So this is one of those trends that I wasn't sure someone with my body type, short and curvy, could pull off. Trends can be so tricky, but you have to try. So I gave them a try and I really like them! I definitely have to wear these pants with a tight fitting top or else you just lose me in there. So I paired it with this adorable pale pink sleeveless turtleneck bodysuit.

I was thinking that I probably have to wear them with heels, but I don't think that's necessarily true. I think as long as the top is fitted, they could be worn with adorable flats or even white sneakers. Since navy is a neutral (and a staple in any closet), I will definitely be wearing this into the fall. I think it will actually look really good with booties and a heavier top. Of course, I say this in theory; could be a disaster! I guess we'll wait and see.

              

       

        

ruffled

This outfit post and my last outfit post both consists of super feminine looks with a ruffle detail. I've been drawn to these pieces this summer. They elevate an otherwise simple dress, skirt or top. I absolutely love this particular skirt. It's so easy to style and so light and airy. I want to try it out with a white t-shirt, my Stan Smith sneakers and a tight ponytail. I think that would look so fresh (and so clean, clean). 

You can't really tell in these photos, but these sandals are a beautiful pale, pale pink with a gold block heel. They're so comfortable! We'll see how long they last. They are from Primark, which isn't exactly known for their quality. I won't hate on Primark though; I always stop by when were in London just because they have cute trendy things that no one else will have once I'm back home in Toronto. We don't have Primark here, so it's always a win for me!

Speaking of London, I'll probably share a photo diary from our trip. It was our first time travelling with baby Julien. It was such a different vacation... well trip. Definitely shouldn't be calling it a vacation. But it was really fun. That will be coming up in the next few weeks. 

H&M top / Bershka skirt / Primark sandals / Ted Baker bag

         

 

     

cold spring

Hi lovelies! It's been a while, I know! I desperately have to figure out a blogging schedule in order to post more often. Spring is here! Since it's not all the way hot yet, leather jacket and booties pretty much go with everything I wear lately. I bought this dress last year while pregnant from H&M. I thought it would look cute with the bump and also post bump. I love the little layered detail. It flows away from the body just perfectly. I have to admit, this dress is pretty gorgeous with a little wind. 

H&M dress and bag / Dollhouse jacket / Frye Company boots 

         

         

        

        

flux & stone

I wanted to put the spotlight on this amazing jewellery line. Its from Flux & Stone, a Canadian jewellery brand from Vancouver. All pieces are handmade and inspired by nature. How pretty is this copper triangle necklace! So simple and dainty and I love the rose gold! Check out the website if you're interested in beautify pieces at an affordable reasonable price point. 

strolls with julien

So life is a little different now, but I'm absolutely loving it! Heading out the door and going for a walk with my husband and our dog is no small feat! I'm loving baby fashion so much. So not only do I have to think about my outfits, Julien has to be dressed to adorable baby perfection. Speaking of baby perfection, After a lot of research and stress over the diaper bag, I ended up going with this Little Unicorn bag. I love its simplicity and size. Most of all, I love that it doesn't scream 'diaper bag' right when you see it. And how cute is this stroller! I literally had a non-negotiable policy on getting a Bugaboo since years before I was even pregnant. Dreams really do come true, you guys! But in all seriousness, it's an mazing stroller. So easy to use and light. I love that you can get different fabric sets and basically have a new stroller every time!

PS: Thank you so much for all the kind emails, comments and instagram love on Julien! We really appreciate it! 

Forever 21 jacket / H&M long sleeve shirt / Zara jeans / Steve Madden boots 

Little Unicorn bag / Bugaboo Cameleon stroller 

happy new year!

Happy New Year! 2017 is already here and it's crazy! Wishing you all prosperity, happiness and lots of love for the new year! This is definitely going to be the best year yet for us as we are starting our new journey as parents. Speaking of which, meet Julien Mackinlay Yellowlees! He came to us on December 13th at 8 pounds and 10 ounces. I can't believe he's almost 3 weeks old already. I'll have a separate post on his birth story in the coming weeks. For now, I'm just busy at home with this little one. Outfit posts should resume within a couple of weeks, I swear!

xoxo

the final stretch: pregnancy update

Hi lovelies! I'm almost 39 weeks now! My pregnancy has still been pretty good. I've been feeling well, thankfully, throughout the whole thing. I stopped working out at about 36 weeks. So let's see how the last days of it will be! I've definitely been feeling the extra weight. My husband asked me what I'll be most excited about after the pregnancy and right now i'd have to say it's not being short of breath after climbing one flight of stairs. I know it's ridiculous, but it just makes me feel so out of shape when I catch myself breathing heavily or being winded way too quickly. I would also say I'm excited to sleep a whole night through without getting up 5 times to pee, but I'm pretty sure I'll be waking up more often for other reasons! 

So my original due date was December 19th, but oh how things have changed! At every ultrasound, we've been told Baby Yellowlees is measuring big. We know ultrasounds aren't always accurate, but in this case, I think it might be right. My baby's breeched and is sitting in meditation pose. Every time my doctor feels my belly, she mentions how tight things are in there and that he's a big boy. In other words, there's no room for him to turn. I have a cesarean booked for December 13th. Hopefully this little man hangs in there for a few more days! 

red bodycon dress

What can I say, I love a good bodycon dress! I couldn't' resist this one from Forever 21, especially with the holidays around the corner. I'm not a huge fan of colour lately, but deep red tones are just so beautiful this time of year. I wore this dress yesterday because it was a little bit warm out (by warm I mean, I could just about do bare legs). Paired it with my Adidas Stan Smiths just because we were going to do a bit of walking. I love my Stan Smiths so much. They're always so perfect for most outfits, especially while I'm pregnant. Speaking of which, I'm definitely starting to feel like a whale! But that's okay! It's all beyond worth it!

Forever 21 jacket and dress / Adidas Stan Smith sneakers / Michael Kors wallet

From Office To Party! How To Dress For The Festive Season

Over the festive season, it’s hard to pack everything in. You’re probably already getting invites from various friends and family members, and arranging your schedule to try to fit everyone in. Not every invitation comes at the weekend, though – you’ll have to make a few office to Christmas party transitions. Here are some tips to help you do that.

Update Your Work Outfit

Make sure that your key work outfit is appropriate enough to work in the office but that you can glam it up for the evening. Layering can work here – wear a sweater over your dress. If your office is more informal and you’re allowed to wear jeans, wear your favourite smart skinnies and a cardigan or jacket over your favourite glamorous off the shoulder shirt. You could even change from a work blouse into a party top after work if what you want to wear isn’t suitable for the office. A good pair of skinny jeans can make you look hip, attractive and fresh at both the office and your evening party.

Change Your Shoes

Most of us wear comfortable shoes to our workplaces – it makes the commute easier and it definitely reduces the risk of tripping over something on your way to the coffee maker! But if you’re going to a holiday party in the evening, slip a pair of heels into your bag, and change out of your normal flats after work. A good pair of heels can add texture and colour to an outfit, and often even affects the way you walk. Even if the rest of your outfit is plain and professional, a pair of sparkly stilettos can liven it up and add all the festive glamour you need. If you were wearing opaque tights during the day, either brave a bare leg or go for a thinner denier.

Add Some Accessories

Switch your usual office handbag for a clutch, and add some statement jewelry to brighten up your look. Chokers are in this year, so add one with diamante or maybe black velvet – check out Black Starr Frost Jewelry for some ideas. Dangly earrings will add some magnificence to your look, as will bracelets, statement rings or a jewelled hairclip. This looks particularly spectacular if you’re in your favourite little black dress, which is a great look to dress down for the office or up for an evening party. You could also add a belt – cinch that waist in for a dramatic, beautiful hourglass silhouette.

Refresh Your Hair And Makeup

Take a well-stocked makeup bag to work with you to refresh your look. When your work is done, make a beeline for the office bathroom and set yourself up in front of a mirror there. First of all, let your hair down. Take a mini can of dry shampoo to add some volume to it and refresh it. Then, update your makeup. If your skin tends to get oily during the day, use blotting papers to mattify it. Add extra concealer and powder, and do a quick smoky eye with a little added glitter to update your look. Complete with red or berry-coloured lipstick and a spritz of perfume and you’re set for the evening!

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off the shoulder

Keeping it short and sweet today! Have a great weekend! 

Zara top and pants / Call it Spring shoes / Primark bag

sweater dress

Happy Monday! I don't own very many sweater dresses and I'm not sure why. I almost picked this little one up in 3 colours because I loved it so much. I really should have because now I can't stop thinking about the black and the cream. So they might just make an appearance on the blog soon! I'm 32 weeks pregnant now. How crazy is that. I feel like my belly just got massive overnight. Still feeling good and healthy so I'm happy. It's weird though... because I've had such a good pregnancy so far *knock on wood*, I'm literally having the most intense anxiety about labour and delivery. Basically I fear the pain during and after. I'm sure I'll look back at this post in laugh in a year, but right now, the feelings are intense! 

H&M sweater dress and bag / Spring booties 

You Can Create a Unique Style By Spending Less on Your Clothes

Dressing well doesn’t have to mean spending a lot of money. In fact, you can save a lot of money by simply doing things differently and spending your money wisely. So many people find that they spend a huge chunk of their disposable income on clothes and fashion items. And we never have enough clothes. Many of us keep buying and buying despite already having lots of things stuffed into our wardrobes.

You really need to think carefully about how you can create a unique style without breaking the bank. It’s definitely possible, so don’t despair just yet. In fact, when you limit your spending, you’re forced to look for new ways to create clothing ideas. So, read on to find out what you can do to save money and look great at the same time.

Generate Money By Selling the Stuff You Never Wear

As I mentioned above, most of us have items that we don’t wear and have no intention of wearing. So, rather than letting them linger at the back of your wardrobe any longer, why not do something useful with them? It can be so easy to sell your clothes, and the money you make can then be used to fund future purchases. You will keep the amount of clothes you own down to a minimum. And then you won’t have to rifle through piles of things when you want to find something to wear. So, this is always the very best place to start.

Recycle Old Garments to Create Something New & Unique

Another thing you can do with the clothing items that you no longer want is recycle them. It’s so easy to make simple changes to clothes that completely change the purpose and appearance of the items. You can turn an oversized shirt into a dress. Or you could make shorts out of an old pair of jeans you don’t like. As long as you are willing to get creative and try new things, there is no end to the things that you could do with the clothes you have. You can take advantage of salvage clothing and do something interesting with those items too. It’s a cheap way of getting your hands on garments that can be adapted to fit your needs.

Buy Vintage Items Online

Online shopping is obviously a big deal nowadays. So, you can take advantage of this by finding vintage clothes that people are selling on auction websites. It’s so easy to do this, and it’s the very best way to pick up interesting clothes at really low prices. Many of the things you find on these websites are selling for rock bottom prices. So, it doesn’t even matter that much if you don’t like it when you try it on because you spent so little in the first place. But if you do buy a lot of these items, you will certainly find plenty of things that you do like. Give it a try and see what you can find; you won’t regret it when you find that perfect vintage item.

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falling for fall

I'm 30 weeks! Only 10 more to go. Insane how time flies. During this pregnancy, I've tried to keep my style as it was before. I loved fitted dresses so it's no surprise that I kept this going. I got this dress from Zara a couple weeks ago. I love the colour, the long sleeves and just the simplicity. In true fall fashion, I paired it with a leather jacket and ankle boots. Fall is my favourite season for fashion because the air is just so crisp but not freezing yet. The colours are beautiful; both nature and fashion. 

Forever 21 jacket / Zara dress / Aldo boots / H&M clutch

Keep Your Skin at its Best Over The Colder Months

Each season poses a challenge when it comes to our skin, but the colder months are particularly hard on it. Wind and rain can leave it chapped, sore and dried out. And along with central heating being regularly switched on, you might find your skin acting out in all kinds of ways. If you know that each year the cold weather brings you rough, irritated and tight feeling skin- here are a few ways to prevent and treat it.

Find The Right Products

Your winter products of choice should be deeply hydrating, rich and nourishing. This not only hydrates the outer layer of skin but also protects it from any further damage too. The right products will replenish anything that has been lost from your skin due to the bad weather. You’ll need a gentle cleanser, go for creamy or oil based products which further hydrate your skin rather than foaming products, which will strip it even further. A gentle exfoliator in the form of a cleansing brush or exfoliating skincare product is also essential. Invest in both day and night moisturizers and an eye cream too, which will protect and hydrate the delicate eye area. Finally, additional products such as serums, oils and face masks which are targeted to dry skin can also be useful. You can make your own face masks from common kitchen ingredients such as yogurt, honey, avocados, bananas and eggs. You can get more info at BeautyProductWarnings about how to DIY your own natural products. Put together a routine that works for you and stick to it religiously for the best results.

Exfoliate The Right Way

When skin dries out due to the cold and bad weather, it can leave the surface looking dull, rough and flaky. Exfoliatingwill remove this dead layer of skin. Which will not only make you complexion look more vibrant, but will also make your skincare products work more efficiently too. Exfoliating is a vital part of your skincare routine, but it has to be done properly. Using products or brushes that are too harsh on your skin will actually cause it to dry out and flake further- the exact opposite of what you’re after! Find an exfoliator that’s not too abrasive on the skin (avoid those containing ‘microbeads’ since these are horrible for the environment) and always use a product that’s designed for the face. Body scrubs will be way harsher and will damage your more delicate facial skin. Cleansing brushes are also a good option, not only do these help to clean deep down into the pores, but they also remove flakes and dead skin too. Use gentle motions, again being careful not to scrub too hard or irritate the skin.

Have a Facial

Booking in for a professional facial at a salon is a wonderful treat. They will be able to diagnose your skin type meaning that in future you’re able to buy products that will work best for you. As well as explain how to address any skin concerns you have. The treatment will usually involve a deep cleanse, exfoliation and moisturizing using the best salon products. Some will even offer extras such as blackhead extraction or pore cleaning leaving you feeling perfectly fresh afterwards. Skin care specialists suggest having a facial every four weeks since this is when your skin cells complete their life cycle. But you could just have them done whenever you feel like your skin needs it. Even once per season would be a great addition to your skincare routine.

Swap Hot Baths For Warm Ones

When it’s cold outside, your first thought when you come home is to probably run the hottest bath you can comfortably lie in. And while this is perfect for relaxing in, it’s not that good for your skin. Hot waterwill help to dry it out further and so can cause fall/ winter skin to get even worse. If you can’t sacrifice your hot baths for cooler ones, don’t wash your face while you're in the tub. You could wash it in the sink with your cleansing and exfoliating products either before or after you get in.

Don’t Neglect Your Lips

As well as looking after the skin on your face, you need to protect your lips too. They lose more moisture than anywhere else on the body which is why they’re so prone to drying out. Picking at and licking the lips will cause them to become sore and heal more slowly. Plus you might also trigger a cold sore if you irritate the skin around your mouth. You can buy gentle sugar lip scrubs from places like Lush, or you could make your own. This will help to remove any flakes, which will improve the appearance as well as making your lip balm more efficient. Find a good lip balm that works for you and get into the habit of applying it. Buy a couple and keep them in the places you’re at most often to avoid getting caught short. In your bedside table, your car, your desk drawer and your coat pocket. Prevention is better than cure here so keep on top of this to stop the cold weather wreaking havoc on your lips. While products like mattelipsticks look amazing, it’s best to avoid these if you’re prone to dryer lips since they can dry them out further. Go for more glossy creme finishes instead.

Address Your Diet and Hydration

A well as moisturizing and protecting the exterior of your skin, you’ll also need to nourishfrom the inside too. A healthy diet which is rich in all of the vitamins and minerals you need will keep skin at its best. You’ll help to prevent the signs of aging, and support the rapid growth of skin. Fruits, vegetables, healthy fats and whole grains will all boost your skin’s health and help prevent it from becoming dry and damaged due to the bad weather. Keeping hydrated is also essential, so make sure you’re getting your eight glasses a day in!

You Still Need Sunblock Even When It’s Not Sunny!

Most of us naturally reach for the sunblock when it’s sunny outside. But this is a step you still need to keep up for the rest of the year too. The sun’s UV rays are damaging at all times of the year, not just in summer. If you don’t want to add another step to your skincare routine, choose a moisturizer or foundation with SPF included.

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casual with chucks

Hi lovelies. I was 25 weeks when we took these outfit photos (I'm now 26 weeks). I've been living in fitted dresses and sneakers outside of work because it's just so easy and comfortable. We were in Chicago last week for a short trip before the baby comes. All five days I basically wore a version of this uniform with sneakers by day, heels by night. Super simple!

PS: I'll be posting a pregnancy update later this week!

Forever 21 dress / Five Four Club shirt (my husband's) / Converse sneakers