would-be uniform

French Connection blazer | Club Monaco blouse [similar] | Joe Fresh shorts | Zara flats [similar] | Rudsak clutch

This would be my summer uniform if I worked at one of those informal, chic offices that smile fondly upon dressy casual shorts. Alas, however, I do not. So instead, I dress far snappier than required for little weekend coffee trips downtown to get my kicks. Beware, I may just throw on some heels and call these my birthday threads next year!

Going commando

I'm not quite sure why but lately I'm just not interested in jewelry. I've accumulated so much and I love it all but I just don't want to wear it. I think it may be the simplicity of hot summer days bumming around with sweet folks and lovely eats - whatever it is, when I have to dress up I end up perplexed.

As I got ready for our anniversary dinner in Quebec City I pondered what jewelry I would wear with this dress. I brought it all but felt like none of it. Luckily, a much more decisive me packed our overnight bag and chose to bring a dress that doesn't require much else. Black zipper, soft pleats, case closed; I'm adorned. Hopefully this feeling will go away with arrival of the fall air - my blazers are missing my necklaces.

Romance & Wild Flowers

I couldn't help but pick a bouquet of beautiful wild flowers as we left Trois-Rivière headed for Quebec City. Unfortunately for the flowers they died quite promptly. At least we'll always have this moment together - me, proud I gathered a little bouquet. them, happy they fit so well in my little the bag - before we said adieu.

Hidden Gems

french connection blazer | LovelyGirl blouse | Talula shorts [similar] | nude pumps [similar] | vintage clutch

Some days I just don't have the lady balls to take outfit shots in public. I'm a shy, introvert of a girl at heart and the thought of standing exposed to passers-by can, at times, be a little more than I can muster. Unfortunately these fits of timid don't understand the inconvenience when they occur on a particularly stylish day. On these days I tend to hide behind churches, schools and other public buildings with nooks, crannies and empty parking lots. Today's post was made possible by one lovely little neighbourhood church.

Summer Chiffun

H&M skirt [similar] | American Apparel chiffon | Zara flats [similar] | Rudsak clutch [similar]

There's nothing like a little Chiffon in the summer to make you feel truly fancy free. I bought this top back in early spring, hung it in my closet and have tip toed around it ever since. I knew I liked it, I was just unsure of how to style it.

Enter, my little sister. When she visits, she loves to pop over early and spend some quality time with my closet - looking, touching, trying her favourites on. One night before dinner she was doing her thing and decided that what she was wearing just wouldn't do! Being so familiar with my closet she quickly pulled together a couple pieces and we were off. This blouse, her skirt, cute ballet flats - it's almost as though she planned it before she even arrived... 

That's how sisters work. She steals my clothing I steal her inspiration and we come out even.

friends in perfect places

Tommy Hilfiger dress | French Connection blazer | nude pumps [similar] | vintage clutch

Not too long ago, while I was visiting Halifax for work, I popped into Tommy Hilfiger at Dartmouth Crossing. My friend had been raving the week before about the amazing summer collection and sales leaving me no choice but to check it out for myself. 

She wasn't lying. Just when I thought I had seen everything nice I would discover a new dress. As my ten minute trip stretched past 30 I ended up a little overwhelmed. Enter, Jennifer. This girl was awesome. I told her my budget, she showed me her favourites and we settled on a couple great pieces. If you're ever in the area be sure to stop in because not only is the store filled with classic, preppy Tommy heart-stoppers but the folks looking there are beyond nice!  

Here's to the Weekend!

This weekend we are having not one, but two sets of our friends from Halifax visit!! We are so excited and feel so incredibly lucky to be able to spend the next couple days with a few amazing friends who we love so dearly and miss so much! So consider me MIA as I take full advantage of the folks, here, next to me. 

Here's to a lovely weekend!

hello, summer?

robbi & nikki dress - last year | etnies bomber - old [similar] | chucks | RUDSAK clutch [similar]
Stella & Dot necklace with derng bracelet attached

Ugh you guys. Seriously. Just... ugh. This past week we had a cold snap. I'm talking post-summer, pre-midterms, bundle-up-'cause-winter-is-coming cold. It's awful. I even saw someone wearing a puffer vest. A PUFFER VEST IN JULY. I don't even know what else to say except that my first Montreal winter may have scarred me. It seems that unless I am breathing a thick, humid air and am walking at a quarter of my usual pace so as to not become a puddle I will fear winter is around the corner. this is not healthy. 

In other news, I'm obsessed with my chucks and refuse to wear other footwear unless forced*... hope you like them too because they are on. re.peat!

*see workplace dress code 

festival bjorked!

 west 36th maxi [similar] | RUDSAK clutch [similar]

I purchased "pick 3" bracelets so Jack and I made the drive up the following Saturday to see Bjork! She was everything I dreamed and more. Completely amazing and definitely the highlight of Ottawa Blues Fest. GO SEE HER IMMEDIATELY!!!

I successfully avoided maxis for the past couple summers however this year I caught the bug. I went through a horrible month of trying on the wrong ones - too short, too hippie, too hippy, too fancy, too confusing - and then I found MILK, a small boutique in Ottawa, and fell in love. As happens with that which you want the most, there was a snag - my size was sold out. Savvy person that I am, I bought it anyway knowing I could have it altered. This has yet to happen as I refuse to part with it but I know one, cold day in October, the timing will be right and this dress will fit me perfectly just in time for summer 2014.

Life Lately :: Dinner by Food Truck...s

It doesn't get much better than endless days and warm nights... except when those nights are weeknights. There are few things I love more than stretching my lazy, hazy summer weekend in through the week. Sure I'm a little sleepier at the office each morning but that's what coffee and headphones are for.

 deep fried mac&cheese sticks // classic meatballs // lamb curry taco with apple // classic smoked grilled cheese
smoked meat sandwich on savoury donut, foie gras poutine, strawberry & cream donut // lemon ginger cotton candy

Jack and I usually hit up cheap movies on Tuesdays but this week we were lured away by the sweet smell of Buffoons Montreal... which is essentially just a congregation of Montreal Food Trucks at the Quartier des spectacles during Just for Laughs. After this Saturday, the trucks will disperse and it will be so. much. harder. to gorge myself so we took full advantage and then rode bixis home. An alternate title for this post could be "why I eat salad for lunch".

This week I'm linking up to Wild & Precious. Stop by and check out everyone else's life, lately!

festival style numero dos!

GAP vest | tiger graphic tee [similar] | black camisole [similar] | chucks | RUDSAK clutch [similar] | lifetime festival aviators

Cards on the table? This is practically the same outfit as my first festival ensemble. The vest, the chucks, the clutch - perfect festival go-tos and I shamelessly went with them. 

I wore this on our second day at the Ottawa Blues Fest when we saw the Joy Formidable, Wu-Tang Clan and Fun. Although it ended up raining for most of the evening, the summer heat kept us warm and the RBC Party Central seating kept us dry - gotta love random Avion perks! shout out to urbanebloc for hooking us up :) 

festival ready

GAP vest | H&M tank [similar] | Billabong skirt [similar] c/o West49 | RUDSAK clutch [similar] | chucks

I finally got to partake in this season's festival fashion over the last couple weekends when we attended the Ottawa Blues Fest for Jack's 30th birthday! As a 9-5 gal who leans more towards the classic than trendy I couldn't help get swept up in the excitement of festival style. It's the perfect chance to indulge my edgy, trendy side and take risks.

I wore this Day 1, when we saw Neko Case. It was perfect. The skirt and tank were perfect for taking advantage of the sun, the chucks kept me comfy and the vest, well the vest became a staple in my festival wear. It sheltered my shoulders when the sun became too much, was an extra layer to keep me warm at night and doubled as a seat for the grass - it's basically my new best friend.

Effortlessly Office

GAP sweater | Joe Fresh printed pants | Kenneth Cole wedges [similar] | Longchamps bag

As much as I love dresses [and the internet knows I do] sometimes I just need to switch it up. I actually own quite a few pairs of slacks but they just don't feel the way a dress does. A dress makes you feel effortlessly pretty, put together and comfortable. Slacks, well, choose the wrong top and you go from sharp to frump in under 2 seconds. and honestly, I have enough trouble pushing myself out the door to throw styling tops & bottoms into the mix.

These pants though... these pants make me feel like a dress does. AND because they're doing all the heavy lifting with that killer pattern all I have to do is grab one of my many black or white tops and toss it on. easy. peasy. 

oh! and, of course.....

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H a p p y   4 t h   o f   J u l y

(or as known in my house... the day before Jack's birthday :P)

to all my friends to the south.

Hope you have a lovely, relaxing, fun day filled with family, friends and tasty treats!

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