Pattern Mixing.

This is my version of a little bit of pattern mixing. I scored this J. Crew striped shirt about a month ago for only $10 and fell in love with it right away. It's the perfect layering piece. In fact, all stripes are! These pants are also a new addition to my wardrobe. I love the feel and quality of them and they are beyond comfortable. Stripes + tweed is my new favourite combo!!

Black & Navy.

One of my favourite colour combinations is black and navy. Perhaps because for so long I thought I couldn't mix the two, though I'm not sure why. Now that I've begun to experiment with fashion more, I feel more confident about doing it. I wore this fancy-ish number two weekends ago when Jimmy took me out for a belated Birthday dinner (if you remember, I wasn't with him on my actual Birthday). We went to a restaurant in Kitsilano called the Kitsilano Daily Kitchen and tried their 6-course "culinary adventure." It was delicious and so much fun! We didn't know what any of the 6 courses would be when they came out so it was very exciting - and I got to try a variety of new foods, which is always fun for me.

New In: Cashmere Sweater.

Kelowna Snapshots.

These are some random snapshots I took during my quick little trip to Kelowna (the one I mentioned here), as well as some lookbook photos that Jimmy took while in Kelowna. 

Little Black Dress.

 This is my third outfit for the "Colour Challenge" I'm doing with Anais from The Time is Grey. My aunt gave me this dress a couple of months ago. She used to wear it all the time for work-related events but no longer does. I think she bought it back in the 80's. I was honoured that she gave it to me and love the fact that I can take a part of her with me wherever and whenever I wear it. In fact, that's one of the reasons why I love all vintage items so much. There's a history behind them. Or rather, a herstory.  And that's no spelling mistake, Blogger. Now I get to wear my aunt's story. 

Although I'm not usually not one for beading, I love it on this dress. Maybe because it's so subtle, especially in black. This is definitely my new little black dress!

Statement White.

 Here is "Colour Challenge" (see more about that here) outfit number two: the white outfit! I decided to style a bulky white sweater I bought at a vintage store in Budapest as the main/ statement component of my outfit. I paired it with boyfriend-style skinny jeans, a pair of heeled Nine West loafers that I bought in New York last year, and my latest investment: a new Michael Kors purse!

On another note, I'm heading to Kelowna today for the quickest getaway ever! Jimmy and I are driving 4 hours to Kelowna, checking into a hotel, going out for dinner, and then tomorrow I plan on spending the day alone in Kelowna while he attends a few meetings! I'm pretty excited, despite that it might feel a bit rushed!

A Little Bit of Red.

I chose to style my red look for the "Colour Challenge" I'm doing this week with Anais from The Time is Grey (see more about that here) very subtly. I went with a bright-hued red leather skirt (which I thrifted, if you can believe it), a military jacket, and black accessories. Oh, and a red lip! I hope you like it!

Grey & White.

Although we've all heard the feared "don't wear white after labour day" warning, I think it's totally acceptable to do so - at least for me. Why not? Isn't a part of the fun of fashion playing with and adjusting some of the "rules"? Isn't that how you create your own (always changing, in my opinion) fashion style? Although this can be kind of scary and intimidating for me, I think it's totally important. Do you?

In-between.

These photos were taken with my old non-digital DSLR camera so I'm not as pleased with the results. However, they will have to do because I love this outfit. I just felt so great in it! I picked up the slouchy sparkly top from Club Monaco a couple of weeks ago on sale and I love it. I was initially hesitant to buy it because I never thought I could pull off the slouchy cropped look (although I have tried) but this version I think actually works on me. AND it's perfect for both fall and summer. This whole outfit, actually, was meant to be a transition outfit from summer (and the heat that still persists in these parts of Canada) to fall. With the more neutral colour palette and the mix between covered up and still easy breezy, I think it works! 

Stripes.

[ dress c/o Oasap // American Apparel sheer top // Nanushka belt // Aldo shoes (old) // Vintage Coach purse // Chloe Ammi sunglasses // O My Heart! bracelet ]

I received this striped dress from Oasap last week and was wonderfully surprised. I love it! I love the quality of cotton and the fit--it's perfect. Although it's great for summer, I'm also looking forward to wearing it in the fall with a chunky sweater and ankle boots or flats. I love this transition period from fall to summer, mostly because I love fall fashion so much (and I'm getting really tired of wearing the same shorts on repeat). These new Chloe sunglasses will transition perfectly from summer to fall as well. They are definitely my favourite Beyond the Rack find and I am very happy with them. It feels so good to find good quality and designer pieces at a fraction of the cost. Is it weird to admit that I'm proud of this find? Well, I am! Have a great week friends! xo Caroline

Patterned.

[ Mac & Jac dress via Winners // J. Cew belt // Guess heels // Vintage Koret clutch // Vintage earrings ]

What gal doesn't get all dressed up and prance around their neighbourhood? I know I do! I'm sure many of you bloggers know what I'm talking about (and your photographers!). Well, this is exactly what I did a couple of weeks ago with my friend, who shot these photos of me in one of my favourite dresses. I love its ombre-inspired and almost-geometric pattern, the perfect fit, and of course the sky blue colour. I kept it basic with a skinny belt and nude shoes. Have a lovely day friends! xo Caroline

Black, White, and Red All Over.

[ Banana Republic cut-offs // 88 Queen top // Thrifted Calvin Klein heels // Vintage Koret Clutch ]

One of my favourite colour combinations is red, white, and black. Simple and classic. Add a bit of tie-die (I've been dying to showcase this awesome top made by Genevieve, a wonderful Canadian designer who is located in the small town where I attended university) and you've got an edgy twist on a classic colour combo. My very good friend took these photos with her new Nikon (soon, so soon, I hope to have my own!) and I'm very pleased with the way they turned out. But as she was snapping photos of me, she suggested that I think about smiling more on my blog. In that moment I totally realized that I don't smile in so many of my blog photos! I was so taken aback that I hadn't realized it before. It's odd because I'm usually always smiling and laughing while being photographed (I get all giggly and awkward and shy) but just not for the camera or in the photographs. Needless-to-say, I'll be smiling more in lookbook photos from now on. Blogging is tricky for me insofar as I want my readers to "get" me without evening knowing or having met me. I want you all to know that I'm actually a very smiley funny person--well, if you count my love of making sarcastic jokes that usually only I find funny. Ha! xo Caroline

Turquoise.

[ H&M shirt // American Apparel skirt // Stefanel blazer // thrifted Calvin Klein heels // DIY earrings // gifted bracelet // Furla bag ]

Let's be honest, it's going to take me a while before I can sort through all my vacay photos and then edit the ones I want to post about it. In the meantime, I thought I'd do an outfit post! I wore this last night to dinner with a couple of friends. I picked up this skirt on sale months ago from American Apparel but have not had the chance to wear it until yesterday! It's been sort of frustrating, because I've wanted to! But the thing is, it's short. I mean, I-can't-bend-over short. It's really annoying actually because I can't wear it when it's windy (too awkward) or when I'm running errands (running around means lack of attention paid to my skirt). I wish I didn't have to worry about all this but unfortunately I do! Do you, too? xo Caroline

P.S. I picked up both the purse and the blazer while in Europe! Two of my favourite purchases for sure!

Classic.

[Vintage skirt // Smart Set top // Thrifted Calvin Klein heels, available here // ASOS cuffs // 

Dore Chic ring // Anthropologie Clutch // Michael Kors sunglasses]

Decided to dress up one fine summer afternoon before heading to a coffee shop downtown for a few hours of thesis-writing. I actually didn't feel out of place at all, as I often did when I dressed up in Halifax, perhaps because I blended in with Ottawa's working/corporate day-time population. This outfit is simple and classic with black, metallic, and pastels making just enough of a statement. I love mixing classic pieces, like these black sling-back (if you follow me on instragram @thefeministajournals, you know how excited I was when I found those), with modern and trendy pieces, such as the funky clutch and edgy cuffs, with fun vintage pieces, like the skirt (though this piece is definitely classic with its pencil shape). xo Caroline

Weekend Away Part III: Ontario's Finest.

[ American Eagle blouse (very old) // Banana Republic shorts // Belt from random boutique in Vancouver // Vintage scarf (was actually my grandmother's) // Roots Kensington purse //Patagonia sandals // Free People sunnies // Obaku watch (also old) ]

This is my favourite set of photos from my weekend away last weekend. On Father's Day we headed out to Niagara Falls, which I'd only been to as a little girl (and remembered only vaguely). It was such a blast. The falls are beautiful! I felt like they really brought out my inner child. I was giggling and running around and snapping photos and just so happy. Not  stress in the world came over me. I love moments like that! Anyway, after the falls we headed to my mom's favourite winery, Ravine Vinyard Estate Winery, where we sampled wine and ate lunch. It's beautiful there and the wine is amazing! I splurged and bought a bottle of 2008 Merlot, one of the best reds I've ever had! And, to top it off, I got to share it with a great friend last Wednesday! Finally, we briefly checked out Niagara-on-the-Lake, which is a beautiful and prestigious old town with lots of shopping, restaurants, cafés, and, clearly, flowers.

This past weekend certainly wasn't as exciting as Father's Day weekend, but it was very relaxing. I'm trying to keep things low-key before my trip. What about you? How were your weekends? Well, happy Monday! xo Caroline