Today let's talk about another women's fashion site I've discovered, Axara Paris Canada! Axara is a women's clothing store launched in Canada in 1999.  The brand started in Paris in 1990 and their design workshop remains there.  The website states that  they are always "experimenting, searching, and mixing pieces of fabrics, laces, materials, and embroideries. It is a place where fashion is still lived as a human experiment and a permanent quest for quality: all the Axara pieces carry the prestigious label «Made in France». In a state of perpetual effervescence, the creative team is always looking for new inspiration, in search of new associations to dress the woman of their dreams."

Axara describes their customer as a woman with French elegance who is independent and active.  I am always trying to achieve that never overdone look that the French women have made famous, and Axara can help reach that goal. Attention to detail and beauty, whether in the grace of a belt around the waist or the curve of a skirt, are crucial to attaining that "I just threw this on but look fabulous" kind of look.

Axara says, "If the outfit is a little bit more relaxed, the lipstick is very red. However, if the outfit is sophisticated, the hair will be loose, nicely undone. Ultra-feminine, she handles glamour as if she had invented it. She is so at ease perched on her high heels that she gives the impression of dancing. She is the heroine of her own life story."

I'm not one for fancy dress, but if I ever needed to dress up for an event I would definitely check out Axara's gorgeous selection of dresses (or possibly a suit, that always seems very French to me for some reason.) Below are some looks from their most recent collection.  I would happily add any of these to my wardrobe. How about you?

I wore this to my sort-of birthday brunch with Lydia and Christine this past weekend.  They were so kind and each brought me a present! Christine gave me an ADORABLE elephant necklace which I promptly put on and Lydia gave me an Anthropologie dress I had seen at a thrift store months ago and mentioned in this post.  Unfortunately the necklace broke when I was at my aunt's house, which was unfortunate. :(

After brunch we headed to one of our favorite shopping destinations - Coco's! They were having a 50% off dresses sale and luckily I found 2 great dresses. One that had no brand, which I bought for $10 and THEN I got the ultimate score - a Diane von Furstenberg wrap dress for $34!

I'm finally wearing my new-to-me Chanel skirt that I bought a couple months ago. It is a weird grey/purple color but I think it's more purple than grey. And be ready to see a lot of this sweater again this year.  I wore it to death last Fall/Winter and this one will be the same.  I wore it twice in one weekend so you'll see another outfit with it shortly. Check out my adorable new owl coin purse! My sister got one a couple years ago at a Renaissance Fair and I had been jealous ever since. Imagine my surprise when she gave me a purple one for my birthday this year!

Sweater; t. babaton c/o Aritzia, Skirt: Chanel (Roundabout Resale), Boots: Eighteen68 'Megan' (Gilt),  Bag: Chanel (Madison Avenue Couture), Owl Coin Purse: birthday gift from Sister, Sunglasses: Marc by Marc Jacobs (Shopbop) gift card, Necklaces: Acanthus 'Gemma' (giveaway), c/o Gorjana Griffin, and gift, Watch: Skagen (Rue La La), Rings: vintage & Mom's

Thanks to a new blog I follow I found Emerson Fry clothing! They make clothes that are totally my style - skinny jeans, sweaters, cool coats! Perfection. I am particularly taken with the Gusset Coat, Single Welt Coat, Mick Pant, various colors of the Raglan Crewneck Sweater, and the Big Knit Sweater. Anyone want to get them for me as a belated birthday present? ;)

Last week I had the pleasure of attending an intimate get together at Marshall's #FabFound Loft in New York City. A couple of the other girls from Project Fab were there as well so it was great getting to meet them!  For the event I decided to wear pieces that I bought at Marshalls, everything from my shoes to my bag (and even my wallet!)

To put a long story short - Marshalls rented a loft in Soho for a few months this year and decked it out with designer clothes from Marshalls. Even the furniture and decorations are from the store. So, basically, everything you see here was purchased for far less than retail value at Marshalls. 

One of my favorite things about Marshalls is each store is different.  I can go to 3 different ones in my area and, while there will be some pieces that are the same throughout, there are always some unique pieces.

They even had a "Pinterest wall" where we could create outfits. I helped out Tracy (one of the PR girls for Marshalls) with her board, you can see it below.

It was so much fun looking through all the gorgeous pieces. I was particularly taken with a muubaa leather jacket that was 50% off the retail price. And there was also a gorgeous blue couch I wanted to take home with me (seen above.)

Below is a photo of one of the Project Fab bloggers, Maria, and myself!

Dana, Elyse, Tracy, Maria, Louise, Sarah and Me Photo from Maria of Little Tree Vintage

Some more photos of the loft:

Today is my 25th birthday! I'm now 1/4 century old, time sure does fly. I was going to take the day off from work, but something came up so I'll be working a half day from home.  After that I will probably do nothing, watch some movies and then I'll go home to my parents for dinner and cake.