clique

I might be out of big ideas, but I'm not out of big prints. It's been getting rather chilly lately, so I'm taking whatever chances I can to wear skirts and shorts before bringing out tights, which I need to get more of. It's just amazing how easily I get runs in them. Although the colour is spot on for the season, the fit of this skirt is so hard to work with. I highly doubt it'll stick around much longer. This tiered necklace features spikes, birds, rope, and chain. I think it adds to my quirkyness, but that's just me.

lace back top: Garage
orange skirt: H&M
floral blazer: Mendocino
belt and necklace: Costa Blanca
boots: Marshall's

silk and leather

white v-neck: H&M
classic blazer: thrifted Hugo Boss
printed silk shorts: thrifted
feather necklace: American Eagle
rings: Icing by Claire's

I've been trying to hold off on any major retail therapy, since we're headed for the States this upcoming weekend--it'll be my first visit to Target, ever--but last week, I wandered astray from the bookshelves at the thrift store. Considering what I found, though, I don't regret it in the least. These shorts are actually polyester so I'm not sure how their sheen will hold up in the wash, but the floral pattern was amazing. The Boss Black "Juicy" blazer was a steal. It's one of their signature pieces, and although the size/washing info label was cut off (wool is dry-clean only, anyway), it fits like a glove. As for the high-waisted shorts, they are genuine leather, and nothing like anything else I own. Total cost? $10.

Styling them poses another problem. I've mentioned before that my wardrobe lacks basics, of all things. (Imagine trying to make an outfit out of standalone pieces; that's my dilemma every morning.) I delved into print-mixing briefly last year, but it takes a lot of effort. Pairing a loud pattern with solids is much easier and you're more likely to get a better result. I guess I know what I'll be on the look for at Target.

floral lace bandeau: GUESS
denim shirt: mom's
leather high-waisted shorts: thrifted
zipper cuff bracelet: BCBGeneration
shell ring: gift from Georgina

Oh, and I did still pick up some reading (well, re-reading). We studied Alistair MacLeod's No Great Mischief in 11 English, and I actually did enjoy it. A Blade of Grass is one of my favourite novels, but it's one of those only-available-online-because-not-enough-people-realize-its-brilliance books, so I was delighted to find it for far less than $20. CDs because I was feeling nostalgic, and this fashion textbook's from the drug store on my way home. 916 pages of VOGUE? Who can pass that up?

feel so close +minimalist packing for a 9 day trip

(an outfit from a couple weeks ago)

sunnies: claire's
romper: roxy
blazer: mendocino
wedges: nine west

Off to the wild west today--well, not quite yet, first we're going to Banff National Park and the Columbia ice fields. I just finished packing everything into a backpack (much to the disappointment of all you fashionistas out there). Less is more, and not even I am willing to go hiking in 4" heels, thank you. Here's what I'm bringing for the 9-day excursion, in case you're interested:

three tank tops (these double as pjs after being worn twice--locate a laundromat nearby or sink wash)
a flowy top (can be dressed up or down)
a blouse (to layer with in case it gets cold)
a pair of jeans
a pair of denim shorts
a pair of khaki capris
a flowy maxi dress (which can be knotted to varying lengths)
a swim suit (for the hot springs/hotel pool)
a faux leather jacket

three necklaces (chosen wisely, haha) and a couple of rings (probably unnecessary)
a 2-in-1 belt (so it can be worn around the waist or hips)
a hairbrush, bobby pins, hair elastics, and a giant hair clip
a little makeup (mascara, lipstick)
toiletries (moisturizer, perfume, etc.)

a set of pjs
as many bras, socks, and underwear as you need
a pair of sandals
a pair of sneakers (wear the pair of shoes which take up the most space on the plane)

sunnies
a side-sling purse and/or wallet (don't forget your ID)
cell phone, ipod, camera (and all chargers)
a book (I'm bringing eat, pray, love by Elizabeth Gilbert)
a couple pens and a sharpie
notepad (or journal, if you write a lot)
gum (peppermint, always)
a refillable water bottle
a pack of travel-size Kleenex and safety pins (very handy)
sunscreen and bug spray

... and I'll be back in a week with a cowboy hat! for now, I present to you the anthem of summer 2012.

mixing neutrals

i've had the worst luck with technology over the past week. i've been desperately trying to upload pictures of my outfits for you guys but they haven't been working! then, my camera decided to die, my phone doesn't like charging anymore and that basically leaves my batteryless laptop and ipad as the only two things still semi-functioning. so here are some lovely webcam pictures that i took for you guys. hopefully my computer will decide to work soon so i can upload some pictures or i can finally figure out how to transfer files from my computer to my laptop! this outfit was kind of thrown together but you can always trust neutrals to look good together, that's why i love them! i was going to see liam, zayn, niall, louis and harry as they're about an hour away from me but as fate would have it, karma decided to be a bitch(again). on a positive note, i got another fish today. i called it rex, hopefully he won't be eaten by my cats like the others! happy oscar sunday my lovelies! who are you vouching for?

blouse: french connection
jeans: lucky brand

call me maybe

call me maybe by georginamiles featuring summer bags

Vince sequin tank top
$119 - barneys.com

7 For All Mankind white jeans
zalando.de

Eye Makeup by NARS Cosmetics - NARS
$45 - narscosmetics.com

orange skirt, tight budget

jacket: dad's
boyfriend jeans: guess
hi-tops: converse
cross-body bag: naturalizer

Following exams (granted, I only had one), I went out a couple times for a little retail therapy. What I wasn't expecting, however, was not having sufficient funds for what I wanted. See, although I worked almost everyday leading up to New Year's, I'd put it all into a savings plan.

I almost wish I'd gone thrifting; what was left would've gone a long way at Value Village, but instead I ended up spending four hours combined at a local mall and the biggest, most overwhelming shopping centre in the GTA: Square One. Other than not getting a pair of darling jeans (I might have to go back for them, though), here's how I contently made out with just over $120 in my spending account-

new wallet from Naturalizer

high-waisted jeans from Sears

orange jersey skirt from H&M

elbow-patch blazer from RW & Co.

tassel belt from RW & Co.

a couple of cds from HMV

Naturalizer's pretty notorious for their granny shoes, but I like their accessories. Sears at Square One was shocking- I daresay the fitting rooms were nicer than the Bay's. Too bad I couldn't get more music, I would've liked to... but hopefully you're enjoying my photo-shopped backgrounds (I'll try harder next time). Anyways, after being disappointed (scent-wise) by the Body Shop's hemp foot protector, I also opted to try out a similar product from Yves Rocher.

Oh, and a pair of nude-coloured undies from La Senza's I ♥ Cotton line. I'll need them for the growing number of white pants in my wardrobe.

winter winds

blazer: scotch and soda
jeggings: hue
top: h&m

to anyone that lives in amsterdam, i am incredibly jealous. i found an amazing brand the other day at the eaton centre called scotch and soda...and if i could,i would've bought the entire store. everything is just so cute and the attention to detail is astounding. everything you buy comes with a special little do-dad. the shirts, for example have a little charm necklace and this blazer came with a brooch. if you have a scotch and soda near by, i highly suggest you go!

busy canvas

My first attempt at print mixing! Whether or not I looked deliberate or a mess, it was still a lot of fun to put together. I think it's easier to start with smaller, more subtle prints. In this outfit, I played up the contrast in colour with a variety of two-tone patterns and textures. (nails in "Iced Spice" by Revlon.)

rose blazer: Jacob
sketch blouse: Banana Republic
acid wash denim: GUESS
plaid hat: Ardene
studded belt: Ardene
leather boots: Hush Puppies

a teal foil + new shoes

top: Fairweather
skirt: Jacob
blazer: Marisa Minicucci
scarf: gift
bracelets and ring: Jules + James
shoes: GUESS

Last Friday was at least five degrees warmer than it has been this week. It must've been warmer, because here I am modeling my new wedge sandals at the park after school.

Foil or not foil? The material of this light-grey midi skirt has a bit of sheen to it, is very lightweight, and full. It's also very hard to pair with other items in my closet, so I'm hoping I did okay by falling back onto the basics-with-an-interesting-piece method, with a very old scarf to follow that autumn teal trend, and a blazer to keep it looking more "professional" than summery.



From left: Rock & Republic Liana wedges (so last year, but so gorgeous, and such a steal); darling Piston flats; cozy Minnetonka fur-trimmed boots; GUESS Factory Rebecca wedges (apparently GUESS Accessories does sell Factory Store products? I wouldn't have known). Four pairs of shoes in less than a week's time. Progress is being made, my dears!

music: "shivers" by zola jesus

ootd: modern tribal (09/14/11)

top: guess
skirt: guess
belt: anne klein
bracelets: zellers
ring: zellers

i need to stop buying costume jewelry at zellers. also, please disregard my bedhead and pouty lips. nail polish in sheer cotton; i love that gold! waterproof e/s stick from gosh. this cream-coloured cropped shirt has a lace-up back- it's what won me over in the store. i also wore my (mom's) marisa minicucci blazer as a jacket, since it was fairly breezy out today.

on a side note, i took an extra ten minutes this morning to punch a new hole in this belt... y'know, so it actually functions as a belt? turns out the label was an impression in the backside of the belt. size large; oops. didn't see that. a leather hole punch would've come in handy, but i made do with a utility knife.

blazing pink

tank: april cornell
shorts: jacob connexion
blazer: marisa minicucci
music: "lightsick" by zola jesus

i didn't used to be a huge fan of blazers, but this fitted marisa minicucci number is adorable. she's a longtime designer out of montreal. not too formal at all with a pop of colour. april cornell does the cutest sequin detailing.

if only i could pull off leather skinnies...

leather locked by thevibegirl