TGIF blogger fam, who’s ready for the weekend? Well let me tell you I have had one hell of a week for various different reasons and I so need to relax and chill out. Thank goodness that is exactly what Mom and I have planned. No photo shoot but there will be manis and pedis, a massage, some good food and catching up with some friends. Do you have anything exciting planned? Tell me, tell me, you know I want to know!
Well I am back today to end the week with my final post in my kick off the new year series, sponsored by my friends at Catherines. As you know, this is one of my favourite times of year to shop. (my carts are full people lol!) Most brands are done with their winter clear out sales and all the pretty things for spring start to come out. And since Spring is my favourite season I start to stock up on all things for the warmer weather ahead. While this post is sponsored, all opinions are my own, as always!
For today’s post I am super excited because we are talking about one of my other favourite colours – blue and these pictures have me feeling so ready for spring, like don’t they just scream spring? There’s nothing like a fresh bouquet of flowers and a sunny afternoon to cheer you right up.
With the Pantone colour of the year for 2020 being “Classic Blue” we are seeing a massive focus on this colour and all its glorious range of shades for spring fashion. You can’t look at a brand’s new arrivals section without noticing it prominently being included. And that includes tone on tone options, denim and fun prints and patterns. I have always loved any shade of blue so this direction for spring definitely has me excited.
I think blue is a great colour because it looks good on anyone, you just have to find the right shade for you. And navy is a great alternative to black so its nice to see more basics being offered in crisp navy, especially for spring. So what do you do when you have so many options to choose from? Well of course I had to go for something bold so I chose this maxi in a beautiful shade called “Nautical Blue”.
A maxi dress is a silhouette that I think I will never not have in my wardrobe. Forget that I am obviously a huge fan of dresses but the maxi dress is just my style. I love the no fuss feel of them. I love how comfortable and flattering they are. I love that they are timeless but you can add a modern or trendy touch through the fabric and colours that you choose. They look great sleeveless, with short sleeves, 3/4 length sleeves or long sleeves. And you can also change the silhouette choosing one that is more form fitting or one that is free and flowing. The possibilities really are endless.
This particular style from Catherines new arrivals is a classic a-line silhouette in this incredibly soft and stretchy jersey fabric. The fabrics that Catherines uses is definitely one of the things I love about the brand. They always choose quality fabrics that wash well, keep their shape and look great. And did I mention breathability? I hate when something doesn’t breathe, it can be so hot and uncomfortable and I don’t need any of that.
Now I know most of you are pretty excited that this has pockets. I personally could do without them because of my big hips but I won’t deny all of you that love them. Three quarter sleeves are my best friend right now while the weather is still cold. The scoop neck is a great alternative to a v-neck line and the triangle cut out detail is super cute. I am wearing the 4x, my go to Catherines size.
So I have also have some good news for all my petite babes, this dress is also available in petites up to a 3x. I know how many of you that are sad when you see wearing maxi dresses because they are too long for you but Catherines really has a great selection of styles that are available in petites. I would definitely say more so then I see with a lot of other brands. And they also have my fellow extended size sisters covered because this dress is available up to a 6x. You know I give that a woohoo!!
I am officially declaring that I am obsessed with kimonos, ruanas, wraps etc. Like I honestly can’t get enough of them. And I love seeing that there are so many different styles available with a tonne of fun prints and colours to choose from. I think for me I have gravitated towards them because I have always struggled with wearing a blazer. It’s difficult to find the right fit and I can find it hot to wear that full layer.
But a kimono like this one is the perfect alternative because it gives you the feeling of that “third” piece that makes an outfit or the idea and polish of a blazer in a more friendly fit and a lighter layer. I really love the aztec print on this one that brings in pops of bright pink and white. I also like that it has a proper sleeve built in so its not falling off your shoulders. This design feature is perfect for the office. And as a one size fits all garment, I would say the sizing is pretty spot on. I am personally not much of a belt person but this would look great belted too to cinch you in at the waist.
If you are looking for new sandals for spring, be sure to check out the new arrivals that Catherines has. They tend to sell out quickly and I wouldn’t want you to miss out. I got a pair that is similar to these last year in white and I wore them a lot so I decided to get this nude pair. The straps are a really nice detail with the little bit of bling. I am wearing a size 9W.
I don’t think my obsession with accessories will ever end and it is always my favourite part of putting together an outfit. I just feel like it takes everything I have in my mind for how I want an outfit to look and feel and brings it to life. And different accessories can totally change the feeling of a look. I wanted to play off of the bright pink in the kimono so I went with one of my classic bags from my personal collection. And then I added some of the awesome jewelry I got from Catherines this time, these marbled earrings and the jewel toned adjustable bracelet.
Well I hope this series of posts was a great way to kick off 2020 on the blog and have you inspired to refresh your wardrobe for spring. Leave me a comment below and tell me which of the 3 outfits is your fave. And also what do you want to see me feature from Catherines next?
Special thanks to Rebecca of Rebecca Northcott Photography for capturing these images.
Kimono by CATHERINES | Dress by CATHERINES | Sandals by CATHERINES | Earrings by CATHERINES | Bracelet by CATHERINES |
