That's a Wrap

A little play on words today, that's a "wrap" on my role as a consultant with our school division and I am featuring this bright and cheery wrap top.  This is my last "office" outfit post for the summer and really indefinitely.  Today marks the last day of my role as a consultant.  The four years have flown by and it's hard to believe that that much time has already passed.  I remember it so clearly, coming into the office, feeling extremely unsure of myself, not having a clue what the role entailed and being terrified that they were going to discover I was an impostor.  Over the four years I was blessed to work with encouraging mentors, supportive colleagues and team members, and inspiring teachers.  So though I am sad to be leaving the role behind, I am also grateful that I had this opportunity.  The role lent me down a path of learning with, from and alongside many different people, from different perspectives, and as a result I am confident that I have gained the skills and friendships, that I can lean on as I enter a new role next year.  I will be taking on the position of vice- principal and also heading up a new pilot program for junior kindergarten in that school.  It's a new adventure altogether and I am excited to trade in some of my fancier day-to-day outfits for some more casual looks.  NOT to worry though, my high heels and pretty dresses won't be exiting completely they just may be in rotation to more casual outfits :)  

 

This outfit is one that I would classify into multiple categories, office, classroom, brunch, errands around town, etc. I purchased this bright and cheery top at the Loft while in Edmonton with my sister a couple of months ago.  Funny thing is we both purchased the same top so I likely won't be getting that one as a hand-me-down pile next year.  I was immediately drawn to the bright color of the top, and though I was adamant that I wasn't going to buy any more "yellow", I clearly had little self-restraint when it came down to it.  I really enjoy the wrap look on tops and dresses, so I wanted to add that detail into my closet.  It structures my body shape so nicely, cinching in at the waist with a pretty bow and separating my top and bottom, giving me definition. Overall, this is an outfit that will be on repeat for me this summer as it's super easy to pull together and the top would look super cute  paired with some denim shorts.  

Speaking of shorts, it's officially "summer" for me so we are packing up and moving to the lake for the next six weeks.  I am hoping to get some clarity on where I want to take the blog in the next year and what are some reasonable expectations.  See you next Friday!  

Shop This Post:

Top (sold out)  Option #1, Option #2

ON White Jeans

Zara Straw Bag (old) Similar 

Give Me All the Fall Colors: White Jeans #3

When I see a pile of leaves I  instantly get that childhood urge to throw them up in the air, run and jump into them, or simply just play with them, don't you?  It goes without saying that one of my favorite things about fall are the natural  colors that surround us.  Even if you live in a city, like me, you can find pockets of that natural beauty without traveling too far.  Check out a local park, a hiking trail nearby, or just take the time to stop and notice the leaves, the fallen pine cones, the change in perennial plants and bushes, pumpkins that line peoples lawns, right in your neighborhood. 

Taking outfit photos indoors is always so difficult for me, especially as daylight is hard to come by after work, so taking advantage of the outdoor setting before it gets too cold has been my goal this year.  I've also been trying to shoot three outfits at a time in order to minimize the time I spend on the blog and away from my family. This is my last white jean outfit, see #1 and #2, and it's one that I think perfectly transitions me from fall into early winter.  Cooler temps are referred to as 'sweater weather' and I love me some sweaters.  What's great about this one, is that it's not over-sized, chunky and let's just cuddle up on the couch and hibernate through the winter (those are my favorite types), but it's a sweater/dress/tunic.  It's totally acceptable to wear to the office with jeans/ leggings and paired up with short booties, OTKB, pearls or funky jewelry. Because of the simple cut and neutral color, you can really use it as a basic piece and dress it up, down, funky, add color, basically you can style it whatever way you want!  I decided wanted the natural environment to stand out, so I kept everything else super simple and neutral.  I love how this outfit turned out.  Playing with the different shades of gray and adding the wine-deep-purple purse gives it just enough dimension without taking over.  The pearls are a simple and classy touch without making the outfit too formal. 

 Have a beautiful weekend friends.   Please join the  Continental Drift Link-Up on November 1st with any post of your choice (family, DIY, travel, books, fashion, etc.)  right here.  We will be sharing our tips for successful hosting through the holiday season.  Thanks for helping us grow and share.

SHOP THIS POST: 

 ON White Jeans

Aritzia Tunic (old; similar)

Expression Grey Booties

H & M Purse (sold out; black available)

Mac Diva Lipstick

Styling My Way Through a Corn Maze: White Jeans Outfit #2

One of my favorite family traditions that we have as a family is going to Youth Bible Corn Maze in Rosthern.  Years ago we stumbled upon it somehow and just kept returning to it time and time again, until it became a fall tradition for our family, read about last years adventures here.  Over the years have watched the business grow and include more and more things to do and explore.  There are the two corn mazes, kids and adults, petting zoo, climbing wall, pumpkin patch picture area, train rides, etc.  We've done it all over the many years we've gone but the last two years the exciting thongs for the girls have been conquering both mazes and finding all four secret stamps.  This year we started in the adult maze because it took us forever last year, like a solid hour, but this year we found the three stamps within the first 15 minutes.  We just got really lucky but then we ventured into the kids maze feeling pretty cocky and it took us at least a half-hour to find the one stamp.  I guess you just never know when you'll get lucky and choose all the right turns and when you wont.  Hahaha.  Either way we got all four stamps and the kids were thrilled!  What a wonderful way to spend a glorious Sunday afternoon as a family.

Halie at age 5 1/2, September 2012.

Anya 2 1/2 and Halie 5 1/2 at the corn maze.

Now on to the outfit.  If you stopped by last Friday you know that I have three ways to wear white jeans in the fall, see outfit #1 HERE.  For the corn maze I used country style for inspiration.  It was the white jeans that I started with when picking out this outfit, it was that I really wanted to wear my cowboy boots that don't get a lot of love in the city.  That was my starting point and then my plaid shirt complements the colors on the cowboy boots so well, plus is PLAID (enough said).  Because I layered a black tank underneath so I could knot tie my shirt without belly showing, I figured the white jeans were the perfect contrast and pop of color for this outfit.  I absolutely love how easy, relaxed, natural and perfectly this outfit came together for this particular event.  Honestly I really wanted to just go all causal and natural, minimal make-up (foundation, mascara and lip chap ) and blow-dried my hair, that's it.   This look would work for any country outing, pumpkin patch, apple patch, zoo trip or a stroll through the woods.  

I hope you all enjoy your weekend.  We are off to spend time with our friends in Regina and big news coming from the Krienke family next week on IG.  

Shop This Post:
Old Navy Rockstar JeansAmerican Eagle Plaid (old; similar )
Ariat Cowboy Boots (old; similar)

White Jeans For Fall: Outfit #1

 Lately I’ve been grabbing for my white jeans a whole lot.  All spring and summer they were hardly in rotation, maybe twice,  and all of a sudden they are having their moment in my day-to-day life, so I decided that I wanted to show you three ways to wear your white jeans through fall and winter over the next three Fridays.

Here in Saskatchewan we often just skip over the ‘fall’ season and jump right into winter.  We have already had a couple of visits from the white fluffy stuff but thankfully it melts away rather quickly .  That being said the rest of the world is easing into fall and this outfit would totally be acceptable to wear as a transitional outfit.  The lovely Larrisa of Lovely Roots Photography did these pictures in late summer/early fall for me on the riverbank.  Looking back on these photos makes me long for longer and warmer days.  We have so much natural beauty around our city and getting out to shoot some outfits before the cold settles in has been one of my goals.   My favorite picture is the carefree one below.  I wish I could go back to that moment.

Okay, outfit.  Let’s talk about this chambray shirt.  What isn’t there to absolutely love?  What’s the best feature?  Well the giant bow is an instant show stopper!  I love the delicate white trim, the balloon sleeves, the tassel on the sleeves, and  the wrap style which really accentuates a ladies natural curves.  IF I were brave, and not wearing it to work, I wouldn’t layer the white camisole underneath, but I would embrace my curves much like Melissa did last week on Mom With Style.  Another favorite piece of mine are these peep toe booties.  They have such a short season here in Saskatchewan that they don’t get worn out and thus they are on their 3^rd or maybe even 4^th season in my closet.  Confession, after summer I get lazy about keeping up with pedicures so that’s another reason I often don’t wear them because I just feel like I need pretty nails to wear open-toe shoes.  

Hope you all had a great weekend and come back on next Friday for a casual white jean outfit for fall and a family recap of the corn maze outing we had to celebrate fall.  

Shop This Post:

Zara Cross Over Blouse (sold out); Zara similar

ON Rockstar Jeans

Peep-toe booties (old)  Similar: Old Navy  JustFab

Fashion Friday: Three Simple Outfits For Every Woman

Hi friends!  Well the Get Your Pretty On Spring Style Challenge wrapped up last Sunday and I am going to share three outfits provided by Alison of GYPO that I loved from weeks 2 & 3, that  I feel any woman could re-create.  What you will discover is that the prompts provided are super simple and you are encourage to interpret, substitute and adjust the them to suite your daily lifestyle.  Here we go:

 

Simple Outfit #1

Prompt: Cardigan + Chambray Dress + Printed Scarf + Lace Up Flats

My style:  White jeans, basic tank, chambray shirt, my favorite necklace/locket, peep-toe booties and my trusted Nine West spring purse (which I hope to replace with a Kate Spade satchel next month when we go to Disneyworld on a family trip).

 

Simple Outfit #2

Prompt: Bomber Jacket + White Tee + Colored Denim + Metallic Sneakers

 

My Style: This was a perfect prompt for doubling up as both casual and work appropriate. I wore my fringed skirt (styled here) and bomber jacket (styled here) for the office and quickly threw on some jeans after work for Miss. H's fine arts gala performance.  I love playing with patterns and textures.  Polka dots and florals actually go really well together and  I also mixed it up by adding these forest green pumps for a pop of unexpected color!

 

 

Simple Outfit #3

Prompt: Striped Blazer + Floral Top + White Jeans + Sandals

 

My Style:  I would I stayed  closest to this prompt out of the three.  I've got the white jeans, which go with everything, palm tree/sunset tank and the stripes on my wedges.  I love how this outfit came together for a casual day with the kids. 

 

 

 

The spring challenge is now over but the Facebook group, which is my favorite part of the challenges, is going through the prompts again, also if you use link above the challenge is on sale now for only $29.  I have decided to NOT shop for anything else from today until we go to Florida and am challenging myself to wear every piece from my spring wardrobe at least once before we leave on vacation.  Have a great weekend everyone!