Contempo Casuals

Sometime within the last week, I noticed that the flowers in the front of our house are really quite beautiful. Much more beautiful, at the very least, than the lame spot in the hallway where I keep taking my pictures.

This outfit was inspired by one of Amanda's questions to our Style post that asked how we dressed up casual outfits. This morning I put on shorts and a tshirt -- nothing too exciting, but immediately felt that the outfit was transformed by belting the tshirt around the waist. It still stayed casual -- I even untucked it -- but once it had the belt as an interesting accessory and a means to a more flattering silhouette, I felt like I could easily wear this as "something nice."

I guess my suggestion is accessories. A tshirt and jeans is immediately interesting with statement jewelry. But, I think my real suggestion would be to know your style. I don't actually like dressing casually, so I don't spend a lot of my effort buying clothes that look casual. If you know that you like dressing casually at home, and that you're most likely to transition from sitting around the house to going out pretty quickly, make sure your around-the-house jeans are in decent shape, fit well, and in a nice wash. If you like wearing stretchy, spandex-like pants around the house, invest in a nice Lulu Lemon like pair, ones that can also be paired with a long tshirt dress and necklace in the summer or sweater and belt in the winter. If you're looking for something to wear in both non-fashionable and fashionable settings, buy some cotton tshirt dresses that are comfortable, versatile, and easy to wash.

And that's the end of my fashion advice. Back to the outfit:
This hat is one of my much-worn but rarely photographed pieces -- a common last-minute add-on for outdoor activities or to make a boring outfit a little bit more interesting. I can't wait for when it's a little bit cooler out and I can wear it with my denim button-down.

I love this plant. I love this hat. And I still like wearing dress socks and oxfords.
Shirt: Gifted by Elana, Target

Shorts: Thrifted, Value Village

Belt: Thrifted, Value Village

Shoes: Thrifted, St. Mary's Hospital Thrift Store

Hat: Arterie, Montreal

I find that the heat and humidity is trying to squelch my motivation to dress well. I know I complain about the cold, but just drop 10 degrees! Let me layer a little? xoxo Anna Rae

Picking up a Spare

I had a great date Wednesday night that included dinner, bowling, and a movie: sure-fire ingredients for time well spent. I choose a LWD and my favourite B&W-colour combination (which might remind some faithful readers of my first-ever post ).

I may have hyperventilated just a bit when I found this dress at the Salvation Army due to its embossed dot print and triple lining (which prevents any white-dress related wardrobe malfunctions). I love how the brooch picks up both the print of the dress and the colour scheme of the shoes. Sometimes accesories can be the keystone of a solid outfit.

Despite my tragic loss at the alley my outfit and co-ordinating ball (!) made me feel like I bowled a perfect game.

Dress: Thrifted, The Salvation Army

Cardigan: Gap

Brooch: Vintage, Etsy

Flats: Joe Fresh, Real Canadian Superstore

Fashion for Grown-ups

On Monday, I had an interview for a grown-up job, so I wore grown-up clothes -- the kind you buy full price, in season, from fancy places like Anthropologie.
My mom took my pictures once I was home from the interview, which means it was yet again too dark for outside pictures. Instead of standing by the cedar chest (I have another of those to post, but want to wait until I've had some more alternative location posts to bore you again with the white walls), Mom suggested we take the pictures in the kitchen. Hilarious! she says, since everyone knows you'd never be in here to cook.
My faces in both of these pictures are pretty indicative of what someone feels like after a four-hour interview and two-hour commute home. Try to focus instead on the pretty sash and helpful pockets.
Because I was interviewing, I tried to keep the dress pretty simple. Only pearl earrings and a watch for jewelry, nude fishnets, and brown flats. The possibilities to rewear this are endless though: a vintage brown leather belt, some colored tights, possibly a great pair of boots, definitely some jewelry, my locket for sure... the list is endless. Look for this one again.
The pattern of the dress and my immediate mental image of Peggy Olsen wearing it, drinking her Scotch neat, and continuing to be brilliant and sassy convinced me that, even before I tried it on, this dress had to be mine. I certainly can't afford to buy a lot from Anthropogie, but I think I made this purchase really count.
Dress: Anthropologie

Tights: Hue, Macy's

Shoes: Charlotte Russe

I'm so excited to wear this again, I'm sure it'll be a teacher staple! xoxo Anna Rae

Sometimes Glamour is Overrated

Someone once said they would like to be me for a day because my life seemed very glamourous. Well, when I'm not riding planes and dressing too formally, I do a great deal of dressing down. And why is fashion only the dressy days? I like to think that my style is the same in shorts and a t-shirt as it is in a dress and heels.

I spend the day marking in a blissfully air-conditioned Starbucks but took a break on my way home to take my first self-timer shots in my scenic back alley.

Sometimes you need a casual Tuesday.

T-Shirt: "unblocked," Etsy
Shorts: thrifted and altered jeans, The Salvation Army (originally Gap)

Shoes: Converse, Browns Shoes

Sunglasses: Joe Fresh, The Real Canadian Superstore

Fun with Art

Last week, my trip to New Jersey presented me with some sartorial challenges -- how does one stay fashionable in 100 degree heat, long days, and endless outdoor activities? My answer was, as it often is, sundresses and keeping my hair off of my face. Likely, I had just the dress and hair style -- a combination that would be both cool and as fun as Grounds for Sculpture, Princeton University, cupcakes, Anthropolgie, and college best friends.Even the panther is excited about the return of my favorite summer hair style and some fun pattern mixing.
While packing, I saw my Liberty of London dress, a favorite of course, hanging next to my polka dot dress in my closet and an outfit was created. The pairing of the dress's crazy colors and patterns with the classic black and white polka dots made this my favorite outfit from the trip.

I added the black belt to really define the dress's waist line and because I thought a navy belt might look weird with a black and white scarf. Ideally, I would have worn my black flats, but comfort and packing space won out with the flower flats.
This lion on Princeton's campus always really liked the outfit. Also, if you look closely, my favorite accessory is in this picture -- Diet Coke.
Dress: Liberty of London for Target

Belt: Gifted, Erin

Scarf: Homemade (by Karen) from thrifted dress

Shoes: Target

Yellow wristband: Proof of entry
Thanks to Janet and AlyWebb (pictured above) for picture taking, picture crashing, and hosting me in one of my favorite places to visit. xoxo Anna Rae

New Finds

This summer, which is sadly almost over, has been full of successful vacation shopping. Before I could even show you all of the great finds from Montreal, I went to Jersey for the week to buy even more cute items. Evidence of my summer success below.

This outfit was centered around the amazing, amazing vintage blouse that I found in Montreal. I love purples and pinks with grays.

My mom told me that I looked like a school marm in the outfit, a look complimented quite well by the cardigan I found in New Hope, PA -- right across the river from my beloved Jersey. The store, Love Saves the Day, was, despite having some overpriced and less than quality pieces, a pretty cool vintage store. It originated in the East Village and had some amazing pieces, including a 1940s sailor shirt I almost bought despite it not fitting.

Now, I know that I own another cream cardigan with bead work and I know that I've made fun of people for owning too many of one kind of cardigan, but look at this sweater. It's just so beautiful. I can't wait for fall so I can wear it everyday.
Cardigan: Vintage, Love Saves the Day, New Hope, PA

Shirt: Vintage, Arterie, Montreal

Dress: J. Crew Factory Outlet

Belt: Gifted, Erin

Shoes: Charlotte Russe

I also stopped in at Anthropologie this week, so start getting excited for that special purchase. xoxo Anna Rae

Come Fly Away

Going to a summer wedding on Vancouver Island required a few key acessories:wedges so I didn't sink into the grass,

A flower in my hair to match the dress,

And a DeHavilland DHC-2 Beaver Flightplane. I might have been somewhat less than graceful climbing into the plane in my party dress, but I never shy away from overdressing!

Dress: Ann Taylor, Ebay

Shoes: Ellen Tracy, Winners

Bag: Vintage, Goldie's Oldies (in Penticton and now sadly closed)

Flower: Vintage Millinary, Etsy

Float Plane: DeHavilland Beaver, Harbour Air