The Pleated Skirt

pleated skirt with plaid blanket scarf
pleated skirt with plaid blanket scarf
pleated skirt with plaid blanket scarf
pleated skirt with plaid blanket scarf
pleated skirt with plaid blanket scarf
pleated skirt with plaid blanket scarf Jacket, Scarf, Zara. Skirt, (old). Purse c/o Pinstix. Sunnies (here). Booties (here).

First off, I would like to wish you all a very happy and fulfilling 2016! I also hope that y’all had some time over the holidays to enjoy with loved ones. My intentions were not to drop off the face of the blogosphere these past few weeks. Although the truth is, that life finally caught up to me these last few weeks and I burnt out really bad towards the end of the year. However, instead of dwelling on the past, a New Year is upon us and I am looking forward to what it brings.

With that being said, the first look of the year features the ever classic pleated skirt. Car wash pleats were all over the Valentino and Oscar De La Renta Fall/Winter shows. But if you’re looking for something a little more ready to wear then a regular pleated skirt will do just fine. I styled mine here with booties and the usual offender – I mean scarf. I should point out that I do own multiple blanket scarves but this one gets me every time. It must be that red plaid that I simply cannot resist. For colder days I would suggest adding a cutesy toque and OTK boots, or layer on those leg warmers.

On a side note, to all of my lovely readers – I wanted to give you a deep and heartfelt thank you. For your time, support, comments, and even patience at times. I never imagined that a part time hobby would ever evolve into what it has so far, and I only have you to thank for this. I hope your personal endeavors blossom and flourish just as mine have, this is my wish for you! There are many exciting things to come for House of Illusions in 2016 and I hope you join me for another stylish year. To keep up with me real time, you can always add me on Instagram.

xo

Coffee

recycling vintage pieces

recycling vintage pieces

recycling vintage pieces

recycling vintage pieces

recycling vintage pieces

recycling vintage pieces

recycling vintage pieces Faux fur coat, H&M (old). Knit, Garage. Jeans, Flats, Zara. Clutch, c/o Pinkstix. Sunnies, Foster Grant. Ring, Samantha Wills.

Wearing a (what I will call vintage) faux fur coat from H&M. Styled with skinny jeans and lace up flats overtop a crochet crop layered over a long sleeve tee. I’ve had this coat for a very long time and only worn it a handful of times. But it’s a piece I’ve come to enjoy more over the years. Having learned the very hard way (and having lost some great vintage pieces along the way) that everything comes back into style. Therefore now I make it a habit to keep pieces and re-introduce them into my wardrobe when the time calls for it.

One of the things I like about recycling vintage pieces is having a unique garment amongst other mass produced items of their time. While still representing the season’s most coveted feature in your own unique way. One thing to keep in mind when purchasing said items (like say a faux fur coat or even OTK boots) is to capture the unique trend without going overboard. This will make your piece a timeless classic. 

We took these photos after running errands downtown then stopping in for cappuccino at Liberty Village thanks to the Ritual app. Which kept us on schedule. Bypass the lineup with this little beauty and get straight to your coffee (or other treats as ordered) when you walk in. Have a look see for yourself what cute little coffee shops and fun places to eat at participate in the ritual. Click here to get $10 in credits to try Ritual for yourself. (Good for the downtown Toronto area). Enjoy!

Fall’s Shirt Dress

jersey shirt dress
jersey shirt dress with plaid blanket scarf
jersey shirt dress with OTK boots
plaid blanket scarf
jersey shirt dress

Dress, Yoins. Scarf, Zara. Boots, Town Shoes. Sunnies, Lulus. Purse, Rebecca Minkoff.

Another piece that I reviewed for Yoins was this A line shirt dress. Shirt dresses are pretty effortless to style with a tartan blanket scarf and over the knee boots. Because I love ultra short dresses paired with sky high OTK boots for Fall this outfit was a no brainer. Adding a nice statement or blanket scarf to play up the texture completes this look. As for the shirt dress itself, the jersey fabric is super comfy and warm enough for the autumn season making this a great heavy rotation piece.

Hope you have been enjoying your weekend! xo