OOTD - PARTAY FRIDAY!!

I only work every second Friday, so normally I'm kind of dragging my ass around on the ones I do work, but I have plans to go out with some girlfriends after work today and am stoked. 

I love this outfit - I think it's the right mix of casual, dressy, sexy, but not too sexy. 

Shirt: Banana Republic

Jacket: Old Navy

Skirt: J.Crew

Belt: Gucci
Purse: Talbots

Boots: Tory Burch

Watch: Michael Kors

Jewels: custom & unknown

OOTD - BLACK AND TAN (AGAIN)

This skirt is one of my favourites because it cost me $12.  It's Joe Fresh and made really well - nice wool, fully lined - and I've had it for about 4, maybe 5 years now.  I LOVE IT!!!

The boots are also amongst my faves.  Super-comfortable and aren't too dressy or too casual - just perfect really.

**more terrible pics - WTF?!?!

Sweater: Banana Republic

Skirt: Joe Fresh (did I mention it was $12?!?!?!)

Purse: Louis Vuitton

Tights: Spanx

Boots: Michael Kors

Watch: Jacques Lemans

Jewels: custom

OOTD - THE CLASSICS (#2)

I love this look.  Inspiration taken from the men, but "feminized" with the skirt.  And forever a preppy classic!

Inspiration (you're welcome):

Execution (this is the best picture that I could take this morning...haha - I should just post the others to give everyone a good laugh - pathetic):

Shirt: Banana Republic
Jacket: J.Crew
Skirt: J.Crew
Purse: Louis Vuitton
Boots: Tory Burch
Watch: Movado
Jewels: Swarovski, custom

OOTD - WARDROBE WORKHORSE

I bought this skirt back in 2003 and almost 10 years later, it's withstood the test of time (with one trip to the tailor to get the lining re-done) and remained a constant go-to in my wardrobe.  The cut is a classic and the wool tweed goes so well with both brown and black and every other colour possible.  And it was from the Gap.  THE FREAKING GAP PEOPLE!!!  Why on earth can you not get items like this there anymore? 

Sweater: J.Crew
Skirt: Gap
Boots: Enzo Angiolini
Watch: Cartier
Jewels: J.Crew, Swarovski, custom

OOTD - BLACK AND TAN

I am on the verge of being sick.  I have a really sore throat and feel quite foggy in the head.  All I want to do is go home, crawl under the covers with a hot cup of NeoCitran and get some sleep, but alas, I'm here at work pretending to actually work.  Booooooooooooooo.

I bought this skirt last fall and it's now much too big (not really a legit complaint, I know), so I feel like I have more room to tuck this sweater in.  Love the simplicity of this look.

Sweater: J.Crew
Skirt: Talbots
Shoes: J.Crew
Watch: Cartier
Jewels: J.Crew, Ralph Lauren, custom

OOTD -

I am so tired and I have nothing to say about this outfit other than I like it - it's a basic, professional outfit.  That's all.

Shirt: J.Crew
Cardigan: J.Crew
Skirt: J.Crew
Purse: Louis Vuitton
Shoes: J.Crew
Watch: Jacques Lemans
Jewels: Tiffany, custom

OOTD - JAILHOUSE ROCK

I thought that I had a great outfit planned - what's below + a red blazer, but once I got to work, I really hated the blazer with it, so turfed it and now I'm much happier - although I do think it's a bit on the boring side, which I guess suits my mood today, which is very blah.  And what the hell is going on with my hair lately - all I'm having are bad hair days :-(

Sweater: J.Crew
Skirt: J.Crew
Purse: Louis Vuitton
Shoes: Sergio Rossi
Watch: Movado
Jewels, Tiffany, custom

OOTD - WEARING MY HEART ON MY SLEEVE

Good morning everyone (although I'm not really sure there is anyone reading this blog), it's a beautiful day in Calgary - the sun is shining and the temperature is a lovely 17 degrees (celsius)!

I got the new J.Crew silk heart throb shirt last week and just adore it. You can't really tell that it's all hearts until you get up close and even when you do realize it, the pattern isn't too precious.  I'll defintely wear less covered up, but didn't get a chance to iron out the shipping wrinkles and really wanted to wear, so there you go!

I think my theme this week is going to be black and red and I already have tomorrow's outfit all planned out :-O

Shirt: J.Crew
Sweater: J.Crew
Skirt: J.Crew
Purse: Louis Vuitton
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Watch: Jacques Lemans
Jewels: custom

OOTD - PUFFY

Puffy for two reasons today - the obvious one with the vest and my eyes.  I had a little too much wine last night and a terrible sleep and am wearing my glasses because I could not face putting contacts in this morning.  Ouch. 

The first pic is interesting - it seems like my skirt comes below the top of my boots and I look a bit like a square, but IRL I don't think that is the case.  I quite like this outfit actually - cozy and casual, but still tidy and presentatble.

Shirt: J.Crew
Vest: J.Crew
Skirt: J.Crew
Tights: Spanx
Boots: Rockport
Glasses: Bulgari
Watch: Hamilton
Jewels: custom

WANT! DESIRE! NEED?

These are the exact black knee high boots I'm looking for - holy crap!  But at $1,000 and me trying to be more fiscally responsible, I am just not sure.  But lordy lord, they are FREAKING GORGEOUS!!!!!

Costume National Mid Heel Wraparound Boots via ShopBop

What do you think?  Should I get them?

OOTD - BROWNIE POINTS

I don't tend to wear much brown in the spring / summer, but come fall, I embrace it completely.  How much do I freaking love the J.Crew Sterling Skirt (from last year - this year's version is apparenlty quite different)? 

Blouse: J.Crew

Shirt: J.Crew

Skirt: J.Crew

Purse: J.Crew

Tights: Spanx

Boots: Tory Burch

Watch: Rotary

Jewels: Swarovski, Alexis Bittar, J.Crew

FALL UPDATE #3

Boots!!! Boots!!! Boots!!!

As noted in this post, I mentioned that I was still on the search for a few new boots:

- black high heeled booties
- brown 70s-ish stacked heel knee high boots
- black "riding" mid-heel boots

Well I've finally scored one of these and managed to find a pair I didn't even know I needed (muah).

First up...moto boots from Town Shoes.  The brand is ZiGi, which I've never heard of before, but it was love at first site and at $185, they were screaming for me to take them home.  I've already worn them (to the dog park) and they are super comfortable and awesome.  Why didn't we meet before?

And now for the brown 70s-ish stacked heel knee high boots - from Tory Burch by way of ShopBop.  Not a bargain, but wow, so beautiful.  I DIE!!!

OOTD - RECTANGLE

What do I mean by rectangle? Why, my body shape, of course.  It's really quite ridiculous, but not only is my waist so high that it's basically right under my boobs, but it's barely even noticeable at that.  There was a time when I just wouldn't tuck things in or, god forbid, wear a belt!!  But as I get older, I seem to care less and just want to dress the way I want to dress - so what, I'm not a model, never will be (and wouldn't want to be!!).  Anyone that doesn't like it can suck rocks :-)

Anyway, today's outfit...I do like the two tones of burgundy, but am not all that into the opaque black tights / shoes.  I did have on some leopard print shoes first, but they looked even more stupid with the black tights.  And then, as is so often the case, I ran out of time and had to go.  And I'm having a bad hair day.  Sigh.  I did order some wine coloured tights though, which I think would help a lot.  As one of my friends likes to say - TBD.

Blouse: Talbots
Skirt: J.Crew
Belt: no idea, so old
Purse: Louis Vuitton
Tights: Spanx
Shoes: Jimmy Choo
Watch: Rotary
Jewels: Swarovski, cusom

PRODUCT REVIEW - FOUNDATION

During the summer months I tend to swap between a tinted moisterizer (Laura Mercier) and a BB cream (Smashbox / Stila), but come the fall / winter, I feel like I need a little more coverage.  As I'm trying to be less wasteful and less of a "stuff-aholic", I forced myself to wait until my last foundation (Lancome Teint Idole) was finished before taking the plunge on a new one.  I have been wearing the Lancome one for the last few years, but have just grown tired of it.  Enter the YSL Touche Eclat Illuminating Foundation.

Product Description on Sephora: For the first time, the magic light of Touche Éclat is in a foundation with the added benefit of SPF 19 sun protection. Infused in a weightless fluid, this foundation targets shadowy areas and highlights the contours of the face. Free of opaque fillers, its perfecting texture evens the complexion and helps conceal imperfections while enhancing your skin’s natural beauty.

My review: LOVE!  This foundation is light (maybe too light for those who need a lot of coverage), but evens out my skin very nicely.  The colour (B30 for me) is perfect and with a range of 30 (yes, THIRTY) colours, I think anyone could find their perfect match. 

It is expensive ($55), but similarily priced to other high-end brands and it's a relatively large bottle and will definitely last me through fall/winter 2013-14 (as I don't use in the spring/summer months). 

I applied with my fingertips for a more natural look for day, but would use a foundation brush if I was going to an evening event.  I'm not sure if I see that my face is any more "illuminated" than before, but it's definitely not matte and looks nice.

It seems to last a decent length of time - applied at 6:30am and at 2:00pm, all is in place.  I'm glad I switched it up!

What's your favourite foundation?

OOTD - SWEATER INTENTIONS

This outfit is a re-do.  I left the house this morning knowing I hated what I was wearing and I subsequently ripped a seam under the arm of my dress, so had a perfect excuse to rush home to put something else on - which I did in about 30 seconds flat and now I'm super comfy (thank you very much sweater skirt!!) and really like the look.  What do you think?

Jacket: J.Crew

Tank: J.Crew

Skirt: Anthropologie

Purse: Talbots

Tights: Spanks

Shoes: Guess 

Watch: Movado

Jewels: custom

WTF??

I just don't get this...

Rick Owens Merino Angora Knit Hat

Or this...

Halaby Feather Helmet Hat (a bargain at $2,270 CAD)

OOTD - BLACK AND BLUE

Well it's my Friday today - so excited. 

Love the look of this with the dress in the blue (I'm not sure exactly what kind of blue you'd call this) and everything else being black.  I also wore a black leather moto jacket, but didn't get an opportunity to capture.

Dress: Femme de Carriere
Belt: old, so old
Tights: Spanx
Purse: Louis Vuitton
Shoes: Sergio Rossi
Watch: Michael Kors
Jewels: Swarovski, custom

OOTD - BURGUNDY

I have no clever name for today's outfit, but I cannot even express how much I love it.  LOVE!!!! 

Coat: Pink Tartan

Boots: Frye

Purse: Louis Vuitton

Jacket: J.Crew

Shirt: Tommy Hilfiger

Skirt: J.Crew

Tights: Spanx (the best tights going!)

Watch: Movado

Jewels: custom (I really wasn't feeling the need to do a lot of accessorizing today with the busy pattern in the shirt!)

OOTD - BLACK HOLE

I love it - it's a chilly day - yippeeee.  Yes, I'm a little strange, but honestly, I find day after day of sunny skies and hot weather very oppressive.  Just as I hate it when it rains for days on end.  I like a little variation, that's all :-)

Trenchcoat: Banana Republic

Scarf: Hermes

Boots: Rockport

Purse: Louis Vuitton

Jacket: J.Crew

T-Shirt: Banana Republic

Skirt: Banana Republic

Shoes: Sergio Rossi

Watch: Givenchy

Jewels: J.Crew, custom

OOTD - THE CLASSICS (#1)

Well it's now October and officially fall.  I cannot wait for the days to cool off a little more, so I can really bring out the fall stuff (boots, I've missed you), but at least I'm done with linen and other light fabrics. 

Today's outfit is what I consider to be a classic.  This look has been done before, but I don't think it ever gets old. 

Shirt: Banana Republic

Cardigan: J.Crew

Skirt: J.Crew

Belt: so old, no idea

Purse: Celine

Shoes: J.Crew

Watch: Jacques Lemans

Jewels: J.Crew, Swarovski, custom