Release the Hounds

I was so excited to find this cardigan at the Joe Fresh store in downtown Vancouver (American readers can look forward to a Joe store in NY soon) as I am always looking for variations on my perpetual black and white theme.
While I usually pair this houndstooth blouse with colour, I liked how the white stitching made the white in the pattern pop.
And, of course, a yellow belt and turquoise flats can do no wrong, letting me walk the line between personal style and professional polish with comfort and ease. Regular readers might notice that both Anna and I usually wear flats-- while I appreciate the sky-high heels worn by many prominent fashion bloggers (and like to wear heels myself), working nine-to-five, whether teaching or otherwise, is just more practical in flats. And I still think we look great!
I can't get enough of the Chanel-esq back detail on this cardigan and, as always, the shine of a patent shoe. Not only does patent look great, as I have noted before, I find it wears better, especially in rainy climates.
Cardigan: Joe Fresh Granville Street

Blouse: Tory Burch, Ebay

Pants: Gap

Belt: JCrew, J Crew Factory Store

Shoes: Banana Republic, Ebay

Gold Rush Woman

Last week, Charity took me on a field trip to Barkerville, a ghost town originally established during the Gold Rush, located a few hours outside of Prince George, BC. While there, I alternated between feeling quite overdressed and very appreciated by the women dressed as the Postal Worker, the General Store owner, and the home maker. My tights even inspired a discussion about stocking in the early 1900s.

There's a lot going on in this outfit, but I really like the pairing of florals in both bright colors and black and white. Although my bright pink tank top might not normally be the best pairing for a coral sweater, I felt like the color was muted by the black and white lace top, and the colors tied in the floral shoes nicely.

I was excited to wear a racer back tank top with the top, to highlight both the lace and the button closure.

Cardigan: Anthrologie

Top: Modcloth

Tank top: Walmart
Skirt: Anthropologie

Shoes: Old Navy

My time in Vancouver is winding down far too quickly, but there might still be a joint Anna-Erin post in the Tights that Bind's future. xoxo Anna Rae

Beach Blanket Bingo

Last Friday, I returned to one of my favorite places in Vancouver, the beach. I wore two of my summer staples: a bold printed cotton dress and my button-down denim shirt.

Although I don't particularly love wearing denim shirts as actual shirts, I love wearing them in the summer as a substitue for a sweater or jacket. They're both crisp and casual, and they work so well with sandals and loafers.

My owl earrings, hodgepodge necklace, and the dress's interesting back helped to add fun and interest to the outfit, which would have otherwise been pretty basic.
Dress: Target

Shirt: Joe Fresh, Real Canadian Superstore

Necklace: Anthorpologie

Earrings: Gifted, Camilla
Belt: Target

Shoes: Thrifted, Alabastar Attic Church Thrift Store, Greensburg

Sorry for the infrequent posting, but I'm currently running around BC. More outfits and updates soon! xoxo Anna Rae

Unnatural Selection

What is underneath this jacket will not come as a surprise to any faithful readers (and likely was not unexpected for my students either): animal print.

Why would I add yet another leopard to my menagerie? Because it's pink! I adore the classic-with-a-twist sensibility of coloured animal prints like green leopard or blue zebra.Because of the pinks, this print almost reads as a floral, which I why I topped it with a vintage tone-on-tone brooch. Brooches work just as well on prints as solids, so experiment!

This blouse is a perfect example of a budget Ebay find. It's Banana Republic, so I knew it would fit, and my sole $5.99 bid (plus $2 shipping) took it home. Most of Banana Republic's blouses are silk rather than polyester, and are great value. Browse for your favourite brand and see what you find.

My cut-out pointy-toed flats finally skipped their last, so I replaced them with this beautiful patent pair. I was really looking for another version with toe cut-outs, but the flat bows are so beautiful it was an easy compromise.

Blouse: Banana Republic, Ebay
Jacket: Mac and Jac, La Belle Vie Consignment Kerrisdale
Capris: Gap
Brooch: Vintage, Etsy
Flats: Restricted, Amazon.com

Just a Little Longer

A beautiful day and a blogging brunch with Anna was a great place to debut a new maxi dress, sure to be as perfect for covering up a bathing suit as it was for talking three-year plans over french toast.

I choose a boyfriend cardigan and sandals and let laid-back comfort take precedence over high style.

And, in a fortunate series of coordination, my spring nail polish matched my sweater exactly.

Maxi Dress: Joe Fresh, Real Canadian Superstore

Cardigan: JCrew, Winner's

Sandals: Steve Madden, Winner's

Necklace: Vintage, Etsy

Sunglasses: Rayban, Winner's

My Old Stomping Grounds

Well, readers, I made it to Vancouver! Of course, brunch and blog photographers with Erin were at the top of my list of things to do (I've been in Vancouver for four days and have already had two brunches. I feel good about those stats). Obviously, I wanted to dress to impress,which seemed like the perfect opportunity to debut my newly tailored skirt. When my beautiful strapless dress from H&M no longer fit, talioring it into a high waisted skirt seemed like the perfect solution. I'm very pleased with the result.

I wanted to pair the coral with only yellow because I love the way the bright colors looked together. Since I was already working with two bright colors, I didn't feel too matchy-matchy wearing a yellow cardigan, belt, and shoes. Also, I loved the way the floral detail on the cardgian worked with the floral pattern on the skirt.

Skirt: H&M, Tailored from dress
Cardigan: Old Navy
Shoes: Target
Belt: on dress, Ross Dress for Less
Necklace: Romwe
It's so nice to be back in Vancouver, with Erin taking my blog photos in one of many beautiful corners at UBC. xoxo Anna Rae

Genus Capri Species Leopard

Sometimes you have to keep it simple. I know that leopard will always work with neutrals like denim, beiges, and black or white, and that the addition of any bright colour will help give the print an extra kick.
Because black and white tops are often basis of your look, I like to look for blouses or even t-shirts with special details. Ruffles, pin tucks, or trim on a white or black blouse can elevate a simple look to something more, and are just as easy to wear as a plain one.
My pop of colour came in the form of cheap and cheerful flats, but a bright necklace, brooch, or scarf would have worked just as well. What is your go-to way to style animal prints?
Cardigan: JCrew, Ebay
Trouser Jean Capris: Old Navy
Blouse: Club Monaco
Flats: PURE Alfred Sung, Zeller's
Necklace: Gifted, Kelly
Sunglasses: Kate Spade Franca, Amazon.com

Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough

Remember how I said my favourite colour is pink? I wasn't kidding. This outfit makes the bold statement of employing at least four different shades from cotton candy to fuchsia to rose.

While I could have stopped with the blouse and cardigan, adding the belt and shoes took that look from simple to styling. As Mae West said, "Too much of a good thing is wonderful." Try it at home by layering your hue of choice in as many tones as you own!
Blouse: Talbots
Cardigan: Banana Republic
Shoes: Jessica Simpson, Zappos.com
Jeans: Citizens of Humantiy, Hill's of Kerrisdale
Glasses and Case: Kate Spade, Winners

An Impending Reunion

Anna and Erin: Together Again

I'm currently sitting beside my suitcase, packed to the brim with all of my favorites, incredibly excited to fly to Vancouver tomorrow. I promise that there will be blogging, or at least the dressing and photographing that leads to blogging, but the actual posting may be delayed. We'll have a lot of hugging and shopping and eating brunch and walking on the beach to do. xoxo Anna Rae

Famous [White] Raincoat

On Friday, I rewore my new favorite dress -- playing up the bright coral in its bold design with yellow accessories, including a belt, shoes, and purse. The outfit was both professional and fun, perfect for a law school graduation and celebration dinner.
For an extra splash of fun, I wore these adorable owl earrings (you may need to click through to really see them), in a nice neutral bronze. Even I know that three pieces of yellow are probably enough.

This trench, which I bought during a weekend trip to Paris, once I realized after living in London for two weeks that sweaters just don't protect your clothes from the rain, is one of my favorite pieces. Every time I wear it, I immediately feel chic. Do you have any pieces like that?

Dress: Adrianna Papell, Nordstrom's

Shoes: Target

Belt: on dress, Ross Dress for Less

Earrings: Gifted, Camilla

Purse: Michael Kors, Gifted, Mom and Dad

Trench: Paris (I also like saying that)
Of course, the best accessory at any graduation ceremony is the graduate, but a close second is her cap. Congrats Molly! xoxo Anna Rae

How Green is My Valley

This outfit is all about casual comfort without the sloppy factor. Because I usually wear jeans, I always try to find special tops that can dress them up while being both work and every-day appropriate. Even everyday bottoms like these lighter-wash cuffed capris can pass muster with the addition of gold flats rather than sneakers.
This shell, which has been making many appearances on fashion blogs across the interwebs, fit the criteria perfectly. The unique print reminded me of impressionist blossoms in dappled sunlight, and the colours felt fresh for spring.
My green cardigan is complementary rather than coordinating. It works because its shade has a similar depth and tone as the hues in the blouse. A gold necklace adds additional formality and sparkle but doesn't seem out of place with the sunny print.

Blouse: Ann Taylor Loft

Capris: American Eagle

Cardigan: JCrew, Ebay

Flats: Tory Burch, Ebay

Necklace: Heirloom piece, my Grandfather's

And We're Back!

After a few days of Blogger technical difficulties, I'm excited to be back and posting again. Mostly, I'm excited to share this outfit of color overload. Pink and red may be a controversial color combination, but it is one of my favorites. I loved how this pink shirt -- featuring a floral print full of my favorite colors for the season: yellow, orange, and coral -- looked with my red pants. I added the yellow cardigan to complete the look that screamed delight as an abundance of warm tones.
To balance out all of the colors, I paired the outfit with only metallic accessories, adding interest with this silver tie necklace and a nice neutral with my metallic sandals.
Pants: The Limited

Cardigan: Old Navy

Shirt: Old Navy

Necklace: Made by woman at Our Town cafe, Vancouver

Shoes: Life Stride

I guess that I, like Erin, just can't get enough of florals! xoxo Anna Rae

Mixy-Matchy

Everybody, Everywear has put me on a bit of a floral kick and I couldn't be happier! I decided to add a flowery belt to my polka dots at the last minute and am pretty pleased with the results. Because of the pattern mixing, I went for very strict coordination, picking up the violet and turquoise of the belt with my cardigan and shoes If I repeat this look, however, I think I will choose turquoise heels (which of course I own) over flats, because even at 5'9'' and with a pointy toe I feel like the knee-length pencil skirt needs the extra lift.
Blouse: Michael Michael Kors, Ebay

Cardigan: Gap

Skirt: PURE Alfred Sung, Zeller's

Shoes: Banana Republic, Ebay

Belt: Thrifted, The Salvation Army Kerrisdale

Photos by Dad