slouchy basics for work and maybe the weekend, too

apiece apart marina draped pants and lauren manoogian's wedge cardigan at mille.

it's always fun to do a bit of imaginary shopping on payday before the realities of the month ahead hit. i love early fall weather, but it's been heartbreaking to see the moth damage on my knit collection. i'm still holding onto a few pieces for sentimental reasons, but i had to throw out nearly half. sadness.

the almost good enough work pants: J.Crew Eaton boy trouser

In case you couldn't tell, work started again...I keep meaning to post, but I barely have time to eat, let alone go online these days.

I did, however, want to mention that I've found an almost good enough work pant at J.Crew. Normally their pants fit me atrociously. The Eaton boy trouser in stretch wool are mid-rise so you can tuck in dress shirts, but the side pockets flare open and the seat bags out pretty quickly.

I tried skinny black dress pants at Zara and Topshop but they were impossible on me. I'm not sure I could do any better in the $100-150 range. Any thoughts?

dream work pants

 Rachel Comey Indium Pants at Mohawk General Store.

oregon and california

alsea falls

wear now, wear later

Steven Alan Martine top in crepe de chine

Hope New trousers in cotton

Having just weeded out almost half of my clothing, I'm keeping an eye out for simple pieces for the fall.

new apartment / downsizing

We just spent the past week moving to an apartment two blocks away from our old place. It was important for us to stay in the neighborhood, and after four frustrating weeks of pounding the pavement and submitting countless applications, we finally found something. It's quite a bit smaller (590 sq. ft. versus 1100 sq. ft.), and the storage isn't so great, but we're only staying here for a year. One thing we're trying hard to do is economize since my employment is in flux. Housing is our largest expense, it far exceeds the recommended amount. Toronto, like Boston, is an expensive city, but we're trying to be creative and practical about making this apartment work. The hardest part is the lack of closets. Even with the purchase of two wardrobes, I had to throw out or donate so many pretty things that I don't wear. Sometimes you have to be ruthless and let go of the person you think you are or used to be.


So long, spacious living room.

Summer shirtdresses

Steven Alan Genevieve Shirtdress

I have such a fondness for sleeveless shirtdresses. Here's another one by Steven Alan, this time with a narrower skirt. All I need is this dress, my Saltwaters, and a new prescription for my sunglasses.

It's been boring J.Crew for me these days. There's something about summer where I wilt and give in to 3" chino shorts and short-sleeve button up shirts.

Three more at Myth + Symbol that I would happily add to my collection
Ilana Kohn Ladder Eibel Dress
Dusen Dusen Curves Collared Dress
Steven Alan Eloise Dress

what i've been doing

the Ballast book bag by Book/Shop

i spent four weeks looking for an apartment. 

it rained and rained. our laneway turned into a river.

we're moving in nine days.

i'm going to see this man in two weeks.



aside from that, i've been keeping to myself these days. i've been finding it slow-going climbing out of this well i'm in.

poplin button-up shirts at everlane

Source

Looking forward to these new Everlane poplin shirts (long-sleeved, short-sleeved, and sleeveless). Silk is lovely, but I prefer cotton.

I knew a guy in college who spent a year wearing only Levi's 501s, a white undershirt, and black sneakers. His room was devoid of decorations except for a dictionary. I'm feeling a bit like that these days.

the monogram necklace: k. kane

A belated Mother's Day/Anniversary gift from Matthew.
From K. Kane Jewelry.

Lucky number seven

Before Etsy/blogs became a big thing, weddings were both easier (fewer options) and more difficult (fewer options) to plan. I found my birdcage veil at Bride's Head Revisited, where I paid an embarrassingly large amount of money for something that I probably could have made myself. I also bought two wedding dresses. The first was supposed to be dramatically altered based on a favorite dress featured in Martha Stewart Weddings (my bible and telephone directory). After realizing it was impossible, I grudgingly bought a second dress. My favorite thing was our stationary, which was done by a friend of a friend. The photography was less successful. I know they're just images, but....well, these are the more successful ones. This experience convinced me to be more careful about choosing a photographer for our family photographs in 2011.

Seven years later. I'm still an old grouch, but somehow it's working out anyway!

short hair long hair

I was browsing Zara's website and realized that I was taken in more by the model's short hairstyle than by the clothes. I'm in the process of growing my hair out, and I know that short hair requires too much fuss and upkeep for me, but I can't help but be tempted. And Elettra Rossellini Wiedemann's hair exemplifies everything I want in my hair but can't have. I love the bangs and the way it's shaped in the back. It's messy and refined.

ace & jig for little ones

at sweet william

Mittens in May

I can't believe I had to wear wool mittens on my bike commute this morning. I was ready to pack away my jackets and raincoats, but it looks like our never-ending winter is hanging on for the final week of May.

The Tote

Photography by The Daily Prep

Thanks to Sarah for the L.L. Bean tote bag sale tip. I went with a large bag, open-top, regular handles, in dark green with monogramming. It took me a few minutes to figure out my initials because I have a hyphenated last name. In the end, I went with something that isn't entirely accurate but is more aesthetically correct. I'm sad that they no longer offer the traditional diamond monogram. I had to settle for the "classic" style. For some reason I've been obsessed with monograms lately.

Steven Alan Memorial Day Wishlist

Henri Jumpsuit. $259. Still too much for me, and silk is impractical, but I love how polished and sharp this jumpsuit looks.

Georgette dress, $159. Beautiful color, slightly more practical.

Bianca dress, $179. If only I had a wedding to go to this summer.

FWK Engineered Garments, Field parka, $259. Perfect shade of blue, thoughtful details and so well made.

Superga Cotu Classic lace-up, $45. Bought my first pair in April. Comfortable and roomy for my wide feet. They run a little short and very wide. I went with my usual 39s.

uniqlo oxford shirt

Does it fall apart after three washes?
How is the fit?
Should I wait for a promotion, or is $29 a fair price for what you get?

I don't see the point in spending more than $50 for a oxford cotton button down shirt in white. I've never bothered to try on Uniqlo's oxford shirts while in NYC, and now I'm wondering if I should order one sight unseen. In general I would rather buy a 100% cotton shirt that isn't wrinkle-free or see-through. Maybe that's too much to ask at that price point?

blue

Uzi maze top in blue

Whit dockside dress with cutout back in dragonfruit print

Two lovely blue prints at Conifer Shop. The Uzi tank is definitely going on my shopping list for summer.

perfect spring weather

These are the days I live for. High 60s, breezy, low humidity. Perfect for a cotton pullover, shorts, and sneakers. My L.L. Bean fisherman sweater has been holding up nicely. Also, I found these old A.P.C. Madras shorts stuffed in the back of a drawer.

Such a pretty print on this Black Crane square tee at Steven Alan.

Unfortunately my trip to Montreal was a bust. I was hit with a particularly nasty virus while there, and after 6 days of fever, chills, body aches, and a negative strep throat culture, I am finally back on my feet. We're hoping to go back soon because I loved what little I did see of the city.

The weather has reverted to proper spring mode. I'm wearing my Steven Alan white overalls, a merino pullover, and a button-down shirt today. Lots of work to catch up on. I'm looking forward to celebrating our 7th wedding anniversary in the first week of June. Hopefully the weather will behave. I really want to spend that weekend at the Algonquin Provincial Park. This looks amazing.