FALL: KNITS.

Forever 21 sweater; Gap jeans; Walmart moccasins

I love that my hair changes colour in almost every photo I post. Here it looks red. In a recent post it looked blonde. But really it's brown. It's like a chameleon on my head. I just hope it doesn't turn green or something one day.

In other fun facts, I've been enjoying knits. Especially since this weekend its barely above zero and anytime I go outside I want to shrivel up..

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. 

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!

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. 

How to find the perfect jeans.

Gap pants and bag; Windsor top; TOMS shoes

The other day I set out in hopes to find the perfect jeans. Usually I find decent-fitting jeans and just settle. 100% of the time I need a belt because they fit in the legs, but not in the waist. Or they just fall down because my butt isn't big enough. True story.

But then, I found them. The perfect jeans. The wonderful ladies at the store were a HUGE help and this is what I learned:

1. Try on different styles. If you're looking for a skinny jean, try on a straight or boot-cut too. That's what happened to me; their skinny and jegging styles didn't fit properly, but their "real straight" cut was perfect.

2. Go up or down a size. Proportions change with sizing and you might find a better fit in a size up or down. Again, that's what happened to me. I went a size down but worried the legs would be too tight. They ended up being perfect.

3. Note the material. Will they stretch? Do you want them to stretch? Keep that in mind when choosing the right size.

I wore these jeans all day without a belt. I've NEVER been able to wear jeans without a belt. Ever. And I love them so much I'm definitely going back to buy them in a different wash.

There's really nothing better than a perfect pair of jeans.

Coral + stripes + white pants + leopard print.

Forever 21 tank; American Eagle jeans; Payless shoes; GAP bag

Special thanks to this guy for taking his sweet time getting on his bike. 

Thanks for not staring at me. I can tell because you were in every single picture looking away. 

On purpose? Probably.

Does it make me a creeper if I just took 30 photos of this dude by accident?

Happy Friday!!

Hats. Hats. Hats.

Gap cardigan; H&M tank, hat, shoes; American Apparel leggings; Castellammare designs necklace

Linking up with Marion from MarionBerry Style for the first time in way too long for her "Trend of the Month" link-up. This month? Hats. And I remembered to bring mine home so I could force my little bro to take some shots of me wearing it.

Also I tried to look cool by standing in a field. I just have no idea what this field was of.... Weeds? Cool factor totally amplified.

We deal with it.

Dynamite faux-leather jacket, sweater; American Eagle jeans; Walmart shoes; GT tee; Gap bag

So the weather around here has been stupid lately. There's no word other than stupid. Cold enough for a jacket one day, warm enough for nothing the next.
Whatever. We're Canadian, we're used to "dealing with the weather".
But I think Canada needs to learn that one should not need to wear a faux-leather jacket in the summer.
Seriously. Not cool. And boots? Whaaaaaaat.

Suburbia.

Suzy Shier denim jacket; Gap button-up; American Apparel leggings; Walmart boots; eBay bag

I'm using anyone and everyone to take my photos these days. A quick visit to my aunt/uncle's with my family meant dragging my little brother out (again) to take some outfit shots.

Thankfully he's forced to love me :)

Little smiles and sing-alongs.

American Eagle jeans, jacket; Gap top; Zellers boots

When I drive home from work by myself, I turn the radio max volume, rotate through the stations, and sing along with all the rockin' songs.

Sometimes I have the thought: what if someone was listening to the same radio station, looked over/behind at me, and saw me singing along to the same song they were listening to.. It's probably happened, but I've just never known.

Yesterday, I was at a red light, stereo blaring, and I look behind me. Some young dude in a bright red sports car is having THE TIME OF HIS LIFE, singing along with the radio. When I realize he's actually singing to the same song I'm listening to, I can't help but smile. He was getting so into it, with hand movements, facial expressions, and hammering the wheel of his car to the beat. It was awesome.

Just plain awesome.

The classic trench.

GAP trench; ALDO oxfords; Tommy Hilfiger top; AE jeans

Can you believe I'd wanted a trench for four years and never bit the bullet?
I've decided I need to start investing in key pieces for my wardrobe. Staples. Things I hope to have around for a while.

This Gap trench is my first investment purchase. It wasn't even that expensive, but for someone who refuses to spend more than $50 on a coat, it was out of my comfort zone.

Either way, I am in love with it, and it loves me back. We've got a great relationship and I can't wait to start adding other wonderful key pieces to my wardrobe. Next up: leather tote bag and a good quality pair of sunglasses.

Leather jacket & Trouser jeans.

Dynamite faux-leather jacket; GAP trouser jeans; Forever 21 t-shirt; Giant Tiger moccasins

The good thing about gaining back weight after you lose it, is you can fit into your old pants! My pants wardrobe has grown by a couple of styles recently - ones that I had put away when I lost a bit of weight last winter. Thankfully I kept them. These trouser jeans especially are still a favourite of mine :)

On a completely different note, I don't watch much TV (my mom records everything so really there's no opportunity to watch what I want), except The Office. This is the first season in 4 that I can actually watch every Thursday night. But what do I do last night? FORGET. I forgot to watch The Office. And, consequently, The Big Bang Theory. I'm very very sad this morning... Time for me to go find it playing at a later time and tape it. Just like my mom.

TGIF!

Polka-dot tights.

Gap cardigan; Forever 21 t-shirt; Jacob skirt; Walmart polka dot tights; Zellers booties

I was taking photos and all of a sudden this light breeze comes and blows the hair off my face. I was feeling a little model-esque as I posed, as if I was in front of a wind-machine... Oh c'mon - I know it happens to you too ;).

And hello polka-dot tights. Everyone I saw gave me the up-and-down. Seriously, every.single.person I came across looked at my tights first, then my face. I guess it's not normal to see polka-dotted legs in the workplace, but that's okay. It's fun being a little different.

I hope you all had a fabulous weekend. I got the rest that I wanted and I'm ready to take on the week ahead. Work has been so busy lately, so I'm grateful for our long weekend coming up. I seriously can't believe it's the first day of October.

Neglected.

Gap cardigan; H&M tank and scarf; Winners pants; Payless shoes

It makes me sad when I unintentionally neglect certain pieces in my closet. Every time I get dressed, I overlook them and I don't know why.

The other day I reminded myself that I have red pants; somehow I had forgotten about them. The following morning, I woke up and created an outfit around them.

In addition to the red pants, I bought this scarf last year and have only worn it twice. I think it was time I added it to another outfit.

Do you ever forget you own certain things? 

If you really knew me...

I'm sure everyone has seen these floating around the blogsphere, but I figured I'd take part in this one. It's a little more fun than just talking about clothes all the time.

If you really knew me...

... You'd know that in the car I listen to my music REALLY loud (like max volume). I also tend to sing along to said music really REALLY loudly. And no, I cannot sing.

... You'd know I have a fear of stepping on frogs. I hate walking through long grass because I'm always worried I'll step on a frog or a snake. I've made people piggy-back me before because I almost lost it. Not exactly a proud moment.

Old Navy blouse; Gap cardigan; Winners pants; ALDO shoes

... You'd know I'm a crazy cat-lady. Sometimes my friend and I text pictures of our cats back and forth. I gush about how my cat tries to bite my bathroom wall and she shows me pictures of her cat sleeping in garbage cans. A video chat may be in the works so our cats can meet, too. We're very very cool.

... You'd know I always over-cook my meat. Food poisoning is the worst thing in the world, and after having it enough I have a fear of uncooked meat. I also try and avoid meat-based fast food meals as much as I can. I just don't trust it.


Whew - that was fun! I'd love to hear any "if you really knew me" posts from you guys - if you happen to write one, you should link it up in the comments so I can go read it. They're fun :)

Three staple pieces.

Gap cardigan; Forever 21 top, skirt, necklace and belt; H&M shoes; Fossil watch

I wear this cardigan multiple times per week. It's just one of those items - a staple - and I don't know what I'd do without it. Why am I in love with this piece? It's lightweight, long, comfortable and goes with literally everything. Thanks, Gap, for being awesome and creating the perfect cardigan.

And then the pencil skirt. What woman goes through life without a pencil skirt? The best part about this one - it's stretchy and comfortable so I can actually lounge around in it. Yup. Perfection. And I think it was $10? Thanks, Forever 21, for also being awesome and creating the perfect everyday-pencil skirt.

Lastly, the watch. I never go anywhere without my rose gold watch these days. Yellow gold is a little too flashy against my super-ghostly-pale skin tone, and silver seemed too.. blah. Rose gold came out on top and I couldn't be happier. Also, the face is the perfect size and doesn't take over my wrist. So thanks, Fossil, for being awesome and creating the perfect watch.

What are some of your staple pieces?

Pink shoes.

 

Dynamite pants and blouse; Gap cardigan; Fossil watch; Forever 21 necklace; Spring shoes

So I bought pink shoes. These came into my possession that one day I broke my shopping ban... Oops.

In all fairness, Spring had a pair or shoes just like this last year, but in a coral colour. I was always upset that I didn't get my hands on a pair before they were sold out. They're even on my Pinterest "style" board from way back when. When I saw these, I knew it was my chance. I had to have them. I love them. So, naturally, I had to break the shopping ban. Was it worth it? Heck yes.

The only problem - they're a fabric exterior. Kind of like a canvas material? They get dirty easily, and although I've been very careful, the heels are getting dirty from driving... Anyone know how I can clean them? Would soap and water work? Ahhh I don't know what to do. Save me and my favourite shooooooeesssss!

Spring layers.

American eagle jeans, tee & plaid shirt; Gap cardigan; Payless shoes

It was a beautifully sunny day, but there was still a little chill. I've got three layers going on the top just so I didn't have to wear a jacket. Meanwhile my little brother decides he doesn't need a sweater and wears a t-shirt all day. How the heck do boys do it, honestly? It's such a mystery to me...

I wore this outfit to the fabric store to buy myself some, well, fabric to do a couple DIY projects. Two dresses to be exact.  I was full-steam ahead in one of them until I realized I didn't have the right colour thread. Since then my motivation and inspiration has passed, and I just stare at the pile of fabric wishing it would sew itself. Anyone got any ideas on how to motivate myself to finish these projects? They look really daunting to me right now...

And welcome to the new followers! Happy Friday to everyone!