Starts with a green plaid shirt...

Happy Wednesday! Continuing to indulge by current obsession with plaid I recently picked up this boyfriend plaid shirt to add to my "business casual" rotation. 

One of the perks of working in an environment that isn't overly formal is the freedom to experiment a bit more with textures and patterns. This crinkle boy shirt is made work-appropriate by layering a fitted blazer on top. This is paired with skinny jeans (not jeggings) and a statement belt. The stack-heel ankle boot is a casual alternative to the classic pump, providing height while still being comfortable. 

Admittedly, leaving a a formal workplace where shift dresses and dress pants were go-to staples took a bit of getting used to. But once I figured out the balance of looking (and feeling) too dressed-down and being overly dressed-up -- business casual became quite fun. The best part is that items previously reserved for the weekend could be re-styled to be work-appropriate for the week. Imagine the possibilities!

Hope you're having a great week!

Top: J.Crew shirt (other colours here and here, sale items now an additional 30% off until April 6th with code "SHOPNOW")

Blazer: Banana Republic

Bottom: J.Brand

Shoes: Vince Camuto

Accessories: Tiffany & Co necklace, Ferragamo belt, Botkier bag, D&G sunglasses, Hermes bangle

Starts with rainwear: Adding Colour to a Rainy Day...

Happy Canada Day! The long weekend was lovely despite starting on Friday with a bit of rain.

To spruce up otherwise drab rainwear, I paired my trusty trench and wellies with bright accessories and patterns. It was almost enough to have me singing in the rain.

Hope you had a great weekend too! And hopefully you got to spend some time in the sun and enjoy the fireworks!

Top: J.Crew (on sale here)

Coat: Banana Republic (old, my dream version here)

Bottom: J.Brand

Boots: Hunter

Accessories: J.Crew necklace, Hudson's Bay Company Collection umbrella (available here)

Starts with a printed silk shirt...

Over the past few months, I've added quite a number of pieces to my wardrobe in an effort to inject colour and texture. Among my favorites is this abstract plaid blouse in semi-sheer silk. In a relaxed but tailored fit that's perfect for tucking-in, it added some much-needed brightness to an otherwise bone-chillingly cold weekend. 

Even better was the fact that my purple handbag paired wonderfully with it!

Despite the cold temperatures this weekend, it was still filled with delicious dinners out, shopping, and lazy movie nights at home. Among the highlights were homemade macarons from my sister, a belated Valentine's dinner with my hubby, and re-watching Hugo. How did you brave the cold?

Have a great week!

Top: Suno (sold out, similar here)

Belt: Ferragamo

Bottom: J. Brand

Shoes: Sam Edelman

Jewelry: Michael Kors watch, bangles by Hermes and unknown designer (purchased from street market in New York)

Jacket: Aritzia (on sale)

Bag: Botkier (last seen here and here)
Sunglasses: D&G

Starts with with a leather top...

Happy Monday! I hope you all had a great weekend!

I love, love, love leather details. I think they add a great unexpected twist to pieces, and really helps add some edge. This green faux-leather sweater is currently one of my favourite pieces and it can be worn dressed-down for weekends, or paired with wool cropped dress pants for work. The plain front lends itself well to adding a statement necklace, but the leather detail also works well on its own.

For this particular weekend I paired it with a geometric statement necklace and a slim leather jacket. This jacket has actually been a staple in my wardrobe for a number of years. Its clean lines complemented by its eye-catching stitching helps keep it timeless while being chic.

I can't wait to find more ways to wear leather this season!

Top: Zara ( here, or similar here)

Jacket: Mackage for Aritzia

Bottom: J Brand

Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Bag: Chanel

Jewellery: Tiffany & Co gold necklace, Club Monaco black necklace (old), J.Crew bracelet

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 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 skulls and lace...

Happy Sunday! It was such a beautiful weekend here, and it's an especially special weekend because it's both my hubby's birthday and our one-year wedding anniversary!

For dinner earlier last week, I decided to branch out and reach for my skull scarf. This was an impulse purchase from Las Vegas a last year and really is more of the "edgier" pieces in my wardrobe. I'm loving how it contrasts with the lace top, and matches perfectly with the ruffled heels.  If it wasn't so delicate, I think this scarf would be worn much more often. For now, it's relegated to simple outfits to avoid snags and pulls in the silk.

We came upon these adorable lanterns set up at the Shoppes at Don Mills. For those who've been to The Grove in Los Angeles - the mall reminds me a bit of that. We don't get many months of warm weather there, so any chance to mix fresh air and shopping - I'm in!

Hope you're spending the weekend relaxing and enjoying time with loved ones!

Scarf: Alexander McQueen

Top: Aritzia 

Bottom: J Brand

Shoes: Elizabeth and James (old)

Bag: Louis Vuitton

Sunglasses: D&G

Jewellery: Hermes, Tag Heuer 

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