Day-to-Night Bling

Time to dust off the sequins and shimmery garments! I look forward to the Holiday season just so I can wear all of my best sparkly looks! This little black sequined mini is a staple in my festive-dressing arsenal. It's a few years old already, but is still totally on trend. Bonus: it's really comfortable to wear and always puts a smile on my face! How could you not smile when you shine like a disco ball? Sequins really bring me back to my dancing days: no costume was complete without a few hundred of these shiny bad boys! This was the outfit I wore to kick-off my festive calendar. I was attending the usual Christmas party at my favourite jewelry store followed by a viewing of the Nutcracker ballet! These traditional activities called for a versatile look. I needed something dressy, yet comfortable to sit in for a few hours. I figured I couldn't go wrong with a gingham shirt and cable-knit sweater combo! Why overcomplicate things?

Skirt: Jacob | Shirt: Smart Set | Sweater: Banana Republic Factory | Earrings: (gift) | Tights: Old Navy | Scarf: Excite | Coat: Via Spiga | Booties: Blondo

Velvet? You bet!

I like velvet pants, they have the same comfy-factor as corduroy, but with a more luxurious appeal. They seem less kiddy and more grown-up. I guess you could say they are the version of adult cords... I also think the Pixie cut lends itself well to the velvet fabric. The fitted leg makes the material less bulky by being more form-fitting, the velvet really catches the light from every angle. Something I felt the velvet track suits from a few years ago seemed to lack. These pants are very versatile and will bring you from office party, to family board-game night! How would you wear velvet pants?

Pants: Old Navy | Top: Reitmans | Earrings: Banana Republic | Belt: Smart Set | Boots: Steve Madden

TBT - Crimson Leopard

Animal print can be festive too! Simply add a pop of seasonal colour along with the print and you'll be holiday-ready to party like an animal! Lame joke aside, leopard print suits itself well to holiday dressing. I usually see it as a neutral, but in this case, by layering it over a solid-coloured blouse, it really adds interest and tones down the red a bit. I was going for a hint of jolliness as opposed to a full-on Christmas look. Although it's tough to tell in the picture, I'm wearing black brocade pants. The tone-on-tone texture gives the pants a touch of luxury, which is perfectly suited for fancy dressing!

Pants: Jacob | Blouse: Smart Set | Cardigan: Jacob | Earrings: Dynamite | Necklace: Pandora | Bracelet: Pandora | Boots: Bare Traps

Holly Daze

I must have been in quite a daze today to wear these little booties, as I only realized once I was outside that is was freezing rain... As cute as the footwear looks, it is entirely unpractical in the icy outdoors. I literally skated to the bus stop, and must admit, I probably looked like a waddling penguin. Needless to say, I took my time and made it there without any casualties! I bet I would have been better off wearing these booties in the snow. Anyways, with the Holidays just around the corner, I was inspired by holly for today's outfit. The teal and burgundy are a fun combination, and a festive one at that (should you be ok with stretching it a bit with the teal shade as opposed to the forest green). My cute floral tights reminded me loosely of the shape of the holly leaves and figured they were right on theme! Are you fans of wearing the red/green colour combo around the Holidays?

Dress: H&M | Blazer: Jacob | Necklace: (old) | Earrings: Claire's | Tights: Old Navy | Coat: Reitmans | Scarf: Old Navy | Booties: Zara

Dinner for Two

I like impromptu date nights! I wore this to go to dinner with my sweetie. Our favourite restaurant has recently opened another location, so we decided to check it out! We're kind of foodies, so we always enjoy sitting at the chef's table. In this new location, the bar extends into the chef's table and it makes for a great ambiance! I knew it would be a good night when the chef said: "Oh, it's you guys!" as we took our seats. I guess that would make us regulars... Just to clarify, we often saw the chef at the other location. Our favourite waiter was also on hand that night. I was having a craving for their awesome moules-frites, so that is what I had, but there were sooo many other yummy things on the menu! My dish was absolutely succulent, the mussels were in a garlic and chilli cream sauce. Let's just say I could have eaten a bowl of sauce on its own it was so delicious! Now for what I wore. I chose this adorable icy-grey sweater with delicate chain detail in the open back. I paired the sweater with liquid leggings and OTK boots. I finished it off with chandelier earrings to add a bit of glam to the front of the look and voilà! A simple, classy and a little bit sexy date-night look!

Sweater: Dynamite | Leggings: Dynamite | Earrings: Zara | Boots: Steve Madden

Black on Black

You can never go wrong with black on black. I don't suggest wearing head-to-toe black every day, but every now and then, it works. I actually only doubled up the black on the top half and opted for distressed denim to break up the monochrome look. A faux-fur vest can be a great statement piece, or can be worn more subtly by layering it over a same coloured long-sleeve shirt. This is basically an elevated jeans and t-shirt outfit. The black gives it a hint of mystery while the fur adds a touch of luxury and the jeans keep it all casual. I sometimes lack a little inspirations on Monday mornings... Today's look was inspired by the dreary early-morning darkness!

Jeans: Smart Set | Top: Ricki's | Faux-fur vest: Dynamite | Earrings: Payless Shoe Source | Necklace: Dynamite | Coat: Lululemon | Headband: Aldo | Scarf: (gift) | Boots: NY VIP

Fantastic Spaghetti

 

 

Weekends are for friendly get-togethers and movie dates! I did both of these today. The day started off with brunch and a matinée of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them with a friend, followed by a family spaghetti dinner. The movie was fantastic and the spaghetti, delicious! I figured the day called for comfy-cozy attire. What does one wear when seated for many hours and then gobbling up a great meal? Why leggings, or course! The tunic sweater, blanket scarf and cute socks completed the look perfectly and each contributed to the cozy factor.


Leggings: Dynamite | Sweater: Dynamite | Earrings: Smart Set | Scarf: Old Navy | Socks: Old Navy | Mittens: (handmade gift) | Coat: Reitmans | Booties: Blondo

Black Fri-yay!

 

Big news of the day: I've gone blond!!! I decided to change things up and what better way to start a new chapter than by changing your hair? My sister (aka, best hairdresser ever) worked some serious magic to make this happen. I mean, this transformation took 6 hours... That would explain the messy hair picture today, because it was so late when I got home that I went straight to bed, perfect hair do and all. I wore this look on Black Friday. It was an early start and the day on which I debuted my no locks. I would normally shop the clothing and accessories sales on BF, but this year we were on a mission. Appliance shopping for an entire house is no joke! We succeeded our mission and purchased seven appliances in record time. I sure hope everything comes together in this new house... It's challenging to make so many design decisions without seeing everything together. So for once, I think I actually purchased things I needed on Black Friday. There's that small victory!


Jeans: Garage | Sweater: Ricki's | Coat: Reitmans | Scarf: Old Navy | Boots: NY VIP 

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

TBT - Cardinal Rule

I had worn this outfit a few years ago and still love the look! I simply built on the basics here. A sleek black dress, pointed flats and a blazer. I jazzed up the look by opting for a red blazer and added pops of turquoise to give it a bit of contrast and finish off the outfit. The geometric fish nets also add their fair share of interest. The effect is eye-catching, yet somewhat sleek and timeless. The geometric pattern makes the fishnets more work-appropriate than their traditional counterparts. The accessories are what makes this look! It's fun, appropriate and classy all at the same time. This would be a great school teacher look as the kids will like the colours and interesting accessories, while the cut and tailoring will rule the classroom!


Dress: Old Navy | Blazer: Dynamite | Earrings: (gift) | Necklace: ebay | Cuff: Smart Set | Bracelet: Pandora | Tights: Payless Shoe Source | Flats: Payless Shoe Source