Polka Dots & Floral

I've stated on several occasions I'm learning how to wear patterns and mix them. An easy way is with this polka dot blazer and floral print shoe. Small subtle patterns, one being a neutral (navy polka dots on white) and the floral is more eye catching. Baby steps.

Plus with all the sales going on now it's a great time to invest in some great pieces like fun or basic blazers, shoes, jewelry, handbags....whatever you need or want.

I was heading out with the whole family and wanted to get a few pictures. I forgot to roll up one sleeve.  It is driving me crazy.

Because the blazer is very neutral I wanted to wear that ever popular "statement" necklace and opted for some colour. This "Tiffany Blue" necklace from Cocoa Jewelry was a perfect choice. Nancy (owner and designer of Cocoa Jewelry) has let me know that she is having an on-line sale, 40% off everything. The coupon code is 40%off.  Happy shopping!! Just an FYI this necklace is a Target exclusive and you won't find it on-line...but I'm sure you can find something else. The latest collection is available at Shopper's Drug Mart stores and I posted some pictures on my Instagram account. You can find me @ivagrbesic.

Blazer, J Crew. Skirt, c/o Tristan. Tank, LOFT. Necklace, c/o Cocoa Jewelry. Bracelet, Ann Taylor. Watch, Michael Kors (old). Sunglasses, c/o Jeanne Beker EDIT. Shoes, J Crew.

I was nominated as one of Toronto's Top 30 Mom Bloggers. Hoping you can vote for me here.

I am linking up with:
Plane Pretty
Still Being Molly
The Jenny Evolution
Friday's Five Link-Up
Best of Friday

I feel Scholarly - Purple Jeans

Firstly, thank you Beth Goodrham from Style Guile for featuring myself and 3 other bloggers (Avril being one) for a piece she wrote for here Brit Mums Blog. I am among some very chic women bloggers.  I was very honoured you chose me because I want to be like you (and Avril) when I grow up my blog.

Today's outfit makes me feel like I should be a professor on a university campus.  Now I went to the University of Waterloo, and anyone who knows anything about Waterloo (at least when I went there, and I have been told not much has changed) knows the school was/is fashionably challenged. I'm sure my professor look would cause a bit of a stir. I'm wearing purple jeans, that is just crazy.

Sorry for the above tangent, stroll down memory lane, back to today.

I bought these jeans last year and I wore the hell out of them last year and they are in regular rotation this year as well. The thing about coloured denim is you need to stick to hues that will easily move into your closet. Dark purple goes well with all my basics and easily fit into my wardrobe. If I'm going to be honest almost any colour is going to fit into my wardrobe, for some other wonderful ladies this may not be the case. Please think of this when choosing colours.

Blazer - Kopa (old)

Shirt - Banana Republic

Jeans - J Brand (old)

Shoes - Cole Haan (old)

Belt - Joe Fresh (old)

Sunglasses - Ray Ban (old)

Watch - Michael Kors

Bracelets - Stella & Dot

British Casual Fridays

I don't know where the title came from, I just feel very British. Like I need to be in the country or something, at Downton. Except without the heels. With the heels I think this is a great look for the office on a Friday or running around doing errands and then going for lunch with some girlfriends. Love the layers, I know I'm biased but I like it...No I love it.

The above picture is one of the few that looked good without my son running around me. Wait till you see...

This blazer is 3/4 sleeve and so is the white button down I'm wearing. This allowed me to wear the blazer cuffed and I think that little detail just makes the shirt pop and makes the outfit that much more interesting. It's all about the details.

 When I first tried this look I rolled the jeans. The jeans are more slim then a true skinny.

So what do you think, keep the scarf or lose it?

Why leopard? Because it really is unexpected. This outfit is very "business" the shoes are fun and sexy.  The outfit may be men's inspired but I am all woman. ROAR.

My son is running around me playing with a ball and I've given up trying to get him away from me and the camera, then the kid pings me in the back of the head with the ball. Honestly I was laughing for a good minute. You either cry or laugh, I decided to laugh. That is one of my parenting strategies in real life. My boys broke my canopy bed by hanging off one of rails a few weeks ago. I laughed.

Ah some time alone. So what are you opinions?

One more thing...I still need your votes. I made it through to the top 10 and I'd like to stay there. If you can please vote by clicking here or on the badge that says Circle of Moms. Last time I checked I was #7, you can vote one last time for me. Voting is done today 4pm PST, this is the last time I am posting this annoying message. I am begging PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE vote for me one last time. Thanks!

Blazer - Kopa (old)

Sweater & Button Down - Brooks Brothers (old)

Jeans - James Jeans (old)

Shoes - Stuart Weitzman (old)

Bracelets - Stella & Dot

Watch - Michael Kors

Scarf - Anthropologie (old)

Fall Colours

Fall is here and my colour palette is changing to reflect it. Rich hues in burgundy, Merlot, green and purple are going to become my fall staples (had some great wine last night). Neutrals won't change - black, navy, deep browns and grey. However, fall neutrals are a heavier weight then those in the spring and summer. I also love creams and winter whites, they have a soothing effect.

Still in love with gold accessories (though this watch is on the rose side). 

This ruched top just keeps on giving, it hides lumps and bumps and minimizes bloating.

I am six feet tall, I'm not going to have a cute size 6 foot. I've gotten over it.

You know what else I love about fall? My TV shows are back. Shows like The Good Wife, How I Met Your Mother, Revenge, Modern Family and even Grey's Anatomy. I was giving up on Grey's, please don't disappoint me. The new shows I have enjoyed are The New Normal and The Mindy Project Any shows you're watching?

I just finished watching the first season of Downton Abbey on DVD with my Thursday regular, Lil, and we can't wait to start on season 2. The British do the best period pieces. The actors are superb and every detail reflects the times - clothing, decor, and manor. The cook looks like a cook, not a botoxed housewife. I'm in love with it all. I hope it stays that way.

Happy Monday! Please vote for me to become one of the top 25 Canadian Blogs. The button is on the right hand side, I may still be in the Pending Blogs tab.

Blazer - Koopa sourced from Denise & Co. (old)

Top - Cassis (old)

Jeans - James Jeans (old)

Shoes - Steve Madden (old) 

Necklace - F 21

Watch - Michael Kors

Bracelet - Stella & Dot

Sunglasses - Rayban (old)

Still Green - But Trying to be Sexy

You know how some men collect t-shirts, women shoes or handbags? Well I collect blazers. It started out accidentally, I fell in love with a store called Cassis and they had great and affordable blazers. So I purchased a few, then I got some from Joe Fresh, Banana Republic, Tall Girl, J Crew and then the big times: my Smythe Blazer. It just snowballed! I am done with them (and all clothing) for now because I blew through my fall budget (and winter really) and am on financial lock down, I digress. Anyway, last year I purchased my most fun blazer - a leopard print blazer from La Femme De Carriere. This blazer is a fantastic rendition of what Dolce & Gabana did last year. I just had to have it. Like I said yesterday Leopard is like the animal print neutral for me. I don't consider it a pattern.

When I was finished taking my pictures (re-taking really) I was thinking of what else would go with this blouse and how Kristina (from Kiki's Parlour, lijepotica moja) was telling me to be bolder. So I said "I know how to be bold" and ran inside to add a few things.

Ta da!

I am so trying to smile with my eyes and look all smouldering. Taking pictures at the side of your house while your neighbours are walking by can be a bit strange.

Like I was saying yesterday - emerald and leopard combined can do no wrong. Plus if you are going somewhere after work and you want to add some fun I think this is an easy quick change. I think this blazer will be with me for a while. I may not wear it for a few years but I'm hoping to pull it out every so often. I love the exaggerated shoulder. This is the only thing that may date this piece. The piping detail is just a great touch.

Blazer - La Femme de Carriere (old)

Blouse - Joe Fresh

Denim - Second Denim Co.

Belt - Cassis (old)

Shoes - Jimmy Choo (old)

Bracelets - Stella & Dot

Blog Swap - Meet Avril

Meet Avril – Blog Swap with School Gate Style

When I first started blogging I googled “Mom Fashion Blogs” and stumbled across an article from the Daily Mail featuring Mom fashion bloggers. I was introduced to several wonderful blogs and became a follower of School Gate Style written by the fantastic Avril. Fast forward nine months later and Avril approached ME to do a blog swap. I quickly jumped at the opportunity to trade spaces! With a fantastic sense of style and mother of three many of us can relate to Avril as she decides what to wear for School Gate Style.

It’s Avril here from School Gate Style and I’m so excited to be swapping with Iva for today’s blog post. I’m a stay at home mum of 3 and personal style blogger from Belfast, Northern Ireland who owns way too many clothes and shoes (but don’t tell my husband I admitted to that!).

My blog features stylish (hopefully) and affordable (definitely) outfits for busy mums on the school run, or in this instance, when heading on a casual night out. I realise this makes me look like I’ve got an amazing social life – I don’t! But if you’re showing yourself off to another blog audience, you need to scrub up a bit I reckon!

Today’s outfit is one I wore to the launch in Dublin of Marks & Spencer’s Autumn Winter Collection last week. I travelled to Dublin with some journalists and bloggers. While I wanted to look smart for the event, I had to think practicalities – a long car journey, a cool day and some pesky kids who didn’t leave me in peace to get ready!

So, time pressures meant I ended up wearing the Diesel jeans I’d had on all day. I dressed them up with an ASOS black blazer, a Zara white top (similar here), a New Look necklace and my favourite Marks & Spencer Autograph purple suede heels.

This black blazer has been a great investment buy. I wear it so frequently. To events, on nights out and it’s great to smarten up a daytime outfit. The broader shoulders and nipped in waist are perfect for flattering a pear shape figure.

Loved this necklace as soon as I saw it – it’s a good one for brightening up an outfit like this and there’s a bit of purple to pick up on the shoe colour.

Did I mention I got these leather Autograph shoes for £5 ($5 USD/$8 CAD)(similar here)! They were reduced from about £50! Bargainous!! You’ll find lots of bargains on my blog as my clothes budget is waaaay to small for my liking <sob>

I hope you like my Night Out Style….a little different from my usual School Gate Style but if you follow my blog, you can check out more of that each day. Thank you to Iva for allowing me to take over her blog for the day. Now get yourself over to School Gate Style to see what Iva’s wearing!

Avril x

Avril and I will be hooking up with the Transatlantic Blonde for WIWW. Enjoy!

Red White and Blue Part 2 - The Flip

I don't know what this says about me, too many blazers and coloured denim? Is that even possible? Don't ask my husband or kum Nick or even Dan (insert almost any other male in place of the ones I've chosen).

On a personal note, unfortunately I am not able to be at two places at once (when is this going to be possible?), therefore, I am going to miss Tina's wedding (one of THE weddings of the year). I just wanted to wish Tina and Cam all the best on Saturday and I hope they have a great wedding and an even better marriage.

Blazer - J Crew

T-Shirt & Denim - Joe Fresh

Necklace - Banana Republic

Belt - Cassis (old)

Watch - Michael Kors

Handbag - Coach

Shoes - Cole Haan

Back to School - YEAH!!!!

It's the most wonderful day of the year...back to school. I will miss the summer and I will miss my children but mommy needs the "kids go back to school time". So nothing is better than a school boy blazer and yellow pants. Still wearing the sun.

I hope that back to school went smoothly for all the mom's out there!

Blazer & Blouse - J Crew

Denim - Ann Taylor

Wedges - Jimmy Choo

Watch - Michael Kors

Bracelets - The Bay, J Crew

BBQ Dilemma - What To Wear?

My husband and I had some amazing BBQ last year in Syracuse, New York, at Dinosaur BBQ (my brother-in-law Andrija pushed us there). So if I get a whiff of another BBQ place close to where ever I am I HAVE to try it. Last month it was Smoke & Spice in Windsor - absolutely fantastic. I am very proud that Windsor has such a great place! When we got there they were out of pulled pork - so we were ordered Ribs and chicken wings which were outstanding. I want to go back for more and try the pulled pork and brisket.

This month my sisters and I headed north of the border to Detroit (Windsor is south of Detroit) to a restaurant called Slows Bar B Q. The pulled pork and brisket were to die for. They melted in your mouth and were so full of flavour. I liked the cornbread (southern style) my sisters did not. Southern style cornbread is not sweet, so I added lots of butter and it worked for me. The three of us ate so fast that our stomachs hurt. I preferred the ribs and beans at Smoke & Spice, and so did my youngest sister Rosie. Ana preferred the ribs at Slows. Great food wherever you go!

What to wear when going to BBQ? I am a messy eater and I love BBQ sauce so nothing fancy or silky (horrible stains that never come out).  So basics it was...with a hit of leopard print...every girl needs some leopard print.

Blazer - LTS, Jeans - Adriano Goldschmied, T-Shirt - Kersh, Necklace - Costco, Shoes - Steve Madden (Special thanks to my middle sister Ana for taking these pictures!). Everything besides the t-shirt is old.

To make a basic outfit special you need to add something interesting, I decided the shoes would be it. I knew that I could/would get my jeans or t-shirt dirty but the shoes would be safe. I was right...the jeans did not fare so well...no stains though! I'll be wearing this outfit to go grocery shopping, Costco or doing drop offs and pick ups. It works very well for doing the mundane.

Looking at the picture I should have added some bracelets and/or even a more substantial necklace...next time.