1901

This was actually the outfit I wore yesterday, I didn't get a chance to take any photos until night time. You'll be happy to know that today I am not wearing shorts and tights though! I was actually wondering why I was wearing them so much lately and I think I've figured it out...are you ready for a story? 


In grade 2 (eons and eons ago) it was super cool to wear shorts and tights. My teacher Ms. D. used to rock them all the time and, maybe it was just my elementary school, but it was the height of hip to be seen in this combo! My best friend and I decided that the next day we would both wear our shorts with tights, we were very excited and couldn't wait to be "cool"! So I woke up early the next morning and really put my time and care into getting ready...I felt fabulous in my high-waisted, faded denim and black tights (there may have been a few scrunchies involved too...shhh, it was the nineties!). I went to leave the house and my mum bursts out laughing and tells me that there is no way I can wear that to school. She made me change into regular clothes and I sulked for probably a week. So, 15 years later and here I am obsessed with shorts and tights because I feel like I'm a rebel when I wear them. Yes, I know... I'm so bad! (Hah!)

Cardigan and Tee: Gap

Shorts and Boots: Le Chateau

Tights: Joe

Necklace: From the Earth

On a completely unrelated note, I may be suffering from a bit of cabin fever... as these next pics can attest to. I was waiting for my ancient kettle to boil so I could have a lovely cup of tea and I decided to share my nightly routine with you (I really love my tea). The sun is outside shining right now though, so I'm going to go for a walk and shake off winter's S.A.D.! Have a lovely day!

love

xxx

mmmmm!

California English

No, I didn't actually wear this exact outfit outside today...I did not want to get another cold! I threw on some violet full tights (and a scarf and coat!), but this is how I wanted to wear it. I'm really liking the whole neutral and subdued thing going on this Spring and wanted to create a grey/lilac outfit to start playing with the trend. 

Cardigan and Socks: Joe

Shirt: Costa Blanca

Shorts: Le Chateau

Shoes: Aldo

Necklace: Accessorize

As for the business, well... I can start on Monday! Yay (*happy dance*)! I got the go ahead on Thursday, which worked well because I also found out about a little trade show going on the next day that had an opening! So I hustled as fast as I could and got all my stuff together to be there for Friday. And that's how I spent my Friday... networking and handing out brochures like a Tasmanian devil! It was awesome! 

Spring hasn't really sprung here yet, but it's getting close. The snow is melting bit by bit and it's in the pluses all week! Soon I'll be able to commit the most horrendous fashion crime ever by wearing socks and sandals (that's grey silky socks and platform sandals a la Burberry to clarify)! I cannot wait! I'm also on the prowl for vintage floral dresses to complete the outfit, lately I only want to wear dresses with socks and sandals. Do you ever become obsessed  with an outfit and anything else you wear just seems not good enough? Yeah. That's how I feel. It happens a lot! I think it's called outfit lust.

love

xxx

(Hehe I'm slightly evil. My poor, poor cat!)

The Classics Vol. I

Ta Daa! This is the brand new feature I was talking about!! I'm going to be showing how to take the wardrobe staples that most women have and how to style them 4 different ways, Night Out, Weekend, Work and Classic. As you can tell, I'm pretty excited! I plan to make this a weekly feature and would love your feed back. Enjoy!
For Vol. I I'm styling up my personal fave, the plain white tee...

Style I- Night Out

(excuse the pale legs...they haven't seen the sun in a looong time!)

This is a very simple way to make a cute outfit for a low-key party. I'm wearing a dress in this version, but a patterned skirt would work as well. The key is to add interest; the statement necklace, different colours and shine on the heels play nicely against the starkness of the tee. Faux Fur optional! :)

Tee (worn throughout): AA // Dress: H&M // Heels and Necklace: Le Chateau // Belt and Coat: Vintage // Clutch: Aldo

Style II- Weekend

So, this is basically me in a nut shell, I feel so comfy in it! It's also super easy and an outfit that can just be thrown on in 2 seconds (all bonuses!). The scarf adds some interest to the other basics, and the rest is mostly for function. The coat is perfect for spring, the boots are easy to walk in and the jeans are comfy. Personally I always like to add a bit more interest by putting a small detail on that doesn't really go with everything else, here its the turquoise bead bracelet. I like how it just pops but doesn't distract.

Jacket and Bangle: Le Chateau // Jeans: Gap // Boots and Rose Necklace: Aldo // Purse: J Crew // Scarf: Vintage // Bead Bracelet: Self Made

Style III- Work

Yes, I used to work in an office and yes, I did learn how to rock a pencil skirt! Personally I prefer this tee paired with a grey skirt, not a black one (this may be because of vague flash backs to my waitressing days) and I like to add a bit of colour near my face, if a scarf isn't you try an interesting necklace. The trick with this is to play with proportions, the rule of 3 (it's most flattering to split your body into thirds, not halves). The skirt looks so pulled together that it evens out the casual tee. Bonus for being comfy at work!

Skirt and Scarf: Le Chateau // Shoes: Nine West // Purse: The Sac //  Belt: Vintage // Watch: Guess

Style IV- Classic

Stripes are everywhere this season and yet always look so classic, add a pair of boot cut jeans and sensible shoes and you can't get more text book! The jewelry is simple and silver, just a long dangley necklace and this really cool cuff. To add a bit more personality to the outfit I added my favorite floppy hat!  

Cardigan: Bluenotes (seriously!) // Jeans: Gap // Shoes and Cuff: Aldo // Scarf and Necklace: Le Chateau // Hat: AA

So that's Vol. I! Let me know what you think, I'd love to hear your feedback! Have a beautiful day...

love

xxx

You Got Lucky

This outfit was not appropriate for the weather apparently!But I've been dying to wear this lace vest and had to incorporate it some how. I've also seen so much nude, and light colours recently that I couldn't bring myself to wear anything too dark today. I like how this is slouchy and uses so much of the same colour, but the textures add interest and the lace just peeks through. I seriously have to hold myself back from wearing this vest with just a little floral dress....

Dear summer: please come soon! L xxx

Cardigan: Jacob

Lace Vest: Tristan

Cami: F21

Pants:Gap

Belt: Thrifted

Feather Necklace: Le Chateau

Pearl Necklace: Thrifted

Scarf: ??

Shoes: Nine West

I had to throw this big scarf on (with the mandatory winter coat) before leaving the house, it takes away from the light feeling, but it's warm!

Sorry about the lack of posts but I went on a bit of a road trip and had a great weekend seeing some old high school friends! I took a break from the computer and business planning and got all dolled up for a friends wedding social. I hope everyone else had a lovely weekend too! And I'll be back to regular posting now!

love

xxx

p.s. stay tuned for a new weekly feature! It's still in the works right now, but I'm very excited!

Chocolate

So, as I'm sure you've realized, I had to push back the start date for the styling business... I guess I was being a touch too optimistic with the system! The hold up is for a grant that I'm applying for. The amount of paper work that you need to fill out even to be considered is taller than me! It will totally be worth it in the end though so I'm trucking through it, it just means that I don't think I'll be styling anyone till late March!

On to happier things though... how awesome is this coat? I feel so dramatic in it, I might just start calling people "daaahling"! As for the rest of the outfit, I wanted to look preppy and simple. This skirt is a touch too big and long on me so I made it have the "paper-bag" waist by belting it. It worked really well, though looking back I wish I'd found a belt to cover up the skirt's buttons...hmm c'est la vie. I've been trying the whole "shop your closet" thing by not buying anything and I've been pretty good (with the exception of the earlier thrifting...but really, $15 doesn't count!). It's actually quite amazing what you can find in your closet, and you get an awesome thrill knowing that you haven't spent anything and you still like what you're wearing!

Faux Fur Coat: Thrifted!

Shirt: AE (eons ago...)

Skirt: Banana Rebuplic

Belt: Vintage

Boots and Feather Necklace: Le Chateau

Blue Tights and Cami: Joe

And to answer a comment from last post: Joe is the clothing line at a Canadian supermarket called Superstore. It's VERY cheap and cheerful!

I also can't believe how much I'm loving blogging! I started this blog on a complete whim not realizing quite how awesome the community is and how nice other people/bloggers are. I look forward to taking photos everyday and it's exciting to try and find new outfits! I'm not too great with computers, but I'm learning and hopefully this blog will just keep getting better and better.

love

xxx

Thrifted

Eek! I have no idea how I pulled this off, usually I'm a crap thrift shopper, but I just had the best shopping trip! Seriously. A cropped (fake) fur coat, floral print scarf, lace necklace, pearl necklace, nude satin skirt/dress (...it's an awkward length on me as a skirt, but I think it will be adorable as a dress with a brown belt), an adorable peasant top and a Pierre Cardin (!!) garment bag. All for......$15.75!! Can you believe it? When the lady told me the total I just kept my mouth shut, handed over the money and then hustled out of there before the alarms sounded...I must've been stealing something for that price!

My heart actually skips a beat when I look at this garment bag! I'm a huge fashion history buff (yes, it's a real thing!) and Mr. Cardin was such a revolutionary designer. I have no idea when I'll use it, but it was $3.00 so who cares! I have a huge spring in my step now and will be floating around for awhile. I'm also going to an art opening tonight for my art teacher from last year, his work makes me as happy as Mr. Cardin's so I will be one happy lady all day!

love

xxx

Sitting, Waiting, Wishing

Woke up this morning to this gorgeous frost (I think it's called whore frost...but I can't say that without snickering!)and I bugged my sister to come for a walk with me to take pics outside. This plan was better in theory. The problem is that it's hard to explain what kind of photos to take to someone who doesn't do this whole daily outfit thing! I was all "no...no...I need a close up of the patterns, take a picture of my stomach!" (cue confused/Louise-has-lost-it look from sister). Needless to say I had to take a few filler shots when I got home. The walk was nice though, maybe a touch too cold still (c'mon spring!).

I'm still not 100% loving this outfit, I think it's the boxiness of the shirt. hmmm. I felt like looking bright and happy today though and I liked how the tights and top clash, so in those ways it worked. The buttons on the back of the skirt also make my heart melt. I wish wish wish we had a Top Shop here (well I really wish we had anywhere decent to shop in my town if we're being truthful!). I got this skirt when I was in England last year and it still makes me smile every time I wear it...awesome skirt!

Top (actually a tunic) and Coat: Le Chateau

Tulip Skirt: Top Shop

Tights: Joe

Shoes: Anne Klien

Boots (in outside shots): Aldo

Belt: Gap

Necklace: Gift

(apparently Binx does NOT like photo shoots)

Also, THANK YOU!! I completely thought I'd be some mad lady writing about my outfits everyday for only myself to read! You should have seen my happy dance when I found out that people (other than my family and friends who have guns to their backs...hi Bron and Sarah!) actually read this!! All your comments are so sweet and thank you for the encouragement, I'm so excited to keep this going!

love

xxx

I'm Still Standing

What a gorgeous day! The sun was shining and snow melting (it was hovering around -2°C!), and I gave myself a break from the books and computer to relax and have a quiet Sunday. I did take the time to watch the Olympics though, being a patriotic Canadian! I won't bore everyone with how awesome Canada is (it really is though! You should come visit, we're very nice!) I'm just so proud of all that we accomplished and I'm very excited about the next winter Olympics. Plus, whaaaaat? Natalia Vodianova is the spokesperson-ish person for Russia?! They need to not have mascots and just use her....seriously, is there a more beautiful person?

I had fun with this impromptu photo shoot, as you can tell! I love the collar of this dress and how the dusty brown colour contrasts with the purple tights. It's quite fall-ish so I added a wooden bangle and straw clutch to update it more for Spring. I also love this vintage scarf, a few years back I wore it almost everyday...it goes with everything! I had misplaced it for a while when I moved but luckily found it again a few weeks ago, expect to see more of it!

(yes, I look like a dork in the above pic! It's not as easy as you'd think to take shots solo!)

Shirt Dress: Lovely Girl

Cami: Vintage

Scarf and Clutch: Vintage ("borrowed" from mum!)

Tights: M&S

Boots: Liz Claiborne

Bangle: ?? (I've had it forever)

I feel Spring in my bones now and I'm getting excited, not that Spring is all that pretty here (think mud and debris everywhere, not flowers and bunnies), but it feels fresh and new and like coming out of hibernation. Big changes have taken place in my life, both personally and professionally, and it's been a battle everyday but I feel stronger and a little bit closer to myself every time I achieve something (even if it's just hanging a towel rack on my own!). This is going to be a life changing Spring, hopefully in the good way too!

love

xxx