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?

wedding by the sea...

Last weekend B and I headed down to St. Andrews by-the-Sea for his cousin's wedding. Talk about beautiful settings for any event, especially nuptials, this adorable sea side town hosts charming houses with character along streets with copious greenery; a street full of cute little shops right up against the ocean; opportunities for whale watching; an awesome marine research centre (with aquarium, touch pool, and an up close visit with seals!); and a gorgeous historic resort (that may be haunted). I spent a lot of time in the summers of my childhood visiting this town. So an opportunity to get an extra visit to St. Andrews before  the winter, combined with a celebration: sounds like a pretty good Saturday to me!  

The Outfit  Dress (Pink Martini, Je Suis Prest) | Necklace (Aldo) | Belt (Old Navy) | 

Glitter tights (gifted) | Shoes (Guess, Manchester Shoes) | Purse (Coach) | Coat (Soia & Kyo, Envy)

Just this past weekend, I went the opposite way on the map to meet up with friends in Moncton for a wine fair. Sipping vino, laughing with friends, and just hanging out in our hotel room at the casino made for an excellent weekend!

last call for knee socks!

I feel a little like I below on a mountain top with braids or yodelling in this outfit, but sometimes it's a little fun when your outfit takes on a bit of character (without looking like a costume). I think this is officially the last time you'll see these shorts before spring. I've tucked a few more things away in my seasonal bin downstairs and it's almost time to lug up the heavier coats and boots! After all, I'm pretty sure I spotted frost on my car's wind shield this morning (from the warmth of my living room of course- one benefit of having your office at home).

Click the links below to see where you can the find these items online.

The Outfit  Vest: H&M | Blouse: H&M (similiar) | Shorts: Old Navy  

Socks: American Apparel (similar) | Bracelet: ESquared- Silver Daisy Designs

Necklace: Aldo Accessories | Booties: Michael Kors- The Urban Shoe Myth

Yesterday, one of the local radio stations was talking about taking bets on when we'll have the first snowfall (of at least 1cm- gross.) Last year it was right after Halloween. Starting to think about snow has meet thinking of ideas of how to capture interesting outfit photos without resorting to my living room wall as the back drop. 

Any good suggestions for interesting locations sheltered or indoors once the dreaded winter hits?

I'd love to hear your suggestions for keeping it interesting down below in the comments! Also, just feel free to say hi. :)

Indian Summer...

A couple of weeks ago the heat spiked and we went from autumn back to summer weather. With my summer wardrobe already packed away, I was left with limited choices. I was also probably one of the few people in the city who wasn't particularly appreciating this border-line heat wave. You couldn't even enjoy a walk around the Irving Nature Park without practically dehydrating yourself. After all, I was geared up with new fall items I'd rather wear! And this sheer striped blouse would be one of my favourites.

Click the links below to see where you can the find some of these items online.

The Outfit  Shirt: Mink Pink- Je Suis Prest Boutique | Shorts: Old Navy | Sandals- Sam Edelman

Purse: Fossil- Manchester Shoe Salon | Bracelet: ESquared- Silver Daisy Designs

Scarf (as headband): Coach

The next big walk I plan to take is uptown this Friday for the Gallery Hop! However, walking from gallery to gallery might require a few more layers now that the temperatures are starting to drop below 10 degrees (Celsius). 

Will I be seeing you Friday for the last gallery hop of 2011?

Please comment below if you will be out and about Friday night for the Gallery Hop in Saint John. If you aren't from Saint John, any comments are welcome and appreciated, so please do feel free to drop a note just to say hi! I'd love to hear from you.

media party...

I have a very happy story to tell about this outfit (well, at least about the top and skirt). It's fairly infrequent that I shop at Old Navy but I happened to go in the store last month looking for some tank tops just to lounge around in at home. Here, I came across a tie-neck blouse (that I had been forever searching for) and with medi skirts in season as well as a "buy-1-get-the-2nd-75% off" deal in swing- I left with a few extras.

Unfortunately I didn't have much success in finding the items I originally went in looking for. (Isn't that always the case?) Remembering that Old Navy has a website with free shipping, I not only found what I was looking for but also the blouse and skirt on sale for even less than what I had bought them for in-store! Needless to say, I quickly returned my purchases to the store and made a quick bee-line for the online check-out.

The Outfit  Blouse: Old Navy | Skirt: Old Navy | Belt: Eddie Bauer

Tights: Hue- Je Suis Prest Boutique |Earrings: Aldo Accessories | Bracelets: Aldo Accessories

 Trench: BB Dakota- Je Suis Prest Boutique | Booties: Michael Kors- The Urban Shoe Myth

A couple of weeks ago, myself and a few bloggers attended what was supposed to be the media party for New Brunswick Fashion Week. As nice as it was to be included as media and receive a pass for free access to the event, the date and location of this media party was not released much in advance. Really it was just a stop in to get your tag and a few details (there was no bar as indicated). The final schedule for Friday (2 days away) was not finalized at this time so we weren't entirely sure what to expect until I saw the email with the schedule pop up on my Blackberry at 10pm Thursday night. It didn't leave much time to share this with the public. But, as it turned out, the organizers did not follow this schedule anyways.

Apparently New Brunswick Fashion Week for Spring 2012 is slotted for February 25 to March 2 and so far, it appears it will be primarly based out of Moncton (with the main gala to occur at the casino). Here's to wishing for a successful future for NBFW.

Sex & the City...

I wore this outfit to Silver Daisy's Sex & the City themed fashion show fundraiser a little over a week ago. My originally planned outfit didn't work out as planned, so I threw this ensemble together in record time. I remember the time when it was a faux pas to mix black and brown, black and blue and especially black and navy. Truly a thing of the past-  there seems to be an almost "anything goes" in fashion- what matters is how you style it and having it come together tastefully!

The Outfit  Dress: Valerie Dumaine- Black Dog Boutique (SJ, July '11) | Belt: Old Navy (SJ, Aug '11)

Tights: gifted from Barb | Shoes (similar): Guess- Manchester Shoe Salon (SJ, Oct '11)

Clutch: Kate Spade (ordered online, July '11) | Bangles: Aldo (Moncton, Aug '11)

Check out my photos from the event here:

• Photo album: Silver Daisy SATC Soiree

Thanks to Kate for snapping my photos!

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!

blogger party!

Last night was Saint John's first blogger meet-up. It was a chance for bloggers who write about some aspect of fashion- whether it be personal style, lifestyle, photography, hair, or design- to gather together and, for some, meet for the 1st time in person. And what better than an opportunity to drink, eat, and be merry all while amongst beautiful shoes?

Huge thank you to the fabulous Urban Shoe Myth for hosting our blogger party last night. And great thanks to the chef extrordinaire Jesse Vergen and Peter Stoddart of the Alehouse for sponsoring our gathering with some beautiful spreads to feast upon!

Twitter: @UrbanShoeMyth | @SJAH_NB | @JesseVergen

The Urban Shoe Myth: 78 King Street

Did you know that you too could host your own shoe shopping party?

Click here for more details.

Blogger gathering, beautiful shoes, and one stylish mannequin (dressed in Je Suis Prest!)

Bloggers chatting over punch and deliciously prepared food from the Saint John Ale House

2 planks of tastey food prepared

(Some of those veggies are right from Jesse's own garden!)

(Left): Jasmine & Candice outside while we shoot our outfit photos | (Center): Kelly tries on every black boot in the store | (Right): The magical room with all the shoes

My favourite shoes at the Urban Shoe Myth (ok, so I couldn't pick just one..or two!):

1. Nine West | 2. Steve Madden | 3. Stuart Weitzman

4. Kenneth Cole | 5. Miz Mooz | 6. Dolce Vita

7. Minnetonka | 8. Frye | 9. Born

I tried #6 on- now on my wishlist- & already have #9 on lay-away.

Thanks to Kate for snapping my outfit photos!

The Outfit: Sweater: Pink Martini- Je Suis Prest (SJ, Oct '11) | Belt: Old Navy (SJ, Sept '11)

Necklace: Banana Republic (Freeport, Nov '10) | Dress: Pink Martini- Je Suis Prest (SJ, Sept '11)

Earrings: Kate Spade (ordered online, July '11) | Tights: American Apparel (Halifax, Winter '08)

Shoes: Steve Madden- Urban Shoe Myth (SJ, Mar '11)

Thanks to all the lovely bloggers who could make it out this time around! I think we'll see this become a seasonal event!

Attendees:

Barb Crawford- Barbbarbbarb

Candice MacLean- Brilliant Sugar

Kate McLean- O My Heart!

Adam Donnelly- ADonis Style

Emma Barlow- Full of Fabulous

Kelly Lawson- LensView

Judith Mackin- punchinside blog

Leigh-Ellen- Little Waterlily in a Big Pond

Kate Lordon- Silver Daisy Designs blog

Jasmine Grimes- Follow in My Fabulousness