Sunday, September 28, 2014

Tiptoeing into colour

I love the way a pop of colour can transform an outfit, even in small doses. This post isn't directed at those who love their neutrals and stick to them without fail (you know who you are), but those who want to take a baby step into more colourful territory. I picked black jeans and a white knit V-neck to illustrate. 



Pink shoes and a print scarf.


 Boom. Impact. 


Jeans - Guess via Winners
Top - DKNY outlet
Scarf - Sirens
Shoes - Guess via Winners

You can also go about it the opposite way. Instead of piling colour onto neutrals, pile neutrals onto colour. The lighting in these photos is really really off but believe me when I say the dress is a saturated blue. I toned down the effect with a khaki jacket, sand-coloured wedges and a muted gold necklace. 



Dress - Laura
Jacket - Michael Kors via Winners
Wedges - Clarks
Necklace - Jones New York via thrift store

Same dress, different effect:



Thursday, September 25, 2014

On the cheap

Other than the jewellery, this outfit was the result of thrift store buys, clothes swaps and hand-me-downs from my mom.

I've worn the dress once before on the blog (here), with an ombre silk scarf in the same colours for a more dressy take. I guess I was feeling a little bit country this time around!

xx










Dress, jacket - Olsen
Shoes - Aldo via thrift store
Belt - Salena's Collection via clothes swap
Earrings - Thai market
Bracelet - Toronto boutique

Thursday, September 18, 2014

Short shorts and tall mirrors

When I feel like turning it on for a night out, I love a pair of short shorts, like this tuxedo-inspired pair, worn with high heels and a slouchy top. The occasion was a birthday dinner for my father-in-law at a fancy steakhouse, so I kept the top half modest.

I'm glad I was able to get Brad to take a couple of extra shots on my phone on the way over. Apparently when my heels are on I'm too tall for hallway selfies in front of our only full-length mirror. Hence the either-feet-or-head photos. I'm happy that I managed to throw this outfit together in about 2 minutes, my prep time having been reduced to almost nothing by an ice bucket challenge. 

Sidebar: Yes, I did the challenge, and yes I read all the associated slacktivism/charity-worthiness articles. I decided to make a small donation to ASL.ca, but also chose to donate to the Alzheimer Society of Ontario. Dementia is a cause close to our family's heart, and research is needed as dementia becomes an even more pressing health issue for a greying population. Equally importantly, the Society has a top rating on charityintelligence.ca. 

On a more lighthearted note, I urge you to download Radiolab's The Bus Stop podcast to hear a great story about how one nursing home found an mindblowingly simple and innovative -solution to dealing with disoriented residents. You won't be disappointed! Click here for the link.

xx








Shorts - Forever 21
Sweater - Tristan via thrift store
Shoes - Guess via Winners
Necklace - Claire's
Clutch - Gift

Thursday, September 11, 2014

SAKrificial sweater and a keepSAKe blouse

After a disappointing shrinking experience with a Saks Off Fifth Blue Label sweater, I'm happy to report this Saks Off Fifth Red Label label blouse is a dream. It's kept its size and shape and dries blissfully wrinkle-free (I know, the skirt is a different story). 

Something about this outfit - the colours, the beaded necklace, the shell-inspired earrings? - reminds me of the tropics. So I wore it to the office on my birthday a couple of Mondays ago as a mental pick-me-up!

xx









Top - Saks off Fifth
Skirt, belt - DKNY
Shoes - Sam Edelman
Earrings, bracelet - gift
Necklace - Dynamite

Thursday, September 04, 2014

L'insouciance

I've scheduled this and the next couple of posts to go up as Brad and I are away on our honeymoon. As I write this, my suitcase is packed, the condo sitter is lined up and my mind is wandering to the moment when I'll step out on our cruise ship balcony and look out over the Greek Isles. Bliss awaits...

On the subject of Europe, I received a book from a dear friend called Paris Street Style, with great photos to ogle. Having spent my high school years at a lycée filled with its fair share of French ex-pats, I've always had a soft spot for European dress. There were parts of the book I disagreed with: the premise of the book is basically that fashion is what you make it. They then they proceed to list a litany of so-called fashion 'rules'. However, I agree whole-heartedly that French women bring a certain insouciance to the way they dress. There's often one thing that's not quite perfect in their ensemble, and that distinguishes them from their completely put-together American counterparts. 

Take this outfit. Any American fashion magazine will tell you to pair a slim pencil skirt with heels, and the higher the better. High heels can feel like such a easy road out. Of course everything looks better with a gorgeous, leg-elongating shoe. Well *#$ it, I decided to go with flats.

xx







Skirt - Femme de Carrière
Tee - French Connection
Jacket - Saks Off Fifth
Shoes - Cole Haan
Belt - Ann Taylor
Bracelets - Aldo Accessories