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If you're a regular reader of this blog you may have noticed I'm not much of a shorts girl, I much prefer the feminine silhouettes of dresses and skirts. However, during the summer/fall, when I'm spending as much time as possible at the cottage, whether it's kayaking during the day or hanging out around the fire at night soft comfortable cotton shorts just seem to be part of my weekend uniform. 

The days may still be hot as hell, but now that the nights are getting a little more chilly a flannel shirt layered on top of my favourite basic long v-neck cami makes for a perfectly warm and comfy OOTD - 90s style.

Do you have an at-home uniform for keeping things comfy?

If you follow me on Twitter, you'll know that my weekend didn't start out on a high note, but I'm glad to say that the rest played out beautifully. Friday night we headed into a glorious late summer heat wave, and to keep cool on date night I opted for this cut out dress I can't believe I haven't worn more this summer. Excuse the poofy hair, the humidity was making it grow larger and curlier by the second.

The heat and humidity not only made the denim jacket I had originally thought to pair with this dress impossible, but also made the thought of layering on accessories far from appealing. Instead I went for a simple statement piece that wasn't to heavy around the neck, and a bold lip to add some interest. You might remember this lipstick from my Colour Story post at the beginning of the summer. I've got to say - I love this shade! Such a fun and different twist on the classic bright pinks and corals. 

How do you accessorize to beat the heat?

Today I've got something a bit different than my typical style post - but I thought it might be something many people can relate to, especially this time of the year. I have been on a journey to body confidence pretty much my whole life, and even though it's still something I struggle with I thought I'd share some of my tips for feeling confident during swimsuit season.

What's your favourite feature?

When it comes to buying swimsuits, it's easy to get caught up in some of the things you might not like about your body. Instead, focus on the things you love and let those guide you on picking your beach/poolwear.

I think the decollete is such a beautiful feminine feature, so I like wearing halter and bandeau-style tops that highlight that particular part of my body. Since I have more of an hourglass figure, when choosing cover ups I prefer pieces that highlight my waist since that is the smallest part of my body.

While some people may feel great in a string bikini, if that's not your thing that is completely OK! There are plenty of styles that are ultra flattering for any level of coverage. Confidence is all about how you feel, and being comfortable should always be #1 no matter what the trends are. I personally think it's worth it to invest a little bit more money in a suit that makes you feel fabulous, since it's not a purchase you typically have to make every year as long as you take care of it!

Whoever said darker colours had to be saved for fall? This outfit was one of my favourites in July because it managed to work in so many different environments - an afternoon tea bridal shower,  a day at the office, and a date this past weekend. Changing up the shoes or accessories, and adding or subtracting a cardigan was all it needed to adapt.

After a crazy hectic and stressful week last week, I can't tell you how refreshing it has been to get away from work and the city, and take some time to relax by my favourite place in the world - the lake. I had all my closest friends up for the weekend, and it's amazing what great company, great food and great weather can do for your psyche.

When it's literally 100 degrees out, and the thought of putting a blow dryer to your head or layering on the clothing is less than appealing - what do you do? Use that sun to make your accessories shine!

Dress: F21 {similar} | Belt: H&M {similar} | Necklace: Lia Sophia {similar} Watch: Kronen & Söhne {similar} | Sandals: F21 {similar} | Nails: Orly {exact}

This dress was a winter favourite of mine, but don't you love when pieces can transition so easily throughout the seasons? Paired with one of my favourite metallics for summer - rose gold - this simple outfit kept me cool enough not to melt during the day, but was still perfect later in the evening for an impromptu date night picnic-style along the waterfront. 

Do you have any favourite rose-gold accessories?

I'll be honest: when it comes to hot, humid, summer weather, I'm a serial outfit repeater. I tend to reach for the same easy pieces over and over, but it's amazing all the different combos you can make with the same clothing items just by adding a few extra touches. This dress is a summer staple for me (as seen here and here), but I loved giving it a bit of a retro twist by pairing it with some classic big hair, makeup, pearls and polka dots. 

Grab a pair of cat eye sunglasses and you're ready for the drive in...or maybe just a regular old summer weekend outing. How do you remix your summer staples?

P.S. Thank you for your support in Friday's post! I'll be keeping with a Tuesday & Thursday posting schedule for a few weeks so I can make sure I'm still bringing you solid content during this transitional stage in my career. I recently hopped on the snapchat bandwagon, so follow me username:tvibblog for regular real life updates!

I don't know how it's possible, but the beginning of last week feels like ages ago and yesterday all at the same time. Today is a pretty special day because it's my first day working in my new role! I'm both nervous and excited because it's a pretty big step up in responsibilities, but I'm looking forward to the challenge. During my little staycation last week I had some time to do some shopping and finally bought my very first maxi dress - can you believe it? 

I have to say - it's a style I'm still getting used to, but I can see why everyone loves them so much! Even though it is a simple solid black piece, the braided detail around the neckline and down the back makes enough of a statement that accessories can be kept pretty minimal, but it could easily be dressed up or down.

What is your favourite way to style a maxi dress?

Is it Monday already? I had such a whirlwind of a weekend I'm really glad I've taken the week off to get back into the swing of things. I'm looking forward to getting back on my regular schedule with blog posts so stay tuned!

This weekend was a combo birthday, mini-vacation and wedding of a close family friend celebration. The wedding was taking place in a smaller town about an hour outside of New York City, right on the Hudson River and about an eight hour drive from Toronto. We got there just in time for a delicious birthday dinner at the Mill House Brewing Company before joining in the rest of the pre-wedding celebrations.

It was originally going to be an outdoor ceremony but due to a torrential downpour, was relocated to a covered tent still open to the beautiful view of the river. The rain let up just enough after the ceremony to snap a few quick photos with the family.

Unfortunately I didn't get many photos of the actual wedding because of the combination grey day and the fact I had forgotten my battery charger for my camera at home, oops. The groom is a chef so the food was absolutely incredible. Just the amount of food at cocktail hour was enough to fill me up for the night! The bride looked absolutely stunning, and the whole venue was seriously beautiful. It was located on the river bank just on the other side of the bridge so you can imagine the view.

What did you get up to this weekend?

In the past few years my wardrobe philosophy has changed pretty dramatically. While I'm still one to head first to inexpensive clothing stores like Target or H&M, I now understand the value in investing in a few key style pieces that can elevate the look of lower cost accessories and grow with your style throughout the seasons.

Before I choose to invest my hard earned cash into any material goods, I like to consider the cost per wear of the item in question. Even if it is expensive upfront, if it's something I could see myself using everyday or even once every other week, it often ends up being less expensive in the long run than many of the fast-fashion items I have bought and worn only a handful of times.

Day to Night Dress | If you don't already own a wrap dress, you're missing out on one of the easiest and most comfortable wardrobe staples! I once baulked at the price of a DVF version, but that all changed the first time I tried it on. I've said it before, but I swear the fabric and the cut of the dress make it so comfortable it's like hanging out in a robe all day long. A lower cut front and longer sleeves keep things sexy but classy for a dinner date, but can easily be paired with a camisole underneath for work. I found  my black 3/4 sleeve version at an outlet for less than half the price of the original so keep an eye out for sales!

The Everyday Bag | A simple, everyday, fits-everything bag that can hold up to a bit of a beating is an essential to me. The Le Pliage bags were ridiculously popular when I was in university, but after getting on myself I instantly saw why. The simple shape and size make them the perfect multi-taking bag for lugging around your laptop or files for work/school during the day, or fitting in all the necessities for a weekend away. The nylon fabric means it is waterproof and easy to clean (I just throw mine in the washing machine) and even with carrying around heavy items they hold up extremely well. I've had mine for over 4 years, and the only visible signs of wear and tear are on the bottom corners.

A Classic Coat | While the style of coat will depend much on the climate you're living in, a good quality, durable coat that can transition through multiple seasons is a great investment. I had always wanted a classic Burberry trench coat, but when I took into consideration that I spend most of the year freezing my tush off, the wool trench ended up making much more economical sense for my environment.Whether trench, leather or wool, timeless cuts and colours will stay in your wardrobe for years to come.

Cashmere Cardigan | Cashmere is an incredible fabric because it manages to be so thin yet so warm, making it perfect for transitioning into almost any season. In a neutral colour a simple cashmere cardi can be perfect for wearing all day in the winter, or out at night in the spring and summer without adding any bulk to your outfit. There are varying levels of quality and price, but if taken care of properly a 100% cashmere piece can stand the test of time and be one of the most versatile pieces in your wardrobe.

What fashion items do you choose to invest in?

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Happy Monday sweet friends! I hope you all had a marvellous weekend & are refreshed and ready to start a new week. Today we have yet another skirt + sneakers combo because A) I just really love skirts and B) I recently realized I don't own a ton of really comfortable flat summer shoes, and when you're heading out for a baseball game comfort is #1. I'm not usually much of a sports person, but Jays games are a regular feature when it comes to my summer plans. Last year Tyler bought me my very own vintage jersey, and I couldn't resist pairing it (and everything else for that matter) with my favourite summer jacket for this game day outfit.

Is it strange that I love dressing up sportswear? Rugby shirts, baseball tees, jerseys, I'll take it all. I used to wear my brother's Jay's jersey belted as a dress (he's 6'6 so you can imagine how big his shirts are) to games and loved putting my own spin on it! The denim jacket and skirt combo make this a perfect outfit to take out to drinks after the game. Casual but feminine, with a little bit of weight for cool summer nights on the patio.

What are your favourite comfortable summer shoes? You guys always have the best recommendations!

Monday always comes far too quickly doesn't it? If you follow me on Instagram or Twitter you'll know this was a special weekend for me because I completed my second ever race on Saturday! I beat my time from last year which is all I wanted out of the experience, and I discovered that cooler weather really makes a huge difference in my race-day comfort level. I'll admit running is definitely not my favourite thing in the world, but I maybe a fall run could be a good next try?

On to the outfit! If you've been around here a while you know that I'm a girly girl at heart, but I love mixing in different styles and accessories. A simple, well fitting black t-shirt is a great place to start.

I'm a big fan of the t-shirt-skater-skirt combo, but I wanted to change it up a bit so I dressed it up on top with this bold blue necklace and pink lip, and down on the bottom with some simple black sneakers. Somehow I think the contrasting styles just work! 

What's your favourite way to dress up a simple outfit?