What I Wore This Week

What I Wore This Week #ootd #wiw #livelovesara

What I Wore This Week #ootd #wiw #livelovesara

What I Wore This Week #ootd #wiw #livelovesara

What I Wore This Week #ootd #wiw #livelovesara

What I Wore This Week #ootd #wiw #livelovesara

Outfit 1 – Jean jacket • old (similar) | Black Sweater • Mango | Leather Pants • H&M | Slides • Steve Madden | Purse • Vintage |
Outfit 2 – Dress • Zara (similar) | Leather Jacket • Zara old (identical) | Shoes • Converse |
Outfit 3 – Tunic Dress • Zara (similar) | Leather Jacket • Zara (identical) | Jeans • Zara (I cut the fringe off) | Slides • Steve Madden |
Outfit 4 – Army Coat • Thrifted* (similar) | Harry Potter Patch • Hot Topic | Jeans • Mango | Slides • Steve Madden |
Outfit 5 – Coat • Topshop (comes in many colours ) | Jeans • H&M (Similar) | Blondie T-shirt • Brandy Melville old (similar) | Slides • Steve Madden
*I sewed this patch on to my daughter’s oversized army jacket and Tom asked why it had to be on the forearm and not some place more visible. I was like, “dude…”

I sitting here contemplating how I am going to move my living room around (it is Saturday night as a write this). I have mentioned a million times that this is a super small space. Under 700 sq ft and the rooms are really weirdly shaped because we are a corner unit. When Tom was at Value Village today he sent me a picture of a couch (and a Carrot Top alarm lock that he wanted to get but was so ugly I kiboshed it). The couch is a brown leather, three seater in great condition, with a matching chair all for $35 and from Ikea. Seriously. We were contemplating getting the $700 fabric couch from Ikea but this one is a clear bargain that can’t be passed up. If we were just swapping couch for couch then I wouldn’t have to move stuff around but since we are also adding another (largish) chair then some reconfiguring needs to be done. It’s along weekend (Victoria Day Weekend) so we have an extra day to get shit done before Tom goes back to work.

When you move furniture here you have to book the elevator but that causes issues with last-minute purchases since you have to book in advance. It’s one of the main frustrations that I have with condo living so we are going to try to sneak it in without booking it. We lost out on a couch a while back because we couldn’t book the elevator. It’s not really big so I hope we can get it in without any issues or getting in trouble :/

We had a couple of really unseasonably hot and humid days last week which gave us a taste of the summer to come and I am dreading it. None of us are heat people so the girls starting complaining the moment their eyes opened even though the air conditioning in the building has been turned on for the season.

I returned some clothes to Zara that I bought for Merle that either didn’t fit properly or she wasn’t a big fan of and caved and bought a kimono with the exchange. I showed the two colours that I had narrowed it down to and I ended up getting the blue because it fit better. So while I actually hate summer I am looking forward to being able to wear it.

*some people were moving in the day we got the couch and were nice enough to let us use their booked elevator to bring the new couch up and the old couch down. It was meant to be. Except the living room currently looks like a Tetris game and we need to either rent a van or cram it in to our suv to donate next weekend.

I can’t believe it is almost June.

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What to Pack for Italy and Paris – Modern Grunge Style

 

What to Pack for Italy and Paris Packing Light List Modern Grunge Style #packinglist #packinglight #travellight #travel #livelovesara

Led Zeppelin T-shirt • Hot Topic* | Striped T-shirt • Madewell | White Blouse • H&M | Black Floral Embroidered T-shirt • Mango | Chambray Shirt • J.Crew Factory | Black Sweatshirt • Mango | White Pullover • Topshop | Grey Cardigan • Mango | Leather Jacket • Mango | Casual Denim • Gap | Grey Denim • Mango | Black Slouchy Pants • H&M | Black Floral Dress • Mango | Striped Dress • Madewell | Bathing Suit • H&M | Elephant Scarf • J.Crew (For a good cause. Read below) | Blue Paisly Scarf • J.Crew | Hat • Azalea | Sunglasses • AQS Sunglasses | Slip-ons • Vans | Sandals • Nordstrom | Sneakers • Converse | Backpack • Everlane | Leopard Crossbody • AHAlife |
*with my band shirts I generally pick a men’s style because they are less fitted than a women’s.


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I didn’t think I was going to get it finished but did. This is look number three from the One Trip, three women, three different styles challenge that was requested this week. Look number one – Romantic Style, and look number two – Boho Style are from Tuesday and Wednesday’s posts. I tried to get this one up last night but honestly, my kids would not settle and I just couldn’t sit and focus. But since it is Friday it fits well with my regular posting schedule anyway.

I’m going to be honest and say that this list is right up my alley. It fits my style perfectly and  kind of want to go through and buy everything 😉 You may notice that I didn’t include any shorts in any of these selections. For the romantic list I was requested not to, and for these last two I was thinking about it but considered it unnecessary since there are two dresses and the pants can either be rolled or pushed up anyway. Shorts aren’t as prevalent in many European countries like you see here in North America and a lot of times the people that you do seeing wearing shorts are tourists. But if you think you would like to bring a pair they can easily be swapped for something or even rolled-up small and slipped in your shoe while packing, because they won’t take much room. Note that the long floral dress can also be left open and worn as a kimono style, long over-shirt. This gives even more outfit options when you have pieces that can work several ways.

18 Outfit Options are at the bottom of this post.

I wanted to note that the Elephant scarf/bandana from J.Crew is not only beautiful but for a good cause. I am a sucker for animal causes and when I chose this piece I originally picked it because I loved it and it fit with the aesthetic (and I adore elephants) and then I read on the J.Crew website:

“Founded in 1977, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust rescues and protects orphaned elephants and rhinos in East Africa from ivory poaching and extinction. To date, they’ve successfully rehabilitated 190 elephant orphans before reintegrating them into the wild. In their honor, we teamed up with Brooklyn-based artist Hugo Guinness to create this limited-edition scarf, featuring an illustration of our friend Edie the elephant. An adventurous (and slightly rebellious) teenager, Edie was rescued by DSWT back in 1999 when she was just four months old. Fifty percent of the retail price from the sale of this scarf will be donated to the Trust.” 

The scarf also comes in a plum colour.

I hope you enjoy these selections as much as I do. Have a great weekend everyone!

What to Pack for Italy and Paris Packing Light List Modern Grunge Style Outfit Options #packinglist #packinglight #travellight #travel #livelovesara
Led Zeppelin T-shirt • Hot Topic* | Striped T-shirt • Madewell | White Blouse • H&M | Black Floral Embroidered T-shirt • Mango | Chambray Shirt • J.Crew Factory | Black Sweatshirt • Mango | White Pullover • Topshop | Grey Cardigan • Mango | Leather Jacket • Mango | Casual Denim • Gap | Grey Denim • Mango | Black Slouchy Pants • H&M | Black Floral Dress • Mango | Striped Dress • Madewell | Bathing Suit • H&M | Elephant Scarf • J.Crew (For a good cause. Read below) | Blue Paisly Scarf • J.Crew | Hat • Azalea | Sunglasses • AQS Sunglasses | Slip-ons • Vans | Sandals • Nordstrom | Sneakers • Converse | Backpack • Everlane | Leopard Crossbody • AHAlife |



If you like this post you can find more packing lists and outfit options in my:
Packing Light Series 
What to Wear Options

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What to Pack for Italy and Paris – Boho Style

What to Pack for Italy and Paris Packing Light List Boho Style #packinglist #packinglight #travellight #travel #livelovesara

Floral Camisole • H&M | White Blouse • H&M | Navy Wrap Shirt • J.Crew | Striped Off-the-Shoulder Top • Madewell | Pink T-shirt • H&M | Black Sweatshirt • Mango | Long Black Cardigan • Topshop | Jean Jacket • Madewell | Light Belted Jacket • H&M | Dark Denim • Mango | Cropped Flared Denim • Mango | Black Pants • H&M | Dark Blue Dress • Mango | White Peasant Dress • Marks and Spencer | Bathing Suit • H&M | Floral Scarf • J.Crew | White Scarf • Mango | Hat • Madewell | Sunglasses • Spitfire | Espadrilles • Madewell | Leather Sandals • Sole Society | Booties • Minnetonka | Large Purse • Fat Face | Crossbody • Sole Society |


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This week I had the pleasure (and challenge) of putting together a packing list for one trip, 3 women, with three different styles. It is for a mother and her two daughters who will be taking a 3 week trip to Italy and Paris together as a graduation gift. How amazing is that?!

If you check out yesterday’s post What to Pack for Italy and Paris it is for a romantic style. That post also gives a little more detail on the trip. Today I am attempting to achieve a boho style with florals, flowy light fabrics, peasant style dresses,  off the shoulder tops, and flared and high-waisted pants. The shoes and accessories are leather, or woven and have a very relaxed boho vibe.

I put together 18 outfits but I could have made a lot more, so this list will easily accommodate a 3 week+ trip without repeating the same outfit. You may have noticed that I included a jean jacket as well as a light jacket and this is because a jean jacket to me is something that you toss over to complete an outfit (kind of like a blazer but casual) there is no real warmth in it and that is why I added another. One jacket will be more than enough if you want to lighten your suitcase even more though.

I hope that you like my picks and they help to inspire you for your upcoming trip.

I’m really digging those Minnetonka Boots, how about you?

What to Pack for Italy and Paris Packing Light List Outfit Options Boho Style #packinglist #packinglight #travellight #travel #livelovesara
Floral Camisole • H&M | White Blouse • H&M | Navy Wrap Shirt • J.Crew | Striped Off-the-Shoulder Top • Madewell | Pink T-shirt • H&M | Black Sweatshirt • Mango | Long Black Cardigan • Topshop | Jean Jacket • Madewell | Light Belted Jacket • H&M | Dark Denim • Mango | Cropped Flared Denim • Mango | Black Pants • H&M | Dark Blue Dress • Mango | White Peasant Dress • Marks and Spencer | Bathing Suit • H&M | Floral Scarf • J.Crew | White Scarf • Mango | Hat • Madewell | Sunglasses • Spitfire | Espadrilles • Madewell | Leather Sandals • Sole Society | Booties • Minnetonka | Large Purse • Fat Face | Crossbody • Sole Society |



If you like this post you can find more packing lists and outfit options in my:
Packing Light Series 
What to Wear Options

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What to Pack for Italy and Paris – Romantic Style

What to Pack for Italy and Paris Packing Light List #packinglist #packinglight #travellight #travel #livelovesara

Grey Tank Top • H&M | Green Sleeveless Blouse • Zara | Grey T-shirt • J.Crew | Pink Dressy T-shirt • Mango | White Blouse • H&M | Grey V-Neck Pullover • Mango | Navy Blue Cardigan • J.Crew | White Blazer • H&M | Dark Denim • Gap | White Denim • Gap | Culottes • Mango | Green Dress • H&M | Purple Kaftan Dress • H&M | Trench • Madewell | Bathing Suit • Simply Be | Floral Scarf • Mango | Grey Scarf • Azalea | Hat • Madewell | Sunglasses • Kenneth Cole | Sneakers • Adidas | Black Slip-ons • Everlane | Booties • Nordstrom | Cognac Purse • Madewell | Black Crossbody • Patricia Nash |


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I may or may not have bitten off more than I can chew this week so bear with me if I don’t get all the posts out exactly when I plan to. This week I have a request for a trip to Italy for three weeks with a 4 day stop in Paris. It is a graduation gift from a mom to her daughter (and another daughter will be going too). All three women have a completely different styles and my goal is to try to capture these a give one list per style.

The first is the mom, a romantic style with a little edge. She likes to harden up the softer colours with some edgier accessories. The colour palette consists of white, grey, pink, orchid and sea-foam. Sticking with darker or white denim, and casual dresses that have a definable waist.

The temperature range for when they are going are from the low teens to mid 30’s (in celsius) and can be rainy. The goal is the pack as light as possible while having enough options for the varying temperatures and activities they will be doing (lots of walking).

I’ve tried to include pieces that can be easily dressed up and down, are comfortable, and can work several purposes. The purple dress has a belt to have a defined waist but can also be left loose and worn over the swimsuit for a quick and easy beach cover up. I debated the shoes since the weather can get quite hot I thought sandals would be beneficial, but with all the walking and high chances of rain they might not be the best choice. I sometimes think shoe choices are the hardest, so plan them out well so you find the pairs that will be best suited to your trip.

The next two styles that will be coming up over the next couple of days (hopefully) are a boho style, and a modern grunge.

I also FINALLY made a Facebook page for my blog. I was trying to avoid it like the plague because I have way too much social media to control but it’s something I should have done two years ago. I’m now way behind the curve on that and I am kicking myself. Anyway, it’s here if you want to pop by for a like since I pretty much have none right now 😉

Do you have a particular “style” that you gravitate towards?

What to Pack for Italy and Paris Packing Light List Outfit Options #packinglist #packinglight #travellight #travel #livelovesara
Grey Tank Top • H&M | Green Sleeveless Blouse • Zara | Grey T-shirt • J.Crew | Pink Dressy T-shirt • Mango | White Blouse • H&M | Grey V-Neck Pullover • Mango | Navy Blue Cardigan • J.Crew | White Blazer • H&M | Dark Denim • Gap | White Denim • Gap | Culottes • Mango | Green Dress • H&M | Purple Kaftan Dress • H&M | Trench • Madewell | Bathing Suit • Simply Be | Floral Scarf • Mango | Grey Scarf • Azalea | Hat • Madewell | Sunglasses • Kenneth Cole | Sneakers • Adidas | Black Slip-ons • Everlane | Booties • Nordstrom | Cognac Purse • Madewell | Black Crossbody • Patricia Nash |



If you like this post you can find more packing lists and outfit options in my:
Packing Light Series 
What to Wear Options

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What I Wore This Week

What I Wore This Week #ootd #wiw #livelovesara

What I Wore This Week #ootd #wiw #livelovesara

What I Wore This Week #ootd #wiw #livelovesara

What I Wore This Week #ootd #wiw #livelovesara

What I Wore This Week #ootd #wiw #livelovesara

Outfit 1 – Leather Jacket • Mango | Blouse • H&M | Jeans • Zara (I cut the fray off) | Boots • Topshop |
Outfit 2 – Striped Shirt • Everlane | Kimono • Madewell (similar) | Jeans • Zara (I cut the fray off) | Slides • Steve Madden |
Outfit 3 – Jean Jacket old (similar) | Jeans • (similar) | Slides • Steve Madden | Purse Vintage (Similar) |
Outfit 4 – Leather Jacket • Mango | T-shirt • Target men’s | Jeans • (similar) | Boots • Mango | Purse • Zara (similar) | Sunglasses • Ray-ban
Outfit 5 – Jean Jacket old (similar) | Sweater • Mango | Purse Vintage • (similar) |

It’s currently Saturday night as I write this and once again I have a headache. I am tempted to try to medicate it with wine (probably a bad idea) or coffee which sometimes helps. But the problem with coffee is that I will be up to all hours. I don’t know if the pros outweigh the cons in this situation. I do really want to finish my book tonight so maybe coffee it is.

A few weeks ago my friend Niki posted a vintage handbag she has had for years. It inspired me to search my closet because I had a fantastic one that I bought when I was a teen and I haven’t seen it for a while. I was getting concerned that I might have purged it in an overzealous closet clean-out. I did do that to a hand tooled bag that had flowers and mushrooms painted on in it. I am seriously sad at my stupidity over that one. DON’T EMOTIONAL CLOSET PURGE PEOPLE! The bag is shown above in picture 3, and 4 and honestly, sometimes I don’t think you can find a better purse than a vintage one. They have so much personality (and are so durable).

I decided recently that I want to jump on the kimono trend for this summer. I find as I get older I am getting picky with what trend I want to try each season but there are just so many beautiful kimonos out there. I’ve been out trying them on recently and am a little iffy about the length. I want a full length one which always seems to hit mid calf on the model and me at the ankle which might seem overwhelming on my short frame. Or maybe I can just own it and my attitude will pull it off 😉 Zara has some gorgeous ones and I *think* I’ve narrowed it down to two choices (here and here) but every time I say that they add another one online and I second guess myself. I feel that this will be a great summer staple and it will get a lot of use from me, because while I hate to wear shorts I might be inclined to wear them with a long kimono over. So it’s like wearing shorts, but not wearing shorts. Which sounds weird but might psychologically talk me in to wearing them. I never said I wasn’t an odd-ball).

What do you think of the kimono trend? 

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What to Bring for Kids on the Plane

What to pack a young child to bring on the plane #travel #traveltips #packinglight #packinglist #livelovesara

1 Bowie hoody • Mango | 2. Rosie Revere Engineer Book | 3. Stuffed Fox • Target | 4. Dr. Seuss Colouring book | 5. Frog Travel Blanket | 6. Cat Passport Holder • Paperchase | 7. Headphones • Urbanears | 8. iPad | 9. Crayons and Crayon roll • Etsy | 10. Magnetic Superhero Figures • Mudpuppy | 11. Backpack • Pottery Barn |


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