Tell Me Life Is Beautiful.

Karla Spetic's collections are a doozy since every season she seems to outdo herself. I nearly cried when I saw the collaboration between Karla and Caitlin Shearer for AW 2010...

AW2012/13 is dreamy in every sense of the word: sorbet toned and ditzy, Liberty-esque florals abound. Paired with mismatched lapels and creamy sheers, I can't resist this collection! Count me in (even if only in my dreams...)

photos from oyster magazine

OSISI Africa.

OSISI is a wonderful, independent collective of African and American designers who produce African inspired apparel. I am very excited to share that I will be giving away a Poppy Scarf! After styling it for this giveaway I must say, I almost don't want to give it away!

To enter:  like OSISI on facebook and leave a comment on this post with your email address. Feel free to leave a comment on the Facebook page letting them know that Lydia's giveaway sent you there! This contest is open to international readers and the winner will be drawn on Thursday, July 12!

GOOD LUCK!

Style Like U.

Style Like U sounds a wee bit like a dream... The premise: meeting with stylish folks in their home, documenting their wardrobe and living space. I can't remember quite when I started reading it (a couple years ago I think) so it's a bit surprising I hadn't featured them on Style is Style yet.  Consistently inspiring, StyleLikeU provides an intimate look at dozens of diverse, eclectic and intellectual dressers. I've been added to their "Links We Love", so what better time to feature an amazing corner of the web?

Some of my favorite closets are Saga Sig, Diane Naegel, Samantha Pleet, Sarah Sophie Flicker and Hannah and Landon and many, many more... so many that it would be a post in itself. Check out Style Like U (and the book as well), you won't be disappointed!

Thanks to Style Like U for including me as a daily read.

all photos from Style Like U

I'll Be Here When You Come Home.

Somewhere along the way, both this skirt and blouse got buried in the squishy depths of my closet... I love the tones in the florals of the skirt. Red is a color that I tend to shy away from. Being one to favor blues over most other hues, my closet is very sparsely punctuated with rogue, and I feel at odds trying to find things to go with the color. This particular look was only worn for a couple of hours. Just a little breakfast date with Adam and then off to work I went! I'll be excited when I have a job where I can dress up on a daily basis and not feel constricted to a dress code.

This weekend I went back to my hometown for one of my best friend's university graduation. It was completely rejuvenating to be around so many people that I've known and loved for a long time. Sometimes you need a little taste of the past to remind you how far you've come, and how much that place is with you still.

Thrifted skirt, shoes, hat | H&M blouse | Urban Renewal trench | Joe Fresh tights

A Walk In The Park.

Kate and I had a picturesque afternoon in Stanley Park when we went to purchase our year's pass for the Vnacouver Aquarium. Sadly I was not prepared, and my camera died quite swiftly! I suppose that means we will have to visit the park again and have a summer daydream of a photoshoot...

Thrifted jacket, shoes, top, headscarf | Mintage skirt

Aldo socks | Gift from Adam's mom vintage sunglasses

Sea Of Love.

This past weekend was lovely, warm and bright. I got to meet up with many familiar faces, some I hadn't for quite some time (my sister and Mitzi Cocoa included) and had way too many good times to be contained to just one post.

Kate and I were asked to sing during her cousin's wedding, and although it was a nervewracking task, it was ultimately a rewarding one. The ceremony took place at the Brockhouse Restaurant, and the weather cooperated beautifully. Ocean side on a balmy summer evening, I must say it felt a little bit like a dream. Champange and laughter were the themes of the night, and we had fun dancing in silly hats from the "tickle trunk" (an excellent party idea, if you ask me)! The bride and groom looked wonderful, although I didn't get any photos of them since we were a little bit occupied during the vows. I'm typically pretty mushy, and being a part of something so full of love and happiness did bring a little tear to my eye. I think my heart grew three sizes too big that day!

Thrifted dress, belt | Cooperative wedges | Aldo sunglasses

Tick Tock.

I've been admiring Veronika's style for a while, and I love the way she manages to keep silhouettes clean and preppy without compromising visual interest. In hindsight, this pairing is totally inspired by her lovely way of mixing shift and jumper dresses with the cutest of bow blouse.

Thrifted blouse, scarf, belt | H&M dress | Urban Renewal trench
Joe tights | C/O Wanted heels | Revlon Super Lusterous Lipstick in Raspberry Bite

You Came Back To Me.

Exciting news: LAPTOP IS BACK. Fingers crossed that it is back for good. Which means lots of regular posting!!! I'd become used to not having a computer, so it's a little strange to get back into the swing of things as far as posting goes. I'm excited for what's to come...June promises to be a lovely month for Style is Style.

As far as life-related news, I am feeling far less angsty at the moment. I've started going to the gym again (after a long haitus) and that seems to help lift my mood. This summer will likely be ripe with change (possibly a new job and a new neighborhood, among other things), and I was feeling pretty anxious about that. I have calmed a bit and feel a little more at ease...

Fashion Capsule has been a lovely discovery of mine in the past few months. Since I was invited to the spring preview at Violet Hill, I've been exposed to several local designers and bloggers who I was otherwise unaware of. I hopped down to Chinatown to pop into Fashion Capsule last week and preview some F/W 2012 collections. I'm not much of a jewelery girl, but I am always drawn to pieces reminiscent of Art Deco, so naturally the geometric wares of Wasted Effort caught my eye. I am head over heels for Gaya's dreamy bags, I can say I could easy own the entire collection. Unfussy, classic construction paired with delectable colorways, these ladies are surely headed for greatness.

My outfit was, in hindsight, subliminally inspired by an outfit that sort of lingered in the back of my mind for quite some time. It's from the Sartorialist, way back in '09, you can see it here. I admired how the outfit was mostly candy soft tones, but didn't come across as too fluffy or saccharine. My version is admittedly sweeter, more twee perhaps.

Thrifted jacket, blouse, belt, shoes | H&M dress worn as a skirt

DIY velvet bowtie | UO tights