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!

Europe Snapshots Part III.

Here are some Instagram photos of our final week or so in Europe in both Croatia (Split and Zagreb) and Czech Republic (Mikulov). I will be posting a series of photos taken with our camera shortly, but life is so crazy right now what with unpacking, getting adjusted to the time change, catching up of life, errands, and other random duties, and saying goodbye to Jimmy (he leaves on Friday for Vancouver :( :( :(, although I will be moved out there maybe in September ... ). So hopefully you won't mind bearing with me as I catch up on life a bit (do you also notice how hard it is to come back after a vacation? Even though I was excited to get home and into a normal routine and diet and bed and all that it's still kind of a weird adjustment). Needless to say, I'm kind of all over the place! OH! But I also can't wait to show you some of my new purchases!!!!! xo Caroline

3 Ways to Wear the Maxi Dress (in the Summer).

Casual: with a crop top or t-shirt.

[H&M dress // American Apparel crop top // Matt & Nat purse // Aldo sandals (last year) // gifted necklace]

Semi-casual: with a vest (I belted mine and added a vintage broach for extra polish).

[H&M dress, F21 vest (old) // Xcetera (?) belt // Anthropologie clutch // Aldo heels (old) //Vintage broach]

Dressy: Belted with a blazer.

[H&M skirt // F21 blazer (old) // vintage belt, shoes, and Coach bag (whoa!)]

I tried to use items of clothing that I usually don't get to wear so much  for this "3 Ways to Wear." Most of the items that regularly appear on my body I've taken to Europe (but I'm back today!), and so you'll be seeing a lot of them in the near future. However, I'm really not all that happy with these outfits or the photos of them. I did them in such a rush and without the planning that I usually do, and now I don't have time to go back an re-do any. Shucks. Anyway, hopefully this will have to do for now! (Can you tell I'm a hugggeee perfectionist?) xo Caroline

Running: Yay or Nay?

My Spring/Summer running essentials: 1.2.3.4.

Running is my primary means of exercise. It's certainly not my favourite thing to do in the world but I like and do it mostly because it fits so easily into my schedule. I also enjoy being outside for the 20-30 minutes I run for (well, except for in extreme temperatures). But it's really taken a toll my body. Even though my body slides so easily into my running routine, my knees hurt regularly, even with my new set of custom orthodics and regular warm-ups/stretching (see below), and I'm starting to have some major foot problems (don't ask me where, I don't get anatomy). I'm going to keep doing it though because it's so easy and because the pain is not unbearable and could possibly be worse. Eventually, as my body ages, I'm sure I'll have to switch to biking full-time because I hear it's easier on the knees and feet. What do you think? Do you run, and, if so, do you enjoy it? How does your body feel about it? Do you have any running tips?

I usually run in the mornings, but I also go in the afternoons if I'm busy and/or lazy in the mornings. Here I am one morning a couple of weeks ago, warming up for a 20-minute run (I prefer shorter, speedier runs as opposed to longer, slower ones). xo Caroline

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

Europe Snapshots Part II.

Here are some random snapshots of our time in Budapest. For those of you who follow me on Instagram @thefeministajournals, you may have already seen these photos. Sorry but no computer means that I cant share my camera photos until I get back. It's been an amazing experience here in Hungary but the heat has me ready to move on (to Croatia's Adriatic sea!). See you soon! xo Caroline