midi-skirt is one of my favorite floral prints because the colours lend themselves to many seasonal palettes and make matching a breeze. Today, I paired it with a seafoam cowl-neck sweater. Add in tights and boots to winterize the look and throw in a waist belt for good measure. Voilà, you have a perfect in-between seasons look. Spring inspired print and colour, while done in winter-worthy textures and layers. Never mind day-to-night, this look will take you from Spring Break to Easter!

Skirt: Zara | Sweater: Ricki's | Belt: Dynamite | Tights: Jockey | Earrings: Banana Republic | Booties: Blondo

Good as Blue

I like to wear pastels all year round. Actually, I don't tend to limit wearing certain shades during certain times of year. An easy trick in pulling off a pastel hue during the colder months is to pair it with black. That really anchors the look. Today, I opted for black in a leather finish and in a knit. The peplum top give the look an edge factor while picking up on the leather trim of the knit cardigan which, in turn, softens the look. I played with textures to make every black component pop and stand on it's own against the light blue pants. I expect to get a lot of wear out of these baby blues come the spring!

Pants: Banana Republic | Top: Dynamite | Sweater: Ricki's | Earrings: Ricki's | Boots: Bare Traps

TBT - On the Dotted Line

We are approaching that time of year when is it still winter, but I am dreaming of spring. It's hard to dress appropriately for the weather, yet infuse hints of anticipation for springtime colours. I decided to layer a striped shirt under a polka-dot cardigan. I love the whimsy the combination of these two prints creates. Now, to add fresh pastels to the look to satisfy my springtime cravings, the coral jeans and turquoise bubble necklace! This look ticks all the boxes: layers for warmth, winter boots for snow, bright colours for springtime feelings and print mixing for a whimsical touch! This would be a great Easter look on those years it comes early...

Jeans: RW&CO | Shirt: Reitmans | Cardigan: Old Navy | Necklace: ebay | Earrings: Smart Set | Boots: Bare Traps

That's What She Red

I could not pass up the opportunity to wear red to go out on Valentine's Day. I therefore reached for my scalloped dress and added a few cozy layers to keep me warm. The embellished beige cardigan is a nice touch that adds a hint of bling and some subtly patterned tights bring a bit of whimsy. I added the double-buckle belt to accentuate the fit-and-flare shape of the dress and that was that. I didn't want to overdress, so the accessories really give the dress a more business-casual look. Depending on your accessorizing and layering, a simple dress can fit in more than one dress code category. How do you tone-done a more formal dress to get more wear out of it?

Dress: Banana Republic | Cardigan: H&M | Belt: Dynamite | Earrings: Old Navy | Tights: Old Navy | Booties: Blondo

Pink Again

I've been living in leggings, sweaters and knit socks these days... When one is constantly feeling under the weather, one wears comfortable clothing to cocoon. I have many pairs of these cute knit socks from Giant Tiger. They are the best and even have little anti-slip stickies! Better safe than sorry... I can be a little clumsy at times. They are almost like a cross between slippers and cozy knit socks. These ones are pretty thick, which is great for someone who always has cold feet. When I say cold, I mean glacial. So, in the winter, I live is these little socks! I based today's look on my socks' colour theme of pink and burgundy. You really can't wear too much pink in February!

Sweater: Old Navy | Leggings: Dynamite | Socks: Giant Tigre

Grey Monday

Garfield is definitely on to something with his profound hate of Mondays... I don't share his feeling every Monday, but this one was particularly tough. It's hard to get up bright and early to face the week when you have a head cold and an evening class on Mondays. Plus, this was the first day of the busiest week with the house rebuild. The kitchen, vanities, floors, appliances, plumbing and painting is all being done this week. It's going to be a busy one, so forgive me if the anticipation has me a little ragged... I opted for a no-thought outfit of skinny jeans, a striped top and loose cardigan. Wish me luck for the rest of the week! 

Jeans: Second Yoga Jeans | Top: Smart Set | Cardigan: Verve Ami (Marshall's) | Earrings: RW&CO | Boots: Bare Traps

The Snuggle is Real

Full disclosure, this is not my greatest look. I've got yet another cold (third one this season), I've started packing away most of my clothes for the impending move and it is storming like crazy. So yeah, I kind of reached for a mishmash of clothing today and this is the look I ended up with. The reason I am posting it is simple. I am not perfect and I have off days too. Hopefully things start settling soon and I can get back to a semblance of normal life.

Jeans: Dynamite | Shirt: H&M | Socks: Old Navy

Birch, please

I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to participate on the construction of a traditional birch bark canoe. Granted I played a very little part, but I participated nonetheless. My task was one of splitting roots to be used as a type of thread to sew pieces together. I had no idea the roots could be split... The splitting is actually done by hand. A very meticulous task at that! Turns out I have a knack for it! It was surprisingly very calming and spiritual. I really felt connected to the material I was using and have a profound respect for the art of canoe building. So much work and time goes into it. It really is both a work of art and a feet of engineering. I will cherish this experience for a long time to come.


Jeans: Dynamite | Shirt: BP. (Nordstrom) | Vest: Zara | Earrings: Callura | Boots: Henri Pierre

Not Fur Long

Wearing all black can be as chic as can be! Today's look is a prime example of that. I wore my black sweater maxi-dress with a black faux-fur vest for an added layer of comfort and heat. Instead of wearing tights, I opted for black leather-like leggings. The thigh slit allows for a hint of shiny finish to peek through and adds to the glam-factor of the ensemble. It's unexpected! The outfit might be all black, but the different textures give it dimension and interest. I decided on adding pearls and a pink lip to soften the harshness of the monochromatic look. You can achieve a sultry look, even if every inch of you is covered in black. The sky's the limit!

Dress: Reitmans | Faux-fur vest: Dynamite | Leggings: Dynamite | Necklace: Smart Set | Earrings: Thomas Sabo (True Bijoux) | Booties: Blondo

TBT - Bold Blush

Burgundy + Blush = Colour Crush

I really love mixing dark and light shades of the same colour to come up with an unexpected combination. Sticking with the same colour family keeps things consistent and avoids clash. It's like being bold, but the safe way. If that makes any sense... You'll attract a positive attention as opposed to getting odd looks from passersby. I actually don't mind the odd looks, they make me laugh! Sometimes it's fun to try something very much outside the box just for all the puzzled looks I get! That's why I added pops of turquoise to this look. I felt the blush and burgundy was playing  ittoo safe for my taste and wanted to make a bolder statement. The hint of contrast was the perfect touch!

P.S. Please excuse the frizzy hair, some days it's an uphill battle...

 

Blouse: Dynamite | Skirt: Zara | Earrings: Delezhen | Bracelet: Pandora | Belt: Smart Set | Shoes: Sears (old)

Floral Check

I love wearing blouses under sleeveless dresses in the winter. It allows me to get more wear out of my dresses without covering up the pretty prints and details. Wearing a blazer or cardigan would do just fine, but sometimes I don't like covering up the print. These navy and burgundy blooms are too pretty to hide under a layer. By adding a grey gingham shirt, I complement the floral print in both colour and style. The dress is still the focal point, but the printed sleeves and collar add a stylistic aspect the dress does not have on its own. I also like that the shape of the dress is not lost under looser layers. Dresses can be very structured pieces and I love to showcase that as much as I can. The belt helps emphasize the dresse's shape and contributes to the more casual feel of this overall look. The burgundy tights definitely help with that aspect. With creative layering and accessorizing I styled a structured summer dress into a casual winter look. How's that for versatility?

Dress: Dynamite | Blouse: Smart Set | Tights: Old Navy | Belt: Smart Set | Earrings: Callura | Coat: ELFE | Headband: Aldo | Scarf: Old Navy | Boots: Henri Pierre

Red Roses

Happy Valentine's Day!

I wish you all lots of love and chocolate on this special day! I obviously had to wear red today, and could not resist adding rose-printed pants because you know, bouquets of red roses are abundant on V-day. Finally, I just had to wear my brand new red Hunter boots (a birthday gift from mom and dad)! Is anyone else wearing red on Valentine's Day? Or perhaps a red and pink colour-blocked look? I will actually wear a red dress to dinner tonight, we have a double date! I'll post that outfit in a few days. We are going to our favourite little place nearby for a table d'hôte. I can't wait!

Sweater: Old Navy | Blouse: Jacob | Pants: Banana Republic | Earrings: True Bijoux | Boots: Hunter

Vintage Layer

I have had this blouse since high school. I'm pretty sure I wore it for my grade 10 pictures... I almost hate to admit it, but I was a fan of Hilary Duff's Lizzie McGuire character and the movie had come out around that time. I remember really loving this blouse because it resembled those she wore in the movie. The fluted sleeves and rushing details were sort of big in the early 2000s. Turns out they are making a comeback! Fashion is so cyclical that sometimes it is worth hanging onto those special items you really love. Chances are you will still love them when they become trendy again. The best part is you'll have a vintage piece and won't have to purchase a new item to be right on trend! I say it's a win-win! I don't advise on hoarding all of your clothes, but hang on to those pieces you really love. I did the same with a pair of high-waisted bell-bottom jeans and was really happy to have them when the trend made a comeback a couple years ago. What items to you hang on to in the hopes of them become trendy again?

P.S. Puppy wanted to play today, hence the stuffed duck in the first picture...

Jeans: Jordache (Walmart) | Blouse: Suzy Shier | Sweater: Banana Republic Factory | Necklace: Ricki's | Earrings: (gift) | Boots: Henri Pierre

Blush Hour

What does one wear on the weekend? Why, the Weekend-Uniform, of course! I went for the full winter-pastel look and went to town with the pink. Valentine's Day is in a couple days after all. That makes it totally ok to wear a ton of pink! The bow detail is so feminine and the knit socks make the look perfectly cozy. Although all I wanted to do was snuggle up on the couch with my better half, we were in yet another shop buying fixtures for the house. I tell you, it never ends! Soon enough, the build will be complete to a point where we'll be able to live in the house again. Unfortunately, it doesn't end there. Furniture shopping will be my life for the foreseeable future...

Jeans: Old Navy | Camisole: Smart Set | Sweater: Smart Set | Socks: Chapters Indigo