Perfect Pair: White Tank & Scarf

It's Friday! What are your plans this weekend? I'm heading up to a friends cottage tomorrow. She just renovated, and I can't wait to see it with my own eyes. You can see pictures of it here on Desire to Inspire. Isn't it beautiful?

It's been pretty warm weather the last few weeks, but it does cool down on the lake in the evenings. One of my very favorite Summer outfits: jeans or shorts, with a white tank and a colorful scarf. It's the perfect Summer layering option to stay cool and/or warm. I'm loving both of these pieces from Anthropologie:

Slubby Boy Tank & Fine Print Scarf

Happy weekend!

**Update - Sigh...we didn't end up going to the cottage due to rainy weather. Thus Jen's comment on this post :(

Brond

Ralph Lauren Spring 2011...also, best brond* hair ever.

I'm sitting here completely stuck on what to blog about today. I just leaned over our shared desk and asked Zach what he thought I should do. Without looking up from his laptop, he said, "Blog about how much work sucks and how we should be independently wealthy and not have to deal with this bull****". Lol. I think he's having a rough day.

So on that note, IF I was independently wealthy...

I would live HERE.
I would travel HERE.
I would buy the entire Ralph Lauren Spring 2011 collection.

*Brond: Is it blond? Is it brunette? The perfect shade of brond has you debating for hours...

Beach Cover-Ups

A beach cover-up is really a bikini's best friend...their better half if you will. It's the perfect thing to throw on over your bikini while you stroll around the beach, grab a snack, or throw a frisbee. Plus, it gives your skin a break from the sun. I've actually worn out my favorite cover-up that my friend Liane gave me years ago...a black linen Roxy romper.

I blogged about the first cover-up a few days ago...it just goes to show that I can't stop thinking about it! It's definitely on my shopping list this Summer. The rest are adorable and fun as well! If only my budget could afford all of them!

Victoria's Secret

Victoria's Secret

Victoria's Secret

Volcom Strapless Sundress, from Lulu's.

Anchor Print Sundress, from Lulu's.

3.1 Phillip Lim Cover-Up, through Net-a-Porter.

Mara Hoffman Beach Playsuit, through Net-a-Porter.

Hats Off to Summer!

Ah Summer...

I know it's technically still Spring, but when the temperature hits 25 (like the last couple of days in Ottawa), I can't help but feel like it's Summer already. Along with the warm temperatures, I thoroughly enjoy the fresh intake of vitamin d, flowery smells, fresh cut grass and a tan!

Unfortunately, a tan is also one of the main causes of skin cancer...and I'm being more careful these days (in my old age). For the rest of the week I'll be posting about some of the best products in sun care...including things like hats, cover ups, sunscreen etc.

Hats off to Summer!

Old Navy Bead-Trimmed Straw Hat

Banana Republic Shimmer Straw Hat

David and Young fedora, through Nordstrom.

Crusher Hat from J Crew

Woven Fedora from J Crew

Summer Wishlist: Fashion and Beauty

Please tell me that I'm not the only one who spends an hour filling an online shopping bag, and then closes the window before the purchase can actually happen...I know that you're out there.

It fulfills a few needs: retail therapy, turns boredom to fun, and gives me ideas for the future (when I have money).

If you guessed that I more than likely just did this tonight, you are right. I just spent an hour on the Victoria's Secret website. Here's what was in my shopping bag before I hastily clicked the little x (aka saved myself $400):

5 Way Push-up Bandeau top & matching bottom.

Echo Striped Cover Up

(I still really want this. I may actually go back and purchase it)

White Lacy Dress.

Bombshell Summer Body Mist

Beauty Rush Minty Lip Shine

Black Tights: Where were these all Winter?!

I was just catching up on all of the recent posts on Cup of Jo, and I saw these amazing sexy black tights! I wish that I had these to get me through the past Winter! (I wear a skirt and tights literally every day. It's my Winter uniform.)

Mini Shoe-Spree

Hi friends! I am blogging from a cozy hotel bed, complete with soft white sheets and 6 pillows. Looooove it! Day 1 of the conference went well. I definitely ate too much, but that's what conferences are for right? I actually felt so guilty when I got back tonight.

Tomorrow, when I have time, I will update you on the hilarity that happened last night between 11:00pm and 12:45am. It involves 7 men, a broken door, a pair of underwear, and a very sleepy blogger.
I don't have much time to blog because I need to get some sleep. I have to be up, groomed and ready to go at 7:00 tomorrow morning. Ugh.

Here's just a quick little peek at a mini shoe-spree from this past weekend. I desperately needed some new flats now that I don't have to wear boots every day! Both were from Aldo, and both were only $45!

Magen flats. Love!

Carriger flats.
(Kind of boring, but I needed them for work)

Modcloth: Cute Dresses for Spring / Summer 2011

Red-y and Rarin' To Go Dress



Modcloth, for those of you who've never heard of it, is a fun and affordable fashion / home shopping site. It was started by two clothes loving high-school sweethearts who wanted a place to offer an assortment of fashion goodies. Modcloth has unique one-of-a-kinds, indie designs, and a variety of trendy pieces to suit any wardrobe.
Bonus: Their inventory is constantly changing. You can check back throughout the day to see if new items have been added since your last visit.

Modcloth also provides the shopper with the chance to add feedback and advice on new inventory, through their "Be the Buyer" program and their blog.

Here are my favorites:

Smoky Mountain Town Dress

In With The Neutral Dress

Daytime Darling Dress

Already Blue-ming Dress

**This would make a cute bridesmaids dress for the Summer season!!

Take a Gander Dress

Dianthus Fields Dress

**This would be a pretty dress to wear to a wedding!



SHOES: New Spring Arrivals

I did a little shopping for my birthday yesterday, and while I was at the mall I noticed that Aldo had some really cute new Spring arrivals! Shoes weren't in my shopping plan / budget this time around, but if I had an endless supply of money, I would have left with all of these:

Samara booties in Taupe.

Ramires booties in Natural.

Smerkar rubber boots.

Keithly peep-toe pumps.

Peachtreecity high-heel sandals.

Kochler platform pumps.

BHLDN: Bridal Wear

Happy Valentine's Day friends! It's a beautiful day to celebrate love & marriage...

...as mentioned last week, the brilliant people behind Anthropologie have just today launched a new bridal wear line, BHLDN. I just spent an hour devouring the entire website, every pearl, piece of lace, ribbon and hair piece. I love it all! Here are some of the highlights, but you must go to the site and see for yourselves!

Burnished Organza Gown

Eyelet Medley Sheathe

Cascading Goddess Gown

Savoy Dress

(Did I mention they have bridesmaids dresses too!?)



Crystallized Chiffon Headband

Unabashedly Gloves

Sartorialist Eye Candy

Today was a stressful day for me. I didn't have much time to blog, but I did have time to enjoy some recent photography from the Sartorialist. Here are my faves (all of these women look like they enjoyed the day more than me!):

Smith Jewellery

A little while ago, I blogged about Zoe Chicco's jewellery line and her celebrity cult following. What I didn't realize then is that she also has another line, Smith, which is an on-trend affordable version of the more expensive Zoe Chicco pieces. A lot of the pieces are well under $70, with some pieces even coming in under $30. I recommend getting a few friends to go in on an order with you to save on shipping. Check out a few of my favorite pieces below:

As seen in Lucky magazine.

Speak Your Heart Necklace (choose your word: faith/love/peace/hope).

Also available in sterling silver.

Tiny Cone Earrings (Only $36!). Also available in sterling silver.

Pyramid Hoops. Also available in sterling silver.



Golden chains bracelet.