BOO!

Happy Halloween! Who's dressing up tonight? Although I myself have never been really into Halloween, I love dressing up my daughter in costumes! She's been a pumpkin, butterfly, and unicorn, and this year she'll be a princess. In the spirit of this spook-tacular holiday, here's some Halloween-inspired style.

1) Zoe Karssen Bat printed sweater $150.43 CAD
2) Widow Witch House screen leggings $34.00 USD
3) Nail Bliss Halloween appliques $5.99 USD
4) Alexander McQueen large enamel skull bracelet $295.00
5) CC Home Furnishings set of 3 sequin pumpkins $98.34

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Fall Foliage

{ Sweater: Zara (old) // Crochet Shorts: OASAP // Tights: Joe Fresh // Boots: Kensie (old) // Bag: Louis Vuitton // Sunglasses: Tory Burch // Jewelry: Forever 21 spike bracelet; MONIKALOVE Flora bracelet by bfrend; JewelMint Blanc Bomb ring }

 { Photographed by Eleanor Chow }

The vibrant red, orange and yellow hued leaves are one of my favourite aspects of Fall. I also love being able to pull out my cozy sweaters to wear with tights and boots. This slouchy brown pair of boots have been an Autumn staple of mine for at least the last four years. For more inspiration on Fall boots, check out Marionberry Style, who I'm linking up with today. Happy All Hallow's Eve!

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Monday Muses: Jennifer Hudson & David Otunga, Jr.

Welcome back from the weekend, dear readers! We're kicking off the last Monday of October with the casually cool looks of Jennifer Hudson and her son, David. Enjoy!

For Mama:

1) Enza Costa linen-jersey cardigan $78.75 CAD on sale

2) Nine West Jeleena flat $79.00 USD

3) Helmut Lang asymmetric racer-back jersey tank $69.00 USD

4) J.Crew café leopard-print capri pants $120.00 CAD

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For Mini-Mister:

1) Osh Kosh B'gosh lightweight jacket $25.07 CAD

2) Carters 5-pocket jeans $16.30 CAD

3) Gymboree airplane tee $8.99 USD on sale

4) KATI mossy oak break-up/blaze orange camo cap $10.95 USD

5) Zara patent high-top sneaker $35.90 CAD

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Don't Rain on My Parade

Dress: c/o Sugarlips // Tights: Nordstrom // Booties: Zara (old) // Bag: BCBGirls // Sunglasses: Dior // Watch: Michael Kors // Jewelry: H&M ring; HRH Collection Original Ombre bracelet }

{ Photographed by Eleanor Chow }

Clearly I'm not willing to let go of wearing sleeveless pieces of clothing even when it's pouring buckets outside. I promise to wear more cozy, Fall looks on the blog soon but for now, I'm going to hold off on the layers just a little longer. Or move to Southern California. Who's with me?

Enjoy the weekend everyone! I'm attending a macaron making class tonight and I'm SUPER excited about it!

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Where the Wild Things Are

Animal prints like leopard spots or zebra stripes have long been a fashion staple, but lately I've been noticing the actual animals popping up on clothing. There are foxes, scotty dogs and sheep, oh my! Will you be adding adding any adorable animals - real or imaginary - into your wardrobe? The unicorn sweater needs to get in my closet ASAP!

1) Peter Jensenn fox intarsia sweater $288.83 CAD

2) Madewell counting sheep sweater $108.00 USD

3) Yumi bough house owl sweater $75.99 CAD

4) ASOS scotty dog sweater dress $66.52 CAD

5) Topshop horse sweater $75.19 CAD

6) Zara sequined unicorn sweater $59.90 CAD

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Minty Autumn

{ Top: H&M // Cargo Pants & Clutch: Zara (old) // Shoes: Christian Louboutin // Sunglasses: Karen Walker "Number One" // Mint Watch: Anthropologie (sold out, similar here) // Spike Bracelet: ASOS }

{ Photographed by Eleanor Chow }

Mint in the Fall? I say why the heck not! Just play down light pastel colours with darker tones and you've got a look that's more seasonally appropriate. I fully intend to integrate my mint jeans into an Autumnal outfit since they were a favourite of mine to wear in the Spring. Don't worry Tim Gunn, I'll "make it work."

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Monday Muses: Amy Adams & Aviana Le Gallo

Hi Everyone! Hope you're rested from the weekend and rejuvenated for the new week ahead! My Monday Muses today are Amy Adams and her daughter, Aviana, who are incredibly adorable wearing matching red trousers while out on a walk. Get a similar look for less below!

For Mama:

1) LC Lauren Conrad open-knit linen sweater $25.00 USD on sale

2) Ralph Lauren red slim fit pants $51.00 USD on sale

3) Rocawear Sunwear sunglasses $28.00 USD

4) Make Love Not Trash soft satchel $93.00 USD

5) Dolce Vita Jill high wedge sandals $54.99 USD on sale

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For Mini-Me:

1) Genuine Kids from Osh Kosh tee $10.00 USD

2) The Children's Place lace leggings $8.00 CAD

3) Daffodil Girls pretty pink blouse $29.95 USD

4) Osh Kosh B'gosh slip-on sneakers $22.00 USD

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Insta-Snaps

Some recent snaps of my life through Instagram (follow me @marisajoyxo). L-R:

1. Macaron trinket box to store my jewelry
2. Princess doll cake I baked for my daughter's 3rd birthday
3. Autumn sunrise
4. Vibrant bouquet 
5. Charlotte's first arts & crafts project from preschool
6. Me and my girl
7. Snapping my accessories while waiting at the doctor's office
8. Hunter boots keeping me dry on a soggy, wet day
9. Joe Fresh statement necklace
10. Emily Schuman's blog turned book

Have a great weekend and thanks for reading!

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Ray of Light

{ Polka Dot Sweater: Old Navy // High-Low Skirt: Forever 21 // Shoes: Tory Burch // Clutch: Chanel // Sunglasses: Prada // Jewelry: J. Crew bracelet; JewelMint Ever Frost ring }

{ Photographed by Eleanor Chow }

I can't get enough of the sparkling light in these photos. It's really making me yearn for summer's warm sunshine, but that gives me all the more reason to plan a tropical vacation! We're thinking Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Have any of you been? I'd love to hear your recommendations on where to eat, shop and play!

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Monday Muses: Penelope Cruz & Leo Bardem

It's been a while since I've done a Monday Muse post featuring so many layers but now that the weather in Vancouver has cooled down, these cozy ensembles that Penelope Cruz and her son Leo are wearing certainly fits in with the season. Happy Monday!

For Mama:
1) Mossimo ultra soft v-neck sweater $15.00 USD
2) Genie by Eugenia Kim The Ferris hat $60.00 USD 
3) Wallis black faux fur zebra scarf $21.00 USD
4) Lugz Zen knit boots $41.99 USD
5) Levi's mid-rise skinny jeans $54.00 USD
6) Marc by Marc Jacobs Classic Q Percy bag $198.00 USD

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For Mini-Mister:

1) Osh Kosh B'gosh parka jacket $35.00 USD

2) Old Navy micro performance fleece pants $8.00 CAD on sale

3) Nike Kids Pico 4 $32.00 USD

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A Very Princess Birthday

For her 3rd birthday this year, my daughter requested a princess party. I decided to bake princess-inspired treats for the party and the results really delighted her.

First up were these magic wand sugar cookie pops. I followed Sweetapolita's sugar cookie recipe exactly and am very happy with the way they turned out. Although it was a bit time-consuming, the shape of the cookies came out perfect and didn't warp at all. I iced the cookies with a variation of this icing recipe and then dusted some of them with sugar crystal sprinkles. I added ribbons to the base of cookie pop to make them extra girly and princess-like.

I also baked some tiara sugar cookies using the same sugar cookie and icing recipe I used for the cookie pops.

The pièce de résistance was the princess doll birthday cake. I am not a cake baker by any means but this was surprisingly easy to put together and decorate. I used Wilton's Classic Wonder Mold Doll Cake kit and baked the skirt with Betty Crocker French Vanilla cake mix; the leftover batter was used for cupcakes. I then used a star tip to pipe buttercream frosting (recipe here) flowers over the entire cake and doll.

For the kids' favours, I wrapped up some of the magic wand cookies pops for them to take home.

And that's it! Although I do enjoy baking desserts to match a birthday theme, it is a lot of work and I'm glad I only have to do it once a year! We'll see what she requests for her 4th birthday next year...

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Miss Violetta

{ Cardigan: H&M // Dress: Sugarlips (c/o) // Shoes: BCBGirls // Bag: Salad // Sunglasses: Prada // Necklace: Spike the Punch }

{ Photographed by Eleanor Chow }

I'm in major love with this dress from Sugarlips, which is aptly named Miss Violetta. The floral pattern on the purple skirt is accented with metallic thread and the double bubble hem creates the most adorable peplum. I wanted to show you all the dress as it is for this post, but in the future I can't wait to style the dress as a skirt. Stay tuned!

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Back to Basics

{ Blouse: c/o Sugarlips (sold out but great options here & here) // Jeans & Belt: Old Navy // Shoes: Zara (old) // Bag: Chanel // Sunglasses: Ray-Ban // Jewelry: HRH Collection Sheik necklace; MONIKALOVE Flora bracelet by bfrend; H&M ring }

{ Photographed by Eleanor Chow }

You can never go wrong with basic pieces like a white blouse, dark denim and neutral pumps. I especially love the diamond cut-out on this blouse from Sugarlips (I'm a fan of open-back detailing, as seen here and here) because it gives a special twist to a simple silhouette. Add some gold accessories, a classic black handbag, and a tiny splash of animal print and you've got a foolproof outfit.

Have a fabulous weekend and Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canadians!

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A Dress for all Seasons

{ Jacket & Bag: Zara // Dress: Talula "Fleetwood" // Boots: Aldo "Qualheim" // Sunglasses: Karen Walker "Number One" // Jewelry: H&M earrings; necklace from NYC street vendor; Brandy Melville ring }

{ Photographed by Eleanor Chow }

The versatility of this dress has allowed me to wear it in the Winter, Spring/Summer, and now Fall. The white lace acts as the perfect neutral backdrop that makes the styling possibilities virtually endless, which I love.

Hope you're all having a wonderful Wednesday and thanks for stopping by!

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Monday Muses: Selma Blair & Arthur Saint Bleick

At the request of my friend Steph, today's Monday Muses are Selma Blair and her son, Arthur. Steph had other requests for Gwen Stefani or January Jones, but since I already featured them, we're going with Selma and her boy. If any of you out there have a request on who you'd like to see as the next Monday Muse, leave them for me in the comments below!

For Mama:
1) Dorothy Perkins navy and white midi dress $17.00 USD on sale
2) ASOS reclaimed vintage aviator sunglasses $35.01 CAD
3) DKNY Item rubber small tote $120.99 USD on sale
2) Soludos Miro flat espadrilles $36.00 USD

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For Mini Mister:
1) Gymboree puppy pique polo shirt $8.49 on sale
2) Skip Hop Zoo lunchie insulated lunch bag $13.99 USD
3) Gap knit-waist cargo shorts $16.99 CAD on sale

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