Warm-Up With Comfy Boot Socks

So it's been a while since the last time I posted but it's been pretty crazy around here (more to come about that in a future post) but I'm back and excited to share with you my new favourite item that I can't stop wearing! Take a look at these adorable and comfortable boot socks that I found. We got quite a bit of snow this weekend and I couldn't wait put these socks on, curl up with my cat, Rooster, and take a nap. The good thing about these socks is that they look cute while you're lounging around the house but they also look super cute peeking out the top part of your boots.

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Poncho Libre!

m- Umm...sorry about the promise of the belt with the poncho - it was big MISTAKE! Sometimes it is a good idea to take a picture to validate that your fashion idea actually looks reasonable on you. In this case, my well intentioned idea looked...like it was inspired by a Mexican wrestler and cowboy combination. That being said, I like wearing a poncho and see this item getting a lot of use this season.

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Hobbit Fashion

m-I bought a poncho several weeks ago and have been waiting for the weather to change to debut my new item. When I brought my poncho home, my family commented that I looked like Bilbo Baggins! So I am attempting to style it in a way that is less, “hobbitish,” and more style savvy. It has not been an easy task, but here are my styling tips: midi pencil skirts look great. I would love to pair this look with a bootie, but my 5ft 4’ frame looked particularly close to the ground. I prefer this with a skinny jean, high boots or bootie. I tried not to break up the leg line with black boots because the volume from the cape and fitted calf made my upper legs look like sausages, so tan or cognac boots are a better choice for me. I am going to belt my poncho, so that my family does not think I am wearing a Snuggie and I think that it looks best with a long sleeve peeking out (then people can be assured that I am not wearing a real blanket!) Photos to come. Here are a few pics that I am using for my inspiration:

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source: Penny Pincher Fashion

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Chilly Weather? Warm Up With a Poncho!

I admit that ponchos have been a little bit of a mystery to me. I guess I always thought of them as, well, a blanket! M and I are really petite so ponchos can be a little bit tough to style. You don't want to get lost in them, or make you look like you have no shape (poncho paired with a cute belt can help with this!) However, they do cover a multitude of sins and Thanksgiving dinner will be on it's way before you know it! Here are a few of our favourites.

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Fall Boots On A Budget - The Heeled Bootie Addition

m- The temperatures are searing hot in Ontario this week, but boot season will arrive shortly and it is time to get shopping.  My order arrived today - by the time I added up my discounts, I received 75 percent off! So take a look at the items below, click on the image and go directly to the website. Be sure to look for daily deals and free shipping.  Good luck and happy shopping!

Summer Nights

m- Summer is coming to a close. My littles are getting ready to return to school (not so little, sigh...). We could not let the summer come to an end without a few more BBQs with friends. As the nights become longer and the temperature drops, we still want to be outside comfortably. White denim still feels summery without the shiver of bare legs. Simple formula: white skinnies, denim shirt, leopard belt and my favourite pink earrings. What are you wearing to your next get together?

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Going Shopping Today! Do you want to come?

m - I have the day to myself and I am heading into virtual land to pick up a few items for the fall. After looking at many magazines and websites, I have narrowed down what I am looking for. A few trends have resurfaced from last year and some cute additions.
1) Suede A line mini- Thank you, Taylor Swift, for bringing this back. This stylish starlet was out and about in her suede mini, last week. Although Taylor looks great in her very short skirt, I am on the hunt for a modest length that will permit things like: sitting, crossing legs, etc.
2) Lace up flats - This trend is everywhere! I am happy to see that flats continue to have a place in the fashion marketplace.
3) Soft striped dress - what, I found this one for $5! Buy now, it is cheaper then a pumpkin latte and will last longer.
4) Solid Cardigan - boyfriend shape, great for layering.
5) Sleeveless top with turtleneck - sounds like an oxymoron, right? I must be a little ahead of the trend because most of these sweaters are in the designer range and start at $550. If you find one, grab it, I am predicting this trend is going to be big with the mass markets in the coming months.

Found the items! Click on the images to pick up your must have trends and get ready for autumn.

Cheers,
m

Farrah, Jaqueline, Kate and m!

m - All of my childhood dreams have come true! These pants make me feel like one of Charlie's Angels! r was thinking about Cameron, Lucy and Drew, not me, I loved the originals then and still love them now! I am ready to fight crime and kick some ass in these pants.
I looked for these pants on line and couldn't find the exact pair, so here are similar ones:

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Blue Belle

m- Honestly, Old Navy knocked it out of the park with their dress selection this season. I have never owned much from this store and generally, don't go into their retail locations, but their online selection was great and I can't believe how happy I am with my dresses (I bought four).They don't feel cheap and there are some details that I do not associate with this price point. The colour is quite bright and the fit is true to size.

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Here are a few more options and all are on sale!

Drawstring Dress = Great Lunch Date

m- mmm...lunch. This dress is so comfy and ready for a proper sized meal. I was dismayed to find out that one of my super fit, gorgeous, friends wears Spanx-styled, long, undergarments, everyday. How does she eat? How can she possibly enjoy herself with Lycra and tugging and awareness of hemlines. Save it for a special day! Life is short! You're beautiful! Now, go buy a comfortable dress and meet me for lunch.

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Thinking About Fall...

m- I prefer summer fashions and do not experience any giddiness when thinking about layering or spice lattes. After reading endless blogs, most of my virtual counterparts can't wait to throw on some heavy layers and pick apples. Not me, but I do understand that at some point I will need to wear heavier items and even (gasp) boots! I researched fall colours and have picked my favourite hue for the season -amethyst. A few additions here and there and I am ready:
Necklace-I have wanted a monogrammed necklace for the past two seasons and this fall it will happen. I prefer the warmth of gold for autumn.
Blouse - this blouse is available in amethyst
Blazer 
Burberry scarf - my stylish friend, L, came for a visit and so did her Burberry bag and now, I am on a Burberry kick, I have always wanted something Burberry and since I love the neckerchief trend, this silk scarf is perfect.
Quilted leopard bag -'nough said
Fringe booties.
How will you update your autumn wardrobe?

Boyfriends and Satin - daytime edition

m- This outfit has been on the blog before with different accessories and shoes. It saw rotation this week when I decided to move away from flip-flops into real shoes! One day only...

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Weekly Round-Up - R Style

This summer has been crazy busy so far! This hasn't stopped me from picking up some super cute pieces. Since I have been on the go non-stop, I have been focusing on easy, low maintenance outfits. Check out some of my favourites below.

1) Printed Jumpsuit - I picked this up 20 minutes before a birthday party that I was going to. I realized that the outfit I was wearing was way to hot so I had to improvise quickly. I am glad that I did because this has turned out to be one of my favourite new outfits. It's a bit trendy so I would only add one of these to your wardrobe but I bet you will be wearing it out by the end of the summer! (I added my sun hat for my friend m, don't let that sun touch your face girls!)

2) Joggers & T-Shirt - Not going to lie, I struggled with this one a little bit. I think that I have always believed that joggers or any kind of sweats should never be worn outside of your house or the gym! I kept seeing these over and over in magazines and thought I should give them a try. I added my Nine-West wedged sandals to dress them up a bit (and because I'm petite) and it worked out great. Glad I tried it..you will be too!

3) Pop-of-Colour - This dress is so sweet and fits perfectly! The one below is a very close second! It's a bold colour choice for summer but I think that's why I fell in love with it! Pair it with some gold accessories and shoes!

4) Linen Pants - These are amazing! I love wearing them to the cottage because they are loose and breezy but they don't look frumpy. Have you ever seen Wedding Crashers? When Rachel McAdams is on the sailboat and wearing linen pants..this has inspired this outfit!

5) White pants + polka dots - My sister and I were out shopping together and both bought this polka dot shirt. I liked the deep blue flats. I thought that it kept the shirt more seasonal. However, I think the shirt will work great for a summer to fall transition.

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Weekly Round-Up by m

m- Vacation = no jackets, no ironing and simple style. Here is a quick peek at some of my favourite day to day styles. When picking out an outfit for the day, I always keep the 15-51 idea in mind -since I am closer to 51 than 15, I prefer to balance out a mini or shorts with a more modest top or vice versa. Plus, I cannot be bothered with tugging, discomfort or Spanx. If it doesn't fit, is not comfortable or impedes my caloric intake, I am not wearing it!

To shop for an item, click on the image below, it will take you to our affiliate website. Although I could not find all the items (some have been in my closet for several years...I said years, not decades, r!), I tried to find a similar look and the prices are pretty great!

To Birk or Not to Birk...

m- hmm...not my thing. I tried (per picture) and wanted to love them, but could not purchase. I was surprised when I tried these on, my sources told me that they were uber comfortable and that after one step in Birkenstock that I would never want another shoe. I found the foot bed hard and I am too old to bother with breaking in shoes. I lived through this trend in the nineties and feel like I might be crossing my fashion lines: back into plaid shirts tied around the waist and bodysuits... I will have to admire this trend on others.

r- Surprise! I never thought that I would like these shoes, but I do! I found them comfortable and more stylish than I expected. I particularly liked the new styles and metallic finishes. Music festivals, eyelet lace and Birkenstock go together and I plan on embracing all of them, this summer!

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Fabletics Review

m - Fabletics seems to be everywhere. Every time I open Facebook, turn on the TV or talk fitness with friends, the company is brought up. I decided to look into it and become a member. Here is the scoop: the company has a lifestyle quiz that you answer and suggests outfits for your lifestyle. You choose the outfit that you prefer and pay $25. This price includes all of the pieces on the model that you selected, you must order within 24 hours or the special price is no longer available. This is the outfit that I ordered:

This shipped immediately and arrived in two days. I ripped open that package like it was Christmas morning and tried it on immediately! I was pleasantly surprised in the quality of the tights. They are thick and I have no fear of  transparency around the seams. The length is nice, it is as shown on the picture (I am just over 5'4 and ordered size 6) and the fit is true to size. Love them! The top took a few attempts to figure out where the neck and arm holes begin and end. Once I got into it, I really liked the design. I took the outfit out for a run, to see how it would pass during physical exertion. The tights were great, I tucked the corner of the top into the tights to prevent riding up and exposing my tummy or feeling like I was being strangled by my own shirt. Obviously, venting was not an issue.

As a member, I will receive an email by the 5th of the next month and I can select an outfit to purchase or choose to pass. The price is roughly double of the beginning promo. I will be purchasing. I really like the fabric, design, delivery and price. So far, this has been a great shopping experience and I recommended it to r.

Skin Update - Month 8 and Swimwear on the Internet - No, Thank You!

Skin Update
m - Rodan and Fields REDEFINE AND AMP ROLLER with eye cream and microdermabrasion paste weekly. The pictures say it all (by the way an iphone selfie of this sort is tough)...
 Send us an email if you would like to get started on your own journey.

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You didn't really think that we would put pictures of ourselves in swimsuits on the internet, did you? NO, NO, NO! We have picked a few of our favourite suits for the season and matching accessories to make your next beach visit more tolerable. We found very affordable options and are going to buy a couple of these items, too!
Remember to click on the arrow to view the swimsuits.

Summer Staple - Black Maxi

r- One of my favourite dresses right now! Today was a hot one and I couldn't wait to come home and put on this comfortable dress. It's great because it's comfortable without looking drab. In fact, I may have it in an assortment of other colours...It's a must.
m-  Life has been quite busy and we are hoping to catch up! If you have seen us out and about, both of us having been living in  dresses. My favourite for hot weather, a black maxi, is a standard that everyone should own. Simple to dress up or down, a maxi can take you anywhere in comfort.This dress was under $20 and fit surprisingly well. Sometimes a little coverage is required and a jean jacket can feel a little bulky, so a simple button up tied at the waist can change the look and provide modesty.

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Skirts and Sneaks

r- This outfit is so easy! I love all sneakers but these red converse are my favourite! I love that they slip on and are super comfy. I use pretty much any excuse to wear my denim vest and this simple dress with the vest works perfectly!
m- Stripes love sneaks and so do I! This flared skirt is high waisted and super comfortable, it allows for movement and sits away from the body. Skirts with sneakers reminds me of elementary school, when shoe selection did not interfere with the important need to run, play and climb. Cheers to utility fashion!

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Spring Standards

We have come up with a few favourites from GAP. GAP is perfect for standard pieces and generally, stands the test of time. We find their sizing a little large and generally, we size down when purchasing dresses or skirts.We found a few pieces that are on sale and will be featured on the blog, paired with some brights and trendier pieces.

Friday Five Favourite Colour Combinations

Mixing colours can be a bit of a tricky task but it can also be the key to taking your style game to the next level. Sayings such as "green and blue should not be seen" are a thing of the past. Don't be afraid to take some colour risks. If you are still feeling a little bit timid try adding a pop of colour through jewellery or shoes. Take a look at some awesome colour combinations below!

1) Fuschia & Turquoise

2) Lemon Lime & Cobalt Blue

3) Red, Navy & Gold

4) Navy, Yellow & Mint

5) Purple & Lime (with a touch of pink)

Straw Market Purses

r- I fell in love with this coral coloured, straw market purse, complete with a sweet scarf to match. I liked that the straw detailing was very close together and that it had a little bit of a shine to the fabric. It added the perfect pop of colour to my other wise light pastel coloured outfit.
m- Hot pink and turquoise, straw purse and gingham - all new to me and I am quite pleased with the effect -bright and cheery and a step away from neutrals. Over the next few weeks, it is my intent to present some different colour combinations.
When getting ready for the day and this picture, I noted that the first time I posted a picture on the blog without any make-up, I was nervous. Now, I only wear eye make-up and lip gloss. My make-up bag has shrunk in size. It is Throwback Thursday, everyday!  I am bare faced and happy!

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Friday 5 Ways To Update Jeans and a White Tee

r & m- We recommend buying a few new, white T-shirts every spring. After one season, they can become dingy and lose their shape. To give this simple formula an update for 2015, we recommend a few items that have carried over from last summer and continue to trend for Spring 2015 (see fringe) and a few new accessories.

1) Fringe Purses-If you are not fully committed to bohemian style, a fringe purse or sandals can be a subtle nod to this trend.
2) Tribal- A beaded collar necklace or bracelet will keep you looking current.
3) Straw bags- Replace that leather purse with a straw bag and immediately transform a simple outfit into a summer/spring look with a beachy feel.
4) Slides- Shoes you can walk in! Novel idea.
5) Aviators are still happening.

Spring Must Have - Denim Jacket

r- I have had my denim jacket since high school and it never goes out of style. I thought I would venture a little out of my comfort zone and add a denim vest to my ever growing wardrobe. It's so cute! I love wearing it with a maxi dress or with white jeans (still can't quite get the whole blue denim on blue denim thing down yet!)
m- Denim jackets never go out of my clothing rotation. My first denim jacket was borrowed from my dad back in 1987. It was quite roomy and I could wear my Woolwich sweaters and acid wash jeans comfortably - I am not sure that r was alive...times have changed and jackets are more fitted and softer. I have a denim vest on my list for upcoming purchases.

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Friday Five - Denim Vests & Jackets

We love our denim jackets and vests. However, you do need to be careful. The difference between looking like you're rocking an 80's frock and adding the perfect jacket to complete an outfit is a fine line. We recommend making sure that the jacket is a little bit fitted to help extenuate your waistline and to keep you from looking too "boxy." For denim vests we love to pair them with maxi dresses or coloured denim pants so we try and get them a size smaller because you don't want to overpower the dress/pants. Check out our favourites below!

Bright Workout Wear & We Deserve It!

r- This has been a really fun and rewarding 3 month journey. I have gone from 158 pounds to 136 pounds..thats a 22 pound weight loss so far! I was really upset when I noticed that my clothes weren't fitting like they used to and I was feeling really sluggish and not like myself at all back in December. When I texted M and told her I needed a change she was totally on board and we have been working  hard every day since. We work out on our lunches (usually 25-40 minutes depending on the workout we choose for the day) and then I work out right after work when I get home. Working out with M is a lot more fun than working out alone and I find we push each other a little bit harder than we would if we were just by ourselves. M told me it takes 21 days to form a habit (or break one!) and this couldn't be more true. Working out is just a part of my every day routine now and I feel weird if I don't do it. I will never be one of those "I love working out" people but I feel so much better mentally and physically after I do it. I am just upset that I didn't start this a lot sooner. The way I eat has completely changed as well. No more pop or sugary drinks but lots and a lots of water! My lunches typically include fresh veggies & dip with a large fruit salad for dessert. Dinners look a lot different as well we eat a lot of chicken & veggies with no carbs. One thing that has really helped me is knowing that Friday is my "cheat" night. I let myself off the hook and eat something that might not be that great for me. Knowing that I have given myself one night out of the week makes eating healthy throughout the rest of the week a lot easier. One thing that makes all of this a lot more fun...is the cute workout outfits that I get to wear! I typically choose a comfortable, high-wasited capri style pant. I like pants that are seamless and have a moisture wick away feature as well. I am a sucker for anything bright so I like to add these to my pullover/zip-up sweaters or my running shoes!


m- Great work, r! I have really enjoyed being part of this health focus. I did not see a dramatic transformation in myself, but I am happy to maintain my weight and fight my forty-something metabolism with lots of weight-bearing activities and cardio intervals. My workout pieces reflect my needs when working out - on weekends, I prefer to be outside and will workout on my deck, a park or go for a short run. Warm up gear with proper ventilation, wicking, finished seams and sun protection all play key roles in my clothing choices. I love my Nike hairbands.

20 something - December 2014 (the picture that started it all)

20 something - April 2015

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