Embroidered

I've barely worn these sandals since I bought them last spring, but they're getting good use this summer!

I love a good bohemian top for the summer, which I'm sure I've repeated over and over again. My summer and winter styles tend to be very different. In the summer I'm all for that Californian cool vibe, and during those cold Canadian winters I aim to be European chic (simple with smooth, clean lines).

As you can probably tell, I re-wear a lot of the clothes in my wardrobe, considering I'm a student and am 1. poor,  2. saving for travel and 2. saving to buy designer purses on said travels and can therefore no longer shop. I think it's important to invest in pieces you love and will wear over and over again (whether they be basic wardrobe building pieces such as the perfect tee or designer jeans, or trendier items such as this embroidered top). I hate clothes that I can only wear once (BCBG grad dress I am looking at you). I love this top with both my high waisted denim cutoffs for a festival look, as well as these khaki green shorts and cage sandals for a walk around town or for brunch.

Nasty Gal top (old) (similar here, here, and here)

H&M shorts

Zara sandals (old) (similar here and here)

Linked up with - Simply Just Lovely - Style Elixir - Penniless Socialite -

Rattlesnake

Summer is officially here as of this weekend! And we had some amazing weather to go along with it! Finally! No more rain! I hope.

It's been hot enough to officially wear crop tops without freezing. Actually, it's been so hot that I can't imagine wearing much else during the afternoon (mornings and evening are a bit cooler). I love how summery they are – perfect for lying out on my deck and drinking iced tea!

This leather skirt from the Ladakh x REVOLVE quickly became a favourite of mine when it arrived at my doorstep last week. The studding is gorgeous (although I've noticed the two on the edges are a bit loose), the zipper and notch are something I've rarely seen, and there are pockets! Who doesn't love a skirt with pockets? Leather skirts were all the rage last summer and fall, but I think this one will take me far into next year. There's something about it that's perfectly edgy and unique, that it's more of a statement piece (for me at least) that I can bring out again and again, vs a simple trend.

Urban Outfitters top (old) (similar here)

Ladakh skirt

Zara shoes (old) (similar here and here)

Etsy cuff

Asos necklace

Linked up with - I Would So Rock This - More Pieces of Me - DC In Style - Style Elixir - The Pleated Poppy - Because Shanna Said So -

A Bit of Lace at the Lilac Festival

Photos taken by Josephine Ling

Happy Friday everyone! I'm a little late posting this outfit as the Lilac Festival took place on Sunday. The Lilac Festival is probably Calgary's largest street festival/market, and there are plenty of vendors to buy jewelry from. The sole reason I go every year is to find new, local Etsy stores and designers. There are plenty, as the festival stretches for 13 blocks.

Despite being slightly overcast that day, I made sure to bring my round Coach sunnies. I picked them up at the outlet last spring due to the abnormal shape. I had never seen anything so large and circular before! While I'm not fond of statement jewelry, I do love a good pair of statement sunglasses!

Yes, I'm still in love with my overalls (pretty sure this is the third time I mentioned them on the blog). This time I paired it with a lace top to add some femininity to the boyish shorts. 

For Love & Lemons top

American Eagle overalls

Barbie for TownShoes wedges (old) (similar here and loving these)

Botkier lucy purse (similar here, here, and here)

Michael Kors watch (old) (similar here and here)

Coach sunglasses (old) (similar here)

Linked up with - Style Elixir - Penniless Socialite - I Would So Rock This - More Pieces of Me -

How to Wear Your Favourite Summer Trends

Happy Friday! To celebrate, I have some weekend expenditures I'm lusting over (and can't afford to buy)

I've been asked by Jessica from raise.com to participate in the Closet Swap campaign to talk about my favourite summer trends and how I'm transitioning between the seasons.
Unlike previous years, I'm finding myself loving a lot more trendy items this summer. Anything from overalls (okay, I've actually loved these since I was a kid) to fruit prints have made their way into my closet this season. All of these trends are super easy to incorporate into your daily wardrobe, and I've given a couple of tips throughout.

Overalls

I'm absolutely in love with overall shorts this summer. I'm pretty sure this stems from my usual love of rompers, combined with my new found love for denim. Overalls have slowly been making their way into the bloggersphere but this year, they really took off. I was happy to finally find a pair I loved for a price I loved thanks to American Eagle (overalls are surprisingly expensive) having a 40% off sale. Another way to save a few extra bucks when there aren't major sale? Buy a used gift card. Check out raise.com if you want a $30 gift card but only pay $25.

These are perfectly bleached and distressed – not too white and not too run down or too perfect – I'll be wearing these all summer. My favourite way to wear overalls is with a crop top, but I've also been experimenting with lace, button-downs, and blazers. Anything that doesn't scream cowgirl is a-okay in my books.

Fruit

While I'm not ready to pull off pineapple pants, I was all over this fruity Coach umbrella when I first saw it. While a few years old now, it's still adorable, and apparently quite trendy. An easy way to transition into the trend is to pick something more subtle rather than a full blown print. I for one am sticking to fruit shaped accessories, but anything goes this summer!

Crop Tops

Crop tops, oh crop tops. How I love you, how I don't love how I can never wear you. I do, truly love wearing crop tops, however Calgary's weather is so temperamental it can be a little tricky to pull off. I highly recommend layering up with a cardigan or blazer to get you through any random summer storms or cooler winds you might experience. If you live somewhere sunny... well... I'm just jealous.

Sheer

Everyone who knows me knows I love a good sheer top. And yes, some people will stare at you, but lets face it, showing off your bra is really not different then showing off your bathing suit. The one place I wouldn't wear a sheer top (or at least not without a camisole) is the office. Everywhere else I go is fair game. I definitely recommend a lace top like this one from Buffalo for any summer festivals you might be going to.

Linked up with - Her & Nicole - Simply Just Lovely - Perfectly Coutured - Penniless Socialite - More Pieces of Me -

It's That Time of Year

It's that time of year guys - festival season! Well, for Calgary at least. This weekend will be the Lilac Festival, and all through June to August, the city will be hosting various cultural and music festivals.I love summer here, because unlike winter, there's actually a lot more to do besides hole up inside and cry at the -40 weather.

I love a good peasant blouse for festivals. Pair it with some high waisted shorts and some sandals and I'm good to go. I chose this particular blouse since it's still a tad cool, and the long sleeves shield me from the wind. But your legs, you might ask? Yea. They don't get cold. I've worn skirts in the winter with bare legs and barely felt anything.

I just bought these shorts from American Eagle as my wardrobe sorely lacks denim shorts. If I could buy another five I would, but needless to say, my summer money is being spent on new purses and shoes. I tend to be picky with my shorts - like my jeans, they need to be high-waisted. I also prefer my denim shorts to be lightly distressed (for some reason, if they're not, they look to "clean" to me, rather than how denim cutoffs ought to be). These ones fit the bill, so I scooped them up right away. One thing to mention about buying shorts at American Eagle is to size down, or to buy a pair that runs quite snug. These are slightly tighter on me than I would prefer, but they'll stretch a lot after the first two or three wears. They were already a lot looser after the first few hours I wore these.

Who doesn't love a good sandal? They're essential for summer, especially if you're going to be walking a lot. And without a car (plus some good weather), I walk a lot. I've actually worn through some of my flats and sandals by walking so much during the summer months, as well as when I travel. (I prefer to walk around the city rather than take cabs or the subway. You can see so much more this way, plus try more of the street food!)

Top: Nasty Gal (old) (similar here, here, and here)

Bottom: American Eagle

Shoes: Aldo (old) (similar here and here)

Accessories: ASOS, Coutu Kitsch

Linked up with - The Pleated Poppy - Because Shanna Said So - Transatlantic Blonde - My Girlish Whims - Perfectly Coutured - Penniless Socialite - Simply Just Lovely -

Coachella Festival Fashion featuring Warby Parker

Coachella - one of the biggest music festivals in the States – and one of the biggest fashion events if you're into festival wear, or even just to see what your favourite bloggers are wearing in the heat (because they all seem to be going).

I'm not super into music festivals unless they have an absolutely amazing lineup (and I'm picky and cheap). To be honest, I hate the crowds and alcohol, and I'd really just rather spend my money on new clothes.

If you are going to Coachella there are two essentials you'll need to keep you beautiful and chic, no matter what you're wearing. One is sun block – while obvious, I can't stress this enough! I'm a sun block addict – no one wants to get wrinkles and sun spots early on. My second must have item is a good pair of sunglasses. Not only will they protect the delicate skin around the eyes, they also make you instantly chic and mysterious (I'm may also be a sunglasses addict). 

Warby Parker has a new collection out for spring, and the designs and colours are gorgeous! My favourites are the turquoise minnies and the tortoise shell pipers. Thick frames are in, and what better than a rounded frame as an ode to some of our favourite music stars! I can't wait to get my hands on a pair.

Here's what I'd be wearing if I were to go to Coachella, but I think I'll just try to buy everything instead and wear it on the streets here in Calgary. =P

Warby Parker Minnie in Eucalyptus 

Warby Parker Piper in Tortoise

Dolce Vita Deanna Top

Lionette Avish Necklace

 May. Scout Short

Circus by Sam Edelman Selma Sandal