Inspired By: Mexican Food?

You all know how music, travel and films inspire me to dress, but how about food? I guess that fits into the travel category, but upon spontaneously deciding to go out for excellent Mexican food last night, I knew I had to dress for the occassion. Was the shawl too on the nose?



Perhaps...and that's where a jean jacket always comes in handy.



And though gold jewelry is always my go-to and is indeed exotic, nothing is more Mexican than silver. I thought my newly acquired pure silver ring from Salt Spring Island's bountiful market fit the bill beautifully (more on my trip over the next few days, I promise!), as did the Hurache-esque sandals. Eating ethnic foods can be stylish, as well as delicious.












Shawl: Arden B; Dress + bangles: Forever 21; Ring: Salt Spring market; Bag: Mango MNG; Sandals: GoJane; Jean Jacket: Express (from swap)

Last night I had my favourite soup in the world...Tortilla Soup...though you can't beat the taste when you are actually in Mexico, I always order it without fail when ever I see it on the menu, anywhere. What's your favourite soup?

Myth of the Maxi Dress - part two

As Budget Babe touched on, there is no reason why well-endowed (read: big-boobied) women can't wear maxi dresses. A maxi dress is like any dress, just longer. As long as the top parts are structured or provide enough coverage for heavy-duty bra straps and further-supporting camisoles, there should be no problem. Let's look at this woman here (captured brilliantly by Scott Schuman):

Stick a bra and a tank top under there, and you have a maxi dress for all sizes! Even better, if the dress has a shelf-bra (many at Victoria's Secret do) or a stretchy tube-top like bustier, with straps ala this dress:



I think a lot of people who are afraid of Maxi dresses are so because the extra fabric creates extra attention. But that doesn't mean you can't wear bright colours! In my opinion, bright colours look sublime and elegant when presented in a long, lean column:











Dress: Urban Outfitters; Belt: vintage; Sandals: Matthew Bernson; Bag: Mango MNG; Necklace: Coin (Italian department store)

And maxi skirts? They are a DO in my book. As I blathered about in this post from a few days ago, they are excellent traveling companions in hot weather and make everything look just dressy enough.



Lengths of maxi skirts and dresses CAN be tricky though, especially if you are short-legged like I am. The solution? I take scissors to the ends of mine and create a "jagged on purpose" hem...doesn't work with all looks, but works with simple ones (why I suggest buying maxis from Forever 21...you don't feel bad about shredding up a $14 dress!).

Anyhoo, that's enough about maxi dresses from me.

I'm back from the island now and just going through my many photos. It was a great trip and as usual I am heartbroken that I had to leave and come back to my mundane life. But I'm also excited because the dreamer in me had a chance to run amok, and big changes are coming to my life...slowly, but surely. At any rate, there will be a proper post about my trip tomorrow.

In the meantime, the winner of my "followers" contest is: Talk Pretty to Me! Huzzah! Email me with your details and I'll send a pair of earrings your way!

PS to all the people who don't know how to follow me...I'm not really sure, perhaps someone can explain it? I can't follow people's blogs myself because my own blog is not set-up that way (old template) and I can't add the follow me link to mine but I guess since I have followers someone must know how! lol.

PPS - I've been uber lazy with my clothing choices as of late. In fact all of last week I wore jeans, flip flops and babydoll tops. And today was no better. I have so many clothes and so many looks, so I ask (loaded question)...what would YOU like me to wear this week?

Influences

I'm on my boat right now as this pops up in the blogosphere, but that doesn't mean I can't dish about what I'm digging at the moment. Oh, I didn't tell you? That's right, I'm on glorious Salt Sping Island on my boat for a well-deserved three-day weekend devoted to swimming, fishing, deer-spotting, craft markets, ping pong, wine, boating, ferry-riding, walks, badminton, reading and lots and lots of writing. Anyway, I digress...

First of all, I just bought this dress and I can't wait till it arrives*:




Catherine Malandrino is one of my favourite designers and though she is pricey, I have been slowly accumulating a small collection of items I managed to score at bargain prices. I am super excited about the above dress because it's one of those "wear anywhere" dresses which has a mega flattering cut on my body AND the pattern is made up of tropical fishes. As a child, I spent all of my Christmases in Maui, snorkeling and going to art galleries to gaze at the paintings of Robert Lyn Nelson, which this dress reminds me of:



I've been getting really inspired images on The Sartorialist lately - not neccessarily from this year, but I have been sifting through his archives for summer inspirations. This woman influenced a pair of sandals I bought:



Are they not the same?

This woman came to mind when I dug my old glads out of this closet:





And this woman subconciously influenced me to buy this dress from Velvet - which you will see soon in my Myth of Maxi dresses Part Two post!

What's been influencing you lately?PS - I'm so touched that I have 59 followers, that I am doing a draw with all my followers names in it on Tuesday for chance to win a sweet pair of Forever 21 earrings. Just my way of saying thanks!*Addendum - dress arrived the next day, holy crap The Outnet/Net a Porter has super-fast shipping!


*Addendum pt.2 - luckily we have wifi on the boat - pictures should be fixed now. post makes no sense without them!

Quirks

I know we all have our little idiosyncrasies, our peculiar (and endearing?) ways, or quirks if you will. How many of your quirks are fashion or style-related?

I have quite a few, actually, so if you'll indulge me I shall shamelessly post them and perhaps make you feel a little more normal in the process.

- I can't wear black shoes with light-coloured jeans or pants. In fact, I can't wear black shoes with anything other than black or dark colours unless I have something else black in the outfit to "anchor" it.

- On that note, I have to have some matching colours in my outfit. Call me old-fashioned, but I love it when shoes and bags or belts match, it creates a uniform, peaceful feel to me. But even if it's not possible for that, I will at least try and match my earrings to a colour in the shirt or my tights to my bag or whatever. If nothing goes with anything, it causes a sort of trepidation in my heart.

- Goes without saying but I can't do baggy tops with baggy bottoms without some sort of belt anchoring it all in (ie babydoll top + full skirt = aw hail no!)

-I'm very particular about my pant lengths. If the hem doesn't hit/cover the shoe in the perfect way, I can't wear them. This drives me nuts when I see it in other people, the women with their work pants that are too short for their heels. UGH.

- I won't wear silver and gold jewelry together (unless it's like earrings that's both). I can't wear silver necklace with a gold bracelet, for example. ACK!

- I won't wear underwear that has sides that dig in even slightly. I can't stand that mound of fat that pooches out on the sides...no matter how thin you are!

- On that note, I have supreme muffin top phobia and won't wear jeans that dig even slightly into my waist (unless they are a higher rise, and even then...)

- For the most part, I won't wear a big necklace with big earrings. It's all about balance.

-I stick to the same eyeshadow colours...I went to school for Film and TV Makeup back in 2000, and it was fun to play around back then, but I tend to stick to the same look now. Aside from the occasional blue or green or purple eyeshadow, I play it safe.

- I don't like black bags - aside from a clutch I have, I don't own any. Too stark. It kinda causes a problem when I try and match my black shoes to my bag though, so maybe I should look into that...

- I have a problem paying over $50 for a non-leather bag unless it's really cool or really good quality "vegan" leather, like my Mat and Nat bag.

-I don't own a pair of shorts. I should but my legs just aren't made for them. Though if I saw a silk pair of mid-thigh or knee-length, I would snap them up. Those Chloe Scallop ones that have been hitting the airwaves are so sweet.

-I get mad when people buy the same clothes as me - at least when it's people I will see often. A girl did this when we were in college, I loved her to bits but we had be careful about wearing it on certain days! I don't remember what shirt it was though, so obviously it wasn't that big of a deal.

-I will only buy basics at stores like H&M...basics allow you to make it your own, while as really stand-out pieces just advertise to the world "I bought this at H&M and so did that girl, and that girl, and that girl..."

- For as long as I can remember, I have to wear matching bra and underwear. Even when I was single, if I had on a yellow bra, I could only wear yellow underwear. Makes you feel put together underneath (and men like it too!)

- I take very good care of my skin and body (I hope) but my nails are always neglected :(

- I've never bought anything at Mariposa... or The Gap, for that matter. The latter will change though because I am in love with their shoes lately!

-I can't stand people that look like this (aka a Douchette):



And the men that go with it (my apologies if I have inadvertently drawn you!)

So those are my quirks, though I'm sure I have more...let's hear yours!

Oh btw, I got these pants from Victoria's secret and I can't stop wearing them. In fact, because the price was so right ($29!), I bought another pair in a deeper khaki colour and at a shorter hem length so I can wear them with flats (re: my quirk above). They are the perfect lightweight summer pants.






Pants: VS; Bag: Chinese Laundry; Necklace: ASOS; Top: H&M






Pants: VS; Corset peasant top: 3.1 Philip Lim; Cardigan: Missoni; Wedges: Michael Kors

Myth of the Maxi Dress - part one

I've noticed women lamenting the world over that maxi dresses are hard to wear. They think if they are short and/or not rail-thin, they won't be able to wear them.

This is nonsense and an utter shame because maxi dresses are uber-flattering...they create long, lean lines. Who doesn't want that?

Think about it. Why are women encouraged to wear the same colour from head to toe? Because it creates the illusion of length. This is what a maxi dress does.

Maybe some of you are afraid that the maxi is a dowdy, unsexy look. This is true... if you are shopping for maxi dresses in the Little House on the Prairie Store. But nowadays, sexy maxis can be found everywhere. Some are strapless, some have sexy thing straps, some have sleeves but sleek and streamlined, elegant styles are abounding this season!

Or perhaps some of you think the maxi is a one-note look. I will quickly tell you...that's wrong!

For example, you may think you can't wear a maxi to work. I thought that too, until I made it work. How?

By pairing it with STRUCTURE. A dress shirt works wonders, as does a blazer or a neat cardigan.



Add a classic belt and delicate but stable shoes...



And you have a look that will take you to work and then cocktails afterwards!



If you really want to channel your inner hippie, that's not so hard to do either. Just add some rockin' aviators (iced coffee, optional).....





Wanting a more sexy, mysterious look that will have all heads turning your way? Try pairing your maxi with exotic jewelry...it's practically made for showcasing your bling!





And lose the belt...nothing is sexier than freedom!


Dress + sunglasses + jewelry: Forever 21; Belt: Thrifted; Sandals: Prada; Shirt: Banana Republic

Last night my man and I decided on an impromptu picnic...the beach is only two blocks downhill from us and yet we never seem to venture there. So glad we did - I really take my city for granted sometimes :)















Anyways, I hope you got something out of this. Remember, I am by no means thin nor tall and yet everytime I wear a maxi I get compliments from people...I've had strangers stop me in the store and tell me they love my dress, I've had parents ask me if I got taller or lost weight...it's great! On that note, nothing goes better with a maxi than super tall platforms! Hidden underneath the dress, you're bound to appear super tall...naturally!

So give maxis a go if you haven't already. I have several already and plan on getting more. Nothing is more comfortable during the summer...it feels like you're hanging out in your nightgown all day, but certainly doesn't have to look it :)

Cool style in hot lands

I was going to write a post today about The Myth of the Maxi dress, but I've decided to leave that until later (it's a two-part series :P).

Instead, I decided to post about cool fashions in hot climates. You see, I've been comissioned by a travel magazine to write a few articles, and while going through my old pictures I was reminded of a trip to Venice, where I spent three-days walking around in a stupor brought on by the awe-inspiring sights and 100% total killer heat and humidity.







It's easy to stay cool when you're at home...sundresses and maxi-dresses become my best friends. But traveling can provide a slight inconvenience as you want to feel free, but don't want to look sloppy, you want to have comfortable feet but don't want to look like a tourist and you want to look "cool," but you only have your backpack to choose from.

Even though I have special feet, I found light sandals to be the most comfortable things to walk around in. When I travel outside of summer, I always wear boots as they are even more comfortable, but flat sandals are a must in hot weather. I've had a myriad of sandal purchases while traveling, from birkenstock ones which are great when you have a backpack on, to simple strappy things. If I were to travel now, my biggest problem would be figuring out which of my 30 pairs of sandals to take! But back when I did this trip, I wasn't as shoe crazy as I am now...but I do miss THESE SHOES! I bought them in Finland and they died in Venice :(



I also became a big fan of blousy tops and tunics, as well as linen pants (my pants and tops are from H&M, sigh, that store is a Godsend in Europe - much better stuff than the North American stores!).











But just because you're an independent backpacker, doesn't mean you have to look like crap once night falls. For this, I loved maxi skirts! They were easy to pack, elegant, tasteful and respectful. Paired with a layered tank (again, trying to be cool but respectful...just because you walk around with your ta-tas showing at home, doesn't mean it'll fly in Italy), I found this the easiest, breeziest look ever.






Azure top + Skirt: Zara; Brown tank + Earrings: H&M






Grecian rope strap top: Zara; Orange tank: H&M; Bracelet: Indiska; Skirt: some store in Oslo, Norway

Of course, you'll always find some locals are better suited to the heat than you are!









I'm sure this post would have been better suited to my other blog, but I just wrote about my time in Koln, Germany...you should check it out!