Team JACOB

It's not often that I can say that a store has been part of my life cycle.  As a kid, I had items from JACOB Jr. (some of which have been modified and still in my closet); as a teen, I played the casual basics wardrobe with JACOB Connexion; and now, I can tell that I'm finally grown up because I own items from the main JACOB store.  You know, the more professional one suited for a classy work wardrobe.

So it was quite a pleasure to be contacted by JACOB for a collaboration. Admittedly, I felt a little lost browsing their site at first.  Pencil skirts and blouses?  But, I'm not ready for real office clothes yet!  Lucky for me, they have a nice selection of finely cut basics with just the right amount of flare that can be styled for a casual day off or the workforce.  Like this top- run-off-the-mill simple navy top?  Those ruffles around the shoulder are whispering no.

What I'm wearing:
-Navy blue ruffle-sleeve top from JACOB
-Navy polka dot skirt from Forever 21
-Red flats
-Layered pearl necklace

A little spring tan

You know that little window of weather where the temperatures are fair around 13 degrees and you get all happy because you're slowly transitioning into summer?  Yeah, that doesn't exist in Ottawa.  Well okay, that's a little bit of an exaggeration- it existed for about 3 days.  It's that little window that makes combinations like a sweater dress and tall boots possible.  Otherwise, it's too hot to wear a sweater dress and boots, or too cold to wear a dress at all.

Wear leggings with it?  I would, but I've been in pants all winter long.  I have been waiting for this moment for months where I can finally start wearing dresses again.  So I'm protesting pants.  It goes along with my philosophy for exams: some girls wear sweatpants; I just choose not to wear pants.

Photos by Pop Champagne


What I'm wearing:
-Tan cable knit sweater dress
-Tan faux suede knee-high boots

Darling, please smile

Have you ever played that game before?
Someone's supposed to try to make you smile by saying, "Darling, if you love me, please smile".
And then you're supposed to respond with, "I love you, but I won't smile".  But you lose if you smile.

I recall playing that in high school in a French drama class.  I also remember thinking that if I was ever the one to be put on the spot to try not to smile, I would lose miserably.  Just the thought of being put on the spot to smile (or not smile) makes me giggle.  Though, this game is not as bad as "Does this make you awkward?".  Oh gosh, last time I explained the premise of that game, my witnessing of two people trying to make each other awkward made me more awkward than they were.

I bring up the whole smiling thing because I got a little request to smile in my next set of blog photos (which would be these ones).  As promised, I have a little smile goin' on in one of the following photos.

But otherwise:
Darling, I love you, but I won't smile.

Photos by Pop Champagne

What I'm wearing:
-White and navy striped blazer
-Pink bubble hem skirt
-Ribbed over-the-knee socks

Designer delicacies

I have two loves in my life: food, and creative things that are pretty freaking awesome.  So you can imagine my joy when I saw that these two had been put together to create delicious cakes with extraordinary fashion-related designs.  From the photographer captured the image for my blog header, Emily now brings you fashionable food!

Aside from the obvious fact that these cakes look super yummy, I'd also like to point out the intricate details of these designs.  Chanel clutch stitching?  Perfectly stained boots?  Burberry pattern filling?  Uh, yes please!  Hell, I've seen fake bags that don't even come this close to the real thing. Seriously, "Channel" purses should be ashamed of themselves.

I've known her for 14 years (holy 2/3 of my life!) and I expect to keep in contact for years to come because I've decided to have a wedding just so she can be my photographer AND cake designer.  I'll figure out the groom part later.

Inside of the Burberry shirt cake

Give her newest project, Cupcake Mondays, a 'like' and check out her other awesome cake and cupcake designs!

The 90s called

Looking at the current dismal entertainment choices and recycled fashion statements really make me appreciate the flavour of the 90s.  I probably would've appreciated the decade even more if I wasn't under 10 years old during the time.  So now, I'm a decade late with the fads, but I find myself soaking up the grungy goodness of rock, denim, and that "whatever" attitude.  I wish that I could've grown up as a cool 90s kid.  Oh well, at least I'm channelling that look here and get to be cool now....riiiiight?

Photos by Pop Champagne

What I'm wearing:
-Denim vest
-Striped shirt
-Floral skirt

Half light

I'm a little more enthused than I should be that I match the yellow line in the road.  I blame it on studying.  When you're locked inside staring at books all day with little human interaction for a prolonged period of time, little things become amusing. Yeah, I'm a little delusional.

Anyway, despite the fact that I love these shorts, I have a bad association with them now.  The last time I wore them, it was right before Halloween.  I remember this because I was sitting in class and the girl beside me was like, "OMG where'd you get your shorts? I need that colour- it'll go perfectly with me Pikaslu costume!" Okay, points for creativity, I guess.  But I have a pet peeve for turning kids cartoon characters into something slutty.  Stop ruining childhood memories!

 Photos by Pop Champagne

Shkirt

There are two kinds of boyfriend shirts:

1. The kind that is nicely styled and good for a casual day.

2. The kind that you wear while you're doing the Walk of Shame.

The other day, I'm pretty sure I saw someone with the latter...or the former, but with a pair of short shorts on that made it look like the latter. Another day, I saw someone with her blouse around her waist buttoned half way down to resemble a slit...or at least that's what I thought she was going for.  So I have taken it upon myself to fuse their two looks together for a sort of "styling the boyfriend shirt for dummies" kind of post. In my opinion, it's not something I'd wear on a daily basis, but it's mildly less sloppy than the whole baggy shirt over the short shorts thing.

Though I'd say the most popular way to style this is by buttoning up the shirt.  However, I find that this only works if your waist is small enough to button the shirt evenly. You should probably try to tie the sleeves in a neat bow, unlike me.  I prefer to wear the unbuttoned shkirt to the side, but centering it works well too, especially if you're choosing to button the shirt.  In these photos, I chose to leave the collar as is (sticking out a bit), but folding down the collar nearly into the insides of the shkirt makes for a more symmetrical look.  

To experiment with this style, you're going to need a button-down shirt from a boyfriend, a husband, or a close-male-friend-who-you're-sorta-seeing-but-not-really-together-with.  Or if you have none of the above, you can do as my singleton self did and buy a blouse 4 sizes too big. 

*Edit: As per a few comments, yes, this is just a fancy way of tying a shirt around your waist when left unbuttoned.

Photos by Pop Champagne

Oh, I love Stolen Kisses!

I understand that colours come in shades- like dark blue and light blue.
I understand that colours are given names based on similar objects- like lime green and emerald green.
I understand that colours are assigned special names in branding efforts- like Tiffany blue.
I even understand giving the same colour different names because of a minuscule difference in its tone- like Chantilly lace and snow (okay c'mon, it's white).

But I do not understand how intangible concepts can suddenly become colours. Well okay, I understand it for its branding efforts.  Let's take NARS for example.  Obviously, sex sells.  But usually when a lipstick is advertised for its "sexy colour", it holds the implication that its hot rouge will make you irresistible.  But with NARS, it's the colours themselves that are sexy.  Please explain to me how Stolen Kisses, Orgasm, Pillow Talk, and Striptease are  colours. Actually, don't...and get your mind out of the gutter!  

If I was to make up a random name for a makeup colour, I'd call it Sarcasm. Then I could pause before a good joke and say, "Excuse me, I need to apply some Sarcasm".

No place to call home

Hobo-chic is kind of a funny concept.  I mean, why would you want to look like a dishevelled, raggedy, listless street-sleeper?  When's the last time you've walked past a hobo and said, "Oh my goodness, he's so trendy- I gotta have his clothes"? Yet somehow, the combination of an oversized sweater and a toque or knit hat of some sort have become markers for being hobo-chic.  I guess there's something about the essence of the trend that embodies the homeless toughness.  Seriously, do you think you'd be able to tough it out on the streets, even for one night?  I didn't think so.  And no, passing out on the side of the street post-St.Patty's day doesn't count.

P.S. I don't know what compelled me to ponder this, but if I was actually a hobo, I'd carry around a sign that would say something like, "Nothing good to say. I just like signs" or "Made ya look!"