Viewing posts in: My Must Haves

14 Jan 2018 Fashion 9 comments

My Must Have Winter Dress (under $50)

Dress (under $50!) | Jacket (similar here and here) | Boots | Purse So I found it! My must have Winter dress that is appropriate for the cold and the warm. For work, play and everything in-between! I literally found the perfect Winter dress. The fit is so good. The colour is flattering on so many skin tones. And the length isn’t too long or too short! Yes, I am totally obsessed! And you’re probably thinking “she is probably biased since she sells it at Shop Basic Babe“. I totally could be biased. But honestly, I’m not and this dress is just that good! I’m super picky when it comes to wearing a dress in the winter. I literally live in jeans and leather leggings, since finding a dress that can work with Winter is hard. And what I mean by works with Winter is this. Firstly, the dress needs to have long sleeves. Secondly, it can’t be too short. Cause when I don’t want to wear tights (I stroooongly dislike tights) I want to be able to throw own my over-the-knee boots and for there to be minimum skin. And thirdly, and lastly, it needs to be able to be worn to anything and everything! To work, date night, girls night etc. I even had a customer wear it to a baby shower! Check, check, check. And there ya go! My personal go-to dress for Winter for many valid reasons! Lol. What do you guys think? xo Lauren

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27 Sep 2017 Fashion 23 comments

Fall Must: Olive Trousers + Knit Bell Sleeves

Trousers: TopShop | Top: F21 (similar here and here) | Purse: Official Basso c/o | Sunglasses: Nicole Miller c/o | Watch: Daniel Wellington c/o | Shoes: Aldo Okay, you guys, I love a good pair of trousers! I mean a good pair of trousers are first, SO flattering, and second so versatile and go with everythaaang! And trust me, you do know want to know how many times I’ve worn these trousers since I bought them two weeks ago. Probably way too many times but I am so obsessed! I got these olive trousers from TopShop for $75 – and they are worth every penny! The fit is right on and they are seriously so comfy! They are lightweight and are cuffed and cropped right above the ankle (another detail I love). I would totally say these are a Fall must and really even a staple. I’ve worn them in NYC for a tradeshow, for work and even with a crop top for date night. They are seriously SO versatile. Also, another item you need in your closet is a bell sleeve top! This knit white bell sleeve just gives me all the feels. I love the softness, the fit and how big the bell sleeves are. I’ve also worn this top way too many times then I care to share. But hey, clothes are meant to be worn and the more wears I get the merrier! This top I would definitely recommend buying. It’s apart of the F21 contemporary collection, which I…

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10 Sep 2017 Fashion 22 comments

Fall Must: A Pleated Midi Skirt

Top: Tobi c/o | Skirt: H&M (this colour isn’t available online – other colours here)| Purse: H&M (similar) | Shoes: Charlotte Russe (similar) | Sunglasses: Shades Crush c/o I have never honestly been a midi girl until this Summer. I’ve always thought I was waaaaaaay too short to wear a midi skirt until I randomly bought one from Boohoo a few months back. You can see that skirt here. After rocking this skirt all Summer long I decided to add another midi to my closet! It was actually Qais who sniped this skirt first. Which is weird since he always zones out when we go shopping, lol! He told me he really liked it and so I decided to try it on and LOVED it! It reminds me of Christmas, for whatever reason, and I think I’ll be wearing it to church for our Christmas Eve service. Majorly thinking ahead, I know! Anyway, I am really into this colour and the pleats are just perfect! I wanted to make it not look so dressed up so I paired it with this lace up sleeve crop from Tobi. Which, would totally look cute with some high waisted denim too! I wasn’t sure if I could pull this top off since I tend to gravitate to a bit more feminine. But I think it really works with this skirt! PS.. you may see this skirt again in the next few weeks with a dainty blouse! I just love it that much!!…

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31 Aug 2017 Fashion 8 comments

Fall Must: Suede Skirt

Top: Rachel Roy | Vest: Missguided (50% off!) | Skirt: Missguided (50% off!)| Shoes: Sam Edelman (on sale!) | Purse: Foley + Corinna | Sunglasses: Shades Crush Happy Friday and long weekend-eve! Qais and I don’t have any solid plans for the long weekend, but we may spend time with family and go wine tasting. Which, is always a good idea in my books lol! As you probably know, I am getting really, like reaaaally, excited for Fall! I’ve been stocking on all things mustard, tons of booties and my favorite Fall staple, suede! I love suede everything. Suede pants, skirts, tops (I actually don’t know if that exists, lol) and of course suede boots! But, suede skirts are just so good for the cool and crisp weather. They offer not only warmth but obviously style too! This skirt from Missguided is not real suede. I don’t think I own any real suede, to be honest. But this “faux” suede does the job in comfort and style. One of my favorite places to buy faux suede anything is actually H&M. They just kill it in this department and I highly recommend checking some of their ‘faux’ suede pieces out when you get a chance! Also, I am dying over this vest I snagged from Missguided! When I saw it I knew I had to have it and now I can’t even take it off, lol! AND if you really feel like shopping, Missguided is having 50% off EVERYTHING with code ‘americanbabe’! xo Lauren

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16 Aug 2017 Fashion 14 comments

Fall Must: Wrap Top

Top: Zara | Jeans: Zara | Shoes: Aldo | Purse: Official Basso | Sunglasses: Nicole Miller | Bracelet: Paul Hewitt I can’t believe I named this post “Fall Must”, but since we are nearing the end of Summer it’s that time to start stocking on Fall items. Around mid to end of August I start buying more Fall colours, more denim and start getting my boot collection going. I’ve already added a beautiful pair of Marc Fisher knee high boots that I scored at the Nordstrom Anniversary sale that I can’t wait to show you guys!! One style goal I have for Fall is to incorporate my jeans into my wardrobe. Jeans and I haven’t always gotten along. But, lately, I have been grabbing a few good pairs of denim, like these above! I am such a huge fan of Zara anything and these jeans are no exception. They are the vintage style with the high rise, so they are super flattering. And they have a ton of stretch which is always a must in jeans for me! Okay, and this wrap top is ah-MAZING! So obsessed. If I could wear this top every. single. day. I totally would! A good wrap top for Fall is a definite must, ladies! They look so cute with high waisted denim. Suede or leather skirts. And pretty much anything, really! Which means, this will definitely not be the last wrap blouse in my closet! In fact, I’ve already been on the hunt for…

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07 Aug 2017 Fashion 13 comments

Summer Crush: The White Midi Skirt

Bodysuit: Boohoo (my fave ‘skinny’ bodysuit!) | Skirt: Boohoo (sale!) | Shoes: Charlotte Russe (similar) | Purse: Foley + Corinna | Sunglasses: Ray-Ban | Bracelet: Paul Hewitt I would say I am a definite skirt girl through and through. I love the ease of wearing skirts and the endless pairing options wearing skirts come with. But, like most women, I have a type I tend to always gravitate to. And that would be the mini skirt. I’ve been a huge fan of the mini skirt for years now, probably since high school. But as I’m getting older, I’m finding I want pieces that are classier and have more coverage! Don’t get me wrong, I’m not giving up the mini, I’ve just fallen in love with the midi skirt! Now, depending on your height midi’s may not be for you. I feel like I just make the cut off at 5″5 and if I was any shorter I may have really made myself look short! What I love about wearing a midi skirt is how classy you feel! It really makes you feel like a lady, lol. I know that’s totally lame but it definitely gives off total feminine vibes. This one here is from Boohoo and I paired it with one of my favourite bodysuits (makes you like like 10x smaller!). The skirt fits TTS but the bodysuit is a little snug if you order your true size. I mean it’s a bodysuit so it should be snug, but if you’d…

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27 Jul 2017 Fashion 16 comments

Favourite T-Shirt of the Season

Top: Urban Outfitters (similar here and here) | Skirt: Ruche (similar) | Shoes: Aldo (on sale!) | Purse: Old Navy | Sunglasses: Forever 21 (similar) I am definitely not a super casual girl! The only time you’ll find me in a tee and yoga pants is when I’m walking my dogs or running to the grocery store after work. I just am a huge lover of dressing up and putting on a cute pair of heels! That being said, I do believe in having a few cute tee’s to mix in with your skirts or shorts! This tee here is basically my only “good” t-shirt to be honest that I wear with everything! I just can never bring myself to buy more than one t-shirt at a time really, I know, super weird! Anyways, this is actually a peplum tee, which is what I love most about it! And it is seriously the comfiest and most stylish tee that goes with basically everything. One of my favourite outfits that I wear on repeat is this tee, my fave pair of white jeans, a pair of sandals and this hat here! It makes the easiest and most effortless look imaginable. I also love how this t-shirt washes (amazing!). It hold’s its shape and just keeps on getting softer and softer with every wash! I got it a few months back and it’s just making it to the blog now, but I’ll link similar. Verdict: even if you aren’t a t-shirt girl like me, you…

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23 Jul 2017 Fashion 21 comments

3 Reasons to Ditch the LBD for A LBJ (little black jumpsuit)

Jumpsuit: Marshalls (only $29.99 – similar here, here, here) | Shoes: Dolce Vita (only $16.00 at Saks on 5th at the Fashion Outlets Niagara Falls, USA) | Clutch: H&M | Sunglasses: Ray-Ban | Bracelet: Paul Hewitt | Choker: Mejuri You guys, if you don’t already have a LBJ (little black jumpsuit) in your life you need one pronto! Think of the LBJ as the LBD’s cooler and more spontaneous little sister. It’s basically the best piece you will ever own in your closet for several reasons, but here are the 3 best reasons to grab one now! 3 Reasons to Ditch the LBD for A LBJ: 1. They are so dang flattering! You’re probably thinking “Yeah and LBD’S are extremely flattering too!“. And I would totally agree except for one reason and one reason only. What LBD can be flowy, cosy like pj’s and flattering at the same time. None. Period. Now, not all LBJ’S are going to hit each of those points. BUT, wide leg jumpsuits are all the rage right now. So chances are you’re gonna be able to find a jumpsuit that is amazingly flattering and perfect for dancing, moving in general, and most importantly eating! No sucking in required. 2. They are a dime a dozen but yet nobody has them! This point is pretty awesome. Basically, every major retailer is carrying multiple styles of the LBJ, yet, not many people are rocking them! Because of this, guaranteed the LBJ you score will have major heads turning…

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18 Jul 2017 Fashion 28 comments

Summer Must: A Classic White Button-Up Shirt

Shirt: H&M | Skirt: H&M | Purse: H&M | Shoes: Charlotte Russe (similar) | Sunglasses: Ray-Ban Okay, I once again have a new obsession with something! And that something is the classic white button up shirt. I am so behind in the fashion world (clearly) and have never tried this chic and effortless top. I know what you’re probably thinking. “This girl gets a new obsession like every 5 minutes” lol. Which in all honesty is true! BUT, in my defence, this obsession is a timeless piece that I am SO happy I found! I actually just stumbled upon this shirt while shopping for something completely different at H&M (that always happens, am I right?!). I had a jean skirt in my hands already and I thought to myself, this would be such a simple but cute outfit! What I really loved about the shirt was how light weight and soft it was! And what really made me take the plunge was that it was $14.99. Such a good price! Basically, the moral of this story is. You NEED a classic white button up shirt in your life. I’ve already worn it with so many pieces, but my favourite has got to be this look! It’s truly such a timeless piece that is flattering on every woman, and it really is the definition of an effortless look. That being said, I think I’m gonna stock up on more. Don’t tell Qais, lol!! xo Lauren

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09 Jul 2017 Fashion 26 comments

Summer Must: Floral Skirt

Top: Missguided (now 40% off!) | Skirt: Missguided (under $30 and now 40% off!) | Purse: H&M | Shoes: Charlotte Russe (similar) | Sunglasses: Shades Crush c/o So as you probably know, I’m a huge lover of neutrals! Neutrals to me are just so effortless and classy and they’ve become my go to’s. But once in a while, I do like to add in a print! One of my favourite prints are florals and if you haven’t noticed black florals are all the rage this summer season! I didn’t have any black florals in my closet for summer (surprising, I know!), so when I saw this skirt from Missguided I knew I had to snag it! And I have to say I am head over heels about it! I’m also all about lightweight fabric for the summer. Here in Toronto, summers can get really hot and humid and I hate being sticky and sweaty. So I’m always looking for a breathable lightweight fabric! The day that I shot this it was hot and humid, but I was perfectly comfortable in these pieces. If you’re looking for an easy floral skirt to wear every day this it would be my go-to! I love it with the pleated off the shoulder shirt, it gave me major vacay vibes! I am just so obsessed with this outfit that I want to wear it nonstop. Like you know when you find that outfit you love and you could literally wear it every day of your life?…

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