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?

love for marc jacobs & a shopbop giveaway!

Lately I've been refocusing the way I look at my wardrobe and sticking to a stricter budget. I'll admit it: I have no shortage of clothes, that's for sure, yet it's incredibly difficult to keep up on every emerging trend and beautiful item that may cross my path or get pinned on Pinterest! So as of late I've committed to a closet that contains more quality over quantity. I've learned that if you try to keep up on every passing trend, your closet will be over-stuffed and your wallet bare. I'm saving my hard earned pennies now to increase the quality in my closet.

What I'd love to be able to obtain would be a few beautiful designer or unique pieces. Right now, many of the items on my wishlist come from Marc by Marc Jacobs. I've been browsing the pages of Shopbop, all the while taking note of my favourites (and adding them to my Christmas list)!

 

Fortunately for you, my lovely readers, the holidays and gift giving have come a little early! Shopbop has kindly given readers of my blog the opportunity to win a $100 gift card to spend on their website! The winner will have $100 to purchase anything they wish from Shopbop, whether it be (perhaps) a Marc by Marc Jacobs duffle bag, a BB Dakota faux fur vest, or a House of Harlow necklace.

To enter this giveaway, please complete the 3 following mandatory steps to be eligible to win:

1. Follow Maritime Shopaholic via Facebook
2. Visit Shopbop and browse their inventory of beautiful items
3. Comment on this post and tell me what item you would choose from Shopbop if you were to win the $100 gift card! 

Bonus entries- complete any or all for extra chances to win!

(Be sure to leave an additional, separate comment for each one completed.)

1. Follow Maritime Shopaholic on Twitter
2. Follow Shopbop on Twitter
3. Follow Maritime Shopaholic via Bloglovin'
4. Follow Maritime Shopaholic via Google Friends Connect
5. Tweet about the giveaway: "Enter @mshopaholic's #giveaway to win a $100 to @shopbop! http://bit.ly/tuBATT" Let me know your twitter handle or the link directly to your tweet in your comment.
6. Click here and share the link of this giveaway on your Facebook page. Let me know your name as on Facebook in your comment to get credit.
7. Visit Shopbop and let me know your favourite Marc by Marc Jacobs item they carry.

You can earn up to 8 entries in total.

Contest will remain open until 5pm AST Thurs, Nov 24.

Winner will be chosen by random and announced on the blog Mon, Nov 28.

If you have any questions regarding the giveaway, please email me at maritime.shopaholic@gmail.com

addicted...

My friend Katie finally wore me down and made me start using a Pinterest account one night while we were watching SNL. And now I've caught the Pinterest fever. I know a lot of people have been praising the site for months (especially fellow bloggers) and I finally got on the bandwagon last week. (I was also one of my last friends to finally give into this Facebook thing...)

My Pinterest- follow along!

So what's all the hype about? (For those of you who aren't already nodding along, thinking Pinterest about how much you love it and how it may now you may waste more time on it than Facebook...) You can "pin" or copy photos of items you want, projects you'd like to try, ideas you laugh at, meals you'd like to make (I could go on...) from any website you're browsing or you can just piggyback and use someone else's pin already on Pinterest. And all you do is click on the photo (because so many of us are visual beings) and it takes you back to the source where you can buy it/find out how to make it/or who said those words of brilliance. You can also categorize these pins into groups or "boards". 

A few of my favourite things and ideas I've pinned since becoming addicted to Pinterest...

1.  Sequin dress I would love to wear to a Holiday party!

2.  Eggnog mini cupcakes I plan to serve at my Christmas party

3.  DIY project for refinishing an old dresser in my spare room

4.  Outfit inspiration from Kim of Eat Sleep Wear in a Marc Jacobs dress

5.  Eye make-up that inspired an evening make-up tutorial party last night

6.  A Crockpot meal I am cooking tomorrow

Do you already use Pinterest? What types of things do you use it for?

urban rancher...

I'm always trying different looks and remixing items from my closet- but aside from the visual appeal of an outfit, the most important factor is always comfort! It may not be fancy or appropriate for a cocktail party, but I can go out for a coffee date with a friend or curl up on my couch and type up a blog post wearing this ensemble.

A year ago when I took on 30 for 30 challenge posed by Kendi Everyday I learned that it's how you mix and match elements and how you accessorize that can make your wardrobe go further- it's not actually dependent on how many items are hanging in your closet. Essentially, the accessorizes (hat, scarf, necklace, earrings, bracelets, belt..) can totally change the vibe of an outfit and making sure you combine at least 3 items (i.e. top + vest + bottoms or dress + belt + coloured tights + statement necklace) in an ensemble that can bring an outfit from plain to stylish.

The Outfit  Shearling vest (Gentle Fawn, Je Suis Prest) | Jeggings (Guess, Envy) 

Shirt (similiar): Joe Fresh | Boots: Born- Urban Shoe Myth

Bracelet (ESquared, Silver Daisy Designs)

This shearling vest from Je Suis Prest Boutique has to be one of my favourite versatile items to remix. And speaking of Je Suis Prest, if you're local, have you heard about their Urban Glam Party coming up on Saturday, November 19? They're pairing up with The Urban Shoe Myth (and Design 4 Space) to showcase Saint John's exciting fashions and shoes for the upcoming holidays all while supporting a great cause in the Coverdale Centre for Women. Tickets go on sale for $30 today- and I anticipate they'll be sold out very soon because I do believe the max number is 150! Hop into Je Suis Prest Boutique or The Urban Shoe Myth to get your tickets ASAP! 

Will I be seeing you at the Urban Glam Party?

work it wednesday...

Last week I used Polyvore to show 3 ways I would style a Rachel Zoe blouse I've been coveting. This week I thought I'd pull an item from my own closet to show you how I've remixed it within my wardrobe.

Michael Kors Jada Bootie

Piperlime | The Urban Shoe Myth

A fall footwear staple for me has been this bootie I purchased back in September. I really love this wedge- it's more supportive than your typical pair of heels and is comfortable enough to wear when I know I'm going to be on my feet for a prolonged period.. It's a shoe that can easily be dressed up or down the neutral colour allows it be mix and match with a wide variety of colour palettes.

What has been your favourite shoe to wear this fall? 

Click the image below to pop on over (to The Good Life for Less blog) and see how other bloggers have styled the wardrobe item or trend of their choice this week!