{Style} The Basics...

In a season filled with falling leaves, cheerful holidays and pumpkin-flavoured everything, you know what makes me happiest of all come September? Tights. And the more I have to choose from — be it colour, texture or both — the better. Grey is my tight colour du jour, mainly because it was the first pair I could find before rushing off to work, but also because it makes for a surprisingly versatile basic... Move over boring black hosiery; there's a new tight in town.

Outfit details: dress- Loft 82; denim shirt- Topshop; leather jacket- Zara; booties- Michael Kors; necklace- Forever 21; bracelet- the Bay; ring- vintage; watch- Michael Kors

{Life} Year End Goals...

A few weeks ago I read this post on A Beautiful Mess about devising four simple goals for yourself before the end of the year. Now all you ABM readers will know that if there's one thing Elsie and Emma are really good at, it's following through on goals... I mean come on, they wanted to open a vintage shop? Check. Start their own super cute clothing line? Done. Write a book? Heck, why not make that two books?

The point I'm trying to make is these girls go after their dreams like nobody's business and big things happen, which I find particularly inspiring because, well, I let dreams die... Big time. My problem? Zero follow through, ladies and gentlemen. Since Rome wasn't built in a day (or some other cheesy cliche) I figure that if I'm going to start working towards achieving bigger goals, I should probably master the little ones first, right? That's why I couldn't resist joining this little challenge and seeing if I can — for once in my life — actually do what I say I'm going to do... Geeez.

So with that said, here are four simple goals designed to bring happiness into my life, and hopefully those around me, before 2013... Here we go!

1. Smile at a stranger each day
This one can be harder than it sounds because it's so easy to get wrapped up in your own little world and forget to acknowledge the nice lady sitting beside you on the bus or the sweet old man passing you by on the street... So from now until at least the end of the year, I'm going to be all smiles.

2. Spend at least 1 hour of quality time with my gent each night

The importance of this one goes without saying, especially when you're a workaholic, social butterfly such as myself... 'Nuff said.

3. Bake holiday treats and make my own decorations
I buy a copy of Martha Stewart's Halloween mag every year, pin crafts like a crazy person and buy more stationary than I know what to do with, yet every single year I fall short on holiday-themed goodness. So this year I'm going to make the most of the Halloween/Thanksgiving/Christmas triple whammy and get domestic!

4. Finish reading 3 books
My nightstand is pretty much where books go to die, so for what's left of this year I endeavour to finish reading at least 3 books... It's happening, people!

Aaaand that's it! Hopefully I can actually follow through on these easy goals, and maybe you'll be inspired to make four of your own... Happy Thursday, lovelies! xx

{Style} City Slicker...

It feels like an eternity since I was in New York, so when my good buddy Jenna sent me these pics from our trip, I just couldn't resist posting them. I mean seriously, how dreamy is the backdrop? City lights, serene waters and a seriously gorgeous sunset to top things off — it doesn't get better than that, my friends... Memories, memories.

Happy Wednesday, my pretties! xx

Outfit details: top- Forever 21; shorts- H&M; tights- Hue; bag- Michael Kors; flats- Forever 21

{Style} The Many Shades of Brown...

Sometimes a girl just wants to throw caution to the wind and drape herself in deep, delicious shades of brown... Be it a nod to a new season or a departure from more commonly worn colours, brown is super stylin', especially when channeling that mom-meets-grannie-chic vibe we all know and love. Unfortunately the only anecdotal proof I have of this comes from myself, but hey, I'm as good a source as any right? Just smile and nod my friends, smile and nod...

Oh and in other news, I just realized that maybe I shouldn't write posts when I'm completely and utterly sleep deprived... Note to self.

Happy Tuesday, lovelies! xx

Outfit details: dress- Oak and Fort; booties- Aldo (even cooler version here); bag- vintage Stuart Weitzman; necklace- Forever 21; ring- YSL; bracelet- the Bay; watch- Michael Kors

{Oxblood Week} The Dress...

Oxblood week has come and gone, and what better way to top things off than with a pretty little dress? I bought this bad boy at H&M last week, and even though it's a tad on the short side (wind is not my friend in this dress), I totally dig it... Oh the price we pay for fashion.

And now for the million dollar question: did you guys enjoy this week's themed content? Is that something you'd like to see more of? Ask and you shall receive!

As always, thanks for reading lovebugs — Happy weekending! xx

Outfit details: dress- H&M; headband- Forever 21; tights- Hue; booties- Aldo; ring & bracelet- the Bay; watch- Michael Kors

{Oxblood Week} The Bag...

{Oxblood Week} Shades of Fall...

{Oxblood Week} The Makeup...

{Oxblood Week} The Pant...

Outfit details: blouse- Topshop // leggings- H&M (great option here!) // kitten heels- Zara // bag- vintage Stuart Weitzman // watch- Michael Kors

{Style} Camouflage...

I never really thought of myself as a camo girl, but then I had to go and surprise myself... I don't know if it's the fit or the fact that the shoulders on my new Zara jacket are bejewelled (sorry, my hair's in the way), but I'm a newfound devotee to the trend. It doesn't take much to convince me apparently.

Happy Friday, my sweets! What are your weekend plans? xx

Outfit details: camouflage jacket- Zara (similar here); denim shirt- Topshop; belt- thrifted; jeans- Michael Kors; pumps- Zara; clutch c/o J.Crew; watch- Michael Kors

{Style} The Times Square Dress...

I don't know if you guys know this about me, but I have a major thing for silk; anytime I come into contact with it, I just can't resist it's — pardon the pun — silky goodness. So when Montreal's Boutique Onze offered me a giftcard to choose an item from their online shop, I was instantly drawn to this dress. I loved the style, colour and print, while the braided belt was the icing on the sartorial cake. It arrived on my doorstep three or so days after I placed my order, and was packed with a cute little tote and lollipop — How sweet! (Again, excuse the pun).

Fun fact? I actually wore this dress in, get this, Times Square last week while I was there! I didn't get a chance to take photos but believe me, it happened... And it was glorious ;)

Happy Thursday, lovelies! xx

Outfit details: Times Square Dress (with belt)- c/o Boutique Onze; booties- Forever 21; watch- Michael Kors; bracelets- House of Harlow & the Bay; necklace- Forever 21

{Travel Diary} NYC Part 2

After what felt like a million photos, Instagram shots and video footage, I'm still wading through all my New York content, trying to figure out what to do with it all. And believe me, that's no small feat. Looking through it brings back so many fun memories and discoveries, and I couldn't have asked for a better partner in crime than miss Dress Me Dearly herself... I mean come on, we share a shoe size AND vegetarianism — we were pretty much meant to travel together (and apparently were both really sad to come home).

Hope you guys aren't all New York-ed out, because there's more NYC-themed goodness coming atcha! xx

{Style} SOHO

I'm back from New York, and although my heart is heavy (Edmonton just doesn't quite compare!), I'm energized by my time there. All that hustle and pumped-up energy really inspired me to work twice as hard to achieve my goals (of which there are many), and I suddenly feel like the impossible is within reach... Talk to me in a few weeks when my NYC-high has faded, but for now let's just roll with it, shall we?

So here's to all of us making our dreams come true, no matter how big or small they happen to be! xx

Outfit details: blouse- Forever 21; faux leather shorts- H&M; bag- Michael Kors; booties- Aldo; polka dot tights- Hue; necklace- Forever 21; bracelets- House of Harlow & the Bay; rings- J.Crew & DIY; watch- Michael Kors