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

Anchors Away

I am really in love with today's outfit. As soon as I purchased this shirt, I knew that I wanted to wear it with my anchor skirt for an amazing novelty print-on-novelty print look. Who could pass up the opportunity to match their anchors with even more anchors? I wish I had more options for making outfits like this one.
I felt a tad like I was attending a British prep school in the outfit, so I thought I'd just run with the feeling and wear my oxfords with crew cut socks. An outfit perfect for its occasion -- finally seeing the last of the Harry Potter movies!
The chain that came with my pen whistles broke, but instead of just letting them sit tragically unused until I find a great replacement, I added them to my Tiffany's key necklace. While I wouldn't want this look all the time -- the key is a great piece on its own -- I really like what it added to the outfit.
Skirt: Gifted, Erin, H&M Paris

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

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

Necklace: Gifted, Mom and Dad, Tiffany's/Front and Company, Main Street, Vancouver
In case you are also dragging your feet on getting to the theater (I just didn't want it to end!), I'll warn you now -- bring tissues. I'm lucky I saw the movie alone because no one can make me cry like Harry Potter was making me cry today. xoxo Anna Rae

Putting on the Ritz

Although I'm usually overdressed for most events in my life -- work, going to the mall, hanging out with my friends -- I don't normally have the opportunity to really dress up. Yesterday, my brother's friend got married, and it was perfect excuse to wear this dress that I bought at King of Prussia mall, which I mentioned in this post.
I love this dress! I love its classic shift shape, the detailing on the trim, and the subtle animal print. To play up the gold thread sewn through the dress, I wore my gold headband and oversized pearls.
The tiny pearl earrings went well with the classic style of the dress and the purse was a perfect metallic match and a great pop of color and print.
And look at the shoes! A real pair of heels! One could even call them pumps. I love them and can't wait to wear again -- I think they'll work as a great neutral for other formal occasions.
Dress: DKNY, King of Prussia

Shoes: Poetic License, Zappo's

Necklace: Gifted, Erin

Headband: Gifted, Elana

Purse: Market in Thailand

Sunglasses: Joe Fresh, Real Canadian Super Store
I don't normally spend so much on a dress, and very rarely shop in high end stores, but I think this dress -- with its classic shape and just enough details to make it special -- was well worth it. xoxo Anna Rae

Toucan Tango

While the East experiences a heat wave, here in Vancouver summer has yet to truly arrive. So I brought it myself in the form of a tropical bird print.I love the combination of a print that looks like it belongs on a muumuu with the sassy neckline and ruffles. Also did I mention it has a bird on it? I wore metallic sandals yet again, this time in bronze, and showed off the racerback with a high bun and dangly earrings. My jacket is a cropped take on the trench in linen with a subtle gold sheen. I bought it about 5 years ago and it never seems to look dated.Blouse: Banana Republic
Jeans: Citizens of Humanity, Hills of Kerrisdale
Sandals: Rocket Dog, BeyondtheRack.com
Jacket: Mac &Jac, Winners
Earrings: Gifted, my Mom
Sunglasses: Kate Spade, Winners

Second Helpings

Some days, I find the logistics of fashion blogging to be quite challenging. Today, for example, I wore a fully thrifted outfit (minus the shoes) for the Every Body Every Wear challenge: Thrift Edition, only to realize halfway through work that I would have needed to wear this outfit yesterday or (absolutely not) wake up early enough to post the pictures before work. So, instead of being part of the collective, I posed in my very Working Girl outfit looking a little sad and alone.
Just like the ruffle on top of the bow in my last post, I love both ties in this outfit. I really, really like the idea of a pussy bow or limp tie. It's one of those styles that will always look retro in a way that I really love. This blouse is a bit formal, but I think the rolled sleeves did it some good. And the pop of color scarf is by far my favorite part of this outfit. Thrifting 101: Always look at the scarves. They're usually a dollar and almost always in great condition.
Shorts (hemmed): Thrifted, Alabaster's Attic Church Thrift Store, Greensburg

Blouse: Thrifted, Alabaster's Attic Church Thrift Store, Greensburg

Scarf: Thrifted, Salvation Army, Lancaster

Shoes: Target (I have thrifted shoes, but I couldn't find one of the pair I wanted to wear this morning and these were sitting by the door so nicely)
And if you squint/zoom: my toes are neon green, which matched the scarf belt quite well.

Watching My Tone

Plaid, bows, ruffles, and stripes may seem a bit overwhelming for one outfit, especially a work outfit, but the muted color palette and the near-perfect tonal match (in my favorite -- purple) really help to keep the outfit under control.
I love how well the colors blended, and the twee overload of the ruffle over the bow.
I kept the rest of the outfit simple with small pearl earrings and metallic shoes. The teal sunglasses were a fun after-work touch, celebrating the fact that the eye doctor has given my sad eyes the okay to wear my contacts again.
Skirt: Purr, South Granville, Vancouver

Shirt: Joe Fresh, Real Canadian Superstore, Prince George

Sunglasses: H&M

Shoes: Thrifted, Goodwill, Etown, Target

I can't wait to repeat this outfit in the fall with tights and my cream cardigan. xoxo Anna Rae

All The Pretty Horses

Yes Virginia, that is a zebra pencil skirt. A consignment shop purchase, it's a piece that brings the pizazz to professional.

While a sleeveless blouse made an excellent warm-weather compliment, I'm hoping the skirt isn't too summery to work with sweaters in the fall. I'd love to hear your styling suggestions in the comments!
If you had pink patent pumps you'd stare at them too.

Skirt: No brand name, La Belle Vie Consignment in Kerrisdale

Blouse: Nanette Lepore, Nordstrom's Rack Seattle

Shoes: Coach, Ebay

Necklace: Joe Fresh, Real Canadian Superstore

Belt: Gap

Wear, Rinse, Repeat

I loved my all black and white outfit from earlier this week so much that I had to repeat it, although this time I couldn't help adding a pop of colour. I had been looking for a chunky orange necklace for a long time and finally found this perfect one at Winners. The best part about black and white dressing is versatility. I can wear this top and shoes with any colour cardigan, shoe, or accessory year-round. It's like packing for your life. Because our weather has been bordering on sadistic, I wore my amazing new H&M trench. I was actually cutting through the store on my way to the bus when its ikat-like animal print stopped me in my tracks. Trench: H&M
Necklace: Winners
Top: Joe Fresh, Real Canadian Superstore
Capris: Old Navy
Flats: Expression, The Bay

Like Mother, Like Daughter

My mom and I don't share many of the same style opinions, but one thing we've always agreed on is how we love the pairing of navy blue and hot pink. This blue isn't that navy and this pink isn't that hot, but I still really love the look of the colors together. To add even more color fun, I wore my yellow shoes, because, especially in the summer, most especially this summer of color blocking, yellow is basically a neutral.
I really like the idea of mixing big prints with small ones. The small polka dots are underwhelming enough for the louder sweater -- a gift from Erin, as are all of my favorite hand-me-downs. My favorite part of this outfit is how feminine it is: dainty flower necklace, the floral cardigan, lace collar, pearl buttons. You'd never guess I was working at a plant that manufactures gas connectors while wearing it.
Dress: Thrifted, Salvation Army, Lancaster

Cardigan: Gifted, Erin, The Loft

Neckalce: Camilla as a graduation/goodbye present

Shoes: Target

Belt: H&M
Don't worry, I'm not crazy enough to wear an outfit like this in an actual plant, just in its office. The only time I venture out onto the plant floor is to get a Diet Coke from the vending machine, so between 1 and 5 times a day. xoxo Anna Rae

Domino Effect

Inspired by Kate Spade's colour of the month, black and white, I constructed an outfit around the crisp contrast that only these opposites can bring. Keeping with the opposite theme, I also tackled a fashion don't: white on the bottom. Figure-flattery wisdom holds that you wear white on your smallest body part, not your largest, and that white pants are for size six and under. As a double-digit-size-wearing lady, I say do the don't.Monochromatic does not have to mean uninteresting. Stripes and the contrast of chiffon layers with crisp denim creates depth in a simple look. Resisting the urge to choose a bright shoe, I went with metallic flats and a shiny necklace for sparkle. Blazer: Tristan
Capris: Tommy Hilfiger, Winners
Necklace: Banana Republic
Shoes: Tory Burch, Ebay (there are many fakes online: if the price is too good to be true, it is)
Blouse: Club Monaco

Thank you to my lovely co-worker Pat for the photos