Leap Day

Blazer: Loft (old); Shirt: H&M; Jeans: Gap; Necklace:/Earrings: Target

Happy Leap Day! 

Since spring will arrive very soon, I figured that it's a good time to wear some of my darker colored clothing pieces like this blazer and top.  I definitely plan to give darker colors a break and wear as many colorful (and patterned) pieces as possible this spring. 

Hope your extra day was a great one!

Golden red tones

Turtleneck: Old Navy; Skirt: swapped; Belt: UO; Necklace: Clyde's Rebirth; Earrings: Target

This outfit was from several days ago, when we got a tiny bit of snow that's long gone.  I'll have fun remixing this swapped skirt in warmer weather.  I think next time I wear it, I'll try it with a yellow top or a denim vest.

I'm short on words today so I'll just say: here's to a positive and productive week!

All About the Boots

Jacket: Nordstrom (junior's dept.); Short: H&M; Skirt: Target (old); Boots: It's Vintage Darling; 
Scarf: Mod Cloth
These boots are my official favorites of the season after buying them on sale earlier
this month from It's Vintage Darling. 

 

They will likely to be my last winter weather shoe purchase since I've now turned my eye and wallet to  shoes that will be worn in the spring. The hunt for a colorful (and comfortable) pair of shoes that will go with basically my whole existing spring wardrobe has now started...but for today, it's all about the boots.

Happy Monday (and President's Day for those in the US)!

Style Profile: Natasha Fatah

Photos courtesy of Natasha Fatah

This month's style profile is from Natasha Fatah who has a lovely, authentic writing style and wears colors and patterns in creative ways.  She's also a fellow cat owner! Now let's get to the questions!

Shen Dove: What inspired you to start your blog? 

Natasha: The blog has had two incarnations. I first started it in 2010 as a street style blog, profiling people I'd see, but that became too difficult to maintain. What inspired this latest incarnation of a personal style blog and journal came about because my dad got sick in February last year. He was diagnosed with cancer, and his tumor crushed his nervous system which meant he lost the ability to walk. He spent months in various hospitals. He's cancer free now, and well on his way to walking normally again soon. It was his ability to see joy and beauty even in the darkest moments, and the fact that my mother always dressed impeccably for him at the hospital, because she wanted to look beautiful for her husband, just strengthened my the belief that beautiful style and clothing is a source of inspiration. I get a lot of joy from dressing up and playing with colours and styles, and I wanted to share that joy in the blog. Life is short. Time to celebrate what we love.

Shen Dove: How would you describe your personal style? Have you seen your style evolve since you started your blog? 

Natasha:  I would describe my style as playful, colourful, eclectic. I've only been working on the blog since November but I would say it's given me a boost of confidence to try different things, and take risks.  I don't think I would have worn a men's bow tie to work a year ago.  The blog gives me permission to experiment.

Shen Dove: Does your career at all impact the way you dress? How do you maintain your sense of style in the workplace? 

Natasha: My career definitely impacts how I dress. I'm a journalist, and I work in a creative space so we don't have a strict dress code. Pretty much anything goes, so I can try all sorts of things. However, if I'm going out to interview someone then I dress with respect in my mind. Respect for my guest, and respect for myself. I dress conservatively and modestly because I don't want my clothes and appearance to be a reason to not take me seriously.

Shen Dove: How has the city you live in influenced your style? If it hasn't you can explain why.

Natasha:  I live in Toronto, a city I absolutely love! But, let's face it - it can get pretty darn cold, so that impacts the way I dress - more practically, I always have to consider the weather. And because Toronto is such a ethnically diverse city, I feel free to wear clothing I've picked up in every corner of the world. If I want to wear a Pakistani or India kurta or tunic with jeans to work, nobody bats an eye. We really are an international city.

Shen Dove: Spring is around the corner, is there anything that you are excited about wearing this spring? 

Natasha: Can't wait to wear open toed shoes, fun dresses, and neon yellow!

Shen Dove: Do you have any hobbies outside of blogging that you really enjoy? 

Natasha: I do a lot of writing - I know it's part of my profession - but I get a lot of joy from writing.  My husband and I are big movie buffs, we watch a lot of films, and he has introduced to tons of European movies and cinema, I've introduced him to Bollywood.

Shen Dove: Do you have any local shops or restaurants that you'd for recommend visitors to check out?

Natasha: You must go to Kensington Market, which is a neighbourhood filled with vintage and second hand stores, tons of places to eat and has a wonderful bohemian vibe.

Shen Dove: Do you have any personal style rules you live by? If so what are they? 

Natasha: Modesty. My personal rule for a long time has been if I wouldn't feel comfortable wearing it in front of my grandparents, I won't wear it out in public. There's enough skin out there, I think self-respect, dignity and modesty are undervalued.

Shen Dove: Thanks for the interview Natasha! Be sure to bookmark Natasha's blog to see her latest updates.

Pink and Red

Blazer: H&M (old); Shirt: Old Navy; Skirt: UO; Boots: It's Vintage Darling; 

Necklace: Clyde's Rebirth

Some days it's fun to dress a little festively.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Navy, Black and Yellow

Blazer: Macy's boy's section; Shirt: H&M; Skirt: swapped; Boots: swapped; 

Scarf: Swapped; Jewelry: H&M/F21

 I don't have much to say today.  Like many other people, I'm still in shock at the passing of musical icon, Whitney Houston.  Whitney's immense talent and beautiful voice will not be forgotten.

Although this week started on a somber note, I hope you have a positive and productive week.

Currently listening to: "Greatest Love of All" by Whitney Houston

Black and Gold

Turtleneck: H&M (similar); Skirt: Gap; Necklace: F21; Shoes: Nine West; Leopard Printed Coat: Fred Flare

My kitten has some sort of radar and often manages to tamper with something when I am rushing out the door.   This time around my outfit was almost a casualty.  I was sitting down to work on something on my laptop before heading to work the other day and she pounced on this skirt with wet paws from dipping her feet in her water bowl...thankfully the paw prints weren't visible when they dried. Normally she's a pretty enjoyable pet, but hopefully she's mellow out as she gets older.  I'm happy the skirt didn't end up in the laundry basket because choosing another would have made me late for work!

 

Happy hump day!

Casual in plaid

Shirt: Target (similar); Jeans: Gap: Boots: Marshalls; Bamboo Hoops: ?

Happy Monday!  I hope those that stayed up for the Superbowl and related festivities aren't too tired.  I wasn't really partial to either team, but congrats to the Giants. Do you think that the commercials and half-time show lived up to the hype this year?

Now on to fashion concerns: Did anyone successfully get anything from the Jason Wu for Target line?  I looked online yesterday, but most of the items I liked were only available in the store and I didn't care to wait in lines, so I may have missed out. Did you fare better than me?

Whether or not the team you rooted for won or you successfully bought items from the Jason Wu Target line, here's to a positive and productive week!

Windblown

Blazer: H&M; Skirt: thrifted: Belt: Nordstrom's (Junior's section)

As a teen,  I'd carefully coordinate my earrings and shoes to my outfits...these earrings are a hold-over from that time period. I literally paid a $1 for them, so I'd say they were worth the "investment."

I know orange (specifically Tangerine Tango) is one of the colors chosen for the upcoming spring season by Panetone, but honestly, I'd be wearing it even if it weren't.  Orange is just one of those colors I'll continue to reach for whether it's trendy or not.

It was a tad windy when I wore this outfit a several days ago 

hence the slightly wind blown hair...

Currently reading: Half of a Yellow Sun from my Winter Reading List