KISS

Jeans, AE; top, Old Navy; shoes, J. Crew Factory;
Jeans, AE; top, Old Navy; shoes, J. Crew Factory;

If you’re read this blog for a while, you’ll know that, historically, I’ve subscribed to the more is more philosophy when it comes to style. There never used to be an accessory, or print mix, or loud colour combo, that I didn’t love. So I think we can say that my recent sartorial efforts are positively minimalist by comparison. And then we have an outfit like this one. Less is more, indeed.

hey, hey, Good Hair Day
hey, hey, Good Hair Day

And you know what? I loved it. Even aside from the Good Hair Day. It was comfortable, and simple, and I still felt stylish – without looking entirely out of place for my afternoon stroll in the “wilderness” with the kidlets.

from where I stand
from where I stand

Yup, it was that time of year: the J family’s first trip of the season to Whitemud Ravine. We love going there because it’s quiet and scenic, and a conveniently short drive from our house. You feel like you’re in the middle of nowhere (a very pretty nowhere) – right in the middle of the city.

It’s also where we like to take an annual “state of the little J’s” photo … which didn’t turn out quite so well this year due to a distinct lack of cooperation on the part of the subjects.

annual Whitemud Ravine portrait
annual J Family Whitemud Ravine portrait

If this looks relatively sedate, be assured that the other 99 photos looked more like this. Or worse.

toddler revolt
toddler revolt

Another activity this outfit is perfectly suited for? Toddler wrangling. Yee-haw!

simple, right?
simple, right?

Basic, Simple, or Classic?

Jacket, Tommy Hilfiger; dress, Earth, Music, Ecology; shoes, Gap Outler
Jacket, Tommy Hilfiger; dress, Earth, Music, Ecology; shoes, Gap Outlet

This outfit couldn’t get any more basic: a dress, a denim jacket, sandals. But there is beauty in that simplicity, or at least some kind of style kismet. Eyelet and denim; red, white, and blue. Classic.

sunneee
sunneee

This dress is just the cutest thing, and if it’s a little bit young – well, we’re all allowed to be young at heart, especially in the summer. I love that it looks so much like separates, but is an outfit-in-one. I like it so much that I’m even willing to overlook the fact that it’s 90% cream coloured, which is normally bad news bears in our neck of the toddler-inhabited woods. So far, I’ve managed to keep the sticky hands away. #success

fiddling ...
fiddling …
still fiddling ...
still fiddling …

I hate taking pictures in bright sunlight, but needs must – and it feels a little ungracious to complain about nice weather. So … I hope you’ll forget my squint-avoidance subterfuges. Look, I managed one decent photo! #success

finally!
finally!

I Feel Summer

Skirt, Anthropologie (thrifted); top, necklace & shoes, Old Navy; bag, Coach (vintage, eBay)
Skirt, Anthropologie (thrifted); top, necklace & shoes, Old Navy; bag, Coach (vintage, eBay)

This top was an impulse buy during an impulse trip to Old Navy. My casual wardrobe doesn’t really need any additions, so I try to stay away from Old Navy, where cute unnecessary things always seem to call out to me. Perhaps “impulse buy” is not exactly appropriate in this case; I bought the top on a whim, that’s true, but it was a whim motivated by my inability to find a decent striped top. I thought this might be a good option for my wardrobe, albeit not your typical striped top. And whaddya know? It’s pretty much perfect.

stripes + florals = groundbreaking #sarcasm
stripes + florals = groundbreaking #sarcasm
bare legs, barely believe it
bare legs, barely believe it

The greyish blue colour and chambray-like material are a perfect fit with my summer clothes, especially my floral print Anthro skirts. The cut is not figure-flattering per se, but it is loose and floaty which is nice for summer. (It’s almost a trapeze-like style). The length is a bit odd; not quite cropped, and not quite regular length. It makes tucking in a bit more challenging, but it does give me an opportunity to experiment with different silhouettes. I usually love accentuating my waist, but I’m also drawn to these looser silhouettes these days. I don’t know if I’m alone in this, but that tends to happen whenever I lose some weight; it might sound counterintuitive to play with volume in those circumstances, but I’m actually more adventurous (confident?) with my outfit formulas.

TL;DR This was a cute outfit, and the first time I bared my legs this year. SUMMER IS COMING!!!

wind effect!
wind effect!
action shot!
action shot!