I Can't Resist a Maxi Dress

There are a few articles of clothing I "collect" and it's all because of my height. One of them is pants, if a pair of pants is long enough I swear there is an insane woman screaming in my head "YOU HAVE TO BUY THOSE PANTS, WHO CARES IF YOU HAVE 100 PAIRS IN YOUR CLOSET. THEY ARE LONG ENOUGH. YOU'LL NEVER FIND ANOTHER PAIR LONG ENOUGH. RUN, DON'T WALK AND BUY THOSE PANTS". The other article is a maxi dress. Again if it is long enough, I will buy it nine times out of ten.

They are just great and versatile. Wear them to the park, zoo, cottage,  PR event, beach, sailing, riding a horse (okay I threw that one in to see who was paying attention), out for dinner, shopping, Costco or Centre Island. I mean you get the picture.

Dress, Joie. Shoes, Jimmy Choo. Necklace, Avon. Bracelet, c/o Cocoa Jewelry. Sunglasses, Burberry.

While I love this dress it is sheer, I had to purchase a slip. When I wear it to the pool I won't be wearing the slip. Over the Victoria Day long weekend (here in Canada) I was getting ready to wear it out with the family when my husband told me he could see my underpants. I was in a hotel room in Ottawa, my children proceeded to all try and see if they could see my underpants. They could. Oh the squeals of delight and child commentary that followed.

Lots of you are telling me you can't wear a maxi because of this, that or the other. I say there is a maxi out for you. Read this post I did for Yorkdale Shopping Centre to help find the maxi for you.

I'm linking up with Style Elixir, Transatlantic Blonde (WIWW), My Thrifty Chic, Suburbs Mama and The Pleated Poppy for some fashion inspiration.

White Heat

Wearing all white is the epitome of summer for me. The best part of white is you can add a bit of colour and it just all works. Easy, no guess work and effortless. That's how I wish dressing was like all the time.

 Jeans, Hudson's (old). Blazer, H&M. T-Shirt, The Gap. Belt, Cassis (old). Cuff, c/o Cocoa Jewelry for Target. Clutch, Danier. Sunglasses, Burberry (old).

I'm joining a few Link Parties. For white jean inspirations Jane, from Toronto Shopaholic Blog, asked us to style our white jeans for summer. I'm also joining MomTrends, Style Elixir, Transatlantic Blonde, Suburbs Mama and The Pleated Poppy for some summer fashion fun.

Jumpsuits & Baby Showers

My little sister is HAVING A BABY!! I am very excited (I know the all caps gave it away). A few weekends ago she had her baby shower and it was during a period where we didn't know if it would rain, snow, hail or if by some chance the weather would be seasonal and the sun would poke out. Anyway I opted for something safe (I should have went full blown spring colour) - a black jump suit.

Jumpsuit, Targe. Shoes, Talbot's (old). Belt, Dynamite (not a typo Cailin). Cuff, Joe Fresh (old).

I had to post a picture with my hands in my pockets just to show you how much I love pockets. Totally makes sense now that I've written it down.

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

I've Seen this Outfit Before...

Well except I swapped out the J Crew anchor blouse for this J Crew anchor sequins top because when you're busy why re-invent the wheel? The first time I saw this sequin top in the US I didn't buy it because I must have been crazy. Then my favourite blogger Blair Eddie wore it and I knew I was. Found it recently at J Crew outlet so am happy.

I still cannot get enough of this clutch. Danier Leather has really picked up its accessories offerings and I am thoroughly impressed. Wait till you see what they have to offer in Fall '13. I was blown away.

Blazer & Jeans, The Gap. Sequins Tank, J Crew Factory. Clutch, Danier. Sunglasses, c/o Edit by Jeanne Beker. Bracelts, c/o Cocoa Jewelry.

Yesterday morning I had the pleasure of being on CTV Canada AM discussing pregnancy fashion for Yorkdale Style Council. I'm very fortunate to work for such an amazing organization like Yorkdale. I have to admit I loved every second of my TV experience and hope I can do it again. I will be writing about my experience in a future post. Right now I'm just trying to catch up on laundry. Laundry does me in every time!

I'm linking up with two great blog hops Transatlantic Blond WIWW, The Pleated Poppy Blog & Style Elixer.

Google Nexus 7 32GB - Tablet Review. Great Gift for Dad

I want to start this post by stating that I have never owned my own computer. I can't believe in this day and age that I can write this about myself, especially given the line of work I do. There is obviously a family computer in my house (that is really my husband's work computer) that I use for my blog. My husband also has an iPad that he uses for work instead of a laptop. He loves his iPad and is rarely without it close by, he has learned to master all it has to offer. I've used it a few times but since he casually snatches it from me whenever he "needs" it I have not become attached to his piece of technology. I see tablets everywhere and see how valuable they are, so when Staples.ca asked me to review the Nexus 7 tablet I was ecstatic - my very own tablet/computer. I wouldn't have to share with anyone because it would be MINE.

I've been using it for a month and a half so I can say with certainty that I know my tablet and I really do love it. Here, let me count the ways:

1. Easy set up - I opened the manual, followed the prompts and was off. No confusing tech talk, straight forward layman terms manual.

2. Uses a USB Charging Unit - no expensive accessories.

3. Great Customer Service - I had an issue trying to set up a credit card to purchase apps. Within a half an hour a live service rep called me and tried to fix my problem (it was early evening and I really didn't think anyone would get back to me that night). She couldn't fix my problem, through no fault of her own and she couldn't explain why. I honestly didn't mind because she tried and tried and so I just used another card. The lovely girl on the other end told me she would investigate the issue and get back to me. I totally forgot about it, she did not, I received an email a few weeks later with an answer.

4. Notification Tray - its also referred to as the hub and it is the BEST feature on the tablet. It alerts me to all notifications for e-mail and any of the social media features I use. Someone liked my Instagram photo? I am notified. One of my tweets was retweeted by Rainbow Sun Francks or favourited by Ennis Esmer or Craig Olejnik (all are actors from "The Listener", one of my favourite shows and it's Canadian) it lets me know. I have a new like on Facebook? Yes, it shows up in my notification tray. This is the main reason I put my phone away and use my tablet. I don't need to check all the apps to see if anything is going on related to my social media apps.

5. Great App choices - I am not a big app person. Everything I needed was available so I'm not complaining.

6. Easily fits into my hand - I thought I would find it too small. A month and a half in and I think it is the perfect fit and don't feel the need to purchase a bigger one.

7. Library Feature - all my books and magazines are located in one easy screen and I can bring everything up. Love the fact I had e-magazines from Canadian Living, Chatelaine and Fashion Magazine. I also downloaded some great classic books.

8. Quick Settings - Everything that I need to operate my tablet is available in top right corner of the tablet. Settings, brightness, airplane mode. Easy to find.

As with everything there are a few things that should be improved and for me it was only the camera feature. It doesn't flip like an iPad and the picture quality is poor. To be fair I haven't seen any tablet with good picture quality.

For me this tablet is a BUY. On Staples.ca the tablet retails for $199.99 and I think would make a great Father's Day gift. If you do buy this for dad buy him a screen protector. It shows finger prints and drove me crazy. I bought one right away.

Now I am trying to find a real pretty case, because honestly did you not expect that from me? Choices are non-existent. I purchased a basic black case from Staples store but it's blah. Please amp up the accessories choices, if not for me, for all the other women out there who want something pretty and not black tech boring. I did spy a purple leather case Danier is offering in the fall but I don't want to wait that long.

I hope everyone has a great Father's Day weekend.

I Feel the Heat

Finally a sign of sun and summer. I need to feel the warmth of the sun, it's been a while. I used to hate shorts, would rather wear a skirt or capris. Last year I decided to give them another chance. I'm hooked.

Top, J Crew (old). Shorts, The Gap. Shoes, Jimmy Choo (old). Watch, Michael Kors (old). Bracelets, c/o Cocoa Jewelry for Target.

Off to Work I Go

I mean if I had an office job, this is how I'd go...

Blazer, Button Down & Skirt Banana Republic. Shoes, Prada. Handbag, Coach. Bracelets, Cocoa Jewelry.

Anyone get a Julie McCoy feeling when they look at this outfit? Two points for even knowing who Julie McCoy is.

I'm linking up with Transatlantic Blonde and The Pleated Poppy Blog for some fashion inspiration.

Milly For Banana Republic & I can't Stay Away from this Coat

Last week I was invited to a shopping party for the Banana Republic Milly Collection. I took the always stylish and fellow Windsorite Jenny (blogger from Crazy Style Love) and missed Jane (blogger from Toronto Shopoholic). I have to admit when I go to any of these functions I try to wear something from that retailer. I don't know why I do it, I just feel like I should. Whoever reads this blog knows I wear lots of Banana Republic product (and no they don't sponsor me, and yes they should), so it wasn't a stretch to find something. To be honest, I knew exactly what I was going to wear, my "Mon Cheri" thin sweater. It was raining and miserable so it was an easy choice, layering for wet and cold weather is a must.

Yup, still wearing my Cocoa Wrap Bracelet. I cannot stop.
'

Sweater, button down, necklace Banana Republic. Jeans, James Jeans. Coat, Zara. Shoes, Prada. Bracelets, J Crew, c/o Cocoa Jewelry for Target. Lips, c/o Makeup Forever Aqua Rouge #19 Pomegranate Pink.

I had every intention of wearing these heels to the event, however, I ditched the heels and wore my nude Cole Haan nude penny loafers. I didn't go home empty handed, I picked up a great skirt from the collection and got to meet designer Michelle Smith.

I am blog hopping again with Transatlantic Blonde here and the Pleated Poppy here.

Monday Morning Cargo's

When these J Brand cargos first came out a few years ago I was smitten with them. Loved the cut and idea of skinny cargos because cargo pants are known to add bulk to our thighs but there was something feminine and sexy at the same time about these. I wore them a lot and then as with most things in our closet I wore them too much and got bored with them. I haven't worn them since the fall, I pulled them out of my closet last week and dressed them up with a basic white tee and a blazer, I was quite happy with the result. 

Cargo Pants, J Brand (old). Blazer, Cassis (old). T-Shirt, The Gap. Shoes, Prada. Belt, Tory Burch (old). Handbag, Louis Vuitton (old). Necklace, Stella & Dot. Bracelets, J Crew, c/o Cocoa Jewelry. Watch, Michael Kors (old).

I am joining the YOLO blog hop and Transatlantic Blonde WIWW getting inspiration from other great bloggers.