Lately I've been thinking a lot about colours while getting dressed, setting my mind on two or three colours I want to wear and bringing them all together with pieces of the chosen hues. I didn't really realize the extent of this, however, until a friend pointed out a few days ago that I was looking very "matchy-matchy" while wearing this outfit. I wasn't sure how to take it at first, but now I've decided that I like it: it may be a bit 90's of me, but it gives me a similar feeling of the "pulled togetherness" of an intentionally designed room.

Wearing: YesStyle blouse, Club Monaco skirt (on sale in Sand here), Zara scarf, Tory Burch flats, DKNY bag, Vince Camuto bracelet (in silver here)

This past weekend, D and I had the privilege of attending the wedding of one of his church friends. It was a beautiful affair, and the couple was greatly blessed with beautiful weather: there wasn't a single cloud in the sky! I was more than excited to pull on my new favourite dress for the occasion, which is now by far the most colourful item in my closet. I love the jewel tones in it and how it manages to be elegant and somewhat subdued in spite of its boldness. What did you do this weekend?

Wearing: Trina Turk dress (on sale here!), BCBGMAXAZRIA clutch and cuff, Zara shoes, Deborah Lippmann Billionaire (my favourite!)

Overjoyed would be an underestimation of how I'm feeling about the official arrival of spring: to celebrate the day yesterday, lots of ice cream was consumed and adorable mini orchids were introduced to my windowsill to brighten things up (thanks, D!). I also wore this salmon pink H&M jacket; it's definitely one of my favourite pieces to wear in the summer. The colour exudes a sense of happiness and warmth, and having it on made the promise of longer days that much more exciting.




Wearing: UniQUEEN jacket (last seen here), H&M jacket, YesStyle blouse (last seen here), 7 For All Mankind pants, Zara shoes, MICHAEL Michael Kors bag, bfrend bracelet

{photos by Hilda Wong & Alicia Quan respectively}
I've been pairing earth tones with this orange clutch for what seems like every day as of late: the colour palette is rather fail-safe and provides the perfect canvas for the bright tangerine to really pop! The first look is what I changed into for dinner with the girls after the blogger clothing sale this past weekend (more on that later!) while the second is one of the casual outfits that I was running around in while prepping for the event last week. Do you find yourself dressing in "themes" for periods of time too? Happy Monday!




outfit 1: YesStyle blouse, Forever 21 skirt, Zara shoes, MICHAEL Michael Kors clutch (similar), bfrend (pearl) and Lauren Elan bracelets, vintage belt
outfit 2: Zara sweater and shoes, J Brand jeans, Lauren Elan bracelet

When I bought this skirt last fall, I had no idea it would be a piece that would grow to be such a special part of my wardrobe. Since I've had it, though, the beautiful print and feminine cut have kept me wooed and I still find myself wanting to reach for it again and again. I documented it on the blog in the fall as well as the winter, and now here it is once more as we reach springtime. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it also paired so unexpectedly well with this gorgeous teal shade of nail polish (a first for me!), subduing it and preventing the colour from looking too kiddy.



p.s. you can enter to win Butter London's entire spring 2012 collection (an $85 value) here!
Wearing: H&M sweater and skirt, Wilfred belt, Zara shoes, BCBGMAXAZRIA cuff and ring, vintage bag (borrowed from Mina), nails Butter London Slapper (c/o Nail Polish Canada)

{photos by Mina}
I'll be the first to admit that there was a bit of hesitancy in wearing two bright orange pieces together. However, there's something about the promise of warmth after a long winter that throws all of that fear out the window. As an ode to the extra hour of afternoon light we got this weekend and the official oncoming of spring (8 more days!), I couldn't help but pile on a few pieces inspired by Pantone's 2012 Colour of the Year: Tangerine Tango. There aren't many hues more optimistic, and walking around in this outfit definitely made me feel happy.




Wearing: vintage Thierry Mugler coat (last seen here), J.Crew sweater, J Brand 811 jeans (lots of colours here, & neon for spring!), Zara pumps, MICHAEL Michael Kors clutch (similar), Lauren Elan bracelet, BCBGMAXAZRIA ring, OPI Paint My Moji-toes Red

As a girl with a small waist & substantially larger hips, it had always been hard for me to find a good pair of jeans. What's worse is that this body type seems to be most susceptible to the ever-embarrassing undie peek when sitting down (anyone else victim of this?!). J Brand 811's have proven to be a lifesaver for this: the brand has always made great jeans and I've been wearing their low rise cuts since my 1st year of university, but the mid rise on these makes them worry free and much more flattering. They also come in a rainbow of gorgeous colours in addition to the classics: this cobalt blue pair is so perfectly vibrant and it's been difficult to not reach for them every morning. I'm definitely eyeing this white pair for spring!

disclosure: I'm not affiliated with or sponsored by J Brand in any way... although I'd very much like to be ;)

This past weekend, we took a drive down to Seattle for quick little getaway. The plan was to eat good food, do some shopping and just spend a bit of time outside the small city that we call home. I guess that, based on these photos, the trip ended up being almost entirely about food (I suppose that's what happens when multiple males are involved!). It was certainly one indulgent weekend, and here are a few photos of some of the highlights. Prepare to get very hungry.

{We started off with some incredible, guilt-inducing junk food, including Oreo milkshakes served in beakers...}

{...and an absolutely drool-worthy duck & pork patty burger with garlic mayo, bacon, lots of cheese and tator tots!}

{A visit to Pike Place Market was a mandatory part of our itinerary! We were baffled by the gigantic size of the seafood...}

{...and visited the first ever Starbucks! The lineups were insane- we passed and went for local Tully's Coffee & macarons from Le Panier instead.}

{We indulged in some delicious, crispy-on-the-outside fluffy mini donuts...}

{...and I was a little sad that I couldn't bring some beautiful tulips home!}

{We finished off with the best clam chowder at Pike Place Chowder before driving home. I was pretty much in an intense state of happiness (to say the least!) the entire time thanks to all the food!}

{I also came home with this bright ostrich embossed clutch, which I can't wait to wear it this spring!}

{photos by Alicia}