Starts with a graphic print sweater...

Happy Monday! This whimsical sweater takes the term "leopard print" to a whole different level. As a big fan of animal prints, how could I resist the print of literally, an animal?

 

Paired with my fall-favourite oxblood skinny pants, this is perfect for weekend lunches and casual Fridays. 

Hope you all have a great week!

Sweater: Garage (also loving this version here)

Blazer: Banana Republic

Bottom: Aritzia

Shoes: Cole Haan

Jewellery: Marc Jacobs watch (old), Hermes bracelet, Tiffany & Co necklace

Sunglasses: D&G

Starts with tangerine accessories...

Fall's ode to tangerine is either a blessing or a curse depending on your comfort with bright colours. For colour-phobes (like me), it's a good push to try something new. That's not to say you have to go all out at the gate - here are a few ways to incorporate tangerine (or as I like to call it, "electric persimmon") into your ensemble.

Novice

Starting small with accessories in this stand-out hue is a good, albeit more conservative approach to incorporating colour. 

For the truly faint of heart, a tangerine bangle is a good start:

For the determined novice, a statement necklace in this stand-out hue:

Intermediate

Ready for more? A tangerine scarf is the perfect way to elevate an otherwise neutral ensemble.

Colour Pro

Finally, a tangerine cardigan paired with golds and browns will make any Fall day seem sunny. Because of the cardigan's stand-out colour, I've opted to keep accessories simple to let the colour really speak for itself.

Jacket: Zara (old, loving this luxe version here and this fun version here)

Cardigan: J.Crew (currently on sale)

Blouse: J.Crew

Jewellery: Tag Heuer, Hermes, Tiffany & Co, custom pearls, J.Crew

Sunglasses: D&G

Scarf: J.Crew

Belt: Gap

Bottom: J.Crew

Boots: Cole Haan

Starts with a faux fur scarf...

Things are definitely getting chilly. In place of a statement necklace this weekend, I opted for a statement neck-warmer instead.

I paired this wonderfully cosy accessory with an otherwise neutral outfit for a brisk afternoon stroll.

Sometimes cold-weather dressing can be tricky. How can one elevate outerwear and make seemingly repetitive ensembles look different day to day? After all, one can only own so many coats. 

One way I do this is to keep a small collection of  outerwear with pieces that are distinctively different from each other but still highly functional. I have a warm parka for extra frigid days, and three wool coats: one short, one medium-length, and one long. Each wool coat is also a different colour from the other and with a unique detail (like a funnel collar or leather trim). The varying lengths also ensure something for every occasion. 

This olive wool jacket for example, has a great oversized collar for extra warmth and frames the fur scarf nicely.

In addition, I use scarves and other accessories to dress-up or dress-down the coats, allowing for even more versatility. And don't forget about bags and boots! As I rule, I tend to not spend too much money on expensive winter boots, as I know inevitably they will get damaged by the salt and slush.   

For those of you in chilly climates - how do you combat winter outfit blahs?

Scarf: Zara (this year's version here)

Jacket: United Colors of Benetton (also loving this version here)

Top: Joe Fresh

Bottom: Abercrombie & Fitch

Belt: Gap

Boots: Expression by The Bay (similar here and splurge-worthy version here)

Starts with Inspiration: Banana Republic's Anna Karenina Capsule Collection

On November 1st, Banana Republic is holding an After 5 event to celebrate the Anna Karenina Capsule Collection. 

Starting at 5 o'clock, all pieces from this collection will be 25% off (or 35% off for BananaCard, GapCard, or Old Navy Card holders). As I like to be ever-prepared for any kind of sale, I've scoped out the collection and picked out my top 3 pieces:

-1-

The lace front cardigan. The black on white contrast perfectly showcases the detail of the lace and offers an unexpected, feminine way to wear Fall's black/white combo trend. 

-2-

The Sonia faux-fur stole. An affordable and animal friendly version of my favourite Fall/Winter accessory to date. Perfectly cosy, supremely chic and surprisingly versatile, I envision wearing this for weekends layered with a leather jacket, or for work with a chic wool trench.

-3-

The black faux-fur vest. I've found it hard to find an affordable but high-quality fur vest this season. This version looks to be well-made and is different from others I've seen with its adjustable waist (a definite plus to avoid looking too boxy) and pockets! This could be worn alone, or for colder days, layered underneath a contrasting trench or leather jacket for an unexpected way to fight the cold. 

Find your closest Banana Republic to shop Thursday's sale here

See the rest of Banana Republic Anna Karenina Capsule Collection here

All images from Banana Republic

Wishlist: J.Crew Crystal-encrusted collar necklace

I've never been shy about my love of statement necklaces, and now is not the time for whispered adoration. This crystal and jewelled beauty is the perfect accent piece for Fall burgundies and navies and the perfect amount of glam juxtaposed with edgy leather. As my mother always told me, "If you can't wear a nice statement necklace, don't wear anything at all". (Or something like that, right?)

Necklace available here

Image source: J.Crew

Starts with a wool cape...

Halloween is around the corner but there's nothing wizardly or witch-like about the wool cape. It's the perfect transitional piece before the big coats come out, and the cinched waist on this version helps keep the wearer from looking too overwhelmed by the layers.

Leather trimming, satin lining,  and an exaggerated collar also add dimension.

In the season of pumpkin-spiced lattes and colourful leaves, there's nothing like a cozy coat to help make chilly walks that much better.

Cape: Barney's Co-op (old, similar here and here)

Bottom: Paige

Shoes: Banana Republic

Jewellery: Michael Kors

Wallet: Marc Jacobs

Starts with leather and stripes...

Year after year, nothing seems more right for brisk Fall day than a great leather jacket. Paired with eye-catching stripes in a cozy knit and leopard smoking slippers (another attempt at mixing patterns!), this classic from last season has been reinvented.

Jacket: Mackage (similar here)

Sweater: HBC collection from The Bay

Bottom: Citizens of Humanity

Shoes: Banana Republic

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 leopard print smoking slippers...

A few posts ago, I was trying to decide which pair to choose, looks like the perfect pair spotted me...

Shoes: Banana Republic

Starts with burgundy trousers...

What is Fall's answer to summer's red pant? Rich burgundy (also known as oxblood) trousers...

Happy almost-end-of-the-week!

Top: Zara (both)

Bottom: Aritzia

Shoes: Nine West (old)

Wallet: Marc Jacobs

Sunglasses: D&G

Starts with an Autumn green blouse...

I'm absolutely loving all the wonderful jewel tones this Fall. Of these colours, green has never really played a part in my wardrobe. However, this sheer blouse in teal green (purchased at 30% off at FNO in Las Vegas no less!) has changed my mind.

I'm especially loving the details like the vents in the back and the pleating, which creates a nice long look.

Hope you're having a lovely weekend!

Top: H&M blouse, Zara coat (old, also loving this version here)

Bottom: J Brand

Shoes: Jimmy Choo

Bag: Prada

Sunglasses: D&G

Jewellery: Hermes, Tiffany & Co

Starts with mixing patterns and Fall prints...

Dark and light, flowers and nautical stripes...why not?

Top: Club Monaco printed jacket (currently on sale), Club Monaco t-shirt (sold out, similar here)

Bottom: Gap (last seen here)

Belt: Salvatore Ferragamo

Jewellery: Tiffany & Co necklace

Shoes: Nine West

Bag: Prada

Starts with Inspiration: Nude Pumps

I have been on the search for the perfect nude pump for years now. With Fall undeniably on its way, and with chilly days making open-toed shoes no longer a practical option, a nude pump is an easy way to create a longer leg while still keeping those toes warm. Below are my current top 3 nude pumps:

-1-

In my opinion, no one does a nude colour better than Jimmy Choo.  Not too pink and not too yellow, these are the perfect match for my skin tone. I'm also loving the almond-shaped toe of the Gilbert, which renders this shoe universally flattering and a great pairing with any outfit.

Jimmy Choo Gilbert, available from Jimmy Choo online

-2-

The Christian Louboutin Pigalle Plato pump in patent nude leather is also a great choice. Also, because a high heeled shoe is not always the most comfortable, the subtle platform not only further elongates the leg, but provides a bit of reprieve to what could otherwise be an unmanageable heel height (4 3/4 inches) 

Christian Louboutin Pigalle Plato available from Saks Fifth Avenue

-3-

Finally, the classic pointed pump. This version, by Semilla, has a subtle point which is flattering on shorter legs (I find that pointed shoes where the point is too long or sharp actually creates the illusion of shorter legs).  

At almost half the price of the two other options above, it's an eye-catching shoe while being a bit gentler on the wallet.

Semilla 100mm Patent Leather Pointy pumps, available from Luisaviaroma

Notice a trend? They're all patent leather. For a nude pump, patent leather provides a bit more dimension so the shoe doesn't blend in with the legs exactly. I haven't committed to a pair just yet, but that doesn't mean I haven't been obsessively researching/trying on nude pumps. I think any of the above would be a great choice and would definitely be a staple in my wardrobe for seasons to come. Unfortunately, this also means my Fall shopping list is steadily growing...decisions, decisions, decisions! 

Image credits from top: Jimmy Choo, Saks Fifth Ave, Luisaviaroma