Spotted Pencil

Sweater - Zara; Blouse - H&M; Skirt - Forever 21; Boots - Aldo

I didn't mean to go shopping; I just needed to kill a little time while waiting for a friend. Somehow I ended up on the Forever 21 website, and as soon as I saw this navy blue polka dot pencil skirt, I knew it had to be mine. I mean it's polka dots, it's a pencil skirt; I couldn't figure out how I didn't already own such a piece. 

From the moment it arrived, I've been so excited to wear it with everything I own. It's only been in my closet for a couple of days, but I can already tell it's going to be a long and lasting love. 

Nautical

Sweater - Zara; T-shirt - Smart Set; Skirt - H&M;
Boots - Steve Madden; Necklace - Aldo

A Snowy Expedition

Sweater - Zara; T-shirt - Old Navy; Tank - Smart Set; Pants - Joe Fresh;
Boots - Steve Madden; Watch - Fossil

Friday, the snow started to fall before I woke up and it didn't stop falling until well after I went to bed. As beautiful and angelic as it looked from inside my apartment/at the office, walking in it was less than fun. To make my daily trek to work, I thought it was only appropriate to dress as though I was going on an expedition. My ensemble may have been more safari than arctic tundra, but I thought it worked for trudging through the snow.

Awkwardly Elegant

Sweater - Zara; Blouse - Jacob; Jeans - Mavi
Boots - Aldo; Watch - Fossil

As I continue to battle this cold/flu, which seems to have morphed into a fresh new hell this weekend, let's take a look back at an outfit I wore a couple of weeks ago to an incredibly awkward dinner.

Although my dinner experience was awkward, my outfit was not. This silky blouse from Jacob has quickly become one of my go-to pieces; simple, yet it can make any accompanying piece look elegant (case in point, my skinnies and a cardigan).

So, even though I won't be repeating that particular dining experience, this is definitely a look I'll be trying again.

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Same Great Dress, Subtle New Look

Sweater - Zara; Dress - Cotton Candy from Barefoot Contessa;
Booties - Aldo; Watch - Fossil

In my day-to-day work life I tend to wear a lot of dresses. They're easy; one piece, add some shoes and your're ready to go. But, this ease doesn't mean it's easy to mix it up. It actually means the opposite. With one piece, there are only so many ways you can wear it.

But, I was up for the challenge.

I took one of my favourite dresses and decided to pair it with all brown accessories to bring out the brown tones, and give it a subtle change.

Same great dress, subtle new look!

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The Weather Outside is Frightful

Blouse - Jacob; Skirt - Zara; Boots - Steve Madden

The weather outside has been frightful these last few days: freezing rain, wind, snow; so I've decided to boycott what Mother Nature's been throwing at us by wearing a particularly unseasonable ensemble.

By throwing on a tropical print and vibrant colours, I'm hoping I can ward off winter for just a little bit longer.

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On the Go

Sweater - Zara; Blouse - Smart Set; Skirt - Jacob; Tights - Sentiments from Zellers
Boots - Aldo

Yesterday's was one of those crazy days where I was on the go from 7 a.m. until I finally crashed 12 hours later. The first of many crazy days to come.

From a seminar to work to holiday shopping, I had to find an outfit that would take me from A to B to C. Plus, it had to be a look that would keep me warm while I was running around in the -11C weather (that's right, winter is here).

To satisfy my criteria I settled on layers - and lots of them! It's that time of year, when I wear everything I own to make it through the day without frostbite.


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Just in Time

Sweater - Zara; Dress - Banana Republic; Boots - Steve Madden

I gave myself last week off to wallow in the glory that is PMS (if anyone wants to dispute the existence of PMS, I would like to introduce them to last-week-Kate; she could have won any PMS-related argument, no contest.) From sad and irritation (which I took out on loved ones, sorry mom :s) to craving chocolate and salt (at the same time), you name a symptom, I had it. And, none of my usual remedies were working, so I spent most of the week (after work hours, that is) watching episodes of Intervention while shoving fistfuls of caramel popcorn in my mouth. It was sad and glorious all at the same time.

But, like any good storm, it passed and I'm back to feeling like my usual self - and, just in time! Saturday was my second shift with Dress for Success (DFS) and it wouldn't make for a very good experience to work in the boutique with an irritated, ragey Kate. I haven't been volunteering long, but I can honestly say it's one of the best, most rewarding things I've ever done - plus, it's fun! If I hadn't already been feeling better, my DFS shift wouldn't have definitely done the trick.

When I left the house early Saturday morning it was raining, but by the time I left the boutique huge snowflakes were falling from the sky. That's when I finally realized that the holidays are right around the corner! Just nine more days and this petite adventurer will be back on the west coast - if that's not a reason to celebrate, then I don't know what is!

Happy Monday!


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Blue and Brown for Girl Geek Dinner

Sweater - Zara; Dress - Banana Republic; Boots - Steve Madden

Last night, I had the opportunity to attend the season opener of Girl Geek Dinners Ottawa - a fantastic monthly networking event that makes technology accessible and interesting to all age groups and all people, particularly women. Led by Amanda Shendruk, founder of Aesthetic Intelligence and a leading expert in data visualization (also, she has the most amazing hair), last night's discussion focused on big data and the role of infographics. As someone who can't pass up reading an nfographic, this topic was right up my nerd alley.

For an evening of conversations, creativity, and learning about chartjunk (it's a thing, google it!) I decided it was only fitting to get a little creative and debut a never-before-worn blue and brown look. It was comfortable, casual, and thankfully chartjunk free!

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Laughter is the Best Medicine

Sweater - Zara; Shirt - ines; Jeans - Mavi;
Boots - Steve Madden; Scarf - H&M

Last week I was not on top of my game. Why? I have no clue, but it was one of those week's where everything I touched, I messed up. It felt horrible. And embarrassing. Which is why I wasn't exactly runway ready on Friday when I sported this casual look to work.

Thankfully the weekend made up for my embarrassing week. My best friend was in town and we spent Saturday night drinking berry Sangria and taking in a show at Yuk Yuk's. What they say is true - laughter really is the best medicine. By the end of the show, all most of my woes were gone.

At least today's the start of a brand new week!

Do you ever have those weeks, where everything you touch turns to mold, not gold?

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I Was Committed

Sweater - Zara; T-Shirt - Smart Set; Skirt - H&M;
Tights - Secret; Wedges - Aldo

Yesterday, when the alarm went off I wasn't ready. I'd stayed up late the night before glued to the US Presidential election. I couldn't go to bed; I just had to know! Anyways... I wasn't exactly prepared to start my day at 7 a.m. so when it came time to get dressed I was looking for comfort over chic.

When I finally settled on this look I was happy; I was comfortable, yet I felt put together (enough, put together enough). I spent a good part of my morning strutting around my apartment just loving it.

And then I walked outside.

Overnight it had somehow become winter. Within two seconds I realized that my skirt was much shorter than I thought, and rode up while I walked exposing so much leg to the elements. No thickness of tights could have spared me the horrific chill. I hadn't walked more than a block away from my apartment, but I knew I couldn't turn back - I was committed and I soldiered on.

Thankfully my walk is only four block, so I wasn't exposed for long.

What would you have done - gone back and changed? Or, forged on?

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Pinspiration Wednesday

The Inspiration:

Olivia Palero via Pinterest

The Reality:

Sweater - Zara; Blouse & Tights- H&M; Skirt - Jacob; Boots - Aldo

I don't know about you, but I go through phases with Pinterest. Some days I can waste spend hours pinning and repinning; and then there are times where I can't remember why I ever started using the site.

Lately I've been on a huge pinning kick, which is how I came across the above photo of Olivia Palermo. I was immediately inspired, and so excited to try this look out.

Sometimes wasting time can be so productive. 

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Summer to Fall

 

Sweater - Zara; Dress - Forever 21; Boots - Aldo

First off, I hope all my East Coast friends and readers are safe and sound! Sandy hasn't hit Ottawa too hard, but I know that's not the case for parts of the east coast of Canada and the US. Everyone stay safe!

I put this outfit together yesterday morning in a rush. For some reason I thought it was a good idea to go back to sleep after turning off the alarm; playing alarm clock chicken is never a good way to start a Monday.

Anyways, I pulled this dress out and decided that summer dresses shouldn't be reserved just for summer. So, I decided to winterize it by adding a cardigan, tights and suede boots.

Worked like a charm; and, now I feel like I've just doubled the size of my closet.

Winterizing: it's not just for your car.

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