Riding a Mother's Day & Birthday High

I enjoyed a weekend with friends and family and I had my annual Burger King Mother's Day dinner. I hope everyone else had a great weekend.

Blazer, Banana Republic. Shirt, The Gap. Jeans, AG (old). Shoes, Stone Ridge (old). Necklace, Banana Republic. Bracelet, J Crew.


I am still asking for are votes for the Salsa Jeans Blogger Challenge. It requires a Facebook account and you can't vote from your smart phones or tablets. PLEASE vote for me here, I'm on page 7. My goal is to make the Top 15 and from there a Judging Panel pick the top 5. You can only vote once, for those who have voted Thank You.

Mother's Day and My Birthday

Let's take a look at the outfit first...

Jean Jacket & Chambray Shirt, The Gap. Jeans, Yoga Jeans (old). Necklace, Banana Republic. Bracelet, Cocoa Jewelry. Watch, Michael Kors (old). Shoes, Naturalizer (old). Sunglasses, Burberry (old).

Mother’s Day is this Sunday and so is my birthday – I am turning 38. This last year has been amazing for me because of this little blog.  I’m not famous or making any money (yet…it is a goal) but it’s nice to have something that is mine. I’ve gotten to go to WMC Fashion Week and tweet for QMI agency, attend Clothing Previews, been featured in the Toronto Sun and given some great products (clothing, accessories, perfume, skin care products, tablet etc.). I even made it to TV as one of the winners of The Marilyn Denis Show’s Real Canadian Women Model Search. The best experience was the most recent - I partnered with Pomp and Pageantry, a Toronto boutique, for their month-long celebration of Moms. They had a little photo shoot for my children and I and the pictures were perfect. Pomp and Pageantry will be donating 10% of their sales during the month of May to MumNet. The mother's group that has been a staple in my life since the birth of my daughter.

I can’t lie I would love to receive some extravagant gifts – an outrageously expensive handbag, red soled shoes, jewelry in a little blue box or a convertible in the driveway (if I’m going to wish, I’m wishing BIG). However, this year there are other things that need to be purchased like Adidas running shoes, dance lessons, books and a toy dragon because my youngest is POTTY TRAINED!!! Honestly best gift is not having any of them in diapers. See? This is all it takes to make me happy…plus a stop at Burger King (click here to learn more).

I often get asked “How do you do it? How do you find the time to shower, let alone dress?” There is no easy answer, no formula or schedule I follow.  I give myself the time I need to feel my best because I AM WORTH IT.  Those are four very easy words to write, yet very hard words to believe. I give the best of myself to my family. I do laundry, I hug the hurt, restrain them when stitches are being applied, I clean up after sickness, I am there to answer the questions, I wipe away the tears, I listen to childhood problems and the politics of the playground. I use my high school French, I feel their pain, physical or emotional and know life will only get harder. I give everything of myself and I complain about it, I suffer silently, I am a martyr and I am selfish.

Life may start at point A but it never ends in a perfectly straight line to point B, why would motherhood? Motherhood is easy and then difficult by noon. I often wonder how the hell I got here – stay at home mother of four and three of those little people are boys! There are times I throw my hands up in defeat and then I give myself a minute to calm down and push my way through until bedtime. Then when everyone is asleep I pour myself a glass of wine and curse and then I thank God I have the four little monkeys. I am blessed to be a mother because the alternative would break my heart.

If you feel the need to get me something all I am still asking for are votes for the Salsa Jeans Blogger Challenge. It requires a Facebook account. PLEASE vote for me here, I'm on page 7. My goal is to make the Top 15 and from there a Judging Panel pick the top 5. You can only vote once, for those who have voted Thank You.

I am linking up with the Pleated Poppy for What I Wore. Check out what the other bloggers wore here.

Anyway Happy Mother's Day!

Drop it Like It's Hot

The weather has been AMAZING!! I've been wearing maxi dresses and skirts all week. This one from Target is really long and really comfortable, except the criss cross top won't stay closed (RIP Chris Kelly). I had to pin it shut, but not before I flashed every person at the Ecco Fall Preview.

Jacket, Gap. Dress, Target. Necklace, Avon. Bracelet, c/o Cocoa Jewelry. Clutch, Jeanne Lottie. Flip Flops, Tory Burch (old). Sunglasses, Ray Ban (old).

I am still asking for votes for the Salsa Jeans Blogger Challenge. PLEASE vote for me here, I'm on page 6. My goal is to make the Top 15 and from there a Judging Panel pick the top 5.

I'm linking up with The Pleated Poppy. Check out what other blogger are wearing here.

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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A Little Pink Dress - Big Changes

I'm always preaching about stepping out of your comfort zone and mixing colours and trying dresses and skirts and having fun and blah blah blah. I'm taking my own advice today. I ordered this dress online from Gap because it's a very different silhouette then what I'm used to. I'm more of a structured dresser with a defined waist who's skirts and dresses end up around the knee. This dress is shorter then what I'm used to and it's a fuller skirt. I like things to go straight down. Anyway, not sure how I feel about it. Loved it when I put it on and took the pictures. Now that I see the pictures not sure if I'm sold on it. Maybe because my legs are that perfect shade of pasty white? This blog is about fashion, we shouldn't take ourselves too seriously.

So should it stay or should it go?

I am sure about one thing this necklace.

Jacket & Dress, The Gap. Necklace & Bracelets, c/o Cocoa Jewelry. Flip Flops, Tkees. Sunglasses, Rayban.

If you have some time I would love your help with a contest I am in. Salsa Jeans put out a call to 50 bloggers worldwide and I was one of the 50, to show off how their Salsa Jeans. I would love to be in the top 15. I'm one of the oldest bloggers and I'm pretty sure I have the most kids so I'd like to have a strong showing. Please vote here.

If you haven't entered the Cocoa Jewelry giveaway there is still time. You can get extra entries by tweeting or adding a blog comment. Good Luck and have a great weekend.

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The Canadian Tuxedo & a Favour

According to the Urban Dictionary the definition for a Canadian Tuxedo is:

Made popular by the movie Super Troopers when the Sergeant appears wearing a denim jacket with a pair of jeans (could be matching or not).

You see someone wearing jeans and a jean jacket..."Hey Denim DAN, nice Canadian Tuxedo"

The definition has expanded to any denim on denim type outfit. The Canadian Tuxedo goes through periods of "in fashion" followed by a periods of "fashion death". Just depends on which way the wind is blowing. As you can probably guess it's making a fashion comeback and since I am Canadian I love it.

On Tuesday I had lunch with a girlfriend at a lovely (posh) restaurant - the regulars are Bay St. Boys and Ladies Who Lunch. That's what I wore on yesterdays post here. My reasoning with the chambray blouse was my children have swimming lessons after school and I know lunch is going to go later then expected and I still had to pick up my youngest, get home, change, make sure I have everything ready for lessons and deal with any other issue that arises. I needed to be ready with a quick change and the Canadian Tuxedo was an easy wear.

On a more serious note May is National Mobility Awareness Month.

"This May marks the 2nd annual celebration of National Mobility Awareness Month, when we encourage people with disabilities to embody the spirit of Life Moving Forward by raising awareness of the mobility solutions available in your community. Whether you are living with a disability or have dedicated your time to helping someone who is, we want to hear what makes them a Local Hero.

Local Heroes can be defined as people who: Volunteer, Educate, Advocate, Achieve, Persevere

Stories will be shared and voted on. Voting is open to the public and at least three customized wheelchair accessible vehicles will be awarded to the Local Hero Winners.

Over 18 million people in North America are living with restrictive mobility issues. This is your chance to change the lives of just a few of those triumphing in the face of adversity."

A very close family friend has a Godson who is in need of minivan that is wheel chair accessible. It only takes a minute to vote and change this families life. All votes count. I encourage you to read Ben's story and vote here.

Chambray Shirt, Shoes - The Gap

Jeans - Yoga Jeans

Coat - Cassis (old)

Belt - Tory Burch (old)

Necklace - Banana Republic

Clutch - Pink House Jeanne Lottie

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

Cozy Up

With cold weather upon us (again) I'm back in sweater gear and enjoying chunky knits. I love the texture and dimension they bring to an outfit.

This is my first Style Panel Challenge for Fashion Magazine. Check out how other bloggers are wearing knits and keeping warm and fashionable here.

Sweater - Vince

Jeans - Yoga Jeans

Booties - The Gap

Watch - Michael Kors

Bracelets - Stella & Dot, J Crew, Ann Taylor

Green With Envy

This is the final shot of this outfit...I had to re-take the photos because I was not paying attention to the details.

I'll start with all the good things about this final outfit.

I love this green blouse. I purchased it a Joe Fresh so it's not going to break the bank and because it's loose I can eat whatever I want and have no worries about pulling. I added a red belt (it could have been a Christmas special if I wasn't careful) and liked the end result. This blouse can be worn with blue jeans or navy slacks, I would even pair it with grey. You could also switch out the belt for a multitude of colours.

Then there are the black denim skinnies. I have not purchased black jeans in decades, yes decades. I've been trying to find the right pair with no luck and then I was in Carriage Trade and Kathleen and Kit recommended the Second Denim black skinnies. LIFE CHANGING! First ladies you need to go down a size (some will go down two) because of the four way stretch. For yoga enthusiasts you literally can do any pose you want in these jeans. I just want to run around with my kids and look good (I have much lower standards). Then the rise is higher, so no overhang in front or in back. Sit down and don't worry about anything showing. Lastly, for all my tall ladies out there the inseam is 35 full inches. Do you see how it gathers at my ankle, when was the last time skinny jeans did that on you? It'll happen every time you wear Second Denim (for those six feet and under)!! Annie this ones for you. One more thing Second Denim Co. is a Canadian company!

Back to what I did wrong yesterday... when I started taking photos of me in this blouse I didn't pay attention to details.

You'll say Iva the head shot you took the day before looks fine...nothing wrong with yesterdays photos...

The blouse is wrinkled and I am not wearing the right undergarments. When you want women to trust your opinion on what to put on their bodies you should at least steam your blouse and put on the right bra. This is the least offensive of the photos (hence why I used a side shot of the close up). Ladies wear the right bra, padding is important with most blouses.

Again nothing wrong with the side shot but you want to see the front of the blouse. What I did right is pairing it with leopard print shoes. Leopard and red can do no wrong for me. Many women are afraid of red, if so try this emerald green and pair it with leopard accessories - shoes, handbags or cuffs. It looks great and on trend without trying too hard. 

So the next day I steamed my blouse and put on my black jeans and re-shot the pictures. The outfit looks okay with the blouse untucked but when I tucked it into the jeans I really liked the result. 

Blouse - Joe Fresh

Jeans - Second Denim Co.

Shoes - black Tory Burch (old), leopard Steve Madden (old)

Belt - Cassis (old)

Watch - Michael Kors

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!

My love affair with shorts continues...

Today is the Civic Holiday (I don't know why we have this holiday) in Ontario (not sure if any of the other provinces have it). My kids are with my in-laws and I am getting ready for a bachlorette trip to Las Vegas. "Your poor husband" some of you will say, not so fast, my husband went to Las Vegas the weekend of my birthday and it was also Mother's Day (he had my blessing...I knew this trip was coming...).

As the title says I am still loving my dressy shorts and paired them with a blouse you last saw in this post and the shorts in this one. It was so easy to pair the blouse with these shorts. I have one more dressy short post, I have to wear them as often as I can because once fall comes I'll have them pack them up. I'm also linking up with All Things Chic, to see how others are wearing their shorts.

Here's the thing, my youngest boys love to get their pictures taken with me, I have to take advantage of it because they will grow up and not want to be seen with their mother. The littlest guy just couldn't get enough. He looks so adorable, but when he tried to hug me with his wet body I had to grab a towel, wrap him up and then hug him.

To all my readers who have today off I hope you are enjoying it!

Shorts & Blouse - Ann Taylor (hey Ann Taylor I love you, call me)

Shoes - Christian Louboutin

Bracelets - Bitter Sweet, Forever 21 & J Crew

Watch - Michael Kors

Seeing Yellow...and a bit of Red

I am reading the fifth book of Fire & Ice series by George R.R. Martin. I started reading the first book of the series at the end of June and I can't seem to put the books down. The television series "Game of Thrones" opened my mind to the possibility I could maybe enjoy a fantasy series like this. It has been described as the Sopranos of the Fantasy Genre and I have to agree. I really enjoy the character development and the twists and turns. My favourite female character has to be Dany and I have a place in my heart for Tyrion Lannister.

Besides reading my summer has been full of swimming pools and parks, very typical for this season. To be honest fashion has been toned down in my every day. It's just easier when you take four kids for a swim that everything be  simple. I usually live in cotton dresses and shorts (I am still wearing shorts) that are comfortable but today I am featuring my newest love and a very big trend - my lace dress. Anything lace is very popular and I am really enjoying it - its feminine and soft. Today it is all about fire and summer...just like the weather in Fire & Ice...but like the Stark's say "Winter is coming" and with that being said in a few weeks I will be partnering up with a Toronto boutique to show you looks for fall. I know fall...

This is my Victoria Beckham smile...I am smiling with my eyes...

I bought this dress at Macy's in NYC while I was touring the city on foot with my four kids. I was alone and needed some retail therapy. Thank God for large change rooms. It was an interesting day, I would recommend it, just to see how long you can keep your patience with children...or because misery loves company!

I bought these sunglasses at Costco. Yup! They are Burberry and they are fabulous. I have seen Fendi Mia Borsa bags on-line and they have Longchamp available in store. We won't even get into their jewellery. I purchased a pair of Tom Ford sunglasses on-line and they broke before a year, Costco gladly took them back and returned the money to my credit card. You cannot BEAT that service.

I just wanted to switch up the shoes so you can see that you can add a pop of colour with this dress.

Dress - Tommy Hilfiger

Nude Shoes - Christian Louboutin

Bracelets - J Crew, Bitter Sweet

Sunglasses - Burberry