We Have Power!!

On early Monday evening Toronto was hit with heavy rain fall and sections of the city were flooded. My family and I were fortunate enough to be spared any flooding in our home but had no electricity from Monday evening till late Wednesday afternoon. My saving grace was that my children are with my in-laws and we were all spared from their discomfort. Having no electricity gave me a new appreciation of what those in Calgary had gone through (their situation was much worse) and how fortunate I am to even have electricity and all the comforts it brings.

Before the kids left I took several pictures of outfit posts and today's features shorts and a sleeveless blouse. I wore this shopping and running around doing errands. I just felt like getting dressed up a bit. It's been happening more often then not.

Lots of help from the kids!

Blouse, Shorts & Gold bracelet Ann Taylor. Sunglasses, c/o EDIT by Jeanne Beker. Watch, Michael Kors (old). Shoes, Cole Haan (old). Stone Bracelets, J Crew.

I'm linking up with lots of great blog hops because I have power now:
My Thrifty Chic
Style Sessions
WIWW with Transatlantic Blonde
The Pleated Poppy
Friday Five
The Penniless Socialite

Summer is Officially Underway

School is out, Canada has been celebrated and now the real work starts...entertaining the kids before they go back to school. Well, not really entertain them (they need to figure that on their own), but have some stuff planned. To be honest, I don't have much planned for the kids. We were supposed to be enjoying all that Croatia has to offer and instead we'll be enjoying all that Windsor-Toronto-Sudbury-Manitoulin is offering during the summer. Thank God for their Croatian grandparents.

Sweater, blouse (old), Banana Republic. Shorts, Gap. Shoes, Cole Haan (old). Necklace, Ann Taylor (old). Bracelets, c/o Cocoa Jewelry for Target. Watch, Michael Kors (old).

I'm linking up with Plane Pretty, Style Elixer , Real Girl Glam, My Thrifty Chic, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Because Shanna Said So, The Pleated Poppy Blog, My Girlish Whims  and WIWW with Transatlantic Blonde today.

Brights - Featuring Salsa Jeans

I've been posting a lot this week. I've been busy. Admittedly I've taken things slowly with this blog the first quarter of 2013. In January I was consumed with being a finalist/winner with the Marilyn Denis show's Search for Real Canadian Women. February was about taking it easy. March was about #WMCFW and working with Victoria Revay at QMI agency and since that job things have been busy and I'm not complaining. I've been contacted by many companies and been invited to several PR events which have been both flattering and exciting.

When Salsa Jeans initially approached me I was hesitant. I had never heard of their company. After some on-line research I learned it's based in Portugal and ships to Canada and it's very popular in Europe. As fun (and small) as my blog is I take it seriously. If I recommend something it's because I like it not because I got a freebie. I didn't want to enter into any contest just because I received a free pair of jeans and a possible grand prize (even if the top prize is to Dubai - I'll be bugging you on Friday) if I didn't believe in the product. I asked my UK blogger friends and Beth from Style Guile recommends them to her clients because of the rise selections, and Helen from The Flaky Fashionista says her neighbour just raves about her Salsa Jeans and Helen has added them to her wish list because she has fallen for them as well.

These women helped to convince me that I should enter the challenge. If you've been reading this blog for a while you know I prefer a mid to high rise because I've had four children, lucky for us all because Salsa offers everything from low to high. Lots of people automatically think that they are going to be ugly "MOM" jeans. Well get a load of these Morpho Push-In Jeans in Atlantic Blue. Their in-seams range from 30 to 34 inches (tall girl love) and pocket placement is lowered to accommodate the high rise for a nice bum. Plus it literally Pushes everything In and no puckering. The Morpho line offers six different fits and includes maternity jeans. The problem now? I want more!

Yup I even gave you a behind shot. I don't know how long this is staying up (I wish I could blame it on the alcohol).

I'm also linking up with The Pleated Poppy for more blogger inspiration.

Jeans - c/o Salsa Jeans

Blouse - Ann Taylor

Blazer - Cassis (old)

Shoes - Christian Louboutin

Necklace & Bracelets - c/o Cocoa Jewelry (here, here and here)

Clutch - Jeanne Lottie

Sunglasses - Burberry

If you haven't had a chance to enter, the Cocoa Jewelry $100 gift card giveaway is still on. You can get bonus entries every day by tweeting and leaving a blog comment. I love to hear what you have to say.

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My Boyfriends Back...Jeans That Is

Today has been a very casual day. I've been running around doing very adult things - getting ready for the end of RRSP season. My inner child died a little because of me having written that. My brother-in-law Kevin took some pictures of me last weekend and I happened to be wearing the same thing today minus the heels - I wore booties and socks.

Kevin was a photographer in the Canadian Military and served in the Combat Camera division. He has been to many places and seen atrocities most could only imagine. On the flip side Kevin's also traveled to the Canadian far north and visited places like India.  Could two places be more different? Poor guy got stuck taking my picture and trying to help me manage Photo Shop. I also forced him into giving me some free photography lessons.

Now that Kevin has entered civilian life he's started his own photo studio called Kaptured Memories. I've added his Facebook page link here.

Sweater, Shirt - Ann Taylor (old)

Jeans - The Gap

Shoes - Stone Ridge (REALLY OLD)

Necklace - Bitter Sweet

Bracelets - F21

Ushering in the New Year

I will be ushering in the New Year with my family, nothing fancy but surrounded by lots of love. What I'm wearing represents what I'll look like on the inside, underneath the jeans and sweater. This is not the best outfit to wear to a house party surrounded by children squealing in delight as we play video games and eat pizza and Lebanese food (I really want shwarma...hint hint Rosie).

I think I may have the perfect top for this skirt. It took a while (See other option here). Next look is the white tee and jean jacket, I just need to find the jean jacket.

Sweater - Ted Baker

Skirt - Ann Taylor (old)

Booties - Coach (old)

Necklace - Judith & Charles (old)

Bracelets - Aldo, The Bay (old)

Still not too late to enter the Lilla P giveaway, only four more likes and an exciting announcement.

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While this year has been filled with lots of wonderful memories and accomplishments there have been some heart breaking losses for many close friends and family. To them I offer my prayers that 2013 brings them peace, love, faith and hope.

Happy New Year and looking forward to 2013. Cheers!

I Love this Sequins Skirt - Not Sure if the Feelings are Mutual

I bought this skirt with my good friend Mary last year. I wanted a casual skirt that was fun, there it was in Ann Taylor. Now as a rule I am a pencil skirt girl. When I put this one on I thought it was too short for me. I didn't want to wear it and couldn't wait to take it off. Mary coaxed me out of the dressing room and told me she liked it. She then proceeded to lecture me on following my own advice and getting out of my comfort zone. Damn teachers.

The thing with this skirt is I can't figure out what else to pair it with. It has an athletic waist band feature (like jogging pants with the pulls) and that is what has me stumped. I'm wearing my most confident smile because I fake it till I make it. The sweater is very nice and looks nice with the skirt but, I don't know... I want to do better than nice. Any suggestions?

Just so you see what the back looks like. I don't care that the grey's don't match.

Here is my rule of thumb if you are wondering if something is too short. Place your hand right down against your leg/thigh, if the skirt is below the tips of your finger it is probably too short. I'm fine, my fingertips are still touching fabric.

I also get asked about mixing metals - you can do it. Metals are all neutrals so have fun. I mixed silver, gold, rose gold and gunmetal in this one. I will not be going to fashion jail for this one.

I am sporting a Shellac manicure. I can't do all the nail art (I'm still having flashbacks from the 80s) that is so popular but having the ring finger a different colour is easy and fun.

Skirt - Ann Taylor (old)

Sweater - The Gap (here)

Tights - Wonder Bra

Booties - Coach (old)

Watch - Michael Kors

Bracelets - Stella and Dot (here and here), Ann Taylor, Joe Fresh, The Bay

My giveaway for Yoga Jeans is still on and here are the rules - You must "Like" Yoga Jeans on Facebook and you must comment on the post. This is an international giveaway and you can chose whatever jeans you like. I'll say that the giveaway is worth $125 depending on what jeans you pick.

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Fancy Python Pants

My husband does not like my python pants, he can tolerate them much more than a maxi skirt, but not his favourite look. He says they are loud, I say they are fun. My daughter got a pair of python pants as part of her back to school stash (hers are a sand colouring like my leather python skirt), he was not impressed. My husband is a good sport about me posting his fashion likes and dislikes. We all have our things.

These pants are fun for me, I wanted to dress them up and this blazer is the best way to do it. I figured I may as well use my clothing as much as possible, especially if the pieces are classic and easily intermixed.

When I saw these pictures I didn't like the booties with the outfit. I wanted to try something different. It just cut me all wrong. So I ended up disliking the way I styled the outfit. I should have added a pair of coloured heels or flats.

Liking the outfit even less when I see the above and below picture. Plus when you are taking pictures of yourself you miss things like in the picture below. Can you spot what's wrong?

I changed out the blouse and added lots of pearls and put my pointy Choo's on and I felt all better.

I honestly think you could wear this outfit to work and go out for drinks with friends right after. For me I'll just take my kids to a swimming lesson in this outfit. Or maybe a date night, it's been a while.

One more thing, please vote for me! I am trying to be one of the 25 Top Canadian Mom Bloggers. I am under the tab of pending blogs.

Denim - CJ by Cookie Johnson

Blouse - 1st Judith & Charles (old), 2nd Ann Taylor (old)

 Belts - 1st Tory Burch (old), 2nd Ann Taylor (old)

Necklaces - Gold F 21, Pearls Le Chateau (old)

Booties - Coach (old)

Shoes - Jimmy Choo (old)

Watch - Michael Kors

Bracelets - Stella & Dot, The Bay

All Dressed Up In Python

Since I'm a fancy dresser I will be dressing up my python pieces because that's just what I like to do. Here are the first two looks.

I am literally sinking into the ground in these heels.

First Look:

Blazer - Banana Republic (old)

Black Jeans - Second Denim Co.

Blouse - Joe Fresh

Shoes Jimmy Choo

Second Look:

Top - Ann Taylor (old)

Jeans - CJ by Cookie Johnson

Shoes - Jimmy Choo

Necklace - Stella & Dot

Bracelets - The Bay, Ann Taylor (old)

Python Leather Skirt - OMG Love it!

So yesterday I was telling you how I'm a fancy dresser and this post is how I would dress if I had a fancy job (or what I'll be wearing to functions that call for business attire with my husband, church or Croatian Folklore Banquets). I'm not saying that leather python skirts are appropriate everywhere but let me tell you I would try and make it a staple! If you're afraid of leather J Crew has a very similar pencil skirt in wool (I think) and it's on sale. When I was at Yorkdale Mall they had lots of them. Maybe the python skirt isn't catching on...

I went very neutral with this look, just felt it would showcase the skirt and you'd see the great pattern and texture. This skirt was featured on Cityline and styled by my favourite stylist Lynn Spence, with a black top. When she told me (okay she was telling everyone in television world but I felt she was speaking directly to me) it was on sale I said SOLD! Apparently they are doing a black version for winter (this is the summer version which I think translates great into fall).

I am totally channeling my inner CEO poses. I'm not comfortable taking pictures of myself and do a lot of the same thing so I'm really posing hard in this post.

One thing about leather skirts, make sure they are snug. Leather stretches and if you buy a skirt or pants that are just right, it will stretch until it's just wrong.

The blouse and skirt are manufactured by Canadian companies - Danier and Judith & Charles. So happy to be featuring Canadian brands.

Skirt - Danier

Blouse - Judith & Charles

Shoes - Christian Louboutin

Watch - Michael Kors

Bracelets - Ann Taylor, Stella & Dot

Week Of The Python - Let's Start Slow

We all know how print averse I am, but python seems as simple as leopard. For me leopard is a print neutral. Python is also huge this season and I purchased python print pants and I already have a python print blouse and skirt...so this week I'm featuring ways to wear python. After we reach a certain age (and if we add a couple of kids to the mix) we wonder if we're getting too old for some trends. I don't think python is one of them. It's the pieces we buy that will dictate if it is age appropriate or not. If you can't (really I think this is a don't) wear python you could try accessories like shoes, handbags, belts or even jewelry. They will add texture to any outfit and make it a bit more interesting.

Today's post I'm going to feature 3 easy looks - I've paired my python pants with 3 different tops just to show you how easy it is to mix and match with existing pieces. Dressing can be this easy some days.

Denim is coming in all different colours and patterns this fall, just like it did in the summer. Try a dark print or dark colour for an easier transition. It'll be easier to mix and match pieces in your wardrobe if you are not too adventurous in your clothing choices. Plus darker patterns and colours hides problem areas better.

This is a basic cashmere sweater, so I can easily wear this into the winter months. Throw on a pair of boots and I am golden, and warm.

I've become a tucker, so this shirt quickly got tucked into my pants. I'm sure it would look just as great untucked...if not better. Sorry for matching the shoes to my belt, unintentional Tory love. Plus I was too lazy to re-take it by switching the belt out for something else. I'm only human, not Superwoman.

Denim - CJ by Cookie Johnson

Belt & Shoes - Tory Burch (old)

Bracelet - Stella & Dot

Watch - Michael Kors

Black Sweater - Ann Taylor (old)

Grey Sweater - Costco (old)

Chambray Shirt - Banana Republic (old)