make it easy, it’s not as heavy as it seems

I never intended to be a sporadic blogger, but that seems to be the way it is these days.  I work (some days longer than others), I come home, I stare at the TV in a stupor, and I go to sleep (or in my case this week, I sleep badly).  I don’t seem to have the mental capacity for writing anything coherent lately, but I want to be able to balance work with my outside interests (blogging being one of them), and I want to feel somewhat creative again.

As usual, I’m probably making things harder for myself than they have to be.  But I’m truly my mother’s daughter, I don’t know if I’d know what to do with myself if everything was just fine.  (Working on that.)

Also, one day I will finish my summer 30 for 30.

#29: Anthro Pesisir Top (Fei) | J.Crew cardigan | Club Monaco skirt | Bos & Co. heels

I bought this top thinking I would only wear it with a pencil skirt.  But in the spirit of 30 for 30, I threw it on with this A-line skirt, and hey, I think it works.  Now, if I could only take off my summer gelato weight, I’d actually be able to breathe in it.

Anthropologie catalogue: July 2009

Every week I take a look back at past Anthropologie catalogues and what I loved from then. (Thanks to Natalie for posting all the links.) I used to think that it’s impossible to find these pieces again, but thanks to Roxy’s trade market and eBay, anything is possible.

July 2009 – very striking cover

rippled pool tank, honeyed peplum skirt; lilac ombre heels; quilted burbank bag – those shoes are gorgeous

ruffles-upon-ruffles tee; endless pleats cardigan, go-to chinos; climbing vines blouse, hushed hue bag – love the teal and mustard colour combo

geometric fields dress – very striking

fireglow bedding, forest canopy bed – tick tock, on the clock...

various wallpaper, rosette bedding, coiled garden quilt, calligraphy bed

golden plum cardi, edges & angles dress, sort-of-saddle shoes; fallen ruffle wrap, wisp-of-lace tank, origami pocket pleats – I love the shadows in these shots.  the clothes are interesting too, even if the fallen ruffle wrap is something I'd never wear.

sweeping sleeves cardi, sketchwork tee, blushing ruffle skirt

delightfully askew blouse, tiered blueberry skirt, shoemaker's helper heels – I love asymmetrical pieces like these.  I like things a little off-centre; it drives Will nuts.

black & bright dress, dulcet parfait slingbacks – pretty colourful dress

crimson cutout heels, gathered booties, teardrop t-straps, sundrop heels, framework booties, ruched booties

inverness trench, crewelwerk bag, lilac ombre heels – cheeky!  I love all these pieces.  The trench is gorgeous.

endless pleats cardigan, blueberry tier skirt, teardrop t-straps – adorable!

summer vs winter

It’s a contentious issue, almost at Rabbit or Duck level.  I advocate for winter over summer when I have this conversation with friends, but personally I’m conflicted.  I love summer dresses.  I love soaking up the sunshine on my balcony.  I love open-toed shoes, pedicures, and even shaving my legs.  But then it gets to 50 degrees (118F) with the humidex and I have to dress in business casual for a management-level training session, and I swing right back in favour of winter.  I’d take snow, slush, and ice any day over that.

#28: Jacob sleeveless top | Jacob pencil skirt | Anthro Beribboned Buds Cardi (Tabitha) | Mimi & Marge necklace | Bos & Co heels

I didn’t look that great, and I definitely wasn’t happy. 

Anthropologie catalogue: July 2008

Every week I take a look back at past Anthropologie catalogues and what I loved from then. (Thanks to Natalie for posting all the links.) I used to think that it’s impossible to find these pieces again, but thanks to Roxy’s trade market and eBay, anything is possible.

July 2008 – I love this catalogue.  One of my favourites for sure.

quotidian dress, serpentine belt, flora fedora – I’ve never been a huge fan of chambray, but this is adorable.

paperie hat, hope & union jacket, sufi skirt, bookish tweed heels – love everything about this, even the hat.  If I could pull it off, I would.

antiquarian dress, scalloped shrug – a little nightgown-ish, but still lovely

fabiane blouse, piscane sweater, sweet life skirt

on-a-wire cardigan, sailor button wide-legs – I love the shape of the cardigan with the silhouette of birds on a wire

guillemot dress

summer tanager dress, double-button sweatercoat – great colour combination

bubbled sweater tunic, horizon line corduroys, lipstick suede peep-toes – the bird on her knee really completes the look

dove's flight sweatercoat

plum perfect trench – LOVE

goldenrod shift, sun summer necklace – I really want the model’s hair

refined button-up, gilded plaid pencil skirt

crowned crane bedding

pompom toile ballerinas – always a sucker for cute ballet flats

i i e e e

I’ve been at my job just over two months now, and now it’s getting serious.  I wondered when that would happen.  I’ve had an easy ride up until now, but now it’s longer hours and working all weekend to get something for the VP done.  It’s crazy and I feel like I don’t have a moment to breathe, but you know what, I still love it.

#27: Anthro Climbing Cowlneck (Bordeaux) | Anthro necklace | Club Monaco skirt | Rockport wedges

It also means I come home and I don’t want to cook, so it’s ice cream and a Skor bar for dinner.  But is that really so bad?

Haven’t given up

This is the third time I’m doing 30 for 30, and I’ve noticed a distinct pattern: I’m really enthusiastic about it at first, then somewhere in the middle my interest starts to wane.  I don’t think it’s really the case this time, because I love the pieces I picked this time.  I’ve just been negligent in posting the outfits, I’ve only put up two (here and here) in the past two weeks.  All this to explain why this will be a very long catch-up post – 9 outfits! – of what I’ve worn since July 1.

#18: Anthro Verdant Slip Dress (Moulinette Soeurs) | J.Crew cardigan | Hilary Druxman necklace | Miss Sixty Tracy shoes

I adore this dress, but have to say, not loving the purple cardigan with it, despite there being some purple in the dress.

#19: Anthro Diamond Lattice Dress (Moulinette Soeurs) | Anthro Anadyomene Cardi (Rosie Neira) | Anthro Backbone Belt | Hilary Druxman necklace | Miss Sixty Tracy shoes

The belt makes this dress reaaallly short.  Wouldn’t be appropriate for most workplaces, just makes it for mine.

#20: Anthro Reflecting Pool Dress (Moulinette Soeurs) | J.Crew Featherweight cashmere cardigan in Dried Blossom | Hilary Druxman necklace | Miss Sixty Tracy shoes

I’m really loving slip dresses for summer…

#21: Anthro Winged Victory Top (Odille) | Gap cardigan | Hilary Druxman necklace Jacob pencil skirt | Tory Burch Reva flats

This is about as all-black as I get in the summer.  I needed to be a bit more “professional” and “conservative” that day, this is about as conservative as I like to get.

#22: Jacob sleeveless top | Club Monaco skirt | Mimi & Marge necklace | Bos & Co heels

I normally don’t go sleeveless, but it’s getting hot.  I really despise temperatures anywhere over 25C (77F), and  it’s going to be 40C+ (100F+) all week with ridiculous humidity.  I’m going to be hibernating indoors in the a/c.  With a cardigan.

#23: Anthro Verdant Slip Dress (Moulinette Soeurs) | Anthro Bette cardigan (Sparrow) | Hilary Druxman necklace | Puma flats

I like this better, I think the orange is a better colour with this dress.

#24: Jacob sleeveless top | Anthro Bette Cardigan (Sparrow) | Antho Oolite necklace | Anthro Circle the Globe Skirt (Edme & Esyllte) | Feet First wedges

I’ve been all about dresses this summer, but I’d forgotten how much I love this skirt.  It’s the perfect shade of teal for me, and I love it paired with orange.

#25: Anthro Marine Mural Dress (Nathalie Lété) | Anthro Beribboned Buds Cardi (Tabitha) | Tory Burch Reva flats

I’m trying to get as much wear out of this dress as possible this summer.  I think the cardigan may be a bit too long though. 

#26: Anthro Height of Summer Dress (Maeve) | Anthro Anadyomene cardigan (Rosie Neira) | Puma flats

Too monochromatic? 

Phew, that was long, but I’m all caught up and ready to finish 30 for 30 this week.  Or maybe go beyond? I still have ideas.

I love dresses

This summer, I’ve been all about dresses.  I don’t know what’s not to love about them, they’re easy, comfortable, and frankly, I can’t be bothered to wear two separate pieces of clothing.

So on my latest trips to Anthro, it’s been nothing but dresses.

Afterlight Dress by Moulinette Soeurs, C$178, size 6
I liked the look of this on the hanger, I love the colours and stripes, but it was a bit weird on.  Surprisingly too big (I find Moulinette Soeurs usually TTS or slightly small), and too long.  This length is just not flattering on me, I’d have to take it up to my knees to make it work, but I don’t like it enough for that.

Wavering Grid Dress by Deletta, C$188, size S
I liked the fit of this, the cinched-in waist and the V-neck, and the fabric is nice and soft.  But again, too long, and I don’t think the colour does anything for me.

Dynamic Zigs Dress by plenty by Tracy Reese, C$188, size S
I really loved this dress and was very tempted by it.  Love the zigzag pattern and the draped neckline.  It’s also a very easy dress to pull over your head and go.  I would definitely have it hemmed to my knees though, because again, the length isn’t flattering on me.  It’s covering up my calves, after all.

Around the Maypole Dress by Girls from Savoy, C$188, size 4
Back to short dresses!  This one is adorable.  I love a cotton dress in the summer, and I don’t mind strapless because I’d just throw a cardigan over it and go to work.  The only thing about this dress I don’t like is the straight neckline.  It flattens my boobs and makes me look very square and muscular on top.  Or maybe it’s just this picture.  I’d have to try it on again to decide.

Cirque A-Line by Porridge, C$188, size 6
So here’s the dress that made me start pondering appropriate-ness and my age.  I missed out on the Sing Sweetly Party Dress, so I was happy to catch this one in store.  (Besides, I like elephants better than birds anyway.)  It’s so adorable!  And it fits so well!  I’m even fine with the yellow sash!  So I think I’m going to get over my age complex and get it. 

Anthropologie catalogue: July 2007

Every week I take a look back at past Anthropologie catalogues and what I loved from then. (Thanks to Natalie for posting all the links.) I used to think that it’s impossible to find these pieces again, but thanks to Roxy’s trade market and eBay, anything is possible.

July 2007 – 4 years ago, seems like forever.

grass shadow dress – looks like fall

saguaro rose dress

crinkled chiffon a-line

changing colors swing coat – definitely fall

foothills dress, redrock slingbacks – love the combination of green dress and red shoes here

honey bear shakers, philodendron bowl, double happiness teapot, inside out bowls, melon flower dinnerware, honeycomb tray