Put it in Neutral

I find mixing neutrals as difficult as mixing colours. Finding the right shade of ivory or blush to pair with this skirt was a welcome challenge.

The skirt has a great pocket detail and a wonderful, yet very slight, hi/low hemline. These details make the skirt that much more special.

The skirt is made of this amazing woven fabric, and coral is the predominate colour with gold thread running through it. Everything about this skirt is subtle. The pictures don't do it justice. It was a no brainer to pair it with lots of great gold accessories.

Blouse, Wilfrid (old). Skirt, c/o Zamrie here, Shoes, Christian Louboutin (old). Clutch, DKNY (old). Necklace, c/o Cocoa Jewelry here. Belt, Joe Fresh (old).

I'm still asking for votes for the Salsa Jeans Competition. You can vote for me here if you'd like. It's a Facebook Competition. 50 Bloggers showing of their denim style. I'm on page 5.

I'm linking up with The Pleated Poppy for What I Wore Wednesday. Getting inspired by other bloggers.

My Cocoa Jewelry Giveaway for $100 gift card ends Sunday. You still have a few more days to enter.

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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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Monochromatic - I'm Seeing Blue

When I venture into the monochromatic look I make sure that whatever colour I decide to wear that the hues are the same tone. Let me explain, when I mix my reds I make sure that they have a blue undertone and not the orange of a tomato red, or if I wear yellow I wear lemon yellow instead of shades of mustard. If you're having difficulty the easiest way to visualize colours of the same tone is to look at a colour wheel. You can purchase them at any craft stores and they will help you with monochromatic looks or mixing colours (great for interior design, scrapbooking, party planning for colour schemes...I digress). 

Now that Spring seems to be with us (I hope I didn't jinx us) I'll be wearing more dresses. I love blue - especially Navy and Cobalt. The two were easy to mix - navy dress & cobalt coat that have deep undertones. In photos the colours look to be exact and matching coat/dress or skirt/coats are very retro and reminiscent of the 50s & 60s. I could see Joan, Betty or Peggy wearing this outfit. I wore it to my children's First Communion and Jadran's Croatian Canadian Folklore banquet (where my 3 oldest children performed). The dress is really kid friendly and stays in place (had a little incident with a v-neck cross over dress). Fabric is pretty thick so it doesn't show anything. You know how much I hate pucker/cellulite peering through fabrics.

This is a very high neckline which made accessories easy, I decided to do a chunky cuff. 

Dress, Talbots. Coat, H&M. Shoes, Christian Louboutin. Cuff, Cocoa Jewelry. Clutch, Coach. Sunglasses Burberry

If you love this cuff enter a chance to win a $100 gift card from Cocoa Jewelry below:

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Cocoa Jewelry Giveaway - Blazers & Boyfriends

I first discovered Cocoa Jewelry in Shopepers Drug Mart during the fall. One of the kids was sick and I was waiting to pick up a prescription. I browsed the Beauty Boutique and admired the jewelry display full of great finds and picked up my first Cocoa piece a ring. Between the four kids I got to Shoppers quite often and my collection grew - more rings, bracelets and earrings. When Cocoa Jewelry reached out to me and gave me a goodie box full of their  jewelry I was ecstatic because I was already a fan and that meant healthy children!

I've been wearing the pieces constantly and gotten to know the creative power behind this brand through e-mail, Twitter and Facebook. Nancy is a woman after my heart - she loves denim and blazers as much as I do.  Cocoa's philosophy is pretty easy to understand

"Cocoa Jewelry is an affordable luxury accessories brand.  We source, design & manufacture high quality, trendy jewelry and accessories.  Our products are sold at major retailers under a number of branded & private label collections.  We want woman to feel empowered and beautiful.  Be fierce ladies.

You can get our exclusive collections at Shoppers Beauty Boutiques, TARGET Canada, the Shopping Channel or online at www.cocoajewelry.com."

With their recent appearance on Dragon's Den and deal with Jim, Cocoa Jewelry is taking the Canadian Accessories Marketplace with one fashionable piece at a time. With an exclusive line now available in Target Canada, there is a style and price point for everyone.

This style post is dedicated to Cocoa Jewelry and Nancy - I'm rocking jeans, a blazer and bling.

I made a fashion friend/colleague, Nora, at a PR event bonding over our love of dressing up and this Spike Me Collar necklace

Wearing - Blazer, Banana Republic. Shirt, Marc by Marc Jacobs. Jeans & Shoes, The Gap. Watch, Michael Kors. Sunglasses, Rayban. Handbag, Coach. Necklace, c/o Cocoa Jewelry. Bracelets, c/o Cocoa Jewelry (here & here)

I'm linking up with The Pleated Poppy for more outfit inspiration!

Now it's time to talk about the giveaway. Cocoa Jewelry is giving one lucky winner a $100 gift card to spend on their website. Please note this giveaway is only open to residents in Canada and the US.

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Meetings & PR Events - What to Wear?

When I started this blog it was a creative outlet to share what I was wearing with other women. A year later I'm being invited to PR events, attending Fashion Week, working with publications like QMI Agency (Sun Media) and taking meetings with different retailers/fashion lines. So what's a girl to wear? Depends on the event/meeting. I know that this potential client is more casual and tech savvy. Jeans and some bling...plus some leopard. Who doesn't love leopard?

Just love this collared necklace. Adds great visual interest to a very simple blouse or t-shirt.

Here's hoping that "One Chic Mom" lives up to her name.

Blazer - Brooks Brothers

Blouse - Joe Fresh (old)

Jeans - Yoga Jeans

Shoes - Steve Madden (old)

Necklace, Bracelets - c/o Cocoa Jewelry

Watch - Michael Kors

Cranberry

With American Thanksgiving weekend officially in full swing and Black Friday sales underway in both countries it's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas. I think I'm ready. 

Dress - Banana Republic

Bracelet - Cocoa Jewelry

Booties - Coach

I'm linking up with Walking With Style and Grace again. Please take a look to find some other fantastic bloggers.

Buffalo Plaid - Perfect Winter Pattern for A Coat

I have a warehouse of black coats. They each have a unique purpose and cover all seasons. BORING! So when my blogging friend Jane (from Toronto Shopaholic) did a post wearing a buffalo plaid coat I was impressed. Then Banana Republic had a sale - 5 items for 50% off and I found my coat. 

This coat is stylish and perfect for this cold weather. No hard try here. I will be taking out the sleeves and moving the buttons a bit. These changes will make this coat perfect, moving the buttons will cinch the waist in and make me look slimmer when wearing it. When trying on a winter coat make sure you try it on with a sweater. While the small size was a nicer silhouette I wouldn't be able to wear a sweater underneath it without pulling a Hulk and ripping the thing to shreds.

I know why black is so popular - it can be worn with many colours. This coat is limiting in that certain coloured denim pieces etc. don't go. Oh well, that's why I have my black coat.

I also like to see how a coat looks when it is open, sounds silly I know. I love the perfect symmetry in this coat when it is open. Looks great. Regular price was $310, with the discount $155. There are lots of deals out there. Banana Republic is having 30% sale today as well. Happy shopping.

Coat - Banana Republic (here)

Jeans - Adriano Goldschmied (old)

Shirt - The Gap (here)

Booties - The Gap (here)

Watch - Michael Kors

Bracelets - J Crew, Cocoa Jewelry, Stella and Dot

The winner for my giveaway will be announced here soon. I know lots of you are wondering...

A Twist

When I like something (like my sequin Joe Fresh top & blue button down combo) I will automatically try and play with those piece to make multiple outfits. I know I'm not the only one who does that, I can't be. I changed out the pants ant blazer and played with colour this post -last years purple jeans and a navy blazer. I've been doing lots of blazer and denim posts. One more for tomorrow and I promise I plan on mixing it up next week and hopefully the week after.

I am joining "Transatlantic Blonde" in her weekly blog hop - WIWW, enjoy!

Sequin Top , Button Down & Scarf - Joe Fresh (old)

Blazer - J Crew (old)

Jeans - J Brand(old)

Shoes - Cole Haan (old)

Sunglasses - Ray Ban

Watch - Michael Kors

Bracelets - Cocoa Jewelry, Stella & Dot

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