Golden Pants

I wasn't sure whether I would post about this Black Out Style outfit, but then all three of my children complimented me on my "golden pants," and it is remarkable because a) they usually don't pay much attention to what I wear, and b) they all agreed on something!!!  Now if I could just get them to all eat the same thing at the same time.... (no the pants didn't help with that tonight)

Golden pants $3 Hope Missions Bargain Shoppe

Chambray tunic $3.50, mustard tank $4.20 VV Boutique

Gifted thrifted Miz Mooz shoes

I don't know how to say this but Whole 30 followed by Dressember followed by Christmas holidays leads me straight back to #afraidofpants, so I needed a longer top to feel comfortable with these gold pants which just don't seem to have the "mom rise" that I require...

 Pockets in shirts are simply awesome.

 Bracelet and necklace by She Does Create.

Not an earth shattering outfit but NO BLACK!  This is day 5 for me and anyone doing this challenge knows, it's harder than it looks.  So whatever you do, keep your comments about my socks to yourself.  Sometimes a girl who wants to prove a point by not using any passes just doesn't have a clean pair of patterned socks without black.

 Shouldn't have mentioned the socks because that's the first place you looked, right?

If you are participating in the January Black Out Style Challenge, be sure to connect with me via comments here or on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram - I will be doing a round up of posts sometime this fine crafty weekend ahead and starting the ballots to win that white fox and all the bragging rights that go with it!  As the official, um, adjudicator of this challenge, I welcome all variations of participation for consideration... in other words, did you try Black Out Style at all?  Then I want to hear from you! 

I Got the (Cobalt) Blues

As I was perusing photos of Elisa Nalin yesterday while writing about my red pants, I kept going back to the pics including cobalt.  I love cobalt...  I had a sweater from the Bay when I was in high school that was the softest man-made acrylic you can imagine in a bright bold cobalt.  Come to think of it I also went to a Grade 11 dance in a yellow skirt and orange sweater, so I guess colour has always been in my style.  Back from 1990 to the present!  I decided my ensemble for today needed some cobalt...

Cobalt top $4, raspberry cardi $4.90, raspberry tank $2

Green pants $9, Clarks she-booties $10

All from VV Boutique

My Elisa Nalin inspiration was this look...

Now I *need* lilac shoes and a lilac clutch.

And the ability to look pose-worthy while casually chatting on my cell.

I don't have that shade of outer layer except in a summer short-sleeve cardi, so I had to reach for the next closest piece.

 Raspberry was last seen in California and so was rather shocked to encounter all the snow and indoor recesses today.

Elisa is not at all shy of bold accessories so I picked a bunch and piled them on today!

 I will never stop loving you, Necklace.

 Arm partay action made me smile all day long.

All my accessories are by the one and only She Does Create.  Want some for yourself?  Join me in the Black Out Style Challenge for your chance to win an Italian Fox!  (take that as a hot date or a fab pendant, whichever is more motivating)

 Special shout out to my work Style Sister who is rocking Black Out Style in charcoal!

Good enough for Team Nicole! ;)

Red Pants Rock

Well, I know of at least 3 friends that I coerced stylish women who dressed in #BlackOutStyle today!  Thanks ladies!!  I was worried I might just have to march to the end of January and get me a pretty white fox!  As I chose my ensemble for today, I was surprised at how difficult it was to avoid black!  One of my thrifting pals said she would gladly do an "All Black" challenge and just hide during what I've learned is a common diagnosis: Seasonal Snack Withdrawal.  Where's the challenge in that?!!

Luckily for me, I recently discovered what I can only call my colourful style muse, Elisa Nalin.  She is an Italian-born Parisian Stylist and woman of influential fashion (sounded too inelegant to say fashionista).  In other words, she is exactly the person that a nearly-40-year-old mother-of-three pediatric-Occupational-Therapist small-town-Albertan would look to for style inspiration!  (My town is French, that counts for something, right?)

It was love at first Pin for me.

Elisa makes me think you just grab anything colourful, wear it with flair and elegance and let everyone else carry on in their neutrality.  So that's what I did today...

Red pants $2.50 Hope Missions Bargain Shoppe

Lands End navy polka dot top $3.50, mustard cardi $2, Clarks she-booties $10 all VV Boutique

Necklace and earrings by She Does Create

Bangles and socks from my closet

If a 20-something girl at LAX can wear rolled pants, socks and she-booties, so can I.

Love love loved all my colour today!  In a sea of denim and black pants, these red pants ROCK!

 Wait a second... I may have been thinking of another style icon after my California trip...

 er, I don't know what to say...

No matter!  I still loved my ensemble!

Both these, er, inspirational fashion icons have something in common: they always look healthy and happy!  That's an underrated style aspiration if you ask me, and I'm looking forward to a whole lot more before January Black Out Style Challenge is done!

January Black Out Challenge

September I focused on Mix Not Match and Second-Choice Style.  October was busy with the second annual Fashion's Night Out and VV Boutique Style thrift-guiding and closet consultations.  November was another great round of Take One and Pass It On with Sarah's Real Life.  December was Dressember #youcandoanythinginadress.  And now it's the eve of returning to work, school, and busy schedules.  Sigh...  It would be nice if spring started in January to lift the spirits; alas, we in the North have several more and worse winter months ahead.  Luckily, I have the perfect style cure in mind:

January Black Out!!

Intrigued??  The idea is that you don't wear black for the rest of January - that's 4 full work weeks - and in so-doing, you let colour and white and cozy neutrals warm your wardrobe and style!  

I know I know, we women like our black.  We like our black boots, our black pants, our black scarves, our black dresses.  I hear ya, but I also think, why not spice things up a bit?!  How long can YOU go without wearing black?  

This is a style wardrobe challenge open to all bloggers, Instagrammers and tweeters!  You don't have to be a fashion blogger to participate, and everyone who participates is eligible to win the grand prize from She Does Create...

The stunning white fox Italian lamp work glass pendant necklace will go to the lucky winner!

Check out the "rules" here:

•  wear anything but black
•  you are allowed two passes per week - for hosiery, footwear, or a subtle pattern including black
• for every week you go without wearing black and sticking to 2 passes max, you get an entry to win the grand prize
• for every week you pass on the passes, you get a BONUS entry!*

In order to be entered to win, you must let me know you are taking the Black Out Challenge by commenting or linking up on Twitter @VVBoutiqueStyle, Instagram @VVBoutiqueStyle, Facebook or email.  Once a week I will do a round up of those participating.  There's no pressure to post pictures daily, just be sure to share some kind of photo evidence!  Use the hashtag #BlackOutStyle to connect with other participants, though be warned that this is also connected to sports and heavy drinking (no judgment if you do these whilst taking the style challenge).

I am very excited that one of my all-time-favourite bloggers Sarah of Sarah's Real Life will be taking up the challenge later in January!  She has fantastic style, beautiful photos, great writing and came up with the best wardrobe remixing approach that I know of.  I'm thrilled! 

Turns out today is a -32 degrees skinfreezingin5minutes sort of day, so I'm holed up at home in front of the fire and laptop in cozy cobalt and gray to kick off my Black Out.

This is so high fashion I can hardly stand it.

Sweater from my closet, cobalt chinos $6 and striped tee $4 from VV Boutique.

I admit that this is going to be more challenging in winter when black pants are a typical staple for me, and my indispensable black dress will have to take a break.  I am looking forward to stretching my style sensibilities and seeing how everyone else styles a black-less winter wardrobe!  If you are up for the January Black Out Challenge, grab a button and ... get dressed! 

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Thanks to Grab My Button for tech support.

 *Yes, I admit, I am encouraging shopping.  Do what you have to do, and all the better if you do it at VV Boutique!

California Girl

This is going to come as a complete surprise, but I packed too much for my California vacation.  I don't regret my suitcase organization for my family of 5 (one suitcase, one carry-on each), but I could have done with less.  Instead, I will consider it helpful learning for future trips, because though I missed picturesque snow a little, I loved seeing my kids playing in the SAND in December, and I loved truly getting away!  I hope it happens again.

Hello Gorgeous.

So, what did I wear?  In case you're dying to know, I tried to snap some shots along the way, but it ain't easy to get bathroom selfies in the busiest most magical place on earth over the Christmas holidays.  Also, no offence style enthusiasts, but my clothes weren't exactly the highlight of the trip!  Nonetheless, I snapped a picture a day at least...

 Day 1 of travel.

Woman dazed by cleanliness of hotel room.

How can everything be so white?

 Wearing thrifted tee $4 and scarf $7 from VV Boutique

Day 2 of travel.  

Arrived at California hotel around 10pm.

Wore my J Brand to travel because you take your most precious things with you just in case.

What does California think of bathroom selfies?

Day 3 Christmas Eve.

 Ready to hit Disneyland in my pleasing mix of patterns.

Joe Fresh dress $7 VV Boutique, Anthro scarf, Fossil bag, Toms shoes, She Does Create accessories.

 So twitterpated to meet Fairy Godmother.

New retirement dream job in mind...

 You can find me at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in 2039.

Day 4 Christmas Day.

Santa brought us all Mickey Mouse tees, so I rocked it with my Icebreaker skirt and thrifted raspberry tank $2 and scarf $4.20 from VV Boutique.

Waiting patiently to meet Tinkerbell, wondering if anyone ever calls her on her "magical" attitude adjustment from the original Peter Pan to the new Tink movie, from jealous beyotch to handy fairy... 

Day 6 Boxing Day.

I cannot understand why Americans haven't glommed onto this consumerist holiday.

Whatev, we hit Universal Studios with me in my $5.60 dress and $4.90 raspberry cardi after the sun set.

 Day 7 Legoland of Happy Husbands.

That dress again with a mustard cardi $2 and leggings $4.90 from VV Boutique.

 Selfie with me and Leia.

 Why is Santa dangling from the roof?!!

MINI Land!  I've now seen everything of importance in the whole wide world and only had to travel to Carlsbad.

 Shiver me timbers, this room is pretty cool.

IF you have kids.  If not, you're just a wench female adult pirate.
The gold coin in my teeth was intended to look piratey, but a mistake upon reflection.

Day 8 starting in Legoland and ending in San Diego.
Dress #3 $9.10, teal cardi $4.90, leggings $4.90 VV Boutique. Anthro scarf and splurge belt.
Found those earrings zipped into a thrifted bag.  I think they look like little earths therefore perfect for travel.

We also ended up at Fashion Valley in our pursuit of Cheesecake Factory.

The big mall made me nervous.  

So many expensive stores and women in expensive pieces worth more than my minivan rental, which is saying something.

Day 9 Mission Beach and Cabrillo Tidal Pools
Thrifted/gifted coat, Icebreaker skirt and teal sweater $4.20 from VV Boutique
The breeze off the ocean was brisk enough to need a coat and scarf.
Such a cool place to explore.

 Day 10 Sea World
Dress again with different scarf and end-of-day layering chambray and cardi $4.90
shown only to illustrate that I wore 4 out of 5 of the packed cardis and thus justify the packing of them.

Day 11 New Year's Eve at Disney California Adventure
Selfie opportunities in the elevator and park bathrooms, trying not get caught in my vanity.
Esprit striped sweater $6.30 for extra cozy during World of Color.

 Bug's Life bumper cars selfie.

NYE message from Flo's Diner.
We didn't make it till midnight at the park.  
In fact, we nearly didn't make it at all after stopping at the insanity known as the Disney Store on NYE on our way out.
  I asked my son for a 2014 NY prediction: "Lots of pie, almost daily."  Um, okay.
Needless to say, the day ended with the kids still up in their underwear playing ipads while hubby and I drank the remains of old wine out of plastic hotel cups.
Happy New Year indeed. 

 Day 12 Santa Monica Pier before our journey home
Dress 2 with oatmeal cardi and anthro scarf were my sea-breeze selections.
We walked the Third St. Promenade and the mall, which gave me the chills again.

 I recovered from the mall by hitting the Santa Monica Blvd Goodwill,
10 minutes before close with the manager literally yelling at everyone to go to the till and
"YOU CAN'T SHOP IN 5 MINUTES ANYWAY IT'S TIME TO LEAVE"
I showed him though by finding Citizens of Humanity distressed denim for $8. HA!

In the end, I wore (including travel):

• 2 pairs of pants (could have done with one)
• 1 skirt
• 3 dresses
• 3 scarves
• 4 cardis (oh fine, I could have done with 3)
• 1 chambray, 1 tee
• 2 tees from Santa
• 2 light sweaters

I over-packed:

• 1-2 pairs of pants
• 1 sweater
• 1 short sleeve top
• 1 long sleeve top

Not terrible, but room for improvement!  Maybe next Christmas?!!

Holiday season at Disney afforded me plenty of people-watching opportunities while waiting in long lines.  I noticed:

• Few women were wearing dresses.  I don't get it.  Pants are scary and #youcandoanythinginadress. 
• If I see another mom in jeans and runners, I may keel over.  You can do better, Sister.  Running shoes aren't the only comfortable footwear option.
• I have been cured of the need to ever ever ever wear capri pants.  I will stick to shorts, skirts, dresses and ankle crops thankyouverymuch.  My eyes are still burning.
• The sheer number of women wearing leggings as pants made me ponder a philosophical question: if you can wear legging as pants, should you?  I concluded no, if nothing else than for womanly solidarity.
• The lack of pattern mixing made me wonder if I am missing something.  I concluded no, because life is too short for Matchy Matchy Syndrome all the time.
• Under-accessorizing seems to be a universal phenomenon, sadly.  Ladies, PUT ON A NECKLACE!  Wear some earrings!  Try an arm party!!  Even Mickey Mouse tees look decent with some stylish accessories.  (If you are lacking in accessories, enter my giveway, it's not too late!)
• One woman's sundress and Toms are another woman's parka and Uggs.  It's all relative, baby.  (say that in your best Austin Powers)
• The Rich Women of the Mall were stylish, sure, but lacking originality IMHO.

I snapped a couple shots of women that caught my eye in a good way...

1. Loved her light wash skinny denim, stripes, moto and she-booties.
2. This outfit is perfection.  Colourful, coordinated, complementary.  Definitely going to try to copy with thrifted pieces.
3. Loved the rolled denim, socks and she-booties.  But you'll never catch me with backpack, no matter the designer.

All in all, it was an incredible trip!  I am so blessed.  Have I mentioned that lately?  I have awesome friends, I have an awesome husband, awesome kids, awesome home.  And for the first time in my life, I had an awesome Christmas vacation in a warm-weather destination.  Thank you to Him from whom all blessings flow!

Magical.  Unforgettable.