Welcome to Boston!

Finally -- a post from Boston! Forgive the delay, but the adjustment of the new city, new apartment, new school, new job, and no air conditioning has left most of my outfits uninspired or exact repeats. Today, I was both a teacher and a student, and wanted to look professional for my classes, especially the one I taught in the morning.
Although I want it to be fall weather, it was still 80 degrees today. To compromise what I want with what I have to deal with, I wore one of my favorite summer dresses with dark brown and gold accessories.
The belt, to me, really helped to form the outfit and to make it seem suitable for fall. The belt inspired the shoes, and once I had the two, the necklace was an obvious choice. I don't like to wear anything too crazy on my first day of teaching a new class. But don't worry, I'm sure the syllabus printed on bright yellow paper alerted the students that they might be in for some sartorial amusement.
Dress: Adrianna Papell, Nordstrom's

Belt: Target

Locket: Gifted, Mom and Dad

Shoes: American Eagle (old)
Now that I have a great hallway for photographs and a willing friend to take them -- thanks Jan! -- I hope to be back to regular posting. xoxo Anna Rae

Getting my Land Legs

Although I'll admit that I often overdress most days, usually people assume I'm more dressed up than I think I am because they equate dresses with dressy. This dress is a great example of how wearing a a dress does not mean dressing up. In fact, my cousin Elana calls this my Little Mermaid dress because it reminds her of the canvas that Ariel wraps herself in when she finally gets legs (a refresher at the end of the video). It's both incredibly comfortable, but also stylish and casual.
I paired the dress with slightly nautical accessories, perhaps inspired by the Under the Sea references. I love the way the classic blue and white stripe on the belt works with the blue and white design on the beads. My brown slip-ons, a summer favorite, felt just as effortless (even though it's never without effort) and casual as the rest of the outfit.
Dress: Boutique in Notting Hill, London

Necklace: Market in Thailand

Belt: Vintage, on dress from Eons, Pittsburgh

Shoes: Thrifted, Alabaster's Attic Church Thrift Store, Greensburg
My necklace is from Thailand and my dress is from a small store in Notting Hill, London. I love wearing pieces that I bought when traveling because each time I wear them, they remind me of my great trips and memories. xoxo Anna Rae

Ribbon Wrapped Roses

I think polka dots and florals are my favourite two prints for mixing, especially when the dots are as subtle as the ones on my Kate Spade bag. I purchased it from Amazon.com's 'Warehouse Deals' section, an amazing venue for gently used (think purchased and returned) shoes and bags at deep discounts. Search by shoe size, since most are one-offs. This silk dress is a consignment store purchase by Tara Jarmon, an under-the-radar designer also responsible for my polka-dot dress. I waited for the price to go down and hoped that nobody else would buy it, (consignment items are usually reduced at regular intervals) and pounced when the price was right.A detailed Joe Fresh cardigan warded off summer breezes. The row of bows and gentle gathering compliment the light femininity of the print beautifully. Cardigan: Joe Fresh, Real Canadian Superstore
Dress: Tara Jarmon, Shine West Broadway
Purse: Kate Spade, Amazon.com warehouse deals
Shoes: Steve Madden. Freedman's
Necklace: Tiffany's, Gifted

La Vie en Rose

I bought this dress on mega sale at Kohl's last week, imagining how I would pair it with edgier pieces in the fall -- textured black tights, Doc Marten's, my Military-inspired sweater, without even thinking about how it was the perfect summer dress for these hot August days.
Like Erin said, the great thing about a patterned dress is that you don't have to do much to it to make it a great outfit. A matching belt, necklace with roses to match its print and some black shoes were all I needed to feel very fashionable.

I sort of cheated a bit when coming up with accessories because I wore both this necklace and these shoes for Toni's wedding on Saturday. The black roses on the necklace were a perfect match to the dress, and I couldn't resist an accessory repeat.
Dress: Elle, Kohl's

Shoes: Anne Klein, Zappo's

Necklace: Gifted, Cammy (from a vintage shop in Stockholm)

Belt: H&M
Are you similarly feeling a little bored with your summer dresses? Anything new inspiring you for this last month of very warm weather? xoxo Anna Rae

Printed Materials

A printed dress is pretty much dressing for dummies. It makes a big impact for as little effort as zipping a zipper. The downside, however, is that unlike my endless parade of black and white and bright separates, it cannot be combined into endless permutation of outfits.
Still, the conservative neck and hemlines and cool linen fabric make it the perfect summer work dress, even if I do need to remember to stand up straight to avoid wrinkles.
Regular reader have probably noticed my affinity for wedges and these brown ones exemplify why I love to rock a graduated heel: comfort and leg flattery. Even though their colour is at the very bottom of my favourites list (like my six-year-old self I still love pink and loath brown) they work with many of my summer teaching dresses.
Dress: Vero Moda, Plum Clothing

Shoes: Steven by Steve Madden, Zappos

On Repeat

Since I bought this dress when I was in Vancouver, I've worn this outfit about once a week. It's such a fun, comfortable summer dress and works well with all of my favorite accessories this summer: my hot pink belt, teal sunglasses, coral flats, and peacock necklace.
I love how the pink and coral work with the colors in the dress and the sunglasses and necklace off set them, making the outfit even more colorful.
Dress: Joe Fresh, stand alone store, downtown Vancouver

Belt: Target

Shoes: Target

Sunglasses: H&M

Necklace: Romwe
My favorite part of this dress? How it manages to combine two great prints -- stripes and polka dots! xoxo Anna Rae

Canadian Tuxedo

Consider this a belated Canada Day post honouring the fashion missteps of my people. Besides, when one doesn't have a red hat with maple leaves like the Duchess of Cambridge, all other patriotic gear seems sub par. Rather than head-to-toe jeans wear, the pleated cummerbund and ruffled neckline of this denim dress are a more subtle homage to the Canadian tuxedo.But the real stars of this simple outfit, however, are my gingham wedges. These shoes make me very happy. And very tall. Dress: CK Calvin Klein Jeans, Winners
Wedges: Cynthia Rowley for Roxy, Roxy.com
Necklace: Tiffany, Gifted
Sunglasses: Kate Spade Franca, Amazon.com

Resort Wear

I've never been a particular fan of the white summer dress before, mostly because I'm quite spilly, both in the sense that I often spill things on myself and in the sense that I'm constantly taking spills. When I saw this dress at Target, I decided to take a chance and purchase the summer staple. Obviously, I fell in love.
My favorite part of this dress is how the beaded neckline makes it unique enough to be an interesting outfit all by itself. The beginning summer dress code of a dress, a belt, and some sandals is liberating. I'm sure I'll miss my cardigans -- although how great does this tan one look against the white? Who knew neutrals could be so lovely paired together -- but for now I'm quite pleased with the relaxed, easy dress code.
Because the outfit was quite simple, I thought I could wear a pair of my bolder earrings. I love wearing earrings that are longer than my hair; it makes me feel so chic.
Dress: Calypso St. Barth for Target

Belt: Target

Shoes: Old Navy

Cardigan: New York and Co.

Earrings: Jewelry store in Malaga

I now absolutely understand the appeal of resort collections. 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

Summer Brights

Today is my first official day of summer, and I'm celebrating with sunglasses, straw hat, and some color blocking.
The trend of color blocking has been really great for remixing my wardrobe. I feel so much braver when throwing together three different solids (purple, lime green, and coral) with a printed sundress whose main colors don't quite match (blue, pink red). The result, I think, is fun and bright.
I love my new lime green belt -- a recent thrift store find -- and pairing it with my coral shoes. Coral has definitely been my favorite color this season, and lime green might be my new favorite for its complement.

This peacock necklace, from the same shop as the telephone, fit in perfectly with all of the colors in the outfit. I have a special fondness for peacocks, as most people who love bright colors probably do.

Dress: American Eagle

Sweater: Old Navy

Belt: Thifted, Goodwill, Etown, Liz Claiborne

Shoes: Target

Necklace: Romwe

Hat: Vintage, Arterie, Montreal

I'll be soaking up the sunshine with my cousin and today's photographer Melissa for the rest of the day. xoxo Anna Rae

I'm a little late with this entry -- but I'd love to start participating in Cute and Little's Color Brigade. This outfit seems like a great start.

Happy Days are Here Again

Today was one of those amazing 65-degree days that somehow appear in the middle of winter. Even though 65 isn't quite a tropical temperature, it felt warm enough that once I came home from school, I had to immediately change out of my thick tights and grey sweater and find the brightest and lightest thing I could wear.

I love this Liberty of London dress. My excursion to Target with Erin and subsequent late-night ordering off of their website is one of my favorite fashion adventures, and the memories always come back once I put the dress on. I know I wear this cardigan more than I probably should, but forgive me this one overdose. How could I not want to rewear it now that Emma Pillsbury gave it her seal of approval?
Instead of the blue ribbon that came with the dress, I chose to belt it with this polka-dot belt from another dress, both playing up the coral-blue color combination and adding a small dose of pattern mixing. I wore my button bracelet because I felt like it adhered to the whimsical feel of the outfit and it made the black of my boots seem a little less harsh in contrast to the bright Spring colors of the rest of the outfit.
Dress: Liberty of London for Target

Belt: from Thrifted dress, Salvation Army, Lancaster

Cardigan: Anthropologie

Bracelet: Gifted, Camilla

Boots: Gifted, Mom and Dad, Zappo's, Chinese Laundry

I know that the weather can't stay like this for much longer, but it already has me looking forward to Spring! xoxo Anna Rae