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.

Urban Cowgirl

When I visited my sister Rosie in Japan, with my best friend Christina, the one thing I knew I was going to buy was anything Burberry Blue Label. Blue Label is only available in Japan and I wanted to treat myself. So when I tried on a flannel button down with their iconic plaid I was sold. It fits great and has washed well over the last year and a half. I also wanted these amazing boots that Christina bought but the sales girls literally laughed at me when I asked for my size. They were polite about it but still laughing (one was looking at me in horror, not sure which is worse).

When I tuck it into my jeans and put my Tory Burch belt with it I hear the song "Rhinestone Cowboy" playing in my head. Wanting to be a bit versatile, and not just an urban cowgirl, I also style it for dressier occasions. 

Now if I could only find a Burberry Trench with proper fitting sleeves for myself.

Jeans - Paige, Shoes - Tory Burch, Bracelets - Links of London

Pants - Joe Fresh, Belt - Ann Taylor (old), Shoes - Jimmy Choo, Bracelet - Coach (old), Necklace - Joe Fresh

My Black Top Again

So yesterday I posted a few pictures of me in black and today I am featuring the same top with a little change up because isn't that how we dress in the real world?

I wore this outfit for lunch with the girls. 

Top - Ann Taylor, Jeans - Paige, Shoes - Tory Burch, Bracelets - Coach (old), gifted, Necklaces - Avon (blue), PuhNash (not sure brand)

Stripes - Mix and Match

When we purchase an article of clothing I think the end goal is to be able to wear it with multiple items in our closet. I'm not saying I always do that, but again that's the end goal. So here is another striped top styled with two different bottoms. I've already attained my goal and it's not even lunch.

Just remember that navy is a great neutral and can be paired with so many different colours - try green, yellow or even pink. The possibilities are endless.

If I was wearing Khakis I would be very East coast.

When layering it is always a nice touch to have the cuff of a button down shirt fold over the layering top. Just looks finished.

Back view, yeah! Saggy jeans just make your butt look bigger, why do that to your butt? I'm no JLo, now these jeans have great pocket placement and are a very slimming dark denim.

Pearls just seem to dress up this outfit, great for a casual Friday at work. Pair it with heels, great bag and you can go to lunch with the girls or even a nice dinner.

Folding the jeans makes the outfit look more casual. If I unfold the jeans add heels and a red clutch (any colour will do) I would be ready to go out. Outfit takes you from day to night.

Striped shirt - Club Monaco, Button down - Ann Taylor, Red Jeans - Joe Fresh, Blue Jeans - Adriano Goldschmied, Shoes - Cole Haan, Necklace - Le Chateau

Rant - Dress Your Age

I don't feel 36 - all the time. On those good days I feel anywhere from 20 to 26 (I loved my 20s). On those caffeine highs I'll even say 16. Then I start listening to young women in that age group and then I KNOW that I'm not that young anymore. You know what else? I don't dress like them any more either because I can't and I won't.

Reality check - my body is not the same, I've added weight here, sagged over there, changed shape in this area etc, etc. When you have children your body changes, add breast feeding to the mix and it changes drastically in lots of parts forever. I'm okay with that...not really but I have no choice in the matter. I can fight against it tooth and nail and lose or I can accept the change and move on. I choose the latter.

Please don't send me comments or pictures of celebrities who've had kids and physically look the same and tell me they're fighting the aging process. They are using plastic surgery and fillers and Botox, usually at the same time. Good for them, they have the resources, I don't. However, I don't want to look permanently "surprised" and then pretend it's natural - that's what bothers me the most - the lying and saying its their genes. I'm not delusional, nor will I play into that game. Do not even get me started on how they "bounce back" after having kids. Back to my other rant...

So what does that mean? It means that if I'm wearing something strapless, like a dress, it hits around my knees. I don't wear mini anything anymore, but if I did, my arms would be covered (mini does not look good on me). If I'm highlighting one area I'm giving the other a break that night. Plus, I'm not letting the girls hang out with anything really low cut and I don't need to explain why to all you women.

Those cute tees with all those ironic sayings, cutsie animals or skulls and roses? Hell NO

Daisy Dukes? Really @!#$

Skater look? I drive a car

Juicy on my ass? It's big enough...no need for the funny commentary.

When it comes to skimpy/sexy/on trend clothing I am not competing with the 20 somethings, why? Because they will always win. Yes they will. I used to be in my twenties and I never appreciated my body until now. I could wear ill fitting things and look great, short skirts were my friends, bare midriff - no worries and the top was the main attraction (I mean my face...sort of)...oh how things have changed. If I wore any of these looks now, or worse combined them, I would not only look bad but I would be the joke. Nobody wants to be the joke.

My two favourite examples of women who should start dressing their age are Pamela Anderson and Mariah Carey. They are both in their 40s and delusional. Go and Google them, I'll wait...told you. Great style ages well and becomes admired. Who wants to dress like Pamela Anderson? She's the same age as Julia Roberts, I would rather have Julia's closet.

I'm not saying cover it all up and dress like a pioneer woman and not feel sexy. I'm saying LESS showing is a HELL of a lot better than MORE showing. We are supposed to be smarter as we age...please let's all be smarter together. Wear a fitted dress, a fantastic pencil skirt, tight and/or skinny jeans, a deep V-neck shirt or even some great shorts. Show off your curves, whatever size or shape, just do it with grace and class.

I'm more confident and a hell of a lot smarter now then in my early twenties. My wardrobe has grown with me and reflects who I am and who I'm becoming. I hate the vast majority of pictures I take even now, I've posted several that I dislike, but that's how I look and I'm okay with it. I'm not trying to capture who I was fifteen years ago, I'm trying to showcase who I am. That's what is so fantastic about your 30s and beyond. We know who we are and are stronger for that acceptance. I'm not fighting the aging and change. I'm embracing it and making it work. That's what I want for all women...even Pamela and Mariah.