Super Sunday - Styling the Statement Necklace

Happy Superbowl Sunday Everyone!

I'm not exactly sure that this is a holiday in the true sense of the word holiday...but why not?

As I was preparing to get ready to head over to our friends house for their annual Superbowl party, I took a look through my closet and decided to go with a cute but casual pair of high-waisted skinny jeans, white tee and my new beige flannel boyfriend shirt that a snagged for just $10 bucks at the Old Navy winter clearance sale. As I was finalizing my OOTD, I decided to add my chunky jeweled necklace for a bit more interest, and a bit more edge.

Really pleased with the overall look, I got the idea to do a post about switching up the way one traditionally thinks of styling (ie, adding accessories to help style the look of an outfit), and share how you can make a statement necklace the inspiration for styling a couple of outfits around. Additionally, I wanted to share my ideas for how a really pretty piece of dressier jewelry can work with a whole spectrum of looks, from formal to casual to downtown hipster cool.

Here is the necklace that I started with:

I picked this up for next to nothing last fall while I was visiting a friend in London at the popular discount high-street store, Primark. Its chunky and weighty and was the center-point for the looks you will find below.

Typically, you would expect to pair such a pretty piece with some sort of formal wear or a dressier outfit such as this pretty gold and bronze brocade dress:

Dress - Zara (old)

I like the idea of pairing the pewter based necklace with the gold and black dress. It's a less obvious choice and I think it looks pretty cool!

Just because the necklace is pretty however, doesn't mean it's wear has to be limited to dresses. I think that the piece looks great styled with the casual outfit below:

T-shirt - Joe Fresh (similar)

Jeans - Winners

Flannel Boyfriend Shirt - Old Navy

Booties - Calvin Klein

I also love it with a pair of cropped wool dress pants, sleeveless tee and gladiator sandals - a perfect outfit for an afternoon of shopping or meeting the girls for brunch. And for those of you in more creative industries, this could be a great look for the office with or without a blazer thrown on top:

Tank - Old Navy

Pants - Old Navy

Shoes - Sam Edelman

My favorite look by far, plays homage to my inner "downtown hipster" and involves the unexpected combination of textures and fabrics shown below - pairing the ultra dressy with the super casual in a fun, flirty, feminine way. Add a pair of Ray-Ban Wayfarers and away you go!

                                                        Denim Jacket - Zara TRF (similar)

Booties - Nine West

Sunglasses - Ray Ban

Typically we look to our accessories to "accent" our outfits. But I think you could come up with some really unique looks and get more distance from your existing wardrobe by starting with a great statement piece of jewelry and then styling your outfit around your accessory!

I'd love to hear your ideas for "styling your statement pieces"!

Editor's note: Due to the forecasted snowstorm presently hitting Toronto and Southern Ontario, the original outfit that inspired this post never actually saw the light of day. I did however, enjoy a great superbowl party-of-four at home with my husband and daughters (what....a...GAME!) and now have 3 great new outfit ideas that should cut my "get-ready" time by an entire 5 minutes the next time we go out :) - You're welcome honey!!!

Baby It' COLD outside!!! (Sub-zero Style)

Happy New Year!

I hope you had a great holiday. Mine was jam-packed with family, lots of food and good times with friends. Sorry I didn't get around to posting, but with a newborn and the rush of the holidays I just couldn't find the time. However, new year, new leaf - I am now committing to much more regular posts that I hope you'll enjoy :)

I woke up this morning and the forecast was for a "balmy" high of -19° C with the "windchill factor" making it feel more like -30°C. For those of you who live in slighting warmer climates, the windchill factor temperature is how cold it actually feels due to high winds. I don't know why they report two temperatures - but they do - it's very Canadian. And very cold!

So I though it might be fun to do a post on what I put on to brave the elements that maintains both form and function - and of course - my personal style. To me, fall and winter fashion is really about outwear and accessories. Especially if you are just running around completing errands, or shopping as opposed to going to an event. Chances are, you will never remove your coat and so your OOTD look is really about your coat, boots and accessories. As a result, I've found that if you invest in a good coat and pair of boots (for us cold region dwellers, good means it is both WARM and stylish) and a nice handbag to lug your stuff around, you will always look chic and pulled together, and with very little effort. Top it off with some great cold weather accessories, including sunglasses, scarf, gloves, hat - and you're good to go.

Here are a few of my recent looks:

 

Navy overcoat - Zara

Shirt - Target

   Tall boots - Michael Kors

Parka - Canada Goose

Black & White scarf - Zara

Leggings - Forever 21

Short boots - Ugg

Diaper bag - Marc Jacobs

Sunglasses - Fossil

Gold scarf - H & M

For Coats/Jackets, I believe there are two must-haves:

1. Parka
2. Wool blend coat

A good hooded parka will keep you warm and toasty and there are many brands that come in a more fitted style so that you can avoid looking too bulky and feeling frumpy. There are a lot of great options at price points to accommodate all budgets.

Here are a few of my favorite parka splurges and steals:

1. Nobis 2. Moncler 3. Mackage

4. Roots 5. Zara 6. Aritzia

The wool coat is great for fall and warmer winter days or for when you want to go for something slightly less casual than the parka look. I tend to be drawn to options with shiny metallic detailing in the zippers or buttons or a combination of wool with leather trim. I use a drugstore razor to remove pilling and always dry clean to increase the longevity of my coats and keep them looking fresh and new.

Here are a few options:

Clockwise from top left: DVF, Mango (sold out), Mango (sold out), Massimo Dutti, Forever 21, Zara

Its a great time of year to invest in outerwear for next winter as most places are having their end of season sales - I personally am considering picking up either the Massimo Dutti Italian wool coat above or the Zara zip coat (now $99 discounted from $199!) for myself :)

I don't believe you have to sacrifice style for comfort when it comes to dressing in sub-zero temperatures. A great pair of boots and a statement handbag will tie it all together and keep you looking effortlessly chic. Don't forget a cool pair of shades to keep the snow-glare out of your eyes, and a cozy scarf and gloves to shield you from the wind and add some personality to your performance gear.

What are your favorite ways to stay warm and looking great when the mercury drops?

Time to head out

So it's been a few weeks since I had Emma, and my body (and style) are beginning to adapt to our new - shall we call it - reality....Having been down this road before (albeit 5 years ago now...) I am better prepared for what to expect from my body apres delivery, and less shocked at what pregnancy has done to my figure. When it comes to my personal experience (and my body type) this is what I know:

1. Much of my pregnancy "bloat" is indeed water - take that all you meanies that thought making comments about how "HUGE" I was and predicting that my baby would be ready for delivery at month 6 was so hilarious!!!! (For those of you who have never been pregnant, and may not be aware, it is never ok to tell a pregnant woman that she is big....EVER. Unless your comment about her appearence is something along the lines of "you look fabulous/glowing/radiant/fantastic" keep quiet - we already know our feet are swollen, skin is breaking out, belly is huge and that we waddle when we walk. No commentary is necessary.

2. I will lose most of the weight I gained while pregnant with very little effort - The last 5-10 pounds is VERY difficult to shed. My bigger challenge will be losing the weight I tend to gain after the baby...oy!

3. Maternity leave is counter productive to losing weight - Being on maternity leave in the Canadian winter (ie, grossly inactive, all day access to television/magazines/internet and REFRIGERATOR) is the ultimate saboteur to my weight loss efforts - I actually tend to gain weight after I initially lose my pregnancy pounds.

4. Above all, don't stress - I gained and lost it before, I will gain and lose it again.

Style wise, I've spent the last 7 weeks in a uniform of black leggings, Roots sweatpants and loose sweaters. Today, as I ventured out into society with a purpose that did not involve dropping off or picking up our 5 year old from school, I decided it's time to make a little effort. Here's what I wore to hit the mall and begin (cringe) my Christmas shopping.

V-neck pullover - H&M

Scarf - Zara

Bracelet - Fossil

Pants - Lululemon

Shoes - Calvin Klein

Diaper bag - Marc Jacobs

Sunglasses - Sirens

These pants from Lululemon are among my favorite! They are so comfy and forgiving yet super stylish. NOBODY knows how toned (or not) your thighs are in these pants!!! I also love using pattern and colour in an unexpected way, and think that the faux snakeskin flats and red sunglasses add just the right amount of personality. 

I hope to share more of my post pregnancy style ideas and would love to hear your tips and feedback on how to keep your look stylish but at the same time comfortable and conducive to caring for a little one.