Joe Fresh & Spring Stripes

Alright guys, the snow is so, so, slowly, but surely, melting, yesterday we sprung ahead an hour and all the little kiddies are on March break...all of these signs can only point to one thing, and that thing is SPRING! (When I'm happy I rhyme, so sue me.) 

As a born and bread Canadian, I am obviously mildly obsessed with the weather. Whether you are 9 or 90, it comes with the territory. Probably because we are one of the countries that actually experience 4 distinct seasons (or if you ask me there is winter, worse winter, warmer winter and summer). Regardless, we love to chat about the weather and we particularly love to chat about the weather when it is warming up, probably because it is such a rare occurrence. 

One of the things I am most excited about for spring is to break out of my horrible winter uniform of layers, Lululemon pants and leggings, and wear things I actually LIKE! (cough cough dresses)

I recently visited the brand spanking new Joe Fresh store here in Ottawa and picked up a cute cotton dress that I am so excited to wear. It is striped and simple, but the colors and different gradients of the stripes add interest to an otherwise blah outfit. I have been looking for a striped shift dress in this style for quite some time now and have been frustratingly unsuccessful. Since it is such a basic, I checked stores like Old Navy (had some but the shape did not fit my body at all) and Forever 21 (shape actually fit, but it was inappropriately too short, would be extremely dangerous to bend over in) to no avail. I was deliriously happy to find the perfect one at Joe Fresh that met all of my criteria. 1) fit my shape 2) was long enough 3) was striped 4) was comfortable and 5) was affordable. Check, check, check, check and ringing in at $19 plus an additional 20% off, CHECK! I have a funny feeling this dress will become my new spring go-to outfit, and I am a-ok with that! (It beats the socks off of my winter go-to outfit at least)

 Amazing price!

Made in Cambodia!

While at Joe Fresh, I also picked up this chunky gold chain linked necklace, which is also an item I have been searching high and low for. Notice the nautical theme? Another thing (other then the weather) that I am more than just mildly obsessed with is anything and everything nautical. If you know me, you are well aware I adore anything with a stripe, anchor (I even have a tattoo of one) or sailor inspired. I took my new necklace for a test drive last weekend for my friend Katherine's birthday and paired it with a striped (surprise, surprise) ensemble. Red striped peplum tee was picked up on the same shopping trip at Dynamite for only $15.

 

This was the first time I experimented with stripe on stripe, think I was able to pull it off?

Breaking out of your comfort zone, slowly but surely

As devoted as I am to fashion, and as appreciative as I am to street styles on other people, I tend to find myself in a rut. A fashionable rut, but a rut nonetheless. My problem isn't that I don't buy new things (I do a lot of that), my problem is my colour palette. I tend to stick to the same tried and true colours. When I like a colour, I will quite literally wear it out. I like pinks, beiges, whites and the like, but I need to open up my mind (and closet) and realize that there ARE other colours out there as well.

I took a step in the right direction yesterday when I stopped by the local Dynamite at Place d'Orleans and bought a ridiculously well priced electric blue dress. I believe the key to testing out new colours, or pushing your boundaries in any way, lies in doing it gradually. If you have the same problem that I have, I would not recommend buying a highlighter yellow dress in a new trendy style that you have never worn before. Just dip your feet in the water, don't drown just! Try a new colour in a classic shape, so its not so overwhelming and you can gradually start incorporating new colours into your wardrobe.  Get used to the idea of colour in shapes that you know work for your body, and then you can move up to more edgy things.

This dress is a classic sheath shape, but modernized with cut out details at the waist and of course, the colour. It was a steal at only 25$ and the perfect choice for the Shopify party last night.

The necklace is also from Dynamite and new earrings from Aldo. 

With fellow fashion blogger  Kate Forrest

Also in the spirit of embracing new ideas, I tried out this hair bow that I had seen on my addiction, Pinterest. Didn't quite turn out like the picture on Pinterest, but hey I tried and that's the most important part!

I encourage you all to take a small step forward and embrace a new colour, pattern, texture or style that you haven't yet dared to wear. I know if I can do it, you can too!

What are your thoughts? What have you been too scared to try?