GOOD-BYE FALL.

I took this photo a number of weeks ago, when the trees were changing colours and the grass was starting to lose it's lustre. 

As I sit here, large snowflakes are tumbling past my window. I can't see the ground from this angle, but I imagine it's much different than this. 

Today I start playing Christmas music. It only seems fitting with the first snowfall of the year. The holiday season is starting. 

But I feel alone. 

It's an odd feeling. Like I should be experiencing this time with someone else - family, friends, anybody. 

But I'm sitting by myself in my apartment staring out the window. There's nothing wrong with being by myself, except this feels like a sort-of-magical-moment and I wish I didn't have to experience it alone. 

Maybe it's the Christmas music making me emotional.

Or maybe it's the snow.

Or maybe it's that I still don't have snow boots and I need to go get groceries.

Damn. 

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 ;)

Fur, knits and snow.

After every snowfall, I pray that it's the end of winter.

But then I realize how pretty snow is in my photos.

And for a second, I'm not sure I want it gone yet.

But then I remember what it feels like to be on a beach.

And I pray for the snow to end again.

Mistfits.

I liked this outfit.

I pulled out pieces from my closet that I hadn't worn in a while,

put them together,

and voila. 

Except these boots.

I've been wearing them a lot.

They rock my socks off.

But not literally.

That would be cold.

White-out.

With a light dusting on the ground and snowflakes in the air, 

it was only appropriate for me to wear my winter white-out outfit.

Anyone got any exciting weekend plans?

After the storm.

So about that snow storm we had...
It was a fun drive into work on Friday morning. And then drive home Friday night.
The world might as well have ended because of the number of car/bus/cop accidents that I heard about and saw.

At least the pup seems to be enjoying the fresh foot of snow. As long as he's got his stick :)

Before the storm.

So this is the before photo.
Stick around and you might get to see how it looks now. 

Going out.

This is just a simple outfit that I wore out the other night. These leggings are amazing. They look like leather, but they're not; they have a super faint snakeskin print that you can't see; and they are really light-weight so if you're in a hot spot, they won't keep in the heat like leather would.

Dynamite leggings and shirt; Walmart boots; F21 bracelets; Smart Set necklace

I spent the night at a city bar for a charity fundraiser. Bands were playing and I was in the company of some good friends. Its nice to have nights out with friends, especially now that I'm living with my parents again. I really miss the company of other people my age.

Today I'm linking up with Kayla's 10-day challenge! I don't have many fashion fears, but it took guts to wear these pants! They attract attention, that's for sure - they're so shiny!

Do you guys have any fashion fears? Check out the others here!

A Faux-Pas.

Busted.

This has got to be a fashion blogger faux-pas: wearing the same pants two posts in a row. Sometimes we can get away with it because they're basics like black or denim, but these green ones are a little more obvious. I didn't want to, but when Kayla's prompt was for a group "Open to Interpretation", I had to. This was the best way for me to interpret the outfit that she gave. Which was this: 

Now you can see why the green pants were mandatory - they're nearly the same colour! Also I have no fun and colourful pencil skirts...Here's my interpretation:

Winners jeans; Old Navy sweater; F21 blouse & belt; Sirens booties

I took a more casual approach to the dressier picture that she posted, but you guys have no idea how much I wish I could go bare-legged right now!  Check out how the others interpreted the group OTI!

PS: This blog now has FACEBOOK! Check me out here, or by clicking the orange F button on the left hand side of the page! Sorry for being so behind the times ;)

Surviving Canadian Winters: Accessories.

Welcome to the second part of "Surviving Canadian Winters". Previously I've shown you about how I survive in terms of jackets, and now I'm introducing you to my choice in accessories.  I don't really wear hats...? Call me crazy but hoods are wonderful and do just fine for me :)

1. The Leather Gloves & Printed Scarf.

Costco gloves & eBay scarf

I wear the leather pair of gloves more than any of the others. They're great for running errands because they keep your hands warm from the car to the store, and back.  They also give great grip when you're driving - super important. If I want to look dressy, I will wear them as well. Usually for that purpose I'll pair them with a light-weight scarf like this one :)

2. The Knits & Flannel.

Garage mitts & Old Navy scarf

When I'm looking for a bit of warmth, I turn to these mitts and this scarf.  I've also got a few knit cowls I will throw on as well, but I didn't photograph them to keep this post a little more simple. Though these are warm, if I was to be outside for a long period of time I would choose accessory set #3.

3. The Insulated Mitts & Eat-Your-Face Scarf.

?? gloves & ALDO scarf

These guys go on my hands when I'm planning on being outside for a long while.  They're insulated, warm, and waterproof. Sometimes I'll throw these on when I'm letting the puppy out for a bit so that my hands don't even feel the cold. They're wonderful inventions. Now, someone just has to make a fashionable pair! New business idea? ;) I pair these with my Eat-Your-Face scarf, because that's exactly what it does. And I don't mind, because it keeps me warm even in the most frigid of temperatures!

There you have it! The inside scoop on how Kelly survives Canadian winters with accessories. Stay tuned for the third and final instalment: boots.

Are you guys fans of winter hats? What do you wear to keep your ears warm?

Green Monster.

These pants were the other colour that I picked up on my Winners shopping trip a couple weekends back. This is how I styled 'em. Please ignore the paleness in my skin, I really need a vacation somewhere sunny and warm:

Dynamite shirt; F21 shirt, blazer, accessories; Winners jeans; Payless boots

Today I'm linking up with Kayla's 10-day winter challenge. She has us all wearing bright colours! I love brights during the winter time. I have a hard time wearing very muted and dull colours - they make me feel less inspired. How do you feel about winter colour?

Follow me here to check out the rest of the participants! Feel free to link up with Kayla too if you're also wearing brights!

Subtle Pattern Mixing.

How to mix patterns and keep it subtle: 

Smart Set jacket & necklace; Joe Fresh top; Old Navy button-down; AE jeans; Spring boots

When I thought of this idea, I felt like a genius. I wasn't sure how to tackle Kayla's pattern mixing challenge because I didn't really feel like wearing any "in-your-face" patterns or mixes.  I feel like this subtle mix of gingham and stripes is simple, but still enough.

Can I just take a moment to brag about this jacket? It was $11. That is all.

Time to go check out all of the other pattern-mixers! Maybe you should too?!

Surviving Canadian Winters: Jackets.

So I've been thinking... and I've decided that all my readers get to see is what I wear below my jackets, mitts and scarves.  Why not show you guys how I dress for winter? Brilliant idea! This means I, for once, get to take pictures AND stay warm at the same time.

So I am starting a mini-series called "Surviving Canadian Winters".  At times it can be glamorous, and at other times, not so glamorous... Either way, it'll be a fun way to look at my outer-wear wardrobe during the coldest months of the year. I'll have three posts around the most important parts of a winter wardrobe: jackets, boots and accessories (i.e. mitts, scarves).

Today we'll start off with jackets.  This is an essential because without a jacket I would probably die.... And I probably don't need 4 jackets, but here's how I justify them to myself.

1. The 'I need to look nice' jacket.

Jacket from Costa Blanca (& doggy butt)

I wear this baby when I need to look good. Interviews, meetings, nice places, etc. The colour & cut is always sophisticated and the wool means that it's at least a little warm.

2. The 'oh, it's nice and mild' jacket. 

Jacket from Joe Fresh

He comes out when it's warmish outside.  When the temperature sits around 0°C or a little below, I throw him on.  He's one of my favourites because he's a great camo-green and has some faux-fur around the hood. He is beautiful.

3. The 'it's cold' jacket. 

Jacket from Guess

I wear this lady when it hits below -10°C.  She's great for the cold temperatures until a certain point of ridiculous coldness (i.e. -30°C).  At that point it get too frigid and I can still feel the cold through her, even though she's down-filled. But she's also great because she also has a faux-fur trimmed hood. I love this faux-fur thing, can ya tell? And the hood it huge so it can shield my face pretty well from the wind. Sometimes too well and I can't see anymore...this can get dangerous!

4. The 'it's too cold to feel anything' jacket.

Jacket from West 49

I wear this bad boy when I'm outside for an extended period of time.  It's a ski jacket, and not so stylish, but does the trick of keeping me warm. For those few days during the winter when it gets REALLLLLLY cold, or when I'm planning to be out for a while, I'll pull him out of the closet. I will also wear him when I'm attempting to snow-board.  I also wear this skating. I skate better than I snowboard. Usually I only fall once!


So there you have it! Not sure how the other Canadian girls do it, but this is my way of dealing with the temperature changes - alternating jackets! The key to choosing the right one is really considering the weather of the day and how long I'll be outside.  Either way, I don't know what I would do without these four lovelies in my life.

Do you alternate jackets? Am I crazy to have 4?