Best jeans ever

If you'll bear with me... I know that I went on and on about the Ricki's pants yesterday, but today I am going to rhapsodize about these jeans. I'll explain why I think they are the best evar, and you can take what you want from it.

I feel like, at this point, many of you might be thinking that I am in Ricki's back pocket. And to that I say, I wish... everything I am going on about, I bought with my own moolah, and Ricki's doesn't even know that I exist. Sadly. Sheeit, they don't even have a twitter account, I doubt they do blogger outreach!

But I digress. Back to the pants. For a long time, Torrid has been the only place that I have been able to find jeans that I really liked. And they haven't been replaced or anything (I just bought a pair of boyfriend jeans there that I am in LOVE with... come back and see me Friday, I think they will feature in my Casual Friday post... if not here, then definitely on my Tumblr). Torrid isn't being kicked off the Queen Jean Pedestal I had them on, they are just now co-rulers. Which, if this was a real kingdom, would probably result in bloodshed, but since they are figments of my imagination... well, I'm just going to drop this metaphor now, since I've already taken it WAY too far...

How'd ya like that deep red lippy, huh? I'm spreading my wings...

I'm just going to get into why these jeans are awesome.

• They fit so well. Look at my ass! JUST LOOK AT IT! 
• They are a perfect marriage of slim and bootcut. Not too slim, not too flared.
• They have the perfect amount of stretch. They are comfy to wear, and make me feel... contained? but not so much that they feel like I'm about to be eaten by a boa constrictor.
• They stay on. Many jeans that I have are always shifting down, and I have to hike them up every 5th step or so. Not these ones. Although, I do give them a tug when I stand up from sitting. They can't help but fall a little in the back when I sit. Which brings me to my only con: when seated, they drop in the back. We're not talking plumbers crack here, but possible whale-tale sighting (if that were my thing, which I won't say they are, or aren't)
• And all this with NO MUFFIN TOP! *mic drop

I had to wear these jeans today, just had to. But I wanted to still look less casual than casual. If I had my blazer unpacked from winter storage, I would have worn that, but since I didn't, I needed something else to dress up the jeans. I was in a mad rush this morning, so I didn't accessorize like I would have liked to at all, but I did manage to pull this little beaut off. When I bought this peplum top at Additionelle (first worn here) it was on for such a great price that I couldn't pass it up, even though I didn't see myself getting high cost-per-wear out of it. But after seeing peplum tops layered over blouses (more than once) I knew I was going to get more wear out of it. And here it is. Performing exactly as expected. I love it when that happens...

On me: Peplum top AdditionElle (similar below); Jeans Ricki's (as per below); Blouse Old Navy (similar below); Shoes Isacc Mizrahi for Target (similar below).

Business Casual Peplum by Curvouture featuring a pearl bangle

Lace peplum top, 25 CAD / Soft dressing collared shirt, 21 CAD / Brooke Barely Bootcut Jean, 82 CAD / Fendi closed toe pumps, 585 CAD / Accessorize pearl bangle, 20 CAD / Juliet & Company studded jewelry, 22 CAD

Channelling a modern Audrey

What a difference lighting makes...

I didn't intentionally try to channel Audrey Hepburn, but but I guess I kind of just fell into it. And why fight it, right?  If I had been really thinking about styling it Audrey styles, I would have worn pearls! But I think the crystals look pretty good with it as well!
Picked up this peplum top at Additionelle for a SONG the other day (just happened to go in to spend my VIP rewards dollars on a day that they were having 50% off the last sale price) and I was hesitant, but I am so SO glad I did.
Typically, I don't do sleeveless... I think the last time I was in public without sleeves (aside from the beach) was when I was married... about  6 years ago, in my strapless wedding gown.
But I've been checking out the fashion blogs, and I've been seeing other chicks breaking those "fat girl rules" (cover anything that might not be perfect, among others) and I thought eff it. I'm doing it!

I also really love the clashing of casual with dressy. This top could be black tie, with the right skirt, but I wore it with cuffed crops, and tada!

Had to take some hair shots, because I got many compliments on the bun, so it must have looked pretty good. This is another one of my "30 second updos." So easy to achieve. Maybe I'll post a tutorial on it, its to easy.

Love the really full peplum; 30-second updo. There's a big ugly alligator clip under there!

Almost didn't add this shot, because I didn't want it to seem like a gratuitous boob shot, but I really wanted you to see the lace detail on the shirt!

Accessories. 

Yellow and Black dress

I got this dress ages ago, just as the weather was edging towards getting warmer, and I couldn't wait to wear it. Obviously though, wait I did, since I didn't wear it until just yesterday. I have to say, I felt pretty great in this dress. I love the back detailing (the opening of which was low enough to look intentional, but high enough that my regular bra didn't show). The skirt, although you can't see in these shots, has repeated horizontal (tiered?) pleats, and the material felt awesome. Thick enough that it felt like it had structure, but still soft. I double-necklaced it with this one, which is something I see and admire often on others, but never have the nerve to try and pull off myself. These two necklaces were a very safe bet together though, since they have the same kind of "stone." Baby steps, right?

This post's practical advice: if you see something you like, but you are worried you can't pull off, try a scaled down or easier version, and see if you feel comfortable with it. Work your way towards it!

On me: Dress Additionelle (can't find it online, but I know its still in stores, as I saw it there just the other day; Shoes/Ring Unknown; Shorter necklace Le Chateau; Longer necklace unknown

White and Denim

One of the combinations that really say "warm summer months" is denim and white. This outfit of white jersey (I think) shirt and my ever-present skinnies was one of the first things I was eyeballing in my closet when the warm weather finally starting kicking in.
I personally have this ingrained fear of tucking anything in. But at the same time, its not every shirt that you can leave untucked without looking slobby. Shirts like this with the banded bottom address both these concerns... which is why I have a lot of them.
And, its the perfect neutral backdrop for the killer statement necklace!

White and denim... hello Summer!

EDIT by Jeanne Beker launch

Me and Jeanne Beker. Me! And Jeanne Beker!

When I opened my inbox some time ago, and saw that I was invited to the launch of Jeanne Bekers EDIT line at AdditionElle, I was, shall we say... jazzed.
I did a little cursory research, and saw that the line was in some great soft sorbet colors, and had very high hopes.

Before I get into the Jeanne Beker line, I have to say, I am not sure if its the location, or the event or what it is, but shopping at the Yonge street AdditionElle is more like a party than a shopping trip. And shopping trips ARE a party, if you ask me. The ladies that work there are so friendly, and outgoing, and its really just fun as shit.

How fun is shit you ask?

Well, it can't be empirically measured, but its damn fun.

Word to the wise though, if I wasn't the world's biggest cynic, I might walk out of there erroneously thinking that I was the prettiest, most stylish fat chick that ever walked the planet. They are all exceedingly complimentary.