Purple Rush

Button Up!

Graphic Penguin

Penguins are used to being surrounded by snow, but who's to say you can't pair them with a pretty floral print? I decided my purple penguin needed a bouquet of fresh buds to brighten its' spirit! Now, it can waddle with flair! This little lady sure waddled around in the slush today, donned in head-to-toe gray for the outdoor look. It's actually a great workout you know, taking one step forward and two steps back. It doesn't only test the legs, but the patience too! Well, if one has to trek through the slush, might as well do it in warmth and style!

Sweater: Ricki's | Shirt: Ricki's | Pants: Banana Republic | Earrings: Callura | Scarf: Aldo | Coat: ELFE | Boots: Henri Pierre

Metallic Moto

At first glance, I feel this outfit clashed a little, but after looking at it a bit longer I enjoy the hardness of the motto jeans with the softness of the metallic lilac sweater. They complement one another well. I added a lighter lilac camisole under the sweater for extra warmth and extra interest! The sweater is a tad shorter, and I like to make sure I stay covered in the winter time! There is nothing worse than your shirt riding up underneath your coat and having a gust of chilly wind on your exposed mid-section! Layering really helps with that! I also added my good ol' brown boots. It is officially cold enough to revert to only wearing real winter boots. So, I apologize in advance for the repeats. I actually have more pairs than the average canuck, but still have a limited selection. Quality winter boots are an investment, so I intend to wear them as much as I can!

Jeans: Zara | Camisole: Smart Set | Sweater: Banana Republic | Earrings: (gift) | Scarf: Aldo | Headband: Aldo | Coat: Lululemon | Boots: Henri Pierre

Red Hot Leather

Who ever said buffalo plaid can only be casual? I decided to pull it out of its woodsy-inspired funk and give it a whole new life. In comes the leather dress! I buttoned up the shirt all the way and wore it under my dress, so that only sections of the print are visible. I added a statement waist belt, for that extra bad-girl vibe and finished off with patterned tights and metallic booties. Add a bold red lip to pick up on the red of the shirt and you have one bad-ass look! My buffalo plaid shirt never looked so glam. Sometimes, it's nice to push your pieces to their full potential. My little plaid shirt is so much more versatile than I ever thought it could be. I just had to push the boundaries and break the reflex of always styling it the same way. Do you have pieces you always seem to wear the same way? Try to consciously break that habit! The result can be really fun and unexpected! Go ahead and take risks!

Dress: Banana Republic | Shirt: Old Navy | Belt: Call it Spring | Earrings: Ricki's | Tights: Old Navy | Coat: Esprit | Scarf: Aldo | Headband: Anarchy Gallery | Booties: Zara

Violet Velvet

 

These velvet pants are swoon worthy! The luxurious fabric, in that rich shade just made me want to get them immediately! The bonus part is that they are my trusty Pixie cut from Old Navy! The perfect pants, in the perfect colour in a trendy fabric: how could I not want them? Velvet is everywhere this year, from chokers to shoes to dresses and everything in between. I couldn't wait until the holidays to wear them, so I styled them in a dressed-down outfit (I'll keep the glam stuff for the festivities). Nothing dresses down glam-wear quite like a chambray top! I then added some beige suede belt and booties to add to the richness of the look. I finished things off with my purple pearls and new cloche! I think this was the perfect look for that in-between season. You know, the one between fall and Christmas. That odd time of the year that is particularly hard to dress for. I will be sure to wear these on repeat in the upcoming months. Everyone needs a pair of velvet pants in their lives, the make you feel like a hundred bucks!


Pants: Old Navy (other colour) | Shirt: Old Navy | Belt: Old Navy | Earrings: Callura | Pearls: (gift) | Bracelet: Pandora | Ring: True Bijoux | Scarf: Excite | Mittens: Dynamite | Coat: Esprit | Hat: Simons | Booties: Very Volatile

Shopping Spree

 

Now that I've compiled and taken inventory of all the losses with regards to my wardrobe, I can start rebuilding. My mom happened to be in town this past weekend, so we hit the outlet malls! I could not have asked for a better partner in crime to help me with the first big shopping spree post-fire! I lost a lot of sweaters, cardigans and knits so now is the perfect season to look for replacements. I was able to replace a few of my old favourites with very similar versions. The bonus of outlets is the sales! I was able to get so much more for my money because of the great prices. I'm usually a lone shopper, because to me shopping is more like a 007 mission. I've planned out my every move. This time was a bit different, as my mom was at my side. I must say, it was great having her help and give honest opinions! It reminded me of the good ol' days when I was a shopper-in-training. Thanks for the love and support mama!

Pants: Banana Republic | Sweater: Jacob | Scarf: Excite | Earrings: Callura | Booties: Very Volatile

Poncho Combo

I have a thing for my poncho! It's such a fun piece to have in my closet! I decided to pair the boxy, loose-fitting top with a short fitted mini-skirt. I absolutely love the end result! This is proportion play at its best! I added some leopard burnout tights and black booties to finish things off. The tone-on-tone pattern of the tights sets off the horizontal striping of the poncho. A bit of print mixing never hurts, the key is that I stuck with the monochromatic palette. Go ahead and mix things up a bit by playing with proportions and patterns!

Skirt: Smart Set | Blouse: Jacob | Poncho: Dynamite | Earrings: A Touch of Whimsy | Tights: Dynamite | Coat: Le Château | Scarf: Aldo (gift) | Booties: Blondo