Fall 2018 Pinterest Fashion Obsessions

I have talked about this endlessly, but in the fall I tend to really retreat into myself. I lose all motivation, energy, and general interest in, well, just about everything. I’ve been doing some research and apparently Autumn Anxiety is a real thing, which makes me actually feel so much better knowing that I’m not alone in this! To add to that, we have been dealing with negative temps and snow since just after Labor Day *insert not impressed emoji here*. In fact, the pictures below were taken just over a week ago (that’s my back yard):

Go ahead, tell me again how amazing Fall is supposed to be. 

 

Anyway, I decided to drag myself out of this hole and find some positive sides to this time of year. I mean, I can’t really wear any of these outfits here since it’s full blown winter, but I can daydream. And I can most definitely recommend them to people who don’t live in the arctic 8 months out of the year!

 

**DISCLAIMER: None of these images are my own and all are fully credited on the post**
***if you own these images and would like them removed from my site please contact me through the Contact page and I will remove it immediately***

 

The coziness of this look:
Credit: https://www.liketoknow.it/ltk/1zbfq7Bmd7s4WvA9gpX5ce

Just absolutely everything about this look. I love that she came up with a way to wear olive joggers (my fave pants!) in the fall:
Credit: https://cellajane.com/2017/09/olive-green-joggers-fall.html

The tan coat, the Burberry scarf, the hair, I’m just obsessed with this entire look! I admit that since I came across this on her blog last year that my Burberry scarf has had a lot of use.
Credit: https://www.miamiamine.com/2017/03/burberry-trench-coat-sale.html

 

What looks are you guys loving so far this season?

-SS

Fall 2018 Fashion Shopping List

I’m still not ready to embrace Fall (and I don’t think I ever will be), but I am able to face up to the need for a new wardrobe. I mean, who doesn’t want that?!

Since our warm seasons are so short I find that I usually have a lot of items leftover from the previous year that I can wear so I find that for spring and summer my shopping list isn’t too crazy. But, when fall rolls around my list is always huge! I find that since I wore all of my pants/sweaters/blazers so much last year and for so long, I’m ready for some new stuff!

Here is what’s on my list for this season:

Watch this space for ideas on how to style the items below!

 

Black jeans. My current pair is getting really old and I need new ones. I love the versatility of black jeans, you can pair them with a silk cami and pumps for a dressier look or a sweater and sneakers when you are feeling more casual.

Casual joggers. I am becoming so obsessed with joggers lately. I bought two pairs from Aritzia earlier this year and I wear them All. The. Time. I’m starting to feel over wearing leggings at home so I’m really looking for a cute comfy pair for lounging around.

Over the knee boots. These have been kind of on my list for years, but I always hesitate because are they are so not the usual style for this city, and even though I always feel like a million dollars when I try them on, I always think that people are judging me for being over 30 and wearing them. Well this year, I don’t care, I’m getting my boots!

Gucci belt. One splurge per season is fine, right!?

Graphic t shirt/s. I’m really loving the look of jeans with a graphic t shirt (preferably a band shirt), or with a leather pencil skirt (which I have) and I have decided that I need them all.

Off white sweater dress. How cute would this look with the Gucci belt *insert winking emoji here*

White button down shirt. Super versatile, goes with everything and the white will brighten up my usually depressingly dark fall/winter style.

Silk duster/kimono in blush or champagne. I have become quite the kimono/duster collector lately and I see no signs of slowing down. I love how they can elevate an otherwise basic outfit into something more striking. I would love to find a silk one in either blush or champagne!

Quality white t shirt/s. This is almost always on my list! If anyone has any that are not too big, not too tight and not see through I would be forever indebted to you!

Dark denim jacket. In the warmer months I wear my denim jacket to death and often I plan my outfits around it. I don’t really want to give that up for the other 8 months out of the year so I thought if I add a darker one it would give me the same look but with a fall/winter spin.

Olive green bomber jacket. I put this on here because I already bought one and I am in love with it. Sure, I feel like Tom Cruise when I wear it with my aviators but I don’t even care, it’s the perfect fall jacket.

Slouchy off the shoulder sweaters in a chunky knit (can’t wait to pair these with white jeans!). I’m thinking taupe, white, or grey would be cute.

Dark green and black plaid shirt. I’m not a fan of plaid at all, but I saw a picture on Pinterest of a dark green and black plaid shirt with a pencil skirt and became obsessed with the look. So, this year I’m hopefully going to add one to my wardrobe.

Skirts. Usually I don’t add skirts to my fall and winter lists because our weather October-May is brutal and wearing a skirt is just, well, kinda dumb. But this year I think I want to live on the edge a little and sacrifice warmth for fashion. I’m loving these 90’s style ones (and yes, I did wear these styles the first time around!)

 

What are you guys looking for this season?

-SS

 

 

What to Wear as a Wedding Guest

We’re just over halfway through July and if you guys are anything like me, you are deep into wedding season. With the exception of what gift to get the couple (registry or cash, always), I think the most frequent wedding guest related conundrum is what to wear.

Below I have shared my top 5 tips for what to wear as a wedding guest as well as my top 5 favorite items:

1. Don’t wear white. This one should go without saying, but you never know. Even if the bride is wearing a color (blush wedding dress = so gorgeous!), don’t wear white.
2. Keep it appropriate. Not too tight, not too short, it’s a wedding not the club!
3. Black is fine! I have heard many people say not to wear black to a wedding I strongly disagree with this. Black is chic, flattering, easy to wear, and always in style!
4. Chic pants or jumpsuits are acceptable. Leggings and sweats are not.
5. Avoid denim. Another one that should go without saying but again, you just never know.

Keep scrolling for my favorite wedding guest outfit ideas in a variety of styles and price points.

Vici Collection  (FYI – Vici has a Wedding Guest section)

Jumpsuit – $52 / Floral Midi Dress – $20 / Lace Dress – $68

Nordstrom  (Nordstrom also has a Wedding Guest section)

Peach Dress $63 / Maxi *OMG love this* $330 / Coral Dress $260

Aritzia

Wrap Dress $98 / Jumpsuit $178 / Floral Dress $115 (currently on sale)

Dynamite

 

Belted Floral Dress $44.95 / Lace Romper $64.95 / Jumpsuit $64.95

Now you can go and enjoy the champagne and dancing!

-SS

2018 Nordstrom Anniversary Sale – My Top Picks

If you are following any fashion bloggers/Influencers on Instagram right now I’m sure you have already heard all about the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale. And I’m here to tell you a little more about it! This is my absolute favorite sale and I look forward to it all year.

 

This is not your typical sale. You won’t find anything that has been on sale before, or that is out of season. Every July, Nordstrom releases a bunch of items from their Fall lineup and then marks it all down for about 3 weeks giving you ridiculous savings! It’s a great way to start stocking up for Fall (my least favorite F word). After the sale ends all of the items go back to their regular pricing, so if you see something you like you want to make sure you get it during the sale! There is nothing worse in the shopping world than missing out on a great sale price, and then having to purchase at full price. Also, these items sell out fast so don’t wait if you see something you like!

 

There are a few dates to be aware of with this sale:

• July 12th: early access online and in US stores for Nordstrom credit card holders
• July 17th: early access in Canadian stores for Nordstrom credit card holders (why is everything in Canada always so far behind?!)
• July 20th: sale opens to the public
• August 5th: sale ends. This is also my birthday!

 

I’m sharing some of my favorite items from the sale so far and noting the sale price and after sale price. All prices are in Canadian dollars, as a Canadian resident I can’t access US pricing on the website.

 

BP Raw Edge Scoop Neck Tee (comes in 6 colors and 6 sizes)
Sale price: $26.05
After sale price: $39.97

BP Lace Trim Satin Camisole (comes in 4 colors and 7 sizes:
Sale price: $31.47
After sale price: $48.24

BP Twist Front Sweater (comes in 2 colors and 7 sizes)
Sale price: $43.97
After sale price: $67.54

 

Madewell Ryder Cardigan (comes in 4 colors and 6 sizes)
Sale price; $89.46
After sale price: $135.08

Vince Camuto Pevista Bootie (comes in 3 colors and available in sizes 4-13)
Sale price: $137.70
After sale price: $206.69

Halogen Ribbed Casmere Vest (comes in 4 colors and one size fits all)
Sale price: $136.62
After sale price: $205.38

 

BP Textured Stitch V Neck Pullover (comes in 6 colors and 6 sizes – size up to wear off the shoulder)
Sale price: $35.70
After sale price: $53.76

BP Washed Moto Leggings (comes in 2 colors and 6 sizes – I also have these in green from the Anniversary Sale a couple of years ago, I’m still wearing them)
Sale price: $35.70
After sale price: $53.76

The Rivington Ripped Straight Leg Jeans (available in 7 sizes)
Sale price: $89.46
After sale price: $135.04

 

Vince Alora Mule (comes in 2 colors and sizes 5-11)
Sale price: $268.65
After sale price: $406.63

MAC Little Lip Nude Lip Duo (Anniversary Sale exclusive!)
Sale price: $23.43
After sale price: N/A

Charlotte Tilbury Pretty Glowing Skin Palette (Anniversary Sale exclusive!)
Sale price: $103.38
After sale price: N/A

Barefoot Dreams In The Wild Throw (comes in 4 colors)
Sale price: $165.27
After sale price: $248.11

Slip^™ for beauty sleep Slip Silk^™ Pure Silk Queen Pillowcases (one color – Anniversary Sale exclusive!)
Sale price: $151.63
After sale price: N/A

We are only one day into the early access and I think I already have a ton of favorites! I will do another roundup towards the end of the sale. Has anyone else checked out the Anniversary Sale yet? I’d love to hear about it!

-SS

My June 2018 Favorites

Happy July 4th to all of my American readers! I’m a little sad, for the past three years Mr SS and I have been in Las Vegas for July 4th but we couldn’t go this year due to my work commitments (bring on the desert heat in August though!). It’s not about me though so I hope everyone is having a great holiday!

I was planning on writing this post on June 30th, but didn’t get around to it, however I’m kind of proud of myself that I’m only 4 days late. That’s not too bad, right?!

Here are some of the things that I couldn’t stop obsessing about last month:

Louis Vuitton Neverfull in Damier Azur w/Rose Ballerine lining

I mentioned this bag in my Summer 2018 Wish List post and I’m so happy to say that I bit the bullet and bought it, and I LOVE it! One thing that I’m really loving is the pouch that comes with it, it carries so much more than I thought it would and it’s the perfect size to use as a wristlet. It was like two bags for the price of one and really, at this price who doesn’t want that?!

Marc Jacobs Beauty Velvet Noir Major Volume Mascara

I won’t lie, I want lash extensions, but I have crazy bad seasonal allergies and I know that plus fake lashes would just be a disaster for me. So I had to find the next best thing, and I did with this mascara! I get a lash lift every 3 months so my lashes are always curled, but I’m still always missing volume and that “are they real” kind of look. Well, Marc Jacobs totally hit the target with this mascara, it is perfection! My lashes look longer, thicker and more “feathery”. This is my first time trying it but I can already tell that it will be a staple for me.

Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb Perfume 

This is another one that I talked about in my Summer 2018 Wish List post (I got everything on that list!) and I’m so completely obsessed with this perfume. It smells amazing, it’s the perfect scent for summer and lasts all day. I love it so much that I picked up the travel sized version to carry in my purse.

Dior Addict Lip Maximizing Lip Gloss

I posted about this in my Summer Makeup post for a reason. It gives a small hint of shimmer, a tiny bit of color and it smooths and plumps like no other. I ended up buying it in two shades (Apricot and Beige Sunrise) and not a day went by in June where I didn’t use it.

Wilfred Buffon Pants 

Omg I am in love with these pants! I know that they are not very “summery” but we didn’t have the best weather in June, it was super rainy so cute skirts and shorts were out. I bought them in two colors (black and olive green) because they are that amazing. They are stylish but also super comfy, and they go with everything. My favorite way to wear them has been with pumps, a cami and a jean jacket. They’re joggers in every sense of the word but since they are made of a fine Japanese crepe, they are way dressier than your typical joggers and can be paired with just about everything, and just about every season. I also love wearing them with a logo tee and sneakers.

What do you think will be some must haves now that July is here?? What can’t you live without in the summer months?

-SS

My Top 10 Closet Staples

I love clothes shopping! In store, online, resale market, it doesn’t matter – I love it all! Over the past couple of years I have made an effort to focus on building up a closet full of staples that can be worn over and over again during different seasons, for different events, and with many different pieces.

I have created a list of 10 of my must have closet staples. All of these items can be dressed up or down depending on how you wear them, and will always leave you feeling put together and ready to take on the day, no matter what that day brings!

1. Leather Jacket
   
   

   

   

   
   
   One of the best things about a great leather jacket is that it lasts forever! Styles change slightly, but a great leather jacket will always be in your closet. They can be worn in every season, and go with everything. I’ve worn my leather jacket with casual outfits and with a dress and I always, always feel great wearing it. My preferred style is a black moto style and I am still obsessed with this Trouve one I bought a few years ago. Brown also works well too as a closet staple.
2. Jeans
   

   

   
   
   It’s hard to find anything that could be as versatile as a great pair of jeans. Just like everything else on this list, they go with everything, and can be worn every single day if you style them right. One of my go-to daytime outfits is jeans and a t-shirt, and one of my favorite nighttime outfits is jeans, a silk camisole, and a pair of killer pumps.

   When buying some staple jeans, go for great quality, a comfortable fit where they are not too tight or too loose, and a medium wash. Don’t be afraid to get them hemmed to make them the perfect length for you! My favorites right now are Citizens of Humanity in the rocket crop style.

3. Classic White T-Shirt
   

   

   You can never go wrong with a classic white tee! I personally have classic every color t-shirts, but the white one is the one that goes with everything and never goes out of style. It’s so easy to pair it with every single thing on this list and always look and feel your best. A great quality white t shirt will be slightly looser fitting and not see-through. My favorite is the Lagarde from Aritzia

   The most important thing to remember with white t shirts is keeping them white! Wash in hot water using a detergent especially formulated for whites, and lay flat to dry.

4. Blazer
   

   

   

   If you pay attention to one thing on this list, make it this one! My black blazer gets an insane amount of use. Just in the past couple of weeks alone I’ve worn it with:
   – jeans, a t shirt and sneakers
   – jeans, and a nice blouse
   – joggers and a camisole
   It can also be worn with skirts, dresses, you name it! A blazer can be dressed up for interviews and meetings, or add a professional edge to an otherwise casual outfit. There are SO many blazers out there to chose from! My two favorites are a well fitted black one and a longer white one. One thing for sure is you can never go wrong with a blazer! The ones above are from Aritzia and Dynamite

5. Camisole

   

   If I had a dollar for every camisole in my closet I would have… well, a lot of $! I love, love, love cami’s! I wear them with just about everything. Joggers, v-neck cami& denim jacket? Check! Jeans, lace trimmed cami & pumps? Done! Shorts, cami & kimono? Yes please! Camisoles come in a varity of colors, styles and materials and are usually fairly inexpensive making them a priceless closet staple. My absolute faves are Babaton and RW&Co

6. Well Fitting Dress
   

   

   
   
   You never know when you will need a dress (or skirt). Work events, weddings, last minute formal occasions. A great well fitting dress should not be mini length, so that it can be modest enough with a blazer for a work event, but you can also dress it up with a pair of stilettos and accessories for a weekend event with friends. Finding a perfect midi length dress can be difficult so make sure you go with one that makes you feel comfortable. I prefer a more fitted style since I’m on the petite side, but a flowy style works great as well! Color should match whatever your usual color palette is, if you try to go out too out of the box with a staple you might find that you don’t wear it too often. A favorite one of mine is the Babaton Matheson Dress
7. Black Pants
   

   

   

   
   
   A great pair of fitted black pants can work wonders. Interview? Black pants and blazer. Dinner date? Black pants and camisole. Rainy day shopping trip? Black pants and denim jacket.

   I prefer to go with a pair that is cut more like jeans since that’s the style that works best for me and that I feel the most comfortable in.

8. Denim Jacket
   

   

   

   
   
   Denim jackets might just be the most versatile piece in any closet. They go with everything! They work for during the week, going out, vacations, you name it, a denim jacket is your friend! One of my favorite outfits is a great pair of joggers with a camisole and a denim jacket. For work I will pair it with a great pair of pumps, or for the weekend a pair of slip on sneakers will do the trick.

   If you are looking for a denim jacket that will stand up to the test of constantly changing fashion trends, go with a medium length hitting just above the hips and a medium wash. I guarantee you will be wearing it for years to come!

   This jacket from Dynamite is my absolute favorite and it was only $59!

9. Pumps
   

   

   

   
   Every woman needs a killer pair of pumps in their closet! You don’t need 4″ Louboutins to feel like a million dollars, you can wear a variety of heel heights and colours to instantly add style and confidence to any outfit. If you are really not a heels person, a pair of pointy toe flats would work just as well!

10. Slip On Sneakers
    

    
    
    A great pair of slip on sneakers are not only stylish, go with everything and are super comfortable, but they can easily be dressed up or down. Depending on your lifestyle you can replace this with a pair of ballet flats.

    My favorite slip on sneakers of all time are these from Steve Madden. They are SO comfortable!

 

If anyone else has any closet staples they would add, please share!

-SS

Friday Favorites – Pumps!

Switching it up a little for this weeks Friday Favorites – shoes!

I love a good pair of pumps and think it’s amazing what they can for an outfit. I’m a huge fan of street style and I love the jeans and leather jacket type look (although I just bought an amazing Babaton trench coat, which is getting more wear than my leather jackets right now) and one of the best things about that look is the ability to dress it up or down with shoes. Pumps are the perfect way to add class and style, and sometimes edge, to any outfit.

I have two favorites that I want to share with you, and both of them have passed quite a few tests:

• Comfortable enough to wear all day at the office
• Soft leather that doesn’t give me blisters
• Comfortable enough to wear walking for a long period of time outside; and
• Easy to walk in so you don’t do the “baby Bambi” walk

Both of the styles below have passed those tests and I now own both of them in multiple colors. Of course they are both from brands that continue to impress me and have never let me down.

Sam Edelman Hazel

Vince Camuto Kain

Who else has “holy grail” shoes?

-SS

My Summer 2018 Pinterest Obsessions

Have you figured out yet that I am completely in love and obsessed with everything summer?! I wish this season could last forever! Or I could move to Hawaii, or California 😉

One of my absolute favorite things about this time of the year is having the freedom to wear whatever I want without having to bundle up or worry about shoes being appropriate for ice and snow. I can spend hours searching “Summer outfit ideas” on Pinterest and compiling my seasonal wish list… and who am I kidding, I do this all year long, just not in June!

Here is a quick snapshot of what I’m into this year!

**DISCLAIMER: None of these images are my own and all are fully credited on the post**
***if you own these images and would like them removed from my site please contact me through the Contact page and I will remove it immediately***

These pants from Hello Fashion Blog!

Credit: https://www.hellofashionblog.com/2017/07/the-piece-that-sold-me-on-this-polarizing-trend.html

 

This entire outfit from The fashion through my eyes

Credit: http://www.thefashionthroughmyeyes.com/light-blue/

 

This jumpsuit from Gal Meets Glam

Credit: http://galmeetsglam.com/quick-reads/gal-meets-glam-jumpsuits-for-spring/

Anyone else obsessing about the same pictures? I would love to hear what everyone else is into this season!

-SS

My Summer 2018 Wish List

I was planning on doing a Spring 2018 Wish List but since it’s almost the end of May, I think a Summer one makes much more sense! I’m feeling like my summer wardrobe is looking pretty good right now thanks to the Nordstrom sale last year, where I stocked up on shorts and cute summer dresses, but there are still a few things that I’m feeling are complete must haves for me this year. The following things in particular are the ones that I can’t keep out of my mind:

Louis Vuitton Neverfull MM in Damier Azur w/Rose Ballerine lining

This is obviously going to be a major splurge for me, but I’ve decided that it’s worth it. I have been doing my research on LV bags for years to make sure I get the right one for me and I have finally come to the decision that the Neverfull MM is for me and the right one to add to my collection. I have a speedy 30 in Damier Ebene and I absolutely love it, but it’s not the most practical summer bag. One, it’s dark colored, which is great, but it’s not very summery, and I find the top handle to be inconvenient when I’m running around doing “summer things”.

My first Louis Vuitton bag was the Speedy 25 in Damier Azur and I loved that bag so much that I carried it every day for about 5 years (before getting my 30). The print is perfect for summer and I seriously cannot wait to get this bag! The pouch that it comes with is a major plus too since I desperately need a clutch that I can use for my phone and car key.

White Jeans (brand/retailer TBD)

 

I have been resisting white jeans for a while, but I don’t think I can any longer. They are perfect for summer and can easily be dressed up or down. I keep leaning towards a distressed pair because I love that look, but it doesn’t make that much sense since I would be looking to wear them to work. So I’ll probably end up with a regular pair.

Young, Fabulous & Broke Indio Dress

I am obsessed with YFB dresses! I already have one, it’s about 4 years old and still looks brand new despite wearing it a ton. They are incredibly comfortable and flattering and I always get tons of compliments whenever I wear it. I’m thinking I need one in a darker color since the one I have right now is white and light blue.

Flat Sandals – (I’m loving these two from Call It Spring)

I get a new pair of flat sandals around every 3 years and I usually get fairly inexpensive ones. The last ones I got were from Call It Spring and they are only just falling apart now, and I think I got them 3-4 years ago. They were only around $40!

Viktor&Rolf Flowerbomb Perfume

One thing that always signals the start of summer to me is a new fragrance, so I always treat myself at the start of the season. This year I have decided to go with Flowerbomb, which not only do I think smells perfectly for summer, it also reminds me of Crystals Mall in Las Vegas, which is one of my favorite places to visit! I can’t wait to pick it up.

 

What do you guys have on your Summer 2018 wish lists? Please share in the comments section!

-SS

Brunette the Label

I have obsessions often. One look at my blog or my closet can easily show you that, but one of the things I love about my obsessions is sharing them with people. My latest one is sweatshirts, I don’t know what it is, maybe it takes me back to my collection of oversized Club Monaco sweatshirts in the late 90’s (which by the way are now classified as “vintage” – I feel old), but there is just something about sweatshirts that I absolutely love lately. I keep buying them, I think I’m up to around 6 just from this season alone *insert grimacing face emoji here*, but I just can’t seem to stop!

I wanted to share with you the newest brand to fulfill my love of fashion with my newfound (renewed?!) love of sweatshirts – Brunette the Label The first thing you see on their website is the slogan “Life’s better in a tracksuit”. Um, yeah it is! Brunette the Label was founded in 2014 in Vancouver, Canada *heart eyes* and if you haven’t heard of them, you need to get to their website and IG and check them out right away!

They have a variety of items, not just sweatshirts, but the ones that I am completely obsessed with is their sweatshirts. So far I have only bought two, and I say so far because I know myself and I know that I will not be able to stop at just two – I’m sure I will have a closet full before the season is over.

I know what you’re thinking, you’re thinking that they’re just sweatshirts and how can they possibly be so amazing that I had to write a blog post about them?? Trust me, they really are that amazing! They are comfortable, flattering, warm but not too hot, and CUTE! I mean, with slogans like “Rose Okay”, “Fries before guys”, “No champagne, no gain” “this wine is making me awesome”, how can they not be cute?!

I started out with the standard “Brunette” sweatshirt (also available in Blonde and Redhead) – black with white writing and I loved it so much that I went to Nordstrom and got the black with rose gold glitter “Rose Okay” sweatshirt. I’m a standard size XS and the XS/S fits me like a glove, I have washed the sweatshirts already (washed in cold, laid flat to dry) and they still look and feel brand new.

You can find Brunette the Label in your local Nordstrom and on their website. They also have many retailers throughout North America carrying their stock.

Does anyone else have any similar obsessions right now?

-SS