But it’s a little too cold.  So, what to do?  For me, adding tights or boots with cozy socks and a scarf makes spring/summer dresses warm, and still functional.  Here are two looks to try:

Dress: Joe Fresh

Cardigan: Thrifted

Scarf: Smart Set

Tights: Modcloth

Shoes: Thrifted

Dress: H&M

Denim shirt: H&M

Scarf: Indigo/Chapters

Socks: H&M

Boots: Winners

Well, I’m back to taking pictures of myself today!  After a crazy (and gorgeous) weekend, it’s a little drizzly out today, and this weather calls for a trench coat!  The one I’m wearing today is the quintessential beige, a perfect length for my height, and fits me to a T!  If I want to keep it open (say, to show off a belt) then I tie the trench belt behind me to keep it looking neat and tidy.  I’m going for peep toes today in spite of the rain, because I know I’ll be inside most of the day anyway.  Enjoy the rain!

What do you wear to keep dry (and cute) on days like this?

Trench Coat: Banana Republic Factory

Top: Gap Factory

Belt: Joe Fresh

Cigarette Pants: Mexx

Shoes: Winners

Clutch: Thrifted

I haven’t been feeling too great this week, so this morning started off with me getting up with my alarm, putting my make-up on and getting back into bed. 

Yes, that extra 25 minutes of lying in a warm duvet/mattress sandwich were definitely worth it!  After texting my hubby and giving myself a little pep-talk (something along the lines of “you have short day dude, this’ll be a cinch!  Then you can come right home and climb back in bed!”  Sound familiar, SD?), I was ready to get ‘er done.

After that, I promptly dressed myself featuring one of my new spring aqcuisitions: and army green anorak.  I love this jacket, it dresses down a corporate or dressy look, and elevates tights and flats.  I’m going to be wearing this with a lot of different outfits this spring, but today is the first day I’m sporting it!  Let me know what you think.

Jacket: Stella Blue

Blouse: Winners

Necklace: Etsy, seen also here

Skirt: Wal-Mart, seen also here and here

Shoes: Thrifted, seen also here

Ok, Mondays are tough.  I have to go to school every Monday though, so I can’t afford to be crabby.  Otherwise, no one will let me in their sorority!  (I joke)  Ususally, I try to put together a killer outfit to perk me up for the day.  Today, it’s this. I call it: chill power suit with coral.  Catchy, right?  It’s just the right mix of uptown posh and downtown chic, and it’s going to make me happy all day!

Jacket: Banana Republic

Necklace: Banana Republic

Shirt: Joe Fresh

Skinny Jeans: Old Navy

Ring: Antique

Day Clutch: Thrifted

Shoes: Liz Claiborne

So, what do you do to chase away the Monday blues?  Leave your comments below!

Spring is in the air!  I can tell by my allergy-induced sinus headaches.  I’m so ready for warmer (and drier) days, light jackets and sandals!!!  For now though, the big change is my hair.  I had dark hair for years and recently decided to lighten it up.  Not all at once, but in stages.  Today I went as light as I dare for now, and I love it!

Here are some salon pics chronicling my morning.  Maybe they’ll inspire you to make some hair changes you’ve been thinking about for awhile…

Important: Bring great reading material.  I’ve been reading this book off and on for awhile, it’s great.

First in: foils.  I resembled the flying nun for about an hour. (Guys: this is the part we usually don’t let you see)

Then: toner.  I kind of liked this updo, actually. 

*drumroll*

Begining: My hair had been dark for years.  I thought it made me look serious, and when I started my design business I needed all the serious I could get.  I also liked how it made my eyes look really blue.

Mid-phase: a warm red base with blonde highlights.  I liked this colour a lot, but didn’t quite feel done yet.

And today: ta-da!  We are blondish.

So which do you prefer, dark or light?  Any hair changes planned for this season?

One of my favourite items to thrift is shoes, for three main reasons:

1) I can find pairs I never would have seen otherwise at the stores I go to, and maybe even discover a new brand.

2) They’re cheap.  And for someone who enjoys shoes (me!) that means more shoes.  Any obections?  I didn’t think so.

3) A lot of people won’t buy second-hand shoes because they think it’s gross or they assume they won’t be able to find anything.  That means people like me get vintage or even brand new shoes for a fraction of the cost, and we don’t don’t even have to fight anyone for them!

If you have ever looked at vintage shoes online or in person, wanted to buy them but have shied away for any reason, this blog is for you.  These are my steps and a few simple how-to’s on finding the perfect pair.

The same basic rule applies to thrifting shoes as anything else: shop with some ideas in mind but be open to whatever you find.  Today I was looking for black peeptoe wedges, or tan leather woven low heels.  I went to two stores and no dice.  Here’s what I did find though:

These fit my criteria on price, fit, and wearability.  If I don’t need something but want it, my rule in thrift stores is that it can’t cost more than $15.00, and these were $12.00.  I tried them on and they fit like a dream!  The heel wasn’t too high either, so I could walk in them.  I recently ordered mustard tights from modcloth and thought these would go great with those and a wispy spring dress.  So, I bought them.  One issue: they had some scuffs. 

Not cute, right?  This may have deterred greener thrifters, but not me!  I knew I could clean them somehow, so I went ahead and bought the shoes!  Once home, I looked up directions on how to remove the scuffs, and found them here.  Out came my nail polish remover and cotton pad as per the instructions.

And soon enough, they were perfect!  Now I have adorable spring (the season and the store) maryjanes for a pitance!

The moral of the story?  Thrifting requires not just an imagination, but sometimes a little elbow grease, too.  If you’re willing to spend the time, you’ll end up spending far less money and developing your signature look!

I have just been reunited with my clothes room!!!  It’s been two months, and I forgot about some of the stuff I own.  One of the items I purchased before Christmas and left in Edmonton was this floral bolero from Anthropologie.  I love it so much, it’s so lush and beautiful.  So last night, I put it on to go to the grocery store with my hubby!  Hey, any excuse to dress up, right?       

Bolero: Anthropologie

Tank top: Le Chateau

Pencil Skirt: Wal-Mart

Purple Tights: Esprit

Maryjanes: Aldo, Thrifted

Earings: Wal-Mart

Bracelet: From my Mom years ago

Clutch: Vintage, Thrifted