Starts with a contrast collar...

My love for a standout statement necklace is no secret.  But what about a statement collar? More subtle and lighter than bejewelled collars of seasons past, a simple contrasting border is nonetheless eye-catching and memorable.

I paired this top with neutral colours to really let the collar pop. I also brought out my not-quite-vintage (but still decade-old) Fendi baguette. This well-loved piece was one of my first handbag purchases, and despite an unfortunate scratch on the leather, is still beautiful to me. 

Do you have a special piece in your collection that you've held onto over the years? If so, tell me about it!

Top: J.Crew Factory blouse (sold out, simliar here), Gap cardigan

Bottom: Gap

Shoes: Elie Tahari
Bag: Fendi (old)

Starts with a little black dress...

The Little Black Dress. It's the ubiquitous staple on every "Wardrobe Essentials" list and it never never goes out of style. I purchased this strapless dress from Club Monaco thirteen years ago. It has clean lines and almost no embellishment at all, save for the satin tuxedo stripe down the side. The simplicity of this dress provides a neutral palette for dressing-up and dressing-down and it has gone from high school semi-formal (you read that right!), to cruise ship formal, to multiple weddings, and most recently,to my company holiday party. Even though its zipper finally broke a few weeks ago, I caved and had it fixed - I just can't let this go!

Dress: Club Monaco (old)

Shoes: Elie Tahari

Jewelry: Cards & Presents (Queen St. West, Toronto) necklace, Tiffany & Co bracelet

Purse: Chanel

Starts with ruffles and lace...

My hubby and I recently went to our last wedding of the year. Rather than splurge on a new dress, I decided to do a bit of reinventing with  my existing wardrobe. 

I opted to top my lace skirt with a peplum top (purchased during FNO in Vegas a few weeks ago) and added a skinny silver belt to create the look of the on-trend peplum dress while also mixing textures to keep the ensemble from looking too one-dimensional.

Adding a few silver accessories for additional pop, I was pleasantly delighted with the end result. Even better was the chance to wear pieces, that, if separate, probably would not have seen as much wear. 

Top: H&M

Bottom: Joe Fresh (old)

Shoes: Elie Tahari

Clutch: Salvatore Ferragamo

Belt: Femme de Carriere (old, great version here)

Starts with a blue peplum dress...

Happy wedding day! Not mine, silly - my cousin's wedding! This floaty peplum dress was the perfect dress for the hot summer night. 

My J.Crew "Brulee" necklace has been one of my favourite pieces so far. A few months ago, Kelly Ripa was wearing hers almost daily on her show, and I just couldn't stop thinking about it until I got my own! 

My shoes were truly the "ones that got away" a year ago. I was in Las Vegas and was shopping for shoes for my own wedding. I had seen these and decided to wait, only to have missed my chance to get them! One year later, it was truly good fortune that I found them at Saks, and on sale no less! Nothing like a happy ending!

Nothing like a happy ending....have a lovely weekend!

Dress: BCBG Max Azria

Jewelry: Tiffany & Co neckalce, J.Crew (jumbo version now on sale) necklace, Hermes bracelet, Michael Kors watch

Shoes: Elie Tahari Olympia sandals

Clutch: BCBG Max Azria (old)