OOTD - RED WHITE AND BLUE

I tend to wear a lot of red, navy and white in the spring/summer.  I just love them - alone or in any combination.  Today I'm wearing all three to showcase my newest Etta pump from J.Crew (this is my 5th pair - sheesh), which I adore! 

It's a J.Crew bonanza!!

Top: J.Crew

Cardigan: J.Crew

Skirt: J.Crew (getting too big on me - yay!!)

Shoes: J.Crew

Purse: Louis Vuitton

Watch: Movado

Jewels: custom, Swarovski

OOTD - INSPIRED BY KERMIT

Okay, well I wasn't really inspired by Kermit, but that sure is a lot more green than I'm used to.  But I just absolutely refuse to let this crappy spring weather get me down and continue to push black to the back of my mind :-)

*Please excuse the most horrid expression on my face - I'm just not photogenic today ;-P
Blouse: J.Crew
Skirt: J.Crew
Shoes: J.Crew
Purse: Banana Republic (crazy old)
Watch: Movado
Jewels: custom

OOTD - SHINY

Wow, the last few weeks have been crazy busy and I just have not had the time to post.  Which is too bad, because I've missed sharing some real outfit winners (in my opinion).  Oh well...

I'm very happy with today's look and LOVE the shoes.  What say you? 

Tank: J.Crew Factory
Jacket: J.Crew
Jeans: Gap
Shoes: J.Crew
Purse: Louis Vuitton
Watch: Movado
Jewels: custom

OOTD - SPRING HAS SPRUNG

Well, kind of.  The weather in Calgary has been beautiful of late, but we are supposed to get a combination of snow / rain for the next few days, which is actually a pretty typical spring here, so I'm not complaining.  Instead, I decided to wear spring today.  I cannot even say how much I love this outfit.  At first I was afraid that it was too much, but the longer I wore it today, the happier I was in it.  And the many compliments I got on it didn't hurt either :-)

Shirt: J.Crew
Skirt: J.Crew
Purse: Coach (how pretty is the colour?)
Shoes: Oh Deer!
Jewels: custom

OOTD - UNINSPIRED AND BORED

I had no motivation to get out of bed today, let alone put any thought into my outfit.  So I went with basic and boring (although still put together).  At least my hair looks good today :-)

Sweater: J.Crew
Skirt: J.Crew
Shoes: J.Crew
Purse: Louis Vuitton
Watch: Movado
Jewels: custom

OOTD - RAY OF SUNSHINE

I really, really love this outfit today (never mind the wrinkles  on the skirt - OMG!!!).  The bright yellow blouse is just exactly what I needed today to brighten my mood (and apparently quite a few people at work - it's been quite the discussion piece so far!).  And I must say, I like the way the yellow looks against the camel skirt - a very nice combination (IMO). 

Now the hair - it would seem from my last few posts that I always have my hair in a bun, but I swear - I don't.  I have just been having a really hard time getting out of bed in the mornings and so am taking as many time saving tactics as possible.  Hopefully as the mornings get brighter, I will be back to hopping out of bed at 5:30 :-)

Blouse: J.Crew
Skirt: J.Crew
Belt: J.Crew
Purse: Talbots
Boots: Tory Burch
Watch: Movado
Jewels: custom

OOTD - SPRING FLOWERS

We got a late blast of winter this week, with about 30-35 centimeters falling over the week and I am desperate for it to end.  I really, really am done with boots and coats and tights and gloves and...well, you get the idea.  So I busted out this beautiful Liberty print today.  I am not normally much of a floral-print gal, but was really drawn to this one - the colours are just gorgeous!!

Shirt: J.Crew
Jacket: J.Crew
Jeans: J.Crew
Purse: Coach
Boots: Nine West
Earrings: gift
Rings: custom

OOTD - SWISHY

Swishy - that's how I feel in this outfit.  The shawl / blanket drapes perfectly and totally sashays when I walk.  I honestly feel like a total diva in this outfit (and from the looks I've gotten today, other people think to too!!!)

Shirt: Brooks Brothers
Skirt: J.Crew
Shawl: Echo
Purse: Louis Vuitton
Boots: Browns
Watch: Movado

TREND REVIEW - CHUNKY HEEL

This post was inspired by several comments on the J.Crew Aficionada site regarding the "hate" for the Etta pump because of the chunky heel, which is currently offered in 10 (TEN!!!) different variations (I do feel that J.Crew goes overboard on particular styles).

It's interesting how passionate we are when it comes to specific styles and how they can be so polarizing.  Similarly to how the pointed toe seems to ignites strong love/hate emotions, the chunky heel also falls into that category. 

Personally, I love it - it's so easy to wear and walk in and it really works to balance the foot with the rest of the body (especially if you are not a toothpick).  They are reminiscent of styles from the 40s and 50s - an era that I just love style-wise.  But...I must say I prefer the high heeled iterations over the low heeled ones.   

Examples:     

High = YES!!



J.Crew

 

Chloe (wow, I love this shoe!!)


Low = NO :-(

J.Crew



Chloe

I am not much of a trend follower, but when a style I like is "in trend", then I do like to snap up some pieces to add to my wardrobe.  Whether or not these shoes are trendy in a few years is irrelevant to me - I will still wear them because they are a classic! 

Of course, I will still continue to wear my stilettos, single-sole pumps, platform pumps, wedges and ballet flats, but I like the variety and each different style can drastically change the mood of an outfit.  Viva la shoes!!

What are your thoughts on the chunky heel?



OOTD - TONAL

Well I'm back from my holiday in Mexico, which was lovely and relaxing.  We did nothing more than lie on the beach and around the pool, drink and eat, get multiple massages and spa treatments and RELAX.  As you can tell by this picture, I do not have much colour - that's because I do not get tan.  I have finally embraced my super-white skin and no longer try in vain to get a tan (always resulting in a burn anyways!!).

Back to reality...

I love today's outfit.  It's very tonal, but the bright "retro jade" shirt adds just the right amount of colour that I love.  In fact, I think without the colour, the outfit could read as old-fashioned.  I really hope it doesn't???

Ugh, the belly has GOT TO GO!!! 



Close up of the shirt against the jacket - see the shirt brings out the blue in the jacket? 

Shirt: J.Crew

Jacket: Talbots

Skirt: J.Crew

Belt: J.Crew

Purse: Talbots

Boots: Tory Burch

Watch: Michal Kors

Ring: Kenneth Jay Lane

2013 OSCARS - BEST AND WORST DRESSED

First up...the worst (in no particular order).

Nicole Kidman, what is that thing in the middle of your dress?  No.

Olivia Mumm, you are beautiful, but I do not understand why you have your living room curtains wrapped around your bottom half, but kept your bum exposed.  Just weird.

Catherine, you are one of my favourites, but this dress just does you no favours.

I don't even know who this woman (woman??) is, but she just looks trashy.

Oh K.Stew, you are so emo.

Melissa McCarthy, I love you but that hair is horrendous and the dress does you no justice.  You should take some lessons from Queen Latifah in how to rock your body!!

And...the best (again, in no particular order).

Amy Adams - just stunning.

Kerry Washington - gorgeous and classy as always (although I think she's gotten too thin and is starting to look like a bit like a Q-tip)

Halle Berry - words fail me.  How is this woman so ageless and beautiful?

Jennifer Lawrence - stunning and love the backwards necklace.  Even more, I love this girl's attitude.

Jane Fonda - hot mama!!  Hotter than most women 1/3 her age!!

Naomi Watts - back from the future with sex appeal galore.  That neckline is killer!

Jennifer Anniston - love that she departed from her normal body hugging black.  And she is just glowing!!

Sally Field - another hot mama!  

Stacey Kiebler - wow, just wow.  This may actually be my favourite - it's just crazy how beautiful this dress is.

Charlize Theron - always one of my favourites and loving the short hair.  She may be one of the most beautiful women ever!!


What are your thoughts?  Who were your hits and misses?

NEW DRESS

I bought this cute Circle Print Dress from Brooks Brothers today over lunch.

How cute is this dress?  I am a sucker for navy and red and love a tunic style dress like this in the summer.  As with everything Brooks Brothers, I find the dress fits small, so I had to size up.  I cannot wait to wear it, but it's going to be a while before that's possible.  Although...I am heading to Mexico for a holiday next week.  But this dress is not really for that.

Speaking of Mexico, we're quite excited to be going to the Excellence Riviera Cancun for the first time.  It's rated as the #1 resort in all of the Mayan Riviera and we upgraded to a swim-up suite in the private club (including a private beach!), so I'm quite excited to get going and get away for a bit.

OOTD - COLOURFUL

I just love the colour of this dress so much.  And it's really flattering to my skin tone.  I'm not sure with all the black - I really like it, but worry that maybe I look too 80s?  Nevertheless, I love.

Thoughts on today's look?

Dress: J.Crew
Jacket: J.Crew
Purse: Louis Vuitton
Boots: Browns (I have gotten really lazy this year with switching up my boots - these ones are soooooooooooo comfortable)
Watch: Cartier
Jewels: Kenneth Jay Lane, custom

OOTD - DON'T MESS WITH ME

It's funny, whenever I wear my glasses people at work comment about how studious, serious and professional I look.  I don't really see it, but if it keeps them in line, then what the hell.  Hahaha.

Anyways, I have nothing much else to say about today's outfit.  I do love this scarf tons though!

Dress: J.Crew
Scarf: Hermes
Purse: Louis Vuitton
Boots: Browns

OOTD - SPRING FEVER

I am so done with winter for the year and the weather the last few days is giving me early spring-fever.  I know this won't last, but at least I'm heading to Mexico in a week for some sun and sand, so winter will be that much closer to really being over by the time I get back.

And spring clothes are starting to pop up in stores and on websites - that certainly doesn't help.   But J.Crew is continuing its slow decline (in my opinion) with underwhelming roll outs and, at time, downright hideousness (what's with those colourblock capris??  OMG) and my wallet and I are on better terms with each other.  I did though immediately snap up the No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Medallion Paisley and quite love it.  Reminds me of the great patterns of old J.Crew.  And, considering how ready for spring I am and in celebration of the beautiful weather today, here it is worn with the "colour of the season" - emerald green. 

Top: Banana Republic (got it years ago and only took the tags off today!!)
Jacket: J.Crew
Skirt: J.Crew
Purse: Talbots
Boots: Frye

FRUSTRATED

I have been having all kinds of problems with this stupid Blogger over the last few weeks and cannot upload pictures from my computer.  And the "upload from phone" only works on Android, not iPhone.  So I have a bunch of posts sitting there useless without a picture.  And of course I look fanstastic and stylish in them all.  I will be sure to post again if this ever gets sorted out :-)

In the meantime, I just ordered the J.Crew No. 2 Pencil Skirt in Clover Tweed - just love that colour!  Will be sure to do a review when I get it.

That's all - stay warm my friends!