Summer Office Vibes

Admittedly, a linen schmatta might be a stretch for the office, but (a) it was a Thursday, (b) it was hot as hell, and (c) I put a blazer on it. I feel like “c” is the answer to every “how to I make this appropriate for work” dilemma. All in all, I think it was a respectable showing. I tend to stay away from super bright colours these days, but I do enjoy pulling out all the stops with this poppy red from time to time. I am the kind of person who considers beige a “power colour”, but there is something quite happy and reinvigorating about a good red, don’t you think?

Detail Oriented

This outfit is all about the details – that blazer, in particular. Marc Cain is a European brand that is starting to get more exposure in Edmonton, thanks to a new store in West Edmonton mall, so I am seeing pieces at the thrifts with greater frequency. This blazer is so wonderful, and in like-new condition. The subtle check pattern and lightweight wool material would be lovely on their own, but the smaller details – like the embroidered bees on the breast pocket, the contrast floral lining on the sleeves (and inside pocket), and the fringe hem – are just incredible. Paired with my COS paperbag waist trousers, which have become my go-to pants, it is an instant “favourite outfit” contender. Just look:

Mermaid Inspired

I mean, not literally; but this shade of pale greenish-grey always makes me think of fabled water creatures. I like this sweater a lot, and it works very well with this newly acquired resin link necklace (thanks, eBay). The necklace was listed as “Anthropologie” but I have my doubts. It feels really light and flimsier than other stuff I’ve bought at Anthro; on the other hand, I do like it a lot, it’s comfortable to wear and I didn’t pay too much for it so … eh. Also working well here? This vintage Jones NY skirt. I am not generally fond of the 90s revival, but I have been enjoying revisiting the maxi skirt trend. After more than a decade of pencil skirts, it feels surprisingly fresh.

Volume Squared

Speaking of sack dresses, I hope you have not forgotted this other recent favourite. I haven’t. The weather has been really funky lately – super hot one minute, cold the next, raining at odd times – which has led to a bunch of unlikely summer outfits. This is a case in point. It was overcast with dropping temps on the day that I wore this, and by the time I came home from my errands, the wind had picked up something fierce. In that context, throwing a sweater over this cotton dress made sense. It’s weird that I have to practically give a weather report every time I post an outfit on IG, but that’s the kind of summer we’ve been having here. Anyway, my errand on this particular day? “Adopting” new plant “pets” for our house. We were a plant-free household until recently, but I have decided that needs to change – here’s hoping my brown thumb has gotten greener since the last time I tried to keep a real plant alive. Since furry animals are out (my husband is allergic) and I am not overly fond of fish or reptiles, I though this was a good compromise for the kids. They’ve already named each one of our new pets – this one is Evelyn Poppy-plant:

Birthday Girl

Just before my birthday, I thrifted this Zero+Maria Cornejo dress and it seemed like a sign. Ever since I read The Cool Factor by Andrea Linnett, I have been mildly obsessed with this designer; I never thought I’d find a piece here in Edmonton, but find this one I did. I love the silhouette and the print, and it’s such a great, breezy dress. I simply had to wear it for my birthday. I think it looked awesome paired with my old (p)leather jacket but, truth be told, the jacket came off almost as soon as we left the house. It was supposed to be a cool, rainy day … except it wasn’t. It was hot AF. Thanks, weather forecast.

Long over Lean

This used to be a thing and, darn it, it is still a thing as far as I am concerned. This Rachel Roy dress is too short to be worn alone for my comfort level, so I wore it over my Madewell raw hem jeans which somehow work with every tunic-like thing I’ve ever thrown over them. Honestly, they’re magic. On this occasion, the jacket was actually a functional addition; it was supposed to be a warm day but … you know what the plot twist is gonna be, right?

This is my second pair of thrifted Barbara Barbieri sandals, and it’s even better than the first (seen in the picture above). The grommet details are cool, and the leather somehow did not require any breaking-in period – a feat considering we are talking about strappy sandals. Also, like my other pair, this one has a chunky, square heel (about 3 inches) which makes them as comfortable as heeled shoes can get. Seeing as how I am moving into my “orthopedic shoe” phase of life (sad but true), this is a nice bonus.

Summer Vibes

This was the top that nobody wanted. I tried selling it on IG earlier this year, then on consignment, and no dice. By the time I got it back, summer was finally here, and I had thrifted this Floreat skirt in the meantime. I thought: why not give this pairing a try? A boxy, cropped top + a high-waisted, full skirt sounds like a plausible combo, right? It’s a slightly “off” pairing, which is my sartorial calling card these days. I added gold accessories to the white and blue colour palette as a kind of an ode to summer (because it shines like the sun, see?) … ah, just kidding. I’m pretentious, but not that pretentious. I just like that weird, snake-like necklace a lot, and apparently I also enjoy torturing my feel with 5 inch heels from time to time. Makes me feel alive, or something.

I also added green resin earrings for a slightly unexpected twist – blue and green, ooh – and because I just got these in the mail and I have zero patience when it comes to pretty things.

Vacation Casual

I’m throwing this outfit into the round-up not because it’s inherently interesting, but because it’s a good representation of what I wear when I’m in “parent mode, vacation edition”. Comfy jeans, a lightweight top, sun hat, flats. Actually, these shoes are low wedges but you get the drift. I was excited to thrift these Eileen Fisher sandals for under $10 in like-new condition because they are very menocore in style – just my cup of tea. Unfortunately, they’re a bit too small for me so they’ll be going to my mom, but I may have to start hunting for EF shoes on eBay next.