Starts with a white dress shirt...

Happy Monday!

This weekend was one filled with pleasant surprises. One was the rain holding out until Sunday evening despite forecasts of rain all weekend. The second was an impromptu dinner in the Distillery District with dear friends who were back in the city after moving overseas last Fall. There truly is nothing better than mild summer nights on a patio enjoying delicious food and even better company.

For this weekend's casual outing, I opted for a classic boyfriend-fit dress shirt . The relaxed fit is versatile, looking great tucked into skinny jeans or paired with dressy shorts for evening, like this silk cargo-inspired pair (last seen in Vegas)

The wider proportions of the shorts allow this outfit to be paired with flats (as I did here) or dressed up further with a neutral heel.

Gold details completed the look that was wonderfully comfortable for the seafood feast we enjoyed and  subsequent stroll to walk off our dinner. 

Hope you have a great week!

Top: J.Crew

Bottom: Club Monaco (old, similar here)

Shoes: Tory Burch

Jewelry: Vita Fede bangle, Hermes cuff, Marc Jacobs watch, J.Crew necklace

Accessories: Salvatore Ferragamo belt, D&G sunglasses

Starts with a blue dress shirt...

 Happy Wednesday! It's amazing how time flies when there's so much to do - between travelling for work and training for a 10k run, the long weekend couldn't have come sooner!

This long weekend was all about staying local and relaxing. My hubby and I enjoyed our first barbecue of the season, I celebrated a friend's bachelorette party, and we capped things off with a lovely patio brunch. 

I paired this season's blue dress shirt with a tweed-like jacket also in similar shades of blue. To add a bit of weekend edginess to this otherwise ladylike ensemble, I added slim black pants with leather tuxedo-stripe detailing and a croc-embossed clutch. 

Gold jewelry completed the look along with classic pointed single-soled pumps.

Hope you're having a great week!

Top: J.Crew dress shirt, J.Crew jacket

Bottom: J.Crew

Shoes: Prada

Jewelry: Vita Fede "Mini Titan" bracelet, Marc Jacobs watch

Clutch: Danier (amazing price for such a timeless leather piece!)

Starts with red plaid and fur...

There is something so unequivocally winter (and stereotypically Canadian) about plaid and fur. Since winter has no plans on leaving anytime soon, I've adapted the age old adage, "if you can't beat them, join them".

This fun plaid top is elevated by edgy detials like a leather trimmed neckline and side zippers. It's the perfect complement to an otherwise more conservative (faux) fur scarf.

Add a sleek pair of over-the-knee boots to the equation, and I was ready to brave the icy sidewalks this past weekend.

Hope you're staying warm!

Top: Zara

Coat: Babaton Howell Coat (from Aritzia, currently on sale)

Bottom: Zara
Boots: Michael by Michael Kors

Bag: Prada

Sunglasses: D&G

Gloves: Holt Renfrew

Starts with Inspiration: Classic Black Totes

A black tote is the quintessential staple on any Fall must-have list. A classic bag in always-chic black is worth the luxe price tag as it will inevitably always find a place in your ensemble.

Despite the fact that my own wardrobe already contains two classic black bags, I still find myself undeniably drawn to timeless black pieces season after season. Note however, that despite the classic hue, each bag below has distinctive hardware that serves not only for function but iconic detailing as well. 

After all, there’s no such thing as too much black, right?

Clockwise from top: Saint Laurent "Chyc" Tote; 3.1 Phillip Lim large "Pashli" satchel; Prada Saffiano leather tote; Balenciaga "Le Dix Cartable" Black; Balenciaga Classic "City"

Image source: Polyvore 

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 cobalt blue blazer...

It's no secret that I love blue (as evidenced here and here). To celebrate the weather finally starting to warm up this weekend, I brought out my new cobalt blue sweater blazer for a weekend brunch.

Playing with complementary colours, I paired it with my tangerine J.Crew necklace another favorite piece in my wardrobe.

Always a fan of unique details, I also love the leather-trimmed zipper pockets and the flattering draped collar.

Fingers crossed that the mild weather this weekend is a preview of weekends to come! Have a great week!

Top: Banana Republic blazer, Club Monaco t-shirt

Bottom: J.Brand

Shoes: Christian Louboutin

Bag: Prada

Sunglasses: D&G

Starts with Inspiration: 2013 Oscars Edition

Tonight's Oscars ceremony had no shortage of head-turning, eye-catching, breath-taking and heart-stopping gowns.  On a side note, how amazing was that performance by the Les Miserables cast? A perfect tribute to one of my favorite musicals of all time.

Nothing says casual-chic like a simple sheath adorned with a subtle splash of jewels. Not bad for someone who just decided what she'd wear hours before stepping on the red carpet. 

Anne Hathaway in Prada

I'm loving Amy's dove grey gown with its fitted bodice and skirt with all kinds of fluffy, feminine, and lovely detailing. Somehow, ever since seeing Ms. Adams in Enchanted, I think, "once a princess, always a princess". How fitting.

Amy Adams in Oscar de la Renta

Rocking peplum and a subtle train with her flattering pixie cut, Charlize let this dress speak for itself without many accessories.

Charlize Theron in Dior Haute Couture

Loving the splash of coral and elaborate beading on this dress.

Kerry Washington in Miu Miu

An homage to future-inspired glam - Naomi Watts' dress with its intriguing asymmetrical detail managed to be edgy while incredibly feminine all at once.

Naomi Watts in Armani Prive

Reese Witherspoon's gown in cobalt blue, one of my favorite colours of the moment, is classic Hollywood and fits her beautifully.  I'm also loving how the colour-blocking at the waist further accentuates the figure and creates an even more dramatic hourglass shape.

Reese Witherspoon in Louis Vuitton

I saved the best for last. My heart literally skipped a bit when I saw Jennifer Lawrence in this breathtaking Dior Haute Couture gown. It was regal, ethereal and old-Hollywood all at once. If I was getting married this year I would definitely have this silhouette and style on my gown wish list. Of course, with Jennifer Lawrence's Miss Dior ad pictures debuting this weekend, it was really no surprise she'd wow us all in Dior. 

Which gown was your favorite from this year's Oscar red carpet?

Jennifer Lawrence in Dior Haute Couture and Roger Vivier clutch

Image credits: People

Starts with a cashmere trapeze sweater...

On cold days, there's really nothing as lovely as cozying-up in an oversized cashmere sweater. This trapeze sweater is one of my favorite items purchased on Boxing Day. The shape on this sweater creates a really interesting cape-effect while the fitted arms help prevent the wearer from being too overwhelmed by it. It was really the unique shape of this sweater that caught my eye, the wonderfully plushness of the cashmere was an added bonus. 

To dress-up the oversized sweater for brunch this morning, I paired it with a pair of faux leather pants and a printed scarf with grey accents. 

Sweater: Demy Lee (here, also loving this version here)

Bottom: Aritzia (loving this year's version here)

Shoes: Sam Edelman

Scarf: Gap (old)

Starts with a camel coat...

Happy Monday! It was an absolutely lovely weekend here - so mild in fact that I finally got to shed my down parka and slip into my camel coat! My hubby and I went downtown to the St. Lawerence Market and enjoyed a feast of delightful treats for brunch. We had peameal bacon breakfast sandwiches from Carousel Bakery, fried calamari and French fries from Buster's Sea Cove (they also have an amazing food truck!) and Portuguese custard tarts from Churrasco's. If you ever get the chance to visit the market these are "must-do's"! 

I've been searching for a classic camel coat for what seems like forever. In fact, last year, I had ordered a similar coat from J.Crew at 40% off. Unfortunately however, it was delivered to my front door while I was at work, and got stolen! Luckily, J.Crew has reissued their stadium-cloth boulevard trench (select colours now on sale with an additional 30% off!) and I was able to get my second chance this winter.

I hope however you spent your weekend you were able to enjoy the mild weather. Have a great week!

Coat: J.Crew (select colours on sale with additional 30% off)

Pants: Aritzia (also seen here and here)

Shoes: Prada

Bag: Prada

Fur wrap: Zara (old)

Starts with New Year's Resolutions...

When the first of January rolls around in a few hours, there will be a collective scrambling across the world from folks promising to start anew. I'm no different. Except this year, in addition to resolving to continue to eat better and challenge myself fitness-wise, I'd like to add a few style resolutions:

1. Look in my own wardrobe first:  from restyling a thirteen year old dress to re-wearing a cherished statement necklace this year, I've realized how much potential lies in my closet. This year, I'd like to challenge myself to accessorize more and refresh existing pieces, and only purchasing new items to incorporate trends and styles I don't currently have. 

2. Embrace colour: Though I usually gravitate towards neutrals, this year I incorporated green, oxblood, and orange into my wardrobe. In the new year I'd like to continue this streak (and start with those impulse colour purchases in my closet that still have tags on them). 

3.  Continue to build and improve my blog: With six months under my belt, I've learned a lot thus far about blogging but acknowledge that I have a long way to go. I look forward to learning more and sharing more in 2013.

Happy New Year to you and all the best for 2013!

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 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 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