Leather and Mint

A leather accented blazer for Fall? Get out of my dreams and into my closet.

mint jeans: Target / blazer: F21 / necklace: Stella and Dot / satchel: Cambridge Satchel Company / glasses: Clearly Contacts / shirt: Target / loafers: Zigi SoHo via Nordstrom Rack

Studly

I recently purchased what I am quite sure are the most awesome boots on the planet (BTW, I LOVE having an actual job with an actual income as opposed to a grad student’s stipend for teaching plus loans plus a part-time library job). Check it.

dress: Target / shirt: Joe Fresh / boots: Steve Madden / belt: Aldo / sunglasses: Aldo / purse: Old Navy / necklace: F21 / watch: gift from my mom (actually the Provincial Government of Alberta gave this to her when she retired as a thank you for her years of service) / cuff: F21

Suede Pumps Alice + Olivia on Sale 

Thrifted Plaids

I snapped up this awesome skirt (well, technically it’s a skort, which makes it even better in my book) on a recent trip to Value Village. I think it’s the perfect addition to my fall wardrobe – especially paired with a sheer pussy bow blouse. It's also a good fit for my agenda today because I'm meeting with someone about picking up a teaching job at a local university this afternoon and feel appropriately academic in this.

skirt: Tan Jay, thrifted / top: ModCloth / tank top: Joe Fresh / glasses: Clearly Contacts / shoes: Spring / watch: Kenneth Cole / bracelet: ASOS / tights: Target

 

Citizens Skinny Jeans Citizens Jean Sale 

Reunited

There’s a great story behind this skirt. In 2010 when I was still living in Connecticut my helpmeet and I ventured home to Edmonton for a visit and I bought this adorable leopard print skirt with pockets at a local Joe Fresh. The only problem was that they didn’t have my size in the store but I was so smitten with the skirt that I opted to get a size down and just deal with it. Which I did, for over a year in fact. But my closet kept growing and eventually I needed to weed some things out and so this skirt was donated to Goodwill. Fast forward to 2012. I go into the Edmonton thrift paradise known as Value Village and find my leopard print skirt again – this time in my size and for the grand price of $5. Hello beautiful and welcome home! Anyways, I busted it out for a pizza and wine dinner at Famoso on Whyte Avenue last week. I am so happy that we’re reunited.

skirt: Joe Fresh / tights: Target / purse: Roxy / shoes: Target / tank: Target / sunglasses: Joe Fresh

BB Dakota Strapless Dresses BB Dakota Tank Tops 

Smell You Later Unemployment

As you may know, those of you who follow me on Twitter and Instagram, I recently started a new job! And while part of me is still a little sad that I didn’t snag my dream academic job teaching early modern British and European history to eager undergrads, I have to say that my new position is nothing short of amazing! I’m working on the campus of my alma mater, the University of Alberta (where I did my BA and MA before heading off for doctoral studies at Yale) and my position involves a salary that’s, frankly, much higher than I could have hoped for as an assistant or associate professor at all but a few schools, and revolves around working daily with graduate students across campus in an advocacy role. Having spent the last eight years of my life as a graduate student, I feel like this is an area that I am both passionate about and very experienced in. So I’m content at this point and really looking forward to all the challenges and rewarding experiences that I think this new position will provide. Although I am still keeping an eye on post docs and the academic job market, at least for the next year or so.

But enough about that. Here are shots of two of my first week of work outfits. Can I also just say that I love being in an office where jeans are encouraged and not relegated to casual Friday?

jeans: Urban Planet / tank: ModCloth / blazer: Value Village / satchel: Cambridge Satchel Company / glasses: Clearly Contacts / shoes: Payless / necklace: long ago gift from a friend

jeans: Lucky Brand / blouse: Sway Chic / blazer: Calvin Klein, thrifted / satchel: Cambridge Satchel Company / glasses: Clearly Contacts / boots: Kohl's / necklace: Charming Charlie

Wedge Sandals Caddy Cuff Shorts 

Night Shopper

Doing a little night time shopping. And, really, isn’t that the best time to shop?

pants: Target / shoes: Bamboo via zooshoo/ top: Dynamite / blazer: F21 / purse: H&M / glasses: Clearly Contacts

Madewell Tops Madewell Clothing 

Cocktail O'Clock (What? It's a Thing)

It’s cocktail o’clock and this is what I’m wearing to go grab me some drinks.

jeans: Lucky Brand/ tunic: F21 / shoes: Steve Madden / purse: Payless / ring: Emitations / watch: Swatch / cuff: F21

Club Monaco Sale Club Monaco Dresses 

Firmoo Review

Hot on the heels of my new frames from Clearly Contacts, spectacles manufacturer Firmoo sent me a great new pair of eyeglasses to review for them. I chose a pair with a tortoise shell finish (a colour scheme heretofore absent from my glasses collection) and my order arrived in a very timely fashion.

pants: Target / shirt: Gap / cardigan: H&M / shoes: Spring / glasses: Firmoo/ necklace: ModCloth

I have to say that I was really impressed when my frames arrived – considering how low the price was I was not expecting quality as high as this. The fit on the frames is just perfect and they’re really comfortable, not to mention stylish. Firmoo has as its twin goals vision and fashion frugality and the company is committed to providing customers with high-quality and fashion-forward eyewear at the most affordable prices. In fact, Firmoo launched a program offering free eyewear to first-time buyers in order to convince more people to try their quality products and excellent service. Just go here to get your FREE pair!

Chambray, Take Two

My new found love of chambray continues…

jeans: Lucky Brand / shirt: Joe Fresh / necklace: ModCloth / purse: Target / watch: Kenneth Cole / stud bracelet: ASOS / shoes: Payless

House of Harlow rings Harlow Platform Booties 

The Thrifty Academic

One of my oldest friends in Edmonton (that’s got to my favorite perk of moving home after being away for such a long time – reconnecting with old friends) ventured out last week to do a little thrifting at the always amazing Value Village. And this is what I wore. In addition to being delightfully comfortable to wear for a day of thrifting, I also think I look pretty scholarly in it (and, as you all know, I am nothing if not scholarly) and so I may be wearing it soon to the library (where, even though I recently started a full-time job, I still find myself working most weekends as I try to hammer out my book proposal to send to academic presses).

skirt: Target / top: Sugar Lips via ModCloth / shoes: Payless / tights: Winner’s / glasses: Clearly Contacts / purse: Payless

Also, don't forget that I'm giving away 2 sets of tickets to Western Canadian Fashion Week - check out the entry rules and associated nuts and bolts here.

Nanette Lepore Tops Nanette Lepore Dress Sale 

© Kiere Media

All Aboard

I was always a little resistant to the chambray shirt trend (in that I loved it on others but was unsure I could execute it). Well, I’m on board now!

shirt: Ralph Lauren / jeans: Zara / shoes: thrifted / purse: Roxy 

And, in the realm of exciting giveaway news, Sartorial Sidelines has two sets of tickets (so one for you and a guest) to next week’s Tuesday and Thursday shows at Western Canadian Fashion Week here in Edmonton! The line ups for Tuesday, September 18 and Thursday, September 20 (you can check out the schedule here) are impressive and the respective shows promise to be full of fantastic fashion.

So, if you’re interested in attending, here’s the run down on all you have to do to enter:

Like Western Canadian Fashion Week on Facebook

Follow Western Canadian Fashion Week on Twitter

Like Sartorial Sidelines on Facebook

Follow me on Twitter

Leave a comment telling me you’ve done all four things, note which night you’d like to win tickets for, and leave me a way to contact you. I’ll draw two sets of winners on Sunday night and contact you about claiming your tickets.

Tory Burch Swimwear Tory Burch Sale 

Smoking Slipper Addict

Sparkly smoking slippers! Need I say more?

shoes: Bamboo via ZooShoo  

As you can see, my loafer collection is getting a tad out of control. I have no regrets.

Don’t forget to like me on Facebook, follow me on Twitter, check out my Tumblr, and subscribe to my Instragram feed (@CourtneyMedea)

Fall. Let's Do This Thing.

I’m starting to transition this summery dress into a fall via tights and, when the weather gets chilly enough, a great structured blazer. I have a feeling this plan is going to work out very nicely for me.

dress: Jason Wu for Target / tights: Target / shoes: Payless / watch: Kenneth Cole / spiked bracelet: ASOS / rhinestone bracelet: vintage, my grandmother’s / gold ring: vintage, my mother’s

Shop Wedges Michael Kors Wedge Sandals Michael Kors Ballet Flats 

Framed

Regular readers know that my glasses make frequent appearances on the blog. While I enjoy the freedom of wearing contacts, I also spend a lot of time every day writing in front of my computer and reading (the glamorous life of an academic) and that means eye strain. I also just genuinely appreciate the look of glasses and don’t at all mind wearing them on a fairly regular basis. I first got my glasses in grade 4 and spent the better part of the next 8 years wishing I had normal eyes and didn’t have to wear corrective lenses. But when I hit high school I started to change my tune and embraced my glasses wearing persona with aplomb.

All of this is to say that I recently decided it was time to get an alternate pair of specs so I could have a little variety in my frames choices. Enter Clearly Contacts and these bold frames. My order came quickly and the customer service was great – the biggest challenge was trying to decide which of the many frames on their site to choose!

dress: Jason Wu for Target / tights: Target / shoes: Target / cardigan: H&M / watch: the helpmeet’s 

And, yeah, I'm aware that's a lot of Target!

The Shape of Punk to Come

Here I am on my way to see my favorite band, Refused (who I was also lucky enough to see in April at Terminal 5 in NYC) play a show in Edmonton. And while I have to say that the NYC show was at a superior venue and the audience seemed more energized there (also, the lead singer of another favorite band, Sick of it All, came out for a little duet in NYC), this gig was pretty mind blowing as well.

jeans: Urban Planet / top: Target / jacket: Target / shoes: Zigi Soho via Zooshoo / necklace: Monserat de Lucca via Shopbop / purse: H&M