Pearls and Polkadots - a style blog

Samantha April 30, 2019

Life Update

I don’t really blog anymore. There. I said it! It has been forever since I sat down and wrote a lifestyle, fashion or general style post and I’m here today to tell you why. Why I have let this passion of mine fall by the wayside, and WHY it is OKAY.

Since graduating last year, life has picked up. Anyone who knows me inside and out, knows how much I love to teach. It has been my heart and soul for the last two years, studying teaching methods and creating my “teaching practice”, and that is what consumes me. Fortunately for me, I walked out of school with a position in two school boards, ready to do what I love, and change lives. There has been laughter, tears, an abundance of stress and lots of smiles during this first year. I moved into teaching the first grade, coming to love and know twenty beautiful souls that I will forever cherish as my “first real class”. I am back in an occasional teaching role, and am now kept busy day in and day out with different students of all different ages.

It sounds busy, doesn’t it? It is busy. Like, it is CRAZY busy. The amount of running around, and switching mindsets that I have done in the last six months is nothing I could have ever imagined for my first year of teaching. The good news is, is while this seems like I am saying “poor me, look at my busy, busy life”…I am throwing all these words down to say I. LOVE. IT.

Every single moment of it. The good and the bad. These last six months have made me realize that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing. Teaching others is a passion that cannot be replaced in my world.

Are you still with me?

So by now…(if you haven’t stopped reading)…you are probably wondering WHY I am telling you all of this. There are a number of reasons, really, for which I won’t bore you all with. The main reason is to share. Share this happiness that I am feeling, and hopefully inspire someone to go after their dreams.

As for my blogging? Through the many years I have spent studying, blogging has been an outlet for me. A passion to turn my thoughts into meaningful words, published for whoever wants to spend the time reading them. I still consider it to be an outlet, but not a necessary outlet.

It’s a place I come to express my thoughts and share my ideas…and that’s the attitude I will take going forward. I want to get back to creating posts that I love. I want to explore new attitudes and ideas, and write more lifestyle pieces that tells you guys who I am. So there we have it…a new outlook on writing, my purpose and a major update on my part! I am so excited for more dreams to come true, and to be able to share more of my life on Pearls and Polkadots. Until next time…cheers everyone!

Samantha February 10, 2019

Spring Blush

With all this snow we have been getting, I am wishing for Spring. Around this time of year, I like to brighten up my wardrobe and pull out some fun colours hoping that spring will grace us with her presence. It seems as if the snow is never going to melt away, but I am hopeful that we are going to see spring some time soon!

Details

Blouse: c/o Pink Blush / Jeans: Urban Planet

Mauve is a soft, neutral colour. I consider it to be in the “blush pink” family. It goes with pretty much any colour and is absolutely the perfect colour base for a spring outfit. Blush emulates pink, but isn’t as vibrant and in your face – stunning for this time of year. I picked this blouse up at my favourite feminine online boutique, Pink Blush. I always look to Pink Blush for cute, feminine pieces that I can add to my closet. Especially around this time of year when I am looking to brighten up my wardrobe!

My favourite look for this tie front blouse is pairing it with jeans on the bottom. Anyone who knows me, know I love to use jeans as the basis of my outfits. A good pair of jeans is a staple in any woman’s wardrobe – no matter the season. However, there are so many different ways you could style this tie front blouse. You can dress it up by adding a fun patterned skirt on the bottom, or even with some lighter pastel or white pants on the bottom for summer!

I like to add third pieces on top of outfits generally as well. When we think about how many months we spend layering in Canada, it’s nice to always keep a third piece in mind when looking at a basic outfit like this one. I chose to add a fun textured “teddy coat”. It’s also a neutral coloured piece, which means it won’t take away from the blouse itself…and gives the whole look another dimension. Always add the third piece! I tend to wrap myself up in sweaters in this cold weather, but having fun blouses that you can transition from winter to spring, is key in keeping your wardrobe consistent!

**Although this post was sponsored by PinkBlush, my review, thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Samantha November 6, 2018

Fall Chenille

It’s my favourite time of year and we are in complete full swing. Despite the gloomy rain, I pretty much love everything about the fall season. This year, I have been consumed with school. I am no longer a student and am now a full blown teacher – hard to believe, eh? There is nothing I love more, than a comfy sweater to spend those long school days in and this year, I am LOVING chenille fabric.

Details

Sweater: c/o Pink Blush / Jeans: Urban Planet / Shoes: Converse

Chenille is a soft, velvet-like fabric. It has an amazing feel, is super cozy and PERFECT for these chilly fall days we are having. I got this at my favourite women’s online boutique, Pink Blush. I can almost guarantee you will find a gorgeous piece for any season in their boutique. My closet is certainly stocked full of chic items (thank you Pink Blush!).

My go-to look for this sweater is accompanying it with jeans on the bottom. I think that jeans are a great fall piece to have (and every woman should have a favourite pair of jeans in their closet ready to go). There are many other ways you could style this sweater. You can style it with a cute fall skirt, or even with some darker pants to really make the colour POP in the sweater. Another way I wear this chenille is with a third piece on top of the sweater along with the jeans.

Having a third piece to any outfit takes your look up a notch, because it adds another element. My typical third piece is a vest in the fall because it gives the look texture and I love the layered look! However, you could do a cute jacket or scarf as well (great opportunity to pattern mix with the scarf!). There are so many ways you can style a fall sweater…which is exactly what I love about sweaters in general. Also, I can get across enough that this fabric is SO SOFT!

**Although this post was sponsored by PinkBlush, my review, thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.

Samantha September 17, 2018

Styled Bookshelf Inspiration

When it comes to organization, I like to think of myself as being skilled. However, there is a difference between being efficient and stylish in your home organization. I lack the skills in making my home “stylish”. Whenever I look at a new space to redesign, I have a lot of difficulty forming that image in my head.

My go to tool to help me start brainstorming ideas (which I sometimes imitate exactly), is Pinterest. As some of you may know, I am in the midst of redecorating my bedroom. It is definitely a slow process since I am on a budget, and don’t have a ton of time to dedicate to doing so.

This past weekend, I dedicated my time to thinking about my two book shelves. I have never been one to style a book shelf so that it is a decorative piece in the room. Well, this time around, things are about to change!

Today, I am rounding up some of my favourite book shelf looks from Pinterest. These photos are what will be inspiring me for this part of my redesign! Enjoy!

Source

I really love a more neutral palette for a styled book shelf. However, I have a lot of colourful books, so I am planning on organizing the colours and making it work! Let me know which shot you like best in the comments below! Stay tuned for my styled book shelf look!

Cheers!

Samantha September 10, 2018

Fun on the Farm

It’s been a hot summer, and I am more than ready for the weather to cool down! There’s something about the smell of fall hanging in the air and the crisp winds starting to pick up that puts a smile on my face. Fall is my favourite season and time of year and I love going to the farm to kick off the season! However, just because the temperatures drop, doesn’t mean you pack the dresses away!

Details

Dress: c/o Pink Blush / Jacket: Old Navy / Shoes: Skechers / Purse: Thrifted

In fact, this is the perfect time of year to transition some of your summer staples to the cooler season! This grey wrap midi-dress is one of my new favourite dresses. I picked it up at Pink Blush and I cannot get enough of it! It is the simplest piece to style and extremely comfortable. As many of you know, Pink Blush is my favourite online boutique to pick up key pieces for my wardrobe! It is super si

mple to fill your cart with amazing finds and I am never disappointed!

I have already styled this dress a couple of ways, but today I wanted to show you my favourite way. Everybody knows that a good jean jacket is pretty much necessary to have in one’s wardrobe. I, personally, have three and I cycle them in and out of outfits as needed. For this look, I decided to pair it with my white denim jacket to give it a summer-fall transition feel.

White is such a tricky colour to style around this time of year. Sometimes it works for the cooler seasons, but it is primarily a summer colour. However, pairing it with other fall toned pieces creates the perfect September ensemble! I think that this wrap dress contrasts the white denim, all in all creating a very fun September look!

Last, but not least, I went for a more casual shoe. First of all, I was spending my morning at the farmer’s market and also running a few errands. Second of all, it’s a cute casual and comfortable look while still maintaining an element of flare! You can definitely jazz this ensemble up with a pair of low kitten heels or even wedges!

Fall is quickly approaching and I can’t contain my excitement! If you need me, I’ll be sipping my pumpkin spice latte, wrapped in a blanket scarf, shopping for pumpkins!

Happy Fall!

**Although this post was sponsored by PinkBlush, my review, thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.