Inspired.

It's something that I currently fail to be. With school and work and stress out of every crevasse, I'm struggling with this thing. I'm still street-stalking and online-shopping like nobody's business, but why oh why can't I find the inspiration to put my desires into words. I want I want I want...

Ahah! Something lacy is what I want....

This BCBG Lace Sheath is exactly what I need right now - something light and feminine and easy to wear.

A few tasty Top Shop bits. We have so little of you in Canada, but I will be in the EU soontime and I will be looking for you! Although they don't go together or with the first piece in any sense, I just love lace embellishment right now and I'm quite sure that I'd wear an all-lace body suit that included a hood and booties if I could. There is something so delicate and sophisticated in light lace detailing as seen in the top above. And as for the shorts, how could I resist lace AND beading on a pair of olive, high-waisted, seemingly crafted for Where The Wild Things Are bottoms?

Cole Haan for my life.

Recently, I find myself cruising the Cole Haan page, drooling helplessly over the shoes that I know I should not buy, but that I undoubtedly will.  With so many beautiful leather creations this fall, and with so many looks of seasons past still lingering on the sale page, Cole Haan's site is a nightmare of desires. Whether it's a new look or a not-so-new look, Haan always does it right, and keeps you coming back for another peak.

These leather lace-ups are my current favourite. I love the clean lines and yet rugged over-all look of the shoe; laces and trim, done in white-grey, create the perfect contrast on these structural beauties. The slightly-high-top is tres current, and I love a pronounced sole. (Jane Collection)

The woven leather on these classically inspired slip-ons makes for a unique shoe. I love the mahogany tone and the shine; they come together to create a well polished, old-era look. (Deanna Collection)

The Oxford: it's all in the name. These lace-up-pump hybrids are so of the moment. Patent leather, matched laces, and boyfriend shoe detailing create a seriously sophisticated shoe. 

A Walk in the Park.

With fall at its peak, we decided to treat our senses to a day in Trinity Bellwoods. The colours in the park are gorgeous at this time of year, and the market on Tuesdays is a tasty destination.

Crisp green, orange, and yellow everywhere. This trail at the park's centre is the perfect showcase of fall beauty.

Even our bicycles want to cuddle up together in the sunny, cool-breezed goodness that is the park at this time of year.

Stopped off for coffees on the way in. Wearing my Karen Millen coat; so many zippers and such great tailoring make this coat one of my favourite pieces. I've paired it with Marc by Marc Jacobs sunnies, a chunky C'est Moi scarf, Paige skinny jeans, vintage clogs (recent find - too good) and my Dooney and Bourke vintage bag.

Browsing in the market. Too many yummy goodies to decide.

... Or not. Almonds, almond paste, apples, brown sugar, and icing glaze. This flakey, oh-so-sweet pastry is probably 800 calories but so delicious for both the eyes and the taste-buds.

Devon enjoying his pastry. I'm in love with his most recent find; this grey knit was his great-grandfather's curling sweater. He's nicely bundled in his Loft scarf and simple black toque, and his Prada glasses round out his look perfectly.

If only every day could be spent peddling around in the sunshine, cramming our little faces with fantastic treats.

Clogs. Clogs. Clogs.

Could I be any clearer? It's all I've been thinking about today; the perfect clog is something I lack and need desperately. These recent front-runners in the footwear department are fun, stable, and somehow chic. Hopeless bad-boys, clogs are the guilty obsession of a few of my friends. They can round out an outfit surprisingly well, and surprisingly often. 

The studded detailing on these Miu Miu's adds oh-so-much flavour . Bunching the leather makes these clogs both trendy and laid back while the multi-colour wood and rubber gripping creates the biker-chic look so many of us are fawning over this fall.

Steve Madden offers this clog in a brown or black leather, too, but I love Olive accessories this year. Here, studding rounds out the shoe nicely by preventing it from becoming too boring a staple.

These Top Shop cuties fit the studded trend that I can't seem to escape.  They're a bit softer than the Miu Miu option with smooth leather and a more natural-looking heel, and are considerably easier on the purse strings. I'm also a sucker for the buckles.

Vintage inspirations mean accessible style.

 The Saddlery Perfect Purse by Marc by Marc Jacobs is versatile, simple, and timelessly stylish. Canvas straps add comfort and modesty to this durable bag.

I love the buckle details that round off the thick leather straps perfectly on the front and sides. Gold details are a big favourite of mine at the moment. 

My solution. One latte, five vintage shops scoured, and a few hours of biking along Queen West and Ossington have resulted in a seriously satisfying find. This vintage bag by Dooney and Bourke was picked up at 69 Vintage for a meagre $20. 

The thick, quality leather has already stood the test of time, and I couldn't be happier with the buckle and strap details that so interested me in the Marc bag to begin with. To top it all off, this bag also sports a canvas strap. 

Baked. Good.

 Today is about indulgence. It's a cold, rainy afternoon so I've decided to nestle into my flat to wait it out. What could make a day of watching Fashion Television and oozing over the Bona Drag's fall collection any better? Edible decadence. While I await the arrival of friends for tea and cake, the yummy flavours come to life in my rainy-day treats.

A scrumptious spread of some of my favourite teas: a citric sencha, an almond and cinnamon herbal, and a walnut sencha. 

My favourite. This herbal tea (Toasty Almond, by Tealish) is a dessert on its own. Brittle, almonds, apples and cinnamon come together for this addictive blend that yields a pink tea once steeped.

One of my best original recipes. Chocolate fudge sponge cake comes to life with simple additions. I add Nutella and crushed raspberries to buttercream frosting for the centre. Then, I crumble chocolate cookies into buttercream for the outer icing. I top it off with squiggly lines forming concentric squares with the centre icing. This cake takes me thirty minutes and always makes an impact.

Afternoon tea done with style.