All I Need

All I Need- Firstcom

Sometimes I get frustrated with my wardrobe, and I'm pretty sure I'm not alone. 

Especially after reading beautiful blogs written by gorgeous, relaxed girls in brand new couture outfits each day. Jealously usually rears it's ugly head right around this time. 

I really hate that. And am going to stop it. 

I have nothing to feel inadequate about, and neither does anyone else. I'm 25, in school, have a mortgage and have been supporting myself for many years. Not surprisingly, responsibilities usually trump buying the latest trend. 

I will probably never know what it's like to own a pair of Christian Louboutons, a Chanel 2.55 purse or a Burberry trench. But that doesn't mean that my chance to be stylish is diminished. On the contrary actually, I feel most true to my style and myself when I haven't got two pennies to rub together and need to get creative. 

Thrifting, swapping and re-wearing (to death!) all the items in my closet gives me satisfaction and really helps with that pesky cost-per-wear calculation!

Grey Long Skirt- Wilfred via Aritzia (similar), Black Silk Blouse- Joe Fresh (similar), Black Patent Flats- Anne Taylor via Value Village (similar), Wrap Bracelet- Club Monaco

And to drive home this point even more, here's one of my favourite skirts. It was only $30 and, including these 4 above outfits, I've gotten it's cost back ten-fold. When I bought it I really didn't think I'd wear it too often, but that's the beauty of shopping your wardrobe, it forces you to mix and match and get creative. Sometimes that's where the best outfits come from! 

Can anyone else relate?

love

xxx

Chances Are

Chances Are- Garrett Hedlund

Kismet.

I think I'm going to start defining it as "when you wear something that just happens to be in a colour you're studying at school". Or, I'll just keep it as fate. We'll see.

It was pretty perfect timing to wear this gorgeous skirt during our colour theory classes, never underestimate the power of being a walking visual aid! 

Royal Blue Skirt- Borrowed from Cee at Coco & Vera (similar), Beige Sweater- Old Navy (similar), Grey Felt Hat- American Apparel (similar), Grey Suede Pumps- Nine West, Black Studded Belt- Gap, Wrap Bracelet- Club Monaco

As soon as I laid eyes on this gorgeous skirt of Cee's I pounced, I was swept off my feet by the colour and flow. Completely gorgeous!

And it's just as much fun as it seems to wear it, and surprisingly versatile. Plus it gave me an excuse to wear my coziest new sweater and favourite floppy hat, so it's lived up to all of my high expectations!

love

xxx

Somebody That I Used To Know

Somebody That I Used To Know- Gotye (how gooood is this song?!)

So it's finally here, the end of my early twenties. 

Gah! 

My poor Hundred list- I'm definitely leaving it all to crunch time! Looks like I'll be taking 2015 off and just globe trotting the entire time. Aww shucks, sounds rough, right? 

And even though I wore this outfit a full week before my birthday I felt that the sparkle and slight "dance costume" feel of it was appropriate for my birthday post! Unless you really don't give a hoot, your birthday is one of the few times you can get away with wearing sequins before 10 am...

ah, who am I kidding? Sequins are too much fun to be left only for after brunch. Introduce them to your croissants tomorrow! 

Navy Wool Cardigan- Gap, Black Lace Blouse- Wilfred (similar), Sequin Shorts- Borrowed from Cee (similar), Mauve Tights- Marks & Spencer, Grey Suede Heels- Nine West (similar)

I'm still on the fence about the mixing of textures in this outfit- sequin shorts, lace top, wool sweater. When the idea popped in my head it was immediate love, however, looking at the photos I think the lace and sequins are too similarly busy, hmm... back to the drawing board I guess!

I'm an avid believer in the Live and Learn motto, naturally! 

love & birthday kisses

xxx

Settle Down

Settle Down- Kimbra

It's official, Fall has arrived! Jeans are out, coats are on and rain is falling.

Obviously, I'm thrilled!

I haven't had a chance to be outside enjoying it yet (oh hai, 32 hours of homework last weekend!) but getting to wear layers and sip tea while working is not too shabby.

Plus, it feels more weather appropriate to wear these pumps again, the red heel just makes me so happy- and reminds me of being in France last fall, where these beauties came from. I love wearing items that have such strong memories attached to them! 

Army Coat- Element (similar), Skinny Jeans- c/o Parasuco, Grey Silk Blouse and Gold Necklace- Joe Fresh, Bauble Necklace- Loft, Belt- Vintage, Heels- Mellow Yellow

And how cozy are these jeans? 

I don't wear jeans too often, mainly because leggings and tights allow for more comfort/impromptu dance moves, but these guys have lycra in them and just hug you. 

Parasuco sent them over for me to try out and I have to say, they're pretty awesome! Parasuco is one of those iconic Canadian brands from my childhood (pretty sure everyone in my high school had at least one pair of their jeans!) and they just launched their online shopping site, check it out here.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!  

love

xxx

Good Life

Good Life- OneRepublic

Last weekend Cee of Coco and Vera hosted a lovely little birthday and swap party, how perfect is that? 

A group of my favourite Vancouver bloggers came and we caught up, ate cake (home made by Cee's wonderful husband!) and picked out some new goodies to style. 

Plus she handed out little tiaras that were just so much fun!

The September birthday babies, Jen, me and Cee!

Poses in the park!

L-R Alicia, Lynn, Cee, Alex, Jen, me, Veronika, Cara

Outfit: Red Sweater (similar) and Gold Necklace- Joe Fresh, Floral Skirt (similar) and Bracelets- Le Chateau, Oxford Heels- Mellow Yellow (France), Belt- Vintage

Camel heels galore!

Photo credits to the patient husbands Ian and David

And I just want to say a big thank you for bearing with my absence these past few weeks! I still haven't worked out this new routine and homework is just piling up, then when you're the hugest klutz in the world and spill water on your beloved laptop you end up losing your day-off to wringing your fingers at the Genius Bar.

But I promise that I will be replying and checking in with all your lovely blogs soon, it's breaking my heart that it's been so long already! 

love

xxx

The Writer

The Writer- Ellie Goulding

I'm quite in love with these clothes swaps that we've been having over here in Vancouver. It gives you a chance to try on a style that you'd always admired, but could never justify jumping off the deep end for. 

Take this gorgeous velvet blazer. I've always been a sucker for textures, J Crew and classic styles (I don't know why I hadn't leapt before...) so when Cee pulled out this beauty I bounded across the room and happily gave it a new temporary home! 

Luckily fall eventually did arrive so I pulled on a few layers, my skinny cafe trousers and wiggled around my apartment like an extra from Mad Men.

Oh, don't even pretend you've never done that! 

Green Velvet Blazer- Cee's (similar), Leopard Print Cardigan- Ricki's (similar), Black Skinny's- H&M (similar), Nude Heels- Aldo, Gold Necklace- Joe Fresh, Brown Belt- Vintage

Luckily some of the lovely Vancouver bloggers got together for a swap, cupcakes and a chat this past weekend (pretty photos to come!) 

So I have some new goodies to dress up and can't wait to try out a few new styles.

I hope you all had awesome weekends too!

love

xxx

Loose Ends

Loose Ends- Imogen Heap

Looking back at these photos, which were taken a few weeks ago in sunny August, makes me remember being calm and relaxed. Right now I'm doing that sneaky blogging thing (where I'm still in my pj's, hair in a bun and a big cup of coffee glued to my hands) feeling anything but relaxed.

But I do feel excited!

 I'm loving my classes (hello, Typography!), Fall has arrived in Vancouver (hello, Pumpkin Spice Latte!), and I have some awesome things happening in these next few days (hello, dance class!). So, while my routine has yet to be sorted out, I'm revelling in this new chapter.

Grey Sparkle Slouch Sweater- H&M (similar here), Tutu Skirt- Cee's (similar), Black Wedges- Gap, Turquoise Ring- Aldo (similar), Bracelets- Le Chateau

And what better way to kick off a new chapter than with a style that's slightly new? I love this tutu skirt and while my first instinct was to pair it with a button up, such as here, this slouchy knit makes it look more rebellious. The play on texture is also something that I just can't get enough of lately!

love

xxx

You Are a Tourist

You Are a Tourist- Death Cab for Cutie

It's always strange returning to the place you grew up. I felt like a tourist in my hometown, and it was only then that I realized how different I am now from the girl who left. Not different in the sense of who I am deep down- don't worry guys, I'll always be a book worm, design obsessed goofball- but more sure of who I am and with a much less bruised heart. (yay!)

And it really was a lovely week back, filled with so many people (and animals!) that I love, river rafting, hiking, dinners, and hanging out on the town's new pedestrian area (aww it was such a BIG deal for the little town).

White Tank- H&M, Grey Jersey Skirt- Aritzia, Straw Clutch- Vintage, Woven Belt- Aldo, Silver Flats- Joe Fresh, Wrap Bracelet- Club Monaco

And one of my favourite times was just relaxing at my parent's acreage, in the comfiest outfit ever (LOVE this jersey skirt!), feeling very much like I know who I am and where I'm going. 

Cheers to mistakes, second chances, amazing friends and fresh starts. 

love

xxx

I Follow Rivers

I Follow Rivers- Lykke Li

Fall has decided that it wants to be late to it's own party out here. What a jerk! But as long as school is still a go and pumpkin spice lattes are cropping up on menus, then I really don't mind all that much and will continue to soak up this gorgeous sunshine.

 Although, when it's boiling outside and you've switched your wardrobe to layers, sweaters and boots you stand to have some awkward layer-shedding moments! I loved this slouchy lazy day outfit but by the time I got home I was sadly only wearing the dress (luckily I'd snuck in the flip flops that Cougar had sent along with these boots, very smart thinking on their part!) 

Knit Slouch Sweater- H&M, Printed Dress- Hurley via Winners, Pillow Boots- c/o Cougar, Grey Knee Socks- Dollarama, Brown Belt- Vintage, Gold Necklace- Joe Fresh, Wrap Bracelet- Club Monaco

And now to the star of this outfit, the vintage-style Pillow Boots from Cougar! Seriously, how awesome are these beauties? Practical and pretty... my feet are going to love me when winter sets in! 

The Pillow Boot is a Canadian classic that was launched by Cougar in 1976 and has just been relaunched this Fall with these limited edition modern take on the classic. The fact that they're crazy cozy, can battle the Canadian winter and look cute makes them my superheroes, I can't wait to put them to the test when the snow starts to fall. Although, I hope that's not going to be anytime too soon! 

love

xxx

Rumours

Rumours- Fleetwood Mac

Hola! 

I know, it's been forever! And I have no excuse. Lets chalk it up to travelling, soaking up summer, finishing my job and starting a new chapter of my life. Hmm... ok, those sound suspiciously like excuses. Forgive me? 

And these photos are hella overdue, but they're too much fun to not share! We're getting quite the awesome little blogging community out here in Van and the other night (okay, almost 2 weeks ago!) we met up at the cute Gastown restaurant Cobre for food, sangria and the requisite fashion talk!  

There was the usual suspects of Cara of A Fashion Love Affair, Cee of Coco and Vera, Mina of Faboulista and Alex (our lovely organizer!) from To Vogue or Bust and also a few beautiful new faces like Melissa of Miss Melissa, Jen from Prairie Girl in the City and Lynn of Hearted Girl (who I can't believe I didn't grab a snap of, seriously a huge sweetheart!) 

From L-R Cara, Melissa, Alexandra, Cee, Jen, Mina and moi!

I'm wearing: Blue Skirt- Banana Republic, Polka Dot Top- Urban Outfitters, Grey Suede Heels- Nine West, Straw Clutch- Vintage

Oh and I'm sure you'll all be happy to know, my outfit that night was "Lady of the Night" approved... 

So, there's that.

And, on an unrelated note, I may follow my gut rather than google maps from now on when it's trying to lead me down places called "Blood Alley"...

All in all though it was a wonderful night, I'm really quite a lucky girl to live in such a pretty city with so many other fashion obsessed ladies! 

love

xxx