maxi skirts - continued!

I just HAVE HAVE HAVE to share this: look at the amazing maxi skirt looks from Sydney over at the daybook. Love all 3, but neon pink just always pulls at my heart strings. Must be love.

*all images via Washingtonian

blush tones

Some days you just feel like you need to be a relaxed and cool as possible. This happened to be my Tuesday after the long weekend. Usually I want to wear something that will stand out, be creative and fashionable, but then I realized as I stood in front of my closet, more often than not, I just like being simple and chic. 

And come on, a trench and ladylike satchel will never go out of style, it's just so classic.

P.S. That shiny watch? Grad present from my Mommy dearest. Love her!

Dynamite trench

 

Sirens skinny stretch dress pants, Costa Blanca lace detail high-low blouse

Sears spiked  ring, Michael Kors watch, Aldo Accessories studs, Gucci shades

Aldo satchel, Michael Kors flats

i spy...

The TTC is a prime spot to do some trend, fashion, people watching. I will unabashedly admit that I do stare, mostly at girls, and usually at girls who dress nice. It's human nature to covet, in kind, I believe I flatter them (and sometimes myself when they stare back, and we smile, and know that one of us will be wearing a replica of the outfit we just memorized for the next day). 

All kindness and lollipops on the 8:30 AM train Downtown. Not.

A couple of days ago I spotted a very lovely young lady who's take on boho chic was so inspiring, she really did make me study her outfit for the better part of my 40 minute travel.

So now this is what I'm on a mission for:

  

A Wear Split Detail Maxi C$70.58 

American Apparel Maxi Skirt C$61.76

ASOS Jersey Maxi Skirt with Seam Detail C$49.41

ASOS Maxi Skirt in Bias Cut C$52.94

 

VINTAGE JACQUARD PATTERN T-SHIRT 29.90 CAD

SPLASH PRINT OPEN BACK T-SHIRT 45.90 CAD

LINEN T-SHIRT WITH PRINT 29.90 CAD

LACE TOP WITH BACK OPENING 69.90 CAD

T-SHIRT WITH KNOTTED SHOULDERS 35.90 CAD

T-SHIRT WITH DRAPED HEM 49.90 CAD

 

 

ADENA PLATFORM BOOTIE DUSK SUEDE MICHAEL MICHAEL KORS $87.78

Ash Jalouse Suede Booties CA$ 173.06 | $164.50 (30% off)

Elizabeth and James 'Shane' Bootie $313.86

Ecote Suede Ankle Bootie $79.00

 

 

 

what is fashion to you?

Today I found the daybook and I think I am half in love with her wit, her style, and her immense love for her baby. Kind of made me want a baby. For about half a second.

What she really inspired in me though came through this quote from novelist Carol Edgarian,

Style begins with the people passing through one’s life, the harbingers we push against and the stylemakers we want to clone. Some are famous, some not. Style grows from admiration, from longing, from discrimination—and, yes, from love. It’s all the places you’ve been to and the people and the moments you’ve known: the parts you’ve adopted, to keep forever, and transformed. We wear our history in our hearts and on our backs.

It has really made me think about where all my style enthusiasm comes from. Fashion in itself is such a profound concept, no? To labour over what to wear, how to wear it, what will go with what, does this even look good? Are all the thoughts running through my head from 11 PM the night before to 6 AM standing in the middle of my room.

It can be quite all consuming, but it is such a beautiful hobby.

So think, see, watch, feel inspired by those around you -- things, people, color, life, what truly makes YOU feel YOU. Or because it's shiny. I love shiny things.

inspirational

There are many situations in life when you feel like just stopping; stop getting up at 6 AM, stop putting effort into your look, stop dedicating yourself to your job, stop being enthusiastic about working for free, stop feeling that you can achieve anything. I've had 3 out 5 of those, how about you?

Well how about you stop feeling sorry for yourself? Some tough love can usually be the key to self-motivate yourself, because let's be honest, not many people around you will handle you with anything but delicate care.

Read these motivating quotes, take a deep breath, and whatever your endeavor might be: act on it, then plan.

The most inspiring and admirable quote for me comes from Candice Carpenter, founder of iVillage.com:

“If you are committed to creating value and if you aren’t afraid of hard times; obstacles become utterly unimportant. A nuisance perhaps; but with no real power. The world respects creation; people will get out of your way.”

 

looks good on you, honey

Being a single girl is hard, yes. Being a single girl with ambition is even harder. The pressure to achieve success because you are not achieving the stereotypical dreams of getting married and having children bear down more heavily on some cultures than others.

Aside from society's point of view and generally traditional right and wrong, why does it seem as though, with every step women take forward, there are so many women who are taking three steps back?

I've noticed, quite discreetly and over some time, that many of my closest girlfriends have succumbed to the loss of their ambition. The need to succeed, achieve goals, make money and be happy with oneself has gone out the door for them because they have steady boyfriends.

As a former serial long-term dater, I am thriving on my new-found independence, I'm loving every mistake I make and every step forward that I take. It is, in one word, thrilling.

Why are smart, capable, attractive young women who are in their prime, settling? It's a question that has been nagging at me because I can see the potential, what can be achieved, but are some females just destined to be mediocre?

In this day and age, are boyfriends so valuable that you give up your dreams of finishing school, forging a career and give up your sense of freedom for fast-food 7 days a week, pouring your abilities into his success and forgetting you can have it all by yourself?

Here are some other very ambitious women's blogs that ponder the same thing, kind of.

Alexandra Levit's Water Cooler Wisdom
Career Dive
Corporette
SavvySugar
Cyber-HotFlash (name is HILARIOUS!)
Christiana Rants!(this one is just amusing)

goodbye winter, hello spring

Alexander Wang vest, Costa Blanca blouse, faux leather shorts from Forever 21, AMIclubwear fringe booties

Chanel purse, Aldo sunglasses and ring, Urban Planet cuff