What to Wear

Tank Top • Mango | Graphic Tee • Mango | Wrap Blouse • Zara | Black Blouse • Mango | Striped Shirt • Zara | Yellow Sweater • H&M | White Alpaca Sweater • & Other Stories | Black Cardigan • H&M | Blazer • Marks and Spencer | Blue Jeans • H&M | Grey Jeans • H&M | Black Trousers • H&M | Purple Dress • H&M | Black Dress • H&M | Leather Jacket • & Other Stories | Black Scarf • Mango | Pink Scarf • LOFT | Hat • Club Monaco | Sunglasses • Nordstrom rack | Flats • Kelsi Dagger Brooklyn | Sneakers • Adidas | Boots • & Other Stories | Black Purse • Vince Camuto | Brown Crossbody • Gap |

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First off I want to share this jacket that I spotted when I went out to buy cat food yesterday. Yes, I can get easily distracted. It just so happens that we were walking buy H&M and I glanced over and there it was, right up front on the mannequin. It wasn’t busy at the mall at all at that time so I went in to try it on. If you go over to my Instagram you can see the photo. I didn’t buy it because only on a mission to buy one thing but now I am regretting it 🙁

Today’s post is for the outfit options for the Walk to Pack for Rome, Venice, and Florence packing list. The trip is for 8 days at the end of the month for a honeymoon (sounds amazing!) and she didn’t want to end up packing the same old stuff she usually does. I said I would put something together to give her an idea of the types of pieces she could bring and what types of outfit combinations you can make out of them. I put together 15 outfits from the following pieces listed below:

• Five shirts sticking to a generally neutral palette. One tank for layering of if it gets really hot, a graphic or plain t-shirt (I chose graphic because it adds some fun to an outfit), a wrap blouse which can be dressy (or dressed down with jeans, sneakers, and a leather jacket), a blouse, and a striped long sleeve (this style is more of a light knit).
• A few sweaters of varying colours and styles. A bold colour pullover, a neutral one, and a cardigan. The cardigan also works as a shirt when belted at the waist so you get more versatility form this piece.
• Three bottoms. I chose a darker denim, a cropped black/grey denim, and black trouser.
• Two dresses. You could easily get away with one but I included a black basic which will be very versatile as well as a dressier wrap style in a dark colour.
• A light coat or coats. This time of year can still be hot during the day but cool down at night so I chose a leather jacket and a checked blazer which is really on trend this fall.
• A few accessories. Scarves are a nice choice for an easy way to change a look (and for cooler weather, rain, as a cover-up) I picked a bright floral print, and a neutral dark. A hat for sun and/or rain, and sunnies.
• Several pairs of shoes. A short boot, a comfortable walking shoe, as well as a flat or other shoe that you will get a lot of use out of.
• Two purses in different colours and sizes. A crossbody, and a regular sized bag.

As for packing as light as possible. Make your outfits ahead of time (this is why I do the outfit options), so you have something to refer to when you are deciding what to wear. Omit anything that you don’t think will get much use. Pick your travel wardrobe from your packing capsule and layer well, wearing your bulkiest, hard to pack items, and roll everything. Rolling really works.

Now back to that jacket. Yay or Nay? On the Instagram comments they said yay unanimously but I thought I would ask here to. 

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T-shirt • J.Crew | Black Blouse • Madewell | Striped Shirt • Land’s End | Black Shirt • Mango | Tie Blouse • Mango | Camel Pullover • H&M | Grey V-Neck Oversized Sweater • H&M | Cardigan • Mango | Blazer • H&M | Casual Denim • Banana Republic | Dark Denim • Mango | Black Trousers • Banana Republic | Black Dress • Marks and Spencer | Coat • & Other Stories | Black Scarf • Nordstrom | Red Scarf • H&M | Black Hat • Banana Republic | Sunglasses • Vince Camuto | Watch • Nixon | Boots • Nordstrom | Loafers • Sam Edelman | Leopard Flats • Vionic | Brown Purse • Shoptiques | Black Crossbody • Cynthia Rowley |

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We just got home after being out for much out for the day and I’m going to say that I could have easily worn a beanie (a toque for my fellow Canadians). It was cold out, especially for it still being August. They are having a “Movie in the Park” night (Fantastic Beasts) for the last weekend of summer and everyone is in jackets, with blankets over their laps. We were going to stick around and watch it but decided it was too cold and went home to watch it there. I’m not sure how I feel about this 😉

Wednesday’s packing list was for fall, with What to Pack for Bordeaux and Paris (including a cruise) in October. If you head over to that post it gives some details of the trip but in a quick summation the trip is 14 days. The first week will be on a river cruise in Bordeaux, and the second week will be in Paris. The cruise has semi-dressy dinners, and one very formal evening in a which a formal dress will be required in addition to the travel wardrobe. This can be common for cruises so make sure you check.

Below is a breakdown of what pieces these outfits consist of based on the original list. There are 20 outfits that I put together with room to make many more if necessary. Laundry will be done on the ship so there is more than enough clothes here for two weeks.

• Five shirts of different cuts but I maintained a neutral palette with them. I chose a t-shirt, a striped long sleeve, a short sleeve black blouse, a long sleeve tie neck blouse, and a black, looser fit top (I would also probably include a camisole because they are great for layering which helps to keep clothes fresher).
• Two sweaters (a camel pullover, and an oversized v-neck in grey), and a cardigan in a berry colour.
• A dark blue pair of jeans because they are easy to make dressy, some casual, straight leg, ankle skimming jeans, and some black ankle skimming slacks.
• One dress in addition to the formal dress which I did not include in the above.
• A blazer to add a casual chic to jeans and shirts (also works as a light jacket) and one wool coat. I chose this navy one because I love the look and feel of faux fur collar. I find it very chic, but fun.
• A couple of scarves one in a neutral tone, and one more colourful or patterned.
• A hat (knit or wool), a watch, and sunnies are all good accessories.
• Three pairs of shoes including the pair you are wearing with your travel outfit. I picked a low-cut bootie, loafers, and some cute leopard flats. The leopard flats are the brand Vionic which are supposed to be comfortable for problem feet.
• And finally I included two purses, a regular sized bag, and a crossbody style.

Are you excited for fall, or are you mourning summer (for those of us north of the equator)?

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T-shirt • J.Crew | Black Blouse • Madewell | Striped Shirt • Land’s End | Black Shirt • Mango | Tie Blouse • Mango | Camel Pullover • H&M | Grey V-Neck Oversized Sweater • H&M | Cardigan • Mango | Blazer • H&M | Casual Denim • Banana Republic | Dark Denim • Mango | Black Trousers • Banana Republic | Black Dress • Marks and Spencer | Coat • & Other Stories | Black Scarf • Nordstrom | Red Scarf • H&M | Black Hat • Banana Republic | Sunglasses • Vince Camuto | Watch • Nixon | Boots • Nordstrom | Loafers • Sam Edelman | Leopard Flats • Vionic | Brown Purse • Shoptiques | Black Crossbody • Cynthia Rowley |

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Camisole • H&M | White T-shirt • H&M | Band T-shirt • H&M | White Blouse • Madewell | Striped Shirt • Madewell | Black Blouse • & Other Stories | Black Sweater • & Other Stories | Oversized Pullover • Zara | Cardigan • Madewell | Casual Denim • Gap | Dark Denim • Mango | Black Denim • Mango | Print Dress • Mango | Black Dress • & Other Stories | Moto Jacket • Mango | Wool Jacket • Mango | Grey Scarf • Need Supply Co. | Black Scarf • Need Supply Co. | Knit Hat • The Outnet | Sunglasses • Quay | Casual Shoe • Vans | Flats • & Other Stories | Boots • Lucky Brand | Black Purse • Guess | Crossbody • Tignanello |

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I’ve got this weird obsession. It’s researching/studying/watching videos on what women wore during different time periods and how they wore them. Like these videos on Youtube that show what it took to dress a women during different eras. I have no idea when the obsession began, but I do know it was way before the time of the internet so finding the information wasn’t easy like it is now. I bought this book in my first year of college. It was stupid expensive at the time (I think I paid $80 brand new) but I have flipped through this thing regularly over the last almost 20 years. I still refer to it when I am reading and I want to get a better idea of the fashion was like in that time period.

I probably should have found a career that could embrace the obsession. I did take museum studies with hopes to become a museum curator at some point but I think I would have done better if I could have specialized in the fashion of a particular time period. In my head I lean towards medieval because it’s my favourite time but I am also really drawn to the opulence (or as it is termed “Rococo” meaning florid or excessively elaborate) style of the 18th century French fashion. Since it’s now just a pipe dream I think I will specialize in both 😉 No joke though this here is my dream halloween costume.

Last post in What to Pack for Edinburgh, Scotland I talked about the common question that goes around the Instagram captions to generate some fun and conversation of “If you could move anywhere in the world right now where would it be?” I noted that my picks are always Edinburgh, London, Dublin, and Copenhagen as an honourable mention, so I made a packing list to Edinburgh to commemorate my choice (that reason and also someone asked me to). Today I have the 30 outfit options that work from those pieces. My picks weren’t for any particular season. It was more of a multi-seasonal list that I was envisioning to take you through different months with small variations.

If you hate subscribing to email newsletters but are more of a social media person then you can get all of my new packing list posts (and other things) from my Facebook page, and Pinterest. I update those immediately (or close to) after a post goes live. Instagram is usually my daily outfit posts or anything else fun I am inclined to share. Have a good weekend guys and I can’t believe we are rolling into the last week of summer before school starts here.

Do you have a dream career or are you already loving the dream?

Camisole • H&M | White T-shirt • H&M | Band T-shirt • H&M | White Blouse • Madewell | Striped Shirt • Madewell | Black Blouse • & Other Stories | Black Sweater • & Other Stories | Oversized Pullover • Zara | Cardigan • Madewell | Casual Denim • Gap | Dark Denim • Mango | Black Denim • Mango | Print Dress • Mango | Black Dress • & Other Stories | Moto Jacket • Mango | Wool Jacket • Mango | Grey Scarf • Need Supply Co. | Black Scarf • Need Supply Co. | Knit Hat • The Outnet | Sunglasses • Quay | Casual Shoe • Vans | Flats • & Other Stories | Boots • Lucky Brand | Black Purse • Guess | Crossbody • Tignanello |

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Tank or Camisole • H&M | Graphic T-shirt • Hot Topic | Chambray Shirt • Madewell | Summer Blouse • Madewell | Striped Sweater • Marks & Spencer | Black Sweater • Mango | Moto Jacket • Mango | Casual Denim • H&M | Dark Denim • H&M | Black Trousers • Mango | Blue Casual Dress • & Other Stories | Black Dress • & Other Stories | Swimsuit • J.Crew | Floral Scarf • Ralph Lauren | Striped Scarf • SHOPBOP | Hat • Ralph Lauren | Sunglasses • Kenzo | Sandals • Bed Stu | Flats • Boden | Boots • Nordstrom | Tote • Nordstrom | Small Purse • Madewell |

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I stubbed my damn today and I think I might have broken it again. It’s not as bruised as last time, and it’s more just contained to the toe area and not the top of my foot this time but it’s hurting pretty good. And this people is why I need to wear shoes or slippers 24/7.

Last day I put together a  packing list for What to Wear in Los Angeles, California. It’s a popular request I receive but my first time doing one. The request is for 10 days in late fall, but would also be suitable for winter, and spring as well. Since summer is the hottest time (especially August). I put together 20 outfits from the pieces so that you can see the kinds of things you can wear, and how you can put the pieces together. Below is a breakdown of my choices:

• 4 tops (a sleeveless tank, a graphic or plain t-shirt, a chambray, and a something summery).
• Two sweaters, one is a black pullover, and a chunkier, striped knit.
• 3 bottoms, (a casual, boyfriend/girlfriend fit, dark denim, and black pants).
• 2 dresses (a black dress and a casual style).
• a Moto jacket for a light coverage but cool vibe.
• Accessories are for the sun and wind, (a hat, sunnies, and a couple of scarves and a swimsuit for any beaches or pools you may encounter).
• Two purses, (a tote, and a smaller crossbody style).
• And lastly 3 pairs of shoes, one sandal, one pair of flats, and one pair of boots.

That’s it, that should take you through 10 days easily. Overpacking is the number one thing most people do (and complain about) on vacation, but with proper preparation beforehand there is absolutely no reason you can’t pack in a carry-on.

Are you a chronic overpacker?

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Tank or Camisole • H&M | Graphic T-shirt • Hot Topic | Chambray Shirt • Madewell | Summer Blouse • Madewell | Striped Sweater • Marks & Spencer | Black Sweater • Mango | Moto Jacket • Mango | Casual Denim • H&M | Dark Denim • H&M | Black Trousers • Mango | Blue Casual Dress • & Other Stories | Black Dress • & Other Stories | Swimsuit • J.Crew | Floral Scarf • Ralph Lauren | Striped Scarf • SHOPBOP | Hat • Ralph Lauren | Sunglasses • Kenzo | Sandals • Bed Stu | Flats • Boden | Boots • Nordstrom | Tote • Nordstrom | Small Purse • Madewell |

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Have a great weekend! Here are some sales going on this weekend:

• Saks off 5th – up to 20% off select with code BUYMORE
• Lord + Taylor – 25% off clearance with code AUGUST
• LOFT – $25 off pants no code
• Ann Taylor – 40% off clearance no code
• asos – up to 70% off clearance no code
• Urban Outfitters – bogo 50% off select no code
• Pottery Barn – up to 40% off select no code
• Wayfair – up to 40% off select no code
• West Elm – up to 70% off select no code

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Graphic T-shirt • Topshop | Striped Shirt • & Other Stories | White Blouse • H&M | Pink Wrap Shirt • Madewell |  White Long Sleeve • & Other Stories | Kimono Top • H&M | Black Oversized Sweater • H&M | Grey Cashmere Sweater • & Other Stories | Camel Cape/wrap • Cuyana | Distressed Jeans • Madewell | Dark Denim • Banana Republic | Black trousers • & Other Stories | Black Dress • Marks and Spencer | Jacket • Marks and Spencer | Zodiac Scarf • J.Crew | Plaid Scarf • Mango | Hat • Billabong | Sunglasses • Nordstrom Rack | Rain Boots • Sorel | Red Flats • Everlane | Black Boots • & Other Stories | Tote • Sole Society | Small Black Purse • Topshop |

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So first and foremost I think I figured out how to get my daughter to keep her room clean. We were moving things around in it yesterday and there was a bug on her floor. It was a run of the mill little beetle that obviously hitched a ride inside somehow, but I let her think it was from the dirty room. I have told her repeatedly that if she lets her room get bad that she will get bugs and now that she thinks that’s what happened. She spent the entire day today vacuuming, dusting, and Lysoling every surface. I think she may have learned her lesson 😉

Now on to part 2 of the What to Pack for Wales post. The outfit options portion with 10 at the top of the page and 10 at the bottom using just the pieces from last post’s list. Wales is one of the wettest countries in Europe so I made sure to include a low cut rain boot (less clunky and easier to pack) and a water resistant jacket.

For all of the pieces I used to make these outfits you can refer to the original post or check out the breakdown below. As per usual, it is easy to substitute any item in the list for something comparable in your own tastes.

• Six tops in varying cuts, colours, and styles (one graphic tee, one striped shirt, one blouse, a wrap shirt, one long sleeve (in merino wool which is great for travel), and a kimono top (which also doubles as a blazer/cardigan when left open).
• Two sweaters (a black oversized, and a more fitted, grey pullover in cashmere), and a cape/cardigan.
• Three bottoms; one pair of casual lightly distressed jeans, a dark, dressier denim, and some black trousers.
• One dress in a style that can easily be dressed up if necessary.
• One jacket; a water-resistant style is recommended if you plan on doing a lot of outside touring.
• For accessories, I chose a wool hat (a knit one would also be a great option), a couple of scarves in a light and heavy knit, and my go-to is sunnies but in a city with a lot of overcast and rainy days than you may want to forget them.
• Three pairs of shoes including your travel pair. I chose a pair of boots, flats, and a low-cut rain boot.
• Two bags, one large tote style, and one small crossbody/shoulder bag style.

This trip is for 14 days but as you can see by the outfit options that it can stretch out much longer than that with access to laundry. There are more different outfit combinations that can be made as well but the week has been busy so I stopped with 20.

I hope you like it and find some inspiration, but now I have to go because my daughter set off the alarm with a burnt toaster strudel.

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Graphic T-shirt • H&M | Classic White Blouse • & Other Stories | Striped Shirt • Mango | Navy Blue Tie Blouse • Mango | Grey Bell Sleeve • Mango | Black Pullover • & Other Stories | Light Brown Pullover • & Other Stories | Grey Cardigan • & Other Stories |  Blazer • Mango | Blue Jeans • H&M | Black Jeans • H&M | Black Trousers • H&M | Black Wrap Dress • & Other Stories | Camel Coat • & Other Stories |  Leopard Scarf • Nordstrom | Tie-dye Scarf • Nordstrom | Hat • Azalea | Sunglasses • Le Specs | Sneakers • Converse | Boots • Treasure & Bond | Grey Flats • Jeffrey Campbell | Brown Reversible Purse • Azalea | Black Crossbody • DSW |

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One kid is cleaning her room and the other is in the bath so I have about an hour of “quiet” time to get this done. My youngest stays in the tub until her skin is shrivelled so I may in fact have little longer. Especially since it is so hot and humid today, she’ll want to hang in the cool water with Spongebob playing on the iPad (up on the counter away from the tub). Yesterday while I was exchanging my trench coat back to the original style I exchanged already (I’m a pain in the ass, I know) I had to walk past H&M. We did a quick run in because I am looking for a black long sleeve dress for Merle’s Halloween costume and I am hitting up all the reasonably priced places I can think of. They didn’t have one, or even one that I could alter to work but they did have the relaxed fit, Led Zeppelin t-shirt that I have waited to hit the Canadian stores. I spotted in the U.S. online shop a while back and was beginning to think it wasn’t coming here.  It was $19.99 here but is currently on sale for $9 in the States (you lucky people). It’s a great shirt, a looser fit, in a soft cotton, with a cool graphic. Definitely an awesome deal.

Today I have 20 outfits that I put together using the pieces in the What to Pack for Germany in Fall packing list post. The trip is for 10 days so I figured 20 different outfit options would cover most bases (10 outfits at the top and 10 at the bottom). You may notice that it appears I have 3 different purses in this packing list (I always just bring two maximum) but the brown bag is actually reversible to black so you have more versatility and options on the trip.

Below is a breakdown of all the pieces that I used to make these outfits. They are from the original packing list post. Note that a couple of these outfits will be your travel outfits. All of my packing lists include the travel outfits; they are not extra clothes in addition to what is on the list.

• Five tops of varying styles, colours, and fabrics; one graphic t-shirt, a versatile blouse in a solid colour, a striped shirt. a darker, print blouse, and a long sleeve with fun details (like the bell sleeves on this one).
• Several sweaters; a black pullover, and oversized sweater, and a cardigan.
• A blazer (works to dress up outfits in a pinch and as a lightweight jacket in warmer temperatures) and a mid-weight jacket.
• Three bottoms; I chose a blue denim, and grey/black denim, and a black trouser. I picked ankle skimming denim so that you don’t have to worry about length and shoe issues (like only being able to wear pants with certain shoes because they are too long).
• One versatile dress; a black wrap style is classic and easy to dress up and down.
• Accessories; a knit scarf, and a lighter weight scarf, a wool hat (or a knit one and gloves if it is going to be colder), and sunnies. I never leave home without sunglasses.
•  Three pairs of shoes; one pair of sneakers, a low-cut boot, and flats.
• Two purses, a tote (this one is reversible from black to brown which makes it very versatile), and a crossbody.

Now that the huge Nordstrom Anniversary sale is almost over (Prices go back up on August 7th) here are some sales that are going on starting this weekend.

• Fossil – an extra 20% off of select with code SUNNY20
• J.Crew – Extra 50% off with code YAYSALE
• Express – 40% off jeans no code
• Ann Taylor LOFT – extra 50% off select no code
• Nasty Gal – 50% off site wide with code GET50
• River Island – Up to 50% off select no code
• Boden – up to 70% off elect no code
• Williams Sonoma – extra 20% off select with code EXTRA
• West Elm – up to 30% off elect no code
• Joss & Main – up to 75% off rugs no code
• Serena & Lily – up to 70% off select no code

It’s a long weekend here this weekend and Sunday is my birthday (not overly excited). I hope you all have a good one!  

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Graphic T-shirt • H&M | Classic White Blouse • & Other Stories | Striped Shirt • Mango | Navy Blue Tie Blouse • Mango | Grey Bell Sleeve • Mango | Black Pullover • & Other Stories | Light Brown Pullover • & Other Stories | Grey Cardigan • & Other Stories |  Blazer • Mango | Blue Jeans • H&M | Black Jeans • H&M | Black Trousers • H&M | Black Wrap Dress • & Other Stories | Camel Coat • & Other Stories |  Leopard Scarf • Nordstrom | Tie-dye Scarf • Nordstrom | Hat • Azalea | Sunglasses • Le Specs | Sneakers • Converse | Boots • Treasure & Bond | Grey Flats • Jeffrey Campbell | Brown Reversible Purse • Azalea | Black Crossbody • DSW |

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