Style School: The Foolproof Way to Tie a Scarf

Don't ask my why it took thirty-some years to figure this out, but now that I have - I think it's pure brilliance!  I know I'm not reinventing the wheel here and there are so, so many ways to tie a scarf. This is just one little idea to add to the mix...

I love huge cotton scarves, they're so cozy to wrap around yourself (especially in fall) and it's a great way to try out bold prints and colours. But sometimes they're so big that I don't know what to do with the long ends and they blow around in the wind making me feel a little too bohemian. So one day I rolled up the scarf, tied the ends into a little knot and voila - an instant infinity scarf! This doesn't work on smaller scarves but if you love the super large square-shaped ones like I do - this is an easy little trick.

grey sweater - Anthropologie

white slouchy tank - Forever 21+ (similar)

chunky wood necklace - bought at a boutique in Calgary

multi-coloured owl scarf - local boutique Out of the Blue

Now my long scarves hang on the rack already knotted so I can just throw them on, double up the loop and I'm ready to go. This is especially convenient with jackets, you just wrap and go. If you want to look more polished, simply tuck the knot behind your neck. For a more dishevelled look, leave the knot showing in the front!

Happy Fall scarf weather friends! What's your favourite way to tie a scarf?

Style School: Fall's Wardrobe Helpers

Ahhhhh, fall fashion....makes my heart go pitter patter. Unfortunately, I've been hoarding my fall wardrobe due to unseasonably high temps here in Winnipeg. Not that I'm complaining, but a girl's gotta be ready for anything in the unpredictable prairies. So I've been going through my old fall gear and my new additions, to pick out the work horses that will really extend my remixing options.

1. Winter white oversized shawl sweater (Gap) - Cozy, cozy, cozy! This sweater is going to be thrown over all my summer tops to take the chill out and I see it paired with lots of skinny jeans, jeggings and tall boots.

2. Olive cardigan (Old Navy) - Oh how my cardigan collection grows. For fall I chose an earthy olive - to me it's almost a neutral and I can throw it over everything from flowy white summer tops to printed dresses. Buttoned up, belted or open, the options are limitless!

3. Owl printed scarf (local boutique Out of the Blue) - Don't scarves make everything better? I will be throwing them on regularly starting this week. They're a fabulous way to try new prints and colours and they just look 'fall'.

4. Jeggings (Gap) - These skinny jeans are super comfy and pair perfectly with tall boots, summer tops and sweaters. You can even try them under a dress, with a drapey scarf and some fantastic earrings.

5.  Wide belt (Forever 21) - I'm learning more and more that it's all about silhouette for me (thanks Project Runway!) and this wide, elastic belt cinches in all my dresses, tops and even layered sweaters for an hourglass look.

6. Chocolate opaque tights (Hue) - These cute tights in my new neutral will be great under all those dresses and skirts I picked up during the summer. Plus they're adorable with both flats AND tall boots!

7. Gold necklace (Target) - Gold is hot right now and I think it adds a real warmth to my fall outfits. My palette of warm, earthy caramel, olive, cream and chocolate go perfectly with gilded accessories.

So, what are your must-have fall items? Have you been shopping yet? What are your fave trends?

Style School: Thrift Your Style Fears...

Hello and welcome to another edition of Style School! It's actually more like a group study session since I am learning as I go... :) 

Today we're talking about clothes thrifting. Some gals are old pros at this, some (like me) are total greenhorns. I've always had a bit of a fear of clothes thrifting (even though I thrift everything else you can think of!) because I'm a hard to fit size - I live in size purgatory somewhere between regular and plus sizes, throw in that I'm 5'11" and it becomes an extra challenge. But this girl-on-a-budget is determined, to say the least. I had a few thrift shopping misshaps and went home, made notes and adjusted my game plan. Cause that's what us Type A's do, right ladies?

I needed focus - so I decided to pick 2 trends/styles I've been wanted to try but have been too scared to invest in with any real money. For me, it's the oversize boyfriend blazer and the maxi skirt. I LOVE seeing these on other bloggers but never had the guts to try them myself. Plus you can only wear so many cardigans....I hit the thrift store with these two trends in mind and ignored the rest of the store. Okay, ever other section except the books - I can never resist!

Here's how I did:

 

I hit up both the mens and women's blazers, because you never know. I found this classic in the ladies section - it's super old and came from Sears originally. At home, I opened up about 2 inches in the inside shoulder seams, ripped out the shoulder pads and voila! A modern update.

For the maxi, I searched the skirt section and tried on several options - looking at both a size up and a size down from my usual (you never know!). I found this little eggplant gem and would you believe it has pockets?? So awesome. Don't tell anyone, but it's a brand I would NEVER buy in the store...go on gut, if you like something - that's cool! Make sure you style it in a way that's you. I paired the maxi with a simple slouchy white tank and gold accessories.

So the moral of the story is...try thrifting for specific things you're interested in or have been nervous about trying - it will give focus to your shopping trip, easy you into clothes thrifting and save you $$ on styles you're just trying out!

Tell me friends - what's your biggest style fear? Would you ever consider thrifting to try it?

Style School: 9 Looks for Boots + Jeans

Happy Sunday and welcome to the very first edition of Style School! Since I'm always playing around in my closet trying to make new looks, I thought I invite you in here with me. Since we're heading into fall (at least here in Canada!), I have fall clothes on the brain. I've been going through my fall boot collection and planning for some cooler weather looks. 

Doesn't it seem like we're in a trend of 'anything goes'? For boots, it's tall boots, short boots, flat boots, heeled boots, booties....it seems like whatever your style, there's a way to work it. Not much is really 'out' per say, plus I strongly believe in wearing what you love - even if it's not in this month's magazine. Same goes with jeans - boot cut, wide leg, skinnies, jeggings, boyfriends....I love that we're not restricted to one style.

I chose 3 pairs of boots and 3 pairs of jeans to see how many looks I could make. Add in the tops and imagine the possibilities! Here's how I plan on mixing and matching this season:

With jeggings....

1. Tall riding boots -  streamlined and easy. Try pairing with long button-down and flowy scarf.

2. Chunky heeled booties - very feminine, try pairing with a loose blouse and nipped in cardigan.

3. Flat Slouchy boots - casual and relaxed, try pairing with an oversized belted sweater.

With bootcut jeans...

1. Tall riding boots - Try pairing with a flowy blouse and boyfriend blazer.

2. Chunky heeled booties - Try pairing with a tucked-in feminine blouse and statement earrings.

3. Flat Slouchy boots - Try pairing with a long tank under a v-neck sweater.

With baggy boyfriend jeans...

1. Tall riding boots - Try pairing with a belted drapey tunic and layered necklaces.

2. Chunky heeled booties - Try pairing with a simple white tee and embellished cardigan.

3. Flat Slouchy boots - Try pairing with casual hoodie with ruffled details.

Boots:

tall brown riding boots - Bare Traps via Famous Footwear

black chunky heeled booties - Aldo

burgundy slouchy flat boots - Aldo

Jeans;

jeggings - Gap

bootcut jeans - American Eagle Outfitters

boyfriend jeans - Gap

Hope you enjoyed Style School friends! 

Do you have any other fab boot/jeans combos in mind for fall?