floral & fur...

If there's one thing I've learned in the last (almost) 2 years of reading (and writing) fashion and style blogs, it's that being stylish doesn't always have a guaranteed or straight-forward recipe for success. Knowing your body and what you can pull off is an important aspect, but experimenting with different layers, textures, and colour combinations can be a fun exploration because in fashion, sometimes anything goes! (But it doesn't always.)

I've expanded my own personal style from the "shirt + pants + shoes = outfit" formula. I've learned layering pieces and accessorizing is a way to add interest or sophistication to an outfit. I've also learned that sometimes with outfit experimentation comes a hit or a miss.

This fall I've been inspired by other bloggers to up my efforts at finding new and interesting ways of combining and layering different textures.

The Outfit  Skirt (Old Navy) | Top (Jack BB Dakota, Je Suis Prest Boutique)

Sweater (American Eagle) | Necklace (Banana Republic) | Tights c/o We Love Colors

Boots (Born, The Urban Shoe Myth) | Beret (H&M) | Bracelet (Aldo)

I have to say, this beige sweater has been an all-time favourite and go-to of mine over the last few years. It's a nice neutral colour and, well, I love anything with a hood!

I can't believe that the holidays are closing in on us! Although I'm not over-eager enough to have pulled out the Christmas decor just yet, I have started planning what events and parties I'm going to attend. First up: the Urban Glam holiday party hosted by Je Suis Prest Boutique, The Urban Shoe Myth, and Design 4 Space this coming Saturday night (after having a peek at the Santa Claus Parade of course)! 

Will I be seeing you at this Saint John fashion event?

what's in my fridge...

 So earlier this week I had the first opportunity to wear my new Born boots I purchased after winning The Urban Shoe Myth gift certificate in a silent auction at the Silver Daisy soiree and fashion show last Friday! I ended up saving $30 on my boots (that were already on lay away)! In the end, all the money went to a great cause (Hospice of Greater Saint John).

Earlier this week I got an email from one of HERE magazine's writers to be featured in their "What's for Supper" column. I wanted to be doubly sure they knew I was no culinary master and that I write about putting outfits together (not grand meals)- afterall, my biggest dietary staple is probably actually caffeine.

Laura at Perfumes Plus was kind enough to grab a copy of this issue for me. And while this is the truth about what's in my fridge- don't be fooled- I wish I ate as healthy as this sounds, but I do have a rule that no junk food is allowed to be on the grocery list or come home with me so that certainly helps! 

The Outfit  Dress: Pink Martini- Je Suis Prest (SJ, Sept '11) | Tights: c/o We Love Colors (Feb '11)

Vest: H&M (Moncton, Aug '11) | Belt: Old Navy (SJ, Aug '11) | Earrings: Joe Fresh (SJ, Oct '11) | Bangles: Aldo (Moncton, Aug '11) | Boots: Born- Urban Shoe Myth (SJ, Oct '11)

Happy Friday all! Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

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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just peachy...

Honestly, before this fall, I rarely wore hoisery...even in the winter months. I hardly ever wore dresses or skirts in the cold periods, reasoning being obvious. I'm not really sure why or if I had an opposition to pantyhose before, but I have to say it's made a huge difference in my wardrobe and extended the wear of items that were just seasonal before. As I planned my outfit for a formal I attended this past weekend, wearing bare legs with my dress didn't even occur to me as an option. But the last two years I would have never wore pantyhose. Interesting how your outlook and style can change all of a sudden.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Outfit

• Grey sleeves (shrug): DEPT- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, April '10)
• Coral top: French Connection (Toronto, June '10)
• Dress: Lush- Envy (SJ, Dec '10)
• Belt (from another skirt): Eve Gravel- The Black Dog Boutique (SJ, Dec '10)
• Tights (in light orange): We Love Colors (ordered online, Mar '11)
• Boots: Town Shoes (Halifax, Oct '07)
• Ring: Silpada (jewelry party, Summer '10)

You purchase the right fit of pantyhose and they are actually comfortable. They're also a saving grace for my pale legs. They also double as shapewear and give everything a more firm appearance, even if you haven't been to the gym in months. Pantyhose have become a secret weapon for women. And when you look good, you feel good!

 

 

 

 

rainbow of tights...

When Kendi Everyday featured a We Love Colors discount on her blog last month, I rounded up a group order of tights with fellow local ladies so we could all save on shipping. Together, all 6 of us spent almost $200 dollars on a women's wardrobe essential: hoisery!

 

My personal favourite would be We Love Color's microfiber lycra tights because of the color selection, how durable they are, and how well they keep their shape! Last Saturday we gathered for a group coffee date to chat, sip lattes, and divy up the goods!

 

 

 

 

mother earth...

I was so pumped when I opened my mailbox last week to find the package from We Love Colors I was awaiting. One of my style goals since stating my New Year's resolutions has been to try and incorporate more coloured tights into my outfits. Ever since seeing these rust coloured tights on Jen (of Jen Loves Kev)- I was intrigued to try them out myself! Kindly We Love Colors sent me a pair to style in my own way!

What do you wear with the colour burnt orange? I decided to go natural a la nature and pull in a metallic sheen for highlighting.

This outfit got a work-out Friday evening: a double date dinner with friends Chamila and Brent at new uptown restaurant Decimal 81 (which I will fondly give two thumbs up), followed by a house party at my friend Joel's, and then rounding out the night to see the awesome band Three Sheet at Peppers Pub. Comes to show you there is a lot you can do in an evening in uptown Saint John.

The Outfit

• Tights: c/o We Love Colors (Jan '11)
• Dress: Lovelygirl- Twisted Muse (Halifax, July '10)
• Sweater: Kensie- Je Suis Prest Boutique (SJ, Dec '09)
• Belt: American Eagle (SJ, 6-7 yrs ago)
• Necklace: gifted from Kristen (Dec '10)
• Shoes: Aldo (ordered online, Spring '10)

Stay tuned this week because I have an amazing giveaway coming up this Wednesday. You'll want in on this one. I have so much up and coming things to share this spring! Just you wait.

fall transitions...

I don't know about you, but once the fall breeze started to blow, I stood in front of my closet and felt bored of what I saw. From the earlier pre-fall days I was flipping through my typical stack of fashion magazines, making my wish list and checking it twice! However, I'm a gal on a budget (until B wins the millions). Mixing some of my summer neutrals with sweaters and tights have allowed me to wear them into the fall. I've been slowly adding new items to my wardrobe to spice up outfits I already have and make them current.

This weekend I was in Toronto with two of my most favourite ladies- one of which is moving to London (England) within a month! I tend to go a little shop crazy on my trips to the big city, but I managed to control myself this time, I even managed to put a few items back on the shelves. But that doesn't mean I didn't bring home some amazing finds! These photos are from our shopping on Bloor West on Saturday afternoon (in tomorrow's posts I'll show you what's actually in those bags).

The Outfit:

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  Sweater- American Eagle (SJ, 1-2 yrs ago)
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  Brownish grey dress- lovelygirl- Twisted Muse (Halifax, July '10)
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  Brown belt- Eddie Bauer (Moncton, August '06)
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  Olive green pantyhose- American Apparel (Halifax, Sept '10)
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  Brown oxfords- Aldo (Halifax, Sept '10)
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  Purse- Guess- Walsh Lugguage (SJ, Feb '09) 

I have to admit, I paid almost $20 for those tights. American Apparel, although I do like their retro, funky pieces, can be pricey. Barb of blogblogblog let me know that at We Love Colours you can score a larger variety for less. I've been eyeing their knee highs to transition some of my dresses and skirts into fall.