Sunshine

We really need some - weather in Toronto has been erratic at best. So when I saw this beautiful yellow peplum sweater at Banana Republic I just couldn't resist. It reminds me of spring and summer and I'm sure we could all use some sunshine on days like these.

This is the last post featuring my brother-in-law Kevin from Kaptured Memories. I would hire him if he didn't live 4 hours away and if I could pay him in appreciation.

My obsession with peplum continues. When purchasing this sweater I bought a Medium because it was longer in the torso and allowed the peplum to drape nicer and longer.

I can't get enough of the pleating in back. Love the shape it is giving me. 

Sweater & Necklace - Banana Republic

Jeans - Yoga Jeans

Shoes - Prada

Cozy Up

With cold weather upon us (again) I'm back in sweater gear and enjoying chunky knits. I love the texture and dimension they bring to an outfit.

This is my first Style Panel Challenge for Fashion Magazine. Check out how other bloggers are wearing knits and keeping warm and fashionable here.

Sweater - Vince

Jeans - Yoga Jeans

Booties - The Gap

Watch - Michael Kors

Bracelets - Stella & Dot, J Crew, Ann Taylor

Hell Just Froze Over...

I'm wearing a poncho and I like it. So yes, hell must have frozen over because I hate ponchos, except for this one. This one is from Banana Republic. It is a beautiful knit, keeps me warm and looks good. That's the thing...it LOOKS GOOD. The people at BR are calling it a cape, it is a proper poncho. Running errands and don't want the bulk of a coat? This is what you should wear. 

Just wanted to show you how it looks against lighter coloured clothing. That's why I love navy blue.

Poncho/Cape - Banana Republic (here)

Turtlenecks - The Gap (here)

Jeans - Yoga Jeans (here)

Chords - J Brand (old)

Booties - The Gap (here)

Shoes - Tory Burch (old)

Watch - Michael Kors

Bracelet - Stella & Dot (here)

And the Winner Is...

Thank you to everyone who entered my first giveaway and a special thank you to the people at Second Denim Co. the makers of Yoga Jeans for selecting my blog to host this fantastic giveaway (and providing me with my Merlot skinnies). And the Winner is...

Nathalie Fleitas

I hope you enjoy your Yoga Jeans as much as I enjoy mine. On a sizing note, I would recommend you go down at least one size when purchasing your Yoga Jeans. They have a lot of stretch, however, they maintain their shape.

Today I am doing a final "feature" and showcasing my Merlot jeans in a simplicity I am not known for. No pearls, no fancy. Just a woman and her jeans.

This is my new favourite shirt. It's big and comfy and even wrinkled.

Jeans - Yoga Jeans (find a retailer here)

Shirt - The Gap (here)

Booties - The Gap (here)

Belt - Tory Burch (old)

Watch - Michael Kors

Bracelets - Stella & Dot (available here and here)

I'm also linking up with Walking in Grace & Beauty today.

Coated Denim - Out on the Town

This weekend my best friend since childhood got married and I was the maid of honour. The wedding was beautiful, check out this video here to see what I mean (I'm the one doing all the hard work, zipping up the dress, fluffing the dress, drinking champagne etc.). The day before the wedding Christina and Brad had a meet and great for friends and family. It was located at a bar in Caesar's Casino in Windsor. I knew exactly what I was wearing...my coated denim jeans.

I had tried so many pairs of coated jeans at various price points and ended up purchasing Yoga Jeans version. They were just perfect for me. These are my new go to jeans when I'm heading out for a night on the town (which translates to dinner and drinks and home by 10 pm. I live a crazy life).

It was snowing while I was taking these pictures.

Perfect sheen on these jeans. Not heavily "coated" so won't stick to your skin or trap in the heat. That's one of the complaints I've heard about other brands and their coated denim.

This outfit looks effortless. It is so easy and simple to re-create.

Jeans - Yoga Jeans (find a store or website here)

Blouse - Judith & Charles (old)

Blazer - Smythe (old; similar here)

Shoes - Jimmy Choo (here)

Purse - Cassis (old)

Watch - Michael Kors (old)

Bracelets - Stella & Dot (Here & here), Bitter Sweet, Ann Taylor Loft, The Bay

Neck Warmer - Steve Madden (similar here)

My giveaway is still happening. All you need to do is "Like" Yoga Jeans on Facebook and comment on this post. If you win you can choose any jeans you want. Giveaway is open internationally. Good Luck!

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Merlot - Mundane Mondays

I am a huge fan of the Blog What I Wore and Jessica recently challenged Bloggers to a Fall Remix. I was one of the bloggers Jessica chose to feature on her blog. I decided to style my Merlot Yoga Jean two ways. My last post featured how I styled these jeans for a night out, today I am styling these jeans for a day of errands and drop offs with the kids. It always ends up being about the kids.

Jeans - Yoga Jeans

Sweater - Gap

Shoes - Steve Madden (old)

Watch - Michael Kors

I am still running my Yoga Jeans giveaway, which means the winner gets to chose any pair of Yoga Jeans they like! All you need to do is "like" Yoga Jeans Facebook page and comment on my post. This is an international giveaway. If you have any questions on sizing let me know.

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My First Giveaway - YOGA JEANS

If you've been reading my blog you know that my latest (and honestly greatest) denim obsession has to be with Yoga Jeans by Second Denim Co. Why you may ask? Well the cut, stretch, rise and length are perfect. Those really should be the 4 FD's (fit descriptors) of denim. They hit all four of my fit descriptors so they are an amazing pair of jeans. Let me explain: 

1. Cut - Skinnies, straight, boot cut, flare and super flare. I don't think they are missing anything
2. Stretch - You can do yoga in these jeans and then to pick out the kids at school. Finally take these jeans on a date or a night out with your friends. They can stretch and still keep their phenomenal shape.
3. Rise - I prefer a mid to high rise on my jeans - four kids makes this a must for me - and Yoga jeans offers me that choice. They also offer the low rise for you lucky ladies out there. 
4. Length - They are super long so I can wear them without turning them into a "Tall Girl Capri"

Without further ado, I am so excited to be partnering up with Yoga Jeans and offering the winner of this giveaway a free pair of jeans!! Any jeans, not just the ones I'm wearing, but you could choose these. Thank You Yoga Jeans for providing me with these amazing jeans. They are already in steady rotation.

The colour of the season is Ox Blood, honestly you could call the colour  burgundy and Yoga Jeans has named this colour Merlot, I like Merlot better. Ox  Blood is a common colour for men's shoes, I don't really think I want Ox Blood on my legs.

I styled these jeans for a night out on the town. They are just so fantastic I needed to show them off.

I couldn't decide which back drop to pick so I added both.

These pictures were taken before Sandy hit. I would just like to say that my thoughts and prayers go out to those on the East Coast in the US. I have close family affected by this storm and I know that this is not an easy time for many.

Jeans - Yoga Jeans

Blouse - Judith & Charles (old)

Shoes - Jimmy Choo (old)

Belt - Tory Burch (old)

Clutch - Rebecca Minkoff

Necklace - Banana Republic

Watch - Michael Kors

What do you have to do for this giveaway? "Like" Yoga Jeans on Facebook (they really should have a "I'm in love and obsessed option") and commnt. That's it, really simple. You know how much I love simple. Anyone can enter this giveaway, it's open internationally. Thanks Yoga Jeans! A Canadian company and Canadian made denim.

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Daytime Sequin

I am a huge fan of Pinterest, it is one of my favourite things to mine. I can get home decor ideas or plan a kids birthday party. Pinterest is my favourite inspirational tool. My favourite pinner right now is Sarah Hubert from Sarah Hubert's Style - a lifestyle blog. Sarah recently gave me a blog award and I will be honouring her (I also won another Liebster award from Natalie, blogger over at Peg City Lovely) and answering all her questions at the end of this week.

It never ceases to amaze me how many outfits pins there are on Pinterest, moreover because they are pinned by real women I can re-create the look or be challenged  by the look and interpret it in my own way. I love Vogue editorial fashion, but it's not for my everyday, more my fantasy world. Pinterest is the everywoman's piece of the cyber universe.

I have a white Joe Fresh sequin long sleeve top that I usually wear out to dinner or drinks. I saw a daytime sequin look on Pinterest and was inspired to replicate it and actually wear it. I went grocery shopping, dropped off dry cleaning and hit Costco wearing a top I bought just for the evening. The older I get the more balls (yeah I just wrote that) I have. I don't care what the mean girls say about me (they exist at every age and social class), I'm wearing sequence during the day...plus I'm six feet tall and now know how to use my height for intimidation...no longer the tall geeky nerd in the corner.

Tried to take pictures in a different spot...not too sure about this...

I love this spiked gold and pave bracelet from Cocoa Jewelery. It is available at select Shoppers Drug Mart Beauty bars. It is pliable so does not get in the way when you are wearing it, so that means I didn't stab myself or my child. Call your local Shoppers to see if Cocoa Jewelry is available there, this will save you time and frustration if you are not sure.

Jacket, Shirt, Top - Joe Fresh (old)

Jeans - Yoga Jeans, Second Denim Co.

Shoes - Tory Burch (old)

Bag - Fendi (old)

Watch - Michael Kors

Bracelets - Stella & Dot, Cocoa Jewelry

A Hat

Today's post is a big fat cheat. I already wore this outfit here (so if you remember this outfit you are not going crazy), then I remembered I wanted to take a picture of me wearing the hat. I re-shot the pictures with different jewelry and the hat.

I love hats, I just don't wear them because I'm a big scaredy cat. I have no qualms about wearing leather pants or a python skirt, but give me a hat and I'm all nervous. It's just a thing I have. I can't be the only one with a thing.

Before I leave you here are they lyrics that are in my head today...Fancy by my man Drake. Toronto native, love him.

"Go
go ‘head
go go go ‘head
go go go go go go ‘head
go go go go go go ‘head
oh you fancy huh
oh you fancy huh
oh you fancy huh
oh you fancy huh

Nail done, hair done, every thing done
nails done, hair done, everything d…
oh you fancy huh
oh you fancy huh
you you fancy huh
oh you fancy huh

Nail done, hair done, every thing done
nails done, hair done, everything d…
oh you fancy huh"

Yup that's me.

Linking up with WIWW. Click on the badge to your right to see what others are wearing.

Hat & Tunic - Joe Fresh

Jeans - Yoga Jeans

Shoes - Steve Madden (old)

Watch - Michael Kors

Bracelets - Stella & Dot, Ann Taylor

Necklace - Stella & Dot

Pinterest Inspiration

I have told you that I've needed some inspiration so I went to my favourite tool, Pinterest, to find something to get my clothing mojo going. Below is what I decided to re-create with existing pieces in my wardrobe. 

Chambray and black are neutrals so have fun with the scarf you choose. To be honest I was going to pick something else but I had my friend Mangala's voice in my head talking about how much I love animal prints and something about a "safari for all" with my latest posts. So I had to throw this scarf on (I have a zebra print scarf too but leopard is my neutral).

I can't be the only one using Pinterest for style ideas, anyone else using their virtual style boards to get out of a fashion rut or try something new?

My youngest fell while I was taking this shoot, poor guy but that's not the reason I showed this picture, its my hair. I know I have to get my roots done but I have a wedding in the first weekend in November and I have to wait because this mop on my head grows so quickly I don't want to have growth showing in the pictures (I'm the maid of honour so I'm like the second most important person that day). There has to be other people who have faced this quandary...dye it too early and it looks bad for the important day, dye it too late and in the meantime you look a bit off in pictures on your blog.

In the top 3 pictures the tank underneath rode up so you can't see it, I realized this and took some more. I like it better with the white showing.

Kristina - I went to try the pants on and they didn't look good at all (for those who are confused they are gold & coral brocade found in H&M). I couldn't even take a picture. So you're right my maybe is yes...

Shirt - Banana Republic

Jeans - Yoga Jeans

Scarf - Danier (old)

Boots - Frye (old)

Tank - Kirkland (Costco)

Watch - Michael Kors

Bracelet - Stella & Dot

One more thing...I still need your votes. I made it through to the top 25 and I'd like to stay in the top 15. If you can please vote by clicking here or on the badge that says Circle of Moms. Last time I checked I was #13, you can vote once every 24 hrs. Once the voting is done I will stop posting this annoying message. Thanks!

Black White & Leopard

I have been feeling wardrobe blah. I am not saying I have nothing to wear. I'm just overwhelmed, underwhelmed, don't know where to start lately type of mood. When I feel this way I just stick with something simple - black bottom, white top and a pair of leopard shoes. Clean and classic, better than blah and lost. My skinny Yoga Jeans have become a staple and honestly my go to piece. I don't understand why I hadn't found this company sooner. What's important is that I know about Yoga Jeans now and so do you. 

Plus, I swear my youngest son lost the remote control for my camera. One second I had it, the other second it was gone. I know the thing doesn't have legs so it didn't walk off. I swear I'll find it in a shoe or lodged in my pantry somewhere but I'll have purchased a new one because I've ripped through my house and not found it. Yeah!

This white tunic is great with skinnies or a slight boot cut pant. I'm not a fan of tunics with skirts, or slouchy pleated pants. A tunic, untucked, with a skirt does not have the right symmetry and "beauty" is simply about symmetry. With slouchy pleated pants the tunic has too much bulk in the mid-section. When is bulk in the mid-section ever attractive?

Here I am asking you to vote for me again...sorry...you're allowed to vote for me once every 24 hours. I am trying to become one of the top 25 Canadian Blogs on Circle of Moms. Any votes are appreciated and you can just click here to vote for me.

Top - Joe Fresh

Jeans - Yoga Jeans
Shoes - Steve Madden (old)
Necklace - Stella & Dot
Bracelets & Watch - Links of London (old)