sunday comfort...

With a snow storm like yesterday, there's nothing I'd prefer to do than curl up in a comfy outfit and hold up indoors with a cup of coffee and a movie, book, or my laptop. When it comes down to putting together a comfortable outfit, nothing beats a long sweater and a pair of leggings. On this particular day, B and I headed out for Starbucks and to run a few errands.

The Outfit  Faux leather jacket: Winners | Sweater: Abercrombie & Fitch | Top: American Eagle

Leggings: TNA | Purse: Coach | Boots: Town Shoes | Hat: H&M | Necklace: H&M

Find online: similar leggings, similar jacket, similar hat

Happy Thanksgiving to my American pals! 

cats and dogs...

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...well raining them, I mean. That's what happened on Saturday, along with a Starbucks coffee date, followed by shopping uptown with friends. When these photos were taken on the deck later that afternoon, it was pouring...hard! Somehow I always manage to wear the longest jeans I own on wet, puddle days...

The Outfit

• Jeans: J Brand- Envy (SJ, May '11)
• Top: Abercrombie & Fitch (Bangor, Aug '07)
• Wedge sandals: Calvin Klein- Manchester Shoe Salon (SJ,
• Necklace: H&M (Toronto, Dec '08)
• Feather earring: Little Burgundy (Montreal, June '10)
• Leather cuff: ESquared Jewels- Silvery Daisy Designs (SJ, June '11)
• Purse: Coach (Toronto, Sept '10)

After wearing my Guess jeggings every chance I got this Spring, I decided it was time to bring the real denim back into my wardrobe. I realize I never captured what my shoes like in these photos...refer here. I typically cannot find pants that are long enough. It was after I was lucky to score these J Brands on sale that I realized I needed to wear a 4" heel like these Calvin Klein wedges to not drag my hemline in the dirt! For a girl with a 33-34" inseam, it's a bit unusual!

People may have heard me looking for models last week on Facebook and Twitter for a photoshoot. Last week a couple of volunteers agreed to let me dress them up in the neon and neutral trend for the Brunswick Square fashion blog. Be sure to check that post out here later today and stay tuned for my behind-the-scenes look at that photoshoot here on my own blog tomorrow morning!

 

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spring camouflage...

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I think all this rain we've been drowning in has finally paid off- because finally I'm starting to see leaf buds popping up all over the city! Which is good with my wedding is coming up in 2.5 weeks! I'd hate to see the only greenery be fake with our black and white garden party theme!

I wore this particular outfit on a busy Saturday: first for coffee and shopping uptown with the Katies, then I was off to Charity Chic in search of great finds, followed by a 3 year old's birthday party, and finally a dinner and movie date with Tabor.

 

(Left) Pink OPI nail colour I had painted at Charity Chic.
(Right) Two shades of green nail colour (OPI Gargantuan Grape & Inglot 320) from early in the day

The Outfit

Dress: Lovelygirl- Twisted Muse (Halifax, July '10)

Sweater: Abercrombie & Fitch (Bangor, Nov '09)

Tights: We Love Colours in Mocha (ordered online, March '11)

Shoes: Nine West (Freeport, Nov '10)

Headband: Splurge (Halifax, Fall '09)

Gold necklace: Banana Republic (Freeport, Nov '10)

Floral necklace: ESquared- Silver Daisy Designs (SJ, May '11)

When I went to Silver Daisy Designs last week it was actually to look for a necklace to go with my ensemble I have picked out for my bachelorette coming up- however the new stash of ESquared Jewels caught my eye and I easily fell in love with a couple pieces. It took me longer to decide on what I had actually come for while this green floral Esquared piece was a no brainer. I just love the look and feel of what Erin and Emily create.

Remember I said to stay tuned to a special announcement on how you can gain yourself a few more entries into the Urban Shoe Myth Giveaway? Check back at noon today for more details!

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cold concrete...

Today's outfit is from the archives of outfits not previously posted. The whole reason I hadn't posted these photos earlier was because I didn't feel anything special to this particular outfit. To end up posting this outfit shows the reality that we don't put together the perfect outfit every day. There are some days when we're looking for something comfortable, extremely practical, are in a rush and just need to throw it together.

My best success with having an outfit I feel really good in the following day tends to come with a little pre-planning and picking out the pieces the night before. I tend to be a last minute person, just flying out the door, so I'm about making it work with what time I have! You can miss the perfect element to add to an outfit if you're always doing everything last minute. I usually spend my time in the shower mentally combing through my closet while simultaneously washing my hair. Usually it starts with one pieces: be it a pair of pants, a top, a necklace, or shoes that I really feel like wearing that particular day. It's always about comfort.

The Outfit

• Hooded sweater: Abercrombie & Fitch (Bangor, Nov '09)
• Floral top: Free People- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, Spring '10)
• Skinny cords: American Eagle (ordered online, Nov '09)
• Shoes: Aldo (Halifax, Sept '10) 

It took me time through my teens and 20s to realize that comfort trumps everything! It's hard to feel good about yourself and what you are doing if you don't feel comfortable in what you are wearing! Size is just a number on a tag no one ever sees- the muffin top is one of the biggest faux pas. Long gone are the days of tight pants that do not already have an elastic or stretch quality built into them!

I think my favourite garments that are built for comfort and flattering the figure are jeggings, high waisted trousers, high waisted skirts, long cardigans, flowy or cotton dresses- any of these items are go-tos for me on days where I'm feeling less than my best- because those are the days that we want comfort and style with minimal work!

  

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military profile...

For ladies who caught onto the military and utilitarian trends this past fall, you'll be happy to know that they continue to be right-on trend for spring! You'll be able to mix your olives and khakis, your pocketed shirts and skinny cargo pants with lighter layers once the cold weather ceases and the snow starts to melt!

I love the versatility of this snap-up military green top I got from Mango last spring...depending on what I choose to pair it with, it's been suited for all seasons!

The Outfit

• Military shirt: Mango (Toronto, June '10)
• Tank top: Abercrombie (Bangor, Nov '09)
• Pants: Ricki's (SJ, Dec '09)
• Shoes: Nine West (Freeport, Nov '10)
• Belt: American Eagle (SJ, 6-7 yrs ago)
• Necklace: Swarovski (gifted from B, Feb '10)

Again, I apologize that you are staring at my living room wall again! These pictures were from last week. As I mentioned earlier this week, I'm making it my mission to seek out new backdrops where I can still seek shelter from the elements!

biker chic

Yesterday afternoon I headed uptown to meet Katie, sip on a Starbucks latte, and then set off on a browsing venture of the clothing racks in Pseudio and Je Suis Prest Boutique. I was on a mission to find an animal print tank or t-shirt, with little luck. I am a bit surprised that I've scoured the shops of Saint John and haven't come up with much given that animal prints are on trend right now. But I have to admit, we're seeing them mostly in accessories (scarves, shoes, etc.) or in the form of faux fur coats and vests. I just had a desire to pair my new Paige skinny cargos with some feline-esque stripes or spots. Instead, I settled for another cute top from Pseudio, to be featured in an upcoming post.

The Outfit

Faux leather jacket- Winners (Toronto, Sept '10)

Long grey tee- Abercrombie (New Hampshire, April '09)

Black leggings- TNA- Aritzia (Toronto, Sept '08)

Black and gold skinny belt- Chinese Laundry- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, Oct '10)

Black wedge booties- Aldo (Toronto, Sept '10)

Gold chain headband- Club Monaco (Halifax, July '10)

Black leather purse- Coach (Toronto, Sept '10)

The reason I chose this particular ensemble- the cotton pieces make it oh so comfy but the leather (real and not) give it a bit of edge to dress it up a bit. 

shopping wish list

Tomorrow evening I leave for Toronto to visit my best friend (and maid of honour to be) Kristen! I decided to make a long weekend of it, departing tomorrow and returning Monday morning. There have been previous trips where we have shopped until we dropped! I'd like to focus on a little variety of activity and show some restraint when it comes to handing over my debit card- I'm trying to be a little bit more conservative in my shopping over the next month or so (after all, I did just switch jobs and need to build a full caseload). But of course there will be shopping this weekend...it is Toronto after all! I've compiled my own reference in the form of an inspiration page to keep myself on track for the styles, trends, and colours I'm looking to add to my wardrobe this summer. Please, do take a look!

Let's start out with a colour palette that I love right now: pastels. I'm generally looking for tops in pastel hues that have a romantic, feminine and fun design.

Above: bubblegum pink, acid yellow, ice blue, and aquamarine

(Photo from Harper's Bazaar)

I would say you could add a lilac to complete the mix. The only colour I'd have to say I can't pull off is the acid yellow (although Sarah Jessica Parker pulled off an amazing Valentino gown in a similar but more neon shade for the opening of SATC 2). I like more of a sunshine yellow:

Modcloth

Speaking of feminine and fun, I'm looking for patterns that are a soft, but random splash of designs or perhaps a pretty floral design:

Kensie

Kensie

Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch

I really like some of the colourful and bright plaids out this season, such as the following 2 dresses from Abercrombie and the plaid shirt from American Eagle (that I would only be interested in if it's long on the torso)...

Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch

American Eagle

My current loves in the way of skirts, would be either just a pretty pattern or solid colour with the thicker waist bands- great for comfort and tucking shirts in to be certain they stay secure! Also, I've also wanted a tutu inspired skirt...

Free People

Nasty Girl

I'm definitely wanting in a white dress, either with lace or ruffle detail- in either a mini or maxi length.

Free People

Free People

Kensie

Mango

White is predicted to be a hot colour this summer. Other white pieces I would love to have would be the white skinny jean (I think without the distressed look- it would be more versatile that way) and the white blazer:

American Eagle

Bop Basics

One look that has grown on me is the military or utilitarian look:

Mango

For the more fun, casual looks: cropped jeans- either distressed or dark wash:

American Eagle

Abercrombie & Fitch

And on the jean theme, I'd also like a fitted jean jacket (although it doesn't necessary have to be a cropped version like this Guess one below):

Guess

Horizontal stripes have been re-emerging as a likely trend:

Abercrombie & Fitch

Abercrombie & Fitch

My wardrobe is definitely lacking in pretty summer shorts:

American Eagle

American Eagle

American Eagle

Craving some cute summer shoes, steering away from just the every day neutrals:

Aldo

Aldo

Something very specific I am positive I want: this Coach lap top case since I'll be toting my computer around a lot more.

Coach

And perhaps a new wristlet? (we'll see...)

Julia Collection by Coach

I promise, I have no intentions of bringing home this much stuff! I'll only be brining back a few pieces. This is just for fun (don't we all get carried away with wish lists?) and a few memos to keep in mind when I'm browsing... Any thoughts or recommendations? I'm also bringing my laptop to Toronto, so I'll be updating you on my finds and style while in the big city!