WORK IT | 12 Ways to Wake Up Your Work Wardrobe

via Le Château

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

When it comes to getting ready for work in the morning, the struggle is real. And while we all face challenges at our jobs throughout the day, from uncooperative co-workers to a lackluster boss, a bad work wardrobe can make it all so much worse.

Okay, before you pass this post off as a first world rant, stick with me here. I mean, fretting every morning about what to wear must wreak havoc on productivity. Wearing the same suit day after day has got to cut short your creative flow. And all black everything? Depressing. No matter what job you have, your work wardrobe should be inspiring. It should help you bounce out of bed every morning, ready to face your closet with a smile. Okay, fine, coffee first. It should help you strut into your office, telling your company in no uncertain terms that you are not someone to be messed with. And of course, it should be ready for cocktails after work to celebrate a sartorial job well done. Make that a double. 

Whether you're on the hunt for a job or just want to shake things up at your current office, it's all about thinking outside the box. I've gone beyond the basics for this post (good tailored trousers, a fitted white and blue button-down, a beautifully-fitted blazer, a black pencil skirt, a suit if that's how your company rolls) and rounded up 12 ways to wake up your work wardrobe like a boss. Now all you have to do is work it...

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FALL FASHION CLASS | Midi Dressing 101

Prabal Gurung Fall '15. via Vogue.com

Originally posted in The LOOK

You may have already noticed this: sweaters getting longer, knits going head-to-toe, layers becoming a way of life.  We're Canadians - we were born to get cozy - and so of anyone, we can totally appreciate this midi trend that's taken over the fashion world. I don't know anyone who wants to wear a mini skirt in a windstorm. And short toppers might be cute but we need a coat that's got us (and our bums) covered. This fall, it's all about going long and I'm loving it. 

While you might love the concept of long layers, too, you might not know exactly how to pull off the trend. Since most of our closets are stocked with neutrals, I thought I'd start there today. Here are 3 easy ways to do midi dressing this fall:

1) THE LONG VEST | Winter white in loads of different textures looks amazing all piled on. If you don't have a longer sweater, add a long vest to the mix to achieve a midi-length look.

2) THE DRESS/CARDI COMBO | For work, I'm loving the idea of a knit black midi dress worn with a matching black cardi. The key? Make sure the cardi and dress are the same midi length to score that refined loungy look. 

3) THE MIDI SKIRT | Some midi skirts can easily feel dowdy but the new form-fitting midis are surprisingly sexy. Choose a side-slit midi pencil skirt and pair it up with an oversized chunky knit. A long moto biker coat and pointy-toe boots will help finish off your look.

SEE THE LOOKS HERE...

UNDER $100 | 35 Cozy Sweaters to Beat the Chill

via HUNKYDORY Stockholm

Originally posted in The LOOK

Sweater weather has officially arrived and I couldn't be happier. Now that I've packed away all of my summer things and brought my sweaters out of storage, I can't wait to cozy up in all of my favourites. There's the chunky fisherman knit that I know I'll have forever. There's the huge oversized cardigan that I put on anytime I'm tempted to wear my pajamas all day. And of course I've got some fun brights that I love to wear on those extra grey days. 

The thing about sweaters is this - after a summer of high exposure, they're awfully awesome at giving your body a break.  Whether your arms are more rotund than toned, or your stomach's never quite forgotten that you had kids (why won't it ever forget? why???) you can always count on a forgiving knit to keep you covered. Sweater, IMO, should be always be soft and luxuriously oversized (ie. don't be afraid to go up a size). Sure, a sleek tight turtleneck works for layering but otherwise, I like to keep my knits loungey and loose. So how to avoid looking sloppy? Wear tailored bottoms like waxed skinnies or leggings to give your outfit balance.  

While it's worthwhile to invest in a really good wool sweater, you don't necessarily have to destroy your budget to stay cozy. I've rounded up 35 under-$100 sweaters at Intercity Shopping Centre to beat the chill this fall. And of course, no sweater round-up is complete without a Shawn Mendes 'Sweater Weather' cover...

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FROCK STARS | These Fall Dresses Are Giving Us Serious Feels

Chiara Ferragni at NY Fashion Week SS16 - via Laia Magazine

Originally posted in The Fashion Scoop

I'm all for equality. As a full-time working mom, I feel I can do it all. Or at least most of it all. Or 'most of it all' 'some of the time'. When I remind my husband to be chivalrous, he jokingly gives me the 'but you're so capable' speech. 'I know you can open up your own car door, so why would I do it for you?' And he's right. As a 21st century woman, I can take out the garbage, pump my own gas, and bring home the bacon. And if a return to chivalry means a return to the life most women lived throughout history, I'll take 2015, please. 

Still, there are times when I just want to feel like a girl. I love to put on makeup. I'm inexplicably drawn to sparkles and shoes. I love when my husband brings me flowers, when he covers my eyes during a scary scene on HBO, and yes, even when he holds open the car door for me. And while I totally wear the pants in our family (obviously), I just love wearing dresses. It's not that guys can't wear dresses. But most don't. And so when I put on a pretty dress and a pair of strappy heels, I feel like a woman. 

Summer might be over but that doesn't mean you have to put away your dresses for the season. I've rounded up the prettiest new dresses in stores, perfect for wearing bare-legged on warmer days, or with opaque black tights, sleek boots, and a cozy cardigan or tailored blazer when we get into single digits later on. 

Scroll through the thumbnails below for the fall dresses that'll give you serious girl power this fall...

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LOOKS WE LOVE | Sweater Weather

Alexander McQueen Pre-Fall '15 - via Vogue

Originally posted in The CLOSET

I've put away my shorts. I've packed away my sandals. And looks like the small tan I had is already nothing but a margarita-filled memory. Summer is over. Gone. Finito. And I can't help but feel like I'm ready for what's next. This in-between season can make even a professional shopper like me want to just give up and wear pajamas all day. Not that I'm doing that right now. Or am I? (#bloggerbenefits) Anyway, the day starts out freezing but by the afternoon, you're a total hot mess. Plus, I don't know about you but I'm done with looking at fall trends - I want to actually wear them in real life.

So today I've finally done it. I've replaced ball caps & light summer scarves with my plaid scarves and fedoras. And I actually cried a little when I brought out my box of sweaters this morning. My favourite ivory fisherman knit that I scored at a Hudson's Bay designer sample sale last year was there. My go-to cozy grey sweater was right there beside it. And there are a few knits in that box that need some TLC before I parade them around in public. Um, this and this and a few hours on Netflix should do it. 

Since so many of my favourite fall outfits include oversized sweaters, I thought I'd share some sweater inspiration with you for the new season. See some of my favourite sweater looks below and get ready to get cozy - like you needed convincing...

SEE THE LOOKS HERE...