OLIVE + CHAMBRAY.

Just clearing out the old photos. Making way for some of the new ones.
Right now I'm missing the days when there wasn't snow on the ground. And my legs weren't frost-bitten from waiting for the bus and walking the few blocks home (biiiiiig baby).

Happy weekend everyone!

INDIGO.

Winners sweater; Dynamite jegging; Forever 21 shoes; Call it Spring scarf

I was on a mission to find high-waisted, indigo jeggings. I hate wearing a belt and I just wanted some pants that required no fuss. With a gift card and cash from my birthday, I was ready to drop some serious $$ on a great pair of designer jeans. Well, I tried a bunch on, and none were quite "right".

Defeated, I walked into Dynamite and saw these high-waisted pants. I thought to myself, there's no way.... But alas, they were perfect. The real test was how they'd hold up after a few wears.

Three outfits later and no washing, I can say they STILL hold up above my hips without a belt. Even though they have a generous stretch (giving them that jegging feel), the waist hasn't bagged out. Hallelujah! Now, not sure how these will wash since I haven't tried yet, but for about 1/4 of the price of designer jeans, I'm pretty satisfied so far :)

Also these shots are a couple weeks old.. It is now a winter wonderland and there's no way my bare ankles would survive!

CASUAL DRESS.

Old Navy dress; Call it Spring scarf; Payless boots

I wore this to work the other day, and my boss goes "Oh... Why are you wearing a dress?".
I guess I don't wear dresses often. Somehow this outfit was a shock to him.

Should I wear dresses more often?

I just really like pants...

BASICALLY PYJAMAS.

This look is basically pyjamas for me.
Nothing cozier than warming up in my large, comfy poncho.

Happy Monday!

FRIDAY SHMIDAY.

H&M top; American Apparel leggings; Payless boots; Castellammare Jewellery necklace

Ya that's right. I'm mad at Friday.
On Wednesday it felt like Friday. It wasn't, so I was upset.
On Thursday it felt like Friday. It wasn't, so I was even more upset.
And now that Friday has come around, I'm just annoyed with it.
Seriously. Why couldn't it be there when I needed it on Wednesday?
Ugh. So by-the-book, Friday is.

OOTD: OUT & ABOUT.

These outfit shots were taken during my recent trip to the big T.O.
When walking around the city all day, your outfit needs to be easy and comfortable.
I love my faux leather jacket because it's the best wind-breaker I've known, and it rocks.
Heels? No thanks. These shoes are a few years old and fully broken-in for walking all day.
Jeggings have enough stretch for comfort.
A striped shirt is classic.

So there you have it. My out & about outfit.

Happy Friday everyone!

HEY, IT'S NOVEMBER.

November is here. Well, it's been here for a few days, but I just can't get around how quickly this year has gone by.

For me, this month is usually defined by the following: first snowfall, my birthday, fuzzy socks, bare trees, rain, heavy jackets, cold, and just generally dreary. Before the first snow, we endure a few weeks of cold rain, cold wind and blah weather, and it just sucks.

But I was lucky to snap some shots recently with Marianna, when there was still some colour on the trees. With this cold weather comes jackets, and variation is key for the next 6 months. I love the texture on this one - it's tweed and it's awesome. And it's warm. Everything I need for November.

MOTIVATION.

Tommy Hilfiger top (via Costco); Payless shoes; Call it spring scarf

I've been slacking on the blogging front. Slacking on reading blogs, commenting on blogs, and even updating my own.

It's been hard to motivate myself recently. Taking outfit photos is harder these days. When I get home from work, I force myself to the gym. If it isn't a gym night, I make a good dinner. By the time that's done, I just want to relax.

Reading blogs should be relaxing, but recently it hasn't been. It's felt like this chore - clean up the blog feed, read half the posts, comment quick to move to the next one.

It's been a few months since this feeling has crept up. I don't know, I guess I feel like I have less time to do things these days. I have been keeping pretty busy, so maybe that's part of it. I don't know.

If I'm quiet around here, this is why. I just have to figure out what my next step is, and it's probably taking a small step back for now. I'm not gone for good, I'll just be a little quieter for a bit. That's all.

LEOPARD + LEATHER.

Dynamite jacket; Talula leggings & shirt (via Aritzia); Sirens boots; Call it Spring scarf

Leopard and leather?

A match made in heaven. 

COZY FALL SWEATER.

American Apparel sweater and leggings; Walmart moccasins

So I spent four months lusting over this sweater from American Apparel. I just didn't want to spend the money. I mean, it's not exactly cheap. And most of you know how I feel about spending lots of $$$ on a single piece.

But I've visited the sweater countless times, tried it on a couple, and decided it was time to welcome it to the rest of my wardrobe. Nevermind that I practically drown in it, it's probably the closest I'll get to wearing a blanket (I refuse to wear a snuggie). Which means it's the most comfortable thing ever.

EVER.

Hope you all had a great weekend! I was in Toronto and will write up a quick re-cap this week! 

FASHION BLOGGER'S FORMULA.

TNA top, Talula leggings (via Aritzia); American Eagle scarf; Walmart moccasins; Old Navy bag

Brick wall + Outfit + Photographer = Ideal opportunity for outfit photos

Thanks to my cousin Renee for the photos. 

Pink + gingham + moccasins.

Costco cardi & button-up; Gap jeans; Walmart moccasins; American Eagle scarf

In today's instalment of "what's in Kelly's apartment", I show you my "shoe rack".
It's more of a shoe pile and less of a shoe rack but who's counting?
Plus I haven't quite flipped my fall shoes for summer. I have all seasons on there right now. So it's a bit of everything.
And it's a disaster.
So instead, I ask that you look at my outfit.
At least it's a little cleaner and makes a bit more sense.

p.s. I didn't go blonde. Just the terrible lighting in the apartment. 

An outfit and a clothing sale.

H&M sweater dress; Walmart tights; Call it Spring boots and scarf; Aldo bag

Hey look! I have decent photos on the blog! Know why? I had a photographer. Thank you to Marianna for these awesome shots, and for asking me to work it against the stairs, on the stairs, and on top of the stairs. ;)

These were taken Saturday when we both hit up the Dress for Success "Hidden Treasures" clothing sale together. I had never been so I wasn't sure what to expect, but I would definitely call it a "success"! (see what I did there???)

I came away with this dress for $10. Perfect for work. I may get the sides taken in a little because nothing structured ever fits my hip-to-waist ratio, but it's a great, professional little black dress!

If you haven't heard of Dress for Success, it's a non-profit organization that helps disadvantaged women by providing professional clothing, support and career development services. The Ottawa chapter held their "Hidden Treasures" clothing sale last Saturday to fundraise and clear out old stock for fall donations. Love supporting an awesome cause!

No boots.

Talula leggings (Aritzia); H&M tank; American Eagle scarf; Payless shoes;

Castellammare earrings & bangles

Although it's been unseasonably warm, I'm still trying to take advantage of the fact it's fall. See: scarf and sweater. But not boots. It's not cold enough for boots yet.

Don't get me wrong, I love boots. I just know the next 5 months will be boots-only and soon I'm going to be sofreakingtired of boots. I dunno about you, but I don't particularly want to extend their stay.

So for now, my feet get to breath in flats and my Toms. Until it gets too cold. Then I'll have to surrender to boots. I guess...

Monday blues.

Gap cardigan & top; American Eagle jeans; Walmart moccasins

...because there's lots of blue in this outfit.
What a real knee-slapper! Am I right?
Note to self: Don't write blog posts at 5:30 am. You tell bad jokes.

Happy Monday everyone!

Mustard.

It's not just for burgers and hot dogs.
It's also for wearing.
Not real mustard, obvs...
But seriously, anyone who doesn't have a mustard-coloured something in their closet is styling wrong.
I hated this colour up until last year when I took the plunge with a cardigan (different than this one.. yeah I have two...)
But I've fallen in love with it. It's so completely fall, and reminds me of the changing leaves.
Speaking of which, there are too many leaves on the ground already and it's not even October. What gives?!

/endrandomthoughtsaboutmustardandleaves

FALL: Style.

Gap jeans; Old Navy tank; Call it Spring scarf; Walmart shoes; Castellammare jewellery

Comfy sweater? Check.
Moccasins? Check.
Big scarf? Check.

Cooler weather, bring it on.

Shooting indoors.

Sorry guys. I hate to do this. I think indoor photos will appear occasionally on the blog...
I know it's not the best for outfits, but it'll do temporarily (and by temporarily I mean throughout the fall/winter).
But you know the great thing about it?
You can learn more about me!

Take for instance... did you know I rollerblade? Well I do! Not very well, but I do it anyway!
And I shop at Aldo. Shocked?
And I have a yoga mat I used on the weekend to do yoga/pilates where I proceeded to fall down halfway through and not get up.
That happened.

So... what was I saying about my outfit?

Scarves and lightning bolts.

Aerie top; American Eagle scarf; Talula leggings (via Aritzia); Payless shoe; Castellammare earrings

Ohhh gooddddd I love scarves.
And the lightning bolts in my ears.
Reminding me of Harry Potter.
Speaking of Harry Potter, I may have just decided what I'm doing this weekend.
HP Marathon... Do I have enough stamina?

Back to blue classics.

Gap jeans; American Eagle chambray top; Call it Spring sandals

Not gunna lie, Gap's whole "Back to Blue" campaign is perfect timing for fall. Taking out my denim has me falling in love all over again. I've hit up Gap a couple of times recently for jeans and found two pairs that belong in my closet. When you find a great pair of denim, you can't let it get away.

So naturally, I am pairing my new jeans with classic chambray. I'm glad I can still pull this look off without it being tacky.
Maybe in 5 years, but not today.


Note: I was not compensated by Gap in any way to write this post. I just love their jeans and the campaign is super fitting  (har har har) for how I feel about them.