Pool Party!

I went to a pool party yesterday.  Besides being on a beach, there's no better way to spend a summer day.  I love colour blocking so I was instantly drawn to this C&C California dress.  I had yet to wear it so it was the first that came to mind.  It's bright and fun and, besides the heat, I was super comfortable.  I would also wear this out to brunch with friends, cinching it at the waist with a brown belt, adding a necklace (I don't understand the whole jewelry by the pool thing) and putting on some wedges for a more polished look.

Dress: C&C California; Tote: Marc by Marc Jacobs;
Sandals: G by Guess; Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Wear Me Already: Marc by Marc Jacobs romper and bag

I was only going out to get my eyebrows done and get a massage (not a relaxing spa one, an I-have-a-back-like-a-90-year-old one) and normally would throw on shorts and a tank, but I wanted to wear the Splendid wedges I was worried I wouldn't get around to wearing seeing as I was heading out without the kiddies.  I love this romper and thought it would look great with the sandals and, sadly, I don't wear it that often.  I felt dressed up, not wearing the usual flip flops, but I felt great, put-together.  I often think, I have these great clothes that I never get to wear (or at least often), but I realized yesterday that it's not that I don't get to wear them, it's that I "save" them because I think they're too cute/nice to throw on just to go get my eyebrows done.  And then they hardly get worn. Well, things are about to change.    

Romper: Marc by Marc Jacobs; Sandals: Splendid;
Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs

What better bag to pair with this romper than a Marc by Marc Jacobs one?  I bought this bag a couple of months ago because 1) I love anything Marc Jacobs; 2) it's white and I thought it would be perfect for summer; and 3) it's a cross body bag, which is perfect when you are dealing with 2 kids.  Oh, and 4) it was on sale!  Except yesterday was the first time I had used it.  See, this is what's wrong with me.

Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Mini Hillier Hobo Bag:
saks.com

Ahhh Summer!

Fall is my favourite season...for the clothing, not so much the weather.  It just reminds me that winter is around the corner.  I live for summer!  I invested in some pieces for the summer and now it's time to get back into the "wear me already" mode, since there are a lot of pieces in my closet that have never seen the light of day.  I was doing so well with my skirt challenge last fall, but getting pregnant made it difficult to continue.  My next challenge: to stop "saving" clothes.  I've been dropping my son off at preschool and noticed I've been throwing on the same outfit. I think to myself, I don't want to "waste" a cute/nice outfit on driving my son to preschool, but this is my life now (or at least for the next year), so what am I waiting for?  So when my daughter had a doctor's appointment yesterday, instead of throwing on the usual, I threw on one of my favourite new dresses. There's nothing better than a dress to throw on after just having a baby.

Dress: C&C California; Sandals: Steve Madden;
Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs

(wear me already item: Steve Madden sandals)

16 Day Skirt Challenge: Day 6

Speaking of colour blocking, another great combination as shown in my favourite Marc Jacobs peep toe pumps = purple + pink!  Thankfully, the weather has been cooperating and I'm able to get some more uses out of these shoes before I have to start wearing tights (which, unfortunately, wouldn't fit with these shoes otherwise I would wear them all fall).  I don't know what's taken me so long to wear this blazer, seeing as it's always freezing in our office, but today was the perfect day.

Blazer: Talula; Skirt: Free People; Shoes: Marc Jacobs

Top: Mango; Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs

16 Day Skirt Challenge: Day 4

So I do own a midi skirt...  I guess sometimes you need to actually look in your closet.

Top: Marc by Marc Jacobs; Skirt: Le Chateau; Sweater:
Mendocino: Shoes: Nine West; Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs

16 Day Skirt Challenge: Day 3

I bought this skirt last fall so it was one of the few that was on constant rotation.  When I wasn't quite ready for tights, I wore black socks.  This fall, I thought I'd switch things up by adding these polka dot ones.

Top: Banana Republic; Skirt: Mango; Shoes: MICHAEL
Michael Kors; Socks: HUE; Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs

16 Day Skirt Challenge: Days 1 and 2

A co-worker asked if I wanted to meet up with her at the mall and go shopping this past weekend.  Not one to be rude, I said yes.  Oh, I also needed some essentials for fall so I thought it would be a great opportunity to snatch them up.  Luckily, we were met with promotion after promotion.  (Now if I didn't go, I might have lost out on some great deals and would've had to pay full price at a later date.)  I was careful to mainly buy essentials (layering pieces i.e, turtleneck, long-sleeve blouse, long-sleeve shirt).  Of course, I couldn't resist the 35% discount at the GAP and paid $45 for a pair of cords (on my "need" list).  I did not, however, buy a skirt.  Even though I wanted one.  I said earlier that I had about 15 skirts for fall and I was challenging myself to wear each and every one of them.  Last fall, I think I rotated about 3 or 4, along with a couple of pairs of pants. Maybe a dress or two.  Not very exciting.  This fall, I am excited to mix things up!

Challenge: 16 skirts x 4 days/wk (Fridays are casual day) = new outfit every day for a month!  

Skirt #1

I didn't wear this top all summer.  Thankfully it got warmer out so I had one last chance to wear it.  Of course, I could wear a sweater over it for fall, which I plan on doing.

Top: French Connection; Skirt: Club Monaco;
Shoes: Steve Madden; Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Skirt #2

I think the last time I wore this skirt was 4 years ago (could be longer).  Not sure why - it's pink!

Top: Forever 21; Skirt: GAP; Shoes: Nine West

Glasses: Marc Jacobs

My New Favourite Fall Sweater

Yes, I'm trying to challenge myself not to shop.  But I was in Montreal to see Eminem perform (another slight obsession) and I knew it would be dangerous shopping territory. My honeymoon was a great excuse to go shopping ("but it's our honeymoon!") and travelling is another one of my excuses to shop ("but we're on vacation!").  Limited on time, it didn't stop me from finding something.  I went into a store called Influence U and I immediately spotted this sweater (it's kind of hard not to catch your attention, whether you like it or not).  Pink + soft and cozy = must-have sweater for fall.  A perfect sweater to go shopping in.

Baggy Beach Jumper Sweater: Wildfox Couture;
Jeans: Guess by Marciano; Boots: Naughty Monkey;
Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs

Wildfox Couture has slowly become a favourite of mine.  I think the pieces are really fun and the quality is great.  After I purchased the sweater, I went on their website and fell in LOVE with another sweater.  Then I saw Ashley Tisdale wearing it (below) and wanted it even more.  Normally I would say that it's meant for me to buy it.  But starting this challenge actually makes me really think about my purchases.  And I did already purchase a great sweater (which I don't see on their website anymore, but there are similar great ones).  

  

Seeing Stars - Lennon Sweater: wildfoxcouture.com

Wear Me Already: Guess by Marciano Wedges - The Final Days

It's September.  Ugh.  I am not prepared.  Today I saw a woman, once again, wearing tights!  It is still warm out, people!  I know fall is coming, but you don't need to rub it in my face.  Don't get me wrong, I love tights, boots, sweaters, the whole bit.  It's my favourite season for shopping.  (Mostly I dread it because it means winter is also coming. I think I lived in California in a previous life.)  I especially LOVE looking through September issues.  But I'm trying to cut down on shopping here and fall is going to be the most challenging season.  I'm not going to pretend I won't be buying anything because I'm desperately looking through my closet to see what I can put up on eBay, just to make up for my purchase(s).  And I'll be working a bit of overtime, which I may have offered to do just so I can go shopping.  I already have a long "need list" and a much longer "wish list". It's too bad I just started falling in love with these wedges.  But like Jay-Z, it's "on to the next one".

Top: Guess; Skirt: FCUK; Shoes: Guess by Marciano;

Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs