Cool in the Heat

What does summer mean to you? For me, it's soft, flowing hair and accessories, flowers, and bright colours. Okay, so this outfit isn't particularly summery, the blue top and silver skirt were too cool toned for that, but oh well. I tried to add more of that summer feel by adding a flower headband. It's my go-to to make things feel feminine and fresh. Perfect for the season, right? 

Another piece I find difficult to style is this silver pleated skirt. Everything I try is always close to how I envision it, but never quite seems to hit the mark. Even this outfit didn't totally work out. The waist on the blue dress was too high, and the skirt's too low. Oh well, my belt almost hides it. I'll figure out something that works better one of these days.

H&M Dress

Zara Skirt

Necklace from France

ASOS Bracelets

Fergalicious Heels

Summer Fun

What screams summer more than flowers and bright colours? Perhaps sales? That's right, I was shopping some more, and bought a new blazer and sunglasses. It was one of those times where you walk out of the store, and you know you're going to regret it if you come back in a day or two and whatever you wanted was sold out. 

This blazer is gorgeous. I first saw it about a month back in Urban Outfitters, but I couldn't actually find it anywhere in the store besides on the mannequin. Well, I went in with a friend, and found this in the sale section. While I liked the print, I had a bit of a debate. The one thing that always stops me from buying floral prints is that I tend to find they always look a bit Asian inspired, especially when it's printed on satin. And since I'm half, I tend to avoid anything that looks too Asian inspired. Not this one though! Well, perhaps a little, but not enough to deter me. This definitely has a permanent place in my closet.

I bought this coral romper (also from Urban Outfitters) quite a few years ago. It hasn't gotten much use as Calgary weather really just isn't romper weather. I used an old black belt to break it up, or else I'd really just be a solid block of colour. Not a pleasant look.

Urban Outfitters Blazer and Romper

Nine West Clutch (Similar here)

Coach Sunglasses (Similar here)

ASOS Bracelets

Fergalicious Heels

An Asymmetrical Love

Here's another go-to outfit for me. I'm very big on skirts and a loose top for a simple, chic outfit. Add a few interesting accessories like these Jeffrey Campbell Litas and you're good to go where-ever. I'm currently on the lookout for a new hat. I think maybe a wine red, felt one. I'm really starting to love pairing them with everything I own, and yet I only have two. This needs to change, stat.

This necklace was my one and only purchase from Market Collective last weekend. I was volunteering with a friend for the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative, in support of a new national park connecting Glacier National Park and the Flathead River Valley.

There were a ton of small businesses hat normally sell at farmers markets, festivals, and Etsy. I've been looking for a long necklace to layer and found this one by CoutuKitsch. Love it, and love supporting local artists.

I'm not actually a fan of the tank top I have on here, but it's the loosest I own at the moment. I'm headed to H&M tomorrow to pick up a looser one to pair with all my skirts. I love loose tops that manage to hang and tuck perfectly, and I don't have nearly enough.

These Jeffrey Campbell Litas were an impulse purchase from last year. One of the few times I spent a fair amount on a trend. They definitely don't work with a lot of my regular outfits, but I try to incorporate them every now and then. I think they add a bit of an edgy feel, and, even though I think they're a bit on the ugly side seeing them in real life, they do photograph beautifully.

Top:Gap (Similar here)

Bottom: Skirt from Korea (Similar here and here)

Shoes: Jeffrey Campbell

Accessories: CoutuKitsch Y Necklace, Urban Outfitters necklace, ASOS Bracelet, Hat from Hungary

Sea Glass

I'm not the biggest fan of denim, but I'm getting there. Normally I would just wear this denim shirt with a mini skirt and tank top, but when I saw these light-washed jeans at Zara, I knew I'd be able to pull off the ultra-cool denim on denim style I never thought I'd be able to wear.

 

My favourite (and only, so far) Botkier bag in the colour "sea glass." What a lovely name for what I'd normally call "sea green," or "sea foam," or something not nearly as pretty sounding as "sea glass." Blues and blue-green colours are definitely my favourite. Shopping with my friends, and they immediately know what shades I'll gravitate towards.

I'm gathering a slow collection of Fossil jewelry. The bird necklace was a gift from a friend, and the cage was actually meant for a charm bracelet. I'm not the biggest fan of those though, so I just put it on a silver chain. I love that it actually opens though! I'm looking to buy a few more bracelets from them. 

And look, more minty green to match my bag!
Corresponding with the IFB Project #105, does anyone else have a specific colour they gravitate to?

Fossil Necklace

Fossil Charm

Chanel Earrings

Micheal Kors Watch

H&M Denim Shirt

PINK T-shirt

Botkier Lucy Bag

Zara Jeans (Similar here)

Nude Heels

Summer Must Haves

Summer in Calgary is temperamental. One moment it's sunny and 30 degrees (Celsius) out, and the next it's thunder-storming. Hell, we've even had snowstorms in July. At the moment, my summer wardrobe actually includes more jeans than what I would normally wear in the winter. Why? I don't know, but I figure I must subconsciously think I'm in Australia. Short skirts and dresses in the winter, maxi skirts and jeans in the summer. Weird, I know (and yes, the majority of my friends think I'm crazy, or, if you're my family, stupid). Perhaps I'll write a post on how to change your summer wardrobe into a winter one.

Regardless of my awkward dressing habits, I have a few summer staples to get me through the menopausal weather, along with any travelling I might be doing in warmer, more humid parts of the globe.

Sunscreen

Number one on my list is sunscreen. Make sure whatever you're using is at least SPF 30 with broad spectrum protection. A higher SPF won't actually make much more of a difference compared to SPF 30, but any lower and you're risking a burn, premature-aging, and possibly cancer. If you're willing to spend a few more dollars, try to grab an Asian sunscreen, as they'll also tell you the UVA protection. PA+++ is the highest. SPF protects against UVB rays, which causes the actual sunburn, while UVA rays cause wrinkles, brown spots, and skin cancer. And don't forget to reapply it every few hours!
I've run out of the sunscreen I bought in Korea, but here's what I'm using at the moment.

Beach Defense™ Sunscreen Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 30

Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 55

Nautical Dresses

Who doesn't love a nautical dress to remind you of the beach (especially as I'm nowhere near any). Nautical inspired dresses come in a ton of different styles, so you're bound to find something you like. Even a simple white and navy patter reminds me of a traditional sailor's uniform. Extra points for any stripes. Or you could just add a few nautical inspired accessories. A starfish cuff perhaps, or an anchor ring. While still summer-themed, these dresses can be worn with a pair of tights and a scarf or sweater over top to winterize them.

COPE  Linen Contrast Strapless Dress - Similar here

The WhitePepper Sailor Dress

Lily of the Galley Dress

Skirts

Ah, how I love skirts, preferably mini, or in a light, airy material like chiffon. Crocheted patterns are always popular in the summer, and add a bohemian feel. Floral prints will add a bright splash of colour to an otherwise plain outfit or drab, rainy weather. No matter what, a skirt is pretty easy to style and a simple way to look polished, or to go from a day-to-night look.

Free People Flower Field Mix Mini

Bloom Street Skater Skirt

Nasty Gal Lost Spring Maxi Skirt

Sunglasses

Again, sunglasses are important for sun protection. They'll help to protect the sensitive skin around your eyes from the sun, especially if you haven't reapplied any sunscreen for awhile. (Hats also add an extra layer of sun protection.) I'm in love with cat eye sunglasses this summer, and these Cheap Monday ones are especially cool with their gradient lenses. I do love details!

Cheap Monday Point Oversized Cat Eye Sunglasses

So, what are some of your summer essentials?

Botkier Fall 2013

VALENTINA mini

Botkier is one of my favourite designer bag brands. They're chic, and they don't break my bank account. Balenciaga, I'm looking at you. 

I'm loving their new fall collection. Talk about taking my obsession with blue to the next level. Botkier has redone some of my favourite designs in this lovely colour "French Blue." I don't know if I'll be able to resist the VALENTINA mini. The fall collection also features new hardware in "gunmetal." Along with this bright blue, the new collection is full of rich, sumptuous colours perfect for the cooler weather. I still prefer my bags bright, although the LEGACY satchel may end up being my new perfect black fail-safe bag.

Botkier came into being in 2003, via designer Monica Botkier. She's amazing at bringing classic, minimalist designs to life with edgy lines and detailing. And you can't beat the quality for the price. By no means are they cheap, but Botkier bags are definitely affordable on my student budget.

Check out the rest of the collection here. (And seriously, isn't this blue absolutely gorgeous?!)

VALENTINA satchel

VALENTINA mini

KEY satchel

LEGACY satchel

Blue&Blue

Went a bit spend heavy shopping all the summer sales... And I still want more. Damn you online shopping and Zara and Aritzia. This is too much for my bank account to handle. Okay, not really. Normally, I wouldn't be buying so much at once, but a few things happened this summer, and I won't be able to go on the trip I originally planned. At least I'll still be going to Vancouver and Seattle come August. One day I swear I'll leave Calgary and live somewhere.... warmer? More fashionable? Hopefully without major heat waves. *cough, cough, New York*

I loved blue as a kid, and I'm coming to love it again. These sandals are the perfect shade, and match my house (my toenails match the car in my driveway). I'm too obsessed with cobalt at the moment.

 The leather bracelet with the watch attached is actually a necklace I wrapped around my wrist. It was a souvenir from my last trip to France, while I was in Versaille.

 My new favourite pair of jeans. Thank you Aritzia sale! Normally I'm not a denim wearing girl, but lately I've been getting into them, due to a lot of inspiration from Aimee Song and my foot injury, which left me with a very swollen foot to hide in boots, which I ended up pairing with jeans most of the time. These are a coated pair of denim from Rag & Bone with zippers on the side. I love how they're not even black! They're this super dark navy that's almost black, but not quite. Sorry it didn't show up in the photos.

 Super  see-through shirt. I haven't figured out what to wear underneath, as all my tank tops aren't cut low enough. A bralette perhaps?

Top: Talula

Bottom: Rag & Bone (Similar here)

Accessories: Urban Outfitters necklace (Similar here), ASOS bracelet (Similar here)

Shoes: Zara

Easy Peasy

I think we can officially say summer is here! Look at all these flowers (and grass and weeds) outside my house. Perfect day for a super easy outfit, especially when I need to run errands around town. I finally bought a remote for my camera, so hopefully I'll figure it out and be able to take pictures a little quicker. Although running to and from the camera in ten seconds was probably good exercise.

This skirt is actually made repurposed sari fabric. I found it years ago in a street market downtown. It's just two pieces of fabric layered on top of one another that you can wrap around your waist and tie. Apparently you can tie it in such a way as to make a top and other different styles, but I lost the instructions right after I bought it. It's still my favourite skirt though, as it's so easy to just wear with a blouse or loose t-shirt, and BAM! Instant pretty! Definitely one of my go to outfits (but then again, dresses and skirts usually are).

These flats by Sam Edelman are definitely the comfiest I own. Surprisingly, none of my flats are particularly comfortable. I need to get a pair of these in black, and every other colour of the rainbow.

(Headband-Claires, Shirt-Japan, Skirt-Calgary, Bracelet-Tiffany's, Shoes-Sam Edelman)

All the rain made my poor peonies lose their petals. They were so pretty last week too.

Summer Weather

It's Stampede week and all I'm doing is working. I've been to the Calgary Stampede plenty of times, so it doesn't hold much of an allure for me anymore, except to spend time with friends and take in a concert or two. Unfortunately, I work all week, so I won't be able to make it, but these wedge sneakers would have been an adorable substitute for cowboy boots.

The sneakers are actually my sisters, and I just stole them for a half hour to shoot this look. I haven't been too much of a fan of the wedge sneaker trend due to all the velcro I tend to see, and that they don't really match my current wardrobe, but with denim cutoffs or shorts I can see the appeal.

It's been pretty hot in Calgary (compared to other summers) and I've started to live in shorts and airy tops. Chiffon is my favourite, but this thin shirt is quickly taking the place of my more sheer ones. I feel like it's super artsy looking, and once I find my perfect pair of boyfriend jeans, I probably won't ever take it off. And please, ignore my wannabe model poses. >_<

(Shirt-Garage, Shorts-Suzy Shier, Watch-Micheal Kors, Bracelet-Aldo, Shoes-Spring)

 Can't wait to take a few pictures in front of my garden, overgrown with weeds and grass as it is.