style: madewell from head to toe

I dig the laid-back chic of Madewell.

I discovered the retailer, J. Crew's affiliate, a few years ago but it wasn't until this year that I ordered a pair of leopard print flats (no breaking in needed), followed by a red dress from my spring wish list and then the Transport tote quickly followed. Yep, I'm wearing all three purchases above. If you didn't know I was a nerd before reading this post, you do now.

I've had my eye on this leather tote for over a year and finally decided to purchase it after seeing pictures of it all over Instagram recently when the hashtag #totewell took over my feed.

Like these ones...



My initials are discretely stamped on it (you can almost make them out in the first pic) and it fits everything I need and more including my lunch, books & umbrella. It's simple and neutral, goes well with all of my summer pieces and will transition well into the fall. I'm glad I finally took my own advice and invested a bit of money into a well made classic piece. I finally have a chic everyday bag I love!

Hope you're having a swell week! It's hot as heck in Edmonton and I'm loving every humid minute of it. It's a great excuse to make more of these.
_____________________
Denim jacket: J.Crew Factory 
Dress, shoes & bag: Madewell
Sunglasses: Joe Fresh
Necklace: wedding gift from my family in Bosnia
Ring & earrings: So Pretty Jewelry

style: the perfect black mini

These two pieces from Joe Fresh are rockin' my boat lately. The black mini skirt is a bit shorter than I would normally wear, but I figure that when worn with tights it's not as scandalous. Did I mention it has pockets? It truly is the ultimate staple -- suitable for almost any occasion, super chic and dare I say, sexy even. I've been wearing it with my ankle booties almost every weekend since I bought it. And the sweater? What's not to love about a soft and comfy camoanimal print (try saying that ten times).

This picture was taken at a random farm outside of the city. I desperately needed a change of scenery a few weeks ago, so Scott and I went for a spontaneous drive in the country. We stopped and trespassed through a farmer's field to get near the hay bales, but only for a few minutes because I was scared we'd get caught. My idea of living on the edge. Well that, and wearing a hat in public.

Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
________________
Sweater: Joe Fresh
Skirt: Joe Fresh (on major sale, btw I'm wearing a small)
Jacket: Zara (last season)
Tights: Hue
Boots: Aldo
Hat: Target
Purse: Similar
Necklace: Anthropologie (last season)

loving... anthro's tropicalia dress

Edmonton's in the midst of a bitter cold snap and with spring still months away, dreaming of wearing this gorgeous dress is my only salvation from the winter doldrums.

This maxi is officially my first purchase of 2013. My second? These fun printed oxfords. Can you tell I’m tired of being wrapped up in thick winter clothes?

What about you? Have you bought anything from the spring collections yet? It’s hard not to, isn't it -especially with temptation lurking everywhere you turn – even at the dang supermarket. I’m looking at you Joe Fresh floral printed jeans.

Hope you're having a fantastic week and keeping warm.

Dajana

style: new specs!

Guys! You have to check out Zenni Optical. I purchased nerdy hipstery glasses online from them just before the new year (driving at night was becoming kinda hazardous) and I couldn't be happier.

Their website is easy to navigate and the process was super simple. I uploaded a picture of myself, spent a couple of hours virtually trying on over 700 pairs of glasses (which frankly, never would've happened if I had to try them on in person) and narrowed it down to these four pairs:

          
           

I ended up ordering three of the above pairs (the aviators on the bottom right didn't make the cut) for $112. Prescription and anti-glare coating included!

Less than two weeks later, my awesome new glasses arrived in the mail in their own little cases and let me tell you, life has never been clearer. I had no idea my poor eyes were working so dang hard these past few years! Plus, I get to channel my inner Liz Lemon (:

I'm psyched by how well (and quickly) it worked out. I'd highly recommend it!

anthropologie: revisiting the whirligig dress

I haven’t worn this dress in a year. Strange because it’s perfect for those mornings when I want to pull on something easy, soft, comfy and cozy. Like today.

Really, it should be renamed the Pajama Dress.

{Anthropologie Whirligig dress & patterned tights, Joe Fresh cardi, H&M belt, Pegabo boots}

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my American friends! Hope you’re having a comfy cozy day, too.

P.S. I'm seriously coveting this dress. He-llo! (;

loving... lace dresses

Especially these ones from BCBG.


JULYA LACE COCKTAIL DRESS / KHLOE LACE COCKTAIL DRESS / WILLA LACE COCKTAIL DRESS

I popped in for just a casual look-see and was completely entranced by these lacey numbers. The pink one is a serious contender for a place in my closet. The best part is that I might actually have a fancy enough shindig to wear it to this fall. Maybe even two! The worst part? I already have three lace dresses. And an obsession, apparently.

Even though I left the store dressless (restraint came to me this time) I did manage to snag this tortoiseshell necklace for under thirty dollars. Don't you just love a good summer sale?

Hope you're having a fantastic week.

Dajana

j. crew men's collection arrives in edmonton

Come August 28, the J.Crew men's collection will be available at West Edmonton Mall.

I'm happy to share this news with my fashionable fella. The last time we visited J.Crew, Scott patiently waited in the shoe section while I painstakingly perused all of the lady items. Not anymore! In just a few weeks, he'll have his very own menswear section to peruse - including suiting, outerwear, shoes and accessories.

Another thing I'm really looking forward to is seeing Scott in a Ludlow suit. Just like this handsome violin-playing gent:


The dapper gents pictured are part of J. Crew's new feature Hello, World! that shows eight stylish movers and shakers from Hong Kong to Madrid wearing their J.Crew best on a regular day.

It's a nice reminder that good style is, actually, universal.

Dajana

style: bold + sweet stripes



(On Kat: Dress - Eva Franco, Sandals - Geox)

Scott and I had a fun double dinner date with our friends Kat and Gord, last night.  We went to Von's and indulged in oysters, clam chowder, steak and a lovely chocolate cake (we all got the choco cake). I finally wore my B.B. Dakota dress and was happy to see Kat rocking the most gorgeous Eva Franco dress from Lola's Boutique.

(Dress – B.B. Dakota, Jacket – Joe Fresh, Sandals & bracelet – H&M, Necklace – Anthropologie)

Sundresses and sandals have become my go-to wardrobe choice on pretty much a daily basis. Add in a topper (jacket, cardigan or blazer) and it instantly becomes work appropriate.

Hope you’re having a sundress kind of summer!

Dajana

p.s. Thanks to our husbands for taking these shots and for having the patience of a thousand men.

welcome to edmonton, j.crew!

After much anticipation (mostly my own), J. Crew, the iconic American retailer, has finally arrived in our fair city. I don't think I've been *this* excited about a store opening since Anthropologie. And y'all know how much I love that place.

I was lucky enough (and super excited) to attend an exclusive preview of the new J. Crew store with my friends Ayesha and Christine yesterday. When we first walked in, we had to pause for a moment to take it all in. The store, which opened in West Edmonton Mall today, is a beautiful and bright space filled with pure Americana chic. You'll find classic, tailored styles in bright, punchy colours and gorgeous prints as well as a plethora of hotly hued accessories (belts, jewelry, handbags, scarves and even iPhone covers).

What impressed me most about J. Crew was the quality of the clothes and the amazing shoes; all of the gorgeous footwear is made in Italy. These shimmering sandals, in particular, were coveted by many of the ladies at last night's shindig, including me.

We had such a fun time trying things on, once we got over our initial giddiness. I'm happy to report that after much time in the dressing room, I emerged an official member of the Jackie cardigan and No. 2 pencil skirt club.  I was completely enamoured by these two classic items. As a curvy girl, it can be a challenge to find skirts that fit my derrière and small waist - J. Crew's version was unfailingly flattering and can easily be dressed up or down. It's a definite must try!





And I hate to be the bearer of bad news but there isn't a menswear section as previously thought, due to space limitations. I say give it a year or two and you'll get yours, fellas.

If you'd like to check out all of the pictures I took at the launch party (including the many dorky reasons why I will never be asked to model professionally), check out the slideshow below.



Happy shopping, friends!

Dajana

loving: b.b. dakota striped dress

I've gone kookoo for cocoa puffs lately, except my cocoa puffs happen to be striped dresses. I've purchased three in the past few weeks. *gulp* 

Um, plus a striped sweater and a striped blazer. *double gulp* 

This is my favourite of the bunch. I'm enamoured with the colourful bands of red, teal, blue, and brown.




I found this fun Jack by B.B. Dakota frock at The Bamboo Ballroom. It's a fantastic little shop chock full of all kinds of lovely things. Local peeps - be sure to stop in during your next jaunt to Whyte Ave. Once you've perused the wares at Bamboo Ballroom, head over to Tutti Frutti, a fro-yo shop located oh-so-conveniently around the corner (try the taro and pistachio!).

Now, give it to me straight - I'm not alone with this stripe obsession, am I? Are stripes your thing or have you been filling your closet with another spring trend?

Happy Friday, friends!

Dajana

Image via.

j.crew update: let's hear it for the boy!

Some new deetz on J.Crew's Canadian expansion! The U.S. retailer has confirmed they'll be opening 5,657 square feet of retail space in West Edmonton Mall on June 7 (read more here and here). Two other stores will also open across the country - on Vancouver's Robson Street in the spring and in Toronto's Eaton Centre this fall.

The best part? For the first time in Canada, the stores will carry the highly coveted men's collection.

“Since introducing the brand in Canada last year, the response to J.Crew has been absolutely electric,” said Jenna Lyons, President and Creative Director of J.Crew in a press release this morning.  “We’re excited to be opening combined men’s and women’s stores and are working to curate our high quality fashion collections for each market.”

I'm excited to get my guy into one of their Ludlow suits. There's nothing sexier than a man in a natty tailored suit. Hellooo!

coveting: smythe jackets

You've probably seen the amazing jackets that designer Sarah Richardson rocks. You know, the ones that we all drool over while watching Sarah's House or Sarah 101? They're made-in-Canada Smythe.

I'm especially loving these two effortlessly chic jackets from their Spring 2012 Collection - the Piped One Button Blazer in black oxford stripe and the Shawl Collar Blazer in blood orange. Both look great paired with casual shorts but would look equally lovely worn with jeans or a dress. They're such a great take on a timeless classic.

And you may already know this sartorial tidbit, but finishing off your outfit with a tailored jacket instantly modernizes and updates your look.  Scout's honour.

Just take a look and you'll see what I mean.

In case someone I know, with a bit of extra pocket change, is reading this: Smythe is available at Coup Boutique, Who Cares? and Holt Renfrew. My birthday is coming up in March. Just a wee reminder.

Happy Wednesday, friends! Thankfully, it's a short work week for many of us.

Dajana (:

p.s. Judging by these Smythe sightings, Sarah's not the only one smitten with the label. Heaps of celebrities are as well. As is this royal lady.

all lacquered up: shellac manicure

Long-lasting, chip free polish? Sign me up, please.

I recently had my third Shellac manicure and I absolutely love it. It's my new favourite indulgence.

Here's why:

• It lasts for about 2 to 4 weeks.
• It goes on like polish but sets like gel.
• It takes about the same amount of time as a regular mani.
• The high gloss colour stays shiny and flawless.
• No nicks, chips or smudges even with my multiple hours of typing a day.
• I don't have to worry about reaching for my keys and ruining my freshly done nails.
• It prevents me from biting my nails. This is huge for me.
• I feel like a lady when my nails are pretty and presentable.

The chic and understated neutral I'm wearing above is OPI’s Over the Taupe. I've renamed it Café au Lait. It’s a very “ladies who lunch” shade, wouldn't you agree?

One thing to note, Shellac manicures are only offered in salons and by nail professionals. If you live in Edmonton, you can visit my lovely esthetician, Amaris. The lady is a perfectionist and is the only person I trust with my nails. I’m persnickety, that way. Message me if you'd like her contact info.

If you'd like more info on Shellac, check out this review from Nails Magazine, this NY Times article or this blog post.

Hope you're having a lovely Friday, friends. I'm off for sashimi with the boy.

Dajana

p.s. My scooter mug is from here. It turns tea time into a fun event.

anthropologie: friday finds

This may come as a shocker to you, but I haven't done a lot of shopping at Anthropologie lately. Heck, I'm even surprised. Frankly, their summer offerings have been less than inspiring, thus far.

But things may just be turning around, especially now that the July catalogue has arrived.

Take a look-see for yourself:

Colourblocked Sweater Skirt

Stride Style Dress

Helios Batik Midi

Pansy Corset Trench

These next few items didn't come with a petulant model:

Longwing Pullover

Fanning Scallops Pullover

Pixel Impressionist Shift



Essential Summer Shift



Whirligig Dress


Anything catch your eye? The Whirligig Dress is calling to me. It's got a lovely drape, comes in four colour ways - medium pink, lavender, deep orange and navy, and can also be worn with tights in the fall and winter months (Alberta ladies must consider the weather versatility of potential clothing items since we're snow bound for a very looong 6 months). I'll let you know if it ends up coming home with me. Yup, that's right. I'm going shopping. The boyfriend is out of town this weekend so I'm going to make my way to Anthro. It's easier to hide the bags when he's away. ;)

Happy Friday!

Dajana

coveting: a russian bauble

I'm completely enamoured with this dangly thing of a necklace.  I don't wear much jewelry but for some strange reason I have a je-ne-sais-quoi kind of a love affair with this piece. It might just be its chichi name - the Russian Imperial Magnifier. What a fancypants.

Intrigued? Check it out here.

Happy Friday!

Dajana

p.s. To all the lovelies visiting via just bella - thanks so much for stopping by & having a look-see!

Image via The Met Store