tribal denim for day

denim GINA TRICOT  || pumps, blouse LeCHATEAU || bag CO-LAB

 

TGIF right?!  I have a confession (wait, does it count if everyone already knows?) I am not a morning person.  Literally every minute of my morning routine is only for essentials.. clothing, caffeine, car.  Makeup,  hah!    Hairbrushing?  Nahhh.  Ain’t nobody got time fo dat!  Friday mornings are basically the perfect excuse for bedhead and bare face.  I slept in a bun and finger combed it out to add a little messy texture to my normally pin-straight hair.  

I know you guys voted to see the other pair of “perfect jeans” first when I posted them both HERE, but I wanted to shoot the other pair with something other than my phone to capture the gold detailing and have been so, so busy lately between vacationing and working moving and stampeding, there just hasn’t been the time!  Plus there is no way I would ever wear my white jeans to Stampede, but these printed pair are perfection.  Casual Friday with a twist… I love a printed pair of pants, and the light wash on these is perfect for summer;  to tone it down a bit for work (it is a law firm after all) I stuck with a simple grey blouse and stilettos.

Super basic look (you might even think I just rolled outta bed…) but the printed pants make it seem like I tried way harder than I actually did.  Be sure to check back tomorrow for how I style these jeans to go out!  Sam Roberts plays the coke stage tonight (like, for free) at 9pm if there isn’t enough reason to get down to the grounds already!   Last 3 days of Stampede, Calgary, lets do it up!!!

xo, aiyanajane

 

graphic B/W

 

skirt BAND OF GYPSIES || blouse + shoes + blazer LeCHATEAU || sunnies ARDENE

To make it over hump-day, when thinking about anything other than the rest of the week seems like too daunting of a task,  I tend to lean towards black & white.   Usually when I get dressed I base my outfit around a single “inspiration” piece.   Here I wanted the print on the skirt to be the center of attention so I paired it with a tuxedo blouse and my trusty nude pumps.   I am  actually obsessed with this skirt for summer – I love the print.. aztec? tribal?   Whatever you want to call it, I am a fan of the abstract black and white!  It’s a lovely silk  skater skirt with an elastic waist, which makes it super comfortable, light, cool and perfectly floaty.  All prerequisites for any great piece!

This combination of a fit and flare skirt and a 3/4 sleeve button-up it my absolute go-to for a fool-proof chic outfit.  This outfit flatters all body shapes, just make sure the skirt sits at the smallest part of your mid-section and tuck in a silk blouse. I have about 7 versions of this blouse, all basically the same cut just in different colors/fabrics and embellishments… and you don’t even want me to count the number of skirts I have.  They pair together in endless, perfect possibilities though!  To cover up, a single-button blazer is also the most flattering style because it will nip in right at the waist, invest in a great tailored piece that will stay classic for years.   

A printed skirt like this is a nod towards all the Stampede going-on’s without being too costume-y for work.  A tailored blazer keeps it professional and a button up blouse balances the short hemline.    To take this look from the “work” to “western” switch to a pair of cowboy boots and add a denim vest!  Or, just take a break mid-week, if like me, you’re still recovering from a weekend full of stampede “spirit”!   Most residents like to show a little spirit.. but an entire ten days of western themed regalia (and festivities) is a bit too much for the best of us.

xo, aiyanajane

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New In – Gina Tricot

Gina Tricot “Perfect Jeans” – Denim with Bleached Tribal & White Denim with Gold Baroque.

 

The tag basically say it all amirite? Perfect. I am super into printed bottoms lately, and a pair of tribal print jeans has been on my mental must-buy list for a while now! Then I spotted these white ones and nearly died of happiness.. white and gold together are just so beautiful and perfect for summer! Andrea and I were shopping together and discussing how when you find a brand of jeans that fit JUST right, you stick with it! Gina Tricot is a Scandinavian brand so naturally their jeans fit me perfectly since I cannot get them at home!! I had to pick up a couple pairs and it was hard to stop at just a couple, let me tell you! (I let a perfect pair of coated black jeans go because they were a touch too big and I regret it already!) I absolutely could not resist either pair, I can’t decide which I am more excited to wear! What do you guys think, which pair would you like to see styled first?? Let me know in the comments below. Thanks for reading beauties, happy Friday!!

xo, aiyanajanee

laser cut florals

platform leather pumps by Le Chateau  ||  sunnies by Ardene ||  h.i.p. shorts via Winners ||  top via R.A. Clothing   

Wanna know a not-so-secret-secret?  High waist anything is my jam – but especially shorts!  These ones are the best ones ever because they are a soft silk and have the cutest laser cut floral detail on the bottom.  Laser-cutting is one of my favourite spring trends, on these shorts it looks kind of like lace and kind of like a scalloped hem, and that’s kind of perfect.  I am such a girly-girl at heart, give me ruffles and florals and silk and high heels and I will be happy as a clam. A little bit of edgy detail (like the zipper back of this blouse) add’s just enough sass to an otherwise sweet outfit.  I love how when paired together the shorts with this breezy graphic blouse looks like a romper!  (Another summer trend I love.) I bought this top ages ago and just noticed today it’s getting rather worn out.. Its from one of my favourite local boutiques back in Calgary, click the link above or stop by if you are shopping on 17th! They always have amazing selection (and great designer denim) and the staff are super sweet.  I’ll be heading back there when I return to #yyc to see if I can find another equally awesome top. 

Speaking of perfect things that I love, summer here in Denmark is spectacularly beautiful, mostly because there are flowers and trees absolutely everywhere you turn!  I must stop blogging (I’m such night owl) and get my beauty sleep for another full day tomorrow!  

xo, aiyanajane

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flower power

||  skirt by TOPSHOP  ||  heels and blouse by LeCHATEAU ||  bag – thrifted  ||  aviators by ARDENES  ||

Apparently April showers bring May flowers… well all we got here in April was snow, not rain, and so May is feeling distinctly flowerless (although now its nearly over things are finally blooming) I threw on this jersey floral skirt to add a little floral to my life, in shades of blue and green of course, because I’ve been living in those tones lately.

I’ll tell you a secret, this skirt is really a tube top with an elastic bust – its such a perfect summer piece, as a top or as a bottom.  When it comes to clothes, as far as I’m concerned, there’s no rules for how to wear them.   A lightly draped “skirt” paired with a silk blouse and belted at the waist is a summer uniform for me.  Today, we finally have the rain we’ve been waiting for, so hopefully we’ll see some more flowers blooming soon!

Happy Humpday!

xo, aiyanajane

DIY SHORTS INSPO

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DIY SHORTS INSPO by aiyanajane featuring current/elliott

Stars, Lace, Tribal, Polka Dot

Lately I have been craving summer like you wouldn’t believe. Probably because its nearly half way through April and I had to brush 3 inches of snow off my car this morning. This needs to stop… I am dreaming of shorts… In the mean time a few styles I am eager to re-create. Since I have been focusing on a healthier lifestyle I have several pairs of jeans just begging to be refashioned into shorts. Maybe its just me but I loathe shorts that are too tight, I often will buy up a size just because of that, so too-big skinny jeans shall be chopped and re-modeled. SOON. Unfortunately my supplies are else where but I am going to rectify that situation promptly.

Which style are you most interested to see a DIY for!? Let me know in the comments below! Thanks for reading!

XO, aiyanajane

cable knit + leopard print

 

I’ve been obsessed with everything gold lately, so much so I want to go get my philtrum jewelry changed to gold instead of silver!! I got this leopard pendant from le chateau last month and have been dying to feature it ever since. I have such love for statement pendants, they’re simple and super chic! I was feeling inspired by the wild today, here’s how I tamed the leopard look to be office appropriate.

WHAT I WORE

 * Sunglasses, Gold Leopard Pendant, Faux Hermes Studded Leather Cuff – Le Chateau  *  Leopard Poplin –  Jones New York Co.- thrifted  *  Hunter Green Cable Knit Sweater, Rose Gold Watch – Walmart  *  Belt – Michael Kors Men  *  Braided Bracelet, Cross Chain Bracelet, Gold Studded Bracelet – Aldo  * Boots – Jessica Simpson, online from Victoria’s Secret * Mascara- Maybelline Great Lash “Lots of Lashes” in Black * Arrow Bracelet- Vintage, my moms =]

Beetlejuice Blazer

I bought this blazer right before I started my weight loss journey, as a result I wore it once before it was too big for me! Today it was actually warm enough to go without a coat here in Calgary, so I layered a hoodie underneath to stay warm and make up for the loose fit! My bestie and I were going to get some new fishies (I had a casualty, sadly) I didn’t know what to wear and she loves this blazer (she’s the one who started calling it my “beetlejuice blazer”) so I wore it.  When I started layering the hoodie under the blazer she said “I dont think you can do that” , to which I replied “I can do whatever I want!”  since today marks day one of trying to wear everything I own, so I’m gonna have to be creative!! I hope you like!

XO, a

 

WHAT I WORE

 *  lace bra – free people  *  blazer, tank, scarf, sunnies & shoes – le chateau  *  cross body bag – mat and nat via karmaloop *  leather panel leggings – romeo & juliet couture via Winners  *  sweater – billabong *

we didn’t even get the fish, they seemed sickly 😦 another day i suppose!

Blogger inspirations

The best part of blogging is finding a community full of INSPIRING and INTERESTING people!

these are a few of my favorite blogs to follow.

{photos link to outfit details}

Emma + Elise at  A BEAUTIFUL MESS

   I love reading this blog, and it makes me SO wish I had a sister to be blogging buddies with. They both have such great, quirky style and so many interesting insights. It’s a relatable and helpful blog based on finding beauty in the every day and the imperfect. Click the photo to read about Elsie and Emma.

shea marie at PEACE LOVE SHEA

Shea Marie is one of those girls that you just wish you could step into her shoes for a day. Her blog follows her transition from a small town to a big city, a willowy blonde living in Hollywood, with that California cool girl style that I absolutely covet. I’ve posted before about how different my style would be if I didn’t live in a country that shorts are only  really wearable for 3 months of the year. I love reading her blog and pretending that one day I’ll move to Hollywood and be a stylist, and a writer and go to fancy parties in leopard shorts because its warm enough to do that!

jessie kass at SEAMS FOR A DESIRE

If you have Pinterest, you’ve probably seen her outfits. I love this blog for inspiration, every outfit she posts is so chic and she is a master accessorizer. I’d die for a chance to raid her jewelry collection (who am I kidding, her whole closet) and I have some serious hair envy, why can’t mine be that long? She always balances textures, fits, colors and prints in her looks and comes up with something beautiful and interesting. Her latest post promised Q&A and i’m super excited for the answers to come, so I can read all about this girl I worship from afar!

taralynn mcnitt at UNDRESSED SKELETON

Taralynn’s blog is so inspirational, about healthy living, change and fitness. Click the photo for her story, its unbelievable. I love her blog for recipes she has a ton of great ideas for healthy meals that are still yummy!

wendy nguyen at WENDYS LOOKBOOK

Wendy’s style is so beautifully feminine, I love perusing her blog for polished city style. Click the photo for more outfit details- its funny that she mentions wishing for fall, as I dream of the LA weather she enjoys! We always want what we do not have. She always looks so perfectly put together, and is so driven, smart and talented. I love her view on fashion, and admire her strength. Read her story here.

andrea at  ANDREA RUNGHOLM.DK

Andrea has always been a passionate, outgoing and energetic girl, who is wise and mature beyond her years. I must admit, this one has a little bias behind it. Andrea and I are related.. usually for simplicity’s sake I say we’re cousins but she’s actually my dad’s cousin’s daughter so I have no idea what the proper name for our somewhat distant relation is. She lives in Denmark, so we rarely see each other, but she stayed with our family and went to school here for a few months, and it was almost like having a sister. . I love her blog for fitness inspiration, and wish she didn’t live in Denmark so I could benefit from her cooking, since even when she stayed with us years ago she was already a master in the kitchen! She also always looks super chic and shops at affordable stores like Zara and H&M.

I miss her lots, I feel like she’s the sister I never had and hate being separated by an ocean! She’s very smart and I wanted to share her latest post because it’s the kind of thing that makes me think we are sister’s from different mothers! (Since I’m sure my mother would say the same as hers, and I would have the same rebuttal!)

On blogging:

” I believe that, overall, are three positions for it to have a blog. As the first, “What is the purpose and why should some bother looking images of what she has for breakfast?” The other, “Blogs are so inspiring and you get so many tips, tricks and I love reading blogs.” The third reason relates a part of those who read my blog through postings on Facebook because they know me,  “The fact that blogging is a waste of time and you do not get the right picture to the blogger”.  I think in some cases that many bloggers do those things. –  makes two breakfasts, one to the blog and you actually eat. Shows that you’ve got something sponsored whatever it is, tampons, just because you have got it for free. When you have a blog, you have 100% control over how you want to present themselves and how the blog should be. You can make up his own little world. In some cases, an blogger a very misleading picture of themselves – whether it is because you want to be someone else or you want attention, is so different. Some time ago my mother asked me: “Why do you never photos of your messy room? So it does not seem so perfect all the time and your readers might real with a little more to you? “. I could take a picture of you when my apartment fiddling very most and I could easily take a picture for you right when I’m just waking up and looks like something you’d think would never get to see normally again. I can see that it will give you a picture of that I am down to earth and I do not distort my life into something it is not, but what would the purpose just so be it? There is certainly no one wants to see pictures of an apartment cluttering and even fewer than none at all, who wants to see me tomorrow really ugly? It may be it gives a few good laughs, but it gives when absolutely no inspiration. The purpose of my blog is to give good tips, recipes and outfits that can inspire others. Not to make myself as something I’m not; without sounding too self-centered, I am happy for who I am, what I have and as I look. The bottom line is that I hope you see me as an honest blogger and I enjoy reading my blog. “

SHARE YOUR FAVORITE BLOGS IN THE COMMENTS & streamline your blog reading :

download google chrome

this fast free web browser can translate almost  anything, i love that i can read blogs from across the world, even if the translation isn’t perfectly accurate.

sign up for bloglovin

a super easy way to scroll through your favourite blogs and websites like you scroll through your facebook news feed.

xo, a

what i wore

Sorry lovelies, I’ve been holed up sick with the cold lately, and thus, neglecting my blog duties!

Even though I’m sick, I still have to go to that pesky job of mine, here I am trying to stay warm and cozy.  

I couldn’t resist breaking out this sweater and scarf combo that I just bought!

Bluenotes Denim, Aldo Boots, Kenzie Sweater + Scarf

Only a year later but I finally changed the jewelry in my conch- I love the ring, its what I wanted originally!

see you soon!  xo,a

FALL ESSENTIALS: HATS

My dear friends, I’ve been trying very hard not to be depressed about fall, I’m such a summer girl at heart. I do love autumn but here in Southern Alberta its rather short lived, and often seems to be a rather depressing prelude to winter.

So I’ve been looking for reasons to be okay with fall and HATS, my friends, are one very good reason to love fall. Forget about having to style your hair, throw on a beanie or a toque and embrace hat hair. For healthier hair banish your hot tools for a while- give your hair a break and hide it under a cute beret. Stick a dryer sheet in your purse just in case you get a case of crazy static hair. Its also one of the best ways to grow out an awkward pixie cut. Its been almost a year now since I started growing mine out, and last winter I absolutly LIVED in hats. I mean every single day I wore one. The beanie style I’m wearing is my favourite, but I also love slouchy toques like the one I wore here– really anything slouchy and cozy!

Then right after I posted about my fall must have: leopard button down, I found this shirt in the Thorny Rose Cafe right here in my hometown of Rosebud, Alberta. It must have been fate, and I believe I was destined to have it. The Thorny Rose is a super cute little cafe (they make the best cookies EVER) that also sells knick-knacks and consignment clothing. This Jones New York blouse was a steal at only $10!

*

I accessorized my 70’s inspired outfit with a simple brown leather belt (vintage), and wedges from payless.

The jeans are my absolute FAVOURITE pair, I bought them from le chateau when I worked there but they are Aphrodite brand. They fit just right, have the perfect amount of stretch, subtle flare, and a versitle dark wash. A great pair of jeans in an essential for anytime of the year, I recommended these to one of my good friends and she’s worn them to death as well!  The hat and the cameo ring are from le chateau as well, all other jewelry is vintage or imported. Oh, and here’s Evie being cute! PS – she’s expecting! YAY!

Then go from DAY TO DATE with a BANDAGE SKIRT and BRIGHT PUMPS.