Stars & Stripes

I'm Canadian so I obviously don't celebrate the 4th of July, but if I did, this is totally what I would wear! I got some cute red Calvin Klein capri jeans on a recent trip to Las Vegas. I also picked up an adorable navy blue star printed cardigan from H&M and a navy striped t-shirt. When I looked at them all together, it was clear that the Americana vibe in Vegas had rubbed off on my shopping choices. 

And I do have to admit, Americans, you have a flag that can truly inspire fashion (more so than any other country's flag I think)!

Stars & Stripes by mllemelanie featuring sparkle jewelry

Cape Diem

Sometime back I got this awesome purple sweater cape from Anthropologie at a ridiculous sale price (I think I paid about $30 when the original pricetag read $200). I am an avid sale shopper who just waits for someone to ask me where I got an item so that I can tell them what a great deal I got! I think it is important to understand that style isn't about how much you spend or what brand names you buy - it is about being yourself and feeling good in what you wear, no matter if it is currently "in style" or not. Find what works for you - and you find a great deal, Seize the Sale!

Sadly I packed away this sweater (and the rest of my fall/winter wardrobe) yesterday to make room for my spring/summer wardrobe - even though it isn't fully spring here yet, I needed the change. But I know that I will be so excited come the fall to pull this beauty back out again!

Cape Diem by mllemelanie featuring leather gloves

Birds of a Feather

Last weekend while shopping with my mom, I picked up an adorable bird blouse very similar to this one from H&M (mine has short sleeves, and no buttons or ties). I also got this awesome cobalt blue blazer. I am so in love with bright colours right now, and have clearly established a jewel toned colour palette for spring. I love how the colours play so well with either black or brown, accent gold jewelery, and can be piled one colour on top of the other without looking outrageous. Bring on the colour! (And spring... pretty please)

Birds of a Feather by mllemelanie featuring skinny jeans

Family Jewels

This past weekend, my mother was in town visiting, and as she is my best shopping companion, we braved the crowds and hit the mall! I got this awesome mustard yellow shirt at Old Navy for $5! Seriously. (I also got a turquoise one). I often have a hard time remembering to buy basics (like t-shirts, camis, etc) because they aren't the things that catch my eye when I am out shopping. But when basics are as fun as these, how can I resist? And I am just dying to wear it with my cobalt jeans. Spring must be on it's way cause I am craving colour!

 

Family Jewels by mllemelanie featuring denim skinny jeans

Flora the love of a party

For my 30th birthday a few years back, my husband bought me this adorable Betsey Johnson dress from ModCloth. I have dreamed of owning a Betsey Johnson dress for a very long time, so this was a big deal! It has since become my go-to party dress. I love how it is just as easy to wear it in the winter and in the summer. The black grounds it and makes it not too bright for winter, the heavier material means that it still looks good layered with tights and a cardigan, yet in warmer months it has enough interest and style to stand on it's own with minimal accesories.
 

This is the fall/winter version of how I like to wear this dress.

 

  

My 30th birthday (which is in December)

Flora the love of a party by mllemelanie

Ships Ahoy!

Last summer we went to France for our honeymoon. We spent a few days in Paris, then a week in the south of France. While we were there I scored an adorable cobalt blue pleated skirt (the one I have has a lace overlay). It is now one of my favourite skirts, though I wear it sparingly since it does stand out whenever I do. This outfit is inspired by what I first paired this skirt with while on our vacation (I'm one of those "I just can't wait to wear it as soon as I get it" people).
Here is a photo of me in that outfit on our balcony in the south.

 And here is my Polyvore interpretation:

Ships Ahoy! by mllemelanie

Bow ties are cool!

Men have it so easy... a nice button up shirt, a tie and a good pair of shoes and they are ready to go! So I figured, why can't we steal a little wisdom and style from our handsome other halves and be comfy and classy at the same time?
Inspired by Dr. Who (a combo of the tenth and eleventh Doctors).

Bow ties are cool! by mllemelanie featuring cuffed jeans