That's Not My Name

I stalk clothes. When I first discovered that Nanette Lepore had produced both dresses and blouses with a print of boys' names in script I knew I had to own one of them. The print also came in pink on black and I would buy it as well if I could!
As an English PhD student I of course love font as pattern, and adore the way you can't really tell what the print is unless you look closely. There is also something so deliciously retro and tongue-in-cheek about having "Ralph", "John", and "Harry" emblazoned on a conservative blouse.
A black skirt, pearl studs, and simple turquoise flats set off the top without competing with it.
Blouse: Nanette Lepore, Ebay

Skirt: Teenflo, Winners

Shoes: Banana Republic, Ebay

Photos by my lovely fiancée Reece, whose name sadly doesn't appear.

Puppy Love

I'm a cat person. But when dogs get little bows and become printed onto silk chiffon it makes me feel like switching sides. I like my novelty prints rendered on the twee-est shapes possible, and the ruffles and tiered sleeves of this top fit the bill perfectly. Novelty prints always feel a bit 1940s to me (my favourite dressing decade) so I tucked them into a tweed pencil skirt with the slightest of fishtail hems. The hem also features an asymmetrical frayed ruffle, keeping it from being too derivative.
I just had to match the Scotty dogs' bows with my shoes. I recently purchased this patent pair so I can continue to wear red pumps in inclement weather, as my suede ones are just not Vancouver friendly. The pointy toe makes them a bit more vampy, but the low heel keeps them walkable.
Blouse: Femme de Carriere

Skirt: Nanette Lepore, Holt Refrew (on summer clearance)

Shoes: Vince Camuto, Winners

Thanks to Mono for her photography!

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

Candied Camera

Anna and I may have different style, but one thing we both do often is overdress. For the final exam, teachers often dress down, but I decided it was time to embrace the last day of the summer workplace dressing. The star attraction is, of course, my saltwater taffy blouse. I like it best with pink (of course) and used turquoise accents to keep it appropriately saccharine. These perfect patent pumps are Expression, The Bay's poorly named footwear house brand. Almost all of their shoes are classic shapes in leather (the heels have leather soles) at a low price point that often gets marked down. My black and white flats are also Hudson's Bay specials. Blouse: Kate Spade, Amazon.com
Skirt: Halogen, Nordstrom.com
Necklace: Sam Moon (in The Woodlands TX)
Shoes: Expression, The Bay
Sunglasses: Kate Spade, Winners

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

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