Pops of colour.

Pops of colour to brighten up this otherwise basic b&w outfit. Really digging this emerald belt I got at H&M the other day. Freaking sweet.

Also, I know you've seen me wearing my Castellammare Designs jewellery on this blog. I have these earrings, this necklace and this necklace, and rotate them throughout the week. LOVE them. Right now Castellammare Designs is having a huge overstock sale and you can get mega discounts on all of these items! If you're looking to spice up your jewellery, I strongly suggest checking this out!  http://www.etsy.com/shop/castellammaredesigns

My best accessory.

My best accessory: Charlie. 

He often goes by the names: 

Charlie-bear, Charles, Charles Barker, Charlie Choo, Choo, Choo-Choo

...

I've probably given him a complex.

Sun, please shine down on me.

How do I know I need more sun?

1) my feet blend in with my shoes

2) my arms/hands blend in with my shirt

3) everyone feels the need to point it out at work

4) my mother asks me if I'm sick

5) ... do I need anymore reasons? 

Polka dots and maxi skirts.

Can't wait for the days when my sweaters go back into big tupperware bins with the big scarves. 

And days where I can walk farther than my patio in moccasins. 

How was everyone's weekend? Did you celebrate St. Paddy's day?
I did - a friend and I ate cheesecake and watched girlie movies. No hangover for work today ;)

Trending retro.

Based on my stellar Pinterest trend-spotting techniques, I think that the warm weather will be bringing much more vintage inspired clothing. Retro sunglasses? High waisted bottoms? Corset tops? It all comes out with the sunshine.

High waisted bottoms:

Source: iamsony.blogspot.com via Kelly on Pinterest

These retro pants have a modern flare - colour. In this super-bright shade of red, they are so many trends in one. I love the button detailing too, so flattering.

Retro Accessories:

Source: 24.media.tumblr.com via Kelly on Pinterest

The bandana? These cat-eye sunglasses? They're the perfect way to accessorize your summer outfit. I love it all.

Corset tops with high waisted shorts:

Source: tumblr.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Back to the high-waist, vintage Levi's are back in a big way. But not as pants. I'm thinking the high-waisted denim cutoff is going to be big again this year. Especially when paired with a midriff skimming corset top. Perfect way to get yourself ready for the summer. Festival outfit, anyone?

Retro Bikinis:

Source: lolobu.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Prints like polkadots, floral, and stripes. Bikini tops with a corset structure or halter style. High waisted bottoms that nearly reach your belly-button. I'm not a huge fan of the high bikini bottom, tbh, but I did score myself this bikini top for this summer already!

What do you think? Are you a fan of the retro trends?

5 Spring Essentials.

Just my personal list of the 5 things that I really need this spring. Like, seriously need.

1. An amazing striped dress.

Source: brunchatsaks.blogspot.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Stripes won't be leaving us just yet! They're sticking around for a little while longer. A big bold striped dress is the perfect way to welcome the sunshine and warmth back in your life!

I found a couple great ones from Banana Republic that are both awesome AND work appropriate: this and this.

2. Denim vest & studs.

Source: t-u-r-q-u-o-i-s--e.tumblr.com via Kelly on Pinterest

A denim vest is spring's response to the fur vest of fall.  Good luck trying to get that faux fur to keep you cool (hint: 'aint gunna happen). The denim vest, however, makes an awesome addition to anyone's closet (just think of how great your denim jacket is and imagine it without arms)!

Plus this one is über awesome 'cause it's got studded detail. Here's another great studded one from Forever 21. Maybe I'll pick that one up.

3. Camo... everything

Source: awelltraveledwoman.tumblr.com via Kelly on Pinterest

The whole military style has been around for a while, but I love the more literal feel it's taking on this spring. Camo is everywhere. She's wearing a camo jacket here, but camo pants are popping up like the not-yet-flowers-of-spring.

Don't believe me? Forever 21 military jacket, GAP camo pants, Dynamite camo jegging and this H&M leopard print camo coat. Yeah, I'll be adding more camo to my closet, that's for sure.

4. Wedge sneakers

Source: thedaybookblog.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Leave it to Sydney to show us all how to perfect the sneaker wedge. Honestly, I hated these before I saw them on her. Now I'm in love. Talk about incredible influence this lady has. I'm so in love that I am ACTIVELY searching Pinterest for more inspiration on wedge sneakers. Which means I might convince myself I haaaaaave to have them.  Plus my fav shoe store, Call It Spring, has these for $60.

5. Anything with polka dots.

Source: thefancypantsreport.com via Kelly on Pinterest

Just like camo and stripes, polka dots are big creepers creeping up all over the place. One day it's on a shirt and next think you know, it's on ev-er-y-thing you buy.

I'm currently lusting over these polkadot pants, this (neon) polkadot bikini and this polka-dotted shirt-dress (though it is a bit on the short side....)

What tops your list of spring essentials?

Stripes & dots.

I've had this stupid headache for two days now and it won't go away.

I promise to catch up on your blogs when I don't feel like my screen is piercing my eyeballs. 

I better not being coming down with some other sickness; I just got over my cold.

Give me a break world! 

Polka-dot sweater.

Forever 21 sweater; Winners pants; Giant Tiger moccasins 

This sweater is my new favourite. Why? Well, it's got polka dots for one. Secondly, it's actually thick enough that I don't need a second sweater on top of it. Thirdly, it has buttons up the back like a backwards cardigan. I tried to take a photo but it didn't turn out well. I'll try again next time.

Last night I got to hand out Halloween candy. When I was younger, my house used to get 80-100 kids trick-or-treating. This year? 20. That's it. The downside? I feel like I'm living in a retirement community. The upside? I get all this candy to myself. Oh wait, maybe that's a downside...

Did you get trick-or-treaters?

Mondays.

Forever 21 cardigan; Dynamite top; American Eagle pants; Old Navy scarf; Giant Tiger moccasins

It's Monday. That sucks.

You know what doesn't suck? Polka-dots, mustard yellow and green together.

This outfit is bringing a little happiness to my sucky Monday. Anything helping you get through yours?

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.

Easy shopping outfit.

Giant Tiger top; American Eagle denim; Forever 21 shoes

I wore this outfit to the mall when I went Labour Day Sale shopping. It was perfect, easy and comfy. And simple to change in/out of. Because you know, that's important when you're trying on clothes ;)

I wish I had a fun and witty story for you all, but not today. Today I am going to keep things short and sweet and say thank god for short work-weeks. I'm ready to sleep in again.

Happy Thursday lovelies!

The remix effect.

American Eagle pants; Suzy Shier denim jackets; Forever 21 tee; Payless shoes

I got an interesting comment at work the other day and it got me thinking. A coworker came up to me and said "I'd love to see your wardrobe - it must be HUGE! You never wear the same thing, ever." 

Well, there are a few lies there, folks. My wardrobe isn't huge - it's big, and extremely versatile, but not huge. Also, I wear the same thing often, just never the same combination of pieces. I call this the Remix Effect. My remixing abilities are an unexpected result of being a style blogger. Ever since I started blogging with the 30x30 challenge, I haven't been able to repeat outfits. I just don't like it*. I'm always looking for new ways to pair my pieces keeping them fresh, exciting, and pushing my boundaries. Sometimes the end result is not very exciting, but sometimes I love the outcome.  Like this outfit. 

Can't get much better than a denim jacket, polka dot skinnies and leopard print flats.

*Side note: I do repeat outfits sometimes - the ones I really love, and the weekend comfy/casual looks. But I wear unique combinations much more often.

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?

Pop of dots & Starbucks.

H&M tank; American Eagle denim; Forever 21 sandals

In contrast to the dot-on-dot mixed prints outfit I posted a while back, I decided to let my favourite pants shine all on their own today with a simple white tank and summer sandals.

Also woohoo to blogging at Starbucks. Our internet was down again this morning and I was able to make it to a free wifi zone before work. Plus I got myself a few treats. I dunno about you guys, but when I order at Starbucks it's simple and from the menu. I always get a white chocolate mocha. Nothing special. But then there are those people who specialize every single part of their drink, i.e. soy milk, sugar free, no whip, blah blah blah. My question to these people: HOW do you figure out this is what you want?! Do you just start adding random changes to the drink and seeing if it tastes good? Like.. How did you come up with that complex of a drink? If you are one of these people, please enlighten me. I've always been curious about it.