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.

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!  

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.

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.....

* * * * * *

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!

* * * * * *

one note

GAP sweater, shorts & clutch | peep toes [similar]

...and then it got hot. So very, very hot. After the dreary cold I've been dressing for I barely knew what to do with myself. In an effort to mix things up, I brushed by my dresses deeming them done, and right to my shorts. My beauuuutiful striped shorts. I mean what says hot day but nautical wear? 

This navy sweater was an obvious pairing as it's breezy and I didn't fully trust the sky wouldn't open and rain on my day. Although you haven't seen this sweater on my little corner before it's been a slight office go-to for me over the past month - albeit with a tank underneath. Since it was so hot I opted for a bandeau instead. This is pretty tame in the grand scheme and I don't think the contrast off-camera was as blatant but I'm a little iffy - what are your thoughts on mesh? 

lust list :: Office-friendly summer frocks

P.A.R.O.S.H sleeveless shift | Vanessa Bruno | Diane Von Furstenberg new summer dress | MSGM sleeveless dress
French Connection Eleanor sleeveless dress | Reiss Stoke Daisy shift | Paul Smith Black wool dress | P.A.R.O.S.H Bi-colour shift

Nothing quite says summer like choosing the perfect outfit that balances the warm walk to and from work with the frigid air conditioning in the office. Throw in an intense desire to show the stems some sun during lunch while remaining professional the rest of your day and picking the perfect outfit becomes quite tough. Enter dresses; all kinds. Sleeveless, shift, sheath - as long as they're not strapless or too short, you'll be in the clear. Add a cardigan or blazer, you'll have conquered the air conditioner. There you have it; summer dressing figured out!

Guest Post: the Demure Muse

Today, I've got a little treat for you! Katrina from the demure muse is one of my oldest blog friends, and no wonder, this girl is amazing! She has rad style, an awesome life I love to snoop on and can give anyone a run for their money in the crafting/jewelry department. Be sure to check out her blog  

---------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Classic Noise readers! You may recognize me lurking around in the comments for quite some time now, but if you haven't, let me introduce myself. I'm Katrina from the demure muse. (Nice to meet ya, too!) While Sorren is off getting married (eep! So exciting!), I'm here to share one of my go-to summer outfits. I was never a big fan of maxi dresses until this year. Thanks to my slightly taller than average height, past dresses that I had fallen in love with never showed me much love-- they hovered over my ankles and looked awkward. 

outfit details: 

maxi dress: Target

sandals: BC shoes (from summer 2010 collection)

sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs

chevron necklace: made by yours truly

Thanks to some patience while digging around in the mega clearance sales rack at Target, I found this gem and decided to give maxi dresses another try. For $11 I figured I didn't have much to lose...except for my food baby! Why didn't anyone tell me that maxi dresses were awesome for hiding food babies earlier?!

Hope you guys are all having an awesome summer so far! Thanks for letting me share my outfit and pretend to be Sorren for a day. :)