Denim Pearls & Patent

A dress - this one is casual and denim. Easy. So I added pearls and a skinny patent belt. I have lots of skinny belt options. I had fun dressing it up a bit. I will be dressing it down in the future, but you know me. I'm fancy.

Just a bit of a rant. This dress came with a skinny denim matching self belt. I have never met a self belt I like. I think they give you the self belt to tell you "Hey you, I need a belt. Here is a really pathetic one. Now go and spend more money on one that is nicer. We could have taken the guess work out of this and given you something nice but we didn't feel like it." The nicer take is "We think you are very creative and this self belt is a place holder. Now have fun and amaze us." It all depends on your mood. Guess where mine is?

My giveaway for Yoga Jeans is still on and here are the rules - You must "Like" Yoga Jeans on Facebook and you must comment on a post. Easy. This is an international giveaway and you can chose whatever jeans you like. I'll say that the giveaway is worth $125 depending on what jeans you pick. Good Luck everyone!

Dress - The Gap (here)

Belt - Cassis (old)

Necklace - Joe Fresh 

Shoes - Coach (old)

Watch - Michael Kors

Bracelets - Stell & Dot (here and here), Bitter Sweet

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

A Hat

Today's post is a big fat cheat. I already wore this outfit here (so if you remember this outfit you are not going crazy), then I remembered I wanted to take a picture of me wearing the hat. I re-shot the pictures with different jewelry and the hat.

I love hats, I just don't wear them because I'm a big scaredy cat. I have no qualms about wearing leather pants or a python skirt, but give me a hat and I'm all nervous. It's just a thing I have. I can't be the only one with a thing.

Before I leave you here are they lyrics that are in my head today...Fancy by my man Drake. Toronto native, love him.

"Go
go ‘head
go go go ‘head
go go go go go go ‘head
go go go go go go ‘head
oh you fancy huh
oh you fancy huh
oh you fancy huh
oh you fancy huh

Nail done, hair done, every thing done
nails done, hair done, everything d…
oh you fancy huh
oh you fancy huh
you you fancy huh
oh you fancy huh

Nail done, hair done, every thing done
nails done, hair done, everything d…
oh you fancy huh"

Yup that's me.

Linking up with WIWW. Click on the badge to your right to see what others are wearing.

Hat & Tunic - Joe Fresh

Jeans - Yoga Jeans

Shoes - Steve Madden (old)

Watch - Michael Kors

Bracelets - Stella & Dot, Ann Taylor

Necklace - Stella & Dot

Farmer's Wife

I was going to call this post "Farmer's Daughter" but I'm too old to be the "daughter". I'm the wife, I've got the kids to prove it. Plus the whole age thing.

My daughter had an ear infection and I needed to go shopping for Thanksgiving dinner. Casual chic it was.

This post is for my new friend Sue, I hope you approve.

One more thing...I still need your votes. I made it through to the top 15 and I'd like to try and reach the top 10. If you can please vote by clicking here or on the badge that says Circle of Moms. Last time I checked I was #11, you can vote once every 24 hrs. Once the voting is done I will stop posting this annoying message. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE vote for me. Thanks!

Shirt - Burberry Blue Label (old)

Jeans - James Jeans (old)

Boots - Frye (old)

Watch - Michael Kors

Bracelet - Stella & Dot

Python Leather Skirt - OMG Love it!

So yesterday I was telling you how I'm a fancy dresser and this post is how I would dress if I had a fancy job (or what I'll be wearing to functions that call for business attire with my husband, church or Croatian Folklore Banquets). I'm not saying that leather python skirts are appropriate everywhere but let me tell you I would try and make it a staple! If you're afraid of leather J Crew has a very similar pencil skirt in wool (I think) and it's on sale. When I was at Yorkdale Mall they had lots of them. Maybe the python skirt isn't catching on...

I went very neutral with this look, just felt it would showcase the skirt and you'd see the great pattern and texture. This skirt was featured on Cityline and styled by my favourite stylist Lynn Spence, with a black top. When she told me (okay she was telling everyone in television world but I felt she was speaking directly to me) it was on sale I said SOLD! Apparently they are doing a black version for winter (this is the summer version which I think translates great into fall).

I am totally channeling my inner CEO poses. I'm not comfortable taking pictures of myself and do a lot of the same thing so I'm really posing hard in this post.

One thing about leather skirts, make sure they are snug. Leather stretches and if you buy a skirt or pants that are just right, it will stretch until it's just wrong.

The blouse and skirt are manufactured by Canadian companies - Danier and Judith & Charles. So happy to be featuring Canadian brands.

Skirt - Danier

Blouse - Judith & Charles

Shoes - Christian Louboutin

Watch - Michael Kors

Bracelets - Ann Taylor, Stella & Dot

A Python Blouse

I got this blouse from Joe Fresh. It was a gift, very much appreciated, except it stayed in my closet the entire summer because I forgot about it. When I finally remembered to find it I wore it when I took the kids to their swimming lessons. Honestly ladies, where else am I going to wear it? Meaning I love the blouse but my social/work schedule is not very varied. I was talking to my friend Jen (during the lesson) and trying to tell her how casual I was that day...she looked at me (not believing a word) and said "Iva you're always fancy". I'm a fancy dresser, even when I try and do casual. I just am.  Even in my Lululemons I don't look as casual and relaxed as the woman next to me (or so I've been told, I don't even now how I accomplish that).

So here's me all fancy wearing my python blouse and my favourite black jeans...

In honour of all the amazing coloured denim that is out there I also decided to pair this blouse with blue jeans. Any burgundy denim would be just as pretty.

My tall girls know that right now I am sporting the TALL GIRL CROP. This happens when regular jeans are not long enough and sort of look funny at the bottom so you cuff them to make them look normal on you and they automatically end up cropped. Even though the pants weren't meant to be cropped. The sales girl will also add that with a boot you'll look normal. Cannot wait to solve this problem when I receive my coloured Yoga Jeans.

Blouse & Blue Denim - Joe Fresh

Black Jeans - Second Denim Co.

Red Belt - Cassis (old)

Black Belt - Ann Taylor (old)

Flats - Tory Burch (old)

Heels - Jimmy Choo

Bracelets - Stella & Dot

Gold Ring - Coco's Jewellry

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

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

Quick, Dirty and Lazy Post

Now that I have your attention...when I was talking pictures yesterday I decided to switch out the jeans and add a maxi skirt. My husband hates maxi skirts so I try not to wear them around him. Not because I value his fashion opinion but because I don't want to hear him complain about what I'm wearing. I pick my battles and win the wars.

Only one picture - quick, dirty and lazy!

Blazer - Zara

T-Shirt - Joe Fresh

Skirt - Denise & Co. (old)

Flip Flops - tkees (old)

Necklace & Bracelet - Stella & Dot

Watch - Michael Kors (old)

Cool Down - Tanks & Cropped Denim

I can feel it cooling down, so can the rest of the city and I'm a little sad. There are only two months of summer here in Toronto and I'm greedy when it comes to summer weather. I don't want a single second of it to be affected by any funny business, no weird wind change that brings us cold weather or the ocean floors deciding they also want to mess up my summer. Fall is inevitable I still try to ignore the signs.

So what do I do, I wear my yellow jeans - there take that. I'm wearing the sun. These pants just make me happy, clothing should have that affect on us, it should make us feel happy/empowered/sexy/pretty/preppy. If your clothing is making you feel ugly/frumpy (work uniforms are excluded)/sad (unless there are sad times)/old - take it all off and burn it. I mean it, burn it all.

This outfit is so easy, I wore it to Costco, shopping, banking and for my lunch date with my friend Ana. I received more compliments wearing this ensemble then anything else I can remember this summer.

I really enjoy the necklace with the yellow accent stones. It looks great with the coloured denim, but not too much try. Just a bit of thought. Plus I love the leopard accent belt, I know I've been wearing it to death but don't care.

Denim - Ann Taylor

Tank - Cassis (old)

Sandals & Watch - Michael Kors (old)

Necklaces - Banana Republic

Bracelets - Forever 21, Stella & Dot

Arm Candy - Stella & Dot

There is a reason Stella & Dot is so popular and copied...their pieces are gorgeous. I was swimming with the kids all day so no outfit shot but that doesn't mean my arms weren't just gorgeous!

Thanks to Mirjana Letterio my Stella & Dot Stylist - www.stelladot.com/mir or e-mail her mletterio@bell.net

Lady has great style and even better service.

Here is what I'm wearing -  

Serpent Bracelet (on sale)

Nugget Wrap Bracelet Gold (on sale)

Renegade Cluster Bracelet

Elizabeth Bracelet