Collars, Totes and Sequins

I present to you a collection of items I am currently lusting after. Divided into “Save” and “Splurge” – items I can afford and items I cannot.

Splurge:
Waffle of Surprises Dress
Ayarza Satin Pump
Fossil Vintage Tote
Kenneth Jay Lane Snake Pin
Sedona Earthenware Canister Set
Jeffrey Campbell Pinkie Toes Boot
Maison Scotch Sequin Collar Shirt

Save:
City of Lights Faux Fur Wrap
Spotlight on Sophistication Top
Skullcandy Uprock Headphones
Snowy Owls Measuring Spoon Set
Pointed Flat Collar Necklace
Peplum Sequin Skirt

Since buying a lace peplum top last month, I have fallen in love with the peplum style. There’s a peplum skirt at Smart Set that I also love, but the Sequin Skirt is by far one of the nicest I have ever seen.

I have to say, promising to myself to not buy anything fashion related until we are in London is getting to be more difficult than I imagined. I’ll be honest, I did buy tights yesterday. But that’s more of a necessity than a fashion item, isn’t it?

What are your favourites?

Look Book: Silhouettes

Despite all of the rain, the weekend really was beautiful. It’s a shame that Autumn doesn’t last longer.

On Sunday morning, we ventured out to the local golf and country club for brunch. It was delicious! On a gluten free diet, it’s a little difficult to navigate buffet style meals, but breakfast is one of the easier ones. I was able to have a chickpea salad to start, followed by scrambled eggs, baked beans, bacon, and some potatoes. I was so full!

My dad, Robin and I did a little walk around the course. I mean little, I was wearing heels and I kept sinking into the ground. I had not planned for that!

Outfit details:

Top – Smart Set
Skirt – Classiques Entier
Jacket – Forever XXI
Necklace – Next
Heels – Sirens

The skirt I’m wearing in this outfit is one of my most loved pieces in my wardrobe – I love the color, the cut, and the fabric. I’m sorry I didn’t get a better picture of it, Sunday was an off day! Classiques Entier is a brand I had never heard of before, but I discovered that it is a brand of Nordstroms! I bought the skirt at Nordstrom Rack in August (for $23.70, discounted from $158.00) and this is the first time I’ve worn it. I absolutely love it! I think next time I will throw on a different belt to spice things up a bit.

Also, I’ll be honest when I say I didn’t expect those heels to last – I bought them 3 years ago for $5. I’m not even exaggerating!

Look Book: Sigh No More

Friday morning I had one, hour-long class. It was over in a blink, and I was free. I met up with a friend from high school (was that only three years ago?) for a coffee and a catch up. We had a lovely chat, and ended up going to Forever XXI afterwards.

I am happy to announce that I was able to purchase the Faceted Geo Nugget Necklace that I mentioned in this post. I was also able to pick one up for my sister, who called to tell me how much she loved the necklace. I will try to wear it soon to showcase it! It’s lovely.

The basic top that I am wearing is one that I bought almost a year ago (and I am sad to say that Smart Set doesn’t appear to be making any new ones for Fall 2012). It is extremely handy as it is reversible. I wear the lower side on the back – I am extremely uncomfortable about cleavage. It has been my go-to shirt over the last year, and I am sad to say I think it is reaching the end of its life. I recently purchased this basic top from H&M to replace it, but I will definitely miss the subtle allure of the lower back. Smart Set also sold the reversible top in other colours  most notable a black and white striped one that I had to throw away last month because the colours started bleeding around the under-arms. That was a sad day. Who knew a striped top could be so easily worn!

Not picturing how it would like? Take a look at this and this.

Outfit details:

Basic top – Smart Set
Skirt – American Eagle
Jacket – Forever XXI
Earrings – Shop in Athens, Greece
Short Necklace – H&M
Long Necklace – Eclectic Eccentricity
Stockings – Smart Set
Shoes – BCBG
Bag – Walmart

I am a little embarrassed that my school bag is from Walmart, I can honestly say I did not expect it to last this long. I bought it two years ago when I first had an office job to carry my files. The bag is surprisingly sturdy, simple, and cute – it’s also very versatile.

Title: Sigh No More by Mumford & Sons.

P.S. We chose this title because while editing and arranging the photos for this outfit, we realized how much I sigh. It’s a little ridiculous.

Tights, Camera, Action!

It is Canadian Thanksgiving this weekend, so Robin and I are heading home (well, to my home) to see my family. It’ll be a weekend of apple picking, pumpkin pies, and a walk up a mountain! Stay tuned for some outfit posts and photographs galore.

On with the world. With the cool whether quickly approaching (and in some cases, already upon us) we have new things to worry about, like, “When will the heat turn on?” and “Do I really need to buy a new duvet?”. But, with the cool weather also comes… dum dum dum, tights!

I think there is a massive lack of fun tights in our day-to-day wardrobes.

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I think tights are pretty darned cool. They can so easily switch up a basic outfit – without breaking the bank.

Top Row: Autumn Brigade Tights, $21.99, Tights For Every Occasion in Olive, $14.99, My Heart Skipped Tights, $17.99, Knee-d Your Lovin’ Tights, $29.99. Bottom Row: You Lead The Way Tights, $19.99, Tights For Every Occasion in Wine, $14.99, Ask Around Tights, $24.99, Everything’s Vine Tights, $32.99.

Thank you ModCloth, for enlightening my day with such quirky names. If these are a bit too pricey for you, you can grab some cute ones from Forever XXI for between $2.50 and $15.80. H&M also has a few, though not nearly as exciting, from $4.95 to $17.95.

Happy shopping and Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everybody has a superb weekend.

P.S. I just thought I would let you know that I’ve started using Twitter on a more regular basis recently. So if you would like an up close and personal view into the dirty details of my daily life, feel free to follow me here. I’m just kidding about the dirty details part, by the way.

Statement in Style

It’s not rocket science that accessories can make or break an outfit. I tend to be very conservative in my jewelry (and often in my clothing as well), but I am hoping to break out of that shell. I am moseying on down to Forever XXI sometime this week to take a look at their jewelry. Don’t worry, I know it’s cheap. But for statement jewelry that you may end up not wearing very often, it does the trick.

While in Beijing earlier this year, my sister and I (as well as her wonderful boyfriend who put up with us) did a few trips to the local markets. No, not food markets. I went with one goal in mind: to find an every day scarf. I can tell you right now that I failed on that mission. I did find a very lovely print scarf though, in such lovely colours. I am ashamed to say that to this day, I have still not worn it…

Though I failed on my mission, I did come out with a few very cute dresses (none of which fit when I tried them on back at the hotel) and a whole range of jewelry. Gillian is an expert when it comes to accessories: shoes, scarves, jewelry – you name it. In short, she told me to get out of my comfort zone. I ended up buying some things that were completely out of my comfort zone, and I mean completely. I bought a long, gold chain necklace with lime green clove-like charms. It sounds really terrible when I describe it, but it’s really not that bad! There are a few other pieces that are similar in strangeness, but there are a few pieces of jewelry that I really love, and have been waiting for the right occasion to wear them.

The lesson: when Natalie goes out of her comfort zone, it does not go well. Kind of like the time I went rock climbing and cried the whole time.

I need to take the slow, baby steps to more dramatic jewelry. And I really think I should get rid of some of the junk I already have.

Top: Boomerang Chain Necklace, $3.80, Faceted Stretchy Bracelet, $7.80, Glistening Faux Stone Bracelet, $17.80. Bottom: Faceted Geo Nugget Necklace, $11.80, Rhinestoned Cable Bracelet, $17.80, Fringed Bead Necklace, $7.80

These are all from Forever XXI. They are pieces of jewelry that I think are fun, but not too wild. Ergo, I think I would actually wear them. The colours are not too crazy and they have the potential to match with most of what it in my wardrobe. Hopefully I will start creeping out of my comfort zone.

What is your jewelry style?

P.S. Thanksgiving sales have started today. Exciting! You should treat yourself. Or just window shop.