Ushering in the New Year

I will be ushering in the New Year with my family, nothing fancy but surrounded by lots of love. What I'm wearing represents what I'll look like on the inside, underneath the jeans and sweater. This is not the best outfit to wear to a house party surrounded by children squealing in delight as we play video games and eat pizza and Lebanese food (I really want shwarma...hint hint Rosie).

I think I may have the perfect top for this skirt. It took a while (See other option here). Next look is the white tee and jean jacket, I just need to find the jean jacket.

Sweater - Ted Baker

Skirt - Ann Taylor (old)

Booties - Coach (old)

Necklace - Judith & Charles (old)

Bracelets - Aldo, The Bay (old)

Still not too late to enter the Lilla P giveaway, only four more likes and an exciting announcement.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

While this year has been filled with lots of wonderful memories and accomplishments there have been some heart breaking losses for many close friends and family. To them I offer my prayers that 2013 brings them peace, love, faith and hope.

Happy New Year and looking forward to 2013. Cheers!

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!

Working Girl Wednesdays - Green Dress

A simple green dress from Ann Taylor and a couple of ideas...

Just a few words of caution - firstly wear Spanx because this slinky fabric (95% Polyester and 5% Spandex) is not forgiving and secondly if it is a hot day and you will be perspiring do not wear this dress, it will show everything. Just need to be prepared for this.

A chunky statement necklace is the easiest way to accessorize this dress.

Adding a great blue (I had to pair it with navy) blazer makes it that much more office ready - black, grey or even brown would work as well. You all know how much I love navy...

I decided to try a thick belt with this dress as well and really like how it looks. If I had selected a skinny belt I would have added a chunky necklace for more visual interest.

Dress - Ann Taylor

Blazer - J Crew

Shoes - Christian Louboutin

Bracelets - The Bay

Necklace - LTS

Watch - Michael Kors

Belt - BCBG

I am linking up for What I Wore Wednesday again. Feel free to check out some new blogs or re-discover old ones.

I Wear Shorts

It's true and I can hardly believe it. I've stuck to skirts and dresses the last several years and now I'm wearing shorts again. I even went further and purchased dressy shorts, the insanity.

When I was in NYC I hit Ann Taylor and picked up some great summer pieces, cannot wait for Ann to come to Canada...I hope the open one up in Sherway Gardens, Yorkdale is just so far...

I wore the outfit below when I went out to dinner with my best friend (who is getting married in November and I will be the Matron of Honour) and another friend. With the heat and humidity it was a great choice.

The outfit is so simple and easy that I knew I had to add bold accessories, I am wearing arm candy and statement necklaces. I just wanted to show that you could go for colour or some bling. It's all about the mood and place you are going.

Shorts - Ann Taylor

Top - Ann Taylor

Shoes - Jimmy Choo

Necklaces - Bitter Sweet, Ann Taylor

Bracelets - Bitter Sweet, The Bay, Forever 21

Watch - Michael Kors

Lipstick - Tutu Mac for National Ballet Diamond Gala

Nicole Miller Dress

On May 4th my husband was MC at the 10th Annual Business Excellence Awards for the Croatian Canadian Chamber of Commerce (that is a mouthful).

What to wear...cobalt blue Nicole Miller dress. All that ruching is a girl's best friend...plus the right pair of Spanx. Can't beat the combination.

Batman was not happy to join me in this picture. It's tough fighting crime and then being forced to take a cheezy picture with your mom.

I thought this nail colour would be a bright but subtle pink. I got the bright part right. I do enjoy the colour though.

My husband picked out this necklace for me while we were on a trip to Montreal. It does weigh a lot, got my neck muscles working for this one. Worth it!

Thanks to my photographer - Rosie!!

Dress - Nicole Miller
Necklace - Judith & Charles (old)
Purse - Marc Jacob (old)
Shoes - Prada (old)
Nails - Gelish Carnaval Hangover