Monochromatic neutrals revisited

Summer's a great time to accessorize a tan with all sorts of colours, starting with otherwise-tricky neutrals. I've previously worn this tank with whites and tans (here) and decided to revisit the palette for a simple work outfit. I finished it off with a swipe of berry-coloured lipstick.

xx

Pants -  Elie Tahari via Saks Off Fifth

Tank - RW and Co.

Cardigan - Banana Republic

Shoes - New York via Marshall's

Earrings - Winners

Hair clip - Gift

Intimidation factor

This dress kind of intimidates me. This dress is the kind that could swallow me up. The shiny polyester fabric is unforgiving, and the bold print daunting against fair skin. I find that strong accessories help stand up to it. Not unlike a Shiraz paired with game meat. Instead of toning things down - say with soft waves - I decided to just go for it: gold accessories, a slick bun and pointy buckled stilettos. To see how I've previously conquered this dress, but in fall temps, click here.

xx

 

Dress - Ripe Collection (also here)

Shoes - Aldo

Belt - Consigned

Earrings, bracelet - Hand me downs

Working hipster?

When my coworker spotted me arriving at work, he proclaimed, 'Hey Kat, you look like a hipster!' With nary an ironic tee, pair of skinny mom jeans or off-label stitch of clothing in sight. I think it's my urban zip code. But I don't have a better description of this pencil skirt-crochet top-waterfall cardigan combo, so we'll call it working hipster.

xx

 
Top - 5/48 via Saks

Skirt - Femme de Carriere

Cardigan - Laura

Hat - Forever 21

Bag - Dooney and Burke

Shoes - Aldo via thrift store

Necklace - Hand me down
Bracelets - Aldo Accessories

Watch - Kenneth Cole

The colour <-> neutral spectrum

Over the past couple of months, I've received some nice compliments about my fearlessness with colour. In many ways I'm not a big risk-taker when it comes to fashion, but I am proud to have sported a colour wheel's worth of hues. For those interested in a little trip down memory lane, some of the more vibrant ones can be found here, here and here. In an upcoming post, I'll show how just a little colour can go a long way. 

After a dip in the rainbow pool, black and white can be a refreshing change, especially on a silhouette with clean lines. 

Where do your outfits typically fall on the colour<->neutral spectrum?

xx

Jeans - Guess

Blazer - Banana Republic

Tank - DKNY

Glasses - Marc O'Polo

Bracelet - BHLDN

A cobalt sundress for a cottage wedding

Earlier this summer Brad and I attended a wedding at a cottage. The bride is very laid-back and I knew there would be a bit of a hippie vibe to the day. I'd worn my boho best to her hippie-themed bachelorette, but I tried to keep things casual in a sundress with slightly mod vibe. I'm not crazy about the final effect. It could be the bad hair day, the fascinator that now seems slightly out-of-place, or the flat footwear (which was me acquiescing to the reality of navigating a sloping lawn after dark). We'll chalk this one up as a win...for the red heart-shaped sunglasses from a photo booth dress-up box.

xx

Dress - Hermes

Fascinator - La Vie en Rose

Sandals - Ann Taylor

Bracelet - ?

Unfussy

These photos date back to the spring, before I became a Mrs. In the lead-up to the wedding, simplicity reigned. My to-do list was too long to fuss about what to wear every morning, so I turned in a lot of outfits like these - black pencil skirt, black pumps and a simple blouse with small gold epaulette detailing to match the exposed skirt zipper. A rare  time-out for blog photos breathed some normalcy into those final days!

xx

Top - Velvet Heart via Winners

Skirt - Zara

Shoes - Liz Claiborne

Earrings - Hand-me-down

Watch - Kenneth Cole

TGIF

I bought these jeans with summertime casual Fridays at the office in mind. Dark washes don't seem right in July, and it's easy to get away with a more laid-back look when half the staff is on holidays anyway. A sequined top with a sheer panel takes this outfit right into the weekend, but a cream blazer keeps it office-appropriate until happy hour. 

xx

Jeans - Joe's via Saks

Blazer - H&M

Top - Kische via Winners (previously here)
Belt - Ann Taylor

Sandals - Ann Taylor

Bracelets - Aldo Accessories

Jumpsuit halvsies

This top used to belong to a jumpsuit, until I got fed up and cut it in half. Allow me to impart some wisdom from my first jumpsuit-buying experience

1) Make sure bottom half isn’t made of a weightier material than the upper half. To wit: A constant downward tug, even after bringing it to a seamstress for elastic reinforcement around the waist. Result: Self-consciousness as I strode up one of Quebec City’s famously steep hills ahead of a group of visiting international researchers, imaging their eyes zeroing in on my increasingly saggy bottom. Taking increasingly large strides in a pitiful attempt to compensate. 

2) Make sure the clasps fasten and unfasten easily. To wit: three of the smallest buttons known to man, lined up right on the back of the neck. Result: A 10-minute panic session in a Quebec City washroom, with the (same) researchers waiting for me to head to our next meeting. Breaking into a sweat as time ticks by and I can’t get the jumpsuit fastened again. Finally emerge with my blazer thrown over one triumphantly done-up button. Decide to not go the Bridget Jones route with an elaborate fib, and fess up to the reason for my awkwardly-long absence. Yes, these are first-world problems. But no, clothes shouldn’t give you that much trouble. And yes, this experience broke the ice in the way only shared embarrassment can.

The worst part is, because the bottoms were black and the top rose-coloured, most people didn’t even realize the outfit was a one-piece, which defeats the purpose. Anyways, I’m much happier to wear the top on its own. I do love the look of a good jumpsuit and I may dip my toes in the water again some day. If and when I do, I’ll be glad for my newfound knowledge.

xx

Top - Zara (originally a jumpsuit)

Shorts - Forever 21

Shoes - Guess

Earrings - Le Chateau