Pumpkin Spice

Photos by Kyler Kelly

American Eagle jean/Vintage vest and boots/Blouse from Korea

It's official. Fall is here! How do I know? There's a nip in the air, I had my first caramel apple spice from Starbucks yesterday and Atwater Market is awash with pumpkins. Some are so tiny they could fit in the palm of my hand, Some are so large, I'm pretty sure they weigh more than three of me combined. Oh yeah, and students are cramming for midterms.

But I took a break from the books to stroll through the market recently and collect some small pumpkins for my doorway, an annual October tradition. They sit, waiting patiently for about a week or so before Halloween when I bring them in, carve them out, bake their seeds and display their scary visages for all the neighbourhood kids to see. For this casual fall outing, I donned a polka dot chiffon blouse I picked up when I was in Seoul last year, dark skinny jeans, and vintage vest and boots. Fall never felt so good!
                                                                      

Green Blossom

Green blouse: Old Navy / Pants: Joe Fresh / Sweater: F21 / Shoes: Topshop / Belt and Hat: Thrifted / Earrings: Lia Sophia

Who would of thought that outfit inspiration could come from a pair of earrings? A couple of weeks ago, jewellery company Lia Sophia sent Jackie and I a few lovely samples of their collection. I really loved the earrings you see in the photos above and went ahead and fashioned an outfit using the green and peachy gold colour combination as my muse. Didn't have to look too far as I was really excited to wear these new Joe Fresh patterned jeans to welcome the spring weather. I also love the combination of all these fresh earthy tones and how refreshing it is to not be wearing any more black. Yay Spring!

Best of 2013

As another year comes to a close and we look back at all the adventures we had, the laughs we shared and the fashion we enjoyed, 2013 definitely goes into the history books as one of the best years ever. This was the year Bouquet of Frocks was born!

Here's a look back at some of our favourite fashion moments of 2013.

                                                                

We've Fallen And We Can't Get Up

I have rediscovered the art of lying in a bed of golden leaves while staring up at spiralling leaves floating gently down, through the blue sky and yellow canopies, to the silent earth. I feel like the past few years, I've forgotten how to appreciate the beauty in autumn. I was always too busy complaining about how cold it suddenly became, with the dread of 6 months of darkness and soon-to-be frigid temperatures always on my mind. In celebration of this year's unseasonably warm fall, Debbie and I took advantage of likely the last warm weekend of the season and dusted off our short skirts and bare legs for one last hurrah before they go into hibernation.

Photos by Kyler Kelly

Jackie - F21skirt, Sammydress blouse, thrifted binoculars case, Zara knee socks, Aldo booties and necklace
Debbie - Zara skirt, Joe Fresh jacket, Booties from Winners, Tristan hat, F21 sunglasses

                                                             

Take A Bow

Photos by Kyler Kelly

I have this obession with bow-tied blouses. Admittedly, I am actually kind of terrible at tying bows and knots (how is it that one end always ends up longer than the other?) but I just love the interest it adds to a regular button-down shirt. Not to mention the whole retro-effect. And there's never anything quite like a bright green top to brighten up those gloomy Autumn days.

                                                      

Punk For A Day

 

Photos by Michael Vesia

As mentioned in an earlier post this week, we recently collaborated with talented urban photographer, Michael Vesia, and the results were fantastic. Although Vesia's usual subjects are cityscapes, he was eager to collaborate with a couple of fashionites and the feeling was mutual! He had a specific location in mind while we were struggling with how to get into one of the major trends this fall and it all came together to create an urban punk concept.

As you may have guessed, Debbie and I aren't super into the whole punk look. Give us some floral prints and lace dresses any day of the week, but spikes and studs...not so much. But that got us thinking...there are easy ways to enjoy a look without going all in! I'm donning a classic leather jacket paired with a black lace top and coral skinny jeans, while Debbie opted for a pleated leather skirt, cream Peter Pan-collared blouse and floppy hat. There are many ways to make a style your own and sometimes the best way to embrace a look you're not sure about is just to incorporate small parts, or have one key piece and work around it. Never be afraid to make trends your own, and always be true to your personal style.