Saturday, September 28, 2013

shades of grey








I shortened the strap, but also love it in its original form.  The straps can come off completely and the bag can be worn as a clutch.


{sweater: Anthropologie (comes in 5 colours); jeans: Marciano (old, similar); sandals: Zara;
fedora, necklace: Juicy Couture; bag: Rebecca Minkoff (bought at Mendocino); sunglasses: Prada}

I wanted a new handbag for fall that would match everything.  I thought about getting a leopard one (a huge trend and now considered a neutral), but then I came across these beautiful grey Rebecca Minkoff bags and they were exactly what I was looking for.  I originally wanted this quilted one (also a huge trend for fall), or the Mini MAC, but because this Mini 5 Zip Bag was the only one available in grey at the location I went to, I figured this actually made it easier to make a decision.  Because if I was presented with all three styles, I probably would not have been able to make a decision on my lunch hour and left empty-handed, or with more than one bag.

I also wanted a new nail polish for fall that would match everything.  Love this colour by Essie, called Chinchilly, also bought at Mendocino - on a separate day, in a different location.  Clearly, I'm thinking grey.  (No, I'm not talking about the book.  I actually haven't read it - and I think I'm the only one!)

Thursday, September 26, 2013

pretty collars





{Anthropologie Lasercut Lace Blouse; pants: GAP; bracelets: J.Crew (similar here and here);
sunglasses: Prada; shoes: Nine West (old); nails: Essie 'Chinchilly'}
 
I'm a sucker for a pretty blouse, but even more so for a pretty collar.  Again, another Anthropologie beauty.  I was worried that I was going to have to cover up this blouse with a sweater, but it's a beautiful day today in Toronto and surprisingly our office isn't freezing.
 
p.s. Excuse the wrinkles - I'm lazy when it comes to ironing.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

necklace tee




{tee: J.Crew; skirt: Mango (old, love this and this tweed skirt); sunglasses: Prada;
booties: MICHAEL Michael Kors}

I've never been big on jewelry.  I like to wear one simple piece, maybe 2, at a time.  So when I saw this J.Crew necklace tee, I thought it was perfect.  No need to worry about putting on any jewelry, this tee does all the work for you.  And it's not just a simple little necklace, it's a beautiful stone necklace.  I think it should be called 'The Statement Necklace Tee'.

Monday, September 23, 2013

black & white / blue & orange





{sweater: Madewell; skirt: ZARA (last season, love this and this one); clutch: GAP; sunglasses: Prada
cuff: Chanel (vintage); boots: MICHAEL Michael Kors (in-store; leopard version here)}

I wrote about my love of blue and orange here.  I said it was my new favourite colour combo.  Nothing beats fuchsia and orange, but this comes pretty close.  The colour of this sweater is so beautiful and it's super soft and cozy.  Thankfully I also bought it in black because it's a must-have for fall (it's now on backorder).  It's merino wool so it's warm for the cool mornings, but it's also light enough for when the sun does come out in the afternoon.  I immediately thought of pairing this outfit with this clutch I bought this past summer, which I never got around to using because I'm lazy when it comes to holding a clutch.  But I actually didn't find it that much work and the double pop of colour brightened up a gloomy day.

Sunday, September 22, 2013

boho




{Free People Scallop Lace Top (also here); jeans: 7 For All Mankind (similar here);
booties: MICHAEL Michael Kors; necklace: Coach; bracelets: H&M; sunglasses: Prada}

We have 'Casual Fridays' in our office, which means we're allowed to wear jeans and I thought this beautiful lace top would look amazing against a pair of dark jeans (last seen here with light denim shorts).  The only problem was that I had to dig up these old 7s because I realized that all the jeans I have been buying for the past year or so - before that I was wearing maternity jeans, which were actually also 7s - are either boyfriend, distressed, or have polka dots on them.  Not that I don't love these jeans.  They're super soft and comfy and I love the flared leg.  They're just a tad too...on the tight side.  I bought them long before having a baby, let alone 2 babies.  I think it's time to invest in a new pair.

Saturday, September 21, 2013

plaid & denim



{Paige Verdugo Plaid Mid-Rise Skinny Jeans: (sold out, love these and similar here); 
shirt: Marc by Marc Jacobs (love this Rails one); booties: MICHAEL Michael Kors; sunglasses: Prada}

Seriously obsessed with these Paige plaid jeans (last seen here).  I already have another idea for an outfit in my head for work.  Yes, these jeans were a splurge (with taxes, duties & shipping they were almost $300), but I like the idea of taking the price of an item and dividing it by the amount of times you wear it and that's really how much the item costs.  So far, I've cut the price of these jeans in half.  Next week, they'll be 1/3 of the cost.  Over the years I've learned it's about quality, not quantity, and I try to buy pieces I'm in love with.  Which reminds me that I should really clean out my closet because I have a lot of stuff that I just don't wear.  When you have pieces like this in your closet, it's hard to want to wear jeans you bought just because they were on sale.

Here are some other plaid items I love on Pinterest!

Thursday, September 19, 2013

shine bright like a diamond





bag: Lauren Merkin (sold out, love this studded one); necklace: Guess (gold version); 
bracelet: BCBG; sunglasses: Prada}

For some reason, I've had that song stuck in my head all day.  Probably because it was such a gorgeous day today.  It was a no-tights-and-roll-down-the-car-windows-kind-of-day.  Perfect day for this tunic, which I can wear as a dress because I'm so petite.  (Not just petite, but SO petite.)  I absolutely adore the lace sleeves and pockets.  I have always loved Anthropologie, but it's quite a distance away... or so I thought.  I went on a shopping spree about a month ago for work clothes and my first stop was Anthropologie and I pretty much blew my budget there.  The next day I googled Anthro because I regretted not getting some things and thought I would order them online and somehow it showed a location that I never knew existed...about 20 minutes away.  How I went through life without knowing this, I have no idea.  So that's going to be dangerous.  I've since been there twice.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

coco






booties: MICHAEL Michael Kors (old); sunglasses: Prada; nails: Essie 'Chinchilly'}

My first Chanel piece.  Many years ago I ripped out a page from Instyle with these amazing Chanel heart shaped rings on it that I regretted not getting.  I still have the page up on my bulletin board.  So when I came across a similar vintage cuff to mine online, I thought it was the perfect piece that would help me get over not buying that ring, but someone had already added it to their cart.  It said 'check back in 3 minutes'.  I waited anxiously, but it was gone.  So I stalked the LXR&Co. website until I spotted this cuff and immediately added it to my cart, jumping for joy that I was able to get to it before anyone else.  It fits perfectly with the black & white trend, but it's also a piece that will never go out of style because, well, it's Chanel.  I also love that it could be worn with a dress, or with jeans and a tee.  It might be time to take down that page off my bulletin board.

A picture I posted earlier on Instagram showing more detail of the cuff.  Follow me @marikachi!

Monday, September 16, 2013

cheetah







{top: J.Crew; Free People Chenille Cheetah Skirt; sunglasses: Prada; bracelets: H&M;
boots, bag (other colours) (both bought in-store): MICHAEL Michael Kors}

Well, apparently I don't know my animals.  I called this a leopard skirt on Instagram earlier today.  It's a cheetah print.  I looked online to see how I could make such a mistake and there was a close-up of each print and... they look pretty much the same.  So I'm going to blame the animals for always hiding when I go visit African Lion Safari.  Either way, it's a beautiful skirt and you can't tell by looking at it, it's also really, really soft.  Again, another Free People piece I'm obsessed with.  I'm already planning my next outfit.