Drape Your Jackets

 Last year was all about wearing your jackets over your shoulders, this year we're wearing our jackets draped around our arms for an effortless 'cool' look. The style is most suitable for bomber jackets and over sized denim jackets so that it isn't uncomfortable or restricting. 

Super Casual/Super Chic

I find that as much as I like a glamorous kind of over the top outfit, sometimes the best outfits are really the ones that are simple and effortless. It's about going for basic pieces with an edge. 

This outfit only has 3 pieces, each of which everyone should have in their closet: a black top, jeans, and black pointed toe heels.  Since I already have a bunch of black tops and a few pairs of jeans I bought new versions of the things I already have just with different cuts and textures. 

If you mix and match your basic pieces you may end up wearing your best outfit. 

Major Kim K Vibes

This outfit was giving me very strong Kim Kardashian vibes when I put it on. The neutral colours, plunging lace up neckline, pencil skirt with cut outs going down the side...thigh high boots. There's literally nothing about this that Kim wouldn't wear. 

And yes. She is my style icon.  

In the Nude...Bodysuit

If you've gone shopping in the past eight months you know bodysuits are everywhere right now. They're being made in a multitude of styles, colours, and cuts. The best part of the bodysuit is that they're made to be tucked in to your bottoms. No more worrying about your shirt bunching underneath your skirt, with a body suit all lines are smooth and perfectly tucked. 

Business As Usual

I wore this outfit while at a presentation for a prominent law firm in Toronto given by a personal stylist/wardrobe consultant who I work with once in a while. The presentation was all about how to dress for your body shape (whether it be pear, hour glass, or an inverted triangle) in a corporate setting. Due to our location I needed to look like I work in a corporate setting but also show off my own personal style. 

I wore a metal silver choker for a trendy and fashion forward look and paired the statement piece with the most comfy black dolman sleeve top from M for Mendocino with my favorite high waist wide leg black pants perfect for an office. 

19.

Yesterday was my 19th birthday - the age in which any minor living in Ontario becomes of legal drinking age; so of course I had to go celebrate because turning 19 in this province isn't the same as just any other birthday.

In the afternoon I went to One Restaurant at the Hazelton Hotel - the hotel favored by the likes of Justin Beiber, Drake, and Kanye West + Kim Kardashian West in  Toronto. At One I met a friend, ordered my first legal drink, Rose, and of course some food...truffle fries and baked brie with baguette. We tried to keep lunch on lighter side since we were going to dinner to follow.

We headed up to where I live in the 'burbs and went for Italian food (my favourite). I couldn't decide between pizza or pasta but since it was my birthday...I got both with a glass of Proseco my second legal drink.

Since any birthday should be a fun filled day I wore an outfit that I saw as pretty fun and a bit of a departure from my other clothing. I wore a white dress with pop art "badges" on it of different foods and accessories. The dress screamed summer and fun. I paired it with a light blue leather jacket because the colours went perfectly together, and then added a pair of snakeskin platform heels to add mixed prints and some more toned down colour.

What's Red and Blue with Stripes All Over?...

My new blouse! 

I saw this blouse at The Gap last week on sale and it was interesting. I really couldn't decide if I liked it or thought it was ugly. I decided I could make it work and so I tried it on and was drawn to the fact that it was so different to most other blouses. The red cuffs are my favourite. 

Off the Shoulder Is Everything

It's no secret that off the shoulder tops and dresses are a huge trend right now and I am such a fan! 

Keeping it Casual

 There's nothing I like more than a long black dress, side swept waves, and a red lip but then dressed down with a bomber jacket to add a cool edge. 

Sophisticated Casual

I am a huge fan of all white and now that I own culottes I'm a huge fan of those too. They're super comfy but also look sophisticated. Even if I were to wear them with a t-shirt and running shoes the culottes would instantly make the outfit look put together. Culottes add instant 'chicness' to anything! 

 Blouse: Aritzia

Culottes: M 

Shoes: Topshop

Dark, Bold & Floral

I've had this dress sitting in my closet for a couple of months now and when I woke up to go to the Opera Sunday morning I knew this was the perfect dress. It's dressy but not overly dressy like the woman's black tie gown in the box next to mine. 

I felt this was perfect because it's dark and dramatic just like an opera but the floral design was perfect for the sunny and warm weather.   

I had to sell myself this dress in the fitting room at Zara. I loved it immediately even on the hanger but I really wasn't looking to spend any money. When I saw the dress was a button up I realized I could style it in tonnes of different ways. Button the dress lower on top for a low cut neckline, undo the bottom buttons for a leg slit or....wear it completely unbuttoned as a kimono with jeans and a t-shirt underneath.  

Obviously I bought the dress, but I did trip on it countless times walking around...haha. 

Refreshing Your Maxi Skirt

Maxi skirts became popular a few seasons ago and...I'm pretty much over them now. 

Since I still have this black one with a long side slit I decided I would give it another chance but refresh it and make it look a little less basic. 

March is the perfect time to experiment with typically summer clothing, and mix said pieces with winter ones (hence the knit turtleneck).  

Pairing the black maxi skirt with my grey knit sweater added contrast to the skirt. Accessorizing with thigh high heeled boots and adding an architectural drop earring gave my skirt a whole new "cooler" vibe. 

Other ways to update and refresh your maxi skirt include wearing one with a blazer and a statement heel or bag for a polished and sophisticated take. Another way would be to throw on a leather jacket and white running shoes for an edgier cool girl vibe. 

Most Coveted Material

SUEDE 

 I've been all over suede for fall and winter this year. The material suits the 70s vibes of the season so well. Carrying the suede trend over to spring can be done effortlessly with a shift dress like the one I'm wearing from Aritzia . 

 Jacket: Forever 21 (Similar, Similar) 

Dress: Aritzia (Same, Similar, Similar) 

Boots: Asos (Similar) 

Slit Sleeve

 When in doubt wear black and white. 

Classics

 What's more classic than a trench, a little black dress, and a pair of pointed toe pumps? 

Venice Blues

Rodeo Drive

Obviously my favourite places in LA consist of Rodeo Drive and the Beverley Hills area in general, Abbot Kinney Boulevard in Venice, and The Grove. What are the two things they all have in common? Shopping and good food. 

I went to Rodeo twice during my visit to Los Angeles a couple months ago. First to have lunch at the famed Nate N Al's, I got the Larry King Matzoh Brei. I guess Larry King goes to Nate N Al's pretty often. The second time I went was to shop around and was also the time my Sister showed me a pair of Tom Ford heels I'll never forget. They are crazy cool, please buy them for me. 

 Taken from my Instagram page @tarynpotasky 

Beverley Hills Hotel

While in Beverley Hills I decided it was a must that I go check out the iconic Beverley Hills Hotel. I love the whole look of the place. It's basically like a pink stucco castle where celebrities like to hang out (I didn't see any).  

Marigold

If you follow me on Instagram (tarynpotasky) or Snapchat (tpotasky) then you know I was in California a couple weeks ago for wedding. We arrived in San Francisco and made our way up the next day to Sonoma for the wedding, and then down to Los Angeles. To the rehearsal dinner I wore one of my favourite dresses, a marigold yellow Zara dress that I think is so glamorous! I took it the more classy route at the rehearsal dinner with straight hair, a red lip, and a nude shoe. When I tried the dress on in store it was with a pair of strapy maroon suede sandals and I would continue to modernize the look by wearing it very natural make up and a low slung pony tail. I love creating looks with such different vibes for the same pieces. 

A Lengthy Shirt