Lounge Layers

I’m really hoping that when the warm weather arrives, my style will get back to being a little more put together because I feel like I’ve been living in a combination of yoga and workout apparel, meets oversized basics. I hate the cold. Seriously, anything under 20 just doesn’t excite me enough to wear anything but endless layers. 

Monochrome & Hieleven

I almost always go for something free formed, flowing, or oversized and untamed – part personal style and part because it’s kind of the easiest go to, being petite. But when it comes to handbags, I’m obsessed with clean lines and solid shape. It's hard to deny classic structure or style.

Weekend Basics

Weekends are nothing fancy in our household – in fact, most of the time, they hardly even seem like “weekends”. Generally my husband has a game, sometimes two, occasionally three (if you can even stand the thought). But when we do weekend, it’s worth every minute – which is usually spent finding a new coffee shop, hitting up a fruit market, and a whole lot of outside time with a rambunctious toddler. 

This calls for all of the basics – a favourite jean, a sneaker and my ultimate go-to, a classic tee (added a leather jacket because the weather was that mild that I felt obligated to wear something other than a coat equal to my body weight).

A Birthday Note

I love these photographs! They don’t seem like anything special. They were taken by my very own husband. With no spectacular background, or out of this world outfit. Nothing “goals” about them or anything of the sorts. But they captioned themselves. 

“Me, at 26. Arms full, heart full, grateful.”

Mom Duty, Athleisure

I knew since the day we even spoke of being parents that I didn’t want to be the sloppy, gave up on life, miserable about myself — mother. I knew there would be changes and as much as I believe the whole ‘baby will adapt to your life’ idea (meet my son, the professional flyer) I also think we can only push against the inevitable so much, without actually causing ourself more work. Cue sneakers! 

Boyfriend Knit & Rips

Those sweaters in his closet, you just can't resist. I would borrow my husband's pieces but given our size difference, we can't really steal from one another's wardrobe. I contemplated getting this knit because it isn't exactly a classic but I've been determined to mix and match it with just about everything given it's neutral but easily made feminine tone and cozy style (it is boys after all). I've been loving this shade for it's added colour but versatility. 

Navy + Camel

I'm a die hard, neutrals person. This is a step up from my once, monochromatic wardrobe. But occasionally, a certain shade of colour finds it way, camouflaging in. Right now that colour is blue. Particularly that rich, deep navy and of course - denim of all shades.

Tuesday's Ten: Must Have Summer Hats

When I want to spruce up an outfit, hide from the shade (or the world), or mask some seriously un-styled tresses (which happens way more frequently these days than should be allowed) I like to work a hat into my day's ensemble. While many people feel awkward and out of place wearing statement hats, it's a grossing trend that has come to stay, which means an abundance of options for every level of personality at this point. Luckily for me, hats feel oh so natural to a point where I have a minor fetish. And so today I've rounded up my personal "Top 10's" as well as a handful of bargains within that department, including some Nordstrom Annual Sale exclusive that won't last long.

1. Rope Trimmed Floppy Felt Hat (Black) // Nordstrom Anniversary Sale, here.

2. Gold Fara Mohair Wide Brim Fedora // Splurge, here.

3. Tulle Trimmed Toyo Trilby // Splurge, here.

4. Faux Leather-Trimmed Wool Fedora // Under $30, here.

5. Jones Panama Hat // Splurge, here.

6. Felt Wide Brim Floppy Hat // International, here and domestic, here.

7. Rope And Hook Panama Hat // here.

8. "Do Not Disturb" Embroidered Hat // here.

9. Knit Panama Hat // here.

10. Flat-Top Weaved Klint Hat // here.

Happy shopping!
XO, V.

Denim-On-Denim

As I recently posted on Instagram – I'm currently loving “bumps, pumps, and denim.” Like, so much so that I paired denim on denim to step out for a low key evening and coffee date at Indigo. I'm so thankful that I can still fit into my non-maternity pants and skinnies (knock on wood) but with a belly that seems to expand when I'm not looking, I've never loved tunic shaped tops and dresses so much. Needless to say, I'm not hating the return of blue-jean shirts.

“Say yes and you'll figure it out afterwards.” 

( – Tina Fey)

Happy Wednesday!

XO, V.

DIY. | 7 Lucky Life (Clothing) Savers

The same way "nothing haunts us like the clothes we didn't buy," nothing ruins your blood pressure quite like a stain on the ones you already caved and did. There's hundreds, probably thousands, of cleaners on the market these days and if you have a go-to than that's perfect. But if you're anything like me you've wasted $5 here and $7 there on ones that don't get the job done and then sit there collecting dust afterwards. A majority of them also contain chemicals, more often than not, toxins. If you're expecting, have little ones or pets, are tired of throwing away money on chemicals, prefer to be eco-conscious or are a bit of a home body? Than this here is for you. It also saves you having to work a run to the store into your already busy schedule, so listen up!

1. When life hands you lemons, demolish your sweat stains.

What makes you cringe more? Tasting lemon juice or sweat stains? Good news. You don't have to taste it but if you use equal parts that and water, consider yourself golden.

2. Leather (vs) Oil.

Vinegar isn't the only thing that doesn't mix with oil. If you have oil based beauty products or are a fashionable kitchen queen, then you know that leather doesn't mesh either. Nothing a little baby powder can't fix - or soak up for that matter.

3. Wine. And a side of wine.

What's better than wine? More wine, right? Right. Spilling even so much as a drop of red wine on any outfit seems devastating. But don't fret. Why not add a little more. A dash of white will dilute the stain, making it easier to wash out later. Still worried? A sprinkle                                                                      of salt will prevent it from setting in. 

4. Signed, sealed, delivered and milked?

Got an ink stain? You don't have to worry about running all over town to find this one. It's more likely than not, already in your fridge. Milk. Soak. Rub. Wash (Rinse).

5. Double D's.

You're in a hurry to get ready, you want to smell just as on point as you look and your deodorant is - damn! On your outfit. An old wive's tale says to rub pantyhose on the mark but let's be real, very few us have a collection of pantyhose in our closets so an updated tip relevant to what our wardrobes do consist of? Jeans. Rub denim over the mark and voila.

6. I'll have a grande black, one baking soda, one peroxide.

We all throw coffee on ourselves in excitement and/or frustration sometimes. Okay, maybe I'm the only one in the excitement boat but you catch my drift. Mixing household products such as hydrogen peroxide and a dash of baking soda in a paste, will prevent and help remove the the harsh staining of coffee without breaking down the threads in your clothes. Don't have those on hand? A spoon of white vinegar mixed into a glass or two of chilled water can also work, a little less efficiently unless tossed into washer with said mix as soon as possible!

7. Martha by day, diva by night?

Be sure to save some of your soirée recipe ingredients (like baking soda) incase things get a tad too giggly and you end up with that ever so dark Matte Gunner by M.A.C. or Chanel's Rouge Allure on your crisp little number. A sprinkle of that on the mark (cornstarch will also get the job done) and a hot iron, a couple times over and washed off will restore your piece without any damage or a dry cleaner's bill.


I hope these tips pose as helpful in your life or at least make you Nancy-Know-It-All.

♛ Regardless, stay fabulous. Peeks At Five Ft.