A Crisp, Clean Start

What's fresher and cripser looking than a men's button-down? Not much, I'd say.
I paired this very masculine look with pearls and one of my favorite skirts. The skirt is very feminine with its large bow and the shirt brought out its pale blues. The pale blues, defined waist, and pearls reminded me of Betty Draper.
This shirt is about two sizes too big for me -- I often belt it and wear it over jeans for a simple, casual look. Tucking it in to such a high-waisted skirt and rolling the sleeves helped to make the shirt work well with this outfit.
To add some extra interest to my pearls, I clasped them together with my brooch. Who doesn't want to always add an extra sparkle to their outfits? Not picture in these outfit photos are my shoes -- I snagged my pantyhose while taking these pictures, and couldn't get a shot that didn't show the runs in my stockings. If anyone has a tip on how to make tights last, I'd gladly accept it.
Shirt: Thrifted, Value Village

Skirt: Purr, South Granville

Pearl necklace: Claire's

Brooch: Vintage, Arterie, Montreal

Speaking of a fresh clean start, you may have noticed the new look of the blog. I'm so excited for how amazing it looks, and would like to thank Erin for her talent with design. The vintage stocking ads fit the blog so well! xoxo Anna Rae

Things that rhyme with purple

Of all my coloured coats, my purple one gets the most wear, likely because it manages to be striking but not overpowering (Anna also has a beautiful purple coat, shown here). My yellow cardigan is another item that both Anna and I own. I love yellow with grey, black, leopard print, denim.... the list is practically endless. My favourite thing about this cardigan is the delicate chiffon ruffles, even if they do make laundry day complicated. The blouse's high neck and ruffles have a schoolmarmy vibe that I love in a blouse (plus I actually am a schoolmarm) but an abstracted leopard-looking heart print keeps it current.

I finished off the look with my new silver flats. I have had to replace silver flats in my wardrobe multiple time over the past 6 years of so because they are just that versatile. My newest pair was a bit more of an investment, but one I'm hoping will pay off in longevity. I consider one pair of metallic flats (gold, silver, pewter or even bronze) to be a necessity you might want to consider adding to your wardrobe.

Coat: Tulle, Hill's of Kerrisdale

Jeans: Hudson, Fab Kerrisdale

Blouse and Cardigan: J Crew

Flats: Tory Burch, Ebay

Winter Romps

I just can't seem to stop remixing my old summer favorites into new Fall (Winter?! It is snowing!) pieces. Today: the romper.

I know what you're saying: the pattern mixing, the layers, the tights: Anna's signature outfits are back. I was really happy about the way this came together, but there is a lot going on so let's break it down, top to bottom.I started by wearing the romper over this long-sleeved tshirt with a thicker belt, but I liked the look of the thinner belt once I added the vest and the idea of matching the nautical stripes with the small florals obviously delighted me.

The Tiffany's key necklace is amazing and can work with almost any outfit, but I try to not wear it too much, as I want to keep it a special treat. The romper, though covered, really represents summer fun and whimsy, and what's more whimsical than a key necklace? Not much.

The bottom of this outfit is by far the best. Again, the wool vest over the romper worked really well, and I matched it to my thick grey winter socks, a great addition under the boots and a nice way to contrast the color of the tights. The tights! These are actually my plaid tights wore inside out, and I have to say, they're a great solid color. Power blue!
Finally, the boots! The last of my birthday splurge on Zappos. I love these boots; they're so comfortable, but also adorable. The best part is that I can fold down the top for when I'm not wearing them with pants (or high socks).

Romper and Socks: Target

Shirt: Old Navy

Vest: Gabes

Tights: Kohl's

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

Necklace: Gifted, Mom and Dad

Belt: Vintage, Came with dress, Eons, Pittsburgh

And now, an adorable picture of me with my eyes closed, trying to hide from the cold. xoxo Anna Rae

Nothing but Blue Skies

Sometimes, you wake up too early after a bad night sleep, already feeling stressed about things that are happening or have happened, and think that some really nice weather, the kind you can take a nice, relaxing walk in, will make you feel better. Then, you look out your window and see the rainy gloom you thought you left behind in the Pacific Northwest. On days like these, it's best to pull something unseasonal from the back of your closet and make it the center piece of your outfit.

Today, I chose this summer dress I bought at American Eagle this past Spring, one of my favorite dresses from the past season. It's adorable sweetheart neckline ensured that it was interesting enough to work as the outfit's focal point, even if you would only catch a glimpse of it once it was layered under a cardigan and high-waisted skirt.

I paired the dress (as a shirt) with my cream cardigan, dark denim skirt, and black oxfords to make it appropriate for both teaching and early November weather.

The best part of this outfit? I finally had a chance to wear my robin's egg blue tights. They brightened my spirits and matched the flowers on the dress perfectly.

Dress (as shirt): American Eagle

Skirt: Thrifted by Erin, Salvation Army, Kerrisdale

Cardigan: Thrifted, Value Village, Tommy Hilfiger

Tights: Hue, Macy's

Shoes: Gifted, Mom and Dad, Zappo's, Fitzwell

I have to say Project Reverse the Effects of SAD Through Clothes had some positive results. I have to remember it for that tough week after Daylight Savings. xoxo Anna Rae

Spotted!

My outfit post reminds me of Erin: Black and White shirt, black belt, pop of color, and fun flats. Of course, Erin's outfit combined the pop of color with the fun flats, and she didn't add an embellished cardigan, but, hey, no one would argue if I claimed that my style is louder than hers.

I based the outfit around the shoes, which I love, and wanted to pair the leopard with a bright color. The red skirt seemed like a perfect match -- I love red with leopard print (although I'm already picturing the flats with green, purple, and yellow pieces). Although I love a cluttered look, even I knew that the rest of the outfit should probably consist of neutrals. The tan cardigan seemed like a fun neutral because of its almost crazy embellishment on the shoulder. I kept the shirt and belt black and white to make things as simple as possible.
I love this necklace and thought the gold went well with the buckle on the flat. Although the necklace has bulk, its neutral tones and the space it allows between it and the shirt help to make sure it doesn't overwhelm the outfit. With the fun flats and pop of color skirt, red lipstick also seemed like a must.
And, of course, a close-up of the shoes, the main attraction of today's outfit.
Sweater: New York & Company

Tank top: Target

Skirt: Thrifted, St. Vincent de Paul, Latrobe

Shoes: Gifted, Mom, Zappo's

Belt and Necklace: Gifted, Erin
This is one of my favorite outfits that I've assembled in a while. xoxo Anna Rae

A Patch of Blue

Another day, another coloured coat, this one in a beautiful robin's egg blue. Bright coats make me feel like I am making a style statement because they stand out so much against the sea of black and tan outerwear.

My beloved black and white took the form of frothy ruffles subdued with a belt and classic cardigan.

I wore metallic yellow shoes to pop against both the black and white and the sky blue. I love these shoes (and yellow shoes in general) so much that I have to restrain myself from wearing them too much lest they lose their impact. Yellow functions much like red as an accent colour in a wardrobe, but is far less common-- try it out!

Finally, a clear pendent added an extra layer of interest without being too distracting.

Coat: Tulle, Shine

Top: Ann Taylor Loft, Ebay

Cardigan: Banana Republic

Jeans: Hudson, Fab Kerrisdale

Shoes: J Crew

Necklace: Vintage, Etsy

Sunglasses: RayBan, Winners

The Best Costume for the Day

Little Edie: Socialite, Performer, Eccentric, and, perhaps most famously, subject of the documentary, Grey Gardens. The costume was a bit obscure -- only two people at the party knew who I was -- but I absolutely loved dressing up like her. It was an outfit that I would absolutely never wear under any other circumstances (mostly because I wore NO PANTS. And I love wearing bottoms. Instead, as you will see below, I have replaced pants with control-top pantyhose).
Bathing Suit: Old Navy

Scarf: Liberty of London for Target

Brooch: Thrifted, Light of Hope Church Thrift Store, Etown

Shoes: Gifted, Mom, Zappos, Fitzwell

Coat: Gifted, Erin, High school wardrobe
I'm posed with the Failing Economy, Sara Brown. And endless thanks to Fernando for taking the pictures in the Meat Locker, the coolest apartment for a Halloween party. xoxo Anna Rae