Basics for my wardrobe

y closet was in dire need of basics. I tend to always purchase statement pieces- you know, clothing items with an interesting detail and ignore the boring basics. However, when I was decluttering my closet last week I realized I desperately needed basics. I noted in my head what pieces I needed and went out on a mission to fill that void. And here's what I got:

I bought 3 tank tops at Gap. They are sooooo soft. What I love about them are the length
and the skinny straps. The tank is also not too thick and very stretchy. 

I bought a medium in all three. The small size fit, but I wanted something a little more
loose. And I'm always scared that clothes might shrink in the wash.
Plus, I hate tight-fitting clothes now. I'm still a little self-conscious about my belly
after having my 2nd so the looser the better ;-)

Originally this tank was almost $20CAD, but I got it on sale for $9.99CAD.

Now for the styling part. I paired the tank with my Bobeau sweater, Paige Denims,
Dolce Vita boots and my J Crew-inspired bubble necklace that I got on eBay.

I took off the sweater to show you what it looks like on its own. 

So the next 2 tanks are the exact same as the previous light gray one, but I think these
are the new colours for spring. These were on promotion for 2 for $25. It also came in
a navy blue (which I was also eyeing, but didn't get), a pastel pink and a few other colours.
I ended up just getting the neutral colours as I think they will go with a lot of things in my closet.

I paired this tank with my Milly jacket/blazer, Forever 21 skinny jeans and my Gap booties.

This is the last tank. It's in a charcoal gray. I would have liked to get a black, but they
didn't have it at the store I went to.

Here's a close-up of the label. I highly suggest checking these tanks out at Gap.

As you can see it is $18.50CAD each, but there was a special promotion going on.
I never get anything regular price at Gap as they are always having promotions or sales.

I paired this tank with my Isabel Marant blazer/jacket, IT Jeans cut-off shorts, Gap booties
and my Amrita Singh necklace.

Here's how the tank looks without the jacket.

This knit sweater from Zara was so hard to photograph. It's my favourite purchase though.
It reminds me a lot like the Helmut Lang sweaters. 

Here's a closer look. The material is stretchy and thin. I can see myself wearing this with
a lot of pieces in my closet.

I got this for $39.90CAD. They also had a white version, but the white was very white.
I would have liked it if it was more of cream colour. So I ended up just getting the
black. The only downside is this material looks prone to snagging so I would be extra
careful when wearing this.

Here I am wearing it with my Marc by Marc Jacobs jean capri shorts, Nine West pumps
and my Gorjana star necklace.

I also paired it with my Club Monaco skirt, Roger Viver flats, a Burberry-inspired cross-body
bag and my Psalm 91:1 necklace.

Next, I picked up a basic V-neck tee from Zara. 

I got it in a medium. It's a little big on me, but they didn't have a small in the store.
I might try to shrink it in the wash.

It was $11.90CAD.
I love how soft this tee is. It is also a little distressed so it looks really flattering on.

I wore this with my Club Monaco boyfriend blazer, Marc by Marc Jacobs capri shorts,
Nine West pumps and my HRH Collection necklace.

Here's what it looks without the blazer. I would have worn a belt, but I don't have anything
in my closet that will go with this look. Maybe that's next on my shopping list…

I am pleased with everything I bought. I also filmed a video of me wearing all the pieces. I posted it on YouTube, but I'm unsure whether to make it live…

HRH Collection

ver since I saw Alex's Original Cuff necklace on her YouTube videos I've been wanting to add it to my jewelry collection. I don't know why it took me so long, but when I saw that she came out with a silver version (the Original Acid Cuff) I knew I had to take the plunge and order 1 of each. I placed my order just before Christmas and it arrived today. It took a while for the order to ship out, but I guess it was because it was the Christmas holidays. For those of you who are thinking of placing an order, but aren't sure here are my thoughts on them.

Both necklaces- the Original Cuff (gold version) and the Original Acid Cuff (silver version)
came packaged in a bubble envelope. 

The card that it came with was completely wrecked. I guess the packaging of the necklaces
could have a been a little better? It also came with a heart sticker and a business card
(not shown). Although both necklaces are the same style the gold necklace came
in a smaller mesh pouch. I was puzzled by that, but then I realized that the suede
cording for the silver necklace was longer than the black tie of the gold necklace.

The necklaces have a good weight to them without being too heavy. I really love the
Original  Acid Cuff. The turquoise suede cord is really long and goes so well with the
silver colour of the necklace.

I'm not sure if the Original Cuff is supposed to have a shorter tie, but it was a lot
shorter than the turquoise tie in the Original Acid Cuff. Maybe mine was just different?
If any of you guys have the gold and silver one can you let me know if the ties are different lengths?
The tie on the Original Cuff (black) is not as nice as the Original Acid Cuff and because of the shorter
strap it limits you on how low you want to tie the necklace.
Having said that, I still love both of these necklaces. Yes they were kind of pricey at $50USD
each, but it really goes well with a lot of pieces in my closet. I have a lot of simple
tops in my closet so these necklaces really make the outfits pop.

Here are a few photos I snapped of myself wearing both necklaces.

This is the Original Acid Cuff (silver version).
Tank: Gap, Blazer/Jacket: Isabel Marant, Pants: J Crew Pixie Pants

The Original Cuff (gold version).
Tank: Material Girl, Blazer: Club Monaco, Jeans: Forever 21

Close-up of the Original Cuff.

Another outfit with the Original Cuff.
Tank: Material Girl, Blazer: Diane von Furstenberg, Jeans: Forever 21

Hello Isabel

y husband encouraged me to get out of the house today and do a little bit of shopping. I've been taking care of 2 kids at home for all of this week (my oldest didn't go to daycare this week) so this was a much needed break. Of course I had to go to my favourite place to shop- Holt Renfrew Last Call. I always find excellent deals there. Yes, you do have to go through racks and racks of clothing, but if you have the time and energy it's well worth it. They were having a huge clearance sale on all their end-of-season styles so it was buzzing with people. I ended up only buying 1 thing- a black Isabel Marant jacket/blazer. It was originally $420CAD and then marked down to $289. It was in the 60% off the sale price rack so I was pretty happy with my find. Little did I know that it was marked down even further. When the cashier rang me through it was only $44.75 WITH TAX. OMG. I was so flabbergasted that I asked her if the price was correct. She double-checked and she said it was. She then asked me where I found the jacket because I think she wanted to get one for herself! If I had more time I would have looked in the store even longer, but I didn't want to stay away from my daughter for too long (she is still solely breastfed and can't take the bottle). Anyways, here are some more pictures of the jacket/blazer and some other random pics I took in the change room.

I know it doesn't look like much and that's what I thought at first, but I never judge
a clothing by how it hangs on the hanger. The jacket/blazer is not really structured
and the material is a cotton blend- different from all my black blazers in my closet.

As soon as I tried it on I Instagrammed it to see what people thought and everyone
seemed to like it. So did I!

It just drapes really beautifully. I think it's a great basic to have in my closet.

Here I am trying it again at home. Sometimes clothes look different in the stores.
I still love it :-)

I can't wait to wear it tomorrow.

Here's a Smythe jacket I tried on. I wouldn't wear it with what I'm wearing now.
The jacket was made of a bouclé material and cropped with gold buttons.
At first, I was drawn to this jacket more than the Isabel Marant, but it didn't look
as great on…

It sort of looked old lady like. I decided to pass on it. This was also 60% off of $350?

Haha. This was something ridiculous! It's a cropped hi-lo top. I forgot the brand.
It was originally $69, marked down to $39, then 80% off of that price. I was thinking
of getting it because it was so cheap, but I wondered if I would ever wear it.
So I passed on this.

This sweater if from Robbi & Nikki.
This was quite nice and I considered getting this, but I wish it was a bit longer and
a bit softer. The material was a bit itchy on the arms. That's what made me hesitant
on getting this sweater. I can't remember how much this was, but it was under $90?

Here's a close-up of the sweater. It came with a built-in tank so that only
the arms are sheer. It was quite nice… 

Next week I might go back and see if I can find any more deals.