Starts with Inspiration: Kendra's Fashion Challenge - A Trip to Disney's Epcot

Happy Friday! 

When Kendra Thornton, travelling guru, approached me with a fashion challenge to inspire her wardrobe for a family trip to Disney's Epcot, I was instantly intrigued. Even as an adult, Disney World remains one of my favourite places to visit, and vacation packing is always a creative exercise to look fabulous while packing light. 

My go-to trick is creating a base outfit that can easily be transitioned from day to night by swapping layers and accessories. For this particular set, I opted for a silk cami and scalloped shorts for a functional, feminine look. For daytime, this is paired with a light cashmere hoodie (it can get chilly in the air-conditioned buildings), comfortable yet stylish striped flats, and a  stainless steel menswear-inspired watch. I also added sparkly mouse ears so that she can complement her daughters' princess outfits.

At night, the hoodie is swapped out for a cardigan in a hot-for-Spring floral pattern, glamorous pointed flats, and oversized hoops. The pièce de résistance is a match-everything cross-body bag that can be used as a clutch for dinner by simply tucking in the strap while leaving one hands-free for day. 

For more information about Kendra's Fashion Challenge, check out her message below!

I want to take this time to introduce my latest project, "Kendra's Fashion 

Challenge." I am Kendra Thornton a well-known travel expert! I need some 

fashion advice from some of the best expertise fashion bloggers! I'm currently 

planning a trip to Orlando with my family and I'm particularly concerned 

about what I'm going to wear for a day visiting Epcot! I want to look trendy 

and chic with a princess theme! I am letting my girls wear their Disney attire 

and I would like to match along but in a mature way. We will be attending the 

Princess Storybook Breakfast in the morning then off to see Beauty & the Beast 

in the World Showcase France Pavilion! I’m sure we will enjoy some delicious 

French food later when we meet up with my son and my husband. We will then 

take off to the heart of Paris at a charming café! Chefs de France has high 

ceilings, intricate mosaic flooring and expansive windows looking out onto the 

promenade! I can’t wait to try some innovative French cuisine! I was able to 

plan this day with a new booking website that gives great first hand reviews. 

I checked out the website Gogobot and there were endless options offered for Walt 

Disney World hotels and excursions! I am really looking forward to my trip to 

Orlando. Once I figure out what I'm going to wear, I'll be all ready to go! This is a 

destination that's perfect for families with children! I know with StartWithStyle’s help I 

will have the perfect outfit for my day at Epcot!

Details:

Top: J.Crew hoodie,  Dolce & Gabbana cardigan, Equipment camisole, 

Bottom: TopShop shorts

Shoes: Gap flats, Valentino "Rockstud" flats

Jewelry: Michael by Michael Kors watch, Kate Spade hoops

Bag: Rebecca Minkoff "Mini MAC" bag

Image source: Polyvore

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Starts with Black and White...

Happy Thursday! Doesn't it seem like the cold weather just crept up and surprised us?

Despite the colourful leaves outside, something about Fall evokes images of monochrome ensembles for me - maybe it's because I'm a summer girl at heart, and winter always feels gloomy and grey.

On the bright side however, the great thing about a monochrome ensemble is the freedom to play with patterns and textures. This also helps elevate the outfit and prevent it from being too flat.

For a friend's engagement party last weekend, I layered a soft patterned silk shirt underneath a leather-trimmed cape. Cropped trousers and a croc-print clutch helped further tie the pieces together.

My trick to monochrome dressing is to add subtle pops of colour to provide visual interest. For this evening, I chose a sparkly neon-accented necklace and my trusty cobalt pumps (I seriously can't get enough of these!).

It's been a while since my last post, but I hope you're doing well! I'm really trying to not let work take over so much :)

Have a great day!

Top: Joe Fresh shirt (available here), Barney's Co-op cape (old)

Bottom: Gap

Shoes: Zara

Clutch: Danier

Necklace: J.Crew

Starts with a neon scarf...

Happy Monday! What a glorious weekend it was. The weather was gorgeous and I got to spend quality time with my hubby as well as my family for Father's Day. It was definitely a neon type of weekend.

This neon scarf was a bit of an impulse purchase. While I have many scarves in my collection, I have few that are in a true pop-out colour. At the risk of too much neon (is there ever such thing as too much of a good thing?) I paired with with a similar, albeit subtler, hue.

Hope you had a lovely weekend, and you got to enjoy some QT with the family as well. 

Have a great week!

Scarf: Gap (similar here)

Top: Ann Taylor

Bottom: Zara (old)

Shoes: Tory Burch

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 blue suede pumps...

I've recently became a huge fan of cobalt blue, and nothing pleased me more than these ultra-feminine pumps in an unexpected bright blue. Though this weekend was still a bit chilly, incorporating brighter colours into my wardrobe helped remind me of sunnier (and warmer) days.

I paired my bright shoes with an equally bright complementary colour. This lightweight cashmere sweater is perfect for this time of year, and though it's hard to see in the pictures, they feature a very unique detail - leather elbow patches!

Hope you're having a good week so far!

Shoes: Zara (available here, luxe version here)

Top: Pink Tartan sweater, Barneys Co-op cape

Bottom: Gap

Jewelry: J.Crew necklace

Starts with a sweater coat...

Mother Nature was deceptively cooperative this weekend by bringing Spring-like temperatures. It was the perfect opportunity to bring out one of my long-favourite pieces, a draped collar sweater coat. I started by adding a belt in the morning to dress-up for a brunch date and then left it open and more relaxed for an afternoon of running errands. 

I paired my sweater coat with my go-to faux leather leggings and stacked black and gold accessories, which helped add a bit of edginess to an otherwise very feminine and laid-back look.

 There is truly nothing as versatile and timeless as a well-made sweater coat. This particular version has an oversized draped collar, which provides dimension and movement and has lent itself well to being reinvented and worn again and again over the years.

What items in your wardrobe do you find yourself reaching for time and time again?

Top: Theory sweater (old,similar version here), Club Monaco t-shirt

Bottom: Aritzia

Belt: Joe Fresh

Jewelry: Hermes and Gap bracelets, Michael Kors watch

Fashion News: Intermix acquired by Gap Inc.

Women's Wear Daily reported today that Gap Inc. has acquired Intermix in a $130M deal. This new relationship serves as a win-win for both parties. Not only can Gap continue to build its credibility in the luxury market with Intermix, but Intermix now has the benefit of a large corporation to continue to build its own empire. Intermix is my go-to shop for Vita Fede gold jewellery, on-trend denim, and to drool over the Proenza Schouler PS1. Does this mean improved e-Commerce and more Canadian stores for Intermix? Let's hope so!

Image credit: The Somerset Collection

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 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 black cropped pants...

It's official. I'm obsessed with cropped pants. Come Fall, I don't know how I can go back to my wider-legged dress pants. I love how cropped pants look so effortlessly chic while providing a great way to show off my shoes. 

It's a bit tricky for a slightly shorter person like me. I have to be careful that the pants aren't too long (otherwise it adds bulk to the legs) and careful that it's not too short (otherwise it looks like I'm wearing capri pants). My preference is just above the ankle.

 

Here, I've paired my pants with a feminine checked top and a long statement necklace to elongate the torso.  

We're coming into the long weekend, and I'm looking forward to spending some time outside - how are you spending the last days of summer?

Pants: Gap

Top: T.Babaton (from Aritzia) blouse, Banana Republic sweater

Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Jewellery: Banana Republic long necklace (old); Tiffany & Co, Tag Heuer)

Sunglasses: D&G

Purse: Botkier (last seen here and here)

Starts with summer brights and mixed patterns...

There's nothing quite like long weekends in the summer. This lovely purple bag was a recent purchase during a business trip and quick stop into Nordstrom. I'm loving how it brings out the flowers in the patterned shorts. 

These snake-print pointed flats keep the look from being too casual (and my first attempt at mixing patterns!)

Hope however you spent it, you had a lovely weekend as well!

Top: Aritzia (currently on sale)

Bottom: Zara

Shoes: Stuart Weitzman (also loving this version)

Bag: Botkier

Jewellery: Hermes bracelet, Tiffany & Co necklace, Gap necklace, Michael Kors watch

Sunglasses: D&G

Starts with a silk black tank...

Happy weekend! I originally purchased this silk pocket tank with work in mind - perfect for layering underneath cardigans. However, this flowy staple was also perfect today for a lazy city stroll and good eats!

Top: Ann Taylor (old, loving this version here)

Bottom: J.Brand

Belt: Abercrombie & Fitch

Bag: Louis Vuitton

Shoes: Tory Burch

Jewellery: Michael Kors, Hermes, Gap

Sunglasses: D&G