End of the pant strike

In my denial that summer was coming to an end, I came up with what I called the "pant strike" where I wasn't gonna wear long pants until October.  Instead, I'd only wear skirts and dresses.  In my mind, skirts and dresses are a clear indication of warm weather, so if I was to wear a pair of long pants, that's like admitting defeat to cold weather!  Besides, winter in Canada lasts for like 5 months...I've got plenty of time to wear long pants.

In other news, tying a blouse at the back of a shirt follows the same concept as tying it up at the front, but it definitely doesn't have the same casual retro feel as the latter.  Bam, instant day to night transformation!

Photos by Pop Champagne 

What I'm wearing: 

-Black bodycon dress

-White contrast trim blouse 

-Silver layered necklace 

-Teal beaded necklace

-Teal pumps

*All items c/o Smart Set 

Look familiar? Well if it doesn't, maybe you should check out this contestI'm in. 

Doesn't interest you? 

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'Nuff said. 

Functionality over romance

The theme for this outfit was supposed to be 'date night', but with the mandatory use of jeans and a cami.  I have a few problems with this.  Firstly, "date night" is a really ambiguous term.  Are we talking about a date to impress a potential suitor or a date with a boyfriend?  Because they are two very different things.  I mean, if it's a date with a boyfriend, I've already hooked him so I'm a little less concerned with having to look absolutely stunning.  And since most dates revolve around a meal, I'd wear a dress/skirt instead of jeans...y'know, gotta wear something that can expand and make room for (or hide) extra food width.  What, you thought I wore dresses just to be pretty?  Pfft, it's all about the functionality needed when eating.  Yep, I'm romantic like that.

Photos by Pop Champagne

What I'm wearing: 

-Black lace cami 

-White blouse (tied at the back) 

-Red skinny jeans 

-Layered necklace 

-Feather ring 

-Silver wrap ring 

*All items c/o Smart Set

Get me into the finals!

You could win an iPad! 
And I could win a photoshoot in a magazine and $2750 in clothing and makeup.

I'm a finalist in the LOULOU MAGAZINE x SMART SET IT Girl style contest and I could use your help to win!

What's in it for you? The chance to win an iPad & $125 to Smart Set just for voting!

So head over to the voting page and click HIT IT. After you've created an account, you'll be entered in the weekly draw!
*open to Canadian residents only 

Productive procrastination

I'd say I'm pretty good in the area of "productive procrastination".  So that's having a pile of things to do and distracting yourself with the least painful item.  Or in this case, adding items to that list that I can pass off as highly important that I can do instead of doing readings on a topic I haven't even glanced at yet.  Now excuse me while I "productively procrastinate" with a bowl of ice cream. Or five. That's right, I've got my priorities straight.

Photos by Pop Champagne 

What I'm wearing:
-Crimson cardigan
-Contrast trim blouse
-Black and red skirt
-Stretch belt
*all c/o Smart Set

Hey look, I'm part of a fancy contest where I'm countin' on your votes!

Desolate

I'm usually not one for outdoor adventures, but when the sight of isolated areas of beach are involved, sometimes you gotta make exceptions.  Who knew that tucked behind a quaint suburban neighbourhood was a cliff (well a hill, but it might has well have been a cliff) with a makeshift footpath with hidden obstacles and an unmarked destination.  So this path was pretty steep and I definitely needed the help of the branches surrounding me...when they weren't busy stabbing me.  There were rocks that were meant to help your footing, and good grief, I needed them in these treadless shoes.  Despite being a grungy span of sand and shells rather than a real beach, I'd say the location I found was quite worth it.

But next time, I think I'll wear pants.  This was not a good day to try the "wear a shirt as a dress/skirt" thing.  Climbing up the hill again would not have been fun if there was someone behind me.

What I'm wearing: 

-Brown twill jacket 

-Contrast trim blouse

-Red waterfall shirt 

-Chandelier earrings 

-Black patent leather booties 

*All items excluding shoes c/o Smart Set

BAM, it's Round 2!

You could win an iPad! 
And I could win a photoshoot in a magazine and $2750 in clothing and makeup.

I'm a finalist in the LOULOU MAGAZINE x SMART SET IT Girl style contest and I could use your help to win!

What's in it for you? The chance to win an iPad & $125 to Smart Set just for voting!

So head over to the voting page and click HIT IT. After you've created an account, you'll be entered in the weekly draw!
*open to Canadian residents only

How to: Stock your closet with fall shoes for all kinds of weather

In a recent questionnaire sent to me, one of the questions asked, "If you could ask the fashion gods to create one thing, what would it be?" I said that I'd want shoes that were virtually indestructible, especially in the face of rain, snow, and general dirt.  Alas, I'll have to settle for the less supernatural way of fashion and functionality: having a closet full of shoes for all types of weather.

While still jumping at every chance to wear my summer sandals, start the transition slowly by adding in closed-toe pumps to my repetoire, exchanging bright pastels for neutral shades and crisp tones.  

Since you know you'll soon be gearing up in boots, leather peeptoe bootie heels are a great way to cover up a bit more, without losing your penchant for height.  The peeptoe also gives you that little reminder that it's still warm enough to show a bit of skin without the risk of frostbite.

Now that shoes that cover your ankles have been introduced, you can opt for the more traditional variety of booties that are great for slipping into on those lazy chilly mornings.

But leather and suede aren't the best materials for weathering storms, so you'll want a more durable boot that won't damage in rain and can handle some light snow.  The combat boot is also great for that rugged look that goes with pants, leggings, tights, and skirts that signifies that you're ready to take on nature's mood swings!

Winners / Call It Spring Canada / Guess / Winners / Forever 21 / Charlotte Russe 

Coloured denim

Usually when I see people walking around in coloured denim, it's usually paired with a plain shirt; y'know, the typical white, black, and grey.  Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against that classic look, but I wanted something bolder to match the theme of daring colour.  I saw a scarf that had the kind of bold print I was looking for, but I didn't want just my accessories to be bold- I wanted it to be the focus.  So instead, I tied the scarf around my body and turned it into an asymmetrical top.  And now that colder weather's here, I can be a little sloppy with creating the top because I can just throw a cardigan over it and no one will be able to tell that I tucked the ends of my scarf into the back of my bra.

What I'm wearing:
-Red skinny jeans
-Animal print scarf
-Blue 3/4 sleeve cardigan
-Nude pumps

*All clothing c/o Smart Set 


You could win an iPad! 
And I could win a photoshoot in a magazine and $2750 in clothing and makeup.

I'm a finalist in the LOULOU MAGAZINE x SMART SET IT Girl style contest and I could use your help to win!

What's in it for you? The chance to win an iPad & $125 to Smart Set just for voting!

So head over to the voting page and click HIT IT. After you've created an account, you'll be entered in the weekly draw!
*open to Canadian residents only

Hi-lo skirt

I'm not much of an impulse buyer.  Before buying clothes, I typically think about how often I can wear the item and how versatile it would be in my closet, in relation to its price.  I consider this hi-lo skirt an impulse buy because I was partially convinced that I wouldn't have enough opportunities to wear it to an appropriate occasion.  After much thought, I've determined that the appropriate occasion is... all the time!  I mean, look how pretty it is.  How I could not want to wear it at every waking moment?

P.S. I can't think "hi-lo" without the little worker dwarves tune popping up in my head:
"Hi-lo, hi-lo, it's off to [school/shop/eat/wheverever else I may be], I go...doo doo doo doo doodoo doo doo doo..."

Dwarves...?  Snow White reference...?  Anyone...? Bueller...Bueller...?

Photos by Pop Champagne

What I'm wearing:
-Chiffon hi-lo skirt from Necessary Clothing
-Pink tank top from JACOB
-Black heels from Aldo

Soft edge

Somewhere far away, there was a conversation between a mother and a daughter:

Mom: "Look what I got!"
Daughter: "Oh my..."
Mom: "Look at the fringe!"
Daughter: "I can see that..."
Mom: "Isn't it cute?"
Daughter: "Uh, when would I ever get the chance to wear that?"
Mom: "You can wear it casual or to events,"
Daughter: "Ehh, I don't think I want it..."
Mom: "What?! C'mon, it's just so cute, I can't bring myself to return it. Just take it!" (etc. This went on for a while.)
Daughter: "OKAY FINE, I'LL KEEP IT, GOSH DARNIT."

Don't ya wish your family worked the way mine does?

What I'm wearing: 

-Chiffon blouse from Necessary Clothing 

-Fringe bag from Winners 

-Dark denim shorts

-Black gladiator heels

Photos: New York

I may have lugged a camera with me all around my little trip to New York City, but I should have known that I'd be too busy shopping to stop to take photos. Of course I have some loyalty to fashion, but I quite enjoyed the interesting characters and quirky sights around the city. I mean, where else can you find massive pleas for drug money and over-spending girlfriends who are thankful that their boyfriends don't kill them for every purchase all in the same block?  So I overheard a conversation. Hey, I'm not the only one that eavesdrops while taking a break in department stores.