Skirt: Banana Republic (buy in Canada | US) | Top: MICHAEL Michael Kors
Heels: Calvin Klein (on sale) | Necklace: Banana Republic (similar here and here)

What can I say about this top? Not much, because it’s so loud it speaks for itself, right? Ha, I’m cheesy. I tend to wear only solid colors to work for the most part but it’s fun to wear a bold print once in a while. Something like this should be worn if you are being honored at an event or if you are walking outside late at night and don’t want to be hit by a car. The wide sleeves on this top reminded me of the robes people used to wear in ancient China. People would carry things like gold ingots and rolled up messages in those sleeves. I never figured out how all those things stayed put. Did they have a little pocket sewn on the inside of each sleeve? I’ve always wondered.

From the top:

Tiffany & Co. Elsa Peretti Pearls by the Yard bracelet in 18k gold - $525 CAD (buy here): My mother is always stressing the importance of buying high-quality and long-lasting items. She would love this 18k gold pearl bracelet.

Kate Spade Illustrated tea cut and saucer in porcelain with 24k gold- $30 each (buy and browse the home collection here): How cute are these watercolor tea cups? Kate Spade is doing everything right these days. I can’t even browse their website anymore in fear that I might buy everything.

Simon Sebbag Freshwater Pearl Long Lariat Necklace - $298 (buy here): You can double-loop or even triple-loop this beautiful necklace. I would wear the necklace with the sterling silver clasp showing in the front. It’s a very classic and elegant necklace and I think it would be perfect for me stylish moms.

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls - $10.88 (buy here): Both my mother and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this memoir. Jeannette Walls is proof that your past and upbringing don’t have to determine where you end up.

For Canadian shoppers living in BC: I get all of my American purchases shipped to Tsb Shipping in Point Roberts, WA.

 I’m not much of a casual dresser. It’s too easy for me to look like I’m either on my way to a highschool final or to apply for my first credit card. I can’t be in pencil skirts all the time though, so when I’m not in office-wear, I love to wear stripes. Is there anything more chic than stripes? It’s Parisian (allons-y!), nautical (yarrrr matey!), and effortlessly cool (yeah man). I am totally stripe-obsessed right now. This shirt is a little more interesting than a regular tshirt because of the longer sleeves and the half-length waist. As you can see, I got the ankle boots I’ve been looking for! I had several picks from my selection of wooden-heeled ankle boots under $100. When I saw my friend Kati wearing the cutest ankle boots at dinner, I had to know where she got them. She told me they were from Payless, so I went there immediately after dinner and got a pair at the amazing clearance price of $25 plus an additional discount because I had to go to a second store for my size. Gosh, I love good deals! Thanks Kati! They are extremely comfortable and go perfectly with skinny jeans and jeggings.

Shirt: Wilfred (See great striped styles from Juicy Couture, Majestic, A.L.C, and Splendid)
Shoes: American Eagle (smilar here and here)
Necklace: Swarovski
Bag: MICHAEL by Michael Kors (similar style here at 40% off)

Photos by Alyssa Pizarro

Follow me on Bloglovin’!

As you can see, I’m a little obsessed with tucking tops into pencil skirts. It’s one of my favorite styles because it’s elegant, professional, and confident. It’s also incredibly slimming. Something about the pencil skirt combination makes me stand up a little straighter every time I wear it. You can even tuck sweaters into pencil skirts as I’ve done here. Just make sure you wear a thin sweater so it doesn’t look like you’re suddenly in your third trimester of pregnancy.

Top: Sandra Angelozzi (similar here, and here)
Skirt: Banana Republic (In black here and similar here)
Scarf: MICHAEL by Michael Kors
Heels: Calvin Klein “Whinnie“
Bag and keychain: MICHAEL by Michael Kors

Photos by Christopher Bartens