Work It Wednesday...

I decided to participate in the weekly "link-up" organized by fellow blogger, Jill of the Good Life (for Less). Entitled Work it Wednesday, you show 1 style or garment applied in 3 different outfits. I decided, this week, to choose an element of style that I've been loving this fall: the tie neck blouse. If it was in my current budget, I'd love to own and wear a piece of Rachel Zoe's fall collection. So (using Polyvore) I've created 3 sets that show 3 entirely different ways to style the Rachel Zoe's Natalie plunge blouse for 3 different events:

Rachel Zoe Natalie plunge blouse

Shopbop | Bergdorf Goodman | Far Fetch

(Above: satchel (similar), pants, shoes, vest, earrings, bracelets)

(Above: skirt, belt, shoes, watch, clutch, earrings, bracelet, tights)

(Above: vest, jeans, bracelet, boots, bag, hat)

Has a tie-neck blouse been on your list of fall must-haves? 

Please feel free to leave your comment below to let me know what item is on the top your must-have list for Fall right now.

Check outwhat items Jill and other participating bloggers decided to work and remix this week for Work it Wednesday

green shoes...

Of all days, I choose a day when it's raining cats and dogs to showcase a new pair of shoes. Remember my search for green shoes? In the end, I went a different way for my wedding shoes (particularly because I couldn't find the right green shoe that was low enough...) but I wasn't able to resist my favourite of the finalists- the Miz Mooz from The Urban Shoe Myth! (Speaking of which, did you enter the giveaway yet?)

   

The Outfit

• Dress: Francesca (Portland, Nov '10)
• Pantyhouse: ModCloth (ordered online, Jan '11)
• Belt: Eve Gravel (The Black Dog Boutique, Dec '10)
• Blazer: c/o Boa (Dec '10)
• Earrings: Silver Daisy Designs (SJ, Feb '11)
• Shoes: Miz Mooz (The Urban Shoe Myth, Apr '11)

Given the fact that more of my outfits feature my hair up rather than down, this is about the time I'd get it cut. But with a wedding in the works, I'm planning on wearing my hair back so naturally I need the length for now. I remember the days of undergrad when my hair was half way down my back, dyed from the box, 2 colours at a time, my pal Laura would cut my bangs, and my friends and I straightened our hair with an iron. (My aunt- also my hair dresser- is cringing if she happens to be reading this post..)

 

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retro sun bathing...

While it's not particularly beach season quite yet- doesn't mean you can't browse for the perfect bathing suit to sport once summer hits. And if you've gone down south this year or planning to- like so many people I know- you've probably already had a head start on browsing the racks or purchasing, whether it be in-store or online. A genre of bathing suit that has grown on me is the retro, vintage-esque suit that channels the 40's or 50's.

Fashion is cyclical. By re-emerging into the mainstream market, these styles of bathing suits have really caught my eye. Why am I loving these retro suits? They are cute, host a variety of feminine patterns, and flattering on a wide variety of body types! 

Source: ModCloth

While I'm warming up with the start of sandal season and baring my toes, I have't quite got that serious in regards to buying any swim wear myself. (Especially on a day like yesterday when it hails!) But I have been browsing! I like the above styles from ModCloth with preference to the two piece suits. For some more vintage-inspired pieces, I've also come across a good selection at Shabby Apple.

What are you looking for in the perfect bathing suit this summer?

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accessories photoshoot! (part 1)

Recently I met with Joanna Carson Skead, manager at Handworks Gallery, to collaborate on an accessories photoshoot and display some of the beautifully crafted jewelry they have in-store. Handworks Gallery, located in uptown Saint John, carries works created by over 80 artisans in New Brunswick. They carry an assortment of one-of-a-kind pieces that include pottery, jewelry, wood turning, blown glass, photography, paintings.

Choosing a number of beautiful pices from their glass cabinets, I had such a difficult time narrowing down my favourite pieces for the photo shoot- I fell in love with so many! After selecting half a dozen looks, Joanna and I took to the beautiful lobby in Center Beam Place to photograph the jewelry, styled with my outfit. All photos were taken by Joanna with my camera- we had fun picking out the different structural and textile elements in the lobby to use as backdrops!

(Large earrings and 22kt silver & gold necklace- Clare Bridge Designs)

(Necklace & sterling studs- Jeneca Klausen; Black onyx ring- Chris Danisch)

(Heart charm bracelet & pearl drop necklace- Jonathan Corey; Sterling earrings- Jeneca Klausen)

The Outfit

Dress: Jack BB Dakota- Je Suis Prest Boutique (Nov '10)

Top: LuLu*s (ordered online, Jan '11)

Tights: ModCloth (ordered online, Jan '11)

Flats: Aldo (ordered online, Oct '10) 

My favourite piece out of all the selections above would have to be the sterling stud earrings by Jeneca Klausen. It wasn't displayed in the pictures above, but one of the studs is actually intentionally larger than the other (with the larger one being featured in the photographs). Which pieces above are your favourites?

Be sure to follow Handworks on Facebook and Twitter!

P.S. Tomorrow I'll feature another few sets of jewelry from Handworks Gallery!

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Colonel Mustard...

...did it with the candlestick in the observatory!

I know, you must be incredibly tired of listening to me whine about the snow, cold, and the blistering wind on the east coast here. Because of yesterday's weather, outfit photos outside were a no-go...there was no way I was taking off my coat and mitts!

And speaking of outfit photos, I'm excited to have local photographer Sean McGrath snap my outfit photos (featuring a few new wardrobe additions) this Saturday! This weekend is fairly jam-packed! Saturday I'm subject my hair to a long overdue cut and colour, followed by the afternoon's photo shoot. That evening I'm looking forward to a girls night out uptown, anticipating that we'll end the night with a few dance moves at the Canterbury Lounge. Sunday morning, I'll be pulling myself out of bed bright and early and lugging my previously-loved items to Rhoda's for Out with the Old & In with the New! (I still need to do a final pull of items from my closests...the fact that closet is plural is largely why I need to clean out my closet again!) Hope to see you there!

The Outfit

• Sweater: Kensie- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, Sept '10)
• Dress: ModCloth (ordered online, Jan '11)
• Leggings: C'est Moi- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, Oct '10)
• Boots: Aldo (ordered online, Oct '09)
• Necklace: Banana Republic (Freeport, Nov '10)
• Headband: Club Monaco (Halifax, July '10)

Also worth mentioning: are you going to The Salty's (celebrating Saint John's social media community) tonight at the Saint John Ale House? (The event runs from 5pm-7pm). I'll be jaunting across town to get there after work today! Check out all the talk generated about these media award nominees on twitter via the hastag #saltys.

Don't forget to check back later today to find out the winners of the Silver Daisy Designs Giveaway! Thanks again to the lovely Kate Lordon sponsoring this giveaway by providing the beautiful jewellery set and giftcard to her store! I've also got another surprise for you all tomorrow...

the classic LBD...

Two weeks ago I attended a ladies' black dress party uptown with friends, ending the night at the Canterbury Lounge. One thing that is considered for all women to have in their closet in the little black dress (typically abbreviated to LBD). Given that, and my over-stuffed closet, can you believe that I only have one black dress...?

  

 

 

 

  

 

The Outfit

• Dress- David Meister- Winners (Toronto, Sept '08)
• Skinny belt- Joe Fresh Style (SJ, Jan '11)
• Pantyhose- ModCloth (Jan '11)
• Shoes- Guess (gifted from my sister, Dec '10)
• Necklace- Anne Marie Chagnon (Montreal, June '09)
• Headband- Splurge (Halifax, Jan '10)

In mentioning my over-stuffed closet, I plan to thin out some of my clothing in preparation for another round of Out with the Old, & In with the New at Rhoda's Flea Market on Sunday, February 20! Hope to see you out (whether you want to sell and/or browse- so mark your calendars ladies! Kiera has kindly offered to help me sort through and part with some of my items before the big day- this should be interesting!

 

five foreshadows for spring

Despite the fact that we're buried under abour 3 feet of snow, and I was stranded in my house today due to the fact that I couldn't get the car beyond the driveway...I can't stop mesmerizing about spring fashion. Perhaps it's just me longing for those days in the foreseeable future that I don't have to wear about 8 layers or cover my outfit with a parka. Maybe it's just excitement at the chance to sort through my closet...in preparation of "out with the old, in with the new" spring cleaning.

Here are 5 trends I'm forecasting for this spring:

No. 1

Warm Pinks

(corals, peaches)

1. Modcloth Dianthus Fields Dress

2. LuLu*s Crazy Love Coral Dress

3. Shopbop Diane von Furstenburg

4. Shopbop Halston Heritage

No. 2

Florals

(ever-so classic)

1. Free People Kite & Butterfly Tunic

2. Free People Parisian Bouquets Halter Dress

3. Free People Wisteria & Lattice Dress

4. DEPT floral skirt

No. 3

Lace

(a touch of feminine)

1. Shopbop Tibi lace shorts

2. Free People short sleeve lace tunic

3. Alexander Wang lace shirt

4. Free People lovely lace dress

No. 4

Wide-Leg Trousers

(menswear-inspired)

1. ASOS tailored extreme wide leg wool trousers

2. ASOS tailored pinstripe braces wide leg trousers

3. Free People drippy wide leg pant

4. ASOS tailored tab side wide leg

No. 5

Platforms & Wedges

(sky-high sophistication)

1. Dolce Vita Sancia

2. L.A.M.B. Crepe

3. Steve Madden Scandall

4. Steve Madden Sunnset

So what styles and trends are you looking forward to this spring?

This Friday I had intended to host another giveaway...but we've just had to post-pone it until next week. I promise, this one's worth waiting for! Can't wait to reveal it to you all!

Black Swan

Tonight I was blown away by the Black Swan on the big screen. A psychological thriller, in which Natalie Portman's character is torn between two platforms, innocence and seduction, safety and danger, black and white...like flipping two sides of a coin. She strove for beauty and perfection: an obsession that drove her to a brink of a psychotic break. And since I couldn't really sleep following the movie, I decided to channel my energies towards fashion inspiration while playing on Polyvore! 

With the story of the Swan Queen in mind, I put together a mix of light and dark, delicate and edgy, flowing layers and textured feathers:

Black Swan by MaritimeShopaholic featuring...

Lamia Dress
$450 - allsaints.com
Pleated dresses »

Clothing - Dresses - Cocktail and Party Dresses: Carmella Cocktail...
215 GBP - aftershockplc.com
Party cocktail dresses »

Dance of the Swans Dress | Mod Retro Vintage Printed Dresses |...
$75 - modcloth.com
Dresses »

Feather 1 Shoulder Dress
50 GBP - missselfridge.com
Feather cocktail dress »

M-Butterfly Ruffle Detail Chiffon Bottom - Cream - NEW | women's...
22 GBP - m-butterfly.co.uk
Cream dresses »

Rumi Dress
rebeccaminkoff.com
Rebecca Minkoff dresses »

Black Swan Skirt Filthy Magic // Stylish, Trendy & Fashionable
$200 - filthymagic.com
Knee length black skirt »

Valentino Studded Lace Half-d'Orsay
$995 - bergdorfgoodman.com
Studded shoes »

Timeless Lace Up Shoe Boot - Barratts Shoes
25 GBP - barratts.co.uk
Lace up booties »

POCHETTE WITH CHIFFON ROSES AND FEATHERS EMBROIDERY
642 EUR - lindestore.com
Feather handbags »

TEM Feather Earrings
$875 - barneys.com
Feather jewelry »

10k White Gold 1/2ct TDW Black Diamond Stud Earrings | Overstock.com
overstock.com
Diamond jewelry »

Asbury 4" x 6" Frame
addisoncollection.net

As the Black Swan hits our screens, get inspired by the beautiful and...
boticca.com

 

Nothing I'd love more right now than to dress up in a girly dress, don a pair of stilettos, and add an edgy piece of jewelry for finishing touches! What's been your latest source of fashion inspiration?

Coming up next week: sharing some exciting news of things to come (on the blog) as well as a new feature, Organize Your Style! Hope you all have a lovely weekend!