Golden Girl

I was suffering from a bit of gold mania when getting dressed, pairing the striped shirt with my gold-clad leopard shoes and adding my phone necklace for just an extra touch of bling.
Shirt: J.Crew, J.Crew Outlet, Williamsburg, VA

Pants: the Limited

Shoes: Gifted, Mom and Dad, Zappols, FSNY

Necklace: Romwe
As an added bonus, consider this outfit a warm-up to what I'm sure is an amazing Canada Day outfit by Erin. xoxo Anna Rae

Good Morning Baltimore

I can't resist a theme (even if no one else is dressing up) so of course I had to wear a vintage 60s dress to go see Hairspray at the Stanley Theatre in Vancouver. This beautiful dress was just the ticket.
I love the bold print, the self ruffles at the hem and neckline, and the sassy dip in the back. The dress was originally a maxi, but because of my height it was an awkward mid-calf length, so I hemmed it to the knee and reattached the ruffle.
Dress: Vintage, JessJamesJake via Etsy
Slingback Pumps: Cole Haan, Holt Renfrew
Purse: Spring Shoes

Playing Dress Up

Sometimes, when I get a new piece that I really, really love, I immediately want to create as many outfits for it as possible. I'm glad that I've adopted this sort of practical dress up as a hobby because it helps me to immediately visualize ways to remix my pieces instead of always pairing the same tops with the same skirts or pants.

After deciding how to wear this amazing J.Crew shirt to work tomorrow (look for that post very soon!), I thought it'd also make the perfect casual outfit with my newly revamped romper-shorts. My romper did not last through its most recent cycle in the laundry machine, but I'm loving the idea of casual cotton shorts with a small floral print. Also, how great is this sunhat? It''s the perfect size and shape!
My favorite thing about this outfit is the proportions. The shirt not only has the bolder print, but with its wide boat neck and longer sleeves, it also takes up more space on my body. My straw hat, sunglasses, and sandals are, of course, the perfect counterparts to this summer on the cape look.

Shorts (romper): Target

Shirt: J.Crew, J.Crew Outlet, Premium Outlets, Williamsburg, VA

Hat: H&M

Sunglasses: Giant Eagle

Shoes: Thrifted, Alabster's Attic Church Thrift Store, Greensburg

Not one to let a good outfit go to waste, I plan to wear this (probably sans the hat), during the drive and day portion of my friend Toni's bachelorette this weekend! Hopefully I won't be in too much of a celebration mode and I'll take pictures of the lovely dress I plan on wearing for our night on the town as single ladies! xoxo Anna Rae

Summer Poaching

The last time I wore this lovely snow cheetah/leopard print dress it was early spring and I paired it with tights and a wide belt. For this hunting season, I embraced its somewhat shapeless but swingy shape as a reflection of summer ease. I still can't get enough of black and white and yellow together. I am on the lookout for more brightly coloured chunky necklaces to keep up my accessorising game.Without tights this hemline is too short for wearing with anything other than the flattest of flats. Dress: Zara
Jacket: Vero Moda, The Bay (very old)
Necklace: Le Chateau
Shoes: Restricted, Amazon.com

The White Stripes

This simple outfit was the perfect match for a sunny day, even if I got most of my sun in small glimpses over my laptop screen.

This little white dress, a perennial warm weather favourite, pairs well with just about any cardigan and shoe.

Even with a world of coordination options at my disposal, however, I still chose the pair of shoes that matched perfectly.

Dress: Thrifted, The Salvation Army
Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft, Ebay
Shoes: Sam Edelman, Ebay

Getting my DC Ducks in a Row

This past week, while browsing apartments in DC, my friend Claire and I quickly took some blog photographs in front of one of the row houses where I may live. In this row home, I'd live in its basement, but isn't it so lovely? I can't wait to move. For a busy, warm day of running around the city, I wanted an easy outfit that would make me look at least a little professional in front of landlords.
I love the idea of pairing seersucker with floral prints, and these shoes seemed like a subtle way to pair the patterns. The pink belt is the perfect pop of color, and the gold locket is both simple and slightly nautical, like the dress.

Dress: Vintage, Eons, Pittsburgh

Belt: Target

Shoes: Old Navy

Locket: Gifted, Mom and Dad
Thanks Claire for quickly taking these pictures and for being the greatest tour guide of Columbia Heights. xoxo Anna Rae

The Darling Buds of June

Normally I wear this cardigan in more formal iterations, but I loved the way it paired with dots so much I wanted to wear it with my polka dot flats in a casual outfit.While I originally thought a short-sleeved cardigan would be totally impractical, and bought it for the print alone, I have been surprised at how often it is the perfect layering piece in a temperate climate like Vancouver's. I have been wearing my casual jean capris like crazy this spring with both t-shirts and converse and more dressed-up versions like this. I like how they make work staples like a staid floral cardigan and prim flats seem more laid-back.Because I often go for fun over practical, I have never owned a basic black camisole other than $6 spandex versions until I bought this empire-waisted one on sale at the Gap. I can't believe I ever lived without one! Cardigan: Ann Taylor Loft, Ebay
Camisole: Gap
Jeans: American Eagle
Flats: Jessica Simpson, 6pm.com
Necklace: Tiffany's, gifted by my boyfriend

Yacht Club Application

In this very nautical outfit, don't you just want to immediately admit me into your yacht club? Please focus on the anchor-printed tee, the bright boat shoes, the blue and white striped belt, and the whistle necklace if you aren't immediately convinced.

My mom hemmed these shorts for me from my high-waisted pants that, while a remarkable thrift store find, hit my ankles at a weird length and were maybe a bit too high-waisted for dress pants. As shorts that slightly resemble bloomers and certainly remind me of the 1940s, I think they're near perfect.

I thought this outfit was the perfect way to introduce my new boat shoes. I've been wanting a pair for a while now, drooling over Sperry's online for quite some time, and when I found this shockingly bright pink pair on sale at Payless, I took it as fate. Boat shoes, to me, are a great summer alternative to sneakers. They look great with shorts, casual skirts, and cuffed jeans, and they are comfortable, durable, and so nautical.
Shirt: Joe Fresh, Real Canadian Superstore, Prince George

Shorts: Thrifted and hemmed from pants, Alabaster Attic thrift store, Greensburg

Shoes: Payless

Belt: Vintage, on dress, Eons, Pittsburgh

Necklace: Front and Company, Main Street, Vancouver

Sunglasses: The Hills, Kerrisdale, Vancouver

If I seem a little exhausted in these pictures, it's because I was! My cousin took them after six hours of setting up and attending a high school graduation party. Phew. The summer life of leisure can be exhausting. xoxo Anna Rae

Middle School Shopping Habits

Middle school was, for me, a time to buy the same clothes as my friends, to prove that we were indeed best friends, but in different colors, because of course we were still individuals. Erin and I revitalized the middle school approach to shopping at the Joe Fresh store in downtown Vancouver, purchasing this cardigan (and these skirts) in its different variations of black and white. Erin's styling of the cardigan can be seen here for those of you with a fondness for side by side comparison.
Despite my serious commitment to the color blocking trend, I still really love wearing one pop of color with black and white patterns, and, to me, red is by far the best color for this job. Aside from this color, I felt like each piece in the outfit had a pair. The beautiful detailing in the cardigan -- the back is seriously amazing -- was highlighted by the other black-and-white patterned piece, the polka dot scarf used as a belt.
I also layered my metallics with the brooch on the tank top -- a fun way to add interest without color.
Cardigan: Joe Fresh, downtown Vancouver store

Tank top: Joe Fresh, downtown Vancouver store

Skirt: Thrifted and hemmed, St. Vincent de Paul, Latrobe

Scarf: Made (by mom) after hemming thrifted dress

Brooch: Self-made, from headband from Kohl's

Sunglasses: Gifted by Erin, the Bay

Shoes: Target

This outfit feels both fun and chic, even if it was a bit dressy for running errands at the grocery store, Walmart (the glamorous location of the shoot), and Kinko's. xoxo Anna Rae

Swimming With Spots

I can't overemphasize the versatility of a shirt dress. With flats or heels or tights or none, I have worn this one in all seasons to work, to the movies, and to holiday parties. I find that short sleeves (or no sleeves) are best because they more easily under a cardigan for layering.

I don't usually wear fun earrings when I wear my hair down, because they just get lost in the length. I thought this teacher bun would be a great opportunity to show off my newest earrings.

I have always wanted a pair of coral branch earrings, so when I saw these beads at Michael's craft store I made my first foray into jewelry making. It was as simple as buying lever-back hooks and attaching the branches with pliers, so I think I might try to start making some more bling.

Red and turquoise is such a great tweak on the classic red and blue, so choosing my second accent colour was easy. I have had these shoes for about eight years but they are still going strong. I love the tonal mix of leather, suede and (fake) snakeskin.

Dress: Nanette Lepore, Ebay
Shoes: CF by Falchi, Winners
Earrings: Self made with components from Michael's
Glasses: Kate Spade Franca, Amazon.com
Bag: Kate Spade, Winners

Resort Wear

I've never been a particular fan of the white summer dress before, mostly because I'm quite spilly, both in the sense that I often spill things on myself and in the sense that I'm constantly taking spills. When I saw this dress at Target, I decided to take a chance and purchase the summer staple. Obviously, I fell in love.
My favorite part of this dress is how the beaded neckline makes it unique enough to be an interesting outfit all by itself. The beginning summer dress code of a dress, a belt, and some sandals is liberating. I'm sure I'll miss my cardigans -- although how great does this tan one look against the white? Who knew neutrals could be so lovely paired together -- but for now I'm quite pleased with the relaxed, easy dress code.
Because the outfit was quite simple, I thought I could wear a pair of my bolder earrings. I love wearing earrings that are longer than my hair; it makes me feel so chic.
Dress: Calypso St. Barth for Target

Belt: Target

Shoes: Old Navy

Cardigan: New York and Co.

Earrings: Jewelry store in Malaga

I now absolutely understand the appeal of resort collections. xoxo Anna Rae

Von Trapp Accessories

Although I've really only paired my red pants with bold colors, I wanted to try pairing them with paler pastels. I like the idea of balancing out the bright red with a pastel color, and I knew this adorable top was a great first try for the color pairing.
The sweet colors and adorable ruffles are so twee that the red pants work as a nice balance. With a relatively simple outfit, I felt like it was appropriate to pile on some accessories. These glasses reminded me of Edith Head, which meant that I immediately needed to buy them, but the real star is my whistle necklace. Not only is it amazingly nautical, but it actual works. Every time I wear it I feel like I'm in the middle of Sound of Music.
Shirt: Joe Fresh, Real Canadian Superstore, Prince George

Pants: the Limited

Sunglasses: Hills, Kerrisdale, Vancouver

Necklace: Front and Company, Main Street, Vancouver

Sandals: Gap
Thanks Mono for being such an artistic blog photographer. I'm sad to report that these are the last of my Vancouver pictures. xoxo Anna Rae