Day and Night

Some of us go from the office to an evening out. Here's my little quick change option.

My son had a little problem staying straight up. He was fine, no worries.

Blazer & Skirt, Banana Republic. Blouse, Joe Fresh (old). Jeans, Adriano Goldschmied (old). Shoes, Jimmy Choo (old). Purse, Furla (old). Necklaces, Cocoa Jewelry here & here. Bracelets, Cocoa Jewelry here & here.

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 6. The link doesn't work on tablets or smart phones. 

My Cocoa Jewelry Giveaway for $100 gift card ends Sunday. You still have a few more days to enter. Good Luck and have a great weekend!

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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

Easy Like Sunday Morning

I really enjoy looking at other blogs to see what other women are wearing. I love seeing the full skirts that are in, great ankle pants with kitten heels as well as all the dresses that spring has sprung. The thing is I can't wear lots of these items for various reasons. For example, those great full skirts are too short on me, the ankle pants become poorly executed capris because they are also too short on me and the dresses...well I can wear the dresses but that usually only happens on Sundays (note to self, I need to wear more dresses). They also help to inspire me, but not today.

Spring to me is all about re-birth, dusting the snow off and embracing the warmth that is coming on stronger every day. Wardrobe transitions don't have to be extreme, they can be Easy, Easy Like Sunday Morning (without the break up the song is about). Today it's about light knits, t-shirts and jeans; no bulky coats and heavy fabrics that are synonymous with winter. On Monday's I sometimes help at my children's school serving hot lunches. You will also usually find me at the grocery store or Costco (usually both) re-stocking our shelves after the weekend. When the weather gets warmer I will be wearing great skirts and dresses to run these errands but for now I'm sticking to denim. Easy. Me.

These brogues have been a hit and I am pretty sure are sold out on the Canadian Gap website. The neutral colour goes with everything. They were very reasonably priced and are leather. I am a snob about leather shoes. Maybe its an age thing, I haven't worn synthetic faux leather shoes since my early 20s. Don't ever get me started on acrylic fabrics as well.

T-shirt, Jeans & Shoes - The Gap

Cardigan - Left on Houston (old)

Scarf - Winners (old)

Watch - Michael Kors

Bracelet - Medugorje (gift, little shout out to my BiH readers)

March Break - Camo Option #1

I first saw Camo jeans at Zara and thought they would be loads of fun to wear, however, height is often NOT my clothing friend. They were far too short on me and I left wishing tall girls had more choice. Fast forward a year later and I found a pair of tall friendly camo pants online at The Gap. Thank you for your Tall section.

Pattern play is still my Achilles' heel so I'm taking it slow. I thought I would play with this pattern and do two posts using these pants as the anchor. March Break is in full swing in my house and next week is Toronto Fashion Week so I'm busy (along with everyone else). So I'm taking it nice and easy. I hope everyone else is enjoying their March Break.

I will be partnering with Sun Media during Toronto Fashion Week. We are still hammering out the schedule. Once I know all the details I'll let you know where I'll be and where you can follow me.

Pants & T-Shirt - The Gap (tall)

Blazer - J Crew (old)

Shoes - Stuart Weitzman (old)

Necklace - Banana Republic (old)

Watch - Michael Kors (old)

It's a Mom Day - Cardi & Denim

Style isn't just about being able to co-ordinate patterns, colour and texture. I love to mix all these elements to express my own personality, however, I also live in a world where I'm picking up toys, folding laundry, cooking, cleaning, dealing with dirty diapers (can't wait for that to end) and running around in cold weather doing pick ups and drop offs. While I would love to be posh, when I'm doing "the everyday" it is not going to happen.

So I'll fall back to some old favourites - cardigan, button down and denim. Classics are timeless and easy. We all need some easy in our days.

Cardigan - Pink Tartan (old)

Button Down - Ann Taylor (old)

Jeans - James Jeans (old)

Belt - Tory Burch (old)

Boots - Frye (old)

Fancy That...

If I had to dress for my profession some would suggest I just stick to yoga pants and the appropriate sweat shirt or work out top. I would be allowed to throw in a pair of jeans for those special occasions. That is what is expected when you are at home...the other side of the coin is hopefully this outfit.

Come and see what some other bloggers are wearing for Fashion Magazine here.

Blazer & Button Down - Brooks Brothers

Sequin top - Joe Fresh

Jeans - Gap

Shoes - Kate Spade

Necklace - J Crew

Bracelets - Stella & Dot, Cocoa Jewelry, F21, Ann Taylor

Watch - Michael Kors

Handbag - Coach

Feeling Blue

This weather has been erratic to say the least. The weather yesterday was mild and beautiful. Perfect vest weather.

Vest - The Gap

Shirt - The Gap

Jeans - Paige Denim (old)

Booties - The Gap

Necklace - Joe Fresh

Watch - Michael Kors

Belt - Tory Burch

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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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

Mundane Monday's - Black & Grey

I'd like to start today's post by thanking everyone for their kind words from Friday's post especially Sue and The Flaky Fashionista for making me feel better about my cooking skills.

Last week lots of things went wrong, when I wrote the post late Thursday evening I didn't realize there could be more things that could go wrong. On Friday I treated myself to a mani/pedi where the manicurist cut me with the nail file (she wasn't paying attention because the place was too busy), she literally filed off several layers of skin and I screamed in pain and it started to bleed (and it still hurts). Moreover, my appointment was supposed to be an hour but took two and a half so I couldn't finish all of my errands that day or go to Ministry of Transportation (please keep reading for why that was so important). The kicker was getting a ticket for letting the sticker (licence plate renewal) on my minivan expire. The van is in my husbands name but I drive it. Neither one of us remember anything coming in the mail back in April/May to let us know it was up for renewal (it expired in June, how come we didn't notice sooner?). I was pulled over by a minivan full of police officers, they were very nice but I was in shock! I would like to say that Sunday was an amazing day so I think I'm going to have a better week - knock on wood.

Today's post is nice and easy, that's how I need this week to be...here's to Monday and a great week for all of us.

The wind really likes me. I keep on getting these "glamour shot" type pictures and I can't stop posting them.

Sweater - Costco (old - they carry these cashmere sweaters every year and they are softer then my expensive Velvet cashmere sweater that I have)

Shirt - Ann Taylor (old)

Jeans - J Brand (old)

Shoes - Tory Burch (old)

Necklace - F21

Bracelet - Stella & Dot

Watch - Michael Kors

One of those Weeks

It has been one of those weeks - things are just going wrong. I made a horrible dinner, kids having school issues, broken furniture and just a general feeling of disarray. I can't wait for the weekend. The outfit today is easy, I'm afraid to try anything else. Here's hoping that next week is better than this one.

Top - Velvet (old)

Jeans - James Jeans (old)

Sweater - Cassis (old)

Boots - Fry (old)

Scarf - Danier

Necklace - Stella & Dot

Watch - Michael Kors

Bracelets - Stella & Dot, Bittersweet

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 Weekend

Now I am ready for the British Countryside. I left my heels & blazer in the closet and got my boots & sweater (Hunters would be perfect but I don't own a pair). Yesterday I played around with my clothes, showing slight variations of an outfit till I got it just right. I think most of us do that. I kept the essentials from yesterdays outfit (Jeans, button down and sweater) and added a long sweater coat (not sure what to call this) and some boots. Automatically changes the outfit to something much more casual, like a day in the country.

This is also how we make use of our wardrobe and get more wear out of all our pieces.

What do you think I have in my pockets?

I just can't seem to get rid of this scarf.

See what I mean?

This is what was underneath the blazer and sweater/cardigan (still not sure).

Thank you to everyone who voted for me. I am #7 in the "Circle of Moms" Top 25 Canadian Blogs. No more annoying messages of "Please vote for me". I did discover some new blogs and one I really enjoyed was "Mommy's Weird". Kyla is funny and makes me laugh. Now that the cut throat competition is over I can give her some recognition.

Now back to what's important, what I'm wearing.

Sweater & Shirt - Brooks Brothers (old)

Jeans - James Jeans (old)

Boots - Frye (old)

Sweater - Cassis (old)

Scarf - Anthropologie (old)

Sunglasses - Ray Ban

Bracelet - Stella & Dot

Watch - Michael Kors