Skirts & Snow | OOTD

"I'll stop wearing black when they invent a darker colour." -Wednesday Addams

There's no reason skirts and dresses can't work in winter. Living in Canada, of course it gets quite cold. However, if you cover up with warm layering pieces, skirts and dresses can be a year round fashion piece. 

Cardigan: Sears 

High neck crop top: Garage

Black mini: Garage 

Nylons: H&M

Thigh high socks: Urban Planet 

I usually complete an outfit like this with a pair of heeled black boots. I love this look- it's definitely a go to this time of year! It's put together and presentable while still being casual thanks to the slouchy cardigan. 

Casual Not Homeless | OOTD: Exam Week Edit

"Decided to dress up tomorrow. I may fail my final but I'll be damned if I don't look fabulous doing it."

It's so tempting during exam week to become a full on bum, wearing jogging pants and oversized sweaters. Not wearing any makeup and letting your hair become a rats nest. I myself am SO tempted during this time of year to let everything fall to the way-side and devote every second to studying. However, I've found for myself that looking half decent can be a huge asset during exam time. There's something about looking good that makes me feel confident walking into an exam. 

Now I know what you're thinking, "but Katelyn, taking the time to get ready in the morning is time I could spend revising more!" Too true, girl. I know. When it comes to an outfit, I'm not talking anything crazy. Take off those jogging pants and wear your favourite, ass hugging, curve loving jeans. Pairing your favourite jeans with a plain shirt creates a casual, but still presentable outfit that you will feel comfortable and confident in. 

When it comes to makeup, I keep it really simple. I conceal my under eyes and my myriad of stress induced spots and powder to hide my nervous sweat shine. I always fill in my brows and apply mascara everyday. When I have a few extra minutes I'll add some liquid liner and blend a warm brown eyeshadow through my crease. With time (and patience) being short this time of year, I fore-go the lipstick and keep it simple with a glossy chapstick. 

For hair, I want it out of my face whilst writing a test. My go to hair style for an exam is a sleek but messy ballerina bun. It's effortlessly chic, keeps my hair out of my face, and takes very little time to pull off. 

Exam time doesn't mean we all have to take on the roll of homeless looking, junk food eating college kids. If you take the time to make yourself look and feel good it will do so much for your mental health. Overstudying can be just as bad as understudying and taking a few minutes to do something that makes you feel a little more relaxed can't do any harm in this very stressful time. 

Good luck to all of you writing exams! You're going to crush them! 

Lazy Monday, Baby Time + OOTD | Adventure Time

I had a short shift last Monday and so had a lot of free time to just enjoy the sunshine and have a lazy day. I started the day off by painting my nails with Essie's Penny Talk- which I'm LOVING- whilst watching Roman Holiday. Since it was Monday I decided I would seize the opportunity to wear my loungy MUNDAY top from Sheinside. I paired it with my favourite Jeans from Forever 21, my DLG slip-ons and my NineWest purse. My shirt and shoes are both featured in my last haul!

I felt the need to put a little appreciation photo of this purse since 1. it's gorgeous and 2. I'm absolutely smitten with it. It's an authentic NineWest purse that I got from Winners. I only had to pay a third of the price I would have if I bought it direct from NineWest! I love that it can literally go with anything- it can be dressed up and dressed down. The crocodile/snake skin print on it isn't something I'd normally go for, but on this bag I really love it and I think it works.

I'm a big fan of walking; I walk almost every day. I typically walk for fitness, doing 5km and usually ending up in a run. It seems as soon as I have my workout clothes and Nike trainers on I immediately have tonnes of energy! Instead of walking for fitness, I decided to take in my surroundings and walk for peace. I loved the way the street signs looked against the sky! I also noticed some paint on the side walk that I know for a fact has been there for ages but is something I've never really taken the time to actually look at.

I walked by this house with the most beautiful gardens! It is the type of house I can only dream of one day living in- farm style with a big wrap around porch. It turns out that it's up for sale right now, naturally, years before I can even THINK about buying a home.

I finished off my lovely evening by visiting my cousin and her son Tate. I love this kid! He's just over a year now, learning to walk and babbling away. It was so nice to see him- I've been cherishing every moment with him because at his age he's learning, growing and changing so much and so quickly! I just know that he's going to be so grown and changed by the time I come home for Christmas Break!

I love having a good lazy day. I think it's so important to take time for yourself and for the people you love to enjoy life and make memories. I know that my life will most likely span at least 70 years, but my first 20 have already flown by so quickly that I really want to appreciate and enjoy every day that I have left.

I hope you enjoyed seeing what I got up to on my loungy Monday. What do you like to do on a lazy day? Please do let me know!

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

Exploring: Bellevue Park + New Dog + OOTD | Adventure Time

We have welcomed a new addition into our family- making the human:pets ratio even more unbalanced. Duke is a 20 month old Great Dane with the personality of a teddy bear. He is so adorably cuddly and sweet; he has no idea just how large he really is, trying to climb up onto the couch to get in a snuggle with anyone who will scratch his ears. He is underweight- we got him from a Great Dane rescue facility so his prior life isn't completely known to us- but we are working on putting some meat onto his bones.

We took him for a walk around a local park- Bellevue Park- as he loves to explore new areas, letting his nose guide him. He met a lot of kids who gave him some good head rubs and he also met a little dachshund who licked his feet and tried to play with him. He is the perfect little -big- addition to our family, we all love him so much already. He is the best bike ride buddy for me because he can actually keep up!

My eyes are open, I swear! Hahaha, they look closed because of the shadow from my glasses... 4 eyes probs. I'm throwing in a cheeky little OOTD from this jaunt around the park as I'm loving that the evenings are getting cooler and I can wear more clothes (patiently waiting for fall/winter over here haha). This whole outfit includes pieces from my last haul! My jean jacket is from Dynamite and I am absolutely head over heels for it! My black jeans are from Forever 21, my oatmeal coloured tank is from the H&M basics line. My handbag is also from H&M and my shoes are from Boathouse. 

We came across this tree whilst walking the path through the park and I couldn't resist getting a shot of it. It amazes me how many  shades of green you can capture in just one photo during the summer. Call me a tree hugger if you will, but there are very few things that I appreciate as much as I appreciate nature.

We stopped to watch a little family of ducks live their cute duck lives as the sun began it's descent from the sky. I think exploring your city and learning to appreciate where you live is such a blessing. During high school I remember everyone saying how boring our city was, how there was never anything to do, how we were always bored. Now that I've begun to immerse myself in my city and discover new places I find that I'm rarely bored and I can really appreciate how blessed I am to have grown up in such a beautiful place.

I challenge you to explore your city and learn to love where you live. Wether it's a park, a cafe, a new shop, or a different neighbourhood just start to appreciate where you are in this world. If you can enjoy where you are it's a lot easier to enjoy what you are doing.

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

What I'm Wearing Wednesday | July 29, 2015

#OOTD

It's a bit of a cooler day here in N.Ontario so I opted for a less than summery outfit (insert sad emoji here). I'm wearing my black jeans from Forever 21 and my pink cardigan is also from Forever 21. My 'Let's Jam' muscle tee is from Sheinside! 

On my feet I'm wearing black sandals with gold details from Ardene.

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

What I'm Wearing Wednesday | July 22, 2015

#OOTD

I really really like this outfit, like a lot ha ha ha. My shirt is from Urban Planet, my black high-waisted shorts are from Garage, my shoes are from Wal-Mart, and my purse is from Coach.

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

What I'm Wearing Wednesday | July 15, 2015

#OOTD

Can I just say how much I LOVE this skirt?? I bought it last summer from the 400 Market in Barrie and I still am just as obsessed with it as I was at the time. I paired it with a loose, flowy cropped tank from Garage and simple rhinestone stud sandals from Ardene.

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

What I'm Wearing Wednesday | June 24, 2015

#OOTD

If I'm being honest I'm still not completely sold on these shorts. I do love the style and the colour but this particular pair feel really large in the waist. However on to the outfit of the day! It's sunny and warm here so I have opted for a summery outfit. My shirt is from Wal-Mart, my shorts are from Winners, and my strappy sandals are from Ardene

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

What I'm Wearing Wednesday | June 17, 2015

#OOTD

IT'S SO HOT!!! Finally summer is here in Northern Ontario (yay!). I am wearing a bright pink key hole back tank from Ardene, floral denim shorts from Forever 21, and silver strappy sandals from Sears!

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

What I'm Wearing Wednesday | June 10, 2015

#OOTD

Today I am wearing a white and mint tank from Ardene. It's got a little keyhole back which I am really loving at the minute. With it I'm wearing my coral jeans that I got ages ago from Urban Planet. I ended up throwing my navy cardigan from Hollister on in the evening as it did get a bit chilly.

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

What I'm Wearing Wednesday | June 3, 2015

#OOTD

First of all, please ignore the slippers and the 4th day hair. I'm trying to get my hair to just two washes a week but it's definitely been a long (and greasy) process ha ha ha. Today I'm going for a casual lunch date with my cousin and her 10 month old on a patio restaurant in the down town area of my city and then back to her BRAND NEW HOUSE! I'm so proud of her and her husband for purchasing their first home for them and their baby and doggy!

Anyways, on to the outfit... My jeans will be no surprise as they're my favourite ones from Forever 21. My shirt is a new one I picked up from Wal-Mart for $7. My sunglasses are from Winners. I am obsessed with this outfit, I think it's so cute and springy!

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

What I'm Wearing Wednesday | May 27, 2015

#OOTD

Now that I'm FINALLY off work for the day I have changed into some comfy clothes to go hangout with a couple of friends (yay for social life ha ha ha). I'm wearing my favourite jeans from Forever 21, a black, loose, flowy tank top from Bootlegger and my navy cardigan from Hollister. For a pop of colour I'm wearing my cheap lace flats from Wal-Mart. Accessory wise I've got a rose gold necklace from Chanel and "diamond" stud earrings from Claire's. To finish it off I grabbed my beige, cream and red cross body bag from Coach (the link is to the same bag in a different colour- which I wish the store had as I like the pink better ha ha- I bought the bag 2 years ago so I did the best I could!)

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

What I'm Wearing Wednesday | May 20, 2015

#OOTD

This morning I'm heading out to a brunch at 11:00 am so I'm a little more dressed up than usual. I have on a black body-con skirt from Bootlegger with a black and gold belt from Bluenotes. My pink tank with a lace detail is from Ardenes as well as my black lace pointed toe flats. My cardigan and tights are both from H&M. Lastly, my vintage white hardcover purse is from a little vintage shop in a town 75 minutes down the highway from my city. I really like this outfit, I think it's super cute and dressy enough for a fancy brunch while not being too over the top. Let me know what you think!

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn

What I'm Wearing Wednesday | May 13, 2015

#OOTD

 Today I am wearing my favourite jeans from Forever 21, a cute baby doll top with a ruffle detail from American Eagle, and my beige cardigan from Urban Planet. I'm really enjoying the simplicity and sophistication of this outfit!

Thanks for reading, xo, Katelyn