{Style} Laid Back Labour Day...

Top- Zara | skirt- Sonia Rykiel for H&M (super old) | sandals- Target | panama hat- H&M | tote- Michael Kors | necklace- Ily Couture (love the navy and ivory version too) | sunglasses- Karen Walker | bangles c/o Forever 21 | ring- Saint Laurent 



Yesterday was filled with adventure, as Mr. AiF and I headed out of town for a little picnic and a lot of exploring... There were finger foods, lush greenery (pictured above) and weird, X-Files-inspired architecture (definitely not pictured above). Hey, gotta keep things interesting, am I right?

But enough about me, how was your Labour Day? Fill me in, lovelies! xx

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{Style} Mixed Bag...

I love a sneak peek as much as the next girl, so when Nella Bella sent me their Filix Shopper Tote to preview from their Summer 2013 collection, I was pleased as punch. The bag is sleek and simple in design, which makes it a great go-to for work and travel (in case you haven't noticed, it's huge), and no matter how much I bog it down with the contents of my life, its handles are super comfortable under the added weight. To test this, I toted around a laptop, heels, extra makeup and book yesterday and lived to tell the tale... Now that's what I call a durable bag.

Stay tuned May 10 to see the rest of their summer collection — I know I will! xx

Outfit details: polka dot denim shirt- Winners; snake print jeans- Parasuco; spike pumps- ShoeMint; Filix Shopper Tote c/o Nella Bella; necklace- Zara; ring- Saint Laurent

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{Style} Spotted...

Well it's official: I love my new polka dot jeans. I imagine you'll be seeing a lot of these puppies in the coming months (as if two days in a row weren't enough), so consider yourselves forewarned. Another item I anticipate using on the regular is my new Nella Bella snake canvas tote*. It's from their Spring 2013 Collection, which is ripe with smooth, soft textures and vibrant hues. I love this bag because it has multiple compartments for maximum storage (a girl always has to be prepared!) and the padded handles sit nicely on my shoulders, which is often a problem for me. And did I mention that this little piece of snake print heaven is actually vegan? Guilt free and super fly — Now that's my kind of bag! xx

Outfit details: faux leather detail peplum top- Urban Outfitters; polka dot jeans DIY- Joe Fresh; pumps- Shoe Mint; Gardenia nu snake canvas tote c/o Nella Bella; necklace- Forever 21; bracelet- Joe Fresh; watch- Michael Kors

*Click here for shopping info and a store near you

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{Valentine's Week} The Date...

My mister and I are diurnal creatures, so the majority of our jaunts happen during daylight hours... Dates included. It just so happens that our favourite activities are better suited to daytime, like leisurely strolls, brunching (our fave!), vintage shopping and coffee-drinking galore (trust me, late night caffeine and I do not mix). Kassie and her adorable hubby snapped some pics of us during a double date last weekend, and despite the piggy backing and Dungeons & Dragons, these photos pretty much capture a typical lobbie day-date... Photos (much to the dismay of Mr. AiF) and all.

In other news, I want to thank Hayden Reis for sending me this adorable striped tote, which is quickly becoming my new favourite work/gallivanting bag. It just has so many pockets and handy snaps that I've found myself lugging it around on the daily, which is always good because my current tote has seen better days... And speaking of better days, I recently replaced my four-year-old coat with this snazzy — albeit nautical — Zara coat. Gotta love end of season sales, am I right?

Happy Valentine's Day, friends — Hope everyone has a fun, sugar-filled day! xx

Outfit details: coat- Zara; beanie- Old Navy; dress- Zara; rain boots- Michael Kors; polka dot tights- Joe Fresh; striped tote c/o Hayden Reis

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{Style} Laid Back Leopard...

Leopard print jeans are my greatest guilty pleasure, only minus the gilt because they're totally awesome. I hesitated for a second when I first saw them last summer, but then I gave my head a shake and quickly pulled out my credit card... No regrets. Rain, shine or snow (ahem), I'm all about these bad boys. What can I say, I'm loyal like that.

Happy Monday, friends! xx

Outfit details: studded denim shirt- Topshop; leopard jeans- Joe's Jeans; snake print pumps- Zara; tote (similar here)- Michael Kors; bracelet- The Bay; watch- Michael Kors

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{Style} Oxblood & Camo...

Casual layers, rich saturated colours and a touch of print mixing... Happy Monday! 

And since I'm still recovering from my Corso 32 food coma last night (locals, you know what I'm talking about!), this one's going to be short and sweet... More stream of consciousness rambles to come, I promise. xx

Outfit details: camo jacket- Zara; leopard tank- Forever 21; oxblood leggings- H&M; booties- Aldo; oxblood tote- Zara; necklace- Forever 21; bracelet- random NYC find; watch- Michael Kors

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{Style} Shooting Arrows...

When you can't shop, the next best thing is definitely sweet gifts in the mail from your sponsors... That's why I was oh-so happy to receive this Shooting Arrow necklace from Blackbird, one of the coolest jewelry shops around. I love their simple designs, rendered in geometric shapes with just the right amount of boho chic. Come to think of it, their stuff is like the perfect marriage between House of Harlow 1960 and Alex + Chloe, two lines I adore and wear on the regular... The result? Jewelry heaven.

So tell me lovelies, what's your fave jewelry line? I wanna know! xx

Outfit details: dress- Winners; army jacket- Zara; Shooting Arrow necklace c/o Blackbird; tights- Joe Fresh; booties; Aldo; oxblood tote bag- Zara (similar here); tortoise watch- Michael Kors

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{Style} Wrapped in Chains...

Remember how I told you guys about my silk obsession? Well when I saw this blouse at the Joe Fresh store in New York, I practically squealed with delight. Not only is it silk (which, let's be serious, would be reason enough), but its chain-emblazoned pattern makes the 80s child inside me oh-so happy. Now just imagine what I would do if I found a neon silk fanny pack or something equally 80s-inspired... Mind blowing.

Outfit details: silk blouse- Joe Fresh; jeans- Michael Kors; hat- H&M; booties- Aldo; tote- Zara; necklace- Forever 21

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{Style} Falling for Plaid...

I bought these pants a few weeks ago while in New York, but for some reason I forgot all about them until this past weekend. Super lame on my part (what a dumb dumb!), but awesome because their reappearance couldn't have come at a better time. You see my friends, the impossible is happening— I, Vickie Laliotis, shopping junkie and clothing fiend, am embarking on a month-long shopping ban. So if anything, rediscovering these bad boys eases the pain that not shopping has left in my heart... Sigh.

So why am I putting myself through such anguish, you ask? Well lovelies, let me lay it all out for you. First of all, I went a little crazy in NYC (you'll be seeing more of the damage in upcoming posts!) and I need to spend a little time paying off the old credit card. Second, and most important, I think it's time I came back down to earth and worked with the existing pieces in my wardrobe, of which believe me there are plenty. Blogging can sometimes skew your perception of what's important, and as much as I love shopping and putting together outfits, I don't think it's always healthy to let yourself get carried away. Somewhere along the way I lost that sense of balance, so I figure one month sans shopping will help me appreciate what I have and show me that I don't always need to buy something new to stay relevant... At least I hope not.

So here's to one month of recycling, remixing and shopping my own closet... Happy October! xx

Outfit details: military vest- Old Navy (similar here); tank- Urban Outfitters; plaid pants- Uniqlo (similar here); cheetah pumps- Calvin Klein (similar here); oxblood tote- Zara; watch- Michael Kors; necklace- Forever 21

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{Oxblood Week} The Bag...

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{Travel Diary} Short Shorts...

I wore these shorts ad nauseum during my trip, because not only were they super cute and comfy, but the polka dots made them virtually irresistible to me... Be it day or night, these shorts were on and in a big way. They even made it to the top of a mountain, where they enjoyed a cool glass of beer under the stars... Talk about some traveling pants.

Happy Thursday! xx

Outfit details: blouse c/o Shoppalu; shorts- Forever 21; bag & sandals- Michael Kors; necklace- Forever 21

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Stripes With Pep...

Casual stripes get some added ooomph with a pop of peplum in this little Zara top — And the best part? I scored it for 15 big ones during their spring sale last week (which is probably still going on)...  I think that calls for a fist pump, don't you? xx

Outfit details: striped peplum top- Zara; distressed denim- Gap; gladiator sandals- Forever 21; tote- Michael Kors; necklace- Little Pancakes; bracelets- Forever 21 & Michael Kors; ring- YSL; watch- Michael Kors

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