Red Rider

Last weekend I wanted to test my new Keds from the Fall '14 collection, so I took them on a bike ride. They are super comfortable and complement well a nautical/sporty outfit. I think they are a perfect match with this striped romper, which is a no-brainer for any summer weekend, especially paired with a denim jacket. It's the perfect outfit for any park activity.  

All Pictures by James Michael

Shoes: Keds, Romper: American Apparel, Jacket: H&M (old), similar here., Hat: Boston Red Socks. Sunglasses: Pangaea, in-store. 

Simply Striped

Over the last year, I've been seeing a ton of bloggers wearing spaghetti-straps silk camisoles. I remember looking at this magnificient photo of the beautiful Gary Pepper last fall and thinking "wow, I wish I could wear that kind of strappy, feminine top...". I thought it was the perfect feminine top to wear with boyfriend jeans or shorts. 

Photo Credit: Gary Pepper Girl

Since I'm not exactly petite like Gary Pepper, it took me a good six months before I even tried one on. I didn't think it would look good on me, since my shoulders are on the broader side. I was wrong! After purchasing one of these, I got addicted. I now own four! They are extremely comfortable, allow for tanning if you go on a walk AND display the tan you already have pretty nicely. This striped little number is my favorite, and I was lucky to snag it on sale at J.Crew. It pairs so nicely with my Gap boyfriend shorts!

What do you think? Do you think spaghetti straps are for everyone, or should be reserved to narrow- shouldered gals? Do you like to pair a more feminine top with a masculine bottom?

Top: J.Crew, Shorts: Gap (sold out, different wash here), Necklace: H&M (sold out, available in gold here), Sandals: Dolce Vita at Macy's, Clutch: Target (sold out), Sunglasses: Warby Parker.  Shooting location: Denver Botanic Gardens. Thanks to my friend Chelsea for the pics!

March wishlist: A kimono, a hat, and nothing else!

I am quite on a budget lately, since we are planning for a wedding and a move. My fashion obsession is still there though, so I have to find ways to satisfy my urges on a very tight budget. Sometimes, an easy way to renew your wardrobe is to add some statement accessories to classic pieces. I found my two dream items, that will add style cred to just about any plain outfit I own. Watch out people, you're gonna get tired of those by the end of the month! Just as much as last winter with my faux-fur vest, I plan on wearing those two with just about anything.

These two pieces are: a kimono cardigan and a rancher hat!

The kimono cardigan is extremely versatile and can also be worn as a beach cover-up, as shown on The Lady Olive (check it out for more kimono inspiration!). It can make just about any outfit interesting.

The hat and the kimono can both be worn with any of these outfits. While it gives a dressier look to the simple office outfit, it add a little boho style to the festival ouftit and a ton of originality to a simple shift dress. The details for this set are here.

The kimono I ended up choosing is this incredibly cheap one sold at Forever21, as worn by Canadian blogger Melanie of Born Lippy. I found her blof after making the purchase, but what's funny is that I also own those shorts. Can't wait to wear them together!

What are our must-haves for spring? What else would you pear a kimono cardigan with?

Sequins into Spring

Who said sequins were only for the holidays? Truth is, I once did. But now fashion is all about breaking (or bending) rules, and wearing sequins all-year round is one way to do so. If if a gold sequin top can be glamorous when paired with a black skirt or embroidered shorts with tights, it can also be dressed down for a rocker look. Worn with distressed boyfriend jeans, a leather jacker and sneakers, it can even become a casual daytime outfit! Be sure to choose your top oversized, since sequins are often sewn on stiff, non-stretchy fabrics!

My top is loose-fitting, so I'm free to swirl around as much as I can! I can also run around if my puppy Zia gets in trouble!

Jeans Gap (old, similar here), top  Threadsence (sold out but check out their store, it's so cute!), Shoes Converse, Hat Simons.

Frye Boots and Puppies

After almost 2 months of not posting, here I am back on track! The last few months have been hectic with a lot  of travelling and work, but my inspiration and time are back so I am sharing one of my looks with you today, along with my roommates' three dogs (in order of appearance): Charlie, Tesla and Bella. I also just got a puppy named Zia that I will introduce to you soon!

The main focus of this look is my Frye boots, that were gifted to me for completing my doctorate thesis. I was looking for an original way of wearing everyday riding boots, other than with jeans, and came up with the idea wearing them with contrasting over-the-knee socks, now that the temperature is milder here in Nashville. I'm a little tired of winter clothes and colors but I am not ready yet for spring colors, so I stick to winter basics: black, burgundy and camel. 

I had forgotten how fun it was to put together outfits and shoot pictures with a friend (I have a new photographer, my friend Ashlee). Hope you enjoyed!

Details of this look: Boots Frye, Leather Jacket Rudsak (sold out, similar here), Dress Simons (sold out), Scarf Pieces at VERO MODA (sold out, got it on sale for 5$!), Socks Urban Outfitters, Sunglasses Warby Parker (already told you about the brand here), Earrings Apricot Lane (in-store), watch and charm bracelet Fossil, Bangles Alex and Ani. The lipstick I am wearing is Givenchy. 

Iron & Wine... & Blue

I am very excited because tonight, I am going to see Iron & Wine at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. The Ryman is an amazing venue that used to have a religious vocation (it was previoulsy a Tabernacle). The acoustics are incredible and I expect a great show since Iron & Wine are a very harmonious group. If you don't know them, you should check out my favorite song, Rabbit Will Run.

Quickly, I am sharing with you the outfit I plan to wear tonight for the show. I recently fell in love with the navy and black combo which used to be something I avoided. I love the subtle difference between the two colors, especially paired with black leather. I opted for a feminine look with a touch of rocker chic (added my the leather jacket and buckles on the boot).

This Zara t-shirt from their linen collection has an amazing fit and feel. And those Jeffrey Campbell boots are truly amazing. Details for the whole set are here. 

Hopefully I will get good photos of my own look and will add them to this post!

Are you doing something fun this Sunday night? Or are you getting prepared for the week?

Cozy

This is THE reason why I'm looking forward to fall every time summer ends. For me, cozy outfits are quite the uniform when it comes to fall weekends. Chunky sweaters, comfy boots, puffy vests and scarves are my fall go-to, in neutral colors (if you look at my wardrobe you can notice that stripes and leopard-print are in the neutral category- I own too many items with those prints!). On a fall day, I enjoy taking slow walks in lovely neighborhoods (with huge trees) where I can step on leaves (or even better, jump in piles of leaves!). I really appreciate those little things especially since fall is a season that goes by way too fast (and quickly gets replaced by freezing winters).

My friend Camille Brunelle helped me out again shooting these photos. I'm very lucky because as most of the leaves are gone and the temperatures have dropped here, I will be travelling down south in a few days and will be able to enjoy a few more weeks of my "fall uniform" while here people are all about winter tires and winter attire!

Sweater: American Apparel, High-waist jeans: American Apparel, Vest: J. Crew, Boots: Steve Madden ( at Macy's, sold out in this color, similar here), Leather pouch: Gap (sold out in leopard print), Scarf: Pieces at Vero Moda (old, bought on sale for 5$ !!)

Last Leaves

This weekend I was lucky enough to have my friend Camille Brunelle and her camera (and skills!) for a photoshoot. We took what I feel is my last fall walk before all the leaves have fallen. I always feel sad in the fall that such magnificient colors go by so fast.  They shouldn't be allowed to!  But I'm pretty sure they will be gone by the end of the week, as it is terribly windy here in Quebec. Well at least, it'll be just in time to create a spooky atmosphere for Halloween!

As you can see I am still obsessing over leather this fall and one leather skirt wasn't enough. I had to get a different one that is much more playful than my pencil skirt, that I actually wear to work. Denim and stripes make a perfect pair to wear with leather. I won't be able to wear over-the-knee socks for long and will have to switch to tights very soon...sadly!

Skirt: American Apparel (It's real leather. I suggest to wait to have a discount code in the newsletter!), Crop top: American Apparel, Denim jacket: H&M (old, you can still find good options in store), Socks American Apparel (they are "thigh-high". Don't do the mistake I did and buy the "over-the-knee" instead. I'm 5'9'' and still have to fold them over), Boots Jeffrey Campbell (Love 'em!).

Late fall also means I'm getting really excited for Halloween! I'm hosting a party at home...I still feel like a child when it comes to wearing costumes. Do you still get excited for Halloween? What will be your costume this year?