The Canadian tuxedo, once a fashion don't, like all fashion "rules" have been challenged and broken beyond recognition. Daring fashion rebels have worn denim on denim for a long time, but in recent years, the new crop has come to prove that it's not just for 90s dads, Canadians, Texans and those other labeled groups known for anything besides being fashionable. Street style and blogs let us see how people pair light with dark or dare to go monochrome with their wash. We see what footwear they choose and if they attempt to break up the all over denim. And it should be noted that this is definitely not a girls-only style. Below are some great examples of why, exactly, we decided to start ignoring that rule in the first place. And why we can do so all year round.

Source unknown photos are from a Pinterest search of "denim on denim."

I'm pretty much in the minority of people who aren't under the Blake Lively spell. She famously doesn't work with a stylist, and I really think she should because her fashion choices, particularly for red carpet events, often underwhelm me. But she's famous and beloved and married to Ryan Reynolds, so what do I know? Anyway this isn't about me (or her, really), it's about the outfit. It has been legitimately cold over the last few days and I've been dreaming of living in thick sweaters that make up half of an automatic outfit (side note: there are some great sweaters in stores right now if you are sharing this sentiment). Blake here is doing this sweater dressing in a more risky way while still keeping it together exceptionally well. She's got the black and white color scheme going in so it's safe to mix the Isabel Marant stripes and houndstooth pants (which are extremely awesome but also look sort of navy in this picture?) and the black Louboutin flats and gray purse are the only necessary accessories and they're remarkably unfussy. Bonus for the matching shades. There's so much potential for there to be a lot going on here, and it all just jives. Next time you're wanting to be lazy and uninspired like me, reach for a more interesting knit and a patterned pant instead of the normal ancient sweater/jegging combo and feel like Blake. Or wish you were her, especially after her recent admission of never working out and eating a lot of chocolate. Something to aspire to.

what it is: Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipstick
why I love it: On days when you're really trying to make a beauty statement via lip color, you really want something that packs a punch in terms of color saturation. The last thing you want from a lip color is for it to be disappointingly sheer, requiring too much time layering just to have it wipe off immediately. Well, this lip color is the answer to any woes you might possibly have. I have the "Icon" and "Raven" shades. The former is a true red that makes me feel old Hollywood glamorous every time I wear it, and the latter (pictured above) is a coralish/orangish red that is the perfect choice for when I need something just a few blocks from classic. Jessica Alba wore "Riviera," their perfect shade of orange to the 2013 Golden Globe awards and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it ever since. Apart from the colors being absolutely perfect and coming in a range from neutral and feminine to bold and head turning, the colors are truly opaque and one swipe on each lip is pretty much all you need. You apply the color like gloss, but it has the consistency of lipstick and it stays on for hours. I just wore "Raven" yesterday from about noon until 10PM, eating, drinking, talking and generally living in between and only had to reapply the color once. I would say the only thing to potentially improve the color is to add a clear gloss on top if that's the look you're going for. If matte is what you want though, nothing extra is needed. The tubes seem small, but when you need so little so seldom to get the same coverage and staying power as other lip products, you don't need one the size of your normal gloss.
where to get it: hourglass.com, $28
*Note: the colors on the Hourglass website seem a little off on my computer screen. A little extra research into the true appearance of the shade might be required!

The temperature is dropping, and that means your favorite pair of worn-in jeans and paper thin t-shirt won't cut it to walk outside anymore. This is when reaching for your shiny new pair of corduroys is the best option. As it continues to grow colder and throughout the subsequent winter, there are days when you need something that works harder if you're not willing to layer long underwear beneath your legwear. Sometimes texture can scare guys away, but cords are a great investment. They allow you to add color to your wardrobe without going with the daring colored denim, and having these will really help keep things interesting during different seasons. These will differentiate between your cold and warm weather clothes. I recommend getting these in gray or a warm khaki color so building outfits and pairing with shoes and belts doesn't require extra thought, but you can go with navy (like the stylish guy above), black or even other colors like red or dark green to mix it up if you're confident in your outfit building ability. These also serve as dressier casual options than jeans, so pair them with oxfords and a quarter zip, a comfy shawl neck sweater or a v-neck sweater with a button down underneath. It doesn't matter whether you're into a bigger or smaller rib of corduroy (though smaller is a little younger and more modern), just invest in a pair or two...or more, and start the cold season off right. Esquire can help get you started shopping.

Curious about cords at all? GQ has you covered. And if you want to get fancy with it, they have some full cord suit options here.

Happy Monday! Today we're keeping it casual with this easy, cool outfit. It's a little cold to go sockless at this point in the season, but this works with socks just as well. Maybe better if you don't go with a cuff, though. First things first, get jeans that fit with a nice wash that can be taken from day to night, from dinner with her parents to the seventh fireball shot on a Saturday night. This look simply doesn't work without some well fitting grownup jeans. Grab your favorite (also grownup) casual belt to polish it off. Take a t-shirt that you'd wear on its own and throw on a shallow v-neck sweater in a color that works with the t-shirt. To finish it off, throw on a casual jacket and get a little risky with white oxfords. White isn't the only risky but cool option, though. Just go with anything that might make you think twice, or that you might think is a little too out there. But just a little bit. Don't forget your watch and sunglasses, and you're good to go. This outfit is so easy it's almost painful every guy doesn't already dress this well. But now you know.

When it finally felt like fall, I was so excited to cook with butternut squash. I immediately looked up recipes on my favorite food blogs, and I came upon this one, which is easy and pretty quick and perfect for a vegetable side dish. The combination of flavors was so fresh and perfect for the season, I can't wait to make it again.

crusted butternut squash
serves about 4

1 Butternut Squash (about 2 lbs.)
2 tsp. Olive Oil
1/2 tsp. Fresh Ground Nutmeg
1/3 Cup Fresh Breadcrumbs/Panko
1/2 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 Minced Garlic Clove
1 Tbsp. Finely Chopped Parsley
1/4 Cup Fresh Thyme Leaves
Salt and Pepper

November is here and Thanksgiving is the next holiday on the radar, but a few roommate friends had a HallowAutoVember (Halloween-Autumn-November) party on Friday as a belated Halloween and also just an excuse to have a party (not that they need one). Costumes were optional, but thankfully almost everyone who attended went for it. Running off of a fascination with the movie Spring Breakers, two friends and I opted to go that route. They were the spring breakers, and I was James Franco's character, Alien. You know, the redneck, but also wannabe ghetto rapper from St. Petersburg, Florida. I brought along my SLR and the pictures were too good not to share some of them.

what it is: Isabel Marant for H&M
why I love it: It's now pretty obvious that I'm a fan of designer collaborations. I mean, it's designers at a discount, so...obviously, right? Well, Isabel Marant, famous for colorful, patterned knits and jackets and the original popular-izer of the wedge sneaker is coming to your neighborhood H&M this month, and I'm excited. The look above is my favorite of the looks that have been released so far, but in the collection is one of her famous blazers, as well as a lot of other really cool relaxed, patterned, slightly hippie inspired (but not so much that you feel cornered into that style) items. As the weather starts to turn for-real cold, these cozy cool items are being released just in time.
where to get it: H&M starting November 14, prices vary

This special, unplanned post brought to you by Scandal and its dropping a black tie event on us when we least expect it. NO SPOILERS AHEAD! I'm not sure when Olivia Pope has time to shop for black tie gowns, but we've seen her wear a few of them, and she never repeats. I guess I shouldn't be so surprised given the fashionable spin she gives to everyday workwear. And we know she has the money. We've also almost only seen her go formal in black tie, except for the one time her and Fitz...you know, in the oval office post-inauguration, and another time she opts for a short dress in preparation for a night out (we see her in her room, but I think she gets interrupted and never wears it outside? I might be wrong). Lyn Paolo, costume designer on Scandal has been quoted saying that the use of black and white in costuming represents the uncertainty of good vs. bad and who fits which description when, and nothing is more notable about the color palette than its consistent presence in Olivia's gowns. 

Her first formal appearance in season one, episode 3 (my favorite look she's ever worn) has her in an all white, halter-neck, backless number that shows what a fashion player she is, considering this is in her closet or someone is on call to get this for her. She surprises Fitz by showing up at a state dinner, and I think that dress works as an excellent vehicle for a strategic surprise. I wish I knew who designed it.

The next time we see her in a gown is in season 2, episode 7 on her way to Fitz's 50th birthday "bash" that he doesn't want and doesn't end up going to. The gown is Jean Fares and is from a previous season than when the episode was airing. By the next time we see her dressed up, it's at a fundraising gala where she's on call for a client later in season 2 (episode 15). Lines have started to be blurred at this point, and we can tell because she's in black and white. Fitz also attends this gala. Jealousy ensues. I also love that this Escada gown with a sheer lace back is reminiscent of her inauguration dress.

And since that gala, it's been a while! Until last night, season 3 episode 5, Olivia was back at it, and she really upped her game this time. This time Olivia is at the White House Correspondents' Dinner and she goes for a structured bodice Rubin Singer dress, also in black and white. And she goes with gloves to accessorize as well as a fancy hairdo. It's actually not one of my favorites by comparison, but it makes a statement and it's part of a formal dressing evolution Olivia's character is continuously going through. And it's inarguably a beautiful gown. I'm glad they stayed with the black and white theme. Going back to all white would have seemed weird at this point. And color? No. I wish there was a full length picture of her wearing it because there were several in the episode, but I can't find one as of now and Hulu isn't formatted for stealthy screenshots. If you want to be just like Liv, you can buy this dress right now at Saks and Neiman Marcus. That is, if you have 3,000 dollars lying around.

It's obviously possible to endlessly analyze Olivia Pope's wardrobe choices, but I think her formal style is interesting. Most people don't get to go to black tie events...ever, so it's interesting now that we've seen Olivia attend four different ones at different times in her situation with Fitz and other surrounding life events. Kerry Washington and Lyn Paolo do an excellent job at keeping it realistic when it comes to Olivia's income, style, personality, event and the way she usually approaches getting dressed. I love seeing what they come up with. I just still have to wonder if she has these hanging in her immaculate closet (where the clothes she wears actually hang! and they repeat them!) or if she has a personal shopper friend/former client at Saks or Barneys or some such that pulls these out when she needs them. That season 1 gown was very last minute, after all.