I Spy

I spy with my little eye a new novelty necklace from Vegas. Like Erin, I also sometimes stalk clothes and accessories that I'm very in love with. I've regularly visited this necklace at the Kate Spade store in Boston, knowing that I couldn't really afford this. This past weekend, my family went on a long-weekend vacation to Vegas as an early Christmas present and we, the now adult children, were gifted a Vegas allowance as part of our present. I spent almost all of mine at Kate Spade, and I'm sure you'll see all of the results soon.
The rest of the outfit isn't new. I've been pretty unexcited about my clothes recently, and I think it's because they aren't that new. It's important, though, to think about your clothes as exciting once the newness has worn off. Instead, how can you change your clothes, even slightly, to make them seem fresh? Today, I changed the tights to a slightly richer color, left the dress unbelted to fully explore its shift shape and matched the gold necklace to a gold headband.
Dress: H&M

Tights: Hue, Macy's

Necklace: Kate Spade, Las Vegas

Headband: Gifted, Elana

Boots: Zappos, Chinese Laundry
My chic raincoat for the threatening skies added, with my black boots, an additional layer of black and white. What do you do when you're unexcited about your wardrobe? xoxo Anna Rae

Against the Grain

This outfit is not at all typical of my style, my go-to pairings, or my natural instincts about what works best on my body. Still, I felt great in it, loved the double stripes and the black, white, and gold color scheme, and thought the boots with the skirt was the sort of bohemian, Sienna Miller type of style 20-year-old me would have cried in delight over. So, I must say, it was a success. Sometimes, going against your instincts can be fun.
Skirt: Vintage, Garment District, Cambridge

Shirt: J. Crew Factory Outlet, Williamsburg, VA

Cardigan: Jacob

Boots: Gifted, Mom and Dad, Chinese Laundry, Zappo's
Look at that small braid in my hair. I'm very proud. xoxo Anna Rae

Puppy Love

I'm a cat person. But when dogs get little bows and become printed onto silk chiffon it makes me feel like switching sides. I like my novelty prints rendered on the twee-est shapes possible, and the ruffles and tiered sleeves of this top fit the bill perfectly. Novelty prints always feel a bit 1940s to me (my favourite dressing decade) so I tucked them into a tweed pencil skirt with the slightest of fishtail hems. The hem also features an asymmetrical frayed ruffle, keeping it from being too derivative.
I just had to match the Scotty dogs' bows with my shoes. I recently purchased this patent pair so I can continue to wear red pumps in inclement weather, as my suede ones are just not Vancouver friendly. The pointy toe makes them a bit more vampy, but the low heel keeps them walkable.
Blouse: Femme de Carriere

Skirt: Nanette Lepore, Holt Refrew (on summer clearance)

Shoes: Vince Camuto, Winners

Thanks to Mono for her photography!

Freaky Friday

I know what you're thinking, how did Erin's clothes and style get on Anna's body? I guess that's what happen when you share a style blog with someone -- you start picking up their fashion cues.
Since Erin debuted her yellow tights with houndstooth last year, I've been wanting to do the same. I paired the yellow in the tights with the yellow brooch and offset it with my red belt. I love red, yellow, black and white together. It feels so very 1960s London.
I didn't want too much going on with my necklaces since I was wearing a brooch and bright belt, but I think layering the gold would well with the other accessories and the (unphotographed) exposed gold zipper on the back of the dress.
Dress: H&M

Tights: We Love Colors

Belt: from thrifted dress, Salvation Army

Brooch: Etsy

Necklaces: Joe Fresh, Real Canadian Superstore and Gifted, Target

Shoes: Chinese Laundry, Zappo's
I can't wait to wear this dress again and again. xoxo Anna Rae

Black and Blue

If you don't own teal tights I suggest purchasing some. I love the punch they bring to the simplest of outfits.
I kept up the bruise theme with a grey striped tank and black cardigan. The cardigan is Joe Fresh and features a great gathered trim. It's still available (also in beige) if you want a cheap new basic!
The shoes aren't new but are worth featuring. They have the perfect point and chic flat bow for a touch of timeless elegance. Don't own pointy-toe black flats? Get some.
Tights, Necklace, and Cardigan: Joe Fresh, Real Canadian Superstore

Tank: Talula Babaton, Aritzia

Skirt: Anthropologie, Turnabout Consignment (Broadway and Balaclava in Vancouver)

Shoes: Restricted, Amazon.com

Busy as a Bee

Nothing like getting back to the September grind to make dressing like a worker bee appropriate. Yellow and red are the 'popiest' colours to pair with black and white, and yellow feels fresher to me.
Reading this article about polka dot addiction made me realize that I am not alone. And also that I am perhaps a little bitter about the current uber-trendy status of my beloved spots. I think perhaps my spotted wardrobe needs its own family portrait.
This look is pretty simple, but full of details like ruffles, bows, and mixed-print accessories to make it something special. I'll never tire of this Joe Fresh blouse. Prepare for its American invasion soon my southern readers...(see article in October's ELLE) 24°30 or fight!I'm looking so pensive despite my sunny sweater because my lovely photographer Judith is departing for the semester for the libraries of Amherst. Her loss, combined with the darling Jenna's graduation, has left me looking for photographers. Names starting with letters other than 'J' may also apply.
Cardigan: J Crew

Blouse: Joe Fresh, Real Canadian Superstore

Pants: no brand, Winners

Shoes: Jessica Simpson, 6pm.com

Belt: Old Navy

Bracelet: Vintage, Etsy

Checking it Twice

My beautiful photographer (and birthday girl!) Kelly suggested that this post was really take two on styling gingham and polka dots since they appeared together so recently in my romper post. But, as you are all aware (or will be if you keep following TTTB) polka dots and Erin go together like peanut butter and jelly. I can't help but think (wish) that Marc and Stella's Fall '11 looks were inspired by on dotty obsession. These pointy toed slingbacks are an especially fun example. My only complaint is that they are canvas get dirty really easily. Do you think I can Scotchguard them?Although this is yet another black+white+colour look, thanks to Anna's sartorial influence, my perennial favourite now benefits from the extra excitement of pattern mixing. I am so excited to continue being inspired by one another. Dress: JCrew, Ebay
Belt: Thrifted, Salvation Army Kerrisdale
Shoes: Chinese Laundry, (n.b.please change your brand name) Amazon.com
Necklace: Sam Moon, The Woodlands TX

My Best Friend's Wedding

Although I'm usually focused on my own style, clothes, and looks on this blog, today I'd like to take a backseat, like any good bridesmaid should, and share some beautiful pictures from this weekend's wedding. Toni, my absolute favorite person from the Derry Area High School graduating class of 2004, married Nate, and their black-and-white wedding with small touches of pink was absolutely beautiful.

The happy couple

I was lucky enough to be with Toni the day she found her wedding dress, so I was almost as excited as she was to see her in it again, with her hair and make-up. I love the dress's neckline, the beautiful lace, the sparkly headband, and the long, simple chapel veil. Her bouquet may be my favorite part of the ensemble, though. The mixture of creams and light pinks makes it my favorite bridal bouquet to date.
Our bridesmaid flowers were a mixture of light pinks to bright pinks, which transitioned nicely into the the bright pink floral arrangements at the reception.

Each of the bridesmaids chose her own style of bridesmaid dress, although they were all black and to the knee. Because each of us chose our own shoes and silver jewelry, we coordinated well without looking too uniform. The result, I think, was understated and classy.
And, of course, no discussion of a Western PA wedding would be complete without mentioning the cookie table (profiled here in the NYT for those of you unfamiliar with the tradition).
Although I failed to take a picture of the table at the reception, here is a behind-the-scenes action shot of us traying the cookies the day before. They were, of course, delicious.
Congratulations again to the beautiful bride and groom. xoxo Anna Rae

Styling it Solo

One is fun. Especially when it comes in the form of a romper. When I spotted this one-piece number at my local Salvation Army thrift store earlier this spring I literally gasped as I grabbed it off the rack. The halter neckline and pockets needed no alteration, but I shortened the knee length culottes to a more kicky length, the better to show off my wedges. I bought them last summer to wear to an outdoor wedding and love their blister-proof soft leather straps.Supporting players were also thrifted finds: both the gingham belt and the bangle came from the same thrift store on different trips. My hair with this look is a modified take on milkmaid braids. Rather than simply parting and braiding, I pinned back the top half of my hair for some soft volume and then crossed the two braids in front like a headband. Romper, Belt and Bracelet: All thrifted, Salvation Army Kerrisdale
Wedges: Ellen Tracy, Winners
Sunglasses: Kate Spade, Amazon.com

in Old Black and White

Just like Erin, I used Kate Spade's color of the month, Black and White, as outfit inspiration. Although I normally love to balance out my black and white with one or five pops of color, the idea of staying within the monochromatic color scheme was fun, and caused me to look elsewhere for interest.
When I thought about wearing only black and white, I knew that I had to wear my black and white polka dot dress. While it may not be getting as much love on the blog as it once did, it's still a go-to dress for me, especially in bright tight weather.
To make the outfit interesting, I felt that I needed to add interest with texture. This feather belt and the sequined flower brooch pinned to the pearl necklace where just the trick. I love the idea of wearing these pearls with my feather belt because pearls and feathers both remind me of the 1920s flapper look -- one I've always been very in love with.
Of course, I needed to have a small pop of color -- my neon green toenail polish.
Dress: Thrifted and hemmed: St. Mary's Hospital Thrift Store, Sechelt, BC

Shoes: Target

Belt: Gifted, Cammy

Brooch: From headband, Kohl's

Necklace: Claire's

Earrings: Gifted, Erin

What do you think about wearing all black and white? Do you try to balance it out with a pop of color? xoxo Anna Rae

Maximum Impact

Even though wearing a loose maxi dress feels like you are wandering around in your nightgown during the day, there is still something inherently glamorous about it.
A boldly printed dress and a black cardigan is so easy I would almost call this outfit effortless, except that there is nothing effortless about dressing well, despite what fashion magazines might say.
The braids and hoops made an encore appearance to show off another halter neckline, along with a beautiful silver 'raven-finned killer whale' cuff carved by Alvin Adkins. It was my 21st birthday present and is one of my most beloved pieces.
Dress: Bedo

Shoes: Target

Earrings: Winners

Cardigan: Banana Republic

Cuff Bracelet: Gifted, my Mom and Dad