My buys: Month Four

Once I saw it, I couldn't stop thinking about this modal-cashmere scarf printed with the Golden Gate bridge. Unsurprisingly, my only reservation was cost: it was $175, which seemed a really silly amount to spend on a scarf. So, I contented myself with visiting it; I must have gone to Any Direct Flight two or three times over the course of a month just to sigh over the scarf's soft feel and wash of colours. Why did I finally buy it? For a start, it's rare to find clothes you can't forget once you leave the store. Also, this was my way of bringing the romance of travel home and reminding myself that I need to see the world.

Since I won't be wearing my new Tilo scarf as a cape (or will I??), the full glory of the photo print won't be visible. Luckily it looks fantastic folded or tied, too. 

Ahh Reiss. I tried on one million items in their Toronto store but this was the only one that suited me. It happened to be on sale (about $240), BUT I didn't buy it because it was on sale. It's hard to see in a picture but this dress has a slightly raised collar and very chic armholes (if "chic armholes" are a thing, which I suspect they're not). I'm wearing the Liana Marie necklace I bought in Month One. 

P.S. Photo credit goes to my son, who made me strike a few poses. I had just come from the hairstylist – there's no WAY my hair looks this smooth on my watch.

Woo hoo, my first fancy bag. See me talk about it in my first vlog post. 

At this point, I am having a lot more luck at independent stores that I am at the major shops. They're filled with pieces that are a little out of the mainstream – and I love supporting local shop owners (many of whom are women around my age). These entrepreneurs have gone through a lot of trouble to curate their offerings, and it makes it a lot easier to find something unusual and fantastic. Case in point: the foxy 1940s-style dress from Doll Factory by Damzels. I've always loved all things Damzels, but I used to avoid it because the price point was slightly higher than the average mall store (or more accurately in my case, the sale rack at the mall store). This dress was $220, which would've been too rich for my blood before I started this project. I guess it hasn't taken me too long to find a new "set point" for spending. 

I found these earrings with ornamental backing in a terrific boutique called Fresh Collective that specializes in independent Toronto designers. Their website states: "We inspire women to let their outer selves reflect their inner self, and think of fashion as a daily form of communication and art that tells the world just who we are." Wow – that is exactly what I'm trying to do this year with my wardrobe! I should shop here more often. These Foxy Originals have a bit of an art-deco feel. They remind me of the Tiffany T bracelet that I covet...so at $26 they were a steal.

This is really simple – a light knit black v-neck with a white fake t-shirt collar – but it's incredibly soft and silky. It was on sale for $140. Maybe I bought it because I felt like I was getting two shirts in one.