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

Still in Season

Even though it's only appeared on the blog once before, I wear this dress all the time. It's classic shape and adorable novelty print make it perfect for almost any occasion, and it always makes me so happy to be wearing it.
With the drop in temperature, I was able to heighten the strawberries, tonally matching most of the outfit to it, with various shades of light pink in the tights, cardigan, and belt.
Of course, I couldn't resist the idea of dress a little like the fruit itself by wearing green on the end of my own stems.
Dress: Joe Fresh, Real Canadian Super Store, Prince George

Cardigan: Thrifted, Value Village, Vancouver

Belt: H&M

Shoes: Old Navy (very old)

Necklace: Gifted, Mom and Dad, Tiffany's
And a very special thanks to Karleigh for taking these excellent pictures in the library at Simmons. All good library school students use the library for blog pictures, not reference and research. xoxo Anna Rae

Reds and Lilacs

This ruffled shirt has become a staple in my pattern mixing wardrobe. When I wear this skirt, I usually like to highlight the pairing of red and pink because I love the combination, but when I was staying with Toni, she kept talking about how much she loved lilac and red together, so I decided to highlight the two while wearing this skirt.

Shirt: Joe Fresh, Real Canadian Super Store, Prince George

Skirt: Thrifted by Erin

Shoes: Payless

Belt: on Thrifted dress (Salvation Army, Lancaster)
What are your favorite color combinations to wear? xoxo Anna Rae

Yacht Club Application

In this very nautical outfit, don't you just want to immediately admit me into your yacht club? Please focus on the anchor-printed tee, the bright boat shoes, the blue and white striped belt, and the whistle necklace if you aren't immediately convinced.

My mom hemmed these shorts for me from my high-waisted pants that, while a remarkable thrift store find, hit my ankles at a weird length and were maybe a bit too high-waisted for dress pants. As shorts that slightly resemble bloomers and certainly remind me of the 1940s, I think they're near perfect.

I thought this outfit was the perfect way to introduce my new boat shoes. I've been wanting a pair for a while now, drooling over Sperry's online for quite some time, and when I found this shockingly bright pink pair on sale at Payless, I took it as fate. Boat shoes, to me, are a great summer alternative to sneakers. They look great with shorts, casual skirts, and cuffed jeans, and they are comfortable, durable, and so nautical.
Shirt: Joe Fresh, Real Canadian Superstore, Prince George

Shorts: Thrifted and hemmed from pants, Alabaster Attic thrift store, Greensburg

Shoes: Payless

Belt: Vintage, on dress, Eons, Pittsburgh

Necklace: Front and Company, Main Street, Vancouver

Sunglasses: The Hills, Kerrisdale, Vancouver

If I seem a little exhausted in these pictures, it's because I was! My cousin took them after six hours of setting up and attending a high school graduation party. Phew. The summer life of leisure can be exhausting. xoxo Anna Rae

Middle School Shopping Habits

Middle school was, for me, a time to buy the same clothes as my friends, to prove that we were indeed best friends, but in different colors, because of course we were still individuals. Erin and I revitalized the middle school approach to shopping at the Joe Fresh store in downtown Vancouver, purchasing this cardigan (and these skirts) in its different variations of black and white. Erin's styling of the cardigan can be seen here for those of you with a fondness for side by side comparison.
Despite my serious commitment to the color blocking trend, I still really love wearing one pop of color with black and white patterns, and, to me, red is by far the best color for this job. Aside from this color, I felt like each piece in the outfit had a pair. The beautiful detailing in the cardigan -- the back is seriously amazing -- was highlighted by the other black-and-white patterned piece, the polka dot scarf used as a belt.
I also layered my metallics with the brooch on the tank top -- a fun way to add interest without color.
Cardigan: Joe Fresh, downtown Vancouver store

Tank top: Joe Fresh, downtown Vancouver store

Skirt: Thrifted and hemmed, St. Vincent de Paul, Latrobe

Scarf: Made (by mom) after hemming thrifted dress

Brooch: Self-made, from headband from Kohl's

Sunglasses: Gifted by Erin, the Bay

Shoes: Target

This outfit feels both fun and chic, even if it was a bit dressy for running errands at the grocery store, Walmart (the glamorous location of the shoot), and Kinko's. xoxo Anna Rae

Strawberry Prints Forever

I bought this dress at the Real Canadian Super Store in Prince George, and I am so excited that I was able to catch it on clearance. I love novelty prints, and this sweet, playful print works so well with the classic shape of the dress.
I played up the fun print with these outrageous sunglasses, and added my pearls to highlight the vintage feel of the dress's cut. I added a metallic belt and sandals as subtle neutrals.
Dress: Joe Fresh, Real Canadian Superstore, Prince George

Sunglasses: H&M

Belt: Target

Shoes: Gap

Necklace: Gifted, Erin
Wearing this outfit was the perfect way to browse the high end stores at the King of Prussia mall while staying with my friend Priya over the weekend. I made one very exciting purchase from the very nice end of the mall, and I can't wait to debut it on the blog. xoxo Anna Rae