Sun Hats

I love summer. I love swimming, lemonade, fresh fruit, and sun hats. I didn't always enjoy dressing for it, but now I wait all year for the easy days of my pulling out my Anthropologie sun dresses not agonizing over matching shoes, tights, cardigans, or coats. Don't get me wrong, the challenge is fun too, but a few weeks without it is a welcome break.

This is actually my first true summer vacation in many years. I can't remember life without a full time job, a summer job, or summer reading lists. Unemployment is scary, and will soon get boring I'm sure, but right now, the ease of it is refreshing.

Ah, this dress... I forgive your unflattering pleats on my stomach for your beautiful colours and fantastic print.

Sun Hats;
Dress: Anthropologie Wisteria Halter Dress
Shoes: Anthropologie Dearie Me Wedges
Accessories: Urban Outfitters braided sun hat
Accessorize rose necklace
Bow clutch from local boutique
Betsey Johnson floral sunglasses

Lost in my garden

I've spent the last two months wandering. I've been fighting with my employer to, strangely enough, let me go, and let me leave with what I think I'm owed. They've been less than cooperative and it has been exhausting. I'm hopefully at the end of the fight now but I'm left with a new task - what do I actually want to do? My old job had been something I fortunately fell into, making my way through undergrad. Before this moment, I've never stopped to actually think about this question. I have pie-in-the-sky dreams of course, but nothing grounded in reality. I expect this summer I'll have a lot more wandering through gardens to do...

Lost in the garden;
Dress: Anthropologie Beda Shirtdress in white
Bag: Urban Outfitters BDG Primary Satchel
Shoes: Steve Madden lea oxfords (old and trusted favourites)
Accessories: Urban Outfitters leather belt
Anthropologie Meadowlark cameo necklace
Urban Outfitters floral metal hairband
Ruffian for Anthropologie floral lace tights

This dress is a challenge to wear. The preppy cut and collar is a bit outside of how I normally style myself. I have trouble thinking the bright white and stiff collar go with much of anything. Bright red maybe, but outside of fresh strawberries, that is a colour I avoid. It sounds silly, but it's an accurate piece for my relationship to my old job. I put on this dress and feel comfortable, but I never feel quite like myself.

Courtesy of my backyard.

Pride & Prejudice

I'm still soldiering on without a camera of my own, so thank you to all my readers for bearing with me! I've finally been able to borrow Boyfriend's to try and get back in the outfit of the day groove.

I wasn't expecting to love the First Hints blouse before I tried it on. I ignored it on the website despite the beautiful print since I figured it would be shapeless on me. I was surprised by how much I loved it, despite the shapeless drape. I was partially swayed by how many outfit ideas flew into my head once I had it on.

I've put on some winter pounds, so I've stayed away from some of my favourite pieces that I felt showed off the gain. My menswear shorts fell victim to that, but I knew this blouse was meant to be paired with them. I put aside my insecurities and proudly wore this spring ready outfit today.

Pride & Prejudice;
Top: Anthropologie First Hints blouse in ivory
Bottom: Urban Outfitters menswear tweed shorts
Shoes: Chie Mihara Alegra platform mary-janes
Bag: Coach Madison Sabrina in pale pink
Accessories: Hue opaque tights in black
Forever21 layering camisole
Forever21 drop charm necklace

P.S. I want to thank a local Anthropologie SA, Anna, for being so cheerful and sweet on my last visit into the store! Hopefully I'll get a chance to try on the Overwhelmed Aster Dress she recommended soon!

Dogs & Prairie dresses

2011 had started rough for my family and it seems it's determined not to let up yet. I've spent the last week wading through intense uncertainty my job. Everything has been, to say the least, unpleasant. On the bright side, it is amazing how much troubled times are soothed by coming home to a cute puppy.

Boyfriend and I took my new family dog, Ben, out for a walk at a nearby park this beautiful Sunday afternoon. He's a rescue who is part Black Lab and, we think, Border Collie. We couldn't have asked for a sweeter dog.

Dogs & Prairie Dresses;
Dress: Anthropologie Plains & Prairies dress
Top: Miss Selfridge pink and cream polka dot shirt
Shoes: Anthropologie Winding Ruffle boots
Bag: Coach Madison Sabrina in pale pink
Accessories: Urban Outfitters leather waist belt
Urban Outfitters metal hairband
Forever 21 pink songbird necklace
Betsey Johnson floral sunglasses

The Plains & Prairies dress was not something I initially coveted when I saw in last year. I found it alone in the sale room a bit after it was marked down and tried it on for fun. I was amazed and delighted at how well it fit me. The one complaint I had was that the top was a bit immodest on me. The adjustable straps help, but overall this was an item meant to be layered with a shirt. I barely ever wear the dress without this polka dot top under it.
The dress lightly lined and a bit long, making it perfect for spring. I love adding sleeves to make my dresses a bit more spring seasonal - the perfect thing to throw on without a cardigan for breezy, dog-walking days.

Spring Opener

Well here we are at the end of March and I'm still without a properly functioning camera. It's time for me to get low-fi and creative around here.

I've never had a more appropriate spring day at work. Signs of the season were everywhere, brightening an otherwise humdrum day at the office.

baseball season, blooming into view

weather clear and beautiful enough for a silk, floral frock...
(Anthropologie "Tuileries Dress")

...and bright pink heels

(Seychelles "Woodpecker")

the cashier ringing up my lunch stopping to tell me, "your bangs are perfect."

(Urban Outfitters metal hairband)

a coworker (and friend) bringing me a beautiful, seasonal treat
(桜抹茶 cherry blossom green tea)

Thank you to all my followers for sticking with me through the silence. I hope you're out enjoying spring!

The Woman In White

I love a good mystery and they are best in the cold weather. The preface of this edition told me that the "The Woman In White" was the first sensationalist mystery novel written. I had never read it before and I am so glad to have found it now. Marian Halcombe is fast becoming one of my favourite fictional characters. Quotes from her or concerning her actions have caused me on more than one occasion to laugh out loud on the train even during the deathly quiet morning commute. She is witty, Victorian perfection.

"Men! They are the enemies of our innocence and our peace -- they drag us away from our parents' love and our sisters' friendship -- they take us body and soul to themselves, and fasten our helpless lives to theirs as they chain up a dog to his kennel. And what does the best of them give us in return?"

"When a sensible woman has a serious question put to her, and evades it by a flippant answer, it is a sure sign, in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, that she has something to conceal."


The Woman In White;
Cardigan: Anthropologie Fresh Perspective cardi
Accessories: Silver birdcage necklace (gift)
Urban Outfitters leaf hairband
Dress: Free People Medallion Lace Dress
Tights: We Love Colors solid mocha tights
Dress: Anthropologie Winding Ruffle boots
Bag: Karmaloop pink lace shoulder bag

"Women can resist a man's love, a man's fame, a man's personal appearance, and a man's money; but they cannot resist a man's tongue, when he knows how to talk with them."

Oh, I could quote her all day...

Lantern's Glow

I made a post recently listing my favourite Anthropologie items that got away from me. Most of the items I've been pining after for at least two years, so I didn't expect to suddenly find the items after sharing my list but for two items, that's exactly what happened. There must be some sort of magic from writing down their names. Years of never seeing my size and before I even hit publish on the post, they showed up on eBay. I didn't get the best deal on this dress, but after a certain point of pining after it, I didn't care. I did get a deal on the other item though so I felt it balanced out. Both items were in perfect shape and I was giddy with excitement when they both fit perfectly. I'll be posting an outfit with the other item soon!

Lantern's Glow;
Dress: Anthropologie Lantern's Glow Dress
Cardigan: Anthropologie In For A Frill Cardigan
Accessories: Urban Outfitters typewriter initial necklace
Urban Outfitters metal flower hairband
Bag: Mulberry for Target patent satchel
Legwear: Anthropologie Mademoiselle Tights
Shoes: Steve Madden patent pumps

This dress is even better than I remember it! The waistband is in a perfect spot and it is as flattering as I could hope. I love the bird design so much that I didn't feel up to adding colour to the rest of my outfit to distract from it. I'm feeling really subdued lately, and wearing a lot of neutrals. Maybe it's the gray weather. Or maybe, as much as I prefer colour in my life, I'm admitting sometimes an item looks best left to stand-out.

I really adore this cardigan, though I'm not showing it off to its best. I was concerned with the slightly baggy fit, but I've just scored a small on a pop-back to exchange my medium. I've really been scanning my wishlists at Anthropologie more than usual. The new arrivals have been doing nothing for me. I expect to be trolling eBay even more often so maybe my luck will continue to the rest of my list..!

Fresh Perspective

First, I want to thank the new followers I've gained since I last posted. I can't believe how many people follow my little style musings. Thanks everyone and welcome!

On to some unpleasant news, some life events have been holding a monopoly over my time and I didn't feel up to blogging. Last week my family had to make the choice to put down our dog, Luke (he's made it in my blog here and here, since he used to sneak into every photoshoot). I'm pretty devastated since, as those who have been through it know, losing pets just rips out your heart. Between the loss of a family friend and our dog in the past few weeks, my family's 2011 is not off to a great start. I'm soldiering on for the time being, trying to use my styling as a creative outlet to keep my mind off everything else.

I decided to tackle a trend that frankly I have found unappealing. The open, asymmetrical cardigan is something that I have seen and thought could never be cute. I had completely written it off until I was trying to style certain dresses in my closet. For pieces as fantastical as the Lolland Sweater Dress, which is just begging to be worn by a Scandinavian princess, a regular cardigan looked far too structured and modern. Suddenly the thought of one of those draped cardigans drifted by and I couldn't get it out. Luckily one was on its second price cut at Anthropologie allowing me to try it on and see if perhaps the right outfit would sell me on the look.

Fresh Perspective;
Hair: Urban Outfitters gold leaf hairband
Dress: Anthropologie Lolland Sweater Dress
Cardigan: Anthropologie Fresh Perspective cardi
Legwear: Hue opaque black tights
Shoes: Steve Madden heaven flats
Accessories: Topshop golden swallow and flower necklace
Urban Outfitters metal filigree stretch belt

I'm still not completely sure this style of cardigan is at all flattering to my shape, but I am a bit in love with how well it goes with this dress. I expect I will be trying it with a few more while the weather stays cool.

Once Upon a Dream

A little while ago, Boyfriend kindly took me to visit the Walt Disney museum on the Presidio. From its modest front doors, I wasn't sure what to expect of the place. Once inside, I was blown away by how well it was put together, and how engaging each of the exhibits were. After my family's visit to Disneyworld over Thanksgiving, I've been feeling so nostalgic for Disney films.

Since I was already indulging my childhood spending a day learning about Walt Disney and his creations, I grabbed all my girliest accessories. I've been obsessing over my Spinning Lace Dress since I got it, so here it is with a princess inspired take.

Once Upon a Dream;
Dress: Anthropologie Spinning Lace dress
Cardigan: Anthropologie angora bow sweater
Bag: Electric Love Letter pink rose handbag (found via Tien of adiaphane!)
Legwear: WeLoveColors Mocha tights
Shoes: Poetic License School Girl heels in brown
Accessories: Urban Outfitters metal filigree stretch belt
Anthropologie Jazz Age Cloche
Forever21 double key necklace
Urban Outfitters metal flower hairband
Pink rose scarf from a Paris street vendor

I've said before I love to go a little over the top a times. All the roses and pink here are definitely a bit much, but sometimes I need to embrace my inner little girl. Like many little girls, I wanted nothing more than to be a Disney princess. You can see some glimpses of Boyfriend, reflected in the trophy cases, and with me while trying to snap a photo of my shoes. He is so sweetly indulgent of my eccentricities. I know I bring out the child in him too with my silly fantasies, and with my ever-present pink and florals. I may not be a real princess, but I've found someone to play along as my prince.

Rawr!

Alright, here is one of my favourite Christmas gifts I received this year. I love this silly polar bear sweater so much! I'm never one for "animal print" clothing, but images of actual animals, I'm all about. Urban Outfitters and their other brands are always good for a quirky animal or two on a dress, sweater, skirt, scarf, you name it.

Rawr;
Top: Urban Outfitters Polar Bear pullover
Necklace: Urban Outfitters typewriter initial necklace
Bottom: Anthropologie Alena skirt in pink & Anthropologie Scant Summer Petticoat
Legwear: Hue black tights
Shoes: Steve Madden black buckle boots
Bag: Pink lace bag from karmaloop
Outerwear: DKNY ivory ruffle peacoat
Accessory: Soft pink scarf (gift)


I'm still sad I missed out on Anthropologie's Shrewd Stitches Stole which I think, along with this sweater, were the silliest (read: cutest!) animal items released over the holidays. Unlike my foxy friend, the polar bear was a far more wallet friendly price for this much whimsy. I felt a lot less guilty putting this on my Christmas list.

I don't show it off enough, but the Alena skirt from Anthropologie is one of my best loved articles of clothing. I wish Anthro offered a few more items so perfectly pale pink. The pale pink helped me keep everything icy in theme but not totally monochromatic. I'm all for bringing a bit more colour into my outfits, especially if that colour is pink.

I've also grabbed one of my favourite pieces of outwear to show off. I'm a sucker for cream coats, no matter how impractical they are in practice. Cream just looks so beautiful in winter! I love to be able to stand out from the sea of black.

Christmas Party [Christmas Outfit 1 of 3]

It's time to wish everyone who celebrates a very Merry Christmas! My holiday preparation has already been rather hectic but I'm still so excited for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The outfit in tonight's post is one of my three big outfits for the season. You'll have to endure three different Christmas posts, dear readers.

My parents always throw a big party for our family friends a few days before Christmas, so I went with something a bit easily elegant to be able to rush around greeting every guest, posing for pictures.
I wanted to thank the community at Effortless Anthropologie for helping me track down this beautiful frock. I had to call at least a dozen stores to get this beauty and I couldn't be happier with it. The shift style silhouette makes me a bit nervous because it doesn't suit my body type normally. This dress though has enough of an A cut that I feel it's forgiving of my curves.

Christmas Party;
Dress: Anthropologie Discovered Lace Dress
Necklaces: Urban Outfitters typewriter key initial & Miss Selfridge
rose & pearl ribbon
Bottom: Anthropologie Scant Summer Petticoat
Legwear: Topshop dusty rose tights
Shoes: Steve Madden Heaven leather flats

Making a special appearance in my holiday posts is my mum's beautiful Christmas decorations. She's been collecting Christmas pieces all her life and goes all out decorating our home. Many of her items, and all my favourites, are from Scandinavia. Her family is Danish, so we've been to that part of the world many times over the years, though she is the only one lucky enough to have gone at Christmas. I really love Christmas decor. Besides the traditional Scandinavian pieces, she mixes in a lot of Victorian items, 1940s vintage, and even some fun modern items.