Winter Sparkles

This post should actually be titled, "because you can't wear skirts and I can't wait to move back to the Tropics!" Sorry for the lack of outfit posts lately but I haven't been wanting to do a photo shoot because it has been too cold here to take photos outside. I did try to take some inside photos but they turned out horribly due to bad lighting etc. So I have now decided that I would take one for team Ruby Tuesday and bear the -11 weather!! 

While the white snow makes for a pretty backdrop, I thought I would add a few props which I have picked up lately at our local thrift store. I got these two sweet vintage suitcases for $2.50 each. I am not sure when I will ever put them to use but I have a dream of using them as decoration in a clothing store that I might one day own. 

Sunglasses: Rayban

Shirt: Zara

Skirt: Zara

Boots: Madewell

Suitcases: Vintage

Aurevoir Mes Cheris,

Karen

Frosty Flowers

There is a recurring conversation that we have with some of our friends in which we all think that we were actually born and destined to live on a different continent in a different climate. It is in this alternative location, that one can be the best they can be, live their life to the fullest and be completely satisfied and inspired by their surroundings. 

Being sort of gypsy spirited, I feel like I may belong in two or more different continents. I love the summers in Saskatchewan, but as soon as the first snowfall comes (which was last week), I am ready to head out on an adventure to somewhere new, exciting and most of all hot. This way, you get the best of both worlds!! 

This year however we are not heading anywhere hot since we are moving to the East Coast of Canada in January. So it looks like I am going to have to brave the cold, Saskatchewan winter - at least until January!!! But, it is nothing that a cute sweater, some tights and some boots can't fix. 

Sweater: Joe

Skirt: Mango

Boots: Madewell

Ciao for now,

Karen

The Hostess With the Mostess

Although we have been living in our house for over five months, we have finally finished enough of our renovations to have a house warming party. So last weekend we had the big event and I think it turned out to be quite successful.  The fire pit in our backyard lit up the night with warmth and a gentle light while the inside of the house was full of wine, great food, laughter and smiles.

Considering our house is two hours away from any major city in Saskatchewan, we were so happy with the efforts that all of our friends and family made to come out!! It was so great to have everybody there and it meant a lot that they could all make it. There were way more people than we ever expected - but I always say, "the more, the merrier". 

Since the interior decorating of our house was inspired by a Swedish Cottage, we thought that an appropriate food theme would also be Swedish. We had a smorgasbord of gravlax, beet root salad and venicen burgers (and of course mushroom burgers) all cooked up on our new bbq. The food was wonderful and we thank everyone for all of the help you gave us in preparing the food.

The party also coincided with the birthday of Dominic's father and our dear friend Kris with a K. While we normally would have a party to celebrate both birthdays, Kris is currently living in Australia and of course couldn't be here. But we dedicated many shots to him and hope he had a wonderful birthday in Aus!! 

Although these photos were not taken the day of the party, this is what I wore. I thought the lady-like inspiration of this dress was a perfect party hostess outfit. I love the fact that I can look like a home-maker and look like I know how to throw a party, when in reality, my wonderful husband did all of the food and drink preparations. I am ever glad I am a woman wearing this dress in 2010 as compared to a woman wearing the dress in the 1950's, as I am sure she would have done ALL of the preparations for the party while taking care of her four children. Oh the joys that feminism have brought us!!  

Sunglasses: Rayban

Dress: Zara

Belt: Vintage

Tights: ??

Boots: Madewell

Jean Jacket: Gap

You can check out THIS ARTICLE for more ladylike inspired looks!!

XOXO,

Karen

Alley Cat!!

For the past two weeks,  I have been sitting on a combine for twelve hours a day (yes, I am somewhat of a farmer). And although my ipod is full of podcasts, Spanish language programs and some great music, I must say I am getting a bit bored. So, when we a got a day off due to some rain, we decided to head to the city to treat ourselves with some great food,drink and some treats.


Since I have been wanting a pair of Raybans for sometime now, I thought yesterday sufficed as the perfect day to buy some. Although I have numerous fake pairs in a variety of colors, I just felt like a real pair would change my world. There is just something about wearing a real pair of sunglasses; they feel a little bit heavier, a little bit more authentic and most importantly, make me feel like a million bucks. And although I didn't coordinate this outfit with my new Raybans, I think the combination is stunning.

Sunglasses: Rayban

Purse: ASOS

Belt: Zara

Snook: Joe Fresh

Blazer: Zara

Shirt: ASOS

Jeans: Zara

Boots: Frye

Ta Ta For Now, 

Karen

A Vintage Vibe......

I have been feeling so uninspired by my wardrobe lately as you can probably tell by the lack of posts!! My closet is full of wonderful summer clothes as I completely skipped last winter since we were in my beloved Mexico. Now that fall is staring me right in the face and the warmth of summer is but a memory, I am faced with the fact that I must replenish my winter wardrobe. And while I know that I could go out and buy a few more, I am reluctantly doing so as I do not want my endless summer to end.

Luckily, the last few days have been warm enough to throw on some of the summer clothes that I have not had a chance to wear yet. I bought this cute dress in a nearby thrift store for one dollar. It is not very often you find something that fits you perfectly but this one does and I love it. I love the silhouette of the dress and of course the cut out bow on the back of the dress which have been very popular this season.

Dress: Vintage

Belt: American Apparel

Boots: Diesel

Tricycle: Was in our basement when we bought our house

XOX,

Karen

Nothing But Blue Skys

I know that most of you are probably so sick of seeing this outfit, as it has been quite overplayed in the fashion world. But, this has realistically been one of my go to casual outfits this summer so I thought I would share it with you. I guess in some way I feel a connection with the prairie inspired essence of the jean on jean!! Either way - I love it!!!

Jeans: Zara

Shirt: Zara

Shoes: Friss Company

Adios Mi Bellas,

Karen

Second Chances.....

Since I have started blogging, I have learnt a lot about myself and my own personal fashion style. Looking back over my outfit posts, I am not exactly proud of all of them. There is one in particular that has really been bothering me titled "Home is Where The Heart Is", in which I am also wearing these same pink shorts. I have had a lot of trouble trying to style these shorts. I think it is because they are loose fitting  and I think they require a tighter shirt on top to even things out. As such, it seemed to me that I may have had nothing in my closet that would nicely compliment these shorts. So I thought I would give myself a second chance at styling the shorts and ordered this lovely shirt from Asos which I think looks wonderful. I love the built in shoulder pads and the lace back - feels so feminine!!

I wore this outfit to the my the engagement party of my little brother Jordon and his lovely fiance Lacy. It was wonderful Thai themed party with lots of champagne, delicious food and of course Thai buckets (the classic Thai drink for foreigners - if you have ever been there, I am sure you know the ones I am talking about). Anyways, just wanted to say congrats to them - I can't wait to have another sister-in-law!!! So happy for you two!!!!

Shirt: Asos

Shorts: Zara

Shoes: Diesel

Black Bandeau: American Apparel

Belt: H&M

Much Love, 

Karen

All Aboard!!

My soon to be sister in law suggested to me that I give some fashion tips on my blog!! So just to be clear, these are the fashion rules that I, myself live by - they are not necessarily the right way, but they are my way. So here goes....

Fashion Tip #1 - Limit the amount of vintage pieces worn at one time!!!!

Designers today are constantly recycling trends and designs from past decades. While the designer may be inspired by these previous trends, they never sway far from the classic design of the item. While many of these original items are still out and about and in thrift stores, it has become a past time to find these one of kind treasures that have been hidden away for decades. As a result, fashionistas from around the world have begun to indulge in thrifting (the new hipster term for thrift shopping) and vintage clothing has become a part of most peoples daily wardrobes. While some people have chosen to go entirely vintage and have done a great job might I add, I have chosen to be a bit more modest with my vintage wearing. I find that wearing only one vintage item at any given time allows for that piece to really shine amongst the newer (usually less unique) items. Plus, by only wear one vintage item, it keeps the outfit looking modern and trendy yet a bit different as vintage usually means one of a kind.

For this outfit, my shoes are the one vintage item that I wanted to make a statement. I bought them a while ago from a thrift store for only 50 cents which I must say is a steal of a deal. They are real leather, made in Italy,  I am guessing they are circa 1970 or at least I would like to think so!! And while they are slightly different than many of the trendy sandals out there this season, I love them because they are mine and nobody else has them!!!

Jean Vest: Gap

Shirt: Asos

Skirt: Pink (Victoria's Secret)

Shoes: Vintage

Bangles: Fringe Festival

Necklace: Fringe Festival

Buon Giorno,

Karen

Blue Jean Baby!!

So I finally broke down and bought a blue jean shirt!!! While I was very intrigued by the shirt when it first made it's appearance on the fashion scene, the trend caught on way to quickly and way to intensely. There is nothing I hate more than a trend being played out and by the time I noticed that every second girl was wearing one of them I swore that I would never by one. However, six months down the road, I was still eyeing them out and loving the versatility of the shirt so I finally broke down and bought one!! I must say that I love it so much, I just can't get enough of it!!!

Jean Shirt: Zara

Skirt: Zara

Shoes: Camper

Socks: Joe

Hat: Zara

Bag: Asos

With Love,

Karen

Wedding Bells!!

As many of may know, I tend to spend my winters in the city (many times a different city) and my summers in the county, tending to my bees. While it was my choice to set my life up in this manner, and don't get me wrong - I do love it, there are some downfalls to both ways of living.  When I am in the city, I miss the feeling of the open prairie, and when I am in the country, I miss the hussle and bussle of the city and most all, the diversity of the people and fashion. 

Out here in the country, a fashion statement may exist in the form of wearing your favorite beer branded on a t-shirt or wearing your favorite pair of exercise pants with high heels. But, I have come to the conclusion that it is just part of the culture, and since I love this culture, I have over the years gained an appreciation for prairie fashion, even if I will never participate in it!!

And, this is precisely why I love summer weddings!! This is the one occasion that people wear their best, most stylish clothes in their closet!! My cousin got married a few weeks ago and I must say that everyone looked amazing!!  Instead of featuring yours truly, I thought I would put my stylish sister and two sister-in-laws in the spotlight!! 

I thought she looked wonderful in her sailor inspired dress by Valerie Dumaine!! The beautiful little boy with her is my wonderful nephew Atticus - Sonia's son!!! Isn't cute that they match!?!?

Minna-Riitta also looked stunning her black polk-a-dot dress. So classic and feminine with the beautiful big bow!! The handsome young man with the big blue eyes is my youngest nephew, Otto and Minna's son.

And my other sister-in-law, Lacy Diana with her American Apparel garb also looked amazing!! Although she tends to look good in whatever she wears!! She is just recently engaged to be married to my brother - so I just wanted to say Congrats!! 

Hope you are having a perfect day,

Karen

Mellow Yellow

I first want to apologize for the lack of posting over the past two weeks!! Dominic and I were busy helping our friends sell jewelry at our local Fringe Festival. It was long hours and hot days but it was a much enjoyed break from the farm!! I managed to get some amazing pieces of jewelry for my very first give away which will be coming up very soon - so watch for it!! 

I haven't been sewing that much this summer as I have been busy with finishing up my MA thesis and renovating our house!! However, I managed to get this number in!! I purchased this dress on a vintage shopping tour with my lovely friend Jordan!! I was in love with the print and the beautiful shiny buttons that ran down the entire dress only the dress reminded me of my old school teacher and it was extremely unflattering!! Since the dress came down to my ankles, I decided to cut it off alot shorter to give it a bit of edge!! Then, to make it look slightly less granny, I remodeled the sleeves to make them look more modern. Finally, I think the addition of the belt pulled the entire look together and I am in love with the final result!!!

Dress: Vintage

Belt: Gap

Boots: Frye

Purse: Asos

Bye For Now,

Karen