warning: cute girl alert!

I spy with my little eye something that is yellow... and fabulous. Well, mustard really, but regardless, I'm seriously smitten with this look from the Clothes Horse! When I first saw it I instantly fell in love with the leather pencil skirt, and loved how Rebecca paired it with a plaid shirt, vintage belt, tights and grannie booties... and check out that ring! Where do you shop for accessories, pray tell? Sigh... this post reminded me of a black leather skirt I bought last year from Value Village that I somehow have neglected to wear... what's wrong with me?? Maybe if I can dig it up in time for the weekend, I just might have to wear it in honor of Rebecca and her rad little outfit...

wanted for spring...

Even though I rarely sport it, I'm a lover of chambray... seriously, has there ever been a more Spring-worthy fabric? Just looking at it alone makes me happy! I'm on the hunt for the perfect chambray dress this year, however, I would gladly settle for a high-waisted skirt... if I must. Casual yet chic, this Current/Elliott strapless dress (pictured above) has me yearning for days of warm weather, sunnies, and gladiators. In what feels like an eternity of drab, dreary weather, the mental image of me sporting a fab chambray dress is the only thing that's getting me through... sad but true.

ready to wear...

What do you wear for a weekend jaunt to the country? Well if you're like Karl Lagerfeld, you might put together a look similar to his Chanel Spring 2010 Ready to Wear collection... but if you're like the rest of us, a simple jeans and a t-shirt ensemble would certainly suffice. Regardless, I loved the collection, and found the farm-themed catwalk to be an interesting contrast to the opulence of the clothes. These are my top four favourite looks from the show... I love the classic Chanel elements rendered in black and white (a very crisp, sophisticated combination), and I'm actually quite intrigued by the clogs (bottom right image). It might not be quite fit for the country, but I think that Mr. Lagerfeld is certainly onto something...

Images courtesy of www.style.com

photo of the day...

We all need it... that's right my friends, I'm talking about love. I deem this photo to be rad, don't you? A special thank you goes out to amanda-thomas.blogspot.com for posting this awesome pic by Alice Gardens (http://www.flickr.com/photos/alicebgardens). Gracias amiga! Your blog rocks...

foxy lady...

Have you heard of Jane Aldridge yet? You know, the 18 year old personal-style blog giant? I could seriously peruse her blog for hours and be left wanting more... no joke. This adorable, pint-sized lovely has some seriously enviable clothes, not to mention her shoe collection! We're talking Chanel, Prada, Proenza Schouler, Givenchy- you name it, she's sporting it! And her penchant for animal-motif jewelry/accessories makes me feel like she's my homegirl... I love her outfit, pictured above, complete with a vintage double horse head necklace (I want it!) and a Christopher Ross fox belt buckle. I love that she's not afraid to be unconventional with her accessories, and if you don't believe me, check out her post about Hanna Bernhard brooches (mind blowing- especially the giant squid!). How do you know you've made it in the blogosphere? How about when you have Urban Outfitters asking you to design a shoe collection, Karl Lagerfeld inviting you to Paris, Gryphon wanting you to design a trench coat, and Kanye West following you. Hmm, looks like I have a lot of work ahead of me...

Images courtesy of http://seaofshoes.typepad.com

photo of the day...

Once again, a special shout out goes to a thought is the blossom, for without this blog I might never have seen this photo... And what a tragedy that would have been. Love, love, looooove it! And with Valentines Day lurking its candy and flower-encrusted head around the corner, what more fitting imagery can one hope for?

Photo by Acido, posted on athoughtistheblossom.blogspot.com

I'm not one for award shows, but as I perused the 2010 Golden Globe Awards photos on www.justjared.com this morning, I couldn't help but notice one commonality between all the gowns: they were all completely dull. And unflattering. And, well, I'm just going to go ahead and say it- ugly. Am I alone in feeling this way? I can't believe that these celebs actually paid stylists to outfit them in such lackluster dresses! The only exception I saw was the lovely Zoe Saldana's Louis Vuitton gown... I thought it was beautifully captivating in both colour and design, with its flirty layers and bows cascading all the way down to its mini train. Zoe is always stylishly clad, and I would expect nothing less from her... but to all the other celebs that graced the Golden Globe red carpet this year: I'm sorry, but what were you thinking?

Image by Merritt/Getty, courtesy of www.justjared.com

on my radar...

I received an email from Aritzia today that featured a preview of their Spring '10 Lookbook... To be honest, I wasn't exactly left in awe of what's to come, but that being said, I was rather taken by this TNA indigo washed cropped sweater... What's with me and cropped clothing you may ask? Who knows, but you can probably blame it on my 90's upbringing... I'm not exactly feeling the shorts (I'm pretty sure I owned the same pair in 5th grade!), but I think it's pretty safe to say that this sweater will be added to my spring wardrobe roster... What's on yours?

Image courtesy of www.aritzia.com

the littlest hobo...

So after many months of searching, and longing, for the perfect cross-body bag (remember my ode to Topshop's version last month?), my desires have finally come to fruition. That's right my friends, I'm now the proud owner of a fabulous Cynthia Rowley Precy Hobo. Have more beautiful words ever been spoken? Softly say Precy Hobo a few times, and I swear it almost sounds like prayer... This little hobo is the perfect size, stowing my most important possessions with ease while providing a little leeway for new additions. And the black leather is so deliciously buttery that I find myself unable to stop stroking it... It might not be able to sweep into town in time to save the day, but my littlest hobo is certainly a keeper!

Image courtesy of Bloomingdale's

photo of the day...

When I first saw this photo by Hannah Stocker posted on one of my favourite blogs, http://athoughtistheblossom.blogspot.com, I was instantly drawn to it... The post was entitled Vanitas, referencing the popular 17th century still-life genre of painting that focused on a series of objects as symbols for the the vanity of earthly possessions/endeavors, all the while nodding to the inevitability of death (let's just say that skulls were a popular motif). This was a crafty ploy designed to compel the viewer to consider their own morality, and consequently, repent for their many sins. Regardless, I love this photo. I'm not so much regretting any nights I spent in debauchery or my affinity for earthly possessions as I look upon it, but enchanted by its whimsy. It almost seems to me that the central character of the photo has fallen into an intoxicated slumber brought on by these so called "earthly pleasures". I don't know about you, but it doesn't look half bad to me...

down the rabbit hole...

Thanks to my trusty Twitter account, I started off my day with some rather exciting news... Woman's Wear Daily and Vogue London (amongst others, to be sure) both tweeted, err, reported on a very promising collaboration between the oh so fabulous Stella McCartney and Disney in celebration of Tim Burton's upcoming Alice in Wonderland. The limited-edition collection is said to feature an array of whimsical Plexiglas and Swarovski crystal charms, including rabbits, pearls, Mad Hatter hats, and of course, hearts, spades, clubs and diamonds. Needless to say, I'm anxious to see the end result. The only problem for this small-town girl is that the pieces will apparently be sold exclusively out of McCartney's boutiques, none of which I have immediate access to. All I can say is thank goodness for eBay...

Images courtesy of Getty Images (McCartney) and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures (Depp)

photo of the day...

As some of you may have noticed, "photo of the day" is a new addition to the blog whereby I plan to post photos that I deem interesting/inspiring for your perusal... and for its inaugural post, I can hardly think of a more worthy candidate. I loooooove this photo of Zooey Deschanel, my most beloved of style icons... she's just so gosh darn adorable! I love her uber feminine, vintage inspired duds, her quirky personality, her cute bangs... oh, who am I kidding, I love everything about her. From her films (500 Days of Summer is a new fav) to her musical stylings (She and Him's Volume One is the perfect rainy day soundtrack), Zooey is 100%, top grade cool. Yup, I'm gushing... deal with it.
Image courtesy of http://thestylishunderground.blogspot.com

on my radar...

As previously stated, I love Erica Weiner... but as much as I adore my key necklace from the designer, I have my sights set on one of her lovely pen necklaces. The pendant pictured above on the far right tickles my fancy most, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since it caught my eye a few months back. Keeping that in mind, I think it's pretty safe to say that this piece no longer falls into the "impulse buy" category, right? Now if only my favourite online store- cough, Marble- would carry it...

Image courtesy of http://www.ericaweiner.com

guilty pleasure...

OK, I'll admit it, I shop on Forever 21's Canadian website from time to time... call it a guilty pleasure if you will, but when it comes to mucho trends for little dinero, Forever 21 can be a gal's best friend. The selection is pretty impressive, and not only is it inexpensive, but you get free shipping on orders of $75 or more- a total that's by no means hard to amass. And before you know it, there's a pretty white parcel awaiting on your doorstep! Items sell out fast though, so there's no time to hum and haw over a purchase... I placed an order just two nights ago, and when I returned to the site today for some images of my purchases, I sadly could only find one of a shirt I'm anxiously awaiting. This looks like the perfect top to throw on with jeans and boots, or pair with a high-waisted skirt, tights and ankle booties. It's all about the Breton stripes, baby! I'm also greatly anticipating the 80's inspired skirt and silk floral dress in my order, the latter of which will most likely be worn as a shirt to avoid indecency... Oh Forever 21, what would I ever do without you?

Image courtesy of canada.forever21.com

that's right, fanny packs...

OK, I'm just gonna go ahead and say it- I love fanny packs. Judge me if you will, but once you strap on one of these bad boys and see for yourself just how lovely it is to step out into the world with free hands, you'll quickly change your tune... truuuust me. I picked up a black metallic FP from American Apparel for Halloween (I went as Edward Scissor Hands- believe me, if ever there was a time to have free hands, that was it), and I have been in love with it ever since. Granted the opportunity to wear said FP doesn't present itself everyday, but I look forward to wearing my little beauty again soon. Hate on, haters...
Image courtesy of http://www.americanapparel.net

Resolutions...

As we know all too well, the coming of each year presents an opportunity to shed the vices of years past in favour of healthier, more productive choices. Like it or not, resolutions are everywhere, saturating conversations and notepads with aspirations of weight loss, career gains, travel, etc. Always a sucker for such proclamations of self-betterment, I ring in each and every year with a list that always seems to set me up for failure. Well this year I say no more. It's a new decade, and I have resolved to not make any resolutions that I can't- or won't- keep this year. Instead of trying to lose weight or get a better job, I think I will simply try to enjoy each day to the fullest, appreciating my loved ones and all my many blessings along the way. May 2010 find everyone happy, healthy, and free from the stresses of resolutions... Happy New Year!

Image courtesy of http://growabrain.typepad.com

girl crush: Rhiannon Leifheit

Can you imagine making a living selling the vintage treasures you come across during jaunts to your local thrift stores? I can't, because the sheer awesomeness of such a career simply blows my mind... plus I would suffer from some serious separation anxiety parting with all my beloved finds. Anyway, you can't actually build a life around your most favourite hobby- or can you? Well according to Miss Rhiannon Leifheit, you certainly can. This 29 year old lovely is the proud owner of a very popular eBay store named Liebemarlene Vintage, which features the many awesome finds she procures during her weekly thrift/antique store trips. Plus her wicked blog (http://liebemarlene.blogspot.com) is a constant source of inspiration for me... I love her style, especially the way she expertly blends elements from the past with current trends- most notably, her vast tights collection. And the whole Zooey Deschanel vibe that she has going on makes me love her all the more. Plus the fact that she followed her heart to a career that she not only loves, but has actually succeeded in (she's been featured in such publications as Marie Claire, Bust, and Lucky Magazine!), gives me the hope to take a chance and follow my own dreams. Who knows, maybe 2010 will be my year...

Images courtesy of http://liebemarlene.blogspot.com