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?

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.

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

fashion night out 2011

check out glee and vogue partnering up for fashion night out in new york !