Style Peek: ladylike blouse + chambray skirt

Okay, so I like this skirt so much I wore it again today. This time with the top belted on the outside. I think I've broke through a fear boundary and I've opened my wardrobe up to all new possibilities! Look out closet! It's very thrilling to conquer an insecurity directly....not to gush - but blogging has literally changed my life. It pushes me to be creative each and every day in everything I do - from painting my furniture pieces to making dinner to dressing for work...I LOVE THAT! How has blogging changed your lives friends? What does it mean to you?

Ruffled blouse - Loft

Chambray skirt - Old Navy

Woven belt - Zellers

Grey flats - Aldo

J is off at his Bachelor Party Weekend (camping near the MB/ON border with the guys!) so Gus and I are flying solo this weekend. I can't say I mind, I like the girly time...lots of reading, puttering and working on wedding stuff. I'm hoping to get out to Gimli but the forecast is kind of crummy, so we'll see.

What are you up to this weekend friends?

Style Peek: chambray skirt + eyelet top

It's a hugely momentous day in my style journey friends....it's the first time since - oh I don't know - I was 8 years old since I wore a shirt tucked in. I'm seriously not joking. It has always been something I stay away from!

Truth is, my mid-section is the part of my body I battle with the most and so it was never something I wanted focused on visible. So I hid it. But the more I read style blogs and experiment with my own style - the more I can see that I've really been missing out on some beautiful looks. And I'm feeling like it kind of doesn't look half-bad...I feel oddly feminine in this. I know I'll never have Joan's cinched in waist on Mad Men but I like the baby steps I'm taking into accepting my curves and ever accentuating them a little bit. So this is that Old Navy sale score I told you about - it's easier to experiment when it's cheap :) Yay for self love!

Cream eyelet top - Winners

Chambray pleated skirt - Old Navy

Brown braided belt - Old Navy

Brown flats - Aldo

Yellow mums earrings - Liz Hutnick via Etsy

Tell me friends, what style do you shy away from out of fear? Have you ever gone outside your comfort zone and found something wonderful?

I hope your day is lovely!

ps: Thanks Michelle for your camera tips - they've helped a ton already!!

Style Peek: bold dress + demure cardigan

Hey friends! It's Wednesday and our out-of-control heat continues - although we did see some rain today which brought a half a second of relief. It's funny because the more I take pictures for my blog, the more and more picky I become about the lighting. Sorry for the bad lighting today but I took this last Friday and lighting was not in abundance. And I'm too chicken to take too many pics outside cause of the neighbors. Amateur.

You've seen this dress a few times and I'm really loving the bold print, even though it's not usually my style. I could wear any colour in the rainbow and it would match. I tried to tone it down a bit this time with a pale blue-green one and black leather accessories (thin belt and flats). I'm really catching on to this belt thing - thanks Stacy London! Truthfully, the cardigan doesn't last long in this weather, it's more for the emergency A/C overload days at the office.

Multi-coloured dress - Forever 21/Faith 21

Blue green cardigan - Gap

Belt - Old Navy

Black flats - Aldo

This week J and I are getting into crunch time with wedding to-do items as we come into 5 weeks to go! We're finalizing our music playlist, painting signs, helping mom find a mother-of-the-bride dress that's still sexy (tough!) and starting seating arrangements.

I received a new commission yesterday for Lather Creations, a lovely antique wooden desk. I'll share the afters when I'm done!

And I have four Lather Creations in stock right now so watch for SALE coming up on the blog. I'd like to move the old inventory out and make room for new stuff as I plan on diving back into the business after the wedding!

What are you up to this week friends?