Mount Kitty-More

Oh man! It's been quite a while. I guess I never really realized how challenging it would be to keep up a regular style blog which only makes me want to give kudos to all my favourites (1, 2, 3, 4) that I read daily.

And now that pleasantries are out of the way, can we collectively acknowledge that Mount Rushmore has been invaded by kitties whom have subsequently invaded my t-shirt. Because I downloaded ModCloth's new iPhone app (the convenience of shopping without having to go through the song-and-dance of opening my laptop was too appealing to resist), I scored $10 off my order, and two cat-related t-shirts in the process. And who says buying stuff can't make you happy.

It's dangerous how cute my outfit looks. See what I did there? Did you catch that? 

I recently started following ebaycandy on Tumblr and have gloriously begun a slow accumulation of  everything posted that ships to Canada, including this lovely blue floral backpack that has surprisingly held up pretty well. I can't wait to share all the other cheap awesome crap that's being shipped my way with you guys. And if anyone in the US wants to buy me this pink switch blade, I'm really not going to object.

Look at us, all wholesome and stuff. 

/end rambling outfit post 

Outfit Details:

T-Shirt: ModCloth
Skirt: American Apparel
Chambray Shirt: H&M
Shoes: Chuck Taylor's
Necklace: ASOS
Backpack: ebay 

How Amanda Styles Doc Martens (Part Three)

Hello! This is my final post on how I like to style my Doc Marten boots. You can check out some of our other posts here, here, here, and here.

Ta-Da! These are my old and faithful purple Docs. They were my first pair, and one of my more scary purchases at the time - they were so out of my usual comfort zone (I know, I'm a boring person), but so awesome at the same time! You can definitely tell they've suffered through a few too many winter days, to the point where the colour is starting to go where the leather bends naturally. Here comes my public service message of the day: Take care of your shoes people - name them, cherish them, love them!

I've probably said this before, but I love the combination of really girly pieces with stronger, chunkier elements. It makes me feel like a lady, but still scary enough so people won't talk to me on the subway. Yesterday, I had to explain the basics of my psych thesis (large research project) to an old lady who kept reading my notes over my shoulder and asking me questions. I blame the inviting skirt and riding boots I was wearing.

Enter today's outfit, including this lovely floral dress from Material Girl by Madonna. I surprisingly love a lot of her pieces, they're fun and on-trend, while still pretty affordable (for that sad day where spikes and chambray shirts are no longer relevant). Paired with this thrifted cardigan and knit beanie from H&M and it was a simple, pretty neutral outfit for the week.

For all those dealing with college/university finals, stay strong. Drink coffee. Eat cookies. Really try to get some sleep. Hit the books. Or blog about your outfits on the Internet instead. Whatever works.

Love,
Amanda 

Outfit Details:
Beanie - H&M
Black Cardigan - Thrifted
Floral Dress - The Bay (Material Girl by Madonna)
Black Leggings - Forever 21
Doc Martens - Soft Moc (from 2010?)

I believe the intended caption for this photo was: "Oh wow, look at this really neat boots that I'm wearing!"

How Amanda Styles Doc Martens (Part Two)

This is my second outfit for our How We Style Doc Martens series. You can check out our older posts here and here!

So, I figure I should tell the story of how I got this lovely pair of boots. Similar to my floral Docs, I purchased this pair on complete impulse - one of those browsing-on-Ebay-at-4am kind of nights. I won the auction, and was excited. This was double-trouble for my bank account, paired with the fact that I was still relatively new to online shopping (recently getting my first credit card) and not understanding of how customs worked. Long story short, I ended up paying $30-something in customs fees, after several phone calls to understand why, and it made me sad. Looking back, I also didn't bother to check if they were even authentic Doc Martens (not so much for the brand name itself, but rather the high quality that makes these boots worth their cost). Go me!

It's really hard to not stand-out while wearing pink and white printed Doc Martens (did I mention the pink portions are actually a faux-suede material that's soft to the touch?!) - so I generally dress more funky when I break out these badboys, while still maintaining an overall cohesive look. I bought this black cotton dress from H&M for exactly that purpose - balancing out my crazy accessory/shoe collection. My tights are from American Apparel's opaque collection, and though kind of pricey, they are totally worth it. On top of everything, I threw on this over-sized, almost Sailor-Captain style cardigan that I picked up at Value Village a while ago. It's so big and cozy and perfect for sitting around the campfire - or taking outfit pictures in your background when it's minus two degrees, and Tobi is laughing at you from the comfort of her winter coat. Those kinds of moments.

So remember, when buying Doc Martens online (don't make Amanda's mistakes!):

• Definitely look online if you're into more unique styles/colours that malls won't carry - most stores I've seen carry only solid colours in leather, along with some floral prints.
• Have an idea of your size/comfort level with these boots beforehand (they take some getting used to!). You can always try a pair on at the store to confirm that they're for you.
• Buy from a reliable source - make sure the seller on Ebay has a high percentage of positive feedback, and has sold other items in the past. It's common sense, but can save you a lot of drama!
• Make sure the seller is clear on the condition of the shoes - if they've been worn, if it includes a box, all these items can affect value and you should have an idea of what you're buying before receiving your shipment.
• Finally, it's difficult to know exactly what customs fees you'll run into (depends on where you live, where your Docs are coming from, how much the item was worth, how much it weighs, etc.) but it's good to expect them and do some reading. Here's some information I found for Canadians to get you started.

Have a great Tuesday! Let me know what you'd style these lovely Doc Martens with, I'm curious to hear your take on it! 35 days until Christmas, and two weeks until my university classes are officially over! Exclamation points!

Excitedly yours,
Amanda

Outfit Details:
Circle Scarf - H&M
Oversized Cardigan - thirfted
Black Dress - H&M
Pantyhose - American Apparel
Leg Warmers - Bluenotes
Doc Martens - Ebay
Earrings - Forever 21

How Amanda Styles Doc Martens (Part One)

Hey! This is my first post on how I style my Doc Martens, as part of our mini-series. You can check out Michelle's first look with her classic black Docs here.

Ah, Michelle and I finally have a chance to show off our Docs. We only promised to do this post in September, so no big deal...  I have to start off by explaining that I've had an obsession with owning floral Docs for years. In fact, I even included a variation of them on an earlier Friday Favourites post. I was planning to save up and really earn them, until I was at the CNE with my cousins, and saw a vendor at the shopping building selling them for like $80. I was impressed with (and only slightly frightened by) how fast I whipped out my debit card.

Since their pattern is so prominent, I like to style these boots with staple pieces in neutral colours, like my trusty black skinny jeans and this lovely knit sweater I bought at The Bay. I also love pairing these babies (is it weird to refer to them as children?) with cotton dresses, or on my really *hardcore* days, denim shorts. Personally, I like to keep patterns elsewhere to a minimum to let the boots really be a focal point. What would you style these boots with? 

Just a note - I've always loved the look of Docs, and clunky combat boots in general, but I've been quite hesitant in the past to buy them or wear them as often as I want. I felt they made my feet look bigger, and more generally that I wasn't "cute enough" or "petite enough" to pull them off. However, don't let this defer you! The older I get, the more I realize a) the way your perceive yourself hardly ever lines up with how others perceive you, and more importantly b) as long as you like what you're wearing and how you look, that's what gets projected to others anyways.

Also, hurray for chunky scarves and chunky rings! And a pro-tip, when wearing circle scarves like this, it's best to tie your hair up or keep it to the side, so as to avoid the bearded look (I should have taken my own advice!). 

Today is Thursday, which means tomorrow is Friday. And you know what that means. I get to stay in and watch movies on the Women's Network. But first I'll need to buy more mini-marshmallows for my hot chocolate. One more day of relative productivity to go!

Love,
Amanda

(P.S. Check back next week for our second installment - I know the suspense is killing you!)

Outfit Details:
Circle Scarf - Little Burgundy
Cream Knit Sweater - The Bay
White Tank Top - H&M
Black Jeans - H&M
Doc Martens - vendor at the CNE
Bird Necklace - Forever 21
Large Gem Ring - H&M
Emerald Ring - gift on 18th birthday

How Michelle Styles Doc Martens (Part One)

Welcome to our mini series: How Michelle/Amanda Styles Doc Martens

Amanda and I have collected a few pairs of Doc martens over the years and we decided to bring a series of posts showing how we like to style them!

**Of course there are a million ways to wear docs, so we are just showcasing how we spin our style on the classic 1460 Doc Marten boot (in all different colors). 

The first outfit I've chosen, I wants to show how to soften the look of Doc Martens. You don't always need leather and spikes to pull off these type of shoes. I decided to paired it when my classic matte black docs. 

Nothing says soft and cozy like a cable knit sweater! The soft material is a real contrast to my black heavy boots, but still pulls the look together. I had to keep going with this winter knit theme with the mittens and wool socks. You can still curl up beside a fire place with hot cocoa, even in Docs (if anything you'll be even warmer!)

Michelle's (Doc Marten) Tips:

- If you have black docs, match them with black pants or leggings and they'll elongate your legs!

- Play around with having your docs laced up all the way or loosely laced, they really make a difference to your look

- Don't attach yourself to what looks good WITH your docs, but throw them into any outfit to see how they look. It'll broaden your range and you'll get more wear out of them. 

Outfit Details:

Sweater - H&M (L)

Leggings - Forever21+ (2XL)

Socks (H&M)

Black Doc Martens - CNE (The Ex Fair)

Mittens - H&M

"Let me twirl my hair and bat my lash."

Long time no see dolls! 

Its been such a long time since I've done a post and my apologies! As you guys may know I'm back to school, so I'm pretty rusty at juggling school work. These photos were actually taken a couple weeks ago, before Amanda and I headed out to a friend's birthday. 

It was a low key bar scene so I decided to keep it simple. I've been OBSESSED with tall boots with tall socks, I try to wear them with all my fall outfits. The striped shirt was buried in my closet but really added a cute touch. I felt nautical and parisian :) 

**Thick calves/thigh? Having trouble with finding tall socks? I use very stretchy leg warmers! They give the illusion of thigh high socks. (I've gotten many of mine from H&M). I've also gotten many tall socks from sockdreamz.com. They have a wide plus size selection.** 

Clearly I need a break...or to go out more often. Curled hair?? EYESHADOW?!? 

I've been slacking on putting effort into the little things that make me feel more glamourous. No matter how hectic things can get, never forget a little self-care! 

The Canadian cold is playing tricks on us this year. One day it's windy and frigid, the next day I'm sweating in just a sweater. So no matter what I always need to be prepared, this is my fall-jacket-when-the-weather-kind-of-feels-more-like-winter jacket. 

I also kept accessories at a minimal so I just threw on my casio watch and a studded bracelet. 

Outfit Details:

Striped top - H&M

Black skater skirt - ASOS Curve

Sheer black tights - ASOS Curve

Wool legwarmers - H&M

Black riding boots - Lane Bryant

Green parka - Forever21+

Casio watch - eBay

Studded bracelet - Aldo

Love,

Michelle

Seven Nation Army

Fun Fact of the Day: Jack White has said in interviews that "Seven Nation Army" is what he used to call the Salvation Army when he was little. And fantastic segue, I bought this military-style jacket while thrifting this summer! (It took me ten minutes to write that out the way it sounded in my head and the pun still didn't work. Phooey.) I hate buying clothes that I can't wear for months because it feels like I'm adopting a puppy only to take him home and not play with him until September. Too dramatic? Maybe.

Can't believe it's already, what, the last week of September? This month has been a whirlwind of doing stuff, maxing out my credit card to pay for textbooks (sad forever), and generally doubting that I'll ever, ever graduate from school. The usual. And then I had a Pumpkin Spice Latte at Starbucks and really soaked in the fact that this will be my life for the next nine months or so. Except around Christmas, I get to drink Peppermint Lattes instead.

And so, I'm developing my own school uniform - mainly skirts, leggings/pantyhose, and over-sized tops. Is it weird that I really don't like how pants look on me anymore? This striped sweater that I bought at H&M a few years ago has been my go-to, because it goes with everything. I'm also leaning away from a lot of colour, which is new. I used to never wear any black, or own any for that matter. Look guys, I'm getting all mature!

Also, yes, that is Michelle's shadow of her taking a picture of me being introspective while she takes my picture next to a school portable wall. Just so we're clear.

Also, I love these shoes. They are so comfy and make my legs look long and stuff. Old Navy is a great alternative to Forever 21 for cheap, trendy shoes. And that's my final thought.

Happy Tuesday! 

Outfit Details:
Military Jacket - Thrifted (Size: L)
Striped Sweater - H&M
Skirt - H&M (Size: 10)
Leggings - Costco
Wedges - Old Navy
Earrings - Aldo Accessories

This brick, normally used to hold down my barbeque cover doubled as Michelle's photographer's stool.

Summertime Sadness

"I got that summertime, summertime sadness... oh oh oh."  

Lana Del Rey's damn catchy melancholic tunes play on loop in my head over every Staples commercial. Somber melodies juxtaposed with kids in NEW JEANS, NEW SHOES, OH YEAH. I love the Fall, but I'm mourning the loss of my free time. I'll wear a black beanie on my first day in honour of my six hour OC marathons, to be laid to rest until reading week.

It's that time of year. By now, pre-teen Amanda would already have had the best school supplies picked out, organized by colour and type in my very own customized space-maker (those still exist, right?). And then you pick out the right outfit to show how much more mature you've become in the eight weeks between the fifth and sixth grade. Between you and me, I thought showing up to class in a t-shirt with "Angel" written out in sparkly blue cursive scrawl was going to turn heads. Only when paired with my newest Stitches jeans, of course.

 

 

I'm hoping an outfit like this would please the young me too. There are so many things that I love about these pieces - mainly this high-waisted, pleated dress that makes me feel like a ballerina, which I make sure everyone is aware of by twirling at work. Plus it has lambs on it, and they look like they're friend with each other and stuff. The denim jacket is the first I've bought in about a decade, and it's fun to try of thinking of ways to wear it. I can't wait to keep layering in new ways. Also, leggings! They're so comfy, it feels like I'm wearing nothing at all, nothing at all, nothing at all.

Honestly speaking, though, I've been in such a downward funk lately, so I haven't felt in the mood to put on make-up or look nice in general. But dressing up like I did for this post, or going out with the boyfriend a few days ago, I remember how fun it is to dress up, feel pretty, and, as cheesy as it sounds, work it.

With the changing schedules, weather, responsibilities, I'm hoping things will perk up. Here's to getting back to reality. And overdressing for my lectures.

Hopefully yours,
Amanda

Outfit Details:
Denim Jacket - Old Navy (Size: M)
Dress - H&M (Size: 10)
Leggings - Forever 21 (Size: L)
Boots - Forever 21
Socks - H&M
Bracelets - Aldo Accessories, Etsy
Stacking Rings - H&M
Collar Necklace - Forever 21 (Thank you, Michelle!)

(P.S. Check out The Nearsighted Owl's weekly Proud of my Size link up that I've participated in for the first time this week. Check out awesome outfits on awesome bloggers of all sizes. I'm awesome and you're awesome. /end awesome)

I Dream of Catching Denim

 

Michelle and I were bored and thought - Hey, let's take outfit pictures at night! It'll look so cool! And shortly thereafter, the mosquitoes took us alive, so please ignore the lack of variety in these photos. I also apologize to my neighbours who dealt with my shrieks after seeing a mosquito land on my hand - I don't do nature well.

A thrifting pro-tip that I swear by is taking the time to sift through the racks upon racks of t-shirt, particularly the men's section. While the majority are t-shirts from old fundraising events, and others don't seem like they should have ever been made, you'll find some gems, like some of Michelle's awesome finds, or this dream catcher t-shirt. It's a tourist shirt from Banff, Alberta (or so it says). I cut the high crew-neck, sleeves (not shown), and shortened the bottom.

Speaking of thrifting though, my greatest t-shirt find would be when I unearthed an enormous blue t-shirt that read "Herb's 90th Birthday!". Every time I wear it to do my stats homework or eat lunch, I feel like I'm raising a metaphorical glass to good ol' Herb. We hardly knew ya! Oh yeah, blog post.

  

I used to never wear bracelets, because I feel like they make me jangle when I all I want to do is type or make a sandwich. I've been trying it out again, though. My Aunt came to visit from the Middle East, and brought me a whole bunch of jewelry under the pretense - "I know you like strange and weird things, Amanda." I'm hoping there was a language barrier in there.


Strangely and/or weirdly yours,
Amanda

Outfit Details:
Chambray Shirt - H&M
T-Shirt - Value Village (modified)
Shorts - Gap
Shoes - Soft Moc
Earrings - Pearls (H&M), Skulls (Etsy via lightenme)
Bracelets - Etsy (same shop as above), Value Village, Middle East