Concrete Jungle

I rarely take 'going out' photos, an oversight I hope to remedy despite the challenges of evening photography. I braved Yaletown hecklers and unflattering streetlights just to bring you these shots of my new black and white animal print haircalf pumps .

The outfit that I wore for drinks with the ladies consists of items I wear to teach. Because I am on a limited budget, I try for most of my purchases to be both business casual and cocktail cute. That way moving from academic life into nightlight just requires more daring coordination and thicker eyeliner. The majority of your wardrobe should be wearable to more than one type of event, even it it means your students will write about your shoes in your course evaluations.

Blazer and Pumps: Zara

Blouse: Club Monaco

Jeans: Paige Premium, Zappos.com

Necklace: Vintage, Etsy

Bag: Kate Spade, Kate Spade Outlet

Khaki Kaleidoscope

Not since my misguided and oversized cargo pant phase have I allowed the crispness of khaki to touch my skin, but when I saw this cute Banana Republic skirt at my local thrift store ($4!) I figured it was time to forgive past indiscretions.I topped the skirt with my impressionist blouse and tortoiseshell necklace to complement the beigey brushstrokes, while a lilac cardigan added a layer of interest.I am surprised at how much I like the final effect, especially since I was a little apprehensive about the skirt's short hemline, the shortest I have worn since my aforementioned cargo pant days.
Skirt: Thrifted, SOS Thrift shop Kerrisdale (originally Banana Republic)
Blouse: Ann Taylor Loft
Cardigan: Gap
Necklace: Joe Fresh, Real Canadian Superstore
Shoes: Zara

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

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

Summer Poaching

The last time I wore this lovely snow cheetah/leopard print dress it was early spring and I paired it with tights and a wide belt. For this hunting season, I embraced its somewhat shapeless but swingy shape as a reflection of summer ease. I still can't get enough of black and white and yellow together. I am on the lookout for more brightly coloured chunky necklaces to keep up my accessorising game.Without tights this hemline is too short for wearing with anything other than the flattest of flats. Dress: Zara
Jacket: Vero Moda, The Bay (very old)
Necklace: Le Chateau
Shoes: Restricted, Amazon.com

Unnatural Selection

What is underneath this jacket will not come as a surprise to any faithful readers (and likely was not unexpected for my students either): animal print.

Why would I add yet another leopard to my menagerie? Because it's pink! I adore the classic-with-a-twist sensibility of coloured animal prints like green leopard or blue zebra.Because of the pinks, this print almost reads as a floral, which I why I topped it with a vintage tone-on-tone brooch. Brooches work just as well on prints as solids, so experiment!

This blouse is a perfect example of a budget Ebay find. It's Banana Republic, so I knew it would fit, and my sole $5.99 bid (plus $2 shipping) took it home. Most of Banana Republic's blouses are silk rather than polyester, and are great value. Browse for your favourite brand and see what you find.

My cut-out pointy-toed flats finally skipped their last, so I replaced them with this beautiful patent pair. I was really looking for another version with toe cut-outs, but the flat bows are so beautiful it was an easy compromise.

Blouse: Banana Republic, Ebay
Jacket: Mac and Jac, La Belle Vie Consignment Kerrisdale
Capris: Gap
Brooch: Vintage, Etsy
Flats: Restricted, Amazon.com

The Bluestocking Society

Educating young adults about 18th century Bluestockings: a great way to spend an hour. Doing it while wearing blue stockings? A true Ms. Frizzle moment.

This dress is rendered work appropriate by a top-buttoned cardigan. It has a slightly cleavage-baring keyhole cutout at the front and another at the back, but the cardigan takes it from cocktail wear to classroom appropriate.

Dress: Tara Jarmon, Hill's of Kerrisdale

Tights: Joe Fresh, Real Canadian Superstore

Cardigan: Banana Republic

Brooch: Vintage, Etsy

Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction, Joneve South Grandville

Lacing up

This outfit marks the debut of my new lace-up heeled oxfords. I first spotted them in Lucky magazine, and, as regular readers might be able to guess, I was defenseless when confronted by their black and white colour scheme and twee sensibility. To make the shoes the focus, I paired them with slim cropped pants.

Echoing the shoes is my favourite spring find from Joe Fresh, a trompe l'oeil lace take on a Breton stripe tee, along with a fun layered necklace for sparkle.

The shoes might have been compared to both bowling and golf footwear today, but I still love them.

Shoes: Bass, shoebuy.com

Pants: DKNYC, DKNY outlet

Tshirt: Joe Fresh, Real Canadian Superstore

Cardigan: Line, beyondtherack.com

Necklace: Joe Fresh, Real Canadian Superstore

Earrings: Banana Republic

Thanks for the pictures Dad!

Red Letter Day

When lecturing on a Monday morning it is advisable to have some sort of sartorial distraction to keep the stragglers engaged. Yesterday it was red tights. While they would have been more appropriate for teaching about Chaucer's Wife of Bath ("hir hosen weren of fyn scarlet reed," proving that fashion is nothing if not cyclical) they gave me some pep in my step nonetheless

Houndstooth is the logical pairing for legs like these, and because this dress is a thick wool its heft toned down the screaming scarlet.

I kept things tongue-in-cheek with yet another telephone brooch and bow earrings. I may have attracted some stares on public transit, but I am still looking forward to bringing these tights out again.

Tights: Kate Spade, Ebay

Cardigan: Banana Republic

Dress: Lauren Ralph Lauren, The Bay

Wedges: Cole Haan, Freedman's South Grandville

Brooch: Vintage, Etsy

Earrings: Vintage, The Salvation Army Kerrisdale

Feline Frenzy

Surveying my closet after a post-Christmas shopping trip to Seattle, I came to the realization that my wardrobe might be showing an early propensity (in the form of multiple leopard prints) to to becoming a crazy cat lady. Or maybe I'm just becoming my Nana (she may be gone but her floor-length leopard vest and matching bodysuit live on!). Look for many more manifestations of this pattern preoccupation in posts to come. And let me know if you think there is such a thing as too much animal print in the comments...

The star of this outfit, however, was not the cardigan but the beautiful cameo I was gifted for Christmas by my best friend Kelly. I think her exquisite taste in accessories elevates this look to another level. The bulk of the chain and the frosted glass relief give the necklace real presence, allowing it to stand out even amid ruffles and leopard spots.

A final, more subtle touch was flesh toned fishnet knee highs. Like their full-length sisters, they provide the comfort and respectability of a nude stocking without the fuddy duddy.

Necklace: Gifted, Kelly

Flats: Zara

Knee Highs: Winners

Jeans: Paige Premium, Fab Kerrisdale

Blouse: Esprit, The Bay

Cardigan: JCrew, Ebay

Yellow Haze(ing)

Why hello there! What's that hiding in the bottom of the frame? Are those (mustard) yellow tights? Yes indeed they are and they are fabulous!When I joined the blog the lovelies Anna and Libby invited (dared?) me to join their jaundiced jaune jambes and sheath my stems in saffron. Challenge accepted ladies!

I kept the rest of my outfit simple because clearly everyone would be mesmerized by the tights. The skirt is a recent post-Christmas super clearance item that I bought because of the houndstooth even though (as previously noted) I am not a big fan of skirts. I must say that wearing a skirt all day reinforced my aversion-- it orbited around my waist like an asteroid belt and tried to make a break for my armpits every time I moved too aggressively. What am I doing wrong? If you know, avid skirt wearers, please fill me in the comments!

While the tights are pretty spectacular, my favourite part of the look is the novelty brooch. One part whimsy, one part kitsch, and one part E.T., it reminds us all to do the right thing.

Tights: Gap

Skirt: DKNYC, The Bay

Cardigan: Banana Republic

Camisole: Zeller's (WHICH TARGET JUST BOUGHT!!! AMAZING!!!)

Brooch: Vintage, Etsy

Green groweth the holly

In honour of the winter solstice, I thought I would celebrate the Yule tradition of bringing evergreen holly, ivy, and mistletoe into the home in the way I know best: through clothing. Besides, my black thumb has already killed my poinsettia a week before Christmas so staying with silk greenery is probably a safer bet.
This blouse also gave me the opportunity to wear a beloved green charm bracelet that I love but rarely wear because I can't type with it on. And of course I wore it black and white. Henry VIII might have pretended to be as faithful as the holly remains green but I am a truly steadfast lover of black and white no matter the season.

Blouse: Nanette Lepore, Ebay
Cardigan: JCrew Factory Outlet
Necklace and Bracelet: Vintage, Etsy
Jeans: Paige Premium, FAB Kerrisdale
Flats: Expression, The Bay

Mixed Showers, Mixed Patterns

I am so glad I bought these fancy rainboots! (previously seen here and here) What might have seemed like the silliest purchase ever has made dressing for drizzle more of a joy than a chore. Adding to the silver lining? Stripes and polka dots. As recommended by many a magazine editorial, I kept the colours in the same family and the size of print similar for maximal mixing magic.

I love this blouse of course because of its polka dots (my nominee for the greatest print of all time) but also because the dots are actually slightly irregular splotches. Less visible in the photo but equally wonderful is the giant bow at the neck. My taste might be predictable but at least I'm consistent!

Blouse: Jacob

Cardigan: Club Monaco

Belt: Joe Fresh, Real Canadian Superstore

Jeans: Hudson, Fab Kerrisdale

Boots: Kate Spade, Ebay

Brooch: Vintage, Etsy

Miss Nelson is Missing

On Friday I got to play substitute teacher for the lovely Jenna. Since she warned me that her class was a rowdy bunch, I wore my best "literature is good for you" glasses, "what do you mean you don't know what a thesis is" boots, and "shut up, sit down and try to participate" blazer.

Despite my discipline and punish intent, my outfit still had lots of lovely detail: frayed edges and velvet trim on the blazer, crystal sparkle, and silk pleats. I love the look of a non-tailored top with a tailored blazer for contrast.

Miss Viola Swamp was definitely in town.

Blazer: Vintage Banana Republic, Etsy

Blouse: Joe Fresh, Real Canadian Superstore

Jeans: Gap

Boots: Zara

Necklace: Thrifted, The Salvation Army Kerrisdale

Despite my apparent glee at being the meanest substitute teacher in the whole world, I stepped in for an important reason. Jenna, my photographer extraordinaire, is having very serious surgery next week. So if you know her, and even if you don't, please send good thoughts or prayers or even wishes for the perfect pair of shoes on sale her way. Thank you.

Earning My Stripes

Purple. Zebra Print. Wedges. What's not to love? Bonus points because this dress is comfy, stretchy cotton so I was able to look professional and unwrinkled (I had an evening staff meeting at work) after a day of writing and errands.

Simple accessories were all I needed. I will admit to having three black beaded necklaces (all varying lengths and sizes) because they are just that versatile. Plus even cheap plastic ones can approximate jet! Let's give a shout out to these amazing mary jane wedges. I wear them often because they are pleather with a rubber wedge, making them super rain-resistant and keep my feet dry. Expect to see them a lot this winter!

Dress: Moon Sample, Turnabout Consignment (both Turnabout and Front consignment stores sell new but deeply discounted sample garments)

Cardigan: JCrew, Ebay

Necklace: LeChateau

Shoes: Kenneth Cole Reaction, Joneve South Grandville

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