Nutcracker

A very simple ballerina-inspired outfit I put together to watch the National Ballet of Canada's Nutcracker last December.

This outfit is elegant with a classic silhouette. It's flattering, sweet, very demure. And it's a wonderful option to wear in the winter because of the long sleeves on the dress. This look is perfect for occasions that call for a semi-formal dress code. I've worn it out a few times already and I'm still not sick of it - not sure I will ever be!

As I already mentioned, I took some inspiration from the National Ballet and chose this dress from H&M to be the centerpiece. It's easily one of my favourites because of so many reasons. Firstly, it's the prettiest pale pink colour! It fits amazingly and I think it flatters my body shape really well. I really love how the material has some weight to it so that it stays straight down but is flowy at the same time. I also adore the long sleeves on this and think it just makes it look a bit more classy and conservative. This dress is so versatile - it can be business, casual, semi-formal depending on how you style it. Ready for the cherry on top? It was less that $20. How bargainous!

This outfit to me is the ballerina dream - pink, gold, and a little sparkle! Fun fact: I started formal ballet school as soon as I could walk, but stopped around the age of 13. Totally regretting quitting. Ballet is so graceful and pretty and such a sight, I wish I had continued on with it.

NOW - I'm just going to say what everyone is thinking - why are my legs two shades darker than my face? It was a chilly winter day and unfortunately my old skating tights (which obviously do not match my skin perfectly) were the only skin-coloured tights I had at the moment....I had hoped to go bare-legged but wimped out when I stepped outside. So please no comments about that, I know I should have gotten proper ones! I tried to colour-balance the photos as much as I could but it is still slightly noticeable. If you did not notice it, ignore this! 

I hope you thoroughly enjoyed this post, I would love to know your thoughts on it so leave your comments below, and I will see you soon!

Gifted from Korea trench coat | Wilfred scarf | H&M dress | Steve Madden heels | H&M hair accessory | Forever21 bracelet | Tiffany & Co. necklace | DIY earrings | Michael Kors bag | OPI Step Right Up, Pirouette My Whistle

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Books & Nooks

It's been such a long time since my last outfit post that I've missed writing about them. These posts are my favourite because (a) the photos are the best quality thanks to Shan and (b) I get to really harness my creativity and create an entire look -- hair, makeup, clothes, accessories, the works! I keep telling myself that I'll do makeup tutorials of the looks I've used for my outfit shoots......I should get on that. Haha. But for now, let's talk about this outfit.

This outfit was actually taken months ago (late September maybe?), which you may have guessed if you're a resident of Canada and know that there is no way I could leave my house without a jacket or coat at this time of year. It has just taken a while to make it onto the blog because of the extra time it took to edit (editing out the nasty blemishes I had that day) and general school busy-ness. Around the time these photos were taken it was just starting to get chilly, so I was able to survive with my sleeves rolled up and pretty thin tights for at least half an hour. I really like this outfit for spring and fall because it's perfect for intermediate weather. It's warm, cozy and comfortable, yet thin and breathable.

I like the casual cute look and feel of a shirtdress with tights so that's what I went for with a belt to cinch the shirtdress at the waist since it is pretty shapeless on its own. I have absolutely no idea where I got those olive green tights but they are my absolute favourite tights at the moment. I've been hooked on this colour lately and just want everything that is olive green! I chose my mustard coloured scarf, my chunkiest scarf to add colour and texture to the outfit. I also like how it adds to the fall colour scheme of the outfit. I wore my grey knee high cable knit socks and just folded them down so they just peeked through the top of my boots. 

I accessorized with my Fossil watch, my current everyday watch. I love it to bits because it goes with everything and is so so pretty in its simplicity. I also wore the bracelet I DIY-ed, which is basically a permanent fixture on my wrist if you haven't noticed from past outfit posts. My nails are a dark chocolate colour with a greigey undertone. The Tiffany's necklace I'm wearing is my favourite favourite necklace ever. It's everything I have ever wanted in an everyday wear necklace -- it's cute, feminine, simple, small, gold, dainty, perfect! Hands down my favourite piece of jewelry that I own.

The rucksack from Ecote is actually my school bag, and it was a happy accident that it was included in this outfit because I totally forgot to bring a bag for the outfit! I think the backpack goes quite well with it though, if you ask me.

Glasses: Ray-ban

Scarf: H&M

Shirtdress: H&M

Belt: H&M

Tights: Unknown - collecting dust at the bottom of my drawer for ~4 years

Socks: H&M

Boots: Blowfish

Backpack: Ecote

Necklace: Tiffany & Co.

Bracelet: DIY

Watch: Fossil

Nails: OPI You Don't Know Jacques

As always, thanks to Shan for the amazing photos! I am always grateful for all his patience, help and hard work.

I would love it oh so much if you could support me by following! To keep up with all my blog posts, click the Join this site button on the left hand side to follow me via Google Friend Connect, OR follow me on Bloglovin'. If you want to keep up with all my latest thoughts and musings, follow me on Twitter! Tumblr is my place to reblog anything and everything I love and find awesome so it's a virtual dumpsite for all my interests! Fan me on Lookbook if you like my outfits, and follow on Instagram even though I currently do not own a device that can Instagram. Hahaha.

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Light as Air

This is the last of the outfit photos from the summertime this year, taken in late August, and looking at them and writing about it is making me miss the heat sooooo so much. I mean fall is a lovely season and there's so many things I love about it -- burgundy everything, chunky scarves, chunky knits, boots ... but the feeling of warm sunshine on my skin just can't be beat. OH ALSO. This is the last outfit photos with my hair this long. :'( Although my previous hair length was incredibly heavy and the cut was necessary, I absolutely LOVED it curled just like in these photos.

This is one of those outfits that's great for transitioning into cooler weather because it has a couple layers to it, enough to keep warm against a strong, cool breeze, but it's still very light and airy. I chose to wear a very simple, classic-cut, ivory/cream coloured dress with a sheer dusty pink chiffon top. The dress is sleeveless with a high neckline and pretty lace overlay, and it's such a comfortable, breezy, really really feminine piece.

Dress: H&M

Top: H&M

Shoes: Aldo

Bag: Coach

Accessories: F21, Aldo, H&M, Ebay

Nails: Essie Cute as a Button

The Coach bag is my favourite handbag to use for the summer. I like the shape of it and the fact that you can hold it by the crook of your elbow but also on your shoulder or even strapped as a cross-body. It's really vibrant and colourful and surprisingly goes with lots of outfits. I tend to wear it with softer, pastel tones as I feel like a bold colour scheme could be quite visually overwhelming.

I accessorized the heck out of this outfit, and also added (not so well, as you can see... I've put them on a little bit wonky) these bronze-golden collar tips from Ebay seller 99hk to add a little something extra to my plain top. I also had a gold metal hair bow on from H&M but unfortunately it can't be seen in any of the photos taken.. :( Last note, my nails are not as neon as the photo below pictures them; the second photo down is way more accurate. It's just a very bright coral-pink colour. I talked about it in this post!

I love these brown wedges to death. The thick, chunky straps make them really comfortable to wear and I only wish I could wear them out more. I like the style of these shoes and think they're very flattering, and they're in this very classic leathery brown colour that goes with everything!!! Definitely a closet staple.

Silly faces! Let me just let you in on a secret: 50% of the shots of every photoshoot are like this. Hahaha. It's instinctual!

Photography: Shan Shukla

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